The invisible danger.

The suggestion that the gunshot murder of 17-year-old Jordan Davis by Michael Dunn was self-defense is ludicrous. There is no question that the out-of-control, 45-year-old Dunn shot an unarmed teenager, and should face punishment. But what bothers me is the suggestion by the media that loud music was a trivial reason to react so violently. I don't agree. I think that blasting your speakers with strident music is a very aggressive act. It is a disturbing, unnerving, and bullying action that says, "I am going to invade your space and there's nothing you can do about it." It's a challenge. Even after the teens turned down the music, Davis turned it up again. That was a combative act. This is not the first time that an otherwise peace-loving person commited murder  because of an argument over loud music, and it won't be the last. Everywhere in society there are persons who blast their music despite many ordinances which the police do not enforce. Here in Miami, not only are cars with ear-shattering sound systems common, but also common are thoughtless homeowners who have parties with rock music you can hear blocks away blasting till 3 or 4 am. The police do not respond. What happened to Jordan Davis is tragic. But I also feel sorry for Michael Dunn. Noise is not only polluting, it's dangerous.