Tracey Gold's DUI Pains

E! Online News tactlessly reports about the personal tragedy for a family. At the wheel of an enormous SUV, the 2nd best made-for-TV-movie actress (after Patty Duke) driving drunk, like a character from one of her telepics, had a terrible accident. In the other, some other suburbanites. Normally a non-event except that today is a slow news day.

In fact, the average American will tend to remember this long after they forget about tragedy or politics or anything they learned in 11th grade English.

There is an implicit value judgment here, and I suppose that I am implying that I'm making it. However, I really wonder. The same media outlets that tell us that we should be ashamed of the fact that we don't take the news more seriously shoves this stuff down our throats. And then the serious minded teachers, parents, clergy, librarians, and whomever that remind us not to dwell on trivialities like this and mind the important things in life: they like TV also.

Anyhow, we can relate to Tracey Gold. She's a messed-up suburbanite, like us. Also her latest problem is compelling because it speaks to our darkest fear: now matter how safe and successful and anonymous we think we are in our bedroom communities, we can always do one incredibly stupid act to bring the whole thing crashing down.

Good luck, Tracey. I am geniunely sorry that your husband and children were injured.