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[The Librarian]

"You know, when Trayvon Martin was first shot, I said that this could have been my son. Another way of saying that is, Trayvon Martin could have been me 35 years ago," Obama said during an unannounced appearance at the White House press briefing. "And when you think about why in the African-American community at least there is a lot of pain around what happened here, I think it's important to recognize that the African-American community is looking at this issue through a set of experiences and a history that doesn't go away. There are very few African-American in this country who haven't had the experience of being followed when they were shopping in a department store. That includes me.​

More here.

"For those who resist that idea that we should think about something like these stand your ground laws, I just ask people to consider if Trayvon Martin was of age and armed could he have stood his ground on that sidewalk?" Obama asked during a surprise appearance at the White House press briefing room. "And do we actually think that he would have been justified in shooting Mr. Zimmerman who had followed him in a car because he felt threatened? And if the answer to that question is at least ambiguous, then it seems to me that we might want to examine those kinds of laws."​

And here.

Edit: Video here.

 

[cafemomo]

He should really stay out of this.

 

[Karsticles]

Someone how I doubt that would upset most of the people happy about the outcome of that case.

 

[SquiddyCracker]

He is right in the laws being the problem primarily.
Sure, racism probably played a part, but the laws themselves need to change.

 

[DrFunk]

He should really stay out of this.

Seriously.

 

[xnipx]

He should really stay out of this.

Seriously.

Why should he??

 

[Fugu]

He should really stay out of this.

Why? If there's anyone who should be in this, it's the president.

 

[Amory]

He should really stay out of this.

yeah.

 

[empty vessel]

He should really stay out of this.

No, he shouldn't. It's important that he talk about it. It's important that we all talk about it.

 

[Count Dookkake]

He should really stay out of this.

You should really stay out of this.

 

[Marion Cobretti]

He should really stay out of this.

How do you figure? He's the president after all. Is this some how none of his business?

He should totally voice his opinion on the matter.

 

[Ohnonono]

The sort of real talk you would never get if he had to worry about being re-elected. That said conservatives are going to go super nuts about it.

 

[Pie and Beans]

Please also examine the "carrying a gun a public and not a member of law enforcement" laws as well. Because thats how you take away people like Zimmerman's chance to gun someone down in public.

 

[akira28]

He should really stay out of this.

And the fact that he isn't is why he is the man that he is.

 

[DominoKid]

Obama keeping it too real.

 

[Bit-Bit]

He should really stay out of this.

You stay out of it.

 

[Anbokr]

He should really stay out of this.

Why? It's his second term and he feels powerfully about this. The more we reflect about the core issues surrounding the whole tragedy that is the Trayvon Martin case, the better off we'll be as a society. A president or popular figure sharing their reflections or experiences on the case sheds more light and brings more focus on something that needs to be remembered and not forgotten.

 

[BLACKLAC]

President laying down truth.

 

[BertramCooper]

The sort of real talk you would never get if he had to worry about being re-elected. That said conservatives are going to go super nuts about it.

Just wait for one of them to say, "I wish Obama had been Trayvon Martin."

 

[Bulbo Urethral Baggins]

Is this for real?
This man is even dumber than I thought.

 

[notworksafe]

Please also examine the "carrying a gun a public and not a member of law enforcement" laws as well. Because thats how you take away people like Zimmerman's chance to gun someone down in public.

No thanks.

 

[mightynine]

Positive: It's a honest discussion from someone who has dealt with a similar situation.

Negative: Now conserv-a-world will go ballistic again about this, clouding the discussion to point of uselessness.

 

[bobeth]

He should really stay out of this.

It's as much his business as it's yours, except his opinion can actually make things change..

 

[JordanLMiller]

He should really stay out of this.

I think he should stand his ground.

 

[TangoAlphaLima]

Please also examine the "carrying a gun a public and not a member of law enforcement" laws as well. Because thats how you take away people like Zimmerman's chance to gun someone down in public.

You mean the Constitution. Specifically the Second Amendment, as interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court. As in, will require a constitutional amendment to revoke. Good luck with that...

 

[gutter_trash]

He should really stay out of this.

the Federal should take over crappy state cases that are still abides by Confederate laws.

The North won, the country should be under Federal law IMO

 

[octagon69]

He should really stay out of this.

Why's that? His opinion doesn't matter? People who already hate his guts will hate him more?

Maybe Obama doesn't want more Black youths to be followed, confronted and shot. Maybe he doesn't want it to happen to his future grandsons. Who knows?

 

[Aristion]

He should really stay out of this.

Last time I checked, Obama was black.

 

[Kevtones]

Overly politicized issue getting more politicized.



Do the work Obama, don't talk about it.

 

[casabolg]

Why? If there's anyone who should be in this, it's the president.

This post slays me.

 

[Dash27]

No, he shouldn't. It's important that he talk about it. It's important that we all talk about it.

Talk about it sure, politicize it and discuss irrelevant details like SYG no.

If he's going to do that better to stay out of it.

 

[ezekial45]

That last quote really hit the nail on the head. Well said.

 

[~Devil Trigger~]

Well the prez have Marijuana in his History too soo.... yea

 

[Marion Cobretti]

Positive: It's a honest discussion from someone who has dealt with a similar situation.

Negative: Now conserv-a-world will go ballistic again about this, clouding the discussion to point of uselessness.

Cause they haven't already? I may not be the biggest fan of the president, but I'm so fed up with all the bullshit the republicans are giving him, I really wish he would tell them to shove it already.

 

[Mr_Antimatter]

Is this for real?
This man is even dumber than I thought.

Point out where what he said was false or misleading then.

 

[TangoAlphaLima]

the Federal should take over crappy state cases that are still abides by Confederate laws.

The North won, the country should be under Federal law IMO

WTF does this even mean? Wow, so delusional.

 

[Jangocube]

He should really stay out of this.

This story keeps people from focusing on the NSA stuff. He really needs this story to keep going.

 

[Appleman]

I think his response is a reasonable one. He clearly is saddened by the loss, as we all should be, but understands that the verdict was lawful, and that the laws should be more closely examined.

 

[BertramCooper]

I think it's now safe to say that Obama has officially lost George Zimmerman's vote for reelection to his third term.

 

[DrFunk]

Why should he??

Because I'd rather him do something about it than talk about it. I don't disagree with what he said, though.

Better than nothing, I guess.

edit: I know talking is doing

 

[TheOMan]

He should really stay out of this.

Because?

This story keeps people from focusing on the NSA stuff. He really needs this story to keep going.

LOL, this is probably truer than we realize.

 

[ivysaur12]

This story keeps people from focusing on the NSA stuff. He really needs this story to keep going.

I think I have some extra tinfoil in my kitchen if you're out.

 

[gutter_trash]

WTF does this even mean? Wow, so delusional.

some state laws are 19th Century-ish, the Federal should have priority whenever State Laws are stoopid

 

[Mr_Antimatter]

Overly politicized issue getting more politicized.



Do the work Obama, don't talk about it.

He's not a dictator, he can't make new laws or revise current ones.

 

[Oppo]

The sort of real talk you would never get if he had to worry about being re-elected. That said conservatives are going to go super nuts about it.

That will be a nice change of pace. They are usually so calm and measured.

 

[Frank the Great]

Positive: It's a honest discussion from someone who has dealt with a similar situation.

Negative: Now conserv-a-world will go ballistic again about this, clouding the discussion to point of uselessness.

I feel the same way. I enjoy seeing Barry-O dropping truth bombs, and I will enjoy even more the conservative faux outrage over this.

 

[Deified Data]

Ahh! Race baiting! Do you see? Do you see?

Our country's unwillingness to accept and discuss the racial aspect of this crime is what led to the verdict we got. It should be addressed in as many ways by as many people as possible.

Do the work Obama, don't talk about it.

Why not both?

 

[Lissar]

I am glad he is making a statement about this. I'd rather he says what he feels about something that hits so close to home rather than just clam up and not risk rocking the boat.

 

[KuwabaraTheMan]

I don't usually agree with Obama, but I'm glad he said this. These are things which needed to be said, and it's a conversation which has to be had.

You mean the Constitution. Specifically the Second Amendment, as interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court. As in, will require a constitutional amendment to revoke. Good luck with that...

Are these people parts of state militias? I wasn't aware of that.

 

[BruiserBear]

He should really stay out of this.

Yup