Did you catch the first George Zimmerman interview on TV? I only saw a little bit of it, but wasn’t surprised at what was being said. What I am surprised about is the lack of discussion over news outlets. I haven’t heard much about this in the news, so I’m banking on the fact that reporters no longer see the potential riot material and are just viewing this now like the rest of us have all along…a terrible tragedy. And the reality of it all? As sad as it is, tragedies happen all the time and I believe the media has just moved on to other, more sensational topics. At least until this one comes to trial.
Here are my questions for you…let’s chat:
1. What are your thoughts about the interview?
2. Has your opinion changed since this incident first happened?
3. Did you ever think this was a racially motivated crime? If so, do you still believe that?
4. Is this a case of public pressure to convict someone or is the law justified in pursuing murder charges?
Here is the interview:
Thanks for chatting with me….Happy Bloggin’ Ya’ll!!
What is it in relation to?
Sorry I forget that not everyone that reads this is in the USA. Please read my prior post http://expertofnone.com/2012/04/16/no-offense-trayvon-but-enough-is-enough-already/ if you’d like to see what we’re talking about and thanks for stopping by!
I’ll have a watch of that tomorrow (it’s nearly midnight here)
We have had something similar here going on for years – Stephen Lawrence – http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/9305537/Stephen-Lawrence-murder-timeline.html and it was turned into a racial murder. The fact is, the media choose one person to pick on and blow out of proportion.
I was slammed a couple of years ago when I said that as far as I was concerned the Madeleine McCaan disappearance was their own fault for leaving the kids alone and they should have had their other kids taken off of them. The media should instead focus on children that disappear through no fault of their parents negligence.
Wow Mondrak, what a terrible tragedy with the Stephen Lawrence murder. Geez, that was in 1993! Almost 20 years. I’m shocked. And I don’t know about the Madeleine McCaan disappearance, but I sure wish she’d be found. My thoughts run more along the fact that I’m a Mom and my kids are not CONSTANTLY under my watchful eye, but that doesn’t mean it justifies them being kidnapped. I’ve never left little ones sleeping while I went to dinner though, even if it was just a few feet away, but I lean towards an innocent mistake on the parents fault does not mean it’s ok for someone to teach them a lesson. I view another situation in the same light…just because a girl wears skimpy clothes does not mean she’s asking to be raped. Crimes aren’t justified in any matter in my mind. But I do understand where you’re coming from and wish those parents hadn’t of left Madeleine like that. If they’re innocent of any wrong doing, than I’m sure they wish they hadn’t of left her like that either and have been paying for that mistake for years.
At one point Zimmerman said he had no regrets and would not change anything he did that night. It was God’s plan. Then as an afterthought he said he was sorry. That shows a lack of compassion and an ability to kill without showing remorse. After the interview my view of Zimmerman was actually worse then prior to the interview.
I think he should be charged with murder. He was the one that pursued Martin, which he admitted during the interview and can be proven with the 911 tapes. If I was being followed by a strange man at night, I would be afraid. Therefore, I do not fault Martin for punching Zimmerman. You cannot stalk someone and then kill them when they react in self-defense. That’s murder.
I have a feeling it was racially motivated. He decided to follow Martin, because he was walking in the rain. I have walked in the rain before. I have walked my dog in the rain. I don’t think I should be stalked, attacked, or killed for walking my dog in the rain. Just saying…
Hello there stranger! Good to “see” you again. Let me comment by paragraph…the first one…I gently disagree. It’s possible, in my mind, for a person to stand by their reaction and not want to change a thing, but also be sorry it occurred. I believe he is sorry Trayvon died, but only in the sense that it was a young kid and never should have happened. If it was self defense, truly self defense, then I understand why he would defend his actions, but still be sorry it happened.
The second paragraph…I understand exactly what you are saying here, but again I think we’re missing the big picture. If it happened as we’ve heard, there’s been alot of crime in that neighborhood and Zimmerman took his job very seriously, maybe too seriously. If I were trying to protect my neighbors, I may have approached him to let him know there was suspicion and he should go on home, but if he stalked or approach Trayvon in a threatening manner, then yes, Trayvon had every right to protect himself and this is murder. I think there’s just too much we don’t know.
The third paragraph…I think it was “hoodie” motivated. There’s more to it than walking in the rain. My thoughts run along the lines that the hooded figure is a threatening perception and unfortunately, has been presented in too many crimes to be able to dismiss it as innocent. I’m not saying anything should have happened because he was wearing a hoodie, I just don’t think it helped. At all.
It’s a terrible tragedy and I feel bad for all involved. It shouldn’t have happened. Period.
Thanks for a great discussion!!
I never believed the MSM from day one. Our lovely far-left liberal MSM has been caught red handed, altering a video early on in this sad case, attempting to convict George Zimmerman nearly from day one. Zimmerman defended himself against an aggressive, angry young person. Forget the child’s skin color. This country is so obsessed with race, that we are an international embarrassment. If this guy isn’t prosecuted and imprisoned, there almost certainly will be riots. If the situation were reversed, I dare say this case would never have drawn the anger it has. Facts play no apparent role in this case. Only skin color. Perhaps if America hadn’t kicked God to the curb many years ago, things would be better. Cut any of us, we all bleed red. We are all the same inside. Racism shows how very shallow human beings can be.
Yeah, I agree that the media really made this terrible situation so much worse. There have been admitted lies and proven falsified video. Yet we still rallied that this was a racially motivated crime. I hate that we draw lines like that when there are SO many other things happening with this case. And I’m not sure I agree with you on the God issue. I do understand your point, but my experiences have been that those who claim to know God are the first to judge. That statement might be out of line, but hipocracy (sp?) is everywhere and hurts the message of those who are true.
It’s OK. I have a page on my site about faith, but generally don’t discuss religion on the site or elsewhere except maybe in person occasionally. There certainly are many believers who give Christianity a black eye.
I will definitely check that page out! I appreciate it when the participants in any religious discussion can have an open mind, but like you…I don’t get into those discussions very often. I usually just tell people, “Me and God…yeah, we’ve got a unique kind of relationship” and that usually puts an end to any further comments.
I hold my religious values close to my heart, that’s all. Thanks John! 
It’s not much really, just several paragraphs I liked and posted up, gave credit for as I didn’t author it!
I don’t know all the facts, and I didn’t see the interview. I’m certainly suspicious of his innocence, but a court and jury will determine whether he is guilty or not.
He’s doing the grand tour, selling his story, something Trayvon cannot do. If he stalked the kid…I don’t know about anyone else, but that would be a bit unnerving. To a 17 yo… Zimmerman did this and he ignored instructions to stay away. That he engaged and the other is dead makes me quite sceptical of his innocence, and of any story he peddles.
I’m not the jury.
As for kicking God to the curb, John… we all have our different beliefs, and I respect all belief, including that of there is no God. What most matters are the core values, of treat others and ourselves with respect. America is, believe it or not, a less violent place than 60 years ago,a better place for those of us who happen to fall into a minority or traditionally oppressed group. As a feminist and translesbian, I’ll put up a good argument we are far better here, now, than we were back in 1950.
Yes, facts matter in all legal issues. As a former adjudicator of unemployment issues, as someone who served as foreman on two juries, and as someone who also faced law from the opposite direction, I know this too well, and I extend this to all who come under legal scrutiny.
If no facts surface what prove beyond a reasonable doubt, no matter what I personally think of his story, he should be found not guilty. But, if the prosecution seals the holes in the story, then…
I thought Anthony should be found not guilty. That doesn’t mean I believed in her total innocence.
Great points Nelle. Your experiences provide such a great “whole picture” mentality. Yes, the jury will decide and I’m thankful to not be in that particular state since I think this one is going to be a doozy.
As far as Anthony, I think it’s a shame for that beautiful little girl, but the evidence was just not there. We have a judicial system for a reason and it has to be followed. Unfortunately that sometimes means guilty people go free and I have no doubt that Anthony is guilty of a few things. Whether the child died accidentally or not, she had an obligation as a Mother to take care of that child’s body and it’s a travesty if she disposed of it with tape and a trashbag. I’m disgusted by her and I’m sure she’ll pay in other ways. My thoughts are that it is a shame that she had the judicial system to protect her while her adorable daughter had no one.
Maybe that is an unfair and biased statement, but I can’t help but think like a mother when I read about defenseless children dying.
But, above all, I do sincerely agree with you that we are better off than the 1950′s and strongly believe we’re headed in the right direction.
I always appreciate your very insightful feedback and thank you for once again improving the value of this blog!
Great points Nelle. Your experiences provide such a great “whole picture” mentality. Yes, the jury will decide and I’m thankful to not be in that particular state since I think this one is going to be a doozy.
As far as Anthony, I think it’s a shame for that beautiful little girl, but the evidence was just not there. We have a judicial system for a reason and it has to be followed. Unfortunately that sometimes means guilty people go free and I have no doubt that Anthony is guilty of a few things. Whether the child died accidentally or not, she had an obligation as a Mother to take care of that child’s body and it’s a travesty if she disposed of it with tape and a trashbag. I’m disgusted by her and I’m sure she’ll pay in other ways. My thoughts are that it is a shame that she had the judicial system to protect her while her adorable daughter had no one.
Maybe that is an unfair and biased statement, but I can’t help but think like a mother when I read about defenseless children dying.
But, above all, I do sincerely agree with you that we are better off than the 1950′s and strongly believe we’re headed in the right direction.
I always appreciate your very insightful feedback and thank you for once again improving the value of this blog!