What are some other famous "lightning rod" events, like the Imus event this week?

A lightning rod event has these characteristics:





-- the intersection of two or more prominent topics (like, in the Imus event, race, public taste and the profit motive)


-- obsessive news coverage and public interest.


-- The feeling, after it's over, that some important truths have been revealed and there has been some powerful effect on society.





Other lightning rod events include the Clarence Thomas story from the early 90s and the Clinton/Monica Lewinsky affair in the late 90s.

What are some other famous "lightning rod" events, like the Imus event this week?
OJ Simpson Trial


Lindberg baby kidnapping


The Rosenberg(s) trial


The McCarthy "Red" Scare





I'l think of more later-great question
Reply:What are you, nuts? Nothing even comes close, except another white injustice, the Duke men, of course.
Reply:anything pertaining to karl rove. im surprised libs havent blamed him for being communist bc his parents used a K for his 1st name
Reply:Hi, A black lady bought a brand new black sofa only to find that the tag on the sofa said the color of the couch was n***** brown. Don't believe me? go to BET news.com
Reply:I would add that a lightning rod protects by attracting what might destroy other things around it...





Things like: attention to the war, the environment, healthcare, govt. corruption, etc.





Almost anything the tabloid media serve up is at least a mini-lightning rod.





There's so much real work to do, if we set aside all these distractions we still wouldn't keep up.

crooked teeth