Natalee Holloway (Aruba) 5 Men Now in Custody

Perhaps the Twittys know more than we do, eh?

Perhaps the Twittys don't like their daughter being called a slut and having her slandered by the last person to see her alive, could that be it?

And, frankly, till you've walked in her shoes, I don't think ANYBODY should be calling her un-Christian like.

I pray that Beth and her husband can find their way back to God

I find that VERY, VERY offensive.

Exactly what kind of Christianity is it that YOU are practicing?

Aren't you the sanctimonious outsider?

I have walked in her shoes. Which is why I have a deep appreciation for this.

I don't think anyone should call anyone else names and don't agree with those that did so against Natalee. And if Joran called her a name, he was very wrong, however I have never read he used that word.

But if you know that to be a fact and can show me the quote that has been proven, you must also know that an adult should know better and be more mature than to stoop to similar tactics. Who wants to be considered acting the same as a teen? The word "criminal" was used, on TV, and is slanderous. Many have been fined in the US for such useage against another.

But if you know that to be a fact and can show me the quote that has been proven

Have you not been paying attention to this case: Joran told HER MOTHER that she was on drugs, drunk, and that she came on to HIM within hours of the time arrived at that casino.

The word "criminal" was used, on TV, and is slanderous.

Are you unaware that they have admitted LYING to the police? Their own MOTHER said that.........are you unaware that lying to the police is obsruction of justice and IS a criminal act?

I don't think anyone should call anyone else names

And yet you're quick to deride her religion, saying you hope she "comes back to God."

I am not an outsider. I was on this case starting with Thread #1, long before you were and, initially, I was also on the bandwagon against Joran, Aruba, etc. However, if you read through all the subsequent threads - 2,3,4, you will see where I admitted to falling into the building negative hype and not reflecting on other possibilities. So I tried not to accept any suppositions as "fact" or angry statements as "truth."

I did not post to criticize you, I do not do that. It is just that I feel that I am entitled to my opinion on this case as you are. I am stating what I feel and not arguing against anyone here.

Oh, brother.... Here we go again!

I wish there really were such a thing as chill pills cause I'd take a handful everytime I read a post like CitizenM's!

You abd I are both OUTSIDERS. We are not Natalee's family. But unlike you, I am not into samctimony.

I think your post is on the money and a good indicator as to why so many Arubans are demonstrating.

What's up with the people that think Arubans can't want to defend the,seves or their country/kingdom for nationalistic reasons, just like people in the US might.

Why do people think that only the people of the US are allowed to defend themseves and speak out against what they consider injustice? Why is it assumed that these people were 'bussed' in? Demonstrations are usually 'organized' by someone, even FREEP events are usually organized by someone.

Like so many others I have followed this story since the beginning. I have read almost all the statements and posts, watched the news coverage, and have seen how many contradictions have arisen or words were changed to suit the current line of thinking as it progressed, or someone’s comment was not accepted as it was meant. I have seen professionals argue that no one but Joran could be responsible, and others debunk that theory based on their knowledge of possibilities.

Yesterday I watched the Twitty’s attorney when she was asked about what Beth had said about the Kalpoe brothers. She said she advised Beth not to continue with those types of statements. Evidently she is trying to encourage that the attacks cease. At this time I feel this is in the best interest of the family and that they be helped to allow some consideration for other possible options to their desire for answers.

There is much support that any caring person wants to give a grieving parent at a time like this. Thousands, including me, feel the Twitty’s agony and hope and pray that Natalee is safe somewhere and found. Initially we all wanted it solved easily, we wanted Joran to provide the answers, and Natalee to show up and everyone continue with their lives. When this did not happen we were frustrated, but that frustration cannot drive everyone to remain focused on only one possibility. There also come a point when kindness for the Twitty family also includes helping them deal with the current known reality, no matter how ugly and different it might be than their suppositions.

I feel that the kindest support Beth and her family can get from people would be to help them turn their focus away from trying to create negativity against a few people (with whom there is no proof of any criminal action against Natalee) and allow for the possibility that other individuals, yet unknown, might be responsible. There might be an answer to what happened in this tragedy, or that answer might never come. Prayers for Natalee’s safety are needed and can do more than the negative vibes and nasty comments (bordering on hatred) that are currently being spewed out. The process of accepting should begin and would be most beneficial to the family at this point, along with heartfelt prayers that they can find peace.

The Serenity Prayer comes to mind:

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next. Amen

Don’t misunderstand me, I want justice just as much as the next person. I am not one who advocates allowing anyone, anywhere, regardless of position, status, or any circumstances, who is guilty of a crime go without punishment. But, until guilt is proven, there must be sensible focus on facts not just on suppositions and emotions.

For a family, participating in efforts to discover the truth can often get so overwhelming that it becomes a hindrance rather than help when they are so emotionally connected. (Believe me I know, and just do not wish to elaborate here.) Professionals are trained to remain objective and it is best not to expect them to proceed just on feelings alone. It is true that parents can provide a lot of insight in cases. It is true that there are/were conflicting statements, questionable actions, unusual circumstances, etc. that had been and have yet to be investigated. Some might always remain unclear. It is also true that we all wish the authorities had acted more quickly or differently in the beginning. But constant bickering now cannot change the way they proceeded then. Millions of man hours and dollars have been spent, far more than for many other missing children who are not as fortunate to have such resources dispensed for them (including high tech resources and aerial support).

However, there is an element that should also be addressed and that is that it seems unlikely that one 17 –year-old, unskilled, island high school boy could have committed the “perfect” crime in such a small location and in such a short period of time - and who had no known abilities to be so incredibly thorough or capable. If Joran is guilty of something more than an irresponsible, stupid act of leaving Natalee on the beach (which occurs all the time at Easter Break here in the states by students every season- I have seen it plenty of times) then he should be punished to the full extent of Aruba’s laws. But it will have been a feat that even the most practiced criminal would have found hard to do so successfully without hours and days of pre-planning and with resources immediately available and as immediately disposable.

I have read where others on other threads have interpreted every single look, word, action, article of clothing, even physical appearance and bodily response of the suspects and their families as being something evil and suspicious. People have used the term “ugly” to describe Joran’s mother, and made demeaning comments and suppositions about Paulus’ perspiration (Beth might never have seen a person “sweat” like that but she also leads a very privileged life. I have seen men and women “sweat” profusely when worried, sad, stressed, or just because of diabetes or another illness. Women wake up at night wringing wet during menopause for heaven’s sake). Unkind words have been used by many to describe the personalities of people they don’t even know. How is that helping this case?

I have seen mothers and fathers who, when protecting their children, have become so irate and opposite of their normal behavior that it has surprised all who even know them well. To judge a parent as being “evil” because of his desire to protect his child is just not kind. What makes one father’s aggression on behalf of his child more appropriate than another’s in this case? The families are all suffering. The Twitty family has the deepest anguish over the loss of their daughter, of course but the Van der Sloot’s lives have been destroyed, and the Kalpoe family is also devastated.

So far, it is truly because of the teens in this situation who all have done things they were told not to do, (however innocent and typical) their families are suffering and tangled in a horrible tragedy of fear, anger, hatred, financial devastation, character assassination, and possibly crime. It is almost Shakespearean. If there is anything to be learned from this I hope it is that children everywhere learn the importance of obeying their parents, and that constant, responsible supervision be provided when our children are away from home.

One person wrote in reply me once that we are all outsiders to the Twitty family so how can I make statements about them? I wondered how, then, can we make statements about anyone or any family involved in this case? We are certainly outsiders of all those being scrutinized so hurtfully. So, in turn to that person’s question: how can they judge the van der Sloot or Kalpoe families and their behavior? And, how can anyone here feel that their own anger, name-calling, argumentative comments against others who don’t echo the same agenda they are supporting can bring about anything constructive?

For example: If someone came to my door in the middle of the night to hotly and haughtily question my child I would also probably be defensive and tell my son he did not have to answer anyone but the police, as Mr. VDS said to his son. Then, the next day it should not be so surprising if I were not out assisting the people who questioned my son, publicly said they found him “suspicious” and embarked on a campaign against him. Rather I would be doing what I felt I needed to do to continue to protect my own child who had become a target and I believed wrongfully so. And, as most all other parents, I would also be very angry with my own child for disobeying and leaving the house and becoming involved in something that even led to the suspicions, or gave a preponderance of guilt, even if innocent of any criminal act. To be sure, in any event, I would be focused on my own child and making use of whatever necessary to protect him, and trying to discover the truth myself, although however hurtful it may end up being for me. Still, I would also have compassion for the other family as Mrs. Van der Sloot certainly demonstrated, and appeared entirely sincere, and as the Kalpoe’s mother displayed when also interviewed.

Recently, on another thread, I have seen where some are finally advocating a prayer thread. What a wonderful idea!!! I mentioned that prayer was the best we could all do when I posted that comment on the “third Natalee thread.” It was my hope we could all spend more time in prayer than in anger. I tried to do that throughout the weeks rather than spend time posting. If the energy that is being spent filling the air with hateful comments would be turned to positive energy of prayer and support and wishes that the Twitty family would find peace, I believe that would be more helpful.

I have also stated that at first I admitted to jumping on the bandwagon against Joran, Aruba, etc. But I soon realized I could be wrong, things just did not seem to uphold the theories being presented. So, I tried early on to bring some objectivity to the discussion and not focus on rumors or suppositions. I had hoped that when a statement was made it could be presented as fact, not hearsay or someone’s “spin” on what the real statement was. I posted a comment to that effect. I felt objectivity was most needed. Mainly because I feel that the Free Republic is the one place where we have found that people mostly try to deal with truth and facts, not as is happening on this case - not, as we have often criticized the media for “spinning” things, to suit their own agendas - and not a place where one’s desire to argue overrides another’s desire to approach things calmly and objectively and introduce their own thoughts.

These are just threads of discussion – with no or little impact on the case itself – and serve no purpose other than to allow us to air our thoughts and have an audience for our “say so.” Thus, all thoughts should be given courtesy and have the same right without challenge that is just for the sake of arguing or making another look foolish, or demeaning someone else’s thoughts or questions. Challenge should be to offer clarity or edification. I believe that is the objective of this forum, not nasty bickering as we see on so many other forums and that we all deplore.

But many seem so sure of their own suppositions in this case that they react as though only their thoughts are correct and must be believed, even though they have no more evidence or knowledge than any others who question them. This is not a case where anyone should be so insistent that one is right just because they want to be credited for being right when that person has no ability to know the truth. We all only know what we read or hear through the media, the internet or another second-hand supply. Only Natalee and whoever took her (if that is what happened) know the truth.

I am not saying that Joran is innocent. No one knows who is guilty for certain. At this point all we really know for sure (because others have testified seeing them) is that he was in the casino, Natalee was at the casino and he and Natalee did talk, he did meet her at C & C’s, and they did leave together along with the Kalpoe brothers. How/even when they originally met, how they arranged to meet again at C & C’s, how and why she got into their car, where they went after, and what they did are still not certain and have been disputed even by Natalee’s classmates in various interviews, and even the suspects. We can only surmise - and just because we have “feelings” about things does not make them so.

A myriad of other things could have occurred. A number of other people could have been involved. Or none, and Natalee could be somewhere she wants to be. But in the more likely case that she was abducted, all the focus on a few suspects just might have given the real “perp/s” the opportunity to escape with Natalee somewhere far from the eye of the police and public.

Or, worse yet, all the focus on this might have caused a worse ending to Natalee if abducted, than might have happened if the constant media spotlight and circus of anger had been less focused on just one target. It just might have made her “too hot” to keep hidden or even delivered to another location where she might have had the chance to escape or be seen by others, or just have made it easier for another to leave with her undetected.

Yes, I am an advocate of media enlightenment and attention in such cases. It is through their efforts and The Amber Alert system (the best tool that has been introduced in ages) that many have been found. But, there also comes a point when, if the media is focusing in only one direction, that it gives opportunities for other things to occur, out of that spotlight.

We should never be so narrowly focused. We should never be led by suppositions and “gut feelings” of a few, even family members who have been so devastated and are suffering beyond the average person’s comprehension. The media should, as they have often done so well before, remain objective and question outside the arena of attention and “popular” theory.

I truly appreciate your rational approach to this subject. I think emotions ARE running very high in this case.. I know my emotions do! Obviously you and I have very similiar opinions in this case!

Thanks for stating things so clearly. It will be more difficult to follow this case now that the terrorists are on the move again.

If you become aware of a prayer thread that gets started for Natalee please let me know. I would LOVE to participate!

Excellent Post!

We all have out ideas of what happened in this case and would like to discuss them with others. But some posters have gone to extremes when they talk about "lobbing missiles and usinng daisy cutters" on Aruba.

Is there any more info on Jaron's psych history?