Smart dad chases spotlight, cash

   The American public remains awed by the recent events concerning the exploitation of Elizabeth Smart.
   The amazing part of these recent developments is that Elizabeth Smart’s own family is responsible for these new exploitations.
   We cheered the return of Elizabeth to her family. We were happy the child was not found dead—something we feared. But Elizabeth finally was spotted with her abductors and came home. We shared in the family’s relief.
    The country fell behind the parents in looking for Elizabeth and comforting her family. We listened and watched as volunteers searched for Elizabeth.
   Few days went by that we did not hear about developments in the Smart case. Lois Smart stayed mostly in the background and seldom appeared on the media while father Ed took to the airways patterning himself after so many other fathers who had children abducted.
   It was apparent that the Smarts were convinced their daughter would come home, and unbelievably, she did.
   The Smarts obviously have been counseled into believing now is the time to break open the golden egg that miraculously dropped into their home via their daughter.
   After hearing frequently how the Smarts did not want their daughter exploited, we now know why. The Smarts, themselves, wanted all rights to exploitation.
   In the past few weeks, we have seen Elizabeth being interviewed by Katie Couric and Oprah Winfrey. We have seen Elizabeth strolling through her favorite wooded area. We have seen Elizabeth interacting with her school chums. We have seen Elizabeth riding her favorite pony. We have just seen more of Elizabeth than we have cared to.
   Elizabeth Smart is adorable, almost Reese Witherspooney. She is not media savvy, and she answers almost every question with “Yeah.” She should be left alone to live her life without that exploitation.
   Just in case the parents have not been counseled fully, we could offer a few ways to bring in more bounty before interest dies away. With the publication of Bringing Elizabeth Home, the Smarts should consider Elizabeth Leaving for College.
   Elizabeth Getting Married could be covered by Home and Garden Channel. Foods Elizabeth Cooks at College could bring a huge market for the Food Channel.
   In a recent People magazine article, we saw a family portrait sans Elizabeth. The Smarts could morph Elizabeth into the portrait and make a Smart Family Calendar.
   Well, the list could go on, but enough. Enough of the Smarts. Especially, enough of Ed.
   Lois Smart still is uneasy in front of the cameras. We hope she retains that shyness and perhaps a bit of shyness or humility could rub off on Ed.
   We are happy Elizabeth is home. We are glad she is all right. We cheer that this young woman is alive and with her family. We do not need to see her on television any more. We wish her well and hope the nightmares of her captivity can be forever erased from her memory.
Meanwhile, back off parents.