Originally Posted By dshyates In a new wrinkle to FL ''stand your ground' law, a south FL judge has determined that chasing someone more than a block then stabbing them in the back is actually "Standing Your Ground". ABSOLUTELY UNFREAKIN' BELIEVABLE!!!!!!! <a href="http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2012/03/miami-judge-back-stabbing-allowed-under-stand-your-ground.html" target="_blank">http://miamiherald.typepad.com...und.html</a>
Originally Posted By dshyates <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/03/22/149153379/stand-your-ground-miami-judge-decides-fatal-stabbing-was-self-defense" target="_blank">http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetw...-defense</a>
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Yea, but the sumbitch stole a WHOLE CASE of my Pabst Blue Ribbon. What the hell was I SUPPOSED to do???
Originally Posted By RoadTrip But of course since both attacker and victim were Hispanic, no one really gave a shit. No demonstrations for THAT guy.
Originally Posted By dshyates Now that the Judge threw out the case I bet there will be a lot more attention to this case also. As evidenced by the fact that it is now getting some national media attention. This case isn't over yet. The State Atty is appealing the case.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip We will see. From my admittedly limited experience, I think there is a fair amount of resentment towards Hispanics in Florida... more so than there is towards Blacks.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Really depends on what part of the state. My community is nearly 50% Latin and you don't see or hear about much in the way of harassment or bigotry.
Originally Posted By dshyates I believe that the bigotry against Hispanics here in FL has decreased a lot since the Miami Vice days.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Demographics are changing. From the Broward County/Palm Beach County line south to the Keys I think it is safe to say that you are just as likely to hear Spanish as you are English when you walk around in public. Here is a whole other problem with the Florida Legislature: Not only are we pretty Red, as in very Conservative and tending to side with the NRA amongst others but we are also pretty Green, in that the Legislature if full of inexperience. The citizens of Florida voted for term limits a number of years ago and we are starting to see the effects of that as inexperienced Legislatures outnumber the old guard. Some would say that is a good thing but that inexperience leads to a knowledge gap that I believe is playing a role in things like poorly written legislation. We've got a real mess down here, that is for sure.
Originally Posted By tiggertoo I'm just waiting for the first Bush doctrine case i.e., a preemptive strike.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder "Here is a whole other problem with the Florida Legislature: Not only are we pretty Red, as in very Conservative and tending to side with the NRA amongst others but we are also pretty Green, in that the Legislature if full of inexperience." Term limits have merit, but it's one of the primary factors harming California right now. Limiting service to two terms makes for constant turnover and turmoil, threats of repeal this and repeal that, and contributes to budget problems when things get changed so often. Moreover, you get people in office who are clueless, and by the time the well meaning clueless learn the ropes, they're termed out.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper I will admit that I was a proponent of term limits. But, I've now seen the downside both in local and state politics and I should have listened to the other side. It has set Florida back considerably in the matter of just a decade.
Originally Posted By mawnck We have term limits. They're called "elections". Term limits were created by and for people who can't win elections in the traditional manner.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Well, I'm not sure about that. There is something to be said for an incumbent having a huge advantage in terms of access to money/lobbyists, name recognition, and a lazy electorate. But, the problems being created seem to outweigh the other issues at this point.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder Are there any places that don't limit terms to just two? Maybe four or five would be better.
Originally Posted By fkurucz I wonder how long until there is a "Stand your ground" incident on Disney Property? Unless they install metal detectors or pat guests down it won't be too hard to smuggle a firearm into the parks. Inspecting diaper bags and backpacks won't cut it. If Zimmerman walks (and I believe he will) I wouldn't be surprised if there was a Rodney King type reaction in Florida, and especially in Otown.
Originally Posted By Terminus Live in Florida? Don't like that kid down the street? Here are 3 easy and legal steps to get rid of that kid. Step 1 - Call 911 and say he's acting weird and might be on drugs. Step 2 - Yell STOP! as you chase him down the block with the weapon of your choice. Step 3 - Kill him even if he is unarmed and begs for mercy. Problem sovled!
Originally Posted By fkurucz ^^^Bottom line, that's the gist of it. Needless to say, I don't plan to set foot in the Sunshine State as long as this madness is allowed.
Originally Posted By mawnck >>and a lazy electorate<< Lazy electorates are entitled to have their votes count too.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper They may be entitled but I think it blows. If you can't educate yourself on the candidates or the issues then stay out of the polls. Now to be fair, another problem is the way ballot questions are written these days. I consider myself an educated voter and there are times when I really have to do some research to see if I'm voting for or against a bill.
