Comments on: Florida ‘Stand Your Ground’ Panel Hears Emotional Testimony

By: Jesse

Jesse — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 01:33:14 +0000

Thank you David for clarifying what a vigilante is.
Doug why should decent people be forced to stay away from the mall theaters or other places most people like to go. I am all for a little vigilante action even under David’s definition.

Jesse for Decency

By: Bob hudson

Bob hudson — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 14:05:04 +0000

Well some folks just want to grab the tiger by the tail, I do agree with you on one thing, never , never, put your self , or love one’s in a bad situation.It is not our job to be the social police. Hey if they are drunk and rowdy, or strung out on drugs that is what the cell phone is for, and that would be what the police are for.But if it is a direct threat, and you are in danger, deal with the threat.Pulling a weapon is the very last resort, but if you must , then use it. and do it with out batting an eye.

By: Doug

Doug — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 20:33:13 +0000

Bob, Jesse & Doug… I agree with your inputs, but you are missing the point of my post. I’m all for an individual who is being attacked defending themselves (or their family/others in danger) even if it means using deadly force. I also believe those who “qualify” should be allowed to legally bear arms (I own weapons myself). The problem is more people are purchasing guns and gaining a false sense of confidence. Just because you have a weapon, doesn’t mean you have to use it as the first option or to retaliate because you got your butt whipped – yeah I know a good old fashioned fist fight died out in the early 80s. Trust me, if I felt I was about to be killed or seriously injured I would use a weapon to defend myself. Alternatively, if I’m in “town shopping and being forced to subject my wife and children to offensive language, lewd behavior and other offensive behavior by thugs and punks”, I know how to get in my vehicle and look for entertainment somewhere else. More times than I feel it’s worth, I see people confronting these malcontents (thugs) simply because they have a weapon in their possession or in close proximity. Is it really worth it? The life you save might be your own. “Real” thugs carry weapons – I don’t know about the punks.

By: David Huie Green

David Huie Green — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 02:28:42 +0000

REGARDING:
“A lot more innocent people are going to die before this vigilante mind-state is reversed.”

All innocent people die eventually since all people die eventually, but I understand you mean as a result of the “vigilante mind-state” leading to an early death.

Further, I understand few actually care what words mean , that what matters is what they mean them to mean and that everybody else is supposed to know what that is.

Nonetheless, I would like to point out that vigilante actions are not people failing to run away from bullies or defending themselves from attackers, but rather are non sanctioned reprisals against those thought to have committed crimes. Thus, a person defending himself from what he considers a threat to his person is not committing vigilante action whereas a person IS committing vigilante action when he tracks people down after the fact and kills them for a crime he THINKS they committed (whether they did or not).

David considering words and meanings

By: jesse

jesse — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 22:41:56 +0000

To: Doug
A lot more innocent people are going to die before this vigilante mind-state is reversed.

There was a certain amount of vigilante work done up until 40-50 years ago. Also during that time there was significantly less theft, robbery, sexual crimes, harassment of decent people by trash, less property damage and you could go to town shopping and not be forced to subject your wife and children to offensive language, lewd behavior and other offensive behavior by thugs and punks. Maybe that was because people were able to stand their ground and fight back. We have become a society that relies on police for all of our self defense. Unfortunately the good police and other law enforcement cannot be everywhere and are extremely busy. It is my opinion that a little vigilante work is necessary.

By: bob hudson

bob hudson — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 15:28:20 +0000

For got one thing, even if I do not have a gun, I am still going to(stand my ground)

By: bob hudson

bob hudson — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 15:24:11 +0000

I would say most of us who support this law(99.999999%) do not go out “looking” for a (confrontation ) But IF it does,(and I pray it never does) no I will (not back down) as you say, I will stand my ground and if at all possible, make this person sorry they ever took up a life of crime.IT is my God given right to protect myself,my family and others.I would rather go down fighting than submit to some cheap thug who is going to do it again. That is what anti-gunners hate, independence and back bone. By the way a cell phone is a lousy weapon.

By: Doug

Doug — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 14:31:16 +0000

A good lawyer can make it sound like you’ve been threatened or felt your life was in danger. It’s like “homemade reasonable doubt” and that’s all you need in a criminal case. The state has been unsuccessful (or unwilling to continue) dealing with the thug culture, so they are allowing citizens to take care of the problem. With the current laws, you can kill just about anyone and an experienced lawyer can eliminate or minimize the possibility of conviction. It’s best to avoid confrontations if at all possible. I know the spirit of the law is to “Stand Your Ground”, but the interpretation is more often becoming “Don’t Back Down”. A lot more innocent people are going to die before this vigilante mind-state is reversed.

By: David Huie Green

David Huie Green — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 14:16:33 +0000

REGARDING:
“The only witness, Conner’s wife, supported his claim, but Standard’s family has insisted that Conner was the aggressor.”

Since they know what went on before, they are quite possibly right. The problem lies in the fact they are NOT witnesses to what happened at the time of the shooting.
Conner may have provoked it.
Connor may have shot him in cold blood.
“May have” isn’t the basis for a conviction.

David for reliable witnesses

By: Just Me

Just Me — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 14:10:40 +0000

It’s amazing to me that the good law abiding citizens are to be put in jeopardy because a bunch of gang thugs and drug addicts that don’t like the fact that they get shot down. To bad….stop bothering the rest of us and you won’t need to worry. I’ll stand my ground so it’s best to stay far away from my family, my home and myself. Got it?