I want to make vacation plans for Aruba now

When the story first broke, I thought, "I'll hold off ever going to Aruba."

Since the incessant media play and now the call for a boycott of travel, I want to go because I'M SICK OF HEARING ABOUT THIS CRAPPY STORY!

:sarcasm:

it won't be full of drunk redneck teenagers on spring break :-)

I understand where you're coming from but I hate bullies. I hope they put a enough pressure on somebody so they find out what happened.

And Alabama has a helluva lot of unsolved murders. I don't hear anybody calling for a boycott of Alabama.

That all 3 of them raped her. And yet they are all still free. You're okay with that?

You're okay with the Aruban authorities not pursuing that evidence? Not conducting real and competent investigations? Stonewalling, possibly engaging in a cover-up? And in general just not giving a damn about an American visitor's fate?

No way the Aruban authorities carried out their responsibilities in this case in any competent or maybe not even honest way.

I'm in favor of what Beth Holloway Twitty and the Governor of Alabama are doing and I don't care what political party they belong to. Actually, I'm pretty sure no one knows Mrs. Twitty's politics. I certainly don't.

I want to see Americans treated fairly and honestly and wrongdoing against them investigated, tried and punished in a court of law. I want that for Americans here in the States, and I want to be able to expect that in those countries which haven't been blacklisted by the State Dept. I don't think it's too much to ask for Aruba to get its act together and get this job done, and done properly.

I DON'T GIVE A FLYING FUCK!

If you would have got if off my fucking television set in the first month of the bullshit story, I'd have stuck by things and not ever gone to Aruba.

But after months of this bullshit and a fucked up governor begging for me not to go, my intention is to go as often as possible and I want to spend as much money there as I ca.

that does nothing about the rape and probable murder of an American woman just because you don't like the television coverage?

I see.

Other people don't like the missing woman, some disapprove of her because they believe she was promiscuous, and will be supporting a corrupt and/or inept system for one or both of those reasons. Some don't like her mother.

And there are no doubt other equally questionable reasons for the antipathy against Natalee and her family. So at least you're not alone.

Let me suggest something to you. While I haven't been exactly glued to this coverage, I've heard enough over the weeks to know that there are indications that this isn't exactly an isolated incident, that Americans and other visitors are entering something of a no man's land when they go to Aruba and certain other "paradise islands," and that not all the victims are young women (or "Girls Gone Wild" as so many DUers insist on thinking of them).

I think Beth Halloway Twitty is doing all potential visitors to Aruba a valuable service in trying to hold the government accountable for properly taking care of violence against its tourists. But that's just me, I guess.

Have a safe trip.

I don't care for the story 24/7/365 but they (Aruba) are doing a terrible job with this case. I say sanction them till they get it right.
PS- Welcome to DU!

It's the fact that she's American, WHITE and BLONDE that got the coverage.

Otherwise, she'd be like the other pregnant woman who disappeared in the Bay area when Lacy Peterson did.

to deny Natalee coverage? Or to hasten to make travel plans to Aruba, as some here are planning to do?

I'm with ya. Totally. But it's no reason to resent Natalee Holloway to such an extent that one works against her and her family, is it? She didn't create this racist, classist society we live in!

she wouldn't have gotten the coverage. That's all I'm saying. It's a fact admitted by the media, the cute photogenic ones get the coverage.

If we boycotted every country where someone disappeared, we'd have to stay home.

She's attractive and so we shouldn't cover her at all. Nevermind that such an attitude doesn't help the ones who aren't covered, let's just turn the tables and discriminate against the beautiful. That'll solve everything.

Or will it?

That's not what I said.

but isn't it the logical conclusion of your position? You complain that she's being covered because she's attractive. What is the alternative but not covering her because she's attractive.

My point is that NOT covering Natalee doesn't help those not covered, it just penalizes Natalee and her family, and penalizing them on the basis of Natalee's looks (or class and white-ness) is no different than penalizing those who aren't white and privileged by not covering them.

(Whew, I got dizzy on that one. Hope you didn't.)

So it should get coverage in Aruba and her home town.

End of story.

It's not unlike thousands of other stories. She HAS been covered.

Now, surely someone can find a new tragedy to report about ad nauseum.

Come back and talk the shit after Alabama solves every last unsolved disappearance they have on their books.

Did you just say I'm talking shit? :shrug:

:blush:

Meant to respond to the other post that responded to you.

:blush:

and probably better than the vast majority!

Come back and talk to me when there are no unsolved disappearances in the US.

un-investigated, un-prosecuted, probable cover-up (IMO) by the authorities to protect these young criminals.

As for no worse than any state in the U.S., I can't agree. There's been no REAL investigation of this -- only faux attempts, whitewash, bumgling and bumbling, etc. You'd think the Bush administration were running it.

What do you think the girl's mother is lobbying for, anyway? Do you even know?

I'm done with this, see ya in Aruba...

Have a safe trip. You won't be seeing me there.

and it is all about unsolved. For all we know she ran away to get away from her overbearing mother.

BTW, do you have any idea how misogynist some of your comments are?

Surely you're not a misogynist yourself, so I hope pointing this out will help you avoid anti-woman comments in the future. This one calls on unflattering anti-woman stereotypes (overbearing mother). If you'd like me to point out or explain other anti-woman comments, let me know.

Your incentive was better than the OP's.

What I'd like to know is why a personal horror story is dominating the news, when our kids are dying in Iraq, there are riots in France, Scooter Libby committed trason, and there are elections happening. I don't mean to dismiss this family's tragedy. There are other families who have experienced similar tragedies in Alabama. Natalee Holloway's family must have great connections to keep her murder in the news for so long.

I so appreciate that you, nearly alone, are not resentful of the coverage Natalee is getting, just sad that other young women, and old ones too, I suppose, don't get the same coverage.

I'm sure there are other families who have experienced similar tragedies in AL and elsewhere, but are all those other tragedies involving incompetence and probable corruption by the law enforcement and other authorities in Alabama? That's the key issue (I keep repeating myself tonight): this case has never been handled properly from the getgo. That's what Natalee's mother is asking for. And the AL Gov too. I don't think that's wrong.

In fact, as I've also said elsewhere, I think their actions will help other Americans and other tourists to Aruba be safer in the future.

I thnk Arubans are probably sick to death of Americans over this bullshit and will take it out on Americans.

who are wondering if our governemnt's incompetence and probable corruption is the reason why their sons are being held without access to due process. The only time they're in the news is when they're the victims of torture. But they're swarthy, and swarthy boys don't make the headlines, unless they're the perps.

Unless this girl was in possession of nuclear secrets when she was kidnapped, this should not be such a big story.

What's yer opinion about the marines being held for raping the Filipino woman? Should they not be turned over to Filipino authorities?

If she hasn't been found, where's this rape evidence?

I rather tend to. But, hey, that's just me.

(Is it my imagination, or is it a strange crowd tonight?)

but it sure as hell isn't with the people who are sick of the racist classist coverage and pandering by elected officials in an unsolved disappearance (notice, no rape, no murder, DISAPPEARANCE, just the facts at hand) when there are plenty of unsolved MURDERS (You know, where the police have actually recovered a body) in ALABAMA!

I see you.

it's not so much the crowd, we've all read about strange cases and the nutty things people do in the "world of crime". :)

they don't. More don't confess to things they didn't do than do.

to take over Aruba so they can conduct their blessed "investigation."

Again, boycott Alabama! I can't wait to visit Aruba this summer ;).

How about we vow to boycott Alabama instead? <eg> Talk about your payback. I'm so damn sick of hearing this story!

Olbermann, and I'm from Alabama.

It's the fugging governor. Well I guess our governments can now call for boycotts of all things American when our citizens go missing in the US.

Consider getting more hobbies please please please??? Focusing of third rate trashy coverage of missing white girl(s) is well ... really scrapping the bottom of the barrel.

(Natalee) because she's white, because she's perceived to be rich, because the media has over-covered this, because you disapprove of what you think about her behavior, something else, all of the above, or what?

except we'll replace RESENTMENT with YOUR OBSESSION WITH ...

Yes this story is racist and classist. It is the worst aspect of how some people are "more equal" than others.

well, almost

Yes this story is racist and classist. It is the worst aspect of how some people are "more equal" than others.

No, the COVERAGE of the story is racist and classist. And yes, the incident itself probably does show that some people are "more equal" than others, that white privilege and wealth are enormously helpful in disastrous circumstances, and that's wrong. One of the best definitions of Power I've ever heard is: access to resources. We saw an even worse case of powerlessness and consequent miscarriage of justice because of race and class in New Orleans in the aftermath of Katrina.

But I fail to see how denying Natalee justice or resenting her so much that one would actively work against her and her family helps or improves that, in any way.

I appreciate your honesty about your resentment of her. I can sincerely empathize, if not quite approve.

Oh, I'm not obsessed. I'm just trying to correct some misinformation.

not to mention FBI agents who have no professional knowledge of how Dutch investigations must be conducted, all over the Island of Aruba getting in the way and potentially damagin evidence, not to mention scaring potential witnesses, the PROFESSIONAL investogators on Aruba might possibly have been able to do the job and be bringing somebody to trial.

BUT NOOOOOO, IDIOT FUCKWADS FROM THE STATES JUST HAD TO GO IN AND FUCK THE ENTIRE THING UP WHEN THEY HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE HOW THE DUTCH JUSTICE SYSTEM WORKS!!!

I blame the media and the asshole US law enforcement for being just that, ASSHOLES!

the U.S. authorities, who basically had no role at all but stood by rather helpless while the Arubans mucked it up and kept them at arms' length.

I don't know that there ARE any "professional investigators" on Aruba and I suspect neither do you.

I don't know how the FBI could've been "potentially damaging evidence" if they weren't allowed to be involved, and they weren't. They were there to help the Arubans, but the Arubans kept them, as I said, at arms' length.

Here's a question for you. Since you're so hot about everybody from the U.S. not having any knowledge of how Dutch investigations should be conducted and therefore ruining everything, why not enlighten us on that subject? How exactly do Dutch investigations have to differ from U.S. investigations? I'd be very interested in knowing.

than any investigator from Alabama.

And after watching the mother on television I wouldn't be surprised if the girl wanted to run away as far away and completely disappear to never ever have to have anything to do with her again in this life.

And that's as plausible a theory as any I've seen from breathless "journalists" sensationalizing the thing.

if she didn't just make her break.

She well could have. After seeing her motherr on television, I wouldn't be surprised at all.

Many members of my immediate family have blonde hair and blue eyes.

Why do you LOVE this story so much?

Deny this woman who you seemingly know her much more than an observer.

Don't you find it a little strange that you are constantly calling her by first name since you don't know squat about her?

No, I do my very best not resent anybody. My sister-in-law is a gorgeous blonde woman. She's like a sister to me. So don't try to make this a jealousy gig. Oh please don't go there?

My ANGER is for THE LACK of attention that people of COLOR get when horrid things happen to them.

What I resent MOST is Upper Middle Class -WHITE PRIVILEGE albeit I am white and upper middle class.

How could I possibly DENY this Upper Middle Class woman Justice? People who seemingly "are best friends" the the victims family, and far too many "misinformed others" (all fired up by the media and the victim's family) KEEP this blatantly RACIST and CLASSIST story in the news. I would venture to guess MILLIONS of bucks have been spent on justice for this woman.

It's just sick - and I honestly do not PERSONALLY wish to deny justice to this missing person - the woman you refer to by first name - "Natalee."

You have "a gift" for persuasive arguments, but on this issue, it's one big sad NO BRAINER. :hi:

Best regards, EP

or more missing and maybe dead US citizens from LA and the failure of the US government to do anything to prevent it for five, long days as the world watched.

I believe the Alabama gov. said that 'we will show the world that when something happens to a US citizen, we won't sit idly by' ~ I laughed out loud when I heard that. Now, had he said 'when something happens to a privileged, well-connected American citizen' I might not have found it so darkly humorous.



This story has taken up more time than the disaster in NOLA. Is one woman that much more important than all those people? Has anyone found out exactly how many people died in NOLA? Has there been one story on the MSM about loved ones who are searching for their relatives? The media could be covering and maybe helping with, either the re-uniting of victims of the hurricane or at least helping them to find out whether or not their loved ones are dead.

I too may go to Aruba ~ I wonder how many unsolved murders there are in Alabama?? Until all of them are solved, I think a boycott of Alabama is a good idea. And this kind of bullying will probably ensure an increase in tourism from all the world.

upset about it. It's not a distant abstraction for me.

Not that this has anything whatsoever to do with the discussion at hand, of course.

murder has never been solved.

but a pretty white girl who disappears in an exotic locale gets all the attention. FUCK IT! Their bullshit makes me want to go to Aruba four or five times each year!

you are not a pretty, blond, naive, "looking to party" teenage girl. You'll be fine.

If my brown haired scrawny butt went missing at 18 y.o. it wouldn't of made the local blotter.

I'm sick of the OVERT racism the obsession to this story conveys. Make these arrogant and smarmy relatives of hers GET OFF OF MY TV SCREEN!

you should be fine. :)

at 2 AM wiht three guys I don't know.

who never carries cash.

sounds like a good place to me.

I'm guessing the Governor of Alabama supports his President's war. Over 2,000 GIs dead, but I'd guess he waves the flag and doesn't wanna back down on terra. But now just one American disappears, and he wants to pull Americans out of Aruba just because the Arubans can't guarantee they'll catch anyone who ever does away with any U.S. citizen-hotties over there. Why, if we do that, the terrorists will have won!

And I'm sure the Governor believes that if we pulled out of Iraq now, before the "job is done," all those fine 2,000-plus American soldiers will have died in vain; that we would be dishonoring the cause and the mission for which they gave their lives: for Freedom!

But what about Natalie's cause and mission? What about her mission of freedom, the American Vacation? What about her fight, her fight for her right to party? All the string bikinis she wore, all the tanning she acheived, all the waves she jumped through and sunsets she saw - all the frozen margaritas and strawberry daiquiris, and drunken karoake, all the unabashed joy of an American on vacation: that's freedom! All that will have been in vain, or worse, if now, because of her, no young American hottie ever again fights for her right to party on that particular Island of the Carribean.

Is Governor Riley going soft?