Many news organizations conduct "best of" reviews in the last few weeks of December. Myself, I cannot release these prize nuggets until I have had time to digest the events of the past year, and often that means I will not have a "year end" review until the end of next year... so rather than extend a belated top 10, or a tardy top 5, I have decided to declare Hero Cop Mike Jones Saves Florida School Board the Top Story of 2010.
From Clay Duke spraying an upside down Anarchy symbol in a misdirected attempt to express meaning, to Ginger Littleton attacking him on camera and slapping his gun with her purse, to the endearing and tear-jerking interview with retired officer Mike Jones, this story has substance, style, light and darkness. The deeper one pries into the various angles of this quintessential bit of Americana, the more satisfyingly rich.
If one of you can find the link to the interview with the murderer's wife, let me know. Coke bottle glasses, and a stocky frame: "It was just the manic depression," she tells the camera. "Afer I lost my job at the school, he just couldn't handle it no more..." So compelling, even now I can't get the image out of my head...
Clay Duke holding the School Board Hostage
While this story may not have the gravitas of international affairs, these three clips, and my missing fourth, have haunted me more than any other story of the year, and I think if you give these a quick view they just might stick in your craw too. Happy 2011!