JustAnotherGen
JustAnotherGen's JournalJordan Davis Murder Trial thread
Post in LBN yesterday by another DUer for highest level information - http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=717136 I.E. Trial Underway
Jury Selection is now underways -
http://www.hlntv.com/video/2014/02/03/jury-selection-underway-michael-dunn-trial
Dunn is accused of shooting and killing Davis after an argument over loud music in a gas station parking lot in Jacksonville, Florida. Dunn claims the teen was threatening him, and he shot Davis in self-defense. Police never found a weapon on Davis or in the SUV he was in.
Before opening statements begin next week, HLN is taking a look back at everything that has led up to this moment, including stepping into Dunn's world behind bars. Twenty-five of his jailhouse letters have been released to the public, according to Jacksonville's WTEV.
While claiming in a letter to his grandmother that he's not a racist, Dunn repeatedly refers to Davis and his friends as thugs, and in a letter to his daughter he talks about how "the jail is full of blacks and they All act like thugs."
Quotes from his letters to his grandmother at Huffpo
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/18/jordan-davis-shooter-michael-dunn_n_4123805.html
Excerpts from Letter(s) to Grandma
The jail is full of blacks and they all act like thugs. This may sound a bit radical but if more people would arm themselves and kill these (expletive) idiots, when they're threatening you, eventually they may take the hint and change their behavior.
I'm really not prejudiced against race, but I have no use for certain cultures. This gangster-rap, ghetto talking thug 'culture' that certain segments of society flock to is intolerable. They espouse violence and disrespect towards women. The black community here in Jacksonville is in an uproar against me -- the three other thugs that were in the car are telling stories to cover up their true "colors."
I am amazed at what is going on with the way the media has been covering this case. Their [sic] have been several other shootings here in Jacksonville, yet they are all either black-on-black or black-on-white, and none of them have garnered any attention from the media. I guess it's news when someone dares to not to be a victim, but they are twisting it around sand saying I was the "bad guy."
That last quote - 'When someone dares to not be a victim' - I guess we'll have to wait and see until the evidence is released but as I understand it -
There were three other men in the car.
Not one of them had a gun.
There were other witnesses at the gas station.
He was not threatened - just a drunk.
They (he and his female partner) ran from the scene of the crime. Even the Zimpig stuck around. That's right - even the Zimpig stuck around.
Thought I would start this for anyone wishing to discuss but maybe bruised a little around the psyche from the Trayvon Martin Murder Trial.
Two Black Women Walk Into The Grocery Store . . .
A joke does not follow. This is posted at CrackingTheCodes.org - a brief four minutes - in her shoes . . . Skin . . . Neighborhood.
What I love about this - her sister in law who appears white understood what was happening. My mother or husband or best friend would have said the same thing her sister in law did.They would honor the experience and use it as a way to teach someone something about the policies and practices and social construct they live in . . that allow these things to happen.
Jordan Davis' murderer settles civil suit with his parents
http://www.news4jax.com/news/civil-lawsuits-against-michael-dunn-settled/-/475880/23767940/-/v61iacz/-/index.htmlIn a text, John Phillips wrote: "We made an offer to settle both cases against Michael Dunn - 1) the estate of Jordan Davis' case and 2) the case of two boys we represent. They accepted the offer in full. We cannot disclose the offer at this time, but it resolved all civil suits in principle."
Jordan Davis' parents filed a civil suit against Dunn in January of 2013. In the lawsuit they claimed Dunn and his lawyers made several defamatory claims, including claims of Davis and his friends having a gun belonging to a gang or destroying any physical evidence that proves Dunn's innocence. Davis' family said they wanted to restore their son's reputation.
Dunn's criminal trial is scheduled to start on February 3. We'll continue to follow this story and bring you much more throughout the weekend.
Now - onto the Criminal Trial on February 3rd.
ETA - this guy is a real beaut! His attorney must just love him.
http://newsone.com/2742724/jordan-davis-michael-dunn
Dunn Quotes:
The jail is full of blacks and they all act like thugs. This may sound a bit radical but if more people would arm themselves and kill these (expletive) idiots, when theyre threatening you, eventually they may take the hint and change their behavior.
The fear is that we may get a predominately black jury and therefore, unlikely to get a favorable verdict. Sad, but thats where this country is still at. The good news is that the surrounding counties are predominately white and Republican and supporters of gun rights.
Yes I Shot That Kid - Brian Cloninger
Thanks to skidmore for posting this in G.D.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023609885
8 year old little boy is shot by a 46 year old man .. .
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/09/06/white-dallas-man-shoots-8-year-old-black-boy-in-the-face-as-he-plays-tag/
Dallas police said that Donald Maiden Jr., who had just celebrated his 8th birthday on Sunday, was playing tag outside his apartment complex on Tuesday. According to his grandmother, Maiden ran inside to get some toys and was shot as came back outside.
Witnesses told police that 46-year-old Brian Cloninger had been seen waiving a handgun at people prior to the shooting, The Dallas Morning News reported.
Police reports said that Cloninger was seen standing beside his pickup truck as the boy was bleeding, and a witness asked him if he shot the boy.
Motive? Only motive I can see is he is an asshooooooooooooooole.
I'm beginning to think Dems outside of NJ are all about Christie
I know we don't have a lot of activity back here - but if Democratic Underground - with highly aware Liberals and Progressives are so about Christie and willing to give him a free pass - no wonder the national Democratic Leadership thinks they can get away with ignoring this election.
There is nothing Walker did, says, believes that Chris Christie doesn't.
So why do you guys think they are so willing and ready to say "But he did one good thing once so he's unstoppable."
If he is the 2016 anointed one - does this mean we are now in play as a battleground state?
Why does a discussion of racism (as it relates to black Americans) always dissolve . . .
Into a discussion about ALL the many ways whites Americans, Canadian Americans, Europeans to Europeans were ALSO treated?
Reference this 350 reply thread (at the time of this posting)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023422027
I'm not just talking about at DU - I'm talking in general - in the entire world. But that's one example.
Why most NON African Americans - folks outside of the 'slave ancestor experience' always DIMINISH our experience with ancient 'Tribal' fights amongst Europeans? Why not start a new thread for those discussions?
Is it yet another form of subtle racism/white supremacy? I.E. - Another case of "I can't honor YOUR experience at all let alone see HOW we are different and HOW your life/race experience in America has shaped you because well - I'm Dominant So There!"
I'm looking at two posters
On that thread - and yes - I read and responded to it the other day - then tossed it aside . . .
And notice - who on there that 'CONTROLLED' the Trayvon Martin court case discussion threads are on there yet again?
I'm telling you -the one that as of today is just hovering around 1000K posts gives me the creeps. Like I wouldn't be surprised if he was sent over here by Storm Front. I think the racists are much more sophisticated than we give them credit for.
It's all part of 'chipping away' at people to recruit them for their cause.
Just look at those to Trayvon Discussion Controllers on that thread - and tell me I'm not right. But those two are VERY good and it's going to take a great deal of little pin pricks to get them a pizza delivery.
Trayvon Martin and I Ain't Sh*t
Note at the top of the New Yorker Article - and background on the author: The following essay is an adaptation of a Facebook post by Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson in response to George Zimmerman's acquittal in the killing of Trayvon Martin. Questlove is the drummer for the Roots and the bandleader on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon.http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/07/questlove-trayvon-martin-and-i-aint-shit.html
The humor comes in that I thought she was on my floor because she never acknowledged my floor request. (She was also bangin', so inside I was like, "Dayuuuuuuuuuuum, she lives on my floor? *bow chicka wowow*!" Instantly I was on some "What dessert am I welcome-committee-ing her with?" Anywho, the door opens, and I waited to let her off first because I am a gentleman. (Old me would've rushed first, thus not putting me in the position to have to follow her, God forbid if she, too, makes a left and it seems like I'm following her.) So door opens and I flirt, "Ladies first." She says, "This is not my floor." Then I assume she is missing her building card, so I pulled my card out to try to press her floor yet again. She says, "That's okay."
Then it hit me: "Oh God, she purposely held that information back." The door closed. It was a "pie in the face" moment. I laughed at it. Sort of.
Inside I cried. But if I cried at every insensitive act that goes on in the name of safety, I'd have to be committed to a psych ward. I've just taught myself throughout the years to just accept it and maybe even see it as funny. But it kept eating at me (Well, I guess she never watched the show My English was super clear I called her "ma'am" like I was Webster Those that know you know that you're cool, but you definitely know that you are a walking
If you aren't familiar with his writing - he's a good a read. He lends humor to the experiences of black men - but at the same time - shows . . . you know what?
Does anyone EVER think that their prejudices might HURT someone at an emotional and human dignity level? He also shows in this piece - you know what? It's not always about you! I was just trying to level up in Candy Crush.
But who started the culture war
I'm the daughter of a man who did not feel it was safe to move back to Talladega Alabama with his white wife and two bi-racial children after distinguished military service as a US Army Captain and Green Beret -
In 1978.
It really did NOT come from the media. It started when I was 3 years old and living in Weisbaden, West Germany. A guy was running for President in 1976. His name was Ronald Reagan. He related to a group of Mississippi Voters the story of this welfare queen . . . from the 'South Side of Chicago'. South Side of Chicago in 1976 AND now is code word for 'black people'. It came from ONE side and ONLY ONE SIDE that did it - the Republicans. They've told this lie over and over and over and over again.
It's the 'reality' that many white Americans know - REGARDLESS of their region. They believe it. And they are the power structure in the South. You have pockets of liberalism and inclusion - but Atlanta and Austin aren't enough to make the change.
There are moves to disenfranchise minorities going on in the south. I wait and hold my breath that the SCOTUS is not going to send ALL of us to the back of bus. But if they let the 'South' have their way - that's what is going to happen . .. to all of us. Check out what went down in Philadelphia this past Presidential Election. It's like a 1956 time warp.
There is also a move from ONE side - NOT the media - to undo what the Civil Rights Era DID. And that was to assert the authority of the Federal Government. And their efforts are already working - have you seen who my Governor is lately? And what he stands for? And who voted for him? It's a very Everyone For Themselves State of Mind in NJ lately.
Point blank - I'm supporting someone other than Booker in our Primary as a matter of principle. No doubt - he (Booker) will win the General Election. I will be canvassing and making calls for both he and Barbara Buono (Gov Race - solid progressive - knows first hand poverty and working ones way up from it). If I knock on the door and show your map in Camden, Newark, Jersey City, the Oranges, Atlantic City - I will get the door slammed in my face.
It won't work to get Booker elected to the US Senate - and I need to be able to sneak Buono info in on that canvassing. It won't resonate to a poor black single mother living in Jersey City. It simply won't.
You know how you are on a plane - and the flight crew is giving safety information. And they tell you about the oxygen masks?
Put yours on your face first and then help others. Well -I'm doing AOK in this economy. Seriously. So I first have to turn to the people in the seat next to me and help them get their oxygen masks on. Then I can move up the front of the plane and help those folks.
I truly believe poverty has to be addressed in the WEALTHIEST states in order to provide a roadmap for the poorer states. We have the means to help those down the road from us and in the 'shadows' of wealth. We can do it WITHOUT needing ANY help from members of the House or Senate from the South that might for instance -
Want to attach rules around school lunch programs and backpack programs (food for the weekend) about gender roles being taught in the classroom. Or prayer taught in the classroom. Or limiting abortion rights for teachers in public schools while making rules that they must be fired if they have a child out of wedlock.
We can do it here without the onus of the Moral Majority and Christian Coalition. And until the South realizes that Christie and Scott Brown aside - we are rejecting anything to do with God and Morality in the public sector in our neck of the woods -it's going to be very hard to come to agreement.
I'm not saying what you have posted is a pipe dream. I just don't think it can happen Right Now - at this minute. It's just not going to happen. I supported Edwards in 2008 because he actually said the word Loud and Proud: Poverty. But without a champion for it Nationally - I can't wait for that . . . I've got hungry people coming to the Bound Brook NJ Food Bank this Saturday and I've got to worry about my neighbors first. I'm sorry.
NJ Special Election Could Hurt Democratic Voter Turn Out in October AND November
Yeah - I'm pretty ticked. We the tax payers of NJ are being asked to fund Republican Political games at a cost of up to $24 Million dollars.
Really trying to find the cost to JUST add a few names to the November ballot as opposed to doing everything from the print/mail of the Sample Ballot to finding Poll Workers 2 months in a row.
Any DU'ers in outside of NJ who have experienced this? I.E. Back to back elections? Are you in a defined by the media Red or Blue State? Real time experience?
I'm a GOTV'er and will volunteering on both the Gov and Senate race - as well as volunteering for my preferred primary candidate.
Chances of voter fatigue by us coming through several times?
The poll finds that Democrats are more likely to opt for voting in the October Senate race over Novembers gubernatorial and legislative election. If forced to choose to vote in only one election, 73% of likely New Jersey voters say they would cast their ballot in the regular general election to 20% who prefer the special Senate election. Democrats (26%) are more likely than Republicans (14%) to choose the special election.
Low turnout normally benefits a Republican, so the Democratic nominee will need a boost from supporters more interested in the Senate race to maintain the partys normal edge in Garden State elections, said Murray. This could also translate to fewer Democratic voters in November, which will serve to pump up Gov. Christies already daunting lead.
New Jersey voters, specifically those likely to show up at one or both of this falls elections, are not particularly happy with the governors decision to call a special election to fill the vacant Senate seat, he added. Just 30% of likely voters approve of this decision to 42% who disapprove, while 24% say it doesnt really matter to them. Seven-in-ten likely voters (70%) say they have heard that this series of special elections could cost the state up to $24 million and 75% say that this cost bothers them. Only 18% are not bothered by the cost of running these extra elections. Nearly two-thirds of likely voters (65%) say it would be better to vote for U.S. Senate on the same day as the November governors election. Just 23% prefer holding the Senate ballot at a separate election.
Read more at http://www.politickernj.com/66395/monmouth-university-poll-christies-numbers-versus-bookers-numbers#ixzz2W6aTr66T
or sign up for a free trial of State Street Wire at http://www.politickernj.com/freetrial
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