I’m quite certain this will draw some (probably negative) attention to me. I’ve thus far refrained from commenting on the Trayvon Martin situation, because a) not being an eye witness, I’m very ill-informed on the situation, and b) tensions on both sides are so high, it’s impossible to take any position without angering one side or the other.
I’ve decided now to break my silence, and attempt to toe the line and not take a side on this issue, and provide only a little commentary.
First, let’s air some facts.
Fact #1: George Zimmerman, the alleged shooter (those who have any experience in the legal profession know why I included the word “alleged”) is just as white as President Obama is (that is to say, 50%). Mr. Zimmerman’s father was white, and his mother was Hispanic. To call this a “white on black” or “hate” crime, is at best a demonstration of being uninformed, and at worse is a blatant misrepresentation.
Fact #2: There is an almost 100% chance that you, the reader of this story, were not present at the scene the night this took place. There is an equal chance that you will not participate in the grand jury, or in the trial in any way, shape, or form. Keep that in mind before rushing to judgement about anything.
Fact #3: The New Black Panther Party has placed a $10,000 bounty on George Zimmerman. (Source.) Spike Lee even posted his home address on twitter. (Source.) (Reports are coming out that the address was wrong, however Mr. Zimmerman has moved his family none the less.) UPDATE: The elderly couple that live at the address tweeted by Spike Lee have moved into a hotel out of fear for their safety. (Source.)
So let’s look at what we have here. Something that happens every day in every major city – someone being killed – is picked up on and turned into a racial issue by the media, who touts Zimmerman as a “white hispanic.” You think I’m kidding? Check your local newspaper. People are dying every day, some innocent, some not so innocent.
You want to talk about racial issues, Mr. Jackson and Mr. Sharpton? Where were the two of you clowns when two black teenagers in Kansas City doused a white teenager in gasoline and lit him on fire, saying “This is what you deserve. You get what you deserve, white boy.” (Source.) Violence like this should not be tolerated, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, etc.
What about President Obama, who authorized the assassination of US Citizen Anwar al-Awlaki (Source), who was never formally charged, never indicted by a grand jury, and never allowed his day in court. Where was your outrage then?
Instead you want to get all worked up over this. Listen, it’s horrific, the untimely death of another human being. I’m not saying it isn’t. But why is this one so important?
How about the unarmed 18 year old that was not that long ago killed in his kitchen by New York’s finest? Or the autistic guy at a bus stop in southern California?
Reading the article from the Orlando Sentinel, it seems that this was in self defense:
With a single punch, Trayvon Martin decked the Neighborhood Watch volunteer who eventually shot and killed the unarmed 17-year-old, then Trayvon climbed on top of George Zimmerman and slammed his head into the sidewalk several times, leaving him bloody and battered, authorities have revealed to the Orlando Sentinel.
That is the account Zimmerman gave police, and much of it has been corroborated by witnesses, authorities say…
Zimmerman told them he lost sight of Trayvon and was walking back to his SUV when Trayvon approached him from the left rear, and they exchanged words.
Trayvon asked Zimmerman if he had a problem. Zimmerman said no and reached for his cell phone, he told police.
Trayvon then said, “Well, you do now” or something similar and punched Zimmerman in the nose.
Zimmerman fell to the ground and Trayvon got on top of him and began slamming his head into the sidewalk, he told police.
Zimmerman began yelling for help.
Several witnesses heard those cries, and there’s been a dispute about from whom they came: Zimmerman or Trayvon.
Lawyers for Trayvon’s family say it was Trayvon, but police say their evidence indicates it was Zimmerman.
One witnesses, who has since talked to local television news reporters, told police he saw Zimmerman on the ground with Trayvon on top, pounding him and was unequivocal that it was Zimmerman who was crying for help.
Zimmerman then shot Trayvon once in the chest from very close range, according to authorities.
When police arrived less than two minutes later, Zimmerman was bleeding from the nose, had a swollen lip and had bloody lacerations to the back of his head.
Again, I’m not connected with this case. I attempt to make no judgement about it. I only hope both sides get fair representation and cooler heads prevail in determining the outcome, no matter what it may be. With all of the stirring of the hornets nest going on, that might be difficult.
Your thoughts?
Further Reading
- http://legalinsurrection.com/2012/03/trayvon-martin-case-heading-towards-the-political-abyss/
- http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-03-26/news/os-trayvon-martin-zimmerman-account-20120326_1_miami-schools-punch-unarmed-black-teenager
- http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2120504/Trayvon-Martin-case-He-suspended-times-caught-burglary-tool.html
- http://freebeacon.com/registered-dem-killed-trayvon/
Aaron Graves
Aaron Graves is a veteran and a staunch libertarian, consistently breaking ranks with his Conservative friends on social issues, and with his Liberal friends on economic issues. He is also the guy that wrote the crap that you just read. Sic Semper Tyrannis
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It appears that the elderly couple that lives at the address tweeted by Spike Lee have been forced to move temporarily into a hotel. Where is the justice for this couple? (Source.)
Regardless of whether or not this was self-defense (which it may have been), Zimmerman should have been arrested and seen trial. This should not have been a “stand your ground” case as it was made out to be. Other than that, I don’t really have an opinion.
I agree, to an extent. They police should conduct an investigation, no doubt. But if there is not enough evidence to support a trial, one should not be sought.