sound bytes…like shallow water

Posted on July 7, 2011 by hugmamma

“Not guilty“…doesn’t mean “innocent.”

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guilty adj., …1. having committed an offense, crime, violation, or wrong. 2. connected with or involving guilt. 3. having or showing guilt.

innocent …, adj. 1. free from moral wrong. 2. free from legal or specific wrong. 3. not involving evil intent. 4. not causing physical or moral injury. 5. without guile; ingenuous. –n. 6. an innocent person, as a child. 7. a simpleton or idiot.

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So much of news reporting these days is riddled with “sound bytes.” Maybe it’s a sign of the times…quickie information “hot off the presses” for immediate public consumption. There’s an assumption that we don’t want to hear all the facts, analyze them for ourselves, and draw our own conclusions. Instead it’s surmised that we want someone else to do all the thinking, that we just want what they regurgitate.

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Terry Moran, host of ABC’s Nightline, asked juror #3, Jennifer Ford whether duct tape, a garbage bag, and a decomposing body weren’t evidence that Caylee Anthony‘s death was a homicide. Ford replied that, in fact, “not guilty doesn’t mean innocent.” At first I thought she might have a point. But after contemplating her answer further, I felt Ford was talking in sound bytes.

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Reading their dictionary meanings, I think we can agree that guilty means not innocent, and not guilty means innocent. Ford’s statement to the contrary doesn’t really make any sense. And her repeated defense of the verdict left me wondering if the jurors who acquitted Casey Anthony were incapable of deep, analytical thought, or if they just didn’t want to go there. Their decision insisted that all the evidence line up perfectly, so that no grey remain. Rather than delve into that murky mess and try to make sense of it, it was simpler to deal with what was “black and white.” No imagination necessary. No loose ends to tie up. Perhaps if they’d given more time to deliberating, I wouldn’t wonder if they just didn’t want to dive into the deep end and get “down and dirty.” It was easier, perhaps, to say that the prosecution didn’t work hard enough.

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Sheer speculation, of course. But like everyonelse, I have my opinions.

…no more…no less…hugmamma.

words of wisdom…prosecutor

Posted on July 7, 2011 by hugmamma

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With MSNBC blaring in the background, I’m trying to multi-task. In the process of making egg salad for a lunch sandwich, snapping some photos for WordPress weekly challenge, vacuuming up dust and hairballs left by my kitties, and taking a moment here and there to write a post. So much to do; so little time. Am trying to beat the clock since Sylvia and Jim are picking me up for her birthday celebration at the local Elk’s Club. I’m sure we’ll have a rocking, good time!

My ears perked up at something I heard on the news. Prosecuting attorney Ashton, in the Casey Anthony trial, suggested that those opposed to the verdict should channel their negativity into doing something positive for children. Doing so, he explained, would honor Caylee’s memory; to do otherwise, would dishonor her.

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Earlier when I first switched on the TV, the talk show “The View“ was nearing the end of its allotted time. Barbara Walters spoke the final words. She basically said that Casey Anthony is alive. I surmised Walters to mean that we, the public, should let the acquitted Ms. Anthony…live…her life.

Our justice system works, albeit not always the way we want it to work. Judgment is placed in the hands of people just like us. They don’t have sway over public opinion as do politicians, movie stars, religious leaders, internet gurus, Grammy or Tony winners, humanitarian icons. Jurors are presented with facts, and they interpret them with what they bring to the table in the way of life experiences. I know I wouldn’t make the perfect juror because I have my own prejudices about people, places and things. We all do. So as imperfect human beings…we do the best we can.

Casey Anthony will face her own reality. In our capitalistic society, she may garner wealth and fame as a result of her time in the spotlight. But she can’t escape getting older. And with age comes memories…good and bad. Hopefully she will make good ones to help sustain her when the bad ones come roaring back to haunt her every moment, whether awake or asleep. Casey Anthony has been given a reprieve, a second chance. What she makes of it…is in her own hands…as it should be.

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…and our lives are ours…to make good memories as well…hugmamma.

no freedom…casey anthony

Posted on July 6, 2011 by hugmamma

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The verdict in the Casey Anthony murder trial has enflamed and surprised many, while others, including my husband, felt the prosecution‘s case did not prove her guilty of her daughter Caylee’s death…beyond a reasonable doubt. I guess I agree with both sides.

I wished Casey to be found guilty because she didn’t behave as a mother should have at the death of her child. But my wishing didn’t make it true. At the same time I felt compassion for the dilemma facing Casey’s parents, George and Cindy Anthony. Trying to find justice for their granddaugter’s death might mean the death penalty for their own child. How does a parent make such a horrific choice? It seems for a time they tried to satisfy their desire to rescue Caylee, while struggling to keep Casey from the arms of the law. Unfortunately the Anthonys’ suspicions that their daughter killed their granddaughter, eventually saw the family unit unravel with Casey throwing her parents “under the bus” during the trial.

How do father and daughter return to a loving relationship after Casey accused her dad of ongoing sexual molestation as a youngster? How do her parents deal with the unexplained loss of their grandchild? Can they look their daughter in the eye without wondering if she got away with murder? If and when they physically embrace Casey, will they ever truly feel parental love for her once more?

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Whether Casey Anthony serves prison time or not, she will live in a hell of her own making. She won’t be able to enjoy the freedom she once knew regardless where she is. If she is released back into the world, she will forever be separated from a society that will always wonder “Did she, or didn’t she?” Like O.J. Simpson, Casey will find friends where she can, and live out the rest of her life trying to get a foothold once again. But the only notoriety that will draw attention to her is one she would rather not have to depend upon…the death of Caylee. Once a mother…always a mother, even to a dead child.

justice will be served…it seems…hugmamma.