Zimmerman acquitted

[Britster]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Because they knew who to contact! As I said in my other post, if it were MY son, the whole freaking world would have known about it. I would not rest until.

It's really not that easy. We have tried for 7 years to bring national attention to my brothers cause. I guess drowning just isn't a 'big' enough issue (even though it is). Good Morning America straight up told us they don't usually do stories on positive things (they're harder to get aired), but only if something bad happens (we were featured on the program after lifeguards on beaches were caught asleep, on headphones, etc). And while we've accomplished and done some great things... we've worked our butts off, and contacted the right people. Sometimes we get reporters who want to do a story but there's something else more 'important' that bumps it. The media latched on to this because they knew it would cause this kind of reaction. It's almost similar to how a "Pit Bull attack" or a "Rottweiler attack" headline is going to get a lot more attention than "Yorkie attack".

Again I'm not saying I don't understand why the family wanted to seek justice for their son's death. But I don't think second degree murder was a fair accusation and the jury ruled appropriately based on the American justice system. Which is not perfect, but in this case, the facts were laid right out. They just didn't have a good case against Zimmerman.

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

I don't think Zimmerman will come out ahead ever, in fact I think he will be murdered at some point; and if he's anywhere near a decent man he will die a little every day for what he did, even if it was somehow justifiable morally and legally. I know that if I were patrolling my neighborhood and following someone acting suspiciously, somehow a scuffle put my health or life at risk and it ended in my killing that other person, I'd never ever be the same or really enjoy life the same ever again. But in a life-or-death struggle, no matter who started it, I would try to save myself, even if it were a youth. I don't think I could just lie there and get beaten to death, no matter how justified the youth felt they were because I followed them or even if I jumped or incited them somehow. I'm just being honest. And I'd live a very sad life after that but work hard to make some kind of amends in every way I could.

I feel this may be a possibility too. However, this makes me think that the people who think justice has not been served and want to try to serve their own kind of justice, won't that make them just what they are trying to label Zimmerman as?

If someone actually kills Zimmerman bc they think justice was not served, they will actually be worse than what they label him as. They would be a first degree murderer, premeditated.

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by Britster

It's really not that easy. We have tried for 7 years to bring national attention to my brothers cause. I guess drowning just isn't a 'big' enough issue (even though it is). Good Morning America straight up told us they don't usually do stories on positive things (they're harder to get aired), but only if something bad happens (we were featured on the program after lifeguards on beaches were caught asleep, on headphones, etc). And while we've accomplished and done some great things... we've worked our butts off, and contacted the right people. Sometimes we get reporters who want to do a story but there's something else more 'important' that bumps it. The media latched on to this because they knew it would cause this kind of reaction. It's almost similar to how a "Pit Bull attack" or a "Rottweiler attack" headline is going to get a lot more attention than "Yorkie attack".

Again I'm not saying I don't understand why the family wanted to seek justice for their son's death. But I don't think second degree murder was a fair accusation and the jury ruled appropriately based on the American justice system. Which is not perfect, but in this case, the facts were laid right out. They just didn't have a good case against Zimmerman.

This is a very good example. The media knows what stories will be big, and even now they are still milking it for all it's worth.

I really think this got so big bc of people like Al Sharpton or other big names in the black community made a big ruckus. Many times there is something with some woman, and of course Gloria Alred will be all up in there. It's pretty much the same thing. They know how to make all the noise for the national attention. I think it's more of their culture. Do you think for one second that if a Asian kid got killed that some Asian public figure (hell I'm Asian and can't even think of one, um Yao Ming? LOL) would make such a ruckus? No, it's not our culture, and bc of that, probably would have gotten overlooked.

Another thing I found ironic. All the protests around the country, and what city had to end up in riots? Oakland.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

This is a very good example. The media knows what stories will be big, and even now they are still milking it for all it's worth.

I really think this got so big bc of people like Al Sharpton or other big names in the black community made a big ruckus. Many times there is something with some woman, and of course Gloria Alred will be all up in there. It's pretty much the same thing. They know how to make all the noise for the national attention. I think it's more of their culture. Do you think for one second that if a Asian kid got killed that some Asian public figure (hell I'm Asian and can't even think of one, um Yao Ming? LOL) would make such a ruckus? No, it's not our culture, and bc of that, probably would have gotten overlooked.

Another thing I found ironic. All the protests around the country, and what city had to end up in riots? Oakland.

Exactly. Even the President stating "if I had a son, he'd look like Trayvon". I understand the president can not speak on every person killed wrongfully in America, so why focus on Trayvon, what about the other kids that look like him who die every day? The riots, etc, just make it look worse. I mean, does that really make them think they're "Cool"? (and by 'they're, I'm not talking about a specific race, just the people out on the streets) Well, they're getting the media attention, so they must think it's working.

I can't imagine rioting and causing a scene over anything, no matter how passionate I am about an issue. Just ridiculous.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

I feel this may be a possibility too. However, this makes me think that the people who think justice has not been served and want to try to serve their own kind of justice, won't that make them just what they are trying to label Zimmerman as?

If someone actually kills Zimmerman bc they think justice was not served, they will actually be worse than what they label him as. They would be a first degree murderer, premeditated.

Absolutely will be cold-blooded, pre-meditated and probably even conspiracy to commit aggravated murder, as I believe several people will be out to conspire to kill him and it will probably involve gross overkill. The media and certain leaders/celebrities have and are going to keep whipping this killing into a situation that will, I've no doubt, whip up other young men into killing. What I can't understand is why all of the attention on this young man's death when so many get into fights and kill each other fairly frequently and just as tragically.

[Princess keke]

It’sfunny how people try to bring in all the bad things Trayvon did. He was a teenthat was going through the stage that most teen go through. Zimmerman is agrown man and it’s sad that he couldn’t just walk away from a child. Trayvon shouldn’thave to explain himself if Zimmerman didn’t ask. It’s sad that because he was a black male hehad to lose his life over assumptions. The justice system is crap. It was justa black woman in Florida who got years for shooting her gun to protect herselfand her kids from her husband. She never had the intention to shoot him but lethim know it was a warning shot. She got 20 years in prison but Zimmerman killsa child and goes free. It’s not right no matter how people try to put it. I pray the federal government reopens thecase. I pray for the Martin family because there are people out there that makeit seem like they had a horrible son and her deserved to die. What if that wasyour child? A lot of people think it could never happen to their kids. Younever know if your child is next no matter what race they might be.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by Princess keke

It’sfunny how people try to bring in all the bad things Trayvon did. He was a teenthat was going through the stage that most teen go through.

Yes, a lot of teens go through crap, doesn't mean they deserve to die or are bad people, of course not. But I don't think it's fair to say it's 'normal' for most 17 year olds to have been suspended several times during school years. His last suspension was for having marijuana baggy, graffiti lockers with sayings like 'WTF', womens jewelery and a screwdriver (burglary tool) in his bag. He was IN FL as a "punishment" by his dad. So why was he wandering around by himself, I wanna know? Also want to add, even these things don't automatically make me think he was a 'bad person', obviously just a lost guy, who needed some help and direction. But don't paint him out to be this perfect little 12 year old kid the media portrayed him to be.

Zimmerman is agrown man and it’s sad that he couldn’t just walk away from a child. Trayvon shouldn’thave to explain himself if Zimmerman didn’t ask. It’s sad that because he was a black male hehad to lose his life over assumptions. The justice system is crap.

How was Zimmerman to know this was a child? If you are seeing someone from a distance, it's often hard to tell, especially with 17 year old boys. I don't care if you're black, asian, white, hispanic, or a Smurf, if I see someone walking a neighborhood that has had recent crimes, and looks somewhat suspicious, I'd be leary. I really think it's messed up how race is automatically being brought into it. The only thing that brought race into it was the media and the people rioting.And again, if you wanna talk race, let's look up all the other cases where white young people are killed by older black men. Because it happens ALL the time. So, it's NOT a race issue then? If an Asian is killed by a black man, does that mean he is racist towards asians, or maybe he truly feared for his life?

It was justa black woman in Florida who got years for shooting her gun to protect herselfand her kids from her husband. She never had the intention to shoot him but lethim know it was a warning shot. She got 20 years in prison but Zimmerman killsa child and goes free.

She left the room, possibly even went outside to retrieve her weapon, she had the chance to flee or remove herself from danger. Far different situation then Zimmerman's. If you are going to fire your weapon, it is to end the threat not to warn. She removed herself from the aggravated situation to get her fire arm and then returned. I would not call that in fear for her life. Also SHE was the one under the restraining order, which she violated by going to her ex-husband's home. Legally, she isn't even supposed to posses a gun because she is under a restraining order. And she shot AT the ex while the children were in the line of fire. The only thing similar is guns were involved, really. Comparing apples to oranges.


But bottom line is we DON'T know exactly how it went down that night and that's why he wasn't convicted. Not enough evidence to prove beyond reasonable doubt. That's how the law works. It's probably not always fair, in fact I know it's not always, but until we can come up with something better....

[Princess keke]

Zimmerman will know how is now feels to be a black male and have to worry about life and what will happen to him and his family. He will now feel the struggle of an African American male who does nothing wrong but still have people judging them based on their looks. He will no longer have a normal life and I believe he shouldn't. Yes we will never know what really happen that night but a child was killed that didn't have to die that night.

[Britster]

Oh, I can't believe I forgot also, one of my good friends from HS lost her 16 yr old brother (white, if it matters) in the neighborhood I grew up in! A very nice town for the most part. It was very unusual for it to happen. He was walking/riding a bike home from the local pool and literally beaten to death and left to bleed out on the street. Bullying complaints had been made, school did not do much about it, he even switched schools because of this problem. The family tried to get as much exposure as possible, they sued, and the 2 black teens who beat him to death were charged and in jail (one charged as an adult, the other as a juvenile). But this did not get hardly any national exposure. I think maybe it played on ABC once. I guess I am just not understanding why this particular case got so much attention and is causing such a stir.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Princess keke

It’sfunny how people try to bring in all the bad things Trayvon did. He was a teenthat was going through the stage that most teen go through. Zimmerman is agrown man and it’s sad that he couldn’t just walk away from a child. Trayvon shouldn’thave to explain himself if Zimmerman didn’t ask. It’s sad that because he was a black male hehad to lose his life over assumptions. The justice system is crap. It was justa black woman in Florida who got years for shooting her gun to protect herselfand her kids from her husband. She never had the intention to shoot him but lethim know it was a warning shot. She got 20 years in prison but Zimmerman killsa child and goes free. It’s not right no matter how people try to put it. I pray the federal government reopens thecase. I pray for the Martin family because there are people out there that makeit seem like they had a horrible son and her deserved to die. What if that wasyour child? A lot of people think it could never happen to their kids. Younever know if your child is next no matter what race they might be.

No way do all kids go through a getting suspended from school for drugs more than once and walk around a neighborhood not theres in the rain on drugs phase! Zimmerman couldn't just walk away he had friend in the neighborhood he instructed to hide in closets when they got scared and where getting there house broken into! This is bull S*** this is not black vs white thing the only thing racial brought into it was Trayvon calling Zimmerman a cracker! Its hard to walk away when your head is being bashed into the ground!!

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by Britster

Oh, I can't believe I forgot also, one of my good friends from HS lost her 16 yr old brother (white, if it matters) in the neighborhood I grew up in! A very nice town for the most part. It was very unusual for it to happen. He was walking/riding a bike home from the local pool and literally beaten to death and left to bleed out on the street. Bullying complaints had been made, school did not do much about it, he even switched schools because of this problem. The family tried to get as much exposure as possible, they sued, and the 2 black teens who beat him to death were charged and in jail (one charged as an adult, the other as a juvenile). But this did not get hardly any national exposure. I think maybe it played on ABC once. I guess I am just not understanding why this particular case got so much attention and is causing such a stir.

Because it keeps certain people relevant and in the spotlight to hype black-on-white crime and keep their followers upset and angry and turning to them as their representatives.

I don't understand why black and hispanic leaders are not camped out in Chicago and Detroit and other high-crime urban areas where children kill children daily in the streets and tenements and try to give them some hope and education, taking along football players and Harvard professors on loan and truck drivers and plumbers, doctors, scientists to work with those kids, inspire them, talk to them, hear them out on a regular basis. I guarantee you if Sharpton and Jackson and leaders like that would speak regularly in high schools and on the streetcorners or movie theaters there in urban crime areas, then introduce the people they brought with them to talk to some of those children and meet with them, talk to them, take them to lunch or dinner regularly, it could inspire some of them to turn from the gang culture in time. Celebrities, leaders in their fields of work and noted civil rights leaders could stop Tweeting for a change and take turns going into those areas and attending classes with those kids, helping them, meeting with them, spending time with them. Some of them don't even have fathers around and are raised only by women and other children in gangs.

But these "leaders" are on TV shows and doing interviews, Tweeing, talking and raging about one child while not helping those children in any direct or ongoing way, man to child. It's tragic how so many black and hispanic children without any structure or hope are just left to kill each other and all of the noted leaders are talking about one child - Trayvon Martin - because a man with lighter-colored skin shot him during a fight. It's appalling.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Princess keke

Zimmerman will know how is now feels to be a black male and have to worry about life and what will happen to him and his family. He will now feel the struggle of an African American male who does nothing wrong but still have people judging them based on their looks. He will no longer have a normal life and I believe he shouldn't. Yes we will never know what really happen that night but a child was killed that didn't have to die that night.

Oh for petes sake THIS IS NOT A RACE THING!!!!!! Blacks have made it that but it was never that!

[Britster]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

Because it keeps certain people relevant and in the spotlight to hype black-on-white crime and keep their followers upset and angry and turning to them as their representatives.

I don't understand why black and hispanic leaders are not camped out in Chicago and Detroit and other high-crime urban areas where children kill children daily in the streets and tenements and try to give them some hope and education, taking along football players and Harvard professors on loan and truck drivers and plumbers, doctors, scientists to work with those kids, inspire them, talk to them, hear them out on a regular basis. I guarantee you if Sharpton and Jackson and leaders like that would speak regularly in high schools and on the streetcorners or movie theaters there in urban crime areas, then introduce the people they brought with them to talk to some of those children and meet with them, talk to them, take them to lunch or dinner regularly, it could inspire some of them to turn from the gang culture in time. Celebrities, leaders in their fields of work and noted civil rights leaders could stop Tweeting for a change and take turns going into those areas and attending classes with those kids, helping them, meeting with them, spending time with them. Some of them don't even have fathers around and are raised only by women and other children in gangs.

But these "leaders" are on TV shows and doing interviews, Tweeing, talking and raging about one child while not helping those children in any direct or ongoing way, man to child. It's tragic how so many black and hispanic children without any structure or hope are just left to kill each other and all of the noted leaders are talking about one child - Trayvon Martin - because a man with lighter-colored skin shot him during a fight. It's appalling.

Very true and very sad.

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by Britster

Exactly. Even the President stating "if I had a son, he'd look like Trayvon". I understand the president can not speak on every person killed wrongfully in America, so why focus on Trayvon, what about the other kids that look like him who die every day? The riots, etc, just make it look worse. I mean, does that really make them think they're "Cool"? (and by 'they're, I'm not talking about a specific race, just the people out on the streets) Well, they're getting the media attention, so they must think it's working.

I can't imagine rioting and causing a scene over anything, no matter how passionate I am about an issue. Just ridiculous.

Remember about 12 years ago the Lakers won a championship? And the fans started rioting in downtown LA bc they WON. Some of my school's windows were smashed in. So anytime after that whenever there was a big event at Staples, they made students leave early and boarded up the windows.

[yorkietalkjilly]

LaBron James and Kobe Bryant and Victor Cruz, Pee-Diddy or whatever his name is, JZ, ?fitty cents?, Pitbull, SnoopDog, Chris Brown, a slew of NFL/NBA/MLB players all make zillions of dollars. Why don't they march into urban Chicago TOGETHER regularly and pay those gang children to work on some projects cleaning up the buildings where older folks and single mothers with children live in filth? Those multimillionaires can never spend all of their money and they could help create jobs and do something to help stop that daily murdering. No, they don hoodies and stand in a spotlight before a game and Tweet and create tax shelter foundations but until they get in there on the streets and inspire some kids themselves, what real good are they to their own kind living in hopelessness and dying in the streets?