Gay tourist healing after Caribbean island attack

Miami Herald ^ | 5/9/2006 | Steve Rothaus

[kinghorse]

Hey I don't do this for a living okay.

:)

[robertpaulsen]

"To have this sort of disappointment in the news and learn about it in this manner.''

Yeah And this from a son who says, "I have to talk. I am a journalist. I'm all about talking about the truth''.

Except to his parents, of course.

[not2worry]

First having lived in the Caribbean for a number of years many of the Islands have laws that make it a crime to practice homosexuality.

Secondly, I've seen what a few rum punches, some sun and a vacation can do to most people, and the fact is that I've seen homosexuals become more open with their affection when out of sight and on vacation. When folks hit the Islands they totally become engaged in having a good time and lose respect for the traditions and laws of the Country they are vacationing in. They do not realize that most Caribbean islands are Countries and want to have their life style and way of life respected. Most Island folks are very conservative and religious by nature and don't intend to change to become politically correct for what most call "Continentals".

I don't condone beating anyone with a tire iron, but I can tell you that there is more to this MSM story than meets the eye.

As far as St. Martin/Marteen goes, it has become somewhat of a rough and tumble Island. This could have happened to a bunch of guys on vacation, but certainly being gay didn't help the situation.

When in Rome, respect their laws and traditions. They are lucky they didn't find themselves behind bars for breaking the law on some Caribbean islands!

[mutley]

"see post 26."

I saw post 26, and I must be dim, I didn't get it. Can you elaborate on the point?

[CGTRWK]

Sometimes bad things happen to bad people. Cry me a river.

[luvbach1]

He claims that was not the case.

I know that, but other accounts say it was the case. So who knows? But in no way does it justify the attack. Just makes it more likely.

[kinoxi]

there was no harm done(i did not have to bash his skull in with a tire iron}. you seem to be on the side of the thugs that bashed this person's skull into pieces... can you elaborate?

[CGTRWK]

What I am asking is do you advocate allowing others to decide what you are allowed to do through threats and acts of violence?

Other people deciding what you are allowed to do through threats and acts of violence has been with us since the dawn of man, and another word for it is society.

[Tax-chick]

I'm stuned.

[mutley]

"there was no harm done(i did not have to bash his skull in with a tire iron}. you seem to be on the side of the thugs that bashed this person's skull into pieces... can you elaborate?"

Yes, I can elaborate. I have said that it was inappropriate action. My point was...that there are many other things or events that trouble me more, than some fairy getting bashed in the tropics. It's trivial.

[robertpaulsen]

"If I witness something that's uncomfortable to watch, but otherwise harmless to me personally, I use my neck to turn my head."

And if some dirty old man exposes himself to your daughter or your wife, you be sure to tell them to turn their head away also.

The homosexuals were flaunting their gayness in public as they are wont to do, and the behavior was rude and offensive to others. I'm tired of turning my head. So are others. We're tired of having this crap shoved in our faces, and we're tired of being told we have to take it.

A tire iron went too far -- they should have simply been hosed down with cold water as you would with rutting dogs. Too bad for Smith. I wonder how long his soulmate will hang around damaged goods.

[Rte66]

You don't know that Natalee was taking drugs. That is just a rumor, started by people who don't know, either. Her character before Aruba tells us she probably didn't.

[kinoxi]

they broke this person's skull. if you feel it was inappropriate as i do, stop posting to me on this subject

[DJ MacWoW]

You are missing the point. Americans that go to a foreign country need to be careful and not engage in questionable or unsafe behaviour. THAT is what most Freepers are saying and this line from the article bears out that point.

For the first few days after the attack, St. Maarten police did little to investigate, according to the victims. But after CBS and ABC News ran TV reports, the case moved ahead.

You also need to read post 103.

[Rte66]

"Killed for being in a dangerous situation"?

Millions of women, myself included, have been in exactly the same situation Natalee was in - even hundreds who were with her - and they were not "killed for being in a dangerous situation."

[kinoxi]

point well taken , there's just this 'shattered skull' point in my mind that leads me to feel this was barbaric. when in muslim lands do you practice wife beating ? child molestation? when in rome was used multiple times on this thread

[mutley]

"they broke this person's skull. if you feel it was inappropriate as i do, stop posting to me on this subject"

We do agree on some level, but we disagree on how concerned one should be. I will not lose sleep tonight over this event. In fact, I might want to bash their heads as well, but my ethics would prevent it. That does not mean that I think it's very cute behavior and great for society. Do you not get my point here?

[RetSignman]

(...smashed his skull with a tire iron)

Could have been described "...hit in the head with a tire iron", but it wouldn't as dramatic.

[mutley]

"Could have been described "...hit in the head with a tire iron", but it wouldn't as dramatic."

Good point. According to some, this event should come with more drastification. Did I just invent a useful word?

[DJ MacWoW]

It was barbaric. But they weren't in Kansas anymore. Despite the self-hate from the left, America is a fairly "safe" country and there's no place like it. But Americans are at risk when leaving home. Truthfully, if given a chance to travel, I would not. The idea is to relax, not "keep your guard up".