“If They Won’t Do It, Then We Will!”

DIARIO has made the decision to perform a water search for Natalee Holloway at their expense. At this time necessary equipment is still being gathered, but the search should commence within the next several days. I’ve been promised a day by day report detailing each event surrounding this latest endeavor.

Way to go Jossy! It has become abundantly clear no one else is willing to make this effort. We applaud your persistence!

Update: We have a pretty good recent lead to go on. Our searches start by mid week, around Wednesday or Thursday. There is a lot of preparatory work to be done before we send the boat out with the necessary divers and equipment. We as Arubans do not need any kind of permit for the activity we are to embark on. That makes it easier.

I will let you know as soon as we are ready to embark on the first search to a spot we have mapped on the ocean.

Update II: So far...

... a lot of disappointments. It seems that the reading taken over a year ago of a specific target are no longer valid. It was explained to me that the pinpointed target has moved due to underwater currents, sand shifts, recent and past bad oceanic conditions created by the passing hurricanes to the north of the island, close to where the target was located, etc.) and has not been relocated yet in its new (and disintegrated) presence. However, I have asked them to try to pinpoint at least a part (the largest possible) of the target and to go for it, but they said it would take time and it makes the search more indefinite as far as location is concerned. The search, therefore, will take time before it can proceed. I will keep you posted on everything, good and bad, related to the search, and when it can be finally done with whatever percentages of success may exist.

This seems to have been the characteristics of this case: one disappointment after another! How can so many factors combine to make a simple case so difficult to solve? Beats me!

How Low Will They Go?

There is a famous turning point in the McCarthy hearings that took place in the 1950’s. Mr. Joseph Welch, the head attorney for the United States Army, had been repeatedly badgered by Sen. Joseph McCarthy during the Senate hearings. He finally took control and would not allow McCarthy to silence him. His famous words still ring true and clear, “You've done enough. Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?"

Some blogs and forums have fallen into the same cruel, reckless behavior that became labeled McCarthyism. Innocent people are being victimized by these web sites by the use of innuendo and conjecture. When they attack it is based upon no relevant facts, the police do not list their victims as POI or suspects, but these blogs/forums routinely go after thier targets full-throttle.

This young man is a fine example of the harm such poor judgment can inflict. He is owed more than an appology. Read his heartfelt comment and then tell me you want to be associated with this type of persecution!

Enough is Enough

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=78494661&blogID=314178349

September Equinox

Fall has always been a reflective time for me and my thoughts quickly return to a small southern town nestled in the tall pines and old oaks. The tines of steel yard rakes would sing as they moved across the asphalt streets, gathering small piles of leaves along side the curb to be burned. The aroma of the burning leaves would permeate the air along with the distant sound of a marching band practicing for the Friday night game. The old front porch swing would sway with the gentle breeze and the screen door would bounce as children ran in and out of the house.

Those few blocks surrounding the old house perched upon a hill was my world. It was my kingdom and I ruled it from high atop an ancient Mulberry tree. It was my childhood.

(to be cont.)

Silenced Voice?

Anyone that thinks they have the power to take away someone’s voice across the World Wide Web in this day and age is obviously suffering from illusions of grandeur. But, to be perfectly honest with everyone, I have completely lost interest in this topic and the subject matter really doesn’t deserve my time or attention. The blog and its owner are just not that important. I no longer have any respect for the person, his ad-happy geek or his lead moderator, but it is time for me to move on to more interesting things. Since I have somewhat dropped off of their radar screen and they are no longer using me as an excuse, I’m going to invest my time into something more noteworthy.

On the plus side, that forum did bring together a lot of interesting people that have made lasting friendships. Those friendships live on through email and at other internet locations, so I will take the good and walk away from the bad.

It is clear from the comments on this topic that several of you have a need to vent about your experiences with that blog/forum, or take a few swings at me. I can understand that, so feel free to continue.