Recent comments
ADHD: Hunter in a Farmer's World
Thom Hartmann has written a dozen books covering ADD / ADHD - Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder.
Join Thom for his new twice-weekly email newsletters on ADHD, whether it affects you or a member of your family.
Thom's Blog Is On the Move
By webmaster
Hello All
Thom's blog in this space and moving to a new home.
Please follow us across to hartmannreport.com - this will be the only place going forward to read Thom's blog posts and articles.
The only guilty person in this scenario is Zimmerman. Blaming Trayvon for his own murder is disgusting. Florida has written laws that allows racists to hunt down kill young black men and get away with it by claiming self defense. The jury bought into this lie because they didn't want to see the humanity in Trayvon Martin and because Zimmerman who looked like them (as they couldn't be arsed to find a black person to be on the jury) fed them a story that they chose to believe despite Zimmerman being shown to be a liar.
The only thing Trayvon Martin is guilt of is walking while black. Not only is that not a crime it's not a capital offense.
Only in America is the victim of a crime blamed for his own victimization and the people doing so would think it's acceptable.
Kend you're kinda right...
Most people cast their vote for Obama in '08 because he was black and not Bush...Which McCain was too much a mirror image and his running mate Sara Palin was even more scarry...though I'd f*#k Sara Palin. This past election people merely cast fear votes against Romney...Even though it ment they were electing Obamney...Which is worse since he's a Dem that does not represent the voice of average Americans and instead pandors to Wall St.
There is no evidence that what Zimmerman said is true. In fact there IS evidence that proves that Zimmerman is a liar. So a liar claims that a 17 year old boy jumped out of bushes that don't exist and started a fight which just happens to end up with the boy dead? No you don't get to repeat Zimmerman's crap as though it were the gospel truth. You don't get to continue to help Zimmerman re-victimize Trayvon Martin by repeating lies told by Zimmerman.
You seem to be rather invested in classifying Trayvon as the stereotypical "thug" to rationalize his death and you're doing it based on lies told by a murderer. You have no actual evidence or facts to back up your assertions. What you're doing is despicable and racist and needs to stop. Now.
That is not true. The FBI suspended it's investigation to allow the state to do its thing. That is not the same as saying there is no evidence that Zimmerman did anything based on race. And considering the outcry for the Federal government to pick up its investigation it is likely that there will be evidence found that Zimmerman was motivated by race.
When someone calls 911 over 40 times and only does so when he sees a black man you can be damn sure that person is basing his "suspicions" on race. When you put racist things on your myspace page you can't claim to not be a racist.
You need to stop getting your "information" from Fox. They aren't a news station they're propagandists and liars.
DanneMarc: Sounds like you're buying into Zimmerman's cover-up story. First of all I suspect Trayvon was smart enough to realize that any predator on a rainy night is most likely armed seeing how it is Florida. Tell me, when did Zimmerman actually produce the gun, do you believe him? Did Zimmerman, as part of the cover-up, injure himself after realizing that had just shot an unarmed kid...."kidslaughter?" It's raining and dark, there is no way the eyewitness could really tell what was going on. They wouldn't even have bothered to look until the screams...how much happened before this?.....We have phone call evidence that clearly finds Zipperman guilty of pursuit and slaughter....... a hatecrime, due to his reference of Trayvon as a small four legged animal that gets into garbage cans...you know what he said.
Sorry if that was taken the wrong way. I was just saying if 96% of black voters voted for Obama I find it hard to believe they where all voting for his policies. So to me they where voting for the color of his skin so isn't that is racist.
For the record I am Canadian, we don't discriminate against color of skin here. Remember this is where the underground railway for the slaves went. We don't say African Canadian, we are all just Canadians.
Lush Acres EC will be accessible with Kupang LRT Station as well as Sengkang Bus Interchange. It is also right beside Tampines Expressway(TPE). Lush Acres EC is also near to Marina Country Club, Sengkang Riverside Park and Sheng Siong hypermart in Punggol/Sengkang Central. Sengkang West Way EC
Lush Acres EC has full and unique facilities, which includes a guard house, clubhouse, Function Room & Indoor Gym Tennis Court, 50m Freeform Pool Pool Deck, Wading Pool, Splash Pool & Family Pool Jacuzzi & Hydro Spa, BBQ Area Dining and Play Fountain, Fitness Alcove & Children’s Playground and Garden Trail. Fernvale Link EC
Lush Acres EC has full and unique facilities, which includes a guard house, clubhouse, Function Room & Indoor Gym Tennis Court, 50m Freeform Pool Pool Deck, Wading Pool, Splash Pool & Family Pool Jacuzzi & Hydro Spa, BBQ Area Dining and Play Fountain, Fitness Alcove & Children’s Playground and Garden Trail. Sengkang West EC
Lush Acres EC has full and unique facilities, which includes a guard house, clubhouse, Function Room & Indoor Gym Tennis Court, 50m Freeform Pool Pool Deck, Wading Pool, Splash Pool & Family Pool Jacuzzi & Hydro Spa, BBQ Area Dining and Play Fountain, Fitness Alcove & Children’s Playground and Garden Trail. Sengkang EC
Lush Acres Executive Condominium (EC), an exciting new executive condo in Seng Kang West Way is set to launch within the 3rd Quater of 2013. Its strategic location between Yio Chu Kang Road and Fernvale Lane puts it in the radius with convenience access to newly operate Greenwich V Mall across the road as well as the future upcoming mall next to Fernvale LRT. Lush Acre
Lush Acres Executive Condominium (EC), an exciting new executive condo in Seng Kang West Way is set to launch within the 3rd Quater of 2013. Its strategic location between Yio Chu Kang Road and Fernvale Lane puts it in the radius with convenience access to newly operate Greenwich V Mall across the road as well as the future upcoming mall next to Fernvale LRT. Lush Acres
I agree DanneMarc that both Zimmermann and Martin are guilty...Zimmermann is guilty of overreaching his bounds and Martin is guilty of standing his. But I find your refusal to accept social responsability as having anything to do with the situation and its fatal results, a bit in denial of the world we live in...A world that has come to be disposable (even of life), diminishing standards and expectations for what is right and just. And we are trying to live faster and faster, as if life is only about doing more, having more, etc. I laugh whenever I hear a person claim that they have a high thresh hold for stress. What!?!? No thank you I do not live for the drama!
Daily we are bombarded with sooooo many things/issues, and the vast majority of it is trivial crap and a huge waste of time, but because we have so much to weed through we often times miss the forest for the "forest" (yes I said that on purpose). Even this blog can more often then not be a big waste of time, in that it brings no actual resolve in a collective peaceful way. It is merely a place for people (some quite intellagent) to stroke their ego's and air their arrogance. A very dear friend of mine said - 20 years ago - "The information age belies itself". He was absolutly correct.
Though I disagree that what happened between Zimmermann and Martin was racially motivated I do agree with statements like; "Had Martin been a celeberty or white this all would have gone down much differently...History does prove this repeatedly, but unfortunatly average Americans are too arrogant and too busy taking on more crap to take time to know history...Our light speed ahead commercial culture doesn't allow for it! That is untill you decide to stop being another brick in the wall and step off the conveyour belt.
I now Zimmermann is guilty, as is Martin...And Zimmermann knows he instigated what happened. And if we were a culture that didn't have an unquenchable thirst for revenge, maybe a man like Zimmermann could have been forthcomming in that he made a mistake without having to worry that he would be hung. Not that he shouldn't be held accountable...In fact a honorable justice system would hold him accountable for his misdeed,.
In otherwords Shit Happens to all of us, and if we could stop and learn from it...Regret is a good thing; It is a sign of sanity by that it teaches you to not repeat your mistakes and change your way of thinking.
[I hope I wasn't being to skattered with making my point.]
nighty night! zzzzzzzz
MMmmNACHOS ~ This is characteristic of a non sustainable system. Certainly, it will meet and satisfy commercial interest; but, sustain a society, no! It is wise that you have pointed this out. It is a much greater problem than the trivial topic discussed. Unfortunately, there is little I can say to advise that is not already available from consulting antiquity. If you look at history the former success of mankind can also be used as the template for the future success of mankind. Simply place priority of our survival above profit. It worked before it can work again.
Of course this doesn't explain the tragedy of the death of Trayvon Martin. Regardless of cultural tendencies both of these individuals are guilty of making gross errors of judgement. There is no innocent and no guilty party here. Both are equally guilty. I refuse to accept the idea that culture is to blame for this incident. Both are to blame. Either one of these two people had equal opportunity to exercise judgement that would have prevented the tragedy. The death of Trayvon was more of an accident than a crime. Trying to make more out of it is a real crime.
If culture had any role to play in this incident it was a minor role indeed. It was lack of common sense that played the decisive role. Of course, racial hatred may have played a large role. Like I said before, hatred of any kind blinds an individual to common sense.
Of course the role culture plays in the ensuing riots is another story. That will have to wait for another night. Time for beddy bye. Good Night All!
I second what you say DanneMarc.
Than again todays youth are waaaaaay more exposed to graphic violence as a form of interative entertainment...No one runs in those virtual reality kill'em games. And Hollwood ain't making blockbuster movies based on passivism and nonviolence, and schools don't take the lead on critical thinking, they just teach a test; A test that catagorizes a persons abilities.
About a month or so ago you wrote a profound post answering my question regarding What is American Culture? You went on to say we are a culture that has been created by commercialism. So what do you make of a culture whoes ideology is based on "more is better" and "by any means necessary" even by way of violent force and finds ways to justify violence (the ends justify the means) as a part of life in our attempts to secure what is supose to be rightfully all of mankinds?
As much of a travesty of justice as I believe the Zimmerman verdict is I feel trying him again amounts to double jeopardy. To paraphrase one caller: it is a shame that Trayvon Martin did not have a conceal carry license and wasn't packing heat. Then again I don't think he was old enough to own a gun or have a carry permit.
Hopefully the next NRA / ALEX legislation push will be to legalize dueling. I'm willing to bet we'd see a lot less frivolous bills proposed if at some point the author was called out to defend his position to the death.
" i'm talking to YOU Zell Miller - your on! Pistols at 20 paces: Veterans Park July 30th 6:45 am, Be there to meet your fate or show the world what a mealy mouth craven coward sociopath you are.
Without prejudice...Zimmermann got away with murdering a 17 year old boy...Oh and he happened to be black!
It is my opinion that Zimmermann was guilty of overstepping his bounds once he got out of his car and begain a foot pursuit which then led to a fight between Zimmermann and Martin and eventually ended with Martin being shot.
It is not the job of a Neighborhood Watch Volunteer to Pursue, Question, and Apprehend a suspect (which Martin was not). The ONLY action a Neighborhood Watch volunteers is suppose to do is "observe and report"(PERIOD!). Zimmermann started off on the right foot by calling 911 and reporting a "suspicious" person walking in the rain...But, no one was yelling for help, no one was being harmed, Martin wasn't damaging property, etc. He was just walking in the rain eating skittles and drinking tea. At that point Zimmermanns "good deed" (calling 911 and reporting what he saw and his location) was done...The Police had been dispatched and were just a few minutes away. All Zimmermann had to do was keep an eye on what he thought was a suspicious person "From his car" and wait for the fuzz to arrive.
The out come of this case is not based on racism...It is based on smoke and mirrors, Politics, a questionable statute, and a careless justice system.
Once Zimmermann got out of his car he was then out of line and the aggressor...Zimmermann should have been convicted of Manslaughter...And if Martin was alive he should have been charged and convicted of Agrivated Assault. But Martin is dead and I guess that is why Zimmermann walks.
No, my friend, I disagree! Trayvon didn't know that Zimmerman was armed. He did know that he himself wasn't armed. If I were in the same boat--and I have been--I would have taken advantage of my 17 year old legs and ran as fast as I could to the relative safety of my relatives house. At least that is what I did. As you can see by this post, it worked!
Bottom line, if Trayvon Martin could overpower George Zimmerman--which the physical evidence shows--then he should have easily been able to outrun him.
Kend ~ What are you talking about? You sound more racist than any other comments I've heard so far. So what if the jury had six black jurors? They are still bound by the rules of the court and the evidence presented. Your supposition that there would be any difference in outcome is pure racist conjecture.
Furthermore, what does the percentage of Black votes for President Obama have to do with any of this? You're talking apples, oranges, and nectarines. Please don't comment after hitting the Jack Daniels.
It's the middle of the night, you're seventeen, and a John Wayne Gacy look-alike is stalking you with a gun. I know what I would have done, just like Trayvon I would have stood my ground and fought for my life. Imagine the result had Trayvon been able to twist Zipperman's gun away from himself and then discharged it into his attacker!!!!!! This is a clear case of no less than a boyslaughter/hate crime.
Shame once again on Floriduh. Wasn't the Bush election fraud and an undocumented felon Governor enough for you guys? What the hell?
there was five white and one Hispanic women on the jury. 96% of black voters voted for Obama. I think if it was 6 black jurors Mr Zimmerman would have been in big trouble. Kind of sad that you still have to choose the jury based on race isn't it.
The moral to this story is very simple. if u look for trouble u will find it.
The only crime committed here is that the State of Florida gave Jantel a high school diploma.
Hopefully, my photo will be attached to my profile and comment below:
I sure know how you feel sheilach2, sometimes I think the same--then I remember, I was white liberal woman relocated to Western North Dakota, where the state legal system allowed my husbans to sexually violate my 3 daughters for 6 l-o-n-g years. That's my beef w/Heidi Heitkamp when she was ND Attorney General. She did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING when she learned of our case in the early 90's, by then it have been going on since 1986.
It took Senator Kent Conrad to step in finally, around or in 1991 or 1992.
For years I thought Senator Conrad did it for my girls, but as I watched him through the years (his voting record in the Senate), I realized he stepped in, demanding Williams Country reign in their "son of ND" or with all the evidence piling up against the County Court, Williams County would one day have a multi-million dollar very winnable lawsuit on their hands (with this wild mother bear woman who wouldn't quit fighting for her children)--and, whose to say, I still have "all the evidence", maybe one day, when my children have their memories return--if they get mad enough, maybe they'll go back and sue the hell out of the county.
So, had I not been in a state that was part of the "larger whole" of the United States--and, ND did to me "what they really wanted to do with me (completely silence me--let me tell you, they tried to discredit me, practiced economic terrorism against me--of which Williams Court System happily engaged--right before Senator Conrad stepped in I was fired from a County for even writing a letter to Senator Conrad (got that evidence, still, too).
So, we need to keep fighting for women and blacks in the South. They are as much a part of our United States as we are--and, we can never forget that.
Gator Girl ~ Good point! Well said! I agree! However, like you said without further evidence the only thing we have to go on is Zimmerman's testimony. You can't blame the jury or the system in this case.