So... Florida and Zimmerman, huh?

[Rebis]

Black minister slams Sharpton and Jackson as "Race Hustlers and Poverty Pimps," calls Martin a "thug":

http://news.yahoo.com/reverend-lambastes-sharpton-jackson-race-hustlers-poverty-pimps-150824579.html

[FZR1KG]

The fact that Zimmerman was white and Martin was black gave his story more credibility. Travon Martin was the one on trial. George Zimmerman is well connected in the community and Martin was not. Power, race and influence once again trumping justice.

But he's not white, he is mixed race with black heritage as well.
We may as well call Obama white.

Maybe someone else said this. If Martin were white, the media and public would be emphasizing Zimmerman's mixed race.

I can totally see this happening. It seems to be a case of who is more "minority worthy".

[FZR1KG]

Hey TSC, here's the instructions to the jury: http://www.scribd.com/doc/153354467/Geo ... structions

[FZR1KG]

OMFG: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/strang ... 0151.story

Officer gets disciplined for bringing skittles and iced tea to work.

Why am I offended at that?

Well, it shows how divided the community is because of all this.
If the officer was black, everyone would assume he was showing support for Martin.
Because he was white, it was disrespectful.

Racism exists because we divide ourselves this way continually.
Its driving me nuts.

[Sigma_Orionis]

And in the time honored tradition of me rocking the hive.......

Let's see how this guy's defense attorneys try to use "stand your ground' to justify killing someone for texting in a movie theater

[geonuc]

And in the time honored tradition of me rocking the hive.......

Let's see how this guy's defense attorneys try to use "stand your ground' to justify killing someone for texting in a movie theater

I heard about this on NPR. The actual facts should be interesting.

It goes without saying, of course, that even if Mr Ex-cop is found guilty, that changes nothing.

[Rommie]

Honestly, looking at his age, unless it turns out he had a disturbing history as an officer or something I'm going to bet he was on the route to dementia.

[Sigma_Orionis]

I heard about this on NPR. The actual facts should be interesting.

It goes without saying, of course, that even if Mr Ex-cop is found guilty, that changes nothing.

[

Probably not, but if his attorneys actually try to use "stand your ground" as a defense it's going to be Zimmerman all over again with much much less justification.

Honestly, looking at his age, unless it turns out he had a disturbing history as an officer or something I'm going to bet he was on the route to dementia.

Well, if they try the insanity defense, they might open a can of worms.

I'm betting they'll try to plea bargain, but of course that's another can of worms all in itself.

[Rommie]

I don't see why the insanity defense is its own can of worms, as then it's just about the man's mental state. And I really don't think it would lead Florida to change their laws or something reasonable like that, this will just be labeled as a "tragic accident" and we all move on.

Incidentally I read yesterday that the guy who shot up the theatre in Aurora, CO is going on trial next month and he's also using the insanity defense.

[Sigma_Orionis]

The can of worms is that it opens the debate once more on letting people with mental disease going around with guns, and this time it wasn't a teenager who plays Medal of Honor or Halo or Postal or whatever videogame is being villified right now, or a war veteran with PTSD (TV's favorite gun nutjob). This time is a former police officer, a former police CAPTAIN.

[Rommie]

So? We already had a major shoot up an army base at Fort Hood, and a man who shot up a classroom of six year olds, hell even a sitting member of Congress. I really don't see how if as a society these are accepted as "the price we pay" and what not one incident of an old man with his wits addled is going to change that.

(Though don't get me wrong, it would be nice if it did.)

[Sigma_Orionis]

Good point.

[Swift]

So? We already had a major shoot up an army base at Fort Hood, and a man who shot up a classroom of six year olds, hell even a sitting member of Congress. I really don't see how if as a society these are accepted as "the price we pay" and what not one incident of an old man with his wits addled is going to change that.

(Though don't get me wrong, it would be nice if it did.)

Exactly (I think I've said the same thing). Gun control in the US is a lost cause; I don't think there is any incident that could be horrific enough to change things (apparently 26 dead children and their teachers isn't enough). We have decided as a society that thousands of people killed a year by firearms is just the price we have to pay for freedom.

[The Supreme Canuck]

As I said elsewhere: fucked.

[Swift]

I don't mind if I'm fucked, I just wish they'd be kind enough to call me the next day.

[Sigma_Orionis]

Faux News is speculating that Reeves' attorney might try to use "stand your ground" as a defense, but that since the theater chain specifically has a policy banning carrying firearms inside the movie theater, it might not fly

[SciFiFisher]

I don't mind if I'm fucked, I just wish they'd be kind enough to call me the next day.

I suppose you want a kiss too?

[SciFiFisher]

So? We already had a major shoot up an army base at Fort Hood, and a man who shot up a classroom of six year olds, hell even a sitting member of Congress. I really don't see how if as a society these are accepted as "the price we pay" and what not one incident of an old man with his wits addled is going to change that.

(Though don't get me wrong, it would be nice if it did.)

Exactly (I think I've said the same thing). Gun control in the US is a lost cause; I don't think there is any incident that could be horrific enough to change things (apparently 26 dead children and their teachers isn't enough). We have decided as a society that thousands of people killed a year by firearms is just the price we have to pay for freedom.

In 2010 the percentage of the population killed by gun violence is .004% IF you include the suicides which account for 2/3 of all the gun deaths it is .01% In 2010 there were 2,468,435 deaths of which presumably approximately 30,470 gun deaths were included. That means effectively of all the deaths in the U.S. in 2010 1.2% can be attributed to guns.

In essence, when it comes time to shape public policy and you want to get the most bang for your buck then most people are going to focus on heart disease and cancer. Why? because they accounted for over 1 million deaths in 2010. Over 50% vs 1.2%.

But, don't lose heart. Because, change is happening. It just happens incrementally, in fits and spurts, and sputters. Look at Colorado. 10 years ago if you predicted that Colorado state would pass gun laws more restrictive than the federal government you would have been laughed out of the bar and the bartender would have stopped serving you.

Another example of change. It's been a law now for several years. If you are someone whose job requires you to carry a gun and you are convicted of a domestic battery you lose the right to carry a gun on the job. Doesn't matter if you are a cop or a soldier. One domestic battery charge and your career is side lined. Possibly irrevocably.

[Morrolan]

i understand that the people he shot threw popcorn at him during the argument over the texting. clear case of self-defense, then...

[geonuc]

In 2010 the percentage of the population killed by gun violence is .004% IF you include the suicides which account for 2/3 of all the gun deaths it is .01% In 2010 there were 2,468,435 deaths of which presumably approximately 30,470 gun deaths were included. That means effectively of all the deaths in the U.S. in 2010 1.2% can be attributed to guns.

In essence, when it comes time to shape public policy and you want to get the most bang for your buck then most people are going to focus on heart disease and cancer. Why? because they accounted for over 1 million deaths in 2010. Over 50% vs 1.2%.

But, don't lose heart. Because, change is happening. It just happens incrementally, in fits and spurts, and sputters. Look at Colorado. 10 years ago if you predicted that Colorado state would pass gun laws more restrictive than the federal government you would have been laughed out of the bar and the bartender would have stopped serving you.

Another example of change. It's been a law now for several years. If you are someone whose job requires you to carry a gun and you are convicted of a domestic battery you lose the right to carry a gun on the job. Doesn't matter if you are a cop or a soldier. One domestic battery charge and your career is side lined. Possibly irrevocably.

All that may be true, but I think misses the point. Cancer and heart disease are things almost everyone agrees we should spend money on to prevent. How much money and who pays might be arguable. But guns? Hell no! It says right there in the constitution that I have a right to shoot any fucker who throws popcorn in my face!

And I disagree with the incremental argument. We had an assault weapons ban which expired and we couldn't get it renewed. Yeah, I know it was a flawed law in that there were enough loopholes to drive a truck trough but it was something. We should have expanded and corrected the law not let it expire.

And Newtown. As Swift said, if that doesn't mobilize the people of this country to rational gun regulation, nothing apparently will. The fact that we couldn't get any traction on gun legislation after that shows we're regressing, not progressing. Fuck the NRA.

[Rommie]

Faux News is speculating that Reeves' attorney might try to use "stand your ground" as a defense, but that since the theater chain specifically has a policy banning carrying firearms inside the movie theater, it might not fly

I'm sure they are- can you imagine the ratings field day for any network if the defense tries that tack?

[FZR1KG]

Hey hon, can we bypass Florida and depart the US from Georgia?

Fuck the NRA.

And the teflon coated armor piercing readily available mail order deer hunting round they rode in on.

[SciFi Chick]

Hey hon, can we bypass Florida and depart the US from Georgia?

Works for me. I didn't lose anything in Florida.

[SciFi Chick]

Hey hon, can we bypass Florida and depart the US from Georgia?

Works for me. I didn't lose anything in Florida.

[SciFiFisher]

i understand that the people he shot threw popcorn at him during the argument over the texting. clear case of self-defense, then...

Wait? They initiated the hostilities? That changes everything. It was movie theatre popcorn. Everyone knows that stuff can kill you. Obviously, a case of self defense.