.

During the time of the incident, Zimmerman was heard on tape saying something like, these people get away with it all the time.

Racist Statement? Did he mean by "these" people -- any male wearing a hoodie? Or did he mean "people of color"? Had he already decided that the person was up to illegal activity and that the person was a male black person? So if Z was believing those things,I can see why he didn't want to engage in "nice" "polite" conversation suggested by some --

"do you live around here? are you lost? can I be of help? are you feeling ill, may I direct you or help you get to where you are going?" Z had already decided this guy was potentially dangerous.

I hope the Attorney General [or in a possible Civil Case] has the opportunity to disclose Z's background activities and racial profiling.

This case has set a precedent.

.

IMO Even... "I represent the Neighborhood Watch,
Mind if I ask who you are, and where you're going
at this time of night, and on private property?"
...would have avoided the physical confrontation.

I'd also like to know more about How the weapon
that was SUPPOSEDLY down the back of his pants
got into GZ's hands (that were pinned at his sides)
unless the weapon was already in his hand when
Trayvon slammed him to the ground.....? And was
being knocked to the ground itself the cause of
the injuries to the back of his head.. rather than
the "head-slamming-on-concrete" defense he had
prepared(?) for when law enforcement arrived...

he-said/he.....er... couldn't say....?


just too many loose ends

According to court evidence and his own filmed interview, at 7pm the night that the killing occurred, George Zimmerman was not on community watch patrol. He was on his way to shop at Target carrying a concealed gun.

Not trying to be confrontational,
I just need my memory "jogged";

Were you the member who stated a while back
that you'd never known any black people until
you'd left home to pursue higher learning?

Ammo run ??

"Dang I'm fresh out of Claymoore M18's and mortar rounds !!"

Key word, Gary: Watch. As in Neighborhood Watch. Not Neighborhood Follow. Not Neighborhood Arrest. Not Neighborhood Shoot. This is what the prosecution failed to keep loud, clear, neon red, and in the Jury's face throughout the trial. They opened with a premise that threw the door to that narrative wide open, and they failed to exploit it.

If George Zimmerman had followed the rules of the organization, this conversation would never have been born.

And now insult to injury, he can reclaim his gun if he wants to. Isn't that just great?

Is Zimmerman Scotch ? I thought he was a member of the Black Watch !

I wasn't being cheeky...
...I was seriously trying to understand his p.o.v.

A bit like carp, not having a clue about the insult
thrown at the Obamas with the image of WaterMelons
being grown in the WhiteHouse Rose Garden.

It's easy to miss the impact if you've never been
exposed to this long standing cultural stereotyping.

There's always the chance that Mr.B has no idea of
the phenomenon of cops pulling over black teens
and escorting them to an out-of-the-way location
where they proceed to beat the snot out of them...
or "shooting them while escaping"... without
consequences, cops carrying a "throw-down" piece
to the scene in order to prove "self defense"...

Most white people are vaguely aware of it... but
would rather "not know" whereas others know full
well but are afraid to face the retribution of speaking
out about it...esp. since "nothing will come of it".

Professor Yoyo posted a thread called "Being Black"
wherein Levar Burton talks about the recommended
procedure when being pulled over by "The LAW", but
they didn't go into detail about the consequences
of not taking those steps (in order to not wind up
either getting dragged from your vehicle and having
your head cracked open just for asking why you were
being pulled over, or being found in a shallow grave.)

So, yeah.. this case strikes a raw nerve (as it should)
so I was having a problem wrapping my head around
accepting the verdict as "Justice Served" N.Q.A.

Like I said... Now that these incidence** are coming
to light in the glaring spotlight of public attention,
perhaps public opinion will become public outcry,
and this latest run of Jim Crow Justice will finally
be discussed and ultimately resolved.
**
Like the Viral video of the different reactions between
the black vs white teen fiddling with the bike lock,
And the Boston Professor arrested for 'breaking into
his own house... even after showing his identification
and the ratio of black-to-white teens succumbing to
the "Stop & Frisk" Laws... and many other examples...

On this forum, I've tried my best to convey to you, my friends, how it was to grow up in rural mid America. I do this, as I feel, most of you might not have a feeling for that environment . I certainly understand that there are many experiences that you have had that I have not. All of us have had unique experiences. This is what is so great about this forum. We can all benefit from our expressing these experiences. Diversity makes us better.

Let me give an example to of a person who does not agree with me.

First some background. I definitely have conservative family members. They discovered the Internet and emails about 2003. Everyday I receive viral conservative emails forwarded by several members. Since they are on each others mailing list I most times get the same emails five times. But they all have personal friends on their list also. Some times, I would take these assertions and fact check them. If I found discrepancies I would state them and hit "reply all"

One time got a reply from a woman, yelling at me for giving her the facts. I responded to her that I thought that everyone should hear different sides and the truth. She responded back stating she only wanted to hear the "news" with which she agreed.

Not me.

As for not knowing any black folks until I went to college. Until I was in the eighth grade, I attended a one room country school where one teacher gave instruction . We shared books. In my 7th grade, there were 13 students from grades 1-8. All seven years I only had one grade mate, Max who lived across the section from me . One mile as the crow flies and two miles walking around the gravel and dirt road. I wore over-alls to school until the 6th grade when my folks let me wear jeans . I went to town , pop 6,000, about every two or three weeks when we went shopping around the town square. I went with my folks. Didn't go to the diner or fast food. Just did shopping then back home. Sometimes I was able to stop by the library to check out a few books.

Up until I was 12, I probably knew 15 people within 2 years of my age.

When I was in 8th grade I went to a small rural town school with about 100 students 10-12 grades . There were 21 in my class. All white. Most Christian . I did compete against African -American athletes in high school from other schools.

Did I ever have any negative feelings toward African Americans? Absolutely not. In fact, I have always supported their equality in our society. I have even protested. I've organized protests.

I attempt to treat everyone the same. The color of a persons skin is not an issue for me. I taught 32 years in Dodge City Ks. Dodge City has some african Americans but they close to 45% Hispanic of which, most are Mexican. I thoroughly endorsed mult-culturism when I taught. I lived in an area that was considered a Hispanic neighborhood . Me, I called it home. I was one of the few White non Hispanics living on my block.

Does all this make me special? Hell, No. It's just what I've done. We have all had experiences.

Dave

I won't respond in kind.

But from one Crazy ass Cracker to another crazy ass Cracker

George, was going to target to shop. Not illegal

He was carrying. Not illegal . Why was he carrying ? Like most, for protection.

He observed an individual walking in the neighborhood . Not illegal to observe.

Trayvon was walking in the neighborhood after getting snacks. Not illegal

George turns is car to follow because the way he was walking looked suspicious (George's words). Not illegal

Trayvon is talking on his phone. Not illegal.

George calls 911 non emergency. Not illegal
Says punks are always getting away. Not illegal

He stops his car. Says he is getting out. Not illegal
911 dispatch says "we don't need you to do that" . But it's not illegal

Trayvon says over phone that some Crazy ass Cracker is following him. Not illegal. He can say any thing he wants and it's not illegal.

Trayvon moves along away from George. Not illegal

A confrontation between them. Not illegal. We don't know what's said.

We don't know what happens until

***Trayvon hits George at least two times. George is on ground with Trayvon on top of him.. ILLEGAL

George shoots Trayvon .......disputed legality

But jury finds that George acted in self defense.

He is not guilty.


***. evidence shows bloody nose and a bruise near eye brow. Also two lacerations on back of head not on same curvature so would indicate two hits on sidewalk or something hard in grass


In my opinion. Both individuals were legal to be a doing what they did until they came to blows. Since evidence shows Trayvon had hit George then George pled self defense in his shooting of Trayvon.

It makes no difference what ethnicity they were or if either was gay, or religious or had gender changes.