I'm a little tired of watching cable news right now. I would like to know what's going on in the world. Instead I am subjected to endless reports on Natalee Holloway.
Now, please don't get me wrong. I would like for her to be found as much as the next person. I am sorry for her family because it's obvious that they are only looking for her body right now. It's a horrible situation all around, but I'm failing to see why so much coverage is being devoted to her story, other than that it's apparently a slow news summer.
That and the fact that the networks apparently needed another pretty young thing to focus on.
I'm tired of this. And I mean, I'm really, really tired of this. Women, it appears, are only of value to the tee vee news networks if they disappear or are murdered horribly. And if they're pretty. They do have to be pretty. Because no one really focuses on the ugly, fat women that disappear or are murdered, do they? Apparently you have to be white, with big eyes, carefully groomed hair, and tastefully applied makeup to rate. Oh, and it helps if you're skinny as well. You can have some extra meat on your bones, but only if you're pregnant. Cable and network news have taken a cue from Hollywood on this one: if they can't cast you as the girl next door, you don't rate.
The families must really have a heck of a time submitting snapshots to the networks, don't you think? Good God, the pressure of that choice must be horrible on top of everything else. And I'm not being sarcastic. Can you imagine what it must be like, to be in that situation, to want desperately to get the word out about it, and then have to find a recent snapshot that's exceedingly good? One that shows your loved one at their finest? Because you'd know that the media wouldn't deign to cover the story if your loved one just had a mistake of a haircut or color job? Or if they were having a bad time keeping control of their weight? It must be a horrible thing to know that their physical beauty could be the one thing that might make the difference. That's a double-edged sword if there ever was one.
I'm weary of this. While I'm sorry for Miss Holloway and her family, I just don't see where this is news. Reporting the latest rumor about which of the four well-connected Arubans contacted their lawyer today is not news. There are literally hundreds of other women who are murdered or go missing every day of the week. I'm sure the fact she went missing in Aruba, a nice tropical locale---with plenty of posh hotels for all the reporters to stay in---isn't hurting matters, either, but let's face facts: it's because she's pretty that her disappearance is a priority story. And that's just wrong.
What's even worse is the number of people who are lapping this story up. And by that you know who I mean, don't you? Yes, that's right. I'm talking about the viewers. They have been devotedly tracking this story, like they knew her when they didn't. The networks at least have the excuse that they're only providing what the public wants. What excuse does the viewing public have? Yes, they can claim they're only interested in the story; that there seems to be an epidemic of violence against women, and that concerns them; that they're interested in poor Natalee's fate. And I suppose those are legitimate excuses, up to a point. But, what I would like to know is that if they're so interested in this particular missing-persons case, why aren't they interested in all the other missing persons cases? Perhaps the ones they read a quick blurb about in the paper? Or see on their local news? Because it's not logical to say that you're interested in this case, but not all the others. Unless, the real reason they're interested in is because poor Natalee is pretty. Could that possibly be it? Hmmm. I wonder.
Everyone's guilty on this one. The people who watch, and the people who provide the content. And I'm tired of being guilty by association in this little media festival of the grotesque because there's nothing else on. I feel dirty after watching some of these reports. And I'm really tired of feeling that way.
Posted by Kathy at June 22, 2005 09:46 AMI agree. It's horrible for her family, and I hope for the best, but what does devoting hours and hours of TV time to it accomplish? Not a thing as far as I can tell. And it's the same stuff over and over and over again! I was thinking last night, what if a girl from Aruba vanished here? How much attention would it get?
Posted by: Ith at June 22, 2005 11:30 AMIt's fine if a blog wants to blog extensively about it -- after all, blogs in a way are expected to specialize.
But 4 cable news channels, all Natalee, all day, plweez!
How about world news on say, Hong Kong, Zimbawe, GOOD NEWS FROM IRAQ (oops, forget that. Only Chrenkoff does those), elections in Lebanon, the EU's kerfuffle. All of those are this week's news.
At least it's not the MJ trial.
Posted by: Fausta at June 24, 2005 09:28 AMGreat post. I, too, am sick and tired of hearing about it every time I flip on the news or even Sean Hannity's show. How many people disappear every week in our country without the BM even raising an eyebrow?
And your comments about the family desperately searching for a 'good' pic was really insightful.
Posted by: docjim505 at June 24, 2005 02:18 PMYou people make me sick. you probably are fat and ugly thats why you don't want to hear it anymore, Well then don't turn the TV on then. Instead of complaining why don't you order some bracelets or donate some funds so they can continue searching for her, because if it were your daughter you would want the same help from everyone. Pretty or not so pretty it doesn't matter they are human for gods sake,have a little class and grow up......and you cares what your tired of anyway....
Posted by: Lisa at June 29, 2005 03:13 PMLisa,
I have a suggestion: learn how to read. Then we'll chat about how "I make you sick."
As far as "you{sic---I assume you meant "who"}cares what your{sic} tired of anyway," well, why'd you leave a comment then?
Posted by: Kathy at June 29, 2005 03:35 PMI think lisa missed the point.
Posted by: Clayton at June 30, 2005 12:23 AMThe constant Natalee coverage is getting out of control. If she was a heavy set black mother of 6 living in the Ghetto in Philly, she would of NEVER of been put on the news. What is wrong with this picture???This is America..I thought we are supposed to be created equal???
Posted by: candace at July 5, 2005 11:44 AMI am so happy there are others who feel the same way I do. Its sad about Natalee but I am soooo sick and tired of hearing about this story. Why is she getting so much publicity?
My cousin was kidnapped at gunpoint in the island of Trinidad four months ago and we have no idea what may have happened to him. The FBI went to the island for two days, did nothing and pretty much told us to go on with our lives.
Natalee was stupid enough to be apparently drunk and no common sense to leave with three strangers, she put herself in whatever position she has ended up in as far as I am concerned.
It appears the unbelievable amount of coverage will not end. The mother Beth is way over the top. She is verbally confronting a formerly detained suspect at his place of business. She had some group from the U.S. rummaging the island destroying wildlife reserves, draining a pond,searching landfills. Basically upsetting the way of life on the island to find NOTHING. She always rips Aruba's justice system while a guest in their country. It is a DIFFERENT system, which does not have to change to suit her needs. Like everyone, I hope Natalee is found but this lady in my opinion needs to let the authorities work the case and stop the negitive comments for the benefit of the media.
Posted by: craig at August 13, 2005 07:13 AMI am sick of Beth Twitty. She is a total witch who lies about everything. She isn't the only one who can keep a journal, I have too. She has lied about the the hidden camera being in the cafe before she went there. She is not willing to talk about her daughter dancing on the bar that night, or is she willing to admit that saint Natalee wasn't a virgin. That DNA on the toothbrush did not come from the step-dad's fingerprints the way he wants you to believe.
I can't stand the Twitts.
Posted by: Jody at August 14, 2005 01:21 PMI wanted to add to the post by Jody, who is on the money. Beth also said that her virgin daughter got into the boys car thinking it was a cab. I guess the cab needed a driver plus two back up drivers all of whom seem to look just like three guys in the bar she had been flirting with.Beth totally blew off the male DNA on Natalee's toothbrush and the media who ask her only softball questions never challange her. They let her make these statements unsupported by facts and sometimes in direct opposition to a fact. I hope others post some more of Beth's WHOPPERS.
Posted by: ben at August 14, 2005 08:04 PM