Constitutional torture in the cause of tort reform

Am I first?

• Link
• Report this comment

Btw, plug for Jamie Dupree who will be covering the scotus decision. And who is far more unbiased about the facts than Mr. Bookman.

• Link
• Report this comment

Republicans are two-faced?

whodathunkit?

• Link
• Report this comment

Doggone, you would know

• Link
• Report this comment

“Doggone, you would know”

giggle

• Link
• Report this comment

What’s relevant: the SC will be deciding the limits of the commerce clause

If the individual mandate is approved, there will be virtually no limit on the use of the commerce clause

My guess is they will rule the mandate unconstitutional. But it’s probably a 50-50 thing right now.

• Link
• Report this comment

“I don’t speak in absolutes like you doggone”

Wanna bet? “Doggone, you would know”

• Link
• Report this comment

That hypocritical application of the commerce clause would be funny if not left in the hands of the Republicans to contort to their own whims.

• Link
• Report this comment

The crux of the argument will be over whether a fine for not purchasing a product is justifiable under the commerce clause. At least regarding obamacare.

The impact of a ruling regarding undue burden on the states with respect to Medicaid will be riveting…

So exciting!!

• Link
• Report this comment

In fact, by removing that constitutional justification, the Republicans hath done commited the very special double dog dare analogy — the double whammy thank your mammy hypocritical constitutional contortion. I don’t know if there’s a dare more powerful. This one may have to be settled at the stars and stripes flag pole of shame. Let ye Republican who is without shame affix firmly his tongue to the properly chilled to below freezing flagpole of shame and if he can removeth said tongue after having left it affixed for one full minute without loss of skin from forked speaking aid then he shall be known as witch and burned at the stake.

• Link
• Report this comment

The Congress finds that health care. . . . contributes to the high cost of health care.”
Hard to argue with that one.

• Link
• Report this comment

Well, the reason I want Obamacare repealed is because I don’t think everybody should have health insurance. Just the Producers in this country. The rest can get a tin cup and beg for help at innerstate ramps. That’s the way God intended things. I think people are making too much about what the Bible says about helping the poor and not letting rich people into Heaven. I mean, let’s be reasonable.

Anyhow, it sure will get intrusting when the SC rules. One side or the other will be going for guns. Besides, if the SC rules this mandate is constitutional the people that are going to get fined will be squealing like hungry piggies and talking about breaking off from this country. I’ll need to take a break from this blog and find something else to do on my breaks because I don’t think my Soul is ready for all the cussing and whining. See, I got a delicate Christian Soul.

Have a good Saturday everybody. I sure hope you got something to do besides set inside and blog.

• Link
• Report this comment

Doom. Medicaid is needed. It just needs a massive overhaul. It could be three times more effective at half the cost.

• Link
• Report this comment

Of course, now that we have obamacare to save everyone, someone should be making the argument to just end Medicaid entirely….

• Link
• Report this comment

Our states’ rights have been stolen by activist liberal judges and the democrat controlled media. The states should take back their powers.

Like the constitution says, Georgia should take back our rights – especially since Georgia is #1 in administering rights:
1. Georgia
> Overall grade: F (49%)
> Public access to information: F
> Legislative accountability: F
> Political financing: F
> Ethics enforcement agencies: F

http://www.foxbusiness.com/investing/2012/03/22/americas-most-corrupt-states/

• Link
• Report this comment

“I sure hope you got something to do besides set inside and blog.”- as he blogs away on a beautiful saturday afternoon.

• Link
• Report this comment

Ah …………………………… that pesky Constitution !

• Link
• Report this comment

Jm,

I agree. I don’t want medicaid ended either. Just seriously revamped, requirements tightened, fraud prevention strengthened, etc.

• Link
• Report this comment

“I sure hope you got something to do besides set inside and blog.”- as he blogs away on a beautiful saturday afternoon.

________

The mail was just delivered. Now I have something better to do. Go get the mail. But what else could be better than blogging with you guys and looking out the window at the beautiful spring flowers, inside away from the pollen.

• Link
• Report this comment

Doom. Yeah, there’s probably not a ton of Medicaid fraud. The bigger issue the use of funds. Instead of using Medicaid dollars on preventative services for those most in need, much of it is spent on chronic incurable diseases and for people who should be self sufficient but aren’t

• Link
• Report this comment

This entire SC review of Bozocare will center on the mandate. The main question will be….. can the federal government mandate that a citizens of this country buy a commodity. All of this smoke and mirrors thing about this being a tax. It is not a tax…. it is the federal government mandating that a citizen buy something that they deem appropriate, nearly at the point of a gun. The mandate is needed to fund this fiasco…. without the mandate, it dies an appropriate death.

• Link
• Report this comment

Jm,

I agree. I don’t want medicaid ended either. Just seriously revamped, requirements tightened, fraud prevention strengthened, etc.

I wish somebody would explain to me why, if everybody in the nation is required to be covered by health insurance, we would still need Medicaid. I can understand providing some help to the poor for expenses not picked up by health insurance coverage, but I’m having trouble understanding why there’s still a need for full-blown coverage under Medicaid.

• Link
• Report this comment

Old timer

Good question

Why do we need obamacare AND medicaid?

• Link
• Report this comment

Obamacare pays for health insurance for those who can’t afford it.

Do they need Medicaid also?

• Link
• Report this comment

Old timer

Good question

Why do we need obamacare AND medicaid
____________

Under the bill and existing law, medicaid is for those people who are not required by the bill to purchase health insurance. that group has been expanded by the bill. There are some people not required to buy insurance, some required to buy it and they will get reimbursed after they file their tax reture (that’s a joke) and some just required to buy. I’m just explaining, sounds nutty to me but that’s how it is supposed to work. don’t see how it possibly can, but that’s the idea.
Germany has mandates. So does Mass. Romney said it works well there..

• Link
• Report this comment

The Commerce Clause of the US Constitution, Article 1. Section 8:

“To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;”…”To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.”

This gives Congress a very broad paint brush. The Roberts Court has trimmed back the very broad commerce powers previous courts had granted to congress. No one knows how they will address the question on the health care mandate. No one.

But based on previous decisions by this court expect a very narrow ruling, not a sweeping ruling with wide ramifications for the future.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will be a fascinating three days for we court watchers.

• Link
• Report this comment

Yep. It’ll be a great 3 days of oral arguments. Anyway, Doomy out the rest of the day to enjoy a mighty fine day outside.

• Link
• Report this comment

From the album of the same name, seems apropos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XscthFPryDw

• Link
• Report this comment

The democrat purveyors of fear never rest

Vice President Joe Biden’s second speech on the campaign trail Friday was as textbook as they come: He headed to south Florida to warn a crowd of senior citizens Florida that the Republican candidates will dismantle Medicare and Social Security.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0312/74406.html#ixzz1q3rKVqIl

• Link
• Report this comment

All I can say is if the gop party attacked you, stand up for yourself and vote against the gop party.

Seniors, Latinos, gay, women, etc… can end the radical right.

• Link
• Report this comment

Jm

_______

We will grow our way out of it, the same way we did after WWII when our debt as a per cent was much higher. And we will have some inflation to devalue the dollar. That will increase our exports, increase our manufacturing base, and decrease our imports.
The worst thing we could do is elect a GOP president and start an austarity program. That would be much worse than what Obama proposes as our course.

• Link
• Report this comment

Upon taking control of the U.S. House in 2010, Republicans announced that every bill proposed or passed in that chamber would be required to cite specific provisions of the U.S. Constitution that authorize Congress to take such action.

Recognizing the potential embarrassment, not to mention the bad timing, U.S. Rep. Rob Woodall of Georgia this week introduced an amendment that stripped H.R. 5 of the language cited above. His amendment was approved just before the bill went onto final passage. Now, the bill contains no constitutional justification for imposing federal limits on state malpractice awards.

In other words, Rep Woodall (R-GA) thinks it’s better to break his word with voters as opposed to displaying GOP hypocrisy in regards to regulating interstate commerce. That’s just the way politicians roll. Given the opportunity, I’m sure there’s 434 others in the House that would do the same thing to save political face.

• Link
• Report this comment

Oscar

No we won’t

In the last 200 years only one country in our position has outgrown their debt

All the others defaulted or went down the hyperinflation route

• Link
• Report this comment

I wonder if religious freedom under the Constitution will approve of this ??

Headline: “Book tells Muslim men how to beat and control their wives”

“In terms of physical punishment, the book advises that a husband may scold her, “beat by hand or stick,” withhold money from her or “pull (her) by the ears,” but should “refrain from beating her excessively.”

But then there is always this: “Later, its author advises that “the husband should treat the wife with kindness and love, even if she tends to be stupid and slow sometimes.”

http://www.torontosun.com/2012/03/23/book-tells-muslim-men-how-to-beat-and-control-their-wives

• Link
• Report this comment

Bro insurance companies aren’t screwing people.

Tell that to people who’ve had their coverage dropped or severly cut back to avoid payment. They basically control the entire system because they control pricing on both sides of the equation.

• Link
• Report this comment

311/8541/5811/1811

———-

Did you ever read the bible. l It says basically the same thing. And the Koran is based on the bible, or the Book as it refers to the bible. Most Christians and Jews have abandoned that practice, but not all. And most Moslems have also abandoned the paractice. What’s in those books written hundreds of years ago is not relavent or followed now.

• Link
• Report this comment

Bro insurance companies aren’t screwing people.

__________

When insuarnace companies refuse to insure people with pre-existing condidtions, or drop people from coverage when they get sick, they are screwing people. They also decide on what medicinces or treatements they will pay for, and the doctors and hospitals follow thier direction. Thinking otherwise is simply living in ignorance or denial.

• Link
• Report this comment

Doggone

With such glaring evidence, either jm is Rep Woodall or he’s a close relative.

• Link
• Report this comment

“A compulsory contract is an oxymoron ………. ” George Will

“Obamacare is the first time Congress has used its power to regulate commerce to produce a law “from which there is no escape.” Institute for Justice

“And “coercing commercial transactions” — compelling individuals to sign contracts with insurance companies — “is antithetical to the foundational principle of mutual assent that permeated the common law of contracts at the time of the founding and continues to do so today.” Institute for Justice

• Link
• Report this comment

Apparently doggone doesn’t know the meaning of the phrase “speaking in absolutes”

• Link
• Report this comment

Oscar:
‘
You are correct. It’s probably worse.

• Link
• Report this comment

getalife

______

So what’s your point. You deny that the insurance companies are screwing people and controlling mediical care. If so, you need an education.

• Link
• Report this comment

I am not in favor of the mandates. One state, either I believe Maine or Vermont has done away with the pre-existing clause without mandating everyone to buy insurance, and it’s working well. The argument that the mandates are necessary for the system to work I just don’t see as a valid argument.

• Link
• Report this comment

O.K. You guys asked for it again !

“If in the opinion of the People, the distribution or modification of the Constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected by an amendment in the way which the Constitution designates. But let there be no change by usurpation; for though this, in one instance, may be the instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed.” George Washington

• Link
• Report this comment

Oscar:

But that’s what we are trying to do ……….. even if it could be argued it was for “Good”. We are cheapening and prostituting the Constitution for political reasons. While the liberals like this one they may not like the next one and then it spins out of control !

P.S. There are some northwestern states I believe involved in that movement also ……….. “States Rights”.

• Link
• Report this comment

Oscar: The mandates are there to ensure that those on the low-risk end of the health spectrum actually participate.This makes it possible for private insurers to provide coverage without excluding pre-existing conditions and to extend coverage in areas in which they normally would not, such as older children. They are only necessary because we didn’t adopt a single-payer system. The fact that we maintained a private, for-profit system also meant that Medicare and Medicaid had to remain pretty much unchanged in the ACA.

• Link
• Report this comment

getalife :

and ……………………… you would be correct !

It’s called an Amendment.

• Link
• Report this comment

Members of the House

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOGThpF5cV8

• Link
• Report this comment

“Nine states have passed the resolutions.’ Which of these nine passed with bi-partisan support?

• Link
• Report this comment

The fact that we maintained a private, for-profit system also meant that Medicare and Medicaid had to remain pretty much unchanged in the ACA.

_______

I understand the argument. The insurance industry artiulated it very well, and spoke also with the use of the checkbook in future campaign contributions to get the mandates in the insuance bill. and it’s there. Now we will see what the Supreme Court thinks about it.

• Link
• Report this comment

38 states Oscar ……….. this has little to do with left or right !

________

I agree that the courts should folow the constitution. and the Constitution says the Supreme Court decides constitutional issues, not the individual states. The control is that the voters elect the President and Congress who appoint and approve, respectively the members of the Court. Voters over time have the last word.

• Link
• Report this comment

Oscar:

I would say that voters have the last “influence” ……… not necessarily the last word.

• Link
• Report this comment

Scout

From downstairs if you didn’t get that last transmission… That wouldn’t be my first tango with ire.

• Link
• Report this comment

Must be that atheistic whatever-serves-your-own-interests thing the Republicans’ spiritual lord and master – Ayn Rand – taught them. How much longer till “We The People” get to start doing it right, November? We can only pray!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TxCWbTqz9s&feature=player_embedded

• Link
• Report this comment

Doggone:

DOMA, fraudulent voting.

• Link
• Report this comment

“DOMA” – I refer you to the dictionary to learn the difference between “defend” and “prosecute”

” fraudulent voting ” – got any examples?

• Link
• Report this comment

Mr_B:

I believe the nine states to be : Virginia, Utah, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Texas, New Jersey, Georgia, Minnesota.

• Link
• Report this comment

Doggone:

Sorry, he is violating his oath as the chief law enforcement officer of the land when it comes to both including that Detroit debacle with the Black Panthers.

• Link
• Report this comment

“Sorry, he is violating his oath as the chief law enforcement officer of the land when it comes to both including that Detroit debacle with the Black Panthers”

His oath does not require him to defend the Constiutionality of a law, period. It does require him to enforce it. He has not said he would not enforce it…he said his justice department will not DEFEND it.

What Detroit debacle conserning the Black Panthers?

• Link
• Report this comment

“Doggone, the justice department has not prosecuted Obama”

So do you think a sitting President should be presecuted for issuing orders in a war that are intended to increase the security of the USA?

• Link
• Report this comment

Doggone:

“It does require him to enforce it. He has not said he would not enforce it…”

1) “President Obama has decided that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional and has asked his Justice Department to stop defending it in court, the administration announced today.”

http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/260494/breaking-obama-administration-declares-doma-unconstitutional-wont-defend-it-court-dani

2) “The Civil Rights Commission is investigating claims that the Justice Department inappropriately dropped an investigation into alleged voter intimidation by the New Black Panther Party.”

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2010/0924/New-Black-Panther-Party-voter-intimidation-case-Bombshell-for-Obama

Doggone: I’m tired of doing all of your research. You need to get out a little more.

• Link
• Report this comment

Scout. Changing most liberal minds is impossible since they don’t acknowledge facts

They prefer being ignorant

• Link
• Report this comment

Doggone:

“It does require him to enforce it. He has not said he would not enforce it…”

I am not discussing “defending” in your 5:11. I am discussing “prosecuting” and you agreed the Constitution required him to enforce it and that he had not said he would not.. YOUR WORDS.

The opposite is true.

Don’t get angry with me. You voted for him.

• Link
• Report this comment

, U.S. Rep. Rob Woodall of Georgia this week introduced an amendment that stripped H.R. 5 of the language cited above.

Rob Woodall? “Fair Tax” Linder’s butt-boy turned Congrefsman is stuck trying to get this abortion? THAT Rob Woodall?

Jay, methinks you might be enjoying this a bit too much.

• Link
• Report this comment

Doggone/GA:

Someone throw Doggone a life preserver. He’s struggling and going under.

• Link
• Report this comment

“I am discussing “prosecuting” and you agreed the Constitution required him to enforce it and that he had not said he would not”

Where is the quote where he says he won’t enforce it? The one you provided said he would not DEFEND IT. And, BTW, the only thing I posted at 5:11 concerned a spelling error. I fail to see how that addresses enforcement of a law.

• Link
• Report this comment

Doggone:

You’re wearing me out. You really DO need to stay current.

Headline: “Obama Refuses to ENFORCE (ENFORCE – ENFORCE – ENFORCE) DOMA”

“In a move that sent shock through the legal system and created an instant buzz amongst pundits (former presidential hopeful, Mike Huckabee, said this decision may “destroy Obama”), President Obama today ordered the Department of Justice to no longer ENFORCE the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), Section 3. Attorney General Eric Holder sent a memo to Speaker of the House, John Boehner, this morning explaining the move. This is unsettling for many, as the President seems to have unilaterally decided what is constitutional and what is not. DOMA was duly enacted and passed into law in 1996, and for one man to decide which laws the government will enforce and which they will ignore is beyond arrogant, it is scary. As expected, gay rights groups applauded the decision, but this move is more than one’s stance on gay rights. This should send a shiver down the spine of any who value the rule of law, and the relationship between the judiciary and the executive branch. This move, which was conveniently done during unrest in the middle east and union bickering in the mid-west, will not go away quietly and could hurt Obama deeply come next year’s election.”

http://lawriot.com/2011/02/obama-refuses-to-enforce-doma/

• Link
• Report this comment

If you ask me, that should be an impeachable offense.

• Link
• Report this comment

No disagreement that Congress can regulate any industry, including the judicial industry, under the commerce clause. However Congress cannot regulate any individual – breathing is not an industry – and cannot compel any entity to participate in any industry. A la ObamaCare.

If Congress has the power to micromanage an entire industry such as healthcare, is there any reason it cannot heavily tax any particular procedure, such as breast augmentation or abortion, so long as the tax is levied only against providers?

• Link
• Report this comment

Jm:

I can hear Doggone’s keystrokes from here. He’s frantic !

• Link
• Report this comment

Dear 0311 @ 5:33, agreed.

• Link
• Report this comment

Jm:

If he comes back take over if you can. I have to go for awhile but will be back.

• Link
• Report this comment

Frog

We need to take away that firepower

• Link
• Report this comment

Obama’s government is out of control

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0312/74414.html

• Link
• Report this comment

Doggone:

“It does require him to enforce it. He has not said he would not enforce it…”

“Have you checked the dictionary yet for the difference between enforce and defend?”

I have but apparently you haven’t. He may think DOMA is unconstitutional but he is supposed to “enforce” it.

AND …………… that’s what you said above.

You are arguing against yourself because he has chosen not to defend OR enforce it !

• Link
• Report this comment

TaxPayer:

Hey ………. since you’re here have you seen this ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SazBzvQ0ZAM&feature=related

• Link
• Report this comment

I don’t jump down scout’t rabbit holes. Too dark.

• Link
• Report this comment

The reelection campaign for our President is going smoothly.

Smooth operator.

• Link
• Report this comment

Oops. Let me try that again.

Hey scout, since you’re here, How about an old Porter Wagoner classic.

• Link
• Report this comment

del,

wingnut chose the newt so………..

• Link
• Report this comment

del needs to talk to his party about exploding the deficit.

We balanced it before.

• Link
• Report this comment

carlos

Illegal AND stupid. That does nothing but create more drama and tension. Somebody needs to serve them a warm carafe of STFU for that one.

• Link
• Report this comment

It is about the “stand your ground” law.

You can’t be the aggressor.

• Link
• Report this comment

The Trayvon Martin Story, My Son, and the White Code
I thought my son would be much older before I had to have ‘the talk’ about the White Code. He is still playing with hisTransformers, and listening to the Nelsons and Bon Jovi. But after the Trayvon story, I had to tell him why some people may be afraid of him. As we listened to the 6:00 Fox News, we heard the story of the shooting and the subsequent backlash against White people. My son couldn’t believe his ears. “A hispanic male shot a young Black teen, and Whites are getting dragged into it”, he said. Then, I knew it was time he heard the Truth. As I explained it, the Code goes like this;
No matter what happens son, White people will always get blamed. It is just a fact of life, you better get used to it. No matter what you are wearing, be it a letter jacket or your Beavis and Butthead t-shirt, people will see you as a danger. In the pizza joint, or at the Gap, people will assume you are discriminating against them. Even though you have no power over their life, their job, or that you cannot hurt them in any way. I will always remember the hurt in his eyes as it sunk in to his brain. No matter what he does, he will always have to bear this burden. The “Code” is hard to live by, no matter who or what you are.

• Link
• Report this comment

Recon 0311 2533

_____

That law does not require you to be on your own property.

• Link
• Report this comment

cheney got a new heart.

Wow, I was going to say “you’re kidding me!” but ’tis true.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57403969-503544/dick-cheney-receives-heart-transplant/

• Link
• Report this comment

Recon:

Nope. The former Vice President had open heart surgery today. Hopefully, doing o.k.

• Link
• Report this comment

TaxPayer:

I like old Porter but ……………… )

• Link
• Report this comment

Funny, I thought the former VP was older than 71. Here’s hoping the new ticker takes.

• Link
• Report this comment

Of course it never mattered to them to cite Constitutional authority. They abandoned that in much of the legislation they passed. They also broke several of their other “rules” they said they would follow if they won back the House in their Pledge to America.

• Link
• Report this comment

stands: In the end he’ll cost 6 billion dollars

Oh no, sorry, I forgot. He’s Darth Vader. He’ll be reconstructed as needed and the cost is irrelevant.

• Link
• Report this comment

For all of us who have legal permission to carry weapons the laws are vague when it gets down to an actual circumstance. There was a series of articles and a few in particular from a highly respected authority on the subject of deadly force that described the legal position for those who encounter that unfortunate circumstance. He’s an Arab American whose name escapes me but he’s also a Christian and highly regarded by law enforcement within federal, state and local government. Because of his expertise on the subject, I don’t carry when I’m by myself but do carry when I’m with my family to protect them. I’ll have to try and find the links, so i can share it with y’all.

• Link
• Report this comment

Oscar, If he was attacked on public ground and defended himself in accordance with the law, he’s home free.

• Link
• Report this comment

Good advise from the experts.

http://www.personaldefensesolutions.net/Article-JudiciousUse.htm

• Link
• Report this comment

Recon 0311 2533

March 24th, 2012
8:24 pm
Oscar, If he was attacked on public ground and defended himself in accordance with the law, he’s home free.

________

I was just se4ting out a possibility. No one really knows the facts. That’s why it’s a difficult case. Few in any witnesses.

• Link
• Report this comment

cheney got a new heart.

Well, my buddy Jim Earl swears it was because he was picked by a secret committee that met in the VP’s office and the public will never ever know their names. Even tho he’s 71 and too old according to the guidelines.

Anyway, I’ve been sipping PBR up here at Billy Bob’s and going thru all the online accounts of the operation. Most of the stuff being said about it can’t be put into a family newspaper—everything from “I never knew he had a heart to start with” to “Die, sucker, die.” I read somewhere that Richardhead’s Mr. Cheney’s favorability rating right now is 9%, which is even lower than Congress and used car salesmen.

People sure can hold a grudge a long time. Have a good night everybody.

• Link
• Report this comment

No comments on the
17 year old sentenced
to life without parole
for killing a Tampa cop.

• Link
• Report this comment

0311/8541/5811/1811

March 24th, 2012
8:37 pm

O.K.

I’m going to the store. You guys have me so “psyched up” that I’m carrying both my Glock .45 and my little Ruger .380.

Don’t forget to drive safe. As good as those weapons are they won’t defend against an idiot driver.

• Link
• Report this comment

“The problem there is the “degree” of force used. Depending on the jurisdiction you can’t just shoot someone because you’re getting an a** whoopin.’

Scout, the key operative words are “depending on the jurisdiction”. If you’re being threatened with physical injury regardless of a weapon in someones hand and believe you can only defend yourself through deadly force, you have justification in most jurisdictions. Depends a lot on the D.A’s and again jurisdictions.

• Link
• Report this comment

When I carry it’s a Springfield Armory .45 Cal. XD or a 40 S&W short barrel XD, which is my wife’s. We’re an XD family. I do have a backup 9 Mil. military issue Beretta along with a Remington 870 12, extended magazine for home defense. For extended social work I have a Ruger 556 with a Trijicon ACOG scope. Yaps y’all.

• Link
• Report this comment

frog

I know. I remember reading something awhile back that related to a study of the developing brain of teenagers and how they were not always able to resist impulses as well as someone much older. I hate seeing kids get locked up as I see it more as a failure of our society when we treat kids as adults when it comes to crimes. We’ll make’em adults when they do something bad, but we don’t reward them in the same manner when they do something good. It also says a lot about the family situation of people nowadays. Even when there are two parents in the home, both are primarily working full time just to make ends meet. Those days of June Cleaver staying at home raising the kids are being checked into the inventory at the Smithsonian.

• Link
• Report this comment

Brosephus,
Bad business with the
legislatures foreclosing
options for the Courts
and local governments.

• Link
• Report this comment

Dear Oscar @ 8:36, good evening, seemingly there is a witness who confirms “self defense.”

So, this guy ignores dispatcher instructions not to follow the kid, follows him, gets out and confronts the kid, is getting his butt kicked, uses his weapon to shoot the kid—and it’s self-defense?

Got it!

• Link
• Report this comment

Musical interlude:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKaQzQAlNn4

• Link
• Report this comment

Old Timer

————

According to the kid’s girlfriend who was listening on the cell phone, the first contact was made by the kid, who addressed Z, not the other way around. that means Z did not confornt the kid, but it was the other way aroundl
Wounds on the back of the head indicate Z was hit from behind. He also had a broken nose. Evidence and eye witnesses indicate Z was attacked, not the other way around.

• Link
• Report this comment

Fred:

My cousin (now deceased) played piano and keyboard. He used to record in the studio with them when they made their albums. He also recorded with Chicago and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

• Link
• Report this comment

[...] Constitutional torture in the cause of tort reform So, “Health care and insurance industries are industries affecting interstate commerce….”? They “affect interstate commerce by contributing to the high costs of health care and premiums for health care liability insurance purchased by health care … Read more on Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]

• Link
• Report this comment

There doesn’t seem to be many facts presented in the case yet.

According to the mainstream media, hopefully, this incident will result in the injury and/or death of many innocent white men.

They are responsible for it, after all.

Free Trayvon. Re-elect obama 2012.

(oh yeah, is the picture they continually circulate of Trayvon current or when he was 12?

• Link
• Report this comment

moonbat
the nbpp is merely a replica of a relic from the past. This is just a way for them to take political advantage of a tragic situation and try to make themselves appear to have some relevence in today’s society. They are not relevent and have nothing to offer. Don’t play into their game by getting all bent out of shape. The media reports on this crap because people like YOU get all bent out of shape about it and their ratings go up.

• Link
• Report this comment

i haven’t posted on the Trayvon Martin case yet because, frankly, i’ve been too angry and upset to say anything without coming off as a “angry black woman”.

But I am angry. And i guess i’m gonna sound angry no matter what. trayvon could’ve been one of my nephews– i have two stepsons (both white); trayvon could’ve been one of them.

people keep talkking about black vs. white but this isn’t about that. it’s about a law so badly written that any idiot with a gun and an agenda can beat it.

betty you’re saying the kid fought him….well i ask you what would YOU have done in his shoes. just picture it–a 17 yo kid, walking home alone at night in the dark and you see a stranger following you for no apparent reason.

i see where a lot of adults who’ve NEVER faced a situation like that before give their opinion on what to do, but there are some women on the blog too.

would you a woman, stop, turn around and ask a stranger who’s following you, (in a calm voice) Sir why are you following me?

as a woman growing up in the decades of serial killers like ted bundy, et al; would you really think, “Im in no danger; this man just wants directions”? seriously?

yet we expect a kid who’s grown up listening to the news about people like john wayne gacy and jeffrey dahmer to be calm and not loose his cool? WTF is WRong with your thinking?

this is not a black/white thing although i think the kid WAS profiled; but i feel in my heart that it could’ve been my two white stepsons walking in that neighborhood at night and they would’ve been shot down too. Why? because this was a man with an AGENDA.

His agenda was to be seen as the hero of the community. his AGENDA

• Link
• Report this comment

Debbie, I agree with you for the most part. I’m not calling right or wrong in the case, because the facts in the case aren’t clear at this point.

Folks are already prepared to riot without the facts of the case – and that’s what the media wants.

It’s late, Debbie. I understand where you are coming from though.

Good night.

• Link
• Report this comment

Goodniight Betty. Good night everyone else who was on the board and have now left for sleepytown.

I’m wired –I’ll probably be up for another couple of hours.

• Link
• Report this comment

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lc0DL3vuvb0&feature=related

• Link
• Report this comment

• Link
• Report this comment

Throw in the ABPP and idiots like the Miami Heat players with their photo-shoot, and you have the makings for mayhem in the streets.

What does the American Board of Professional Psychology have to do with anything? I wouldn’t describe the Miami Heat players as idiots either, but then again I’d expect that from you. I wonder what the people anticipating riots will do when there are no riots in the street. Seems like there are a few of y’all just foaming at the mouth in anticipation of just that very thing.

• Link
• Report this comment

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)[1][2] is a United States federal statute signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. The law (along with the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010) is the principal health care reform legislation of the 111th United States Congress. PPACA requires individuals not covered by employer- or government-sponsored insurance plans to maintain minimal essential health insurance coverage or pay a penalty unless exempted for religious beliefs or financial hardship, a provision commonly referred to as the “individual mandate”. The Act also reforms certain aspects of the private health insurance industry and public health insurance programs, increases insurance coverage of pre-existing conditions, expands access to insurance to 30 million Americans,[3][4] and increases projected national medical spending[5][6] while lowering projected Medicare spending.[7]

PPACA includes numerous provisions to take effect over several years beginning in 2010. Policies issued before the law was promulgated are grandfathered from most federal regulations.
Guaranteed issue and partial community rating will require insurers to offer the same premium to all applicants of the same age and geographical location without regard to most pre-existing conditions (excluding tobacco use).[17]
A shared responsibility requirement, commonly called an individual mandate,[18] requires that all persons not covered by an employer sponsored health plan, Medicaid, Medicare, or other public insurance programs purchase and comply with an approved private insurance policy or pay a penalty, unless the applicable individual is a member of a recognized religious sect exempted by the Internal Revenue Service, or waived in cases of financial hardship.[19]
Medicaid eligibility is expanded to include all individuals and families with incomes up to 133% of the poverty level along with a simplified CHIP enrollment process.[20][21]
Health insurance exchanges will commence operation in each state, offering a marketplace where individuals and small businesses can compare policies and premiums, and buy insurance (with a government subsidy if eligible).[22]
Low income persons and families above the Medicaid level and up to 400% of the federal poverty level will receive federal subsidies[23] on a sliding scale if they choose to purchase insurance via an exchange (persons at 150% of the poverty level would be subsidized such that their premium cost would be of 2% of income or $50 a month for a family of 4).[24]
Minimum standards for health insurance policies are to be established and annual and lifetime coverage caps will be banned.[25]
Firms employing 50 or more people but not offering health insurance will also pay a shared responsibility requirement if the government has had to subsidize an employee’s health care.[26]
Very small businesses will be able to get subsidies if they purchase insurance through an exchange.[27]
Co-payments, co-insurance, and deductibles are to be eliminated for select health care insurance benefits considered to be part of an “essential benefits package”[28] for Level A or Level B preventive care.[29]
Changes are enacted that allow a restructuring of Medicare reimbursement from “fee-for-service” to “bundled payments.”[30][31]
Additional support is provided for medical research and the National Institutes of Health.[32]

[edit] Summary of funding

The Act’s provisions are intended to be funded by a variety of taxes and offsets. Major sources of new revenue include a much-broadened Medicare tax on incomes over $200,000 and $250,000, for individual and joint filers respectively, an annual fee on insurance providers, and a 40% tax on “Cadillac” insurance policies. There are also taxes on pharmaceuticals, high-cost diagnostic equipment, and a 10% federal sales tax on indoor tanning services. Offsets are from intended cost savings such as improved fairness in the Medicare Advantage program relative to traditional Medicare.[33]

Summary of tax increases:
Broaden Medicare tax base for high-income taxpayers: $210.2 billion
Annual fee on health insurance providers: $60 billion
40% excise tax on health coverage in excess of $10,200/$27,500: $32 billion
Impose annual fee on manufacturers and importers of branded drugs: $27 billion
Impose 2.3% excise tax on manufacturers and importers of certain medical devices: $20 billion
Raise 7.5% Adjusted Gross Income floor on medical expenses deduction to 10%: $15.2 billion
Limit contributions to flexible spending arrangements in cafeteria plans to $2,500: $13 billion
All other revenue sources: $14.9 billion
Original budget estimates included a provision to require information reporting on payments to corporations, which had been projected to raise $17 billion, but the provision was repealed.[34]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patient_Protection_and_Affordable_Care_Act

• Link
• Report this comment

“This is a ‘government takeover’ of the health care system”

This snappy talking point is used by Republicans repeatedly to bash Obama’s crowing legislative achievement, but it is simply not true. In fact, PolitiFact.com labeled this claim the 2010 “lie of the year,” but that has not stopped lawmakers from making this claim.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/2011/01/health_care_myths.html

• Link
• Report this comment

carlos

I don’t know about the reverse discrimination thing, but I’ll say that bounty thing is pure jackassery. It does nothing but further agitate things, and I wish all newspeople quit reporting on it. I have no problem with people wanting to protest, but things need to remain civil so that authorities will be able to investigate things to the best of their abilities.

I personally don’t expect any charges to come of this case simply because of the lack of evidence. I don’t have confidence in the Sanford PD having properly secured evidence relating to the shooting. Knowing that they sent a narcotics investigator out after the shooting as opposed to a homicide investigator doesn’t sit well with me. Add the fact that Trayvon’s phone sat for 3 days before someone looked at it, and that tells me that they were not serious about investigating it beyond what Zimmerman told them.

• Link
• Report this comment

Brosephus

I don’t know what the grand jury will do about this. The crime scene probably has been considerably compromised by now. However, I am virtually certain that if Zimmerman had been unarmed, Trayvon would not have killed him. I’m guessing that Trayvon may have been giving Zimmerman a much deserved butt whupping when he(Zimmerman) panicked and shot him. You have to wonder just how many needless and senseless gun murders have to occur in America before a serious attempt will be made to stop so many people from packing heat.

• Link
• Report this comment

“If anyone can find the language in the bill which allows it, I would love to see it.”

It might be embodied already in the same law that allows religious exemptions from serving in the military. I’m thinking, in particular, of the Amish here. They do not believe in having insurance, and it’s a pretty good guess they’ll be allowed to opt out.

• Link
• Report this comment

carlos

Here’s a copy of the initial report filed by the police that responded to the call. Based on their narratives, I doubt there will be an indictment.

http://www.sanfordfl.gov/investigation/docs/Twin%20Lakes%20Shooting%20Initial%20Report.pdf

Something that strikes me as odd is the positioning of the body based on the report. One eyewitness puts Trayvon on top of Zimmerman. If that is the case and Zimmerman shot him from that position, impact from that shot would seem to push Trayvon’s body back. If Zimmerman shot him point blank while he was on his back, Zimmerman would still have to roll the body over to get from underneath him.

Just going on my hunch, the position of the body suggests that Trayvon took off running after being shot and fell from the effect of the wound. That wouldn’t answer who was on top. The angle of the wound trajectory would, however, shed light on the position of the two when Trayvon was shot. That coudl show whether he was over Zimmerman, Zimmerman was on top, or if they were both standing. Forensics could also show whether he was shot from a close proximity or from a distance. It’s harder, but not impossible, to claim self defense shooting an unarmed person who’s 15 feet away from you.

• Link
• Report this comment

willard romney.

The least interesting man in the world.

Stay boring my friends.

• Link
• Report this comment

Just when you think the Republicans couldn’t possibly pile any more on to their metaphorical mountain of hypocritical crap, they hold their collective breath, strain with the mother of all Valsalva maneuvers and make the extra effort to squeeze out yet another load.

• Link
• Report this comment

Jam,

I wonder where they found a match for a heart?

• Link
• Report this comment

Brocephus,

There will be an indictment. Too much political pressure for there not to be- especially since the president weighed in. Where it goes from there is anybody’s guess depending upon what really happened. While I and many others on here think Zimmerman was way overzealous and flat out wrong he could well end up being innocent due to the way that law is and eyewitenss accounts of what happened- especially if one of them can verify that Trayvon was indeed on top of him which may give Zimmerman the out that he needed that he was in fear of his life. Most of us believe that Zimmerman did wrong in our hearts but unfortunately the law may not see it that way.

• Link
• Report this comment

JamVet

Well, that kitty is now gonna be labeled as a thug kitty.

• Link
• Report this comment

“Well, that kitty is now gonna be labeled as a thug kitty”

And he’s going to have to be careful to lookout for watch dogs!

• Link
• Report this comment

” just wondering if all of this energy would be better directed elsewhere.”

short answer: no – because this is not entirely about the death of one teenaged black kid. It’s a MUCH bigger issue: the issue of the law that MIGHT allow his killer to walk away scott free. That has yet to be determined, but the possiblity is there and that law is what makes it possible.

• Link
• Report this comment

Bruno

The energy IS all throughout the community. The problem is that the national media doesn’t cover Black America unless it’s something negative. When was the last time you saw something positive about young Black Americans on tv? heard on the radio? You dismiss Al Sharpton, but he has a radio show that puts information out for others to hear. It’s not all negative, nor is it all pandering as you and others call it. There are other syndicated radio shows that do things to uplift the communities. Until we fully integrate our society, nothing will change.

• Link
• Report this comment

“The laceration on the back of Zimmerman’s head is very important. Its important because it means that Zimmerman initially turned his back to avoid a full frontal attack as he was assuming a defensive posture. Or when Trayvon attacked him from behind or when they were on the ground Trayvon punched him in the back of the head as he was on top”

Or it might mean that Trayvon hit him or punched him in the nose and caught him off balance and he fell backwards and hit his head.

• Link
• Report this comment

Brosephus

As I said earlier, my understanding is that Trayvon weighed 140 lbs and Zimmerman weighs 240. In my time in high school I witnessed many fist fights. I saw black eyes and bloody noses and bruises. I never saw anyone get killed. I haven’t heard anyone say Trayvon was any kind of self-defense expert. So, why would the police believe Zimmerman’s claim of self defense? I don’t want to believe it’s because Trayvon is black and Zimmerman isn’t. Unfortunately, the Sanford PD’s actions speak for themselves. Based on what I’ve heard, this is murder, plain and simple and if what I’ve heard is true, the Sanford police have completely disgraced themselves.

• Link
• Report this comment

Bro,

I’m changing my mind on this as I read more about it. I think the whole thing is just unfortunate and when I first read about this I was ready to convict Zimmerman. Jumping to conclusions is never a good thing.

Bottom line is that a witness claims that Trayvon attacked Zimmerman and Zimmerman does have the injuries consistent with being attacked. I still think its terribly wrong to shoot someone just because you’re getting your ass kicked but that’s just me. Other people may feel their life is in danger and respond accordingly.

Like Bruno I’m now concerned about the racial pandering, particularly from AL Sharpton. I saw him raising hell about this yesterday and its clear to me this man has no interest in hearing the other side of the story. He already has his mind made up and wants blood. Inflammatory figures like him bring no good to the situation.

One thing no one in the media is talking about. Why was Zimmerman so overzealous in pursuing the young man down the street? Was there a plethora of burglaries or crime being committed- mainly by young black men fitting trayvon’s description- in this town and or neighborhood over the preceding months? Depending on the local crime stats Zimmerman was either just a racist looking to hassle a young black man or he was reasonably suspicious of a young man who fit the profile of young men who had been committing a series of crimes in the neighborhood or town. I would like to know why he was so overzealous in pursuing the young man.

• Link
• Report this comment

“I wish I could believe you, Doggone, but the facts speak otherwise. This isn’t the first case, or even the most outrageous case of the “stand your ground” legal defense”

No, of course it isn’t, but ever heard of “the straw that broke the camel’s back” – this could turn out to be that straw

• Link
• Report this comment

A Riverdale woman was arrested Thursday in the death of a one-year-old Gwinnett County girl.
Thirty-year-old Tekila Glass turned herself in to Gwinnett County Police and was released from jail after posting bond.Investigators said Glass was backing her car through the parking lot of Lenora Park in Snellville on Sept. 17 when she hit Brooke Hellwig and her daughter Olivia as they were walking through the parking lot. Mother and daughter both suffered injuries and were transported to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston, where Olivia later died.Gwinnett County Police said they believe Glass was to blame for the accident.She faces charges of improper backing and vehicular homicide

Little 1 year old was run over twice. Lady backed up 50+ feet with radio blaring trying to get back to a parking space she missed. In her haste she backed up on a stroller and knocked the mother down. The mother screamed and watched as the driver ran over the infant again. Took days for any witnesses to come forward as the witnesses were all black. Charges against driver later dropped.

Charges were later dropped.

Right here in your on backyard folks- 1 year old infant gone. No AJC press crying outrage. No bloggers crying outrage.

Events like Trayvon happen every day unfortunately- we have 350 million people in this country.

• Link
• Report this comment

“Events like Trayvon happen every day unfortunately”

yeah, right – because that 1 year old attacked first, right?

• Link
• Report this comment

Lobbyist crooks pay off political crooks for more of the same!

http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-government/wheeler-dealers-efforts-pay-1397380.html

• Link
• Report this comment

You know Doom and Bruno there is one simple question that has to be asked and answered.

The question to be asked, “Did Trayvon feel threatened by a STRANGE MAN following him for seemingly no reason and if so, did he react as a person fearing for his life?”

The Answer…………….

Can’t be given because Trayvon is DEAD.

I wonder, if Trayvon would’ve wrestled the gun from Zimmerman and in the aftermath shot and killed Zimmerman would Trayvon been arrested on the spot? Or would he have been let go as Zimmerman was if he claimed “He was acting out of self-defense”?

If you Bruno or Doom can answer that question honestly, I would love to know your answer.

• Link
• Report this comment

carlos

I won’t disagree with your view at all. For me, there are still too many unanswered questions to make a judgement call. I’m interested in the evidence in this case. The report doesn’t give enough detail to convince me that Trayvon was the aggressor and that the only option Zimmerman had was deadly force. The officer that describes Zimmerman’s back being wet mentions bleeding from the nose. If you’ve seen somebody get their nose busted in a fight, you know there’s lots of blood. That report makes no mention of blood on the clothing, but it does mention grass. I’ve made up my mind that I’m just gonna let the experts do their thing. I just don’t have confidence in the response of the local authorities to the entire incident.

• Link
• Report this comment

DDR–Back in a few to address your posts.

• Link
• Report this comment

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2012
12:11 pm
“Events like Trayvon happen every day unfortunately”

yeah, right – because that 1 year old attacked first, right?

On average over 40 people a day are murdered in the U.S. To say that none of those killings are as unfortunate as what happened to Trayvon seems pretty insensitive to the families of those murder victims.

• Link
• Report this comment

“To say that none of those killings are as unfortunate as what happened to Trayvon seems pretty insensitive to the families of those murder victims”

It wasn’t me who made a pretty dumb comparison between a senseless killing of a one year old child and a senseless killing that hinges on a law that allows a self-defense plea. Unless you really ARE claiming that one year old’s killer is claiming self defense.

Or you’re claiming that Trayvon Martin’s killer is not entitled to claim self-defense.

Which is is?

• Link
• Report this comment

Bruno: As I referenced the other night, a Japanese exchange student in a Halloween costume was killed by a homeowner several years ago down in Louisiana. Apparently Al, Jay and the NBPP missed that one.

Contrary to popular belief and you can google the event to ascertain my validity, BUT Al, et al; got into the fray LONG afterwards. The local black community was prostesting it first. THEN the local black media picked up the story and it went live through the black radio and tv stations. THEN a writer from Huffington picked up the story and it went live to the white community. THEN a facebook petition was put up. THEN more rallies and more support throughout the nation. THEN Al Sharpton et al chimed in.

They chimed in almost a MONTH afterwards. Your claims of “race pandering” is insincere as well as ignorant.

• Link
• Report this comment

Why wont anyone answer this question:

I wonder, if Trayvon would’ve wrestled the gun from Zimmerman and in the aftermath shot and killed Zimmerman would Trayvon been arrested on the spot? Or would he have been let go as Zimmerman was if he claimed “He was acting out of self-defense”?

• Link
• Report this comment

“The question to be asked, “Did Trayvon feel threatened by a STRANGE MAN following him for seemingly no reason and if so, did he react as a person fearing for his life?”

He either felt threatened or ticked off that a man was following him or a little bit of both. But if you feel threatened you generally run or call the police. Its generally when you feel angry is when you attack. Personally I would have felt a little bit of both and hung up the phone and called the cops on the guy following me. The last thing I would have done is attacked him as the eyewitness is asserting happened and as the evidence is pointing to.

“I wonder, if Trayvon would’ve wrestled the gun from Zimmerman and in the aftermath shot and killed Zimmerman would Trayvon been arrested on the spot?”- I don’t know. My initial impression is that he would have been let go since it was Zimmerman’s gun and Trayvon himself in fearing for his life would have taken it from Zimmerman and shot him. But then again according to the eyewitness and the evidence at hand it was trayvon who attacked Zimmerman.

Or would he have been let go as Zimmerman was if he claimed “He was acting out of self-defense”?

I don’t know the law well enough to qualify what the cops would or wouldn’t have done. Again I think it comes down to who initiated the actual physical violence and that’s probably what the cops would have gone on.

• Link
• Report this comment

“but he can sure as hell pretend not to understand yours.”

And does.

• Link
• Report this comment

Notice our cons ignore the fact that the 911 operator told Zimmerman not to follow and not to be the aggressor.

zimm was the aggressor and the rest is rw spin.

• Link
• Report this comment

Doom:
Or would he have been let go as Zimmerman was if he claimed “He was acting out of self-defense”? I don’t know the law well enough to qualify what the cops would or wouldn’t have done. Again I think it comes down to who initiated the actual physical violence and that’s probably what the cops would have gone on.

Bullsh###$hit!! You know the answer to the question; youre just pretending not to.

And that”What he should’ve done………” crap you spouted means d#ck cause Trayvon is DEAD and can’t defend himself nor his thoughts or actions at the time.

So we’re left with the word of a murderer.

DogGone – you were right, asking a serious contemplative question of some of the people on here was just a waste of time.

carlos – again I agree. the kid weighed 140 pounds compared to Zimmerman’s 240 with a gun. That poor kid never had a chance.

• Link
• Report this comment

“Based on information from the 911 dispatch and his subsequent actions, I fault him for continuing to follow Trayvon. Had he heeded the advice of the dispatch, this discussion would not be going on at all.”- Bro

Bro,

I agree. This whole tragedy could have been avoided had the idiot just heeded the dispatcher’s advice. Which is why I want to know why Zimmerman felt still inclined to follow the young man. In the media reports I see no mention as to why.

• Link
• Report this comment

“In the media reports I see no mention as to why.”

And that is most probably because his lawyers have not allowed him to be interviewed. Or, at any rate, because he hasn’t been interviewed for whatever reason.

• Link
• Report this comment

Doggone,

I’m not referencing a 1 year old’s death. I’m referencing the fact that several hundred people get murdered in the U.S. every day and an average of 40 people a day. I’m simply making a point that their deaths are no more or no less tragic in many cases as Trayvon’s death.

“And are you so unimaginative that you cannot conceive of ANY way that someone could fall and get grass on them AND hit their head on something hard? REALLY, you can’t? Ever heard of a “grass verge” on the side of a PAVED ROAD or SIDEWALK?”

And so we are now supposed to engage in “imagination” of what could have happened? I prefer to stick with the most plausible, most credible, and most likely scenario of what happened. You can have your various hypotheticals which are possible but also unlikely.

• Link
• Report this comment

DebbieDoRight:

Is draft dodger Bill Clinton included in your “hall of shame” ?

• Link
• Report this comment

In Newt’s defense (below) he’s trying to get more money from his campaign and the one with some of the biggest bucks is the NRA…….

Newt Gingrich Calls Trayvon Martin Case A ‘Tragedy,’ Defends Stand Your Ground Law

Gingrich said that while he didn’t know all the facts of the Martin case, he didn’t feel the stand your ground law would ultimately apply.
“The young man apparently was not following the person who’s being investigated,” he said. “Apparently, the shooter was following the young man. That’s not a stand your own ground, that’s a chase the other person into their ground. And I think you’re going to find the law, as interpreted normally, doesn’t apply to this case.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/23/newt-gingrich-trayvon-martin_n_1375246.html

• Link
• Report this comment

Headline: “DeKalb teen allegedly killed by security guards”

“DeKalb police are investigating fatal shooting Saturday night of an 18-year-old boy who was allegedly killed by two apartment security guards, according to Channel 2 Action News.

Authorities told Channel 2 that Ervin Jefferson was shot to death near his home on Pleasant Wood Drive. The guards, who were on duty at the nearby Village at Wesley Chapel Apartments, told police they were checking out a suspicious car at about 10:30 p.m. when they heard gunfire coming from Jefferson’s home.

The guards told police they saw Jefferson leave the home and walk toward them aggressively, while making threats to kill. That’s when the guards drew their weapons and fired at the teen, hitting him in the chest, police told Channel 2.”

Three points:

1) 18 year old “boys” are in the Marines fighting in Afghanistan. “Boy” is incorrect.

2) If the victim was white and the shooters were black this will get no national headlines.
If the victim was white and the shooters were white this will get no national headlines.
If the victim was black and the shooters were white …………… standby !

3) If wonder if he was wearing a “hoody”?

• Link
• Report this comment

scout – you’d have to click on the link to see. happy viewing!

• Link
• Report this comment

Scout: If the victim was black and the shooters were white …………… standby !

(A) If the victim was white he would not have looked “threatening” to the rent-a-cops.

3) If wonder if he was wearing a “hoody”?

(B) What a classless jerk you are. I’m amazed I’m just now recognizing that.

• Link
• Report this comment

Bro,

Sorry man but I was thinking of your 10:58 post where you mentioned zimmerman on his back and then your noon post. I don’t mean to misrepresent what you said but between your posts, the police report, and everything else I probably misread what you were saying and my apology for that. You should know I wouldn’t purposely misrepresent what you said.

“For a punch to cause a lasceration on the skull, Trayvon would probably have fractured knuckles or, at a minimum, bruising of the knuckles.”

Still gotta disagree with you on this though. It doesn’t take much for a knuckle to lacerate someone and it can be easily done without fracturing or even bruising your knuckle.

• Link
• Report this comment

Headline: “Mangled horses, maimed jockeys: Death and disarray at America’s racetracks”

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46848067/ns/politics-the_new_york_times/

Very little difference between this and dog fighting. Maybe it’s time for it to go away also.

• Link
• Report this comment

DebbieDoRight:

Wearing a hoody (especially in warm weather) is stupid. Is that what a young man wears for a job interview ?

Pull your pants up too (black or white) !

• Link
• Report this comment

I suspect that ultimately, this nutjob vigilante will face criminal charges…

• Link
• Report this comment

They Both Suck:

Let me put it this way. Years and years ago I work for IRS-Criminal Investigation Division.

If you “avoided” taxes through legal means (tax shelters, non-taxable bonds, etc.) that was fine.

If you “evaded” your taxes you could go to jail, pay penalties, etc., etc.

Clinton : Evaded the draft
Bush: Avoided the draft
Cheney: Avoided the draft

• Link
• Report this comment

Scout

Figured you would avoid or play semantic… Nice try….. Was Clinton charged? If so for what and when?

http://www.snopes.com/politics/clintons/felon.asp

Spin all you like…. ALL 3 used connections to stay out of that jungle……..

• Link
• Report this comment

The Zimmermann, Martin Case, My Son, and the Code
I thought that my son was too young to know about these things, but this story made me realize that as a Skinhead, the time had come to have ‘the talk’ with my son. It seems just yesterday that he was innocently playing ‘Grand Theft Auto’, and listening to his favorite hate music, Marchers for the Motherland, and his fav pop boy band, the Cute Cluckx Clan. But , good times could not last forever.
As I explained it to him, the Code goes like this……..Some people will see you and judge you, without ever really knowing you. They will see the anti-Zionist messages on your t’shirts, the SS face tattoos, the dress khakis that you wear to church, and they will feel threatened. Yes, these things can sway the opinions of the uneducated minorities, and you will have to face the realities of life. Know that I will always be with you as you face the taunts from the majority of the people of America, but we alone know of our plan to save our Race. So, it is with great pride that I now tell you of your pupose and your struggle ahead. Wear your swastika with pride, and remember your duty to your country. Alas, I must now release that little boy to the world.

• Link
• Report this comment

So Scout

Are you ok if it was someone who firs your general political ideology and no ok if the person did not?

I do not want to put any words on your mouth, but on the surface…………

• Link
• Report this comment

DebbieDoRight:

Is the Mayor of Philadelphia a “classless jerk” as you see it ?

“Take those God-darn hoodies down, especially in the summer. Pull your pants up and buy a belt ‘cause no one wants to see your underwear or the crack of your butt. If you walk into somebody’s office with your hair uncombed and a pick in the back, and your shoes untied, and your pants half down, tattoos up and down your arms and on your neck, and you wonder why somebody won’t hire you? They don’t hire you ‘cause you look like you’re crazy. You have damaged your own race.” — Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter

How about Rivera ?

“Geraldo Rivera doubled down Friday night on his controversial comments about the Trayvon Martin killing in which he traced the Florida teen’s death back to the hoodie he was reportedly wearing at the time.

“I am urging the parents of black and Latino youngsters, particularly, to not let their children go out wearing hoodies. I think the hoodie is as much responsible for Trayvon Martin’s death as George Zimmerman was,“ Rivera said during ”Fox and Friends” Friday morning.”

SOMETIMES THE TRUTH HURTS !

• Link
• Report this comment

Notice the cons will not respond to the other case involving the death of a soldier.

Funny, when the roles are reversed they say nothing.

• Link
• Report this comment

The hood thingie is ignorant.

• Link
• Report this comment

carlosgvv :

“3. Even if he is fat and out of shape, a physical struggle with a younger man who you outweigh by 100 pounds does not justify your shooting him unless he has a weapon or is some sort of fighting expert.”

A police officer is not justified (normally) in shooting someone just because they are “fighting” them, unless the individual is trying to get the officers weapon. Then all bets are off.

• Link
• Report this comment

getalife:

“The hood thingie is ignorant.”

You are correct. It is “ignorant” to wear it.

But, considering I think I know what you really meant ……….. tell it to the Mayor of Philly !

• Link
• Report this comment

One more and I’m out

Scout

Go check all the records of those of age to serve in Vietnam who didn’t yet you have gladly voted for in the past, for vote for now and will vote for in the future than come back and tell me that you do not decide this issue based on politics……… and work to justify through innuendo and semantics

You are much smarter than that, but that is a choice you make

peace out

• Link
• Report this comment

Bookman has no ground to lecture ANYONE about constitutional issues as he is of the party that does not care what the constitution says. They twist the law to say what they want it to and are seemingly proud of it.

• Link
• Report this comment

White cower!

• Link
• Report this comment

“2. Where did you hear that Zimmerman is a “fat, out of shape guy”?”

Carlos,

Just a personal observation looking at the guy’s pic. He needs to jog around the block a few thousand times in my opinion.

“3. Even if he is fat and out of shape, a physical struggle with a younger man who you outweigh by 100 pounds does not justify your shooting him unless he has a weapon or is some sort of fighting expert. As I said, there has been no information to suggest Trayvon was a self-defense expert.”

Zimmerman didn’t have a weight scale to ask Trayvon to step on and weigh himself before he attacked Zimmerman. And if you are being physically attacked and being punched in the nose nor are you going to be thinking about how much the guy weighs. You’re more likely thinking about the asskicking you are taking than how much he weighs or what if any is martial arts qualifications are.

“4. A broken nose and head laceration are not life threatning injuries and do not justify shooting someone. I’ve witnessed many fist fights in the past which resulted in injuries like these. No one died.”

Generally I would agree with you and personally I would rather get my ass kicked then live with knowing that I shot someone. And a broken nose likely will not kill anyone. But a blow to the back of the head you are dead wrong on. Remember that story about the 12 year old girl last week in the news that died after about a minute fight with another girl? Ever watch UFC? You ever notice that you cannot hit the other guy in the back of the head? I remember about a decade ago when I lived in Cherokee county in a subdivision off the town lake parkway when the neighborhood 15 year old bully beat up a 12 year old kid and killed him with a blow to the back of the head in what was one of them routine skill fights. People die from blows to the back of the head more often than you think Carlos.

• Link
• Report this comment

Clinton evaded by deceit.

Speaking of evasion…

Second request. Please do explain – It is “ignorant” to wear it.

• Link
• Report this comment

JamVet:

Maybe you should ask a black man. I would just be accused of being racist.

“Take those God-darn hoodies down, especially in the summer. Pull your pants up and buy a belt ‘cause no one wants to see your underwear or the crack of your butt. If you walk into somebody’s office with your hair uncombed and a pick in the back, and your shoes untied, and your pants half down, tattoos up and down your arms and on your neck, and you wonder why somebody won’t hire you? They don’t hire you ‘cause you look like you’re crazy. You have damaged your own race.”

Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter

• Link
• Report this comment

JamVet:

Depends on the time of the year:

In summer it sure marks you as ignorant kind of like if I wore mittens in August to walk my dog …..

• Link
• Report this comment

Oh, I see. For you it is supposedly a matter of the weather, now.

Riiiight.

Yet you cite, in defense of your claim, one quote that has NOTHING at all to do with one’s apparel based on the temperature. NOTHING.

Try again and be honest this time…

(The truth will set you free.)

• Link
• Report this comment

Scout,

If a white man says something about hoodies or pulling your pants up and not showing your ass it then of course its ignorant. And if a white mayor or white town adopted an ordinance banning wearing pants that show your ass then its ignorant.

Now if majority black Jonesboro in majority black Clayton County bans it then of course its ok. Its just another of those interesting double standards and uncomfortable truths that we generally don’t talk about.

• Link
• Report this comment

Thulsa:

Thank you. The Mayor of Philly obviously sees it as a “gang” symbol or something like the pants around your ankles thing. If black kids don’t want to try to get ahead you can’t force them.

I worked with a lot of black friends, mentors, supervisors who decided they were not going to go that route. It’s all about decisions.

• Link
• Report this comment

Scout,

The mayor of Philly may have seen it as a “gang” issue. I just see it as a looking like a damn fool issue. Yep. Its all about decisions. The thing that the mayor said that needed to be said was the bit about looking like a complete fool with all the tats, pants hung low, dreds, etc. and then wondering why nobody will hire you. Same goes for white kids with the lip, nose, and brow rings, their tats, purple hair, etc. What the eff are they thinking when they go apply for a job? One thing is for sure- they won’t get hired at Chick fil-A.

• Link
• Report this comment

Funny how the cons cry about being called racists then prove they are racists all the time.

Look how the latch on to the hoodie thingie.

Your words give you away con racists.

• Link
• Report this comment

OK, since the corporal won’t be honest, let’s review his defense of his preposterous claim that this child was being “ignorant”.

Scout has clear photographic evidence that this teenager needed to pull his pants up and buy a belt because he was showing everyone his underwear and the crack of his butt.

Also he can show that his hair was uncombed, had pick in the back and that his shoes were untied.

Also that his pants were half down and he had tattoos up and down his arms and on his neck.

But the thrust of Scout’s argument is that he was apparently on his way to a job interview and that he was wondering why somebody wouldn’t hire him?

It is more than ironic that the corporal used the word racist.

Here was a kid who had never been in trouble with the law. He walked to a Quickie Mart and bought some candy and iced tea and was walking home when this man with a criminal record and history of violence towards women and cops killed him for no good reason.

They have put a fervent defense for this man killing that boy, but I guarandamntee you that the corporal and his Republican friends would not have uttered the very first peep in defense of the killer had it been a black man who took the life of a white/Latino kid.

Not one.

And they pretend to wonder why they can’t get more than the tiniest support from ANY minority group…

• Link
• Report this comment

The hoodie argument probably has a basis in reality but it is not hard to imagine, in different circumstances, an article like a confederat flag T shirt producing the same tragic and unjust result. It is a very ugly reality.

• Link
• Report this comment

It seems everyone knows
what happened in the
Martin/Zimmerman case
but the Sanford police and
the FBI.

• Link
• Report this comment

frog

Ain’t that the truth!!

• Link
• Report this comment

Don’t Forget

March 25th, 2012
2:36 pm

I agree with you 100%.

• Link
• Report this comment

get – the thing that I got from the Clinton letter was a reminder of the anguish and internal conflicts that were felt by so many during the Viet Nam war.

• Link
• Report this comment

frog – why do most of your posts today look like an attempt at haiku?

• Link
• Report this comment

One thing about the health insurance mandate that few seem to know is that is has absolutely NO teeth.

From page 336:
‘‘(A) WAIVER OF CRIMINAL PENALTIES.—In
the case of any failure by a taxpayer to timely
pay any penalty imposed by this section, such
taxpayer shall not be subject to any criminal
prosecution or penalty with respect to such fail17
ure.
‘‘(B) LIMITATIONS ON LIENS AND LEVIES.—
The Secretary shall not—
‘‘(i) file notice of lien with respect to
any property of a taxpayer by reason of
any failure to pay the penalty imposed by
this section, or
‘‘(ii) levy on any such property with
respect to such failure.’’.

I wonder if that will affect the arguments and decision of the SC.

• Link
• Report this comment

Let the church say Amen…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Amv5UmSB2Bg

• Link
• Report this comment

And, regardless to opinion, the objective is to get the story in the media. How do you feel about a tv show that’s dedicated specifically to missing Black Americans? The network TV One has a show titled Find Our Missing that does that. It specifically highlights cases of missing Black Americans. Why do they do that? The national media tends to ignore them, so that’s the way they’ve determined they can get the story out to help locate those who are missing.

Brosephus–I can’t disagree with you about the media and missing persons. If you’re not a young, pretty, blonde white girl, your chances of garnering the attention of MSNBC, FOX, etc. are just about zero. Which ties in with my larger point about proportionality and the news. Focusing all of our attention on a few sensational cases per year serves no one except the news agencies who use them to sell commercial time. In this particular case, it is the difference in race between perpetrator and victim which has triggered all of the attention IMO, not so much the “stand your ground” legal defense.

• Link
• Report this comment

Yo Bruno: topic interuptus:

Check out this “band” if you haven’t heard of them before. Singer has almost a Ricky Lee Jones feel to her IMHO. The video is actually good as well. I think the second tune is better than the first one but I can’t quite make up my mind lol.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NW63lS9_MW4&feature=BFa&list=UUddeloXczpo-9Gr8L87_3Ng&lf=plcp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roBVZZ4pEIs&feature=BFa&list=UUddeloXczpo-9Gr8L87_3Ng&lf=plcp

• Link
• Report this comment

One thing about the health insurance mandate that few seem to know is that is has absolutely NO teeth.

DF @ 3:13–While there are supposed to be no criminal charges or liens filed, I believe that any future govt benefits such as SSI will be reduced. Personally, I have no confidence that the enforcement will stay “toothless” for long. I’m banking on the SCOTUS first, religious exemption second.

• Link
• Report this comment

Bruno

Without bringing attention to the case at all, that would have been just another dead kid and nobody would be thinking about that law at all other than the Martin family. You might not like the focus on race, but that focus is what put it in the national spotlight. All kinds of stats related to that law are being kicked around now. For example, I heard one newscast mention that since the law went into effect, “justifiable” homicides have tripled. Is it a case of corelation or causation? Who knows, but nobody would if this or some other case had not been talked about.

Focusing all of our attention on a few sensational cases per year serves no one except the news agencies who use them to sell commercial time.

Initially, the news agencies did not cover this case. They didn’t get into it until the surge in social media attention caused the news agencies to pay attention. Long before it was covered by major networks, I heard Michael Baisden talking about the shooting on his radio show. Facebook and Twitter is what pushed the networks to cover this story.

http://storify.com/HollyEdgell/anatomy-coverage-of-trayvon-martin

• Link
• Report this comment

New identifier for you Brocephus: Brochepus: Failing on the stereotyping since 19………….

I thought of that because here you are blogging instead of watching the NCAA Tourny, yet you will PROBABLY watch or at least monitor the race in Fontana when it starts……………..

• Link
• Report this comment

While there are supposed to be no criminal charges or liens filed, I believe that any future govt benefits such as SSI will be reduced.

As far as I know, there are no provisions for that in the law so I don’t know how to respond to that concern.

• Link
• Report this comment

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZKB-ZQTkO8&feature=related

• Link
• Report this comment

Don’t Forget

“The hoodie argument probably has a basis in reality but it is not hard to imagine, in different circumstances, an article like a confederat flag T shirt producing the same tragic and unjust result. It is a very ugly reality.”

Thank you.

• Link
• Report this comment

Fred

I think they’re done for the weekend. The Mrs. is a Jr fan. I’m good with any of Joe’s guys and Stewart.

• Link
• Report this comment

“The IPAB will be your Frankenstein. To them you will be just another used up asset not worthy of the cost it takes to keep you alive”

Got any proof of that?

• Link
• Report this comment

Fred @ 3:28–Just checked out the vids you posted, very nice. We’ll have to see if they make a slash.

• Link
• Report this comment

Does everyone know about the two black children that Zimmerman and his wife were helping out financially and the number of black friends they have? I posted it yesterday.

That’s going to make any “hate crime” prosecution a little difficult.

• Link
• Report this comment

5th request for an honest answer, corporal – why was that teenager wearing a hooded sweatshirt “ignorant”?

• Link
• Report this comment

“We all go. Why not enjoy the go? Use Charmin Ultra Strong.”
– Thomas Jefferson

• Link
• Report this comment

Enter your comments here

• Link
• Report this comment

One thing about this, if there had not been so many neighbor breakins the homeowners would have not felt the need to appoint a watch captain to protrol and report suspicious activity.

• Link
• Report this comment

If politics stays out of this we will have clear victory for Obamacare and perhaps a forum that will give the debate the justice it deserves.

GT–Although it’s likely beyond your comprehension level, requiring people to purchase a commercial, for-profit product as a condition of citizenship is unconstitutional. It is so cut-and-dried legally, I’m surprised it made it this far.

• Link
• Report this comment

Oscar

My neighborhood had a rash of break-ins a while back. Instead of neighbors patrolling the neighborhood, we asked the police to do it. That’s one of the reasons we pay taxes in this county. They have no problem with that, and I haven’t heard of any break-ins in a long time because of that. If anybody sees anything suspicious, I imagine they call the police. I haven’t heard of any of my neighbors confronting anybody themselves, but I have seen the police stopping people and questioning them.

• Link
• Report this comment

As for Neighborhood Watch and this thug with a violent history?

I guess the one bright spot out of this whole deal is that it gave AmVet someone new to hate on this week. I’m not sure if I could have handled one more of his Hate Rush posts.

• Link
• Report this comment

Special dedication for the JamMan:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f39Zs0gB87c

Father, father
We don’t need to escalate
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
You know we’ve got to find a way
To bring some lovin’ here today

• Link
• Report this comment

“If the kid’s father had driven him to the store instead of making him walk in the rain this whole thing would not have happenned”

What a bunch of BS. So now it’s no longer the kid’s fault he got killed, it’s his fathers?

• Link
• Report this comment

The best guideline I’ve read that prosecutor’s use in all 50 states when evaluating the legality of utilizing deadly force in self defense is ability, opportunity and jeopardy. Opportunity: can it be determined that someone has the ability to kill or maim. Opportunity: does someone have the opportunity to kill or maim. Jeopardy: Is there sufficient reason for a prudent, clear thinking person to believe that a person has the intention to inflict bodily harm that could kill or maim. You can think of many different scenarios that one can be confronted with to make those split second determinations. Unless in this case there’s a creditable eyewitness who can swear under oath that he/she witnessed Zimmerman under attack that justified his utilization of deadly force, Mr. Zimmerman is in very big trouble.

• Link
• Report this comment

For some reason, I’ve been humming this song all day. No truer words have ever been spoken.

• Link
• Report this comment

Though I have read a lot of spine twisting tripe to make excuses for this killer, Oscar’s last couple of posts are right near the top.

B, I will not run away from racism, bloodlust, bigotry and liars when I see it/them.

But I love Marvin Gaye’s music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RRCZ0QjM2k&feature=related

• Link
• Report this comment

If the kid had not been suspended from school for being tardy and being somewhere where he was not supposed to be, then this would have never happened.

• Link
• Report this comment

Question.

Was zimmerman’s neighborhood a gated community as some have suggested?

• Link
• Report this comment

Have they shown any sort of physical evidence that backs up yosemite sam’s allegation that he and the boy fought? I mean if Zimmerwoman was so beat he had to shoot an unarmed child up there should’ve been plenty of physical evidence on the boy himself… bloodied knuckles, torn jeans or shirt, stuff like that, I mean it must’ve been pretty physical for this wuss to be in fear of his life to the point of shooting a child…

• Link
• Report this comment

B, I will not run away from racism, bloodlust, bigotry and liars when I see it/them.

I’ve never suggested you should. Just a Brotherly reminder that hating the hater only creates more hate. Per this specific case, none of us were there, so we’re left only with speculation and projection.

And as disturbing as this case is, there were approximately 15,999 other people killed last year. Who is speaking for them??

http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/06/gretna_man_arrested_in_rape_an.html

• Link
• Report this comment

Right now my gut doesn’t say racism, at least not overtly… more like a cop wannabe napolean type full of false bravado because he gets to carry a gun and be block captain… but he shat his britches at the site of a kid in a hoodie… he’s a lot like some of the resident porch dogs here.

• Link
• Report this comment

“I’d also bet that the color of the kid’s skin did cause the block captain to whip it out a bit faster than he normally would…”

That’s a supposition.

• Link
• Report this comment

They Both: I’m really looking forward to the Masters! Can’t wait.

• Link
• Report this comment

To that end, the police chief has already stepped down and the Florida Attorney General has promised that she will get to the bottom of why he was not criminally charged. As has the governor.

And as a citizen of this country who is concerned for another citizen, I’m with you. But I’m not more or less with you due to the racial identity of the victim.

• Link
• Report this comment

And while we’re still speculating about this case from last month, the AJC just posted reported another senseless murder:

http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/cops-jackson-state-student-1398095.html

“An Atlanta man who attends Jackson State University was fatally shot at a pool party early Sunday morning, according to a report in the Clarion-Ledger.

The newspaper said Jackson police were investigating the shooting of Nolan Ryan Henderson III, 19, of Atlanta.

The newspaper said Henderson was shot in the face and found on the ground in front of an apartment building near 1400 Valley St. around 1 a.m.

The freshman was pronounced dead at the scene. No suspect information has been released, police told the newspaper.”

I’m outraged. How about the rest of you??

• Link
• Report this comment

I know that I am off topic on this one, but where is PETA? They did not have a problem persecuting Michael Vick in the media.

• Link
• Report this comment

And that is to watch the lengths that some here will go to defend the actions of that man for killing that black teenager. What has been written here over the past few days has been some of the more disgusting garbage I’ve read here recently. And gawdknows its not like there’s any shortage of it otherwise!

Point blank–why would you want to define your life by the negative actions of others?? Do you really think it makes you a better person to criticize Scout or others here for the hatred in their hearts that you perceive??

PB is here, buddy, and she says she has a song in mind.

• Link
• Report this comment

“Eat this!”

http://youtu.be/MJxOHD3Bsrw

• Link
• Report this comment

Digging the 3DN JamMan. Let me think of a good comeback other than “Ebony and Ivory”…….

• Link
• Report this comment

Back at ya, Jam and Brosephus:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgVOR28iG_o

• Link
• Report this comment

Info, i need info. Did either or both of them have a criminal history? Were blood and toxology tests run? Have 911 tapes and the girlfriends phone been timed for the events to be pieced together and compared to witness statements? Too early for all these comments. Let the investigators do their jobs and then prosecute if needed. A rush to judgement would just be a tradgedy upon tragedy.

• Link
• Report this comment

rightwing troll:

It’s possible they were fighting for possession of the weapon. That would make a big difference.

• Link
• Report this comment

Kam –Oh, yeah? Drink THIS!

http://youtu.be/Q8H5263jCGg

• Link
• Report this comment

Bruno,
I dont really think self payers are the major problem just a part of it. The real reason of that post was to make sure you realize you’re risking all that you’ve worked for by having no coverage (assuming you don’t have catastrophic coverage).
The cost of healthcare is totally out of control and if there were only one cause it wouldn’t be this bad. I see all kinds of waste due to a number of different reasons, most of which aren’t addressed by anyone. One of these days I’ll address it but it would be one helluva long post. In fact I should probably break it up to avoid putting people to sleep.
I did see a Fareed Zakaria special that was fairly interesting. It looked at a couple of things including how other countries control costs and although each had aspects I think would be unacceptable to many Americans there were some good ideas as well. One of the countries mentioned does an excellent job of collecting data and seeing where the money is going. That allows them to focus on those areas to control costs in a reasonable way. We don’t do that. We sit around and argue ideology like a bunch of idiots when what we need are workable solutions.

• Link
• Report this comment

The case of African-American journalist Carl Rowan. When it gets “personal” opinions change very quickly and dramatically !!!

Carl Thomas Rowan (August 11, 1925 – September 23, 2000), was an American government official, journalist and author. Rowan was a nationally-syndicated op-ed columnist for the Washington Post and the Chicago Sun-Times. He was one of the most prominent black journalists of the 20th century.

Rowan gained public notoriety on June 14, 1988, when he shot a teenage trespasser, Neil Smith, who was on his property illegally. He was charged for firing a gun that he did not legally own.

Rowan was arrested and tried. During the trial, he argued that he had the right to use whatever means necessary to protect himself and his family. Critics charged hypocrisy, since Rowan was a strict gun control advocate.

In a 1981 column, he advocated “a law that says anyone found in possession of a handgun except a legitimate officer of the law goes to jail—period.” In 1985, he called for “A complete and universal federal ban on the sale, manufacture, importation and possession of handguns (except for authorized police and military personnel).” [4][5]

Private gun ownership had been illegal in the District of Columbia since 1975 [6] and the facts of the case were the talk of the town for many days.

Rowan was tried but the jury was deadlocked; the judge declared a mistrial and he was never retried. In his autobiography, Rowan said he still favors gun control, but admits being vulnerable to a charge of hypocrisy.[7]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Rowan

• Link
• Report this comment

PB, I loved that Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta.

Right up my alley, a song of self-empowerment with a dance beat!

If you don’t watch it, I’m gonna get you in the… (I think your boyfriend is already in!)

So go on and sing
Go on and dance
Someday soon you’ll hear that little bell ring

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ECPsFQLKTo

• Link
• Report this comment

TBS @ 8:19–Great choice, thought of that one myself.

DF @ 8:24–Glad to see your (first) response to the crux of my arguments re: healthcare. Without the crazy pricing and unnecessary costs, financing wouldn’t be an issue. I’ll look forward to your future posts on the topic.

As per my personal choice to not carry insurance, it’s based on many things, good health being one of them, possibly cheapness and stubbornness being some others. The reality is, however, if you get a catastrophic illness in the US, you’re pretty much screwed whether you have insurance or not. In many, if not most of the cases of medical bankruptcy, the person HAD insurance. Happened to my first wife’s parents.

• Link
• Report this comment

Kammie:

I don’t believe a forensic voice analysis has been done yet. You might have to eat your words.

• Link
• Report this comment

The corporal professes such concern for the facts even after he used the most vile racial stereotype to defame and vilify that kid.

Tomorrow, on the one-month anniversary of Trayvon’s murder, there will be vigils for Trayvon Martin across the country, including one in Atlanta.

Local organizers are hoping to build a big crowd to show the media and authorities that from coast to coast, we stand united for justice and against racial profiling. These are also opportunities for us to come together as communities to celebrate the life and mourn the loss of a young man who died too young.

• Link
• Report this comment

JamVet:

“The corporal professes such concern for the facts even after he used the most vile racial stereotype to defame and vilify that kid.”

Very pathetic ………. even for you.

• Link
• Report this comment

P.S. And they weren’t even wrestling and Rowan wasn’t injured.

• Link
• Report this comment

The rabbit-hole deflection ploy — how quaint!

• Link
• Report this comment

Kammie:

“This” is a rabbit hole ? The court won’t think so:

http://expertpages.com/news/voiceprint_identification.htm

• Link
• Report this comment

You don’t respond to lunacy.”

• Link
• Report this comment

So the bunny doubles down on his racist stereotypes and lies that have nothing to do with this young man?

Incredible. But not out unpredictable…

• Link
• Report this comment

………….. and JamVet calls the Major of Philadelphia a racist. Very sad.

• Link
• Report this comment

Funny how scout does not let little things like forensic analysis or police reports or anything else deter him from his hate-filled rhetoric when it comes to OWS, birther mania, etc.. He would gladly accept a Hannity cut-n-paste or O’Keefe special breakin report as proof positive. By the way, we know the story behind the “lunacy” that Kamchak linked to, scout. Your trip down De Nial doesn’t get you anywhere here.

• Link
• Report this comment

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PivWY9wn5ps&ob=av2e

It’s time we all take our blinders off when looking in the mirror.

Y’all have fun tonight. Catch y’all later.

• Link
• Report this comment

Excuse me: “have to wait”

• Link
• Report this comment

bman:

I think it’s that “witness” or they would have. What will be interesting is if the grand jury returns a no bill. Could happen.

If I were the prosecutor I would leave no stone unturned to prosecute under the law.

If I were the defense attorney I would leave no stone unturned to prevent indictment or obtain an acquittal.

It’s the way our system works.

• Link
• Report this comment

“Black panther has put a $10,000 reward out for Zimmerman’s head”

You are WAY, WAY late with that one. You really should try harder to keep up.

• Link
• Report this comment

0311/………..

It’s always the left that screams the race card first, aka “the sky is falling and our race card’s calling”.

I also find it particularly amusing, being that it is the leftist party that has kept the black man down for decades under the enslavement of promises of more welfare in exchange for votes. Combine that with the decay (purposeful in my opinion) of the public school system, particularly since the ‘gift’ of the Department of Education under (who else but) Jimmy Carter, then you have your almost perfect cycle of self-perpetuation.

Keep the minorities dumb through piss-poor education, give them midnight basketball instead,and keep them jobless and in need of government assistance merely to survive, PRESTO, you have your built-in voting block.

• Link
• Report this comment

Scout

Before you get too attached to the Philly mayor

“I’ve called this nothing short of an assassination.”

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0312/74447.html

• Link
• Report this comment