But it's far cooler to sit in Starbucks and tweet that your porch light is on. You can claim you did your part for that poor child. (Though I have never understood the connection between those acts of "solidarity" and getting help for an actual victim.) There's lots of work to be done. Instead of Monday morning quarterbacking the jurors or the prosecution or the defense, I say all those who are outraged should pledge to actually HELP someone.
What, you can't care about this girl in addition to [fill in the blank with any other cause or issue]? I'm p*ssed about this case and I donate to and otherwise support many other causes including some mentioned and several not. It's not an exclusive interest. I think saying in the midst of this, "Caylee is dead, but there are so many other children still in need of our help, so let's focus our attention on them" makes sense...unless you believe the case was mishandled. If you do, you also want to dissect what happened to determine what allowed this pathetic excuse for a mother to walk. Sometimes it is worth dwelling on a particular incident so that perhaps the same won't be repeated in the future.
But who mishandled the case? That's what I'm interested in knowing since so many people are blindly blaming the jury for doing their job. I also think the point was that there are also so many additional causes that people should be putting productive energy toward instead of simply leaving a porch light on to make a statement.
I think that's unfair. It's like lighting a candle for someone-remembering them. This trial was all about Casey. I bet half the people talking about this case today couldn't even tell you her daughter's name. No one was claiming it was going to change anything.
I will emphasize that Caylee has not received justice. She turned up missing, and Casey did not report anything, and instead went about her own business. When authorities did find out, Casey did nothing to help in the search of her daughter, but lied to them about everything. No, being a liar doesn't make one a murderer, but why would she have to lie if she were innocent? None of it makes sense, except that Casey lied because she had something to hide. Even if this were a tragic accident (which I don't buy for a minute), how could she not be overcome with grief? Yes, we all grieve differently, but I have never heard of going to parties, participating in hot-body contests, and getting tatoos that mean "the beautiful life" as one form of grieving.
I'm thankful I didn't watch this trial because I knew I wouldn't be able to handle it emotionally. I have to say I want to see more outrage from the country for other children, not just Caylee. This is what I do not get. There are millions of Caylees out there. Why are few people outraged about the Rilya and so many other kids? I love Caylee as much as I love the other kids and I ache for all of them. Why is the country not putting a spotlight on DHR, CPS, the foster care system, child abuse, and everything regrading how this country fails to protect its children. The education system and teachers are taking the blame and being put under a microscope for academic things, so why not child protective services? It blows my mind and I always talk about these things online but I feel like few people feel my rage and passion, even on here where many teachers have seen some of what I have seen, I feel like I'm one of a few that really dies inside when children are hurt. So I just shut up. Does it take this case to rip at people's soul? My soul has been ripped. I have cried too many tears over other folks children. I was involved with a situation where the 3 young girls (the youngest being 2 years old) were left home alone as usual, naked, nothing to eat and malnourished, you could see their backbones, give them 'real' food and they'd get sick....and they were 'missing' for THREE days before the mother even noticed. Stomach turns as my mom tells us about the bloodcurdling screams from the 2 year old being beaten and the whole family just sitting there, but she's the only one that stopped this. I became a 2nd-mother to that little girl. She calls me momma, she's 16 now and still my baby, & will always be my baby girl. I would hold her in my arms as people told me about this and that person beating her, and I'd think myself, never again will anybody ever hurt her. There are just too many cases where the judges give the children back to the abusive parents. Where's the nationwide outrage? I have made myself somewhat come to terms with the fact that I cannot save abused or neglected children. I didn't plan on trying, but I tried, and it almost killed me in too many ways. I do a mental block/defense mechanism when I think about why is that I come into contact with so many of them, but have to be careful if the parents are violent or irrational or whatever. It can mess up your life. I'm not emotionally or mentally strong enough. What torture it is to realize this. I had to step back or I wouldn't have anything left for my own children. And the consequential mental illness among these kids???....Wow. The fact of the matter is that even though some children are still walking, living, and breathing...they are still dead inside. We have so many children on this Earth with dead spirits that once again, we as a country should be outraged about. Not just the beautiful little white girls. When a child has a dead spirit they grow up to steal, kill, and just cause all types of problems for society. They grow up to bring their own children into this world and the cycle will continue and get worse with each generation. I can't believe more focus is not on helping these children. Instead the focus is on test scores. I am disappointed in Pres Obama on that one. Da hell does a test score mean in the grand scheme of things? Even if Casey was found guilty, what would it really mean for the other suffering children out here (even those still living) who will never see any justice for having their lives & futures taken away from them as well?
But, at this point, what can be done is to help push for awareness to ensure this doesn't happen again to another child. I cannot comment on what Casey did or didn't do because I am not her nor do I know her personally. I know the media has a wonderful way of sensationalizing everything and often misreports information (I'd like to emphasize the often part of my former statement). What I can say is the justice system served its purpose in this case because the state didn't prove its case. What can we, as a group, do to help others to ensure this doesn't happen again other than turning on a porch light? I believe that is the point of a few on this thread, myself included.
Just because I am concerned about Caylee does not mean I don't care about the other children. Finding Casey guilty doesn't bring Caylee back, but it does giver her justice. Caylee would have been 5 now, and likely about to enter Kindergarten. She should not be dead, she should be picking out a new backpack, lunchbox, clothes, and all the things any 5-year-old would be doing upon entering school. Instead, she's gone.
I understand this little girl has captivated many people around the world but I'm also amazed at how many people talk about her like they knew her. Honestly, justice is relative. What you consider justice, I may not. And vice versa. And can anyone tell me why this little girl received so much media attention when so many other abused/dead/murdered children do not?
Another jury might have found her guilty. I think there was enough evidence to show she was. Chloroform in her trunk? There was a dead body in there, which is why there was chloroform, not to mention the smell that many had smelled before and knew it to be the smell of human decomposition. What can we do? Be outraged that justice was not served in this specific case. There's nothing wrong with being angry over this case. A little girl is dead, and her murderer will likely be free after tomorrow. I have been following this case since it first broke in 2008. I watched it every day as it unfolded, including the trial. The outcome of the trial astonishes me given all the information and evidence.
However, the jury of her peers that was chosen by both the defense and prosecution in the jury selection process found her not guilty based on the evidence presented to them. Heck, I was amazed she was found not guilty because the way she was portrayed in the media it seemed like a slam dunk for the state. I am actually very glad I didn't watch the extensive and nauseating media coverage of the case because I feel like I can have a more objective viewpoint of this situation. You, like many, were very invested in this trial that had nothing to do with you and probably should not have been televised (just like OJ should not have been televised). I don't mean that as a knock or anything at all; we're human and it's natural to have an interest in the case if there's this much coverage of it. I just wish people would take a moment to reflect on what they can do now to help prevent this from happening again.
I believe it's the way the case unfolded. What started out as a reported kidnapping (the supposed nanny) had hundreds of people searching. Then they discovered the body. The way Casey acted was captivating-one lie after another-it unfolded like a crime novel. Her family on every media outlet proclaiming her innocence. And it's a mother doing this to her child-not some stranger-that's hard for a lot of mom's to wrap their heads around. The fact is none of us can do anything about preventing something like this from happening-besides taking care of our own kids. People feel helpless in the situation. They take what actions they can.
I think those 1,400,000 facebook people should turn off their porch lights and each donate a pint of blood in Caylee's memory.
But what is so wrong with taking a moment to remember? I don't understand why it is so wrong to reflect on the life of a little girl. Who really cares if I knew her or not? I don't know any of the kids at St.Jude Hospital, but I donate to that every month (yes, month). I don't know the family in Nd whose house exploded, but I pray for them daily. Heck, I don't know any of you but every time someone asks for a prayer for whatever, I take a quick minute out of my day to ask for help, guidance, healing, etc. Why can't Caylee be the catalyst to motivate people to action? I don't think it's necessary to have a personal connection to a person to grieve for them--and all the other tragedies they represent. I've been giving this case a lot of thought. At first, I was shocked, saddened, even angry. As I rationalized the situation, I realized that as sad as it is, the correct outcome happened. That doesn't mean I'm any less saddened by the whole thing. I do find it rather unsettling that peoples' grief and attempts at memorializing are being generalized as uncaring towards other causes. Perhaps, as the stages of grief show, remembering an anonymous little girl now WILL save several thousand in the future.
I agree with KinderCowgirl. I do my part by being a good mother, taking care of my daughter, and as a teacher by reporting anything that might appear as abuse, or that alarms me. Being concerned about Caylee Anthony does not mean that I am not concerned about any other children. I am not sure I get that connection anyway. It's almost insinuating that none of us should be concerned about Caylee. As a mother, it shocks me that another mother could do this to her own daughter, and that is likely why I was drawn into this case from the beginning.
I don't think there's anything wrong wtih it, kc. But that child has been dead, what, three years??? And how may countless others have been murdered or lost in the meantime?? I think that, for many on the internet, this case has become the water cooler topic du jour, to be replaced by what happens this week on Jersey Shore or the newest fad drink to be served. Hence the whole porch light thing. And that saddens me. And it bothers me that too many are too quick to judge legal proceedings that they weren't privy to, except through the incredibly judgemental eyes of the press. A motivation to action is what I'm talking about. Second guessing the latest "trial of the century" is bringing that child's life down to the level of Llifetime movies.
I guess I don't see turning on your porch light as a call to action. If anything, it's a pseudo call to action to make a statement. Actions would include working within your community to help ensure this doesn't happen again. As first reporters, we are required to do such but I know a lot of people that don't report questionable actions towards children to CPS due to pressures from within their school building. That, I think, is what's sad. When a person can't feel comfortable doing the right thing because they'll be chastised or persecuted is horrible. But that's what a lot of our society has come to these days. I didn't say you couldn't grieve this girl but I was curious why other children aren't receiving the same type of attention. And mind you, I used the word curious but I am very well aware why Caylee and Casey have received so much attention.
But the trial was aired live. I didn't watch any of the commentaries, just the trial, live, or replayed online. There were many, many others who watched it live as well. I didn't hear reports from the press, just watched the trial. So, this isn't a matter of just making an opinion based on what the media reported, since we actually were privy to the trial in its entirety.
But you mentioned earlier that you had been following the case since it began in 2008 so that would indicate, to me anyway, that you had media reports prior to the case that may have influenced your opinion one way or another. And it's probably also a problem that the case was televised. I don't think it should have been allowed, personally.
And how do you know that action isn't taking place inside those houses with the porch lights on? Maybe a mother is online searching for a safe house for her and her child. Maybe a father is finding a shelter to donate to. Perhaps a couple is looking at foster care. And a neighbor asks why the lights are on, and conversation begins. Maybe, just maybe, one or two or ten or a hundred kids will be safer because someone turned on CNN, or logged in to facebook, or atoz, or left their porch light on. Or would it be preferable to leave the lights off? I don't know how we'll ever know.
You're right, back in 2008 I followed it through the media. Since I am in Mexico and do not have the news channels you guys have back in the states, I have not heard anything through the media since being here, but watched the trial as it aired, or replayed in the evening, without media views or opinions. I think there was enough evidence presented in the trial to convict Casey, and this is based on the trial, not on the media's representation of the trial. I was not the only one who watched the trial, many others did. So, to say that opinions are based on something we were not privy to is false. The trial was public.
Except none of us were in the jury room and given instructions by the judge about to proceed with regards to the law and this case. And a side note, the media convicted her in 2008 which was kind of my point about the media coverage of the case. I still believe cameras should have been banned in the courtroom. Judges do it all of the time.
But that wasn't the premise of the Porch Light campaign, it was done to remember the girl who died 3 years ago because people were angry about the outcome of an overly sensationalized case. In fact, the facebook page only states that people turn on their porch lights at 9 pm, regardless of time zone. That's just not my interpretation of a call to action.
The judge read the rules and how to proceed live to the jury, so unless there was another time he discussed it with them that wasn't aired, we were privy to that as well. The media might have convicted her back in 2008, and I would agree with that, but that doesn't diminish the large amount of evidence presented during trial that really was enough to convict her. Whether or not cameras should or shouldn't have been permitted during trial is irrelevant at this point because they were permitted, and we were made privy to the entire case. Therefore, we who watched the trial have enough information to base a decision.
If one is satisfied with turning on a porch light in Caylee's memory, then let him or her do so. If another feels called to do something else, let him or her do whatever it is he or she is called to do.
Except none of us were in the jury deliberations. None of us. And evidence that is completely circumstanial is not an overwhelming amount of evidence. Hence why they couldn't find her guilty. If you want to direct to some displeasure toward someone about this, look to the state for failing to prove their case.
What might not seem productive or meaningful to one might very well seem productive and meaningful to another.
Um, okay. If you say so but you weren't on the jury and they didn't feel there was enough evidence. I, mean, there is still no cause of death (which means they cannot even prove she was technically murdered-and know that I am not defending Casey Anthony or saying Caylee wasn't murdered because I honestly don't know) or DNA evidence. Doesn't seem like a lot of evidence to me. There is a difference between productive and meaningful. Turning on a porch light is not really productive. Like, at all. I didn't say turning your light on for the girl to remember her wasn't meaningful to someone, it's just not a call to action.
How many kids would have to be living in a safer environment to make the porch light thing "productive"? One? Two? Ten? A hundred? Thousand? Don't turn your porch lights on if you don't want to. Go do something else. I didn't have mine on, mostly because no one would see them. But don't criticize or minimize those who do because you think it's not good enough. Go find someone who did the recent Light the Night and tell them that walking around in the dark holding candles isn't going to cure cancer. Go tell my friend who has wore a yellow ribbon every day since 2008, and given up candy as her own personal sacrifice while her nephew is deployed that it isn't good enough. Everyone has something that they can do to help a cause. Some give money, some give blood, some wear a ribbon, some turn their lights on. Who are you, me, or anyone else to judge what is enough?
Remembering someone isn't necessarily not productive, especially if the act of remembrance is the goal.
Unfortunately, I'll probably never find turning on a porch light as productive. Just my opinion, which I am completely entitled to regardless if I am in the minority with my opinion. Do tell me if turning a porch light helped bring back Caylee three years after she died/was murdererd? And the Light the Night didn't simply culminate in lighting candles and walking but it was also a fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Not really the same as turning on the porch light because unhappy with the verdict in a case that none of us were a part of. I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree on this one.
If Casey didn't kill Caylee, then who did? That would be my question. I don't see how the porch light thing is bad. We lost a student at school and on his birthday and the anniversary of his death the students all wore ribbons in his honor. I see this as something similar. What's the harm?
All the evidence points to Casey. The smell of human decomposition in her car, the body being found close to the house, the lies, not reporting that the "accident", and her odd behavior during the time her daughter was gone. Then, the duct tape found on the skull just proves that it was a homicide. Why would someone place duct tape on a child if the child accidentally drowned? So, the only lingering questions one might have is how exactly did Casey kill her? All the evidence, however, points to Casey as Caylee's murderer.
I think I'm going to wash my hands of this thread because it's like going around in a circle and hoping you'll somehow make it out. Have a lovely day, everyone!
I agree with you. I can see the jury's point of view of there being enough reasonable doubt to not convict her but it just makes me ill. I sincerely hope her comment about wanting to get pregnant again does not come to fruition. She does not deserve to be a mother.
I think the jury made the right decision. I didn't watch the trial, but saw bits and pieces on the news, so I might not have all my facts straight. I personally was shocked that she would be partying, living-it up at a time when it seems she should have been worried about her daughter. But without at least a smoking-gun, I think the jury made the right decision. I think it would be wrong to jail someone for murder if they were innocent of the crime. Society would be at fault and would bear the blame for being wrongfully judgemental.
