Blog #4 3/29/12: ....AND JUSTICE FOR ALL? nah

As I sit here listening to Neil Young scream "keep on rockin' in the free world" and wearing my favorite blue, hooded sweatshirt, I recall the other night. It was around 8 or 9 o'clock and I suddenly got this undeniable urge for Reese's peanut-butter cups. I mean, really, can anyone fight that battle and win? I can't. So, I got up, walked to the local convenience store, and purchased a pack, the "BIG cups" of course. I think to myself now of what a luxury that is. If I get the urge for a snack, I can easily walk around the corner, wearing my favorite, comfy, hip, hooded sweatshirt, and not be bothered by a soul. To me, that's living in the "Free World." YOU know where I'm going with this, unless you have been living under a rock for the last month. Do I really need to ask the question? OK, fine. Why didn't Trayvon Martin have that same right? Oh I don't know, let me think for a second. You know what? We'll get back to that. Let's review what actually happened.
On Sunday evening, February 26th in Sanford, Florida, Trayvon Martin was enjoying the NBA All-Star Game with his family. Being a basketball fan myself, I also watched the first quarter of that game and it was quite a spectacle. Dunks and no-look passes were getting issued all over. During halftime, Trayvon went out for a snack and an Arizona iced tea for his stepbrother. I can only imagine the possible excitement and anticipation Trayvon was feeling to get back in time to catch the second half and see Kevin Durant, Lebron James, and Kobe Bryant continue putting on their show. While walking back, Trayvon realized that someone was following him. That someone was George Zimmerman. Zimmerman, a 28-year-old neighborhood watchman, was aware of many burglaries in the neighborhood. As a neighborhood watchman or woman should do, he contacted the police when he discovered a suspicious person walking down the street. The police instructed Mr. Zimmerman to let them deal with the situation. Did he do so? Nope. He followed the young man. Oh yeah, did I mention that Trayvon was 17-years-old? There was an apparent confrontation followed by George Zimmerman, in what he calls self-defense, shooting and killing 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
Let's look at this situation. Zimmerman, 28, armed with a 9mm pistol, claims he was fighting in self-defense against a 17-year-old kid armed with Skittles and Iced Tea. Hmm, I'm no mathematician but that just doesn't add up. Then again, you don't have to be a mathematician to know that 4+1 does not equal 8. Let's also look at what Zimmerman was confronting him about. Some people's houses got robbed? People's houses get robbed everyday. Would you classify a thief as a murderer? Sure, there are some thieves who do murder but there are many stories of breaking and entering where once the thief realizes someone discovered their presence, they go running out the door. So, is it really worth pulling out a gun on a suspected burglar when you're not even sure you have the right person? The kid was walking down the street, on the sidewalk, at 8 O'CLOCK AT NIGHT, not 3 O'clock in the morning. If Trayvon was sneaking around people's yard, peaking into their windows, I would definitely be suspicious.
Who the hell is this guy anyway? Why does he feel like he's ABOVE the law? A neighborhood watchman? Come on dude, police officers are police officers for a reason. They are trained for situations like this. Oh, you want to be a police officer? Well, take your ass to the police academy. Until then, let the big boys handle it.

How about this guy Joe Oliver? Joe Oliver, an African-American, that's right, an African-American, claims to be close friends with George Zimmerman and is defending Zimmerman's claim of self-defense. Why am I pointing out Oliver's race? Well, guess what? I was gonna bring it up later but Trayvon Martin just happens to be an African-American child. Hey Joe. GET OFF THE STAGE! You are a traitor to your race. There's only one word involved in this case that sums it all up, "coon." Excuse me, but where I come from that is a word used in a hateful manner towards African-Americans. He might as well have said the "n" word. The word "coon" is almost worse. Just recently I watched an interview with Joe Oliver on an MSNBC telecast of "The Last Word" and Mr. Oliver got exposed for the phony that he is. If you haven't seen it, I highly suggest checking it out. Joe Oliver goes from being a close friend with George Zimmerman to just basically a co-worker who he might have share lunch. He even defended the use of the racial slur. HUH?!! "To me it's just a matter of interpretation of whether he is saying coon or goon," Oliver says. WHAT?!! He continues on with even more ridiculous nonsense.

"There are large parts of this country where people refer to themselves as 'coon-asses'." OK. Wait a minute. Stop it. "I don't know people younger than 40 who use that term as a racial slur." Please, just stop talking. "According to my daughter, the term 'goon' is a term of endearment." ENOUGH! ENOUGH! That's right folks. This came from an African-American man defending a man who shot and killed a defenseless, unarmed, African-American kid. Did someone just drop acid in my generic, HEB cola? Fortunately, Mr. Oliver got absolutely drilled into the ground. His credibility was flushed right down the toilet. Too bad he quit his job.
Then, there's "the hoodie." DUMB-DA-DUMB-DUMB!! ("Dragnet?")Are you kidding me?! Are we gonna stop selling hooded sweatshirts in retail stores now? Are we gonna ban them from our school system? Are we gonna create a law that prohibits hooded sweatshirts from being worn at night? Oh my goodness, will the hipsters be upset. Geraldo Rivera? SHUT UP! GO FIX ME TURKEY POT PIE.

But seriously folks, There are many opinions about this matter and there are many so-called facts coming out everyday on each side of the spectrum. The fact of the matter is that an unarmed, 17-year-old, African-American kid, carrying a bag of candy while walking home in a neighborhood at 8 o'clock at night was shot and killed by a 28-year-old, armed man, who has a history of anger management, shortly after he referred to the kid as a "coon." CASE CLOSED. Arrest him and throw him in prison. Oh yeah, did I mention that he hasn't been brought up on charges and he may walk free? Dang. I always forget the little things.










"Trayvon Martin Was Just Trying to Get Home to Watch the Second Half of the NBA All Star Game." - Democratic Underground. Web. 29 Mar. 2012. <http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002488295>.

"In Case You Missed It: George Zimmerman’s “Friend” Joe Oliver Exposed as a Fraud (videos) : Sandra Rose." In Case You Missed It: George Zimmerman’s “Friend” Joe Oliver Exposed as a Fraud (videos) : Sandra Rose. Web. 29 Mar. 2012. <http://sandrarose.com/2012/03/in-case-you-missed-it-george-zimmermans-friend-joe-oliver-exposed-as-a-fraud-videos/>.

"Join the Conversation." Examining the Facts in the Trayvon Martin Case – NextGen Journal. Web. 29 Mar. 2012. <http://nextgenjournal.com/2012/03/examining-the-facts-in-the-trayvon-martin-case/>.

Blog #3 3/8/12:

"Live and Let Die." Oh man, what a killer tune. Probably one of Paul McCartney's finest moments. I think it's really cool that the Libertarian Party has embraced such a rock and roll motto. I mean.... What? Oh, it's "live and let live?" Hmm. OK. It's not as kick-ass but it's got potential. How 'bout them Libertarians? I've always kinda had an around about idea of what that party is all about. In a way, when I think of Libertarians, I think of hippies, but the ones who shower. I know there's more to this party. So, let's take a journey. A journey into Libertarian land.

OK. How 'bout constitutional rights? Well, Libertarians are BIG fans of our founding fathers. Our founding fathers this and our founding fathers that. Apparently back in the days of our founding fathers people just ran free without a care in the world. Basically this is their belief:

"You, as stated by our nation's Founding Fathers, have the inalienable right to live, be free and prosper to your fullest potential. You have the freedom to pursue your happiness as long as you respect others' rights to pursue theirs."

I have no problem with this. Everyone in the country has the god-given right to live life however they please. I especially agree with the line: "as long as you respect others' rights." That's definitely a problem Americans should work on more. People worry way too much 'bout how others are living their lives. Sure, we all want everyone to be happy but do you want everyone to be happy 'cause it makes YOU happy? The person across the street may not believe in abortions, which I do believe in. Does that affect me? Nope. If it doesn't directly affect my life in any way, then people can do what they want. Oh, what a world it would be if people just minded their own business.
That brings us to personal responsibility. Well, let's see what "live"-ertarians think:

"You are responsible for your personal choices, able to take care of yourself and capable to do for others as you expect them to do unto you. We believe in tolerance toward others and respect for self-sovereignty."

Wow, that's never occurred to me. I'm responsible for my own choices? I'm suppose to take care of myself (unless I'm a minor)? I treat people the way I would want to be treated? Basically, don't be a douche. Come on man, does that really need to be said? Shouldn't that be common knowledge? I know what you are thinking. Yes, there are a lot of douches out there that have lived under Mommy and Daddy's bank account and treat people like servants. Those people will get theirs. I just don't think that it needs to be put out there like a Supreme Court law. Although I do agree 100% with this, it should go without saying. Be nice and take care of your business. Grow up!

How about the Libertarian's views on Government control. Well, that's the biggest issue that many Americans have with this party. They basically believe in a "smaller government." The major problem with building a smaller government is that it may lead to anarchy. The Libertarian party claims to be inspired by novelist, Ann Rand. Ann Rand denounced the party also in the belief that anarchism would erupt. For example:

"Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of individual liberty, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it."

That sounds pretty anarchist to me. Look, I definitely think the government has a lot of control over many different issues but using the words, "destruction of individual liberty" and saying that we the people should have the right to "abolish" it can seem a little violent. Sure, drastic measures deserve drastic actions but I'm in favor of a more civilized and patient solution. I mean, how bad has it gotten? Oh yeah, It's gotten kinda wacky. But anyway, let's take a deep breath and figure this out over a cup of tea. Yes?
How about the grandaddy of them all? ABORTION! (cue scary, stabbing, "Psycho" sound effects)

"Recognizing that abortion is a sensitive issue and that people can hold good-faith views on all sides, we believe that government should be kept out of the matter, leaving the question to each person for their conscientious consideration."

Hmm. Soooo, you're against it or for it? Me personally, I cringe when the word "faith" enters the picture. It should most definitely be up to the woman, not a bunch of suits. It sounds like the Libertarians are beating around the bush. Take presidential candidate Ron Paul. The Libertarians have completely embraced him as one of their own and guess what? He's pro-life. To me, that sounds a little hypocritical. This party believes in free choice and liberty but not for a woman? Interesting. That reason alone gives me my answer on whether I would join this party. That answer would be NO.





citations:

"Libertarian Party." Platform. Web. 08 Mar. 2012. <http://www.lp.org/platform>.

"Libertarian Party." Libertarian Party. Web. 08 Mar. 2012. <http://www.lp.org/>.