Trayvon Martin discussion thread:

[Blue_Tires]

Last edited Tue Mar 20, 2012, 08:38 AM - Edit history (2)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002416158

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002419637#post19

http://abcnews.go.com/US/neighborhood-watch-shooting-trayvon-martin-probe-reveals-questionable/story?id=15907136&page=2

EDIT MAR 19: We'll just make this a catch-all thread for all discussion related to the case

[ProgressiveProfessor]

1. Been watching this here on DU and elsewhere

Without any thing to back it up, I can see several ways this could have gone down, none of them pleasant.

On the other hand, I teach firearms for self defense, mostly to GLBTs, and strongly believe in self defense.

My current hope is that the state will step in and take over the investigation. The locals seem way to eager to write it off as self defense.

[Number23]

2. How is "self defense" the issue when the boy was walking to his daddy's house?

If he had been breaking into Zimmerman's house or threatening him, that would be another story.

Zimmerman called the police, the police told him to STAND DOWN. He decided not to and now the boy is dead. What does "self defense" have to do with any of this?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

3. Because the shooter is claiming self defense and that he was attacked after the 911 call

If forensics or other evidence/testimony can not disprove what he has said happened, he may walk.

Not saying I agree with his claim in the slightest, but the local cops seem to. At this point the state should step in and use available Federal resources if appropriate.

[Number23]

4. I still don't see how anyone can legitimately make that claim

Last edited Fri Mar 16, 2012, 10:59 PM - Edit history (1)

I don't see how the hell that idiot -- and it's coming out that this was by no means the first time that he had received complaints about being overly aggressive -- can claim "self defense" when HE was the one who initiated contact and HE was the one with the weapon.

At this point the state should step in and use available Federal resources if appropriate.

If it comes to that, the state of Florida should lose its federal funding for a month. This is about a clear a case of homicide as you could possibly get.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

5. Try this scenario

Shooter: "I did just as I was told, but when he realized that the cops were coming he attacked me and I had no choice and had to defend myself of he would have killed me".

Per the media there are no witnesses and the locals are tending to support the shooter's story. It is quite scary.

[Number23]

6. Which color Skittles would have killed him faster? Red or green?

Which flavor packs more heat than the other?

I hear what you're saying and I understand what you are trying to do, but the very idea that the 28 year old white man armed with a 9MM is scared and "threatened" by the 17 year old black guy armed with iced tea and Skittles is something that my mind simply cannot comprehend. If he was that damn threatened, he could have turned and left. And you're right, this is quite scary. But nothing new.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

7. A this point I am hoping that the LEOs find the holes in his story real soon.

[nofurylike]

9. "find" the holes? you know the "holes" are glaring facts.

if they don't "find" the "holes," they INTEND NOT TO "find" them.

[nofurylike]

8. the murderer was in a car.

how was Trayvon Martin to ATTACK him?

he was told to "stand down."

of course plenty defend the whhite man. Tayvon Martin was black. "the locals" may be too ignorant and racist to grasp anything, but to imply that supporting the murderer could ever possibly be grounded in anything but racist ignorance, is just more of the same as those supporting him.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

14. CNN update...

http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/12/justice/florida-teen-shot/index.html?hpt=hp_bn1

In a nutshell the cops say they cannot disprove the shooter's story.

[nofurylike]

15. that is no surprise, but it is not because there is any earnest doubt.

the man was in a car, had no reason to fear. he claims self-defense, despite his being the only one to approach the other. "self-defense" as he moves on Mr. Martin?!

after being ordered to "stand down" by the police who informed him they were on their way, that they would handle it.

the thing is, ProgressiveProfessor, it is one thing to point out that it is predictable that the police will shield the killer in this case, but it is another to imply that they could be doing so out of any reason other than racism and boyz-clubism.

even if they said the murderer was delusional at the time, they would still be required to charge him. to imply there is any question of his being violently aggressive is just pure lie.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

16. You keep saying he was in his car when it went down

I have not seen that in the media. I have seen it where they were face to face. That kind of media confusion should not surprise anyone.

The CNN article cites the local police chief as saying the dispatchers comments have no authority. That is true since are not police officers and not following them is not an legal problem for the shooter, though a jury may not see it that way.

I remain astounded that the cops are saying that there is nothing to disprove the shooter's story and therefore they will not arrest them. Hopefully the State AG will do better.

[nofurylike]

17. you saw there is a new LBN thread on this?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/101476599

with a link to this article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/17/us/justice-department-investigation-is-sought-in-florida-teenagers-shooting-death.html?_r=1

Justice Department Investigation Is Sought in Florida Teenager’s Shooting Death
By Lizette Alvarez
March 16, 2012

-snip-

Mr. Zimmerman trailed Trayvon in his car and placed a call to the police. The dispatcher told him to stay in his car and said the police would be on the way. But Mr. Zimmerman got out.

-snip-

###

in most articles i have read, they do mention that the shooter was in his car when he called the police, and was told to stay out of it, that they would handle it. a couple of articles have omitted that car fact, and the one linked here the other day, from CNN, originally included that fact, but in the more recent version, they, too, omitted it. hmmm.

i also find it shocking that a neighborhood watch volunteer is armed. but, apparently, that is about Florida and their insane gun laws.

i see from your comment here that you share the astonishment of many, including me. i fear the state AG will do nothing, but might almost feel some hope now that the Justice Department is being asked to investigate. we'll see.

thank you, ProgressiveProfessor.

[Blue_Tires]

12. That's not enough

For a surefire acquittal that will get the media and public on your side, you need to fabricate a crime, no matter how minor...Something that nobody was in a position to say did or didn't happen...

Example (Trespassing):
"Your honor while following the suspect as he returned home I observed him peering through the windows of houses/cars parked in driveways on the way back, so I had to act -- I got out of the car to question him and he became belligerent."

(sadly, I've seen too many times how the "script" goes, too)

[DrewFlorida]

42. Self defense is THE central issue in the Trayvon Martin murder.

Self defense is the central issue in the Trayvon Martin murder, that is, the right of Trayvon to stand his ground and defend himself against a stranger with a gun who was stalking him for all the wrong reasons.

Trayvon Martin deserves justice, only the living can give it to him now.

RIP, Trayvon! We will continue to expect justice for all in this country.

[Blackmoon]

63. racial profiling

this was a case of racial profiling!

[Blue_Tires]

11. it's in the hands of the prosecutor now...

I think most people have a good idea what happened, but as I said before if Zimmerman is the only witness, then he can concoct any hero fantasy to justify the murder with little or no contradiction...

The real question is why he started following Martin in the first place, and why he called 911...If he started following Martin on false pretenses (claiming he was committing a crime when in reality he was just walking down the street), then none of Zimmerman's actions after that can be called "justified"

The second real question is why police were happy to sit on their hands and squelch the case with no investigation until it became a state and then national story...(I have my theory on that, too)

[nofurylike]

10. thank you for linking that here, Blue_Tires. nt

[ProgressiveProfessor]

13. Update from CNN this morning

Its being turned over to the State AG. Police say there is not enough to charge him.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/12/justice/florida-teen-shot/index.html?hpt=hp_bn1

Under intense pressure from the community, city officials in Sanford held a press conference on Monday.

"We are going to complete a thorough and fair investigation and present all the information to the state attorney's office so justice can be rendered," Lee said.

Police said they have not charged Zimmerman because there are no grounds to disprove his story of what happened.

"The evidence and testimony we have so far does not establish that Mr. Zimmerman did not act in self-defense. We don't have anything to dispute his claim of self-defense, at this point, with the evidence and testimony that we have," Lee said.

Lee said the directions the 911 dispatcher gave Zimmerman to not accost Martin when the incident arose were not mandatory instructions.

"That is a call taker making a recommendation to him. He's not under a legal obligation to do that, so that is not something we can charge him with..."

[Blue_Tires]

18. Updated news/details/commentary from over the weekend:

Last edited Mon Mar 19, 2012, 02:32 PM - Edit history (2)

What Everyone Should Know About Trayvon Martin (1995-2012)
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/03/18/446768/what-everyone-should-know-about-about-trayvon-martin-1995-2012/?mobile=nc

Under ‘suspicion’: the killing of Trayvon Martin
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/post/under-suspicion-the-killing-of-trayvon-martin/2011/03/04/gIQAz4F4KS_blog.html

Trayvon Martin shooting: Screams, shots heard on 911 call
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/seminole/os-trayvon-martin-shooting-911-call-20120316,0,4892026.story

Shooter of Trayvon Martin a habitual caller to cops
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/03/17/2700249/shooter-of-trayvon-martin-a-habitual.html#storylink=cpy#storylink=cpy

Sanford Police already have a highly questionable history of shadiness:
http://mysanfordherald.com/view/full_story/10875543/article--Suspect-in-videotaped-beating-surrenders-NAACP%E2%80%88pushes-for-investigation-of-%E2%80%98hate-crime-%E2%80%99-Police-Chief-Brian-Tooley-relieved-of-duty?

'Hood' Watcher KILLS Black HERO
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/03/14/1074316/--Hood-Watcher-KILLS-Black-HERO

Justice for Trayvon Martin
http://www.racismreview.com/blog/2012/03/18/justice-for-trayvon-martin/

Don’t ask. Demand justice for 17 year old Trayvon Martin’s family
http://freakoutnation.com/2012/03/17/dont-ask-demand-justice-for-17-year-old-trayvon-martins-family/

Here's why people are so angry over Trayvon Martin's death
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/seminole/os-trayvon-martin-shooting-darryl-owens-031712-20120316,0,3856677.column

Trayvon Martin Is Not the First, and Won't Be the Last
http://www.theroot.com/buzz/trayvon-martin-not-first-and-wont-be-last

What If Trayvon Was Standing His Ground?
http://www.theroot.com/views/trayvon-martin-stand-your-ground

The Trayvon Martin Case
http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/03/the-trayvon-martin-case/254685/

Killing Of Fla. Teen Trayvon Martin Becomes National Story About Race
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/03/19/148905661/killing-of-fla-teen-trayvon-martin-becomes-national-story-about-race

Trayvon Martin Family Seeks FBI Investigation of Killing by Neighborhood Watchman
http://abcnews.go.com/US/trayvon-martin-family-seeks-fbi-investigation-killing/story?id=15949879

Of Matters Very Much Related: Trayvon Martin, Interracial Marriage, and the Perils of Being Black, Breathing, and Nearby
http://wearerespectablenegroes.blogspot.com/2012/03/of-matters-very-much-related-trayvon.html

Justice Department Investigation Is Sought in Florida Teenager’s Shooting Death
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/17/us/justice-department-investigation-is-sought-in-florida-teenagers-shooting-death.html?_r=1

FBI monitoring fatal Florida shooting case, as police criticized
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-crime-floridabre82i019-20120318,0,2759308.story

Neighborhood Watchman Who Allegedly Shot Trayvon Martin Wanted to Be a Cop
http://news.yahoo.com/neighborhood-watchman-allegedly-shot-trayvon-martin-wanted-cop-211535382--abc-news.html

The Trayvon Martin Killing, Explained
http://motherjones.com/politics/2012/03/what-happened-trayvon-martin-explained

The Curious Case of Trayvon Martin
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/17/opinion/blow-the-curious-case-of-trayvon-martin.html

[JustAnotherGen]

19. Excellent links

Thanks to you!

[Blue_Tires]

20. more

Trayvon Martin Exclusive: Friend on Phone with Teen Before Death Recalls Final Moments

http://abcnews.go.com/US/trayvon-martin-death-friend-phone-teen-death-recounts/story?id=15959017#.T2hfLNlZV_Y

[FrenchieCat]

21. This incident has made me sadder than I have been in some time.....

There are no words from me, expecially after hearing that 911 tape with his screams in the background. I cry.

[UnrepentantLiberal]

22. Uncensored version of 911 call with Zimmermon calling Trayvon Martin a "f_cking coon".

Hard to listen to.

[Blue_Tires]

23. I've read the transcripts and everything else so far

but only now could I bring myself to listen to that call in full, along with the other 911 calls...I'm almost wishing I didn't now...

[UnrepentantLiberal]

25. Yeah, it's awful.

The only reason I posted that is because the version those racist cops released had that edited out.

[grantcart]

26. I didn't hear it the first time, but go to 2:21 and close your eyes and you will hear him mutter it.

[thinklikeme]

46. maybe im wrong

maybe im looking at the case wrong but where was the FEAR in gz voice during this call about a black male roaming a neighborhood at night in the rain. does anyone else notice how calm he was as he gave the despatcher TM description!!

Lets not forget that gz thought there was a chance he was on ( drugs) at the time or that he just stood and stared at gz before walking to his vehicle at night in the rain with his hand in his waist band holding a bag of skittles and a drink.


gz had no reason to fear for his life Trayvon Martin did that is why he ran he was never given a chance to Stand His Ground gz made sure of that. If you ask me it was premeditated murder. He new exactly what was going to do when he exited his vehicle.

[Blue_Tires]

24. Not too much to update

Last edited Wed Mar 21, 2012, 10:34 AM - Edit history (1)

The Miami Herald, Tampa Bay Times and Orlando Sentinel have pretty extensive ongoing coverage at their sites...

Along with HuffPo: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/trayvon-martin


Trayvon Martin Could Have Been One of My Kids
http://www.good.is/post/trayvon-martin-could-have-been-one-of-my-kids/

Calls grow to arrest gunman in Fla. teen slaying
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505263_162-57401439/calls-grow-to-arrest-gunman-in-fla-teen-slaying/?tag=stack

Trayvon Martin case to go to grand jury, Fla. state attorney announces
http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/20/10775671-trayvon-martin-case-to-go-to-grand-jury-fla-state-attorney-announces

Fox News Coverage of the Trayvon Martin Case Criticized
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/03/20/fox-news-coverage-of-the-trayvon-martin-case-criticized.html

Dr. Boyce: Why Fox News Isn’t Talking about Trayvon Martin
http://www.eurweb.com/2012/03/fox-newst-trayvon-martin-dr-boyce-watkins/

FOX News Only Major Media Outlet Ignoring Trayvon Martin Case
http://newsone.com/nation/kirstensavali/fox-news-only-major-media-outlet-ignoring-trayvon-martin-case/

Fox News Uses Trayvon Martin Death to Go After Gun Control Advocates
http://www.newshounds.us/fox_news_uses_trayvon_martin_death_to_go_after_gun_control_advocates_03192012

Trayvon Martin Shooting: Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho Says Failure To Investigate is "Cause For Outrage"
http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2012/03/miami-dade_schools_superintend.php

Sanford Commissioner Patty Mahany issues lukewarm statement on Trayvon Martin’s “tragic death,” and other developments
http://blogs.orlandoweekly.com/index.php/2012/03/sanford-commissioner-patty-mahany-issues-lukewarm-statement-on-trayvon-martins-tragic-death-and-other-developments/

I could have been Trayvon Martin (from Mr. Scorpio)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=442525

As Justice Department investigates shooting of Florida teen, doubts arise about federal charges
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/as-justice-department-investigates-shooting-of-florida-teen-doubts-arise-about-federal-charges/2012/03/20/gIQAzGeRQS_story.html

The Killing Of Trayvon Martin Is Not A ‘Black Problem’
http://www.mediaite.com/online/the-murder-of-trayvon-martin-is-not-a-black-problem/

Al Sharpton Outraged Over Handling Of Trayvon Martin Case: Body Left In Examiner’s Office ‘Like He Was Nothing’
http://www.mediaite.com/tv/al-sharpton-outraged-over-handling-of-trayvon-martin-case-body-was-left-in-examiners-office-like-he-was-nothing/

White People, You Will Never Look Suspicious! by Michael Skolnik
Read more: http://globalgrind.com/node/828497#ixzz1plHdpYmE

Trayvon Martin's Mother 'Can Not Eat,' While Lawyer Expresses Concerns Over Grand Jury
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/20/trayvon-martins-mother-speaks_n_1368597.html

Trayvon Martin, George Zimmerman And Beyond Black And White
http://dcentric.wamu.org/2012/03/trayvon-martin-george-zimmerman-and-beyond-black-and-white/

Lawrence O'Donnell On Trayvon Martin: 'Evidence Of A Police Cover-Up'
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/21/lawrence-odonnell-trayvon-martin_n_1369414.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003

[uppityperson]

28. You mean this picture that is all over? What "real details" do you mean?

[Blue_Tires]

29. Zimmerman profile:

George Zimmerman: Self-appointed watchman or racist killer?

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/03/23/2712299/george-zimmerman-self-appointed.html#morer#storylink=cpy

[Blue_Tires]

30. Zimmerman's people are on the counter-attack

because it's not enough to kill the boy; his reputation also has to die...I had an idea this was going to happen when that Sanford police chief had to step down...Those people fight back in their own way...





Multiple suspensions paint complicated portrait of Trayvon Martin
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/03/26/2714778/thousands-expected-at-trayvon.html#morer#storylink=cpy

New claims cast Trayvon Martin as the aggressor
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/03/26/2714660/trayvon-martins-parents-to-join.html#morer#storylink=cpy

[Blue_Tires]

31. What Everyone Needs To Know About The Smear Campaign Against Trayvon Martin (1995-2012)

What Everyone Needs To Know About The Smear Campaign Against Trayvon Martin (1995-2012)

Over the last 48 hours, there has been a sustained effort to smear Trayvon Martin, the 17-year old African-American who was shot dead by George Zimmerman a month ago. Martin’s mother, Sybrina Fulton, said, “They killed my son, now they’re trying to kill his reputation.”

Thus far these attacks have fallen into two categories: false and irrelevant. Much of this leaked information seems intended to play into stereotypes about young African-American males. Here’s what everyone should know:

1. Prominent conservative websites published fake photos of Martin. Twitchy, a new website run by prominent conservative blogger Michelle Malkin, promoted a photo — purportedly from Martin’s Facebook page — that shows Martin in saggy pants and flipping the bird. The photo, which spread quickly on conservative websites and Twitter, is intended to paint Martin as a thug. As Twitchy later acknowledged, it is not a photo of Trayvon Martin. (Examiner)

2. The Sanford Police selectively leaked irrelevant, negative information about Martin. The authorities told the Orlando Sentinel this morning that Trayvon was suspended from school for ten days “after being found with an empty marijuana baggie.” There is no evidence that Martin was under the influence of drugs at the time of his death, nor would prior possession of marijuana be a reason for killing him. It’s unclear what the relevance of the leak was, other than to smear Martin. (Orlando Sentinel)

<SNIP

Rest of article/list here: http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/03/26/452310/what-everyone-needs-to-know-about-the-smear-campaign-against-trayvon-martin-1995-2012/


http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002475209

[Blue_Tires]

32. A Furious Lawrence O’Donnell Interrogates Empty Chair After George Zimmerman’s Lawyer Cancels

Last edited Tue Mar 27, 2012, 03:20 PM - Edit history (1)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/101483337


Your Guide to the Idiotic Racist Backlash Against Trayvon Martin
http://gawker.com/5896490/your-guide-to-the-idiotic-racist-backlash-against-trayvon-martin

[nofurylike]

33. thank you for the updates, Blue_Tires!!

answering the filthy crap they trying to pull.

they are beneath contempt. way way way beneath.



thank you for this thread.

[Blue_Tires]

34. The N_____ing of Trayvon Martin - by The Rude Pundit

http://rudepundit.blogspot.com/2012/03/niggering-of-trayvon-martin-we-see-this.html

Trayvon Martin and dangerous times for black men
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/to-be-black-in-america-/2012/03/22/gIQAEKr4TS_story.html?hpid=z2

Dear Conservatives, taste the f*cking rainbow
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/03/26/1077765/-Dear-Conservatives-taste-the-f-cking-rainbow

The 'Color-Blind' Delusions of the Trayvon Backlash
http://www.esquire.com/blogs/politics/trayvon-martin-backlash-7650171#ixzz1qLyy8H5F

[Blue_Tires]

35. Trayvon Martin Investigator Wanted Manslaughter Charge

http://abcnews.go.com/US/trayvon-martin-investigator-wanted-charge-george-zimmerman-manslaughter/story?id=16011674#.T3IKe2Egc1I

Trayvon Martin, White America and the Return of Dred Scott
http://www.timwise.org/2012/03/trayvon-martin-white-america-and-the-return-of-dred-scott/

Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) kicked off House floor for wearing 'hoodie'
http://www.democraticunderground.com/101484429.

The “Trayvon Martin had it coming” narrative
http://www.salon.com/2012/03/27/the_trayvon_martin_had_it_coming_narrative/

[Blue_Tires]

36. Race, Tragedy and Outrage Collide After a Shot in Florida

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/02/us/trayvon-martin-shooting-prompts-a-review-of-ideals.html?pagewanted=7&ref=general&src=me

FBI questions people in Trayvon Martin case, begins 'parallel investigation'
http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/02/10983757-fbi-questions-people-in-trayvon-martin-case-begins-parallel-investigation

[Blue_Tires]

37. Trayvon Martin: Before the world heard the cries

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/03/usa-florida-shooting-trayvon-idUSL2E8F31ZX20120403

[Blue_Tires]

38. Zimmerman's official story released...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/101736076

[Blue_Tires]

39. drip, drip, drip

Sanford police: Zimmerman passed up two chances to talk to Trayvon
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014152719

Like I've been saying since the beginning, people can endlessly rehash the spin, unrelated details and other minute bullshit, but the moment Zimmerman's official fairytale statement from that night becomes public, the inconsistencies were going to sink his ass like an anchor around his neck...

Of course, all the fuckers who spent hundreds of posts defending Zimmerman and calling me out are nowhere to be found...I'm still here, but they vanished off the face of the goddamned planet...

[mizzuz pibb]

40. Hi there, sailor!

Defending Georgie is not treating Tray's death as anything minor. But no, I don't see any malice behind it. I see a paranoid, frustrated resident of a crime-ridden area.

[Blue_Tires]

41. No malice??

Did you hear the 911 call?

And if he was so frustrated, maybe he should find some actual crimes in progress instead of profiling random black teens...or maybe he should have joined a police force instead of play-acting like Mike Hammer...

[lemurian sistah]

44. Not saying that he shouldn't have done things different

but to cling to the idea that he wanted to murder a boy for being Black is offensive to me.

[jade3000]

45. Not ONLY because he was black

You may be responding to a particular person's statement, in which case my response might not apply. That said, I don't think it's offensive to think that Martin was murdered, in part, because he was black. This is why I'm glad it's a state murder/manslaughter and not a federal hate crime case. If it was federal, there'd be all this back & forth about whether GZ is racist, and we'd lose sight of the fact that an unarmed teenager is dead.

My take is that Zimmerman didn't set out to find a random black boy and murder him. Much more likely is that several factors influenced GZ's thinking, including that GZ didn't recognize TM from the neighborhood, TM was wearing a hoodie, TM was black, and TM was looking around.

Here's the crux: Would GZ get out of his car and follow somebody who he thought was suspicious and go behind some houses to do it if GZ didn't have gun and if he wasn't willing to use it? I doubt it. GZ pursued TM, and GZ knew that if push came to shove (which it literally did) he had a gun and he was willing to use it. And it looks like that is what happened. Pursuit and kill. Like even the cops say, he had plenty of chances to defuse the situation.

[MaineMen]

47. They screwed up

It's at least going to be a mistrial now because apparently the prosecutor released GZ's college records which were sealed.

[thinklikeme]

48. it should have never happened

if a white teen had been laying on the ground zimmerman would have been arrested and because he is hispanic the media would have wanted to know what was he doing following him. if there had been a Hispanic teen laying there the story would never had gone national if zimmerman had been lying there and trayvon had been standing with gun in hand when the police pulled up this story would be going national but " Black Teen Kills Respected neighborhood watchman with his own gun " depicting trayvon as a problem child and hoodlum.

Don't get me wrong i believe z stalked trayvon and shot him in cold blood. I also believe the media pick and choose what story not only to cover but which ones to sensationalize. Theres not a mother or father i dont sympathize with when their child died at the hands of a murderer.

every incident in like this one is important and should be treated as such. Not only should we bow our heads on memory of Trayvon Martin but for every victim that died by the hands of another.
We also need to protest and march against the law that z is hiding behind like all other cowards. We need to march for this law to end as a People of America and tote all the the names victims of every color on our backs!!!

[thinklikeme]

49. after saying that

i have to say that i know one day soon i will have to sit my three young men down and let them know that even though it is their birth right as child of GOD to roam, play , talk, scream, or laugh outside in any neighborhood or city that any one of these actions could get him arrested or worse killed because someone found them threatening. that they have to be careful of what they wear or how they speak because their very life depends on it. simply because a law says if you feel threatened shoot first ask later. last i checked a law wasn't broken un less you were caught doing it or had enough suspicion to say you was doing it.

[JustAnotherGen]

51. Bump kick etc. etc.

Shall we continue the discussion here?

[JustAnotherGen]

52. It's the D.A.'s / Prosecutor's Hands - Not Ours

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023106229

As much as the newbies (way too new in my book) want to argue back and forth on the merits of the case - it doesn't seem to change the fact that:

1. The Sanford Police had enough evidence to arrest Zimmerman.

and


2. The DA's office was able to assess the evidence, review the laws/statues for the state of Florida and bring a case for 2nd Degree murder to court.


After one and two - it goes without saying that EVERY American is innocent until proven guilty . . . okay - that's some of my standard operating smart assery running its course because we KNOW the justice system is unjust for all intents and purposes . . . Innocent until proven guilty.


Zimmerman is getting HIS day in court.

But the Prosecution is charged with proving he's guilty. To a jury of six people along with their alternates. Not for nothing - but are folks at DU - New Folks - Too New - creating the kerfuffle and defending Zimmerman here.


Seriously - it's not like ANY of us are going to have a say as to whether he is guilty or not (I personally think guilty as the sun shines brights) and what kind of sentence he is going to get.


So why all of this nonsense from 'Defense Attorneys' at a Liberal/Progressive community that by and large sees and feels valid the differences in the criminal justice system for those who are black?

[noiretextatique]

53. most of the zimmerman defenders

are low post count trolls who showed up here recently. in additon, there are a few long-time members who've proven their views on race are about as evolved as david duke's.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

55. Oh, I beg to differ. I think there are a good number of DUers who are as racist as they come.

[onpatrol98]

57. This ^^^^^

Some black democrats truly believe that being a democrat means that by default, you can't be racist. So, we give a lot of passes on the BS that comes from other democrats.

Nothing is further than the truth. They simply hide under the umbrella of the democratic party.

They're supporters of the democratic party because they have a particular cause or policy that the party supports that fits their personal agenda.

They don't care one bit about issues like this one, and it shows.

They are perfectly willing to point us at racists in the republican party. And, of course, racists are easy to spot in the republican party. Some in the democratic are just as racist, but more subtle. Some aren't subtle at all.

There are just fewer racists in the democratic party, as far as I can tell. I think most of DU thinks this verdict stinks just as badly as we do.

There are others that can't wait for us to get over this verdict so that we can focus on more important issues...which is whatever issue they say is important.

For this group, it will never be our children, violence in our communities, or our unemployment rates.

For this group, it has to always be about them, all the time.

It's goes back to that mentality of wanting the first lady to be quiet and listen to Sturtz. We matter when it suits their purpose. And, don't matter when it doesn't. From the President and first family to a boy, three weeks after his 17th birthday.

[noiretextatique]

60. you are preaching to the choir

i am a member of the green party and have been for many years.

[onpatrol98]

61. Sorry, I know...

But, you guys are the only people who will listen to me.

[heaven05]

64. I

will always keep zimPIG supporters on front street. If you ever saw 'Invasion of the Body snatchers', when the alien saw a human that wasn't taken over by the alien seed pods they let out this horrible scream. That's me and zimPIG supporters. Yeah this is on 'them'.

[noiretextatique]

58. i cannot disagree with that

i am in regular battle with a couple of them. i was referring the recent infestation of newbie vermin.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

59. Yep, that too.

[Blue_Tires]

56. well, many longtime RBKA posters really rallied behind him

most were subtle, but some were very very open about it...

[Major Hogwash]

62. They sure as hell were.

Which is why the gungeon is dead.

[TJ-Tretman]

65. Right-Wingers Celebrate

As a white man in the extremely Conservative state of Mississippi, you easily see the joy of the verdict with celebrations at public venues. Everyone seems happy that the "patriot" Zimmerman was let free and the "N*gger Monkey" and "Ugly Darkie" was denied justice. One person even wished "he lynched the coon himself." It's disgusting to see so many people celebrate the death of a black child. Shows you how "colorblind" America is to the Conservatives.