defensive rhetoric

Andrew — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:51:48 +0000

Initially it may seem counter-intuitive, but expect folks in favor of robust self-defense laws to hope, and make their arguments well known, that Zimmerman ultimately fails in his reliance on Florida’s ‘stand your ground’ law.

As a rhetorical/PR matter, it goes like this: from the little information thus far available, the common wisdom has quickly formed that the tragic death of Trayvon Martin was not the result of Mr. Martin’s aggression and Zimmerman’s defense. The public has also quickly registered that Zimmerman has not yet been charged because he claimed self defense in one of many states with statutes allowing fairly quick-decision uses of force.

Martin’s death illustrates the horrible consequences that arguably result from those statutes; thus, proponents of those statutes will be working overtime to dissociate this case from those laws.

actual reporting

Andrew — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:41:35 +0000

I noted, a bit ago in the media bias post, my inclination towards NPR. As to why, I submit Laura Sullivan’s report today during All Things Considered on the economics of prisons and bail. Really a solid piece of journalism.

They are here because they can’t make bail — sometimes as little as $50. Some will wait behind bars for as long as a year before their cases make it to court. And it will cost taxpayers $9 billion this year to house them.

Owens Rhetoric » criminal law

defensive rhetoric

actual reporting