The Trayvon Martin case—or lack of a case, considering as of this writing Martin's killer, George Zimmerman, has still not been arrested—has drawn outrage from both the left and the right. The negligence of law enforcement in this case is so obvious, and Zimmerman's racially motivated pursuit of Martin is so obvious that the reaction has constituted an unusually united front, with liberals and conservatives, Republicans and Democrats calling for Zimmerman's arrest. Newt Gingrich, however, decided to take this opportunity to attack President Obama for alluding to race in his comments on the incident earlier today, wherein he understandably remarked, "If I had a son, he'd look like Trayvon."
This is a case where the assailant profiled Martin based on nothing but what he looked like, insisting to a 911 dispatcher that he looked like he was "up to something" and "on drugs" when he was merely walking home, talking on a cell phone, holding a bag of Skittles and a can of iced tea. Zimmerman then got out of his car, a movement which can be heard on the 911 tapes, chased him down (Zimmerman confirmed to the dispatcher that the unarmed teen was running and that he was following) and shot him in cold blood, and none of that should be in dispute. None of that is in dispute, whether the allegation that Zimmerman used a racial slur before he shot Martin is true or not. He shot and killed him because he was young, black, and walking down the street.
Why, then, does Gingrich insist that the president pointing this out is "disgraceful" and "appalling?" Why is Gingrich claiming that the president insinuated that he condones the murder of white teenagers, just because he voiced the fact that we're all pretty much clear on Zimmerman's motive? "Is the president suggesting that if it had been a white [sic] who had been shot, that would be OK because it didn't look like him?" Gingrich asks. No, he's suggesting that if Trayvon Martin had been white, he wouldn't have been shot. And everybody understands this, including Gingrich himself. Gingrich may not be the intellectual his supporters claim him to be, but he's not a stupid man. He knows why Zimmerman killed Martin, just as well as everybody else does. So why is he so afraid to talk about race even in the face of a crime that was obviously motivated by race, and more infuriatingly, was not immediately investigated by authorities?
Newt Gingrich is afraid of something, and it's probably not that he'll be shot dead in cold blood in the street. He's afraid of admitting that a man he doesn't know, a man to whom he has no connection, shot and killed a minor because of the color of his skin. What other reason could there be for this, other than the possibility that just maybe, Gingrich sees in George Zimmerman a self-loathing flicker of himself?
Follow Lauren Moccio on Twitter @TheGrottoTweets for more commentary on news & politics.
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Comments: 88 ( 4 removed by Lauren Moccio )
A friend of mine who I worked with was a lead-man at a strong machine shop. He was promoted twice for his hard work and dedication to the job in regards to work ethic and attendance. He had a beautiful son that he loved so much. He was black. The last person to see him alive saw another black man shot him for his wallet on the way home from work in Milwaukee WI.
Unfortunately this never made national news because it happens hundreds of times a year and it's too common for a president to "use"politically.
Obama is appalling.
Trayvon Martin is dead, and nobody, not even a President, can change that. But we can all think about the next time this happens, and how to prevent it.
I still don't think a president should get involved in a case like this.
Well, "appall" away~Obama didn't have any choice but to weigh in since this case has become a national firestorm. But you're right in this respect, there are thousands of cases. Trayvon's parents have to be credited by going thru social media channels, the petition with more than 1,000,000 signatures (for 3 weeks the case went unnoticed)~they want justice for their son, and they are working hard to get it!
Second, President Obama was asked by Mike Vicarro (sp) to respond to the tragedy and did. What racial comment are you referring to? I listened to the president's remarks live and didn't really hear a racial comment. What did you hear?
Trayvon Martin was killed for no reason at all- he did nothing and his killer gained nothing, and his killer has not even been arrested even though his identity is not in dispute.
Obama's comments were deeply personal, and I have no problem with his comments per se. Obama would certainly not be opposed to the arrest of persons who murder white people. But the deeper question here is the rule of law, and the way that abuse of the "Stand your Ground" laws is becoming deeply offensive to our sense of basic justice.
I suppose Obama could not go there without getting into politics, and after the Henry Louis Gates affair, he does not want to go there, pretty understandably.
Eye witnesses back the accused not the accusers yet all of you guys think you have it all figured out and don't need information that disputes what you want to be the truth. Kind of like when the Boston Police acted "stupidly". Think about it Chris. Try not to be like Obama and politicize everything you think might change the subject. Be real.
What planet are you living on~did you listen to the 911 tapes?? Eyewitness do NOT back the accused, the cops do at the moment. But that'll probably change now that the Feds are involved.
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981214303
You should read Dorothy Parker's "Arrangement in Black and White." Burton would never employ white people as servants. He'd only employ blacks, out of the goodness of his own heart. Isn't that sweet?
He's a millionaire many times over~I'd call that "particularly wealthy!"
Ducking in and out of buildings because it's raining is not a reason to chase somebody down and shoot him dead, because he gives you an answer you don't like regarding his reason for walking down the street. Because you've appointed yourself "neighborhood watchman." Please.
April Lady, I will try!
He was a child holding Skittles. Zimmerman complained to the 911 dispatcher "These a-holes always get away," chased him down and shot him in the chest. He stole nothing. You want to come up with another reason, you be my guest.
I haven't heard anything close, when two Black Youths chased down a White kid, doused him with gasoline, and lit him afire, saying, "This is what YOU get, White Boy."
I'd wager you haven't even heard about this. And if you had, I doubt quite strongly that you'd have written about it.
It is not my intention to minimise you, either, Lauren. I just wish you'd think about it...
These morons haven't the foggiest notion what they are even protesting.
And, why don't you give me those Statistics on the number of Cases that aren't prosecuted, Lauren?
I assure you they are many.
How dare you attack those children? They have every right to protest. If you're so upset about the alleged "thousands" of racially-motivated murder cases that aren't prosecuted, then what exactly is your beef with the protest? Hell, if there are thousands, all the more reason for them to protest, right?
Oh...and "than" is spelled t-h-e-n. ;)
You're rather pretty. ;)
When I was a teenager, we could spell. But I went to high school in New York. Maybe it's different in your part of the woods.
"However, if the killer was indeed arrested right away and justice was served, than that is one way in which that case and this one are not parallel." -- Lauren
Well, if you were an accurate speller when you were a teenager, and went to School in New York, have you decided, then, to give it up as a fetching Adult? ;)
What is your Middle Name?
It's Dorothy.
"Dorothy." Hmmmn. I think I'll call You Lauren.
now - that said - was zimmerman right? dont know - and the point is - none of us know - may not ever know the whole truth.
but if you want to condemn him, at least use truth and not lies.
all i can say is, the cambridge police acted stupidly, and that klan guy should not have raped tawana ......................................................
And as others have pointed out, the Stand Your Ground law protects Trayvon's right to use force against Zimmerman in this case--although if Zimmerman had been beaten as badly as he claims, an ambulance would have been called, because head wounds (especially to the nose) are gushers, and there would have been blood everywhere.
Does this mean that the right will be willing to challenge the NRA on the so-called "stand your ground" laws, which are on the books in predominantly "red" states?
close - but no cigar - he was clearly pusuing the kid BEFORE he was told he did not need to do that. and was apparantly between where he last saw the kid and his truck when everything went to hell in a handbasket. - sounds like he was on his way bck to his truck - especially with the 'these a-holes always get away' comment. ............. if he was still following the kid - why would he remark on him getting away??????
i suggest we all wait to condemn the kid, or him, untill the facts are all in.
No, he wasn't, I saw a TV interview with the Director of NW (MSNBC, I think), and he stated that Zimmer was never registered with the group.
What would you do if you were walking down the street in your own neighborhood and some pinhead stalked and then stopped you???
Sandra Fluke? Remember her? It's been so long ago!
Democrats are energized. So are women. Could make for an interesting election season.
Just when I think no one can be more disgusting, Gather always delivers a new low.