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Go to first message Go back 20 messages Messages 45514 - 45533 out of 47369 Go forward 20 messages Go to most recent message
45514. Wombat - 12/7/2012 3:25:41 AM

I suspect that Zimmerman will get off. Much as I would to see him and his Larry Lawman wannabe act put away.

45515. iiibbb - 12/7/2012 6:21:34 AM

I agree that Zimmerman wasn't racially motivated in his actions, and it's a mistake to turn any part concerning him into a racial issue (although I think the lack of initiative by the police department was likely racially de-motivated).

However, the Zimmerman shoot was a bad shoot. It should not be defended by any serious pro-gun, pro-stand-your-ground advocate. He made more mistakes than I can objectively accept. I think it is a detriment to issues that I support that others are trying to legitimize his actions because it undermines my credibility if I ever had to defend myself.

45516. arkymalarky - 12/7/2012 5:10:56 PM

He also lied and spent money donated to him for legal expenses. Scum.

45517. judithathome - 12/7/2012 6:51:07 PM

Gallup's unadjusted unemployment for November shows an uptick of nearly a full point, to 8.3%, over October's number.

Well, gee...I wonder how that could have happened...maybe a little thing called Super Storm Sandy? Ya think people losing the place where their jobs used to be might have a little something to do with that disgraceful uptick?


45518. judithathome - 12/7/2012 6:54:02 PM

45507, 45508, 45509, 45510, and 45512


We know you're misogynistic but this is a bit much.

45519. robertjayb - 12/7/2012 8:03:57 PM

I agree with Wombat and iiibbb. As much as I dislike hobby cops and wannabe avengers, I believe that Zimmerman, who seems a doofus, is being badly treated by media and prosecutors. He was immediately set upon by these forces and by professional blacks, including the odious Al Sharpton. The motivation, beyond self-promotion, seems to be to create a new Emmett Till case and thus another eternal victim.

Was it a bad shoot? Certainly a tragedy. But no one knows what happened except that Martin is dead and Zimmerman faces a lot of unknown unknowns.

The color version of contemporary police photos, just released, supports the claim of scuffle of some sort.

If transcripts of Zimmerman's phone conversation with police (I'm assuming a 911 dispatcher), and of an NBC news broadcast are accurate, then I believe Zimmerman has a slam dunk case in his suit against the network.

I'll try to find and post the transcripts. Shorthand, they indicate Zimmerman did not initially identify his suspect as black. He was asked if the fellow was white, black or hispanic. NBC edited his statement to enhance a racist angle (and ratings).


"Stand your ground" is an unfortunate label for a self defense principle I favor. You shouldn't have to take a beating or tolerate a home intrusion. But I think the label introduces a macho, cowboy tone that may prompt some too tightly wound folks to unwarranted action.

45520. robertjayb - 12/7/2012 8:08:32 PM

Concerned has the transcript at post 45506 above...

45521. judithathome - 12/7/2012 8:57:21 PM

I don't care who said what...I think killing a kid for walking home is beyond the pale. Zimmerman, if indeed he felt threatened, could have shot Martin in the kneecap or in some other non-lethal spot that would have lessened the threat to life and slowed down the (alleged) menace from Martin toward Zimmerman...which I feel wasn't in any way real.

45522. arkymalarky - 12/7/2012 9:19:41 PM

I totally agree with Judith.

45523. iiibbb - 12/7/2012 9:47:04 PM

You don't shoot kneecaps. The principal is that if you are going to shoot at all, you shoot to kill.

This highlights the point that a gun is a lousy thing to carry for self defense if that's the only thing you carry. It provides you know recourse for the range of situations that could arise before a gun is warranted. Pepper spray and gun, taser and gun.... that's what someone serious about self defense would carry. Home defense with a gun makes more sense if you can work in a dog too.

You want options is the main point. Pulling the trigger should be (is) highly undesirable.

45524. arkymalarky - 12/7/2012 11:28:57 PM

There was zero reason to pull it in Z's case

45525. Wombat - 12/8/2012 12:07:56 AM

I suspect that Trayvon Martin, who was freaked out by being trailed by Zimmerman, turned on him and started beating him up.

45526. Wombat - 12/8/2012 12:09:11 AM

I also think that Zimmerman should have been charged immediately.

45527. arkymalarky - 12/8/2012 12:49:21 AM

Probably so. Zimmerman followed and shot someone because he's a chickens hit. I really think race is aside from that.

45528. arkymalarky - 12/8/2012 12:50:07 AM

I hate autocorrect. I want my droid back.

45529. robertjayb - 12/8/2012 3:12:32 AM

I agree that Zimmerman should have been charged immediately. I believe it would have been better for him and for whatever sort of justice might result, which in any case is likely to be unsatisfactory to all concerned.
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I think killing a kid for walking home is beyond the pale.

Probably won't get much argument on that point.
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You don't shoot kneecaps. The principal is that if you are going to shoot at all, you shoot to kill.

Exactly. I asked a USAF marksmanship instructor to teach spouse how to handle our five-shot .38 revolver. He told her that if she had to fire to use all five rounds, or at least three, holding two back in case the villain is still moving. I always knew that if she decided to shoot someone, including me, there would be five holes in the body. For someone who knew zip about firearms, or maybe because she knew zip, she followed the instructions and became a darn good shot.
Another important point is that a dead perp is not going to testify against you in court.
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I suspect that Trayvon Martin, who was freaked out by being trailed by Zimmerman, turned on him and started beating him up.

Wombat's scenario mirrors mine. Both necessarily imagined.
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45530. judithathome - 12/8/2012 6:11:08 AM

My husband was a munitions expert and bomb builder in the Viet Nam war and beyond...he served 26 years in the miltary. He is also a black belt....

We do not own a weapon...no gun in this house....never will have a gun in our home.

He thinks Zimmerman is a first class wuss. And so do I.

45531. iiibbb - 12/8/2012 7:20:38 AM

I'm not a black belt. I believe the key elements to self defense are 1) avoid conflict 2) avoid contact 3) do not telegraph what you know 4) escalate decisively 5) fight dirty 6) shoot to kill.

winning a fight has more to do with what the other guy doesn't know than what you know, and wjo is more committed.

45532. judithathome - 12/8/2012 7:39:57 AM

I personally think winning the fight is being the bigger person and solving the situation in a non-lethal way.

45533. iiibbb - 12/8/2012 8:03:07 PM

That falls under line item 1

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