Zimmerman Found Not Guilty

[AngryMuffin]

And Steve for my checkmate.  I remember a nice interview and glowing writeup that you did a while back. Lucky guy to get the opportunity to talk to Bill Cosby.  You clearly showed him the reverence and respect that he deserved.

Here is the part that sucks for you. He agrees with everything I've been saying on this thread:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itWCvkK44lE

Your interview of Bill:

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2012-apr-stephen-dare-interviews-bill-cosby

My work here is done.  Hope you're better prepared for the next time.

Good night.

[AngryMuffin]

Well it would be nice if you were good at math.  You don't have a talent for debate.

How about some unambiguous numbers from the NYC 2012 crime stats with 99% of the perp race known?

http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/downloads/pdf/analysis_and_planning/2012_year_end_enforcement_report.pdf

15 to 1 in the NYC report.

But I'm sure thats just because of all of the racist cops in NYC. 

If you don't admit there is the problem - you can't address the problem.

[thelakelander]

I haven't referred to anyone as a troll.  There's also been no response to my post on what I believe to be heavily skewed statistics.  Any comments? With that said, none of this stuff deals with the topic at hand, which is a kid losing losing his life for absolutely nothing and the instigator/shooter doing no time for it.

[ronchamblin]

Lake .... I agree totally with your post No. 178 wherein you discuss the fundamental causes of the problems endured by the black community ... oppressive and discriminatory conditions which have been around since the civil war.  The U. S. has come a certain way toward resolving these economic, social, and political pressures which have perpetuated the lack of real opportunities for the black population, but anyone observing the continued problems will know that there is much to be done.   

Societal momentums and habits, along with the continued existence of enough individuals prone to racist behavior and decisions, ensure that times will continue to be bleak, even desperate, for the majority of black men and boys.  Hopefully, as more individuals become schooled in the subtle causes of discrimination, the American population will have a greater percentage of movers and shakers who will have a genuine desire to make solid changes favoring the minorities who've suffered for many decades.  The black man has endured over many decades what we might call institutional racism, which originates in the operation of established and respected forces in our society, and thus receives little public condemnation.  Shame on American whites, the comfortable and complacent, for allowing continued discrimination and oppression, however subtle it may be. 

As for Zimmerman and Martin ... without clear evidence as to what happened, I don't see how Zimmerman can be found guilty of anything close to manslaughter or murder.  He certainly should not have initiated a scenario with the potential to escalate to violence, which he did by following Martin too close, and for too long.  If it was murder .... and if there is enough evidence to it, then by all means we should convict and punish.  But given the lack of clear evidence, how does one convict on a murder or manslaughter charge? 

What jury is going to put a man in jail based on assumptions of what actually happened?  Martin's death is a tragedy, but that doesn't change the fact that there is too little evidence for conviction. 

It reminds me of the O.J. Simpson case.  Surely O. J. was guilty of the killings.  But the jury process did not convict.  Ridiculous.  Thank goodness he was made to suffer via other means.  Although Zimmerman's actions are not so clear as that of Simpson's, perhaps further evidence will allow for proper punishment for Zimmerman via the federal or civil actions.

[sheclown]

I haven't referred to anyone as a troll.  There's also been no response to my post on what I believe to be heavily skewed statistics.  Any comments? With that said, none of this stuff deals with the topic at hand, which is a kid losing losing his life for absolutely nothing and the instigator/shooter doing no time for it.

And this is the long and short of it.  Nothing else matters. 

[thelakelander]

As for Zimmerman and Martin ... without clear evidence as to what happened, I don't see how Zimmerman can be found guilty of anything close to manslaughter or murder.  He certainly should not have initiated a scenario with the potential to escalate to violence, which he did by following Martin too close, and for too long.  If it was murder .... and if there is enough evidence to it, then by all means we should convict and punish.  But given the lack of clear evidence, how does one convict on a murder or manslaughter charge? 

What jury is going to put a man in jail based on assumptions of what actually happened?  Martin's death is a tragedy, but that doesn't change the fact that there is too little evidence for conviction. 

It reminds me of the O.J. Simpson case.  Surely O. J. was guilty of the killings.  But the jury process did not convict.  Ridiculous.  Thank goodness he was made to suffer via other means.  Although Zimmerman's actions are not so clear as that of Simpson's, perhaps further evidence will allow for proper punishment for Zimmerman via the federal or civil actions.

It seems the evidence is there for manslaughter and certainly the kid's civil rights were violated.  As I've continued to state, I don't think this is over by a long shot.  Nevertheless, we can't raise TM from the dead but we can work to save other innocent people from similar fates.

[sheclown]

Whatever is wrong, needs to be fixed.  And needs to be fixed quickly.  We cannot live in a world where this is allowed to happen. 

The message sent is more than alarming.

[sheclown]

go here to sign a petition.

Open a civil rights case against George Zimmmerman

A jury has acquitted George Zimmerman, but we are not done demanding justice for Trayvon. Sign our petition to the Department of Justice today.

Attorney General Eric Holder,

The Department of Justice has closely monitored the State of Florida's prosecution of the case against George Zimmerman in the Trayvon Martin murder since it began. Today, with the acquittal of George Zimmerman, it is time for the Department of Justice to act.

The most fundamental of civil rights — the right to life — was violated the night George Zimmerman stalked and then took the life of Trayvon Martin. We ask that the Department of Justice file civil rights charges against Mr. Zimmerman for this egregious violation.

Please address the travesties of the tragic death of Trayvon Martin by acting today.

Thank you.

http://www.naacp.org/page/s/doj-civil-rights-petition

If her son is not safe...



no mother's son is safe. 

bottom line.

[FSBA]

It seems the evidence is there for manslaughter and certainly the kid's civil rights were violated.  As I've continued to state, I don't think this is over by a long shot.  Nevertheless, we can't raise TM from the dead but we can work to save other innocent people from similar fates.

What civil right was violated?

[duvalbill]

Whatever is wrong, needs to be fixed.  And needs to be fixed quickly.  We cannot live in a world where this is allowed to happen. 

The message sent is more than alarming.

What was the message? 

[JeffreyS]

It seems the evidence is there for manslaughter and certainly the kid's civil rights were violated.  As I've continued to state, I don't think this is over by a long shot.  Nevertheless, we can't raise TM from the dead but we can work to save other innocent people from similar fates.

What civil right was violated?

I think your right there isn't an implicit right.  That is why I think we need to enact a law that expresses the right to flee danger without continuing harassment.  Certainly if we are allowed to use deadly force for just believing we are in danger we ought to be able to flee if we believe we are in danger.

IMO Zimmerman's continued pursuit, after he noted in the 911 call that TM was running, should constituent harassment (not stating that as law). If we make it law then his weapon would have been used in the act of a crime and not justifiable by self defense.

[thelakelander]

It seems the evidence is there for manslaughter and certainly the kid's civil rights were violated.  As I've continued to state, I don't think this is over by a long shot.  Nevertheless, we can't raise TM from the dead but we can work to save other innocent people from similar fates.

What civil right was violated?

I'm no attorney but many are saying his right to live is one. I guess we'll see in upcoming months.

[MEGATRON]

It seems the evidence is there for manslaughter and certainly the kid's civil rights were violated.  As I've continued to state, I don't think this is over by a long shot.  Nevertheless, we can't raise TM from the dead but we can work to save other innocent people from similar fates.

What civil right was violated?

I think your right there isn't an implicit right.  That is why I think we need to enact a law that expresses the right to flee danger without continuing harassment.  Certainly if we are allowed to use deadly force for just believing we are in danger we ought to be able to flee if we believe we are in danger.

IMO Zimmerman's continued pursuit, after he noted in the 911 call that TM was running, should constituent harassment (not stating that as law). If we make it law then his weapon would have been used in the act of a crime and not justifiable by self defense.

Lots of folks trying to oversimplify this case by stating: "A 17 year old is dead, and that's all that needs to be said."  Unfortunately, its not that simple.  Zimmerman had to be found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and the jury could not get to that level of certainty. 

[thelakelander]

Yeah, it's not that simple. That's why I don't believe everything ends with this decision. Things are just beginning.

[JeffreyS]

It seems the evidence is there for manslaughter and certainly the kid's civil rights were violated.  As I've continued to state, I don't think this is over by a long shot.  Nevertheless, we can't raise TM from the dead but we can work to save other innocent people from similar fates.

What civil right was violated?

I think your right there isn't an implicit right.  That is why I think we need to enact a law that expresses the right to flee danger without continuing harassment.  Certainly if we are allowed to use deadly force for just believing we are in danger we ought to be able to flee if we believe we are in danger.

IMO Zimmerman's continued pursuit, after he noted in the 911 call that TM was running, should constituent harassment (not stating that as law). If we make it law then his weapon would have been used in the act of a crime and not justifiable by self defense.

Lots of folks trying to oversimplify this case by stating: "A 17 year old is dead, and that's all that needs to be said."  Unfortunately, its not that simple.  Zimmerman had to be found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and the jury could not get to that level of certainty. 

Agree, I think the jury made the right call according to the law. I think the law should be changed so the when the skittles toting teenager runs from the gun toting block captain it frees the teen from having to further deal with whoever it is he feels he needs to flee.

Seems to me running issues a pretty strong statement that I would feel safer with some distance from who I am running from. That statement seems like a reasonable request.  Do you not think bird dogging someone who flees from you is a kind of harassment?