The depth of irresponsible journalism has never been more evident than the case of Trayvon Martin. Major news outlets from CNN to ABC and pundits along all media venues make absolute declarations based only on supposition. CNN insists that an audio-tape has George Zimmerman uttering a racial epitaph -- that isn't even uttered by this generation! ABC and other outlets show a video tape of Zimmerman being taken into police headquarters. Because they can’t see the injuries, they insist there are none. “Proof” that Zimmerman is a liar. It only proves that today’s news media are completely devoid of integrity.
With all the CSI-type shows that bombard television, one would think that the American public would learn, by now, that what we think we see, is not always what we think we see or hear. If someone tells you he/she sees Jesus on a piece of toast, after awhile, you probably will too.
George Zimmerman is a wannabe cop with a history of altercations with police and security agencies. Carrying a loaded weapon, he was literally looking for trouble on the night he shot and killed Trayvon Martin. Zimmerman’s motivation in life, it would seem, is to look for trouble. And Treyvon, a “hooded black teenager” fell into the parameters of Zimmerman’s idea of potential trouble. It’s not racial stereotyping. It’s merely stereotyping and ignorance. One could also say that Zimmerman fits a stereotype: a Hispanic, head-shaved man, carrying a 9mm pistol. Perhaps it was Trayvon Martin who “stood his ground,” in fear of his life because he was being followed by a strange man – who had a gun. Fists against a 9mm handgun. And thus, a fight ensued – as Treyvon (most likely) attempted to disarm a man who he – most likely thought – was going to cause him hard and/or kill him. Would any of us think differently?
Zimmerman’s brother says George acted “decisively” to save his life. I have no doubt that George did fear for his life – as I believe it is his voice heard crying out for help like the weak, pathetic killer that he is. Trayvon Martin stood his ground, like a man. He didn’t cry. He fought like a man against a coward who had a gun. Who wanted to be a hero and in turn shot an unarmed teenager -- out of a false fear that he created himself.
This is not about racism. It’s about stupidity. The stupidity that someone like George Zimmerman is allowed to carry a loaded weapon and a law that gave him a license to kill anyone by claiming he was in fear of his life. God help us against all the other George Zimmerman’s in this country and the NRA who are only interested in profiting off the sales of weapons – not in saving and protecting lives.
I live in Grants Pass, Oregon. In the past week, there have been over a half dozen murders. All gun related. Not one death was the result of self-defense, real or imagined.
