Many things are racial. Not everything is racist. Sometimes, it's a little bit more. Sometimes things happen that are just wrong. If Troy Davis were Asian, would the outcry be as high over his death penalty case? I doubt it.
There are many things that piqued my interest with this case. The overwhelming majority of the tweets and Facebook posts I read were something along the lines of "Innocent Man gets Death Penalty and he's black". I get it. If life were that simple it would make sense. Yes, I understand the pull of that headline. He's black, he was accused of killing a cop, and it's in Georgia, a southern state not known for its track record of great race relations. My issue isn't with the case, or the way it was handled, because even though shoddy work was done, that's par for the course in incidents where there is a huge media outcry. My issue is with a lot of the reaction that was on Twitter.
Would this be a story if instead of a cop, the person killed was a 2 year old girl? Shoddy evidence was more than enough for a conviction when Twitter and Facebook raged over the Casey Anthony case. When someone is being arrested, we're perfectly accepting of bad detective work. How about DSK? He was accused of rape and the evidence was so poorly laid out that they had to let him go. Of course, his name was dragged through the mud and people were on Twitter talking about the sex acts that would be performed on him in jail for what he had "done".
If the people on Facebook and Twitter were alive in 1989 would there be the same outcry upon arrest conviction and sentencing? My bet is probably not. The media would have started by having the picture on the local news papers, with COP KILLER in bold letters. Then, upon his conviction and sentencing, there would have been a ROT IN HELL caption. and people would have been happy to see the "cop killer" off the streets and in jail, then to see that he would be killed as well. As a country we can't rush cases and push through bad detective work because we want A conviction. We have to be patient and make sure that we get the right person to the best of our ability. However, even when the
Are you against the Death Penalty regardless of evidence? For some people, Timothy McVeigh shouldn't have gotten the death penalty. Not because of lack of evidence, but because they are against the death penalty in all forms. I like that stance, even though I don't agree with it. What I saw from Twitter and Facebook last night smacked of hypocrisy. People who were willing to give others the electric chair a couple of months ago are now against the death penalty. Is that a change of heart, a change because of the details of the case, or just a change because this week the death penalty isn't cool this week.
I wish I had a witty conclusion for this. Some way of tying the race relations, hypocrisy, death penalty and anti-cop sentiment into one paragraph. I don't. But what I am saying is if you believe that Troy Davis was wrongly convicted, and therefore wrongly killed, then be cautious when you're quick to judge the next case that pops up on the Daily News. You might be stirring the frenzy that puts an innocent person to death.
*I'm not anti death penalty but even Troy Davis killed the officer in the same way that was said, I wouldn't give him the death penalty.
**I'm putting the words cop killer and done in quotes because I don't know what happened in the DSK hotel room or what Troy Davis actually did.
***I'm perfectly aware that in the same way I'm accusing people of overmagnifying the case because of his race, that my title oversimplifies it.
**** When I say Faacebook and Twitter, I'm speaking about a group of the people using the service, not the service itself. I don't know (or care) how Zuckerberg feels about the case
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Privacy and Self censorship
I put out a lot of information online. My name, my interests, my pictures, my dislikes, my opinions, and the list goes on. I've made a choice to make my blog generally PG. Not PG as in, I wont talk about sex violence and drugs, but PG as in I make a more concerted effort not to curse and to be a good guy. I don't negatively air people out on the blog, because its my most censored piece of writing. I put a lot of thought into my posts and generally believe that anything I say here should be held against me whether it be my thoughts on affirmative action, or my prediction that the Browns would have a good season. Its not private at all and you can access it however you want.
On the other side of things, we have my twitter account. My twitter account is pretty much the same as the off the cuff things I'd say in "real life". I might drop an expletive if the time calls for it (Cowboys games). I will complain about small things (Cowboys games). It's not overly rowdy by any means and I don't go out of my way to be a sailor, but on the other hand its nice to have a forum where I can be a bit more free. That forum has always been semi public and if you ask in my only request is that you accept all responsibility for what you see. If you are easily offended, don't follow me. I feel that since you have to go through the effort to follow me, and can easily unfollow me, then there should be no problem with the things I say, especially if they aren't directed towards you. Recently, someone made a huge deal, in person, because I tweeted a joke concerning a menage a trois. (Note: I'm not resposting it here because, well that would violate the 1st paragraph) I immediately blocked them. On the other hand I realized that despite trying to make my tweets public with the caveat, I realize that it may not be the best way to handle my public web presence. I've done enough online over the last 8 years that there is a lot to google about me. As of today, my twitter feed is now private. I'm still seeking advice about the best way to handle my public internet identity.
On the other side of things, we have my twitter account. My twitter account is pretty much the same as the off the cuff things I'd say in "real life". I might drop an expletive if the time calls for it (Cowboys games). I will complain about small things (Cowboys games). It's not overly rowdy by any means and I don't go out of my way to be a sailor, but on the other hand its nice to have a forum where I can be a bit more free. That forum has always been semi public and if you ask in my only request is that you accept all responsibility for what you see. If you are easily offended, don't follow me. I feel that since you have to go through the effort to follow me, and can easily unfollow me, then there should be no problem with the things I say, especially if they aren't directed towards you. Recently, someone made a huge deal, in person, because I tweeted a joke concerning a menage a trois. (Note: I'm not resposting it here because, well that would violate the 1st paragraph) I immediately blocked them. On the other hand I realized that despite trying to make my tweets public with the caveat, I realize that it may not be the best way to handle my public web presence. I've done enough online over the last 8 years that there is a lot to google about me. As of today, my twitter feed is now private. I'm still seeking advice about the best way to handle my public internet identity.
Monday, September 19, 2011
How bout 'dem cowboys
People say I'm predictable. I'll bet you expected me to talk about the Cowboys win yesterday. Talk about Romo's willis reed impersonation, coming back into the game after having a horrid 1st half and fracturing a rib? Perhaps about how Miles Austin put the team on his back and scored 3 TD's, then talk about how great Jason Witten was. Maybe compare it to the Cowboys Bills game from '07 where Romo threw 5 interceptions and fumbled the ball once then won the game, then compare Romo's performance in coming back after he was expected to be out, as opposed to Jay Cutler who left the NFC Championship with a knee injury and never returned to the field? Thank goodness I'm not predictable.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Is Romo Great?
I finally was able to experience NFL RedZone for the first time. In Redzone, I was able to watch the meaningful part of all of the Sunday Games. Tomorrow, I will do a full evaluation of every single game. But until then, It's all about the Cowboys-Jets heartbreaker.
Men Lie, Women Lie, But Numbers Don’t ...Unless they belong to Tony Romo or Lebron James. My argument in support of Brett Favre, Lebron, and Romo has always been... "Well if they weren't so good to begin the game we wouldn't even be talking about the last minute mistakes". I'm not sure how much I believe in that line now.
First, the cowboys had no business being that close in the game to start with. We lost our "best" corner, (best in quotes because he's not very good). And throughout the game we lost Jenkins and Scandrick. For those keeping track at home that would be the number 2 and number 3 cornerbacks. We also lost Dez throughout a crucial portion of that game, and Miles Austin was hurt. Even if there were no injuries, the cowboys are an inferior team to the jets. The Jets are better at just about every position. Despite all of the things that happened, the Cowboys covered the spread.
Tony Romo was lights out for 3 quarters. The reason why Cowboys fans don't call for his head every season is because when he's on, he's a top 5 qb and I'll take him over almost anybody. He even made good decisions. He fell down and took sacks rather than throwing ducks. He threw the ball out of bounds when no opportunities availed themselves. Austin got a TD, Dez got a TD, Jones was amazing last night. Even the defense was solid, blowing through the Jets O-line at will. The safeties, Sensabaugh and Elam were phenomenal. Even the young O-line held up.
But then the 4th qtr... Romo fumbles at the goaline. The Special teams allow a punt block, Romo throws a line drive to Darelle Revis. After making no mistakes and no idiotic plays for 45 minutes, the Cowboys went into a tailspin. And of course my nightmare comes true. Nick folk hits a game winner from 50 yards out. Barely, I would like to add. What a night.
Is Romo Good? Undoubtedly. Is Romo Great? Not until he can come through with the game on the line.
| T. Romo | 23/36 | 342 passing yards | 2 tds | 1 int | 101.9 passer rating |
Men Lie, Women Lie, But Numbers Don’t ...Unless they belong to Tony Romo or Lebron James. My argument in support of Brett Favre, Lebron, and Romo has always been... "Well if they weren't so good to begin the game we wouldn't even be talking about the last minute mistakes". I'm not sure how much I believe in that line now.
First, the cowboys had no business being that close in the game to start with. We lost our "best" corner, (best in quotes because he's not very good). And throughout the game we lost Jenkins and Scandrick. For those keeping track at home that would be the number 2 and number 3 cornerbacks. We also lost Dez throughout a crucial portion of that game, and Miles Austin was hurt. Even if there were no injuries, the cowboys are an inferior team to the jets. The Jets are better at just about every position. Despite all of the things that happened, the Cowboys covered the spread.
Tony Romo was lights out for 3 quarters. The reason why Cowboys fans don't call for his head every season is because when he's on, he's a top 5 qb and I'll take him over almost anybody. He even made good decisions. He fell down and took sacks rather than throwing ducks. He threw the ball out of bounds when no opportunities availed themselves. Austin got a TD, Dez got a TD, Jones was amazing last night. Even the defense was solid, blowing through the Jets O-line at will. The safeties, Sensabaugh and Elam were phenomenal. Even the young O-line held up.
But then the 4th qtr... Romo fumbles at the goaline. The Special teams allow a punt block, Romo throws a line drive to Darelle Revis. After making no mistakes and no idiotic plays for 45 minutes, the Cowboys went into a tailspin. And of course my nightmare comes true. Nick folk hits a game winner from 50 yards out. Barely, I would like to add. What a night.
Is Romo Good? Undoubtedly. Is Romo Great? Not until he can come through with the game on the line.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Post 100. NFL Predictions
Post 100. I wanted it to be my NFL predictions. As regular visitors know, here is how it works. I pick all 256 games of the 2011-2012 season. I write down the number of wins. Don’t read it as: “He thinks the Browns will win 12 games” as much as you should understand that I just mean that I think the Browns will be a good team. Equally I don’t think the Broncos won’t win any games (a weird anomaly on the other side of things). However, I do think the Broncos will struggle heavily considering all of their offseason turmoil. Forgive me for the lazy reviews of the NFC South and West.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills : 6
The Bills are going to win some games. I like them. It’s a shame that they lost their best defender (Pozluzny) and Lee Evans. They won’t be able to "Suck for Luck" but they’re okay
Miami Dolphins : 3
Running Backs? Gone. The fans have no faith in their starting QB and were booing him in Practice. The ownership tried to get rid of their coach and extended his contract upon the realization that they couldn't. This is a potential train wreck. I stand by the phins being an awful squadron.
New England Patriots : 11
Why do I keep picking against the Pats to win the division. They’re the best team this year.
New York Jets: 10
Listen to this. The team lost some of their best defenders, their second best wide receiver and didn’t improve any of the positions on the team. Their biggest signing was a wide receiver who hasn’t played in nearly 3 years.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens : 15
The Ravens need to win this year. If they cannot win the division this year I wonder if they ever will. I think Ray Rice will have an outstanding season.
Cincinnati Bengals : 6
I have a bet going. I think the Bengals will be bad. However, the Bengals might be ok defensively. I think they are going to do just enough for a low draft pick.
Cleveland Browns : 12
To quote a friend of mine, the Browns are "creeping on the come-up". Colt McCoy is improving. The O line is high quality. Peyton Hillis will be good till the madden curse hits him. I honestly think they'll be a first round exit team.
Pittsburgh Steelers : 12
Rooting against the Steelers. Always. Betting against the Steelers? Not happening.
AFC South
Houston Texans : 8
The Texans remind me of the niners. Weak division. Quality players. They gotta win this year.
Indianapolis Colts : 8
Too many wins. They dont have the personnel to beat teams without manning. I've had to rewrite this because the manning story gets uglier and uglier. Out indefinitely? I should take some wins away from this squad.
Jacksonville Jaguars : 1
I'm done with the jags. You can’t get rid of your starting qb and expect to find success, especially when your team is not very good.
Tennessee Titans : 7
Boring. Just the way they like it. CJ2k is back and their QB is lackluster. The defense is mediocre.
AFC West
Denver Broncos : 0
Hmm. I don’t have any faith that this team will be better.
Kansas City Chiefs : 9
KC wont be as good as they were last year with the injuries that they have suffered. The sched is harder.
Oakland Raiders : 7
You want respect, Oakland? Stop firing head coaches. Until then I'm not picking you to win more than 7 games ever.
San Diego Chargers : 9
You want respect Phillip Rivers? Don’t get swept in the division by the Raiders. Don’t lose the first 4 games and expect to make the playoffs. Most importantly, don’t act as if you're going to kill your wide outs after every single incompletion.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys : 11
I know I'm biased but I swear my hearts in the right place. They finally have a D coordinator. The coach looks good. Romo is healthy. Dez looks like a beast. The problems? All the corners were lackluster last year and now they're hurt. Miles Austin is hurt as well. Their O-line is made from scrap metal. Good luck.
New York Giants : 5
Meet the 2010 Cowboys. Watch as they turn on their head coach. Look at them appearing lost on plays. Check out the Manning Face. It’s going to be a long and difficult road.
Philadelphia Eagles : 9
Don’t call it bias. Where did they improve their team last year. They still can’t stop the run. Maclin hasn’t been in camp
Washington Redskins : 11
I know. When I saw the number I was surprised too. But they are stacked defensively. Their offense isn’t great, but it may be enough to steal enough wins to reach double digits.
NFC North
Chicago Bears : 6
What do Gholston, Barber and Roy Williams have in common? They all were in training camp for the Bears, and their former teams are glad to see them gone. The bears are probably going to be closer to .500 but not a playoff squad.
Detroit Lions : 10
I like the boy named Suh. I like the pass defense. I think Stafford is a beast. They had the Best rookie rb last year. Why not?
Green Bay Packers : 11
Every team will hunt them. They will still win the division.
Minnesota Vikings : 10
McNabb will have his last hurrah this year. Bank on it. Oh and Adrian Peterson is working on a new Contract.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons : 13
What happens when a team fixes all of its flaws over the off season? A division title.
Carolina Panthers : 2
What happens when a bad team signs its players to new contracts? More losses
New Orleans Saints : 12
Whats the difference between the Saints and USC? When Bush left, the saints they got to keep their title.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers : 6
How much of a chance does LeGarrette Blount have of being the best rb in the division? A punchers chance.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals : 5
The Cards still can’t run or play defense right?
San Francisco 49ers : 5
Darn you to heck Niners. I constantly expect greatness, and you reward me with medicrity.
Seattle Seahawks : 8
I believe in the Seahawks as long as they don’t change stadiums. That 12th man advantage is real.
St. Louis Rams : 8
Young. Ready. I wish they hadn’t cut every receiver they had, but I believe in them. Sjax is still amazing and still a true workhorse.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills : 6
The Bills are going to win some games. I like them. It’s a shame that they lost their best defender (Pozluzny) and Lee Evans. They won’t be able to "Suck for Luck" but they’re okay
Miami Dolphins : 3
Running Backs? Gone. The fans have no faith in their starting QB and were booing him in Practice. The ownership tried to get rid of their coach and extended his contract upon the realization that they couldn't. This is a potential train wreck. I stand by the phins being an awful squadron.
New England Patriots : 11
Why do I keep picking against the Pats to win the division. They’re the best team this year.
New York Jets: 10
Listen to this. The team lost some of their best defenders, their second best wide receiver and didn’t improve any of the positions on the team. Their biggest signing was a wide receiver who hasn’t played in nearly 3 years.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens : 15
The Ravens need to win this year. If they cannot win the division this year I wonder if they ever will. I think Ray Rice will have an outstanding season.
Cincinnati Bengals : 6
I have a bet going. I think the Bengals will be bad. However, the Bengals might be ok defensively. I think they are going to do just enough for a low draft pick.
Cleveland Browns : 12
To quote a friend of mine, the Browns are "creeping on the come-up". Colt McCoy is improving. The O line is high quality. Peyton Hillis will be good till the madden curse hits him. I honestly think they'll be a first round exit team.
Pittsburgh Steelers : 12
Rooting against the Steelers. Always. Betting against the Steelers? Not happening.
AFC South
Houston Texans : 8
The Texans remind me of the niners. Weak division. Quality players. They gotta win this year.
Indianapolis Colts : 8
Too many wins. They dont have the personnel to beat teams without manning. I've had to rewrite this because the manning story gets uglier and uglier. Out indefinitely? I should take some wins away from this squad.
Jacksonville Jaguars : 1
I'm done with the jags. You can’t get rid of your starting qb and expect to find success, especially when your team is not very good.
Tennessee Titans : 7
Boring. Just the way they like it. CJ2k is back and their QB is lackluster. The defense is mediocre.
AFC West
Denver Broncos : 0
Hmm. I don’t have any faith that this team will be better.
Kansas City Chiefs : 9
KC wont be as good as they were last year with the injuries that they have suffered. The sched is harder.
Oakland Raiders : 7
You want respect, Oakland? Stop firing head coaches. Until then I'm not picking you to win more than 7 games ever.
San Diego Chargers : 9
You want respect Phillip Rivers? Don’t get swept in the division by the Raiders. Don’t lose the first 4 games and expect to make the playoffs. Most importantly, don’t act as if you're going to kill your wide outs after every single incompletion.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys : 11
I know I'm biased but I swear my hearts in the right place. They finally have a D coordinator. The coach looks good. Romo is healthy. Dez looks like a beast. The problems? All the corners were lackluster last year and now they're hurt. Miles Austin is hurt as well. Their O-line is made from scrap metal. Good luck.
New York Giants : 5
Meet the 2010 Cowboys. Watch as they turn on their head coach. Look at them appearing lost on plays. Check out the Manning Face. It’s going to be a long and difficult road.
Philadelphia Eagles : 9
Don’t call it bias. Where did they improve their team last year. They still can’t stop the run. Maclin hasn’t been in camp
Washington Redskins : 11
I know. When I saw the number I was surprised too. But they are stacked defensively. Their offense isn’t great, but it may be enough to steal enough wins to reach double digits.
NFC North
Chicago Bears : 6
What do Gholston, Barber and Roy Williams have in common? They all were in training camp for the Bears, and their former teams are glad to see them gone. The bears are probably going to be closer to .500 but not a playoff squad.
Detroit Lions : 10
I like the boy named Suh. I like the pass defense. I think Stafford is a beast. They had the Best rookie rb last year. Why not?
Green Bay Packers : 11
Every team will hunt them. They will still win the division.
Minnesota Vikings : 10
McNabb will have his last hurrah this year. Bank on it. Oh and Adrian Peterson is working on a new Contract.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons : 13
What happens when a team fixes all of its flaws over the off season? A division title.
Carolina Panthers : 2
What happens when a bad team signs its players to new contracts? More losses
New Orleans Saints : 12
Whats the difference between the Saints and USC? When Bush left, the saints they got to keep their title.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers : 6
How much of a chance does LeGarrette Blount have of being the best rb in the division? A punchers chance.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals : 5
The Cards still can’t run or play defense right?
San Francisco 49ers : 5
Darn you to heck Niners. I constantly expect greatness, and you reward me with medicrity.
Seattle Seahawks : 8
I believe in the Seahawks as long as they don’t change stadiums. That 12th man advantage is real.
St. Louis Rams : 8
Young. Ready. I wish they hadn’t cut every receiver they had, but I believe in them. Sjax is still amazing and still a true workhorse.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)