Posted on 01/19/2007 9:24:31 AM PST by Free ThinkerNY
SHAME ON BOY'S FOLKS AND OPRAH
By LINDA STASI
January 19, 2007
YESTERDAY, the parents of Shawn Hornbeck did what any parent whose child had been held captive and suf fered hell on earth would do in this circumstance: They put him on TV to suffer further pain, shame and humiliation. On "Oprah" yet.
Yes, Pam and Craig Akers, Shawn's parents, who say they have not (yes, that's "not") asked him about his ordeal because it would be too painful right now, nonetheless had no problem dragging their traumatized child out before God and everyone to answer questions on national TV.
Well, let me rephrase that. They might have turned down a first interview with God if He'd asked, but who can say, "No," to Oprah?
This, mind you, occurred yesterday - less than a week after the boy's dramatic rescue.
At least Elizabeth Smart's smarmy parents waited a month and a half to drag her out to play the harp on "The John Walsh Show" like a little abused, emotionless Muppet.
Shawn, however, looked like he just wanted to die - maybe of shame, maybe of terror, or maybe just because after being held captive by a monster, a child knows when he's being exploited. And yesterday, he was - in the most legal, sanitized, huggy-feely, disgraceful way.
Hey, kid, get used to it - this is your 15 minutes and you better milk it for all it's worth. And if your folks are anything like the Smarmy Smarts, you, too, will be a TV movie before long. Now that's entertainment.
And while no one asked Shawn if he'd been sexually abused by The Monster, Oprah did, in fact, ask his parents, saying, "OK, I'm going to go there and ask you, what do you think happened?
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
Let's face it, Oprah is a terrific crusader for the truth(barf-o-rama)!
She's crying all the way to the bank.
I caught a moment of that and couldn't believe my eyes! That poor kid! If the other didn't traumatize him, this will.
Who can know what these parents have went through. Leave them alone....let them be. They are probably hoping this interview will quiet the masses and that they will be left alone.
Money makes people do strange things. These parents gave up their jobs, etc to devote every moment for years to find their child and help others pursue leads on their lost children. It makes no sense to me other than they want to secure enough cash to see their child gets the appropriate help and education to make the rest of his life liveable. IT DOES IN NO WAY MAKE IT RIGHT. They should have followed Ben's parents and refuse to spotlight their child.
Oprah's a ho.
"Leave them alone....let them be."
Grow up. They willingly went on national TV for all to see. People who wish to be left alone generally don't make the talk-show circuit.
Especially if she's writing fatter checks than her guests have ever seen in their lives.
Harsh word, "shameful." I think it's more tragic and sad. IMO, the parents should be protecting their son FROM the nedia.
The Opriate of the masses.
In addition to being a racist, sexist, billionaire who is just in it for the publicity. I have sympathy for any kid who falls under the spell of such a person.
I am sure the parents went through hell but the boy suffered 1000X that with a hell of his own. These stupid parents put him and his ordeal on public view. Maybe when he is an adult, he would have wanted to do this. When he has healed (if he ever does, which I doubt). My heart bleeds for this damaged child and with parent like he has the damage is still happening.
His stepdad seemed to take control of interacting with the Press from the beginning.
Why was Shawn forced to sit in the audience ?He was treated like an object.
Shame on Oprah!
"Who can know what these parents have went through. Leave them alone....let them be. They are probably hoping this interview will quiet the masses and that they will be left alone."
Yes...let's try to give the benefit of the doubt here.
This family has had to endure immense public scrutiny and even criticism of their son's action/nonaction during his captivity. The Bill O'Reilly's of this country probably contributed to their decision to make this appearance.
I personally thought it was great that Oprah asked Shawn if he is looking forward to attending school again after O'Reilly suggested he stayed with the 300 lb. freak just to play hooky.
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