George Zimmerman Trial

[kmoose]

A slammed head into the ground looks much worse than the pics I have seen. Those are scratches...Most likely from tm being on the bottom of the fight and grabbing GZ's head to bring him down and not allow him to punch him.

Where did you get your forensic medical training?

 

[ND NYC]

just curious:

how many of you think Zimmerman should not have even been charged for anything at all in this case?

 

[connor_in]

 

[connor_in]

He was still responsible for his death, and still wasn't held responsible. No matter the reason, its still a fact.

First off...please note...what I am about to say is not meant as an apples to apples comparison to the GZ/TM case.

In the case of an attempted rape or home invasion if the victim shoots and kills the perpetrator the victim is responsible for that perpetrator's death...how do you want them held responsible?

 

[ND NYC]

anyone ever wonder why we dont have cameras in the supreme court?

 

[GoIrish41]

what more do you want?

Here is what I want. ...

I want Zimmerman to feel every day the same way Martin did that night when a dumbass decided to follow him for no good reason. I want them to feel suspicious of him, even though a jury found him not guilty, just because they suspect him of being up to no good. I want them to follow him around because, punks like him always get away. I want him to understand what it feels like to be Trayvon Martin, and I want him to grow weary and frustrated and angry about it.

I want Martin's family to find peace, even though their child was taken from them by an armed man who wanted to play hero cop. I want this because they have demonstrated nothing but class and dignity throughout this whole ordeal.

I want people to stop chastising others who are offended by the outcome of the trial. I want them to stop telling others that what they think is not valid. I want them to stop telling those who disagree with them that they are ignoring the facts, and then backing it up with "facts" like Zimmerman was proven to have been attacked by Martin, and Zimmerman's minor injuries were caused by the major trauma of having his head bashed into a sidewalk repeatedly. I want them to stop pretending that the 911 operator didn't mean for Zimmerman to stop following Martin on the phone that night, and stop acting like it is a rational thing to do to follow another person who you are afraid of into the dark of night to find an address on a house a block away when all you had to do is go back into the light and look at the house in front of you.

I want people to stop defending the idiotic decisions Zimmerman made that night. Even though he was found not guilty he clearly made mistakes and to ignore that is to ignore the fact that a young man tragically lost his life that night.

I want people to show a little empathy to other human beings, and I want people to stop being angry because others disagree with their point of view.

I want to watch Zimmerman answer questions during cross examination during the civil trial and I want a competent lawyer to ask the questions. I want to hear a closing argument in that trial that isn't a series of questions but a cohesive narrative of something that makes more sense than the self-serving story that was put forth by the defendant in this case. I want to see him sweat, and I want him to explain the glaring inconsistencies that he didn't have to explain during the criminal trial.

I want kids to stop being shot in the street with no consequences to the shooter.

Those of you who said that he was arrested, tried and found not guilty are absolutely right. I accept the verdict, and I accept that is what our legal system defines as justice ... but I do not think there was anything just about what happened that night or in the months after that led to this verdict. And, I don't want anybody to assign my belief to my politics, my race, or any other factor that had nothing to do with me not believing Zimmerman's story.

 

[Redbar]

Here is what I want. ...

I want Zimmerman to feel every day the same way Martin did that night when a dumbass decided to follow him for no good reason. I want them to feel suspicious of him, even though a jury found him not guilty, just because they suspect him of being up to no good. I want them to follow him around because, punks like him always get away. I want him to understand what it feels like to be Trayvon Martin, and I want him to grow weary and frustrated and angry about it.

I want Martin's family to find peace, even though their child was taken from them by an armed man who wanted to play hero cop. I want this because they have demonstrated nothing but class and dignity throughout this whole ordeal.

I want people to stop chastising others who are offended by the outcome of the trial. I want them to stop telling others that what they think is not valid. I want them to stop telling those who disagree with them that they are ignoring the facts, and then backing it up with "facts" like Zimmerman was proven to have been attacked by Martin, and Zimmerman's minor injuries were caused by the major trauma of having his head bashed into a sidewalk repeatedly. I want them to stop pretending that the 911 operator didn't mean for Zimmerman to stop following Martin on the phone that night, and stop acting like it is a rational thing to do to follow another person who you are afraid of into the dark of night to find an address on a house a block away when all you had to do is go back into the light and look at the house in front of you.

I want people to stop defending the idiotic decisions Zimmerman made that night. Even though he was found not guilty he clearly made mistakes and to ignore that is to ignore the fact that a young man tragically lost his life that night.

I want people to show a little empathy to other human beings, and I want people to stop being angry because others disagree with their point of view.

I want to watch Zimmerman answer questions during cross examination during the civil trial and I want a competent lawyer to ask the questions. I want to hear a closing argument in that trial that isn't a series of questions but a cohesive narrative of something that makes more sense than the self-serving story that was put forth by the defendant in this case. I want to see him sweat, and I want him to explain the glaring inconsistencies that he didn't have to explain during the criminal trial.

I want kids to stop being shot in the street with no consequences to the shooter.

Those of you who said that he was arrested, tried and found not guilty are absolutely right. I accept the verdict, and I accept that is what our legal system defines as justice ... but I do not think there was anything just about what happened that night or in the months after that led to this verdict. And, I don't want anybody to assign my belief to my politics, my race, or any other factor that had nothing to do with me not believing Zimmerman's story.

Whew...that is a very powerful post. Thanks.

 

[Rhode Irish]

We are really still talking about this? I feel like people are missing that there are two things at play here: Florida law and Right vs. Wrong. Yes, what George Zimmerman did was apparently legal under Florida law, at least as judged by the six women on that jury. A lot of people feel that it was wrong, though.

Accepting the legal verdict and thinking that Zimmerman was wrong are compatible viewpoints. I'm accepting of that and ready to move on. I'd suggest other people who think Zimmerman was wrong do the same and avoid the frustration of arguing about it. You can't enforce your morality on others.

 

[adsnorri]

Guys, he claimed self Defense, which in Florida means he stood his ground against an attacker.

Lets debate the real topic and not simple rhetoric.

If an eyewitness says on the phone during the incident who was on top, that should have relevance and hold value.

On the phone, but gz killed a kid that did nothing wrong. Worst thing he may have done is defend himself from a stranger that chased him. Nothing else to talk about. The good lord will take care of him, good or bad. He may come to that day quicker than planned. Surprisd there is not more sympathy for young adult that got murdered for doing nothing wrong. Period.

Time for me to move on from some of the crap and vile that is in this thread. God bless

 

[ACamp1900]

What this whole circus really shows me is how easily we can all act like lemmings when the media decides to lead us off a cliff...

There are indeed cases like this elsewhere....

Articles: What if Trayvon Had Been White, and the Shooter Black?

...that the media decided for one reason or another, not to cover.

There are atrocities committed in this country constantly...

Teenagers poured gasoline on boy walking home from school and set him on fire: cops  - NY Daily News

And two years ago my niece was murdered and no one gave a flying fvk...

Cleveland County D.A. Files Murder Charges Against Teen In Moore - NewsOn6.com - Tulsa, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports - KOTV.com |


We as a country seem to care so much about this one case because the media and the powers that be deemed it to their benefit for us all to care, lets not flatter ourselves beyond that.

I see that as yet another sad reality about all this whole mess.

 

[kmoose]

Here is what I want. ...

I want Zimmerman to feel every day the same way Martin did that night when a dumbass decided to follow him for no good reason. I want them to feel suspicious of him, even though a jury found him not guilty, just because they suspect him of being up to no good. I want them to follow him around because, punks like him always get away. I want him to understand what it feels like to be Trayvon Martin, and I want him to grow weary and frustrated and angry about it.

How do you know what George Zimmerman deals with, day in and day out? As a Hispanic, he may be dealing with the same profiling that you claim Martin was subjected to.

I want Martin's family to find peace, even though their child was taken from them by an armed man who wanted to play hero cop. I want this because they have demonstrated nothing but class and dignity throughout this whole ordeal.

So it's ridiculous for anyone to assume that TM was a bad apple, but it's perfectly acceptable for you to characterize GZ as wanting "to play hero cop"? Look in a mirror, pal. You are engaging in the exact same behavior and attitude that you are decrying.

I want people to stop chastising others who are offended by the outcome of the trial. I want them to stop telling others that what they think is not valid. I want them to stop telling those who disagree with them that they are ignoring the facts, and then backing it up with "facts" like Zimmerman was proven to have been attacked by Martin, and Zimmerman's minor injuries were caused by the major trauma of having his head bashed into a sidewalk repeatedly. I want them to stop pretending that the 911 operator didn't mean for Zimmerman to stop following Martin on the phone that night, and stop acting like it is a rational thing to do to follow another person who you are afraid of into the dark of night to find an address on a house a block away when all you had to do is go back into the light and look at the house in front of you.

If you are offended by the outcome of the trial, that is fine. And I respect your reasons why. But that doesn't mean that I have to agree with them. You want people to quit using "facts", but you throw around your own "facts", like that Zimmerman's injuries were NOT caused by having his head slammed against the sidewalk. What forensic medical training do you have, that leads you to conclude that those injuries are not consistent with his story? No 911 operator told Zimmerman to stop following TM. You say that it should be obvious that that is what they meant. And I don't disagree with that. But what you are conveniently leaving out is that AFTER the operator told Zimmerman that, she went on to say that Zimmerman should "let us know if he does anything else." The clear inference there is that Zimmerman should keep an eye on TM, to report what he is doing.

I want to watch Zimmerman answer questions during cross examination during the civil trial and I want a competent lawyer to ask the questions. I want to hear a closing argument in that trial that isn't a series of questions but a cohesive narrative of something that makes more sense than the self-serving story that was put forth by the defendant in this case. I want to see him sweat, and I want him to explain the glaring inconsistencies that he didn't have to explain during the criminal trial.

You'll probably get that chance.

I want kids to stop being shot in the street with no consequences to the shooter.

Where are all of your threads, filled with outrage about all of the senseless killing in Chicago, or Los Angeles?

Those of you who said that he was arrested, tried and found not guilty are absolutely right. I accept the verdict, and I accept that is what our legal system defines as justice ... but I do not think there was anything just about what happened that night or in the months after that led to this verdict. And, I don't want anybody to assign my belief to my politics, my race, or any other factor that had nothing to do with me not believing Zimmerman's story.

Here's a news flash for you, GoIrish: Life isn't always fair............. or just. We try to get through it, though, doing what we can to keep it as fair and just as we realistically can. But if you are outraged that it isn't? I can't help you, there. You will grow to be a very jaded, very disgruntled old man.

 

[Irish Insanity]

The fact is that the law deemed him not culpable.

"Responsible" does not equal "convicted".

Those were never my words

 

[GoIrish41]

How do you know what George Zimmerman deals with, day in and day out? As a Hispanic, he may be dealing with the same profiling that you claim Martin was subjected to.



.

Maybe, then he should have known better.

So it's ridiculous for anyone to assume that TM was a bad apple, but it's perfectly acceptable for you to characterize GZ as wanting "to play hero cop"? Look in a mirror, pal. You are engaging in the exact same behavior and attitude that you are decrying.

.

Lets look at the actions on the night of the shooting. Martin walking home from the store ..Zimmerman "apprehending a suspect" with a loaded gun. I'm not saying I never make assumptions ... but that isn't one of them.

If you are offended by the outcome of the trial, that is fine. And I respect your reasons why. But that doesn't mean that I have to agree with them. You want people to quit using "facts", but you throw around your own "facts", like that Zimmerman's injuries were NOT caused by having his head slammed against the sidewalk. What forensic medical training do you have, that leads you to conclude that those injuries are not consistent with his story? No 911 operator told Zimmerman to stop following TM. You say that it should be obvious that that is what they meant. And I don't disagree with that. But what you are conveniently leaving out is that AFTER the operator told Zimmerman that, she went on to say that Zimmerman should "let us know if he does anything else." The clear inference there is that Zimmerman should keep an eye on TM, to report what he is doing.

.

I'm not asking you to agree with my reasons. When I was a kid, I used to play a lot of hoops outside on a cement court. I've fallen on concrete hundreds of times and got waaay worse injuries than he had on his head. It doesn't take a forensic specialist to understand that. even his lawyer said he was exaggerating. after it was clear that Zimmerman wasn't following the operator's instructions, she did continue to ask him questions. I've said on this thread several times that she should not have done that. but, if he didn't keep following him, she wouldn't have.

Where are all of your threads, filled with outrage about all of the senseless killing in Chicago, or Los Angeles?

.

start a thread and I'll gladly give you all the outrage you want. this isn't a thread about Chicago or LA. this is a thread about a singular shooting in florida. Chicago and LA have nothing to do with Sanford Fla.

Here's a news flash for you, GoIrish: Life isn't always fair............. or just. We try to get through it, though, doing what we can to keep it as fair and just as we realistically can. But if you are outraged that it isn't? I can't help you, there. You will grow to be a very jaded, very disgruntled old man.

accepting the shortcomings of a terrible act will only ensure that it will continue to happen. I'm already old, so when does the jaded and disgruntled stuff kick in?

 

[kmoose]

start a thread and I'll gladly give you all the outrage you want. this isn't a thread about Chicago or LA. this is a thread about a singular shooting in florida. Chicago and LA have nothing to do with Sanford Fla.

So you only "want kids to stop being shot in the street with no consequences to the shooter" if the shooting takes place in Sanford, FL?

 

[gkIrish]

start a thread and I'll gladly give you all the outrage you want. this isn't a thread about Chicago or LA. this is a thread about a singular shooting in florida. Chicago and LA have nothing to do with Sanford Fla.

And you just made our point.

 

[phgreek]

Here is what I want. ...

I want Zimmerman to feel every day the same way Martin did that night when a dumbass decided to follow him for no good reason. I want them to feel suspicious of him, even though a jury found him not guilty, just because they suspect him of being up to no good. I want them to follow him around because, punks like him always get away. I want him to understand what it feels like to be Trayvon Martin, and I want him to grow weary and frustrated and angry about it.

granted...

Muhammad [new black panthers] offered $10,000 "for the capture of George Zimmerman. We're going to force our government to do their job properly, and if they don't we will."

You can find more of this stooge on Youtube...kept saying an eye for an eye.

I'm actually a big fan of ole' Hamarabi, but when it comes down to it, isn't that whats going on in Chicago right now...Good luck with that. I wish the new black panthers were as militant about lifting the poor, educating the young, and setting a good example. They do "Blame" real well though...unfortunately, blame and a buck will get you a cup of convenience store coffee.

 

[Rhode Irish]

granted...

Muhammad [new black panthers] offered $10,000 "for the capture of George Zimmerman. We're going to force our government to do their job properly, and if they don't we will."

You can find more of this stooge on Youtube...kept saying an eye for an eye.

I'm actually a big fan of ole' Hamarabi, but when it comes down to it, isn't that whats going on in Chicago right now...Good luck with that. I wish the new black panthers were as militant about lifting the poor, educating the young, and setting a good example. They do "Blame" real well though...unfortunately, blame and a buck will get you a cup of convenience store coffee.

The only people I ever hear talk about the black panthers are old white people. If it wasn't for you guys, I would not know they existed. It would be like if liberals scoured for news about the two dozen active Klansmen left in the country, treated them like they mattered in some way, and attributed everything they did to mainstream conservatives. If there really is such a thing as the new black panthers - and FOXNews/right wing blogosphere isn't just making it up - then rest assured they don't speak for anyone and nobody but you guys cares what they say.

 

[TDHeysus]

<a href="http://s276.photobucket.com/user/rwoods2k/media/godkitty_zps0ad2f08c.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk19/rwoods2k/godkitty_zps0ad2f08c.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo godkitty_zps0ad2f08c.jpg"/></a>

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

The only people I ever hear talk about the black panthers are old white people. If it wasn't for you guys, I would not know they existed. It would be like if liberals scoured for news about the two dozen active Klansmen left in the country, treated them like they mattered in some way, and attributed everything they did to mainstream conservatives. If there really is such a thing as the new black panthers - and FOXNews/right wing blogosphere isn't just making it up - then rest assured they don't speak for anyone and nobody but you guys cares what they say.

Dear Fuc*ing God....Give it a fuc*ing rest. Your stance has been made as have everyone elses ad nauseum. Close this fuc*ing thread already before the sh*theads that reside here make us all dumber for having to read their drivel. My gosh.... Rhode, I like you dude, but you like to make yourself out to be the smartest/sharpest guy in the room until someone is ready to blow their brains out.... This whole topic has gone well beyond debate. This is people pushing their own personal agendas...(political views). That isn't the threads intended path. Stop.

 

[ND NYC]

stand your ground, Rhode


i kid i kid HCTI...

 

[Rhode Irish]

Dear Fuc*ing God....Give it a fuc*ing rest. Your stance has been made as have everyone elses ad nauseum. Close this fuc*ing thread already before the sh*theads that reside here make us all dumber for having to read their drivel. My gosh.... Rhode, I like you dude, but you like to make yourself out to be the smartest/sharpest guy in the room until someone is ready to blow their brains out.... This whole topic has gone well beyond debate. This is people pushing their own personal agendas...(political views). That isn't the threads intended path. Stop.

Geez, man. I hadn't posted in this thread in almost a week (or maybe more, I haven't kept track) before tonight. You quoted me responding to some nonsense about the freaking Black Panthers, which is difficult to read and not respond to because it is so insanely stupid. But in general, I agree with you. The only reason I was even here to read that was to see if anyone responded to my earlier post which got buried at the bottom of the last page:

We are really still talking about this? I feel like people are missing that there are two things at play here: Florida law and Right vs. Wrong. Yes, what George Zimmerman did was apparently legal under Florida law, at least as judged by the six women on that jury. A lot of people feel that it was wrong, though.

Accepting the legal verdict and thinking that Zimmerman was wrong are compatible viewpoints. I'm accepting of that and ready to move on. I'd suggest other people who think Zimmerman was wrong do the same and avoid the frustration of arguing about it. You can't enforce your morality on others.

 

[phgreek]

The only people I ever hear talk about the black panthers are old white people. If it wasn't for you guys, I would not know they existed. It would be like if liberals scoured for news about the two dozen active Klansmen left in the country, treated them like they mattered in some way, and attributed everything they did to mainstream conservatives. If there really is such a thing as the new black panthers - and FOXNews/right wing blogosphere isn't just making it up - then rest assured they don't speak for anyone and nobody but you guys cares what they say.

Tried to respond earlier but am supporting a remote field study...so I'm in and out...not avoiding this...If I appear dismissive...its probably for the best as there is nothing of merit to address here.

The Rock of Gibralter on your shoulder, as relates to this topic, has led you to some seriously wild hyperbole and out and out misstatements of fact ....I'd say that's out of character...but in my limited exposure to what you say around here, it appears these tantrums more define you as of late than your more cerebral contributions.

You know how to use PM if you'd like to discuss this further...fire away.

and FWIW...I found the black panther references and videos while in the normal course of gathering some facts about Zimmerman/Martin...where were you slumming to get your facts in this thread?

 

[Andy in Sactown]

<a href="http://s276.photobucket.com/user/rwoods2k/media/godkitty_zps0ad2f08c.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk19/rwoods2k/godkitty_zps0ad2f08c.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo godkitty_zps0ad2f08c.jpg"/></a>

Meow.

 

[GoIrish41]

So you only "want kids to stop being shot in the street with no consequences to the shooter" if the shooting takes place in Sanford, FL?

Do you really think that is what I was saying? C'mon kmoose, are you trying to argue just for the sake of argument? This thread is about a single case and you are trying to dillute it by trying to make it about a massive social issue in this country.

And you just made our point.

But you missed mine. Talking about all the murders in Chicago and LA are a distraction from Sanford, Fla. There has been intense media coverage of this case and that has afforded us all an opportunity to focus on a single instance of violence and to try to find something, even if it is anecdotal, to increase our knowledge about how the law works (or doesn't work). The murder rate in this country is a huge problem. It reminds me of the old question ... "How do you eat an elephant?" One bite at a time." Sanford, Florida is as good a place as any to take the first bite. Pulling attention away from it is to avoid the commitment to take that first bite and, just maybe, have something good come of this tragedy. I think the media made some mistakes during this case, particularly post-trial, but because of their coverage before the arrest of Zimmerman they shined lite on an issue that gave us all an opportunity for us all to see the legal system at work. To not use this example to begin a debate about things like gun control, racial profiling, violence, troublesome laws, and/or the legal system in general is, IMO, a wasted opporunity. To think that my interest in this case somehow means that I don't care about all the other instances across this country where people are senslessly killed is a massive, illogical leap.

granted...

Muhammad [new black panthers] offered $10,000 "for the capture of George Zimmerman. We're going to force our government to do their job properly, and if they don't we will."

You can find more of this stooge on Youtube...kept saying an eye for an eye.

I'm actually a big fan of ole' Hamarabi, but when it comes down to it, isn't that whats going on in Chicago right now...Good luck with that. I wish the new black panthers were as militant about lifting the poor, educating the young, and setting a good example. They do "Blame" real well though...unfortunately, blame and a buck will get you a cup of convenience store coffee.

The world is full of idiots and the New Black Panthers are certainly among them. Their focus seems to be borne out of anger and not trying to pursue anything positive. They certainly don't represent me or my opinion.

Dear Fuc*ing God....Give it a fuc*ing rest. Your stance has been made as have everyone elses ad nauseum. Close this fuc*ing thread already before the sh*theads that reside here make us all dumber for having to read their drivel. My gosh.... Rhode, I like you dude, but you like to make yourself out to be the smartest/sharpest guy in the room until someone is ready to blow their brains out.... This whole topic has gone well beyond debate. This is people pushing their own personal agendas...(political views). That isn't the threads intended path. Stop.

This seems a bit harsh for the post it was responding to. You could just avoid the thread if you don't want to hear people's opinions, but you keep coming back and telling folks how stupid it is to keep talking in this thread. I don't really get it, but, whatever ...

 

[Golden_Domer]

• 7/14/13--ACLU wants the DOJ to investigate GZ for possible civil rights and/or hate crime charges (see Next Steps in Honoring Trayvon Martin: It's Time for Systemic Reform | American Civil Liberties Union)
  
  
• 7/18/13--ACLU reverses course, sending a letter to Eric Holder stating that they do not believe GZ should be subject to federal prosecution, due to their stance on Double Jeopardy (see ACLU Letter to Attorney General Eric Holder re: George Zimmerman Case | American Civil Liberties Union)

I don't agree with a number of things said in the letter to Eric Holder, but I do agree wholeheartedly with this statement:

A jury found Zimmerman not guilty, and that should be the end of the criminal case.

I thoroughly enjoy seeing this sort of internal friction coming out of the ACLU, though. Interesting--but not at all surprising--that not many news outlets have reported on this.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

Today in Houston, Black community leaders are rallying to support a black woman who shot a panhandler at a gas station. Supposedly the women felt threatened.

While getting gas she went to her trunk, got a rifle and killed him. She claimed that she thought he had a knife, was "harassing her", and felt threatened.

I have no idea whether the killing was justified, but this very same group had their Zimmerman protest two days ago....Facepalm.

Houston woman says she killed man in self-defense - Houston Chronicle

 

[Golden_Domer]

In more hilarious news, many artists who were reportedly going to boycott Florida...aren't actually going to do that after all.

Jay Z and Kanye West Probably Aren't Boycotting Florida, Sorry | SPIN | Newswire

The update at the end of the article states that a White House correspondent, April Ryan, said "artists are denying the boycott because they're 'uncomfortable' about announcing anything."

Would love to see more artists grow a pair of balls and put their money where their mouth is. While, although I disagree with Stevie Wonder and Mary Mary about their reasons for boycotting Florida, I respect their decision to stand by what they believe in. Jay-Z's concert hits Florida next month, I'll be interested to see what he does.

 

[phgreek]

Today in Houston, Black community leaders are rallying to support a black woman who shot a panhandler at a gas station. Supposedly the women felt threatened.

While getting gas she went to her trunk, got a rifle and killed him. She claimed that she thought he had a knife, was "harassing her", and felt threatened.

I have no idea whether the killing was justified, but this very same group had their Zimmerman protest two days ago....Facepalm.

Houston woman says she killed man in self-defense - Houston Chronicle

...surveillance cameras will tell the tale. Otherwise, she shot someone who had a weapon and brandished it...tragic, but sounds like if she is telling the truth, she'll walk and she should.

 

[Rhode Irish]

I'm genuinely confused about some of the posts directed at me in this thread in the past 12 hours or so. I can't respond to all of them without ramping this back up again when that is the opposite of what I want to do. The criticisms that I have been condescending and hyperbolic are probably fair if you're talking about the whole thread, and that is probably more a result of being frustrated and exasperated than a true reflection of how I feel about the individual posters involved. But I do think that criticism is unfounded with respect to the two posts I made last night, which seemed to be the trigger for everybody chiming in about how arrogant I am. HCTI kicked it off, complaining that my "my stance has been made ..... ad nauseum," but what he was responding to had nothing to do with anything I had said before, in this thread or anywhere else.

I think to single me out as being particularly repetitive, hyperbolic or condescending is a bit unfair. I'm not saying I haven't been guilty of it at times, but don't make it out like I was in here flipping my **** in response to incredibly reasoned and measured comments from the dozen or so people I was arguing against.

I think a lot of what has been said in this thread is infuriatingly stupid. I stand by that and I'm not hiding from it. It is mostly this reporting of nonsense that is supposedly somehow related to the underlying discussion here but is actually wholly irrelevant. The "news" about the black panthers was a perfect example. Maybe I'm dense, but I'm not seeing the point that stuff is supposed to make, or how it is responsive to my argument that it is wrong to shoot and kill innocent teenagers, whether or not the Florida legal system is setup to deal with it appropriately.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

...surveillance cameras will tell the tale. Otherwise, she shot someone who had a weapon and brandished it...tragic, but sounds like if she is telling the truth, she'll walk and she should.

You're probably right re: the situation. It's just a shame how these supposed "leaders" are just publicity whores who don't even care about consistent public policy. To them, the only factor in determining whether someone should recieve jailtime is whether the person is black. It wouldn't be such a big deal, but in conjunction with the media it oftentimes works.