[fintstone]

Originally Posted by EMJ

Rod, the problem with your posts is that they make too much sense. Fint seems to think this was a mano a mano street fight right out of a TJ Hooker episode, when in reality, "fighting in fear and self preservation," as you describe, seems the more accurate description. No one punches a guy in the street ONCE, especially in a bad neighborhood, let's their limp body fall back to the ground like Captain Kirk would do, and saunters away like if the fight is over. It's simply preposterous. Zimmerman was getting the beating he brought on himself. Pulling the gun and shooting TM - excessive force.

Once again, the bar must be low to get a beating where you live. The same is true for considering Zimmerman's behavior to have somehow "brought it on himself."

Calling something a "fight" where I come from implies both parties are participating. If the other guy is not punching back...why would you continue hitting the man after your initial blow knocked him down unless you were intending to do some serious damage? Most people would not have hestiated to shoot the attacker. Zimmerman cried out for help for a long time and took the beating. After determining he had no other recourse since Martin would not stop...pulling the gun and shooting was the only remaining alternative.