The Trayvon Martin Case

[G-VilleTider]

So what gave Zimmerman the right to shoot the kid if attacked? He feared for is life? Fear isn't good enough you just said. If fear isn't enough why do the self defense laws that say you can act out of fear?

Would you be saying the same thing if the kid had shot him first? Too bad the kid didn't have a gun and shoot him first. By chasing the kid down in the rain and confronting him Zimmerman created the situation and escalated it hemself.

I never said fear would be the justification to shoot. The justification IMHO is the escalation to physical violence. If someone attacks you with words, you don't shoot. If they physically attack you, I think you have that right to defend yourself. Again, to me, it all comes down to who escalated it from a verbal altercation to a physical one. We will probably never know for sure ...

 

[SimplyTide]

I never said fear would be the justification to shoot. The justification IMHO is the escalation to physical violence. If someone attacks you with words, you don't shoot. If they physically attack you, I think you have that right to defend yourself. Again, to me, it all comes down to who escalated it from a verbal altercation to a physical one. We will probably never know for sure ...

So, if a person breaks into your home, do you have to wait until they assault you to shoot them?

 

[SimplyTide]

Do you think there is a possibility he targeted young black males for another reason than just simple racism?

You support racial profiling?

 

[Dallas4Bama]

So following someone and asking questions is provocation to fight?

If you're chasing me for no reason asking where I am going I will get really not nice really quick. I have no obligation to stop for anyone or tell anyone where I am going and what I am doing unless I am on their property, with the exception of stopping for law enforcement. Even law enforcement really has no right to know where I am going if I'm being stopped for a traffic violation or at a road block.

 

[Dallas4Bama]

I never said fear would be the justification to shoot. The justification IMHO is the escalation to physical violence. If someone attacks you with words, you don't shoot. If they physically attack you, I think you have that right to defend yourself. Again, to me, it all comes down to who escalated it from a verbal altercation to a physical one. We will probably never know for sure ...

If someone threatens me with a gun and I fear for my life I believe I am justified to shoot and defend myself without them touching me. You believe it's only justified in instances of physical contact and not out of fear alone?

 

[cbi1972]

If you're chasing me for no reason asking where I am going I will get really not nice really quick. I have no obligation to stop for anyone or tell anyone where I am going and what I am doing unless I am on their property, with the exception of stopping for law enforcement. Even law enforcement really has no right to know where I am going.

Does your definition of "really not nice" include initiating physical aggression? If so, you're in the wrong.

 

[Rasputin]

You support racial profiling?

My question was not injected with the sentiments to be answered with another question. Answer the question instead of deflecting a good question with a suggestive one!

 

[selmaborntidefan]

You support racial profiling?

Everybody supports racial profiling. The only question is whether they are honest enough to admit it.

 

[MattinBama]

Moral of the story here is simple. Lets all live and learn from others mistakes...

Don't walk in the rain with a hood on!

John Cusack would have never walked in the rain with a hood on. That man fears no rain.

 

[SimplyTide]

My question was not injected with the sentiments to be answered with another question. Answer the question instead of deflecting a good question with a suggestive one!

Sorry - I didn't want to answer for her, but I will answer for myself. I do not believe that this incident was purely a result of racial profiling, but I think that it was a huge factor. I think that Zimmerman would have let a white kid keep on walking in the same scenario.

 

[SimplyTide]

Everybody supports racial profiling. The only question is whether they are honest enough to admit it.

I agree that everyone does it, but I don't think that everybody accepts it or supports it. I wish that I could turn it off, so to speak.

 

[Bamaro]

You support racial profiling?

Profiling of all types works. This is a perfect example of its shortcomings and results when it fails terribly.

 

[mikes12]

You support racial profiling?

Seems no one has a problem profiling Zimmerman as the Billy-bad-arse rent-a-cop wannabe.

Anyone remember Richard Jewell? The guy reported as suspect for the Olympic bombing in Atlanta. Turns out he was innocent, but the media sure did a number on him.

 

[Rasputin]

My question:

Do you think there is a possibility he targeted young black males for another reason than just simple racism?

Your answer:

Sorry - I didn't want to answer for her, but I will answer for myself. I do not believe that this incident was purely a result of racial profiling, but I think that it was a huge factor. I think that Zimmerman would have let a white kid keep on walking in the same scenario.

:banghead:

 

[swoop10]

Profiling of all types works. This is a perfect example of its shortcomings and results when it fails terribly.

Profiling didn't fail but failing to get enough information did. Profiling should just be used to make someone aware of a possible situation and not to overreact. IMO, that is where Zimmerman went wrong. He overreacted to a situation he should have been aware of and kept an eye on but not to act to. IMO, no matter who was the aggressor in the fight, Zimmerman was in the wrong. He should have never put the kid in a situation where he felt he had to defend himself.

 

[SimplyTide]

Seems no one has a problem profiling Zimmerman as the Billy-bad-arse rent-a-cop wannabe.

Anyone remember Richard Jewell? The guy reported as suspect for the Olympic bombing in Atlanta. Turns out he was innocent, but the media sure did a number on him.

No - we are not profiling Zimmerman, Zimmerman was profiling Martin.

 

[SimplyTide]

My question:


Your answer:

Did I miss something that you saw as important? Do you have evidence that young black men had been committing crimes in his neighborhood?

 

[Rasputin]

Do you think there is a possibility he targeted young black males for another reason than just simple racism?

Did I miss something that you saw as important? Do you have evidence that young black men had been committing crimes in his neighborhood?

You still have yet to answer the question...

 

[SimplyTide]

You still have yet to answer the question...

Actually, I did, very clearly. My answer was, and I quote, "I do not believe that this incident was purely a result of racial profiling, but I think that it was a huge factor."

 

[Dallas4Bama]

Does your definition of "really not nice" include initiating physical aggression? If so, you're in the wrong.

It depends on if you're cornering me for no reason. How you respond when I do or don't answer. If I say leave me alone or don't answer its very possible. Remember you as a citizen have no right to approach me demanding anything of me from where I'm going to what I'm doing there. If you continue to approach me I just might get physical. Again, that man has no right to demand anything of the kid and if Zimmerman doesn't leave him alone he has the right to try and make him. He already fled once and Zimmerman followed him. How many times is the kid obligated to run from this man before he can defend himself physically?