Manns Medium

As it is often the case, we spend more time trying to find others to blame for something that went wrong instead of trying first to find out where we, as individuals, went wrong.  While filing lawsuits may correct the behavior in some, it only fuels the many and makes us even more determine to not first look to ourselves for an answer but depend even more on the answers to come from others.  While the below article is a sad time for all of us that breath air it is also a lesson on how we can begin to correct this problem if we could only see deeper into that image that stares back at us in a mirror. The article is titled “ Parents sue Florida school district over bullied son's suicide ” written by Tiffany Walden for the Orlando Sentinel.  It is a story about a complete failure on all parts which resulted in a young life being extinguished but it is also a story about a young life making a serious choice and while we mourn this young life we should also celebrate his ...

I have heard of some selfish actions taken by those whom are supposed to be in a position where their actions can ultimately change the course of human events but this one takes the cake.  It is an article titled “Beloved Toll Collector Says He Was Fired For Paying Someone's Toll”  it appears to have been written by Ed Mazza for the Huffington Post and it states “A Florida community is rallying around a local toll collector, saying that he was fired unjustly for paying someone else's toll. Vladislav "Sam" Samsonov had been collecting the toll at the Gasparilla Island Bridge, which takes motorists into Boca Grande, near Fort Myers, for nearly 30 years. He's known to have treats on hand for dogs, and lollipops for the kids. But it all came to end when he was fired last week after accidentally undercharging a driver and paying the difference out of his own pocket. "He broke the rules by putting $5.50 into the cash register from his pocket after he realized he m...

There are stories like this happening all over this nation but why it is not breaking news or any television stations lead in is quite evident.  We call ourselves a nation of Christians but we act as though we are a slave to Satan and cannot resist him.  Breaking news is always news that shows us as callous, selfish, arrogant and righteous but we are all but one of those and that is righteous.  Our local and national news are often about the bad things happening in this country so no wonder people think that is all we do, so who wishes to step up and take responsibility for their actions, simply put no one.  Those in charge will say that if they do not have viewership then the ratings will drop off and they will have to close their business.  What they forget is the amount of true love and righteousness that exist within our society and would propel any business to the top if these were the stories that gets the attention.  Business and mostly everyone has...

Recently I found myself getting more and more annoyed with African-Americans whose only take on the recent rash of police shootings is that race is what was behind it.  I don’t disagree with that but those with the opportunity to get in front of a camera must also realize that it is not the only reason.   In an effort to try and fix the entire problem instead of the issue that only blacks feel, we need to look at one more blatantly obvious sign that many are blinded to. It’s not as much about race as it is about the perception of wealth. Take for example the thought pattern that runs through the head of any officer who is about to pull over an influential person.  The first thought is not about whether they are guilty of the reason why the officer is pulling him over but that what the results may be after he does so.  You can bet that he/she knows that if they were to even think about pulling them over, they had better have all their ducks in a row.  T...

At first glance, this story reeks of an over-zealous Sheriff Deputy who clearly got far too excited with his authorization to use deadly force.  In the article titled “Deaf man killed by deputy: Deaf man shot 6 times 'failed to follow' cop's orders.”  as reported by Linsey Bald for News Examiner with assistance from the Huffington Post.  In the article it states “A deaf man was killed by a Florida deputy after an altercation at a towing yard went terribly wrong. Two deputies, undercover and in plain clothes, heard an argument occurring outside Fryer's Towing Company on Saturday afternoon in Daytona Beach. On approach, the deputies saw 52-year-old Edward P. Miller, deaf from birth, with a gun. When he failed to comply with the orders of the cops, they shot him dead.  Reports the Huffington Post: “Volusia County Sheriff Ben Johnson said Miller was ‘brandishing a firearm’ outside when Deputy Joel Hernandez and another unnamed deputy arrived. Hernandez, 35, fired his ser...

In an article titled “Marco Rubio defends gays, attacks gay marriage” by Benjy Sarlin, it is reported that “Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio stated acknowledged Wednesday that American history was “marred by discrimination against gays and lesbians.” But in a speech at Catholic University in Washington, Rubio drew the line sharply at marriage equality and accused supporters of same sex unions of “intolerance.” “Rubio said. “This intolerance in the name of tolerance is hypocrisy. Support for the definition of marriage as one man and one woman is not anti-gay, it is pro-traditional marriage.” Which I must admit is true; to demand that your voice be heard on the values you hold dear does not give anyone the right to ignore the same desires being expressed by another.  In this nation of so-called adults, we must remember that there are others who have the same rights and freedoms as we do and deserve as must respect of them as we demand for ourselves.  And while, Rubio was...

Many of you probably have not yet heard Bill O’Rielly’s rant about why Trayvon Martin lost his life on that cold and rainy night in Sanford Florida.   O’Rielly believes that it had nothing to do with race but everything to do with wearing a hoodie.   To thse who know better, that reasoning sounds niave and childish but to those who are like minds of O’Rielly it sounds quite possible if not extremely true.   So what can we do to provide them with a much deeper understanding?   Some, including our president Barack Obama, say it’s time for a nationwide honest conversation for others like Chris Hayes; it may be time to ask “what’s the matter with white people?”   We are beginning to have that conversation now and I stand here to try and answer Chris’ question. What’s the matter with white people?   The same thing that is a problem for all races of people, nothing.   There is nothing wrong with white, black, or brown people except we all fall into on...

In the aftermath of this tragedy, we are all looking quite closely at the events leading up to and after this trial searching for a lesson, a reason and a solution.   In that vein, some are being held to a different standard than before.   Now you don’t have to say anything but agrees with the verdict and you are either a racist or ignorant.   If you disagree with the verdict you are either racist or ignorant.   Either way, you get the point; we are all now ignorant or racist. Case in point, in an article written by Aliyah Frumin for Hardball titled “Opinions of Juror B-37 were her own, say fellow jurors” , reports of this juror saying things like “she didn’t think Martin’s race was the reason why Zimmerman, then a volunteer neighborhood watchman, followed him” or Trayvon made a mistake by not running and sticking around.   This same article reports that four (4) of the other jurors got together and released a statement that request an appeal “to the high...

I have attempted to follow this case from day one and since it has been televised, I found myself glued.   I see so much in this trial but the most griping of all is what it now says about our new America. First we saw the civility of the attorneys as each took seriously their job of defending or prosecuting this case.   I loved the fact that they kept apologizing when they felt that they may have been wrong or disrespectful to each other, the judge or those who were testifying.   It did my heart good to see adults conducting themselves in a manner that is qualifying of our justice system.    They showed that you can defend your client on either side of the argument without belittling anyone on the other side and you can defend your client diligently without demonizing those who do not agree with you.   They showed great character and honestly made me feel that all of us can now get our day in court and equal justice. Next I saw a new America, tha...

When George Zimmerman was released on bond, many thought that the situation behind it had not been clearly vetted by the court and some even went as far as to speculate that the Zimmerman’s were lying about their finances.   I truly had no earthly idea in the beginning about whether they were telling the truth or not and apparently so did the court.   All that changed yesterday. According to Pueng Vongs for Yahoo Lookout in an article titled George Zimmerman’s bond revoked, must surrender it is reported that “ A Florida judge has revoked the bond of George Zimmerman, the volunteer neighborhood watchman accused of killing teen Trayvon Martin, on the grounds that Zimmerman misled the court about his finances.   During Zimmerman's bail hearing in April, his family testified they had limited funds, prosecutors said on Friday during court proceedings broadcast live.   Zimmerman's wife "said she had no money, but in fact she did," said prosecutor Bernardo de la Riond...

As time elapses and evidence is revealed, more and more it begins to look like the conviction of George Zimmerman maybe much harder than first expected.   According to Dylan Stableford in his article titled Trayvon Martin shooting: Witnesses change stories ahead of Zimmerman trial “four witnesses in the Trayvon Martin case have changed their stories, some "in ways that may damage" George Zimmerman, the Orlando Sentinel reports .   According to records released last week in the second-degree murder case, the witnesses--all of them neighbors--were interviewed multiple times by police and special prosecutors about what they saw on Feb. 26.” As a former law enforcement officer, one of the most unreliable evidence you can have is witnesses and many times the reason is when their stories change.   To secure the perfect witness is one where no matter how much time expires, their story remain consistent.   This article clearly shows why forensic are the best source fo...

Arlette Saenz of ABC News reported in his article titled Rubio Comes Out Swinging at Obama at S.C. GOP Dinner reported that “Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., doled out attacks on President Obama tonight in a high-profile speech before South Carolina Republicans, laying out aggressive criticisms of the president as he called him the most "divisive figure" in American politics.   "The president and his party's view of America's government and our lives is a failed one. It hasn't worked. His ideas that sounded so good in the classrooms of Harvard and Yale haven't really worked out well in the real world."    But this is not the missed opportunity. It is expected that Rubio speaking to his group and people would garner “applause at the South Carolina GOP's Silver Elephant Dinner.”   It would be news if he had not have spoken about President Obama in terms like   "they get frustrated. They can't win on their record, and so they've chosen to...

According to Matt Gutman and Seni Tienabeso of ABC News has inked an article titled ABC News Exclusive: Zimmerman Medical Report Shows Broken Nose, Lacerations after Trayvon Martin Shooting In which they report that “a medical report compiled by the family physician of accused Trayvon Martin murderer George Zimmerman and obtained exclusively by ABC News found that Zimmerman was diagnosed with a "closed fracture" of his nose, a pair of black eyes, two lacerations to the back of his head and a minor back injury the day after he fatally shot Martin during an alleged altercation.    Zimmerman has claimed self defense in what he described as a life and death struggle that Martin initiated by accosting him, punching him in the face, then repeatedly bashing his head into the pavement.”   The only problem that I see after reading this article is how Zimmerman claim Martin accosted him while the evidence proves the opposite. I also find myself questioning this report mainly...

It is reported that “George Zimmerman's attorney filed motions to waive his client's right to a speedy trial and to request more time to ready a defense”.   What this tells me is that his attorney is attempting to find more ammunition to help him defend his client as well as he could.   He may feel that with more time he will be able to present evidence to achieve his goal. Personally, I believe that all the time in the world will not absolve George Zimmerman of being held accountable for the life that he took.   Choices made that night will cost him his freedom.   Because hindsight is 20/20, it is quite easy for me and others to say what choices Zimmerman should have made.   While we may have wished that he made other choices, reality dictates that he didn’t.   His attorney should be commended for giving his client the best defense that he could but in the end, if Zimmerman does not pay for his actions, it will truly surprise me.

There are several great lessons that can be found in the bond hearing that took place for George Zimmerman today.   George Zimmerman is the man accused of second degree murder in the death of Trayvon Martin.   Several things happened that made me both proud and a little concerned. What made me proud was seeing our legal system at work, each side doing what they were supposed to do and that is defend and speak for their clients.   Zimmerman’s attorney, Mark O’Mara showed why he is one of the best in the field.   He keeps refusing to play out his case in the media and is quite determined to keep it in the courtroom where it belongs.   His constant objections during the bond hearing lead me to believe that he really is quite the professional.   His apologies for defending his clients to rumors of his defense being offensive to the parents and supporters of Trayvon leads me to believe that he is a man of high character.   His job is to get his clie...

Supporters of the Stand your Ground Law wonder why all of the fuss about this law and many have attributed to just a few race-baiters or troublemakers.   Sad for them that they have refused to look just a little below the surface of this debate because if they did, their concerns may have been answered. The main disingenuous result of this law is how it makes work for some and not for others.   A law is supposed to be enforced equally throughout society but this one is not.   Take for example the differences between the Trayvon Martin case and Dana Hancock shooting.   When the Trayvon Martin case came to light, some immediately jumped on the side of George Zimmerman and preached how he was justified in shooting Trayvon but this same action did not happen when it came to Steve Sims Jr. in Atlanta Georgia. According to an article written by Jennifer Mayerle of CBS Atlanta titled “ Man claims Georgia 'stand your ground' law should apply to his case” it wa...

When asked why tempers are so high in Sanford Florida, many people just can’t seem to answer that question.   I, myself, have had a hard time attempting to explain why so many are marching for justice and often I use the analogy of people turning out to comb the countryside when The Anderson child was lost or the enormous outcry when Natalie Holloway came up missing.   While many have tuned in to the Trayvon Martin story, they have also been exposed to similar events which have happened and no one seemed to have really paid attention to them.   This has left some furious and others unaffected but what it should have done to all of us is show us that coming together as Americans is the only true way to end this senseless violence upon any community and upon our nation. Take for example an article written by Olivia Katrandjian of ABC News titled Two Men Arrested, Facebook Clues in Tulsa Shooting Spree .   This article along with the one from Holbrook Mohr of th...

Reuters reports that shirts were on sale in Miami Florida during a protest calling for the capture of George Zimmerman.   In my humble opinion this action does nothing but disrespects the memory of Trayvon , undermines the work being done by his family and attorneys’, attempts to circumvent the FBI and all legal representatives who are truly working to make justice fair for all.   It is nothing more than an opportunity to stand on the grave of Trayvon to make money. Hypocrisy is the act of pointing out what others are doing as unjust or immoral while doing the very same thing yourself.   Selling those shirts and pushing this vigilante style law enforcement by offering a reward is asking some mentally questionable person to conduct him or herself identical to the way Mr. Zimmerman did.   His action caused a 17 year old to lose his life and supporting this idea of a bounty in any way could also result in the same end. So what would be the purpose?   ...

Many of us have been wondering just how many Trayvon Martin stories are out there that very few know about.   One such story is the one that was posted in the Huffington Post titled Howard Morgan, Black Off-Duty Cop Shot 28 Times By White Chicago Officers, Faces Sentencing.   This story reports that “Howard Morgan, a former Chicago police officer who was shot 28 times by white officers -- and lived to tell his side of the story. Morgan was off-duty as a detective for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad when he was pulled over for driving the wrong way on a one-way street on Feb 21, 2005 , the Chicago Sun-Times reports.   According to police, Morgan opened fire with his service weapon when officers tried to arrest him, which caused them to shoot him 28 times. His family, however, very much doubts those claims.   "After being left for dead, he survived and was then charged with attempted murder of the four white officers who brutalized him," Occupy Chica...

When will we learn that individuals who tend to try and help often times does more damage than good?   This is quite evident in the recent new stories beginning with Zimmerman’s father and now ending with this now misguided attempt by Zimmerman’s neighbor.   According to an article written by Dylan Stableford from The Cutline titled “ Zimmerman neighbor on robberies by ‘young black men’ before Trayvon shooting: ‘If you plant corn, you get corn’ , it is reported that “Zimmerman's Sanford, Fla., neighbor, said the neighborhood watchman protected his residence from a potential burglary several weeks before the shooting of Trayvon Martin.   Frank Taaffe, a former neighborhood watch captain, told CNN's "Starting Point" that his house was in the process of being robbed on Feb. 2, but Zimmerman called Sanford police, who thwarted the robbery.   "My house was being robbed, and George on his nightly rounds watched this burglary in progress, called Sanford P.D., ...