after making a total fool of himself in the Tawana Brawley case.

He got it wrong again.

why I don't think racism was involved in Trayvon's killing.

This is what I believe happened; Rachel mentioned Zimmerman being a rapist and Trayvon believed he was a creep watching him. Trayvon, according to his texts, liked to participate in fights, and being a teenager he probably wanted to 'protect' his manhood. He planned to give Zimmerman a "ass whooping" (Rachel called it this). Zimmerman, on the other hand, was all pumped up to protect the neighborhood from criminals and when he was being beaten about the head, he was convinced he was done for. He had no idea that Trayvon was just dishing out an good old fashioned ass whopping. He believed that Trayvon was going to kill him. Maybe, he thought, Trayvon had a weapon like a knife, and so to defend himself Zimmerman over reacted.

No racism. Just a very horrible situation that could have been diverted if one of them had taken a moment to identify themselves. "I'm with the neighborhood watch"! "I'm going to my dad's house"!

carried a gun in case his tough guy stuff wasn't working.

How, again?

Bigot boy held the power, he should have deescalated the situation, neighborhood watch, police wannabe, gun carrier, adult, and bigot. He did nothing but shoot an innocent kid trying to get away from the epitome of a creepy asked cracker with a friggin gun.

so that instructor said. The prosecution even referred to him as the "Stay Puff Man". lol.

It was a stupid situation and a waste of life. Could have been easily avoided, but the law is on the side of Zimmerman and that's the reason why he was never arrested at first. And that is also the reason why he was found not guilty.

I think the word 'bigot' is thrown around too easily here. I don't see any evidence to prove Zimmerman was a bigot. I think what convinced me he wasn't was when he stepped up to the plate for that black homeless man that was beaten up. Bigot's don't generally do that.

Trayvon.

to believe he was "in fear" of a skinny teenager is just not believable. and "the law" is not on his side, but the police department most certainly was. if they got off their asses and actually made a case for the prosecution instead of telling zimmerman how to perfect his story, there might have been some jail time. that and a change of venue. have you seen the posts about zimmerman's RACIST my space page? i didn't think so.

Doesn't fit *anything* that was said about Trayvon up to this time. Maybe you ought to get the book deal, make a work of fiction. And maybe get GZ to shake your hand for helping him cope with his inability to be a responsible human being.

I go poking about on my own and don't just believe what I'm told.

Here's a link to get to Trayvon's cell phone records.

http://www.news4jax.com/news/george-zimmerman-attorneys-release-pictures-from-trayvon-martins-cellphone/-/475880/20273016/-/1x2h3y/-/index.html

They are on News4Jax.com

Halfway down. Click on 3rd Discovery Martin's Phone records 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 and also Images from Trayvon Martin's cell phone.

Who was the original aggressor? Who went after who with a gun? Who, without even speaking to the other called the other a "fucking punk" and ignored the 911 dispatcher to not follow him but let the police handle it? It wouldn't matter if the guy Zimmerman was after was any sort of low down, dirty scoundral. The fact is Trayvon was minding his own business until the real punk showed up and started hassling him. Trayvon had every right to be exactly where he was. If you want to try and justify what Zimmerman did because of some character flaw - real or not - in Trayvon, then yes I'd say you do have better things to do, but in my estimation you're not doing them. But it's your choice to fill your precious mind with whatever story you want to. As do I and I have seen and heard enough to know this was a senseless murder and it was the choices that Zimmerman made that evening that caused it to happen.

and so I gave you the link to his cell phone texts.

Trayvon did have the right to be where he was. So did Zimmerman. Trayvon death was senseless. No body won.

Had breakfast this morning.

Are you smoking something Can I have some????

Oh puhleeze, if you can't see that Trayvon was racially profiled and then further vilified by being depicted as a menacing black thug by the racist defense, then you are just willfully blind.

If you can't see that the real thug was painted by the defense as a helpless innocent defending his mostly white neighborhood from black punks and also that that real thug was acquitted by whites and likely a "white Hispanic"... then you are worse than willfully blind. Your bias is so transparent.

And as for how did Al Sharpton get a TV show? WOW, how did so many white nobodies get shows: Bill O'Lielly, dead intern scum Joe Scab, Shun -- the Hun Hannity, etc.

No, I'm just tired off the racism in the country. The racism coming from people like Al Sharpton and misguided people who mean well. I'm not a troll or a bigot. Goodness gracious, I have better things to do than troll about.

I have a keen nose for racism...I have had to have one. And believe me, I have seen some shit in the last 40 years.

There was no racism in what Zimmerman did leading up to Trayvon's shooting. When asked if the "suspect" was White, Black or Hispanic, Zimmerman replied, "He looks black". When Zimmerman told the dispatcher that Trayvon was walking towards him he told the dispatcher he was black because the dispatcher wanted a description. That's the only time race was mentioned. The nastiness was from Trayvon's friend, Rachel.

I don't believe Zimmerman is a racist. He did speak up to protect the rights of a black homeless man and racist generally don't do that.

If Trayvon was killed for being black I would be furious...because it could happen to my son.

It seems I am not allowed to voice my opinion on DU without some one calling me a racist or a bigot. I'm tired of it. I haven't liked Al Sharpton since the Tawana Brawley mess. Is that what makes me a bigot? Do we all have to march along in lock step? Then we'd be like the Bush administration.

I think Mr. Sharpton should have apologized for his actions during the Tawana Brawley mess - he should have just admitted he was duped, as were a lot of people. That being said, please PLEASE listen to this rant and you will understand why people don't just THINK racism was involved with the Trayvon Martin case - they KNOW it was

though. Cellphone records, pictures on his phone, even the possibility that Trayvon was defending himself and actually getting the upper hand means nothing because Zimmerman was clearly and beyond any doubt the aggressor.

I do think that many of the Zimmerman defenders are not aware they are being racist but if they were honest and think about WHY they are so willing to believe Zimmerman's silly story - it's really the only logical conclusion

I never knew he apologized. I thought Sharpton was pretty dense or gullible to go along with Brawley for as long as he did. I don't trust his judgement because of it.

I watched the Young Turks video twice (in case there was a test later lol).

First of all I'm not a Zimmerman fan. I never assumed Trayvon was a thug because he's black. (My son is black and he's never been a thug. Neither is my grandchild or my other black relatives...one of them was questionable for awhile though)

I didn't celebrate Zimmerman's acquittal, in case you think I did.

I have to verify everything before I believe anything. It's just my way. Right now I have no proof there wasn't a background check done on Zimmerman. If it's true, it is important to know why the police didn't run one. They do background checks for anything these days and it's so easy to do. But, it doesn't alter the facts of what happened that night between Trayvon and Zimmerman.

Cenk is spinning this to suit his agenda. He said, "Zimmerman took it upon himself to do some sort of watch in his community, whether it was authorized or not". Right here he's trying to paint Zimmerman as a out of control vigilantly. Here's the link to the Official Neighborhood Watch:

http://trayvon.axiomamnesia.com/documents-2/retreat-twin-lakes-neighborhood-watch/

Cenk is going on about Zimmerman stalking Trayvon and I don't think it was stalking. Rachel said that Trayvon told her that Zimmerman was watching him. (She said this on the CNN interview today). That fits with what was recorded on the non-emergency phone call. Dispatched never said the words, "Don't do that", when Zimmerman said he was following him. If Zimmerman molested anyone, then he should be held accountable. It seems Cenk thinks there should have been an investigation into allegations that his mother spoke "Divisively about African American"....how could you investigate that?

Cenk agrees with the Guardian article that states "Zimmerman pursued him, armed with a 9 mm handgun, believing him to be a criminal. Martin resisted. They fought. Zimmerman shot him dead". There is no doubt who the aggressor is here. He fails to explain what he means by Martin resisted. He wants to make the listener believe that Zimmerman chased and stalked Martin then attacked or tried to restrain him and Martin (being a frightened child) fought back. It was even established by the prosecution that Martin was beating Zimmerman and the dropped flashlights along the footpath match up with the events that Zimmerman said happened. I never saw any signs of 'open season on black boys after dark' when the dispatcher asked Zimmerman, "Is he White, Black or Hispanic"? Zimmerman replied, "He looks Black". It was only later when Martin was walking towards him (while he was in his car) that Zimmerman positively ID'd Martin's race by saying, "He's a black male".

Cenk doesn't know what to tell his black god son to keep him safe. Cenk should tell him what I told my son when he was a teenager, be polite, never hit people and always use your commonsense!

"These assholes always get away"...I'm not getting the racism in those words. He was a neighborhood watch volunteer and there and been crimes committed in the neighborhood.

I just don't buy into these spins. I have to digest the facts. I often rely on my own very diverse life experiences.

and sorry, it is YOU who is spinning to suit their own agenda - for example, yes if someone is watching you that is one thing - but if they KEEP on watching and following, even after being advised not to, THAT IS STALKING.......honestly, I don't want to get into this - that a teenager who did NOTHING WRONG is dead because of the reckless actions of Zimmerman - at the very least that is manslaughter and he is FOREVER GUILTY - and you would say the same thing if he had targeted, stalked and killed one of your loved ones.

What is my agenda?

Yes, I would be out for blood if Zimmerman stalked one of my loved ones and killed them for no reason. He wasn't reporting or watching Trayvon because he wanted to hurt/kill him. If he did wanted to kill a black teenager, he'd just shot him and made off real quick. Zimmerman's life will never be the same. I know I couldn't live with it.

I think it is karma, the fact that he who so willingly practiced vigilantism now has to worry about vigilantes the rest of his miserable life

Sad weak sauce. Barf sauce actually

Also a bit fucking stupid.

says you're wrong. He is indeed, racist and a bigot.

Well, if it talks like one...

Hell yes, troll, your words speak volumes about your bigoted heart. So you don't care for Sharpton, okay. But you take it further and over backwards (like B37) to DEFEND Zimmerman. Puhleeze!

Until you walk around as a black man (or a 17 year old black boy) and see for yourself the random stops and searches, the profiling... you will NEVER understand; and you clearly make no effort to understand or empathize.

Now get thee to freeperland where you clearly belong

And take your race baiting with you

That's Al Sharpton's job.

but it keeps getting played in this case. it's being played in forums like this one, and all over social media. it was played the night martin died when the police came and basically FAILED to investigate zimmerman's story. it was played in the media by declaring martin a "punk" and a "thug" when he was actually bound for college. it was played by failing to charge zimmerman...for anything, until public outcry forced them. it was played by the defense...in a most insulting and shameful fashion. it's now being played by people like you, who claim only black people inject race into the situation. zimmerman's entire story was crafted from a big deck of white race cards, and swallowed whole, as he knew it would be.

Mind you, I'm not saying there is no racism because I know better from personal experience. I wish Sharpton would pick his battles more carefully.

What do you mean about it not being a failure?

About the right wing spin.... I never thought I'd be spinning right wing stuff. I don't get the political angle on this either.

Someone said on DU some days ago that people here have crossed political and racial lines with this case. I'm totally flummoxed.

I know some people like to brand him as a radical but what do you say about a guy who gets stabbed in the chest and then speaks out at the would-be assassins trial begging for leniency? He forgave him utterly.

As far as this not being a failure, just look at the shock a majority of the people had at the verdict. Further, look at the way every asshole in the country is acting. People didn't want this. This is stuff that is supposed to be extinct. The idea that the system can be corrupted this way is new to a lot of people.

That exposure makes this a success because this trial was always about the response to the events of that night. This trial was an attempt to whitewash the misconduct with even more misconduct.

When I saw the marchers, I noticed so many white people there. Back in the day - not many white people protested these things. It was heart warming to say the least. Times are a changing.

The opposition was claiming they weren't even human.

I still watch his show most days though.

I see you do not.

Sharpton lacked commonsense and judgment. He hurt innocent people with his accusations.

This has nothing to do with the Tawana Brawley case.

that could give us a clue as to when she and her attorney husband started writing it.

Motive: Protect the Sanford PD and DA Wolfinger

this case!! They had to cover their asses.

Collusion all around.

I believe from the depths of my very being. I will die believing this!

They didn't even try.

At least that was the reason the PD gave for being slow notifying next of kin.

excuse they gave. Why didn't they just knock on doors? Knock on every door on that street to find out where Trayvon was residing! Talk to neighbors IMMEDIATELY!!

They didn't even try. They needed a few days to concoct that outrageous story and to protect Zimmerman and their own asses for mishandling this case.

This has been my contention all along... since there was no GZ evidence (didn't go to the hospital to get checked out, documented for evidence, get blood drawn, whole nine yards, and then they let him walk for 6 fucking weeks!) I do think it was kabuki theater. Otherwise, why did several of the prosecution's witnesses fall apart? And now the Not Guilty verdict..... it's almost too much for me to bear. There was no justice associated to this case anywhere along the way. Gawwwwwwwwd!

on no discussions about this case in any manner or form. The day after was a Sunday and the jurors were supposedly unknown so she would have had to contact someone on Monday and even if it were her husband, i don't believe for one second she wasn't in the loop in some manner.

when she got her jury summons, she may well have approved the book idea with her husband before showing up for voir dire. Clearly, she's pretty manipulative, and her attorney husband may well have told her the right things to say. O'Mara's no fool, and he would have glommed right on to her. I suppose that the prosecution figured since she was married to a lawyer that she'd go for the state's side.

I've been pretty critical of the state's case, and I do believe that GZ's legal team raised probable cause for self defense, but I really do smell a rat here.

and knew she'd go their way. Absolutely. This happens.

See why I say jury selection is crap?

there is so much corruption and "wink wink" it's just about considered the norm.

People think the US justice system works. I'd say only about 50% of the time. And that's not good enough.

50,000 people, part of the Orlando metro area. A county of 400,000 people. Just a small town.

I live in the Los Angeles area - everything seems small

After the verdict the jury can speak to who ever they want the press can't seek them but can seek their agents.

Pretty fast timing but not impossible seeing as even the news networks were working 24 7 to get exclusives on this case from jantel to the atty's on both sides ect....

Verdict Saturday night. Immediately after contact agent. Get agency contract faxed and sign and fax back. Agent contacts publishers gets proposals tele confeces juror and upon agreement faxes final contract. Her husband is a lawyer so pretty sure they have fax machine at home.

Its fast but not impossible and most importantly does not require her to have made arrangements during the trial or before it.

With modern technology and e-signatures it would be even faster.

of how this all came to be. She has even said she wants it to be about how she and her husband delt with the trial. So, she was talking to her husband about the trial? This may be all for not because the book deal has been withdrawn by the publisher according to reports. This even sends up more red flags for me.

But, hey, listen. If the prosecutor was Republican, then it does sound like they picked people that were standard local fare. What is it that people don't understand? This county is Republican. The verdict is exactly what you should have expected from the local process.

On the other hand, if you had a Liberal prosecutor he or she would have been looking for a group of jurors who were capable of critical thinking skills. There are plenty of benchmarks they could have honed in on, and it doesn't sound like they did.

All you needed was 6 Republican jurors and the case was won. I can't imagine how easy it must be to find these kind of people in Sanford Florida.

who are watching these jurors on tv.. they sound like racist dumbasses.

Someone remembered the state challenging at least one of the perspective jurors .. possibly two.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=3267934

I'm adding manipulative to my arsenal of words to describe THAT woman. Opportunist, sneaky, slithering in on her belly . . .

the start, Gen.

But, I will not give up thinking Trayvon's Justice will come in larger more significant ways.


Union Square


New York, July 14

meta @metaquest

Peaceful protest for Trayvon Martin in San Francisco. pic.twitter.com/5GbQfX848X3:58
AM - 15 Jul 2013


Jasmyne Cannick @jasmyne

This is not like 1992, there are black, white, Latino, Asian, gay, straight, old and young marching together in solidarity.4:52 PM - 14 Jul 2013

705 Retweets 297 favorites ReplyRetweet

http://theobamadiary.com/2013/07/15/rise-and-shine-554/

12:00 noon.

the Prosecution attempted to strike and the Judge denied the strike. The State did not object to juror B37, the one doing the interview. They were:

B76 and E6, both were empaneled.

Here is a good link with info on all 6 jurors:

http://www.hlntv.com/slideshow/2013/06/20/george-zimmerman-murder-trial-juror-bios

removed? That may have been one of them?

bet he was shopping around for the book deal as soon as she was chosen.
She sounded like a total airhead - never watched or read the news? Yeah right, she saw $$$$$.

there weren't many conversations in that home about this case long before she was picked for that trial. So much for that idiot and the veracity of his lame knock knock joke.

Is it just because none of them have spoken up or because it doesn't fit the agenda?