The Verdict

I remember watching the OJ verdict. I had watched the trial pretty closely as I was on the job at the time and a rookie and still learning the ropes. The OJ trial was like a primer in "what NOT to do" as you processed the crime scene. I still remember seeing them doing certain things at the scene in the news footage and slapping my palm to my head and saying, "Nooooooooooo!"

Did I feel OJ was guilty? Yup.
Did I like the verdict? Nope.
Did I UNDERSTAND IT? Yup.
Was I angry? No. Disappointed in the crime scene guys that did such a piss poor job and super not impressed with Mark Furman (sp?) but I wasn't angry. Profound disappointment, yes. But that's the system. It's why you have to be on your game and do your job and do it well. I can't tell you how many times I have documented something or proceeded with something keeping the "if this goes to court" in mind JUST IN CASE. I never want to be that person who screwed up and let the bad guy walk.

I am not going to say what my opinion is about the behavior of Martin or the behavior of Zimmerman. I honestly think it's a case of "there are three sides to every story: your side, my side, and the truth".

But, this is what I DO think: There was a legal requirement for the jury to comply with. Not an emotional one. A LEGEL one. Just as in the OJ case, no matter how bad you thought he did it or how much you wanted to hear guilty, if you agreed with the system and the law you knew in your heart that "not guilty" was the correct verdict based on the LAW.

I understand this is an emotional hot topic.

I understand there are individuals on BOTH sides trying to stir up things.

I understand that certain .....behavior was engaged in by people involved with the prosecution that could be questioned.

I also understand that someone is dead.

What I think disappoints me the most is that the reactions I am seeing are SO violent and I do not understand why certain people scream so loud that they know for a fact what was in another person's mind and heart.

Then I stopped....

And I really looked at what they were saying.

They are filled with hate and anger.

So they assume everyone else is also.

Classic projecting.

And so many of them "god fearing Christians".

How many "god fearing Christians" are going to riot?
How many "god fearing Christians" are going to loot?
How many "god fearing Christians" are going to assault others?
How many "god fearing Christians" are going to steal and vandalize stores that had nothing to do with this?
How many "god fearing Christians" are going to hurt others out of anger?
How many "god fearing Christians" are going to use this as an excuse to break any number of commandments?

I guess we shall see.

I used to say something to my youngest step son all the time. He would talk and talk and talk about how he would fix or improve his behavior but never did. I finally told him talk was cheap and I didn't want to hear it anymore. "Shut up and show me" I started to say. Anyone can make mouth noise but until you actually walk the walk, I ain't listening.

Shut up and show me.

So to all those who claim "they" aren't like "that".....all I have to say is, "Shut up and show me."

And if all you show me is a shit slinging frenzy of violence and anger and commandment breaking behavior.....then that's all you ever are and will be. Until you...

Shut up and show me.

Stop talking the talk and walk the walk.

I am so tired of all the people (and I mean every race, sex, creed, religion, gender, and insert personal variable here) I experience acting like three year old toddlers throwing tantrums when they don't get their way.

I can tell you that my number one thought when I saw the verdict (got an alert on my cell phone) was:

I AM SO GLAD I DON'T HAVE FACEBOOK!

Because now I will not be subjected to the ignorant mouth breathing masses who think they are armchair attorneys talking about this case. Screaming, ranting, raving, threatening, and tossing logic out the window like it was yesterday's baby's bathwater. Gah.

I could say I wish people would grow up, be responsible, and be logical and accept things with good grace but based on what I have seen of history I might as well as people to breath under water, fly like birds, and not blink when I throw a ball at their face.

Sigh.