April 13, 2012
Shoot first: Far-reaching case

The killing of Trayvon Martin has gripped America intensely because it raises two hot-button emotional issues: (1) the tendency of some whites to see young black males as a menace, and (2) the shoot-first-and-ask-questions-later mentality among some gun zealots.

Make-believe cop George Zimmerman told police dispatchers that the clean-cut black youth looked like "a real suspicious guy" and he added: "These a--holes always get away."

Apparently the only reason the amateur cop thought the teen was "suspicious" and an "a--hole" was because he was black. The boy had no police record, wasn't armed, and was walking peacefully. He was totally innocent, yet he was targeted, followed and killed -- even though a police dispatcher told Zimmerman to cease the pursuit.

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    8 Comments
    Posted By: MullinsJMM
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    This editorial calls for a timely reprint of this little nugget that resurfaces in the Potpourri column about once every 6 months: "Former Charleston artist Bernie Wiepper once suggested a crest-style motto for the Gazette's editor: What Rot Haught Hath Wrought." Before there's been a trial, before all the evidence has been made public, this paper presumes to be all-knowing and certain of the guilt of a man who enjoys the presumption of innocence under our Constitution and law that this editorial page would normally champion in almost every other case. At a time when a racial powder keg is about to explode and in sore need of water for the good of our society, this page brings a full can of gasoline to follow those already poured by other ignorant commentators and other nefarious souls. At the end of this case, George Zimmerman will either be convicted of second degre emurder and will spend 25 years to life in Starke or he will be exonerated and be set free an innocent man.
    Posted at: April 14, 2012 12:47:29 am

    Posted By: Joe6Pk
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    50% of black boys don't graduate from high school. Something like 40% of young black men have spent or are doing time. Are young black men a threat? Yup, they are, and both Jesse Jackson and Barack Obama agree with me.

    With respect to Zimmerman, the Gazette column misrepresents the truth in many respects, such as the New Black Panthers offering a reward for his capture dead or alive, the injuries to his face and head, and the evidence that Martin was the aggressor, helping create an inflammatory situation that could easily explode into violence.

    This is yellow journalism at its worst. Shame on you.
    Posted at: April 14, 2012 9:41:11 am

    Posted By: True WV
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    If Martin is found to not have precipitated the attack that does not mean that all youth roaming a neighborhood are innocent and if Zimmerman is found to be guilty that does not mean that all neighborhood watchers are vigilantes. Your only interest in this case is to add to your anti-gun file. You cannot convict the masses on either side based upon the actions of a few.
    Posted at: April 14, 2012 10:38:00 am

    Posted By: Grouse
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    From the posts it seems that we have a bunch of Rambos in our mist.
    Posted at: April 14, 2012 12:21:29 pm

    Posted By: hokies2012
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    "and the evidence that Martin was the aggressor"
    what evidence might that be? zimmerman disobeyed police dispatchers, then later shot a kid.
    Posted at: April 14, 2012 12:35:44 pm

    Posted By: Montani
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    When you reach your 1000 character limit, set by the editor, your comment just disappears. Where does it go? Is that to discourage comments with details and facts to back them up?
    Posted at: April 15, 2012 12:48:33 pm

    Posted By: WVU1963
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    Anyone notice they forgot to mention the fact that Zimmerman is Hispanic? The national press refers to him as White-Hispanic in order to keep the race bias going. Someone asked if these media zealots would ever refer to the President as a White-African or White-Black or White-Negro.
    Posted at: April 16, 2012 6:39:51 am

    Posted By: MU4WVU2
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    "SHOOT FIRST" headline attached by the GAZRAG at its best. That has never been suggested anywhere except the GAZRAG. There is no evidence nor suggestion by witnesses or law enforcement that GZ exited his vehicle with guns ablaze.

    You are absolutely pathetic as a representative of the "free press".
    Posted at: April 16, 2012 5:14:49 pm

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