You and your brother are evil: GQs insane profile of George Zimmermans family
Octobers issue of GQ features a profile of the family of George Zimmerman, the man who owes his life to Floridas stand your ground law and extremely understanding jurors, after fatally shooting Trayvon Martin. Writer Amanda Robb paints a picture of a family tormented by paranoia, as the Zimmermans struggle to live in a country where the vast majority of the population despises their brother.
Here are a few of the most fascinating, heartbreaking, complicated moments.
Their paranoid security protocols
They watched the movie Argoto learn how to live like CIA. Code names for everyone. No mail delivered to the house. No visitors. No talking to the few neighbors they had. No long phone conversations keep it short and vague to outwit surveillance. Never discuss your whereabouts via phone or text. Keep a weapon close by at all times. [George's brother] Robert slept with his gun. Still does.
And in case someoneor multiple someonesdecided to mount an attack on the house, the Zimmermans pre-packed their own go-bags filled with everything they would need to flee in a rush, as well as what they called footballs like the one President Obama has with the nuclear codesthat contained laptops, cell phones, and other essential electronics.
They also memorized a color-coded threat-ID system. Code blue: Law enforcement at the door. Code brown: Draw your weapons. Code black: Come out guns blazing.
Concealed weapons certification class
Robb accompanied Gladys to a concealed weapons certification class to learn more about the regions gun culture. The classs instructor, a police officer in Belle Isle, repeatedly recommends accessorizing your gun, which he illustrates by lisping and wagging his wrist like a stereotypical queen. The instructor keeps up the act until he finds out I live in New York City. Then he veers into Colonel Klink from the 1960s TV series Hogans Heroes. Welcome to Germany, he says. Everyone on the train!
We dont actually learn to fire our weapons in this concealed-weapons class, so eventually I tell the instructor, I have no idea how to load, aim, or shoot a gun. He recommends I get a .38. Its a good baby gun, he says. Yes! [George's mother] Gladys exclaims. Personally, I love my .45! Then she does this kind of Angie Dickinson draw-and-aim move from the TV showPolice Woman.
A brush with luxury
Go here to read the rest:
You and your brother are evil: GQs insane profile of George Zimmermans family