George Zimmerman seeks donations via new website

George Zimmerman, who says he shot and killed Florida teen Trayvon Martin in self-defense, has a new website where he’s asking for financial assistance from his supporters.

The Retreat at Twin Lakes is where 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was shot and killed by neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman on Feb. 26, 2012. (AP Photo)

TheRealGeorgeZimmerman.com is missing animated gifs, but the non-working click counter definitely evokes web nostalgia. I almost dusted off the ole 56K modem and logged onto AOL to give it a proper gander.

Zimmerman’s lawyer, via Fox News, confirms the domain, registered April 8 with GoDaddy.com, is legit.

Why create a website?

Zimmerman alleges the “website’s sole purpose is to ensure my supporters they are receiving my full attention without any intermediaries.”

Then, just atop a PayPal button, he says he needs donations “for living expenses and legal defense, in lieu of my forced inability to maintain employment.”

Zimmerman, who has been in hiding since the Feb. 26 shooting in Sanford, Fla., says the shooting has been a “life altering event” that has forced him to “leave my home, my school, my employer, my family and ultimately, my entire life.”

Trayvon Martin’s family blasted the new site on TV Tuesday morning, reports The Orlando Sentinel.

“You know he says that he experienced a life-altering event. Well, Trayvon Martin experienced a life-ending event,” said Benjamin Crump, an attorney for Trayvon Martin’s family on Good Morning America.

Zimmerman doesn’t reveal much on the site, though he does have a contact form where you can send him your best wishes, or best invective.

Instead, he lets the famous and allegedly wise get his message across via quotations.

On the “Facts” page, the quote is provided by James W. Loewen: “People have a right to their own opinions, but not to their own facts. Evidence must be located, not created, and opinions not backed by evidence cannot be given much weight.”

Unfortunately, Zimmerman says he cannot share any facts until the case is resolved.

There’s a curious “My Race” page, where Zimmerman lets pamphleteer Thomas Paine do the talking: “The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion.”

The “Home” page features the Edmund Burke standard “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is that good men do nothing.”

Ironic choice of words, perhaps.

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