A Sunday Too Bleak For Words
Justice was besmirched late last night. We can take some comfort in the fact that this is Florida we're talkin' about here. Any people idiotic enough to send a flaming asshole like Rick Scott to the governor's mansion is bound to have certain...."issues", shall we say? Back in the early eighties a group of my friends decided to emigrate - en masse - to that state. They wanted me to join them in their exodus from New York. "Thanks but no thanks", I told them. Not one of them had ever spent any time there. I had.
I really wasn't expecting George Zimmerman to be convicted of second degree murder; but I thought that they would at least convict him of manslaughter. I never thought - in my wildest and stupidest dreams - that the demented little killer-nerd/cop-wannabe would walk. As Lenny Bruce once said of that hideously overrated peninsula:
"Florida: Geographically a groove; politically a cancer."
Good old Lenny. The guy really had a way with words, didn't he?
So, George says that it's his voice on that 911 recording? Trayvon's parents swear that it's their son's voice. You would think that they would instinctively know. If it is George's voice, let him replicate it. While it might be hard to discern what the person begging for help is saying, the timbre of the voice is unmistakable. C'mon, George! Let's hear that voice! Unless he's the second coming of Frank Gorshin, don't hold your breath waiting for him to give us a little demonstration.
If Trayvon had really been the aggressor (a scenario of which I am not convinced by the way) all George had to do was brandish the gun, hold it to his head and say "One false move and you're dead, pardner!" - that's it. He didn't. When he told the police dispatcher that he was trailing the boy (lest we forget: he was only a boy) he was told - in no uncertain terms - "You shouldn't do that", George continued the pursuit in spite of the admonition. That's why he bought the gun with him. Georgie was looking for a little action. If Trayvon had shot and killed George Zimmerman - in the exact same circumstances - are you delusional enough to swallow the notion that he would have walked out of the police station that night with no charges filed against him? Do you honestly believe that Trayvon Martin - in the state of Florida - would have been acquitted of the murder of George Zimmerman? If that's the case, have another sip.
According to every account, Zimmerman had no history of racial bias - and I accept that - maybe. But this is not merely about race, folks; it is about a grown man who recklessly used lethal force on a seventeen-year-old boy when caution and common sense would have been called for.
 |
| Emmett Till |
If you aren't aware of him, Emmett was a fourteen-year-old Chicago boy who was visiting his grandfather in the Mississippi Delta region who was murdered in the summer of 1955 for supposedly whistling at a white woman. Compare his story with that of Miami native, Trayvon Marin, who was visiting his father in Sanford, Florida, two-hundred-and-fifty miles to the north....
In 1955 Emmett Till learned - the hard way - that while whistling at a white woman might have been no big deal for a black kid in Chicago, it was considered (to put it as mildly as possible) "bad form" in Mississippi.
In 2012 Trayvon Martin learned - the hard way - that while wearing a "hoodie" was no big deal for a black kid in Miami, it could cost him his life in Sanford.
In fifty-eight years one would have thought that we've progressed a bit, wouldn't one? Apparently not.
Tom Degan
Goshen, NY
SUGGESTED VIEWING:
The Murder of Emmett Till
The American Experience (PBS)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=r9E7aWLq30Y#at=3087
Emmett Till was the sacrificial lamb that launched the Civil Rights movement. This is a documentary that everyone should watch.
AFTERTHOUGHT:
Here is a link to a piece I wrote last year on the subject of Trayvon Martin:
http://tomdegan.blogspot.com/2012/04/21st-centurys-emmett-till_01.html
I'm going back to bed.
posted by Tom Degan @ 4:49 AM
60 comments
60 Comments:
Good morning Tom,
I am angry. I don't blame the state of Florida. I don't blame the jurors. I want to give some blame to the prosecution who seemingly fumbled a "gimme" on this conviction.
But in my heart of hearts, from what I've read in blogs, comments in news articles, Treyvon's death was (and I quote), "a good start!"
I'm angry at our country. I'm angry at a citizenry that has allowed itself to be wooed by the political right to be fearful, suspicious, contemptible, and judgmental of its fellow man.
I'm angry that far too many of us have bought in to the idea that we are all threatened and victimized or soon will be. I'm angry that there are those so juvenile in their own personal development, that a gun, rifle, or AR-15 is what defines them. I'm angry that we have a population, that while claiming "defense," is merely waiting to kill--legally of course, much like Zimmerman.
I'm angry at the hypocrisy. The same constituency that sent money to Zimmerman often decries loss of liberties and their rights; yet being stopped from a leisurely walk home from the store is "ok." After all, Treyvon was wearing a hoodie and black.
I'm angry at how frighteningly easy it is becoming to kill children in this country and how easy it is for us to move on afterwards.
I don't care about much today. What is the point? Who cares about the goddamn deficit? Who cares about abortion laws? Who cares about the unemployment statistics? Does any of it mean anything anymore? At this point, shouldn't we all just be satisfied that our kids get off the bus or make it back from the store?
On my blog, I did not incorporate your opening graphic Tom. Perhaps I'm not as 'gentile' as you; I used the crime scene photo of Treyvon's dead body.
I want people to see what a "good start" looks like. I want people to see what "liberty" looks like. I want people to see what gun ownership can look like. My hope is that as people look upon Martin's body, they might just wonder, "Was all this worth it?"
Jay
http://loraxlog.blogspot.com
Tom, Amen. You are right on target.
Patricia, Jay, Charles Moore, Tom
How come you are not as upset over black on black murders?(children included) Are you upset because Zimmerman is Hispanic?
Are you just as upset with how easy it is for children to be murdered in their mothers womb?
Why are you just picking this case as the one to be upset over?
Chuck,
It was never a question about race for me. Never. It did have much to do with "Neighborhood Watch" becoming "Neighborhood Confront." It had much to do with citizens, feeling as if they had more power over another person. It had much to do with the fact that Zimmerman, empowered and emboldened, by his gun felt confident in forcing the confrontation. By the defenses own admission, Zimmerman is supposedly somewhat "enfeebled" and therefore, without the gun, he stays in the car. It has much to do with the fact that Martin's only "crimes" were wearing a hoodie and taking his time.
I'm angry that this death and confrontation were needless and was based more on bravado and flimsy suspicion than anything else.
I'm angry that those who support Zimmerman are often the ones whining about their "rights" and their "freedoms," but do not afford those rights to Martin. I'm angry that those who justify this murder, would quickly say that we should all be armed. Martin, by his age, still would not have had a chance.
As for the other black on black crime, of course I care. Do you? Any attempt to curb gun violence has been quickly labeled as "gun grab" and while many on the political right often cite Chicago gun deaths, in their next breath, as with Sandy Hook, they would state: The deaths of 20 children is better than the death of the 2nd Amendment.
The Chicago / D.C. gun violence isn't a concern for the political right, it's a convenience.
Their solution has been to arm everyone and create more Zimmermans--enfeebled fearful men, scared of minorities walking too slow and empowered by their guns to confront.
I don't get upset over abortion. It isn't something I "accept" overly much. But at this point in the game, it seems to be a good way to cut down on the "targets" for the gun nuts. Better that some of these children never enter the world; lest they get mowed down in their classroom, shot on the streets of Chicago, or stopped because they are walking too slowly. If--if they are lucky, we might just send them off to die in the next desert identified as a "humanitarian crisis" by the political right.
I wouldn't want to bring any child into this country right now. It is sick place, filled with suspicion, fear, a lust for violence, and with no remorse.
Jay,
Well thought out, I believe that for you the trial was never about race.
Can you say the same for CNN, MSNBC, Rev Sharpton, Travis Smiley, and the Black Panther Party?
They have make this about race, claiming the trial results are opening the door for the killing of any black young person. If their concern was real and not race based politics they would be demanding AG Holder investigate possible civil rights violations or hate crimes in the daily murder of blacks by blacks in Chicago! Is it a gun control issue? Nope, not if the strict gun control laws in Chicago are not stopping the massacre of Blacks by Blacks by using guns. But I can promise you that this trial and it's results will be converted into a drive for more gun control. That those who have the most to gain by their focus on the race of the two men involved will use it for their own advancement and benefit and will increase the stress between whites and black in America.
Black chicago teen murdered for not joining a gang. @TheRevAl Sharpton silent. #JusticeforDarryl http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=9169739 … @benshapiro
10:35 AM - 14 Jul 2013
Relatives ID body found in Englewood yard as Darryl Green, 16
Darryl Green, 16, was found behind a boarded up home in the 6500-block of South Damen in the West Englewood neighborhood.
ABC 7 Chicago @ABC7Chicago
Maybe I should keep my mouth shut because I know I am less informed about this than most people who are commenting. I agree with the sentiment that he was guilty of, at least, manslaughter. But prooving this beyond a reasonable doubt may not have been so easy. So despite the fact that he walked away unconvicted and was guilty, is it correct to call this a miscarage of justice. This is how things happen sometimes in a judicial system that assume innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. One could say (perhaps with more than a bit of regrett) our justice system is functioning properlly when a certain percent of murderers get away. Now, that the ones who get away are disproportionately rich, white-ish etc is another matter. I hope this is not just the beginning of 'race wars' the practical function of which is to further distract us and pit us against eachother so the plutcrats can continue to swindle us and lute and polute The Earth.
A lot of the trouble with the proliferation of guns can be blamed on the majority of the SCOTUS, which read only the last 14 words of the Second Amendment. Those words are, "the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” They ignored the context in the first thirteen words of the Second Amendment. Those words are, “A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state…”
Somehow or other I fail to see how a “Neighborhood Watch” qualifies as a “well-regulated militia.”
SCOTUS extended the Second Amendment right to “keep and bear arms” to vigilantes such as George Zimmerman. Was Zimmerman a vigilante? He ignored the admonition from the 911 operator NOT to pursue this suspicious intruder in Zimmerman’s neighborhood.
The lesson from this tragic killing is not to go “walking while black” particularly if wearing a “hoodie” and carrying dangerous weapons such as Skittles candy.
Let’s not forget the Jeb Bush favorite law granting Floridians the right to “Stand our Ground.” Prior to this, if possible, we had to back away from deadly or dangerous confrontations. Now we can brandish our guns and “stand our ground.” And George Zimmerman demonstrated how tragic that can be.
Tom, I read a lot over the weekend regarding Trayvon and this shameful court outcome, and a very wise lady I've not heard before said something that framed the whole dastardly situation quite eloquently: "Only in America can a dead black boy go on trial for his own murder." Syreeta McFadden. That 'bout says it all...The only thing I would add is..."and be found guilty...
http://therightscoop.com/allen-west-where-was-naacp-and-media-when-two-black-teenagers-shot-a-white-baby-in-the-face/
FBI records: agents found no evidence that Zimmerman was racist, so how can the DOJ investigate Zimmerman for committing a hate crime?
It makes no sense what the race baiting left wing is trying to create except for more divisiveness.
Notice how Chuck and people like him cannot stay on topic? They HAVE to "defend" the Zimmerman verdict by deflecting to completelyunrelated incidents, which in themselves are are result of the racism they claim does not exists anymore in America. The bottom line is this. Trayvon Martin was doing nothing wrong, and a vigilante who admitted he hated "those people who get away with murder" waking thrugh HIS neighborhood took it upon himself to be judge jury and EXECUTIONER. had he follwed the advice of the authorities Martin would be alive today. INstead , he was MURDERED in cold blood by a cowardly wannabe hero.
He better keep that gun close from now on that's for certain. And I'll bet the NEXT person he has to deal with on his "neighborhood watch" is more than a skiiny kid armed with Skittles. Let's see how he does.
So beating a man in the head while you have him pinned on the ground is not wrong? Only in Mozart's mind set would be my guess.
FACTS you forgot to bring up Mozart:
If T. Martin had not taken the first swing, he would still be alive today.
Reverse the roles and see how it plays our in your liberal mind set.
Or here is a twister for you, every thing is the same except Zimmerman never gets to his gun, now what is the head line on MNSBC? Black youth n hoodie beats "white" Hispanic? It wouldn't be on the news and you know it. And if the results of that beating the "white" Hispanic dies, would that have made the headlines on MSNBC? You know the answer and it's no! Not one one a national level would have been said a word, and Sharpton wouldn't have said a word and if other "white Hispanics had taken to the streets as blacks are now, they would he been labeled as racists. You know how the liberal race card is played, you've tried to use it enough times.
If Zimmerman should not have used his gun, what after T. Martin had him pinned and was beating him, should have Zimmerman done?
Mozart I bet you will be happy if Zimmerman is killed by thug. As happy as you are about this "Baltimore police say they are investigating a witness account that a group of black youths beat a Hispanic man near Patterson Park Sunday while saying, "This is for Trayvon."
Mozart if you were honest, you would be as up in arms as you are now over the slaughter of blacks by other blacks in one weekend in Chicago. Doesn't a black killed by another black have the same value as a black killed by a "white "Hispanic? Come on Mozart, where is your rage? Or is the only valuable dead black the one who is killed by a "white" Hispanic?
Sure does look like it.
But it's only fair.
A man jogging alongside a Mississippi highway was abducted and beaten by three African-American men allegedly in retaliation of the George Zimmerman verdict, police told Fox News.
Senatobia Police Chief Steve Holt told Fox News the victim, who is white, was jogging Sunday night along Highway 51 when the suspects pulled over and ordered him to get inside their car.
“One of them asked, ‘Do you know who Trayvon Martin was?’” Holt said. At that point, the men in the vehicle attacked the victim.
Memphis television station WREG reported the assailants told the victim, “This is for Trayvon.” The television station and The Democrat newspaper reported the jogger was badly beaten and later dropped off on a road between Senatobia and Coldwater, Miss.
The victim, who the chief described as a young man who lives in the area, was treated at a local hospital. He refused to elaborate on the extent of the victim’s injuries or whether he was hospitalized.
Anonymous, If you were walking down the street at night and someone came up behind you and staterted asking you questins (which is most certainly what happened to Martin)what would you think? Do you think Martin just spontaniously started beating on Zimmerman? PLease! Martin was the one acting in self defense. AS for Zimmerman I wanted him to go to jail for a long time. That didn't happen, so now I'll have to settle for whatever "justice" happens. Do I WANT him to get killed? No, but I won't be shedding any tears if it happens.
As for what happens in Chicago, of course it's tragic, but let's keep our eye on one ball at a time OK? One thing does not justify another.
Do you think Martin just spontaniously started beating on Zimmerman?
YES I do believe just that. Beating/attacking someone because they are following you, come on, that's crazy thinking. And you know it. Martin could have called 911 if he felt he was being threatened, he could have gone up to any house and rang the door bell screaming for help, he could have gone back to the store where he bought his Skittles, but he didn't. Where is it against the law to follow someone?
As for Chicago, you are missing the very easy to see point I'm making. The left is claiming the Zimmerman has make it open season on black young men, that they can now be killed for no reason. It is already that way in Chicago! To be constant that you are concerned about "open season on young black men" you must address the killings of young black men in Chicago.
As was asked before,
Why is Martins life more valuable that the 200 black men killed in Chicago so far this year? Why not the out rage over that fact that 92% of black murders are committed by other blacks? Where is your moral outrage?
Is Martin's killing more important because his life was taken by a non black? Why would that matter if you are really concerned about the message the trial results may have sent?
Black men are being murdered daily by other black men, why hasn't Tom felt bleak about that fact?
Is it because the political impact and how it fits the into the liberal view that America is a racist country doesn't work if Black on Black killings are talked about? Is it because liberals don't want to admit that gun control as in the case of Chicago, under a liberal Mayor, has failed?
To me it just supports the view that liberals have to have an underclass to exist, or else who would need liberals. And a "white Hispanic" killing a black youth helps drive home that there is a black underclass and it's due to whites and the only way that can be corrected is through more liberal govt.
Meanwhile, don't talk about Chicago, it doesn't fit the template.
Tom,
You are so right!
This was a simple case of murder.
And Zimmerman was rewarded for commiting murder.
How much sicker can this country get?
Bottom line, If Zimmmerman excersises anounce of common sense and stays in his car, Martin is alive today. Anonymous, you can turn a murder VICTIM into a criminal to save your White hero all you want but the fact remains that Zimmerman was looking for trouble and had an axe to grind. WEll, he found trouble and he can live the rest of his life looking over his shoulder.
As for Chicago, it's a completely different thing and nothing but deflection on your part. Shame on you.
"A hate crime is when a white person attacks someone of a different race, even if it is self-defense."
No Mozart, shame on you for refusing to deal with the truth. Martin doesn't attack Zimmerman, Martin still alive. Zimmerman following Martin, not a violation of the law. Martin throwing the first punch, violation of the law.
Chicago murder rate of blacks is a deflection? Try to tell that to the family's of the blacks killed by other blacks. Oh I forgot, it's only a crime when a race other than black kills a black. I must not forget that, as there is no political capital to be gained unless its a non black on black killing. Sad on how little value the victims of black on black crime hold in the liberal mind.
Very complex issue. Lots of oversimplification and overreaction right now. We need to be careful with the rhetoric.
1) Zimmerman, I believe, crossed a boundary he shouldn't have. I believe we was overzealous due to frustration over criminal activity that had been happening in his neighborhood. Though I am strong 2nd ammendment, I don't believe it allows us to play amateur law enforcement. In fact, concealed-carry classes teach that you cannot claim self-defense if you've instigated or elevated the conflict. It is a fine line. Had it been after midnight, that would be one thing, but it was 7:00PM. Really not much criminal activity happening at that time of night.
2) No one knows for sure the intentions and actions that occurred that night fully. Martin may have turned aggressor or may not - we don't know.
3) Our justice system can only deal with hard evidence and a fairly high threshhold of proof. We often must find "not guilty" when "not proven" may be technically more correct. We have to live with that.
4) Race was not an overt factor in the incident. Race became a factor post incident, and the flames are being fanned by rhetoric from the media (and this blog). I don't understand why that needs to be or how it helps.
Profiling any one?
George Zimmerman haters throughout the media have carped and whined about the fact that there weren’t any African-Americans on the jury despite the law requiring the accused NOT the victim be judged by his peers.
On CNN Newsroom Tuesday, it was revealed that a potential black juror had been struck by the prosecution for committing the crime of being a Fox News watcher
The U.S. Department of Justice on Monday afternoon appealed to civil rights groups and community leaders, nationally and in Sanford, for help investigating whether a federal criminal case might be brought against George Zimmerman for the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, one advocate said.
The DOJ has also set up a public email address to take in tips on its civil rights investigation.
Gee, why does the DOJ do this only when a black man is killed by a non black? How about when a non black is killed by a black, shouldn't the DOJ become involved then as well? If justice is truly blind.
Anaonymous continues to delfect from the matter at hand, which is that one man shot another unarmed man in cold blood, and is now walking away free because Florida doesn't want it's "legal murder" law questioned.
Mozart continue to believe a falsehood.
"which is that one man shot another unarmed man in cold blood, and is now walking away"
That simply is not the truth but he cant handle the truth. The shooter was found not guilty because of self defense laws. Zimmerman doesn't get beat down, Martin is still alive.
Pretty simple
Tom,
were you bleak when this happened?
(CNSNews.com) – In the 20-day period of the George Zimmerman trial, four minors – three teens and a five-year-old boy - were gunned down in Chicago, according to Homicide Watch Chicago, a Chicago Sun-Times publication, which details every murder that takes place in the city.
Would this make you less bleak, a Federal law in which if a black is killed by a non black it is murder, a hate crime, and a Federal crime, but, if a black is killed by a black it is not a Federal crime, it cant be a Hate Crime, so it's just ignored?
What a minute, that's what's happening now!
MORE BLEAKNESS!
The Tampa Bay Times analyzed 192 of Florida’s adjudicated Stand Your Ground cases and found that:
Overall, black defendants went free 66 percent of the time in
fatal cases compared to 61 percent for white defendants — a difference
explained, in part, by the fact blacks were more likely to kill another
black.
Anaonymous, Zimmerman doesn't go after Martin, he doesn't get beat down. Why do you people keep leaving that fact out? And what happensin Chicago has nothing to do with Florida's stupid law. PLus we ALL know that had the tables been turned, and Martin (BLack) shot Zimmerman (White)under the SAME circumstances, Martin is on his way to prison right now.
Mozart, exactly how did Zimmerman go after Martin that would have justified being knocked down and beaten?
Really, if Martin is on his way to prison, how do you explain this?:
Stand Your Ground cases and found that:
Overall, black defendants went free 66 percent of the time in
fatal cases compared to 61 percent for white defendants — a difference
explained, in part, by the fact blacks were more likely to kill another black.
I believe this article really gets to the bottom of the problem and it's not open season on black youth as you would like to portray.
pjmedia.com/spengler/2013/07/15/what-do-you-do-when-the-oppressed-are-their-own-worst-oppressors/
This is the last paragraph of the article whose link is above.
Postscript: Conservatives should view African-Americans’ emotional response to the death of Trayvon Martin with empathy. What makes the incident so hard to bear is that so many young black men die every day through involvement in violent crime. Trayvon Martin, whatever his past misbehavior might have been, did not have a record of violent crime, and was carrying no weapon when he confronted George Zimmerman. He was not lost to society as so many black youth sadly are lost. The emotion is understandable in a community that is suffering terrible losses, and finds intolerable the loss of this particular young man. But that does not excuse the likes of Eric Holder for manipulating these emotions for political advantage, nor does it excuse the NAACP and the rest of the so-called civil rights establishment for its demagoguery.
If it could have been proven without a shadow of doubt that Zimmerman "went after" Martin, and not the other way around, then you have a clear conviction. As is stands, there is reasonable doubt. That's how our justice system works. In our justice system, people will get off a relatively high percentage of the time due to lack of evidence.
(and as I've stated, I do think Zimmerman likely crossed a line he shouldn't have)
But, to bring race into the issue is beside the point and inflammatory. Which is precisely the goal of the media on both sides of the issue, when this is really a fairly standard legal case in our justice system.
Our American idiotacracy at work.
By the way, Anon, I realize you are just bringing race in because the liberal blog author and his "following" did as well. Your points are valid and appropos given the circumstances...
Mozart, I hate to bring you down like this, but per the statements of Martin's girl friend, Rachel Jeantel made on Piers Morgan's show, both she and Martin thought Zimmerman was a gay rapist.
"He may be a rapist, Trayvon". She advised Martin to run away, which Martin didn't do, why?
To quote Jeantel ""And people need to understand, he didn't want that creepy ass cracker going to his father or girlfriend’s house to go get -- mind you, his little brother was there,". And this is the reason Martin attacked Zimmerman, not because he was a cracker, not because he is white, Zimmerman's of dark-complexion, the only term used by Martin per Jeantel was the words grown man. It wasn't racial like you want to believe, it was Martin acting on his fear of homosexuals raping his brother and father. Martin was homophobic. He attacked Zimmerman to protect his family from a grown man who he thought was a gay rapist. There is no mention of race.
Explain how that works with in your current understanding of the events that evening?
Anonymous, I hate to bring you down like this, but if that were actually the case Martin was "Standing his ground". Or does that law only apply to White people with guns? Your making Martin the attacker would hold more weight were it not for the fact that ZIMMERMAN WAS FOLLOWIING HIM AFTER BEING TOLD NOT TO. Just like conservatives conveniently leave out the first four words of the 2nd amend ment (WELL REGULTED) bigots like you are leaving out the beginning of this story, which is tha part where Zimmerman got out of his car and went to confront Martin! That is the most important part of the story, because if Zimmerman follows the advice of the police and stays put, Martin is still alive and we are not having this conversation.
RIP Trayvon
Mozart,
What law did Zimmerman break?
Re-read the statistics posted earlier.
The Tampa Bay Times analyzed 192 of Florida’s adjudicated Stand Your Ground cases and found that:
Overall, black defendants went free 66 percent of the time in
fatal cases compared to 61 percent for white defendants — a difference
explained, in part, by the fact blacks were more likely to kill another
black.
"bigots like you" Oh looky, the little pimple faced, hide behind skirts, liberal moron called me a bigot. Next he or she will claim I'm a Nazi, or a member of the KKK or Tea Party, all because Mozart is so stupid he or she can't do anything accept follow the talking points of the left lame stream media which he or she believes is real objective news.
Typical libtard behavior, cant win the argument call your opponent a name.
What law did Zimmerman break before he was forced into a position of self defense, brainless, idiot liberal, perfect rectum? Since when was self defense the hallmark of being a bigot?
Here's a question for you, why do banks in my area have signs posted outside their doors telling you to not enter if you are wearing of the these as listed:
Sunglasses
Hat
Hoodie
Must be because they have such positive experiences when people in the past have worn those things when they entered their bank. Right? Couldn't just be a fashion statement could it?
Come on moron Mozart, what law did Zimmerman break?
It seems to me that people see only what they are predisposed to see. The mindset of "victim" or "toughguy" is what people draw to themselves.
Anger is contagious, please don't pass it on.
Idiotacracy at work in my town...
WICHITA, Kansas – A young man believes he did nothing wrong after being arrested for criminal trespassing at Towne East Square, saying mall security racially profiled him for wearing a hoodie and a sign supporting justice for Trayvon Martin.
The arrest has brought A.J. Bohannon national attention on social media, and he says he will stand quiet no longer.
“I’ve been called the Martin Luther King of the city, been called A.J. X, but I just really appreciate the support because this is something that can’t be overlooked anymore,” he said.
Bohannon walked into Towne East Square Monday afternoon wearing a black hoodie and a sign, reading “If I don’t stand for something then I will fall for anything,” with the hashtag #RIPTrayvonMartin. He says he had been in the mall around 40 minutes when he went into a store and a woman started taking pictures of him, apparently offended by his message. That tipped off mall security.
“Security stopped me, asked me if I would remove my hoodie and I asked him why,” Bohannon said. “He said because the mall doesn’t allow people to wear hoodies. I ask him, ‘Don’t you sell them here?’ His response was ‘That doesn’t matter, we don’t allow you to wear them.’”
Security guards also asked him to remove the sign. Bohannon refused, stating that he wanted an explanation. Wichita police officers then responded.
“I understand it’s private property, but what about me says kick me out?” Bohannon said. “[The officer asked] ‘Are you going to leave, yes or no?’ I say ‘No sir, not until I have an explanation,’ so he says ‘Turn around, put your hands behind your back. You’re under arrest for criminal trespassing.’”
Bohannon said he had worn the outfit at several other public places Monday and was not asked to remove the clothing.
He led a protest Tuesday night, with another planned for 6 p.m. Saturday at Towne East Square. Bohannon has been banned from the mall for 30 days and faces an August 6 court date on the criminal trespassing charge. He says it’s all worth it to take a stand for what he believes in.
“Seeing all the corruption in the judicial system and the corruption in the streets, somebody has to do something,” he said. “I have two five-year-old sons and a one-year-old son, so I have 13 to 17 years to make the streets of Wichita as safe as possible before my sons have to be subjected to the nonsense I’ve been subjected to all my life.”
KSN’s attempts to reach the mall for comment were unsuccessful. In a statement to the Wichita Eagle, mall manager Michael Payton said, “Although we respect individual opinions, we strive to provide the best shopping experience for all our guests. Unauthorized events are not permitted as per our standard code of conduct.”
(Source www.ksn.com)
Harley, I do not understand the Right glorifying Zimmerman, he had several brushes with the law including domestic violence. It seems he got off because of relatives in the courts and in law enforcement.
I look at him as an idiot, he picked the wrong person to act out his vigilantist fantasies. If Martin had a long history of crime and violence it would not be such a controversial story.
I also look at Zimmerman as a wuss, he confronts a kid who he outweighs by 50 pounds and when he is getting his ass beat he shoots Martin dead.
If Zimmerman gets his gun back and he kills another person because " he was standing his ground" will the Right support him a second time?
James, if you refer to my earlier 7:05 post in this thread, you'll see my thoughts on Zimmerman. I do not glorify him in the least. I do think he overstepped his rights. But, ultimately, he could not be found guilty due to lack of evidence. Unfortunately, no one witnessed what happened.
But, I also do not support the opportunistic racialization of the issue. And, I stand by my claim - the mall guy is an idiot looking to get on TV (the self-proclaimed MLK of Wichita).
Harley, I did not include you in the generalization of being part of the Right, I just do not understand the support for such a loser as Zimmerman.
I think there was sufficient evidence to charge Zimmerman, the jury chose to ignore the fact that as soon as he stepped out of his car with a gun in his pocket, he made a decision to possible kill a stranger for just walking down the street.
I believe race played a part in the juries decision. Even if Zimmerman killed Martin inadvertently by speeding or drunk driving, he would still face a penalty.
If you were black, you would not think the mall guy was an idiot.
James, understood. And, I don't understand nor support lionization of Zimmerman either.
But, still I take issue with where you're headed in your arguments to some degree.
"...he made a decision to possible kill a stranger for just walking down the street."
Not to split hairs, but I think it's important. He made the decision to possibly kill a stranger for attacking him (possibly - again, we don't know- we weren't there). You forget we don't KNOW what happened - we all have our assumptions of what took placed during the altercation. His mistake was unnecessarily escalating and leading himself into a scenario where deadly force was warranted. If someone is on top of me slamming my head into the concrete (as was alleged), and I have a gun, I will likely use it. Now, if I've brought the trouble on, I've got some culpability. No argument.
As for the mall guy, to say he was approached because he was black is not true and is speculating on motive. Fact is, that mall did enact dress codes some years ago - it suffered from gang related activity. And, hoodies are typically warn because they allow a person to walk around largely unidentifiable. It is private property and does not want folks wearing hoodies (especially when it's 95 degrees here for crying out loud). Furthermore, it does not want distracting protest movements taking place and impacting business - it's not the place. He could have taken his protest to a public venue and been okay - and likely impacted a larger crowd anyway. As it stands, he purposefully chose to do it where he knew it would cause trouble. That was his true (and idiotic) goal.
James,
It is not support of Zimmerman for Zimmerman's sake that you are seeing. It is support for the legal system having worked.
The legal system says Zimmerman is innocent until there is evidence to prove him guilty. Since there was not evidence to do so, he is innocent.
Behind all of this is the push by liberal race baiting groups to even have the trial, and since the trial has ended, a push by the same groups to overturn the decision based on race.
For me as a conservative, it's not about the race of Martin or Zimmerman. It is not about the wisdom or lack of same, that either showed that fateful evening. It is not about the the issue of the laws of FL regarding, hold your ground, self defense, right to carry. It is not about possible violation of federal hate crime laws. It is not about the results of past trials.
It is about the application of the legal system using the accepted standards in place, to judge if the charge brought by the state against a person had enough evidence for a group of people to agree or disagree with those charges. That is what I support, that we are still a nation of law, not men.
And that is worth supporting regardless of my agreeing or disagreeing with the outcome of the trial.
James, that is what you need to understand.
Chuck, those sentiments are noble but they exist mainly in theory only. True justice is elusive for the poor and especially people of color. Probably half the people in this country feel a travesty of justice has occurred.
Here is the next Stand Your Ground case coming up in Florida.
http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2013/07/trayvon-martin-jordan-davis-stand-your-ground
I am interested to see the Conservative response to this case.
"Probably half the people in this country feel a travesty of justice has occurred."
James, feelings are not what was on trial. Feelings are not what determines guilt or innocence.
But feelings are what is used to justify the breaking of the law when a trial does not return the verdict you FEEL is correct.
James,
As for the upcoming trial, I have nothing to say about it. It is up to those involved in the trial to produce and use the evidence to support their side of the case.
Why would I comment on a case that has yet to be tried other than to say I am deeply sorry for those who lost a loved one.
As a Conservative do not see the race of the parties in a court case as important. I want the evidence to be presented and the trial to be held on that and that alone. Why do liberals see race and wealth as a part of every thing? Wealth is at best a temporary thing that can be lost as fast as it was earned. Then there is the problem of determining what wealth is. Race, is important only to those who use it as an excuse for acting out on their feelings.
Wow talk about ill informed and people say that there are sheep in the world and I usually say you want to know something don't call people sheep because that means you are one. Well I have to disagree with my assessment on the sheep because you all that are on Trayvons side of this all are complete sheep. I watched the entire proceedings and Tom first off when you invoke that why would trayvons mom not know if that was her son? Well I reverse that on you and say why would georges mom not know? Because she did testify saying that it was her sons voice. Also not once did they ever say or prove george was following or stalking trayvon. Then you invoke Emmett Till? Wow talk about following the pack. This is pure sadness and comical at the same time.
James,
I think what is being said here is that you can certainly believe "cosmic justice" was not served, while at the same time believing the jury returned the correct verdict given the evidence presented. And, even so, this particular case is complex and not a "no-brainer". Bad decisions were made we can all agree.
But, people want to IMMEDIATELY rush to race. NBC did. And sought to tell a racial story that didn't exist - that's why they're mixed up in a civil lawuit now.
You want a real travesty to be upset about (and one that should be receiving a ton of attention) - look into the acquittal of Ezekiel Gilbert in San Antonio. THAT is a case that has huge repercussions and displays a clear problem in Texas law - or the application of it. They should be embarrassed and ashamed.
Harley, I believe these laws that are being passed are a big part of the problem. The Florida SYG law states you can use deadly force on the suspicion that you are in danger. The Texas law states you can kill someone to recover stolen property. The Gilbert case shows how these laws will be abused and the guilty go free.
Until they are repealed, we are going to see a lot of chaos and killing. They are good for the lawyers and the media, everyone else, not so much.
That is odd, I typed my name and Anonymous comes up, James
She also ordered that a copy of her declaratory judgment be sent to President Barack Obama, saying he “bailed out Detroit” and may want to look into the pension issue.
Obama also suggested that the outcome of the case could have been different if Martin were white. "If a white male teen would have been involved in this scenario," he said, "both the outcome and the aftermath might have been different."
The president also nodded to the Justice Department investigation which is probing whether or not to bring federal civil rights charges against Zimmerman.
OMG, it's happening, our Chicago Jesus is coming to the rescue of all the down trodden and depressed!!
Who needs laws any more, just let our Chicago Jesus decide what "fair".
Well I hope Tom is impressed, we have stayed on topic for five days and 51 posts, I am sure that is some sort of record.
Rule # 18 When eating a banana, never make eye contact with another man.
If Obama had a city, it would look like Detroit.
"Since the ACA was enacted, we have been bringing our deep concerns to the Administration, seeking reasonable regulatory interpretations to the statute that would help prevent the destruction of non-profit health plans. As you both know first-hand, our persuasive arguments have been disregarded and met with a stone wall by the White House and the pertinent agencies. This is especially stinging because other stakeholders have repeatedly received successful interpretations for their respective grievances. Most disconcerting of course is last week’s huge accommodation for the employer community—extending the statutorily mandated “December 31, 2013” deadline for the employer mandate and penalties.”
“Time is running out: Congress wrote this law; we voted for you. We have a problem; you need to fix it. The unintended consequences of the ACA are severe. Perverse incentives are already creating nightmare scenarios.”
"First, the law creates an incentive for employers to keep employees’ work hours below 30 hours a week. Numerous employers have begun to cut workers’ hours to avoid this obligation, and many of them are doing so openly. The impact is two-fold: fewer hours means less pay while also losing our current health benefits.”
“Second, millions of Americans are covered by non-profit health insurance plans like the ones in which most of our members participate. These non-profit plans are governed jointly by unions and companies under the Taft-Hartley Act. Our health plans have been built over decades by working men and women. Under the ACA as interpreted by the Administration, our employees will treated differently and not be eligible for subsidies afforded other citizens. As such, many employees will be relegated to second-class status and shut out of the help the law offers to for-profit insurance plans.”
“And finally, even though non-profit plans like ours won’t receive the same subsidies as for-profit plans, they’ll be taxed to pay for those subsidies. Taken together, these restrictions will make non-profit plans like ours unsustainable, and will undermine the health-care market of viable alternatives to the big health insurance companies.”
“On behalf of the millions of working men and women we represent and the families they support, we can no longer stand silent in the face of elements of the Affordable Care Act that will destroy the very health and wellbeing of our members along with millions of other hardworking Americans.”
“We believe that there are common-sense corrections that can be made within the existing statute that will allow our members to continue to keep their current health plans and benefits just as you and the President pledged. Unless changes are made, however, that promise is hollow. The ACA is a pig with lipstick!”
Hey Tom,
Why don't you rant next about how George Bush and the Tea Party are why Detroit has gone bankrupt?
Dave W. Here is a good article about Detroit and why it in such bad shape.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35601.htm
ocregister.com/articles/detroit-517659-city-bankruptcy.html
This is what wrote in my blog www.dutchheretic.com/blog
Ever heard of the term "character assassination" ?
According to:
Merriam Webster.com:
The slandering of a person usually with the intention of destroying public confidence in that person
Free Dictionary.com:
A vicious personal verbal attack, especially one intended to destroy or damage a public figure's reputation
Wikipedia.com:
A deliberate and sustained process that aims to destroy the credibility and reputation of a person
Conservative right wing racists did this to a 17 year old kid, named Trayvon Martin..
As of it is not enough that this kid was murdered by an over zealous neighbor hood watch, who was told by the 911 officer to NOT engage this boy, it was deemed by the racist conservative media to be necessary to completely destroy the personality of this kid in order to change the image of his murderer into that of a hero
It is one of the most disgusting actions to take to win a court case.
There is no excuse that comes to mind that justifies this dirty tactic ..
However I am not yet finished, though this group of despicable people who use it has my utmost contempt there is a group that is simply beyond any grasp of what an educated person can even try to understand ..
When it comes to really the lowest of the lowest who are WORSE than the right wing conservative racists who destroyed the personality this to this 17 year old kid?
THE PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IT WITHOUT HESITATION
This is fantastic!
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