People feel the need of being a part of history, both good and bad. There are bragging rights for saying, “I was there.” Having worked in the news business as long as I have, I can say there are plenty of things I would have rather avoided but didn’t have much choice. The Joplin tornado aftermath is freshest in my mind.
There is a strange phenomenon taking place in Orlando, Florida, where Casey Anthony is on trial for allegedly killing her toddler daughter, Caylee, three years ago. The public has been engrossed in this tragedy since word of the child’s disappearance came to light.
Now that Casey is on trial, there is wall-to-wall coverage on the news and the Orange County Courthouse has become as popular an Orlando tourist destination as Disney World.
There are 50 spectator seats available in the courtroom each day. After more than a month of courtroom proceedings, the crowds lining up each day just get bigger. People are literally coming in from all over the country to try and get a seat.
Fights have broken out. People have been arrested. Someone even went to the hospital after one fisticuff.
It has gotten to the point where Orange County officials have started two lines to try and cut down on the chaos. One is for today’s spectators. The other is for tomorrow’s. You get in line today to try and get a seat for tomorrow.
I spoke today with people who flew in for two days from Philadelphia for their “opportunity to be a part of history.” Two others, in from Kentucky, had sent their families on to Sea World while they came to line up because, “We were watching it at home and just wanted to see if we could see it in person.”
It’s a gamble that paid off for these guys. Another woman in line had been there three times and spent more than a week but had yet to make it in. She’s fifth in line today for tomorrow’s tickets. Lucky for her, she’s a local.
Wouldn’t it stink to fly down just for this and then be denied? It has happened and will happen again. I guess even being turned down means that you were there and a part of the process. Not the vacation I’d be planning.
