real reality

So how did you feel when you found out that your daughter had been kidnapped, brutally beaten to death and then had her body mutilated? <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

(Breaks down sobbing)

Judges?

"That was the most amateurish, insincere attempt at a display of real emotion that I have ever seen!"

"Hold on! I think she was very sincere. Just look at those tears. Here honey take this tissue."

"I'm bored. Next"

This scene came to my mind as I watched Matt Lauer on NBC interview the family of a girl who has been missing for a few days now. I suppose the family is hoping that the national exposure will lead to the finding of their daughter. It makes me squirm however, to watch them, feeling like I am in the Roman coliseum watching the gladiators facing the hungry lions. The one good thing that probably comes out of it is that many more people will be praying for her safe return than if they had not agreed to let themselves be interviewed. But it just confirms once again the schizophrenic nature of our media culture. If this had happened to my next door neighbor, I would be over at their house holding hands, praying, sharing the pain. Since it is apparently only pixels on a screen and images in my mind, I can feel OK not letting myself become emotionally involved. It is powerful training. Nothing is sacred, nothing is shocking, nothing and no one can touch me, I can touch nothing and no one. Safe within my little shell. Life is. beautiful