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Q Mr. President, may I ask you about this current case in Florida, very controversial, allegations of lingering racism within our society -- the so-called do not -- I'm sorry -- Stand Your Ground law and the justice in that? Can you comment on the Trayvon Martin case, sir?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I’m the head of the executive branch, and the Attorney General reports to me so I’ve got to be careful about my statements to make sure that we’re not impairing any investigation that’s taking place right now.
But obviously, this is a tragedy. I can only imagine what these parents are going through. And when I think about this boy, I think about my own kids. And I think every parent in America should be able to understand why it is absolutely imperative that we investigate every aspect of this, and that everybody pulls together -- federal, state and local -- to figure out exactly how this tragedy happened.
So I'm glad that not only is the Justice Department looking into it, I understand now that the governor of the state of Florida has formed a task force to investigate what's taking place. I think all of us have to do some soul searching to figure out how does something like this happen. And that means that examine the laws and the context for what happened, as well as the specifics of the incident.
But my main message is to the parents of Trayvon Martin. If I had a son, he'd look like Trayvon. And I think they are right to expect that all of us as Americans are going to take this with the seriousness it deserves, and that we're going to get to the bottom of exactly what happened.
Thank you.
Now I will paint myself white just for a moment. Let's say the LA riots are happening and the innocent bystander, Reginald Denney's beating was broadcasted worldwide for all to see and then President Bush made this same statement about Denney looking like one of his sons. I honestly would not be offended by it.
The transcript above is basically telling everyone, black/white/hispanic/asian etc., to understand the seriousness of this tragedy and get to the bottom of exactly what happened. No racial overtones whatsoever.
Some of you totally ignored what was said before the "if I had a son" scenario. Ran with that and made a mountain out of a mole hill.
the 'if i had a son' comment wasn't that big of a deal to me, particularly since he was asked to comment. but comparing this to the reginald denny case, where the whole thing is on film and there is absolutely no question who held what degree of fault, is quite a stretch, to say the least.
btw, i'm not an obama hater so you are free to disregard this comment.
But my main message is to the parents of Trayvon Martin. If I had a son, he'd look like Trayvon
I think the other points he made should have been the main message, not a message to the parents. What would he say if there was a similar situation that was so controversial and the victim was white?
Maybe he should have said: "If that was my child"........which is what most parents would say.
Now if that Other black man who was running for president on the other side had said that...he would be cannonized
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