Drew Peterson: Our Cowardly Lion

Looking more and more like an old tanned version of the Cowardly Lion, Drew Peterson once again permeates our news with his tiresome, half-hearted denials of admitting to anything regarding his latest wife´s disappearance on tape. Joel (Why-won´t-this-go-away) Brodsky looked particularly weary in his uncharacteristic milquetoast defense of Peterson. Even Joel is starting to look like he does not believe Drew. And why should he? Most everyone else caught on within hours and days of Stacy Ann Peterson´s disappearance. Brodsky certainly is not that thick. His initial quick assessment through cash-colored glasses of a potential celebrity trial and stellar outcome, not to mention the book and movie deal, must be fizzling out.

Former colleagues of Peterson´s, the husband and wife team of Paula Stark and Len Wawczak, report they have secretly taped conversations with Peterson since the Illinois State Police contacted them last November. They allege Drew provided incriminating language potentially implicating himself in the disappearance and probable murder of Stacy. They reported Peterson mentioned he should have cremated Stacy. Hmmm. As they say, give ´em enough rope and they´ll hang themselves. Brodsky and Peterson characteristically slimed them by alluding the couple is gaming for a "big payday", to cash in on the Drew Peterson notoriety. Ad nauseam.

A young "lady" calling herself "Ashley" has been providing much fodder on the internet by sharing email and IM conversations she has supposedly had with Drew. Her blogs bring a variety of responses ranging in touting her as some sort of hero to a nut cashing in on her 15 minutes of fame. (The latter certainly reflects the opinions of the Brodsky-Peterson Burlesque.) Whatever the reason, one thing is for sure: much to the public´s dismay, Drew Peterson just won´t go away.

Even as I sit here and write about this individual who oozes with classless debauchery, I have to ask why are we still interested? Mr. Stebic, whose wife, Lisa, is still missing and presumed dead, is not as infamous as Drew Peterson, though the cases are eerily similar and both families reside in the same county. And he is free to come and go, though his wife has yet to be found. Nor is Gary Condit, for that matter. Remember him? Chandra Levy is still missing and Condit walks around free, as if nothing ever happened. Nothing except another young woman left dead.

So what is it about Drew? We really do not need another buffoon in the news.

Peterson´s perverse need for the spotlight fuels the public´s continually increasing desire for justice. Stacy Ann is still missing; and, if Drew Peterson were smart--which he is not--he would have quietly moved on. Instead, he chose to play the role of victim, and nobody bought it. The sad-sack routine he plays over and over like a broken record appears to be favorably received by some who clearly have no common sense or moral compass. To the rest of us--which thankfully is the majority-- Drew Peterson is an aging sociopath hanging by ever-fraying threads of self absorption, and whose days of freedom are waning.

Drew Peterson´s obvious and arrogant online quest for young, naïve women incite even the most passive among us into wanting blood for blood. His pathetic attempts to woo young female companionship online are creepily reminiscent of the pedophile, manipulating immature wannabes who are thrilled just to be tagged by such a ´celebrity´. It´s enough to make one upchuck.

With all the grand jury testimony, and the push for Illinois legislation to provide an avenue for a hearsay ruling that may just give the missing a voice, Drew Peterson´s days are numbered and dwindling as each hour passes. Soon the emerald glasses will come off and not even the All Powerful Brodsky will be able to save Peterson from himself. The Wizard Brodsky is obviously getting weary. It won´t be long until Drew will be saying, "There is no place like home…"

Until then, the Illinois State Police will follow the slow but sure yellow brick road to justice, meeting any obstacles head on. Bolingbrook waits, patiently impatient, for the day Stacy Ann comes home to rest.

As for Drew?

They´ll get you, my pretty…