Zimmerman trial starts today.

[piece-itpete]

I will NEVER accept that I am not allowed to 'police' my neighborhood. Back when I lived in the hood I regularly got up at night and scoped things out. Most suburbanites don't know the time down there.

Originally Posted by barbara

... But this whole trial is built on assumptions and speculation since there is only one version of what happened and that version comes from the shooter.
.....

And this is precisely why Zimmerman wasn't charged in the first place. Like it or hate it, the law there is the law. Shall we demand 'Justice' by twisting the law to fit our current mood? It makes it meaningless.

If (when?) zimzim is acquitted should we accept rioting?

Btw Barbara good on you for sticking around

Originally Posted by noonereal

lol

Just as well. It got a little out of hand here today and the site needs a little cool down time.

I have some good news, back in January I was able to start drinking again. I have only drank a few times but it's progress!

ROTFLMAO!! Cheers.

Pete

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

I will NEVER accept that I am not allowed to 'police' my neighborhood.

1. You're not the police.
2. It's not "your" neighborhood.

Therein lies the crux.

[piece-itpete]

That's right, I keep forgetting. I have ceded all authority over my person and property to the 'correct' people.

Pete

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

That's right, I keep forgetting. I have ceded all authority over my person and property to the 'correct' people.

Pete

No, but you are exhibiting the classic elitist error: your neighborhood is NOT "your" property nor do you possess ANY right to police it as someone charged with such authority.

You're swerving into Zims territory...

[piece-itpete]

My neighborhood is the property of myself and my neighbors and the people we've hired to run it and police it are answerable to us.

At least, it used to be that way. Or are we only free to do what we're told?

Pete

[barbara]

Pete, the assumptions in this case began with Zimmerman when he assumed Trayvon was up to no good.

As for sticking around... You guys are stuck with me. I'm not going anywhere

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

My neighborhood is the property of myself and my neighbors and the people we've hired to run it and police it are answerable to us.

At least, it used to be that way. Or are we only free to do what we're told?

Pete

Actually, your neighborhood is public property AND you may assume -- it's just a statistical likelihood -- that you and your neighbors possess a vast array of opinions on a variety of topics.

As such, it is appropriate to train, arm and empower independent folks to enforce law, as publicly enacted via due process, in your stead. Said individuals do NOT answer to "you" (more entitlement), they answer to the law you enact.

What you're "free to do" is what is legal. That does NOT include "policing" your own neighborhood as if you were part of this specialized grouping of professionals.

Again, you've veered into Zims's territory.

[piece-itpete]

The 'public' is who exactly?

And have you met some of these professionals? Why was the breakin rate so high in Zimmermans' neighborhood? And yes I can and will police my neighborhood if I feel it's necessary..... where I currently live it isn't. I can almost feel sorry for anyone breaking and entering around here and it probably wouldn't be the cops stopping them.

For the record I like this comment by Stanford Chief Lee: "This is all very unsettling. I'm sure if George Zimmerman had the opportunity to relive Sunday, February 26, he'd probably do things differently. I'm sure Trayvon would, too."

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

Pete

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

The 'public' is who exactly?

You know the answer to that question, you just don't like it.

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

And have you met some of these professionals?

Yes.

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

Why was the breakin rate so high in Zimmermans' neighborhood?

Do you have that data available? How is that measured? By insurance claim? Convictions? Calls about suspicious people by overwrought neighborhood watch commanders?

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

And yes I can and will police my neighborhood if I feel it's necessary..... where I currently live it isn't.

No, you won't: you're bloviating. I call bullshit.

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

I can almost feel sorry for anyone breaking and entering around here and it probably wouldn't be the cops stopping them.

Which is precisely why additional measures are needed in promoting appropriate gun control.

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

For the record I like this comment by Stanford Chief Lee: "This is all very unsettling. I'm sure if George Zimmerman had the opportunity to relive Sunday, February 26, he'd probably do things differently. I'm sure Trayvon would, too."

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

Pete

Do you mean to say that, perhaps, Trayvon would have been more conscious of walking in a public place while black and surrounded by fearful gun owners?

[hillbilly]

Don't have the right to look out for other neighbors? Hmm?? I'm missing something because here it is still legal to make a citizen's arrest. Many people have somehow forgot that.

*For the record, a few years ago some nut cases came through TN and they were wanted by the law. The law had been hot on their trail but lost one that was in deep woods. When that dude finally got hungry enough he tried his luck coming out of hiding and knocking on a door. An ordinary citizen got out of his car and held the dude at gunpoint until the law got there. He was thanked, not arrested for holding the dude.