I don’t think so.

MSNBC tonight is putting new hype on the line. On the Joe Scarborough show, apparently Joe “has issues” regarding the treatment of Shoshana Johnson, wishing to dig up racial problems that may exist. The call is that Johnson is wondering whether Jessica Lynch gets more air-time because she’s white.

According to earlier interviews, though, Johnson was shunning the media, vocally refusing any hero status. It was the Johnson family (her parents) who were being interviewed, though, and it was the reporter doing the interview who raised the race issue. I believe it was Shoshana’s father who responded, saying he had no idea if it is a racial thing, would not be surprised if it might be, but seriously doubted it was.

Dad seriously doubts it’s racial.
Shoshana prefers to dodge the spotlight.
Shoshana was severely injured.
Shoshana was photographed during her rescue.

Jessica was held in a hospital.
Jessica was severely injured.
Jessica was video-taped during her rescue.
Jessica coauthored her experience (with Rick Bragg).

This is a media product, top, bottom, and all floors in between. Shoshana is a personal hero of mine. So is Jessica. So are all POW victims. Jessica is simply more famous than Shoshana . Hell, she even beats out Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) in the fame game, and I think the more she denies it, the more the public will eat it up -- and the more the media will feed them.

Cheers,
Dan