No Justice for Trayvon Martin

The Verdict is Read – George Zimmerman 7/13/13   (From CNN)

It took two days for the six women jury in the George Zimmerman case to return a verdict of  NOT GUILTY.   For a year and a half we’ve been immersed in this case, many times drawn along racial lines.  I won’t rehash the whole ordeal here because it’s not necessary. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard all about this case or have discussed it with someone you know.

GEORGE ZIMMERMAN IS FREE ( or is he?)

While Facebook lit up like nightfall in Las Vegas following the news of the verdict, with people posting their disdain, I shed tears for a Mother and Father who walked away with absolutely no justice.  I watched the press conferences where the defense almost gloated over their client’s acquittal while failing to utter any kind words for the loss these parents are feeling all over again.

In my honest opinion, George Zimmerman will soon wish he had gone to prison.   Life as he has known it is over.  He will live each and every waking hour of the rest of his life in fear.  What type of life is that?  He claims he acted in self defense and a jury of 6 women, five white and one Hispanic, agreed with him.  It’s done.  He may have walked out of that courtroom free but he will never be free.

Media sites and blogs are already referencing the Rodney King case.  If anyone is inciting any riots, it will be the media.  People of all races and backgrounds are outraged over this verdict, not just Black people.  George Zimmerman stated he was on his way to Target when he spotted Trayvon Martin on that fateful night.  My question has always been: Why did you have a loaded gun strapped to you in a holster to go to Target?

Did the Prosecution not present their best case?  Obviously the star witness Rachel Jeantel wasn’t prepped properly.  I will admit I was embarrassed for her.    She was not a credible witness.

It doesn’t matter where you stand on this case.  Lives are forever changed. Sabrina Fulton & Tracy Martin have lost their child.  George Zimmerman  will serve a life sentence of fear.   No one wins all because of some bad choices made on a rainy evening back in February 2012 in Sanford, Florida.

So Long American Idol

I diligently watched American Idol for the first eight seasons.  It was my guilty pleasure and the show was amazingly entertaining.  Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson were the best Judges.

Actually it was in season eight (2009) when the show began taking a turn for the worst.  Kara DioGuardi was added as a fourth judge, which I never understood.   She didn’t add anything at all to the show.   Paula Abdul left and was replaced by Ellen Degeneres (a Comedian, not a singer) who only stayed for one season and then Simon Cowell left to do the X-factor.

By Season 9  (2010) Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler joined the judging table and while I was skeptical, both of them did a pretty decent job judging and America stopped complaining that Paula and Simon were gone.  Jennifer and Steven only stayed for two seasons.

THE NEW AMERICAN IDOL JUDGES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Randy Jackson (The Veteran), Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj & Keith Urban.

What’s wrong with the “Reality Show” culture in America?

What does it say about our culture when the only way to get television ratings is to manufacture feuds?  This is a singing competition, not an extension of Basketball Wives or The Real Housewives of Atlanta or  Beverly Hills.  Let me add, I don’t watch any of those shows.

I use to enjoy watching the American Idol auditions.  The good, the bad and the hilarious.  Remember “She Bangs” by William Hung in Season 3?   What about General Larry Platt’s song, “Pants on the Ground” in Season 9?  Those were really good times.  I recall watching the auditions and the work water cooler the next day was filled with stories about the hilarious auditions.  What happened American Idol?

I noted last night that in a two hour premiere we only got to actually see about 7 auditions.   The rest of the time was spent telling contestant sob stories and listening to a very annoying Nicki Minaj egg on Mariah Carey.   You do know that all of this is manufactured by the Network producers right? Unfortunately for FOX, this will backfire to the tune of ratings. I logged on the Idol Facebook page and read comment after comment of people’s disgust for last night’s premiere episode.

CONTESTANTS TRAGEDIES

Let me preface this by saying that no one is more empathetic than I am when it comes to someone’s hardship.  No one is immune from the trials and tribulations of life. No one!  But my goodness, this is a singing competition not a charity event.  I’ve pulled away from a lot of the singing competitions because of this fact.  All of the shows do this, X-Factor, The Voice and America’s Got Talent.   By now everyone knows the story of Stacy Francis from the first season of the X-Factor.  Remember stuttering soldier, Timothy Poe, from America’s Got Talent?  My point is that it should be about the talent – and not the sad story.   I tune in to see the talent.

Sadly, my prediction is that this will be the final season of Idol.  The Voice has soared to the number one spot since its debut and with CeeLo and Christina taking hiatus to promote their own projects I’m not sure how long their ratings will last.   When I have a conversation with someone about Idol I always ask:  “Can you name the last 5 seasons winners?”  It seems people can’t remember past Carrie Underwood who won Season 4 in 2005.   Just in case you can’t remember, let me list them here for you.

• Kelly Clarkson, 2002
• Ruben Studdard 2003     (Clay Aiken soared and Ruben was cut from his label)
• Fantasia Barrino 2004        (Also produced success for LaToya London – Jennifer Hudson)
• Carrie Underwood 2005  (Also produced success for Chris Daughtry)
• Taylor Hicks 2006   (Also produced success for Katherine McPhee (Smash)  & Kellie Pickler
• Jordin Sparks 2007
• David Cook, 2008
• Kris Allen, 2009     (Adam Lambert had small successes)
• Lee DeWyze, 2010
• Scotty McCreery, 2011
• Phillip Phillips, 2012

Last night’s show taunted the success of past winners but in reality of all the winners – who has really gone on to break the bank besides Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood?  Before Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson was hailed as the most successful but Carrie Underwood is a mega-star now.  In just seven years she has won 116 Awards out of 174 nominations.  Of those there are 7 American Music Awards, 16 Billboard Music Awards and 5 Grammys.  The rest are all Country Music Awards.  Kelly Clarkson has a total of 75 awards and 135 nominations.   Kelly has only won two Grammys.

The only other successful person from the Idol stage has to be Jennifer Hudson who has a Grammy, an Oscar, a SAG and a Golden Globe.   She received 30 different Awards for her breakout role in Dreamgirls.  She’s also Weight Watchers most successful weight loss spokesperson.

Fantasia Barrino was doing well until controversy struck with her affair and subsequent child by a married man.  She’s trying to overcome and make a comeback but when America is done, they’re usually done!  She has two Billboard Awards, one Grammy and a Theatre World Award in 2006 from her time with the play, The Color Purple.  I’m rooting for her. I like Fantasia.

So will American Idol Season 12 produce another Carrie Underwood?  Don’t count on it.  I said I would tune in again tonight to see if they can redeem themselves but I already know I’ll be removing Idol from the DVR record list.   So what did you think?

Coach Pat Kelsey Gets it Right

With the world mourning the tragic events of Sandy Hook Elementary School one week ago, I was proud as a mother of a murdered child by gun violence, to listen to fellow American Coach Pat Kelsey on the MSNBC program “The Last Word” with Lawrence O’Donnell.  If you haven’t yet seen this video I urge you to take the 7:50 to watch it.  Fellow Coach Boeheim and Pat Kelsey used their postgame press conference following a highly publicized game to talk about the issues of guns in this country.  Mr. Kelsey’s words have gone viral.

During the press conference, Mr. Kelsey spoke passionately about the need for people to “stand up” and keep the United States the greatest country ever.

Coach Boeheim said in his postgame press conference:

“If we cannot get the people who represent us to do something about firearms, we are a sad, sad society.  If one person in this world, the NRA president, anybody, can tell me why we need assault weapons with 30 shots — this is our fault if we don’t go out there and do something about this. If we can’t get this thing done, I don’t know what kind of country we have.”

Vice President Joe Biden will head a task force to address the issues of sensible gun laws.  We should not let this issue die.  The time for change is right now.

Every Life is Valuable

The world mourns for the tragedy that occurred on Friday in Newtown, CT at Sandy Hook Elementary School. While complete details are widespread and confusing, due to each media outlet attempting to be first to broadcast, the one thing we know for sure is that 20 children and 6 adults have senselessly died.

The debates going on over the internet about gun control/laws have gotten heated with each person passionate about their position.  No matter what side you stand on the issues of guns in this country, 26 PEOPLE ARE DEAD and 20 of them between the ages of 5 and 10.  My heart aches for all of the victims and their families.

There are two distinct issues involved in this tragedy:  Gun laws and mental illness. 

Is our country doing enough for either?  That’s the discussion that needs to happen. In the meantime, we mourn. We hug our children a little tighter and we pray for those who died and even more for those who were left behind to pick up the pieces.  Every life is valuable.

USA Election Day 2012 Questions

Well folks it’s finally here.  Will Barack Obama be allowed to move forward for another four years or will Mitt Romney become the first Mormon President of the United States of America?

Will we have a clear winner when the polls close tonight, or will we be inundated with provisional ballots and recounts?

It’s been a grueling campaign! At times it’s been shocking. What have we become as a nation? Why is this nation divided?   President Obama inherited massive problems when he took office. Could he really clear it all up in just four years?

How will Mitt Romney make it better?  Can a wealthy business man run the highest office in the land? If elected, what will Ann Romney take on as her cause?

In the end I guess the question is: Who do you trust?  No matter what side of the isle you stand on:

Exercise your right to vote today!  God Bless America.

Friday Jam 11/2/12

MY PETITION by Jill Scott

You say you mean good for me
But you don’t do it
You say you have a plan but you just don’t go thru with it
You say you know the way to go
And I should follow
But all of your empty promises
Leave me hollow

And oh
How do I trust you
How do I love you
When you
Lie to me repeatedly
And oh
How do I have faith, in you
When you just don’t come thru
Like you say you could

Oh, say can you see [2x]

You say that I’m wrong for
Stating my opinion to you
You say that I’m wrong and there’ll be quiet consequences too
But I know my rights babe
There’ll be no law abridging
The freedom of my speech
Or the right for me to petition for a remedy of grievances

And I want to trust you
I want to love yeah
But you lie to me repeatedly
And oh I want to have faith in you
But you just don’t come thru
Like you said you could
Oh say can you see
Hmmm

I want fresh fruit, clean water,
Air that I don’t see
I want the feeling of being safe on my streets
I want my children to be smarter than me
I want, I want to feel
I want to feel, I want to feel free
For real ya’ll
I’m just telling you so you know
I want to, I want to have faith in you
I really do but you keep lying to me
It hurts
I believe, I believe you owe it me
Give it to me like you said you would
Hmmm
Oh say can you see
Hmmm
Oh say can you see
Oohh say can you see
Hmmm
By the dawn’s early light

A World Divided by Trayvon Martin

This case has certainly stunned a nation. The problem is that the media has managed to fuel the story so much that people are up in arms and it’s turning away from the main point:  A child is dead who was armed with nothing but an Arizona Ice tea and a pack of skittles.

The demand in this case has always been the same and that was to see Mr. Zimmerman arrested and tried for his crime through the legal system. It was also about holding a police department responsible that may have been inept and to take another look at a gun law that may be skewed.

But thanks to the media it became about the victim Trayvon Martin and his three suspensions from high school, which had nothing to do with this case.  It became about tweets and Facebook posts that a 17 year old teenager made.  (What are your teenage children posting on Facebook and Twitter?)

Then the New Black Panther Party had to have their 15 minutes of fame by offering a bounty and appearing on Anderson Cooper 360 looking totally and utterly ridiculous. I won’t lie, I laughed. No one, especially African Americans take them seriously.  They are a hate group that was sued by the real Black Panther Party over use of the name and won.

Following that Director Spike Lee re-tweeted what someone had posted as George Zimmerman’s address which turned out not to be. I have to admit I was disappointed that Spike Lee would stoop so low but he did apologize and has met with the couple, from what I hear, he cut a check.

We then were fed a video of the Feb. 26^th incident when Mr. Zimmerman was taken to the Sanford Police station which after claiming he was beaten within an inch of his life, showed no visible signs of injury. A few days later a claim comes out that the video was “doctored” by ABC News.

With peaceful marches and rallies being held across the country, Al Sharpton comes out with a statement that

he will call for an escalation in civil disobedience and economic sanctions if George Zimmerman is not arrested immediately.  WTF does that mean Al?  Immediately the media and internet were on fire with people doing what they do best, criticizing Al Sharpton for being a race-baiter.  I kid you not. I read some things that were so over the top.  That because of Al Sharpton black people would start looting and burning homes of white people.  We were on the verge of a massive race riot.  A revolution!  Do you actually think people take Al Sharpton seriously after all these years?  The rally Saturday went well. When questioned about the sanctions Al Sharpton said “That was never on the table.” 

If that wasn’t bad enough George Zimmerman’s retired Judge father came on CNN stating that the President of the United States was spreading hate because he made a comment that said, “If I had a son he would look like Trayvon.” How is that spreading hate?   Now Trayvon Martin has been thrust into the presidential race.

IT’S GETTING OUT OF HAND PEOPLE!

The mounting misinformation and disinformation surrounding this case has led to powerful perceptions fueling all kinds of wild speculation.  Can we get back to what this case is really about:  Possible racial profiling, an inept police department and a relook at gun laws in Florida and 19 other States.  Everything else is wasted energy.

Think about that.

Can We Please Have Justice for Trayvon Martin

The world is outraged at the murder of 17 year old Trayvon Martin for good reason.  While many will say the case is being tried in the press, I say:  What high profile case isn’t?

Looking at the presented evidence in this case, and yes I know we don’t know everything, what comes to my mind is the initial facts.  George Zimmerman was suspicious of a young man coming back to his father’s fiance’s home with Ice Tea and Skittles.  Mr. Zimmerman called 9-11 dispatchers and clearly used the words “suspicious.”   It was not as if Trayvon Martin was vandalizing a car, or breaking into a window.  He was walking back from the store.

We all know the story by now, the 9-11 Dispatcher stated to Mr. Zimmerman that he should not follow Trayvon but he did anyway.

WHAT WE KNOW FOR SURE

We know that George Zimmerman had a conceal-carry permit for his 9 mm gun.   Why he was carrying a gun in his duties as a self-appointed Neighborhood Watch Captain is beyond me.   Had he not had a gun, maybe Trayvon Martin would be alive today.

ABC News has released the video of his arrest on the evening of 2/26/12.  His attorney and friend Joe Oliver stated (30 days later) that Trayvon was the aggressor of the attack and broke his nose and rammed his had into the concrete.   Initially we were told he had a bloody nose but that quickly changed to a broken nose.  We were told he had a cut on the back of his head.  I watched the arrest video closely and I couldn’t see that he had any signs of distress.  I would think there would at least be blood on his shirt, even if the EMT’s on the scene had cleaned him up, but there was no blood anywhere on him.

We heard from his father, retired Judge Zimmerman who stated that after Trayvon was shot by Zimmerman he looked at Zimmerman and said, “You got me!”  Really?  That sounds like a play game of cops and robbers when I was a child.

Whether George Zimmerman is racist or not, that’s not the point.  This case for me is more about right vs. wrong.  Mr. Zimmerman racially profiled Trayvon Martin. He was the aggressor, not Trayvon, and he needs to be arrested and tried.