I see that the closing arguments in the Zimmerman trial have ended, which means the case is about to go to the jury. Before there’s a verdict I want to make some predictions in case Zimmerman is convicted of something.
If George Zimmerman is convicted of a crime —
Within a week of the verdict, someone in the Florida legislature will submit a revised “stand your ground” bill to close the “Zimmerman loophole.” Under this bill, if you shoot someone in Florida you cannot be charged with a crime unless the victim was an unarmed, elderly nun. Well, unless the nun was carrying a crucifix. Those things are dangerous. You could poke somebody’s eye out. The defendant was defending himself, obviously.
The Breitbrats will run an expose claiming that the jury was forced by the U. S. Justice Department to convict Zimmerman, because the government was afraid of widespread rioting in case of an acquittal. Or because Obama is a black socialist Muslim. Whatever.
Some white supremacist organization will release a self-pitying statement claiming that white men are now an endangered species, since they can no longer defend themselves from dangerous nonwhite thugs armed with Skittles.
I doubt there will be riots, however. Riots are too much work. Instead, expect scattered pro-Zimmerman rallies mostly attended by men with Confederate flag decals on their pickups. The men will shout and wave signs awhile, and then they will go home and sulk over their beer.
Seriously.
Update: In closing arguments, Zimmerman’s lawyer said that while Zimmerman was injured, Martin wasn’t injured in the fight except for being shot to death.
My fear is Zimmerman will be found Not Guilty, and some yahoo in the Florida legislature still will try to close a perceived SYG “loophole.” In Florida it would no longer be a crime to kill another person with a gun, ever… because everyone knows guns are the most awesome way to resolve a conflict. (Then the NRA will embark on a program to enact Florida’s new “Guns Are Awesome” statute in the other 49 states.)
My fear is Zimmerman will be found Not Guilty, and he really will become a Fox News Special Correspondent on matters of race in America.
Seriously, though. My fear is Zimmerman will be found Not Guilty, and as much noise as it took to bring this case to trial, the next time (even if there are no changes to the law) the authorities will become stone deaf, and never charge the shooter with anything.
“The only one who was injured at all—except for the gunshot—was George Zimmerman.” [verbatim quote]
Knock, knock.
Who’s there?
Mark O’Mara.
Who?
Don’t you remember me? I’m Mark O’Mara… Dean of the Lionel Hutz School of Crappy Lawyerin.
OT, best thing I read today, explains a lot of the last thirty years, in one concise paragraph:
I admit that I still have lingering bias based on growing up in New England, though I prefer to think that my opinion of the Florida citizenry has developed and been more informed by learning as an adult and the impressions of my cousin who lives down there. I’m completely comfortable in believing that there are plenty of Zimmerman work-alikes down there, and a higher-than-average distribution of those I call the “hard of thinking”, so, depending on who actually got seated on the jury, Zimmerman could get off easily.
I hope not, but I bet there are a bunch of folks who think there isn’t much wrong with going armed to get up in the face of any random person you want, and letting them have it if things suddenly go differently than you’d expected in your macho fantasy. (Hell, we have had federal cabinet officials who believe the same thing, on a global scale.)
In essence, the pro-Zims are arguing that you can walk into a bar, start a fight, and when the person you assaulted hits you, you are allowed to draw your gun and fire.
News Item: One of the states recently specifically legalized concealed carry in bars…
I predict a manslaughter conviction. I think that the dispatcher telling Zimmerman not to follow Martin gives cause to show that Zimmerman was reckless in his actions. As a neighborhood watch volunteer Zimmerman should have known what his responsibilities were and that the dispatcher reinforced that understanding by telling him not to pursue Trayvon Martin. If the jury can’t find agreement on the 2nd degree charge they can always move it back away from who was the aggressor in the confrontation to the point where Zimmerman clearly owns responsibility for Trayvon’s death.
I hope they find him guilty of 2nd degree murder, but this being Florida the jury verdict remains a wildcard.
” …while Zimmerman was injured, Martin wasn’t injured in the fight except for being shot to death.”
‘Ok, President Lincoln, after John Wilkes Booth broke his leg, how did you like the rest of the play?
President Lincoln?
Uhm… What did you think, President Lincoln?
Mr. Lincoln?”
Martin, who was on his way to his father’s house after buying a bag of Skittles candies and a can of drink, was not unarmed, said O’Mara. He was armed with a concrete sidewalk, on which he slammed Zimmerman’s head.
Florida is going to have a new charge to add to its statutes…A felon in possession of a sidewalk.
I sense desperation in O’Mara’s argument.
Moonbat – Answer to the question which ends your OT quote..
Get big money out of politics. That’s it. Make it impossible and illegal for corporations or wealthy individuals to influence elections to any degree greater than any individual can. Get big money out of politics – financially empower voters who are (rightfully) cynical about both parties and all politicians. Neutralize the power of the extreme ends of the political spectrum thru public financing – that makes the majority in the center, now impotent, the most critical power block, the segment most ignored in the polarized political present which is the middle class, becomes the group that legislators MUST satisfy to stay in office.
This formula doesn’t advance a liberal agenda or a conservative agenda – it just kills the status quo which is a plutocracy. Put liberals ideas on a level playing field, without money to tilt the political scales, and OVER TIME, liberal ideas will win out. I can’t prove that except with the evidence of history, which shows a slow but continual advance from abolition to women’s suffrage to civil rights to gay rights.