Recently, it has been impossible to ignore the news on Jon Benet Ramsey's case. This murder-mystery has all the elements of "news as entertainment", a tragic ending to a beautiful thing/person/place, on Christmas day, many surprise suspects and, at least what has been implied, sex. The public just loves this and keeps sucking up the stories, regardless of the real value/relevance to their lives. The media in turn keeps churning out things that are barely of any importance. Although I am all for freedom of expression (artistic or otherwise), I think there is something inherently strange about dressing up little children in costumes and heavy makeup, putting them through rigorous training and expose them into public scrutiny and showcase like a "beauty contest". Any one who went through any sports, music or whatever competition as a young child know how stressful that is. But in most cases the kids like what they do and have some fun with it, with varying degrees of encouragement (or, admittedly, coercion) by the parents. Maybe Jon Benet did enjoy it, but it just does not seem like a natural thing a kid would be willing to do.
Another weird thing about the case is about the attention John Mark Karr has been getting. This story line is creepy at so many levels. John Karr seems to enjoy the "15 minutes of fame" a little bit too much, whether or not he actually is guilty of the Ramsey murder or other allegations of child molestation in Bangkok. Many people also made an observation that Bangkok is a haven for sex offenders and other creepy child molesters. Child prostitution is still rampant and all kinds of pervs are flocking there for a cheap thrill. Many probably live and work there under a disguise of English teachers like Karr.
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