Teen safety

~~The following is a public service announcement~~

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Dear American Teenagers,

This bulletin will cover a few safety tips for you to keep in mind while walking home, to school or to a sporting/social event.

-If you're being watched by an adult in a car, don't worry. Even though this person is not in a police car, he's probably just a friendly neighbor looking out for you and everyone else. He might even have the important title of Neighborhood Watch Captain!

-If this individual gets out of his car and starts following you on foot, stay calm. His heart is in the right place. He's just making sure you're not causing any trouble.

-If this person approaches you, don't panic or act out even if he begins asking aggressive questions or if you feel threatened.

-You may choose to run away from this person, but that's risky. He could interpret that as suspicious behavior, thereby escalating the situation.

-The most important thing to remember is that if you do anything that makes this individual feel threatened or if you try to protect yourself because you feel threatened, he has the legal right to shoot you dead without warning.

Now have fun and stay safe out there!

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Charge it

Mr. Venlet and I often discuss manhole covers.

Because he is a buddy of mine and because we have a correspondence, I will sometimes tangle with John Venlet over at his place. While not exactly a rightie, Mr. Venlet and I have significantly different political outlooks that we manage to manage without vitriol. (If anyone is curious, I consider myself to be a left-leaning independent and not a Democrat.)

In case the readership hasn't noticed, there is a contingent of persons who really have their boxers in a bunch over this Zimmerman business.

Behold the confluence of The Zimmerman controversy, Erin O'Brien and John Venlet. Those who opt to schlep through all that will see that the comment section gets a bit (ahem) disagreeable. Nonetheless some portion of Mr. Venlet's readership seems to be interested in my opinion regarding Ms. Corey's decision not to refer the Zimmerman case to the grand jury. So here it is, on my territory.

HOW THE HELL SHOULD I KNOW WHETHER OR NOT THE GODDAMN CASE SHOULD HAVE GONE TO THE GRAND JURY?

Under Florida Law, Corey was wholly within her right to make the second degree murder charge on her own. She is obviously taking some risk in that action and if the evidence doesn't hold up in court, there will indeed be egg on her face.

Speaking of evidence, imagine the documents to which Corey has access: Martin's autopsy report, police statements, Zimmerman's statements as well as the medical records concerning his alleged injuries. And that's just the obvious stuff. I cannot say Corey's move to charge was right or wrong. I haven't seen these things.

To any regular Improved Grinch Clinch readers who visit these pages: welcome. Thank you for dropping in. I heartily encourage and appreciate your comments. Rant and swear all you like, but please try and be respectful of others and their opinions.

Love, Erin

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