Explain this to me

I am writing this blog at the risk of creating outrage and losing the handful of people that actually read it.  But living in America, I do have my First Amendment rights.  So here goes.

Like most Americans, I was very much aware of the Zimmerman trial.  And when possible, I would listen, on Sirius, to the testimony as I travelled home from work.  I regretted not following it on TV as I missed the whole mannequin scene where both sides tried to convince the jury of Zimmerman's state of mind that fateful night.  It was more of a "he said - she said" trial it seemed.

My heart broke for the Martins.  I, too, lost a teenage son.  No one can possibly know their anguish, their anger.  But I can.  And I also tried to bring the drug dealer, responsible for my son's death, to trial. The County Prosecutor refused as he thought he would lose.  What?  Put me on the stand.  Let me testify.  I was denied that opportunity.

It seems so wrong that my state does not have a law that holds those miserable people accountable.  Other states do.  In the act of a felony, i.e., selling illegal drugs, that results in a death, i.e., my son's overdose, the individual is charged with murder.  Other states protect our children and ourselves with such a law.  I tried to appeal to our Governor and our state's legislature but did not succeed.  Explain this to me.

Now, despite the outcome of the trial, I was most fascinated with the process leading up to the announcement.  The racial component was front and center.  We had Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson speaking on behalf of the black community.  And, I am sorry, but I do not think that these gentlemen have the best interest of that community in mind.  Why?  Because I know that the majority of African-American deaths are caused by African-Americans.  The percentage?  93%.  So where is their outrage concerning this?  Bill Cosby addresses it.  To me, race relations will continue to be right beneath the surface on a day to day basis and when a Zimmerman comes along it begins to fester and a negative verdict causes an eruption.  Explain this to me.

The other fascinating thing I learned in listening to the trial was the description of George Zimmerman.  He was called a "white Puerto-Rican".  I had to look it up.  I never heard of that term.  Well, as you guessed, he has mixed blood - part white and part Puerto-Rican.  Well, since I have mixed heritage, am I a plaid-American?  Or, has anyone dared to call our President a white-African-American?  Why are we not consistent in how we label people, in how we think, in how we look at a situation.  Why do we need the "spin"? Well, because we are human-beings with emotions that have been manipulated ever since we were young. We are such easy targets for the press, for lawyers, and for our political parties to think that it is OK to mess with our psyche?  Why not.  Our parents did.  Our teachers did.  When do we begin to think for ourselves without everyone else thinking they have a right to stop this process?  Explain this to me.

Well. here is my challenge.  Whenever you find yourself developing anger or hatred as you listen to or watch a news broadcast, turn the tables.  Do your own spin.  Instead of believing the Republican, pretend he is a Democrat.  Oh, thank God someone in Congress sees clearly.  Pretend your President is not a far leftist but more moderate or more conservative.  Does his policy make more sense?  Do you want to defend him more?   I'm not saying it works all of the time, but it does slow down the process of continually being spoon-fed.  Kool-aid has too much sugar for my taste.  Hey, press, do you honestly think you can manipulate my viewpoint?  Explain this to me.