Topic : 01/19 Follow-ups

   I also watched the show today and Steve Cohen is such a lair,I believe he knows about her and just trying to hide the fact,in my opinion I think the U.S. should boycott Aruba till Natalee is found,plus get the President Bush involved since this is another country. I read some of the letters in the message board and I can't believe that some ppl are mad about helping this family to find a lost daughter! How would you all act if your Daughter have been missing this long and don't know if she is dead ? Wouldn't you be letting the world know and trying to find the answer?? 

  I also believe the 3 boys know more they are saying!!!!! 

While I cannot even begin to imagine the pain Natalee's family must be experiencing, I would just like to remind Dr.Phil that people go missing in the United States every day.  Even the US legal system is bound by laws that do not make much sense to the families of vicitims.  As I watch the Dr.Phil show on CBS2, the news brief in the middle of the segment is about a man who walked into a police station, confessed to a murder, and walked right back out.  Without full knowledge of Arubian laws, and full access to the information the police and prosecution's office has, even the family's lawer cannot be certain of what can and cannot be done to the 3 men involved.

But what makes this family's plight so much more important than the thousands of American families who still have no answers for their missing loved ones who disappeared on local soil?  Why does their's get the attention and bad press for the location of the disapperance while American murders and rapes fail to prompt the same response?

Pointing the finger at Aruba for failling to do all you feel they can to bring peace to this family leaves 4 other fingers pointing back at American's who fail to do all they can for the families of their own locally missing citizens.  How can you demand more of a foreign country than you do of your own?  How can you accuse them of not respecting Americans while your own country's leader admits that it's response to the devistation in the South was badly managed. 

It is tragic.  The lack of answers one way or another is not only tragic for the Holloway family, but for all American families who are in similar situations.

Just a reminder that no country is perfect.  We all do what we hope is best at the time and must each admit that errors in judgement are universal.

Floortje, 

  

I think it is particularly cold-blooded and frankly classless to start criticizing Natalee's (or anyone's) looks at a time when she may be maimed, kidnapped or murdered. How is that relevant? Your cruel words belie your intent on this board and that is to wholesale slag any and all Americans, even a helpless victim. 

  

Also, you claim that it is because of the "war on terror" that they (I presume you mean Muslims) are attacking your country and you are not safe on your own street. Nice try! If there have been attacks in your country it is because of the racism and attacks directed at Muslims by some of your regressive countrymen. Yet again, you undercut your own credibility by making such a baseless and misleading claim. Perhaps Americans should donate some of their 401k's towards your edification!  

  

I'll sum up your bile-driven post in two words "sour grapes". 

  

Natalee Holloway's family have every right to demand justice and accountability regardless of what country the crime occurred in. I don't see them as trying to impose US laws there. I think they're just asking Aruba to step up and treat this like any apparently civilized nation would. 

  

I cannot imagine any greater torment for a parent than to have a child missing. My heart goes out to that family. 

  

  

  

  

 Here, here!

We are saying we are tired of YOUR OFFICIALS lying to Natalee's mother.  We are tired of you promising one thing and doing another. 

This case has been going on for too long.  Could someone tell me why Joran's Dad wouldn't let the helpers search his property?  Of course, it would be futile now.  I believe, with all my heart that his influence has caused this terrible delay in finding Natalee.  I will not forget what he said at the beginning of this tragedy:  "No body, no case".  I believe he knows what happened to Natalee as well as the three boys.  When someone admits to a crime, is it not right to arrest them and jail them until they are either proven guilty or not guilty by a jury?  Seems right to me!  The prosecutor in Aruba is probably being persuaded also by the dad, or he would have tried to complete the case by now.  In oether words, I believe the entire Aruba government is corrupt. 

Excellent post... my sentiments exactly. 

  

  

My wife and I have different opinions on this subject.  First is my wife.  She states that no matter if Natalie had sex or not, drank too much or not, she is still someones child.  Beth deserves some 

type of closure.  Our daughter has been going to Aruba, with grandparents since she was 15 years 

old: now is 28- and still goes.  All Arubians should not have to pay the price because of the acts of 

a few.  We have time share for years, and while the people are friendly and kind, her opinion of 

Aruba has changed since this incident.  Our son went on a class trip to Canada and came home 

with a tattoo and we were upset.  We can only imagine what the Holloways are going through. 

My turn.  What kind of senior high school trip is to Aruba?  You have got to be kidding me.  Why has 

the school not accepted some of the responsibility?  Where were the chapperones and why were 

they not mentioned during the investigation?  I think class trips, in general, should be re evaluated. 

I think a lawsuit against the Dutch Government should be pushed as far as possible.  It is obvious 

that a coverup has occurred in Aruba- justice for the Holloway family is needed 

A boycot of Aruba is not the answer- imagine if other countries did it to us everytime a murder or rape occurred in the US.  Justice is justice in any language. 

Our thoughts and prayers have been with the Holloway family from the beginning. 

Americans do not want to be treated "special" as you state. They only want justice and to find the young woman, dead or alive.

I agree....let's boycott Aruba. They are only interested in the tourist dollars. Let's speak their language......take our money and stay home.