"According to my investigation...."
Last night, MSNBC host Lawrence O'Donnell was leading a panel of like-minded talking heads including the NY Times' Charles Blow and discussing the Trayvon Martin case in Florida. The specific topic was a one Mr. Joe Oliver, an African-American man, who is a friend of George Zimmerman and whom they had just interviewed. Oliver has been interviewed by several outlets. While he was not a witness to the incident, he has spoken out on Zimmerman's behalf against speculation that he is a racist. In return, he was attacked last night by O'Donnell, who stated that according to his "own investigation" (O'Donnell's) Oliver has no credibility.
Then this morning, I caught the last half of Martin Bashir's show on MSNBC. He was interviewing Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX). To make a long story short, they were basically convicting Zimmerman. To them, the facts were simple; Martin was black, he was wearing a hoodie, Zimmerman shot and killed him. He must be arrested. Absent was any mention of the witnesses who described a struggle with Martin on top, Zimmerman's broken nose, bloody face, and grass stains on the back of his shirt. Bashir then closed out his show with his final editorial comment to the effect that Zimmerman killed Martin simply because of the color of Martin's skin without any reference to Zimmerman's (and others') version (s) of the events. Bashir went on to deplore the allegations going around regarding Martin's lifestyle and having gotten repeatedly in trouble, which were being fed to some conservative media outlets. (Never mind a running caption that appeared at the bottom of the screen during the show stating that some conservative media were ignoring the case.)
Again, I must state that I missed the first half of Bashir's show, so there may have been mention of another disturbing aspect of this case-the outrageous conduct of the New Black Panther Party in calling for Zimmerman's "apprehension" and posting a reward for his capture without any charges being as yet filed. I heard no mention of this from Bashir. I heard no mention of the NBPP man caught on TV calling for the capture of Zimmerman "dead or alive".
So I add Bashir and O'Donnell to their MSNBC colleague Ed Schultz in engaging in a public rush to judgement before all the facts are in and knowing full well that there is a lynch mob mentality out there. I have not even heard what Al Sharpton has said on his own show. Of course, he knows lots about inciting a lynch mob.
As I have said before, it may turn out that Zimmerman acted beyond the law. Depending on what exactly transpired when he and Martin came face to face, who initiated the violence and under what circumstances Zimmerman drew his gun and fired, he may well be prosecuted. Unless he made a decision that he was going to follow Martin and execute him, I don't think he could be guilty of more than manslaughter. But I just don't know, and neither does anyone else who wasn't there.
To continue this conviction in the media in the face of what the New Black Panther Party is calling for is beyond irresponsible.
Sheila Jackson Lee getting involved? Surprised it took so long.
ReplyDeleteMSNBC has only one version of any story. In this case it is Martin victim, Zimmerman racist. Bet you it comes out the opposite.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Al Sharpton is getting nightmares of another Twana Brawley episode. You would have expected him to learn a lesson but a guy has to make a living the only way he knows how.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it Sheila Jackson Lee? (Just for the sake of accuracy). I haven't considered her a working class hero since she was quoted announcing "I'm a queen, and I expect to be treated like one." First of all, this is a republic. Second of all, when I think of how a queen should be treated, I think of Marie Antoinette. You will NEVER catch me referring to my true love as a queen, much less some pompous politician in Washington.
ReplyDeleteZimmerman's defense of himself has about as much credibility as anyone you ever arrested Gary, who explained fervently that the drugs aren't mine, the guns aren't mine, I just moved in here, I had no idea... etc. etc. etc.
Oh, some of it MAY be true, but he's a man who just committed a homicide and is hoping not to pay a price for it. He will say whatever might help him.
I don't think Zimmerman is a modern KKK wizard. I think Zimmerman is a confused guy who jumped to conclusions when he saw a tall black kid in a hoodie in a neighborhood where there has been a lot of crime, acted rashly, got himself into a situation of his own making, and then killed a young man he shouldn't have accosted in the first place.
MSNBC shouldn't be talking about whether he's guilty. It should be talking about whether and how the legal system is acting on the obvious allegations.
Sheila it is-correction noted.
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