The National Obsession

It's been over a decade since the O.J. Simpson trial transformed the definition of "news."

Although the ability of certain stories to grip the public's fascination is not a recent development by any means, the 24-7 coverage by cable channels heightens the emphasis such cases receive.

Now, there always seems to be some "news" story that the media latch on to with all their might, as if it is the most critical matter in the world as we know it.

Yes, the Duke lacrosse team/ stripper/ rape/ race/ privileged rich kids case is newsworthy; but is it deserving of so much attention?

Darfur? What's Darfur?

The latest:

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) -- A cab driver who picked up a Duke University lacrosse player the night he's accused of raping a stripper appears to reinforce a timeline the defense says supports his innocence, but also casts doubt on claims that nothing happened at a team party.

When he returned to the off-campus party to pick up a second fare after dropping off Reade Seligmann, Moez Mostafa said he saw a woman leaving the party in anger, and overheard someone say, "She just a stripper. She's going to call the police."

Seligmann, of Essex Fells, N.J., and fellow sophomore lacrosse player Collin Finnerty, of Garden City, N.Y., are charged with first-degree rape, sexual assault and kidnapping.

...A member of the defense team, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the defense is working with players who could still be indicted, said time-stamped photos show the women dancing around midnight.

Mostafa's logs show a call for a cab at 12:14 a.m. A person close to the case told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity that cell phone records show Seligmann called for a taxi at that time.

The defense argues that if the dancers were performing around midnight, Seligmann would not have had enough time to have participated in the assault.

I don't mean to diminish the significance of the charges, nor do I want to be flippant about how this is impacting the lives of those involved.

I just don't see why this case should be front page, lead story type of stuff all over the country.

It's a local story, not a national concern.

Are Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton really needed to add to the circus?

Let the case play out. Let the evidence be presented. Let the next slew of DNA be analyzed. Hopefully, let justice be done.

I'm sick of these cases being tried in the media, and becoming more like reality shows than criminal matters.

Will Reade Seligmann show up late for court, wearing pajamas?

Will Collin Finnerty lead authorities on a low-speed chase in a white Bronco?

Stay tuned for the next installment of the latest national soap opera.