“Obviously this is a tragedy. I can only imagine what these parents are going through. 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.
I’m glad that not only the Justice Department is looking into it, I understand now that the governor of the state of Florida has formed a task force to investigate what is taking place.
I think all of us have to do some soul searching to figure out how something like this happened. That means that we 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. If I had a son, he would look like Trayvon. I think they are right to expect that all of us as Americans are going to take this with the seriousness it deserves and we will get to the bottom of exactly what happened.”
And the far-right is freaking out, prompting Adam Serwer to tweet, "This is part of why I didn't want Obama to weigh in. Segment of the right incapable of decency where he is involved." I totally disagree. The president should NEVER base his decisions on whether the right will freak out. It allows conservatives to control the debate. Serwer is playing old school liberalism here -- don't do anything the far-right might not like, they might pitch a fit.