Casey Anthony - The Unpopular Opinion

Reader please be advised...you may not or will not like any or all of what you are about to read. This is, as the title implies, the unpopular opinion with regards to the "Casey Anthony" issue that has been thrust on the American public for the past three years.

Now, as a part of the American public, I too have "followed" the Caylee Anthony disappearance/Casey Anthony trial, mostly, because it would be difficult not to. It was, however, the "O.J" trial of the 21st century. As a matter of fact, I rather doubt that the demise of Bin Laden had garnered as much press as Casey Anthony. But, then again, no one is more worthy of public contempt than a mother, regardless of the circumstances. We the public love, dare I say 'CRAVE' to, dump all of our Mommy issues on the latest and greatest bad mother of the moment.

We did it with Martha Stewart during her not so finest hour. Oddly enough her mommy time was long past, but we do have a penchant for retroactive retribution. Let's not forget about Britney Spears. She fared better as one of the "shiny-happy" people as opposed to mommy of the year. Right now, a current trend is this "teen mom" thing that I keep seeing on magazine covers. Correct me if I am wrong, but I have this feeling that none of them are going to give Donna Reed, June Cleaver, Claire Huxtable or even Rosanne Conner (Barr) a run for their maternal place in T.V.Land society. My guess is that they (Teen Moms) are selfish, childish, immature and more than a little clueless. But I don't doubt that they love their offspring. It's just that we, the public, prefer to cling to the former not the latter.

With Casey Anthony, she captures that "Teen Mom" spirit and then some. The "then some" would be taken to the extreme when faced with the death of her only child Caylee. I am not going to speculate on how Caylee died. The facts of the matter are that no one, other than Casey and her parents, know how she died. With no forensic evidence to point to, much less imply, a mode of death, no one else will ever know the truth. As of right now, that's just the way it is. The purpose of this article is objective clarification. Clarification for Us, We the People, the Public at Large. Because "We the People" have this tendency to shift into angry mob form at the drop of a hat. Or, in this case, at the release of the accused.

Now we are all entitled to our opinions. Right or wrong. Good or Bad. No one can take away our thoughts and opinions. Likewise, We the People of the United States of America, are entitled to due process of the laws of our States and our Country. We have what generations of Americans have fought and died for, our rights. Whether you or I or anyone else thinks it should be this way, Casey Anthony has the same rights. No where in the Constitution of the United States of America or in the annuls of history does it say or imply that everyone else residing on the continent must be in agreement with the judgement and/or the terms of sentencing.

While protesting, in our country more than any other, has its place and has served it's purpose, it is an exercise in futility in this case. And, believe me, no one can make use of the Freedom of Speech angle quite like an American. It is a wonderful thing to have but over the years, people have lost respect for it. Freedom of Speech has, in some cases, had it's sense of purpose go by the wayside. Most people think that because they can talk, they should. Regardless of the validity of their commentary.

My biggest fear with regards to the Casey Anthony verdict is not what any of it means to her or her family, because the worst that could happen to them already has. Caylee is gone. Absolutely nothing can or will change that. My fear is that some "well meaning" member of society will exercise his/her right to free speech, right to bear arms, right to defend his/her way of life and do something that will ultimately lead to the removal of his/her said rights, forever. Not to mention the possibility of adversely affecting the life, and lives, of someone else that was serving in the due process of the laws of the State of Florida. "Serving", mind you, in order to protect the rights of others.

That, my friend, is the irony of the situation. When we exercise our rights, whose rights might we unintentionally violate. While I am proud, blessed and grateful to be an American, I am saddened by the fact that "We the People" tend to twist certain aspects of what we stand for in order to validate their sense of justice. I have always thought of our "rights" to be "gifts". Gifts given by those who went before us and had respect for their meanings. Nowadays, respect itself does not mean the same thing.

Now due to the suffocating blanket of desensitization, this latest generation, as did the one before it, will come to view the reactions of the public toward Casey Anthony and those representing her with an aspect of blood lust. What's worse, they think there is nothing wrong with that. How exactly, may I inquire, is this best explained to our children. I see things on the Internet like "Local Police Department Will Protect Casey Anthony for a Price". Almost all police departments have off duty officers for hire. But the tone to me says that they have no faith in the "due process" either. Which I prefer to believe is not the case, just the media inference.

The objective clarification comes down to this...

Caylee was reported missing, Caylee's body was found. Charges were brought up against her mother Casey. Casey Anthony arrested and detained in police custody. Mother on trial for the suspected murder of daughter Caylee. Both sides presented their cases. Jury deliberated and returned a verdict. Mother, Casey Anthony, found not guilty of major charges. Casey's time for remaining charges was served. Casey Anthony released from jail. It is called due process. There is no disclaimer stating "If it please the public."

Yes, it is upsetting to think that people are offering Casey Anthony money for her troubles. However, in spite of the fact that she was found not guilty, no one will treat her as such. If anyone thought their family was dysfunctional before, I think they qualify as non-functional now. And, unless she changes her name and moves to another country she will never get hired legitimately here, in the U.S.A. The very place that afforded her those rights to due process. Unfortunately, irony has no boundaries.

One last thought, does anyone ever think what if it were me in that situation. There are only two viable scenarios to this situation...One, I did something bad. I essentially "got away" with it. No one believes me. No one likes me. I have no place to go. Now what? Or, Two, something bad happened. I was found not guilty. No one believes me. No one likes me. I have no place to go. I miss my Caylee. Now what? It is one or the other and it could have happened to anyone.