The State of Florida has a vigilante law which has basically excused a murder that happened.
In the last couple of days, the special prosecutor assigned to the case has ordained that she won't seek a Grand Jury on the matter - thus eliminating the possibility that this case would end up with a murder charge for Zimmerman.
The issue is shining another light on the glaring flaws with the second amendment. Having a vigilante law - as exists in Florida, Arizona and other places only elevates the situation. Someone with the background of Zimmerman had a license to carry and under Florida Law ... had the right to chase someone and shoot them in the back when their own life was not in harm's way - but the use of deadly force was somehow protected.
Gun rights folks will defend their right to do what Zimmerman did. Except I don't own a gun ... I don't see the need to escalate a situation to the point where someone can get really seriously harmed. I do believe in the notion of self-defense ... but that's not what the vigilante law does. It gives folks like Zimmerman a license to kill.
It's wrong.
It reinforces the belief that guns in the wrong hands - lead to really unfortunate consequences.
Race plays a big part too. Because if it was Trayvon who was pulling the trigger and not Zimmerman ... you can BET the resulting outcome would be totally different. It's time to stop pretending and start acting on vigilante justice when it's convenient for those disturbed who shouldn't have been allowed to carry to begin with. Zimmerman needs to see his day in court and let a jury of his peers decide his fate.
But thanks to the flawed system of Florida - Zimmerman is now missing - becoming a poster boy for Fox News and a crusader of the NRA.
Zimmerman clearly fears for his life - for good reason. Vigilante justice begets vigilante justice.
When does it stop? When will the insanity finally stop?
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Monday, April 09, 2012
The Republican Identity Crisis
Confused about the Republican Party?
You're not alone.
This election cycle has really illuminated the Republicans to a whole new level of: "Really?" Take the case of Joe Walsh, tea party darling who hails from the 8th Congressional District of Illinois. He called out the President in what could be seen as the biggest flop in recent times: "I call on the President not to meet with or recognize groups that do not respect women's rights and basic freedoms," Walsh said in a statement, adding that the group has one of the "worst women's rights records in the Middle East."
Really Joe?
If we were to not meet with or recognize groups that don't respect women's rights and basic freedoms - then we would have no choice but to ignore the Republican Party. The "War on Women" has gotten really out of hand, but when you have a US Representative stand up and decry another country's treatment of women while tacitly or overtly making the case to strip women's rights in this country.
Whether it's the invasive rape of a transvaginal ultra-sound, or forcing women to watch horrific videos of abortions, to secretly repealing equal pay provisions that should be the law of the land ... it's the full blown assault on women's rights.
This is fairly reminiscent of Governor's Scott ill-advised drug testing program for food stamp recipients. The effects were staggering. The general population has a drug-addiction rate of about 7%. Since it's inception, the drug-addiction rate found in those applying for food stamps was much lower: 2%. The State of Florida LOST money rather than what it would've cost to have the 2% continue to get food stamps.
It's a common theme among the Republicans and you have the likes of Fox and Rush to thank for it. The seeds they plant about malcontents, how every food stamp recipient drives $50k SUVs while owning 3 or 4 big screen TVs drive the Republican anger base. The perception is that most of these folks have no concept, no idea why or how these folks come to being homeless, unemployed or needy to begin with. There's a story with everyone - and it's the Republican thick skin that repels such things because: "I'm a self-made man, these people should be to." Which brings me to the biggest identity crisis plaguing today's GOP: being pro-capitalist while singing in church on selective Sundays.
These folks identify as being "good Christians" based on "family values" ... when the reality is to the contrary. God doesn't want self-made men on the planet. Is that what Jesus was really about? Putting yourself above others? Doing so in a condescending, "tough love" kind of way? Would Jesus be proud of the way you lead your life? I know that's what you try and convince yourself of .... but really?
I doubt very seriously that Jesus would pass a homeless person asking for a dollar - so that he could scream at them and condemn them for not getting a job, for being a slacker and a waste of space while lashing out for having to pay for everything for them while they sit and do nothing. Find me a Republican that believes Jesus would rather you spit, scorn and protect your capitalist endeavors ... and then ask them why they aren't more Christ like.
When the R's start wanting to preach about morality when they have deficits in the way they approach their own life ... then I'm disinclined to follow the path of someone who believes they are better because they have more money or are lucky enough to have a job that provides for their family. Capitalism laughs and mocks Christianity ... and it's sad to watch those that lead the dual life.
What happens when a Republican looks in a mirror? That ... is the $64,000 question.
You're not alone.
This election cycle has really illuminated the Republicans to a whole new level of: "Really?" Take the case of Joe Walsh, tea party darling who hails from the 8th Congressional District of Illinois. He called out the President in what could be seen as the biggest flop in recent times: "I call on the President not to meet with or recognize groups that do not respect women's rights and basic freedoms," Walsh said in a statement, adding that the group has one of the "worst women's rights records in the Middle East."
Really Joe?
If we were to not meet with or recognize groups that don't respect women's rights and basic freedoms - then we would have no choice but to ignore the Republican Party. The "War on Women" has gotten really out of hand, but when you have a US Representative stand up and decry another country's treatment of women while tacitly or overtly making the case to strip women's rights in this country.
Whether it's the invasive rape of a transvaginal ultra-sound, or forcing women to watch horrific videos of abortions, to secretly repealing equal pay provisions that should be the law of the land ... it's the full blown assault on women's rights.
This is fairly reminiscent of Governor's Scott ill-advised drug testing program for food stamp recipients. The effects were staggering. The general population has a drug-addiction rate of about 7%. Since it's inception, the drug-addiction rate found in those applying for food stamps was much lower: 2%. The State of Florida LOST money rather than what it would've cost to have the 2% continue to get food stamps.
It's a common theme among the Republicans and you have the likes of Fox and Rush to thank for it. The seeds they plant about malcontents, how every food stamp recipient drives $50k SUVs while owning 3 or 4 big screen TVs drive the Republican anger base. The perception is that most of these folks have no concept, no idea why or how these folks come to being homeless, unemployed or needy to begin with. There's a story with everyone - and it's the Republican thick skin that repels such things because: "I'm a self-made man, these people should be to." Which brings me to the biggest identity crisis plaguing today's GOP: being pro-capitalist while singing in church on selective Sundays.
These folks identify as being "good Christians" based on "family values" ... when the reality is to the contrary. God doesn't want self-made men on the planet. Is that what Jesus was really about? Putting yourself above others? Doing so in a condescending, "tough love" kind of way? Would Jesus be proud of the way you lead your life? I know that's what you try and convince yourself of .... but really?
I doubt very seriously that Jesus would pass a homeless person asking for a dollar - so that he could scream at them and condemn them for not getting a job, for being a slacker and a waste of space while lashing out for having to pay for everything for them while they sit and do nothing. Find me a Republican that believes Jesus would rather you spit, scorn and protect your capitalist endeavors ... and then ask them why they aren't more Christ like.
When the R's start wanting to preach about morality when they have deficits in the way they approach their own life ... then I'm disinclined to follow the path of someone who believes they are better because they have more money or are lucky enough to have a job that provides for their family. Capitalism laughs and mocks Christianity ... and it's sad to watch those that lead the dual life.
What happens when a Republican looks in a mirror? That ... is the $64,000 question.
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