By now, we all know the tragic story of Trayvon Martin. Steven covered it brilliantly yesterday! There is a part to the story that he didn’t cover. The Geraldo Rivera/Fox News part of it.
Fox News journalist and Bill O’Reillys BFF had a new revelation on the reason that Trayvon was shot. It was not racism, the castle doctrine, too many guns in society, irresponsible gun owners, etc… It was Trayvon’s Hoody!
Speaking on Friday’s “Fox and Friends,” Rivera said, “”I think the hoodie is as much responsible for Trayvon Martin’s death as George Zimmerman was.”
Martin was unarmed when he was shot dead by a self-appointed neighborhood watch volunteer named George Zimmerman in late February. His death has become a national tragedy, fueled by the police’s controversial handling of the case.
Huge props to Lebron James and the Miami Heat, for stepping up to show how ridiculous this stance is:
But since we all know that republicans are in charge at the moment, maybe we can not change this until the next election. If that is the case and its open season on hoody’s:
jus sayin….
Great read here on the Wisconsin's own version of this controversy!
Blame the Hoodie? GIVE ME A BREAK. It was raining …. the kid was running …..and being stalked …….and ….SORRY, but we don’t ALL use Totes umbrellas when going to the corner grocery store for a snack. Nor should we risk losing our very lives while doing so! Mr. Rivera: you should be ashamed of your inane, insensitive comments about Trayvon, and your attempts to create “excuses” for the inexcusable actions of judge-jury-and-executioner George Zimmerman (and those that would imitate him). We are becoming a society that seeks and sees threats under every rock; a frightened society that sees danger with every “other” that is not just like us; a manipulated society with control-freaks running rampant (whether politicians or mayors or police chiefs or individuals). Power-hungry people that are only too eager to take advantage of our fears; that are only too eager to get away with anything and everything that they can, that are only too willing to deprive us of our our liberty (and sometimes our lives)…..all in the name of defending it. What a shell game. But were it only a game. For it includes the worst provisions of the Patriot Act, the police spying on innocent people, papers-please and stop&frisk gone wild, the “right” to indefinitely detain Americans without trial, and out-of-control homicidal vigilantes such as we have tragically seen here. It’s a slippery slope that ultimately leads to a police state/Orwellian mentality that is more typical of places such as China or Cuba – NOT the America that I know and love. We USED to stand proud and free, and contrasted our open society to such sorry places. Now we imitate them. Our country is better than this. Our values are better than this. WE are better than this. Don’t blame the hoodie……blame what we are becoming, and allowing, and doing as a society. As Shakespeare once said: the fault is not in our stars, but in ourselves. For we have come to accept things that should NEVER be accepted by a freedom-loving people. It’s time… it’s way past time, to have the strength and courage to reverse course.
There is no comparison to what happened to Trayvon Martin and to what happened to Bo Morrison. Trayvon Martin was not breaking any laws when he was murdered. Bo Morrison broke into a stranger’s home fleeing from the police when he was shot by the homeowner. Two entirely different circumstances.
Same outcome, same inability of the dead to tell their side of the story. No comparison, alright. This diary was mostly about mocking GR and Fairly Unbalanced, FAUX “news.” Figuring out the topic before you post would be helpful in the future.
Excuse me? Perhaps you should reread the post because it clearly compares Trayvon Martin’s shooting to Bo Morrison’s shooting. Last line and link in the post. Minding your own business if you have nothing but rude comments to make would be helpful in the future.
Anon I was using this post to point out the idiocy of GR and Faux…While i think that the two cases are not equal they are definitely related.
I think to say Bo Morrison who was hiding on the porch was breaking into his house is a stretch…Both times the shooter was in no danger and took a life, no questions asked.
Thats wrong….
I began my reply at 11:35 am addressing the first sentence of your 11:20 am comment. I pointed to TWO similarities. Rudeness??? Just to lighten your day, here are a couple of quotes from the person described in my 11:22 am:
Here’s one he probably had in mind for the likes of Geraldo and Faux:
Slick his hair back, wax the mustache, darken the eyebrows, a cigar and a duck on a string, with the magic word, “stupid.” Aging myself here? F*%king ridiculous human being. No offense to comedians, past or present intended, nor to any other humans.
Stan
thanks for the Shakespeare quote it fits perfectly and I will be using that.
Anon i think that greatly exaggerates what Bo Morrison was doing…
Jeff…I am willing to hear how it exaggerates what Bo Morrison was doing.
‘The Truth About Hoodies And Race From A Middle-Ages White Male’:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/03/24/1077282/-Th-Truth-About-Hoodies-and-Race-From-a-Middle-aged-White-Male
“You know what makes someone suspicious to me. If that person (e.g., George Zimmerman) had a history of violent acts. If that person followed a young man in his car and made specific references to the race of the teenager, whom he considered “suspicious” to a 911 operator. If that person then got out of his car and shot the young man with a pistol after being told not to get out of his car by a 911 dispatcher. If the young man who was killed weighed 100 pounds less than the person who shot him to death. If the person shot dead had no weapons on him. If the shooter claimed he was justified in killing the smaller, young black teenager because he was acting in self-defense.
That is what would make me suspicious that a person (i.e., George Zimmerman) had committed murder when he shot and killed a young black teenager wearing a hoodie (i.e., Trayvon Martin) on a rainy night. By the way, what was George Zimmerman wearing that night? Do you think his clothing would have made you more or less suspicious of what he might do to Trayvon Martin
You tell me.”
Oops!
The essay title should have read, “The Truth About Hoodies And Race From A Middle-Aged White Guy”, not “. . .Middle Ages White Guy”.
(*laughing*)
First…the weight of the individuals have nothing to do with it. It could be said Zimmerman was heavy out-of-shape and didn’t have the strength to fight against a young fit man. I’m not saying that was the case but it certainly could be argued.
About the hoodies. Criminals (of all races) do frequently wear hoodies. People are aware of this. So…a person could become suspicious of a person wearing a hoody if the situation was right. I don’t find that so ridiculous because I see it everyday where I live.
Jeff…what if the homeowner stopped to ask questions and was killed himself? Don’t you think the homeowner felt threatened? Or do you think he shot Bo Morrison just because…?
“Trayvon Martin, White Denial and the Unacceptable Burden of Blackness In America”, by Tim Wise:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/03/22/1076742/-Trayvon-Martin-White-Denial-and-the-Unacceptable-Burden-of-Blackness-in-America
Zuma Bound…I’m not in denial. I am also not making any kind of excuses for Zimmerman. He should be locked up for murder. I’m just saying…the heroin addicts that frequent the drug house next door to me wear hoodies to cover their faces. All white by the way…and yes…when I see someone wearing a hoody in the neighborhood I get suspicious at times. It all depends how they are acting. Does that make me wrong?
Jeff…do you think the homeowner shot Bo Morrison solely because the Castle Doctrine Law was passed or do you think he would have shot Bo Morrison even if it didn’t? Is there any evidence the homeowner is some kind of gun nut who supports Walker and the Castle Doctrine?
Anon,
Iwas gone all day. I have no idea if he would have shot him w/o the Castle doctrine, I just know that because of it he is allowed to no questions asked.
Here is a what if – what if he called 911?
What’s sad is how Trayvon Martin being killed is national news but the over 5,000 homicides committed by African Americans of African Americans in this country merit no news (http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2010/crime-in-the-u.s.-2010/offenses-known-to-law-enforcement/expanded/expandhomicidemain). Shhh we can’t talk about those only one’s that are “racial” in nature and fit the template of this being a racist country. It’s tragic that he was killed, looking at the evidence it’s probably criminal and will merit some criminal charges. But let’s face it a Hispanic/White guy killing an African American isn’t the problem in this country as a matter of fact it’s the exception. And the cowards here are the people who don’t want to confront the real problems of African Americans, many related to this countries history of slavery, but many related to lifestyle choices.
@ Bob Jones
Ahhh, yes. The inevitable racist wingnut deflection.
It’s just NEVER the white man’s fault is it, Bobbo?
Damn black people and their “lifestyle choices”, right?
“Lifestyle choices”? WTF?! Like what, minding your own business and walking while black?!
Although there were a number of others in the running for today’s Biggest Racist Douchebag Award, I believe that you have just opened up a wide enough lead to be formally declared the winner.
Zuma,
Uhh perhaps you actually need to read and comprehend. A cursory examination of my post would show that I believe Trayvon was MURDERED, got that his life was taken and so far doesn’t appear to be justified by the so called stand you ground law. He had the right to walk anywhere he wanted and the guy who shot him did not have the right to chase him down, confront him and than shoot him for walking through the neighborhood. My larger point is that you and the media think this is a huge problem, white/hispanic people killing African Americans, see but it’s not and it’s easier for people like yourselves to actually ignore the elephant in the room the fact that African American on African American crime is somewhere in the neighborhood of 90% of crime suffered by African Americans. That’s where attention must be focused. Again work on your reading comprehension, nowhere did I say Trayvon was killed because of HIS lifestyle choice, the reference was to African American crime in the country. Sorry if I wasn’t clear on that. Take the racist douchebag award, you’ve earned it!
@ Bobbity-Bob Jones
One of us definitely has a reading comprehension problem. It isn’t me.
The deflection in which you indulged was this, homeboy. It had to do with “[your] larger point”. Instead of dealing with the nature and circumstances of THIS crime, you went off on a “why aren’t we talking about all of the BLACK on black crime” tangent and on a “THIS isn’t the REAL problem/we should be talking about the REAL problems [that have ABSOLUTELY nothing, nothing, nothing to do with white people] of the black community for which it JUST won’t take responsiblity” tangent.
On a related note, and just for the record, moron, when I said, “It’s just NEVER the white man’s fault is it, Bobbo”, it was in reference to “[your] larger point”. I’m aware that Zimmerman that isn’t white.
Arrogance and stupidity are SUCH a dangerous combination, Bob. While you probably can’t lose the stupidty, you can lose the arrogance. Next time, consider adhering to this adage:
“Better to remain silent and only be thought the fool, than to speak and remove all doubt”.
That said, Bob, you’re a racist of the worst sort, an old school racist. Now, f*ck off, and take your “racist douchebag award” and shove it right up your lily white ass, if there’s room for it next to your head.
You might want to consider putting that old bathrobe back on, rolling up that trusty old copy of the John Birch Society newsletter, and getting back out there on your front porch where you can yell at the kids to “get OFF [your] lawn!”
You’re clearly not very good at formulating, expressing and defending your unfortunate ideas and worldview. The thing is, it is abundantly clear that you need some kind of outlet for the wingnut/”why can’t we just go back to the way IT USED to be” steam building up in that little pinhead of yours, so give the “bathrobe/yelling at the kids” thing some thought. I imagine that you might be pretty good at it, and it would give you something to do rather than come here and waste our time.
Love and kisses,
Zuma
One more thing, read the news reports, Zimmerman, the guy who shoot him wasn’t WHITE, he’s Hispanic with African American’s in his family. Sorry that doesn’t fit your little world of white guilt but stick with facts.
Which changes absolutely nothing about his racial stereotyping of black teens walking through his neighborhood and his slaying of one of them.
Or WHITE support for it.
In the tape of his 911 call, Zimmerman can be clearly heard saying “f*ucking coons” under his breath. I’d say that’s pretty strong evidence that he’s a racist regardless of his own race/ethnicity or the ethnic/racial makeup of his family.
Haven’t you heard, Icabod? Bob Jones says that kind of stuff is just a red herring. The REAL problem, at least according to Bobbity-Bob, is black on black crime, and how the black community doesn’t take responsibility for it.
According to Bobbity-Bob, [a true visionary] who says he’s a brother, by the way, the whole “f*cking c**ns”/”George Zimmerman is a racist” thing isn’t REALLY the problem here.
What are you thinking, man?!
(*laughing*)
Thank God we have Bobbity-Bob to show us the way.
Absolutely correct, except I was referring to Zuma Bounds incorrect assertion that “it’s never the white mans fault”. In this particular case, Zimmerman isn’t white. If you actually read my post you would see that I’ve already said killing Trayvon WAS WRONG AND PROBABLY A HOMICIDE. Zimmerman is a “white” name so everyone assumes he’s white. Do a little research and you’ll find out he’s Hispanic and his extend family includes African Americans. Doesn’t mean he didn’t racially profile (we all do, some just won’t admit it)Trayvon, hunt him down and kill him. It pays to actually read blogs and news outside your comfort zone. I’ve found the truth always is somewhere in between what Sykes says in Milwaukee and what Sly says in Madison.
@ Bobbity-Bob Jones
I didn’t assume that Zimmerman was white, Bobbity-Bob Jones, but that just gets us back into that whole reading comprehension problem of yours which I addressed at length above.
Given your problem, MAYBE you should go back and read what I had to say AT LEAST a few more times.
But, ya know what? EVEN if you finally get a handle on what I actually had to say up above, there’s still that whole “Bob is an old school racist” problem that you have to contend with which will probably preclude your understanding it, anyway, so. . .
Never mind, Bobbity-Bob, just go get your bathrobe on and go yell at some kids, huh?
First of all, you brain-dead right-wing reactionaries: “Hoodies” are what we old folks used to call SWEATSHIRTS. Everyone wears them, okay? Every goddamned person in this country probably has one in their closet. So, fuck off with the “criminals wear hoodies” bullshit, got it? What a bunch of fucking idiots this country has produced. Jeezuz H. Keerist.
Jan…who are you ranting at today? Criminals do wear hoodies.
BTW Jan…where do you think the term “hoodlum” comes from? Hoodies = Hoodlums!
I don’t know, Anon. Could it be. . .SATAN?! (*laughing*)
OR a 1951 movie called, “The Hoodlum”. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoodlum?
My fault Jan – I take responsibility for posting the picture at the bottom of the post…of the two criminals in hoodies at the baseball game 🙂
Jeff…make fun if you like. Hoodies are a popular choice of criminals. It hides their faces…along with ski masks (and stockings). Just because people who enjoy winter sports and activities wear ski mask should we make fun of those of us who think someone wearing a ski mask into a bank is suspicious?
Anon, you are an idiot. “Hoody” comes from the fact that these particular sweatshirts have HOODS. You moron. Go to hell. I hate talking to idiots like you.
I don’t know, Jan. I really think the term hoody comes from the word hoodlum. They both have the same beginning…”hood”…and hoodlums are no good people…and criminals wear hoodies…it all fits!
Anon, PLEASE quit while you’re behind.
I love my hooded sweatshirt. It’s like my security blanket. I especially like all the little frayed holes in it. I even do the gangsta thing with the hood up and my head drooping a little bit like I’m Mickey Rourke. And yet as I walk around nobody seems to be afraid of me, sneak peeking out their windows through the curtains. Am I being racially profiled as a good-guy because my skin is the tone commonly referred to as “white”? That can’t be it. Maybe I’m not wearing it right. I guess I’d better be careful not run though, there might be an armed Republican walking around.
@ Anon
Jeff is making fun of you for a reason.
You can dance around it all you want to, but, when push comes to shove, there is a reason why black guys wearing hoodies get hassled. It’s because they’re black, and because the white people who are hassling them, or, you know, KILLING them, are either ignorant or racist or ignorant and racist (with you, because you seem so truly well-intentioned, I think that I might just have to go with naive, clueless or “cluelessly and/or naively shooting mouth off while white” as an alternative explanation for your point of view).
So, in an effort to further your cultural education, Anon, here’s a little tidbit from an essay entitled, ‘Hey, White People. This Whole Hoodie Thing Explained (Maybe)’ [from another guy who plays for our “team”, the melanin-challenged American Caucasians]:
“In my little rural town several gas stations have signs saying hoodies are not allowed. Or more accurately they don’t want individuals with the hood on their head. I’ve seen multiple African-Americans asked to remove them. Funny thing, as a white dude, nobody has ever asked me to do the same. You know, just saying.”
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/03/12/Hey-White-People-This-Whole-Hoodie-Thing-Explained-Maybe
Geraldo Rivera hasn’t had anything noteworthy to say since he opened up Al Capone’s vault, and found bupkis.
It’s all been downhill from there, especially since he joined Fox.
Anyway, the guy’s like a 114. Doesn’t he drive a Model T or something? No one gives a sh*t about what Geraldo Rivera has to say.
And Bill (“How culturally aware am I? Three words – the loofah thing”) O’Reilly (*laughing*) Unh huh. There isn’t anybody under the age of 114 that listens to him, even when he screams, “F*ck it!!! We’ll do it LIVE!!!”
This country’s changing demographics will eventually mean that we won’t have to deal with situations like the racist murder of Trayvon Martin or conversations about hoodies. Unfortunately, with the likes of George Zimmerman, Geraldo Rivera, Billo The Clown, Fox News, and a not insignificant number of people, like Bob Jones, who want to take us back to the 1950s around, I’m afraid that we’ll have to wait at least a generation to see that happen.
But it will happen. I just wish that I could be around to see it.
Rivera, who is, ironically, undergoing treatment for both Peter Pan Syndrome and Alzheimer’s Disease, admitted that his son is ashamed of his remarks.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/24/geraldo-rivera-trayvon-martin-hoodie-comments_n_1377014.html