Do We Really Need To Know?

My sister-in-law, two of her kids, Ben and I ventured downtown today to take in a play. On our way back to Marietta from downtown we noticed a helicopter above. As we approached I 75 we saw three more helicopters and a back up of cars for the on-ramp. As we looked into the southbound lane we saw a smashed up overturned vehicle, numerous police cars, at least two ambulances and a host of rescue personnel. We knew it had to be a bad situation. After we returned home I checked the local news network's website to find out what happened. Not only was a story already written and posted, there was a photo "gallery" containing six pictures of the scene. These six pictures had disturbing images of the rescuers attempting to remove one of the victims from the overturned vehicle.

I am not sure what is so upsetting to me...the timeliness of the information to the internet, the vivid detail of the pictures and story or the fact that I knew I could simply check the internet and find out, nearly instaneously, what happened. As I walked on the treadmill for nearly an hour (go me!) I had many thoughts about this:

Do we really need information that quickly?

What came first, access to information about everything or our desire for it?

Does the media want to provide us with this information or does the public demand it?

I invite your comments....

I have officially grown up....and I am scared.

1. We bought a mini van last Saturday. And I am thrilled with this purchase.

2. On our way to NC to spend Thanksgiving with Kent's family we made a pit stop at a hotel near Clemson University. There were numerous parties in the hotel that evening, there must have been a home game scheduled. When the partying was still going strong at 5:30 am literally right outside our door, I made Kent call the front desk.

I will steal from SECR and make a list of things I am thankful for this year (these are not in order, don't force me to rank them)--

-My sweet sweet boy Ben
-My other sweet sweet boy Kent
-A wonderfully loving, close and very cool family (the Bodoh and Brooks family are included here!)
-Good Health (for myself and for my family)
-Moving back down south

This story has received a ton of local news-attention and I have been so traumatized by it that I must turn off the news every time it's on! Thank God it's over. This poor little girl. I am not sure if the father did it or not but I am certain this girl must be scarred for life. I hope she gets lots of good therapy, love and positive influences for the rest of her life.

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