by

News/Politics 7-13-13

What’s interesting in the news today?

UPDATE!

Not Guilty

From NBCNews

“Jurors have found George Zimmerman not guilty of second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

The six-member, all-woman jury deliberated for more than 15 hours over two days before reaching their decision Saturday night.

They had been given the chance to convict Zimmerman of manslaughter but did not do so, despite asking for a clarification of the charge earlier in the evening.

After hearing the verdict, Judge Debra Nelson told Zimmerman he was free to go.”

____________________________________________________

Open thread, as always.

First up today, I say good riddance. From TheLATimes

“Janet Napolitano, the U.S. secretary of Homeland Security and former governor of Arizona, is being named as the next president of the University of California system, in an unusual choice that brings a national-level politician to a position usually held by an academic, The Times has learned. Her appointment also means the 10-campus system will be headed by a woman for the first time in its 145-year history.

Napolitano’s nomination by a committee of UC regents came after a secretive process that insiders said focused on her early as a high-profile, although untraditional, candidate who has led large public agencies and shown a strong interest in improving education.”

____________________________________________________

It was bad enough finding out the DoJ was involved with helping orchestrate the Trayvon Martin protests. But this is probably worse news. Is this really who they want holding rallies and “maneuvers” around the area should things get bad after the verdict? From TheWashingtonTimes

“New Black Panther Party members are  prepping for rallies and gatherings in the wake of the George Zimmerman murder  trial, but are coy on whether violence, riots and other chaotic outbursts are  potential — or welcome — offshoots of those events.

On the one hand, NBPP members  promise on their Twitter site that they will not  engage in any sort of unlawful outbursts if the second-degree murder trial in  Florida ends in a not-guilty verdict.”

“But on the other hand, the group’s Twitter site  is alive and kicking with fresh updates about a planned Sept. 7 rally to show  solidarity with 17-year-old shooting victim Trayvon Martin — complete with admissions: “We can’t and WON’T try to control the general dissatisfied population. For sure we are ORGANIZING.””

“And a third: “New Black Panther Party will not give you specific details on anything other than to say we have rallies  and street maneuvers planned.””

More gas on the fire.

____________________________________________________

The new DoJ leak guidelines are out. And in ironic twist, leaked out of course. 😯 🙂 From Politico

“Attorney General Eric Holder’s new guidelines on criminal leak investigations involving members of the media would prevent the FBI from labeling reporters as co-conspirators, according to details leaked to Reuters and The New York Times by an unnamed Justice Dept. official.

The guidlines would also make it more difficult for prosecutors to obtain a journalist’s telephone records without informing them of the subpoena, according to the Justice Dept. official, who said the guidelines went “as far as the department can go on its own until Congress passes the media shield legislation.”

____________________________________________________

Exhibit C in the “Who’s the Real Extremist” abortion fight in Texas. From KETK-NBC

“The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) today received information that individuals planned to use a variety of items or props to disrupt legislative proceedings at the Texas Capitol.”

“During these inspections, DPS officers have thus far discovered one jar suspected to contain urine, 18 jars suspected to contain feces, and three bottles suspected to contain paint. All of these items – as well as significant quantities of feminine hygiene products, glitter and confetti possessed by individuals – were required to be discarded; otherwise those individuals were denied entry into the gallery.”

And yes, it’s the pro-abortion folks who were seeking to disrupt things.

____________________________________________________

Lastly today, a Boston police officer has been arrested for possession of military grade explosives. And could someone please explain to me how he’s out on 1,000 dollars bail? From BostonCBSLocal

“A Boston police officer is free on $1,000 bail after police in Plymouth say they found a cache of military grade explosives in a shed at his former home.

Kirk Merricks, 43, of Dorchester, was charged Friday with 11 counts of possession of explosives, along with theft and ammunition charges.

The bomb squad responded to the home on Paddington Way, where explosives experts recovered a briefcase from a shed outside the home that had “a bandolier that contained four military-grade M203 rounds, six detonator cords with attached blasting caps and two rolls of timed fused cord connected to non-electric fixing mechanisms,” District Attorney’s office reported.”

Police say they received a call on Thursday from the homeowner, identified as Merricks’ estranged wife, saying she was cleaning out a bedroom closet and found four ¼ sticks of TNT and assorted ammunition in a metal box marked “highly explosive.”

The explosives were stolen. $1000 dollars? Really?  🙄

____________________________________________________

62 thoughts on “News/Politics 7-13-13”

  1. It won’t do any good that Napolitano is leaving. Obama will appoint someone else with the same view of welcoming all potential Democratic voters.

    Like

    Reply

  2. From The Washington Times via Drudge.

    While many across the political spectrum are happy to see Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano leave her job in Washington, some who live on the West Coast say they’d just as soon not see her out there, after it was revealed Friday that she’s poised to take over as head of the University of California school system.

    …………….
    “University of California students can look forward to the same authoritarian management style Secretary Napolitano brought to the Department of Homeland Security, hardly a bastion of free speech and open government,” said Rep. Doug LaMalfa, a California Republican. “While I am pleased to see her leave Homeland Security, Napolitano’s views are entirely incompatible with the UC system’s history of civil liberties and the decision to appoint her is perplexing.”

    http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/jul/12/napolitanos-move-california-draws-protests/#ixzz2YvZWcrIX

    Like

    Reply

  3. About the Texas pro-abortion activist; remember when the media went nuts over an unsubstantiated accusation that a tea party member spat on a congressman. I don’t expect similar outrage.

    Like

    Reply

  5. I imagine you’re not the only one Michelle.

    The thing that would bother me most is she doesn’t really seem qualified on the academic side. I can however see the appeal of her management experience, and if govt grants are what they seek, her connections will probably help with that. It’s just a weird choice.

    Like

    Reply

  6. AJ et al — there’s been a gradual change (on this side of the border) to appointing public figures as opposed to academics. Connections as you note is the key. Its an administrative position not academic. Just as good teachers usually don’t make good principals the same is probably true in the university system. And given the complexities of the California system, an administrator with political connections is probably a better appointment.

    Zimmerman — In many jurisdictions in the world, he probably would’ve pleaded to manslaughter and served 2 to 10 for this before it went to trial. The fact he was in his car and left it to shoot Martin to me is the definitive piece. In Canada, he would be guilty even if Martin was threatening him — you need to prove you had no other recourse but to fight back.

    Abortion — I noticed the chart AJ provided concerning abortion and time periods. From what I understand the time limitations isn’t the only concern. Other items in the proposed legislation would close many clinics. Maryland passed a new abortion law limiting abortions to a time period but without some of the other provisions. The new law apparently satisfied both pro choice and pro life. One item, abortion doctors must have admitting privileges in a nearby hospital was not including in Maryland. Maryland hospitals said it was unnecessary — they would still admit women and still consult with the physician.

    The European limitations reflect their ability to compromise. Due to their political system, governments must compromise with other parties in order to survive. Most abortion laws in Europe are a result of the Christian Democrats and Social Democrats sitting down together and coming up with a compromise which although not perfect for either side was acceptable.

    Canada illustrates the problem in North America. The old abortion law was struck done and was supposed to be replaced 30 years ago. A compromise law was proposed but was defeated by people on both sides of the dispute. If the pro-life side had voted yea Canada would have a 20 or 22 week limit. Now any mention of abortion law brings discipline from party elites, as they don’t want to tear their party apart and engage in culture wars. Hence Conservative party backbenchers have been prevented by their leadership from even thinking about an abortion law.

    In the US, any mention of new limits sparks fears from pro choice of the domino effect or if they give an inch they’ll lose the whole yard. Thus, the whole debate has become entrenched in opposing sides without compromise. Personally, I think a 20 or 22 week limit is entirely reasonable —- and I suspect the vast majority of Americans would agree but the other items on the Texas bill make people suspicious and entrenched.

    Like

    Reply

  9. kbells — he was in the car when he called 911, he was told to remain in the car yet he left the car to confront Martin and then shot him. There may not be legal intent but there’s definitely no justification here for self defense. He was safe and secure in his car.

    Occasionally, there’s a news story that illustrates what a strange world Texas is to an urban Canadian. Security personnel were confiscating tampons and pads as they could be used as projectiles but were allowing loaded guns for those with the right permits. After embarrassing themselves, security personnel reversed their policy and allowed women to carry feminine hygiene products (as well as loaded weapons).

    Meanwhile the federal house voted to continue farm subsidies but took the food stamp program out of the farm bill. Some of the Republicans voting in favor of subsidies but against food stamps actually collect farm subsidies. There’s nothing wrong with using an eligible program but its a conflict of interest to vote on anything which will give you direct financial benefit.

    http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-06-03/lawmakers-benefit-from-farm-subsidies-congress-seeks-to-overhaul.html

    Like

    Reply

  10. I don’t recall him being told to remain in the car. He was told that they did not need him to follow. He was also already out of the car when he was told they didn’t need him to follow. According to hm this was when he was confronted by Martin.

    Like

    Reply

  12. Michelle,

    It makes it easy to see who the real extremists in Texas are. I share your disgust with the behavior. And so do the majority of Americans now. Their mask has slipped, and what’s exposed is hideous. What they support, and the way they act needs to be seen by the general public. If we had a real unbiased media, it would be more often. At least with the internet it get’s out, and more and more people are seeing it.

    Like

    Reply

  13. He said he got out to check an address. You don’t know and neither do I. It is up to a jury. Both sides said all they wanted was a fair trial. He seems to have gotten that. Everyone needs to let the system work.

    Like

    Reply

  20. I thought manslaughter, too. I haven’t followed the case closely, so I guess I’m a little taken aback by the strong opinions I’m seeing online. Florida is getting the hate, lots of comments about how it’s simply a racist state & should be allowed to secede.

    The whole incident struck me as so sad and tragic. I wish Zimmerman hadn’t followed the kid. But it sounds like the jury was fair and that the standard of the law for a conviction here just wasn’t met with regard to the evidence.

    Like

    Reply

  23. I’m nervous about seeing what follows the verdict, but “not legal” is the only legally defensible verdict for a self-defense case. Remember, the police didn’t see enough evidence to press charges in the first place.

    Like

    Reply

  24. “not guilty” sorry–my fingers got ahead of themselves

    Yeah, Donna, I wasn’t sure Saturday night was the best time to announce the verdict. Ordinarily it’s a great time to announce controversial news, but announcing a summertime verdict that everyone is watching at a time when everyone is home may well guarantee mayhem. Burying it on Sunday morning news, during the daytime, might well have been a bit safer.

    Like

    Reply

  26. Yeah, I kept thinking well, if they reach a verdict tonight they won’t announce it tonight, they’ll put it off until daylight (Monday would have been good, but too long a delay in this case).

    So I was really surprised when I noticed the headline “Verdict Reached” on my muted TV.

    Like

    Reply

  28. Now here’s a women who should be found not guilty not Zimmerman

    http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57433184/fla-mom-gets-20-years-for-firing-warning-shots/

    If I understand the verdict correctly in the state of Florida I can kill someone if I feel threatened even if I have recourse to a safer option. Quite frankly, this makes it open season ……. Good thing I prefer cold weather and if if I want to warm up I’ll go to Cuba, at least no one will shoot me for wearing a hoodie.

    Like

    Reply

  29. There is no winner in the Zimmerman / Martin Case, there was never enough evidence to prove Zimmerman guilty of murder, that was the problem with this case from the very start. There was never enough physical evidence to prove the charges brought against Zimmerman and the State knew this. The State was left with just the emotional part of the case and justice cannot be decided on emotions, it must be decide base on facts. With no eye witness of who confronted who and who attack who and the only brief eye witness’s put Martin on top and Zimmerman on the bottom, put together with Zimmerman’s injuries that State did not have a case and should not have charge Zimmerman with a crime. The local DA knew this, there was also no grand jury to review the case, the State took over and brought charges to try and bring some type of relief to the Martin Family and to silence those who were protesting.
    The State failed, their case did not bring relief to the Martin Family nor the Zimmerman’s Family, it has open the door to more protest. I just pray people will keep their emotions in tack on sides and that people do not start some type of race war.

    Like

    Reply

  30. HRW, as with any case I wasn’t in the courtroom and neither were you. Personally I think it all depends on who has the best lawyers. If I ever get in trouble, I will sell, hock, and mortgage everything I have to get the best lawyer I can find.

    Like

    Reply

  31. kbells – with the Zimmerman case the lack of physical evidence is the reason he was found not guilty. the problem seem to be is that many in the black community cannot see pass their color of their skin to understand this.

    Like

    Reply

  32. he was not found guilty because he was called white and martin was black. He was found not guilt because of the lack of physical evidence .

    Like

    Reply

  33. For several years Americans have been too dumb, greedy and immoral to govern themselves. It is somewhat encouraging to see that six jurors could correctly decide the weakest murder case ever prosecuted. As dumb as Americans are, we are still smarter than our government.

    Like

    Reply

  34. rick on the other side there is case where a woman who is black fired a shot and her husband that has been beating her up. She was found gulity per the story and is going to jail for 20 years. Which cause problems, when we have the weak case against Zimmerman .. The Black Community feel betrayed over the 2 cases

    Like

    Reply

  36. Like I said, Americans are really dumb. Zimmerman should be thankful he drew six jurors who were able to think rationally.

    Like

    Reply

  37. kbell true he needs a good lawyer now he needs a good body guard… because you have people that cannot look pass the color of the skin and they have so much hate built up. That Mr. Zimmerman life is in danger.

    Like

    Reply

  40. Roy, I agree. It is not easy raising any child in the modern US. If I had young children, I would move to Chile, Poland or a Pacific island. A socialist Sodom is no place to raise a child.

    Like

    Reply

  41. HRW, Go talk to your Canadian legislator. Make sure it is a felony to get out of your car if you think there may be a burglar in the area.

    Like

    Reply

  42. ricky — its not a felony to get out of a car when young man in a hoodie is walking by, it is a felony to follow him and shoot him. If you feel threatened or endangered, leave or stay in a safe place. Just because you “think” there may be a burglar doesn’t give you the right to confront a person nor follow the person. Simply put, you have no right to enforce laws as you see fit — that’s why the state has the monopoly on law enforcement, to prevent arbitrary violence.

    One of the disquieting things in this case is the arbitrary nature of the “stand your ground” law. A young black man in a hoodie is shot and the killer is found not guilty because he felt threatened meanwhile a black woman who was threatened by her ex husband is imprisoned for twenty years for firing warning shots. This alone indicates the racial nature of the law’s application.

    Like

    Reply

  43. Ricky, you can’t get away from it. You/we need to be one of the the lights shining in the dark.
    Lot escaped Sodom. In the end, it didn’t help for him.

    Like

    Reply

  44. Re: The Zimmerman verdict. The Obama administration now has enough media commotion to cover for another Constitution violation.
    You’ll have to look for it. The MSM won’t report it. Theypre too busy with trivia.
    This is what community organizers do. Keep the pot boiling. If there ain’t trouble, create some. And blame it on someone else.
    This is made specifically for Obama.

    Like

    Reply

  45. One of the frustrating/hilarious aspects of the Zimmerman case is the unbelievable stupidity of the media and large segments of the public. The “stand your ground law” had absolutely no application. Zimmerman was punched, knocked to the ground, pinned to the ground and was having his head smashed into the sidewalk. There was zero evidence he ever had a chance to flee after the confrontation began.

    HRW, Are you saying that in Canada it is illegal to follow someone or ask what they are doing? I suppose your answer will depend on the color of the follower and the followed. If a black parent saw two persons in Klan robes lurking wandering through his neighborhood, could he legally follow them or ask what they were doing?

    Like

    Reply

  46. The idea that citizens are always supposed to hide in their homes or cars and wait for the police is a bad one.

    I have intervened and broken up fights when there was no time to wait for the police. In one case there was no time to change out of my house shoes. Was I taking a risk? Yes. These are risks that men sometimes take. If any of the neighbors had been able to quickly intervene (even with a shouted warning) Martin might have stopped the assault and he might still be alive.

    Like

    Reply

  48. Donna, the Miami lawyer has it right.
    There can not be an appeal. He has been found not guilty, and not guilty he is.
    No one rioted when everyone but the jury thought OJ was guilty. The jury declared him not guilty. That’s all it takes.

    Like

    Reply

  50. “If you feel threatened or endangered, leave or stay in a safe place.”
    Exactly, Martin could have gone home and told his father a man was following him. One thing the defense proofed was that he had plenty of time to make it home between the two phone calls with his friend. Instead he decided to confront Zimmerman. HRW, did you watch any of the tria?.

    Like

    Reply

  51. Donna, the lawsuits are coming in thick. Zimmerman and the Martins will both sue Florida. The Martins will sue Zimmerman and the home owners association. Zimmerman will sue the Network that edited the phone call to make him sound racist and there is some guy will a similar name who will sue Spike Lee. .

    Like

    Reply

  52. Why would Martin have to leave, why can’t he “stand his ground” anymore than Zimmerman. ….. its Zimmerman who said he felt threatened, he called 911, he was in his car, he had no need to elevate the confrontation.

    Ricky — the self-defense justification is not applicable if there were other options. As for intervening, its not illegal but it is illegal to pursue an individual and use force to subdue the individual just because you “think” he’s committing a crime. That’s acting as judge jury and executioner.

    Breaking up fights as you mention is perfectly acceptable. That’s completely different than approaching an individual based on your suspicion.

    Like

    Reply

  53. HRW, all your arguments are speculation. If you watched the trial you wold know that Zimmerman was already out of the car when he was told not to follow. There is no evidence that he tried to subdue Martin. You are filling in blanks to fit your own narrative.

    Like

    Reply

  54. Then get back in the car. You’re told not to follow yet you do. Thus Zimmerman approached Martin not the other way around.

    Once the state monopoly of violence is broken, open vigilantism is the result. This is a conservative position …. see Thomas Hobbes and Edmund Burke.

    Like

    Reply

  55. When you are pinned to the ground and your head is being pounded into the cement and your cries for help have gone unanswered, what are your other options? Filing a complaint with the Civil Rights Commission?

    Like

    Reply

  56. There is no evidence that Zimmerman confronted Martin. Zimmerman said Martin confronted him and assaulted him as he was headed back to his vehicle as he was directed.

    Like

    Reply

  57. HRW, You are allowed to “Stand your ground” if you are assaulted. There was no evidence Zimmerman ever assaulted Martin. There was a ton of physical evidence and witness testimony that Martin assaulted Zimmerman and had him pinned to the ground, while smashing his head on the concrete.

    There is one lesson to persons of all ages and races: If you punch someone and break their nose, knock them to the ground, jump on them and continue to punch them and bang their head on cement, expect to be shot if your victim or a nearby Good Samaritan is armed.

    Like

    Reply

  58. HRW, there is NO evidence that Zimmerman didn’t attempt to leave immediately when he was told to “stop following.” Have you followed the case at all since the initial news that was mostly speculation? The prosecution never proved that Zimmerman did anything wrong, let alone anything criminal. He was suspicious of a young man; as a neighborhood watch person, he followed him to watch him and he called police. The young man attacked him and overpowered him; he believed his life to be in danger. Possibly the young man went for his gun; certainly the young man overpowered him and injured him. Self-defense is the only reasonable way to read the case, once the evidence is seen.

    And since self-defense is a reasonable possibility (and it is), the state must prove that it wasn’t self-defense, and they didn’t come close to doing so. No evidence whatsoever–no eyewitnesses, no injuries on the boy except the gunshot, no evidence even that Zimmerman continued to follow after told not to (which wouldn’t have been a crime even if he HAD done so). The police initially dropped the case, because it wasn’t a case at all. The only reason it went to trial at all was that it was whipped into a media feeding frenzy. Fine, we got a trial . . . and the same outcome as if the crazy case had not gone to trial.

    Like

    Reply

  60. Here’s an article with the transcript of Zimmerman’s call to the police, & some other interesting info. According to this, Zimmerman was on his way back to his truck when Martin confronted him. As mentioned by someone above, Martin had plenty of time to make it back to the home he was staying at.

    Zimmerman’s suspicion of the young man was not because he was black, but because there had been burglaries in the area, & Martin was looking in houses. (That may have been innocent, but would indeed look suspicious when there had been burglaries.)

    http://www.americanthinker.com/2013/06/m-getting_the_facts_straight_in_the_zimmerman_case.html#.UeL8O3ftzB4.facebook

    Like

    Reply

  61. I read your link to that on fb, Karen — very helpful to read through the raw data.

    Beyond a reasonable doubt wasn’t possible for this jury, I don’t think. We’ll probably never know exactly how it all played out. It’s all horribly tragic.

    Like

    Reply

Leave a reply to donna j Cancel reply