Why The Death Of A 17 Year Old Boy Deeply Touched President Obama

Why The Death Of A 17 Year Old Boy Deeply Touched President Obama
(posted with permission from: http://sane-ramblings.blogspot.com/2012/03/why-death-of-17-year-old-boy-deeply.html)

President Obama called the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Florida last month "a tragedy," and it is a tragedy. "If I had a son, he'd look like Trayvon." the President said in a solemn tone. He added, "I can only imagine what those parents are going through. And when I think about this boy, I think about my own kids."


Although there is nothing the President can do to bring Trayvon Martin back to life, he could save the lives of many other young people who, race aside, look like Trayvon. He could do this by bringing our troops home. Thousands of young people have been killed, including U.S. soldiers barely older than Trayvon, and many more will be killed if these wars are allowed to continue.


When the U.S. sends out missile launching drones and kill squads to murder anyone considered a "terrorist," children are orphaned or killed in the process, in what the U.S. military calls "collateral damage." The U.S. claims these actions are being taken because America is threatened. That is the same claim Trayvon's shooter made. He said he felt threatened.


If President Obama honored Trayvon, by ending the killing and ending the wars, it would be a godsend as a way to honor young Trayvon's memory.


To learn more about Trayvon Martin and how his death touched President Obama, please see http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/24/us/politics/obama-talks-of-tragedy-not-race-in-florida-killing.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20120324