A question that is on the minds of many...
With all the makings of a Monday night movie, the story of missing Caylee Anthony is for us what Madeleine McCann's story was for the UK. We are a nation obsessed. Many of us eat, breath, and sleep this story. The message boards are a flurry of daily activity as we sit in front of our computers with the news playing on the television in the background while we Google Caylee's name looking for the latest installment of what has become a real life soap opera.
And why wouldn't we? This case has everything. Sex, lies, and video tape. A mother who didn't report her daughter missing until forced by her own mother. A mother, who we learn was out partying and posing for picutres at clubs while her daughter is missing. A mother who has a history of lying and stealing. A mother who has lied to her family and LE sending everyone on wild goose chases while she basks in the attention she's receiving. And lets not forget at the heart of it all a beautiful child, fate unknown who wasn't home to celebrate her 3rd birthday with her family and friends. Where is Caylee Marie Anthony?
Its not just the news about Casey Anthony that grabs our attention and sends our "hinky meters" soaring, its her family as well. Lee Anthony, her brother and Caylee's uncle has been spared much of the media's and public's scrutiny. Her parents, Caylee's grandparents, have not.
Cindy Anthony is responsible for Caylee finally being reported missing. Cindy was the first to step into the media spotlight, appealing for help finding her beloved granddaughter. Some have speculated that she knows more than she's saying, that Cindy is somehow involved in Caylee's disappearance or that she has been helping Casey in a cover-up after the fact. I disagree. I think the only thing Cindy Anthony is guilty of is poor judgement in how she has dealt with the media and public. I wouldn't want to be in her shoes. Her every word and action is hungrily devoured then spit back out at her by an unforgiving public. We've watched her unravel, breaking down under the weight of great stress which she faces on two fronts, and we've loved every minute of it. We get so caught up in it that we sometimes forget the most important thing, the reason we all follow this story. The missing little girl. Where is Caylee Marie Anthony?
Caylee's grandfather, George Anthony, recently lashed out at the media camped out in his front yard. Most were shocked that this man, who in the begining stayed fairly quiet not stepping into the spotlight until later. Did anyone really understand though? Wouldn't any of us, if we found ourselves in a similar situation feel anger and frustration? Is it really such a surprise that he had a day where he lost his composure? I don't think so. Most of us are watching this story unfold from afar, but George Anthony is living this nightmare. He was a cop. He knows the reality of the situation he faces. He does the one thing he can. He keeps hoping and keeps going forward. What else can he do? He wants to know the answer to that all important question, just like we do when we haven't lost ourselves in the drama. Where is Caylee Marie Anthony?
I believe the answer to the most important question lies with Casey Anthony. I don't think we'll learn the sought after answer until she decides to tell us. I believe she will eventually, and while we wait we will do what we always do in these cases. Choose which characters are the villians, which are the victims, and speculate on what may have happened and how. For those of us who are truly honest with ourselves, there's also that little part of us that hopes we guessed right. That our theory turns out to be the right one. It doesn't make us bad people and it doesn't mean we don't truly care. It just means that in our desire to do something, anything at all to help, or to just be a part of it all, we sometimes get so caught up in the drama that we forget for a moment that this isn't a Monday night movie. Its someone's real life.
I've had to stop watching much of the coverage of this story. Reputable media has become tabloid. Respected shows we rely upon for information and to provide needed awareness have sensationalised almost every aspect and we, the bloggers, the posters, "joe public" in general follow along like sheep, forming opinions and judgements based on cleverly edited reports losing sight of what's truly important at this time. Finding a missing little girl.
There will be some who, as they read this, will think I'm casting a moral judgement on others. I'm not, I try to avoid doing such things. As I write this I'm not so much looking at others but rather, I am looking at me.
Where is Caylee Marie Anthony?
