No, he is not completely innocent. His following this fellow may have unnecessiarly prompted the incident. The real question right now is if Zimmerman was returning to his vehicle. If so then Martin is more of a problem than Zimmerman. We don't have any evidence to decide, so why don't we just wait for the law to figure it out.

The reaction is to over the board. We have now have had a uninformed celebrity tweeting addresses where zimmerman might be resulting in people terrorizing an elderly couple.

Let's stop this crap now and let our justice system work, and stop listening to people who have everything to gain by volience.

Zimmerman is completely innocent and that is why he was not arrested after being questioned and providing corroborating witnesses.

Do you have some proof of that?

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL - While I agree with you that Zimmerman is a fault and should be charged it doesn't work that way. Innocent until proven guilty not guilty until proven innocent.

What an idiot this guy is...someone should post on his facebook page all the surveillance videos taken at crime scenes with common criminals wearing hoodies and sunglasses to disguise themselves from the cameras. He's just trying to play to his constituents just like all the other pols are doing so he can get their vote. He doesn't have enough faith in the American judicial system to sort this out. He's even willing to lower the level of the decorum of the US House of Representatives just to score political points. What about the young black man, a straight A student the same age as Trayvon who got shot in the head and killed in Michigan, next to his state, because he had an iPad his parents had given him and this black guy walked up and wanted it. Why couldn't he wear his suit and wave an iPad to call attention to the thousands of black youths suffering from black on black violence. Silly man!

Wow, what an idiot! Talk about "too soon" and going for the cheap joke. You've got youself a peach there Illinois. To show a complete lack of respect for the halls of Congress was amazing. Wow, you are such a Rosa Parks- did it buy you any votes?

Look, the case does warrant local investigation and the attention of the justice system. That's it. Is it a statement about race relations in the US- I don't think so. You've got to take it as a situation. Did Zimmerman go out and hunt young black men- no. Did the kid deserve to die for walking to the store- no. Did a tragedy occur- yes. Is there more to the story- facts of the witnesses and the police investigations- yes. Let's hear them when they are released in court.

How about the President, Spike Lee, the Black Panthers, and the idiots in Congress just step aside and let the process work? Why make this a political grandstanding issue- it's not! Why insight violence- don't! If you weren't there you don't know the whole story- it's all a mess of hear-say and twitters. You wouldn't want to be held down to those factual standards, so don't hold either family to those standards. Just let the process work.

BTW- I respect the kid's family for saying that this is NOT a race issue. Thank you for your respectful insight. I hope some others around here listen to you.

Feisty: If Zimmerman gets convicted of anything it will be a kangaroo court. No one saw anything to say yea or nay about who struck first, but there will be a lot of perjury crime on the witness stand. The AG and SP have nothing but heresay, good luck taking that into court.

A dress code is a dress code and should be followed out of respect.

Putting his hoodie and sunglasses on just makes him look like a foolish gangsta.

...and yet, they still haven't filed any charges, have they? I want so badly to think Zimmerman was wrong, but I just can't make up my mind off of the press releases from the last month. Could it be cold blooded murder? Absolutely. Could it be that Trayvon made the permanent mistake of attacking someone who was armed? Quite possibly. That's just it - I DON'T KNOW. But I can promise you this, neither Trayvon Martin nor Mr Zimmerman will get a fair trial in THE MEDIA.

Try to act a bit less theatrical and a bit more professional.

Like yelling "liar" to POTUS?

Of course Congressman Rush has nothing to say about the killings in his town, Chicago Illinois. Chicago broke the 100 homicides for the year mark the other day. Mr. Rush is silent about those killings. I guess he wouldn't want to point out that problem because it may point out the fact that Mr. Rush is an absolute failure in his own district when it comes to crime.

Source: http://homicides.redeyechicago.com/

Fiesty...

Since you believe Zimmerman should be arrested, I hope you contacted the local authorities advising them you were some type of witness to everything! You seem to know what happened, right?

After all this time of seeing your posts, I still feel embarrassed for you! :)

The largest problem is the rush to judgement by many people. If it is proven that Zimmerman was acting in self defense, case closed. For those that don't know Florida law, there's the Predator Law. A person can kill an attacker if they didn't provoke the attacker. That will be the issue. If Treyvon attacked Zimmerman unprovoked and it is proven in court, Zimmerman walks free. The law has been tested and it has been upheld.

Race baiting is over the top on this issue. Why is it, whenever something like this happens, everyone rushes to judgement without hearing the facts, nor allowing our justice system to work? This could be the fuze that sets the explosion off... especially if Zimmerman walks free after trial.

John sixty, it is difficult to take your comment seriously when you don't even know your history. You need to read up on Presiden Eisenhower a little bit more.

Usually the police arrest a suspect and he goes "free" after he pays his bail bond. The courts, police, bail bondmen all make money from this racket. If someone can't or will not pay your bond you might stay in jail for years before you are tried. If you are tried you will probably get a maximum sentence unless you can prove you are not guilty. Even if you win your case you are still stuck with paying your attorney. The government should have to pay your attorney fees when they loose a case.

Even Lawrence O'Donnell wouldn't call himself a journalist, TRUE or otherwise.

Oh wait, no you weren't. Why don't we let a courtroom decide?

"Innocent until proven guilty in a court of law

The police responding to the scene of a crime are not a court of law unto themselves. Some of you have trouble remembering this.

"...& playmate centerfolds over on Fox!"

Apparently Feisty is prejudiced against attractive women, as if they can help the way they look.

Being prejudiced is OK if you live in liberal la la land, where blatantly hypocritical double-standards don't apply.

Rainbow flavored kool-aid anyone?

Twisted- you are making more sense than most in here. I would like to know how Zimmerman got the broken nose and banged up head - don't see him doing that to himself in front of the witnesses, who say that Trayvon attacked the guy.

NBC reported today that Trayvon has been arrested multiple times for drugs, B&E, possession of stolen property and burglar tools. Kind of goes against the pictures of the kid with the big puppy eyes.

If nothing else, maybe this will make people a little more careful when following others around, and make the followee a litle more less aggressive.

Gee Sandy, I hope you feel much better now that you got all that off your chest. I guess you believe that congress shouldn't act with a bit of decorum, or dignity. Hoodies and sunglasses are a little over the top, yet you wail that the republicans who were in order, were wrong. They were crybabies and acting immature. I guess you really have your mind made up backwards... but that's OK, everyone's entitled to their opinion, no matter how high over the crest that opinion might be.

You want justice for Trayvon without knowing all the facts. Lemmings follow the leader even over a cliff: In similar fashion, people are jumping on the bandwagon making snap judgments without evidence and looking like fools protesting. A rational person waits to hear both sides before making a judgment- the rest is just heresay.

Simply put, rules are rules. An orderly house is important.

Really?-1739510

He was not arrested because the one witness who saw him getting his ass kicked, corroborated his story. As the only witness, and there have been no others that saw Trayvon on top of Zimmerman beating his head into the sidewalk. There have also been no others stating that Zimmerman confronted Trayvon either.

So I guess you have not heard about the other female witness who attempted to tell the police investigator at the scene that she saw something different than what Mr. Zimmerman told the police?

I guess you have not heard that the same police investigator told this female witness that he did not want to hear her account because it differed from Mr. Zimmerman's?

I guess you have not heard that the "so called witness" is a 13-year old boy?

No one is saying that Mr. Zimmerman is "guilty". What they are saying is the same thing that the Trayvon Martin's parents are saying; that is that Mr. Zimmerman needs to be arrested and a proper investigation done with a trial held to determine his innocence or guilt.

But you can't get to the point of a trial if there is no arrest made, now can you.

This is NOT an issue for congress to take up. There is a list of issues for each governing body to deal with and congress has a long list without taking up every criminal case that involves a minority and Al Sharpton. (unemployment, healthcare, the deficit and budget, etc).

Congress is like a 5 year old that keeps getting derailed by every shiny object it sees..... "Focus, kid... Focus."

Didnt all the talking heads and special interest racial media preachers like Jesse and Al learn their lesson in the Duke Lacrosse scandal? Rushing to judgement without the facts only leads to future embarassment. Sharpton especially seems to never learn his lesson and people continue to listen and give him a forum. Who among us on this blog were at the scene and know for 100% certain what the facts are? I remember the protests, black panther threats, Jesse and Al showing up in Durham talking about those rich racist white kids and everyone convicting those kids before any of the facts were known. Each one of those people were wrong and rushed to judgement and discovered that they were willing to do the same immoral unethical and illegal treatment to the innocent as the African American community is complaining out now. Fiesty and the crew who on here who have convicted Zimmerman should really be ashamed of yourselves.

Looks like somebody wound the crank sticking out of Feisty-Firebush's back once again.

Where would parasites like her be without black kids getting shot; without wealthy whites dodging taxes; or without Jesse and Al causing racial division?

I'm thinking she'd just be on the couch, screaming at her poor oaf of a husband for another tub of bon-bons.

What absolutely scares the hell out of me in this whole case is that the Black Panthers have publicly announced a $1 million bounty on a man who may have done nothing wrong, and there have not been any reprocussions from anyone... the media, the congress, the white house. Have we returned to the wild west?

What absolutely scares the hell out of me in this whole case is that the Black Panthers have publicly announced a $1 million bounty on a man who may have done nothing wrong, and there have not been any reprocussions from anyone... the media, the congress, the white house. Have we returned to the wild west?

Well some of you want to let him go without ever having to face a courtroom at all, so it certainly seems like we're in the wild west.

No one on here is going to change another's mind about this. Also...no one on here was there when it happened. So...my advice is for everyone to drop it and go outside and smell the roses and as for the press...drop it and let the courts decide.

Sanity while i agree with your post, you are wrong on one account the defendant does not have to prove anything, The state has the burdon of proving beyond all reasonable doubt the guilt of the defendant. Everyone thought that OJ and Casey Anthony would be found guilty, but the Prosecution did a piss poor job in both cases and lost the case, they left too much reasonable doubt, same in this case, unless someone was there from start to finish, there may not be enough evidence to not only convict, but to even bring charges, to all those stating that eric holder has enough, his opinion dont matter, hes not the investigator, the investigators still dont have enough to bring charges, if they did, they would be arresting him right now. DUE PROCESS, it works for whites, asians, hispanics too

Next time you are on a neighborhood watch and someone attacks you the smart thing to do is to let that person beat you to death, otherwise you will be accused of murder.

Bobby Rush was a clown before he became a congressman, is a clown while being a congressman, and still will be a clown after being a congressman.

the guy is a millionaire- yet his district is crime, thug, and drug infested in Chicago.

The damn fool should wear a hoodie all the time- because the man is truly trash.

Chicago has the strictest gun laws yet the stupid gang bangers still manage to kill over 600 people per year in Chicago.

Cry me a river for Treyvon. I love how MSNBC posts his what- 8th grade photos for sympathy.

What about the 600+ people a year in Chicago???? Never a word- thought so.

Black on Black crime- okay , White kid set on fire in Kansas city by black kids- okay, white guy kills a black guy- Media Parade.

So racism only works one way??????

I don't know what happened in this case, i wasn't there. I doubt most of you were there either. So you are picking a side based on hearsay.

The only reasons to ware a hoodie pulled up over your face and with the sun glasses, is because it is really cold out and everybody is covered up to stay warm or to hide or hide something. People who are hiding are suspicious.

Well I see Fiesty is also very emotional. You have convicted Zimmerman before all the facts out and before he's had a trial, if there ever is one. You are one of the flaming liberals on here and your "assumed guilty" stance is completely un-American. This case has been blown up by the media, NAACP, and the black panthers. Where's all of your outrange when blacks kill blacks? What a crock.

Why is this national news? Because the kid was black? Because Zimmerman is Hispanic? Because certain "community organizers" are seeking some sort of political traction? Especially considering the vast majority of blacks are killed by other blacks. Everyone knows this and the FBI and other statistics bear this out. Why no outrage for the hundreds killed by other blacks every year?

March 5, 2012, Kansas City, Mo. Two Black guys, age not clear, Douse a 13 year old white kid with gasoline and sets him on fire. Telling him, "You get what you deserve White boy", you get what you deserve". How did he "deserve" to be set on fire? Why,, IF the "black community" is so concerned with racial violence, are they silent on this crime? Where is Al Sharpton's outrage here? Why is Emanuel Clever not speaking out? He's from K.C. Why is this not national news? Why are there no calls to kill all black people, as the "new" black panthers have done in Florida? If I make such a call is that racist? If so, Why? Blacks make such calls all the time and no one blinks an eye.

Is it because it's only racial if the victim is black or Hispanic or Gay or a woman or some other minority? Why is setting a white kid on fire NOT a hate crime? People die every day, but it's only an issue if it's a minority? In this case, shot by another minority. But the "kill whitey" @!$%# was every where and still being foisted by many. Grow up, get a grip and let the Feds sort it out.

Glad to see this lawmaker fighting for the innocent little 5 year old girl who was killed in Chicago by lawless gang members....oh wait....never mind.

Lawrence O"Donnell is a polictical hack, and is partisan not a reporter. He just could not figure out why a black man would try to defend his hispanic friend from pieces of s@it like him. Who tried and convicted Zimmerman on tv proporting him as white. Not once has the piece of s@it Lawrence stated the numerous robberies in the neighborhood by black youths, the burglery tool and jewerly found on Trayvon at school, or the school guard calling Trayvon suspisious at school before he defaced public property. There is history on both sides but you will not find that on msnbc! Let the independant authorities look at it. But this won't help Obama fire up his base will it!

Lawrence O'Donnell is a true bigot. Can't stand to hear the man talk.

Just the pic you use for your avatar is enought to invalidate your claims. Insulting people doesn't help prove your point, just makes you look ignorant. As far as Zimmerman goes, even though you don't like him he still has the right to a fair trial does he not. The constitution gives every American the same rights, not the people that please the majority. IMO most news outlets are biased cause they are chasing ratings, which raises their profit margins and eliminates the compitition. Just like any business.

No matter how hard the Zimmerman apologists try, this is NOT going to go away because it makes them uncomfortable!

Who are the Zimmerman apologist? I have seen only a handful of posters who think he is completely innocent. If you're trying to make this a Democrat, Republican issue you will fail, I like MOST think this should be investigated more. I do not think riots, tweeting addresses, and putting bounties on his head is the way to handle this, but that shouldn't make me an apologist.

twisted - thank you for the most rational, honest comments on this incident thus far. You said everything that I have been thinking, but said it better than I could have done. Zimmerman is being tried by the media solely for the purpose of selling newspapers and magazines, increasing TV viewership, and increasing clicks on on-line news articles. None of you posters were there. None of you know exactly what happened. You are showing your extreme ignorance by trying Zimmerman in the media without waiting for the investigations to reveal the facts. The media should be ashamed of themselves for trying their best to divide the country along racial lines while being so biased that they fail to publish a recent photo of Trayvon but instead publish one that is several years old. It wasn't the young boy depicted in the popular photo of Trayvon who was shot. It was a different person than the one that the media is attempting to project.

The incident and everything that has happened since is reprehensible, especially the fact that Trayvon's own parents are filing for patents on the use of his name so that they can profit from their dead son. No one wants to point a finger at them for their behavior, which is published fact, but everyone wants to persecute Zimmerman for his actions when all the facts gathered from investigations have yet to be revealed.

You should all be ashamed of yourselves for allowing the media to manipulate you. This is precisely why this country is in deep trouble. For the most part, the citizens are too lazy and ignorant to learn the fact and educate themselves before forming opinions. Instead, they allow the media to form their opinions for them, which is why we have ineffective elected officials.

Zimmerman was told by police that following trayvon was not necessary but Zimmerman continued to follow trayvon therefor Zimmerman should be held responsible for what happened because he chose to escalate the situation instead of staying were he was like he was told. Zimmerman AT LEAST should be charged with manslaughter for his actions. if Zimmerman attacked first then he should be charged with murder. Plus how is it that a convicted felon can be allowed licence to a gun seriously wtf Florida. Unfortunately we may never know the truth because the cops were too god damn shady and incompetent to perform a proper investigation that's why everyone is so riled up!!!

Its that simple people why no one can understand just how @!$%#ing incredibly simple this whole thing is is beyond me.

This article is extremely slanted. So much so it disgusts me. Just because Trayvon was killed by a gunshot does not mean he was gunned down. To say so would mean he was shot more than one time which is not the case. Just as well as the fact that MSN is claiming that it happened because of his race. Trayvon was African-American, while Zimmerman is of mixed decent being that his mother is Hispanic and his father is Caucasian. This alone does not make it a race issue. Yes, Zimmerman ignored the dispatcher when he told him that he did not need to follow Trayvon. Yes, he had a gun on him which Neighborhood Watch persons are not supposed to do. If I had someone following me as Trayvon had with a gun on that person following me, would I attempt to take the gun or attempt to disarm that person? You bet I would. Everything will come to light once the investigation is complete. I will not say if I think Zimmerman is guilty or not. I will say that it is wrong to jump to conclusions when not all the facts are known. This is something that I will not do. Everyone has their rights to their own opinions; however, as a news reporter you do not get this privilege. You are simply there to write the facts. This MSN has failed to do. MSN should really think about who they allow to type their articles for them. Obviously the author of this article feels that Zimmerman is guilty. Let the investigation be completed and if there is sufficient evidence to bring charges against him then let it be decided by a jury of his peers and not by the media who only want the ratings.

this race bating bull..it, has got to stop; blacks kill blacks, blacks kill whites, whites kill blacks whites kill whites, it is a fact of life; where were all the media ,sharpton Jackson etc, when 2 months ago, 3 blacks opened fire on 13 people in a crowd , killing 3 and crippling 5 for life, all because someone testified at a trial against a black gang member. this was a tragedy, let the legal system examine and do their job, let us stop all this racial bull.

At best this was an exercise in free speech and civil disobedience.

At worst - it was no worse than what Joe Wilson did when he yelled YOU LIE at the President of the United states in the state of the union address.

The righties should stop their chest beating because it again exposes their dual standards.

How do you know he didnt go back to his auto?? Was you there? I believe HE was the one screaming for help!! HE didnt attack, HE was attacked from what I gather. LOONY LEFT!!!

LBailey, the reason you are hearing about this case is because the Sanford police decided that no crime had occurred. Zimmerman was not subject to an investigation, arrest or trial. It is very difficult to get to the truth when the local police have already decided that nothing has happened.

The parents mounted a concerted effort to get the killing publicized because they wanted justice for their son. I cannot recall them saying they wanted Zimmerman convicted, but they repeatedly called for an arrest. There would have been no investigation without the publicity.

I agree that it is time to put down the torches & pitchforks and allow everything to proceed as it should have from the beginning.

The injustice is the fact police gave Zimmerman every deference in regard to what happened. They took the blood of Trayvon but not the shooter? They found out that the man was a youth and still didn't dig into this case, they didn't even take his clothes (the shooter) as evidence. And the one investigator on the scene wanted to charge him with manslaughter but it was denied by the DA, (I heard that his father is an ex judge do anybody know this or can verify that if so that would explain how he was able to get a slap on the wrist in the assault on the cop and also in regard to the domestic violence and still being able to have a gun).

They gave the living witness the benefit of everything including as many in the law would say is standard in any shooting by getting physical evidence but they didn't. And then we find out that another guy a black guy is on trial right now and is claiming Stand Your Ground because he shot a 40 year old white guy that grabbed at him while he was going to his house (there's more to the case but a witness did see the grab just google). The shooting happened on that Sunday and he was arrested on Tuesday, within 48 hours. It's truly amazing how color decides if you get a break in regard to a shooting. That is why blacks are mad, the police and prosecutors don't apply the same logic to others except when the shooter is white.

I love how this crap is playing out 8)

The real tragedy & sadness is the thousands who die from gang violence and most of it is committed by Blacks and Latinos 8( and most do NOT GET CAUGHT.

They kill each other all day long here in Southern California & we don't here a peep from the President or Al & Jesse.

Innocent until proven guilty by your countrymen & women is how this Country works.....So take your mob mentality Bobby Rush & all those who forget this is America....No Class Bobby for pulling this stunt, show some respect....

Rep. Gregg Harper (R-MS), repeatedly banged the gavel and told Rush to leave the chamber. When Rush failed to stop his speech, a representative from the Sergeant at Arms office approached Rush and walked out with the Congressman.

And so...the "good ole South" rises again!

If the House can deliberately filler buster important legislation, this chamber should be able to cope with Congressman's Rush's heartfelt demand that Trayvon Martin receives justice.

Congressman's Rush's hoodie got him "escorted" from the House's chamber.

Yet, no one on Wall Street has been arrested for their deliberate and devastating financial crimes.

This action towards Rush proves that even our leaders will overreact to an African-American male wearing a hoodie. Poster, flbikerchick, you are right. The congressman should have pushed the hoodie back, continued to speak and finished his tribute to Trayvon.

Feisty,

Excellent posts!

Watching Lawrence O'Donnell really let Zimmerman and his dishonest lawyer have it was a breath of fresh air. O'Donnell left these 2 souless men without any sensible or valid defense for the death of Trayvon.

cornmeal Comment collapsed by the community

Martin could have replied nicely to Zimmerman and not have attacked him. Zimmerman could have asked in a better way, "Can I help you Sir?"

As it is written: "A gentle response allays wrath; A harsh word provokes anger." Proverbs 15:1

cornmeal,

Are you kidding?

Do you actually believe your twisted version of "civility?"

Zimmerman did not have any legal right to ask Trayvon any questions.

In a slavish, subservient and fearful manner, Mr. Martin was not obligated to "kiss can" and answer any of Zimmerman's questions. The Sanford police instructed this racist sociopth not to get out of his car and not to approach Trayvon. Mr. Martin was not a threat to anyone. Zimmerman did not have any legal right to approach the now deceased victim.

A bag of Skittles is not a deadly weapon.

However, a gun is a deadly weapon and it was Zimmerman who was "packing."

This "man" seems to operate from the "id" and with little common sense.

His claim of self-defense, is nonsense.

Zimmerman should be arrested and thrown in prison.

Cornmeal, since you are quoting scripture, here is a bible verse that you should stand on:

*Romans 14:19 Make every effort to do what leads to peace

On February 26, 2012, Zimmerman's actions were not peaceful.

Officials like this have ABSOLUTELY NO BUSINESS DONNING A HOODIE AND SHADES AND PRESENTING A PERFORMANCE AS HE DID. IT'S WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Did this son of a gun have one damned thing to say about the OUTRAGEOUS contract hit the black panthers put out on Zimmerman???????????????????

SOBS like this who want to CONVICT a person in the court of public opinion instead of of abiding to"INNOCENT UNTIL PROVN GUILTY' NEED TO LOSE THIER JOBS IMMEADIATELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Any congressman, senator, or POTUS that wants to be biased, predjuidiced and race baiting, riot minded punks need to be VOTED OUT of office. Makes me damned ashamed to be a registered democrat. But that can be easily change to independent.

All the morons insisting there's nothing about race in this case need to go read the 9-1-1 transcript where Zimmerman is using racial slurs. He complained about "f****ng coons" and how they "always get away".

Tell me again how there's no racism here? And that's not hearsay. It came straight out of the racist murderer's mouth.

White hoods we all know were acceptable for years in Florida. To hide their faces. Cowards, just as all haters are.

And wearing a "hoodie" in Florida in the spring is what? I've said it before, unless it cold enough to warrant it, or raining or such, wearing a "hoodie" with the hood drawn up is just asking for trouble or trying to avoid being ID-ed.

If this was a black on black crime it would of never made headlines. But because the media originally thought it was a white guy that killed a black one they found a bigger story. Why not make all the gang related drive by shooting of innocent people go National? Not only is this Politically driven to cause more racial tension, but it's all set up to keep people's minds off the real problem - OUR GOVERNMENT

And wearing a "hoodie" in Florida in the spring is what? I've said it before, unless it cold enough to warrant it, or raining or such, wearing a "hoodie" with the hood drawn up is just asking for trouble or trying to avoid being ID-ed.

How about "if it was raining"? Like every article covering the subject has mentioned?

Do you have some proof of that?

Because, see, the Attorney General, Special Prosecutor & Governor of FL seem to think otherwise!

They do?? Then why hasn't he been arrested yet?

Oh I see. They don't have definitive proof yet. Just your lynch mob mentality say-so.

Maybe you should dye your hair dumb blond instead.

You honestly think his hood would have been down if it wasn't raining? Get real. Punk kids today wear those things hood up, rain or shine, indoor and out, to look "gangsta".

Ex Black Panther Bobby Rush is the moral compass on this issue? I didn't know that clown was still in office til I saw him grandstanding the other day with Trayvon's parents. Two weeks ago a little girl was playing on her front steps with her mom and dad in Chicago's southside. The girl was shot in the head by a drive by shooter and died in front of her parents. Times that by what 900 or so and counting? Bobby Rush ought to clean his own "house" before he tells his nieghbors how to clean theirs!

I am probably way behind and more than likely my comment has been made already so don't bash me too hard, please.

In my opinion, had Zimmerman stood down when told by the 911 operator instead of continuing to follow Martin, and had he let the local police, who were in route, handle the suspicious young man, this tragedy would not have ocurred. Enough said.

Fiesty Redhead,

Zimmerman is completely innocent and that is why he was not arrested after being questioned and providing corroborating witnesses.

Do you have some proof of that?

Because, see, the Attorney General, Special Prosecutor & Governor of FL seem to think otherwise!

As a matter of fact the is proof that Zimmerman was the one assaulted by Martin. See there was only one witness and he confirms Zimmerman's story plus Zimmerman has a broken nose. You need to pull your head out of your a**. You don't know what happened anymore than anyone else. There is one person though that saw it and he said it was Martin that had assaulted Zimmerman. Also why didn't Martins parents tell us he was kicked out of school for weed some good kid. As weed is no big deal, but he is a 17 year old kid, using weed at that age does not make him a good kid.

why was zimmerman outside? you see someone "suspicous" outside you call the police. Trayvon didn't enter zimmermans house, in fact zimmerman chased trayvon down. the dispatcher told him to remain in his house or vehicle. he was behaving like a vigilante which btw is illegal regardless if you believe it or not. the boy was unarmed and was being followed. im sorry but if that fat ass followed me i would throw some blows in MY SELF DEFENSE. not to mention he was brandishing a weapon. What don't you people understand about this case? Someone following me with a gun and im supposed to be happy about it? im not supposed to hit the person i think may want to kill me, cus i don't know the intention. HELLO????? it hasn't even been proven he was doing ANYTHING but walking down the street. zimmerman should have stayed in his house as instructed. even if this boy was bad news, it doesn't warrant death. there are PLENTY of lost youth out there in our world.

Gee, I sure am glad that congress has these archaic rules. I'm not sure how I'd be able to sleep knowing that a congressman wore a hoodie on the House floor for five minutes...

No one has any proof Zimmerman is innocent. Had the police done their jobs Zimmerman would be facing charges and the proof would not have been destroyed.

House Republicans seem to go out of their way to prove their racism - paying tribute to a slain African-American child, who was killed simply for going to the store in a "white" neighborhood gets you escorted out of the building but calling the first African-American President a liar while he's addressing a joint session of congress gets you air time on Fox, Rush, Beck, etc...

Maybe they aren't racists, but they sure do like to act that way.

What is matter with most of you people who think, Trayvon is guilty of fighting back for his Life. He was Killed by the Nut with a Gun who has his own record for assaulting a policeman. Domestic Violence charges. A racist who hates Blacks. If this was a White Boy shot, Black Shooter, the Black shooter would be in jail, or worse DEAD, shot by the police. The Good Old Boy Network is alive in Florida.

Okay, Fact - 911 dispatchers are sworn officers of the law, 911 told him not to leave his car, which means the authorities have taken control. This man then takes it upon himself to do something he was told by authorities not to do. His actions then result in the death of another. This man instigated the situation after the fact, and acted outside of the law, (vigilantism). Stand your ground laws are for when you are all alone without help on the way, when you don't have the time to call for help (911). This guy had already called for help (911). This man broke the law when he didn't listen to the 911 dispatcher, whom is a sworn officer. He committed a crime when he got out of his car. Now let me add some background info. If you and I and him decide to commit a crime together, and the whole thing goes wrong and you and him ended up getting killed in the process. Well when they catch me, I'll be charged with you and him's death, because it happened during the commission of a crime. THIS IS THE LAW PEOPLE. When he left the car he committed a crime. FACT... anything and everything that happens after that FACT, is this man's responsibility/liability. So if any of you want to test this, the next time you're in court, and you don't like what the judge has to say, tell him to screw off cause you think this, that, or another thing, and see what happens to you. 911 told him to stay put, he then said screw you, I'm a gonna' take a this in-a-to my own hands. The resulting outcome was the death of another (Homicide). So lets everyone just shut up, and let a Grand Jury indite this vigilante for what he is. Believe it or not our system does work, when it's allowed to. The more controversy and speculation that is thrown into this thing, the easier it's going to be for this vigilante's lawyer to prove reasonable doubt, and get him off. There's my 5 cents, have a good day people...

Did the congressman wear his pants down around his knees as well?

Well you heard it, folks. Steve-3169902 says it's so so that must make it so. Let's all hail Steve-3169902 for being so 'right' all the time.

HAIL Steve-3169902 massa!

HAIL Steve-3169902 massa!

HAIL Steve-3169902 massa!

lol...

Did the congressman wear his pants down around his knees as well?

Yeah. And where da blings at? He might as well go all the way.

As a matter of fact the is proof that Zimmerman was the one assaulted by Martin.

There is proof that they were fighting. There is absolutely nothing to corroborate who started the altercation.

Rush, who donned the hood and put on sunglasses in support of Martin, the Florida teenager who was gunned down last month in a racially-tinged incident, was escorted out of the House chamber after repeated requests by the presiding officer to leave. Wearing a hood or hat while the House is in session is against House rules.

He was wearing a hoodie during a speech in tribute to Trayvon Martin.

racially-tinged? Only on behalf of Trayvon! It was self defense!!

Shame on Rush!! Why is a member of the House paying tribute to a THUG? He needs to be shown the door….permanently!

"Just because someone wears a hoodie does not make them a hoodlum."

No, but in light of recent events that have since come to light….he WAS a hoodlum!

Feisty, wrong as usual. I guess you never do get tired of being a gadfly, do you? Fascinating. I wonder if, in your golden years, you'll look back and be proud of how productive you were every day with your inflammatory rhetoric. What a wonderful prize you must be as a mate, and a stellar example for any children you may have.

No, not good for this guy. I have two words for him. Grandstander. Race-baiter.

Sad that the kid is dead, but this is not helping. And before shouting "justice for Treyvon (sic) Martin" maybe we ought to let the justice system do its job. Zimmerman may have killed Martin in cold blood, in which case I hope he gets his just desserts. Martin may have attacked Zimmerman, in which case he already got his justice. We won't know until this has been examined fully in a logical, rational, and systematic way. Sadly, that won't satisfy activists and hotheads like you. You want blood first, and facts second. Very mature.

Looks more like an idiot, you are an elected official. Try to act a bit less theatrical and a bit more professional.

Exactly, Steve.

It seems most people went off on a tangent and completely missed the point of the article.

Thank you, Siobhhan and Steve. I'd like to think our House of Representatives has a bit more decorum than legislative bodies in other nations which I shall not name.

I'm all for Free Speech, but (as I was told as a child) "There's no excuse for rudeness."

DB Akron

Let's stop this crap now and let our justice system work, and stop listening to people who have everything to gain by volience.

Agreed. But it doesn't take a final decision to get upset at this at many levels. The total lack of process from the get-go raises everyone's suspicion of the police investigation... "oh, self defense, okay" doesn't fly with anyone. The apparent profiling by Zimmerman. The confirmation from both phone witnesses that Zimmerman was essentially stalking. The dismissive attitude from many on the right... all of these are what's fanning the flames. The ultimate judgement may not mean much compared to the completely improper actions by so many.

Shame on Rush!! Why is a member of the House paying tribute to a THUG? He needs to be shown the door….permanently!

Rush probably would've sold crack had he not been elected to Congress by his crackhead constituency. This is another just re-election ploy to try on his new hoodie.

Bobby Rush with a hoodie on, good for you Bobby show us the real Bobby Rush. Could you please wear that to Florida now? Only in Chicago could a public like Feisty be so ignorant as to vote this guy into office in the first place. He would of probably gotten more votes were he still in the panthers. Corruption and ignorance run rampant in this city and just reading it's voting citizens comments it shows it runs further. What a joke this guy is in the first place. Not even intelligent enough to talk about his issues. The left furthers itself into the sewers with misplaced cause and riotous notions on complete lack of intelligence issues. If you are going to pick something to rise up for why not the Duke LaCross players rape... oh yeah that's right that fell flat on it's nose too didn't it. Another "Rush" to judgement by the lynching left, poor, poor people we feel so sorry for you, NOT!

imnotlost, yes there is evidence with the 911 phone call. Once the Police told mr zimmerman not to follow the young man, he became a STALKER. Zimmerman disobeyed the police, that follow up after the 911 call was NOW the Polices RESPONSIBILTY, not HIS. At that point Florida Law sides with the young man, he was put in Harms Way.

Two guys meet each other without much common sense between them and a shooting results.

Except one was a teenager and the other old enough to know better.

sid The 911 dispatch told Zimmerman "you do not have to do that" and then ask him where do you want to meet the police. 911 dispatch is NOT the police. Zimmerman responded can you have them call me and I will meet them where I am at. There is no other message from 911. The police did not say anything to Zimmerman until they arrived. You say he stalked or became a stalker. I guess you were there. I believe you. NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is no evidence of anything except when people think they know what they are talking about. You read what you want and YOU jump to a conclusion.

BTW Bobby Rush sounds like he is on Meth. Being a ex Panther you need to be brain dead anyway. Too much drugs

I have read about that 911 call about Zimmerman calling Martin a F&*#%cking coon. I thought he said F&*&^uking PUNK. Like I said you hear what you want.

Where is Zimmerman when you need him?? This 'elected official' representing America is a dope. He should be fired. We the dumb 'a$$' people need to take back our government. This type of DOPE shouldn't be representing us.

Does Fox not have a blog? I remember Jim Nussle(R) Iowa sitting in congress with a paper bag over his head with no consequences and a Republican congressman screaming at the President with no consequences except media adoration but a black man puts up his hoodie and he is a methhead?

When Zimmerman exited his vehicle he went from being a defender to being a predator.Finally a voice analysis has been done that shows it was NOT Zimmerman who was calling for help.The thing that has people wondering about this case is that had it not been for the parents and the media this case would never have gone beyond a shrug.

The Congressional Black Caucus led the charge in calling for a federal investigation into the case; they were eventually joined in that demand by President Obama and a number of top Republicans.

It's nice to know that our elected officials can't be bothered to wait for the aforementioned investigations to be completed before jumping to their own conclusions based on race like so many others have already done.

Speaking of which, what is taking these investigations so long to be made public? At this point i'm almost starting to think that they're holding back the findings for an ulterior motive.

You mean the U.S. congress floor is not a place for taxpayer funded public servants to put on publicity skits about their own personal topics??? This is what you get from a party that cares far more about pandering for publicity than doing their jobs.

Something kind of ironic. This morning on the news they had a show of support for Travon which showed people wearing hoodies. The next item on the news showed security camera footage of a jewelry store robbery in Lancaster, CA., where the Vietnamese security guard was killed. The guy who robbed the store was, a black guy wearing a hoodie.

"HOWEVER, if you choose to be a member of the US Congress, you must maintain the decorum of the institution."

You mean like swearing at your fellow members when they ask you a legitimate question? Or calling the President a liar during his speech? Or cutting off c-span when you're losing a debate? Or just having men on a panel about women's health? Or saying that oil executives don't have to testify under oath?

IOKIYAR strikes again

"Just because someone wears a hoodie does not make them a hoodlum."

No breaking someone's nose and pounding their head into the ground does.

Nurse, have you heard of the Duke Lacrosse scandal? Dont you think convicting someone without the facts is very dangerous

He didn't even buy one of Obummer's fiddy dolla hoodies on his reelection website

WTF to dat?!?! Are they made in China?

He Veteran

Was it Trey Martin?

Still love your logo, Feisty, it should remind everyone how great Fox News is.

BTW, We have no idea this was a racially motivated incident as the liberal article says. And everybody should take the lead of Obama when said right after the Ft. Hood massacre took place, "let's don't jump to conclusions." Remember follow the your "righteous one."

Kirk, don't forget the falsely accused Atlanta bomber.

Hey Veteran,

So what?

"Racial profiling has to stop Mr. Speaker," Rush said while taking off his suit jacket, "Just because someone wears a hoodie does not make them a hoodlum."

That's not racial profiling... it's wardrobe profiling. Yes, just because you're wearing a hoodie does not make you a criminal. But is it common for criminals to wear hoodies? If so, then please understand peoples confusion on the matter.

Kirk: "Feisty" supporters aren't interested in any facts but those supporting their own side. It's easiest just to skip over their posts (assuming they haven't already been collapsed) to ones with more perspective.

Term Limits.

Feisty, Lawrence O'Donnell is a bigot. As are all people on the far left or the far right. They spend too much time hating each other instead of working together towards solutions.

I'm with Rush on this one. Yes, I understand that we have rules but he is just showing you how some rules are just silly. nothing wrong with some civil disobedience. Besides, who voted on making hoodies against the rules in congress?

As a business owner, I do not care what color the customer is. If they come into my store with a hoodie and sunglasses on, it makes me nervous and very uncomfortable. I am responsible for the safety and well being of my customers as well as my employees, so I do not understand why, as a courtesy to everyone else, people would be angered to remove those items when they enter.

Ash Plissken - would you make the same defensive comments about someone weating a white robe and white hood? I didn't think so.

Sono, Are you really that dumb? look at most any security camera video of a robery, theft, or otherless than legal activity and what are they waring...? a hoodie and sun glasses.

I find the sunglasses interesting. The representative clearly assumes that Trayvon was using every means at his disposal to obscure his identity, like a hoodlum would. Now, I don't know that Trayvon was wearing sunglasses. It wasn't reported that way. But... if he was, that would give Zimmerman even greater reason to believe he was a threat. Not many people wear sunglasses at night. And, if he had hemeralopia, he would be used to people asking about the sunglasses.

I ask those of you who wish to demonize Zimmerman. If you saw someone in your neighborhood who did not reside there (assuming you were familiar with the residents) who was wearing an outfit tailored to conceal his identity, and you had recently had numerous thefts in the area, what would be your response? Would you just ignore him? I mean, I wouldn't recommend confronting such a person. But I would want to get the police there, and keep that person in sight so that I could ensure that the police would find the person. For all we know, that's what Zimmerman was doing and Trayvon didn't like that.

Sono, Are you really that dumb? look at most any security camera video of a robery, theft, or otherless than legal activity and what are they waring...? a hoodie and sun glasses.

Honestly, you should learn how to express your thoughts in writing without looking terribly incompetent before you go around calling anyone 'dumb'.

Facts are facts, the robbery & murder in CA involving the security guard wasn't a hate crime and the hoodie was just coincidental. I'm not really sure how you could've possibly interpreted my comment to infer that the hoodie was, in any way, a unique aspect to the story.

Facts are facts, the robbery & murder in CA involving the security guard wasn't a hate crime and the hoodie was just coincidental.

Coincidental to the robbery? I don't think so. Hoodies and sunglasses are quite prevalent in robberies. They make it hard to identify the robber. Amazingly few robbers want to show their face for a "wanted" poster. Perhaps you mean the juxtaposition of the story was a coincidence.

He was grandstanding and out of line, besides the hoodie is a favorite for the criminal, that's just a fact! why do you people waste your time arguing human nature? the hoodie has been around since the beginning of time, as long as clothing but its become a trade mark in recent years because of its popularity with gangs and petty criminals, who's fault is that. oh must be the criminal element that gives the hoodie the bad rap. don't want to be treated like a criminal don't dress like a criminal, don't want to get shot don't try to beat someone to death while you are innocently dressed like a thug. this whole thing is grandstanding and out of proportion. Zimmerman could have saved us allot of problems if he would have just allowed that Martin kid to kill him. then none of this would be happening.

Mom 1010 - They didn't say his name.

beenthere - Just ironic the news would do that. Do you think they did it on purpose?

Sono - I don't think anybody's implying anything in these threads. I just think it was awfully strange that they'd have people saying a black guy wearing a hoodie isn't a hoodlum. And then on the next item they showed a black guy wearing a hoodie robbing a jewelry store and killing a Vietnamese.

Try wearing a hat in a local court of law, see how many times the judge needs to ask you to remove it before you are charged with contempt and wear an orange jump suit. Rush is clearly disrespectful of the rules and sets a poor example. Maybe he should be banned for 30 days.

@A Veteran

It is worth pointing out that the media is having a field day with this story and the more I think about it the more it seems like less of a coincidence that those stories were positioned back to back like that.

@Pvblivs

I think If i had to pick one i'd probably say that it seems more common to see someone using sunglasses and a forward facing 'baseball cap' to hide their identity vs the hoodie. That being said, i'm just going off the top of my head vs some kind of factual listing of robbery suspects.

There was a bankrobber in San Diego last week who wore a forward facing ball cap a pair of sunglasses AND a hoodie.

Well courtesy of ABC the Video of the arrival of Zimmerman to the Sanford PD is available in living color. No visible injury's no blood no gloves on the cops while the give him a friendly pat. I dare the Zimmerman apologists to speak now. Your BS apologies are really latent apologies for the antebellum culture that you were spawned from.

The guy who robbed the store was, a black guy wearing a hoodie.

And the John Manville executives who intentionally covered up the carcinogenic nature of asbestos for years, thus killing many thousands, were wearing expensive suits and ties. I guess we should be terrified of anyone dressed like an executives. They are automatically white collar criminals, just as anybody in a hooded jacket including is a thug. /sarcasm

If they come into my store with a hoodie and sunglasses on, it makes me nervous and very uncomfortable

Is it okay if they merely take the hood off their heads and take off the sunglases? And how do you feel about women in burqas?

BTW there are people who have a legitimate reason to wear sunglasses indoors, such as people who just had eye surgery or have some other medical condition that makes them temporarily sensitive to light. So you could end up with an ADA lawsuit.

If you saw someone in your neighborhood who did not reside there (assuming you were familiar with the residents) who was wearing an outfit tailored to conceal his identity, and you had recently had numerous thefts in the area, what would be your response?

First off, unless you live in Mayberry, how can you possible know everyone who lives in the neighborhood? I'm a city girl and can't even relate to that. There's just two many people where I live, many of whom are transient college kids, and each one has a lot of friends who visit. But in the hypothetical fantasy world case you present, where I actually know everybody's name and all their friends and relatives who might visit? If I actually had concerns, I'd call the police. Since unlike Zimmerman I don't call them every other day, they just might take me seriously. If I said I was following the guy and they told me they didn't want me to do that, I would obey and just go home or wherever I was going. You don't argue with the police or even a 911 dispatcher because that person is not just talking out of their ass. They are highly trained. it happens to be a crime in itself to impede the first responders in any way, which civilians playing Batman are likely to do.

Zimmerman is guilty of at least invountary manslaughter as far as i am seeing it. However, Bobbly Rush is an aggitator and an idiot for doing what he did. There is no excuse for Bobby or any other of these fools in Washington to act out. The idiot that called our President a liar during a State of the Union is no different. What a bunch of clowns.

The evidence is the 911 call where you clearly hear a boys voice screaming for help which stops right after the weapon goes off and takes his life.

There's also witness' accounts that have been corroborated that Martin was beating Zimmerman's head into the pavement and that Zimmerman was the one screaming for help. There's a police report showing that Zimmerman suffered a busted lip and lacerations to the back of his head, further corroborating this account.

and there were witnesses that said that Zimmerman was sitting on Trayvon, who was face down when he was shot.

Link.

Since he had a phone, I'm wondering why he didn't call 911. Isn't that what most people would do if they're pretty certain somebody creepy is trailing them?

Why does stand your ground apply to Zimmerman and not Martin? If some big dude was following me in his car, I spotted him and started to run and he gets out and chases me, don't I then have the right to STAND MY GROUND and fight him, since I now think my life is being threatened? Seems to me Martins only real crime was he didn't realize he was bringing his fists to a gunfight.

Looking at a healthy 17 year-old and Zimmerman, I'm quite certain Treyvon could have easily outran Zimmerman. If you want me to believe the illogical assumption that an obviously out of shape Zimmerman ran down a 17 year old, forcing the 17 year old to punch him in self-defense, you must provide some credible evidence that this is what occurred.

Suggestion: Don't waste your time. There isn't any such evidence.

Why should Martin have to be have been run down? Isn't that the point of the STAND YOUR GROUND law? He started to run, Zimmerman went after him, he felt threatened and under STAND YOUR GROUND laws, he does not have to run, he can then confront the life threatening situation with force. How was he to know he was going into a gun fight.

Whats more laughable about the media portrayal and rallies is that they are portraying it as if Zimmerman were Caucasian, he is HISPANIC, and he actually mentored black kids.

"Zimmerman's supporters say that the media's insistence on running photos of a
younger Martin juxtaposed with a mug shot of the neighborhood watchman from a
previous arrest is part of a predetermined narrative news outlets are
presenting: a young, unarmed, innocent black kid, shot and killed by Zimmerman,
a white, wannabe cop who disregarded a dispatcher's warning not to follow
Martin. (Zimmerman is Hispanic.)"

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/cutline/trayvon-martin-shooting-debate-over-photos-escalates-155103512.html

The whole incedent is just further proof of how abysmally inept and corrupt U.S. journalism has become, facts have become nothing more than a hindrance to sensational headlines meant to stoke the emotions of those who are too simple-minded to actually understand the details.

Haven't seen any stories on here about the 50 black youths who took time out from their protest to swarm a Walgreens and steal everything they can get their hands on.

I want to know why this is a race issue. If Martin was white, wearing a hoodie, or somehow didn't appear to belong in the neighborhood, and by that I mean, not a familiar face, it would have been the same outcome. And unless you can show me different, I can't say it's a racial incident.

This wouldn't have been news if a Black man shot Trayvon, cause the black man would have been handcuffed and arrested.

And why doesn't Jesse and Al and Black Panthers spend more time working with Black youths to get away from gang life instead of trying to escalate problems.

You do not know that Karlene, not at all.

I haven't seen any arrests of the white crooks on Wall St. either Darrel B.!!

pjam, I totally agree that U.S. journalism is pathetic. Pretty bad when you have to read news from a Candian web page to find out what's really happening in the U.S.

About 10 days ago in Chicago during one 36 hour stretch, 39 young black people were shot (7 died, including a 6 year old girl sitting on her front step) in a fit of black on black violence. Most of these atrocities were gang related drive-bys. Too bad this fool in Congress didn't think that was of any importance. He never even mentioned it.

What a "Circus" this has become!

Now this guy, Congressional Rep. Rush is also feeding off the Racism for the Murder of Trayvon Martin.

Trayvon Martin, am sure, would not have liked what is happening after his death. He is being "used" by the real racists, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, and now this Public Servant to the American Public from the Senate.

None of the facts are in; Geraldo Rivera is getting GREAT publicity out of this, people are making their own fortune off this murder.

It is time to stop, until the case is taken to Court. It reminds me of the Civil Uprisings in the 1960's--Stirring up the Pot---we do have a Black American President. President Barack Obama. Doesn't that mean anything to these Pawnees?

It is also insulting to our President---

This is getting out of hand. Can we please steer the nation's attention back to some REAL issues like the economy,gas prices, and such. I am so sick and tired of how the black man has been wronged by the white man. When will it end? When will the blacks be satisfied? Before you jump on my case, I am not racist. I want equality,but what black people seem to want is more than equality. Why do you deserve more? And don't say slavery,because that is already overplayed and it happened beyond any living generation to date. This Martin Zimmerman case is not a hate crime. You can say it all you want, but Zimmerman wasn't even white. Why is this national news? Because the media wants it to be...it's drama and reality tv at it's best (or worst depending on how you look at it).They are trying to distract us with a story that will last as long as they control it, since they can't control any other story right now. Let the courts decide what happens, you can make it whatever you want in your minds, but the truth will come out in the evidence and investigation. Quit being a tool of the media.

What would be "BIG NEWS" is if a black man did not do what 911 said & continued to stalk a white teenage victim & shot & killed him & was not arrested; now that would be the kind of justice Trayvon's parents feel!

This story is ridiculous and the news media has blown it all crazy!!! And as for Jesse and Al, they are the most racist people on television. Why doesnt the news media report about these two idiots objectives! If anyone is discriminating it is the Treyvon family, trying to stir up trouble in America, not admitting that their child had issues! Why not blame his death on their parenting skills! The fact is that your kid attacked someone else! If Treyvon was doing nothing wrong why didnt he call the police? if he was frightened or go straight home? The crime rate in this neighborhood was ridiculous and people were tired of it!!! Just because he is black doesnt mean he targeted him! This is stupid!

I'm sick of all this crap. Why don't they show a current picture? The parents made a BIG DEAL out of this. Yes it is sad that another person took someone elses life, but to go to D.C. and say that it was a travesty....BOO HOO!!!!! What about all the young men and women that have died for your freedom and to protect you. That is a travesty. Someone needs to wake up and smell the coffee!!!!! I agree with a statement made earlier, why isn't Jesse and Al doing something about the gang violence, with all the Crips and Bloods and all the other black gangs. Come on people get with the program.....

The only independent witness describes Martin attacking Zimmerman from behind as he was walking toward his vehicle.

That same witness said Martin was pounding Zimmerman's head into the concrete.

The witness then states he heard Zimmerman cry for help.

At this point Zimmerman can kill Martin in self defense. It doesn't matter if Zimmerman is a racist, or if he was following Martin earlier. We you are jumped from behind, and are having your head bashed into the concrete - you have a reasonable expectation of impending death.

The Fire Dept says Zimmerman stated "Why didn't anyone come to help?"

Perhaps because Martin appeared to be a thug in a hoodie who has no problem jumping people from behind and bashing their head into the concrete.

But the real reason there will be no charges against Zimmerman is that he claims Martin went for his gun while he was getting beaten. AND THERE ARE NO WITNESSES OR EVIDENCE TO THE CONTRARY.

This whole incident is very informative about the media and African Americans in the US.

There's the "White" "White Hispanic" "White Latino" racist description thing. Ever heard the media call Obama a "White Black"? Of course not.

Then there's the use of an old picture of Martin, instead of a current one. The calling him an A/B student, but no mention of 3 suspensions - the last one involving drugs - which is the reason he went to his Dad's girlfriend's place instead of his mom's - because he was suspended from school where he really lived.

There's the "bounty" on Martin. No mention in the media of how illegal that is.

And his mom is trying to trademark his name so she can make money off it.

Plus the "protests" that are really simply looting.

Now this article desperately trying to blame the victim. Yes, the victim. Martin started the fight. You don't get to attack someone from behind simply because they followed you (in a gated community that you really are only visiting) or asked you if you live there.

There is no evidence that Zimmerman did anything illegal. All the evidence shows Martin as the aggressor. You might not like to hear that, but you have to ask yourself why. You are going against all the evidence. The same evidence that the FBI, local police, Justice Dept. and prosecutor all looked at.

AND NONE OF THEM HAVE ANY CHARGES THAT THEY THINK HAVE ANY CHANCE OF GETTING A CONVICTION ON.

.

And look at the picture of the congressman - admit it - he looks like a thug.

And then he resists leaving the House as per the rules? Oh, sorta like what a thug would do?

Blacks commit crimes at 3 times the national average. And showing up in Congress looking like a thug is going to help solve that problem how?

Wanting a further investigation is reasonable and should be expected. Tweeting out addresses, putting out bounties, and rioting is not acceptable. Asking that this activity stop is not being an apologist for Zimmerman yet asking for order and to let justice take its course. Vigilantejustice is not ok just because a lot of people feel justice wasn't done. None of us know what happened and this story is getting very out of hand.

1.) Zimmerman is NOT a white guy, he is mixed (father is a non-Hispanic white, and his mother is a Peruvian immigrant.”)I don't know his motive, if he was racially profiling or not, he doesn't say why he was following Treyvon so why do we all assume its a race thing.

2.) Zimmerman and his mentored to black kids even after the program shut down and helped raise money for the black church. Does this mean he is innocent? No, but lets not jump to conclusions on his motive being racist.

3.) Zimmerman is a Registered DEMOCRAT. Again this does not mean he is innocent or that he didn't profile, but it does mean he wasn't some right wing militia type who wanted to shot someone after a Rush Limbaugh program.

Again I don't want to defend Zimmerman because I PERSONALLY do think he shouldn't of followed and confronted someone who he had no reason to believe had done anything wrong, but I believe the outrage is turning out to be not helpful and sometimes criminal in itself.

Try that on a job application is see where that difference gets you.

Amen America is in crisis on many fronts it is time Congress got to work and stop the theatrics. But Congressmen and women tend to act like children they follow the leader.

Maybe someone should point out to our President that he has missed a golden opportunity to bring this country together across the color barrier and solidify his relection.

Instead of explaining to ALL Americans that due process is something that does not allow signed petitions to get people arrested, or that "Bounties" by armed militant groups is against the law he says "If I had a son."

With that he divided our nation further.

If the argument that Zimmerman a grown man with a Gun acted in self defense. Against a teenaged boy. Looking to be half his size. Then Zimmerman better hope he does not go to Prison. Really though if a Black rent a cop killed a white kid in the very same area. He would be in jail. Period. If Zimmerman killed a white kid in the same area he would be in Jail period.And I am not black it is just the way it is. This whole race thing in our country is taking a step back to before the 60's.

It is sad really one would hope that mankind could actually learn to understand that a God who had preference for one race over another. Is a small God indeed. I am not making excuses for Black on white racism or Hispanic on black racism. Its all the same Just plain ignorance. There is a bit of bad in the best of us. And a bit of good in the worst of us. That is what I was raised with.

There was a Police officer who pulled over my Grandfather who was on his morning walk. Gramps was about 70 then. Because he was wearing a red hooded sweatshirt supporting his favorite Football team. The cop had the nerve to ask a 70 year old man what gang he was from. And to step over to the car. My grandfather pulled the hood down. And asked for his badge number. And asked are you kidding I am 70 years old. And I live next door to your boss. When he told his neighbor. He was told hell never bother again.

If someone acts in civil disobedience and it brings an injustice to the table. And causes no harm. Then it is our right to challenge the rules. Just because some criminals wear a color or a style of clothing. It should not take away the rights of law abiding citizens.

@Ruken This is a case where a gun was used to kill someone. It really is not up to the police or prosecutors to determine if a law was broken. It is up to them to decide whether or not there is enough evidence to bring a case to trial. In this instance we know that Zimmerman shot Martin, that is not disputed. It is up to a jury to determine whether or not it was legal or illegal. If a jury determines that Zimmerman was protecting himself I can live with that.

The picture of Trayvon Martin shown after he was murdered was old---it was taken when he was a kid; there is, or was another adult picture of him on Facebook. Ditto for Zimmerman.

Who's playing this "game" on who--what does the Media, the Revs, (always showing up to stir up trouble) and this Congressman want us to believe. They have all made this to be once again "out of the blue" a Racism issue. They want to keep it alive.

Is it the parents who have fallen "prey" to these Hucksters---someone and everyone will be making money off of Trayvon Martin---"it's all about the Money and Fame"--When will they really have time to grieve for their son?

Very sick and demented. May Trayvon rest in peace after all this focus on Racism, and not he as a person.

I agree Jesse and Al are the biggest racists in America.As for the 50 Black kids that swarmed the Walgreens and stole everything they could get thier hands on that DarrelB brought up-------Why is that??????Exactly what was thier message??I see another Civil war brewing in this country and I dont think its going to get pretty.If you think things are bad now,they are going to get worse.In 5 years this case wont even make news,it will be common everyday occurence.

Jennifer2280427 --

The lead HOMICIDE investigator on the Martin case in his affidavit clearly stated that he did NOT believe Zimmerman's account and wanted to file manslaughter charges against him. The prosecuter said no and no charges were filed. Since then, that Prosecutor has been excused and the new prosecutor is strongly considering charges.

The facts are that Zimmerman had a known history of targetting african-americans in that neighborhood. He is 10'' taller and 100 lbs. heavier than Trayvon. He was told TWICE not to follow Trayvon and ignored it. And Trayvon is overheard yelling "Help" (on two 911 calls by neighbors) over and over again before being shot. This has NOTHING to do with his parents "parental" skills. How does one teach their kid to not be a threat with a bag of skittles in his hand? He was a young kid who was on the phone with his girlfriend, walking home from the convenience store. He did NOT attack Zimmerman, he defended himself,a nd paid for it with his life. Trayvon was shot while lying on the ground. Zimmerman was standing above him. And furthermore, his body sat in the morgue for three days, under the guise of the stand-your-ground law before his parents were even contacted about his death. No witnesses were interviewed, Zimmerman's account was taken as fact, and no evidence was gathered. How exactly is that Trayvon's fault? He clearly WAS targetted because he was black. It is a tragic that his parents had to beg for three weeks for some type of invetigation, before the public outcry made it so. Have YOU ever been targetted? Until you have, don't make insensitive comments about others being targetted. Clearly, it's something you don't understand.

Fact: Zimmerman was defending himself from a brutal beating by a 6'3" man whose school records show he was a theif and a drug user!

Fact: Zimmeran is innocent!

GET OVER IT RACE BAITERS!

The civil war brewing yeah right. More like martial law and more prisons. You know to house the have nots. Remember Charles Manson cried for a race war too. There are far to many decent Americans left that have friends and family of every race. And ethnic background. If it is a new civil war it will be about Class not race.

(a reply to an earlier comment) No, if someone is chasing you, you do NOT have the right to use force! You may use force when force is used on you or deadly force if someone is using or threatening the use of deadly force. i.e. If someone is running at me I can't go off and hit them I have to wait for them to use (or threaten to use) force or deadly force. If I attack first and/or don't stop when the individual is down then I become the aggressor and force/deadly force can legally be used on me. This is why concealed carry permit holders aren’t hauling off and shooting people every day. We know that the law will NOT protect us if we shoot someone for bothering or yelling at us. You must wait till you feel that your life is in danger… and yes if an 18yr old was beating my head against the ground I'd feel very "in danger".

I really enjoy how the Zimmermann supporters want to talk about facts being wrong and that Trayvon was the one who attacked him, when there are no facts to prove that either. You have the word of the man with a gun, against that of someone who is dead. Suddenly you have witnesses that corroborate Zimmermanns story. After the original police report was altered and other witnesses claiming to see otherwise weren't even listened to. I find it amazing that everyone is saying that Trayvon attacked him punching him in the face and knocking him down with one punch and then was smashing his head against the ground yet when the initial incident happened the fact that Zimmermann sustained any injuries was nowhere to be found. I'd think him getting attacked, having a broken nose, and then having his head smashed into the ground would have been an important detail if they were going to say this was all self defense.

Now people are trying to make it sound like he always mentored black kids and liked them. How does that explain all the 911 calls reporting suspicious black people(including one he himself described to 911 as being 7-9 years old). How does that explain the apparent(but still debatable) racial slur he's heard saying while on the phone. Theres still the phone call Trayvon made to a friend talking about how this guy was following him and now confronting him. So her testimony isn't to believed because it goes against all the other witness reports that are suddenly available after the fact? Fact still remains neighbors complained about how aggressive Zimmermann was in his watch duties and how he wasn't actually an official member of the watch program. Doesn't change the fact that he was following in his vehicle, was told not to keep following, kept doing so and went beyond that by getting out of his vehicle(come on we're supposed to believe he was doing this to check the street name). First Zimmermann claimed he was struck and attacked from behind. Now people are saying he was punched in the face and got the supposed wound on the back of his head from having it smashed on the ground? Which is it? There are so many more blatantly obvious flaws in Zimmermanns story than there are for the theory that Trayvon was the one attacked.

Then there's the portrait people try to paint of Trayvon citing things like his suspension for marijuana. Which is hilarious because half you people bringing that up probably have kids who smoke and you don't even know it. That hardly makes him a violent person. Zimmermann has been arrested for battery on a police officer and domestic violence in the past. Yet we're to believe he's not an aggressor?

@cesh: Sure you can use force without them threatening you. You just have to make sure you kill the person so they don't have their own side of the story. Aside from the word of an aggressive person and eye witness accounts surfacing after the fact, you don't know that Trayvon was smashing his head.

Geowil: Without going around the whole marry go round with you about.

how do you know that Zimmerman did not pull his gun on Martin before he was attacked?

Thats easy the witness statement saying Zim was on the ground screaming for help as the kid was attacking him. The witness at this point did not see a weapon. Only after saying to the two hey you two stop it and he runs inside of his place and locked the door. The witness then ran up stairs to call 911. Gun shot is heard as witness is calling 911.

Key points by witness is that he never mentioned seeing a weapon, only after approximately 30sec to 1 minute later did he hear a gun shot.

So in that it can be said that ZIM did not have his weapon out, do to the facts that no one saw a weapon even the kid. I dont know any kid or adult that would try to fight someone with there fists if they saw someone coming towards them with a gun in there hands.

At this point Zimmerman can kill Martin in self defense. It doesn't matter if Zimmerman is a racist, or if he was following Martin earlier. We you are jumped from behind, and are having your head bashed into the concrete - you have a reasonable expectation of impending death.

Yes, because all fights occur in a bubble and the events leading up to and causing that altercation are not important whatsoever when it comes to determining responsibility for the death of an unarmed teenager. In no way could the armed adult who was looking for trouble and followed the teenager have any responsibility for what occured to the otherwise law-abiding citizen.

Also, Zimmerman's changing testimony is obviously the 100% truth without any embellishments, because people facing a murder rap with a loosely written self-defense law in their pocket has absolutely no reason to embellish the truth. Since Zimmerman has changed his story... looking at a sign, no walking back to his truck, was following him, wasn't following, the kid went for the gun, the gun went off accidently.... since all those stories came from Zimmerman's lips; they must all be true.

Zimmerman, being a neighborhood watchman in the area, must have gotten lost in the neighborhood he routinely patrols and had to check the sign as he walked back to his truck after following Trayvon who was running from him. Trayvon, for some reason, decided to turn around and attack Zimmerman even though he just was running away from the guy. Makes no sense, but that's ok... who needs to make sense when you're being an apologist? Then, they had a tussel and the teenager jumped him from behind, because he's a ninja wizard and was able to sneakily approach Zimmerman on a quiet street after running away from him, and started beating him up. At this point, Zimmerman (weighing a good 80lbs more than Trayvon) felt it absolutely necessary to shoot to kill, but decided against it until the kid went for his gun, at which point he felt it was necessary to accidently defend himself... thus ending the out-of-control situation that was his own creation.

The end /sarcasm/

I'm not pretending to know who's at fault, and honestly I don't care. I'm just pointing out the hypocrisy in the folks who ride the shirt tail of this young mans death. Al and Jesse should be in the inner Cities promoting personal responsibility.

There are a lot of un-knowns and I have concerns. Not sure I buy a 17 year old beating up a 230 cop who is obviously a big guy and I also don't buy this kid couldn't out run him. He was a Football Running back who was good player. Zimmerman is fat and out of shape. Something is not right.

Funny, when I saw the Senator dressed in a hoodie and dark glasses I immediately thought he was a criminal. Pardon me for making an assessment based on a pretty well-proven stereotype. Has the Senator ever watched 'Caught on Tape' or 'World's Dumbest Criminals'? Most don't dress in $300 suits. Most try to disguise their appearance and MANY wear hoodies. Sorry if the facts bother people.

As for racism, the guy who killed Trevon was a minority as well. So what exactly is the charge there? That this is white on black crime? Is it only racist if a black person is the victim? Aren't there black racists? What about the 'New Black Panther Party'? Are these guys multi-cultural feel good types or do they suggest support for a single group based on race? Could a caucasion ever start a group like the Black Panthers today and NOT be called a racist? Yeah, I know, I've beaten the obvious double standard to death but it's really troubling how the media ignores it completely.

As for this incident, it is simply tragic all around. I don't think the Senator's grandstanding does anyone any good. Grand standing in a semi-private forum doesn't change cultural perception. I don't care if the Pope wore a hoodie and dark glasses, I'd still think it's criminal attire. Too bad some kid have to be killed over such a thing.

Sorry, we need adults in Congress not children.

Then you haven't been paying attention, perhaps because of your own attitude toward "poor neighborhoods".

This "would not be news" of the local authorities has acted, and they simply did not.

Michael Forrest:

Agree with everything you have mentioned in your comments.

Why is it that no one is calling Zimmerman an "Alleged Suspect"? That is the rule of law now, until proven Guilty. The People, and this Country have already assumed Zimmerman is GUILTY.

He may be Guilty, but this may be a "hole" in the case when tried. Alleged. Haven't heard the Legal Protection word yet; a first these days, because it is so important to the case if this guy did not do it.

He has already been convicted for the Murder of Trayvon Martin. Crazy.

i say again its not a even a question about who attacked first this would not have happened if Zimmerman did not follow and stayed put like 911 dispatch told him to therefor he should have been arrested and given him any blood or alcohol test to see if he may have been under the influence of any drugs, the reason he wasnt was because the cops were shady incompetent pieces of @!$%# that never did a thurough investigation otherwise they would have arrested him. do you get it. i hope so its really simple.

Also Zimmerman has beeen convicted for attacking a police officer, martin got suspended from school for tardiness and if it was for anything serious like drugs or guns it would be in police records, and you want to try to compare them really? @!$%# i've been suspended for getting in fights with bullies and im an A average student in Advanced classes so no he isnt a @!$%#ing druggy gang banger just cause he got suspended.

Zimmerman wasn't even in an official neighborhood watch otherwise he would have known that the watch only REPORTS suspicious activity not follow someone through the streets and go looking for trouble.

Seriously guys a face book page is were you get an idea of his character!!!! Are you even sure its the same martin cause if it was why does martin not even have a police record?

my god people sanity and civility is leaving this country at a really really quick pace. especially if a case as simple as this becomes a national issue just to get a trial.

Actually the congressman should be impeached.

If you were walking down the street and someone dressed like that with dark glasses walked towards you, you would cross the street.

And this is just what Jesse Jackson meant by the following phrase:

"There is nothing more painful to me at this stage in my life than to walk down the street and hear footsteps and start thinking about robbery then look around and see somebody white and feel relieved."

With that garment on, it looks intimidating and as it is popular with blacks who are 75% of the inmates in jails, no wonder.

They should be banned, students should come to school in jackets and ties, girls is skirts and blouses ready to learn and not carry earrings, rings, spray equipment and baggies that held dope.

2 black teens jump a white teenager, pour gasoline on him and light him on fire - and none of us have even heard of it! And the President is waving the flag (the racial victim flag) talking about a black teen who punched a white guy who happened to have a gun!?? pjam has it exactly right - msnbc and all the rest of the liberal media are publishing 10 year old photos of Martin as a little boy and a mug shot of Zimmerman (the convicted criminal) - if the facts are inconvenient, let's just manipulate them a little bit, boys, so that they don't compromise your agenda . . . .

Time to weigh in on so many of these comments. Stand your ground in self defence is legal. Martin did the attack. Martin chose to attack what he thought to be was an unarmed man. Zimmerman had a CONCEALED gun and a permit to carry it. Martin should have stopped his attack at the point of the broken nose and the man whom he would have said was following him was down and incapacitated but he didn't. He chose to jump on him and start bashing his skull against the concrete which gave Zimmerman the impression of impending doom and the right to self defence with fatal force.It is a which hunt for Zimmerman. That's all this is.

peter green that's because the cops arrested the 2 people or are going to when they get an identification from the kid cause he is at least still alive unlike martin who cant give his side of what happened omg stop changing the subject.

joe-USA

it has not be CONFIRMED who attacked first that's what Zimmerman said happened but no witnesses can actually confirm it they can only say they saw the two fighting but not who attacked first.

How long do you think it would take for an arrest to be made if a $1mil wanted poster with Obama's picture on it were circulated?

Dressing up for congress is like dressing up for a job interview.You need to look professional and mature.If you wear a hoodie,no one will take you seriously.

Bobby Rush is a left-over Black Panther, 60's radical, who always seems to go into the limelight with his comments, actions and views... in support of his "constituents".

Also none of the witnesses can confirm the gun was concealed when the fighting began cause no witnesses saw the fight start.

why can there even be a stand your ground law!? all it does is make it legal to follow someone into a dark ally shoot them then claim they were trying to mug you and since there are no witnesses to say otherwise you get off scot free great job florida for passing the dumbest legislation since the jim crow laws!!!!!!

Peter Greenberger, I'll try to make it easy on you since you are pretending not to know the difference between the two cases. How did you know that two Black teenagers set a White kid on fire? BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN ARRESTED! Was anyone arrested for KILLING Trayvon Martin? In fact, the Sanford police have stated that no crime took place.

So many of you have continued to refer to that attack, but you are in deep denial of the facts. The two cretins were not set free by the police...

thanks NB820

for being one of the few people in this country left with any common sense what so ever.

Am I mistaken, or is Bobby Rush associated with the "Black Panther Party,"and didn't the "New Black Panther Party" put out a $10,000.00 "bounty" to anyone who would expose George Zimmerman's current whereabouts?

The extremist liberal media, and a small but LOUD segment of our society are just itching to burn this guy in the worst way.

Gators56 - You stated that Mr. Zimmerman should be arrested, dragged in front of a jury and made to prove he acted in self defense. Wrong! Not the way it works.

If you are on trial and have claimed you acted in self defense, you don't have to prove anything. It is now assumed that you were, or believed you were, acting in self defense. It is up to the prosecutor to prove otherwise and the jury must determine whether or not the the evidence presented has been sufficient to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

I never cease to be amazed by how many people think if they are on trial they must prove they are not guilty. Doesn't our education system teach anything anymore besides think green, worship diversity, and hate the United States for being the world's worst bully? It's sickening.

This is so stupid. Since Geraldo mentioned the hoodie, it has taken off. Racial profiling??

MANY wear hoodies. I am a middle aged white woman and I wear hoodies all the rime. This Congressman was out of line and should have been escorted out. What an idiot.

merle stanley

your mad at the congressman for something from 40 years ago but fine with zimmerman being arrest for assaulting a cop 7 years ago really the media is biased look at yourself.

Hawaii2: Of course he did it. He admits he did it. The only question is "was it justified"? This "Country" hasn't convicted him of anything yet. Because the authorities failed to conduct a proper investigation before attempting to close the case, media coverage and public opinion have been sympathetic for the person who has been killed.

I think the term "alleged" would be used in context with a specific charge. "Alleged murderer", "alleged rapist", etc. And I think "alleged" and "suspected" are rather synonymous. "Alleged murderer", "suspected murderer", etc.

Kevinoffsite: And if a black man had killed a white teenager, you KNOW he would have been arrested "pending investigation".

Sooner, I have a question.

You said

"Everyone has convicted Zimmerman and he has not even had a trial. This is what blacks preach all over the country when any minority is arrested and they cry impropriety. Everyone wants Zimmerman burned at the stake before we know he is guilty. Seriously????"

So in your mind trying someone who may or may not be innocent in the court of public opinion is wrong but it appears you think there is nothing wrong with an individual trying, convicting and carrying out a death sentence on their own with no trail or justice of any kind (especially when it's an unarmed minor who was not "up to something" sinister afterall)

So here is my question - Seriously????

pugface the man is guilty for not listening to the police and following trayvon even though he was told it was not necessary. if he didn't do that it would not have escalated to that point and martin would still be alive and there is no 100% positive way to prove self defence in a killing without witnesses and there were no eyewitnesses that saw the fight start so either one could have started it. you can only prove who's actions led to the event and in this case it was zimmermans he should at least be charged with manslaughter that simple.

I think race needs to be put aside if we want to see justice in the true since of the word. Although things may have been different if it were a white teen, no one can ever say for sure. What we do know is an UNARMED teenager was shot and killed. Yes, Florida has a "Stand your Ground" law, that I personally agree with 100%. However, Florida does NOT have a, "Harass, follow/chase, escalate the situation, ignore the police dispatchers advice, then once you start getting your butt kicked...Shoot" law. Lets say, for sake of argument, Zimmerman was the one being assaulted. That still did not give him, the right to use deadly force. Let's be real, only three people know what truly happened: Treyvon Martin, Zimmerman, and God. However, with the facts as I understand them, this was not a case of self defense, this is what is considered, Malice as a Forethought. Not stand your ground, not disparity of force, or any other law designed to protect a law abiding person from becoming a victim. I work as a firearm instructor (including CCW qualification) and this is exactly what we teach our concealed weapon students NOT to do!!!

NB820-001 said

"..........In fact, the Sanford police have stated that no crime took place.........."

See, THIS is the problem with this case!

People like YOU, have been saying/posting things like THIS which are patentedly FALSE!

The Sanford Police Department detective who handled the case recomended manslaughter charges to the Florida State's Attorney office.

The STATE'S ATTORNEY'S office refused to seek a warrant for Zimmerman's arrest, citing Florida's "stand your ground" law.

A "State's Attorney" is a "prosecutor."

He is a law enforcement official with a law degree!

The fact is that you, and many others like you, know absolutely NOTHING about this case.

But you sound off because you want to see people's right to defend themselves taken away, and you figure that the more $#!+ you throw against the wall, the more of it will stick.

Rep. Rush is a dignified example of our Politicians who represent us?

Americans do want "Comedians" to make Lawful decisions and Pass Bills that are presented to them.

Throw the Bum OUT!---it was totally out of place--

Who's next to wear the Hoodie?----It disables Rep. Rush's credibility at anything he says or does from now on--he just "killed" his own Career.

Rush is the 'name" to be discussed these days. How many more are there?

johnny outlaw

it just freaks the hell out of me that a man who was convicted for assaulting a police officer can be given a license to carry and conceal a firearm i mean is that even legal!!!

merle stanley

so apparently you still need a warrant to arrest a guy who shot and killed a 17 year old boy?

why the hell didnt they arrest him at the crime seen and still let him keep his gun even though it was evidence in a possible murder?

What jerk off RACIST this stupid Congressman is!!! Shame on you America to represented by garbage like that. Below is the real thing. What do you think now????

I think we’ve all
been “hoodie” winked... It’s the other Trayvon they don’t want you to
know.

he was a street thug, a bully, used & sold
drugs, was attached to a gang...

Bless his heart !

The "Lame" street
media...Playing us like a cheap violin...odd the race thing
is

made a BIG deal on election year !!

Use your own
judgment.

This is precisely what is wrong with our current government. Voters who elect representatives who do not know how to act like grownups but still think they are part of the hood. We are eventually going to have to demand an intelligence test to allow people to vote. Could not do that with the current administration which is busy fighting voter I.D. laws so they won't lose those illegal votes that have won them so many elections.

Marty, the congressman didn't mention the "drive by's" because he couldn't get his car and his gun in the house to show his support.

merele stanley

they didnt need to get a warrant from the attorney general they could get one from any judge in the state.

@sublim< I can say the same thing about all the REDNECK, TRAILER WHITE TRASH, in both the congress and the senate, who refer to themselves as TEABAGGERS!!!...LoL But I won't. The hatred I have seen exposed on this thread is expected.

Now that much more information is coming out, it would seem that both individuals made mistakes. Zimmerman for not following specific orders from the police about "Not to follow Martin".... and Martin screwed up for looseing his cool and turning violent.

Based on the all BS statements and comments posted here (of which I contribute out of disgusts), I have concluded that the Liberals are overly quick and eager to jump on the "Zimmerman's A Racist" bandwagon", nothing new there, we saw way too much of that with the Nov. 2008 elections. And Conservatives are too quick to say Martin was dressed like a gangster and got what he deserved.

Well, I'm conservative, and I sure as hell wouldn't say that Martin got what he deserved, but I will say that Martin seems (based on the evidence thus far) to have over-reacted and did so violently, about his being questioned about way he was in the neighborhood...... Maybe Martin was like the overwhelming majority of liberals posting in here, too eager to assume he was only being asked because of his skin color... took offense and decided Zimmerman deserved a good beating. Who knows, but the fact of the matter is, Martin turned violent, and he turned violent on an armed citizen, in a state where you are allowed to defend yourself when being attacked.

Martin had either mental or anger management issues, Zimmerman lacks (lacked) the ability to follow police instructions, and should have been satisfied with that the police were made aware of the situation, and left well enough alone. But make no mistake, Martin attacked, from behind, and beat the dog poop out of Zimmerman.

Who amoung you (Liberal or Conservative), during such an altercation (attacked from behind, then pinned to the ground being beaten up), would not defend yourself with the most affective weapon at your disposal, while your screaming for help and at the same time getting the daylights beat out of you. I'd a shot him too, it was self defense, bought about by his (Zimmerman's) own overly zealous nature play security guard.

Or would you have turnned the other cheek.

Really?-1739510

Zimmerman is not going to ever see a day in court...If I had a 6'3" 17 year old whipping my ass, (he decked Zimmerman with one punch, breaking his nose) I would shoot him too!...Martin could have just walked to his front door and walked in. Instead he confronted Zimmerman and paid the ultimate price for that mistake.

Really,

How do sleep at night spewing such deliberate lies?

If Zimmerman never sees a day in court, it will be because of entrenched racism.

Zimmerman confronted Trayvon. Mr. Martin did not confront "Rambo."

If "Rambo" was punched in his face, where are the pictures to prove his lie and shoddy claim?

Where are the hospital records?

Where are the insurance records...that show that the murder victim, Trayvon, beat Zimmerman so badly, that this sociopath required medical treatment?

If Zimmerman got any "scratches" on him, he deserved it.

Against a stranger and predator, Trayvon was defending himself.

Zimmerman deserves a long stretch in the Big House.

"I'm not racist but it bothers me when blacks [insert any verb] ....." Yes. You are.

A 911 dispatcher is not a police officer.

And what they said was 'we don't "need" you to follow him.'

That's not the same as saying "Don't follow him". - Which still wouldn't be a lawful order.

There simply is no law against following a person. Think about celebrity stalkers. When a celebrity is walking down the street, you can follow them all you want. You have to follow them onto private property or in some other way go beyond simply following them.

Otherwise being a private detective would simply be illegal. But you can follow them. Now if you legally notify them to stop, and they continue, then that can be harrasment.

Of course Martin wouldn't do that - he had a phone on in his hands - did he call 911? NOPE.

So if Martin felt he was in danger or being threatened, why didn't he call the police instead of his girlfriend?

Instead he jumps Zimmerman from behind.

(As per the only evidence we have on this).

With the evidence they have, they can't convict Zimmerman. It's really funny to hear the people that defend OJ Simpson try to say this guy is guilty. I guess evidence is simply optional to some people.

Strictly speaking, we don't know that Zimmerman is innocent and we don't know that he acted in self-defense. I, personally, believe that is what happened. But the "stand your ground" law gives an advantage to someone claiming self-defense. If the evidence is consistent both with a self-defense situation and a non-self-defense situation, the self-defense claim stands. The defendant doesn't have to prove it.

When I first saw this story the way it was being portrayed, it looked like Zimmerman had stupidly pursued and confronted the young man and got into a fight he wasn't ready for. That would still rule out the first-degree murder charges that so many still want. But it would constitute manslaughter as the confrontation would not have been necessary and so the young man's death could reasonably be avoided.

As it currently looks, I think that Zimmerman followed the young man at a distance, so that he could identify him to the police. I further think that Martin did not want to be identified to the police and so attacked Zimmerman to prevent this. After all, if Zimmerman were dead or unconscious, he couldn't point out anybody. Finally, I believe that Zimmerman shot Martin in defense of his own life. That is what I believe happened.

Now, I don't know if the initial prosecutor agreed that that was what happened. But he did know that it was consistent with the known facts and he could not meet the requirement (per "stand your ground") that he prove it didn't happen that way. He didn't file charges because it would be a waste of effort.

Martin said to zimmerman "what's your problem" that sentence disproves the attack from behind crap because zimmerman would have to have confronted martin which he should not have and if he did not and stayed in his car like the police said, martin would have still be alive therefor zimmerman should at least be charged with manslaughter.

second time i've had to repeat this simple fact don't know whats so hard to understand.

This is NOT about race. This is NOT about mob rules. This is NOT about Republican vs Democrat. I'm a Democrat, I'm a avid gun owner - and gun ownership isn't about hunting, it is about self-defense and scaring your government.

This case IS about a bad shooting. The guy shouldn't have followed him, the guy shouldn't have cornered him and he should have warned him - I have a gun, I am not stalking you I am block-captain and the cops are on the way, you were acting suspicious the cops are on the way.

Ask yourself this, if you were walking around or walking home and someone is skulking around, lurking behind you, doesn't I.D. themselves--- what are you taught by your parents. Run? he tried to ditch the guy. Fight back? He did and I've never heard anyone claim Zimmerman I.D.'d himself.

If Zimmerman was that much of a puss- why follow him? Why???? Because he had a gun and felt ballsy, that's why.

I carry/carried my gun everywhere and once I started carrying I stopped flipping people off in traffic and stopped confronting people. The one time I saw some guy pushing his woman around, I left the gun in the car with my ex and dealt with him. Why did I control myself? Because I know/knew if I got in a shooting the first thing the cops/judge would say is-- oh, so you started some BS knowing you had a gun, ok tough guy - F you, strongly worded indictment to follow.

I want to preserve gun ownership, wanna be cops need to stay home unless they can play by the rules, Zimmerman wanted to be a tough guy rent-a-cop and he KILLED someone. I see everyone complaining not to convict him, the point your missing is some yokel cops failed to arrest the guy. Now the cops are trying to discredit the kid. Sorry, pot resin - school suspension and even robbery don't equate to the death penalty...Zimmerman deserves his day in court.

also how do you jump someone and be on the phone with your girlfriend at the same time no one seems to point out all these holes in zimmermans story or the fact he isn't with an official neighborhood watch just because you say your in the neighborhood watch doesn't mean you are.

and thank you kurt for pointing out that too. god what a stupid pussy hope he rots.

Name1:

it just freaks the hell out of me that a man who was convicted for assaulting a police officer can be given a license to carry and conceal a firearm i mean is that even legal!!!

I am not aware of an instance of that happening. Zimmerman was arrested but not convicted. Arrests don't count in the matter.

so apparently you still need a warrant to arrest a guy who shot and killed a 17 year old [young man that was beating him to death]?

Well, strictly speaking, no. But it comes in handy if the department wants to avoid a harrassment suit.

Walker:

If Zimmerman never sees a day in court, it will be because of entrenched racism.

No, it will be because no prosecutor can meet the burden of proof.

Zimmerman confronted Trayvon. Mr. Martin did not confront "Rambo."

Your emotional appeal notwithstanding, there is no evidence of that. The evidence is consistent with Zimmerman following at a distance. It is also consistent with Martin not wanting to be identified to the police.

Kurt:

What you are saying is that in a legitimate case of self-defense, you would be held to prove it and could very well wind up convicted even though you hadn't done anything illegal. That's what the "stand your ground" law is intended to prevent.

Name1:

second time i've had to repeat this simple fact don't know whats so hard to understand.

Okay, I'll cover what you seem to have trouble understanding. If Zimmerman was on tape saying "what's your problem?" the media in general and msn in particular would have been playing that up the whole time. It helps the slant that they have been taking. As they didn't do that, I must take it as unconfirmed. It doesn't matter how many times you repeat it.

Zimmerman is NOT a white guy, he is mixed (father is a non-Hispanic white, and his mother is a Peruvian immigrant.”)

People from Peru are Hispanic. Look at the word "Hispanic". It references people whose ancestors came from Spain, although many do have some Indian blood as well. Spain is a country in Europe, and it is mostly populated by "white" people. There is no such thing as the "Hispanic" or "Latino" race, any more than we can say Zimmerman's father probably belongs to the "Jewish race". Hispanics and Jews are both considered "peoples" but not "races". And the overwhelming majority of both Hispanics and Jews are what we normally consider "white".

I'm half Jewish and I've been told I'm only "half white" for that reason. I've passed for Lebanese when it was expedient. Are Jews and for that matter Arabs white? Exactly how "white" do you have to be in order to be a bona fide white person? /sarcasm

How stupid, though, that we even have such biologically meaningless categories, in 2012.

Zimmerman was arrested but not convicted. Arrests don't count in the matter.

It all probability it was pled down to a misdeamenor, such as "disorderly conduct". If I'm right, I have to say that such people shouldn't be allowed to have guns either, on the grounds of insanity. Who assaults a cop?

If you were walking down the street and someone dressed like that with dark glasses walked towards you, you would cross the street.

Maybe YOU would, but I would be crossing the street constantly in my neighborhood. Of course if he were dressed like that, with the hood up when it's 70 degrees outside with clear skies, I might have some concerns.

Punks nowadays keep their heads covered and their asses showing. Maybe they should put hoodies on pants so they would learn to cover their asses.

Filly buster DaveM....it's called filibuster!! Rethuglican't obstructionism...shall I continue?

The word "politican" has come to be synonymous with amoral crook. Politicans write legislation for self-enrichment and growth of personal power. Doing what is right for the country has absolutely no part in their thinking. Too bad Congressional seats aren't for one term only, then all these power plays wouldn't be their main motivation.

I have a bumper sticker on my car, it says "FIRE CONGRESS". Every day I get thumbs up and comments approving of it.

The Democrats were fillibuster-proof since 2008, will FULL control of the House and the Senate. How else would they have been able to pass that horrible health care debacle that will break this country if it is left to stand? They lost the control of the House in January 2011. Republican obstructionism is just another of Obama's blame game. His own Senate won't even bring his ideas to the floor. Harry Reid controls it all.

Amen America is in crisis on many fronts it is time Congress got to work and stop the theatrics. But Congressmen and women tend to act like children they follow the leader.

Maybe someone should point out to our President that he has missed a golden opportunity to bring this country together across the color barrier and solidify his relection.

Instead of explaining to ALL Americans that due process is something that does not allow signed petitions to get people arrested, or that "Bounties" by armed militant groups is against the law he says "If I had a son."

With that he divided our nation further.

, Illinois Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL)

Glad to see he is stepping up for the good people of Chicago they are from his home state. I guess their lives are not as important to Mr. Rush as I didn't hear him take a stand to support them or their families. These happened March 16-18 this month. Why don't they matter Mr. Rush.

At least 10 people were killed, including a 6-year-old girl, in shootings over the weekend in Chicago.

The slain were among at least 49 people wounded in shootings from 5 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Monday, according to information compiled by the Chicago Tribune.

Your tax dollars at work. What an idiot.

You could not be more wrong, Michael. Fact, yes his mother trademarked his name. I would too, if something like this happened to my son. Not to make money, but to stop others from making money. D'uh. You didn't stop to think of that, though, did you? Trademarking his name doesn't stop newspapers from writing about him, and it gives her no power whatsoever to censor news about him. And there is no evidence that Trayvon was a member of a gang at all. It's a dangerous thing to go around spewing assumptions and biased opinions as fact.

Baughtched...I see just the opposite, funny how that works :)

eggberta -

Could you really be any dumber than you currently show yourself to be? Congressional budgets are filibuster proof. It's a straight up and down vote. 51-49 would pass a budget. But Obama cant even produce a budget worthy of one single vote from any party? Ineptitude at its finest.

Its good to know that there are FAR worse crimes taking place, but the media has such a powerful influence over the masses that they can pick and choose which unfortunate issues to push into the spotlight. They twist facts around and portray it as a "racial murder" to make headlines, hell, they even managed to get a mentally challenged congressman to make a fool of himself.

Its particularly disturbing when its being aggressively reported as a white on black crime when Zimmerman is clearly more hispanic than white. Of course, if Zimmerman would have harmed a caucasian person, it would have been a "Hispanic man kills White guy" headline.

Everyone needs to take a big step back and realize that there is ALWAYS an entire 2nd half to a story from what the corrupt media crams down your throat.

I believe it was a terrible accident that definitely could have been avoided. Yes, i believe that a certain responsibility comes with carrying a firearm, and Yes, there needs to be accountability for this unfortunate action. Did he fire the weapon with intent to murder? I don't believe so. Did he fire the weapon out of paranoia and fear? Yes. Was there more to the story of why he specifically followed this individual and expressed enough concern to call 911? Yes, absolutely. Were there prior experiences with the same individual? Yes, absolutely. Did the individual act first in a violent manner? Yes, absolutely. Fault lies on both people, but the weight of the responsibility lies with the adult who was carrying a firearm. Period. The courts will determine the appropriate punishment for his action, and that should be the end of it. Of course though, that WON'T be the end now, due to the unnecessary media exposure and pure racial anger generated. The situation itself is sad enough, but what the media and Government is doing is far worse by creating mass racial anger and disunion.

I just believe there are FAR worse crimes that have occurred or currently taking place, but the media feeds on headlines, and of course, RACIAL issues still create the biggest headlines. Its sad really, because our own media works against all us Americans to create unnecessary contention and distrust. We all get wrapped up in it and focus our anger and emotion towards the wrong people. We all need to open our eyes and focus that energy towards the REAL individuals who create this mess, our own Government & Media.

DaveM

Davey boy, The Republcans control the House Of Representatives. (Remember Speaker of the House Boehner, Republican.) I can't believe you people. You just make it up as you go along. So I guess those democrats you disdain are at least smarter than you.

People should realize that, when they're in a position, they need to perform the duties inherent to that office. I'm sure the gesture was heartfelt, but it really wasn't the time or place for such an action.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT!

ABC News reported Wednesday, citing multiple sources, that the lead investigator in the case recommended that Zimmerman be charged with manslaughter after the shooting, but the state attorney's office determined that there was not enough evidence to lead to a conviction.

We cannot judge if Zimmerman was right to fire on Martin or not. But we CAN assume that if Zimmerman had not racially profiled Trayvon then this altercation would never have taken place.

If some guy confonts me for walking down the street and says "What are you doing around here?" (obviosuly out of prejudice) then I would probably start punching him in the nose as well.

re-post

So he proved he is unable to wait to hear the whole story to decide what he thinks. How can he be trusted to be impartial?

Am I the only one who is sick and tired of this whole "hoodie" thing? The real issues connected with this shooting have nothing to do with clothes or race. The issue is that members of a neighborhood watch, or any other private citizen, should not have the right to get in someone face just because they think the guy looks "suspicious". And whatever aspects of this persons appearance made him look suspicious are irrelevant, be it race clothes, or anything else. The neighborhood watch is supposed to do just that, "watch". And if someone is doing something suspicious like peeping into neighbor’s windows then they are supposed to call the police, nothing more, nothing less. They are not supposed to hassle some guy who they don’t like the look of causing him to get so defensive that it leads to an altercation which in turn leads to some idiot pulling a gun out and shooting someone. That’s all there really is to this story. All this other cr@p is just the media’s attempt to stir up racial tensions in order to sell more newspapers. And sadly the public is falling for it, hook, line, and sinker. We should have people from all races and walks of life protesting that one person was killed by the stupidity of another. But instead we have mostly Blacks protesting some perceived racial injustice that has little basis in reality. It’s a shame that these sorts of tragedies always illicit these kinds of knee jerk reactions from the public rather than a rational intelligent response. Animals "react" to things but humans are supposed to have the capacity to reason rather than react. I guess we really have not evolved as far above the animals as we think we have. If you don’t believe me just look at all the non-offensive post on here which have been collapsed by the community. This is the adult equivalent of a small child covering his ears while jumping up and down and screamming LA LA LA LA LA I CANT HEAR YOU! Real mature folks.

Capt: yeah that is funny... actually disturbing. So the people that assume trayvon was a thug, and a gang banger, with no reason to think so, are not racist. But the people that think his death should be accounted for, and his Killer at least be charged and tried for the crime, are racist?

I Fail to follow your train of thought there, but my guess is... there is much there to follow

Maybe we should all think twice about making a fashion statement out of attire that has its origins in prison garb and criminal enterprise. Additionally, George Zimmerman had every right to be suspicious of Trayvon Martin. According to the time of day, he should have been in school. He had no way of knowing he has been suspended. Plus, he did not break his own nose or bash his own head into the pavement. In conclusion, I would like to point out that the representative looks exactly like the thugs who stole my purse on five seperate occasions. Three of them were African Americans and two of them were Latino. If I observed someone dressed in that manner, I would naturally assume the worst just because I have been victimized by people who dress like that. However, I am not so paranoid to believe that everyone who wears a hoodie is a criminal.

So we have a mother who hands out a picture of her son when he was what 12 or 13 for the innocent effect. Then Mom goes and gets her sons name trademarked so anyone making signs and tee shirts pays mom. Then to top it off trayvons true "colors" are now coming out that he was a gang punk and is being saluted with the "hoodie". Then the blacks want justice and play the Black/white race card when the suspect isn't even white. Enough already.

This idiot needs to be banned from the house floor and removed from office, Hi is guilty of breaking one of the House Rules, and resisting removal.

Can anyone tell me WHY do Blacks think they can break rules and cause trouble, and simply get away with it? Dont they realize how they make themselves look? You want to pay tribute but instead you break the rules and get thrown out. Tats Embarrassing, its foolish, and its disrespectful of who you are trying to honor.

Go ahead call me a racist, its your only defense, but it wasnt a WHITE man doing this now was it? If you cant own up to your own actions, you have no right to complain when its pointed out.

Bogy -

Then Zimmerman, if he so felt his life was in danger, could have used his gun on you. Dont be so stupid. You wouldnt have done anything.

Also, Zimmerman didnt say ANYTHING to Trayvon. Trayvon came up behind him and decked him in the face and then proceeded to to bash his head against the ground. George felt his life was in danger, there may have possibly been a struggle for his weapon and then Trayvon was shot.

I think he is just making himself look silly. I believe that people make their own beds. If I dress like a thug, attack the neighborhood watch guy and am kicked out of school for drug paraphernalia then I guess I must be a misunderstood black kid?

Come on. This is not a race issue, it is an issue about a delinquent young man. Glad there are some pictures of him being civil. It will make it easier for his family to remember him. Oh, also remember he didn't live in that area...What was he doing there?

Anyway, I think the congressman made a fool of himself. I'm white, I'll put on a hoodie, black glasses and attack the police in my area and I think I might get shot too.

Totally agree with you Andrew. Everyone has jumped to the conclusion that is was racial, when they don't even have all the facts. As more facts surface, Trayvon's true character is coming out. So tired of everytime a white/hispanic or etc... kills a black man that it is racially motivated. Everyday a black man kills a white man in the U.S. How often do you hear someone jumping on the bandwagon and crying "racially motivated?" Sick and tried of that phrase.

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL Comment collapsed by the community

Zimmerman is completely innocent and that is why he was not arrested after being questioned and providing corroborating witnesses.

Do you have some proof of that?

Because, see, the Attorney General, Special Prosecutor & Governor of FL seem to think otherwise!

Hey genius, it's not up to George Zimmerman to prove his innocence. It's up to the prosecutor to prove him guilty.

I will say it again since my comment was collapsed: It seems that every one who supports Zimmerman has racist tones to their comments.

Why that was collapsed by the community? Most likely it is a truth the racist didn't want to be pointed out.

Well when ya go around looking like a gang-bangin' piece 'o sh!t, you gonna be treated like a gang-bangin' piece 'o sh!t. Dat simple.

The Capitol Hill police should have ejected the gang-bangin' piece of sh!t the minute he blinged up.

Just so I have my facts straight. If you are a @!$%#ing pussy and cannot take care of yourself you can get a concealed weapon permit, instigate a fight, and then shoot whoever was whipping your ass, and as long as no one saw how it started you can get off scott free in Florida. People that have to carry weapons around in public, whether or not it is a legal gun, are paranoid pussies.

Don you are what is wrong with society not hoodies.

It seems that when some group tries to stop excessive spending they are calle obstructionst. Anyone with any common sense should know that we cannot keep spending until we face the same turmoil as the greeks. The libetrals that think there is an endless supply of money will one day find out the hard way. These people that say take more from the rich don't seem to understand that if we took all of the money from the rich we still would not be able to balance the budget the way our leaders are spending. The so called progressives don't appear to have anyt concern about our future and just want ot give and give to get votes.

It blows my mind that each and every one of the member of congress vote along party lines rather than what they were elected to do.

It also blows my mind how one isoleted incident becomes the bigest news of the day when much more severe crimes are taking place almost hourly in this country. We have lost our moral fabric in this country and no one is doing anything to try to turn it around.

Victor:

Interesting that you use the term "due process" in your post. That is the whole point. THere has been no due process in this case, Information is coming out now about witnesses whose testimony was disregarded and meetings with the head states attorney and the police chief which is unusual in a case like this.

I do not know exactly what happened. But, something is wrong with this case. As time goes on, more and more will be revealed.

Laura:

This man was deemed innocent without an investigation-get it? you don't have to be a genius to figure this out. Something is wrong with this case.

Tom:

Like the Sanford police department, you have rushed to judgment without getting all of the facts. It has been widely reported that Trayvon was in the gated community because he was visiting his father's girlfriend. He was on his way back to her house when the cop wannabe Zimmerman started to stalk him. There is no evidence, from Zimmerman or otherwise, that suggests that Trayvon was doing anything wrong.

If you are going to comment get the facts.

Raffthe great-

Zimmerman claims that Trayvon came up behind him and asked him if he had a probelm. Zimmerman said he responded-"No." Then allegedly Trayvon said well you do now and decked him.

Why would Zimmerman say he did not have a problem after calling the police on this child and stalking him through the entire neighborhood. He could have identified himself and told Trayvon that he did not recognize him from the neighborhood. At no time did Zimmerman identify himself ann indicate that he was a part of a block watch program.

Zimmerman was the adult, and Zimmerman had the gun. Instead of following the dispatcher's instructions, he took it upon himself to initiate contact with Trayvon. He is responsible for this innocent child's death.

By the way, anything that Trayvon did before, none of which has been violent or found to be criminal, has absolutely nothing to do with this case.

However, Zimmerman has a record of violence. Once for spousal abuse and another for assaulting a police officer. Get it? This guy had issues. Even the way he is speaking on the 911 tape gave me pause.

robiscoole is you who I was talking about?

Are your baggy drawers falling down?

Do you have something to fear?

Just so I have my facts straight. If you are a @!$%#ing pussy and cannot take care of yourself you can get a concealed weapon permit, instigate a fight, and then shoot whoever was whipping your ass, and as long as no one saw how it started you can get off scott free in Florida. People that have to carry weapons around in public, whether or not it is a legal gun, are paranoid pussies.

Criminals do that all the time without the need for permits. Just ask all your rap bros who are dead or in prison that. If you support that kind of fukked up lifestyle, then it's you that's wrong with society, not me.

It's no wonder law-abiding folks have to exercise their 2nd Amendment rights.

To fellow progressives -- I find the Teabaggers who dress in costumes with tricot hats to be stupid. Please don't sink to their level. Hoodies are stupid. Especially considering that long before the Trayvon case, it was well known that criminals wear hoodies to help hide their identity. So stop with it, it only ruins the credibility of our cause.

Stay focused on the basis of it all -- whether labor rights in Wisconsin, women's rights in Virginia, voter suppression in Florida -- it all comes down to the Occupy protests for equality. Keep your eye on the ball in our fight for the 99% rights, including investigation of the shooting of a black youth, in other words "the have nots" and justice for all.

Wow, not surprising! THIS JUST IN: Now we know why George Zimmerman didnt get arrested....No Words.......According to court records George Zimmerman is the son of retired Supreme Court Magistrate Judge Robert J Zimmerman, his mother Gladys Zimmerman is a court clerk....He has three closed arrests 7/18/05 for resisting arrest with violence and battery on a law enforcement officer div 10........8/9/05 for domestic violence div 44..... And again on 8/10/05 domestic violence div 46 *** Throws hands up and drops the mic! Character? Oh, yes and he was turned down from becoming a police officer.

Ken-

I agree with your comment that no one from a neighborhood watch program should be getting in anyone's face. We part company on the relevance of race in this case though. I guarantee you that if Trayvon had been white there would have been no concern on the part of Zimmerman. This kind of stuff does not happen to white males. It is virtually exclusive soemthing that happens to black males. That is why race is an issue.

I can remember an incident I experienced as a teenager at a basketball game. My cousin and I were watching the game when I suddenly felt nauseous. My cousin went and bought me a coke. I drank some of it and still felt nauseous so I went to the bathroom and he went with me. I had the coke in my hand and frankly had my head over the sink waiting to throw up. Suddenly, there are ten police officers in the bathroom with nightsticks out. One took my coke and stuck his nose in it to see if there was alcohol. There was none. I told them that I felt nauseous. They then proceeded to question my cousin and I on where we went to school. I happened to go to a major catholic college in the area. I showed them my college ID and one of the police officers asked me who the president of the shool was. I guess they got bored because my cousin and I complied with their requests and remained polite. They left without an apology for bothering me in the first place. By the way, all of those police officers were white. I am convinced that the slightes expression of indignation on the part of my cousin or myself would have resulted in a beatdown for both of us. Of course they would have been justified after concocting some sort of scenario justifying their actions. Ten police officers. You mean two with guns and badges wouldn't have been enough? I will never forget it.

Zimmerman is the son of a retired judge in that community. The Sheriff and lead investigator both did not believe his story. There is video of them bring him in without a scratch on him. The order came from the state attorney to let this drop which was not taken well. Likely the reason the sheriff stepped aside. There were 9 calls to 911. One of them was from a 13 year old boy that was walking the dog and saw the young man on the ground screaming for help. The boy was walking his dog and the dog ran away out of fear. He turned to get the dog, he heard the gun shots and the screaming stopped. The boy was positive it was the boy on the ground screaming and feels guilty that he did not try to help him. His mother showed up on TV tonight with a lawyer. She said the lead investigator told her personally that this was not self defense, it was stereo typing. The investigator said that as a father of children, he felt horrible about this horrible injustice. Matter of fact, the state attorney made a special trip to the town to make sure it was dropped. This law has hurt our state and is killing more unarmed citizens than ever before. Wonderful what the NRA can do with all the money and power in states like Florida. This was tragic and I just watched video of Zimmerman in hand cuffs arriving at the station. Not a mark on him and his face was not bloody. The local news, the outgoing state attorney is all going to shame this state and the new NRA laws.

In spite of all of the criticism of Janckson and Sharpton, this issue would not have received the attention it deserves without them. By the way, they were both asked by the family to get involved.

Thank you, Judith Hartfield, for that information. The son of a judge, huh? I smell a massive coverup.

Don, I knew you were one of those soft folks who cant have an altercation without the second amendment. I like it when I see people like you in the street with fear all over your face. Its a new day this is not just your country anymore.

The senator is right. What makes him a hoodlum was the whole package. Gold teeth, the hoodie, and from seeing his messages on twitter I'm sure the ATTITUDE he carried himself with.

Rep. Rush has gold teeth?

I have a gold tooth, it takes more than that and you know it Angelcrusher. When one pictures a gangbanger, it's the whole package, was Martin a gangbanger, who knows, was he dressed as one, perhaps, does he portray himself to be one? Well if he dresses like one, carries himself like one, well...not saying he deserved to get shot, but if all the above is true, I'd be a little leery of him and I make no apologies. You want to look and act like a gangbanger, then you get to be treated like one.

I don't know how he was dressed other than the hoodie, but frankly when Zimmerman retreated, Martin should have taken that time to "escape", not turn on him, that was his mistake.

Prove that Zimmerman retreated borac...his word or actual eye witnesses?

Here's why I prove myself a horrible person. And before pouncing TOO much, I don't agree with the guy shooting the kid. But...if you see a person dressed in a cop's uniform, is it wrong to assume he is a cop? A man or woman dressed in a white lab coat with a stethescope around their necks happens to walk by when you have fallen and broken a leg, do you assume he or she is a doctor? So I am sorry, but you see someone walking down a neighborhood that no one knows, dressed in the clothes he chose to wear, there is an argument for assuming the worst. AGAIN, I do not condone the shooting...but are people actually trying to say that there is not a link between the clothing (infamous hoodie" and the gang/violent culture that is the base of the fear? If someone were to walk down the street (both black, just for the sake of argument)...both on opposit sides of the street, one in a hoodie, gold teeth, etc, and one in jeans and a t shirt...who would the AVERAGE person actually feel more comfortable around? BE HONEST? Why don't we actually look at the core issue, that being that there is a population out there that has CAUSED the image of the black man in a hoodie to be so intimidating or threatening. Stop the behavior, and the fear stops as well.

I do not want anyone comming around me with a hoodie hideing their face be it black white or green !!!!