Many people have been sharing articles about this case, and "liking" the ones describing how international pressure FINALLY (their emphasis) got charges filed against the night watchman shooter, and from the Feds as a bonus.
Personally, based on the stories I have heard about the shooter, the situation, and the 911 tapes, I think the shooter is certainly guilty of something. But I am not sure that there is enough real evidence to support a conviction given Florida's laws about self-defense. And this brings some real concerns:
1. If the jury convicts because the "just know" he's guilty, this would be a travesty of the US justice system.
2. If the jury finds him 'not guilty', the public uproar will be even worse.
3. If the Feds exert jurisdiction in a case where they normally wouldn't, in response to the public pressure, it sets a dangerous precedent for future lynch mob justice.
Even though I suspect the shooter is in fact guilty of something, I don't like the path this is taking to get there. I am not sure this is really the "justice" that many of us think it is.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
demographics
Have you ever had one of those thoughts that really makes you stop and think? I just had one that sent me immediately to the blog to get it down on paper (on keyboard?).
I am sure this parallel has been seen and discussed at length by experts, but I have never seen it. I major discussion in Middle East peace politics is the peril of demographics for Israel. The Arab population is growing much faster than the Jewish population, particularly in Gaza and the West Bank. If Israel wants to remain a Jewish State (which many think is necessary for its survival, let alone its identity), it is simply a fact that it needs to pursue a two-state solution.
As we approach Passover, I was thinking that in the Exodus narrative, Pharaoh sees the growing Jewish population in Egypt and fears that at some point they will revolt. As a result, he forces them into slavery and hard labor. The worry originated in demographics rather than any revolutionary actions by the Jews.
The parallel is not exact for a variety of reasons, but the similarities are relevant. If peace gets delayed over and over and over again as it has been over the recent decades, what will Israel do when the population hits an inflection point? Then, it will too late.
I am sure this parallel has been seen and discussed at length by experts, but I have never seen it. I major discussion in Middle East peace politics is the peril of demographics for Israel. The Arab population is growing much faster than the Jewish population, particularly in Gaza and the West Bank. If Israel wants to remain a Jewish State (which many think is necessary for its survival, let alone its identity), it is simply a fact that it needs to pursue a two-state solution.
As we approach Passover, I was thinking that in the Exodus narrative, Pharaoh sees the growing Jewish population in Egypt and fears that at some point they will revolt. As a result, he forces them into slavery and hard labor. The worry originated in demographics rather than any revolutionary actions by the Jews.
The parallel is not exact for a variety of reasons, but the similarities are relevant. If peace gets delayed over and over and over again as it has been over the recent decades, what will Israel do when the population hits an inflection point? Then, it will too late.
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