Welcome Mat

What brings you here? What’s on your mind?

The Natalee Holloway case caused many of us to voice our opinions and delve into the less than respectable side of Internet news. However, that news has slowly turned into a re-run. Nothing is coming out of Aruba, the Netherlands, or Mountain Brook. Beth (my hero in all of this) has not said a word lately.

So, I must ask what keeps people interested and what keeps them searching for that one clue that will make a difference. What is it about this horrific story that keeps people glued to their keyboards?

Maybe my own accounting will start the ball rolling, except I am caught on this phrase, “a dark and stormy night.” Why dark? Why stormy?

Diary of a Sloot?

Or, Who Stole the Spellchecker?

Apparently, a document has surfaced that details the thoughts of Joran Van der Sloot while he was sitting in jail during the summer of 2005. The text is not particularly interesting and filled with inconsistencies. What IS interesting is the reaction across most of the Natalee Holloway related web sites.

The owner of a particularly biased forum that is of the opinion that Joran is the poster child for all things good about Aruba and the Netherlands allowed the rambling epic to stand for a time. He went on to “boldly” say he had his reasons for doing so. Others have chimed in that they are on the trail of the thief that might have stolen this “work of art” and posted it across the World Wide Web.

Now, maybe my thinking is just a little too basic, but I can’t help but wonder about the culpability of those that allowed the document to remain in public view. The damage, if there was any, only occurred because the document was publicized. Otherwise, it would have been much like winking in the dark. So, the question becomes just who carries the burden as to the proliferation of this unauthenticated text?

Something about this episode of the continuing soap opera is reminiscent of the famous strawberry monologue given by Humphrey Bogart in the Caine Mutiny.

“Ah, but the strawberries! That's, that's where I had them. They laughed at me and made jokes, but I proved beyond the shadow of a doubt, and with, with geometric logic, that, that a duplicate key to the wardroom icebox did exist. And I would have produced that key if they hadn't pulled the Caine out of action. I, I know now they were only trying to protect some fellow officer.”

The Cathy Seipp Story

A Wakeup Call

Cathy Seipp was a politically conservative columnist and blogger. Her sharp, pointed way with words gained her a great deal of attention and angered a few. She recently lost her long battle with cancer and left behind a legacy of interesting observations. What happened in her final days is astonishing!

With freedom comes extremes and this internet infringement went beyond extreme. Read about just how far some will go to impose their will across this new media. Here!

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The power of the internet is an interesting thing and it has changed the world in which we live. We can sit in the comfort of our homes and communicate with people from all parts of the world. It’s amazing and wonderful despite many of the idiosyncrasies. The blogging experience only adds to the adventure, because it opens new horizons.

Recently I made a post on this blog about the popular reality program, American Idol. In that post I mentioned Sanjaya Malakar (a youngster of East Indian descent with dubious musical talents) and I suddenly started getting hits from various locations in India. It was fascinating to watch the site meter turn out hit after hit coming from places sprinkled across that region of the world.

Today I received a visit that I found so interesting that I thought I would share it with the readers of this blog.

Mayer, Brown & Platt is a rather prestigious Chicago law firm with a history dating back to 1881. It has become international in scope and has offices all across this country and around the world.

Why would this legal giant have an interest in my little, obscure blog?

One word and that is seipp! The real kicker is that their interests do not revolve around the recently departed Cathy Seipp, but rather Dennis Seipp, associated with Washington Group International, Inc.

Orwell might have missed the boat by a few years, but he made the right call!

Big Brother Is Watching!

Blog Wars!

What is it all about?

Reading through the comments section of this blog, it has become abundantly clear that many people have become discontented with the actions of a few regulars on these Natalee Holloway message boards. At what point was the focus lost? What allowed some of these boards to drift into what they have become? Why?

I have attempted to contact Robin Holloway and offer her a platform from which she can answer some of the many questions that have been presented on this blog. Of course, it is strictly her choice to answer or ignore, but I think it might go a long way toward healing a few wounds.

Since, I did make that offer; I will do the same for some of the others of you that have been singled out in the many comments. Do be careful with your choice of words, because hate mail might just become the topic of my next post.

This is an email address I recently setup just for moderating the comments on this blog.

EasyWriter07@yahoo.com

Contact me and we will discuss the possibility of publishing a different side to this little war that seems to be brewing.

- Mike -

Apparently, there IS no other side to this story! It is what it is and that ain’t good…

Comments

Was that fun?

I decided to have an Open House in the comments section this weekend and it proved to be interesting. Many of you apparently needed to vent about some of the things you have found to be wrong, or perplexing at various message boards. Maybe some of those comments will be taken to heart and used in a constructive manner.

The only problem is that I will have to read through about 400 comments and determine if any of them crossed the line. As I do that I will keep the criteria simple. Inappropriate language will be the first to go and the rest will be a judgment call made by me.

Okay, it is a new week and many have had the opportunity to get many things off their chests, so let’s move on to something more productive.

All of the comments are not gone! I just haven’t had time to read through them, so I temporarily turned them off. As soon as I give them a good once over, I will turn them back on.

After reading through the comments, I did not see anything especially disturbing. I may not agree with some of the comments, but I can understand the feelings being presented by all sides.

Hopefully, we can close this chapter soon and move on to other things of interest.

Fish Story!

Along the gulf coast of Mexico, seafood restaurants are as plentiful as gas stations. Among the favorite dishes (setting aside gulf shrimp deep fried, stuffed, grilled and sautéed’) Grouper has to be high on the list of favorites.

Nothing quiet as grand as sitting on the deck of my favorite seafood place, looking across the bay, reminiscing about the one that got away and eating the grouper almondine. Only one slight problem. That catch of the day grouper might just not be a grouper at all!

A local news station collected ten samples of grouper from some of the best known seafood places in this area. Nine out of ten of them flunked the grouper DNA tests. The fresh grouper we all know and love seems to be an Asian catfish, frozen and shipped in from parts unknown.

Now I am not certain if grouper is my favorite fish! It could be Asian catfish that I admire. Why is this a problem? Because I have been dropping 25 – 30 bucks a meal on this fresh frozen oriental catfish and I could have gotten the same at Mickey D’s for a $1.95!

I’m calling for a fish freeze until I get my money back, or these places are deep fried! lol

Collision Course

Deadly Cocktail

At different times lives come together and they shouldn’t. All the necessary ingredients swirl around and get poured into a lethal cocktail. Glancing eyes, sun burned skin and 30 minutes before the bar closes.

Spring in Birmingham, Alabama is filled with Dogwoods blooming and Azaleas awaiting their turn to put on a show. Students prepare for final exams and dream of the long summer break. For high school seniors that is especially true, because they have reached a milestone in their lives. Life will be changing for them. They will move away from the nest and pursue their dreams. Plans have been made about where and what to do after graduation and the summer break. The whole world is before them and they are anxious about wearing the cap and gown, ending a chapter in life’s story and moving on to the next.

For a moment, the most studious and predictable forget the future and live in the moment as only youth can afford. Graduation trips and celebrations take precedence over all else!

Many miles away a little island born of volcanic activity eons ago lazily basks in the tropical sun of the Caribbean. A different life, a different place with a less than noticeable seasonal change, but not that far removed from this life-changing season.

Aruba was no different than any other country. Kids plan for graduation. Celebrate the end of a school season! But, place their hopes in lands foreign to them.

The atmosphere was islander, carefree and lackadaisical. Friday night football was not the game of choice on this little speck upon the globe.

In a different way, these graduating students planned a celebration, but it involved those that might visit their island that May.

Through the sound of gentle waves caressing the shore and the spectacular lightshow provided by the sun dropping off the end of the earth, there was something lingering that was sure to explode. Timing was the only constraint, but that constraint was soon to be lifted.

By the end of May 2005, things were set into motion and were gaining momentum. This run-away train was going downhill without brakes and most of us didn’t even know that there was a train! At the helm sat a middle-aged man with a failing career, a son out of control and a wife out of the country. The stage was set and the unthinkable was beginning…

Cyberspace Casanova

Things That Go Bump In the Night

Over the past several days a rather interesting set of circumstances has been put forth by some of you. I was unaware of the depth and magnitude of this particular situation and would like to learn a little more. Oh, I was aware of the onslaught of pornography sent via PM’s by certain individuals and I knew that there were a few that seemed to constantly defend this person without obvious reason, but I didn’t realize anyone took him seriously. It is now apparent that I was very mistaken.

To better understand the reality of this situation, I would like to get your input. That input might give us all an idea of what has been happening behind the scenes and it also may serve as a lesson to those that might be vulnerable to such cyber relationships.

If you would be so kind as to answer a few questions, I'm sure the readers of this blog would much appreciate your time and effort. Or, we will all have a helluva good time talking about this one!

What is the tactic used to gain your confidence?

How quickly is the move made to take things to a more personal level, i.e. exchange of photographs, telephone calls, etc.?

Does it quickly turn into an “on-line physical” relationship, or does this Casanova play with emotions first?

Has it ever gone beyond the fantasy and entered into real life with meetings arranged?

If so, what was the outcome?

No names are necessary and this is a very informal look at this part of cyber life. Don’t hold back!

As always, all comments do not reflect my opinions or knowledge of the subject matter. With that said, I am going to open up the comment section for all and will take out the trash later.

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That certainly was interesting! lol It is clear bad feelings have been developed across the World Wide Web and the divide will only widen, if some of these issues are not resolved.

Comments are now back under moderation and will require my approval before being posted. Again, I will ask that some of you watch the language, because the use of certain words and phrases will kill your post even if you have made a very good point. Put it into this context: “Would I mind if a child were to look over my shoulder and see these words?”

Carry on and I will process comments later today. This is one of those rare days that God gives us in my part of the world and it deserves to be enjoyed to its full extent!

Thank You!

- Mike -

Call Me Aunt Blabby!

Or, am I the proverbial kettle?

The leadership of BFN attempted to make a comment on this blog tonight. It was rejected and sent to the trash bin. I don’t know about the rest of you guys, but I am an adult. In fact, I have three adult sons now. So, I really do not relish in the idea of being lectured by the likes of a message board madam that can’t even control her own environment.

If this blog is a “gossip column” as suggested by Debbie, then exactly what is BFN? Are they trying to convince me and everyone else that everything posted on their board is checked, verified and checked again? Are they telling us to stop believing our lying eyes?

Apparently Debbie has anointed herself as the queen bee of message boards and has a need to tell the rest of the cyber world how to behave.

I’m surprised at you DEBBIE for telling me what I can and can not post on this blog! (sound familiar?)

When people push others to their limits, they might just get pushed back! Live with it!

The idiocy from all sides of this story has started to wear upon my nerves and I am not in the mood to be gentle. I don’t even know what it is supposed to be about anymore. At one time I thought it had to do with a young girl that disappeared at the end of her spring celebration. Now, I’m just not that sure.

"Just totally amazing, Mike. You have the guts to open a site and totally bash people and then do not give them the chance to make comments back to you. Yes, you have control of this site....it is a total dictatorship...TOTAL! Must make you feel proud! When these good folks are all gone, it will be interesting to see who your next victims will be. It certainly seems you find enjoyment in this," auntcindy.

Debbie – Go Back to BFN

Gagirl – Find a real job

Auntcindy – Get Real! You have not read a word I have written. You follow the “leader” and attack when called upon. You have nothing substantial to contribute to any discussion, so you attempt to belittle those that do. You are a useless cog in this wheel. Go back to BFN and your new-found love, the codetalkers.

ME, personally, yes ME, I talk to people around this crazy world and I bond with a few of them. We exchange ideas in a civilized manner and attempt to move ahead. We do just that, but it is inch by inch due to language and cultural differences. We do make headway though, while some of you undress each other across these message boards and play silly cyber-net games.

- Aunt Blabby -

American Idol – Turning Point!

Knock me out with a Randy, floor me with a Paula and slap my Cowell!

Okay, I was wrong. There are some stars waiting to sparkle this season. One got my attention with her legs, another with his modern take on an oldie, then tears flowed when a favorite backseat lyric came from a young voice and the show ended with the impeccable performance of Melinda Doolittle.

Could it be that I love that decade? Could it be that nostalgia got the best of me? Could it be these kids brought some very good music into the 2000’s? I think it was pure talent blended with great music!

Rock On!

Oh The Drama!

Bitchcraft Can Be A Bitch

A drama has been unfolding at one of the more familiar message boards and I do believe that true colors are beginning to show. This subject matter is definitely not new to this blog, but the recent written outburst deserves an additional examination.

A very simplistic conjugation of the word “moderator” would lead us to moderate. There was absolutely nothing moderate about this particular series of post. First came the “whoa-is-me; beg-me-to-stay” resignation which garnered an ample amount of attention. Apparently the pleas did not sufficiently feed the ego, so a festering zit upon the face of one blog erupted and the reality spewed uncontrolled and spilled across those that did care. How anyone can excuse this rant and try to make it something other than what it was is beyond me, but indeed many will try.

What does it all mean? I don’t have a clue, but the whole exchange has been saved for prosperity.

Let's take a deeper look at this anomaly. Something is inherently wrong, so it deserves discussion. What is it all about? Why would a hand-picked moderator be so antagonistic? What drives such a choice? Why would some forsake all common sense to defend this person? The whole little stage play loses me in the first act and I am ready to walk out, except that there is always a new twist that gets my attention.

My analytical mind has been through this several times and it keeps coming back to a game that has little to do with the named purpose. Could it be egos? Could it be money? Could it be ignorance?

The only thing I can determine for sure is that it has little to do with the recovery of Natalee Holloway!

This latest declaration made by a board “moderator” also deserves a closer look and an examination of the true intent.

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What made me decide to resign.......if I may be so brutally honest......it's the petty high school jealousy that goes on. It's the fact that this has turned into a soap opera.. with nasty little fits of jealous women tossed in Most of you are not here to talk about the case, but to talk about each other! and quite frankly I have grown SICK of it. I think that every single one of you who have a problem with my friendship with another member are nothing more than a bunch of old biddies and young fruit and vegetable eating jogging biddies who have nothing better to do with their time then sit around and talk about me. It's quite honestly sad at times. So here I went and gave most of you hens what you wanted... what you have been pushing for and I resigned... but did that make some of you happy? hell no! You just amped it right up and jumped in the thread and had to keep having a little go at me. Now the forum should be renamed Blogs for gagirl right? I cant seem to do a damn thing to make most of you happy. And so now ya'll get to read this, Congrats.

The plain and SIMPLE TRUTH is.......Women are nasty as hell to each other and it's sickening.

Well I am ALSO tired of some of you being allowed to take your pop shots and not a damn thing is done about it. You sit in the corners and cheer each other on like a pack of rabid dogs.

I hope someone saves this damn post before it gets deleted [happy to oblige] and ya'll look at yourselves real long and hard.I have tried to be nice... but your latest little phone call conference has truly been the eye opener. MV what happened to your three day ban? That's right you probably didn't even know your butt was banned since you had no problem loggin in every single day. LOL

Look at yourselves and stop blaming me for your own insecurities!

THIS HAS NOT BEEN ABOUT NATALEE FOR A LONG TIME, MOST OF YOU HAVE LOST SIGHT OF WHAT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE IMPORTANT NATALEE ANN HOLLOWAY!! WHILE PLAYING YOUR TWISTED GAMES WITH EACH OTHER! YOU DEGRADE EVERYTHING THIS BOARD IS SUPPOSE TO STAND FOR BY YOUR ACTIONS AND I WANT NO PART OF IT ANYMORE!

AND I am Not STAYING!

Robin, you know I love you, but this has gone way beyond bullshit level.

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There appears to be a great deal of anger in these words and a general disdain for those that she was chosen to moderate. Very interesting......

My Take

A Quick Update

Dancing With The Stars - So, far this television season has not been a very exciting one in the reality genre and that was true of the premier of Dancing With The Stars. Maybe it was just opening night jitters and will improve over the next few weeks. Gotta say, I was kind of clinching my teeth and peeking with one eye, when Heather Mills’ turn came around. I DID NOT want to see that woman lose her balance and go sprawling across the dance floor. Thankfully, she did very well and was inspirational to others that are overcoming physical limitations.

American Idol – Hey! I give up! I say go ahead and give it to Sanjaya Malakar and save us the suspense. There would be a certain poetic justice if such a thing should happen. Simon Cowell would be stuck with the contract for the next year and that might teach him a small amount of humility. Nah….. lol

Anna Nicole Smith – All I can say about this story is that Marilyn Monroe died August 1962 and people are still talking about the circumstances surrounding her death; this mystery will not be going away anytime in the near future.

Message Boards – Like the sands through an hour glass so are the days of our forums. Is there something written in the moderator by-laws that require them to take turns throwing pity parties? It becomes increasingly difficult to take anyone seriously, when they never follow through with their promises.

Discussion forums are like any other social activity and will tend to attract like-minded people. That is understood and perfectly acceptable, but the regrettable thing with most of the boards I have discussed is that they have chosen to use the name of a victim as their focal point. That raises the bar and implies a certain diplomacy and respectability that consistently fails expectations.

Natalee Holloway – News is extremely sparse. Beyond the typical speculation the only thing I have learned recently is that trouble was no stranger to Joran Van Der Sloot while he was at ISA. Of course, he never had to deal with the consequences of his actions, because his mother was also at the school and was very quick to intervene. Perhaps, if he had learned a few life lessons during those school days, we would not even be discussing the disappearance of Natalee Holloway now.

Spring

Yesterday a chill ran over my skin. Today a blue sky welcomes me and old oaks sway with the wind as if they were telling me a new season has arrived. Blue is bluer than blue and green is greener than green. Shadows are short and crisp against the emerging lawn. Smells whisk through the pristine air with reckless abandonment. The odor of fresh-cut Dandelions and wild garlic drift across the neighborhood. In the distance smoke rises from a backyard grill and meanders lazily toward my senses. Robins bounce in unison each time the wind blows.

It’s SPRING! The season of re-birth that makes promises with its changing colors. A season to reflect upon the year’s miss-adventures. A time to be thankful that we are here to see nature in its glory one more time.

Memories linger and I can’t help but think of those I loved that are not here to enjoy the season. I so wish you were!

Aruba Nights!

The Latest From the "Happy Island!"

There was a lot of activity behind the Light House last night, with police cars and what seemed to others to be cadaver dogs.. I was called from the U.S. at 12:30 a.m. to ask what was going on. I didn't know, but called my reporters who were in the field at that time. They confirmed it was true that a lot of police cars and anti-drug dogs were there, but it was part of an exercise, a training, for the benefit of the Minister of Justice of Suriname, who was attending an invitation and session with the mediocre Minister of Justice of Aruba. Aruba has no cadaver dogs, but well-trained anti-drug dogs.

On the case itself there is little news. Only that Paul v/d Sloot gave an interview to the Amigoe, that he was taken down in front of his colleagues, that he is writing a book, that his son is also writing a book, but not much else. The silence from the Dutch team is becoming permanent. We hear no sounds from that corner. I wonder why they took all those documents and tapes. There must be a reason behind that prolonged silence, but I refuse to speculate on what that silence means, because I don't want to disillusion myself.

What's Next?

Pure Chat – Addendum

Anatomy of a Message Board

Since starting the series about a few well known message boards, others have been brought to my attention. Never participating at any of them, I know little except what I have recently read. From the context of some of these boards, I could speculate as to their emergence from other boards, but I would rather open this topic up to discussion and let their membership enlighten the rest of us.

This is a brief list, so feel free to mention any other forum, private or public that you may have knowledge.

The Clue Bus

Busted

PAW

Freebird

Natalee’s Freebirds

Correct me if I am wrong, but I think many of these were started by former members of Refugees Unleashed and BFN.

Since no one has come forth with much information about these message boards, I will speculate.

Refugees is the “Mother” of most of these spin-offs.

CTV > RU > The Clue Bus > Busted > PAW > Freebirds

Of this group, Freebirds appear to be the most reasonable collection of people. There is something to be said for filtration.

RWV > NH.net > BFN > The-JuryBox > Natalee’s Freebirds

Interesting migration pattern…

The Cat's Meow

Nora, The Piano-Playing Cat
(www.ravenswingstudio.com)

Killer Frogs!

Amphibians Terrorize San Francisco

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

FOX NEWS

Meat-eating killer frogs have invaded a pond in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, leaving environmentalists wondering how to stop their deadly march before they move on to bigger waters.

The African clawed frogs have chomped through everything from turtles to fish in Lily Pond, near the California Academy of Sciences, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. The frogs, which can grow up to 5 inches in length, have even gone cannibalistic.

"They've eaten everything they can get their mouths around, and now they're eating each other," Eric Mills of the animal-rights group Action for Animals told the newspaper.

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These frogs sound familiar. I wonder what Internet screen names they have been using?

Dancin’ with the Stars – 2007

A Leg Up on the Competition?

The big news about this program, which premiers March 19, 2007 is Heather Mills! She will be joining Laila Ali, the daughter of Muhammad Ali, country music star Billy Ray Cyrus, former 'N Sync boy-band member Joey Fatone, Olympic speed-skater Apolo Anton Ohno, former basketball star Clyde Drexler, TV-radio host Leeza Gibbons, and actor Vincent Pastore, who appeared on The Sopranos.

Though she has been in the headlines for months due to the knock-down, drag-out multi-million dollar divorce between her and Paul McCartney, the real news about this show is that she will be a first!

Heather Mills will be the first amputee to compete in this dancing contest and Las Vegas odds makers are already taking down bets on whether she will send the prosthetic leg flying into the audience, or not.

~ She's got legs, she knows how to use them. ~
~ She never begs, she knows how to choose them. ~
~ She's holdin' leg wonderin' how to feel them. ~
~ Would you get behind them if you could only find them? ~

ZZ Top

Pure Chat - Part V

Anatomy of a Message Board

Blogs for Natalee (BFN) was the brainchild of Ian Schwartz (Political Teen) and was initially to be a collaborative effort with Dan Riehl (RWV) and Richard Bingham (Hyscience). Steve Huff (The Darkside) soon joined their efforts and BFN was off and running.

It began in late June of 2005 with a few posts taken directly from the headlines of other main stream media (MSM) sources. Reviewing the June 2005 archives and associated comments, it is clear that BFN drew its early audience from RWV and NataleeHolloway.net. By early July BFN was already getting 4,000 hits a day. As the news about the Natalee Holloway case became more and more rare, so did the input on the blog. Soon it became nothing more than the occasional cut and paste from other news sources void of commentary.

Apparently, the original plans for the blog did not work out and the four horsemen returned to their respective blogs. While still involved with BFN, young Ian went back to his first love, right-wing political commentary and re-surfaced with a new political blog “Expose the Left.” Dan Riehl continued with RWV, Bingham with Hyscience and Huff landed a gig with Court TV’s Crime Library.

One can only surmise that these equally large egos did not meld well together to produce the desired result with Blogs for Natalee. The cash from excessive advertising must not have been rolling in either, because a plea for donations was made by Ian in August, 2005. The blog’s technical problems and lack of original content left it lingering in cyberspace as a less than memorable entry into the Natalee Holloway experience.

Running in parallel with the creation of BFN was the introduction of the forum on July 5, 2005. It too had frequent technical difficulties, but its membership list continued to grow by absorbing members of what became the defunct NataleeHolloway.net board and disillusioned posters moving away from the increasingly unpredictable RWV.

October, 2005 Ian was searching for a qualified moderator to assist with policing some of the more controversial members at BFN. A regular contributor to the blog eventually filled that slot, first as moderator, then moderator/co-administrator and eventually as the administrator. This person has single-handedly shaped what the forum has become based upon her skewed opinions about what is fair and reasonable.

In its truest sense a “moderator” should maintain objectivity and only intervene as a peacemaker when needed and serve to keep the discussion within reasonable or proper limits. Granted, such a thing would truly be difficult to find on an internet message board and it would also be such a boring job that no one would want to waste their spare time doing such a thing. However, there are moderators and then there are moderators. Each seems to bring their personalities into these message boards to some degree and that becomes a dominating factor in the board’s development.

BFN’s leadership apparently graduated from the Coldwater School of Moderation, because of the similarities of style. She has her pets and she will defy all logic to protect those characters and promote them as something they have not proven to be over and over again. One of the biggest blunders I have seen occur on any message board was a thinly veiled attempt to give credibility to her private message playmates. She even enlisted the assistance of the step-mother of the blog’s namesake to bolster the reputations of some rather malicious trolls that frequent the board. I never understood why that was done and I probably never will, but that action caused a mass exodus from BFN.

Those members that had worked long and hard to separate fact from fiction in the Holloway case, while avoiding the constant barrage of one-liners thrown at them by a few ne're-do-wells were left aghast. A large group of them felt as though the final straw had been cast upon the camel’s back and left BFN. After some transitional stops along the internet speedway they went on to form their own private message board.

The “administrator” and her team of “moderators” have carte blanche to do as they please, which includes changing the content of a member’s post, reading PM’s and assuming the identity of posters. Not an environment conducive to peace, harmony and trust. I wish there was something positive I could say about BFN, but not one single thing comes to mind.

In summary, all message boards are made up of a cross-section of humanity discussing one topic or another. This particular form of communication can be both delightful and horrendous. Some members seek answers to questions and some members provide those answers. Some members seek camaraderie or a platform where they can expound upon life’s trials and tribulations. The beauty of the internet is that there is something out there for everyone regardless of the topic. Tragically, there are those that find great amusement in hiding behind anonymity and seeking out the vulnerabilities of others. Those trolls can be found on all message boards and blogs. It is merely a game to them and the more emotional damage they can cause the more proud they are of their accomplishment.

Enjoy the message board experience, learn from it and broaden your horizons, but forever be aware that there are entities swarming about in cyberspace like a bunch of gnats. They can’t really harm you, but they can pester the pure chat out of you!

Pure Chat - Part IV

Anatomy of a Message Board

Scared Monkeys (SM) has been around for awhile, but it was primarily an outlet for a couple of ultra-conservative political activist before it became a victim’s advocate with the headline making Terri Schiavo case. Across the top of their blog is written, “A Weblog by two guys who went to school together, and have been discussing politics and life for years. Now we are ready to share it with the world.” That quote aptly defines what the blog is all about and introduces the two founders.

My first acquaintance with the blog was through CTV, because more and more links were being provided during CTV discussions about Natalee Holloway. For some reason, Scared Monkeys and Dan Riehl’s Riehl World View were getting insider information out of Aruba and links to both sites had found their way to CTV. At the time, I do not believe either blog had a message board per se, but the comment sections were overflowing with discussions about Natalee Holloway. Both blogs were extremely fast paced during those first several months of the investigation and the tidbits of information pouring in were provocative to say the least.

During those first few months of the Natalee Holloway investigation, SM had 100’s if not 1,000’s of regular posters and an impressive number of viewers. As recently as April of last year the site had over 420,000 hits in one day after a mention on a Dutch television program. Those numbers pale in comparison to the daily hits the site was receiving through the summer of 2005. The comments section of the blog was bursting at the seams, so the logical next step was taken and the forum was created.

While still an active member at CTV, I would scan over the content of SM and several other blogs, only to take the material back to CTV for discussion. More and more I was becoming disgruntled with the antics at CTV, so I slowly began to post at SM before the big crash. It was exhilarating! Breaking away from the message board for an hour, would mean that fifty pages were going to fly by and it was going to take the better part of an afternoon to get caught up on what was said. In my opinion, it was the place to be to discuss the Natalee Holloway case. One of the founders of the blog had personal knowledge of Aruba and even the regular posters living in Aruba initially seemed to be helpful. At that time everyone thought that the Holloway case could and would be solved.

The cross-section of active members at that time portrayed an interesting microcosm of the Internet world and brought together individuals from all walks of life and political persuasions. It was an extremely interesting insight into the thinking of Arubans, the Dutch and a few American expatriates living in Aruba.

With diversity comes controversy and that was certainly true during those early days of the SM message board. Heated exchanges became routine and the true objective of the discussions became blurred. Eventually, the general consensus between much of the membership was that misinformation was being spread about by a few very vocal people in Aruba. The tension on the board became so tight it felt like an over-wound spring that was just before breaking and flying in all directions.

Then Scared Monkeys.net crashed! For several weeks it was not known if the message board would ever be brought back, but Front Page vigils persisted and eventually the forum re-opened. The climate of the board did change afterward and the moderation became stricter.

Presently, there is still a small group of loyal members that post regularly and many others that constantly check for news or updates about the Natalee Holloway case. The majority of the regulars are what might be considered “normal, everyday” sort of people. Their politics are as varied as their geographical locations, but they all have one thing in common. They do genuinely care about the victims of senseless crime and they reach out to those survivors left behind.

As message boards go, this was probably my favorite until the news dried up and the discussions started to drift. Actually, I even enjoyed the off-topic banter for the most part. The problem was that “off-topic” had different meanings to different people and a few decided what was to be considered off-topic based upon their own interests, or lack of interest.

Scared Monkeys is what it is and has never pretended to be anything else. People either like it, or they don’t. As with all of these blogs and message boards SM has a few short-comings, but I will not dwell on those. The general theme of Scared Monkeys is clear and it would not be appropriate to cast a shadow across the whole forum, because of a very small percentage of its membership.

Pure Chat - An Intermission

Anatomy of a Message Board

For amusement I visited a few of the forums I’ve mentioned and read some of the responses. Most of them are along these lines, “Who is that idiot” “What does that idiot know?” “What an idiot!” yada, yada, yada…… Extremely classy reactions coming from some of those that were offended by my words. Why am I not surprised?

Of course, none of them recognize themselves in my descriptions and draw into question the accuracy of my observations. Some even go so far as to give out definitions of the words fact and factual. In their opinion my representation can not be factual, because they disagree with my assertions. Besides what business does an idiot have questioning those that are such staunch supporters of freedom of speech?

For some reason the reactions reminded me of the old joke about the senior citizen that was driving home from a store one day, when his wife called him on his cell phone and told him to be careful. She had just heard on the news that a car was traveling down the highway in the wrong direction. The old man said, “A car? There must be a hundred of them!”

Some people just do not recognize the obvious and think it must always be the other guy that has the problem.

For those of you that have already begun to deduce that some nefarious conspiracy must be in play, think a little harder. If my mentioning The Clue Bus in a comment makes me some type of long-term member of that board in your opinion, you should really sharpen your detective skills. Here is a super secret clue for you: I own this blog and all that comes with it……..

Some of you have asked me when I will continue my message board critique. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Part IV will be published tomorrow, March 7, 2007.

Thank You for the Interest!

Pure Chat – Part III

Anatomy of a Message Board

Truly Open Court is another message board with its roots deeply buried into the CTV soil and began out of frustration. CTV had an area entitled “Open Court” where all off-topic posts were welcomed. It became the CTV playground and was a lot of fun until the “moderator” became temperamental and would do a mass banning on Monday mornings. Thus, Truly Open Court was born and was great fun until a rift started to develop between some of the membership. A rather unhappy split took place and yet another message board came about known as The Jury Box. Both of those boards are rather benign and focus on the social aspects of message board posting. I no longer follow either, so my knowledge of their status is limited.

WebSleuths is a heavily moderated board that also has CTV roots, but its creator had an opinionated passion about the Jon Benet Ramsey case and it is one of the earliest spin-offs. I did post at the board for a brief time, but I really have no strong feelings about it one way or another except that I felt the moderation techniques were a little extreme and “timeouts” would be dished up with little or no warning. If you do not mind constantly biting your tongue (or sitting on your hands in this case), it is not a bad board. Some very nice people are posting there and they do tend to take the high-road in most instances.

Freedom of Blog (FOB) does not seem to have a particular niche that I can determine. Their history is unclear to me, but the membership roster is a mirror image of that of The Refugee's. The regular posters appear to share the same mindset as the Refugees and I see little difference in content. Both FOB and the Refugees might be considered the “Donner Party” of message boards. If there is not a victim to attack, or if they tire of attacking other message boards, they tend to begin devouring each other. These two message boards alone deserve to be studied by an energetic doctorial candidate, because the collective psychological profile could easily fill a medical book. Alas Sigmund, where are ye when we need ye.......

Truth 4 Natalee (T4N) is a newcomer to the crime-related message board world and its membership brings a quote to mind “Hell hath no fury…...” lol This small group (four out of five regulars are moderators) considers themselves to be the elite researchers in the Natalee Holloway case. Of course, that is not true, but I do think they have convinced themselves that they are original. Almost all of their “hot topics” are just a Google click away, or have been hashed and re-hashed at the older boards and blogs.

Yes, I was a member at T4N and thought that the regulars had become friends of mine. Sadly, I was proven wrong. This bunch sits poised to attack anyone and everyone that they perceive has done them wrong. They do this all in the name of Natalee and constantly repeat that it is all about Natalee. Their actions say differently and their priorities are abundantly clear. T4N is like an iceberg, so beware what’s beneath the surface. My association with that board was not a good experience, but as with all message boards it is a matter of preference.

Next, I will take a look at the two big boys in the independent message board world, Scared Monkeys and Blogs For Natalee.

Pure Chat - Part II

Anatomy of a Message Board

The Court TV (CTV) message board probably has the largest membership and the broadest range of topics. In my naiveté of message board mechanics, I thought it would be a fair, impartial well moderated board. My assumption at the time I joined was that such a board would attract people with a common interest in the judicial system and the outcome of various trials. That did not prove to be the case.

For each topic an invisible line was drawn between people and discussion was non-existent. It was more like a game of ping-pong with each side trying to slam the ball across the table harder and harder. The facts were inconsequential. The topics were not even important. It was the “game” that took priority and the object of that game was to provoke others with any means possible until the opposition reacted in a manner contrary to the”TOS” of CTV. Then the “moderator” would ban someone and one side or the other would rejoice in their victory. People would then be re-instated if they groveled enough to the supreme moderator, or they would simply re-invent themselves and have another go at the forum. Soon the question was not have you ever been banned, but how many times.

It did not take long to recognize that a cliquish mentality existed at CTV and the moderator had her favorites, which could do no wrong regardless of how abhorrent their statements or actions may be. Each trial, or case, discussed had the same two groups on opposing sides and the same idiocy would be re-enacted.

When Natalee Holloway was first reported missing, I was still posting at CTV. I remember making a post in one of the generic topics, asking if anyone had heard any news about the missing girl from Alabama. Little was known at that time, but within days the topic began to mushroom and the two camps of thought had already begun to dig in and prepare for verbal battle. This was not the first case that became extremely controversial, but most others reached some type of resolution before such emotional extremes could be reached.

With the advent of free web hosting and forum software, several CTV spin-off message boards were created. One of those was made up of some of the most consistently antagonistic CTV attack groups that existed at the time. They called themselves the CeeTeeVeeRefugees. Initially, they would put their attack strategy together at their own board and then go into action at CTV. It was like watching a pack of dogs foaming at the mouth as they would single someone out and begin to rip away at the metaphorical flesh of their words. This went on for some time unabated until they made the mistake of sinking their claws into the back of the moderator who had protected them for so long.

That message board became so disgustingly vile, that the hosting company for the free forum gave them an ultimatum. Clean it up, or pack it in. Somehow, they found another hosting agent and were re-born as The Refugees.

Personally, I can’t stomach reading what this group of people has to say about anything, so I can not comment about their temperament at this time. But, if the same core group runs this board, then my assumption would be that it is still permeated with the same mindless hatred and sadistic joy in attacking any and all victims of crime. It is an extremely tasteless example of humanity at its worst and it is almost frightening that there can be that many people of like minds, which have found each other across the Internet.

Pure Chat – Part I

Anatomy of a Message Board

Over the past few years I have spent time posting on various message boards and have found them to be an interesting phenomenon. Many times the antics across these boards become a bigger story than the original topics of discussion. This blog entry will examine some of my findings over the past few years and attempt to put some of the dynamics of this form of communication into perspective.

Before beginning, I would like to make it clear that I do not post on any of the crime related message boards at this time under my most familiar pseudonym, or any other for that matter. However, I’ve made enough friends over the years that I am kept informed via email, when something notable is mentioned across a variety of forums.

Background: My first encounters with online communications began before the Internet existed, when I got my first PC and discovered Bulletin Boards. Those were very slow and strictly an exchange of ASCII text. The power of graphics did not come on the scene until many years later. My fascination with those quickly waned and did not re-surface until a few years ago, while I was home convalescing due to an illness.

During that time, many long, boring days were spent watching television. Until I discovered Court TV and became addicted to watching the live courtroom dramas covered by that network. Over and over again the anchors for the daily programs would ask viewers to give their two cents on the Court TV website. Finally relenting to the suggestion, I began to explore their website and one click led to another. Soon I found myself reading the CTV message board and felt compelled to participate in a discussion about a particularly poignant trial. It was an eye-opening experience that began my Internet journey.

My experiences have probably not been that much different from most, but I am going to share what I have learned along the way by probing into the inter-workings of several well known message boards, or forums. This piece will not be an attempt at “yellow journalism,” but rather a factual look at the personalities that make these things thrive.

Anna Nicole Smith – Finally!

Or, maybe not…..

Only hours before the funeral was to take place Virgie Arthur made a last ditch effort to stop the ceremony and gain custody of the remains. The Bahamian court denied the motion. Virgie arrived unfashionably late for the services amidst boo’s and jeer’s from the many onlookers that had gathered outside the church.

One can only wonder what the true motives are for this bizarre, macabre drama that has been unfolding since the young woman’s death. We know money is the basis for much of it and we know many of the players, but the inter-workings of this story would even confuse William Shakespeare.


Anna Nicole Smith has always been an interesting character, but her body of work was in essence her body. Her career is not comparable to many other celebrities that have died prematurely. For example, Elvis Presley actually changed American music and left behind a following that is unmatched by any other celebrity. To my knowledge, he is the only good ol’ southern boy that has been buried in his back yard and went on to make more money in death than he ever did while living. Virgie is not going to be able to pull off similar results with an Anna sideshow in Texas.


As if the cast of characters were not already strange enough, enters Billy Wayne Smith the biological “father” of young Daniel. Before the first shovel of dirt could be cast down upon Anna’s casket, Billy Wayne came out of no where with a request to exhume Daniel’s body and have it sent to Texas. The little details seemed to get lost along the way and Billy Wayne decided to take his shot at cashing in on this media event.

Doesn’t seem to matter that Billy Wayne never contributed a dime to young Daniel’s upbringing, that he last saw the kid back in 1988 and last spoke to him in 1999. Not exactly "Father-of-the-Year" material, but the real kicker is that he testified via telephone in Judge Larry’s court that he had no desire to disturb Daniel’s body and thought Anna should be laid to rest next to him in the Bahamas.

Such a change of heart has led to speculation that Virgie (or her lawyer) had recruited Mr. Smith in an effort to undermine the court’s opinion that Anna Nicole should be buried next to her son.

What is really behind this freak show?

John M. O’Quinn is a personal injury lawyer that boasts of not losing a case in over a decade and is reportedly the highest paid lawyer in Texas. His career is not without controversy, but that has not stopped his frequent trips to the bank to make astronomical bank deposits. Just why would Mr. O’Quinn involve himself in what would normally be a case decided in a family court?

Could it be the estate of J Howard Marshall, which hangs in limbo in the Lone Star State?

There has to be a reason Virgie wants Anna’s body in Texas and it goes beyond motherly love. Not being a lawyer I do not know the intricacies of probate law, but my gut feeling is that jurisdictional issues are at play here. If Virgie is declared the legal guardian of little Dannielynn, has possession of Anna’s remains and those of Daniel, she would in effect have all the marbles. O’Quinn could then open Anna’s estate on her behalf and go after the half-billion dollars sitting in the Marshall vaults. O’Quinn would also have home-court advantage in Texas and that would increase his leverage exponentially.

Act III is a long time coming and there will be many plot twist along the way. In no time, DannieLynn will be 21, sitting in court and going after Marshall’s money.

Dialogue with Jossy Mansur

Jossy Mansur answers a few questions about recent events

Mike: Jossy, DIARIO published an article today that describes an encounter an American tourist had with a rather boisterous woman in Aruba. A translation is provided on the Scared Monkeys blog. What are your personal feelings about that exchange?

Jossy: My personal feelings on the matter at Baby Beach are that they should come down hard on that woman. She has absolutely no right to speak insultingly to tourists, or Arubans for that matter. And steps should be taken to curb similar incidents in the future. That woman had no right and no cause to speak in that tone to the American resident or to the tourists in that way.

Mike: Would you say this is an isolated incident?

Jossy: It is not an isolated incident, but it is not prevalent on the island either. Most Arubans, and I mean MOST like Americans and the U.S. We don't have that sentiment, rampant in Latin America, of "Yankee go home". On the contrary, there is a lot of respect here for America and Americans.

Mike: Has the Natalee Holloway case brought about this disgusting trend that is harmful to both the tourist and the image of Aruba?

Jossy: Aruba has a foreign element that has established itself on the island in big numbers, and we are facing exactly the same problems that the U.S. is facing with the illegals. And please note the distinction that I do not refer to them as "immigrants", because an immigrant is someone who enters a country legally, via airports or docks, with their papers in order. Can't anyone make those people see that an illegal person is not an immigrant? That he or she is in conflict with the law, that he or she has absolutely no rights except those accorded to individuals as human beings.

The illegal situation in Aruba is comparable, pro-rated to population of course, to that in the U.S. In my mind, if you are illegally in a country, you are there against the law, and the law should be applied with full force in order to protect the rights of the people who are there legally. The illegal element in Aruba has caused a lot of damage to the island's culture, traditions and social atmosphere, and has boosted the crime rate to higher levels.

Mike: It is clear that you have some serious questions about the status of this woman that verbally attacked the American expatriate and his tourist friends. Ignorance comes in all shapes and sizes. Hopefully, this will gain the attention it deserves from the Aruban authorities.

Another item that has been circulating about the Internet is your association with Hugo Chavez. A rather old article was scanned and posted on a few blogs that puts you and Chavez together several years ago. Are you aware of that?

Jossy: As I have told you in the past, I never read the blogs, or other things on the Internet, because anyone can say anything without restriction.

Mike: Let me send you a copy of the message and the scanned article. Then I would like to get your reaction.

Jossy: Okay, However, I pay little attention to the Internet and what people say on it, at least about me. I just don't have the time to waste with nonsense!

Mike: Now, do you recall the article?

Jossy: That was almost ten years ago, when he was inducted by the then democratic President, Rafael Caldera. That photo was posted by the mediocrities in the Aruban government. They have tried by every means to discredit me because I criticize their stupidities and lack of leadership. Now, they want to direct their attentions to Chavez, whom I once invited to come to Aruba.

I first met Chavez when he was released from prison way before he became a candidate for the Presidency of Venezuela. I have not met him since, and haven't spoken to him on the phone or via any other means in more than 8 years. However, I have criticized him in my paper and will continue to do so as long as he continues his dictatorship and his uncalled for attacks on the U.S.

Mike: Hugo Chavez strikes fear in many American hearts, because of his extreme fanaticism. Many of us view him as a dangerous man, traveling down a familiar road. Promises are made to those most desperate in order to gain control and then the tyranny begins. It is a sad, predictable path.

Jossy: My opinions in no way differ from your own on Chavez and the fear he inspires.

I published an editorial on February 27, 2007 http://www.diarioaruba.com/2007/3/1/ about my friendship with him in the past, including my total rejection of his political ideology and his attacks on Bush and the U.S. How do people expect me to sustain a dictator who would, if he ever got the chance, to silence the press in Aruba? Political stupidity in Aruba runs very high, and the slander campaigns (inspired and conducted by R. Delila!) continue.

Mike: Jossy, thank you for giving me this time and explaining your point of view about these recent issues. You are a shining light for those of us that want some insight into the workings of Aruba. Before I let you go, I have to ask one more question. Is there anything new going on with the Natalee Holloway investigation?

Jossy: Nothing is going on with the Holloway case. I fear that the Dutch team just came to pick up the evidence, take it to Holland and file it. That's what it looks like now. I hope I'm wrong, but it sure seems so. Though, I am in contact with someone who has volunteered some information that we don't have. I hope he comes through and produces some kind of revelation that will bring us closer to solving the case.