Posted on 06/13/2005 2:01:55 AM PDT by bd476
Exactly. We are talking about young adults. At 18, they can vote and get a fulltime job, including joining the military. About 50% of 18 year old Americans do exactly that.
I thought so too. I was assuming she had a roommate who would have noticed she didn't come back to the hotel for the night. I've nothing about that.
The friends mught have been just as drunk.
No. It could not!! necessarily happen in "any city". Alabama allows ccw for women 18 years old like Natalie. It would not have happened in an Alabama city if the woman was armed.
Send 'em to Gitmo until they start talking.
What good does a gun do if you're drunk?
Well, first of all, dont get drunk, secondly, dont let 3 strange men take you away, and thirdly, go to Florida(where they honor Alabama ccw) for spring break instead.
Florida has some nice beaches, I like it, and I also feel safer when fishing at night with ccw in Florida, esp if several of us all have ccw.
2. Referring to another post, as far as chapherones, correct me if I'm wrong but didn't the mayor of Mountain Brook say on Larry King the other night that these seven people WERE NOT chapherones, that they were considered "facilitators" to try to help make things easier for the kids, but that there were no actual chapherones and that the parents who sent their kids on this trip knew that up front?
None of know who acted "irresponsibly".
Maybe this 17 yr old son-of-a-judge who took her away in the back seat while his buddies drove, was some little jerk or a budding predator. Some reports say he regularly cruised the resorts and had met the girls, including Natalee, the night before. What teenage girl might not overly trust a real friendly, young guy she has met in the past? Except this guy could well have slipped some ecstasy into that poor girl's drink..... it appears he was standing by to take her away when she was incapacitated. This may have been an experiment in date rape that could have gone terribly awry, necessitating that he dispose of the evidence.
My mom thinks she was left on the beach drugged and knocked out cold and was dragged out to sea.
Well your mom and I are thinking the same thing.
Eighteen (18)...an Adult it does NOT one make. (Did I say that right?) ... She may have been 18 but an "Adult?"...now that's almost laughable. Being 18 today is nothing like what being 18 was 40-50+ years ago. She's basically a "kid." She may be an adult in the eyes of the law, but mentally, emotionally, mature-wise...she most likely is/was a very naive girl. As for the chaperones...the way I understand it, they were just "along" for the trip...to be available in case they were "needed." The impression I've gotten is that the teens were for the most part, on their own. Most young people are so naive...I was no different at that age (18-22 or so back in the 70's)...thinking I could come-n-go and do as I pleased, doing things that put me at risk. When I look back on those years, all I can do is thank God that nothing really bad ever happened to me.
I'm so sorry for what's happened to this young lady. Surprised? No. Human nature being what it is--we live in such an evil world. If those three young guys are responsible for her demise, I would venture to say that when they got up that morning, even they had no idea whatsoever of what they were capable of doing within those proceeding 24 hours...assuming they are responsible, of course.
Should an 18 year old female teenager be able to go out, have some fun, then call it a day? Well, sure...why not?! (...so they are led to believe)... After all, the "guys" do it, don't they? But that's just not reality. What a pity for this young girl. I don't care who they are, ALL young women, from teenagers on up, should ALWAYS be on their guard...guarding their hearts, their emotions, their desires...so that one day they won't have to look back with deep regret over unwise decisions/bad choices.
(By the way, has anyone taken notice of the size of these two--her and the Dutch fella. I've seen where she is 5'3", 103 lbs. He's 6'5", 190+ lbs. She wouldn't have stood a chance getting away from him, not matter how much she kicked and clawed.
Very plausible scenario.
Unfortunatley, this happens constantly in many cities in the US and to even younger children, as we have witnessed many times over the years. I think it is arrogant to believe that somehow Aruba should be held to a different standard. We only have to look back several months to remember poor little Jessica in Florida, kept in a trailer for four days and then buried alive. The police should have been all over that situation. As a matter of fact, three other perps are walking free who must have known. It is incredulous that Natalee's family has been allowed to even look at the suspects, let alone interview them.
Also, the mom should have been as diligent and protective of her daughter BEFORE signing off on the Aruba trip as she is now after the fact. Flame if you want folks, but both mom and daughter were irresponsible. Doesn't justify a possible murder, but there is a lesson here.
It's too bad the parents put their trust in a) The judgement of their kids and b) The judgement of the chaperones.
I am talking about one's status under the law. We can debate whether someone is an adult at age 30, 50, or 90 using your definition, but it begs the question and is not relevant. Unless she was mentally impaired and incapable of looking after herself, she was a young adult.
2. Referring to another post, as far as chapherones, correct me if I'm wrong but didn't the mayor of Mountain Brook say on Larry King the other night that these seven people WERE NOT chapherones, that they were considered "facilitators" to try to help make things easier for the kids, but that there were no actual chapherones and that the parents who sent their kids on this trip knew that up front?
I have no idea, but "facilitator" makes sense to me. 18 year olds should not require a chaperone. If they have the money, an 18 year old American can get on a plane and go anywhere he/she wants to, including Aruba.
They can also drink, legally, in Aruba. It's a good point. Still, something's funny about the way she left and the details from the bar are still so sketchy. "She was seen getting into a silver Honda". That's still all we know. Well, who saw her?
If they are guilty of killing Natalee, the possibility that these three young men disposed of all forensic evidence seems remote. I have read that there is a portion of the Aruban coast where sharks are fed. If they moved her body to this area, you'd think there would be one piece of evidence they overlooked.
This fruitless search and the conflicting reports are so agonizing. I can only imagine the horror her family is experiencing. Prayers going out for all.
Agree, we don't have all the facts.
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