By now, most have seen on TV, or heard the
sad story about 11 year old Sarah Foxwell. Basically, this little girl was kidnapped and killed by some wacko, who shouldn't have been out of jail in the first place. He was the little girl's, aunt's boyfriend. This story, as when all these stories often unfold, we usually find a regular soap opera of complications surrounding the lives of those surrounding the victim. Everybody starts finger pointing and throwing blame. "... if she hadn't
this, how did he
do this or that?... I could've told you that much.. ". Whatever the case, it happened! All we can do now is find justice for Sarah, and try to prevent another event like this from happening.
With all that said, I am going to tread on some very thin ice regarding my observations during this search, the local media coverage, and the events leading up to the finding of Sarah's body. This relatively small community lives with volunteers all over. You can especially find them here with all the local volunteer fire departments. They are mainly made up of men and women who know in their hearts, the true meaning of volunteerism. They mainly want to help their community without notice or reward.
Often, when you have a group of volunteers working on a given project or emergency, you'll find a nearby group also trying to help out, but too often, for the wrong reasons. These folks usually show up much later than the usual group of volunteers. They are there out of curiosity and then get involved for the purpose of getting some of the glory. Often, they're late getting the news of the event, or as I said before, they're just nosey.
Last night (Christmas Night), the local TV stations were obviously understaffed.
(Being a former broadcaster, I know how this stuff works). Often, the owner(s) of the radio or TV stations aren't going to pay for a staff on a holiday to cover some local story. Usually, holidays are pretty slow news days. In most cases, that makes sense. After all it is a business. But, you'd think, when a big story (one that reaches National Coverage) breaks, the station management would bust their buns to bring in the A team to cover the story. (This is what we did see on major market stations via cable, last weekend with the snowy weather story). I have to say, the two Baltimore stations 13 & 11, both had better coverage of this story than any of the local hacks. To my knowledge, neither Baltimore TV station had their own reporters on the Eastern Shore. Perhaps the local radio & TV stations might learn something here!
One local TV station provided little or no coverage of this story. That of course (without names) is the station with little or no budget. Why anyone would pay $$$ to advertise on local TV amazes me. The station
with news coverage brought in one of their regular news readers to anchor the situation.
This news reading anchor appeared either: emotionally drained, physically exhausted, half asleep, or had been sipping too much Holiday Mirth. Whatever the case, she shouldn't be appearing on "
FANTABULOUS HD TV". At least not until the mirth wore off or experiencing a lengthy nap and extensive make-up re-working.
What I imagine to be the only staff reporter they could find to go out to the scene had zip for experience and as much gray matter as a squirrel. The anchor kept switching to her as she was reporting from the temporary command center. The center was at
Perdue Stadium but that was rarely mentioned, if at all.
The remote reporter had NO IDEA of what her job was. All she could ask people were stupid, inane questions like "how do you feel".. It was God awful. I was embarrassed for the whole TV station. Most of the people being interviewed were those intended volunteers, who arrived to late to help. Those interviewed could only reply with worthless, time consuming verbiage.
In the background there was one quick shot of the people lining up to undeservedly be on TV. This gets back to what I was saying before, about those who are just there to get the glory.
You could also, see this in blogs, Twitter, and
Facebook comments that were locally generated. Sure people are concerned. Many people want to express their grief over the situation, and that's fine. But then there are the
Facebookers &
bloggers that think they are the local press corp. They usually are those who live and die for gossip. If you sit back and just watch, you'll see that they're competing with each other..
"Who's going to be first to break the latest story/"? What a joke. This is no longer sympathy or grief for the situation, it's ALL EGO.
Now that my blood is beginning to simmer, let me say this... If I ever hear the word "CLOSURE" again, I'm going to vomit. In reality, there's no such thing. If there were such a thing, who declares "OK, as of this moment this issue is closed?" Does that mean the subject can no longer be thought about or mentioned? It's another media produced clump of symbolism with no substance.
Now wait, don't get ahead of me... The bigger thorn in my side regarding symbolism with no substance, was also mentioned. Somewhere during the local newscasts, it was mentioned.. "maybe the community should build a memorial". This made me yell at the TV..
In previous blogs, I've mentioned my dislike for the infamous "Roadside Memorials". Well this too would fall into the same category. Since the 80's, we've become a culture of mediocrity. Everybody wants to be famous, but there's no reason to be famous. Look at American Idol. It starts out with thousands of entries. At the end of the season, there's ten finalists and one Idol (winner). I think this will be the 7
th or 8
th year of this show. There is a slim handful of all those participants that have "made it", and / or barely made it. That says, most of the entries are
NOT talented. At least not, in the eyes and ears of most of American TV viewers.
People also have those tacky decal memorials on the back windows of their vehicles.. "In Memory of John Doe, etc.".. There's no way you can ever convince me, this is not on the glass, in hopes that someone will ask the passengers or driver about that memorialized individual. It's screaming, "look at me, feel sorry for me". It's purely selfish. That's not what a memorial of any kind, is established for. Same goes for the roadside memorials which mark the spot of some unfortunate, fatal accident. It's purpose is to focus on one or more of the survivors. That is one of the 7 deadly sins, VANITY. It's like wearing your religion on your sleeve.
Maybe you know of someone who brags about what charity they recently donated to, and possibly how much. Someone that helps charity through their heart doesn't advertise it. In reality, it should go without mention. Doing otherwise is for your own bragging benefit. (The tax code is exempt here).
It's time that all these people get a good reality check, slap in the head. Simple, shallow thinking and irresponsible media coverage have promoted us to accept Memorials, Markers and notices as mentioned above, as the norm. These are what cemeteries are built for, and has been the custom for thousands of years. (Can you say Mummy?) When the time comes, that one needs or want to grieve or pray or think of someone that has died, you can go to that grave site (where their memorial is written
in stone), and focus on their memory. Instead today, we have roadside memorials that are tacky and written in crayon, magic marker or paint. If the victim was a child, they're often surrounded by toys or helium balloons. Does someone think that their ghost is going to appear and play with the toys? Why not take that effort and expense and donate it to a worthy charity in the name of the memorialized victim? Now, there's an idea. One that serves two positive results. The donor feels as if they've contributed to the memory of the victim, and someone else benefits from their donation. Instead of wasting, whatever the expense of having that memorial lettering applied to the back window of your vehicle. Donate (in their name) that money to a church or charity that would relate to the victim. Now, you tell me what's going to provide the most good; the charity donation or a wet, rotting stuffed animal on some roadside?
Now with the above suggested options, you can clearly see the memorial, window decals, the roadside memorials, all the stuffed animals, are in reality, focusing on the donor not the victim.
When I see parents on TV showing their little kids how to place a stuffed animal on a site meant to memorialize someone, I grit my teeth. What a waste. They should instead be showing that child how to be charitable. Donate the stuffed animal to some charity, in the name of the memorialized, accident or crime victim.
In summary: Locally, this was a different Christmas with this most horrifying event. But, it's up to all of us to keep it within perspective and our prayers. Use your head when protecting kids. Sorry to say, events like this will continue to happen again and again. But, let's learn from it as with all of life's experiences.
Let's continue to look to the future as we are on the brink of another new year!
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