THE recent case of astronaut Lisa Marie Nowak who traveled 900 miles to get even with another lady who is her supposed competition for the affections of a colleague highlights several themes people from all walks of life come up against.
First it is the case of the jilted-lover syndrome. It happens all the time especially with more women who are married with kids (or not) who are in the workplace. If the woman does not get the attention and love from her husband (maybe because of less time at home due to conflicting work schedules), she will seek it at the workplace. It occurs with professional women as well as blue-collar secretarial type workers. Primarily because women want to look up to men, men who are more intelligent, or at least deemed as such, are a natural attraction.
Second, there is a general trend after 9/11 for district attorneys and prosecutors to throw the whole book at you. Consider THE person who was brought all the way back from Bangkok because he “confessed” to the Jon Beret murder. Or the lady who got cold feet and didn’t want to get married so she made up a wild story and the media again fell all over itself to cover a non-story.
Third, the U.S. media seeks sensational stories and shows to keep viewers and readers riveted when there are so many other issues like crime and healthcare that are so much important but get scant attention. (And never mind even Iraq.) Nobody really knows anymore who is peddling the truth. Is it the government, is it the media, the non-profits, the religious groups? Who can you trust?

MATT PHILIPS
Mangilao, Guam