OKAY, ENOUGH ALREADY!

All this protesting about the black Trayvon Martin being killed by the Hispanic neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman who was acquitted of second degree murder and manslaughter being some kind of racial violence has gone far enough. No, it's already gone far to far. Protest rallies have been held all across the nation, including right here in Hall County! A jury has unanimously spoken.<br /> One of the jurors said they looked hard for any evidence anywhere that would justify a conviction and that all six cried when they couldn't find any. I took that to mean they really wanted to convict, but they ultimately agreed they couldn't find sufficient evidence to overcome a reasonable doubt as required for a conviction. While there were some disputed issues, look at the overwhelming evidence.<br /> One key piece is that there had been a number of home thefts (even a few home invasions) in the neighborhood. That's why the neighborhood was using volunteer watchmen like Zimmerman who wasn't the only one working that way. Another key piece was the playing of a recording of Zimmerman's cell phone when he called the police. Trayvon's race wasn't even mentioned until an officer on the phone asked what race and Zimmerman answered. It wasn't a racial issue at all. The only thing Zimmerman may have done wrong was not staying in his car as the police advised, not commanded.<br /> Who attacked whom? That is disputed as is in the deadly struggle who was on top. While both sides claimed their side was on bottom, more than one witness testified that the one on top was wearing a dark jacket. Trayvon was the only one wearing a dark jacket. Zimmerman testified that Trayvon attacked him and was on top of him beating his head on the concrete. That explanation is fully confirmed by the blood on his head and on the pavement. He said he thought Trayvon either had a gun or was trying to take his, claiming the shooting was in self defense.<br /> This is allowed under Florida's "Stand your ground" law. At least a quarter of the other states have similar laws. The only reasonable debate may be whether such laws should even be on the books. It is law until repealed or declared unconstitutional. Efforts appear to be underway to do that.<br /> At this point let's give the Obama Administration's black Attorney General Eric Holder the benefit of any doubt. He said he was going to research the laws and see if there were any grounds for prosecuting Zimmerman again under federal law. I've seen some columns and heard some comments from attorneys that Holder may be using this time primarily to let things cool off and get off the front pages.<br /> President Obama didn't help calm the situation any when he weighed in on it saying he could have been like Trayvon in his neighborhood. He may not have meant it that way but that's how it came out (taking sides) to most people.<br /> I'm not an attorney but it seems to me state law prevails until overturned by a higher court such as U.S. District Court or even Supreme Court. Of course Trayvon's family and supporters have the right to appeal as far as they can. It would surprise me if such efforts succeeded. I think it'd be a waste of time and money.<br /> I don't know the Florida law but the family might succeed in getting some financial compensation for the death through a civil suit if the law permits it.<br /> This death was a tragedy but not criminal.<br /> On another front, I'm really worried the "hawks" of the Tea Party are slowly but surely destroying the Republican Party and giving the Democrats a full generation of control. The key here is Hispanic. They're now the second biggest minority block and growing fast and voting overwhelming Democrat. A number have served and are serving in our military including in combat zones. <br /> The reality is that Hispanics are near a perfect fit for the Republican Party. Their family values and work ethics mirror the GOP. The Republican party should be welcoming them and (1) quit wasting time and money building fences; (2) breaking up families including babies born here who was citizens; (3) start providing a path to ultimate citizenship. I have proposed one possible approach.<br /> Grant automatic citizenship to the parents and children of Hispanics killed in action defending our country. If they are going to sacrifice their lives for us, that's the least we can do. I say this as a retired Air Force officer.<br /> Second, give Hispanic soldiers "residency credit" for each year they've served to a maximum of 6-8 of the required 10 years. Third, require them to become fluent in the English language.<br /> Third give all residents, military or not, who have no felony convictions a green card to stay here and work until they're eligible to apply for citizenship.<br /> Fourth, require those families (not individuals unless the individual was alone without a family) who were illegal entrants to pay a fine for each year they were here with automatic expulsion if found and proven to be false information.<br /> We Republicans have two paths to choose. One, give the Democratic Party a long term political control. Two, bring those who are a natural fit for our party into it and give the nation a true competitive political system like we had for so long but are slowly losing.<br /> A quick update. I wrote previously about a successful way, (based on a Texas-based way of privatizing Social Security over a long period of time that in the long run will save billions and gradually increase benefits as much as 8 times with balances not ending with death or survivors' deaths but leaving benefits to heirs.<br /> I gave our Congressman Doug Collins who's a member of our church a copy of the Texas plan with a way to implement it. He has assigned it to his staff to research it and fit it into language that could be used as a legislative bill. This will take a little time but we want to do it right.<br /> Ted Oglesby. <br />

http://accesswdun.com/article/2013/7/263755