I've been avoiding serious comment on this because I, like just about everyone else, have no idea what actually happened. As it turns out, just about everything we're being told is complete BS. I'm still waiting for the full truth to come out. My initial thoughts of Zimmerman being in the wrong for initiating contact could very well be incorrect as well. The truly frightening thing about this is that it could be anyone that defends themselves. You can be the victim, but fail the race test in the media's eyes. I'm waiting with bated breath for the Justice Department to arrest the New Black Panthers for inciting violence/conspiracy to commit murder. I'll probably die of asphyxiation before that happens.
I have been following it and I am not afraid to admit at this point I am convinced Zimmerman was within his right to shoot. An eye witness saw Zimmerman being attacked and the audio tapes indicate Zimmerman stopped following the kid and said he was returning to his truck. This 6'2" 180 pound "Kid" circled back through the backyards and attacked Zimmerman and left him with no choice but to defend himself as best he could. The kid just never imagined for a moment his target was armed I would wager.
The commentors are already attacking the stand your ground law on several articles about this. It is going to get uglier and uglier. Obama is using this to motivate his base and things are very explosive anyway.
I, not having been there, take no stance on the matter whatsoever.. I'm funny like that. What I WILL say is that doing neighbourhood watch rounds on your lonesome is a patently foolish endeavor.
And should we not take sides like you. We'll end up just like you with a bunch of Draconian gun laws.
No thanks, I'm picking the side that doesn't have a bunch of "race baiters" in it such as the Black Panthers (who Obama had photos of himself with) who have posted a racist unlawful bounty on Zimmerman, or a bunch of racist, (so called) preachers, on a racist Un-Justice department on it with Eric Holder in charge, or a movie maker, Spike Lee, who posted Zimmerman's home address encouraging others to go there and get him.
No, I'm not as smart as you to be "funny like that".
I'm "Funny like that" in other ways. I'm one of those "Funny" Americans who reads the news from both sides and realizes when he's being fed a line of BS.
Well a photo of a nice dressed person shooting down a thug doesn't sell, stir the pot, or cause riots. I'm sorry a life was lost, but the sensationalism and media frenzy needs to stop (and it won't nothing sells like this kind of news).
It's also, unfortunately, close to election time so now the political fiasco and edge begins. Guilty until proven otherwise is the American way and it's a total crock of shit. Matt summed it up nicely.
If you ride your bicycle in a legal bike lane on the street, and a driver, text messaging, wanders into the bike lane and kills you, whose fault is it ? Answer: it is irrelevant - you're dead. And who could have prevented this in the real world ? Answer: Once you chose to ride next to moving cars, you will die if you ride there long enough. many drivers will wander onto the shoulder or bike lane, occasionally, and at that moment you may die. The driver is legally at fault, but in the big picture, only you can keep your bike out of harms way.
I think Martin and Zimmerman both got in harms way, and either could have been killed. Lots of things could have been done differently in their interactions - assuming I understand the facts, which I may not.
When I was a teenage I was in the same shoes as Trayvon Martin. A man followed me and 2 of my friends in his motor vehicle. He sped past us, and pulled up a driveway to block our path. He jumped out of his car, and approached us very aggressively.
He accused us of stealing his sons baseball mitt. When we told him we knew nothing about a baseball mitt, he called us liars, and proceed to grab our friends arm. We were shocked and confused. We pleaded with the man that we did not steal anything, and he responded by twisting our friend arm behind his back. Our friend struggled to get free but the man wrestled him to the ground, and forced his face into the sidewalk.
That is when we decided to take action. Why? Because adult neighbors stood there and did nothing to stop this man. In short, we beat the living hell out of him until he let go of our friend. We ran off as fast as we could.
All 3 of us were arrested and charged with theft and assault/batter. The man claimed that we broke his jaw, damaged one of his kidneys, and cause him to loose his spleen. If it were not for a street smart LAPD officer, a real estate appraiser working across the street , and our lawyers we would have lost our futures. Why? Because a man lied as did his neighbors who acted as witnesses against us. Not one of them mentioned the fact he attacked our friend. They all gave false witness...
My point is...I am having a hard time believing Zimmerman's story. He knew a cruiser had been dispatched. He had already given a description, and general location of the suspicious person. All he had to do was stay back and observe...
I believe struggle took place between the 2 males. But I believe, until proven otherwise, that Zimmerman initiated contact. There was absolutely no reason for Trayvon to initiate contact. Clearly Trayvon was the one concerned for his safety. If not, then why ask Zimmerman, "why are you following me?" In addition, he voiced his concern to his girlfriend via cell phone. Zimmerman most likely tried to apprehend Trayvon and detain Trayvon until the police unit arrived. If that is the case, I do not blame Trayvon for fighting off an attack.
How was Travyon supposed to know Zimmerman was not some serial rapist, or murderer???
Trayvon probably fought back, knocking Zimmerman to the ground, in an attempt to escape and run home. Zimmerman probably wrestled his way back up and achieved physical separation between himself and Trayvon.
1) Did not Zimmerman state that he was knocked on his back and his head was slammed into the pavement?
2) Can we not hear someone, most likely Trayvon, screaming and begging for his life on the 911 recordings?
3) It is doubtful that Trayvon would have seen Zimmerman pull out the sidearm while wrestling with Zimmerman on the ground - Tunnel vision takes over...the fog of war/battle.
And that is most likely when the fatal shot was fired - when the two parties were physically separated.
While there is no evidence to support my gut feeling I cannot help but wonder after seeing how clean Zimmerman looked after allegedly being involved in a fight to the death someone who hit him so hard that his nose was broken, and the back of head was slammed into the pavement...I am having a hard time believing Zimmerman's story.
Zimmerman story, in my opinion, stinks of a lie.
FYI - I am a 10 year vet...AFSOC- CCT, and AIA (AF ISR Agency), overseas, to include a few nasty places. I continue to serve as a civilian supporting DOD. I hold Utah CCW, and defend our 2nd Amendment, and right to defend our loved ones, our property, and person.
I am so over this crap. This will be dragging on for a l-o-n-g time.
ReplyDeleteI understand, Rob, but for those of us in within the gun culture this is serious business...
DeleteI've been avoiding serious comment on this because I, like just about everyone else, have no idea what actually happened. As it turns out, just about everything we're being told is complete BS. I'm still waiting for the full truth to come out. My initial thoughts of Zimmerman being in the wrong for initiating contact could very well be incorrect as well. The truly frightening thing about this is that it could be anyone that defends themselves. You can be the victim, but fail the race test in the media's eyes. I'm waiting with bated breath for the Justice Department to arrest the New Black Panthers for inciting violence/conspiracy to commit murder. I'll probably die of asphyxiation before that happens.
ReplyDeleteI agree, my friend. All the facts are as yet out...and even when the facts are reported...they'll still claim it was murder. Sad. Thanks, my friend.
DeleteI have been following it and I am not afraid to admit at this point I am convinced Zimmerman was within his right to shoot. An eye witness saw Zimmerman being attacked and the audio tapes indicate Zimmerman stopped following the kid and said he was returning to his truck. This 6'2" 180 pound "Kid" circled back through the backyards and attacked Zimmerman and left him with no choice but to defend himself as best he could. The kid just never imagined for a moment his target was armed I would wager.
ReplyDeleteThe commentors are already attacking the stand your ground law on several articles about this. It is going to get uglier and uglier. Obama is using this to motivate his base and things are very explosive anyway.
Agreed. Thanks, my friend.
DeleteTake care my friend, someone seems determined to stir the pot in the sunshine state.
ReplyDeleteTrue, and thanks, my friend.
DeleteI, not having been there, take no stance on the matter whatsoever..
ReplyDeleteI'm funny like that.
What I WILL say is that doing neighbourhood watch rounds on your lonesome is a patently foolish endeavor.
And should we not take sides like you. We'll end up just like you with a bunch of Draconian gun laws.
DeleteNo thanks, I'm picking the side that doesn't have a bunch of "race baiters" in it such as the Black Panthers (who Obama had photos of himself with) who have posted a racist unlawful bounty on Zimmerman, or a bunch of racist, (so called) preachers, on a racist Un-Justice department on it with Eric Holder in charge, or a movie maker, Spike Lee, who posted Zimmerman's home address encouraging others to go there and get him.
No, I'm not as smart as you to be "funny like that".
I'm "Funny like that" in other ways. I'm one of those "Funny" Americans who reads the news from both sides and realizes when he's being fed a line of BS.
I guess I'm not as smart as you....
Aussie, my good friend, I must and do take Matt's side of the picture here. We have too much to lose. Thanks, to both of you.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWell a photo of a nice dressed person shooting down a thug doesn't sell, stir the pot, or cause riots. I'm sorry a life was lost, but the sensationalism and media frenzy needs to stop (and it won't nothing sells like this kind of news).
ReplyDeleteIt's also, unfortunately, close to election time so now the political fiasco and edge begins. Guilty until proven otherwise is the American way and it's a total crock of shit. Matt summed it up nicely.
Very true, my friend.
DeleteIf you ride your bicycle in a legal bike lane on the street, and a driver, text messaging, wanders into the bike lane and kills you, whose fault is it ? Answer: it is irrelevant - you're dead. And who could have prevented this in the real world ? Answer: Once you chose to ride next to moving cars, you will die if you ride there long enough. many drivers will wander onto the shoulder or bike lane, occasionally, and at that moment you may die. The driver is legally at fault, but in the big picture, only you can keep your bike out of harms way.
ReplyDeleteI think Martin and Zimmerman both got in harms way, and either could have been killed. Lots of things could have been done differently in their interactions - assuming I understand the facts, which I may not.
My blog thoughts on the 'subject'....
Deletehttp://oldcatman-xxx.com/?p=5630
http://oldcatman-xxx.com/?p=5642
Anon, like the Bible, it depends on the person reading it for its interpretation.
DeleteOldcatman, thanks for the links. Well done.
When I was a teenage I was in the same shoes as Trayvon Martin. A man followed me and 2 of my friends in his motor vehicle. He sped past us, and pulled up a driveway to block our path. He jumped out of his car, and approached us very aggressively.
ReplyDeleteHe accused us of stealing his sons baseball mitt. When we told him we knew nothing about a baseball mitt, he called us liars, and proceed to grab our friends arm. We were shocked and confused. We pleaded with the man that we did not steal anything, and he responded by twisting our friend arm behind his back. Our friend struggled to get free but the man wrestled him to the ground, and forced his face into the sidewalk.
That is when we decided to take action. Why? Because adult neighbors stood there and did nothing to stop this man. In short, we beat the living hell out of him until he let go of our friend. We ran off as fast as we could.
All 3 of us were arrested and charged with theft and assault/batter. The man claimed that we broke his jaw, damaged one of his kidneys, and cause him to loose his spleen. If it were not for a street smart LAPD officer, a real estate appraiser working across the street , and our lawyers we would have lost our futures. Why? Because a man lied as did his neighbors who acted as witnesses against us. Not one of them mentioned the fact he attacked our friend. They all gave false witness...
My point is...I am having a hard time believing Zimmerman's story. He knew a cruiser had been dispatched. He had already given a description, and general location of the suspicious person. All he had to do was stay back and observe...
I believe struggle took place between the 2 males. But I believe, until proven otherwise, that Zimmerman initiated contact. There was absolutely no reason for Trayvon to initiate contact. Clearly Trayvon was the one concerned for his safety. If not, then why ask Zimmerman, "why are you following me?" In addition, he voiced his concern to his girlfriend via cell phone. Zimmerman most likely tried to apprehend Trayvon and detain Trayvon until the police unit arrived. If that is the case, I do not blame Trayvon for fighting off an attack.
How was Travyon supposed to know Zimmerman was not some serial rapist, or murderer???
Trayvon probably fought back, knocking Zimmerman to the ground, in an attempt to escape and run home. Zimmerman probably wrestled his way back up and achieved physical separation between himself and Trayvon.
1) Did not Zimmerman state that he was knocked on his back and his head was slammed into the pavement?
2) Can we not hear someone, most likely Trayvon, screaming and begging for his life on the 911 recordings?
3) It is doubtful that Trayvon would have seen Zimmerman pull out the sidearm while wrestling with Zimmerman on the ground - Tunnel vision takes over...the fog of war/battle.
And that is most likely when the fatal shot was fired - when the two parties were physically separated.
While there is no evidence to support my gut feeling I cannot help but wonder after seeing how clean Zimmerman looked after allegedly being involved in a fight to the death someone who hit him so hard that his nose was broken, and the back of head was slammed into the pavement...I am having a hard time believing Zimmerman's story.
Zimmerman story, in my opinion, stinks of a lie.
FYI - I am a 10 year vet...AFSOC- CCT, and AIA (AF ISR Agency), overseas, to include a few nasty places. I continue to serve as a civilian supporting DOD. I hold Utah CCW, and defend our 2nd Amendment, and right to defend our loved ones, our property, and person.
Sincerely...
First There...
A-T-M RavenMode1
Thanks for the great comment, Raven. Well done. Please, don't be a stranger. From one vet to another, thank you for your service.
Delete