BREAKING: President Barack Obama is calling the shooting death of an unarmed black teenager in Florida a "tragedy" and says "every aspect" of the case should be investigated.
Obama was asked about the death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin following a White House Rose Garden ceremony.
"If I had a son, he'd look like Trayvon," Obama said, underscoring how the issue affected him on a personal, and not just a political or legal, level. "I think [Trayvon's parents] are right to expect that all of us as Americans are going to take this with the seriousness it deserves, and we are going to get to the bottom of exactly what happened."
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Oh, no. Please, please, please, stay out of it. We don't need another beer summit.
this is NOT a state issue.. if it was the FBI and DOJ wouldn't have been involved... this same law has been passed in 23 other states and waiting to be passed in 6 others.. the governor of MN vetoed this nasty law... THIS IS NOT A STATE ISSUE.. PPL IN OTHER COUNTRIES ARE PROTESTING... you know what you are right it;s not a state issue... this is a HATE ISSUE!!!
I think you're replying to the wrong poster.
Hi Vinneth:
I live in a "right to stand" State. Our law (Washington) is not the NRA law. The police and judges do not have the discretionary powers that the Florida law has. If you look at the map that Ed and others have had on their show, you will see that our State is not one of the ones highlighted, but apparently our neighbor, Idaho, does have this stupid law.
The States that have the NRA law *need* to amend it or repeal it.
Hey Chris!!
Oooops, I meant "stand your ground".
Hey, Kathe!
Just to clear it up (In case some didn't understand) I don't want Obama to make it about himself, and give the righties something new to attack him for.
As far as I can tell, the feds are intervening, which is good, since the police department in Sanford is obviously corrupt.
Yup. Don't want him to pull a Nixon.....Manson is guilty!
This is not another beer summit you idiot, this is someone son, but you do not know that because you has to be a a.. hole, a young life that not here anymore I sure hope that you don't have kids.
And I really hope YOU don't. One of you is enough.
http://www.miamishoresvillage.com/Police/police_procedure.htm == Florida = Police PROPER PROCEDURE !!!!!!!
Shut the hell up "The real Chris"! What we dont need are stupid people opening their mouth so shut up.
What does he mean "we"? This is a state issue and he needs to stay out of it.
No face it's not just a state issue. These NRA/ALEC pushed "stand your ground" laws have been pushed thru in many states and they're obviously dangerous. Stand your ground laws don't protect the innocent. On top of that if it turns out to have been a racially motivated shooting, the Federal govt. should be involved.
Republicans keep claiming the federal govt. is to too big, but encourage intrusive legislation and big govt. on the state level. The republican agenda is to take over the country on the state level. Ultimately to hand the country over to corporate control.
No, this is a National issue. The NRA is a is currently backing a congressional bill that would force all states to recognize/abide-by Florida's outrageous law.
Also, the President was speaking as a father.
That's not necessarily a republican agenda. This is a constitutional issue. According to it these laws should be at the state level and not the federal.
The federal government is supposed to protect individual liberties. Any kind of legislation that would label something "racially motivated" is inherently racist itself. When you start legislating groups of people or collectives, all it does is further divide us.
At this point in time it's not so much a matter legislating equal treatment of people of different races, religions etc. as making sure people are being treated equally under the laws as they are. In this case the federal govt. needs to get involved because there is obviously problem with enforcement.
Yes it is. The legislation pushed by the ALEC republicans is designed to benefit corporate goals- weakening unions, set precedents for employers to determine what health benefits should be covered, reduce pollution regulations etc.
Do yourself (and the rest of us) a favor and educate yourself. Don't be duped into voting against your own best interests.
Do yourself a favor and check yourself. Don't presume how I'm voting. I think Romney is a scumbag. Another thing that annoys me is that you guys seem to be really great at pretending to know what my best interests are.
Face,
That's encouraging.
Or not. I don't care much for Obama either.
I really doubt if you are in the top 1 or 2 % that you would be hanging around this forum. I have a very wealthy friend who once told me he couldn't see why anyone that's not as rich as he is would vote republican.
No I'm not part of the 1-2 percent. I do know however that there are more than two sides to every issue. I also know that both sides of two party system serve the top 2 percent of this country. It's about control and they (the top 1-2 percent) are not giving that up, not for us.
This partisan division is nothing more than an illusion to trick people into the perception that they have a choice, or that the other side is wrong. If you think the GOP is evil, and Obama is "for the people and has our back," you're only half right.
There is no real choice because both parties have almost exactly the same agenda of control, and that agenda doesn't include the 98 percent and never will. The only difference is the rhetoric.
You can say that Republicans have swallowed the cool aid, and you'd be right about that, but if you fail to recognize the propaganda from your party and follow it hook, line, and sinker, you're no better than they are.
Actually I'm an independent old fashioned liberal. At this point in time the Democrats will be the best choice. Most politicians are bought and paid for on both sides of the isle. One thing I'm certain of is that republicans are catering to ALEC's agenda. I'm not ready to turn control of the country to the corporations.
Neither am I but we're about 20 years too late. Money and corporations already control everything that's going on in Washington, on both sides of the aisle. Greed has corrupted all of them.
I can't give it up. Things can get a whole lot worse from here if we just throw up our hands. I'll support the good politicians that do exist. I'll keep reading between the lines. If the corporations get it all their way, we'll be their cheap labor. We'll be their cannon fodder when some country gets difficult to do business with. We will be able to buy their products with credit cards. We can die owing our souls to the company store.
When our president said "we" he meant "we" as a country. not the way Zimmerman used the term "these people". this is more than a Florida state issue because this is a tragedy that happens all to often across America. I think Obama did very well to acknowlege this situation and to put politics aside. Did people as what as what Bush meant when he said "we" declare war?
Exactly!!!
THESE PEOPLE?
These people that don't agree with you?
These people who don't look like you?
These people who don't dress like you?
These people who are just walking around?
These people who are acting weird because it is raining and you have a hoodie pulled up over your head?
These people who may be talking on their cell phone?
These people who don't like to be followed by a stranger, bigger and older than they are?
Freedom to be THESE PEOPLE, in A FREE AMERICA.
One more question? Did any one in the police department go to George's apartment to see if he was committing the break ins himself?
Thank you President OBAMA, for not remaining silent. Right or wrong say something......
No doubt Florida is a tragedy. I read above the Republicans want have an agenda, maybe so, but no different then the democrats wanting their agenda also. What i want besides seeing this Florida tragedy end in Zimmerman's prosecution is the President doing something about Americans getting killed in Mexico and here at the border from Mexican drug cartel gang members.. its not highly reported and happens more then we see in the news. By the way Mr. President..you can feel the family's pain, but dont pander by saying " If you had a son.." that just sounds Political at a time it should not be.
Billy: The President did say "I can only IMAGINE the family's pain" What do think if he had a son what would he look like? And it seems to the reason for his killing its more personal to him. He has feelings too. And if want an answer to the Mexican crisis I suggest you contact the White House. He is not the president of Mexico.
The border potrol has doubled under President Obama.
So have deportations.
Bill, Obama has taken action to slow the murders in Mexico, he stopped sending the Drug Lords guns. Of course Obama will soon be funding the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, so he will still be involved in killing Americans.
billyboy,
you don't think that as an african american that President Obama hasn't gone through some of the very same things similar to what Trayvon experienced?
why do you see this as pandering? i would suggest to you that our President feels a very real connection to the Martin family, and wants to express that, based on bigotry that has been directed at him. IF ANYTHING, newt and ron and rick and mitt ARE PISSED OFF that they themselves cannot politically pander to the Martin family and the voting public, since they have NEVER EXPERIENCED the racism that our President has, and therefore HAVE NO EXPERIENCE FROM WHICH TO DRAW. speaking of pandering, i have never seen a BIGGER panderer than your very own MITT ROMNEY.
the repubs DO NOT want anyone in the white house who understands racism, and who can speak with such empathy and knowledge in regard to it.
the repubs like the way things have been for the past 100 years. there isn't enough to go around for all the white men, let alone giving african americans and women, and other minorities the civil rights that white men enjoy and take for granted.
Suzette, I hear you. I was thinking the same thing. The President can identify because of his own experiences. I'm glad he can relate to the Trayvon Martin family because it lets me know he's real; he's human and understands pain and the hurt that people go through. I pray I never eat off the platter of "so high-minded with a side of I'm so full of my self and drink from the cup of I'm too important- it's bad for your health.
Ed, With the Presidential election a few months away, do you think you could discuss a few political issues as well as the Trayvon Martin incident. Perhaps some coverage on Gas Prices, the Key Stone Pipe Line, the cost of food, our tax dollars held hostage in GM being sent to foreign countries (400 Million to France and 1 Billion to Australia), the National Debt and never ending Federal spending, unemployment, the sustainability of Social Security and Medicare with Obama's suspension of Pay Roll Taxes, etc...
George Bush spent more than President Obama by trillions. How is GM holding us Hostage? The federal Gov't has NOTHING to do with gas prices. The keystone pipeline is a disaster waiting to happen. And will NOT lower the price of gas.
Go over to fox, they will say wat you want to hear
Larry, When Bush went into Office the debt was around 5T, when he left eight years later it was about 10T. After three years with Obama it is about 15T. Which President accumulated the most debt isn't the problem. The problem is the debt itself and the fact that the debt is continuing to grow. In your household does it matter if you or your significant other creates the debt or does it relieve you of the hardships associated with it? When you have go into foreclosure or bankruptcy, does it really matter which of you is responsible?
Remember the GM Bailout with Tax Payer Dollars? The Federal Government current owns about 12.5 Billion in GM stock and GM still owns the Tax Payers another 12.5 billion. The bailout was suppose to bailout the US auto industry. Now GM has sent 400 million to France to bailout Peugeot and has entered into an agreement with the Australian government to spend 1 billion over the next ten years. It is only reasonable to conclude the US Tax Payers have not only bailed out the US auto industry by France and Australia as well. You may think the people of France and Australia are worthy of our Tax Dollars, I do not.
Of course Federal Policies have an affect on the price of Fuel. Why would Obama say our energy costs would necessarily go up under his administration, if his policies didn't have anything to do with energy costs?
There are currently about 2.3 million miles of Pipelines delivering Oil, Gas, and other chemicals in the United States.
ED, What is the story on US funding to Egypt? I have been reading that Obama wants to give Egypt 1.5 Billion to Egypt which would essentially put the US Tax dollars in the hands of the Muslim Brotherhood. I know Obama has been arming Mexican Drug Lords, but arming Muslim Radicals that are killing our troops is another story. Please shine a light on this with some coverage. Thanks
2ez~~Run on over to fox for your propaganda feed
Your thinly disguised criticism of MSNBC isn't fooling anyone.
The STOCK Act just passed! Introduced by Kirsten Gillibrand (and not a Republican) to prevent congressional insider trading. The bill's headed to the President's desk!
since when is criticism of MSNBC, or Fox, or a bad haircut wrong??? everyone has the right to voice their OPINION thats what we have shock Jocks on Cable news for right? Giving their " Spin " on todays events..seem to forget that? :)
No, that's what we have you for.
This event is a matter of justice and fairness to which ALL Americans are entitled as a birthright. The investigation of this event was poorly handled, if at all. It is a sad day for our country when a young man, regardless of description yet acting legally has this happen to him. It is sadder yet when the investigation ignores the obvious. Let's face it, it was a consortium of the Republican Party in Florida, the National Rifle Association and Jeb Bush who set these wheels in motion. I say this as a 59 year old white guy from California who lived for 5 years as a youth in Louisiana and whose church was bombed 3 times for speaking out on behalf of Civil Rights, I can only hope we did some good. My family came to the US from Canada. Perhaps like Canada, we should enact national hate crimes legislation.
Geoff:
We have hate crime laws in this Country. The problem is the NRA law.
The States that have the Florida-NRA law really need to look very hard at it. A "stand your ground" law doesn't need to be so lenient.
We don't per-say: We have criminal laws. If you are holding a smoking gun, or bloody knife, you can bet you are under arrest, until an investigation has been done. You will be taken to the Police station and your weapon taken as evidence........Not released with your weapon. The crime scene will be secured. Was this one?
To Bill Morin: (post #4):
Could you please explain how in the world you can equate President Obama saying “if I had a son he would look like me" with pandering?
I respectfully suggest that you read the following definition of Pander:
pan·ders; pan·dered; pandering:
[no obj] disapproving : to do or provide what someone wants or demands even though it is not proper, good, or reasonable — usually + to ▪ The film panders to the popular taste for violence in entertainment.
An excellent example pandering is Mr. Gingrich’s outrageous statement that “President Obama is the most dangerous president in modern history”.
Who do you think he was speaking to? What is some misguided individual thought the statement meant he should “save” the county from the “Danger”?
If you need additional examples and/or explanation of actual pandering just ask.
Hi Joy!
Oh, yes....the zoo keepers throwing out red meat for their base. <s>
Newton Leroy is one of the best at pandering. Should have his mouth washed out with soap.
Joy-
Dissected him like a surgeon. Or a sturgeon.
Hi Kathy,
With Life Boy soap....which my mother used on me.
lush is working: he is the ignorant, incompetent, jackass......and is scary ignoramus, and illiterate and that is being charitable.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRcPpcnFCh4
As foolish as the "stand your ground" law is, seeing as how the boy made no threats on the mans life, nor attacked (as heard by the call Zimmerman made to the police, who told him NOT to follow), anyone citing the "stand your ground" law (including Zimmerman) is missing the fundamental point: Zimmerman shot and killed an unarmed seventeen year-old boy with NO grounds for thinking his life was in danger other than that the boy was black. That's a hate crime if I ever heard of one. Here's hoping that justice prevails and that the piece of garbage redneck gets life in prison without parole.
Zimmerman should have been arrested at the scene until everything was sorted out.Appears to be a cover up.
Exactly!
FOX news Rivera /Hannity: Says Martin was shot because he was wearing a hoodie! The President said if he had a son he would look like a young black man no reason to think otherwise just wait for the FBI to do their job. When it became a investigation at the federal level he should need to respond but not interfere, But you can bet $10000 Mitt bucks the GOP will have something to say in a negative way!
Do you know how many blacks in the South are terrified when they see a white man wearing a cowboy hat?
Geraldo.......
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0312/74392.html
TRC...
It isn't the Cowboy Hats that worry them...
It's the needle-nose boots with spurs attached...
And the "Yeeehaaaa!"
They are making a new "Lone Ranger Movie" here in NM. My friends grand daughter has a speaking part. Johnny Dept plays Tonto.
Hey! Shouldn't I get a percentage? I've been advertising him for months!
http://www.webpronews.com/study-the-high-cost-of-gasoline-2012-03
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-bernie-sanders/stop-oil-speculation-now_b_877739.html?view=print&comm_ref=false
Gas prices/speculation
Thank you Mr. President. There is not a single person that does not relate to the Martin family. Well almost everyone. There is Fox News claiming accidents and hoodies caused the young man's death. Every time I look at Trayvon's picture I see my grandson.
Trayvon Martin's Racist-Family-Treatments,
American citizens! Believe your country's history of "Good Old boys and Gals, not accepting responsibility! (Immune from internal firings, and will never lose their Jobs)! There are not penalties for "same-race profilings." Local state right-wing- zealots cost law-suits by deceptive police/criminal practices. Racial-Profiling internal practices are cover-ups. Manipulating unaccountable people, and officials for selfish-gain cost local-state-tax-payers poor service in your communities. Stand for something! Ask your local legislatures for better legal-written laws. GOP-Party & Tea Partyers are historical for Non-Accountability! "Mismanaging Surplus Budgets, Home-Mortgages, Prison-Industrial-Complexes, and Racial-Profiling!" Help clean-up hard-earned deductions from your payroll that provide waste and abuse by cover-up-liars. Local-departmental-racist beliefs willingly learn from past-internal-political-unaccountable liars--in denial. Become Leaders for your family's hard-works and sacrafices. Learn from Trayvon Martin's Memorial! Blacks & Others who Lie for Status Quo-gamings are unacceptable! Ask yourself? Why costs are elevated? Why your healthcare insurances, or all are so esculated! Non-accountable incompetent departmental people costs for unjust laws. May God's work be done under Just Legal-Redress under proper venue.
American citizens, please stand up for Laws, covering Racial-Profilings-UnJust American Laws Unacceptable. Read my commentary on "Public Face-book!"
What compels our President to say something like that after someones been killed? Must be political. What if his son looked like his wife?