MARYLEE SHRIDER: Mettler shouldn't have to bear the blame

By MARYLEE SHRIDER, Californian columnist
mshrider@bakersfield.com | Friday, Oct 31 2008 5:12 PM
Last Updated: Friday, Oct 31 2008 5:10 PM

It’s been a great week for gay-rights activists, Prop. 8 protesters and the local media, all of whom are simply giddy over the infamous sign scuffle at a recent Friday-night rally.

Eight days after the incident, they’re still happily making hay over the video of Kern High School District trustee Ken Mettler punching protester Rob Badewitz.

And who can blame them? I mean, how often does such a gift fall into your lap?

That the video was shot and delivered to newsies by a crony of Badewitz’s and that it conveniently captures only Mettler’s part in the scuffle and that the police are still investigating the incident is apparently irrelevant.

Mettler got the trouble he was asking for, say critics, who are demanding apologies, talking recall and scouring public records for signs of a criminal past.

There isn’t one, save for an accusation six years ago that Mettler vandalized a campaign sign during a re-election run for the Rosedale Union School District. The matter went before Judge Sidney Chapin who threw the frivolous case out of court in under an hour.

In other words, Mettler has no criminal record. But that didn’t stop editorial writers from making the connection anyway, calling it “the same sort of act that enraged him to the point of alleged assault” in regard to the recent scuffle.

Enraged? Mettler? Did anyone actually watch the video?

The video shows Mettler calmly wading through a mob of vulgar, profanity spewing protesters to pick up a pile of “Yes on Prop. 8” signs — signs the protesters are heard to say they paid for, which is weird since the signs are free to anyone who supports the cause. Mettler says it wasn’t until he heard aggressors approaching from behind and spotted Badewitz at his side, that he reacted.

“Out of the corner of my eye, I could see a punch coming,” he said. “I leaned backwards to avoid it and felt the signs pulled from my hands — I threw one punch to defend myself.”

Both men walked away from the fracas uninjured, save for a bruise on Badewitz’s cheek. Judging from media reports, though, one might get the idea Mettler stabbed Badewitz with an ice pick, so outraged and fearful did the incident leave local Prop. 8 opponents.

“If he can’t keep his own temper, I’m worried about what the ‘Yes on 8’ people will do now,” said Whitney Weddell, Bakersfield leader of the “No on Prop. 8” campaign.

Oh, that’s right, I nearly forgot — this Prop. 8 thing is all about victimizing gay people, though Weddell admitted to a reporter that some of the younger members of her group went to the California Avenue rally because “they wanted to be more confrontational” with the “Yes on 8” crowd.

Maybe what Weddell should really worry about are fellow gay-rights activists who believe the law and rules of civility don’t apply to them.

The northwest corner protesters, by virtue of their youth, I suppose, get a free pass for their behavior, which, in recent days included harassing Mettler, mooning Vietnam veterans on the pro-American-troop corner and chasing a couple of Spanish-speaking Prop. 8 supporters up California Avenue.

“I was screaming in Spanish on my megaphone for the sisters to come to our side of the street, but they couldn’t hear me and don’t understand English,” says Pastor Novar Hernandez of Gethsemane Church. “The protesters chased them a quarter block up the street.”

As for that young rascal Badewitz, details of his recent criminal past are gradually making their way north from San Diego, where he was convicted in 2007 for felony drug possession. He also has a restraining order against him, according to court records, the result of a domestic violence case.

All of which, according to local media, was somehow irrelevant to recent events. Now, if the 21-year-old Badewitz had been convicted of, say, felonious assault on a campaign sign, well, then you might have some relevant reading.

Mettler’s decision to walk among the brutes for the sake of a few yard signs wasn’t the best idea he’s ever had — no doubt about it. But how about we set aside the tar and feathers for just a bit and give the police time to finish their investigation.

Mettler, a dedicated public servant who has served our kids and schools for 14 years, says he fought back in self defense.

Badewitz, an out-of-towner with a colorful rap sheet, says otherwise. Why is it that Mettler must bear the full burden of blame?

It’s quite a cost for just crossing the street.

These are Marylee Shrider’s opinions, not necessarily The Californian's. Call her at 395-7474 or write mshrider@bakersfield.com.