Lessons Learned from Trayvon Martin

[twojacks]

I do not know the whole story; just seems that everyone was able to take sides within 15 minutes of the news....but, why are so many people are on Zimmerman for not being an officially sanctioned security officer when he questioned someone he didn't know being in his neighborhood. 
I confess I don't see well at night...a hoodie could be concealing a martian for all I know, and cars stopped here and there might need directions or just maybe they're casing a place, or smoking crack. etc.  Yeah, I can relate to Zimmerman a bit. Maybe I deserved to have my butt kicked more than once when I've approached or followed around a corner someone' not known to me who seemed to be wandering or sometimes waiting in my part of the hood. 
I watch my corner and have called the police a dozen times a year.  Not that I want shootings, but I wish more people would consciously question who and what is happening in their neighborhood whether or not they are ordained security.  Just maybe the WHITE guy who walked out of my house with my tv, computer, chainsaw, etc. would have thought twice about it if someone, anyone, had said 'hey, what're you doing?'  PS.  the police in this case only used a pawn shop list, no CSI with dusting for priints, etc.  The police cannot do it without citizens being involved.

[twojacks]

No, I would not like someone I didn't know, fixing my plumbing or butchering my shrubbery or lawn without my permission.  Yes, I would confront them and yes, I would call the police.  And btw, I might have missed it, but I read/heard Zimmerman returned to his car after being told by the dispatcher "we don't need you to do that (follow him).  But again,it's only his story that he returned...For all we know, he had the gun drawn and was chasing Martin ala NYPD.

[JeffreyS]

Lesson Learned

It was never about race and that does not fit into the narrative here.

Your right it was about a grown man with a gun who just wouldn't let a kid eat his skittles.

[BridgeTroll]

The REAL lesson learned here... at least by me... is to not jump to conclusions.  None of us know the facts of the case... and even the facts we think we know are likely not the entire story.  Picking a side as guilty or not at this point is silly and exposes the biases of those who do...

[bill]

I do not know the whole story; just seems that everyone was able to take sides within 15 minutes of the news....but, why are so many people are on Zimmerman for not being an officially sanctioned security officer when he questioned someone he didn't know being in his neighborhood. 
I confess I don't see well at night...a hoodie could be concealing a martian for all I know, and cars stopped here and there might need directions or just maybe they're casing a place, or smoking crack. etc.  Yeah, I can relate to Zimmerman a bit. Maybe I deserved to have my butt kicked more than once when I've approached or followed around a corner someone' not known to me who seemed to be wandering or sometimes waiting in my part of the hood. 
I watch my corner and have called the police a dozen times a year.  Not that I want shootings, but I wish more people would consciously question who and what is happening in their neighborhood whether or not they are ordained security.  Just maybe the WHITE guy who walked out of my house with my tv, computer, chainsaw, etc. would have thought twice about it if someone, anyone, had said 'hey, what're you doing?'  PS.  the police in this case only used a pawn shop list, no CSI with dusting for priints, etc.  The police cannot do it without citizens being involved.

Would you feel the same about someone mowing your lawn, including your ornamentals and vegetables or redoing your plumbing without asking you?

He took it upon himself to patrol with deadly force.  But for that fact, this situation wouldn't have happened.

Im sorry, but there is no avenue of possibility in which it was anyone else's responsibility but Zimmermans.

Especially after being ordered to desist by the people we are paying to do the police work.

Yeah no narrative here. Could you at least use some of the FACTS that are in evidence. In your world I guess Zimmerman broke his own nose while going back to his car. Yeah that sounds good. Another victim like you

[Bridges]

Yeah no narrative here. Could you at least use some of the FACTS that are in evidence. In your world I guess Zimmerman broke his own nose while going back to his car. Yeah that sounds good. Another victim like you

What FACTS are you talking about?

[stephenc]

I do not know the whole story; just seems that everyone was able to take sides within 15 minutes of the news....but, why are so many people are on Zimmerman for not being an officially sanctioned security officer when he questioned someone he didn't know being in his neighborhood. 
I confess I don't see well at night...a hoodie could be concealing a martian for all I know, and cars stopped here and there might need directions or just maybe they're casing a place, or smoking crack. etc.  Yeah, I can relate to Zimmerman a bit. Maybe I deserved to have my butt kicked more than once when I've approached or followed around a corner someone' not known to me who seemed to be wandering or sometimes waiting in my part of the hood. 
I watch my corner and have called the police a dozen times a year.  Not that I want shootings, but I wish more people would consciously question who and what is happening in their neighborhood whether or not they are ordained security.  Just maybe the WHITE guy who walked out of my house with my tv, computer, chainsaw, etc. would have thought twice about it if someone, anyone, had said 'hey, what're you doing?'  PS.  the police in this case only used a pawn shop list, no CSI with dusting for priints, etc.  The police cannot do it without citizens being involved.

Would you feel the same about someone mowing your lawn, including your ornamentals and vegetables or redoing your plumbing without asking you?

He took it upon himself to patrol with deadly force.  But for that fact, this situation wouldn't have happened.

Im sorry, but there is no avenue of possibility in which it was anyone else's responsibility but Zimmermans.

Especially after being ordered to desist by the people we are paying to do the police work.

Yeah no narrative here. Could you at least use some of the FACTS that are in evidence. In your world I guess Zimmerman broke his own nose while going back to his car. Yeah that sounds good. Another victim like you

please dispute the following facts: 

1.  Zimmerman appointed himself to be 'neighborhood watch'
2.  Zimmerman was told to stand down by the legitimate cops.
3.  Zimmerman was armed with deadly force.

1. You're the only person I've heard say that. Could you provide us a link?
2. The 911 call of course shows that and evidence points to the appearance that he did stand down.
3. Not illegal if he has a concealed weapons. Nothing has been said about the permit so we'll assume he had it.

1. All wounds indicate that Martin was the aggressor.
2. Witness says Martin on top throwing punches.
3. Martin had THC in his system at time of death.
4. Zimmerman has help tutor black youth in the past which negates the whole racist rant.

This could go on and on.

[NotNow]

The REAL lesson learned here... at least by me... is to not jump to conclusions.  None of us know the facts of the case... and even the facts we think we know are likely not the entire story.  Picking a side as guilty or not at this point is silly and exposes the biases of those who do...

+1

[Bridges]

2. The 911 call of course shows that and evidence points to the appearance that he did stand down.

Really?  Oh, you mean that Daily caller speculation on breathing rhythms?  Or Trayvon's girlfriend on the phone disputing this?

1. All wounds indicate that Martin was the aggressor.
2. Witness says Martin on top throwing punches.
3. Martin had THC in his system at time of death.
4. Zimmerman has help tutor black youth in the past which negates the whole racist rant.
This could go on and on.

1. Um, no.  Wounds can indicate a lot of things, like who's stronger, who got a better shot in, etc.  Aggressor is a stretch. 
2. Fight was happening.  No one disputes that.
3. THC is marijuana, it can stay in the system for up to a month.  It's not PCP, so stop acting like its some kind of aggression drug.
4. The typical "Some of my best friends are black" trope.


Argue all you want about speculation.  But the main issue and lesson here is that the Stand Your Ground law encourages this type of vigilante action.  They're even having problems with gangs inciting violence then retaliating and claiming stand your ground when they shoot back. 

Zimmerman deserves to be tried in front of a jury of his peers, but until all the media attention that trial wasn't happening.  So hate on MSNBC/FOX/Sharpton/Cnn and their "choosing of sides" but the system let it get like that. 

[mtraininjax]

Stand Your Ground law

Should be re-written to limit the scope where it can be applied. It is sad someone had to die for us to change legislation, but I hope it is kept, but limited in scope, say to your home or office. Yes violence happens elsewhere, but this is a type of "Wild West" legislation that allows people carry concealed weapons and use them when they feel threatened.

[JeffreyS]

Stand Your Ground law

Should be re-written to limit the scope where it can be applied. It is sad someone had to die for us to change legislation, but I hope it is kept, but limited in scope, say to your home or office. Yes violence happens elsewhere, but this is a type of "Wild West" legislation that allows people carry concealed weapons and use them when they feel threatened.

+1

[JeffreyS]

Treyvon tried flight Zimmerman said Treyvon was running away in the 911 call. Zimmerman would not let Treyvon retreat so even if at some point Treyvon became the aggressor his actions while perhaps not entirely justified can not be justification for Zimmerman to shoot him. Even if Zimmerman was getting the worst of the situation he created. Let the kid take his skittles and walk all over the neighborhood if he wants none of Zimmerman's damn business.

[acme54321]

The REAL lesson learned here... at least by me... is to not jump to conclusions.  None of us know the facts of the case... and even the facts we think we know are likely not the entire story.  Picking a side as guilty or not at this point is silly and exposes the biases of those who do...

x2

[Tamara-B]

All I know is Zimmerman let that neighborhood watch thing get to his head. I believe he was a wanna-be cop waiting for something to happen so he can be a hero catching the bad guy. While he was on the phone with the police they said DO NOT RUN AFTER HIM, but he didn't listen and wanted to do things his own way. Now look at what has happened. It is called neighborhood WATCH, not "neighborhood run after a potential criminal" That is law enforcement's job, not his.

[NotNow]

Stand Your Ground law

Should be re-written to limit the scope where it can be applied. It is sad someone had to die for us to change legislation, but I hope it is kept, but limited in scope, say to your home or office. Yes violence happens elsewhere, but this is a type of "Wild West" legislation that allows people carry concealed weapons and use them when they feel threatened.

The law is clearly written and does not need to be changed.  It was not applied in the Martin case.  Limiting any "right" to home or office is contrary to the definition of the word. 

The right to defend oneself is incontrovertable.  The right to "keep and bear arms" is also a basic human right.  History is filled with the miseries of populations that have been disarmed by their governments.