Let us pray for a quick verdict in the Zimmerman trial so
that we can put this whole thing behind us, never to be mentioned again.
that we can put this whole thing behind us, never to be mentioned again.
I would bet that within five years most Americans would
answer, “George and Trayvon who?” when asked about this case.
answer, “George and Trayvon who?” when asked about this case.
The endless coverage given to this trial on cable TV news
is astounding. And stupid. The cable networks even devoted considerable live
coverage to the judge and attorneys on Thursday hammering out jury
instructions. Wow. In sheer terms of wasted air time, that rivals the 6-hour
pre-game broadcasts for the Super Bowl.
is astounding. And stupid. The cable networks even devoted considerable live
coverage to the judge and attorneys on Thursday hammering out jury
instructions. Wow. In sheer terms of wasted air time, that rivals the 6-hour
pre-game broadcasts for the Super Bowl.
The fact of the matter is that, if the defendant and
victim in this case were both white, this story would have never extended
beyond the Tampa area. Once again, this story demonstrates America’s obsession
with racial issues. I can vividly imagine news editors at the cable stations –
and even those in distant parts of Florida – passing on this story altogether
if race was not perceived as a major factor.
victim in this case were both white, this story would have never extended
beyond the Tampa area. Once again, this story demonstrates America’s obsession
with racial issues. I can vividly imagine news editors at the cable stations –
and even those in distant parts of Florida – passing on this story altogether
if race was not perceived as a major factor.
The staff meeting would go something like this: “Two guys
get in a fight. One gets blown away. Sounds like manslaughter to me. Let’s move
on.”
get in a fight. One gets blown away. Sounds like manslaughter to me. Let’s move
on.”
Just two years ago, the Casey Anthony trial was the big
sensation. How many people remember the details of that case? Two months ago,
the newest sensational case centered on a trial for a woman who killed her
boyfriend. How many people have already forgotten her name?
sensation. How many people remember the details of that case? Two months ago,
the newest sensational case centered on a trial for a woman who killed her
boyfriend. How many people have already forgotten her name?
*****
Another annoying aspect of this case is that it is
reverberating politically. At the far ends of the spectrum, from Al Sharpton to
Sean Hannity, the right is demanding an acquittal for Zimmerman and the left is
ready to cry foul if a not-guilty verdict emerges, in effect a jury endorsement of the
neighborhood watch guy’s behavior.
reverberating politically. At the far ends of the spectrum, from Al Sharpton to
Sean Hannity, the right is demanding an acquittal for Zimmerman and the left is
ready to cry foul if a not-guilty verdict emerges, in effect a jury endorsement of the
neighborhood watch guy’s behavior.
I don’t see how this case, which tests the limits of
neighborhood protection and self-defense, can take on partisan or political
overtones. Yet, Twitter and Facebook comments already foretell a huge
outpouring no matter what the jury decides.
neighborhood protection and self-defense, can take on partisan or political
overtones. Yet, Twitter and Facebook comments already foretell a huge
outpouring no matter what the jury decides.
The most bizarre claim amid all the usual misinformation
on FB is that President Obama, who certainly has his hands full at the White
House, is somehow manipulating the outcome of case.
on FB is that President Obama, who certainly has his hands full at the White
House, is somehow manipulating the outcome of case.
Locally, we have two conservative Republican activists,
Ron Dwyer and Wayne Bradley, engaged in a long, nasty, name-calling fight on
FB, with many others joining in. Apparently, if you side with Trayvon in this
case you are considered a GOP traitor and should be permanently branded as a
liberal – or worse. And if you are a juror who votes for a conviction, you are
an un-American moron – or worse.
Ron Dwyer and Wayne Bradley, engaged in a long, nasty, name-calling fight on
FB, with many others joining in. Apparently, if you side with Trayvon in this
case you are considered a GOP traitor and should be permanently branded as a
liberal – or worse. And if you are a juror who votes for a conviction, you are
an un-American moron – or worse.
