Crime

‘I Don’t See the Difference’: Pundit Who Pushed for Zimmerman’s Arrest in Martin Case Sees Similarities To Virginia Beating

You have to give Tavis Smiley credit for being consistent. Smiley, a national progressive pundit who pushed the Trayvon Martin case as a gun control issue alongside Left wing professor Cornel West last month, recently appeared on Bill O‘Reilly’s TV show to discuss the beating of two white reporters in Northern Virginia. And if the mob of black youths who apparently perpetrated the beating thought they might be getting “justice for Trayvon,” then Smiley has bad news for them: If George Zimmerman is guilty of a hate crime, then they’re no better than him.

You can watch Smiley’s segment on the O’Reilly Factor below:

O’Reilly opens with his “Talking Points Memo” on the subject, and gives a brutal tongue-lashing to the paper that employed the two reporters for “covering up” the case. “We cannot have Americans of any color being set upon by violent mobs. That cannot stand in this country,” O’Reilly thunders.

After the segment, Smiley’s appearance begins, and the first thing he notes is that “you have some similarities to the Trayvon Martin case.” Read these excerpts from Mediaite’s recounting of the segment:

Smiley then observed some similarities between this case and the Trayvon Martin case”

You have the issue of race obviously. Number two, you have a police department that bungled the investigation. Number three, when Trayvon Martin’s case the media, the mainstream media took a long time to get on that story. Were it not for the black media they never would have covered it, and now you raise questions about a cover up in this story. These cases aren’t as dissimilar except for the fact there is a child involved and says something about our nation when we have children put upon the way Trayvon Martin was.

O’Reilly then asked, “Is there a difference between a white mob setting upon minorities — don’t have to be African-American, could be Hispanics, could be American Indians, anything — and a minority, again, could be any minority setting upon white people? or is it the same?”

Noting it would be case-by-case, Smiley said, across the board, “I don’t see the difference.”

Smiley does try to make a point about racial bias nevertheless, saying it’s white children who “end up on the milk cartons,” but not black children. Nevertheless, to have a prominent progressive call this incident similar to the case is a fairly interesting display of intellectual honesty on the part of such a figure.

 

Comments (60)

1 2
  • Dakotagal
    Posted on May 4, 2012 at 6:37am

    I saw this appearance by Smiley last night, and he is just about as annoying as that college professor O’Reilly has on so often. Seriously irritating. I really wish Smiley would stop referring to Trayvon as a “child” or “children” because this young man was not 12 years old. He was big, threatening, 17 and no longer a child in my book. And evidently not in George Zimmerman’s book either.

    Report Post » Dakotagal  
    • johnjamison
      Posted on May 4, 2012 at 7:31am

      Everyone is someone‘s child even when they’re 80. But you are right If trayvon robbed a store,car jacked a person or committed pretty much any felony he would be trialed as an adult.
      I watched that show last night also and Smiley got away witha bold face lie right in Oreilly’s face. He know damn well if 30 whites pulled a black couple out of a car and beat them IT WOULD BE FRONT PAGE NEWS AND HEADLINED ON CNN,MSNBC,ABC,CBS,AND PBS WOULD DO A SHOW ABOUT THE KLAN 100 YEARS AGO.

      Report Post »  
  • sacwoodpusher
    Posted on May 4, 2012 at 5:59am

    I’m going to make a statement about child abductions……I do not want to see child abduction notices where the abductor is one of the parents.

    I do not care to worry about a child abducted by a parent. This is just another tactic used by people divorcing to attack each other. Creating posters of children abducted by a parent dilutes the child abduction poster effectiveness.

    Go bleed over my position all you want. I don’t care. People mate with wild disregard And quite randomely, it seems.

    Report Post »  
    • Mastermagi
      Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:06am

      @ sacwoodpusher

      You’re absolutely correct. There was an Amber alert issued recently in my area. According to the media (who knows if it’s true, since the media lies every day), the parents were notified that CPS was about to take their children, so the parents took the children and ran. Gasp! Two (married) parents caring enough for their children that they weren’t going to allow the State to steal them? Who wouldn’t have done the same?

      Report Post »  
    • Rebecca Olesen
      Posted on May 5, 2012 at 3:01pm

      You are so full of CRAP. Sometimes the parent (male OR female) who abducts the child has a mental illness, history of drug abuse/prostitution, spousal and/or child abuse, sexual abuse.
      I get this feeling you are a man and you think that stuff is only used against men or something and that‘s why you don’t like it.
      I remember one boy who was taken by a parent, then down to south america (boy wasn’t hispanic, the parent just ‘picked’ someplace) and basically just given to some dirt poor farmers in the mountains.
      It was several years before he was found (reports of white haired boy) and his life had been HELL, worked like a slave digging in the dirt.
      Or what about foreign parents, arabic muslims, who take their kids to their home country of crap never to be seen again; or who take their 13 year old daughters back to Pakistan to marry them off to some crap first cousin. I saw where a Korean woman took a kid to Korea & they won’t allow intervention in those things. The child had been told her dad was dead.
      THERE’S SO MANY VALID REASONS
      you see kids ever day killed by parents, starved, beaten to death – parents are just ‘people’ and a whole lot of them are BAD if not down right EVIL.

      Report Post » Rebecca Olesen  
  • Paralleluniverse
    Posted on May 4, 2012 at 4:05am

    I once heard Smiley say missing black children should have their faces on chocolate milk cartons!

    Report Post »  
  • TheBurningTruth
    Posted on May 4, 2012 at 2:53am

    Two points: 1) Tavis kept referring to “babies” and by extention equating Trevon with a helpless baby. Other then the arbitrary legal definition, young adults at 17 or 18 are NOT babies. Blows that argument right out of the water.

    2) It’s easy to say, “they’re the no better than Zimmerman” when there’s no way to either ID the mob (they didn’t call 911 or stick around) and that they’ll all alibi each other. Even if one of the animals does get arrested, they DA won’t prosecute and the arrest will just be a badge of honor.

    But at least Tavis had the balls to say what he did. Jessie-The-Racist and Al-Racebaiter-Sharpton will just let this play out without acknowledging it.

    Report Post » TheBurningTruth  
  • bullcrapbuster
    Posted on May 4, 2012 at 1:32am

    99.999% of the Russians and Chinese and Indians etc.are poorer than these thugs that are lashing out because of so called poverty.

    Report Post » bullcrapbuster  
  • Salamander
    Posted on May 4, 2012 at 1:04am

    In NORFOLK, VA, not Northern, VA!

    Report Post »  
    • johnjamison
      Posted on May 4, 2012 at 12:33pm

      Norfolk is a nice waterside shopping area suurounded by a cess pool. And the billions they spend there every year to bring in mnore business is useless so long as the cess pool is there.

      Report Post »  
  • scout n ambush
    Posted on May 4, 2012 at 12:48am

    I would compare the reporters from the Pilot being assaulted with the lady who works on The View ander her cousins from the Dominican Republic who were shot at the take out counter in NY or NJ can’t rember one or the other.Then there’s Vietnam vet in Ohio going tho the store around the block for treats for his dogs ,man in Ga over the street basketball .These were all truly racially motivated hate crimes who’s next ?When you or your family is out make shure they pay attention to their surroundings .

    Report Post » scout n ambush  
  • Rohawk
    Posted on May 4, 2012 at 12:34am

    The problem we have in the media is when the victim is a minority they hype the danger of the majority to minorities to get ratings. When the criminal is a minority or muslim the media downplays it with the justification that we could have a white or anti-muslim backlash so it must be covered up. The truth should have no social control filter. While a majority of all minorities in this country dispise bigotry, the media for some insane reason tries to justify blacks acting out which fuels (not creates) the racists on both sides that do exist.

    Report Post »  
  • ContinentalArmy
    Posted on May 4, 2012 at 12:06am

    Just another Black Racist and O’Reilly needs to retire from the Media Spotlight! I do carry a 40 cal. S&W. 1st clip Black Talons, 2nd clip Hollow Points, 3rd clip Combo Hollow points and Solid! The choice is theirs on what they receive! Stay away or grave!

    Report Post »  
  • babylonvi
    Posted on May 4, 2012 at 12:00am

    Tavis is, IMHO, a race-baiter of the first order. He is following in the ground blazed by Al Not-So-Sharpton and Barry Soetoro. I believe he is neither a journalist nor a ‘pundit’(progressive or otherwise), but a professional race promoter and I would NEVER consider he spouts off regarding news or legal issues. In this case, I believe he is either ill-informed, deficient in logic or just a down and dirty race-baiter.

    Report Post » babylonvi  
  • cookcountypatriot
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 11:56pm

    smileys point was because the couple was white it only took a few days before it was brought to light…but he didnt mention the fact that there seems to be a cover up by the local media….the cover up in the tryvon martin case is the media fabricating and blantanly lying about this case to stir up thier favorite hate…racism…..

    Report Post » cookcountypatriot  
  • pwatkins
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 11:47pm

    I’d just soon get an opinion from a tree root as get one from Tavis Smiley. I do know the tree root has a real purpose in life.

    Report Post »  
  • spirited
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 11:18pm

    Mr. Smiley,
    “Milk cartons” ? –Please …!
    “Poverty” ? –Please…!

    Blacks beat-up, steal and murder blacks almost daily; & it’s treated like –just another car accident!

    Hit the streets with Al Sharton and the other voices to SAVE others from these crimes!!!
    It is disgusting –and disgraceful that the violence and inhumanity is blamed on poverty and whites.
    Enough of the blame-game.
    Get your groups into the hoods and take back the community already.
    Stop waiting for a white on black crime for sensationalism; it helps NOBODY!!! (period).

    What –exactly do members do at the Black Caucus???

    >Come on now…, it’s high-time to bring out the dirty laundry –and clean up the streets.

    >

    Report Post » spirited  
    • wzanesdad
      Posted on May 4, 2012 at 1:13am

      spirited,
      I absolutelly agree with you…I’m so sick of being called a racist. I have noticed however, that they seem to want to force people to become racist.

      Report Post » wzanesdad  
    • Salamander
      Posted on May 4, 2012 at 1:18am

      Yes, what do they do at the Black Caucus? My father, a Caucasian elected official, tried to attend a Black Caucus meeting in D.C., but was denied entrance? Is that even legal? Can elected officials have closed meetings like that? For what? To plot something? Maybe we ought to form a White Caucus–no Blacks allowed? Sounds a little stupid, doesn’t it? Why does it just sound stupid when it’s the While Folks that want to meet in secret? If the Blacks were seroius about an end to Racism, they’d stop being Racist! Lead by example!

      Report Post »  
  • GoodStuff
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:56pm

    Gee, the difference is that Zimmerman acted in self-defense, while this mob acted out of pure hatred for white people. The mob was not being threatened by the white couple, they just attacked. Just like Martin was not being threatened by Zimmerman, Martin just attacked (sucker punch, slamming head against concrete).

    So, really, there is no difference between Martin attacking Zimmerman, and the black mob attacking a white couple. It’s thug behavior by ghetto thugs. It also happened recently in Baltimore with thugs chanting “this is for Trayvon” as they beat a white man to a pulp and stripped him naked.

    Obama, the post-racial president? My ass.

    He’s the one who stirred the pot by saying if he had a son, he’d look like Trayvon. Why make it about appearance? About race?

    Obama sucks, and so does the media!

    Report Post »  
    • Rohawk
      Posted on May 4, 2012 at 12:44am

      Mobs acting like ferral animals should be a reason for serious concern for everyone whether they share your race or not! Because when they create an us vs. them atmosphere its the normal folks of each race that get hurt by the “race warrior nutcases with a cause” that hurt us are.

      As RUN DMC sang:
      HERE‘S ONE THING YOU SHOULDN’T MISS.
      DON‘T BE A FOOL WHO’S PREJUDICE.
      CAUSE WE’RE ALL WRITTEN DOWN ON THE SAME LIST.
      BECAUSE ITS LIKE THAT AND THAT’S THE WAY IT IS

      Report Post »  
  • PrfctlyFrank
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:42pm

    Travis Smiley invokes the child defense when talking about Trayvon Martin because Martin was technically a child 17-years old. However, regarding the reporters that were attacked. The first arrest in that case is of a 16-year-old young man who was doing the assaulting. I think it’s fair that that be stated as well. A year younger than Trayvon. Still he can attack physically another human being. Imagine that..

    Report Post » PrfctlyFrank  
    • GeorgieJo
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 11:07pm

      SMILEY works for NPR
      MY TAX dollars make HIS paycheck.
      Arrrrggghhhhhhhhhh

      OMG 2012

      Report Post »  
  • RANGER1965
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:40pm

    Wow!

    I guess I missed the part where Zimmerman summoned a Mob of Hispanic…er…White…..uh….White-Hispanic youths to help him pummel Trayvon before shooting him.

    I mean…that must have happened right? Tavis Smiley says they’re equivalent hate crimes. And we all know that Tavis Smiley is an expert on these matters.

    Pftt! give me a break!

    RANGER

    Report Post » RANGER1965  
    • RLTW
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 11:09pm

      Smiley, as we know is publicly CYA he sees the spike in black on white crime and he’s hedging his BET.

      Rangers Lead The Way

      Report Post »  
  • unsafe
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:35pm

    Got a 9mm a couple of weeks ago and I dont go any where with out it and 4 back up chips.

    Report Post »  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:37pm

      What kind of chips, potato or computer?

      Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:42pm

      @UNSAFE
      Actually, 9mm is ok, I carry a .45, more stopping power, and the way I shoot, I won’t need more than 2 bullets.
      Zombieland Rule #2 Always Double Tap.

      Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • ICRedifURBlue
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:55pm

      .40 cal S&W woulda been better…..one less round, but much more impact…..9mm stings ‘em – .40cal stops ‘em – .45cal knocks ‘em backward…….

      Report Post »  
    • YANKEESLAYER
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:57pm

      I also like a 45 cuz they dont make a 46

      Report Post »  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 11:31pm

      @YANKEESLAYER
      Have you ever shot a .50 Desert Eagle? Cool gun, but the concussion feels like someone slapping you in the face. But it does make one heck of a hole.

      Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
  • decendentof56
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:35pm

    Tavis….You have a track record of protecting black hatred towards whites. I noticed you deflected to Travon Martin and referred to him as being a “child.”
    Trayvon was 17, had Zimmerman down and slamming his head against the ground. Zimmerman had a right to protect himself ,and a legal right to have the gun. It didn’t matter if Zimmerman followed Martin to see wha the was up to. Martin attacked Zimmerman.

    The Virginia case was a unprovoked attack based on race, like many we’ve seen before when the attackers are black. Black militants can all take credit for instilling a sense of justifiable revenge after what we saw in the Zimmerman case.

    Then, of course, we can throw some credit towards Eric Holder for not prosecuting the NBP in Philly. Tavis, where was your concern after that incident?

    Report Post »  
  • KangarooJack
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:32pm

    I don’t care who you are. Not your sex, not your ethnicity, nor your sexual orientation or religious beliefs….mess with my family and YOU will cease to exist.

    So goes the sentiment of MANY Americans who are rather tired of this race and “class” baiting.

    Report Post » KangarooJack  
  • chips1
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:30pm

    Jackson and Sharpton will show up so fast it will make your head spin if someone puts a black childs face on a white milk carton.

    Report Post »  
  • supermansdad
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:19pm

    Smiley is a fool. He is correct that hate is hate no matter which direction it is directed but there is a huge difference between shooting someone while you are on you back while that person is on top of you bashing your head into the ground VS. having a huge crowd of people attack 2 people for no reason at all.

    Self defense: protecting yourself from an attacker(s)
    Mob attack: Unless the 2 people are weilding machetes or other weapons and indescriminately hurting people its impossible for it to be self-defense.

    Smiley is as bad as the rest of the race baiters.

    Report Post »  
    • Al J Zira
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 11:22pm

      The reportershad a weapon: their car. But the headlines would have been changed to 2 white people running down a group of black children.

      Report Post » Al J Zira  
  • KangarooJack
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:19pm

    Thank You Mr. O’Reilly. Yes, it IS a MAJOR story, but alas it will be swept under the rug – as have MANY OTHER “INCIDENTS” OF late! Wish to go to a State Fair???

    Report Post » KangarooJack  
  • starman70
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:19pm

    Hey, any mob violence is unacceptable. Not only was the story of the mob beating in virginia Beach covered up bythe media, it was covered up bu the very newspaper who employed the reporters. Another coverup of note is the beating of a white man by a gang of fifteen or so black persons. After they finished beating the man with bricks and pipes, they commented, “This is for Travon”. Agani, the police department in the Alabama town totally misdhandled the case.

    It is getting so that law abiding citizens are afraid to leave their homes and drive through many neighborhoods. The police are even now becoming scared to do anything.

    Report Post »  
  • blackyb
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:18pm

    Trevon Martin attacked George Zimmerman and Zimmerman had a right to protect himself. That is all there should have been to it. The media liars wanted sensationalism at the expense of Justice. They should be in jail. All thos showing pictures not updated for the purpose of farther inciting people should be in jail. All those who have denied George Zimmerman his rights to perform his committment and as a citizen with rights given by the state of Florida to stand his ground should be in jail and sued. Those people who wanted to make a race card issue out of this should be in jail or hell for the lies, deceit and propaganda put forth upon the public. They have no shame. One man who has the right to defend himself and on duty as a community watch officer and this is the thanks he gets for doing his duty. People are worse than blood sucking leeches to use a man the way Zimmerman was used for standing up for himself. Those who yelled and yammered and politicized this incident are worse than Trevon Martin and should have been the ones lying in the street bleeding because they are the ones who put this “no repect for authority” in this young man’s head. His color did get him dead because some fool told him he should be able to do what he wanted to whom he wanted if they stood for authority and especially if they were white. They gave him an attitude that got him killed. They killed Trevon Martin even more than Zimmerman’s gun. He would not be dead except for the race card.

    Report Post » blackyb  
  • RJJinGadsden
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:16pm

    I watched this tonight. Smiley was annoying as usual.

    Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • decendentof56
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:37pm

      Yes, Smiley is always annoying and racially motivated. I’ve heard his selective anger many times.

      Report Post »  
    • drattastic
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 11:05pm

      Yup Smiley is annoying, frankly a racist POS. I’ll tell you who else is annoying and arrogant, O’Reilly , he is also pro-gun control, anti-death penalty and pro-gay marriage (heard all that straight from his ever open gob) , not to mention a big apologist for obama. Don’t know how anyone can stand to watch him.

      Report Post » drattastic  
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