Andrea Wilson Woods' Blog

Every time I have turned on the TV this past week, there is another reminder about the tenth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, as if our country could ever forget. I cannot believe that someone made the decision to release the full audio recordings between the military and air traffic controllers that day. What purpose does it serve? It reminds me of when I saw people jumping out of the Twin Towers in the documentary Giuliani’s 9/11. I knew it happened, but I didn’t need to see a close-up of the tragedy.

I wasn’t in New York when the attacks happened. I don’t have an amazing Manhattan 9/11 story. I was in Burbank, California, home-schooling my sister Adrienne for her sophomore year of high school. By September 11, Adrienne was enduring her fifth round of chemotherapy in an effort to fight Stage IV liver cancer. With tumors scattered throughout her lungs, she was unable to breathe deeply and tired easily. However, she wanted to return to school and her honors classes more than anything else so on the morning of September 11, she was working on World History.

***

While Adrienne works on her assignment, I turn on the television. I have this odd, yet sudden, desire to see the news, which I never watch because nothing good ever happens. I start switching channels until I realize the same thing is on every channel: the Twin Towers in New York City are on fire. I read the ticker at the bottom of the screen. Terrorist attacks? In America? Then suddenly the network shows a replay of what appears to be an earlier event. A plane collided into the South Tower causing a burst of flames to appear followed by an explosion. Oh no. The time listed on the frame is 9:02am—Eastern Standard Time—but it’s noon already in New York. This colossal event occurred three hours ago, and I knew nothing about it.

“Adrienne, you need to see this.”

“But Sissy, I have so much work to do.”

“Take a break. Now. Consider this a history lesson.”

Adrienne sighs as she gets up from the kitchen table. As soon as she turns around and sees the TV, she gasps, “What happened?”

“I don’t know kiddo. Let’s find out.”

We sit together and watch as the events of the morning replay themselves. We discover another plane hit the Pentagon although fewer casualties are expected there. A fourth plane—believed to be on its way to the White House—was diverted by the passengers who attacked the hijackers; the plane crashed somewhere in Pennsylvania. Adrienne recalls her friend Sharon is staying with her father in a town near Philadelphia, and she insists I try contacting Sharon to make sure she is okay. Her concern makes me think about people I know in Manhattan—one person in particular—and I wonder if he is alive.*

Just when we both think it cannot get much worse, the news replays the South Tower collapse. Adrienne and I watch with our mouths agape. “How could this happen, Sissy?” she asks.

I wonder if she remembers asking me that same question about the outcome of the O.J. Simpson trial, and I feel inadequate that six years later my answer is the same. “I don’t know.”

I use the attacks on America to begin a dialogue with her about Ancient Greece. I ask her what’s she has read so far and what she has learned. As I listen, Adrienne speaks in detail about democracy and how the Greeks influenced our government. Her eyes are alert and the more she talks the faster her speech gets—just like she used to be before the drugs slowed her down. She begins defending an individual’s right to freedom, and analyzes what the terrorists hoped to gain by attacking the United States. I finally have to stop our discussion because she has a lot of work to do. As I turn off the television, I make a mental note of all of the people I need to contact. Beyond saying a silent I’m so sorry to the victims and their families, I’m too busy fighting a war in my own home to comprehend what has happened.

***

I didn’t fully understand the impact of 9/11 until I saw the victims’ names unveiled at the Superbowl on February 3, 2002. By that time, Adrienne had been gone almost four months. In public, I lived in a frozen state of “being fine” because I didn’t know how else to be. At home, I often stayed on the couch for hours unable to move or I made lists of menial things to do so that I would remain busy, busy, busy. Too busy to think. Too busy to feel. However, seeing all names of the 9/11 victims on the TV screen forced me to feel. Silent tears slid down my face. The list seemed endless.

I don’t want to remember 9/11 because Adrienne died less than a month later. Commemorating the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks means I have lived ten years without her—a truth that I live every day, yet I find unacceptable.

I will never forget September 11, but please don’t ask me to remember.

AWW — XoXo

*Adrienne’s friend Sharon and my friend Will survived the 9/11 attacks.

Posted under Adrienne & News | 2 Comments »

Casey Anthony: guilty or innocent? If guilty, 1st or 2nd degree murder; manslaughter; or aggravated child abuse? Life in prison or death row?

The above text is my current Facebook status. I posted it yesterday when the defense of Tot Mom Casey Anthony decided she would not take the stand and rested their case. I never expected anyone to defend Casey, but the vitriol of some of the comments surprised me.

• “So guilty, fry the bitch!”
• “Beheading in a public square with no hood”

I have not watched the trial in its entirety, but I have seen enough to know there is zero direct evidence to connect Casey to the killing of her two-year-old daughter Caylee Anthony. Like many criminal cases, the one against Casey is entirely circumstantial. The only thing the prosecution has proved is that she lied, and this conclusion was evident prior to the trial. Casey was previously charged with thirteen separate felonies for check fraud; she was convicted of six counts. Currently, the official charges against Casey are:

• First-degree murder
• Aggravated child abuse
• Aggravated manslaughter of a child
• 4 counts of providing false information to a law enforcement officer

Given her history of dishonesty, she was guilty of lying to the police before she walked into the courtroom. Indeed, every analyst on television from psychologists to lawyers has called Casey a pathological liar. The word sociopath is tossed around as well. Despite her history of lying, despite her inappropriate behavior, despite her demeanor in the courtroom, I want to give her the benefit of the doubt for two reasons: I never want to believe a mother could kill her child; and I believe a person is innocent until proven guilty. Isn’t that the tenet of our justice system?

Although I suspect Casey is guilty, I have tried to keep an open mind though I never believed defense attorney Jose Baez’s opening statement, “She [Caylee] drowned in her family’s swimming pool.” Baez also alleged that Casey’s father George helped her cover it up and that she didn’t tell anyone because she learned to keep secrets as a child as a result of her father molesting her. Providing an alternate theory of the crime is not an unusual defensive strategy; however, Baez’s theory shifted the burden of proof from the prosecution to the defense. The only people who could testify to the events described by Baez were George, who denied them and Casey, who didn’t testify. Either Baez is an incompetent buffoon or a brilliant genius who has laid the grounds for an appeal due to ineffective counsel.

Putting aside Baez’s bizarre story, the most troubling piece of circumstantial evidence is the Internet search history on the Anthonys’ home computer. Words can reveal so much about someone’s thoughts. For example, my recent search history shows me Googling: “Zulu Mastiff TPLO Blog”; “How long does it take to heal from a TPLO surgery”; and “Family Reunion Award ideas.” You can clear your history and remove the cookies, but your computer still remembers your activity such as searching for the word chloroform 84 times as someone did on the Anthonys’ computer. Since no one saw Casey doing the searches, her mother Cindy chose to perjure herself on the stand. She stated when she searched for “chlorophyll” the word “chloroform” popped up. I don’t blame Cindy for lying; she is only trying to save her daughter’s life, but seriously … it popped up? 84 times? The prosecution wasted no time in calling rebuttal witnesses to prove that Cindy was at work during the time of the searches and that “pop-ups” could not have occurred the way she described them.

The only time I search for one word or phrase repeatedly is when I want in-depth knowledge on the subject or when I am looking for a website that I forgot to bookmark from a previous time. Out of curiosity, I Googled the word “chloroform” and the first entry was Wikipedia. Under the “As an Anesthetic” paragraph is this line, “Chloroform has been used by criminals to knock-out, daze, or even murder their victims.” So here’s my question … why 83 more searches? And why did someone—allegedly Casey—search the words “neck breaking”? The only logical explanation is that the person looking up that information is a mystery writer or a future killer. To date, no one in the Anthony home has claimed to be writing a novel.

Without the family computer’s Internet search history, I think there might be reasonable doubt. After all, the cause of Caylee’s death is undetermined. The timeline regarding Casey’s possession of her car is confusing and her parents have given conflicting statements regarding the odor they smelled in it. Roy Kronk, the meter reader who discovered Caylee’s remains, is just one of the several unreliable witnesses who testified. However, no one can deny those Internet searches. They exist. They cannot be disputed. They are real evidence … of someone’s thoughts, motivation, and plan of premeditated murder.

Casey Anthony killed her daughter Caylee. Technology has practically proved it, but without physical evidence connecting Casey to the crime, the jury should not sentence her to death. Instead, they should give Casey life in prison, which is a more appropriate and far worse punishment. Think about it.

• No more parties.
• No more drinking.
• No more boyfriends.
• No more fun.

Can you imagine Casey living among the general population? I’ve heard child killers are at the bottom of the prison totem pole.

If you want Casey to suffer for her crime, force her to live with it … every day … for the rest of her life.

AWW — XoXo

Posted under General & News | 4 Comments »

When a bully started punching 15-year-old Casey Heynes at school, he surely didn’t realize someone was filming the incident and he would eventually become a Youtube sensation. Although the bully—12-year-old Ritchard Gale—is much smaller, Casey endured several punches before he picked up Ritchard and slammed him to the ground. After years of being tormented, the gentle giant snapped. An easy target who had never previously retaliated, Casey doesn’t have many close friends to help him fend off bullies; he was alone when Ritchard and his buddies confronted him.

Per the school’s policy, both boys were suspended for four days even though Ritchard initiated the fight (Ritchard claims Casey verbally taunted him first). Although most people support Casey for defending himself, his action has stirred up a controversy: had he gone too far? After all, Casey is much larger than Ritchard; the body slam could have seriously hurt the younger boy though he only suffered a scraped knee and a bruised ego.

As someone who has been bullied, I wonder what took Casey so long. How did he withstand years of misery? I wouldn’t have survived that environment. In fact, I remember seventh grade at Ramsey Junior High School as being the worst school year ever.

• I possessed a high IQ but I wasn’t smart enough to be a nerd.
• I played the flute but I didn’t practice enough to be a band geek.
• I was friendly but I wasn’t perky enough to be on the Pep Squad.
• I wore decent clothes but I didn’t wear the labels that ensured popularity.
• I had an athletic body but I wasn’t interested in joining the track team although the coach asked me every other week.

In short, I didn’t fit in with any one group so I felt like an outcast. When I did make friends, it rarely worked out. I met Sandy and Jennifer separately, but when I introduced them to each other, they dumped me to become best friends. As one of the smallest girls in a school with a population of over 1000 students, I was sometimes locked into our full-size lockers. The girls in my PE class nicknamed me “Young and the Breastless” and made fun of me for bothering to wear a training bra. When another supershort girl Michelle started becoming friendly toward me, I was hopeful. We were both around 4′11″ tall. We were both talkative. We liked the same stuff. Things were going well until I realized that Michelle was a major bully.

Michelle started picking on a girl named Susan in our PE class. Susan was shy, awkward and slightly overweight—the primary reason I believe she was targeted. Susan never defended herself. She hung her head when Michelle hurled insults. I wasn’t even close friends with Susan; however, when I saw how Michelle treated her, I stopped being Michelle’s friend and starting becoming Susan’s PE pal. We walked track together. I told her to ignore Michelle. I reminded Susan that she was taller and smarter. As our class walked off the track one day and trudged back to the gym, Michelle made her usual nasty comments before giggling and turning away. Under my breath I said, “God you are such a bitch.”

Michelle whipped her head around so fast I thought it would fall off. “Whatcha say?”

“You heard me.”

“You’re gonna pay.”

Susan shook her head at me. “You shouldn’t have said that. She has friends.”

I stared at Susan. I wanted to remind her that I was defending her. That Michelle picked on her not me. Just before the bell rang, Michelle cornered me in the gym. We were alone. “You shouldn’t have called my mother a bitch.”

“What? I called you a bitch. I don’t even know your mother.” I didn’t tell Michelle that for me to even utter a curse word (at that age) was shocking. I had never called anyone a bitch before. Well, I had not said the word aloud.

“You called my mother a bitch and you’re going to pay for it.” I shrugged my shoulders and walked away. I knew Michelle meant to cause some trouble, but I didn’t know exactly what it was. I found out soon enough.

AWW — XoXo

P.S. Being Bullied: Part Two—the Fight is coming soon!

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A week ago today, 22-year-old Jared Loughner opened fire outside of a Safeway supermarket in Tucson, Arizona. Loughner was attending a public rally held by Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz) whom he shot; the congresswoman remains in critical condition. Using a Glock 19 semi-automatic pistol, Loughner killed six people including nine-year-old Christina Green—a 9/11 baby—and wounded fourteen others (including Giffords). Considering this tragedy is the biggest news story of the week (and perhaps the year), why do I turn off the TV every time I hear about it?

Murders don’t bother me. In fact, I love crime shows. From the Hollywood ones (e.g., Law & Order, Detroit 1-8-7) to the real ones (e.g., 48 Hours on ID, Wicked Attraction), I relish in solving the mysteries, capturing the killers, and seeking justice for the victims. My husband recently asked how I could watch so many crime shows. I replied, “I think I was a cop in a former life. Or a lawyer.” I love a good murder.

Although people are killed every day, few murder cases become public knowledge unless a celebrity is involved or there is an unusual twist. Remember Laci Peterson? Her husband Scott Peterson was convicted of killing her and their unborn child. I followed every detail of that case not only because it was on the news every night, but also because I didn’t want to believe that Peterson could kill his pregnant wife in order to continue an affair. I was standing in a teacher’s lounge watching the news when the verdict was announced: guilty. Two teachers and I woo-hooed, joined hands, and danced in a circle like kindergarteners doing “Ring Around the Rosey.” Justice had been served.

Multiple murders committed by the same person don’t trouble me either. In fact, I am a bit obsessed with serial killers. (I think I was a criminal profiler in a past life, too.) If you share my fascination, I highly recommend reading the book The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers. If you like female serial killers, check out the Hollywood version of the Aileen Wuornos story titled Monster starring Charlize Theron and then watch the documentary Aileen Wuornos: The Selling of a Serial Killer directed by the fabulous Nick Broomfield. Some people are born sociopaths with no moral conscience, but others, like Wuornos, are products of devastating, abusive childhoods. The former scare me while the latter sadden me.

Given my past lives—a homicide detective, a district attorney, and a forensic psychologist, you would think that I would be interested in the Tucson tragedy. But I am not. I have realized that I cannot handle mass shootings. I didn’t even know about the Connecticut shooting this past August until I researched information for this blog. I am sure I read about it; I just blocked it out. Of course, I remember Fort Hood, Virginia Tech, and Columbine. When those events occurred, I also turned off the TV. I don’t know what makes a shooting spree so different from the other murders that interest me.

• Is it the sheer number of victims? No. Serial killers murder multiple people.
• Is it the weapon of choice? No. I don’t mind guns and want to learn how to shoot one.
• Is it that many of the shooters commit suicide and justice is never served? Maybe. I hate it when the bastards kill themselves. I almost respect the ones that don’t even if they claim temporary insanity.
• Is it that there never seems to be a particular target or if there is so many others are killed in the crossfire?

Yes! That’s it. If you plan to kill a specific person, keep it clean. Don’t do it in a public location. Think about other people who may be present; they have nothing to do with your motive (e.g., anger, revenge).

However, if you are mad at the world and start shooting innocent people to display your rage, do not blast that last bullet through your brain. Have the courage to face the sea of bloody bodies and broken hearts caused by your mind and your weapon. After a speedy trial, we [the public] will send you to Oklahoma where the victims’ families can watch as a firing squad shoots you.

Until then, I will shy away from mass shootings. Give me a simple crime: a victim, a motive, a killer, a trial, and most of all—justice.

AWW — XoXo

P.S. If I seem too callous, I apologize. I do sympathize with the victims’ loved ones and my thoughts go out to them.

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When Sarah Palin’s memoir Going Rogue debuted last year, I didn’t buy her book, but I did follow her press tour. I watched almost every television show she was on including The O’Reilly Factor, Hannity, Oprah, and the Barbara Walters interview on Good Morning America. Palin mesmerizes me because she is charismatic, attractive, and much smarter than people are willing to admit. While I don’t believe she will ever become president, no can deny Palin’s political power.

Part of Palin’s charm is that she is the hockey mom, the loyal wife, the competitive athlete, the beauty pageant contestant, and of course, the career woman. Even if you don’t agree with her politics (and I don’t), you have to admire her ability to do so much in such a short amount of time. Five children, twenty-two years of marriage, Alaska state basketball champion, and third place in the Miss Alaska pageant are some of her notable personal achievements. Professionally, she is the woman who went from City Council member to Mayor to Governor to Vice Presidential nominee to author, speaker, and Fox News pundit in eighteen years. She inspires people—especially conservative young women who share her values.

Palin also has the “sexy” factor. If she didn’t, why did Newsweek take an old photo of her from Runner’s World and put it on the cover of their magazine on November 23, 2009? Why do people still Photoshop pictures of Palin on a bikini touting a gun? Can you imagine anyone doing the same thing to Hillary Clinton even in her younger days? Everyone should play up their positive attributes so if you are attractive—use it to your advantage. Palin has a very specific look from her hair, to her makeup, to her glasses, to her clothes, and the message is clear: tasteful, personable, playful, yet conservative. If you think her style is accidental, then you don’t anything about being a woman in a man’s world.

Palin is smart, but she is not intellectual. She is ignorant about many national and world issues. But guess what? So are most Americans, which is why so many people relate to her. We have an intelligent, Harvard-educated president and half the time, no one understands his message. Palin speaks to the people in “plain” English. Even when she rambles on, she repeats herself less often than Vice President Biden does, and she is frequently more coherent than President Obama is. Many words that were attributed to Palin during the 2008 campaign were made up by Internet bloggers trying to smear her credibility. I don’t think she was ready to be the VP nominee and she was definitely over-coached, but that experience prepped her for current and far more lucrative career.

With all of her political cache, I think Palin could have easily won the U.S. Senate race in Alaska this year. With six years as a senator under her belt, she would have had the time to educate herself on domestic and foreign policies/issues; make friends in Washington and understand how “it” works; and become a serious contender in 2016 for the highest office in the land. As a mayor and a governor, she has an executive background, but she has little political experience in the national arena. If Palin ever wants to be our first female president, she needs to gain that experience now. However, she appears to have no genuine interest in becoming President Palin in the near future.

For the moment, Palin seems content to rake in the cash from her books sales and speaking engagements as well as to support current political candidates (e.g., South Carolina’s Nikki Haley, Alaska’s Joe Miller). She evades questions regarding a presidential bid in 2012 except to say that she “would offer [herself] up in the name of service to the public,” in the event that “nobody else wanted to step up.” Either she is being deliberately vague or Sarah Barracuda does not want to be president.

Beware though … don’t underestimate the power of Sarah Palin.

AWW — XoXo

Posted under News & Politics | 2 Comments »