One thing for sure about the Trayvon Martin case, it's driving people insane. I understand the passionate feelings people have and it does seem possible that the investigation has been botched, but this is insane:
So is this kind of talk from Louis Farrakhan:
“Where there is no justice, there will be no peace. Soon the law of retaliation may very well be applied.”
This is lynch mob mentality, no two ways about it, and it's getting to the point where it's scary. It's one thing to demand a more thorough investigation, or even a trial. It's quite another to declare that “We want an arrest, we want a conviction and we want him sentenced for the murder of my son.” That's from Trayvon's father. I understand his grief, but he doesn't get to decide those things.
I'm worried that the emotions now driving this are out of control. What's going to happen if the case goes to trial and the facts lead a jury to acquit Zimmerman? Riots? Retaliation? Or will a jury convict Zimmerman out of fear of sparking such riots with an acquittal?
Another investigation has been demanded and now that will happen. Predetermining its outcome and convicting in the court of public opinion should not be part of the deal though. I'm fine with President Obama expressing his empathy with Trayvon's family. A quiet word to a few black leaders to cool things down a little would be in order too.
Update: Apparently the insanity is spreading. Here's Geraldo's take:
Trayvon Martin Would Be Alive but for His Hoodie
I'm no fan of the ghetto gangster look, but c'mon, a hoodie?
Then there's this bit of batshit crazy from someone named Karen Finney:
So, when Newt Gingrich, presidential candidate Newt Gingrich says that, quote, "really poor children in really poor neighborhoods have no habits of working and have nobody around them who works. They have no habit of I do this and you give me cash, unless it's illegal," or Rick Santorum says, "I don't want to make black people's lives easier," or Rush Limbaugh calls a presidential candidate, Senator Barack Obama a magic negro, or Mitt Romney says nothing at all, the effect is dangerous, because they reinforce and validate old stereotypes that associate the poor and welfare as criminal behavior with African-Americans and people of color, calling us lazy, undeserving recipients of public assistance. In the case of Trayvon, those festering stereotypes had lethal consequences.
I'm surprised she didn't blame George W. Bush too.
I have the feeling we have just begun to see the crazy around this issue.
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