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Obama on verdict: We’re ‘a nation of laws and a jury has spoken’ (Obamacare still delayed)
The Hill ^ | 7/14/13 | Ben Goad, Meghashyam Mali

Posted on 07/14/2013 3:40:15 PM PDT by Libloather

President Obama on Sunday called the death of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin a “tragedy” and urged calm one day after shooter George Zimmerman was acquitted, saying that American was a “nation of laws, and a jury has spoken.”

“The death of Trayvon Martin was a tragedy. Not just for his family, or for any one community, but for America,” said Obama in a statement.

“I know this case has elicited strong passions. And in the wake of the verdict, I know those passions may be running even higher,” he continued. “But we are a nation of laws, and a jury has spoken. I now ask every American to respect the call for calm reflection from two parents who lost their young son.”

Obama urged Americans to “ask ourselves if we’re doing all we can to widen the circle of compassion and understanding in our own communities.”

The verdict to acquit Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer who shot Martin, an unarmed black teenager, during an altercation, led to protests nationwide and debate over the nation’s gun laws and racial profiling.

The jury’s decision though split lawmakers, with many Democrats urging the Justice Department to investigate the evidence and bring federal civil rights charges against Zimmerman.

“This isn’t over with,” vowed Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

The Justice Department said Sunday that it was reviewing the case closely, but did not commit to pressing charges.

“Experienced federal prosecutors will determine whether the evidence reveals a prosecutable violation of any of the limited federal criminal civil rights statutes within our jurisdiction, and whether federal prosecution is appropriate in accordance with the Department's policy governing successive federal prosecution following a state trial,” said DOJ spokeswoman Dena Iverson.

Iverson noted that the department first looked into the case last year and said the DOJ would be joined by the FBI and U.S. attorneys from Florida in reviewing the evidence and state trial.

Some, though, argued that that the case should be closed and criticized Obama, whom they accused of politicizing the killing ahead of the trial.

Obama had spoken about the controversy last year, telling reporters that if he had a son he’d “look like Trayvon.”

Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) on Sunday said Zimmerman, who said he acted in self-defense, should never have been prosecuted.

“The evidence didn’t support prosecution, and the Justice Department engaged in this, the president engaged in this and turned it into a political issue that should have been handled exclusively with law-and-order,” he said.

Obama made no indication whether he would welcome federal criminal charges against Zimmerman, but used the case to discuss the broader issue of gun violence, which he has made an administration priority since the mass shooting last December at Sandy Hook elementary school.

“We should ask ourselves if we’re doing all we can to stem the tide of gun violence that claims too many lives across this country on a daily basis,” Obama said. “We should ask ourselves, as individuals and as a society, how we can prevent future tragedies like this.”

“As citizens, that’s a job for all of us. That’s the way to honor Trayvon Martin.”

Following Sandy Hook, which left 20 children and six adults dead, Obama announced a series of executive actions to tackle the problem. But the president’s main gun control priorities, including universal background checks for firearm sales and bans on assault weapons and large capacity ammunition magazines, require congressional action.

A flurry of bills introduced in the wake of the school shooting have stalled in the face of opposition from gun-rights advocacy groups and many members of Congress, who express concern about infringing on Second Amendment rights.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: banglist; blackkk; florida; georgezimmerman; jury; obama; obamacare; trayvonmartin; verdict
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The lawless has spoken.
1 posted on 07/14/2013 3:40:15 PM PDT by Libloather
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To: Libloather

Complete quote: “The jury has spoken. FORE!!!!”


2 posted on 07/14/2013 3:42:05 PM PDT by DManA
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To: Libloather
“But we are a nation of laws,

ROTFLOL.

3 posted on 07/14/2013 3:42:25 PM PDT by MAexile (Bats left, votes right)
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To: Libloather

“Meanwhile, because I am a race-divider who got elected on White guilt, a have instructed the justice department to bring a civil rights suit against Zimmerman.”


4 posted on 07/14/2013 3:44:04 PM PDT by I want the USA back (If I Pi$$ed off just one liberal today my mission has been accomplished.)
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To: Libloather

We are a nation of self defense.


5 posted on 07/14/2013 3:52:16 PM PDT by Berlin_Freeper (Not Guilty by reason of sanity.)
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To: Libloather

The community organizer speaks!


6 posted on 07/14/2013 3:52:32 PM PDT by Don Corleone ("Oil the gun..eat the cannoli. Take it to the Mattress.")
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To: Libloather

Translation: I have to do my dirty work undercover.


7 posted on 07/14/2013 3:54:02 PM PDT by Beowulf9
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To: Libloather

Notice he said A JURY..not THE JURY..because he wants the DOJ to pursue this case


8 posted on 07/14/2013 3:58:04 PM PDT by Sarah Barracuda
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To: Libloather

Yeah Barack, I raised my kids not to be thugs. That their rights ended at another persons nose and that they do not have to endure more than one fist to the face by any thug before using the force necessary to end the beat down by the local thug. Whether he might look like your might have been son or not.
.


9 posted on 07/14/2013 3:59:09 PM PDT by jwalsh07
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To: Libloather

Rather a jury sent a message to Obama that racism and lawlessness will not be tolerated.


10 posted on 07/14/2013 4:01:10 PM PDT by Biggirl ("Jesus talked to us as individuals"-Jim Vicevich/Thanks JimV!)
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To: Libloather
george zimmerman trayvon martin media bias cnn

The race baiters are not done with this one yet...

11 posted on 07/14/2013 4:01:44 PM PDT by Bon mots
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To: Libloather

I’m just surprised he didn’t say, “The jury acted stupidly.”


12 posted on 07/14/2013 4:01:58 PM PDT by grobdriver
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To: Libloather

So if “The jury has spoken” then why are you sicking your DOJ (as he no longer represents all of America) on Zimmerman and why do you have Sicko Reid out there telling your base it is not over.........


13 posted on 07/14/2013 4:05:19 PM PDT by blueyon (The U. S. Constitution - read it and weep)
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To: Libloather

Blah...Blah..Blah!!!!


14 posted on 07/14/2013 4:08:38 PM PDT by ImJustAnotherOkie (zerogottago)
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To: Libloather
The quote, calling attention to the administration of law and justice, still leaves room for the administration of law and justice as the DOJ kicks in the investigation about prosecuting him under the Civil Rights statutes.

15 posted on 07/14/2013 4:09:43 PM PDT by righttackle44 (Take scalps. Leave the bodies as a warning.)
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To: Libloather

“ask ourselves if we’re doing all we can to widen the circle of compassion and understanding in our own communities.”

http://www.johnspeedie.com/healy/horse.wav


16 posted on 07/14/2013 4:15:07 PM PDT by BenLurkin (This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both.)
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To: Libloather

The Ineligible Won speaks of laws?


17 posted on 07/14/2013 4:22:05 PM PDT by bgill (This reply was mined before it was posted.)
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To: Libloather

I wonder who wrote this for him.


18 posted on 07/14/2013 4:39:24 PM PDT by Venturer
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To: righttackle44; Liz
...still leaves room for the administration of law and justice...

Haven't heard anything from La Raza in awhile...

19 posted on 07/14/2013 4:51:32 PM PDT by Libloather (The epitome of civility.)
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To: Libloather

20 posted on 07/14/2013 4:52:46 PM PDT by JoeProBono (Mille vocibus imago valet;-{)
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