Another Concern About the Zimmerman/Martin shooting...

[Scott in Houston]

I didn't put this in the large discussion thread on the subject, because it's not about the shooting itself, or the legalities, etc.

I have a concern about the aftermath. (This could almost be a prepping type question)

I believe that Zimmerman will either get off completely, or get off with a lighter conviction than murder or even manslaughter. I could be wrong, but that is my guess at this point.

My concern is the chaos that will ensue if that does happen. We live in a decent neighborhood in the Memorial area of Houston. Not far from us are several blocks of apartments full of re-located (and yes, the government is STILL paying for their rent ) Katrina evacuees, and others whom I believe will not respond well if Zimmerman isn't convicted. These are not happy folks. I've had run-ins at a grocery store I now avoid just because of the anger these people possess. I would bet big money that if he's not convicted, the riots we saw in LA after the King trial will pale in comparison to the riots we'll see nation-wide if Zimmerman is let off. Social media has amped up the anger and the communication between the angry. I wouldn't want to be caught anywhere near LA, Detroit, New York, or parts of Atlanta.

In our area, I could easily see a chaotic situation develop where an attitude of get the 'rich white people,' could develop, and our neighborhood could be targeted fairly easily. I'm already planning on not having family at home when the verdict is read, however, I will be here. I'm not sure how long until this trial begins or more importantly, it ends, but I think we all should be prepared for some civil unrest. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised to see the civil unrest even if he's convicted! Any excuse to rob, pillage, and riot seems to work for some people (e.g. NBA championships, etc.).

What do you all think? Are there others who live in a metropolitan area who have similar concerns?

[PracticalTactical]

Whenever you see somebody preaching hatred or division, be really suspicious of anything that person says. The situation in the US is eerily similar to that of Bosnia right before all the problems and wars they had in the 90's.

There were Croatians, Bosnians (Muslim, but very different) and Yugoslovians all living together in peace. For a few months before hostilities began, the media was getting into intense race-baiting, including dredging up things several hundred years old to get people agitated against each other. Marriages broke up, people started eating at separate restaurants, moving to separate neighborhoods as possible, etc.

They they started killing each other. Ethnically similar people from surrounding regional countries started pouring in and invading. In one city, people couldn't come or go for almost a year, turning the entire place into a very nasty situation.

For those who think something similar can't happen here, just look at the race riots of the early 90's and imagine them getting worse. Imagine the government arming and encouraging the rioters instead of disbanding them, or imagine foreign powers getting involved. Or, imagine the violence in Mexico spilling over.

There are things in life that can happen that are worse than death. Getting captured by a racist lynch mob is probably one of those things if you don't happen to be the right color.

Personally, I think all this racism sucks. I don't care who hates who, it all stinks equally. But, I have to be a realist and know that society has proven time and again that we aren't past such things and prepare accordingly to protect myself and my family from evil as much as realistically possible while teaching my children to be better people than that.

[jimlongley]

With the Sharpton camp having already convicted Zimmerman, I expect any verdict short of the death penalty to be reacted to in a negative manner, inversely proportional to the level of punishment.

I was listening to some ethnic friends of mine at work the other day, people I would have otherwise expected to be more circumspect, and in MY view, it appeared that they were unwilling to accept any NEW "evidence" or revelations about the case, such as the edited 911 call, the blood on Zimmerman's head, and such, and that the only "justice" acceptable to them would be based on the initial news reports and the Sharpton cabal's hate mongering.

My efforts to point out that later versions of the facts seem to contradict the early stuff, were obviously unwelcome.

Breakroom politics: he with the loudest voice, or smallest audience, wins.

[Scott in Houston]

Well, here's more to support my concern.

http://twitchy.com/2012/04/23/twitter-l ... -kill-him/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That sentiment is growing and spreading via twitter and Facebook rapidly.
As you said Jim, I too have some friends who will not even consider new evidence, and I consider them level-headed people (or I used to anyway).

As for riots... be prepared...

http://twitchy.com/2012/04/12/twitter-l ... acquitted/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I think he'll be acquitted. I believe everyone in a large city should be on high alert. I will not have family in town the day of the verdict. I plan to speak to the neighbors about this as well. If there's a true riot, we'll have to work together to protect ourselves.

[psijac]

They cannot get death penalty in murder 2nd degree. Also I would stay at in my own home and send family away unless I wanted to comeback to a smoldering ruin

[mamabearCali]

I don't live in a city, but I do worry about people being stupid. My husband has to travel to one everyday. It is two blocks between him and his parking space and he is not allowed to carry at work, so the gun must stay in the car--fat lot of good that will do him if he is jumped 30 feet from it. He does carry pepper spray and a pocket knife, but against a mob? This is a nightmare and I blame two people Sharpton and Jackson. On their heads be the blood of any that are killed because of all the racist nonsense going on here.

[knotquiteawake]

I was just talking to my wife about this same topic.
Zimmerman will likely be aquitted. Riots will follow. I would be willing to bet money on it. Hopefully nothing near us. I mean, look what happened with Rodney King.

[gdanaher]

The problem is that Jackson and Sharpton are visible personalities who make a living from stirring hate from situations less than so deserving. The upside is that these guys are getting older (Jackson is 70 and Sharpton is 57) and at some point won't be able to stir the kettle, and I'm not particularly aware of many younger personalities who share this same approach. One well known minister in Dallas is known for his calming affect on his followers rather than the opposite, and from the religious community this seems to be more the norm that the 1960's style of civil rights fussing and fighting.

[mamabearCali]

I was a small child when the Rodney King verdict came out and a sophmore in HS when the OJ verdict came out.....How long does the danger from rioting last. A day, a week, two weeks. My husband can arrange to telecommute for a few days but not for an indefinite period of time. So I need to know how long the danger of riots lasts.

[Scott in Houston]

Well, the rioting in LA was a couple of days. Who knows what we could face here, but I would imagine that being prepared for at least a week or so would be wise.

I plan to send my wife and family to the country while I stay at home. I will have enough food/water for a week at minimum. (I already have much more, but for advise-sake)

I wouldn't be surprised if there was a loss of power or services if things get really out of control.

In addition to the food/water, the other items to ensure you have (IMO):

1) Fire extinguishers <- I am going to buy commercial grade... good to have regardless!
2) Self and home defense items
3) First aid items
4) Lighting & batteries, and/or power generator if you have it

[i8godzilla]

I was a small child when the Rodney King verdict came out and a sophmore in HS when the OJ verdict came out.....How long does the danger from rioting last. A day, a week, two weeks. My husband can arrange to telecommute for a few days but not for an indefinite period of time. So I need to know how long the danger of riots lasts.

As long as it is allowed to last.

My first entry into the military was the Florida National Guard. I went to basic training in the summer between my junior and senior year of high school. During my time in the NG, I was called to active duty three times: The Cuban Boat Flotilla, Hurricane David, and the Arthur McDuffie inspired riots in Liberty City (Miami). The Cuban Boat Flotilla and Hurricane David were both humanitarian deployments and well received by the public. The riots were another story. We had rocks, garbage, a verbal jabs tossed out way during the convoy on the way from WPB to Miami. My unit was part of the initial deployment of 500 soldiers. We had no effect (or authority) and more killings, violence, and looting continued. After a few days of this, the Governor made to the decision to put an end to it. Until the Governor decided that he needed to deploy over 3,000 National Guardsmen things remained violent. There was still looting, rock throwing, and general unrest for at least a week following the initial quell of the riot. As a young adult at the time, I still remember that the first time I was issued live ammunition (other than range time) was on the streets of Miami. Not to protect our country from foreign forces but to protect myself from misguided Americans.

The Feds tried to make it a Civil Rights Case by charging the police (only got one charge through the Grand Jury). The federal government declared Miami a disaster area, and authorized the release of funds to allow the city to rebuild. Things were still so explosive that the cities of Atlanta and New Orleans fought tooth and nail to have the Federal case tried somewhere else. A not guilty verdict was finally reached in San Antonio.

(As a side note: Janet Reno was the lead prosecutor in the initial trail.)

[The Annoyed Man]

Well, the rioting in LA was a couple of days. Who knows what we could face here, but I would imagine that being prepared for at least a week or so would be wise.

I plan to send my wife and family to the country while I stay at home. I will have enough food/water for a week at minimum. (I already have much more, but for advise-sake)

I wouldn't be surprised if there was a loss of power or services if things get really out of control.

In addition to the food/water, the other items to ensure you have (IMO):

1) Fire extinguishers <- I am going to buy commercial grade... good to have regardless!
2) Self and home defense items
3) First aid items
4) Lighting & batteries, and/or power generator if you have it

The height of the L.A. rioting was a couple of days. The entire ordeal was longer than that. I was there.

[cdc101]

I didn't put this in the large discussion thread on the subject, because it's not about the shooting itself, or the legalities, etc.

I have a concern about the aftermath. (This could almost be a prepping type question)

I believe that Zimmerman will either get off completely, or get off with a lighter conviction than murder or even manslaughter. I could be wrong, but that is my guess at this point.

My concern is the chaos that will ensue if that does happen. We live in a decent neighborhood in the Memorial area of Houston. Not far from us are several blocks of apartments full of re-located (and yes, the government is STILL paying for their rent ) Katrina evacuees, and others whom I believe will not respond well if Zimmerman isn't convicted. These are not happy folks. I've had run-ins at a grocery store I now avoid just because of the anger these people possess. I would bet big money that if he's not convicted, the riots we saw in LA after the King trial will pale in comparison to the riots we'll see nation-wide if Zimmerman is let off. Social media has amped up the anger and the communication between the angry. I wouldn't want to be caught anywhere near LA, Detroit, New York, or parts of Atlanta.

In our area, I could easily see a chaotic situation develop where an attitude of get the 'rich white people,' could develop, and our neighborhood could be targeted fairly easily. I'm already planning on not having family at home when the verdict is read, however, I will be here. I'm not sure how long until this trial begins or more importantly, it ends, but I think we all should be prepared for some civil unrest. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised to see the civil unrest even if he's convicted! Any excuse to rob, pillage, and riot seems to work for some people (e.g. NBA championships, etc.).

What do you all think? Are there others who live in a metropolitan area who have similar concerns?

I hear ya Scott. I work in the Galleria area and will be watching the events closely.

[cdc101]

The problem is that Jackson and Sharpton are visible personalities who make a living from stirring hate from situations less than so deserving. The upside is that these guys are getting older (Jackson is 70 and Sharpton is 57) and at some point won't be able to stir the kettle, and I'm not particularly aware of many younger personalities who share this same approach. One well known minister in Dallas is known for his calming affect on his followers rather than the opposite, and from the religious community this seems to be more the norm that the 1960's style of civil rights fussing and fighting.

In Houston we have Quannel X that would most likely step up next (after Jackson 7 Sharpton).

[Scott in Houston]

Well, the rioting in LA was a couple of days. Who knows what we could face here, but I would imagine that being prepared for at least a week or so would be wise.

I plan to send my wife and family to the country while I stay at home. I will have enough food/water for a week at minimum. (I already have much more, but for advise-sake)

I wouldn't be surprised if there was a loss of power or services if things get really out of control.

In addition to the food/water, the other items to ensure you have (IMO):

1) Fire extinguishers <- I am going to buy commercial grade... good to have regardless!
2) Self and home defense items
3) First aid items
4) Lighting & batteries, and/or power generator if you have it

The height of the L.A. rioting was a couple of days. The entire ordeal was longer than that. I was there.

I agree... That's why being prepared for a while is the smart thing to do. That's my plan anyway.

This could potentially be a national crisis. I think people are so angry and divided, and this issue is the exact kind of issue that would set the tinder box on fire. Leftist, socialist policies have created such angst among those who see themselves as "have-nots" that when given a decent excuse, in their mind, to get revenge or 'take what is theirs' (in their mind), they'll do it. I'm convinced of that.

Does anyone know or have any educated guesses what the timeline may look like for this trial?