Chicago vs Florida Shootings
Mar 22nd 2012, 12:37 pm
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2011
Location: Dallas, Texas
Posts: 50
Chicago vs Florida Shootings
While the shooting of Trayvon Martin was, obviously, a terrible loss of a young life, surely the story would be overshadowed by the Chicago shootings this weekend?
In Chicago between 5pm Friday and 6am Monday 49 people were shot, ten of them fatally, including an innocent six year old girl. I find it vaguely unsettling that there is an instant call for justice from Rev. Al Sharpton etc. marches in New York and Miami and a huge media hullaballoo but virtually nothing about 49 shootings in Chicago!
In Chicago between 5pm Friday and 6am Monday 49 people were shot, ten of them fatally, including an innocent six year old girl. I find it vaguely unsettling that there is an instant call for justice from Rev. Al Sharpton etc. marches in New York and Miami and a huge media hullaballoo but virtually nothing about 49 shootings in Chicago!
Mar 22nd 2012, 1:48 pm
#2
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,543
Re: Chicago vs Florida Shootings
I'd not heard about the Chicago shootings until I saw this post. Surely the point about the Florida incident is that the shooter still has his gun permit and has not been charged with a crime because he says he shot in self defense, which brings into question any fatal shooting where there is no witness....
Mar 22nd 2012, 1:56 pm
#3
He/him
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: WA
Posts: 18,837
Re: Chicago vs Florida Shootings
Just been discussing this (or similar).
We were talking about the comparative lack of attention that black on black shootings get, that this boy may have to fear from gun crime whatever neighbourhood he is in.
I agree with Robin, in Florida, he still has his gun, even with the law allowing self-defence, it seems ludicrous that it can be used as defence for shooting an unarmed boy who you are following, armed, against police (or dispatcher) direction.
With two armed individuals in a shoot out, there would seem to be no law violated as they would both fear for their lives. I am guessing in Chicago all the shootings would be considered crimes, is that true?
We were talking about the comparative lack of attention that black on black shootings get, that this boy may have to fear from gun crime whatever neighbourhood he is in.
I agree with Robin, in Florida, he still has his gun, even with the law allowing self-defence, it seems ludicrous that it can be used as defence for shooting an unarmed boy who you are following, armed, against police (or dispatcher) direction.
With two armed individuals in a shoot out, there would seem to be no law violated as they would both fear for their lives. I am guessing in Chicago all the shootings would be considered crimes, is that true?
Mar 22nd 2012, 2:23 pm
#4
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2011
Location: Dallas, Texas
Posts: 50
Re: Chicago vs Florida Shootings
I'd not heard about the Chicago shootings until I saw this post. Surely the point about the Florida incident is that the shooter still has his gun permit and has not been charged with a crime because he says he shot in self defense, which brings into question any fatal shooting where there is no witness....
Mar 22nd 2012, 2:43 pm
#6
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,543
Re: Chicago vs Florida Shootings
It is the scale of the Chicago shootings in comparison to a single incident in Florida that shocked me. Additionally I always get a sinking feeling when I see Sharpton involved, any incident develops racial overtones whether there are any or not. The whole media attitude and the bias therein “10 dead in Chicago …. now sports” is depressing!
Yes there is a racial aspect to the FL case, apparently Al Sharpton is involved.. but so what.
Mar 22nd 2012, 2:52 pm
#7
WTF?
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: Homeostasis
Posts: 79,367
Re: Chicago vs Florida Shootings
While the shooting of Trayvon Martin was, obviously, a terrible loss of a young life, surely the story would be overshadowed by the Chicago shootings this weekend?
In Chicago between 5pm Friday and 6am Monday 49 people were shot, ten of them fatally, including an innocent six year old girl. I find it vaguely unsettling that there is an instant call for justice from Rev. Al Sharpton etc. marches in New York and Miami and a huge media hullaballoo but virtually nothing about 49 shootings in Chicago!
In Chicago between 5pm Friday and 6am Monday 49 people were shot, ten of them fatally, including an innocent six year old girl. I find it vaguely unsettling that there is an instant call for justice from Rev. Al Sharpton etc. marches in New York and Miami and a huge media hullaballoo but virtually nothing about 49 shootings in Chicago!
Re: the 49 people shot in Chicago over the weekend. In how many of those cases did the police have the shooter in their custody and then sent him home ... with his 9mm?
Mar 22nd 2012, 2:53 pm
#8
WTF?
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: Homeostasis
Posts: 79,367
Re: Chicago vs Florida Shootings
It is the scale of the Chicago shootings in comparison to a single incident in Florida that shocked me. Additionally I always get a sinking feeling when I see Sharpton involved, any incident develops racial overtones whether there are any or not. The whole media attitude and the bias therein “10 dead in Chicago …. now sports” is depressing!
Mar 22nd 2012, 2:55 pm
#9
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Re: Chicago vs Florida Shootings
Without beating about the bush too mush - they pretty much are.
Terrible news at any time, in any city, in any country, but the Chicago news headlines are no strangers to fatal shootings of late
Terrible news at any time, in any city, in any country, but the Chicago news headlines are no strangers to fatal shootings of late
Mar 22nd 2012, 3:16 pm
#10
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2011
Location: Dallas, Texas
Posts: 50
Re: Chicago vs Florida Shootings
Surely the incidents in Chicago are just business as usual.. the US has a very high incidence of death as a result of criminal violence with guns involved.. whereas the Florida incident stands out as a matter of principle, because (up till recently anyway) the police do not want to charge the perpetrator with a crime, because of the whole "stand your ground," "self-defence" aspect to it. The governor of Florida has gone as far as admitting that the law may need to be changed. No issues like that arise in the Chicago case, just a question of law-enforcement.
Yes there is a racial aspect to the FL case, apparently Al Sharpton is involved.. but so what.
Yes there is a racial aspect to the FL case, apparently Al Sharpton is involved.. but so what.
The colour of the young lads skin may or may not be relevant in this instance, however Sharpton, who by virtue of his usual inflammatory remarks, ensures that the media spotlight swings to Florida. Surely one would have thought that the issue requiring a more pressing resolution, or at least deserving equal air time and investigation is that of the Chicago residents suffering?
Mar 22nd 2012, 3:18 pm
#11
WTF?
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: Homeostasis
Posts: 79,367
Re: Chicago vs Florida Shootings
Because it could have just as easily have been a 'young' white, latino etc. in a hoody walking through this guys residential neighborhood, the outcome could just have easily been the same. Sometimes age is the issue, feral youths can come in all shapes, sizes, sexes and colours. As a Realtor here in Dallas I have been in some 'interesting' areas regardless of demographics!
The colour of the young lads skin may or may not be relevant in this instance, however Sharpton, who by virtue of his usual inflammatory remarks, ensures that the media spotlight swings to Florida. Surely one would have thought that the issue requiring a more pressing resolution, or at least deserving equal air time and investigation is that of the Chicago residents suffering?
The colour of the young lads skin may or may not be relevant in this instance, however Sharpton, who by virtue of his usual inflammatory remarks, ensures that the media spotlight swings to Florida. Surely one would have thought that the issue requiring a more pressing resolution, or at least deserving equal air time and investigation is that of the Chicago residents suffering?
Mar 22nd 2012, 3:24 pm
#12
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Re: Chicago vs Florida Shootings
Because it could have just as easily have been a 'young' white, latino etc. in a hoody walking through this guys residential neighborhood, the outcome could just have easily been the same. Sometimes age is the issue, feral youths can come in all shapes, sizes, sexes and colours. As a Realtor here in Dallas I have been in some 'interesting' areas regardless of demographics!
The colour of the young lads skin may or may not be relevant in this instance, however Sharpton, who by virtue of his usual inflammatory remarks, ensures that the media spotlight swings to Florida. Surely one would have thought that the issue requiring a more pressing resolution, or at least deserving equal air time and investigation is that of the Chicago residents suffering?
The colour of the young lads skin may or may not be relevant in this instance, however Sharpton, who by virtue of his usual inflammatory remarks, ensures that the media spotlight swings to Florida. Surely one would have thought that the issue requiring a more pressing resolution, or at least deserving equal air time and investigation is that of the Chicago residents suffering?
I don't mean to be overly cynical but shootings in Chicago are commonplace enough to not always warrant national coverage.
Mar 22nd 2012, 3:33 pm
#13
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,543
Re: Chicago vs Florida Shootings
That was something that took a bit of getting used to when I moved to the US... in the UK, ALL murders make national headlines, even if a pretty minor headline if it's a routine murder. Here, murders barely make a LOCAL headline - never mind a regional or national one - unless there is something to make them stand out from the crowd.
Mar 22nd 2012, 3:35 pm
#14
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2011
Location: Dallas, Texas
Posts: 50
Mar 22nd 2012, 3:36 pm
#15
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Re: Chicago vs Florida Shootings
That was something that took a bit of getting used to when I moved to the US... in the UK, ALL murders make national headlines, even if a pretty minor headline if it's a routine murder. Here, murders barely make a LOCAL headline - never mind a regional or national one - unless there is something to make them stand out from the crowd.
That's awful, isn't it?