Sometimes things just bubble up to the surface and need to be written. This week has had me astounded as reactions to the Casey Anthony trial have been posted and discussed all over the airwaves and Internet.
Today’s Game Plan: Life Coaching Those Obsessed with the Casey Anthony Trial
Unfortunately, all the Anthony’s and poor Caylee are not strangers to us, the public, anymore. The media, (ie: you) shoved this case down our throats for the last three years. Inciting us, the public. Feeding us every little detail. And now we are expected to turn our emotions off. Sorry, not possible.
When I read the title of your article, I was hoping for some wise advice in helping me deal with this injustice and grief. Instead, you made me feel guilty for being upset. I think I’ll hate Casey Anthony a little longer, thank you. Sorry, I have a right too, as the media has made her less of a stranger to me.
Good has already come about, Caylee’s law. And, I think people will be more aware of child abuse. But you have to let us grieve for injustice and Caylee first.
Thank you
Michelle, with all due respect, I am in the media and I managed to watch not a single minute of that trial. No one can “incite” you without your cooperation. And no one can make you feel guilty for anything without you being complicit.
What I am asking people to do in this piece is look at those feelings, whatever they are, and do something constructive with them. It sounds like you have much emotion (your “hate” for Casey Anthony, for example) that could be directed to something like exactly those causes I speak of.
I appreciate you taking the time to write and give me feedback on the column.
Nancy
Your article title is very misleading. It really is all about YOU and SINCE YOU don’t have any strong feelings about this injustice we shouldn’t either. I am wondering why you feel the need to tell people that their feelings are “trumped-up outrage” and “projection and displaced anger.” I find it interesting that YOU think you know better than the rest of us. There is very OBVIOUSLY a deep feeling of injustice for that precious baby and MILLIONS of people are trying to process it!!! Maybe instead of spending your time telling America we are wrong for our feelings, you should ask yourself why YOU don’t feel any outrage? I suspect you are narcissistic and to busy feeling self-righteous and sanctimonious to really get what Americans are feeling about this! I pity you.
Just browsing and thought life coaching looked interesting. When I got to the part that comments to you about the case that you wrote about fell upon deaf ears I realized you were just another know it all.
Thank you for taking the time to write, Debra. To be clear, I do feel outrage. At all the people in this world who could use our help, but instead we’re directing our energy to a place where we can do nothing about it but judge. That is what the column is about.
Actually, Tom, what I made clear in the column is that I didn’t want people writing me with detailed accounts of the trial since the whole idea of the column is to address the obsessing. I WELCOME thoughtful disagreement about my larger point.
Thanks for taking the time to write.
Dear Nancy,
I think your suggestions are well-meant, but when you consider who you are asking to engage you—the World—you should already expect the reaction you are getting. The point Casey’s attorney made was boldly honest: people do not want justice, but vengeance. Many refer Casey to a “higher power” of justice, but God himself said, “Vengeance is mine.” It was never meant for us. The World is not merely satisfied to judge, but insists upon being judgmental. Instead of wishing to rerstore the troubled soul of an individual, the World wishes it to be destroyed completely. What we are hardly capable of realizing is that each one of us is capable of doing horrific things with crushing cruelty towards one another. Yes, I realize that there are examples in our world of those who choose to do good, in spite of their contrary feelings, but these are few and far between as evidenced by the outcry for Casey’s blood.
Point taken. I so appreciate you taking the time to write.
Nancy
I don’t think anyone should be belittled for what they are feeling and sadly this story was brought to light more so then others but the rage and sadness for Caylee of course goes for all children treated badly and murdered by those they trusted. We are a public in America and have the right to freedom of speech, so we do not need you telling us not to feel things and to get out and solve all the problems in the world. I appreciate your suggestions on where to look to offer support to children in need so I give you credit for that but the article as a whole seems to set out to make us all feel bad for “feeling”. Maybe with all this outrage something else will come to light…People like Casey that are out there now acting like her and not caring for their children might be afraid of going through the same thing, the death threats, and the anger and get their act together before it’s to late. Did you ever think of that????
I hope you are right in that this would make people look at their own behavior, Kelly. That would be wonderful.
As for “freedom of speech,” I am entitled to mine, too.
I appreciate you taking the time to write.
Nancy