Entry 13 - November 12, 2013

Renisha McBride, 19, was shot in face by Detroit homeowner

BBC News, November 12, 2013

A black woman was shot to death in Detroit, Michigan by a 54 year old man who claims that he fired his shotgun accidentally. The shooter's lawyer states that his client is very upset about shooting 19 year old Renisha McBride, but he feared for his life when shooting her. It is very possible that the stand your ground law will be used in this upcoming case and the shooter may not be charged for McBride's death. The stand your ground law is active in Michigan along with several other states and the law allows the use of deadly force if one feels that their life is in danger. Renisha McBride was shot in the face after being disoriented from a car crash. She was looking for help when she was shot and the homeowner says that he feared a burglary.

In my opinion, this seems very similar to the Trayvon Martin case where Trayvon was shot by George Zimmerman and there was no charge on Martin's death because of the stand your ground law. I think that this law is terrible and should be removed because innocent people are dying because of it like Trayvon and Renisha. There may be some racism involved in this case because the man simply assumed that Renisha was going to rob his house but I think that it's also highly unlikely that a disoriented girl in need of help after a car crash would be intimidating enough for the man to fear for his life.

Entry 12 - November 4, 2013

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford apologizes over drinking 'mistakes'

BBC News, November 4, 2013

As many know, Toronto mayor, Rob Ford, has been under pressure lately because Canadian police revealed a video showing what seems to be the mayor smoking from a crack cocaine pipe. Ford denies being the man seen in this video and states that he has no idea who is smoking from the pipe. The mayor of Toronto apologizes on the radio for drunken behavior and mistakes that he has made, saying that he sincerely apologizes to his family, the citizens, and taxpayers of Toronto. Although he has made these mistakes, Rob states that he won't leave office and that hes going to fight like no-one has seen before to win the next election in October 2014. Ford rejected calls from Toronto city Councillors to step down.

I personally think that mayor Rob Ford should step down and leave office. I think that he should do this because the citizens in Toronto have lost faith and trust in him. This whole thing about the mayor smoking crack has caused a lot of embarrassment in Toronto and I don't think that Rob Ford is a suitable mayor of Canada's biggest city. I understand that the mayor could do as he states and clean up his act, but he's already caused so much trouble as mayor. I don't think that the mayor will regain trust and in my opinion, he should step down from his position as mayor.