George Zimmerman Verdict Prediction Poll

because of the fact that he actually pursued the kid, the law needs to be revisited. I am not against laws that protect citizens who are forced into defending their home with physical force. Where this story got sticky and where the stand your ground laws get sticky, imo, is when a person like Zimmerman leaves his home to pursue a person that he suspects to be up to criminal mischief. if you read my post, you will see that I pointed out that maybe the law needs to be revised to be more clear about situations like this. at the very least, you have to agree that there were a series of poor decisions, by both parties, that culminated in something that never had to happen. like I said before, fear makes people do stupid things.

 

I don't know George Zimmerman and neither do you so "think" is the correct word. As you pointed out, all signs point to him not being a racist and I would agree with that assessment.

The media definitely got involved, and on a level that frankly surprised me. To your other point, media outlets from both "sides" were over hyping this trial and I am still a bit puzzled as to why, but nevertheless, it has nothing to do with our previous conversation regarding Obama and media preference. It's no secret that both parties have their respective media outlets that push their ideologies and slant things accordingly. What's your point?

I am not against laws that protect citizens who are forced into defending themselves or their property but I think some clarity is needed on most Stand Your Ground laws. In this particular situation, you are correct that Zimmerman was exonerated based upon the fact that Martin did indeed initiate the physical confrontation and was apparently the aggressor. Speaking of the laws in general, I think some clarification as to where the line is drawn. IMO, pursuing someone after their attack or invasion has been stopped needs to be addressed. And I'm not talking about you shooting an intruder in the foyer of your home then chasing them into the yard and shooting them again, I am talking more about pursuing someone off of your property after their attack has been stopped. Otherwise, the way some of these laws are written could be misconstrued and become a license to kill.

In no shape, form or fashion am I advocating you not being able to defend your own home and/or well-being. I don't know where you got this impression but it is incorrect.

 

Zimmerman did NOT use the stand your ground law as his defense. He specifically refused to use it prior to the trial when then would have been a hearing on whether or not it applied. His defense was self defense. He argued he had reason to be concerned by an unknown stranger based on recent past events (robberies in the neighborhood). He did not know who Martin was and apparently had never seen him. He was NOT stalking Martin but following to make sure he could show the police (who were on their way) where Martin was. In a similar incident that was a home invasion the perpetrator escaped before the police arrived. Zimmerman's self defense claim is based on the point that Martin apparently jumped him and was having much the better of the fight. Stand your ground was only another tool of the media to raise political heat. They used it to make it appear Zimmerman track Martin down and shot him in cold blood with SYG as a shield.
Holder's attack on Stand Your Ground are strictly political and seem to me to be the misdirection you usually get from this administration.
NC your point about both parties making bad decisions is spot on my only quibble with your last sentence is that it should say "fear makes people take desperate measures"

 

Fair enough.

Where's the media here?

http://www.ktrh.com/pages/michaelberry.html?article=11491572

Or the other incidents I posted earlier.

What about a situation in BR that whites pulled into a "black neighborhood" as they were told as one was beaten. Clearly a hate crime. Media won't touch it, DA won't prosecute it.

So many like this. It's why whites have had enough and are starting to speak out. Unlike when Weird Al Sharpton does it, it's then called racism.

 

yeah, in an earlier post I mentioned that this particular case is probably not the best case to study as it relates to SYG laws because of the point you made above. but yes, you are right that the media, from both sides, got entirely too involved in this case and turned it into something that it really was not.

your point is well taken about re-phrasing my sentence to include the word desperate, as it is probably a more accurate description

 

Not entirely true. EBR DA did decide not to bill it as a hate crime -- he says the victims didn't want that -- but also says he plans to multi-bill the defendant, which means he could, potentially, be looking at life in jail. Granted, there's a long way to go to get to that, but I wouldn't characterize it as the DA not prosecuting.

http://theadvocate.com/news/6495484-123/da-decides-against-hate-crime

 

I actually did see coverage of this today on CNN, along with other demonstrations that caused trouble.

Racism is wrong, no matter which skin color it comes from. I don't know anything about the stories you've referenced above but if what you say is accurate then there is definitely a problem there. Yes, Rev. Al is the democratic equivalent of Sarah Palin.....the party faithful love them, but most of the party just wishes they would shut the fuck up.

 

Coverage is one thing. Outcry and propaganda, we aren't seeing it.

That is sig material. Seriously.

 

Thanks for the update.

 

If Sarah Palin is the equivalent of Al sharpton. Obama is the equivalent of Kim Jung il. On second though. Obama is very much like Kim Jung.