The verdicts — more guilty than not — were handed down Wednesday afternoon in the murder of Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year old Black man who was chased and shot dead while jogging in February 2020 in south Georgia.
I'm glad they will be held accountable. That it took two months, a leaked video, change in prosecutors, and our attention/horrified reactions to even arrest these murderers saddens and angers me. It's so awful that some people can be so cruel and dehumanizing. The turn toward justice is slow and neverending, and requires us to pay attention and act.
It's a good verdict, but we've got a long way to go before it becomes an unremarkable verdict. They would have gotten away with it, if not for the video. The law can never prevent all crime, but it can deter some crime if equally and consistently applied. Will future would-be lynchers think twice before repeating the actions of the McMichaels and Bryan? Maybe. Maybe not. "Co-counsel Jason Sheffield insisted the McMichaels thought their actions that day were "the right thing to do" No regrets? No remorse? Nothing?
On the other hand, I read an opinion piece that thought they would likely plead guilty to the federal charges so they could serve their time in federal prison instead of state prison. I guess that says something about the conditions in Georgia's prisons.
From the same article, "Glynn County police said there had been only one burglary reported in the roughly two months before the shooting. In that incident, a gun had been stolen from an unlocked vehicle at the McMichaels' home." In a saner world, the gun owner and the vehicle owner would be liable to a misdemeanor charge at the very least.
“I’m no longer interested in trying to convince anyone that racism and bigotry exists in this nation. I’m no longer concerned whether or not you feel that folks who are getting the short end of the stick are protesting Against their tormentors correctly or not.
I will spend little energy trying to convince anyone with a closed mind what is clearly evident to an open mind. So if you need convincing, read a book. Gain knowledge on your own. When you visit one of your black friends at their home ask them about the heavy weight we carry the moment we walk out of the doors of our home. When you’ve accomplished that, I’ll talk to you.”
I went right there, myself, after the video. Introduce these men to precisely the treatment they gave their victim. Run ‘em down. Shoot them. I was sad I went there pretty much immediately.
I'm glad they will be held accountable. That it took two months, a leaked video, change in prosecutors, and our attention/horrified reactions to even arrest these murderers saddens and angers me. It's so awful that some people can be so cruel and dehumanizing. The turn toward justice is slow and neverending, and requires us to pay attention and act.
Exactly what YOU said.
It's a good verdict, but we've got a long way to go before it becomes an unremarkable verdict. They would have gotten away with it, if not for the video. The law can never prevent all crime, but it can deter some crime if equally and consistently applied. Will future would-be lynchers think twice before repeating the actions of the McMichaels and Bryan? Maybe. Maybe not. "Co-counsel Jason Sheffield insisted the McMichaels thought their actions that day were "the right thing to do" No regrets? No remorse? Nothing?
On the other hand, I read an opinion piece that thought they would likely plead guilty to the federal charges so they could serve their time in federal prison instead of state prison. I guess that says something about the conditions in Georgia's prisons.
From the same article, "Glynn County police said there had been only one burglary reported in the roughly two months before the shooting. In that incident, a gun had been stolen from an unlocked vehicle at the McMichaels' home." In a saner world, the gun owner and the vehicle owner would be liable to a misdemeanor charge at the very least.
Can you include a link to that article, if it was online? This is information I hadn't read.
It was one of your links. Further down, past all the ads. https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/24/us/ahmaud-arbery-killing-trial-wednesday-jury-deliberations/index.html
Oh, you mean about pleading guilty to the federal charges? I don't recall where I saw it, but if I find it again I will post the link.
I did mean that part but no big deal. I can goin search of. It’s an interesting wrinkle.
A recent note sent to a (air quotes) friend:
“I’m no longer interested in trying to convince anyone that racism and bigotry exists in this nation. I’m no longer concerned whether or not you feel that folks who are getting the short end of the stick are protesting Against their tormentors correctly or not.
I will spend little energy trying to convince anyone with a closed mind what is clearly evident to an open mind. So if you need convincing, read a book. Gain knowledge on your own. When you visit one of your black friends at their home ask them about the heavy weight we carry the moment we walk out of the doors of our home. When you’ve accomplished that, I’ll talk to you.”
I never heard back from that friend.
The nation gave Ahmaud Arbery's family one stale crouton, moving some people to claim that they're as welcome at the feast as everyone.
I went right there, myself, after the video. Introduce these men to precisely the treatment they gave their victim. Run ‘em down. Shoot them. I was sad I went there pretty much immediately.