tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post8573088093260480750..comments2024-03-22T12:11:58.453-06:00Comments on Michael Offutt: If you haven't been paying attention to the Treyvon Martin case you should because the outcome could affect your lifeMichael Offutt, Phantom Readerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10557969104886174930noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-41908086452592433862013-07-14T09:55:21.901-06:002013-07-14T09:55:21.901-06:00The stand your ground laws are scary enough if you...The stand your ground laws are scary enough if you ask me Michael but this trial adds a whole new terrifying light on what could happen if someone gets pissed and wants to start something. You can almost feel the tension- any bully can stand out there "hey boyeeee. What you doin boyeee." Next thing you know another dead body and the bully says "I was just talkin' to him, asking him what he was doing on my block..." It's the wild, wild west! Danettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15043881305977386629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-16260296781733246662013-07-14T01:06:18.582-06:002013-07-14T01:06:18.582-06:00There are a lot of things about this incident that...There are a lot of things about this incident that are wrong. I've a feeling that George Z was always a bully, and joining the Neighborhood watch was just a legal way of throwing around his weight.<br /><br />However, the legal system isn't about righting wrongs and discovering the truth. Its about winning or losing, determining judgement. Someday this decision may affect law everywhere, but only true criminals will be able to take advantage of it. The rest of us law abiding citizens will have no use for the ultimate judgement.<br /><br />.........dholedolorahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08715849844092553699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-12383950716424920352013-07-13T15:19:48.589-06:002013-07-13T15:19:48.589-06:00I've been glued to the case on HLN. Zimmerman ...I've been glued to the case on HLN. Zimmerman needs to get some consequence for stalking Trayvon.Catherine Stinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08131569196977321229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-4404960507854947972013-07-12T15:35:01.586-06:002013-07-12T15:35:01.586-06:00I haven't been following the news, but I think...I haven't been following the news, but I think this is a case of vigilantism gone to someone's big head. He should never have pursued the kid and even the police advised him not to during an initial call. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-23048808555980592762013-07-12T12:15:00.665-06:002013-07-12T12:15:00.665-06:00I'm with you, Mike! To me, as soon as Zimmerma...I'm with you, Mike! To me, as soon as Zimmerman left the car to pursue Treyvon, he lost the right of self-defense without some consequences to it.<br /><br />I hope you have fun watching Pacific Rim!Cherie Reichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16663147386014122939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-82390834624753564342013-07-12T11:24:07.699-06:002013-07-12T11:24:07.699-06:00Stuff like this just makes me sick. I SHOULD pay m...Stuff like this just makes me sick. I SHOULD pay more attention, because it really can and probably WILL affect the rest of us. But I get so sick, sad and upset when I watch it, that it makes me want to stay away. Leigh Covingtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16377634002477171615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-84509501752658708562013-07-11T21:51:20.828-06:002013-07-11T21:51:20.828-06:00As I'm based in Australia, this is the first I...As I'm based in Australia, this is the first I've heard of this case. You make an interesting point though, one I agree with wholeheartedly. I'll be interested to see how the case unfolds.Cally Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08313803959936813426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-69271238493966496922013-07-11T21:00:45.967-06:002013-07-11T21:00:45.967-06:00I agree with you Mike, it's a sad state of aff...I agree with you Mike, it's a sad state of affairs. Such a shame December 21, 2012 - meant the end of the world as we know it - via this kind of thinking.Yolanda Renéehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09085436784133103221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-31813761621607372552013-07-11T20:36:26.873-06:002013-07-11T20:36:26.873-06:00I have traveled on my own to countries like Pakist...I have traveled on my own to countries like Pakistan, Egypt, Thailand, Cambodia, Panama and most of Europe. At 18 and fresh out of high school, I hitchhiked across Ireland and Great Britain. The only weapon I had in all those places was a pocketknife, excepting the machete I used when camping on a beach in Panama. I always came back home to the U.S. safe and sound.<br /><br />Yet here in my own country cowards posing as tough guys or fierce women carry guns around to "defend themselves" even in suburban subdivisions. I have met such people and without exception I've found them to be paranoid cowards. And I'm not talking about people who must be armed for their jobs or people like my Dad who used a gun to shoot rattlesnakes while performing geologic research, or ranchers and farmers and hunters for whom guns are simply tools. I'm talking about people who lead boring, safe lives but are convinced anyone at any second will attack them or their families, therefore they must be armed. <br /><br />By the way, here in Colorado we have a "make my day" law that basically says a person can use deadly force when being attacked by an outsider within his or her home. I agree with this law. But it does not say you can go out in the streets and use deadly force because you claim you were threatened. Were you really under a deadly threat? Then prove it.Helenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14967821142796562697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-84953044796571734272013-07-11T19:02:17.175-06:002013-07-11T19:02:17.175-06:00From my knowledge of the case, I think Zimmerman i...From my knowledge of the case, I think Zimmerman is in the wrong. Though I doubt any outcome will effect other cases. Wins like that are good cred for the defense team, but they rarely effect laws on the books. <br /><br />That's usually civil cases directed to the supreme court or state supreme court. Adamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08051255914419363819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-20290391240714935892013-07-11T17:29:31.252-06:002013-07-11T17:29:31.252-06:00I had no idea this was going on. I need to watch t...I had no idea this was going on. I need to watch the news more often. <br /><br />Can't wait to hear what you thought of Pacific Rim!Christine Rainshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08263694662585963900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-22570619320004711922013-07-11T16:06:01.096-06:002013-07-11T16:06:01.096-06:00That's a pretty chilly precedent. Terrifying, ...That's a pretty chilly precedent. Terrifying, actually. <br /><br />We had two guys trying to break into my house late one night, and a neighbor was just getting home from the All-Star game here in St. Louis.<br /><br />My neighbor started screaming, and called 911. Scared the would-be-burglars away. I freaked when a bunch of squad cars surrounded my house.<br /><br />There are better ways to scare off the bad guys than jumping in with a gun.Jay Noelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04757777693161610861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-89352917588980824472013-07-11T15:19:44.563-06:002013-07-11T15:19:44.563-06:00Great post. It is an intriguing trial. Am I wrong ...Great post. It is an intriguing trial. Am I wrong in my assumption that a Hispanic man assumed a black man was up to no good because of his ethnicity? Seems a little ironic/in poor judgment to me if that's the case. <br /><br />BTW, I love your sentence-long blog titles. :)Tonjahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08652479946102909276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-28013409011714721332013-07-11T15:06:20.366-06:002013-07-11T15:06:20.366-06:00A worrisome case on many levels.
Have fun at the ...A worrisome case on many levels.<br /><br />Have fun at the midnight showing!Cate Mastershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01371792447604980848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-24705115617748992022013-07-11T14:43:47.553-06:002013-07-11T14:43:47.553-06:00Michael, I understand you're point. And I agre...Michael, I understand you're point. And I agree. This trial will set a precedent and it seems to me that what this guy did to that kid was unlawful. He instigated the altercation which makes him the aggressor, not the defender.<br /><br />JaiJai Joshihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04858987106548357551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-22106732807977345642013-07-11T14:25:14.084-06:002013-07-11T14:25:14.084-06:00I'm an ignore-the-big-trial person.I'm an ignore-the-big-trial person. Liz A.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16531953467834426316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-41304951979582729242013-07-11T14:18:38.011-06:002013-07-11T14:18:38.011-06:00Very incisive post, Michael. I decline to voice my...Very incisive post, Michael. I decline to voice my feelings since I haven't been glued to the proceedings. I do believe the whole debacle is a tragedy.Cathrina Constantinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16960849263181625782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-16297897379405810572013-07-11T13:35:10.458-06:002013-07-11T13:35:10.458-06:00I don't know if this will set a precedent. Hav...I don't know if this will set a precedent. Having worked for a forensic unit, this kind of stuff happens all the time in the judicial system. Thing is, this case is getting tons more attention even though there are worse cases out there. Why's that? Can't say, but there's plenty of interesting theories floating around. In the end, however this turns out, Zimmerman will be punished, just as OJ Simpson's life has been one of obscurity since his not-guilty verdict. The public has already made their choice regardless of what the court says.<br /><br />I am so seeing Pacific Rim tomorrow. David P. Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17259276981865439853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-51320572890786727642013-07-11T13:26:27.605-06:002013-07-11T13:26:27.605-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.David P. Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17259276981865439853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-27088745156126853522013-07-11T13:13:07.183-06:002013-07-11T13:13:07.183-06:00I remember a guy once, when I worked at the jail, ...I remember a guy once, when I worked at the jail, who had tried to rob a liquor store. The owner shot him in the back with a shotgun as he ran away. The robber survived and was caught, but then he sued the liquor store owner for trying to kill him. Can't remember if he won the case or not, but it wouldn't surprise me if he did. Luanne G. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15762881276976395955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-58009842549864852072013-07-11T12:59:04.013-06:002013-07-11T12:59:04.013-06:00I agree. Zimmerman, the half-wit, was told to stop...I agree. Zimmerman, the half-wit, was told to stop following the kid. He did not listen and went off like Wyatt Earp. He deserves punishment, you do not bring a gun to a fist fight. No one has the right to stalk you and antagonize you into a fight until you are forced to act, then claim self-defense after they kill you. If this goes through and Zimmerman gets off, God help us all. <br /><br />I don't think people should have guns period. Illinois has just passed a Conceal Carry law. The senators who passed it refused to give on the governor's efforts to make the law less vague. People are free now to carry concealed guns into a bar. Yeah, that's smart. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04443736284850057306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-66541873865071661142013-07-11T11:29:37.121-06:002013-07-11T11:29:37.121-06:00This is scary because if it swings the wrong way, ...This is scary because if it swings the wrong way, it very well could set a precedent like you said, making it easier for aggressors to claim self-defence for something they started. Which is ludicrous. If you start the aggression, you're the aggressor. You should get punished. Period. <br />On a slightly different note, here in France, the law on self-defence (la légitime défense) states that if you are attacked, you cannot defend yourself in a manner that is disproportionate to that of your attacker. Which means that if some one punches you, you can't defend yourself by stabbing him or shooting him in the head. I feel safer already. All 5'4 of me. Granted, fire arms are illegal here except for hunting rifles. But that doesn’t mean people don't have them.... <br /> <br />Anyway, enjoy PR. Forget about <i>everything</i> for a few hours and just enjoy the adrenaline rush and shiny new man card. (: <br />Elise Fallsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14734537117333738468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-28866172612686020982013-07-11T11:27:45.897-06:002013-07-11T11:27:45.897-06:00I completely agree with you Mike. This case is abo...I completely agree with you Mike. This case is about much more than what happened that night and if a man can kill an innocent teenager and get away with it, what chance do we grown ups have? I have been having lots of thoughts about this case since it first happened. And trust me in Jamaica where there's mostly a back population, it's popular talk. And a big worry about when we go overseas. Enjoy your weekend and Pacific Rim.Sheena-kay Grahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17712661419116636671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-31277432965156381092013-07-11T10:00:37.055-06:002013-07-11T10:00:37.055-06:00Legal systems have become so convoluted that victi...Legal systems have become so convoluted that victims seem to <br />matter little these days.<br /><br />You're right, Michael, this sort of precedent is very worrying. It takes a long view to understand the repercussions.D.G. Hudsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06213237734772028645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-34047488527495310412013-07-11T08:57:24.758-06:002013-07-11T08:57:24.758-06:00Absolutely this thought has occurred to me: the St...Absolutely this thought has occurred to me: the Stand Your Ground Law is an open invitation to murder. I certainly don't hate George Zimmerman the way I did Jodie Arias but it was Zimmerman who brought this all on. Had he obeyed that 911 operator Martin would be alive today and George would be a hundred pounds thinner. stephen Hayeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17659054447637207734noreply@blogger.com