The New Obscenity

Usually I write about predators but I need to dedicate this commentary to obscenity. No, not the obscenity that we so commonly think of in discussing vulgar language or pornography that is implicitly illegal because children are involved or adults are being sexually exploited without their consent. This form of obscenity involves the exploitation of the underbelly of American values. O.J. Simpson was liable in the deaths of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown and her friend, Ron Goldman. Although he was acquitted in the case, to believe for a moment that he did not actually commit the murders himself is a clear act of denial. I have been a criminologist for over 25 years and I will put my career on the line in saying that I have zero doubts about his guilt. Forget race, forget celebrity, and forget football. There was only one person who possessed the capability and capacity as well as motive for committing those two murders. The crime scene screamed his psychological footprints.

Now the great O.J. has struck a 3.5 million dollar deal to tell us what we already know. He understands that he can never be tried for those murders again due to double jeopardy. His consorting with the likes of Rupert Murdoch and Judith Regan, indeed, creates an oddly assorted trio of similar ilk. Money is the game and American values the target. They understand something which many of us would prefer to not think about and that is the penchant we carry for the obscene. What is more obscene than a man who claims to be innocent of murdering the mother of his children and now is eager to discuss how he would have done it had he been the killer. This is yet another defining moment in the lives of his children and continued victimization of Brown/Goldman families. Why would he want to "muse" about such horror? Because it pays millions and all three of these money mongers are banking that our appetite for the obscene has no limitations. They subscribe to a commonly held belief that everyone has a price. They may be right.

Here is my recommendation in the name of all that is good and virtuous about America: Do not stoop, do not give in to this freak show designed to exploit our sensibilities. I adamantly urge everyone to boycott the Fox television special and Simpson's book, If I Did It. Take a moment and send Judith Regan at ReganBooks (owned by Murdoch) your thoughts. Yes, she is backpedaling now because she too wants to pretend that she is just another victim and fell under the spell of a celebrity batterer. Hogwash. The only spell she is under is the lure of money, and lots of it. Let her know that you do have values that cannot be bought and sold. Remember the victims. We owe them that much at least.

Eric Hickey, Ph.D.
Criminal Psychologist &
Crime Consultant

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Previous Commentaries

October 2006
August 2006
July 2006