Casey Anthony is not in prison — a jury acquitted her on charges she killed her young daughter, Caylee. If you have not heard at least a dram about this case then you might want to get out a little more.
The reaction to Anthony walking around free may make it to the Media Frenzy Hall of Fame on the first ballot. Headlines jump off the covers of magazines, pundits of all stripes are being sought out for their supposed wisdom and the queen of righteous indignation, Nancy Grace, is the very model of the term “high dudgeon.”
Grace, a former Fulton County prosecutor, holds forth weeknights on one of the cable news outlets. She shouts, she interrupts, she bullies — all in the name of what I’m not exactly certain. But she certainly seems very passionate about it.
(Aside: Grace and I have a mutual friend who insists she is not nearly so despiteful when the camera is turned off. One can only hope.)
The net of all this brouhaha is we have an unhealthy pre-occupation with all things Casey and Caylee. We stare daggers at the mother, we shed genuine tears for a little girl we never knew; there is nothing wrong with either. That is, until we dry our eyes and become inconversant to children in our own community not getting enough to eat, suffering with catastrophic diseases or being abused on a daily basis.
In case you haven’t sussed this out, righteous indignation does not count as an aerobic activity. You can sit in a comfortable chair for your tears, rants, curses, etc., and never break a sweat. Or, more importantly, make a difference.
Can you imagine what sort of world we would live in if we funneled some of that animus into action? Instead of breathlessly sitting at our computers constantly looking for updates on TMZ and the Drudge Report, what if we Googled volunteer opportunities right here in Sandy Springs?
Shelters for homeless families and battered women, public schools and day care centers, free clinics — opportunities abound. For example, there are so many children residing long term at Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital being treated for cancer. One afternoon of making balloon animals or reading aloud would brighten their day.
Or call the neighborhood school and see if they need hands to get classrooms ready for the upcoming school year. Volunteer as a coach in your local youth sports league. This could go on and on, but I trust the point has been made.
Tonight, if it is your habit, get on your knees and offer up a prayer for Caylee, as well as Casey if you are so moved. I don’t know anyone who can’t use a good word sent heavenward. Then tomorrow morning get out of bed and set aside pique for activism.
If a year from now you don’t feel better I’ll give back all the vicarious umbrage you missed. We can even sit down and watch Nancy Grace, unless you want something a bit more substantive. Perhaps professional wrestling or those real housewives.
Jim Osterman lives in Sandy Springs. Reach him at jimosterman@rocketmail.com
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