Powerful. Twitter was ablaze today about John Guy. Everyone said he gave a fantastic, earth shattering rebuttal closing argument. Even lawyers were tweeting about it. I’m glad. The innocent person in all of this is Trayvon Martin who was murdered for no good reason. He was just trying to get home and a monster ended his life.
And yet, whether we like it or not, there is a decent chance he will be found not guilty. But Guy’s closing rebuttal was, from what I can tell, one for the ages.
A beautiful boy went to the store and was on the way, or on the way back to see his Dad and Dad’s girlfriend.
What happened next should not have happened. With much love to Travyvon’s family and friends.
Last evening heard guest on some “talking head” show say Zimmerman had good chance of getting off cause his lawyer had a nicer speaking voice……….WHAT! I almost threw something at the TV, where do they find these people. It is hard to think about Trayvon and his family without tears to eyes.
Anna, that is what really piss me off about these people, the network have taken trials like these and turn them into something you expect to see Sunday morning before the NFL football game. It has become some kind of sport to them. I know that if Zimmerman was black and he had shot and kill a 17 year old white boy, the black Zimmerman would have been arrested that very night by the Sanford police.
Praying for Trayvon’s Family and that no matter what happens this is what the family wanted. That their son’s murderer stood trial for all the world to see. Zimmerman will forever be known as the person who killed an unarmed child and the Sanford Police department almost let him walk away. Thanks to one persons tweeting about it and the word spreading all over the land that even President Obama commented that it was not until then that the state of Florida was forced to do try him. My hope is that justice is served and Zimmerman gets convicted and spend time in jail. The media has been defending this man from day one and I just pray all the pundits who say he walks are wrong.
My husband’s moronic friend who made millions in the stock market, is retired comfortably thanks to PBO whom he hates, and gets his news from Rush Limbaugh, sent me a picture of a scary black guy with a bunch of tatoos that is Trayvon Martin. Moronic Friend tapped into my husband’s latent racism and you really don’t want to hear the details of the fight we had.
My question: does anyone know if this photo is legitimate. In this Deranged Age of ‘information’, it could be a fake. I just want to know.
Oh, I know it makes no difference. believe me, trying to explain that to my husband was worthless. I just wondered if it was ‘real’ or not.
It’s not that my husband thinks Trayvon’s murder was justified. But he sees nothing wrong with having the ‘right’ to distrust blacks because there are a lot of blacks that commit crimes. The evidence of that one situation, the facts of what actually happened that night – that’s a separate issue to my husband’s latent racism that ‘understands’ why Zimmerman was suspicious
Trust me, he’s come a long way and he’s a great blue collar liberal. But this kind of issue – we cannot and will not agree and all we do is scream at each other.
I don’t understand “a lot of blacks that commit crimes”…this makes me ill. Why is it that the whole black “race” is guilty of being criminals when one, a few or a “a lot of blacks” commit crimes. This burden is not put upon any other race…never ever!
Unfortunately, my husband grew up very poor, in a poor Chicago neighborhood where status came from looking down on other people. They didn’t consider that they could go to college. they looked at a future in factories or low-level jobs. It’s not an excuse – I’ve been trying to understand it for all these years. He had a mother who raised 6 kids on her own, being a good ‘Catholic’ whose husband would bail, come back and knock her up and leave again. She thought she was doing the right thing when she told her kids that they shouldn’t look for ‘pats on the back’. She gave them no expectations, because she thought that way they couldn’t be disappointed. It’s sad.
He left the South side of Chicago and got as far away as he could, made a career for himself, changed his politics and his life view in almost everything. Even in race, he’s often just fine. But once in awhile this latent crap rears its ugly head. he does NOT sit around the house screaming about evil black and brown people (his brothers do, but he does not). But sometimes, we have a day like this where he tries to explain to be that he ‘understands’ the suspicion. It’s hard to completely shed the world view that was shoved down your throat.
Even if Travyon had been covered in tattoos from head to foot, he still had the right to expect to go to the shops for candy and get home alive. These racists would be screaming for Zimmerman’s head if races or genders were different in this case. What I’ve learned is that, for some people in this country, a black child can’t expect to be secure in his own neighborhood or fight for his life when confronted with an armed lunatic racist. And anyone defending Zimmerman’s “self-defense” nonsense is incapable of seeing that someone’s child is now dead simply because he was black.
The travesty of this case began when the police sent Zimmerman home even while a dead child lay on a street for hours with a bullet in his heart, and they had no intention of arresting his killer. Just this week, I heard an account of a policeman who said that he wouldn’t have followed Trayvon like Zimmerman did – he would have waited for backup. Backup for what? Backup to monitor a child was walking home from the store – or backup to monitor a black child walking home from the store? Someone here posted a tweet that showed pics of kids now “trayvoning”, as they lie on the street, pretending to be dead, with a bottle of ice tea and a bag of Skittles in their hands. There is no part of this case, or the hateful reaction of so many, that is ok. This is a sick society.
All the points you made, I keep making. But my husband’s latent racism sees nothing wrong in identifying a black man as ‘scary’. He doesn’t say that excuses Zimmerman but he see the ‘justification’ in the altercation. 33 years of marriage, and we cannot communicate to each other on this kind of issue. And after listening to his Moronic Friend and seeing this photo, he sees that Trayon’s looks and past (that Zimmerman had no knowledge of) ‘justifies’ what happened. I go absolutely nuts.
My husband would say he’s not a racist. And he isn’t, in many, many ways. And he cannot see that this ‘crime’ of walking down the street while black, is the essence of racism. The worst kind, because there is an acceptance of it as long as you’re not screaming the ‘n’ word.
Black men have every right to be scared of white men who think that every black man is scary. Look at history. If a black man feels suspicious of every white man who crosses his path, to the point that he follows them and shoots them because he’s afraid for his life – justifiably so, given the Zimmerman case – then would your husband hold the same view?
A lot of people say they’re not racist, and yet when faced with a situation like the Trayvon tragedy, they choose not to look at Trayvon as a child who was just walking home. Instead, they bring their stereotypes to the fore to justify why Zimmerman had every right to be suspicious of a black child minding his own business, to stalk that child, confront that child in the night – and then when the child feared for his life and fought for that same life – to shoot that child in the heart. Dead. They don’t see Trayvon as a child, who had a future and dreams and parents who are grieving for him. They see him as a scary black person, who carries the weight of all who look like him who have made bad decisions or been captured by a corrupt system. It’s the way they justify disrespecting the President of the United States. They don’t see him as a person deserving of the respect that he has earned. And those people make me sick. They are the very definition of racist, and they need to look themselves in the mirror and acknowledge that they are racist. This is what racism feels like.
I feel sorry for your husband and the many people who have found a way to justify what happened to Trayvon Martin, and have made Zimmerman the victim in this exchange, because there is something missing in them. There is something wrong with a person who regards themselves as otherwise being a decent person, who can also blame a child for dying simply because of the color of that child’s skin. There’s something horribly wrong there. I don’t forgive that, and I don’t excuse it.
I make each and every point you’ve made. He was agnostic on this trial until Moronic Friend showed him this photo. But it only swayed him because he was persuadable. My first thought was, “Does this even look like Trayvon? Looks a lot older than 17 (which was the ‘point’ of the racist email). I saw photos that were more recent than the one they show of the 12 year old, and I don’t remember that tattoo on his face. Is this even real?” But my husband saw it, and WANTED to believe it.
Now understand, my husband is a HUGE PBO supporter, defending PBO all the time to Moronic Friend. He doesn’t see these latent racist feelings. he’ll tell me that everyone in his Chicago back of the yards neighborhood used racial and ethnic slurs but didn’t mean them to be nasty. The Paula Deen argument.
I’ll never win these arguments with him. Never. But at least I could thoroughly debunk the photo. When I sent the link to Moronic Friend I said, this is why we can’t have serious discourse. If you need lies to make your case, you have no case.
57 – what if the photo was Trayvon? How would that change anything? What if Trayvon was a 40 year old man walking down that neighborhood from the shops and profiled by Zimmerman? What if that 40 year old man was 250 pounds and a karate expert, profiled by Zimmerman?
None of these points would change one thing about Zimmerman’s actions, and their intended results. He thinks all black man are a-holes, f-in punks who get away with it. He thinks he’s justified to follow any black person, no matter what they’re doing. He thinks all black people fighting back at his actions deserve to die – that it’s God’s will. Zimmerman says he wouldn’t have changed a single thing that he did that night – not even that a child died that night for no reason.
I’m not going to keep beating you up on this, because you’ve said these are your husband’s views and not your own. But, I will say this: using racial slurs may not be intended to be nasty, but they are nasty. Saying you’re ok with this successful black person over here (i.e. President Obama), but this tattooed one over there deserves suspicion simply because too many black people are in prison and it fits a stereotype, even if he’s a child – that’s racism.
I salute you for fighting the good fight with your friend and your husband.
I completely agree — it doesn’t matter what Trayvon looked like. HE DID NOT PROVOKE. He did nothing wrong, and he’s DEAD.
I won’t even begin to relay the argument about past behavior being admitted into evidence: arrests, drug use. What about Zimmerman’s past history of violence and restraining orders?
I keep thinking of the insidious argument – well, Trayvon just should have put his head down and said, “yes, sir”. If you’re being followed, you can run, try to hide or say, “why the hell are you following me?” Even as a woman, I can swear and scream plenty at idiot drivers on the road. The notion that just because Zimmerman was white he was entitled to some deference – just sends me over the edge.
If there was a just God then people wouldn’t just have to imagine walking in someone else’s shoes, for people such as your husband and his friend it would mean living the life of discrimination or hunger or loneliness. It seems way too many people can’t empathize without the first hand experience.
My husband is liberal in so many ways. A cafeteria liberal, when it comes to race and immigration. He grew up very, very poor but he’s “not on welfare”. But his brother’s ex-wife lived on welfare her entire life. She relied on welfare when his brother went off and married someone else and supported that family, and not the first family. His niece and her brood of babies has never had a job and lives on welfare. Nice, Polish white people. Poverty breeds poverty.
My husband would damn any black father for abandoning his family, and yet his twin brother did the same thing. His gambling, racist, worthless twin – full of hate and derision for black and brown people (he moved to AZ with no skills, and he’s pissed brown people work for less than he would work for). What makes him ‘superior’ to a black father who abandons his family?
This is a circular firing squad on these issues. I’m grateful to gn here at TOD who found me the ‘pants on fire’ politifact rebuttal. That, at least, cannot be explained away by Moronic Friend.
Keep up the good fight, 57. Maybe you’ve shut up the friend at least for a day, and also left him with some egg on his face for not being able to tell that the person in the photo is in his 30s.
I certainly won this round, thanks to you. frankly, I never thought of checking politifact on it. But it is a serious knock down of a lie. Thanks again.
The picture shows tattoos on his face, his hands and all over his neck. The outrageous, nasty email that accompanied it with outrageous comments about PBO, made me ill. I have managed to avoid most of the Derangement out there. I want to take a shower. I want to shower the hate from my brain.
Of course there’s no way to check if the photo is legitimate. I just would have loved to shut down Moronic Friend and Moronic Husband on this.
I know the picture you are referencing; it has been completely debunked. It’s a photo of a grown man (rapper The Game). Racists have latched onto It In their continuing lies and slander of a child who Is no longer here to defend himself, and continuing harassment and cruelty towards the child’s parents. Please see below for politifact’s debunking of the fake photo.
He will on this. He will continue to carry on that Trayvon was not the 12 year old that we see in 90% of the pictures. But no matter what, he was not the instigator, he was not committing any crime, and had every right to safety for his person.
I only pray that the jurors are not the ‘non-racists’ like my husband who see a fundamental truth that it’s okay to think black people are scary, regardless of their actions. This young man did not deserve to be stalked and killed by this liar who has admitted on national TV that he was doing ‘god’s will’ and he would do everything the same. That’s not an innocent man – that’s a psychopath.
Thanks again for the link. I sent it off to Moronic Friend and said that this is the reason we can’t have honest discourse anymore – if you need lies to make your case,you have no case.
We are legitimizing psychopathic and sociopathic behavior in this country, and it’s really disturbing. I read about a study that easily determined that the upper management and CEO mindset parallels sociopathic behavior to a ‘t’. A de-humanization of everyone beneath you, complete lack of interest in right or wrong.
The stand your ground laws, concealed carry – they legitimize sociopathic behavior. A parallel to libertarianism, which is sociopathic in my opinion.
Thanks. That’s what I thought. I don’t even think this photo looks that much like Trayvon, even if you allow for him being older. I do remember a photo that was a more recent one, within days of his murder, I think. And his face was NOT covered with tattoos like the photo forwarded. I would have remembered that.
It looks like someone painted this shit on and posed for the photo.
Yes, the picture which 57’s husband received is of a man nearly twice Trayvon’s age. Racists have slandered this kid mercilessly and should be ashamed were they capable of shame.
Travon’s mother was questioned about his tattoos by the prosecutor and she described one as being “praying hands”, one as a picture of her and one related in someway to his grandmother(s).
This kind of thing feels like a wound to the spirit. It’s based on the worst lies and distortions and racist assumptions and it’s just deplorable. I feel deep sadness and anger for our country at times.
Talking to my husband (who is liberal, really he is) was like listening to Paul Deen. They don’t get it. In my husband’s case, well of course he voted for PBO. He loves PBO. He loves Michelle. He thinks anyone who didn’t vote for PBO just because he’s black is disgusting. But in the same breath, he’ll say that it’s perfectly normal to be afraid of black people on the street. Zimmerman had every right to be afraid and therefore…….
The conversation always devolves to me saying, “You can name anecdote after anecdote, but it does not mean that all black/brown people are scary and that you have a right to unjustified acts.”
I remember POTUS bringing up the anecdote about his grandmother crossing to the other side. Such sad, awful, horrendous stereotypes that people ascribe to. It’s a subject that makes me physically ill.
This must be very hard on you. Institutional racism is real and it is pervasive. We live in a racist society and most people don’t realize or understand it. People like PBO and MO strengthen all of us.
and my husband loves the Obamas. Absolutely loves them. He is completely blind to the fact that his pervasive racism is not excused because he loves PBO and Michelle. I’m exhausted.
Just had a visit from my brother from MT who fits the bitter person clinging to his gun and religion PBO so infamously mentioned in his 2008 run. He watches FOX and listens to Limbaugh so every opinion he has sounds like their talking points. Over the last five years I have come to the conclusion that facts just do not get through to him they just enrage him and get him more wound up. Inorder to preserve some sort of semblance of family I now just do not say anything when he goes on one of his rants. He says his piece there is no discussion and I change the topic or leave the room. I do blame the media for turning into sensationalism journalism with no desire to be fact based.
You have a brother in a rural state. my husband comes from a dirt poor Chicago south side background.
What I really can’t fathom is Moronic Friend: highly educated, wealthy his entire life. Socially liberal. Living on the Gold Coast of Chicago. A retired stockbroker, who truly doesn’t understand that it’s people like him that tanked the world economy, the government bailed them out, and he doesn’t want to pay more taxes to pay for the ‘poor moochers.” He loathes PBO and yet his retirement portfolio is great because Obama fixed his mess.
My point is that he BELIEVES Rush Limbaugh and Fox News. How does a highly educated person get there?!? I can understand (somewhat) your brother and my husband. But I do not get the devolution of intelligence in so many people who really should know better.
Our business involves dealing with a lot of wealthy people. In 2008, I was talking to one of our wealthy clients who was an Obama supporter, and she told me that I wouldn’t believe the garbage her wealthy friends believed, quoting Fox and Rush as reasonable sources. It was no different than someone hunkered in a bunker thinking PBO is coming for their guns or some uneducated Chicago south side kid. It’s astounding.
57 take a minute to take a breath. You can not change your husband…stop giving him your energy. Before you get to the point of exhaustion, send your husband love and light…light will eventually overcome darkness.
I emailed the politifact take-down of this lie, and I also emailed him the link to the photo of Trayon’s body that the jury saw. A big, sweet – dead – kid. Normally I wouldn’t even look at something like this except for the lies being spread.
It shut up Hubby and he’s back to sanity. I don’t know if there’s hope for Moronic Friend but you can’t expect any of them to accept truth unless you make the effort to shove it in their faces.
I hope the jury at least find Zimmerman guilty of manslaughter. My prayers for the family and friends of Trayvon Martin. Thank you for your courage in speaking up for him.
@keithboykin
John Guy: Trayvon Martin was a son, a brother, a friend, and the last thing he did on this earth was try to get home.
@TheReidReport
John Guy: “this case is not about race. It’s about right and wrong.” #ZimmermanTrial
@TheReidReport
John Guy: “if the situation was reversed and 17 year old TM was driving around in a car, followed and shot GZ what would your verdict be?”
@AngryBlackLady
That last bit was brilliant. John Guy said it’s not about race, and then made as close to an ‘A Time to Kill’ argument as he could. #J4TM
@keithboykin
John Guy’s best line yet: “This case is not about standing your ground. It’s about staying in your car.”
@keithboykin
John Guy: Why didn’t Trayvon Martin go home? Use your common sense. Did he really want to lead Zimmerman to his house? [went on to note that the only other person home was a 12 year old boy]
Sybrina Fulton:
Day 24 – As I sit in the courtroom I’m realizing that God is using
me to stand up for my son, your son and all teenagers black, brown and those that wear hoodies. The bottom line is you all have rights too. If you don’t stand up for something positive you will fall for anything. No weapon formed against us will prosper. In the name of Jesus. XOXOXO
Rep. Mark Takano Corrects Republican Letter, Proves He Will Always Be A Teacher (PICTURE)
When Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) started circulating a letter that complained about the Senate’s immigration reform bill, he may have expected some grumbling from Democrats, but he probably did not expect to get a failing grade.
However, when Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) received the letter and found the content to be “weak,” he did what any self-respecting former teacher would do. He got out his red pen and gave the document a straight-up F. (Takano taught high school for more than 20 years, reports Southern California Public Radio station KPCC, and it appears he still has quite a bit of teacher left in him.)
Takano posted a noted-up version of Cassidy’s letter on his Tumblr and Facebook pages Thursday and included the following message: “[T]hought I’d offer my edits to the author before they submitted their final version [of the letter to the Speaker] … Still not signing it.” He also invited Cassidy to come by his office for further explanation. Unsurprisingly, Cassidy’s office does not seem pleased with Takano’s actions.
The American Congress of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) called out the Texas Republicans laws for the female-harming bills they are, and stated that these bills are all about interfering with the practice of medicine. Fed up with the bad, inaccurate science Republicans are using to hawk their bad anti-choice bills, the harm these bills inflict upon women’s health, the lies about fetal pain, and the interference in medical care, the ACOG finally spoke up. They’d like very much for Texas Republicans to get out of their exam rooms.
Well, they nicely put it “all politicians” but since Republicans are the legislators behind HB2 and SB1, they are the folks getting in between a doctor and their patient and mandating what should happen in an exam room. Thus, the ACOG is directing these comments to Texas Republicans, even if they are too polite to say so.
The following ACOG statement was published as an advocacy ad in the July 9, 2013, print and online subscription editions of the Austin American Statesman:
You can read their statement at the link…a very good statement, indeed. Are they just doing this now??? Where are the other medical professionals voices?
I read this yesterday and it got me to thinking, where the hell is the medical community in all of this? This stood out for me because medical groups have been SILENT on these laws and mostly silent on ACA.
On ACA, it’s about weighing whether or not their outrageous fees will be curtailed, rather than the health of Americans. But on these draconian laws, you would think every medical organization would be screaming about government interfering in the doctor-patient relationship.
One would think. Once again, you and I are completely on the same page 🙂 They need to speak out, how many times it takes….and LOUDLY….as if they were speaking to a child..so there will be no misunderstandings.
Follow the money. A lot of these doctors are “specialist” and get hugh fees for their services. The ACA is gonna cut into that. Healthy people do not lend themselves well to a lot of surgeries and long stays in intensive care.
And doctors will actually have to work with their patients to control their diets, exercise and be proactive with their health care. that’s soooo much more work than prescribing a bunch of unnecessary pills.
This has been a difficult trial to watch. There was a lot of crazy stuff and a lot of obfuscation. I can’t imagine being TM’s parents and actually being in the courtroom.
John Guy gave a masterful close today. He was thoughtful and powerful, going through each piece of evidence and how GZ’s version of events and his proven lies defy logic. What the jury will do no once can say. But the whole trial was heartbreaking and difficult. I hold out hope for justice.
THIS!!!!! Every time I see a photo of this young man and think that he died for walking home with skittles and ice tea, it breaks my heart. I pray for real justice.
My heart is heavy today. I pray Trayvon and his family receive justice. I didn’t watch a single minute of this trail because I am way too emotionally vested in this case. Not because I knew him or any of his family personally but because I raised two bright, intelligent, fun loving, full of life black young men and every time I look at his mother I think, “That for the grace of God go I.” It could have been any one of our sons. 😦
I couldn’t watch a moment of it and I’m white with no kids. I can’t even watch taped coverage of it on the news. So I can only imagine how sad and difficult this is for you and others like you donna dem.
I can wholly understand and support what you’re saying, Donna.
I watched it because I am interested in the courts and because I wanted to see how race played out in the courtroom. It was extremely difficult and painful at times and there were days when I certainly felt depressed at the end of the day. I cannot even bear to look at GZ. His bloated drugged out zombie demeanor is disgusting to me. The people who spoke on his behalf all come from the same school of entitlement. His attorneys were offensive on every level imaginable. UGH.
Meta, the fact that he HAS gained so much weight is proof that this is literally weighing on him. A person who is clear of mind and heart would not turn to food for support. I see that as Karma starting to work her magic. Unfortunately, she likes to take her time with these kinds of things — but it will catch up to him sooner, rather than later.
As anyone can clearly see, the states affected the most by a loss of food stamps are run by Republican. Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Missouri, Tennessee, Texas, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Arizona, New Mexico, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, Maine, and Arkansas are all currently controlled by the GOP and their conservative economic policies. These policies have swept more and more people into poverty, thus increasing the need for food assistance. By killing SNAP, Republicans are denying their own constituents the food they need to keep from starving.
As noted in a previous article on Addicting Info, conservative voters have consistently voted for politicians and policies that go against their own interests and bring down the rest of the country in the process. Because of these policies, conservatives in these states have paid a heavy price. Low wages, little benefits, and less health care coverage has left many families at a bare subsistence level that requires government aid to take care of the most basic of needs. The need for such aid contributes to why red states are the real welfare states, leaving blue states to pick up the tab.
So desperate for food and shelter, an Alabama man did the unthinkable this week: robbing a bank so he could turn himself in and get sent to jail.
Rickie Lawrence Gardner, a 49-year-old man from the small town of Moulton, Alabama, entered Bank Independent on Monday and handed the teller a note saying he had a gun and to hand over the bank’s money. After the employee complied, Gardner took the bag of cash, walked outside, and locked it in his car. He then sat on a bench in front of the bank and waited for police officers to arrive.
“When officers got there, he did not offer any kind of resistance. He was just waiting on them,” Moulton Police Chief Lyndon McWhorter said. “His is the first bank robbery I’ve ever worked where the robber was waiting outside the bank for the police to turn himself in.”
Alabama has one of the worst social safety nets of any state in the country. It has one of the stingiest maximum TANF benefits, formerly known as welfare, at just $190 per month for a family of two.
****** A single adult, like Gardner, who makes more than $1,332 per year is considered too wealthy to qualify for Medicaid in Alabama.******
desertflower, to the the 1% elite, that’s $1332 MORE in THEIR pocket, they don’t care about some “lowly bum” who can’t hold a job. They probably earn that much in a New York minute.
Because we still don’t compete effectively on the visceral message game. The DNC should have figured this out by now and not rely on PBO.
That being said, I can’t imagine how bad is has to get for at least another 25% of Americans to wake the hell up. Unfortunately, if they continue to believe lies and there is no way to penetrate their thick heads with truth, it’s very upsetting.
This is what’s happening right now in Texas. Yesterday North Carolina GOP slipped anti-women anti-reproductive rights restrictions into a MOTORCYCLE SAFETY BILL. This is the madness and assault women are facing all over the country. Even in states that are blue during presidential and most statewide elections.
#TXLege GOP Madness: State troopers searching all bags and confiscating tampons and pads but you can bring a GUN into the gallery. #HB2#SB1
So so precious, it puts a smile on my face every time, Thank you, Chipsticks for breaking up the heaviness of the rest of the feed. I just love how he makes her feel comfortable about hugging him, and then sending her on to FLOTUS.
((((((((((((( TY, Mr. President)))))))))))))) That precious sweet little one will remember how the POTUS came into her space as well as she being in his with all of the loving goodness of people standing in that room with her on this day. That is one of the reasons that I give thanks for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama each day of my life.
Thanks so much for this, Chips. You always know when to enter the room with the sweet fragrance to help us to continue to get through the day. ((((((((( To Our beautiful Chips)))))))))))HZ
Excellent, thank you Jewelz. I just want to know why did this “creature” want to take the life of this young man…what could have possibly been going through his mind and heart at that time. I am not a praying person, but I am praying that this man does not get off. I will obviously respect the jury’s decision, because if they should go with not guilty, then it wasn’t beyond a reasonable doubt that it was not in self-defense. Let’s send all our thoughts and prayers together to this poor family.
I don’t know if you all have seen the picture of Trayvon’s body that was shown, briefly, on MSNBC. I was conflicted. I didn’t want to see it, but ended up seeing it. I gasped and was in tears. I still can’t get rid of the picture in my mind’s eye. In a way I’m glad I did because apart from the the horrific sight, it shows the vulnerability. This was a child, we forget, because so many of the stories around him have tried to paint him otherwise. And all he was doing was trying to get home…
I did not see it. Can I find it at msnbc, do you think? After my ‘discussion’ over a bogus photo of Trayvon circulating amongst the haters, I would like the opportunity to show my husband’s Moronic Friend what reality looks like.
I appreciate that. I wouldn’t link it here either. I only want to use it to quell an argument with my husband’s moronic and friend and my moronic husband on what a big scary black guy Trayvon was. And even if he was, HE DIDN’T DO ANYTHING TO DESERVE MURDER.
I understand and you have empathy for the situation but I just wonder if we tend to get caught up in the sensationalism that is thrusted on us by the media. IMO from what I can tell they seem to be treating this entire trial like some sort of reality tv show. Posting this dead innocent child’s body was callous and irresponsible. One look at Trayvon’s parents and I can sense the horror of his death. This picture was not necessary for me to feel the pain of his death.
I am not visiting any social media sites other than here today because the picture of Trayvon’s body is all over my twitter TL and Facebook page. I cannot imagine what this is doing to his family.
Oh, I didn’t need to see the picture either to feel the pain and injustice of it all. But you’re right in that for most of the media, this is a sensational story and they are taking full advantage, to the detriment of the family, friends, well-wishers and the memory of Trayvon.
Let’s face it, popular entertainment and infotainment culture is crass and cruel, inhumane and uncivilized to the nth degree. That’s why I avoid it was much as possible. Any person who wants to have a consciousness that is heartful and sane has to avoid that cesspool.
rchakras, I know it’s hard not to be, but don’t be sad. Trayvon Martin has not died in vain. In fact, he has been the impetus to get the race dialogue out in the open…this is what has needed to happen in order to pop this nasty zit that has been a blight on our nation for over 200 years. He is an angel and GZ will always be evil. He is guilty as the day is long, and it’s written all over his face. No matter what happens, justice will be served, whether it’s man-made justice, or divine intervention, he will get what is coming to him. BTW, I like the fact that his last name is Martin.
You can watch the TX Lege live stream here; where tampons and pads are confiscated because they pose a security risk but GUNS are allowed in the senate gallery. Great going, GOP.
In Judaism, there is a prayer the orthodox Jews say in the morning, and it’s thanking God they are not a woman. I have to say, I thank GODDESS, I’m not a man. Whooo wee, no thank you — other than the peeing standing up…that’s about all they’ve got going for them :).
And yet, raised in ‘conservative’ judaism, I was taught – by the older rabbi and the younger one who replaced him – that free will is what made us human, is our one true gift from God. That we make choices. Timshel – to choose. Which is one of the reasons East of Eden is one of my favorite novels.
Someday, not in my lifetime but someday – true feminine characteristics will have a place in political and religious leadership. Not just electing women who still have to act like men to gain any respect – but what I consider feminine advantages: multi-tasking, multi-layered views of challenges, cooperation, empathy, collaboration. That there is such a thing as ‘enough’ money, instead of ‘all’ the money as a measure of success. Look for solutions instead of conflict. Build instead of destroy to look ‘strong’. These are not weaknesses, but the strengths that are the best of what’s human.
I envision a world where women ‘rule’ but in truly female ways.
Normally just lurk but delurked today to help 57 debunk the dishonest picture, and also thank you for the wonderful coverage, especially of the Africa trip. Very much appreciated.
LOL!!! Brilliant, because it truly does! Things are changing and they are changing NOW!! This is the tidal wave we have been waiting for and it cannot be stopped…I can not WAIT to ride this thing :).
Can we say that whomever PBO chooses, no one will be happy? If it’s someone who believes there should be security in Homeland Security the left will hate her. If she thinks singing kumbaya will bring peace to the world, the RW will hate her.
Wait. So men – no, strike that, POLICE – are confiscating tampons from women because tampons are weapons? This is the most horrific example of misogynist behavior and an egregious misuse of power and intimidation one can imagine in these circumstances. Unfreakinbelievable.
Google: The 14 Defining Characteristics of Fascism —we are there. We have become what we have accused everyone else of being. We are now looking inward and it’s NOT very pretty. However, I feel very positive for the future.
I do not get HBO and have Netflix. Anyone know where Newsroom can be found besides the cable station? I am also looking for Homeland, and seasons beyond one of Downton Abbey.
The new episode is usually upa couple hours after its been aired on TV. If not then definitely the next day.if you lose the bookmark, simply google this exact phrase: ‘ letmewatchthis the newsroom’. Put it in the exact same way okay? Good luck! I’m in the same position as you, i dont have hbo, but my mom does, plus she has comcast. Comcast has an app that allows you to watch all the stations a subscriber has on mobile devices. all I have to do is download the xfinity player app, use my mom’s log in and I have access on my phone and ipad to all of hbo’s movies and shows. The letmewatchthis site is really good though and they’re quick to add new episodes of all shows. Happy watching!
No, meta. Janet Napolitano is one of the most capable women in the country. She is a no nonsense realist, an incredibly hard worker and succeeds at any jobs she undertakes. She would have made a great president and would have carried on PBO’s legacy in a steadfast and brilliant way. I’m sorry she didn’t choose that route, but then she’s probably sick of politics.
OK, whew! I agree with your description of her. She has done an amazing job with a steady hand with one of the MOST difficult and stressful jobs in the country. If any woman as proven her mettle, it’s her.
I agree. And if she is even considering it she needs to take a break form the pressure. If she runs from CA, that will sure piss Gavin Newsom off. Hmmmm 🙂
I never thought of her at POTUS, but I think of her every single day for Gov of AZ 🙂 She was wonderful…and the BS baffle and sanity keeper for the people of AZ. Her going to Homeland Security really stung.
Perhaps it is for the best that their utter madness is on display for the entire world to see. When an entire group of legislators is so unhinged, it does not bode well for anyone in connection to them all.
What Do Tampon Absorbency Ratings Mean?
The FDA regulates tampon absorbency ratings. By using the lowest tampon absorbency rating during your period, you can help reduce your risk of getting toxic shock syndrome, or TSS.
Answer: Because there are so many brands of tampons to choose from, the FDA has developed the following tampon absorbency rating terms:
1.Light absorbency tampons which means that these tampons absorb 6 grams of blood or less. Light absorbency tampons are good for the last days of your period when your blood flow is lowest.
2.Regular absorbency tampons hold from six to nine grams. Many women find that regular absorbency tampons are good for most of the days of their periods.
3. Super absorbency tampons hold from nine to 12 grams of menstrual blood. Super absorbency tampons provide the extra absorption that some women need the first day or two of menstruation.
4. Super plus absorbency tampons can absorb between 12 to 15 grams of blood. Some women who experience extra heavy bleeding at the beginning of their periods may need to use super plus absorbency tampons.
5. Ultra absorbency tampons absorb from 15 to 18 grams of menstrual blood. Most women will never need to use ultra absorbency tampons.
Although tampons that absorb more than 18 grams of menstruation are available, there is no absorbency rating term for these tampons. If you need to use this type of tampon, you should talk to your doctor about the amount of blood flow you experience during menstruation.
As Mr. T once said, “I pity the fool”…….The ‘good old boy’s’ are about to find out that pulling a loggers chain from a grizzley bear’s butt would have been safer than pissing-off a lot of women. – smh
There was a Song by The Hot Chocolate: Seventeen Years of Age. I was not able to find it on youtube. Dudette, if you could, please, Please, help me find it and if you do…..please see if that song is appropriate to be used as a tribute for Trayvon Benjamin Martin. Thanks.
Obama White House.gov
The Obama Diary 
Powerful. Twitter was ablaze today about John Guy. Everyone said he gave a fantastic, earth shattering rebuttal closing argument. Even lawyers were tweeting about it. I’m glad. The innocent person in all of this is Trayvon Martin who was murdered for no good reason. He was just trying to get home and a monster ended his life.
And yet, whether we like it or not, there is a decent chance he will be found not guilty. But Guy’s closing rebuttal was, from what I can tell, one for the ages.
I don’t think so. A chance that the jury might go for manslaughter, but I don’t see Z walking.
There is also the 3rd option – hung jury
Co-sign.
A beautiful boy went to the store and was on the way, or on the way back to see his Dad and Dad’s girlfriend.
What happened next should not have happened. With much love to Travyvon’s family and friends.
Last evening heard guest on some “talking head” show say Zimmerman had good chance of getting off cause his lawyer had a nicer speaking voice……….WHAT! I almost threw something at the TV, where do they find these people. It is hard to think about Trayvon and his family without tears to eyes.
Anna, that is what really piss me off about these people, the network have taken trials like these and turn them into something you expect to see Sunday morning before the NFL football game. It has become some kind of sport to them. I know that if Zimmerman was black and he had shot and kill a 17 year old white boy, the black Zimmerman would have been arrested that very night by the Sanford police.
True and sad
Heartbreaking
{{{{Trayvon’sFamily}}}}
Praying for Trayvon’s Family and that no matter what happens this is what the family wanted. That their son’s murderer stood trial for all the world to see. Zimmerman will forever be known as the person who killed an unarmed child and the Sanford Police department almost let him walk away. Thanks to one persons tweeting about it and the word spreading all over the land that even President Obama commented that it was not until then that the state of Florida was forced to do try him. My hope is that justice is served and Zimmerman gets convicted and spend time in jail. The media has been defending this man from day one and I just pray all the pundits who say he walks are wrong.
thank you Chips
My husband’s moronic friend who made millions in the stock market, is retired comfortably thanks to PBO whom he hates, and gets his news from Rush Limbaugh, sent me a picture of a scary black guy with a bunch of tatoos that is Trayvon Martin. Moronic Friend tapped into my husband’s latent racism and you really don’t want to hear the details of the fight we had.
My question: does anyone know if this photo is legitimate. In this Deranged Age of ‘information’, it could be a fake. I just want to know.
I have never seen it but have heard it exists. It makes no difference to the facts whether it exists or not.
Oh, I know it makes no difference. believe me, trying to explain that to my husband was worthless. I just wondered if it was ‘real’ or not.
It’s not that my husband thinks Trayvon’s murder was justified. But he sees nothing wrong with having the ‘right’ to distrust blacks because there are a lot of blacks that commit crimes. The evidence of that one situation, the facts of what actually happened that night – that’s a separate issue to my husband’s latent racism that ‘understands’ why Zimmerman was suspicious
Trust me, he’s come a long way and he’s a great blue collar liberal. But this kind of issue – we cannot and will not agree and all we do is scream at each other.
I don’t understand “a lot of blacks that commit crimes”…this makes me ill. Why is it that the whole black “race” is guilty of being criminals when one, a few or a “a lot of blacks” commit crimes. This burden is not put upon any other race…never ever!
Unfortunately, my husband grew up very poor, in a poor Chicago neighborhood where status came from looking down on other people. They didn’t consider that they could go to college. they looked at a future in factories or low-level jobs. It’s not an excuse – I’ve been trying to understand it for all these years. He had a mother who raised 6 kids on her own, being a good ‘Catholic’ whose husband would bail, come back and knock her up and leave again. She thought she was doing the right thing when she told her kids that they shouldn’t look for ‘pats on the back’. She gave them no expectations, because she thought that way they couldn’t be disappointed. It’s sad.
He left the South side of Chicago and got as far away as he could, made a career for himself, changed his politics and his life view in almost everything. Even in race, he’s often just fine. But once in awhile this latent crap rears its ugly head. he does NOT sit around the house screaming about evil black and brown people (his brothers do, but he does not). But sometimes, we have a day like this where he tries to explain to be that he ‘understands’ the suspicion. It’s hard to completely shed the world view that was shoved down your throat.
Even if Travyon had been covered in tattoos from head to foot, he still had the right to expect to go to the shops for candy and get home alive. These racists would be screaming for Zimmerman’s head if races or genders were different in this case. What I’ve learned is that, for some people in this country, a black child can’t expect to be secure in his own neighborhood or fight for his life when confronted with an armed lunatic racist. And anyone defending Zimmerman’s “self-defense” nonsense is incapable of seeing that someone’s child is now dead simply because he was black.
The travesty of this case began when the police sent Zimmerman home even while a dead child lay on a street for hours with a bullet in his heart, and they had no intention of arresting his killer. Just this week, I heard an account of a policeman who said that he wouldn’t have followed Trayvon like Zimmerman did – he would have waited for backup. Backup for what? Backup to monitor a child was walking home from the store – or backup to monitor a black child walking home from the store? Someone here posted a tweet that showed pics of kids now “trayvoning”, as they lie on the street, pretending to be dead, with a bottle of ice tea and a bag of Skittles in their hands. There is no part of this case, or the hateful reaction of so many, that is ok. This is a sick society.
This case has made me very sad.
All the points you made, I keep making. But my husband’s latent racism sees nothing wrong in identifying a black man as ‘scary’. He doesn’t say that excuses Zimmerman but he see the ‘justification’ in the altercation. 33 years of marriage, and we cannot communicate to each other on this kind of issue. And after listening to his Moronic Friend and seeing this photo, he sees that Trayon’s looks and past (that Zimmerman had no knowledge of) ‘justifies’ what happened. I go absolutely nuts.
My husband would say he’s not a racist. And he isn’t, in many, many ways. And he cannot see that this ‘crime’ of walking down the street while black, is the essence of racism. The worst kind, because there is an acceptance of it as long as you’re not screaming the ‘n’ word.
Black men have every right to be scared of white men who think that every black man is scary. Look at history. If a black man feels suspicious of every white man who crosses his path, to the point that he follows them and shoots them because he’s afraid for his life – justifiably so, given the Zimmerman case – then would your husband hold the same view?
A lot of people say they’re not racist, and yet when faced with a situation like the Trayvon tragedy, they choose not to look at Trayvon as a child who was just walking home. Instead, they bring their stereotypes to the fore to justify why Zimmerman had every right to be suspicious of a black child minding his own business, to stalk that child, confront that child in the night – and then when the child feared for his life and fought for that same life – to shoot that child in the heart. Dead. They don’t see Trayvon as a child, who had a future and dreams and parents who are grieving for him. They see him as a scary black person, who carries the weight of all who look like him who have made bad decisions or been captured by a corrupt system. It’s the way they justify disrespecting the President of the United States. They don’t see him as a person deserving of the respect that he has earned. And those people make me sick. They are the very definition of racist, and they need to look themselves in the mirror and acknowledge that they are racist. This is what racism feels like.
I feel sorry for your husband and the many people who have found a way to justify what happened to Trayvon Martin, and have made Zimmerman the victim in this exchange, because there is something missing in them. There is something wrong with a person who regards themselves as otherwise being a decent person, who can also blame a child for dying simply because of the color of that child’s skin. There’s something horribly wrong there. I don’t forgive that, and I don’t excuse it.
Beautifully stated, theo67.
Well stated Theo.
I make each and every point you’ve made. He was agnostic on this trial until Moronic Friend showed him this photo. But it only swayed him because he was persuadable. My first thought was, “Does this even look like Trayvon? Looks a lot older than 17 (which was the ‘point’ of the racist email). I saw photos that were more recent than the one they show of the 12 year old, and I don’t remember that tattoo on his face. Is this even real?” But my husband saw it, and WANTED to believe it.
Now understand, my husband is a HUGE PBO supporter, defending PBO all the time to Moronic Friend. He doesn’t see these latent racist feelings. he’ll tell me that everyone in his Chicago back of the yards neighborhood used racial and ethnic slurs but didn’t mean them to be nasty. The Paula Deen argument.
I’ll never win these arguments with him. Never. But at least I could thoroughly debunk the photo. When I sent the link to Moronic Friend I said, this is why we can’t have serious discourse. If you need lies to make your case, you have no case.
Sigh. I’m drained.
57 – what if the photo was Trayvon? How would that change anything? What if Trayvon was a 40 year old man walking down that neighborhood from the shops and profiled by Zimmerman? What if that 40 year old man was 250 pounds and a karate expert, profiled by Zimmerman?
None of these points would change one thing about Zimmerman’s actions, and their intended results. He thinks all black man are a-holes, f-in punks who get away with it. He thinks he’s justified to follow any black person, no matter what they’re doing. He thinks all black people fighting back at his actions deserve to die – that it’s God’s will. Zimmerman says he wouldn’t have changed a single thing that he did that night – not even that a child died that night for no reason.
I’m not going to keep beating you up on this, because you’ve said these are your husband’s views and not your own. But, I will say this: using racial slurs may not be intended to be nasty, but they are nasty. Saying you’re ok with this successful black person over here (i.e. President Obama), but this tattooed one over there deserves suspicion simply because too many black people are in prison and it fits a stereotype, even if he’s a child – that’s racism.
I salute you for fighting the good fight with your friend and your husband.
Excellent comments.
I completely agree — it doesn’t matter what Trayvon looked like. HE DID NOT PROVOKE. He did nothing wrong, and he’s DEAD.
I won’t even begin to relay the argument about past behavior being admitted into evidence: arrests, drug use. What about Zimmerman’s past history of violence and restraining orders?
It’s been an exhausting day.
{{{{{{{dear57}}}}}}}
Hubby has driven me crazy today and HE’S the one taking a nap!
Men — they can pee and sleep anywhere — we’re the ones that do all the worrying!
Ha!
I keep thinking of the insidious argument – well, Trayvon just should have put his head down and said, “yes, sir”. If you’re being followed, you can run, try to hide or say, “why the hell are you following me?” Even as a woman, I can swear and scream plenty at idiot drivers on the road. The notion that just because Zimmerman was white he was entitled to some deference – just sends me over the edge.
This is the best summary I have ever read of the crux of the matter. All else is bullshyte.
Excellent theo67.
There’s something horribly wrong there. I don’t forgive that, and I don’t excuse it.
That’s called mental illness, Theo.
If there was a just God then people wouldn’t just have to imagine walking in someone else’s shoes, for people such as your husband and his friend it would mean living the life of discrimination or hunger or loneliness. It seems way too many people can’t empathize without the first hand experience.
My husband is liberal in so many ways. A cafeteria liberal, when it comes to race and immigration. He grew up very, very poor but he’s “not on welfare”. But his brother’s ex-wife lived on welfare her entire life. She relied on welfare when his brother went off and married someone else and supported that family, and not the first family. His niece and her brood of babies has never had a job and lives on welfare. Nice, Polish white people. Poverty breeds poverty.
My husband would damn any black father for abandoning his family, and yet his twin brother did the same thing. His gambling, racist, worthless twin – full of hate and derision for black and brown people (he moved to AZ with no skills, and he’s pissed brown people work for less than he would work for). What makes him ‘superior’ to a black father who abandons his family?
This is a circular firing squad on these issues. I’m grateful to gn here at TOD who found me the ‘pants on fire’ politifact rebuttal. That, at least, cannot be explained away by Moronic Friend.
Keep up the good fight, 57. Maybe you’ve shut up the friend at least for a day, and also left him with some egg on his face for not being able to tell that the person in the photo is in his 30s.
I certainly won this round, thanks to you. frankly, I never thought of checking politifact on it. But it is a serious knock down of a lie. Thanks again.
His Mom was asked about his tatoos…..He had only two…..and one of them was her name , I think
Yes, one was her name, and the other was praying hands.
The picture shows tattoos on his face, his hands and all over his neck. The outrageous, nasty email that accompanied it with outrageous comments about PBO, made me ill. I have managed to avoid most of the Derangement out there. I want to take a shower. I want to shower the hate from my brain.
Of course there’s no way to check if the photo is legitimate. I just would have loved to shut down Moronic Friend and Moronic Husband on this.
I know the picture you are referencing; it has been completely debunked. It’s a photo of a grown man (rapper The Game). Racists have latched onto It In their continuing lies and slander of a child who Is no longer here to defend himself, and continuing harassment and cruelty towards the child’s parents. Please see below for politifact’s debunking of the fake photo.
http://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2012/jul/17/chain-email/real-photo-trayvon-martin-chain-email-says-so/
thank you, gn! This is EXACTLY what I was looking for.
You’re welcome—hope that your husband can look past his racism and see reason.
He will on this. He will continue to carry on that Trayvon was not the 12 year old that we see in 90% of the pictures. But no matter what, he was not the instigator, he was not committing any crime, and had every right to safety for his person.
I only pray that the jurors are not the ‘non-racists’ like my husband who see a fundamental truth that it’s okay to think black people are scary, regardless of their actions. This young man did not deserve to be stalked and killed by this liar who has admitted on national TV that he was doing ‘god’s will’ and he would do everything the same. That’s not an innocent man – that’s a psychopath.
Thanks again for the link. I sent it off to Moronic Friend and said that this is the reason we can’t have honest discourse anymore – if you need lies to make your case,you have no case.
*That’s not an innocent man – that’s a psychopath.*
So utterly true.
We are legitimizing psychopathic and sociopathic behavior in this country, and it’s really disturbing. I read about a study that easily determined that the upper management and CEO mindset parallels sociopathic behavior to a ‘t’. A de-humanization of everyone beneath you, complete lack of interest in right or wrong.
The stand your ground laws, concealed carry – they legitimize sociopathic behavior. A parallel to libertarianism, which is sociopathic in my opinion.
Most of the images being shared by racists are inaccurate. Trayvon had two tattoos. One with praying hands and the other of his mother’s name.
Thanks. That’s what I thought. I don’t even think this photo looks that much like Trayvon, even if you allow for him being older. I do remember a photo that was a more recent one, within days of his murder, I think. And his face was NOT covered with tattoos like the photo forwarded. I would have remembered that.
It looks like someone painted this shit on and posed for the photo.
Yes, the picture which 57’s husband received is of a man nearly twice Trayvon’s age. Racists have slandered this kid mercilessly and should be ashamed were they capable of shame.
Travon’s mother was questioned about his tattoos by the prosecutor and she described one as being “praying hands”, one as a picture of her and one related in someway to his grandmother(s).
This kind of thing feels like a wound to the spirit. It’s based on the worst lies and distortions and racist assumptions and it’s just deplorable. I feel deep sadness and anger for our country at times.
Talking to my husband (who is liberal, really he is) was like listening to Paul Deen. They don’t get it. In my husband’s case, well of course he voted for PBO. He loves PBO. He loves Michelle. He thinks anyone who didn’t vote for PBO just because he’s black is disgusting. But in the same breath, he’ll say that it’s perfectly normal to be afraid of black people on the street. Zimmerman had every right to be afraid and therefore…….
The conversation always devolves to me saying, “You can name anecdote after anecdote, but it does not mean that all black/brown people are scary and that you have a right to unjustified acts.”
I remember POTUS bringing up the anecdote about his grandmother crossing to the other side. Such sad, awful, horrendous stereotypes that people ascribe to. It’s a subject that makes me physically ill.
This must be very hard on you. Institutional racism is real and it is pervasive. We live in a racist society and most people don’t realize or understand it. People like PBO and MO strengthen all of us.
and my husband loves the Obamas. Absolutely loves them. He is completely blind to the fact that his pervasive racism is not excused because he loves PBO and Michelle. I’m exhausted.
Just had a visit from my brother from MT who fits the bitter person clinging to his gun and religion PBO so infamously mentioned in his 2008 run. He watches FOX and listens to Limbaugh so every opinion he has sounds like their talking points. Over the last five years I have come to the conclusion that facts just do not get through to him they just enrage him and get him more wound up. Inorder to preserve some sort of semblance of family I now just do not say anything when he goes on one of his rants. He says his piece there is no discussion and I change the topic or leave the room. I do blame the media for turning into sensationalism journalism with no desire to be fact based.
You have a brother in a rural state. my husband comes from a dirt poor Chicago south side background.
What I really can’t fathom is Moronic Friend: highly educated, wealthy his entire life. Socially liberal. Living on the Gold Coast of Chicago. A retired stockbroker, who truly doesn’t understand that it’s people like him that tanked the world economy, the government bailed them out, and he doesn’t want to pay more taxes to pay for the ‘poor moochers.” He loathes PBO and yet his retirement portfolio is great because Obama fixed his mess.
My point is that he BELIEVES Rush Limbaugh and Fox News. How does a highly educated person get there?!? I can understand (somewhat) your brother and my husband. But I do not get the devolution of intelligence in so many people who really should know better.
Our business involves dealing with a lot of wealthy people. In 2008, I was talking to one of our wealthy clients who was an Obama supporter, and she told me that I wouldn’t believe the garbage her wealthy friends believed, quoting Fox and Rush as reasonable sources. It was no different than someone hunkered in a bunker thinking PBO is coming for their guns or some uneducated Chicago south side kid. It’s astounding.
57 take a minute to take a breath. You can not change your husband…stop giving him your energy. Before you get to the point of exhaustion, send your husband love and light…light will eventually overcome darkness.
Hi 57andFemail,
I’m not sure if I’m allowed to post a link here, but the following is a link to a Washington Post article by Jonathan Capehart that debunks the fake photo. (For those of you who don’t know, the photo in question is a photoshop job of Trayvon Martin’s face superimposed onto the body of a 31 year old, muscular rapper named “The Game”.) http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2013/07/02/fake-photo-of-trayvon-martin-still-making-the-rounds/?hpid=z7
Sorry, I meant to write “57andFemale” and not “57andFemail”.
I emailed the politifact take-down of this lie, and I also emailed him the link to the photo of Trayon’s body that the jury saw. A big, sweet – dead – kid. Normally I wouldn’t even look at something like this except for the lies being spread.
It shut up Hubby and he’s back to sanity. I don’t know if there’s hope for Moronic Friend but you can’t expect any of them to accept truth unless you make the effort to shove it in their faces.
repost – retweet
https://twitter.com/bardgal/status/355745895893053441?
I don’t think so …there have been cases using SYG that involve a knife and have won
I hope the jury at least find Zimmerman guilty of manslaughter. My prayers for the family and friends of Trayvon Martin. Thank you for your courage in speaking up for him.
I sure won’t miss Lisa Bloom’s punditry .
She would be more at home on FOX.
Add Dan Abram to that list.
@keithboykin
John Guy: Trayvon Martin was a son, a brother, a friend, and the last thing he did on this earth was try to get home.
@TheReidReport
John Guy: “this case is not about race. It’s about right and wrong.” #ZimmermanTrial
@TheReidReport
John Guy: “if the situation was reversed and 17 year old TM was driving around in a car, followed and shot GZ what would your verdict be?”
@AngryBlackLady
That last bit was brilliant. John Guy said it’s not about race, and then made as close to an ‘A Time to Kill’ argument as he could. #J4TM
@keithboykin
John Guy’s best line yet: “This case is not about standing your ground. It’s about staying in your car.”
@keithboykin
John Guy: Why didn’t Trayvon Martin go home? Use your common sense. Did he really want to lead Zimmerman to his house? [went on to note that the only other person home was a 12 year old boy]
Sybrina Fulton:
Day 24 – As I sit in the courtroom I’m realizing that God is using
me to stand up for my son, your son and all teenagers black, brown and those that wear hoodies. The bottom line is you all have rights too. If you don’t stand up for something positive you will fall for anything. No weapon formed against us will prosper. In the name of Jesus. XOXOXO
Rep. Mark Takano Corrects Republican Letter, Proves He Will Always Be A Teacher (PICTURE)
When Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) started circulating a letter that complained about the Senate’s immigration reform bill, he may have expected some grumbling from Democrats, but he probably did not expect to get a failing grade.
However, when Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) received the letter and found the content to be “weak,” he did what any self-respecting former teacher would do. He got out his red pen and gave the document a straight-up F. (Takano taught high school for more than 20 years, reports Southern California Public Radio station KPCC, and it appears he still has quite a bit of teacher left in him.)
Takano posted a noted-up version of Cassidy’s letter on his Tumblr and Facebook pages Thursday and included the following message: “[T]hought I’d offer my edits to the author before they submitted their final version [of the letter to the Speaker] … Still not signing it.” He also invited Cassidy to come by his office for further explanation. Unsurprisingly, Cassidy’s office does not seem pleased with Takano’s actions.
BOOM! This is to funny
http://www.politicususa.com/2013/07/12/ob-gyns-texas-gop-out-exam-rooms.html
The American Congress of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) called out the Texas Republicans laws for the female-harming bills they are, and stated that these bills are all about interfering with the practice of medicine. Fed up with the bad, inaccurate science Republicans are using to hawk their bad anti-choice bills, the harm these bills inflict upon women’s health, the lies about fetal pain, and the interference in medical care, the ACOG finally spoke up. They’d like very much for Texas Republicans to get out of their exam rooms.
Well, they nicely put it “all politicians” but since Republicans are the legislators behind HB2 and SB1, they are the folks getting in between a doctor and their patient and mandating what should happen in an exam room. Thus, the ACOG is directing these comments to Texas Republicans, even if they are too polite to say so.
The following ACOG statement was published as an advocacy ad in the July 9, 2013, print and online subscription editions of the Austin American Statesman:
You can read their statement at the link…a very good statement, indeed. Are they just doing this now??? Where are the other medical professionals voices?
I read this yesterday and it got me to thinking, where the hell is the medical community in all of this? This stood out for me because medical groups have been SILENT on these laws and mostly silent on ACA.
On ACA, it’s about weighing whether or not their outrageous fees will be curtailed, rather than the health of Americans. But on these draconian laws, you would think every medical organization would be screaming about government interfering in the doctor-patient relationship.
It’s disgusting.
One would think. Once again, you and I are completely on the same page 🙂 They need to speak out, how many times it takes….and LOUDLY….as if they were speaking to a child..so there will be no misunderstandings.
We are in synch, as always. except that inferno you choose to live in. Give me the cool waters of Lake Michigan………..
🙂 Yeah, well…we’re still in synch on that, too:) If I could afford to move to cool waters, trust me, I would!
Follow the money. A lot of these doctors are “specialist” and get hugh fees for their services. The ACA is gonna cut into that. Healthy people do not lend themselves well to a lot of surgeries and long stays in intensive care.
And doctors will actually have to work with their patients to control their diets, exercise and be proactive with their health care. that’s soooo much more work than prescribing a bunch of unnecessary pills.
It would also hinder convention and ‘tee times’.
This has been a difficult trial to watch. There was a lot of crazy stuff and a lot of obfuscation. I can’t imagine being TM’s parents and actually being in the courtroom.
John Guy gave a masterful close today. He was thoughtful and powerful, going through each piece of evidence and how GZ’s version of events and his proven lies defy logic. What the jury will do no once can say. But the whole trial was heartbreaking and difficult. I hold out hope for justice.
THIS!!!!! Every time I see a photo of this young man and think that he died for walking home with skittles and ice tea, it breaks my heart. I pray for real justice.
I hold out hope for justice……
**********************************
So do I!
I think John Guy actually said Trayvon lived “16 years and 22 days” because he was killed just 22 days after his 17th birthday.
My heart is heavy today. I pray Trayvon and his family receive justice. I didn’t watch a single minute of this trail because I am way too emotionally vested in this case. Not because I knew him or any of his family personally but because I raised two bright, intelligent, fun loving, full of life black young men and every time I look at his mother I think, “That for the grace of God go I.” It could have been any one of our sons. 😦
I couldn’t watch a moment of it and I’m white with no kids. I can’t even watch taped coverage of it on the news. So I can only imagine how sad and difficult this is for you and others like you donna dem.
I can wholly understand and support what you’re saying, Donna.
I watched it because I am interested in the courts and because I wanted to see how race played out in the courtroom. It was extremely difficult and painful at times and there were days when I certainly felt depressed at the end of the day. I cannot even bear to look at GZ. His bloated drugged out zombie demeanor is disgusting to me. The people who spoke on his behalf all come from the same school of entitlement. His attorneys were offensive on every level imaginable. UGH.
Meta, the fact that he HAS gained so much weight is proof that this is literally weighing on him. A person who is clear of mind and heart would not turn to food for support. I see that as Karma starting to work her magic. Unfortunately, she likes to take her time with these kinds of things — but it will catch up to him sooner, rather than later.
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/07/12/president-running-a-budget-surplus-gop-in-a-panic-as-they-witness-election-hopes-evaporate/
🙂 🙂 Long game in progress! Please, proceed Republicans.
Seriously…I don’t understand why the entire country isn’t a swath of blue. Maybe soon!
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/07/12/house-republicans-eliminating-food-stamp-program-chart/
As anyone can clearly see, the states affected the most by a loss of food stamps are run by Republican. Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Missouri, Tennessee, Texas, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Arizona, New Mexico, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, Maine, and Arkansas are all currently controlled by the GOP and their conservative economic policies. These policies have swept more and more people into poverty, thus increasing the need for food assistance. By killing SNAP, Republicans are denying their own constituents the food they need to keep from starving.
As noted in a previous article on Addicting Info, conservative voters have consistently voted for politicians and policies that go against their own interests and bring down the rest of the country in the process. Because of these policies, conservatives in these states have paid a heavy price. Low wages, little benefits, and less health care coverage has left many families at a bare subsistence level that requires government aid to take care of the most basic of needs. The need for such aid contributes to why red states are the real welfare states, leaving blue states to pick up the tab.
Couple that with this horrific story of a man in Alabama: http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/07/11/2278871/alabama-jail-poverty/
So desperate for food and shelter, an Alabama man did the unthinkable this week: robbing a bank so he could turn himself in and get sent to jail.
Rickie Lawrence Gardner, a 49-year-old man from the small town of Moulton, Alabama, entered Bank Independent on Monday and handed the teller a note saying he had a gun and to hand over the bank’s money. After the employee complied, Gardner took the bag of cash, walked outside, and locked it in his car. He then sat on a bench in front of the bank and waited for police officers to arrive.
“When officers got there, he did not offer any kind of resistance. He was just waiting on them,” Moulton Police Chief Lyndon McWhorter said. “His is the first bank robbery I’ve ever worked where the robber was waiting outside the bank for the police to turn himself in.”
Alabama has one of the worst social safety nets of any state in the country. It has one of the stingiest maximum TANF benefits, formerly known as welfare, at just $190 per month for a family of two.
****** A single adult, like Gardner, who makes more than $1,332 per year is considered too wealthy to qualify for Medicaid in Alabama.******
PER YEAR!!! THIS IS INSANE!!!
desertflower, to the the 1% elite, that’s $1332 MORE in THEIR pocket, they don’t care about some “lowly bum” who can’t hold a job. They probably earn that much in a New York minute.
Because we still don’t compete effectively on the visceral message game. The DNC should have figured this out by now and not rely on PBO.
That being said, I can’t imagine how bad is has to get for at least another 25% of Americans to wake the hell up. Unfortunately, if they continue to believe lies and there is no way to penetrate their thick heads with truth, it’s very upsetting.
Yes it is, 57andfemale!
This is what’s happening right now in Texas. Yesterday North Carolina GOP slipped anti-women anti-reproductive rights restrictions into a MOTORCYCLE SAFETY BILL. This is the madness and assault women are facing all over the country. Even in states that are blue during presidential and most statewide elections.
This country is messed up in so many ways.
That is so effed up………….
You’ve got to be kidding!!!
Well then I guess I will just be a bloody mess!!!
Are the stupid men afraid the women will shove their used tampons in their faces, or smother them with a pad — “ewwww girl stuff…how gross…”
Wow, what I’d give for one of those {{{hugs}}} today. 🙂
{{{{DD4O}}}} (I know, I know, not even in the same ball park, but it’s all yours!) 😉
Ahhhh thank you MP!!!
The hug with the precious girl from Tennessee at the Kid’s State Dinner was a wonderful hug also.
So so precious, it puts a smile on my face every time, Thank you, Chipsticks for breaking up the heaviness of the rest of the feed. I just love how he makes her feel comfortable about hugging him, and then sending her on to FLOTUS.
((((((((((((( TY, Mr. President)))))))))))))) That precious sweet little one will remember how the POTUS came into her space as well as she being in his with all of the loving goodness of people standing in that room with her on this day. That is one of the reasons that I give thanks for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama each day of my life.
Thanks so much for this, Chips. You always know when to enter the room with the sweet fragrance to help us to continue to get through the day. ((((((((( To Our beautiful Chips)))))))))))HZ
John Guy’s Closing Statements Rebuttal (video excerpt)
Not there, Jewelz. “Video doesn’t exist”
Sorry, I made an error. I’ve posted the right link below.
thank you 🙂
Thank you, Jewelz, this is a brilliant closing statement. You could tell that even the judge was moved by it. John Guy brought it home.
Excellent, thank you Jewelz. I just want to know why did this “creature” want to take the life of this young man…what could have possibly been going through his mind and heart at that time. I am not a praying person, but I am praying that this man does not get off. I will obviously respect the jury’s decision, because if they should go with not guilty, then it wasn’t beyond a reasonable doubt that it was not in self-defense. Let’s send all our thoughts and prayers together to this poor family.
That is just a small snipped but you can get a feel for his tone and tenor. He was brilliant.
I don’t know if you all have seen the picture of Trayvon’s body that was shown, briefly, on MSNBC. I was conflicted. I didn’t want to see it, but ended up seeing it. I gasped and was in tears. I still can’t get rid of the picture in my mind’s eye. In a way I’m glad I did because apart from the the horrific sight, it shows the vulnerability. This was a child, we forget, because so many of the stories around him have tried to paint him otherwise. And all he was doing was trying to get home…
I did not see it. Can I find it at msnbc, do you think? After my ‘discussion’ over a bogus photo of Trayvon circulating amongst the haters, I would like the opportunity to show my husband’s Moronic Friend what reality looks like.
It’s available though Gawker, but I don’t want to post that link directly. You can find it from Josh Marshall’s post here: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2013/07/trayvons_dead_body.php
I appreciate that. I wouldn’t link it here either. I only want to use it to quell an argument with my husband’s moronic and friend and my moronic husband on what a big scary black guy Trayvon was. And even if he was, HE DIDN’T DO ANYTHING TO DESERVE MURDER.
I understand and you have empathy for the situation but I just wonder if we tend to get caught up in the sensationalism that is thrusted on us by the media. IMO from what I can tell they seem to be treating this entire trial like some sort of reality tv show. Posting this dead innocent child’s body was callous and irresponsible. One look at Trayvon’s parents and I can sense the horror of his death. This picture was not necessary for me to feel the pain of his death.
I am not visiting any social media sites other than here today because the picture of Trayvon’s body is all over my twitter TL and Facebook page. I cannot imagine what this is doing to his family.
Oh, I didn’t need to see the picture either to feel the pain and injustice of it all. But you’re right in that for most of the media, this is a sensational story and they are taking full advantage, to the detriment of the family, friends, well-wishers and the memory of Trayvon.
Let’s face it, popular entertainment and infotainment culture is crass and cruel, inhumane and uncivilized to the nth degree. That’s why I avoid it was much as possible. Any person who wants to have a consciousness that is heartful and sane has to avoid that cesspool.
Amen Bill R. Much of society is foul nowadays.
I disagree, because seeing how young and harmless he was makes Zimmerman’s claims more obscene.
There are individuals out there who have most likely justified Zimmerman’s actions because they visualize a scary black thug.
That was NOT the picture of a scary black thug. It is a reality check to anyone who wants to try to make excuses for what that murderer did.
rchakras, I know it’s hard not to be, but don’t be sad. Trayvon Martin has not died in vain. In fact, he has been the impetus to get the race dialogue out in the open…this is what has needed to happen in order to pop this nasty zit that has been a blight on our nation for over 200 years. He is an angel and GZ will always be evil. He is guilty as the day is long, and it’s written all over his face. No matter what happens, justice will be served, whether it’s man-made justice, or divine intervention, he will get what is coming to him. BTW, I like the fact that his last name is Martin.
You can watch the TX Lege live stream here; where tampons and pads are confiscated because they pose a security risk but GUNS are allowed in the senate gallery. Great going, GOP.
Tampons are a security risk now? Yes, maybe it’s possible to take that string and choke every last one of the morons that think this is ok!
If every man had to endure one month of a what a woman goes through for scores of months in her lifetime – the whole damn world would change.
In Judaism, there is a prayer the orthodox Jews say in the morning, and it’s thanking God they are not a woman. I have to say, I thank GODDESS, I’m not a man. Whooo wee, no thank you — other than the peeing standing up…that’s about all they’ve got going for them :).
And yet, raised in ‘conservative’ judaism, I was taught – by the older rabbi and the younger one who replaced him – that free will is what made us human, is our one true gift from God. That we make choices. Timshel – to choose. Which is one of the reasons East of Eden is one of my favorite novels.
Someday, not in my lifetime but someday – true feminine characteristics will have a place in political and religious leadership. Not just electing women who still have to act like men to gain any respect – but what I consider feminine advantages: multi-tasking, multi-layered views of challenges, cooperation, empathy, collaboration. That there is such a thing as ‘enough’ money, instead of ‘all’ the money as a measure of success. Look for solutions instead of conflict. Build instead of destroy to look ‘strong’. These are not weaknesses, but the strengths that are the best of what’s human.
I envision a world where women ‘rule’ but in truly female ways.
Bravo, my dear!! Standing “O”….;)
Normally just lurk but delurked today to help 57 debunk the dishonest picture, and also thank you for the wonderful coverage, especially of the Africa trip. Very much appreciated.
Hi, gn:) Nice to see you peek in!
🙂
Thank God for you today!
The amazing “Pro-Choice” Dee Snider of Twisted Sister.
Uh oh…Pubbies aren’t going to like that…remember they’ve tried to swipe artists music many times…they’ll say this is hypocritical. Hee hee..:)
LOL!!! Brilliant, because it truly does! Things are changing and they are changing NOW!! This is the tidal wave we have been waiting for and it cannot be stopped…I can not WAIT to ride this thing :).
Can we say that whomever PBO chooses, no one will be happy? If it’s someone who believes there should be security in Homeland Security the left will hate her. If she thinks singing kumbaya will bring peace to the world, the RW will hate her.
Oh, wait. They’ll hate anyone PBO chooses anyway.
I’m exhausted already.
As well you should be. Even JESUS would have problems with this lot of goofs.
Wait. So men – no, strike that, POLICE – are confiscating tampons from women because tampons are weapons? This is the most horrific example of misogynist behavior and an egregious misuse of power and intimidation one can imagine in these circumstances. Unfreakinbelievable.
See my retweet below:
Google: The 14 Defining Characteristics of Fascism —we are there. We have become what we have accused everyone else of being. We are now looking inward and it’s NOT very pretty. However, I feel very positive for the future.
Season Two of The Newsroom airs this Sunday night at 10PM EST.
I do not get HBO and have Netflix. Anyone know where Newsroom can be found besides the cable station? I am also looking for Homeland, and seasons beyond one of Downton Abbey.
Hey OG!please bookmark this link.
http://www.primewire.ag/watch-2734005-The-Newsroom
The new episode is usually upa couple hours after its been aired on TV. If not then definitely the next day.if you lose the bookmark, simply google this exact phrase: ‘ letmewatchthis the newsroom’. Put it in the exact same way okay? Good luck! I’m in the same position as you, i dont have hbo, but my mom does, plus she has comcast. Comcast has an app that allows you to watch all the stations a subscriber has on mobile devices. all I have to do is download the xfinity player app, use my mom’s log in and I have access on my phone and ipad to all of hbo’s movies and shows. The letmewatchthis site is really good though and they’re quick to add new episodes of all shows. Happy watching!
Danielle’s tweet is righteous indeed. hahahahahahahahaha
https://twitter.com/MperiousRex/status/355785262669901824
Am I the only person who thought Janet Napolitano would have made a good candidate for POTUS?
No, meta. Janet Napolitano is one of the most capable women in the country. She is a no nonsense realist, an incredibly hard worker and succeeds at any jobs she undertakes. She would have made a great president and would have carried on PBO’s legacy in a steadfast and brilliant way. I’m sorry she didn’t choose that route, but then she’s probably sick of politics.
OK, whew! I agree with your description of her. She has done an amazing job with a steady hand with one of the MOST difficult and stressful jobs in the country. If any woman as proven her mettle, it’s her.
Amen, meta. TY. HZ
I’d vote for her!
I’ve never thought of Napolitano being President.
I agree. And if she is even considering it she needs to take a break form the pressure. If she runs from CA, that will sure piss Gavin Newsom off. Hmmmm 🙂
Heh!! I hadn’t thought of that!!
No. But clearly she didn’t want the job, or at least not yet.
I never thought of her at POTUS, but I think of her every single day for Gov of AZ 🙂 She was wonderful…and the BS baffle and sanity keeper for the people of AZ. Her going to Homeland Security really stung.
I’m not seeing it… I love Janet Napolitano, but never saw her as a future POTUS.
We’re Not Gonna Take It Anymore!!!
So, I go away for lunch and I return and find out that they’re confiscating tampons. Jesus.
Perhaps it is for the best that their utter madness is on display for the entire world to see. When an entire group of legislators is so unhinged, it does not bode well for anyone in connection to them all.
But allowing guns in the Legislature, LL.
How effing broken is THAT?!?!
What Do Tampon Absorbency Ratings Mean?
The FDA regulates tampon absorbency ratings. By using the lowest tampon absorbency rating during your period, you can help reduce your risk of getting toxic shock syndrome, or TSS.
Answer: Because there are so many brands of tampons to choose from, the FDA has developed the following tampon absorbency rating terms:
1.Light absorbency tampons which means that these tampons absorb 6 grams of blood or less. Light absorbency tampons are good for the last days of your period when your blood flow is lowest.
2.Regular absorbency tampons hold from six to nine grams. Many women find that regular absorbency tampons are good for most of the days of their periods.
3. Super absorbency tampons hold from nine to 12 grams of menstrual blood. Super absorbency tampons provide the extra absorption that some women need the first day or two of menstruation.
4. Super plus absorbency tampons can absorb between 12 to 15 grams of blood. Some women who experience extra heavy bleeding at the beginning of their periods may need to use super plus absorbency tampons.
5. Ultra absorbency tampons absorb from 15 to 18 grams of menstrual blood. Most women will never need to use ultra absorbency tampons.
Although tampons that absorb more than 18 grams of menstruation are available, there is no absorbency rating term for these tampons. If you need to use this type of tampon, you should talk to your doctor about the amount of blood flow you experience during menstruation.
Now that’s a hoot. 😆 😆
New post:
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/07/12/malala-yousafzai/
As Mr. T once said, “I pity the fool”…….The ‘good old boy’s’ are about to find out that pulling a loggers chain from a grizzley bear’s butt would have been safer than pissing-off a lot of women. – smh
There was a Song by The Hot Chocolate: Seventeen Years of Age. I was not able to find it on youtube. Dudette, if you could, please, Please, help me find it and if you do…..please see if that song is appropriate to be used as a tribute for Trayvon Benjamin Martin. Thanks.
Do you mean “Emma”? There is a line in the song. “At seventeen we were wed”