Search for the words "Laura Buckingham Afghanistan Marines," and Google disgorges dozens of headlines with banners like these: "Marine Who Peed on Dead Taliban Foils Girlfriend’s Alleged Murder-for-Hire Plot" and "Former Marine court-martialed for peeing on Taliban bodies stops girlfriend's alleged murder-for-hire plot WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT."
It's a perfect storm for the planet's social media vultures: A notorious former soldier prevents his girlfriend, also a former soldier, from killing her child's father. It is likely that Robo-Screenplay already is at work, scrubbing the story clean of any genuine human element.
Laura Buckingham became known to many residents of Southern Indiana as the "bread chick," selling her loaves at the farmers market prior to opening a bricks and mortar cafe called Bread and Breakfast. Overnight, she has become fodder for worldwide "news" coverage.
Former New Albany café owner faces attempted murder charge, by Chris Morris (News and Tribune)
We're all adults here, and few (if any) of us have a dog in this race. We don't know all the facts, and the case will play itself out in the judicial system. We shouldn't understate the seriousness, and yet personally, I always pull for redemption and second chances, and wish success to those seeking to purge resident demons. There is a young boy involved, and I'm sure you'll join me in wishing the best for him.
It may interest some readers to know there is a Facebook page called Support Laura Buckingham: "This page is to provide information on ways to help Laura Buckingham as relates to her current legal situation."
I'm not interested in choosing sides, because this story strikes me as an instance of tragedy -- in the word's original sense.
1. (esp in classical and Renaissance drama) a play in which the protagonist, usually a man of importance and outstanding personal qualities, falls to disaster through the combination of a personal failing and circumstances with which he cannot deal.
2. (in later drama, such as that of Ibsen) a play in which the protagonist is overcome by a combination of social and psychological circumstances.
It isn't clear what a "good" ending might be, but it's the one I'm hoping for.
I have wondered why this struck me as "sad". How did this person go from Downtown New Albany, to the national buzz involving an infamous Marine? I think you are right, there isn't going to be a happy ending to this story.
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