The Sunshine Empire

The Sunshine Empire is a savage and violent place and crime is a fact of life in Northern Florida. Yet local and national media always become transfixed with stories that often obscure everyday tragedy going on all around us. The local media become most excited for not only hurricane scares, but young girl abductions. Yesterday marked the sad end to one of those violent stories when the body of poor Somer Thompson was found in a landfill north of here over the Georgia border. The story has shocked the community and is a staggering tragedy by any measure imaginable. Yet the wall-to-wall coverage seemed less about actually finding any missing child as much as bolstering local ratings. Even our orange gravy-training governor showed up for the show. Local stations want to ensure you look to them as the news station that cares and Charlie wants your vote.

Everyone cares deeply for the loss that Somer’s parents are suffering, and I’m sure Nancy Grace will be there to console them at the funeral. Yet where is the huge vigil for those who violently meet their end every day in Jacksonville? In July a 70 year old grandmother was murdered in a home invasion robbery and no one is holding a vigil for her. In June a young father of 3 was murdered and it’s hardly news.

These stories are tragic and far too prevalent, yet they don’t get the local news crowd nearly as excited. We should all pray for the parents of poor Somer Thompson and the perpetrator should face the full force of justice, but that should not obscure the deep issue with violent crime occurring all around us. It’s occurring all around us even on the slow news days when Nancy Grace isn’t watching.