Caribbean Net News

Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
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More correspondence on the Holloway situation in Aruba

Tuesday, July 5, 2005

Those who express outrage and claim that people are blaming Natalie for being a victim are missing the point. Of course, the one to blame is the one who hurt Natalie, and not at all Natalie herself, however naive or lacking in common sense she may have been.

But to call for a boycott suggests that Aruba is an unsafe place. When I commented that it was not surprising that something happened to Natalie given her actions that night, it was not to blame her, but rather to point out that such actions would be dangerous anywhere in the world.

When people post here, all outraged that this could happen, and say they would never travel to Aruba now, I wonder, where will they go? As has already been posted, the US itself has tons of crime and bad cops to go around. Yes, of course, we all do stupid things sometime.

I suspect even some of the holier than thou Arubans who have posted here, claiming no Aruban female would ever take such a chance, are perhaps being a little dishonest. I think we all look back, especially on our youth, and wonder how we survived. But let's not blame a whole country because Natalie's luck ran out.

Rebecca and Chris Adams

I have read many letters regarding the tragic disappearance of Natalee Holloway. Clearly blaming the government and people of Aruba for the actions of a few people is ludicrous. As a number of readers have pointed out, crime is unfortunately known in every country in the world.

It seems to me there is far too much blame going on. If Natalee is indeed deceased, that is the ultimate loss, not only for Natalee and her family but for a time, the loss of innocence from a land which is a true paradise. Who can fault a mother who will literally go to the ends of the earth to find her own daughter? And who can blame a young woman who was likely brought up with an openness to life, to trust, especially someone so young?

Clearly she may have made a terrible mistake in going with the young men but who at 18 has made nothing but good decisions? And perhaps as one reader noted, she may have been drugged.

For healing to occur, there needs to be compassion for Natalee, for her family to whom my heart goes out, to the thousands of volunteers who have helped to look for her in the most good-hearted way. This should not be a time of blame; it should be a time of love, warmth and compassion. I have cried over this loss. I ask that all who knew of Natalee personally and have come to know her story will always think fondly of a young woman who represents the best in all of us.

Tim Boland
Lake Stevens
Washington USA

It may come as a surprise to many Americans who believe that blonde young women are sought in Aruba and abducted for the sex industry in Colombia when I reveal some hard facts.

In Sint Maarten, we have 7 or 8 sex clubs where a number of girls ( between 25 and 40 in each) from all other poor countries and islands come to work in the sex industry for three months and then return home with enough money to pay for the baby, some luxury, medicine for a sick mother or whatever.

In at least some clubs that I have inspected (Casa Blanca, Defiance Haven, Seaman's Club and Crystal Club) there are several blonde, white, young ( 21-22-23 ) women working from, yes, from Colombia! Colombia does not need to abduct any American blondes for sex, as there are enough poor blondes in Colombia who come voluntarily to Sint Maarten to do that work.

They come here because the men in Colombia do not have money to pay for sex, if they had the girls would stay home. The letter by J. R. LaFrance, Solvang, CA is truly ridiculous and based upon sensational slander press, not on reality.

As I said before, in my psychic trance I saw Natalee go into the sea to sober up and she was pulled away by the current, and the sea took her to its bosom. This apparent need to absolutely make this case look like it is criminal and to punish culprits is an indication of how low the American moral standard has sunk.

Alex Baldal
Sint Maarten

I am very disturbed about how the investigation is going on Natalee Holloway in Aruba. I know that things are not done the same there as in the States but as a mother of two daughters I would be terrified if they visited Aruba for a vacation. The crime rate in Aruba may be low but God help anyone who is the victim of a crime there.

The arrival of the three jets from Holland is just too little too late. This should have been done in the first few days after Natalee disappeared.

It is my opinion that the law officials in Aruba do not want to solve this crime. I believe that the 17yr old Van Der Sloot's father is so deeply involved with the political system that everyone is covering up for him and his son. The police investigating this crime must take the American people for a bunch of fools and I can assure them that we are not.

Unfortunately I believe that only God can get justice for Natalee in Aruba. If the people in Aruba really wanted this crime solved they would be at the police station in droves every day demanding justice. I fear if it had been a local teen that disappeared with the 17yr old Van Der Sloot it would never have been investigated and he would never have been questioned.

I thought that it was wonderful the way the people came out and supported Natalee's mother in a prayer session. Now it is time that they demand of their government that they put some teeth into this investigation and get the truth out of these three young men being held.

Valerie Harrison
Greenville, Alabama

I would like to comment on the Natalee Holloway case. First of all thank you to all those who say they will never vacation on the island of Aruba. I and all my family and friends will never as well. I personally spoke with Beth Holloway Twitty and believe me she is unbelievable. I would do anything to go there and help the families myself! I am proud of the Holloway's and Twitty family for remaining there to bring Natalee home no matter what!

I am angry beyond angry that it is taking so long for the Dutch marines to get there. I heard Wednesday? Also - I agree why would we want to send Americans to a place where there rules cover up and do not punish liars? Isn't lying considered perjury? Also what about the DNA on all these items? Also what about the denial of allowing our FBI to come in and debrief and talk to these guys?

I was fuming when I heard about Paul's few questions with no pressure! It is obvious the island favors him over USA money. Well I hope Mr. Van Deer Sloot can make up your dollars because we are never giving it to you.

Also - I am angry at anyone that blames Natalee! Pardon me - but how dare you! This poor girl is like any other teen but see - she didn't go off with strangers - her kidnapper/killer played on his victim first - played her - got her to trust him. Why wouldn't she? Then he took advantage of her kindness.

I believe she was drugged! It happened to me folks - so it can happen to anyone! You are defenseless. I will forever speak out for those who are unable to speak out on the effects of being drugged. I know they put something in her drink! So please stop blaming Natalee!!

I continue to pray for the safety and finding of Natalee. And love to you Beth and all the Holloway's and Twittys from here on Long Island, New York. I am here!

Ellyn Field

Do you know that in the States there are between 40,000 - 200,000 people innocent in prison? Do you also know that that means that between 40,000 - 200,000 people walking around who committed these crimes? Don't judge the legal system in Aruba, let them go step by step and find out what really happened before they lock up the wrong persons! http://www.aboutinnocent.org/index.htm

And how many people are missing in the States? Why is that not world news, is it because it happens every day? In Aruba it doesn't! If someone goes missing in the States do people take off from work to go and look for him/her? I don't think so. In Aruba everyone is looking out for her.

I did find someone who questioned himself about why this is world news... He makes a lot of sense, maybe you should read it. http://www.steveyuhas.com/columns/yuhas_20050621.htm

Thank you for your time and please stick to the facts, don't blow this out op proportions. Aruba is still a very safe place and they are working hard to solve this case. There is no judge being protected, there is not even a judge involved, the elder Vandersloot is a trainee, that’s a fact! Stop making up stories!

Bianca Koster
The Netherlands

In the Natalee Holloway case authorities should use all possible legal means to find the truth as soon as possible. Even though the polygraph test is not a standard procedure under Dutch law, it should be permitted in this case because it would benefit every body to reach a quick closure.

An international panel of three specialists from the FBI, Scotland Yard and Surete could perform the test. The three detainees should welcome the test, which could give them credibility if they are really innocent.

As for myself, I have been many times to Aruba while living in Venezuela, but I will abstain from going there until justice is served.

Roberto Lopez

My letter is in response to your reader’s letter from Onyekwere Iheukwumere.

I can only speak for myself and not everyone else. I understand your feelings and would like to explain how we see the same thing so differently.

I love the islands myself, I've worked at various places but I also know as a tourist people don't see the "real things" but as a local a person begins to see that the subtle crime and corruption is just like with our government and our corporations. It's nothing unexpected but it's not zero crime either.

We don't like the service we get with American authorities when they lie to us anymore than we like the service from Aruba authorities when a child is kidnapped and they lie to us. I have seen many cases bungled by the police for instance John Walsh's son, the Polly Klaas case, the Ramsey Case, the Elizabeth Smart case killed an innocent man they held in jail who that had nothing to do with the case.

There are several recent cases all bungled and the child pays the highest price while everyone is bungling and bumbling around making the truth harder to get to. I myself wish they would make a deal to get the child up front. I don't care what the authorities do, by the time these creeps get out of jail they are more educated from the criminal system and more ruthless. I say turn them over to the IRS to terrorize.

The complaint people have is not with the Aruban people as a people, it's the ones who say Aruba is crime free when it truly isn't. It's your authorities who pretend their job is to not find evidence and then as the judge said "No body, no crime." This means that nothing gets counted as a crime. This is not justice; we call it cooking the books or fraud.

This is not reassuring to any of us and the Aruban people should know it and stand up against the corruption. This isn't to say we don't have corruption too, I have found that wherever there is a corporation, a large company, a government agency of any kind or even an association of people it becomes a breeding ground for corruption. People inherently begin covering up for each other and owing each other favors and soon the corruption spreads like poison ivy.

It's in the military, it's everywhere. It may be low profile and rather innocuous but it's still there at any given time. It begins as the "Good old boy system" or the "You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" or "CYA me while I slip out for a bit". It's sometimes called "the team concept", usually anything associated with the word "team" means to keep a "code of silence" or "get along and don't rock the boat".

Another give away tern in the corporate world is "Partnering". That's usually executive level or between corporations. You name it, it comes in many forms. The reciprocal of it is called "the snitch" or a "the whistle blower", people who have exceeded what they think is tolerable or acceptable behavior finally turn snitch or whistle blow. Interestingly they should be a hero but they are more typically labeled and blackballed from groups and treated very bad even by the company they ratted on. When this happens a person can see how deep the corruption really has been rooted.

Unfortunately many innocent people’s lives are hurt or destroyed because the center of the problem refuses to come forward and take responsibility. What we are seeing in Aruba is years and years of well practiced excuses. Excuses that are easily detected by a normal person. To get to the truth, we have to threaten boycotting just to get the authorities to do the right thing.

The litmus test is easy. We know the girl was on the island, we know she was last seen with the three suspects, we know that the three suspects collaborated and fabricated a story even before a crime was detected so we know they had knowledge of a crime,

Then they point out two innocent men thinking they could pass the blame on them without getting caught - now there is where you should be outraged is finding out that two of your countrymen were almost prosecuted for something they didn't do.

Now we know that the boys and the father/judge know exactly what happened and will not take responsibility and tell the truth. At the same time the authorities are playing stupid like someone is believing them and will go away which will not happen.

Unfortunately the people responsible and the corrupt authorities are putting the whole weight on the innocent island people that are not involved. What you people should do is organize a stand and demand that the authorities co-operate any way they can, like letting the FBI come in and find Natalee so everyone can leave and reduce the negative exposure.

I feel sorry for you and your countrymen but you folks have an obligation to control your leaders the same as we do with ours. And we have some problems too; we don't have the best Government either. We have thieves, crooks, murderers, molesters all embedded within our system and Americans are sick and tired of it too.

Your island just happened to catch us in a very bad mood and we are unwilling to accept lame excuses and leave without our child and I would expect no less from you in our country. The job is to find Natalee alive. If she is dead we will have to accept that but we are praying she is alive.

We are not trying to tell anyone how to prosecute the perpetrator. You people can do what you want with them but of course if you do nothing or try to switch hit and punish an innocent person I would bet you seen your last American dollar with the exception of a few no-counts which I wouldn't put on my worst enemy.

The answer is clear and simple to us and I believe to you:

Produce Natalee -- case closed everyone goes home; we have no authority or desire to run the prosecution or anything. You do as you want with the predators. We want our daughter period and we are out of Aruba.

The rest is up to you, your countrymen and your authorities. The damages can easily be repaired by standing up and changing everything that went wrong and Americans are very understanding and forgiving.

If they want to stay in denial and hide behind their barrel full of lame excuses that everyone can see through, it will haunt your islands like the worst voodoo spell you have ever seen.

You people have the power to say and do what you want.

You know what is right and what is wrong.

Do what is right and people will come to your side forever,

We had a brave lady up in Coeur d’Alene who stuck her neck way out when she didn't have to. In doing so she saved a little girl’s life and wants no credit for it because she is a mother herself.

My daughter saved a little boy’s life in a pool one time, she hated the word hero. "I did what any mother would do and that's it." I never brought it up again in front of her but I tell her boys the story often.

I don't know about you but I see you as probably being young, single, strong and intelligent. Someday you will have a child if you don't now and you will know the feeling. I am a grandparent and my feelings are even more intense now than before.

You are young and smart and this would be a good thing to study in law school. We need to stop the predator syndrome of those people with that mentality that it's okay to use children for their own personal pleasure.

Good luck to you, I hope I shed some light on our situation so you can respect our urgency in finding Natalee for her parents.

Bruce Alton
Las Vegas, Nevada

I am an American and I will never go to Aruba. I think the police are corrupt and I will tell everyone I know for the rest of my life never to go to Aruba.

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