Flooding The Zone

In addition to a front page story on the Trayvon Martin killing which buried MAJOR news the NY Times has not one but two columns tackling the case.  And each seems to be a call for calm - perhaps the Times has decided that if we are going to have media-fanned race riots in Florida this summer they should cover it more carefully.

Each column contains a surprise for anyone silly enough to rely on the Times for their news.  First, Bill Keller:

The shooting of Trayvon Martin has become a cause before it is even a case. It’s natural to admire the resolute grace of his grieving parents and to endorse their demand for answers Florida authorities have been slow to provide. It’s commendable to shine the lamp of shame on Florida’s absurdly permissive gun laws. (This, remember, is the state that tried last year to make it a crime for doctors to talk to patients about the dangers of guns in the home.) But fashioning a narrative from the hate-crimes textbook — bellowing analogies to the racist nightmares of Birmingham and Selma, as the reliably rabble-rousing Reverend Sharpton has done — is just political opportunism. This is the kind of demagoguery that could prejudice a prosecution, or mobilize a mob. Is it not creepy, by the way, that Spike Lee was tweeting the suspected home address of George Zimmerman? As if to say, “Go get him!” (Lee sent apologies and a check to the elderly couple who were scared from their home because, oops, the tweet gave the wrong address. But apparently it’s O.K. to terrorize Zimmerman.)

Depending on how they page through the paper, that will be the first time that Times readers learn of Mr. Lee's deplorable behavior.

But if they turn to the Business Section first, they will find David Carr fretting about the impact of New Media on our discourse:

As if the overheated cable news debate weren’t enough, social media are fueling the story with misinformation, along with incendiary calls to action. There is a Twitter account called “@killzimmerman” that suggested George Zimmerman needed to be “shot dead in the street.” On Twitter, the movie director Spike Lee passed on what he thought was Mr. Zimmerman’s address, but it was wrong and an elderly couple was forced to flee from their home. And what if Mr. Lee had gotten it right? (Mr. Lee has since apologized and reached a settlement with the couple.)

Two mentions of what had been a Times non-event?  One hopes that Times readers are not susceptible to the written equivalent of the bends.

THINKING OUT LOUD:  If the Times really wants to help social media calm down they might start with their own reporting.  The credulous, wide-eyed reporting by Ms. Alvarez of two gunshots, execution style was the tale told by Ben Crump and the Martin family attorneys and no one else.  They backpedaled the next day and now tell us that "The sudden crack of gunfire cut the night. A single shot. Then silence."  I told you so.

This is from the distant past when the Ms. Alvarez was young and innocent:

On the recordings, one shot, an apparent warning or miss, is heard, followed by a voice begging or pleading, and a cry. A second shot is then heard, and the pleading stops.

“It is so clear that this was a 17-year-old boy pleading for his life, and someone shot him in cold blood,” said Natalie Jackson, one of the Martin family lawyers.

Don't waste time looking for any sort of appended correction - that only happens when they misspell the name of a Russian ballerina, not with unimportant stuff like two gunshots and an execution in a racially tinged killing.

TRUST BUT VERIFY:  If the Times really is intent on putting down the pom-poms and acting like investigative reporters for a change, they might mull over just where the big information fails have occurred with this case and try to anticipate a few future potholes.

Just for example, it was Ben Crump et al that promoted the "two gunshots" theory.   How did that work?

It seems to have been Ben Crump et al that promoted the hundred pound weight differential between Zimmerman and Martin.  How did that work?

And Ben Crump has been the primary source for info about Trayvon Martin's girlfriend and their cell phone exchanges.  How will that work?

Ben Crump and his team are advocates for a grieving family, not objective seekers and purveyors of truth.  There will be times when their goal is agitation, not information.  One might have thought that a newspaper familiar with Al Sharpton would be aware of this, but maybe everything looks bright and new in the Sunshine State.

TO BE FAIR:  A real study would add up all the great info that came from Crump and nowhere else.  Maybe he has a lot of homeruns to go with the strikeouts.  But this gives me pause, from the featured Times story today:

But Mr. Crump and Natalie Jackson, the lawyers for Trayvon’s family, said that the law does not preclude the police from properly investigating a homicide: collecting evidence, thoroughly interviewing the suspect and aggressively questioning witnesses — much of which, they maintained, did not occur in the death of Trayvon Martin.

For example, the lawyers said that as of late last week, no investigator had interviewed Trayvon’s girlfriend.

Sorry for the no-link, but Mr. Crump said the youg lady would only talk to the Feds, since they didn't trust the Sanford PD.  To offer her now as an example of their non-effort is a bit of a stretch.  If that is their best example, the Times ought to call them on it.  But geez, let's give the Times a chance to crawl before they walk.

Comments

[Jack is Back!]

Let me start by reminding everyone that it's Master's Week. The azaleas and rhodendron (mountain laurel) are in bloom, the bunkers are filled with feldspar culm (not sand), the fariways are fast but the greens are faster.

Friends, its a tradition unlike any other.

[Danube of Thought]

Next week a grand jury will begin taking testimony. If the girlfriend is summoned, she'll either talk or take the 5th, regardless of whom she trusts.

In the meantime, it might be a good idea for everybody to shut up.

[Jack is Back!]

DoT,

What are the chances that they'll call Tom McGuire, Rob Crawford, steve, podesta and BuBu to testify?

[matt]

since when do doctors talk to patients about guns in the home. How about watching out for that can of gasoline and those flammables in the garage? Or the dangers of sharp edges? paper cuts?

Get Bloomberg Man on this right away!

[Danube of Thought]

Hell, JiB, I think Tom Maguire has analyzed this matter more thoroughly and fairly than anyone in the country.

Bubu's views on the meaning of the Florida law should certainly be explored.

[Davod]

Is the turnaround in readiness for the second greatest speech on race relations.

[anon]

I wish you had put one ounce of the skepticism you have for the Liberal reporting on the George Zimmerman case into your reading of the Liberal media's reporting on the war effort.

[anon]

If you can see that they are motivated to misreport here in a simple case like this--why could you not see that where the stakes were all the greater-

the War on Terror?

[anon]

It's funny how you wanted to be so oblivious to that possibility that you no longer responded to your audience.

Shameful, somehow you wanted the comfort of burying your head in the sand to that possibility.

[Clarice]

Why do I love Tom? Let me count the ways--

For starters there are gems like these:

"One hopes that Times readers are not susceptible to the written equivalent of the bends."
"Don't waste time looking for any sort of appended correction - that only happens when they misspell the name of a Russian ballerina, not with unimportant stuff like two gunshots and an execution in a racially tinged killing."

___Do you suppose NYT subscribers--such that are left and actually paying for this carp at any rate--are calling and complaining or canceling? Or is the paper afraid of the consequences of their carp causing this to spin out of control?
I remember when the major papers in America abhorred lynchings instead of urging them on

[jwest]

That headline – “Flooding the Zone” – brings something else to mind.

Every time something like this happens (Plame, Duke Rape, Gabbie Gifford, Palin, Trayvon, etc.) the left wing media floods the zone with misinformation that they try to shape into a narrative against the right. By the time the truth comes out, the damage is already done.

Some sites like Newsbusters try to keep up with events, but they are overwhelmed and don’t seem to have the analytical and research talent that JOM exhibits. What is really needed is a site that can put a laser-like focus on whatever the event is, maintain a cataloged timeline, source links, background research and a variety of other information sorted by fact and speculation. A site like this would become the go-to resource for independent and right wing media during high visibility situations. JOM is the natural starting point for this sort of website, but of course, JOM can only do so much without a formalized plan and resources.

We need someone who knows how to put a proposal together for funding from right-leaning foundations, corporations and wealthy individuals for JOM.Org. It could run as an adjunct to JOM at minimal cost until a situation arose, then jump into action with a ready reserve of skilled investigative bloggers doing everything from deep research to having boots on the ground.

If the Koch brothers read JOM, they probably have their checkbooks out already. If not, someone with a knack for writing should draft a proposal and post it in the comments for input. The worst that could happen is a rejection letter.

[myiq2xu]

How long before some additional "forensic voice analysis" experts pop up to claim their 15 minutes by disputing the first two's conclusions?

[Danube of Thought]

Anyone know the extent to which expert voice analysis has been allowed in court?

[Gus]

I guess the 1 or 2 shots theory has a definitive answer to it.
The part about whose voice is on the tape is a little more problematic. Which one of the 2 involved in the fracas had head injuries??

[Gus]

Hi I'm Kwame X with the Black forensic voice analysis association...............

[Cecil Turner]

I really would like to see the methodology on those audio analyses.

According to the youtube vid explaining EVB, they need about five seconds of "good audio" but that may take up to 20 seconds of speech. It's fairly obvious that if they just copy in the 911 call, a good chunk of the audio is the caller and dispatcher, and the quality of the screaming in the background is dubious even before you consider it's not normal speech.

Unless he edited the tape to keep only the cries for help, you'd think it'd be useless for comparison purposes. And if he edited it, I'd be surprised if it could get the required amount of "good audio" needed for a valid file.

It's impossible to tell from the news reports, but I'm very skeptical of the validity of the approach.

[Clarice]

Cecil, IIRC every one of the lawyers who posts here, thinks the testimony wouldn't survive cross, even if by some means these bozos could qualify as "experts".

[Clarice]

I don't know DoT.I 've dealt with a lot of forensic experts but not "voice" experts. OTOH I did find and post days ago an article by an expert saying that cell phone analysis was very problematic because the method of transmission so substantially compresses the audio material .

[henry]

CT, I read one of the links posted on them. The software test involved 5 speech pairs, of which 4 were matched (same person) and one was not. No mention of any testing beyond normal speaking voice (e.g. same person normal voice vs screaming in pairs). That tells me the validity here is zero.

[jwest]

I hope everyone who is interested in the voice analysis aspect of this story had a chance to read the comment by “someguy” at the link below. This is the type of JOM research that makes the site what it is.

http://justoneminute.typepad.com/main/2012/04/i-said-it-couldnt-be-done.html?cid=6a00d83451b2aa69e201676489f002970b#comment-6a00d83451b2aa69e201676489f002970b

[Ignatz]

--Anyone know the extent to which expert voice analysis has been allowed in court?--

This should hold you for a while DoT. In my quick scan looked like a pretty good history.

[Gus]

Here's the real question Clarice. Did the voice sound WHITE-HISPANIC or did it sound ANGELIC.

I think that's what everybody wants to know.

[Clarice]

Heh, Gus.

[Jane (Where is Jon Corzine?)]

Friends, its a tradition unlike any other.

One of my favorite weeks of the year. Go Tiger! (ducking)

[xbradtc]

Re: anon above. I always find it fascinating when someone criticizes a blogger for not posting on what the critic wants to be the subject.

You do know you can start your own blog and post on any topic you wish, right?

[Stephanie]

Friend of mine called yesterday and in discussing the Masters said did I want to go to the Tues practice round? Duh. Of course.

I asked her what time she wanted to meet and where to ride over to Augusta and she said Augusta? I have a tee time for 11:00 wanna play?

She giggled and said April Fools.

Twas not amused. But I am playing tomorrow.

[Jack is Back!]

You know withh this forensic sound analysis of a murder underway they could make a movie about it .........what, they did?

Brian de Palma, call your office.

[Thomas Collins]

See LUN for an article on Angela Corey, Rick Scott's special prosecutor in the Zimmerman/Martin matter.

[Danube of Thought]

Thanks for the link, Iggy. I think I can guarantee I could do a voir dire that would keep any of these quacks from testifying.

[Jack is Back!]

Stephanie,

True story. When my wife and I were living in London we would go down to Sussex from time to time to play golf, stay in old manor homes, wander the downs, etc. One time we were staying at a nice old manor home that was a B&B and there was another guest there with his daughter. When we entered the parlor for pre-dinner drinks, a distinguished older gentlemen rose from the sofa and extended his hand: "Charles Parker, from Augusta Georgia. How'd you'd like to play Augusta some time?" Before I could answer, he said "Augusta Country Club, that is". He was the president of the Augusta National Bank and rented his house out every year to Greg Norman and others. Gave his tickets to his employees and went to Europe away from the madding crowd. You aint't the only one bit by that spider.

[Jane]

I asked her what time she wanted to meet and where to ride over to Augusta and she said Augusta? I have a tee time for 11:00 wanna play?

OMG, the first half of your post fooled me too Stephanie, what fun that would be.

I dealt with a lawyer in Augusta for a couple of years. It seemed to me the entire town revolved around The Masters at all times at least according to her. It was very cool.

[Extraneus]

Lawmakers target gun laws, neighborhood watch in wake of Florida teen shooting

Capitol Hill lawmakers are doing more than donning hoodies on the House floor to respond to the death of Florida teen Trayvon Martin. Members of Congress are pushing new legislation calling for everything from gun control to restrictions on neighborhood watch groups.

Just what we need - fewer people willing to participate in neighborhood watch groups.

[Clarice]

As I recall, Zimmerman was the only one who volunteered for the awful task in his commuity as it is.

[Extraneus]

How about fewer yutes willing to confront neighborhood watchmen? Wouldn't that be smarter?

[Jack is Back!]

TC,

That's a fair profile of Angela Corey but Shorstein was a bully and she beat him like a drum. He had issues and she didn't like the way he plea bargained some slam dunks if memory serves me. The fact that the Duval County/Jacksonville Sheriffs office backed her all the way is a clue. Jacksonville has no police department its a sheriff's department representing Jax and Duval (which are basically one and the same).

Her lead investigator is a 30 year veteran of the Jacksonville Sheriffs and State's Attorney office with hundreds of murder investigations under his belt. This is not a Mickey Mouse operation but one with more experience than existed down in Seminole/Osceola and Brevard counties. It wasn't Orange County (Orlando) that would be handling the proscecution - so good call by Scott and Bondi to bring Corey in.

[Stephanie]

All five state division's HS golf championships are being played in Augusta this year on May 7. Several different courses around the area are hosting. One of the parents at Ks old HS is working to get a tour for the kids at Augusta National the day before the tournament. Way cool!

[Jack is Back!]

Stephanie and Jane,

Give you an idea of how crazy Master's Week is around Augusta. We are driving up to Sylva, NC for our Easter break in the mountains. We decided to stop along the way and split the drive. Winnsboro, SC was first choice but the nice B&B's there don't take kids. So, Mrs. JiB found a nice place in Columbia, SC in the old warehouse district near The Vista district. But because of the Master's they only had the bridal suite available:)

We took it. Columbia is 75 miles from Augusta off of I-20.

[Jack is Back!]

DoT's going to kill me, but this is for TK.

[Thomas Collins]

Thanks, JiB. It sounds as if she'll run a fair and thorough investigation.

[Gus]

Last April 1, I was in Scotland visiting my family (Mom's from Edinburgh), on April 1, I found myself in StAndrews. NO CLUBS. For the first time in my life, I was in St Andrews, and gold had not entered my mind.
Maybe because April 1 in Wisconsin is really not golf weather ..usually.

[Jack is Back!]

Gus,

Hell April 1st in Scotland isn't golf weather either but then July 1st or August 1st isn't too much:)

'nae rain, 'nae wind, 'nae golf!

Laddie, if we don't play in this weather, we don't play at all:)

[Chubby]

((As I recall, Zimmerman was the only one who volunteered for the awful task in his commuity as it is.))

yes that was on Wiki. And he had quite a successful record stopping several incidents.

[Stephanie]

Dang Gus. I woulda bought a set and sold my old ones when I got home. Don't they have rentals?

JiB. Thought of your trip yesterday and wondered if you were driving through that maddening mess. Certain hotels in Atlanta also raise their rates during Masters week. It's 3 hours by car. 45 minutes by helicopter. Lots of the choppers do a flyover of Stone Mountain for the noobs and we get stuck with the noise all week.

Many of the players stay at Reynold's Plantation. Hope they stay away from Roethlisberger. ..

[Gus]

I've borrowed my cousins clubs before, he lives about 20 miles from Saint Andrews, but frankly, I didn't think of golf until I got there at 8 am. And there was wind and rain. BEEN THERE DONE THAT.

[Jack is Back!]

Stephannie,

Big Ben's is a Tebow convert now, don't ya know:)

They say twice as many people go to Augusta during Master's Week on the off chance they will find a ticket magically appear out of nowhere or that there is a way to sneak in.

Also, lots of freeloaders, scam artists and conmen come for the festivities.

Wonder how come its never been targeted for an Occupy show?

[Rob Crawford]

As I recall, Zimmerman was the only one who volunteered for the awful task in his commuity as it is.

No, there was at least one other.

[matt]

An amazing comment on the NHS's method of murdering critical care patients on a blog piece of mine written some time ago. I thought anyone who wanted to understand what Obamacare means should read it. LUN

[matt]

Obama just stepped way over the line in addressing the Health Care bill before the Court.

He really is trying to create the circumstances for a Leftist putsch.

[Gus]

Matt!! I'm shocked. Obama is way way way too SMART to do something that Stupid.

[Jane]

I think one of you should go this year and report back JIB and Steph.

[pagar]

"Just what we need - fewer people willing to participate in neighborhood watch groups."

I suspect there are a whole lot of people who would like to make sure there are no neighborhood watch groups.

http://www.wpbf.com/news/south-florida/treasure-coast/Fort-Pierce-man-killed-in-Miami-funeral-home-shooting/-/8882916/10033986/-/msd5vc/-/

There are hundreds of these stories on the Internet. Does anyone really think these shooters like neighborhood watch groups?

[Stephanie]

Oh I'd love to go, :)

All the Atlanta prostitutes are in Augusta for the duration. I doubt tasteful nudes would draw much interest. :)

[Rob Crawford]

I suspect there are a whole lot of people who would like to make sure there are no neighborhood watch groups.

True -- and I'm *still* trying to grasp how recognizing the right to self defense is "racist".

But, then, I suspect getting your eggs overcooked is "racist" these days.

[pagar]

We could use some golf stories on Capt Hate's thread.

[Stephanie]

And I meant to add that any azaleas in bloom will have been brought in for the cameras. Mine look like shriveled brown blobs as they bloomed two weeks ago and the blooms are fading.

JiB, bgates and others I think K and I are heading to Orlando for the Flower and Garden Festival May 13 - 17. Will be finalizing the plans this week.

[PaulL]

jwest, thanks for pointing out someguy's post. I had overlooked it.

[Jack is Back!]

Stephanie,

Keep us informed on Orlando trip. May be there around that time for my annual Nordstrom buying spree.

[Stephanie]

Will do. We are planning 2 trips to WDW this year. One in May and one in the fall.

I'm pissed that I missed the 30% discount on the rooms that expired on Saturday. I'm gonna call them this week about to book the trip and fuss about it. You'd think trip number 30 in ten years would warrant a gesture on their part. It better not be a futile one. I usually book in February, but with all the uncertainty with school and all, I waited. Grrrr.