Jena 6 Situation

[way more]

The charges are not technically dropped yet. His conviction was overturned, but the DA has indicated that he's going to appeal it to the supreme court, which kind of puts his status in limbo, if I'm not mistaken. Perhaps an experienced lawyer could clarify this a bit more. I honestly have no clue, however, why his bail was denied today. The latest article on cnn.com indicates that nobody outside of defense counsel and others who were at the proceeding have that bit of information.



Your information here seems to be incomplete.

1. One white student pointed a gun at a group of black students and threatened them. This person should be appropriately charged (brandishing a firearm? threatening?) and the ridiculous charges of theft of a firearm, robbery, and disturbing the peace should be dropped against the black student, Bailey.

2. Unfortunately, it seems as if the youthfulness of the offenders will result in no charges being brought against them for hanging the nooses, according to the U.S. attorney, Donald Washington. He stated that because they were under 18, had no prior records, and their actions have not been shown to have been motivated by a group such as the KKK, then the criteria for the federal hate crimes statute have not been met.

3. There is no evidence that three white students attacked one black student. It seems as if most records of the events agree that it was a fight between a group of white students and a group of black students. There is also no medical evidence to support the claim that one of the black students was hit over the head with a bottle. As far as has been reported, the student never sought medical attention. This fight was investigated and one white kid was charged with assault and given probation. No black students were charged with anything relating to this incident.

On the first and third point I completely agree. When you pull a shotgun on another person and they end up taking it away the theft should be applauded, not punished. But I think hanging a noose should qualify as a hate crime whether or not you are part of the KKK and had no prior record.

 

[Tralfamadore64]

Do lynchings really still happen in the South, or were the nooses just hearkening back to those days?

 

[way more]

Depending on where you kick them and how many times you kick them, it can be prosecuted as attempted murder. As for the "gathered around" hypothetical...well, that just doesn't make any sense at all...nobody here is claiming that the pre-medicated anything. Hell, I can't say with any certainty that they actually kicked the guy in the head, but if they did, it can certainly fall within the lines of attempted murder.

Whether or not he "deserved" to be jumped is irrelevant. Whether or not he is "fine" is irrelevant. As was stated earlier, there are plenty of shooting/stabbing victims that are just fine. That doesn't mean their life wasn't put in jeopardy by the actions of the criminal.

I don't see how you can be so technical about the law when clearly the law is is a complete failure in that town. I don't understand how one can accept the abstract legal line that separates assault from attempted murder with such conviction when the law so clearly a sham. What purpose does it serve to quibil over wheather the kid was kicked with the point of the foot or the heel when the the DA down to cops and HS principal have failed to uphold any sense of justice? It's like arguing with a building contracter for using a marble sink instead of a granite one when he's built an outhouse instead of a mansion.

It's also very refreshing to see Cooter's depressingly bleak and cynical world view aligns with my belief of justice in this country.


And would anyone who is arguing that the law is being carried out please not play the victim card of being called a "racist." If somebody does indeed call you a racist then it's justified but quit trying to be a a political martyr.

 

[kazinova]

You are stupid.

Wah, wah, wah. Boohoo. Wah. I give up, you aren't even on a level playing field with me.

 

[mre]

On the first and third point I completely agree. When you pull a shotgun on another person and they end up taking it away the theft should be applauded, not punished. But I think hanging a noose should qualify as a hate crime whether or not you are part of the KKK and had no prior record.

It wasn't a point I was trying to make; it was what the U.S. prosecutor said. I think it's unfortunate, and have been consistent in saying that they should have faced charges for hanging the noose.

Donald Washington, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, told CNN that the FBI and other investigators thought the noose incident bore the markings of a hate crime, but a decision was made not to press charges because the case didn't meet federal criteria. The students were under 18 and had no prior records, and no group such as the Ku Klux Klan was found to be behind their actions.

If you disagree with these criteria, then you need to contact your congressman or senator, and push them to amend that statute.

 

[typhonsentra]

Honestly guys? I mean really? Five kids get in a fight because of racial tensions and suddenly they're going off to jail for multiple years?

If your kid got into a fight and then ended up with something like 10 years in jail, would you feel that justice has been served? These kids are going to have the rest of their life ruined.

If my kid knocked a kid unconscious in a group curb stomping? Oh, and I like how the enablers keep throwing the "Racial Tensions" excuse in. Newsflash: The kid they beat up wasn't the one who put up the noose, nor was he the one who threw the beer bottle. It's ridiculous how you guys (Enablers, I don't know if you're black or not.) justify this kind of violence as if all white people are open game to an attack because of an indirect connection to a separate injustice.

 

[mre]

If that is the case then there is no such thing as battery in the legal system - EVERYTHING must be aggravated battery. It I hit you with a magazine you can go to jail for years. Yeah, makes perfect sense to me - not.

Fine, lets look at some LA case law. Like it or not, precedent was on the side of the prosecutor when he described the tennis shoe as a dangerous weapon.

State v. Taylor

In the instant case, the alleged dangerous weapon was a tennis shoe. Battery is the intentional use of force or violence upon the person of another. LSA-R.S. 14:33. Defendant argues that a tennis shoe mitigates a blow from the foot and, therefore, cannot be considered a dangerous weapon. We disagree.
...
There was ample evidence in this record for the jury to find that the defendant used his shoes in a manner calculated to produce great bodily harm. We conclude that a tennis shoe, used in this manner, is a dangerous weapon for the purpose of aggravated battery.

State v. Munoz

When does a relatively harmless instrument become a dangerous weapon for purposes of committing an aggravated battery?

At the time of this incident, the defendant was wearing rubber-soled tennis shoes. The defendant contends that these tennis shoes do not constitute a “dangerous weapon” as required for the commission of an aggravated battery. He therefore challenges his conviction on appeal.

[2] [3] To support the jury's conviction of the defendant for aggravated battery, the state had the burden of proving three elements: (1) that the defendant intentionally used force or violence on Jeffrey Moody; (2) that the force or violence was inflicted with a dangerous weapon, and; (3) that the dangerous weapon was used in a manner likely or calculated to cause death or great bodily harm. [] LSA-R.S. 14:2 defines a dangerous weapon as “any gas, liquid or other substance or instrumentality, which, in the manner used, is calculated or likely to produce death or great bodily harm.” Thus, an instrumentality may be a “dangerous weapon” not solely because of the inherent danger it poses, but also because the instrumentality is used in a manner likely to result in death or grave bodily harm. []

The dangerous weapon alleged by the state in this case was a tennis shoe. Although the defendant argues that the tennis shoe is not a dangerous weapon, the evidence presented by the state at trial supports the opposite conclusion beyond any doubt. An eyewitness testified that the defendant kicked the victim in the head so forcefully that the impact lifted the victim's body off the ground. ... In the face of such convincing evidence, the jury's factual determination that the defendant used his tennis shoe as a *851 dangerous instrument, appears unassailable. See State v. Taylor, 485 So.2d 117 (La.App. 2nd Cir.1986).

I've already said I would not charge these kids with aggravated second degree battery, but people are making it out to seem as if the prosecutor pulled the notion of a tennis shoe as a dangerous weapon out of his ass.

I think the original attempted second degree murder charge is bullshit, given the evidence that has been released, but I also think charging them with misdemeanor assault is bullshit as well.

 

[ghstwrld]

Besides suspension what should happen to them? They didn't assault the black kids.

Hanging nooses from trees is a death threat where I come from.

 

[Valcrist]

If my kid knocked a kid unconscious in a group curb stomping? Oh, and I like how the enablers keep throwing the "Racial Tensions" excuse in. Newsflash: The kid they beat up wasn't the one who put up the noose, nor was he the one who threw the beer bottle. It's ridiculous how you guys (Enablers, I don't know if you're black or not.) justify this kind of violence as if all white people are open game to an attack because of an indirect connection to a separate injustice.

They sure as hell didn't beat up the kid for the hell of it. Unless thats what you're assuming. None of us know what exactly went on behind the scenes and what led up to provoking the attack.
Funny, I didn't say the attack was justified at all, nor did I mention anything about white and black and here comes race again. I just said, as human beings, who wants to see kids locked behind bars for something like this?
Its more ridiculous how people respond to things by acting like anyone who disagrees with what is "justice" down there is pulling the race card. Whats just as fucking bad as people who call racism right away is people who counter by calling reverse racism. I say I care about the kids and suddenly I'm condoning beating up white people.

 

[fortified_concept]

I'm sorry but I'm not that "democratic" as some of you towards rednecks and racists. I'm glad the Jena6 beat the hell out of that redneck kid and I'm glad they didn't sit idle regarding fucking bullshit like "white trees" and nooses. I'd do the same.

Free the Jena 6.

 

[bdoughty]

fortified_concept meet lexy

lexy meet fortified_concept

Match made in heaven

Free the Jena 6.

Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

[AdmiralViscen]

Honestly guys? I mean really? Five kids get in a fight because of racial tensions and suddenly they're going off to jail for multiple years?

If your kid got into a fight and then ended up with something like 10 years in jail, would you feel that justice has been served? These kids are going to have the rest of their life ruined.

Seriously, I could care less about race, but don't you guys have any fucking compassion at all?

Compassion? 5 people beat up 1 guy to within an inch of his life. He didn't hurt anyone, the worst he could have done was say some asshole remarks. Beating him unconscious, with a concussion and a closed up eye, is not 1 to 1. As if eye for an eye fucking exists in the first place in the 21st century.

I'm sorry but I'm not that "democratic" as some of you towards rednecks and racists. I'm glad the Jena6 beat the hell out of that redneck kid and I'm glad they didn't sit idle regarding fucking bullshit like "white trees" and nooses. I'd do the same.

Free the Jena 6.

"Redneck" is a great word to use, a nice mirror for a word that whites used to use publically 50 or so years ago.

Sane people should be calling for the expulsion of the noose trio and files charged against all the asshole white people, not freedom for people who are in fact guilty of a crime.

 

[WickedAngel]

I don't see how you can be so technical about the law when clearly the law is is a complete failure in that town. I don't understand how one can accept the abstract legal line that separates assault from attempted murder with such conviction when the law so clearly a sham. What purpose does it serve to quibil over wheather the kid was kicked with the point of the foot or the heel when the the DA down to cops and HS principal have failed to uphold any sense of justice? It's like arguing with a building contracter for using a marble sink instead of a granite one when he's built an outhouse instead of a mansion.

It's also very refreshing to see Cooter's depressingly bleak and cynical world view aligns with my belief of justice in this country.


And would anyone who is arguing that the law is being carried out please not play the victim card of being called a "racist." If somebody does indeed call you a racist then it's justified but quit trying to be a a political martyr.

The law hasn't failed. The laws, as they're written, work fine. It's the selective prosecution that is the problem here. That does not mean that the crimes that these youths didn't happen and the fact that they are youths does not absolve them of responsibility for their actions (As ignorant mouth-breathers before you have implied).

Your complete failure at reading comprehension does not make me a racist. I have never said that the law is being enforced properly here. This will be the third or fourth time I've stated that the whites and blacks in this situation that broke the law deserve to be punished to the full extent of the law. The DA's failure to objectively prosecute whites does not make the crimes that the blacks committed any less illegal.

I'm sorry but I'm not that "democratic" as some of you towards rednecks and racists. I'm glad the Jena6 beat the hell out of that redneck kid and I'm glad they didn't sit idle regarding fucking bullshit like "white trees" and nooses. I'd do the same.

Free the Jena 6.

For a member of a minority that discourages slangs and name-calling, you're sure doing a lot to perpetuate the habit.

Honestly guys? I mean really? Five kids get in a fight because of racial tensions and suddenly they're going off to jail for multiple years?

If your kid got into a fight and then ended up with something like 10 years in jail, would you feel that justice has been served? These kids are going to have the rest of their life ruined.

Seriously, I could care less about race, but don't you guys have any fucking compassion at all?

I'd hope I'd be a good enough parent to teach my children to at least fight 1:1 instead of going in with all their buddies and beating a guy en masse because they're too cowardly to fight like men. These guys are highschoolers; they're old enough to know what is and isn't acceptable in terms of the law. This wasn't a group of 1st graders jumping a fat kid on the playground. If that were the case, I'd say they needed counseling and behavior therapy...but these are young adults. They should have known better.

If my kids are stupid enough to get themselves into this kind of situation, I won't be happy...but I'm not going to try to act like they didn't do what they did.

You're useless. Teenage fights are not attempted murder. The fact that they are old enough to know that they could hae potentially killed him does not mean a thing. They didn't kill him. It was a fight. Sounds like one I have witnessed many times at my old high school. Guess what? No one ever got booked for attempted murder.

How is it possible for one person to be so dense? Yes, it does mean a thing; it means they made an attempt on his life. No, they didn't kill him...if they had, it would be a completely different charge. Go secure a basic understanding of law for Christ's sake.

How do you know they made a decision to beat him to unconsciousness? So is this a new policy. Every person who fights at high school is going to be charged with attempted murder. Count me out of this grand WickedAngel society where we send underage kids to jail for fighting.

How do I know that they decided to beat him unconscious? Because they beat him until he lost consciousness...and then they kept going.

And no again, kid...everyone in a fight in highschool isn't going to be charged with attempted murder. They'll be charged with the typical charges that come of fights if the fights are normal; assault and battery. If you can't control your emotions and actions by highschool, you really don't need to be there. Save the sarcasm for a topic you know something about, please.

 

[fortified_concept]

For a member of a minority that discourages slangs and name-calling, you're sure doing a lot to perpetuate the habit.

Haha, I'm white.

"Redneck" is a great word to use, a nice mirror for a word that whites used to use publically 50 or so years ago.

I can't believe you're equating the two situations. Hating people because of their primitive and disgusting convictions is completely different than hating people because of their skin colour. The one is completely justified the other is simply S-T-U-P-I-D.

Yes I do hate and I have a lot since humanity is full of idiots, but at least I'm hating for the right reasons. And I'm not saying what the Jena6 did was morally right, but if you live in a community full of stupid rednecks and white trees you'll eventually explode, and rightfully so. The redneck kid wasn't the main offender but it was certainly part of the problem.

Now you may have a problem with phrases like "full of stupid rednecks" and "redneck kid" but we all know deep inside that a place where white trees exist and deeds like the nooses go unpunished is definately "full of rednecks".

 

[WickedAngel]

Haha, I'm white.



I can't believe you're equating the two situations. Hating people because of their primitive and disgusting convictions is completely different than hating people because of their skin colour. The one is completely justified the other is simply S-T-U-P-I-D.

Yes I do hate and I have a lot since humanity is full of idiots, but at least I'm hating for the right reasons. And I'm not saying what the Jena6 did was morally wrong, but if you live in a community full of stupid rednecks and white trees you'll eventually explode, and rightfully so. The redneck kid wasn't the main offender but it was certainly part of the problem.

Now you may have a problem with phrases like "full of stupid rednecks" and "redneck kid" but we all know deep inside that a place where white trees exist and deeds like the nooses go unpunished is definately "full of rednecks".

:lol That's awkward.

...quiet down whitey.

Most of us think the noose-hanging should be punished. The problem is finding a jury that would uphold the prosecution on that one. "Hate Crimes" are a little more complicated than others in terms of identification and sentencing, it seems.

 

[adamsappel]

Compassion? 5 people beat up 1 guy to within an inch of his life.

He left the hospital in two hours. That's not anywhere close to an inch. Completely unjustified and could certainly have turned very bad, but not as severe in the end as some are making out.

 

[WickedAngel]

He left the hospital in two hours. That's not anywhere close to an inch. Completely unjustified and could certainly have turned very bad, but not as severe in the end as some are making out.

The time you stay in the hospital is not relevant. Would you argue that being grazed by a bullet that was shot at your head was simply assault? You wouldn't spend much time in the hospital (If any).

For the last time...kicking someone in the head can be life threatening (Especially if they're on the ground or incapable of defending themselves).

 

[way more]

You are stupid

Wah, wah, wah. Boohoo. Wah. I give up, you aren't even on a level playing field with me.

They each said to each other from their mud holes

Your complete failure at reading comprehension does not make me a racist. I have never said that the law is being enforced properly here. This will be the third or fourth time I've stated that the whites and blacks in this situation that broke the law deserve to be punished to the full extent of the law. The DA's failure to objectively prosecute whites does not make the crimes that the blacks committed any less illegal.

??

I'm not calling you a racist. I don't think anyone is calling you a racist. I'm asking you to please not preemptively label yourself as a racist

If you disagree with these criteria, then you need to contact your congressman or senator, and push them to amend that statute.

That does seem the only thing I can do. I still say we are arguing over the finer details in a gross violation of law.

 

[Enron]

I'm sorry but I'm not that "democratic" as some of you towards rednecks and racists. I'm glad the Jena6 beat the hell out of that redneck kid and I'm glad they didn't sit idle regarding fucking bullshit like "white trees" and nooses. I'd do the same.

Free the Jena 6.

Fuck you.

 

[JayDubya]

I'm sorry but I'm not that "democratic" as some of you towards rednecks and racists. I'm glad the Jena6 beat the hell out of that redneck kid and I'm glad they didn't sit idle regarding fucking bullshit like "white trees" and nooses. I'd do the same.

Free the Jena 6.

Yes, violence is a great way to solve problems. You're an idiot.

Assault is a serious crime. One of those "kids" has four priors for crying out loud.

 

[Enron]

3 of these kids have multiple juvenile offenses. They aren't choir boys, falsely accused by the racist whitey

 

[fortified_concept]

Fuck you.

:lol Awwwww... Did I touch a nerve? Did it hit a little too close to home? We'll never know.

 

[bdoughty]

:lol Awwwww... Did I touch a nerve? Did it hit a little too close to home? We'll never know.

You are a credit to the human race.

 

[fortified_concept]

-Redneck kid mocks black kid who got beaten up by another redneck the previous day.
-Black kids beat up redneck kid.
-I find justification to the black kids' actions and attack the redneck kid. When you live in such a fucked up racist place you'll eventually explode, and the Jena 6 were no different.
-Enron gets his feeling hurt
-bdoughty gets his feeling hurt

Awwwwwwwww....

Again for the people that just don't get it. I'm not saying what the Jena 6 did was right. I'm saying that if I lived in such a fucked up place with "white trees" and rednecks attacking me, I'd be as angry as the Jena 6. I understand the anger and frustration of the black kids and imo it's completely justifiable. They should free the Jena 6 just to teach these rednecks a lesson.

 

[mre]

Again for the people that just don't get it. I'm not saying what the Jena 6 did was wrong.

No, I think we get that.

Edit: Nice edit... Freudian slip? :lol

 

[fortified_concept]

No, I think we get that.

Edit: Nice edit...

Damnit you got me!

And I'm not saying what the Jena6 did was morally right

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7935471&postcount=265

...oh wait you didn't. It was an obvious typo, I can't believe you tried to make a point out of this.

 

[bdoughty]

-Redneck kid mocks black kid who got beaten up by another redneck the previous day.
-Black kids beat up redneck kid.
-I find justification to the black kids' actions and attack the redneck kid. When you live in such a fucked up racist place you'll eventually explode, and the Jena 6 were no different.
-Enron gets his feeling hurt
-bdoughty gets his feeling hurt

Awwwwwwwww....

Again for the people that just don't get it. I'm not saying what the Jena 6 did was right. I'm saying that if I lived in such a fucked up place with "white trees" and rednecks attacking me, I'd be as angry as these kids. They should free the Jena 6 just to teach these rednecks a lesson.

I get it, you are an idiot. Idiots find their way to post things on the internet.

Can we rename the black kids to, "just pick one?" It's really no different then you calling the whites kids rednecks.

Plenty of other ways to displace your anger besides ganging up on one kid and beating him. I have never once defended the white kids and they have more than their fair share of the blame. Of course we only see the sides of the story the press wants to show. Even townspeople will have their own slant on the things that led up to this.

Accountability. It is a big word you appear to not understand. Feel free and look it up and maybe send a copy of it to Rev Al and Jessie along with copies to the Sheriffs and DA in Jena.

 

[mre]

And I'm not saying what the Jena6 did was morally right

Oh, really?

I'm glad the Jena6 beat the hell out of that redneck kid

 

[fortified_concept]

I get it, you are an idiot. Idiots find their way to post things on the internet.

Can we rename the black kids to, "just pick one?" It's really no different then you calling the whites kids rednecks.

Plenty of other ways to displace your anger. I have never defended the white kids.


Accountability. It is a big word you appear to not understand. Feel free and look it up and maybe send a copy of it to Rev Al and Jessie along with copies to the Sheriffs and DA in Jena.

Accountability? What about the town's accountability? You have white trees, you have assholes hanging nooses, other rednecks threatening them with guns, other students beating up these kids and you were offended by the Jena 6's actions? Talk about double standards...

If the whites who were involved in that story and actually started the whole thing didn't get punished why should the Jena 6? The whole town is responsible for the bahaviour of these kids either because of their involvement or because of their connivance. Just because you're unable to see the big picture doesn't mean these kids deserve to have their lives ruined.

This just doesn't stack with:

Oh god, you're still trying? You just don't get the difference between "morally right" and "justifiable" so I'm not bothering with you anymore. Btw it's kind of ironic how you called me out on editing my post and right after I proved you wrong you went and edited yours.

 

[mre]

Oh god, you're still trying? You just don't get the difference between "morally right" and "justifiable" so I'm not bothering with you anymore. Btw it's kind of ironic how you called me out on editing my post and right after I proved you wrong you went and edited yours.

The words I changed did not change the entire meaning of my post. I liked that phrasing better.

You are really splitting hairs if you are trying to find a difference between "morrally right" and "justifiable." If you do not think that they were morally justified in beating that white student's ass, then on what grounds do you find their actions justifiable? Was it legally justifiable? Ethically justifiable?

 

[JayDubya]

The proper term is "morally permissible."

And no, assault is not morally permissible.

 

[typhonsentra]

The proper term is "morally permissible."

And no, assault is not morally permissible.

I guess it's all about perspective. I mean, if a guy named Harry pisses me off it gives me every right to beat up his neighbor! At least according to Fortified's logic. I mean, all us rednecks are open game.

 

[Mugen]

6 black kids beat a white guy unconscious...and there are people marching and demanding they be "freed"? Wow

This is turning into a Rodney King type situation: creating a rallying point for a person with questionable character who was indeed unjustly treated. The kids deserve to go to jail, but attempted murder is far too harsh. I heard some of them have criminal records already, so that's going to be weighed in as well.

Attempted murder: No. Civil rights heroes: No

Listen sellout, it's not that simple and there is more to the matter, go read the wiki article. Every time there is some kind of discrimination or racism towards black people, you try to spin it make it seem like there is non. Stop being such an uncle tom.

 

[Liferebooted]

Execute everyone involved and make the world a better place.

 

[Ripclawe]

They deserve jailtime but not on attempted murder charges. Bell should be in jail given his past history.

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/284511.html

There are undeniable racial and economic inequities in our criminal justice system, and from afar the “Jena Six” rallies certainly looked and felt like the righteous protests of the 1960s.

But the reality is Thursday’s protests are just another sign that we remain deeply locked in denial about the path we need to travel today for true American liberation, equality and power in the new millennium.

The fact that we waited to love Mychal Bell until after he’d thrown away a Division I football scholarship and nine months of his life is just as heinous as the grossly excessive attempted-murder charges that originally landed him in jail.

Reed Walters, the Jena district attorney, is being accused of racism because he didn’t show Bell compassion when the teenager was brought before the court for the third time on assault charges in a two-year span.

Where was our compassion long before Bell got into this kind of trouble?

That’s the question that needed to be asked in Jena and across the country on Thursday. But it wasn’t asked because everyone has been lied to about what really transpired in the small southern town.

There was no “schoolyard fight” as a result of nooses being hung on a whites-only tree.

Justin Barker, the white victim, was cold-cocked from behind, knocked unconscious and stomped by six black athletes. Barker, luckily, sustained no life-threatening injuries and was released from the hospital three hours after the attack.

A black U.S. attorney, Don Washington, investigated the “Jena Six” case and concluded that the attack on Barker had absolutely nothing to do with the noose-hanging incident three months before. The nooses and two off-campus incidents were tied to Barker’s assault by people wanting to gain sympathy for the “Jena Six” in reaction to Walters’ extreme charges of attempted murder.

Much has been written about Bell’s trial, the six-person all-white jury that convicted him of aggravated battery and conspiracy to commit aggravated battery and the clueless public defender who called no witnesses and offered no defense. It is rarely mentioned that no black people responded to the jury summonses and that Bell’s public defender was black.

It’s almost never mentioned that Bell’s absentee father returned from Dallas and re-entered his son’s life only after Bell faced attempted-murder charges. At a bond hearing in August, Bell’s father and a parade of local ministers promised a judge that they would supervise Bell if he was released from prison.

Where were the promises and supervision before any of this?

It’s rarely mentioned that Bell was already on probation for assault when he was accused of participating in Barker’s attack. And it’s never mentioned that white people in the “racist” town of Jena provided Bell support and protected his football career long before Jesse, Al, Bell’s father and all the others took a sincere interest in Mychal Bell.

 

[fortified_concept]

I guess it's all about perspective. I mean, if a guy named Harry pisses me off it gives me every right to beat up his neighbor! At least according to Fortified's logic. I mean, all us rednecks are open game.

What a great comparison! It's like you forget that the white kid provoked them. Not to mention that it's that racist behaviour that created this situation in the first place. And once again you just. don't. get. what I'm saying. You see the incident alone I see the big picture.

It reminds me of the Palestinian argument that goes on for ages in this forum. Some people choose to see the bombings as an act of terrorism disregarding everything else that goes on in that region and condemn the Palesinians, I choose to see the big picture and realize that someone who's oppressed will eventually start resisting and it'll eventually get ugly. I choose and will always choose to blame the main offender not the people who -because of the main offender's actions- are pissed off and eventually turn to violence.

 

[Cooter]

How is it possible for one person to be so dense? Yes, it does mean a thing; it means they made an attempt on his life. No, they didn't kill him...if they had, it would be a completely different charge. Go secure a basic understanding of law for Christ's sake.

What's the cutoff age here Wicked? Should a 12 year old get booked for attempted murder? When I was 12 I knew I could kill someone yet I still got in a few fights. Your over zealous quest for a non-violent world will never happen. Kids fight, especially teenage boys. Let's handle the one's still engaging in this behavior as they get older because the vast majority of kids out grow of it and learn to control their aggression. They are called minors for a reason.

How do I know that they decided to beat him unconscious? Because they beat him until he lost consciousness...and then they kept going.

And no again, kid...everyone in a fight in high school isn't going to be charged with attempted murder. They'll be charged with the typical charges that come of fights if the fights are normal; assault and battery. If you can't control your emotions and actions by high school, you really don't need to be there. Save the sarcasm for a topic you know something about, please.

Have you ever been in a fight Wicked? It is almost instinctual and punches are thrown. When wouldn't a punch be thrown without intent to knock someone out? Who fights and doesn't have this in mind. I'm having a difficult time following your logic here. You need to take a step back and reduce your urge to put everyone in jail.

This case is motivated by racism. And no, I'm not calling you a racist. You obviously have your reasons (no matter how harsh) for your beliefs.

 

[typhonsentra]

What a great comparison! It's like you forget that the white kid provoked them. Not to mention that it's that racist behaviour that created this situation in the first place. And once again you just. don't. get. what I'm saying. You see the incident alone I see the big picture.

If by provoking you mean making fun of him for getting beaten up? Being mean gives a license to beat someone unconscious now?

It reminds me of the Palestinian argument that goes on for ages in this forum. Some people choose to see the bombings as an act of terrorism disregarding everything else that goes on in that region and condemn the Palesinians, I choose to see the big picture and realize that someone who's oppressed will eventually start resisting and it'll eventually get ugly. I choose and will always choose to blame the main offender not the people who -because of the main offender's actions- are pissed off and eventually turn to violence.

... I don't even know what to say here. It's like we come from two different worlds. I'll just say that now, blowing up random civilians is not a reasonable response on the Palestinians part. What possible benefit is their in furthering their cause? The only thing it does is encourage the Israelis to in turn react radically against their people.

 

[NWO]

If the whites who were involved in that story and actually started the whole thing didn't get punished why should the Jena 6?

From Yahoo News:
The three youths accused of hanging the nooses were isolated at an alternative school for about a month, and then given an in-school suspension for two weeks.

 

[fortified_concept]

If by provoking you mean making fun of him for getting beaten up? Being mean gives a license to beat someone unconscious now?

No, being a racist prick gives someone a license to start a fight. And you make it sound soooo important. I've seen and participated my fair share of fights in my school and there were some where one kid was beaten up by others. Noone was arrested and -most important- noone was charged with murder attempt. This is racist bullshit that happened because the kids were black.

.. I don't even know what to say here. It's like we come from two different worlds. I'll just say that now, blowing up random civilians is not a reasonable response on the Palestinians part. What possible benefit is their in furthering their cause? The only thing it does is encourage the Israelis to in turn react radically against their people.

Violence can be used for good. Without the Palestinian's fights they wouldn't have gained some of their lands and rights back, without the riots in the 60's blacks would still be 2nd class citizens, without the strikes, riots and demonstrations workers wouldn't have the rights they have

Spoiler

and they're losing again now

. Unfortunately that is the reality and that will always be the reality.

You want to be politically correct? Fine by me. But I'm a realist and the way I see it the oppressor either it's an occupier, your own goverment, the rich, or a bunch of racist rednecks in your town will start getting the message when things turn ugly. That is the sad truth.

 

[bdoughty]

No, being a racist prick gives someone a license to start a fight.

So whites have that same license to kick Al Sharpton and Jessie Jacksons collective asses? Can I walk up to Charles Barkley and Spike Lee and punch them for the racist things they have said in the past?

Your argument lost all credibility on the first sentence.


Signed,

White but not redneck

 

[fortified_concept]

So whites have that same license to kick Al Sharpton and Jessie Jacksons collective asses? Can I walk up to Charles Barkley and Spike Lee and punch them for the racist things they have said in the past?

Your argument lost all credibility on the first sentence.


Signed,

White but not redneck

They are kids for god's sake. Do I have to spell out everything for you? It's like you're acting dumb to win the argument. Kids beat other kids for much less.

And btw, yes, the way I see it if someone is a racist prick to you you do have the right to start a fight. It's just a fight, be a man, it's not like you're attempting second degree murder like some racist fucks accused the Jena 6 of.

 

[bdoughty]

They are kids for god's sake. Do I have to spell out everything for you? It's like you're acting dumb to win the argument. Kids beat other kids for much less.

And btw, yes, the way I see it if someone is a racist prick to you you do have the right to start a fight. It's just a fight, be a man, it's not like you're attempting second degree murder like some racist fucks accused the Jena 6 of.

So you do not see a different between a fight and 6 men fighting one? It is all legal to you as long as someone is being a racist prick?

 

[typhonsentra]

Alright, I won't be "politically correct" as you call it and call it how it is: The kids were violent thugs and you're ignoring the fact that this far exceeds normal schoolyard violence by a long shot. Assault charges are more than justified in this situations given the severity of his injury. As for the Palestinians, what land have they won back with this violence? The last time I remember them winning any land back (Sharon's Disengagement plan) wasn't sparked by any specific act. Countries never respond positively to terrorism, nor threats thereof.

 

[fortified_concept]

So you do not see a different between a fight and 6 men fighting one? It is all legal to you as long as someone is being a racist prick?

It's justifiable considering the whole situation, see the big picture etc etc. Read my previous posts here. I'm not gonna start going in circles and repeat myself again and again just because you're acting dumb trying to win the argument.

 

[bdoughty]

It's justifiable considering the whole situation, see the big picture etc etc. Read my previous posts here. I'm not gonna start going in circles and repeat myself again and again just because you're acting dumb trying to win the argument.

Justifiable? Maybe if you lived in Cambodia and this was how justice was served there. Like typhonsentra mentioned above the black kids were in no way innocent, clean cut kids before this took place. A few had records and one had like 3 or 4.

Why do you choose to ignore the facts brought up? Or are "rednecks" not deserving of any consideration, yet the black kids are?

Reverse racism is simply racism by another name.

 

[adamsappel]

The time you stay in the hospital is not relevant. Would you argue that being grazed by a bullet that was shot at your head was simply assault? You wouldn't spend much time in the hospital (If any).

For the last time...kicking someone in the head can be life threatening (Especially if they're on the ground or incapable of defending themselves).

It's relevant to this discussion. He shouldn't have spent one second in the hospital because he shouldn't have been beaten. He got the shit kicked out of him by a bunch of thugs, for sure, but he wasn't beaten to within an inch of his life. It's hyperbole.

Can people not understand that in a place where taking away the shotgun that someone has drawn on you results in you being charged with theft, there might be larger issues than the specific facts of a fight? I think that's what some in this thread (lexy, fortified_concept) are arguing, if poorly. White kids in the South probably don't get charged with attempted murder for fighting, don't get jailtime for pushing someone in the hallway, don't get a decade in prison for a blowjob, etc.

Someone with more time or interest than me should dig up the thread--it was something like "Some guy touched my face"--and cross-reference the responses with this one. As I recall, it seemed like there was a "vocal minority" that a man touching another man's face was grounds for a beat-down. Maybe not necessarily deserved, but it was gonna happen, just sayin' is all. I wonder if those posters are consistent when it's racism, not homophobia, that is the casus belli.

 

[WickedAngel]

What's the cutoff age here Wicked? Should a 12 year old get booked for attempted murder? When I was 12 I knew I could kill someone yet I still got in a few fights. Your over zealous quest for a non-violent world will never happen. Kids fight, especially teenage boys. Let's handle the one's still engaging in this behavior as they get older because the vast majority of kids out grow of it and learn to control their aggression. They are called minors for a reason.

There is no cutoff for prosecuting criminality. The only difference is the way in which minors/adults should be punished differently. There is no "overzealous quest for a non-violent world".

By highschool, you should have already "grown out of it". If you can't control your rage by 16~18, you're likely not going to be able to do it as an adult.

Have you ever been in a fight Wicked? It is almost instinctual and punches are thrown. When wouldn't a punch be thrown without intent to knock someone out? Who fights and doesn't have this in mind. I'm having a difficult time following your logic here. You need to take a step back and reduce your urge to put everyone in jail.

I've been in a few fights (None of which I started, or even instigated). There is a significant difference in several of the things you're saying here.

A fight is something that happens between two people. 5:1 is completely different.

Knocking someone unconscious (Or at least hitting them enough to make them stop attacking you) is the goal of any fight. Continuing to beat them after they've gone unconscious and are lying on the ground is something else entirely.

 

[adamsappel]

By highschool, you should have already "grown out of it". If you can't control your rage by 16~18, you're likely not going to be able to do it as an adult.

You know that's not true. Teenagers can barely control any emotions, much less rage. They think they'll live forever (and if not, dying is cool) and life (fights, love, etc.) is just like the movies.

 

[WickedAngel]

You know that's not true. Teenagers can barely control any emotions, much less rage. They think they'll live forever (and if not, dying is cool) and life (fights, love, etc.) is just like the movies.

You must've ran in some fairly ignorant circles during highschool. There were very few fights during my highschool career and most of them were between the same group of dumbasses that still thought they were impressing everyone.

Hell, they're just kids though. I guess nobody below the age of 18 should be prosecuted for anything.