<p>not me! </p>
<p>we were lucky the law to permit guns on college campuses didn’t pass.</p>
<p>parent1986, obviously the people elected the public official. That doesn’t mean they ever asked for the law. I’m sure you realize that lobbying groups, with their money and their clout, have a great deal of influence on the legislative process.</p>
<p>In 2005, when the law passed, one state legislator said:</p>
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<p>[The</a> Money Trail Behind Florida’s Notorious Gun Law](<a href=“http://motherjones.com/politics/2012/03/NRA-stand-your-ground-trayvon-martin]The”>The Money Trail Behind Florida’s Notorious Gun Law – Mother Jones)</p>
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<p>Quit acting like the NRA and the previously mentioned group that works with them are the only two groups that play any role in the legislative process! There are LOTS of laws on the books that were forced through the system by lobbying groups. Plenty of good and plenty of bad.</p>
<p>We all know that, hopscout, but the NRA actually helped write these laws, and much like all laws written by outside lobby groups (I am opposed to all outside organizations participating in the writing of legislation, whether I agree with their general aims or not), they go way too far.</p>
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Not smart, not sensitive, and completely lacking in basic humanity. He’s not 12, he is a grown man and not only does he seem to not have any regard for the fact that he took a life, he doesn’t seem to understand that the lack of sensitivity does NOT play well. I’ve been pretty open minded about the facts, but as a mother, I am having a huge problem with the lack of remorse. Sack cloth and ashes would be a good thing. Causing a woman to bury her child is the most monstrous thing in the world and it should always be cause for wailing from everyone.</p>
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Because they have no ability to contact Zimmerman directly. The things they were saying were meant for his ears.</p>
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The website was, for me, so bizarre, that I’ve come to believe anything is possible with Zimmerman. We already knew from the number of 911 calls that something was off, but I’m not sure we should even be picking apart the details of that night anymore, because maybe the guy is a monster.</p>
<p>^agree with you Zoosermom</p>
<p>and it is this callous disregard for having taken a life, calling the killing an “event” an “incident” along with acting as if HE is the victim that is creating such an angry reaction. Z seems to be trying to “cash in” on this tragedy, and seeking attention by going to Hannity, posting a website. This is a very ugly aspect of our culture…those who kill gain such notoriety and attention.</p>
<p>Z’s father had a similarly strange attitude in his interviews, expressing no sympathy for Trayvon’s family.</p>
<p>I have read all the posts since my last post yesterday afternoon. I hear your outrage especially as parents who can feel that Trayvon could have been their kid. But, you arent in Zs predicament.</p>
<p>Realize that Z is facing substantial jail time-- even for manslaughter. And, because this has been made into a race case, if convicted, his life in prison may well be at high risk. I imagine he would have to get gang protection in prison from a Hispanic gang or, if he can pass as white, from an Aryan group to avoid injury or worse from a black gang.</p>
<p>So. Z may well be focusing on making sure that there is that one (1) person on any jury panel who will go with him. With 900,000 Florida citizens having active carry permits he smartly waves the American Flag for gun rights. </p>
<p>With SYG being the law in Florida, Z is looking for that one juror who has personally, or had a family member, hurt or scared by a mugger of any flavor or by one of them. Remember, that juror may view any sign of remorse by Z as a sign that Z didnt really feel at risk. Why be sorry, if you felt you had to shoot to save your own life?</p>
<p>Like it or not, Z will walk if that one juror goes with him because the juror is racist. So, why not stress that there are people (hint, hint–whites/Hispanics) who are on Zs side? In other words, play the race card back against the Als and Spikes. The recent shooting at the empty Sanford police car at the grade school near the gated community is manna for Z.</p>
<p>I suggest that assessing Z in moral or ethical or even common decency terms misses the mark. Hes fighting for his life in a world where fear, bias, and/or hatred may actually save him.</p>
<p>Did anyone see the Martin family’s attorney on tv last night? Moderate, measured, serious. Set the exactly right tone and tried to de-escalate the situation. I was very impressed. You could see his heart was broken, but he was very firm about preventing further violence.</p>
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07Dad, I would like to tell you how much I have benefited from your wisdom, insight and experience in this thread. I am more impressed than I can tell you by your willingness to respectfully hold to important principles and by the breadth of your knowledge and experience.</p>
<p>Post 1170 is a fine example. You are, of course, correct. The Zimmermans are doing what they have to do in the context, but I wonder if he is acquitted whether there will later on be a bullet with his name on it.</p>
<p>Those are very good points, 07Dad, and I can see now that Z’s behavior makes some sense. I was completely bewildered before reading your post, and thought that he had lost his mind. </p>
<p>I do see that he is in a very bad situation, whether or not he is charged or acquitted. I was focusing on the irresponsibility of his lawyers, who seem to be walking out on him at a crucial time, grabbing as much publicity as they can on their way out, and making statements that seem to me to be damaging to Z. Those two were on the Today Show this morning. They seem like scumbags to me. </p>
<p>Yes, the Martins’ lawyer is a good example of restraint. So are the Martins, who were on TV last night, urging their supporters to stay calm. Trayvon’s mother, who breaks my heart every time she speaks, said that they were staying calm, and she asked their supporters to stay calm with them.</p>
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<p>I think the New Black Panther bounty may indicate a willingness to take a shot. Sort of like the folks who murder Doctors who perform abortions. Hero of the movement stuff.</p>
<p>I think of the outrage over the OJ verdict. No one capped him. I fear that if Z gets charged and not convicted and gunned down thereafter by a black, there will be an outbreak of racial murders on both sides. </p>
<p>I really think Tulsa did a great job of containment. Here is a town that experienced a true race war less than 100 years ago, and somehow managed to keep the lid on these last killings.</p>
<p>Yes, kudos to the Police brass in Tulsa. As I watched the chief speak I couldn’t help but wish that more law enforcement officials were like him; clear, measured, judicious and definitely in charge.</p>
<p>Now as for the New Black Panther Party (an awful segway from the admirable folks in Oklahoma), why do some people insist on taking these simpletons seriously? They are literally the little terrier who’s all bark and no bite, thank goodness. Let them talk their fool heads off. For probably the only time in my life I agree with conservative academic Abagil Thernstrom; The NBPP are small potatoes and insignificant.</p>
<p>There’s a rumor out now that the prosecutor will announce at 6pm today that Zimmerman is being charged.</p>
<p>[George</a> Zimmerman to be charged in Trayvon Martin shooting, official says - The Washington Post](<a href=“http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/george-zimmerman-to-be-charged-in-trayvon-martin-shooting-law-enforcement-official-says/2012/04/11/gIQAHJ5oAT_story.html?tid=sm_twitter_washingtonpost]George”>http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/george-zimmerman-to-be-charged-in-trayvon-martin-shooting-law-enforcement-official-says/2012/04/11/gIQAHJ5oAT_story.html?tid=sm_twitter_washingtonpost)</p>
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<p>Amen.</p>
<p>I too have been so impressed by Trayvon’s parents.</p>
<p>As for the legal advisors that quit on Z, Z told the prosecutor’s office that they were not representing him. So they announced to the world that they weren’t.</p>
<p>We have talked about the SYG laws and the NRA. Does anyone know how the NRA and other supporters feel about this until-now unprosecuted killing? I would think that they would be worried about loosing their law, but maybe they are happy about the way things have gone?</p>
<p>So sorry to be late to this party and I admit to being one of the loathed posters who jumps in without reading the whole thread.</p>
<p>As I was listening to someone yesterday who was on Z’s side, talking about Z being slammed to the ground and punched, I wondered if the SYG law could apply to both parties in a fight. A is taking a walk in the dark and stops to rest in front of B’s house, perhaps a bit too long. A resumes walk and B follows him. A senses he is being followed, turns and confronts/attacks B. Didn’t they both feel threatened? Can the victor in the A/B fight walk under SYG?</p>
<p>missypie, you mean you didn’t sit down and read all 79 pages of this thread?<br>
:)</p>