Dateline: Jul. 6, 2005
Let's Be Friends!
Or not.
I haven't gotten into the Natalee Holloway thing yet, but I might as well jump in.
Let's take a look at today's report from Fox News about Arubans vs. Natalee's Mom. I think I can see why they're mad.
A latent but growing resentment here became evident for the first time when more than 200 people, some wrapped in Aruban flags, said they were incensed by statements made by the mother of a missing American teen.
Those assembled outside the colonial courthouse in this Caribbean capital Tuesday night said they fear their tiny island nation is falsely being portrayed as not doing enough to find Natalee Holloway, the Alabama girl who vanished May 30 on a graduation trip with her high school class.
I'd say they're right. Think about it. When you think of Aruba, do you think of a wonderful beach resort safe for you and your family? No. You think of a missing, irresponsible, 18-year-old girl, that is either dead, or is somewhere on this globe doing who-knows-what.
In a brief and tearful statement Tuesday, Beth Holloway Twitty, Natalee's mother, accused Aruba of letting guilty people free.
"Two suspects were released yesterday who were involved in a violent crime against my daughter," she said.
"These criminals are not only being allowed to walk around among the tourists and citizens of Aruba," she said, but there were no limits on where they could go.
The protesters took umbrage with those statements.
"Respect our Dutch laws or go home," read one sign. "Innocent until proven guilty," read another. One suggested the missing girl might not be dead but partying in Brazil or nearby Venezuela.
Innocent until proven guilty. I'm sorry, but whether you like it or not, you can't just accuse someone of murdering your daughter with absolutely no evidence (or clear evidence). You are in a foreign country, and you really do have to obey their laws. I understand that you may be under huge stress, but taking it out on the country isn't going to help find your daughter.
The brothers may very well be criminals, and I would support keeping them in the country, just in case. But, there isn't any proof they're guilty, so they must be freed.
There were complaints that some American television coverage unfairly depicted the island, which depends overwhelmingly on tourism, and as being crime- and drug-ridden.
Though poverty is widespread in the Caribbean, Aruba has an unemployment rate of less than 1 percent and one of the higher standards of living. And it has few worries. Tourism and a major refinery bring in the money. Diplomatic and defense needs, such as they are, are provided by the Netherlands.
"Have you been treated badly in Aruba?" asked Ramon Garcia, a burly tourist guide. "We are together with the family of Natalee, but we love Aruba too, man. We don't need these pressures. We are a friendly island."
Orlando Flanigan said his country had given "all out hearts, all out cooperation, everything," to help find Natalee.
"It's time we got some respect back," he said.
That really is the truth. Respect for Aruba has been lost. Aruba has not been potrayed as a very friendly island. Fox has done a decent job, but still have leaned towards making the island out to be rather scary. ABC is the same. CNN portrays it as a very scary place.
In fact, after watching the news the other night, I'd rather not ever visit Aruba. This is going to hurt Aruba, and the press isn't helping very much.
"They are making us look like a banana republic, he said. "We are an educated and cultured people; many of us speak four or five languages."
John Maywether told a growing crowd that Aruba is not an island of criminals.
"We have 96 [prison] cells and 53 percent of them are occupied by non-Arubans," he said.
"We are here to ask that you trust our legal system," he said, recalling that Arubans turned out in large numbers for Natalee after she vanished and that prayers were offered for her safe return in local churches.
Arubans note that local banks raised $20,000 and provided other help to a group of volunteers from Texas, who are still here, could continue their search for the girl.
I didn't know that. That's really interesting. But it does seem weird that 53 percent of those in prison are NON-Arubans. Does that mean criminals like to visit the island? I mean, people from the island may be nice, but what about those attracted to the island? If it's an island where kidnappers hang out, I'm not going.
Still no sign of her. Where could she be?
I'll tell you one thing...why was she not with chaparones?
It's pretty easy to guess that everyone was out partying, she's drunk, and get's picked up. Who knows what happens next?
Maybe she's on a boat somewhere? Partying in Brazil maybe?
I think I'm a bit tired of Natalee's mom though...she throws out accusations almost in a fit of rage.
"YOU DID IT...wait...no...HE DID IT!!!"
I wonder how much money she's getting from this? (Sorry, but really...)
We pray they find Natalee, as slim as the chances are of that.