Reality Check on Zimmerman Verdict

It's always a terrible tragedy when a young life is lost.  So many kids die every year senselessly; wrong place, wrong time, wrong crowd...etc.  Watching the outrage and publicity stunts over the weekend from so many celebrities and activists it occurred to me that maybe a cold dose of reality is in order...

Where's the outrage on behalf of the lawful role played by a neighborhood watch leader in a community that had experienced several robberies and crimes in the past with many more prevented because of the diligence of the watch?

Where's the outrage on behalf of a law abiding citizen, exonerated by a jury of his peers, who lost months of his life in hiding?  How about the enormous financial, emotional and physical cost for this man and his family?   Not to mention the threats, past and present, all for conducting his lawful role of patrolling and protecting his community.

Where's the outrage on behalf of ousted former Sanford Police Chief Bill Lee?  Seems that he may have been right all along...shouldn't he be the first to be reinstated?

Where's the outrage on behalf of the tens of thousands of young people who are in harms way and often killed in America's most dangerous cities, a few right here in the Garden State,  with no hope of rising above the commonplace crime and gang culture?

Did you notice that some of the same people who celebrated the OJ verdict are now condemning this one?  Seems that there  might be racism involved...but where I wonder?  Would there be the same outcry if Zimmerman were African-American?  OR if Martin wasn't?

And perhaps the most egregious point being raised is the ignorant comparison by Zimmerman detractors to Medgar Evers.  Have any of these folks read history?  Evers was a champion who served his country and spoke out against terrible racial injustice only to be murdered for his principles.  This case isn't that...not even close.

Can't help but wonder why, if this was so simple a case of profiling and racism, as the current protesters claim,  media and activist groups felt compelled to alter the presentation of the 911 call recordings to paint a distorted picture?   The disinformation campaign continued when the picture used to portray the shooting victim was that of a ten year old innocent looking boy used repeatedly to drive emotions against Zimmerman before the trial even began...Of course this was all rejected when the facts & evidence came out in court...the battered back of Zimmerman's head for starters...

I understand that this is a hot emotional issue, but lets get to the root of it...people are upset because another young life ended too early...they should be.  But the circumstances, the laws, and the jury shed light on another angle of this story.  The one that shows another victim whose name is George Zimmerman.  

Evidence points to a thoughtful man, dedicating his time to serving his community.  He was put in a position where he had to make serious decisions in seconds and maybe, just maybe if he didn't fear for his life while his head was being bashed into the sidewalk, he would have made different decisions and Martin would be alive today.

Let's have the discussion about Stand-Your-Ground laws, whether community watches should be armed, whether race is a legit issue in similar cases, but for this case, make no mistake...justice was served. 

@BillSpadea

Tribute to Howard Phillips, Champion of Liberty

Below is the text of a letter I wrote for my friend Howard Phillips several years ago marking the 35th anniversary of his leadership at the Conservative Caucus.  Howard passed away yesterday leaving behind a long legacy of patriotism, vigilance and commitment to God, family and country.  He leaves behind a strong family and a Movement that will always be in his debt.  Thank you, Howard, for your long life of sacrifice for duty, honor and country.  Rest in peace my friend.

October 7, 2009

Richard Norman, President

The Richard Norman Company

44084 Riverside Parkway, Suite 350

Leesburg, VA  20176

Dear Richard,

Thank you for the opportunity to write a few words on behalf of my good friend Howard Phillips.  Howard has been an inspiration to me for the better part of my 40 years on earth and helping him celebrate the accomplishment of the 35 years that he and the Conservative Caucus have been fighting for our liberty is a true honor.

I first met Howard through my father, Dominick Spadea, who joined with him to build the Conservative Movement in New Jersey during the 1970’s.  Some of my earliest memories as a child were from attending meetings with my Dad and Howard as they planned to fight the sell-out of American interests at the Panama Canal and the SALT treaty that Howard was instrumental in defeating. Howard's vision and action fighting that treaty in 1979 paved the way for the Reagan election in 1980 and the ultimate collapse of the USSR.  History will remember Howard Phillips as a key general, helping our nation win the Cold War.

Years later, when I served as a National Director with Young Americans for Freedom and then as National Chairman of the College Republican National Committee, Howard was the inspirational ‘thought-leader’ that I would turn to for advice and counsel.  He was always available to discuss and support the effort to keep the Republican Party honest and on the ‘Right’ track.  When I was “unceremoniously dumped” by the establishment GOP for publishing Howard’s articles in our newspaper, he graciously and eagerly opened his doors, enabling me and a small band of conservative ‘street-fighters’ to continue the battle for our ideas and Movement throughout my term.  Howard never asked for anything in return except that we stay true to our principles.

When I ran for U.S. Congress in my home state of New Jersey, despite the overwhelming odds and his own lack of funding, Howard stepped up to help; both contributing financially and making key introductions to conservative leaders in the region.  His consistent confidence and appreciation for young leaders is appreciated by an entire generation of conservatives who will have to carry the torch of liberty during the decades to come, facing the ultimate test from the far-Left, anti-American zealots who now rule in Washington. 

When the Republican Party was headed toward defeat in a U.S Senate contest a few years after my first run, it was Howard who called and wrote in an effort to encourage me to enter the race and continue the fight for our principles.  He’s never given up his enthusiasm, energy and commitment to encourage candidates to run for the right reasons; and he always backs it up with real support.

Howard Phillips is a great patriot, having spent a lifetime sacrificing his own material opportunities for the good of the Cause.  To know Howard is to know a modern version of the patriots that fought at Lexington and Concord as well as those that debated in Philadelphia through the hot, muggy summer of 1776 to forge this great nation.

Howard Phillips is a friend, a mentor, a patriot and a true ‘Champion of Liberty’.  It’s an honor to congratulate him on a lifetime of achievement - leading our Movement, championing our ideas and encouraging the next generation to take up the fight.  America is a better place because of the sacrifices that Howard Phillips has made personally and has inspired others to make.

We wish him good health and God speed as he prepares for the next 35 years leading the Conservative Caucus!

Yours in Liberty,

Bill Spadea

Bill Spadea