1131 The Jackson Family Circus

Even ignoring this story as I have done, yesterday it was difficult to turn on the TV and not find breathless anticipation and nonsensical speculation. Is it just me, or did the media get this one about as right as it gets the Iraq stories? Do they just talk to each other for spin?

"In one fell swoop, the jury rendered its verdict and acquitted Michael Jackson of all charges. The aftermath of the verdict from a media perspective is stunning. Journalists from more than 34 countries around the world had gathered around this small courthouse in Santa Maria, California, and had set up shop in makeshift tents. Print journalists, radio broadcasters, television anchors, cameras, crews, technicians, producers, bookers had all set up shop on the asphalt in the parking lot of the courthouse. You staked your claim to a piece of parking lot and called it home for several months. Yet immediately after the verdict was announced, the place started to empty. Crews packed up, journalists left, and the media began to leave town. The frenzy died down almost instantly." MSNBC Susan Filan

These high profile cases are ridiculous. I thought there wasn't enough evidence to convict Scott Peterson, but the jury hated him because he was scum, so he was guilty. Any other man in his forties inviting little boys to his home and sleeping with them would be guilty, but the jury hated the boy's idiot mother, so he is not guilty. I think my faith in the jury system would be stronger if they weren't allowed to interview the jury afterwards.