Manns Medium

Supporters of police will wrench when they read this story because even those harden supporters who think that police officers are above the law knows when something is really wrong with our society, the only question is are they willing to correct the problem or just simply ignore it?  The article is titled “ Family outraged after son's mug shot found used in target practice by Miami police ” written by Nina Golgowski for the New York Daily News and in it she reports that “a bullet-riddled photo of Woody Deant was discovered by his own sister last month when she visited the shooting range. North Miami Beach Police Chief J. Scott Dennis has defended the use of mug shots for target practice, saying it's vital for facial recognition drills. These six mug shots were being used for target practice by North Miami Beach Police last month when a National Guard soldier discovered the face of her own brother among them. A trip to a Florida gun range left a National Guard soldier in tea...

Remember the old saying about police of the thin blue line and the old Serpico thing where he stood up to bring light to the darkness of his police department only to survive attempted hits on his life by fellow police officers.  Well something close to that is happening now and have been happening for quite some time now.  Not to the extent of people attempting to assassinate anyone but to the point where it seems to be unwritten rule of lawyers and judges when it comes to the word of police over the regular citizen.  The phrase that I keep hearing from former law enforcement officials like myself is that “you never second guess police regarding the performance of their duties”.   This would make sense to me if the minority of officers who abuse their positions were held accountable and made to follow the same rules and regulations that average citizens have to but this is not the case.  This would make sense if there weren’t outstanding and reasonabl...

The murder of Trayvon Martin captured the nation’s attention regarding blacks being seen first as criminal instead of victim and with the acquittal of his murderer George Zimmerman; it told America that making this type of mistake was okay.  The murders at Newtown instructed us that bad things happened to good people and since the individual who did the shooting was killed, we should not have anything else to fear.  Never mind the facts that this mentally challenged child had clean and clear access to all types of weapons which should have never been the case.  Now comes Ferguson which reminds us that some people still see anyone different from them not as a fellow human being but a mistake made by God.  Just when you think we  couldn't  get any dumber, here come two more stories that makes those of us who know compassion feel like we are all alone. The first is an article titled “ Black teen in white foster home pepper-sprayed by police who misto...

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...

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 wake of the Trayvon Martin Trial, many are now beginning to take a good hard look at themselves.   Whether it is those of the Black Community, the White Community, Hispanic Community, Asian Community, Gay and Lesbian Community, Religious Right and Left Community or any other community which seeks to survive and thrive in these United States of America.   We look at ourselves in order to discovery if we have done as much as we can to erase all bias and prejudice.   Some have little work to do but the majority of us have a whole lot of work ahead of us. When we speak of racism, bias or prejudice, we need to know that it is not particular to one race or another and surprisingly it is directed at not only those outside of our own race but within just as well.   If we are to eradicate hate, it has got to happen not only toward those who are of a different skin color but those whose pigmentation resembles our own. Take for example, two prominent gentlemen ...

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...

While the parents of Trayvon Martin believe that not only would their son be proud of the pressure placed upon the State of Florida to arrest and bring to justice George Zimmerman, Justice was not served.   While they are the ones who lost a child and their wishes of no rioting or violence should be honored, after all our kids are still with us.   While I know that God Almighty can and will deliver more justice than any court ever created, I still have a few things to say. I find it quite hard to accept the verdict because George Zimmerman took a life and in that realm alone, he should have been held accountable.   I do not hate him personally but I deplore the laws that allow him and others like him to flourish.   Commentators were quick to say that the jury should be concerned about what effect their verdict would have on the community of Sanford, the State of Florida and the world.    They mentioned that we need to consider that they are mother...

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...

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...

While I and so many more are truly upset and angered by the events in Sanford, Florida, none of us wish to disrespect Trayvon’s family, Zimmerman’s family or the numerous officials in Sanford who are now trying to clean up a mess created by a select few.   What angers me more are those who think that the only way to get justice is on the other end of a gun? Recently six shots were fired into an empty police car in Sanford and for those individuals who believe this is just, they are wrong.   All this does is add fuel to the fire and instead of us using this moment as a teaching moment, addressing all those long standing issues and working to bring an end to this separate justice system we now have.   We have a golden opportunity to finally get issues which has plagued the African-American community and so many other communities out in the open and possibly solved.   We do not need the 10 percent who thrives better when there are divisions. We must not be deter...

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?   ...

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., ...

I was pleased to finally see that George Zimmerman and his Family was beginning to put together a defense team because this signals, for me, his inevitable arrest.   Now we will get a chance to hear all of the evidence, for and against, instead of being spoon-fed tidbits here and there from the media.   This reminds me of the O.J. Simpson Trial where what we were hearing from the media, formed our decisions of guilt or innocence only to now learn that some of us was correct in assuming that O.J. was innocent and covering for someone else.   Many of us had him guilty and still today would repeat the same.   Many are assuming that George Zimmerman really has no case of self-defense.   I personally, take the stand that Mr. Zimmerman will be found guilty of murder but before he goes down, he will take many in the Sanford Police Department with him. I look for his defense team to reflect the blame of this travesty of justice from Zimmerman to those in the San...

As an African-American male, I know firsthand how it feels to be eyed more than others as you enter shop and leave any store.   I know how it feels to hear others remark about your style of dress as if they can tell what type of person you are by the way you dress.   I have dressed in suits and been told that I look like a preacher or dressed causal only to be asked if I had any drugs to sell.   It’s the same as recently being told that my facial expressions and manner of speaking makes me appear angry while the guy sitting next to me who were as animated as I was seemed more passionate.   It did not go unnoticed that the guy sitting next to me was white.   These and so many more instances makes anyone wonder why I can be assumed to be angry, a preacher or a drug dealer while others dressed as I am are passionate and looks like a business man or lawyer. Still the use of the word racism bothers me when it is used.   It, like the “n” word is not an an...