Trayvon

[JR4AU]

Well, my view is that it's really not my responsibility.  While it's nice for neighbors to look out for my property, I don't expect them to do so.  It's not their property, and not their responsibility.

Aside from that, I'm not putting my life on the line for my own property much less someone else's.  If a person looks suspicious, sure, I'll call the cops and watch the person.  If the person is walking away, sure, I might try to keep an eye on them and even follow them, so long as I am armed or otherwise do not feel in danger.  If I see that person try to steal something, or look as if they are about to steal or commit a B&E, sure, I would likely address them, especially if I am armed.

But once I see that the person notices me, starts approaching me, and reaches for his waist band?  I'm not going to continue playing Joe Friday just to protect someone else's property.  No one's property is worth putting my life in danger.

I'd prefer to not end up like these people:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/06/us-florida-deputy-idUSTRE8251TL20120306

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/01/police-search-for-robbers-who-killed-man.html

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-02-10/news/chi-at-least-2-shot-in-noble-square-neighborhood-20120209_1_foil-car-theft-restaurant-shot

http://www.torontosun.com/2011/10/07/man-who-tried-to-prevent-pumpkin-theft-dies

That type thinking is what has made Americans and America weak.

[Vandy Vol]

That type thinking is what has made Americans and America weak.

It's also the type of thinking that has resulted in people's deaths because they wanted to be a superhero and stop a pumpkin theft.

Say what you will, but times have changed; people don't just roll over and give up when Barney Fife tells them to stop what they're doing.  If I'm in a position to do something with little chance of danger to myself, then I will.  But if I'm in a situation where I know or have reason to believe my safety is in danger, then I'm not going to gamble my own life just to save someone's property that they likely have insured against theft anyhow.

[JR4AU]

It's also the type of thinking that has resulted in people's deaths because they wanted to be a superhero and stop a pumpkin theft.

Say what you will, but times have changed; people don't just roll over and give up when Barney Fife tells them to stop what they're doing.  If I'm in a position to do something with little chance of danger to myself, then I will.  But if I'm in a situation where I know or have reason to believe my safety is in danger, then I'm not going to gamble my own life just to save someone's property that they likely have insured against theft anyhow.

I don't disagree with that.  It's the "it's not my responsibility" type thinking with regard to community safety and security.   I wouldn't trade my life, or put it in danger, not knowingly anyway, over property, mine or anybody's.   However, I think people, like Zimmerman, who do take an interest, and responsibility for their community are to be commended.  Are they all the type we'd want doing it?  Maybe not.  But overall, the world would be a better place if we all chipped in to "watch over" our communities. 

[Townhallsavoy]

I don't disagree with that.  It's the "it's not my responsibility" type thinking with regard to community safety and security.   I wouldn't trade my life, or put it in danger, not knowingly anyway, over property, mine or anybody's.   However, I think people, like Zimmerman, who do take an interest, and responsibility for their community are to be commended.  Are they all the type we'd want doing it?  Maybe not.  But overall, the world would be a better place if we all chipped in to "watch over" our communities.

And chipped in to improve our communities. 

Everyone hates home owner's associations because of the fees and where the money goes.  But if everyone chipped in to keep their neighborhood and community respectable, we wouldn't need them. 

[Vandy Vol]

I don't disagree with that.  It's the "it's not my responsibility" type thinking with regard to community safety and security.   I wouldn't trade my life, or put it in danger, not knowingly anyway, over property, mine or anybody's.   However, I think people, like Zimmerman, who do take an interest, and responsibility for their community are to be commended.  Are they all the type we'd want doing it?  Maybe not.  But overall, the world would be a better place if we all chipped in to "watch over" our communities.

I personally agree with that, but with that being said, I still don't expect anyone to watch over my property.  While it's the nice thing to do, and such actions would make our communities better places, it's not anyone else's responsibility to safeguard my property or my life.  I think there's a difference between what one thinks they should do out of kindness/morality/community betterment, and what one thinks they must do out of self-preservation.

In theory, if we all took responsibility for our own stuff, then the community would be "watched over."  It's when one person fails to take responsibility for their own stuff that we then require someone to watch over them.  In reality, we can't be with our property at all times, and so this is why neighbors should watch out for each other to a reasonable degree.

[JR4AU]

I personally agree with that, but with that being said, I still don't expect anyone to watch over my property.  While it's the nice thing to do, and such actions would make our communities better places, it's not anyone else's responsibility to safeguard my property or my life.  I think there's a difference between what one thinks they should do out of kindness/morality/community betterment, and what one thinks they must do out of self-preservation.

In theory, if we all took responsibility for our own stuff, then the community would be "watched over."  It's when one person fails to take responsibility for their own stuff that we then require someone to watch over them.  In reality, we can't be with our property at all times, and so this is why neighbors should watch out for each other to a reasonable degree.

Agree.  You have no responsibility to keep my stuff safe, and vice versa.  The "it's not my responsibility" sounds more like "I don't want to get involved" but there is no actual responsibility.  Just that in the good ol' days people were a bit more neighborly.  And yes, first and foremost, watching over your own shit rather than expecting the government to, that's the best route.

[GH2001]

Agree.  You have no responsibility to keep my stuff safe, and vice versa.  The "it's not my responsibility" sounds more like "I don't want to get involved" but there is no actual responsibility.  Just that in the good ol' days people were a bit more neighborly.  And yes, first and foremost, watching over your own shit rather than expecting the government to, that's the best route.

Tell me another cool story grandpawwww

[GarMan]

It's also the type of thinking that has resulted in people's deaths because they wanted to be a superhero and stop a pumpkin theft.

Say what you will, but times have changed; people don't just roll over and give up when Barney Fife tells them to stop what they're doing.  If I'm in a position to do something with little chance of danger to myself, then I will.  But if I'm in a situation where I know or have reason to believe my safety is in danger, then I'm not going to gamble my own life just to save someone's property that they likely have insured against theft anyhow.

Pumpkins are one thing, but you do have an obligation to yourself and your community.  That's what really infuriates me about this whole thing.  No...  It's not your responsibility, but I do expect my fellow neighbors to look out for me, my family and my stuff to a reasonable extent if not as much as I would and do for them.  Nobody is expecting anyone to be a hero.  As far as this little chance of danger position, you never know if the other person is armed, which is why you always enter these situations assuming they have a weapon.  No, I wouldn't expect anyone to gamble on their life to protect some property, but appropriate action is expected.  Calling the police isn't always enough. 

[GH2001]

Pumpkins are one thing, but you do have an obligation to yourself and your community.  That's what really infuriates me about this whole thing.  No...  It's not your responsibility, but I do expect my fellow neighbors to look out for me, my family and my stuff to a reasonable extent if not as much as I would and do for them.  Nobody is expecting anyone to be a hero.  As far as this little chance of danger position, you never know if the other person is armed, which is why you always enter these situations assuming they have a weapon.  No, I wouldn't expect anyone to gamble on their life to protect some property, but appropriate action is expected.  Calling the police isn't always enough.

Could have saved a lot of typing and just posted - "It's because you're a pussy "

What do you expect? The guy sucks dick and brags that he is good at it.

[GarMan]

Could have saved a lot of typing and just posted - "It's because you're a pussy "

What do you expect? The guy sucks dick and brags that he is good at it.

Yeah, but it's not just .  A lot of the yutes from these newer generations tend to be more apathetic to this, among other traditional behaviors and values.  You know what I mean...  The downbreeding of society stuff. 

[Vandy Vol]

Yeah, but it's not just .  A lot of the yutes from these newer generations tend to be more apathetic to this, among other traditional behaviors and values.  You know what I mean...  The downbreeding of society stuff.

You can't have downbreeding if there is no breeding.  That's why gay sex is the best sex.

[CCTAU]

= Shitty neighbor!


I can't wait for these type of people to go out of town and a moving truck backs p to their house. I mean why do I give a shit. It's all insured!

[GarMan]

I can't wait for these type of people to go out of town and a moving truck backs p to their house. I mean why do I give a shit. It's all insured!

That's exactly it.  Then, after everyone's insurance rates go up, these guys are the ones who'll bitch the loudest.   

[Vandy Vol]

= Shitty neighbor!

But I give more blow jobs than your current neighbor.

[Token]

Zimmerman to be charged.

http://xfinity.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20120410/US.Neighborhood.Watch/

A law enforcement official says that charges are being filed in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.

The official with knowledge of the investigation says a prosecutor will announce charges against George Zimmerman on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Zimmerman's arrest is also expected soon.

The official didn't know the charge and spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to release the information. The official said that authorities know where Zimmerman is.

Zimmerman has asserted since the Feb. 26 killing that he shot the 17-year-old in self-defense after the two fought. The case has sparked protests and calls for Zimmerman's arrest.

A factor in the pace of the probe has been Florida's so-called stand your ground law, which gives people wide latitude to claim self-defense in a killing and other altercations.

[Townhallsavoy]

Isn't this expected?

[Token]

From the same article.....

The man who shot and killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin is said to be losing weight and suffering from high levels of stress from the intense public scrutiny he is under, his former lawyers said. Meanwhile, a special prosecutor said she will soon make an announcement in the case and the nation's attorney general vowed separately to take action if evidence warrants it.

"He is largely alone. You might even say he is emotionally crippled by virtue of the pressure of this case," said Hal Uhrig, a former lawyer for George Zimmerman. The protests and the profound isolation of going into hiding may have pushed him "a little bit over the edge," said Uhrig and his colleague, Craig Sonner.

The two attorneys announced Tuesday they no longer were representing the neighborhood watch volunteer because they haven't heard from him since Sunday.

"As of the last couple days, he has not returned phone calls, text messages or emails," Sonner said. "He's gone on his own. I'm not sure what he's doing or who he's talking to. I cannot go forward speaking to the public about George Zimmerman and this case as representing him because I've lost contact with him."

The attorneys said that, against their advice, Zimmerman contacted special prosecutor Angela Corey, who will decide if he should face charges, but prosecutors in her office refused to talk to him without his lawyers present.

"To handle it this way, suggests that he may not be in complete control of what's going on. We're concerned for his emotional and physical safety," Uhrig said.

Zimmerman is either going to jail for murder, or he's going to live the rest of his life as a rich man.

[JR4AU]

Isn't this expected?

I don't know that it was or wasn't.  I'd be curious to know if there's more evidence that's come to light, ie forensics that dispute Zimmerman's account.

[Token]

I don't know that it was or wasn't.  I'd be curious to know if there's more evidence that's come to light, ie forensics that dispute Zimmerman's account.

Although I know the "system" isn't 100%, I just can't bring myself to believe they would charge him without enough evidence to convict.  I think it has to be forensics.  If they are going to charge based off the same evidence, when the regular DA wouldn't, it's going to turn into a shit storm if they lose.  And, as I said, Zimmerman will sue the fuck out of the state of Florida.

[dallaswareagle]

I don't know that it was or wasn't.  I'd be curious to know if there's more evidence that's come to light, ie forensics that dispute Zimmerman's account.

He was going to be charged regardless of what was found. Now they may try and let this die down over the course of the next couple of months (by then Jessie-Rev al-Black panthers) would have move on to something else and this won’t be important anymore (to them).

Have those three ever come to the defense of any other people besides blacks?