Monday, July 01, 2013

Monday Morning Musings - The Truth of the Matter

As the trial of George Zimmerman goes into it's second week, I thought about the fact that the outcome largely depends on who you are going to believe. Zimmerman is charged with murder in the killing of Trayvon Martin, a 17- year old who was walking home after buying snacks at a convenience store. Witnesses have differing accounts of what happened, so it truly is going to be a case of he-said, she-said. When writing fiction you, the author, can put words into a character's mouth and manipulate the story to take it in the direction you want it to go, but in real life, we aren't supposed to do that.

Unfortunately, people manipulate the truth all the time. Do you like the way I came right out and called anyone a liar?

People manipulate the truth to avoid prosecution, to avoid public scorn, to avoid responsibility, and it seems to be an acceptible mode of behavior. Lie as long as you can get away with it.

Okay, sorry, I couldn't avoid the word any longer.

I don't know who is lying in the Zimmerman case, but someone is. There was only one way this scenereo played out. Either Martin attacked Zimmerman first, or he did not. Since Martin is dead and cannot tell  his side of the story, the jury is going to have to rely on what they are led to believe.

Let's hope it's the truth. Either way, let's hope it's the truth.

Well, I didn't mean to get all heavy and philosophical this early in the morning, but this kept running through my mind as I took my walk this morning. Don't even ask me why. I have not been following the trial at all.

Thursday is my birthday and we will be having company for the Fourth of July and through the weekend, so I will be busy all week getting ready. It is always fun when most of our kids and grandkids come out to Grandma's Ranch to celebrate the birthdays, mine and the good ol' USA, and they do have to suffer through me singing "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy" over and over again.

Don't forget to leave a comment if you would like to enter the contest to win copies of my short stories. This is part of the Untreed Reads sale - 4 for the Fourth - in which they are offering four short stories for only a dollar through Thursday. Details and lists of books on my post last Wednesday. I decided that I would gift someone with my four short stories on my birthday, so leave contact information in your comment and I will have the drawing early on Thursday before all the fun starts here.


This picture has nothing to do with anything I wrote about. I just thought you might like to see what our Harry was doing recently. I think he wanted the horse to play with him. What would be a good caption?

4 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Lie if you can get away with it - you nailed it.
And happy birthday early! We should celebrate with fireworks or something.

Maryannwrites said...

I like your idea for fireworks, Alex. How have I gone so many years and not thought of it? LOL

Yolanda Renée said...

Happy Birthday, What a wonderful way to celebrate!

For the caption:
"It's all right, not every one can be black and beautiful!"
or
"My names Harry and you are?"
or
"I have the right of way, back up."
or
"You're in my spot buddy. Move it or lose it!"
Sorry, I got carried away!

Yolanda Renée said...

I forgot to leave my contact information. I would love to win copies of your short stories!
yolandarenee(at)hotmail(dot)com

I also worry about whether the truth will be told, or found during this trial, but it's out of our hands. Either way judgement will come.