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Rush to judgment in Trayvon Martin case
CNN ^ | William J. Bennett

Posted on 03/31/2012 9:22:47 AM PDT by matt04

At first glance, the death of Trayvon Martin seemed to be a straightforward example of ugly, racial conflict resulting in the killing of an innocent black teenager by a white man, George Zimmerman. But now, as evidence continues to come forward, the facts seem much more complicated and the "obvious truth" premature.

...

To make matters more complex, we found out that in the past several months, Martin was suspended from school three times, once for the possession of drug paraphernalia.

The Miami Herald reported that in the gated community in which Zimmerman patrolled, there were eight burglaries, nine thefts and one shooting in the past year. Neighbors of Zimmerman described him as being passionate about security and credit him with thwarting and cracking some crimes. It was also revealed that Zimmerman identified himself as a Hispanic and was a registered Democrat.

The facts are confounding and inconclusive. But the tendency in the first days by some, including Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and an angry chorus of followers, was to rush to judgment with little regard for fairness, due process, or respect for the terrible death of a young man.

A mob mentality seems to be in the ascendancy.

The New Black Panther Party offered a bounty for Zimmerman's capture.

Jackson said that Martin's death shows how "blacks are under attack" and "targeting, arresting, convicting blacks and ultimately killing us is big business." Apart from the obvious incendiary nature of such comments, what in heaven's name could Jackson mean?

(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: billbennett; blackonblackmurders; cnn; revjackson; trayvonmartin; williambennett; zimmerman; zimmermantimeline
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To: stephenjohnbanker

CNN used their favorite type of Republican.


101 posted on 03/31/2012 12:19:11 PM PDT by trappedincanuckistan (livefreeordietryin)
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To: matt04
One little tidbit I've only seen mentioned once is where did Martin get his Skittles and soda? The nearest convenience store is almost a mile away. Even if Martin was an athlete I don't know many teenagers who will walk a mile for ANYTHING. I want to see surveillance video from the convenience store show him buying his candy and soda. Oh, yeah, there's a problem with the claim he went out during halftime of a basketball game. There wasn't one on, didn't start until later in the night. I think Zimmerman was right and Martin was casing apartments or at least looking for something valuable that wasn't nailed down.
102 posted on 03/31/2012 12:19:31 PM PDT by MtBaldy (If Obama is the answer, it must have been a really stupid question)
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To: trappedincanuckistan

” At first glance, the death of Trayvon Martin seemed to be a straightforward example of ugly, racial conflict resulting in the killing of an innocent black teenager by a white man,....”

Bill Bennett

First glance? Where? CNN ? ABC ? CBS ? MSNBC? Video?

What a maroon : )


103 posted on 03/31/2012 12:29:19 PM PDT by stephenjohnbanker (God, family, country, mom, apple pie, the girl next door and a Ford F250 to pull my boat.)
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To: cynwoody

Good find! This is a thoughtful reconstruction, and at least a possible scenario.

Suggest posting as a thread. It may get lost here.


104 posted on 03/31/2012 12:47:16 PM PDT by thouworm (.)
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To: Ax

I think the media puts out all the crap and it gives a one sided view of situations...back in the 50’s our group of friends were both colored (not a insult in those days) and white....afro, black, afro americans etc came in during the mid 60’s..but hard core thugs do exist of all colors..some are just punks....


105 posted on 03/31/2012 1:33:06 PM PDT by goat granny
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To: Hulka

I used to live in a gated community. It waz gated to keep out the riff-raff and criminals in the surrounding neighborhood. It cost us an extra 2,000 dollars a year to live there, but it was worth it. And yes many expensive homes were there.

Yes absolutely there is a connotation in “gated community” that goes well beyond the simple denotation of the two words. It wasn’t necessary for the news media to mention it in the Zimmerman case except they wanted to impose a narrative on the reader.


106 posted on 03/31/2012 2:14:11 PM PDT by zipper (espions sur les occupants)
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To: Keith in Iowa

Why did they even mention it, genius? There’s your answer, even if you don’t like it.


107 posted on 03/31/2012 2:30:37 PM PDT by TwoSwords
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To: Keith in Iowa

re: “They would be bigots. And prejudiced. I’m not among them.”

So, if I understand what you’re saying, you think the media is simply trying to be accurate when they keep refering to Zimmerman’s neighborhood as a “gated community”?

And, if I’m wrong please correct me, you think that anyone who believes the media IS attempting to create a template of “bigoted white community vs. poor black kid” by constantly using the term “gated community” are themselves racist and bigoted?

Just wondering.


108 posted on 03/31/2012 2:34:32 PM PDT by rusty schucklefurd
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To: Keith in Iowa

If the back yard is gated, does my dog live in a “gated community”?

The next time I hear about a pit bull escaping from someone’s back yard and mauling somebody I’ll be expecting the news to say he escaped from a “gated community”. LOL


109 posted on 03/31/2012 2:56:57 PM PDT by zipper (espions sur les occupants)
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To: zipper

” Yes absolutely there is a connotation in “gated community” that goes well beyond the simple denotation of the two words. It wasn’t necessary for the news media to mention it in the Zimmerman case except they wanted to impose a narrative on the reader.”

Like constant pictures of a 12 year old Trayvon?


110 posted on 03/31/2012 3:01:10 PM PDT by stephenjohnbanker (God, family, country, mom, apple pie, the girl next door and a Ford F250 to pull my boat.)
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To: zipper

>>>If the back yard is gated, does my dog live in a “gated community”?

If the yard is also in an area where there is limited street access, and that access is controlled by gates.

Nice logical fallacy known as “straw man” you fling like a hand full of poop thrown by a monkey in hopes it sticks...


111 posted on 03/31/2012 3:03:21 PM PDT by Keith in Iowa (Willard Romney, purveyor of the world's finest bullmitt. | FR Class of 1998 |)
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The media should be held complicit in any injustice inflicted upon Zimmerman.

There has been an absolute disregard for evidence and due process notwithstanding the loss of life.


112 posted on 03/31/2012 3:05:40 PM PDT by Gene Eric (Newt/Sarah 2012)
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To: rusty schucklefurd

The media is using the term “gated community” as bigots in furtherance of their meme - and a few people here are eating that crap with a spoon, and believe it as gospel.

The rest of us can see through the meme, and know that the media - especially MSNBC and Rev. Al are using this case to foment racial tensions, and incite further violence.


113 posted on 03/31/2012 3:10:17 PM PDT by Keith in Iowa (Willard Romney, purveyor of the world's finest bullmitt. | FR Class of 1998 |)
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To: rusty schucklefurd

>>>And, if I’m wrong please correct me, you think that anyone who believes the media IS attempting to create a template of “bigoted white community vs. poor black kid” by constantly using the term “gated community” are themselves racist and bigoted?<<<

Anyone saying “gated community” is synonymous with “mansions” and/or “bigoted white community” is indeed showing their own prejudice and bigotry, and are falling victim to the media meme.


114 posted on 03/31/2012 3:14:21 PM PDT by Keith in Iowa (Willard Romney, purveyor of the world's finest bullmitt. | FR Class of 1998 |)
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To: matt04

“targeting, arresting, convicting blacks and ultimately killing us is big business.”

Arresting them is big business for those who profit from the Drug War, some of whom are black drug dealers. They happen, also, to make up the vast, vast majority of those who kill black people. So why doesn’t Jackson go picket South Central LA, or something?


115 posted on 03/31/2012 3:16:25 PM PDT by Tublecane
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To: matt04

“A random act of journalism from CNN”

Too late. People remember the original story, and CNN knows that. This costs them nothing.


116 posted on 03/31/2012 3:17:28 PM PDT by Tublecane
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To: Keith in Iowa

“You’d lose. In my world, ‘gated community’ is any area where access is controlled by gates. Doesn’t matter what kind of housing is behind the gates.”

Would you be comfortable admitting most people aren’t Mr. Literal like you, and that the MSM, as well as everyone else, is fond of using prejudicial language to mislead people? Further, you are aware, aren’t you, that “gated community” has meaning beyond “a community set behind gates,” correct? And one of these meanings, the best know meaning, is a community exclusive of people who aren’t rich and white? That much, at least, you can admit.


117 posted on 03/31/2012 3:30:31 PM PDT by Tublecane
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To: Tublecane

Read down the thread.

If you are equating “gated community” with “mansions” - you are falling for the media’s line of crap = hook, line and sinker. Falling for the propaganda being spewed my the media.


118 posted on 03/31/2012 3:34:11 PM PDT by Keith in Iowa (Willard Romney, purveyor of the world's finest bullmitt. | FR Class of 1998 |)
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To: Keith in Iowa

Which phrase carries a connotation of “wealth” and which one implies “poor”?

“lives in a gated community”

“lives in a trailer park”

So you’re a “bigot” too!

LOL


119 posted on 03/31/2012 3:37:01 PM PDT by zipper (espions sur les occupants)
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To: zipper

More logical fallacy from you.... thanks.


120 posted on 03/31/2012 3:38:52 PM PDT by Keith in Iowa (Willard Romney, purveyor of the world's finest bullmitt. | FR Class of 1998 |)
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