Smart Family Fields Book, Movie Offers (Isn't that Special!)

Yahoo News ^ | 3/17/03

[Alberta's Child]

Just because the father doesn't cry like a movie star, people condemn him as wierd.

I don't know about anyone else, but I began to question this guy's motives the moment he used the occasion of his daughter's recovery to launch an idiotic rant against U.S. Congressman Sensenbrenner, criticizing him for failing to enact a nationwide Amber Alert system. Which was particularly bizarre in light of the fact that his daughter was found very close to her home, and had spent months walking around in public with a veil over her face.

[lady lawyer]

Because they get the cooperation of the principal. Because they eliminate the risk of nuisance lawsuits from people who don't understand that facts cannot be copyrighted. Those suits can be expensive to get rid of, even though they are completely meritless. Both the plaintiffs and defendants lawyers will spend a ton of time and clients' money. The plaintiff won't get a dime. You can scoff if you want, but that's the law.

There is also the risk that the moviemakers might present something as fact that isn't fact, and might open themselves up to a libel or "false light" suit. But, in this case, all the moviemaker will have to do is listen to the court testimony. Every word of it can be reproduced without the permission of the principals. It is a public record.

Again, I don't know what I would do in the Smart's situation. I'm sure they wish that all the media would just pack up, go home, and let them try to get Elizabeth back to normal. I certainly would, in their shoes. They can't make that happen. They now have to decide what to do about the media interest.

[alnick]

I agree. Also, as conservatives, shouldn't we respect the right of someone who decides to tell his or her story, whether we think it's distasteful or not? Your point about the fact that a movie will be made with or without input from the family is a good one that had not occurred to me.

I honestly don't care if they make a movie or write a book or not. It has no bearing on what has happened up to this point.

[FreeTally]

My 15-year-old daughter (the same age as Elizabeth) brought this up yesterday: "What if the family planned the whole thing in order to make a book and movie about it?"

Although I have my severe doubts about an "abduction", I do not think this is the case. If so, they are incredibly stupid. Here's why: First, it would be eventually found out. Secondly, Emmanuel wouldn't fit in with a "planned" story. He would be going down for kidnapping and who knows what else. And lastly, the Smarts would face criminal charges for it, not to mention the fury of the American people.

[FreeTally]

That does stand out as being vey bizarre.

[lady lawyer]

I think he thought he could help other missing children, and he realized he's never have another moment like that one to do it. I wouldn't have reacted that way. I thought it was a little over the top, but which of us could say how we would react in an incredible moment like that? I don't attribute ulterior motives, though.

[Alberta's Child]

I'm sure they wish that all the media would just pack up, go home, and let them try to get Elizabeth back to normal.

Maybe not. The story I heard last week (which was confirmed by someone here on FR) was that none of the photos you see of Elizabeth were taken by media photographers -- they were taken by the family and sold to the media.

[dwilli]

You don't think her Dad is a camera hog. I will agree that his camera appearances helped get her picture out there but as soon as she was released, he was on camera and has been since then. One of his first statements after release was political. Come on now!!

[alnick]

Maybe not. The story I heard last week (which was confirmed by someone here on FR) was that none of the photos you see of Elizabeth were taken by media photographers -- they were taken by the family and sold to the media.

Well, if one of the Smart bashers here on FR said it, it must be true. Sheesh.

[Mfkmmof4]

I would suspect that this sicko is going to make even more weird assertions to claim his innocence.

[Alberta's Child]

I wouldn't have reacted that way.

Neither would I. And even if I did, I would have at least taken the time to get the facts straight. My understanding is that the nationwide Amber Alert bill was passed in the House of Representative but has been held up in the Senate.

I think he thought he could help other missing children, and he realized he's never have another moment like that one to do it.

Funny how he neglected to mention the most relevant piece of advice he could have given in this regard -- Don't invite strangers into your home, ESPECIALLY FREAKS LIKE THIS MITCHELL GUY WHOSE VERY APPEARANCE IS NOTHING SHORT OF A "WARNING FLAG" TO ANYONE WITH AN I.Q. OVER 40.

[Alberta's Child]

Well, if one of the Smart bashers here on FR said it, it must be true.

I took the report seriously because the Freeper who confirmed it wasn't a "Smart basher" at all. In fact, he/she was trying to explain why they were doing this.

[Utah Girl]

I don't think he was wise in his comments about Sensenbrenner, but I will cut him some slack. Smart has become very involved with the missing children groups, and is very passionate about it. And everyone goes on and on about how much he's been on camera since Elizabeth was found. I'll just cut to the chase, No, I don't think he's been on camera and hogging it since Elizabeth's recovery. The family held a press conference to let everyone know she had been found (which is where Ed went off.) He was interviewed for a few shows, he had a few words to say at the celebration on Friday evening in SLC at Liberty Park. He appeared for about 4 minutes on America's Most Wanted. He probably feels obligated to the media, since they did keep running the story. Now, I hope he tells the media to get lost.

What I am worried about is the Smarts and their extended family being on camera, and letting slip something important about the abduction that would jeopardize the prosecution. I saw some interview the other night with Chris Smart, Ed's brother, and the interviewer asked him what he thought of Mitchell. Smart started to say Well...and then caught himself, and said he couldn't say anything on national TV. It was pretty evident what Chris Smart thought of Mitchell by the expression on his face.

[Trust but Verify]

Hey, you never know! I saw a 40 year-old man wearing a braid yesterday!

[Utah Girl]

No its the opposite, the US Senate passed the Amber alert by a wide margin, it is the House that is holding up the measure. Sensenbrenner wants to have the law have more teeth in it.

[Lauratealeaf]

Please tell me that you're being sarcastic about the braids.

My daughters are in college and they often wear braids. Elizabeth Smart is a really pretty girl and I do hope that her parents protect her from media manipulation. The new revelations about the jerk that kidnapped her is really giving me the creeps. She has been through horrors and I hope she can recover her peace of mind. Mitchell and Barzee are sickos. While I am not pleased with the parents for allowing lowlifes near their home and children they are not the bad guys in this story. They are to be praised for never giving up on their daughter's safe return.

[lady lawyer]

Tom Smart took the pictures. He has been a news photography for the Deseret News for decades. I don't think the pictures were sold. The family knew there would be a huge demand for pictures, but they had no intention of letting non-family media get to Elizabeth.

Incidentally, Tom has sometimes taken the lead in the media because he has been part of the media for years. He was the one in the family best equipped to deal with the media, because he was at least familiar with it, although certainly not an "on camera" personality, and it showed. But some people have taken that simply, obvious fact and twisted it into some wierd "hierarchy" theory.

These people are doing the best they can with a horrible situation. Give them a break.

[Alberta's Child]

Sensenbrenner wants to have the law have more teeth in it.

And Smart's problem with this is . . . ?

And a nationwide Amber Alert system would have helped find a missing child who walked around in public and was found close to home by . . . ?

[Trust but Verify]

Not only that, but the lily-white Ed SMart LIED about why the law hasn't been passed. Apparently not above that. Or maybe he was just too emotional to be thinking right. Yeah. I'll bet that's it.

Someone get these people off the stage. They've had their 15 minutes and were lucky enough to get their daughter back in good physical condition.