BOYCOTT ARUBA--JUSTICE FOR NATALEE

Imagine how many rapes really take place in these 'glorious destinations'??? There are no statistics available in Aruba...only the 4-5 rapes they claim.

The FBI estimates that only 37% of all rapes are reported to the police. U.S. Justice Department statistics are even lower, with only 26% of all rapes or attempted rapes being reported to law enforcement officials. In 1994-1995, only 251,560 rapes and sexual assaults were reported to law enforcement officials -- less than one in every three. (National Crime Victimization Survey, Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice, 1996).

One of every four rapes take place in a public area.

31% of female victims reported that the offender was a stranger.

About 81% of rape victims are white.

At least 45% of rapists were under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

7.7% of college men reported perpetrating aggressive behavior which met the legal definition of rape

Risk factors for perpetrating sexual violence include: early sexual experience (both forced and voluntary), adherence by men to sex role stereotyping, negative attitudes of men towards women (misogyny), alcohol consumption, acceptance of rape myths by men

Silent Victims

One of the most startling aspects of sex crimes is how many go unreported. The most common reasons given by victims for not reporting these crimes are the belief that it is a private or personal matter and that they fear reprisal from the assailant.

In 1999, only 28% of rapes and sexual assaults were reported to law enforcement officials - fewer than one in every three [1999 NCVS]

The Punishment

72% of rapes/sexual assaults are not reported to the police. Those rapists, of course, never serve a day in prison. [1999 NCVS]

If the rape is reported to police, there is a 50.8% chance that an arrest will be made

If an arrest is made, there is an 80% chance of prosecution

If there is a prosecution, there is a 58% chance of a felony conviction

If there is a felony conviction, there is a 69% chance the convict will spend time in jail

So, even in those 28% of rapes that are reported to police, there is only a 16.3% chance the rapist will end up in prison

Factoring in unreported rapes, about 5% - one out of twenty - of rapists will ever spend a day in jail. 19 out of 20 will walk free.

What also needs to be discussed with women going overseas, even to a vacation resort, is the perception of American women, courtesy of Hollywood. Which is this: they're easy. European men see American women on vacation. In a place like Aruba, it's even worse. So they expect American women are easy targets, and even better, they don't hang around, so if there are any "accidents", they deal with them at home.

Concern over trafficking in women for prostitution is on the rise. The Dutch Foundation
Against Trafficking in Women estimates that each year around 1,000 women are brought into
the Netherlands for purposes of prostitution. The International Organization for Migration
collected data on 155 women brought from Eastern and Central Europe to the Netherlands in
1994 and found that over 95 percent had become trapped in prostitution. Women who are forced to work illegally as prostitutes have special exemptions in immigration law and receive counseling and legal assistance. In June the Dutch Society of Attorneys General issued new guidelines for prosecutors to improve enforcement of the existing law against trafficking in women.

Alcohol blamed for rapes, violence in Cancun, Acapulco

U.S. authorities are warning Americans away from Mexican border areas such as Nuevo Laredo because of drug violence, but the average tourist may face more danger on a Cancun beach, on the Pacific Coast, or in culturally rich Mexico City.

In June alone, two 18-year-old American women were raped in separate incidents in Cancun, in what some activists call an epidemic that is being swept under the rug by U.S. and Mexican authorities.

On the other side of Mexico, two Americans, a 22-year-old man from Houston and a 16-year-old girl from Miami were killed during a highway robbery last fall in Guerrero. The state is home to the Acapulco and Ixtapa resorts.

In the Mexico City airport, criminal gangs target Americans who have exchanged currency or withdrawn money from ATMs, following them into the city in order to rob them, U.S. officials say.

While dozens of Americans have gone missing in areas along the Texas-Mexico border, authorities on both sides say the vast majority were likely involved in the drug trade.

"Cancun is one of the safest places in Mexico and one of the safest places in the world," said Mayor Francisco Alor Quezada. "But it is also not the exception to the fact that bad things happen everywhere."

Parents, he said, should tell their children: "You can't come here to do things that would be illegal in the United States. You should behave here like you do in your own country, especially for your own safety."

The No. 1 problem for Americans, especially young ones, in such places as Cancun, Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta is too much alcohol, U.S. and Mexican authorities say.

Many victims of robbery and rape in beach areas are blind drunk and trying to stumble to a hotel whose name they may not remember. Some locals are waiting for such victims.

Americans under the influence of alcohol often commit crimes themselves, including rape, seeming to forget that not only does Mexico have laws, but that some of them are more severe than in the United States.

With the exception of Mexico City, where crime has risen sharply over the last 10 years, Mexico probably is no more dangerous than in the past, many authorities say. Some say that is true even in border areas, where media interest often fuels a perception that things are worse.

Regarding border areas such as Matamoros, an American consular official said, "We're not putting out a red light, we're putting out a yellow light."

The official defended colleagues in Cancun and elsewhere as attentive to Americans. (Detailed information on Mexico dangers and key U.S. State Department contacts can be found at www.travel.state.gov.)

Apart from Mexico's northern border, the tourist spot that has received the biggest black eye this year has been the most popular: Cancun.

The top Mexican tourist spot saw its local government nearly melt down earlier this year, as the city ran out of funds, allegedly because of corruption, and police went on strike.

Boldo did acknowledge that three rapes over the course of three days in June (the two Americans and a local girl) are unusual and unfortunate. Still, she said, most crimes can be avoided by taking basic precautions: don't drink too much, don't do drugs, don't wander off alone, don't trust new friends.

Lidia Cacho runs a Cancun shelter for victims of sexual violence and also volunteers as a certified Spanish-to-English translator. As a result, many of the rape cases fall into her hands.

So far this year, she has handled 25 cases involving Americans. Many more cases four or five times that number go unreported, she said. Most rape victims are young American women.

Cacho described sexual attacks in Cancun as an epidemic, adding that Mexican and U.S. officials won't accept that the resort is practically designed to facilitate such attacks.

How?

Cacho's partial list: All-you-can-drink alcohol, an obsessive focus on sex, unscrupulous Mexican and U.S. travel agencies that sell drinking packages to youths without the knowledge of their parents, bars and clubs with little interest in the safety of their customers, an indifferent U.S. consulate, easy access to illegal drugs and minimal screening of hotel employees.

Some Americans in Cancun who recently were celebrating high school graduation said the high-profile case of missing Alabama high school student Natalee Holloway in Aruba during a school trip had underscored the dangers they face even in picture-perfect resorts.

"You never go anywhere alone; you should always be on the lookout, you don't go off with locals, you don't go off with anyone alone," said Kaitlin, 18, from St. Louis, Mo., who doesn't give her last name as part of her own safety precautions. "Most kids don't think like that. And that's the problem."

Aruba's postcard image comes under siege

Famous for its strategic location south of the Caribbean's "hurricane belt," the island of Aruba is grappling with a storm of unwanted publicity after last month's disappearance of Natalee Holloway, 18, on a school graduation trip.

Its longtime reputation as one of the region's safest places is coming under scrutiny.

Just 15 miles north of Venezuela, the small, multi-ethnic Dutch protectorate is known for its dry, sunny climate, expansive beaches and lively nightlife, including 11 casinos. And, says the guidebook Frommer's Portable Aruba, a "low crime rate is the envy of nearly every other island in the region. Where else would you see tourists over 60 and women in their 20s hitchhiking without a qualm? Aruba's boomed in the past couple of decades, and the rapid changes and influx of new people have disturbed the way of life a bit. ... But you may find that you feel safer in Aruba than at home."

That status was challenged by Holloway's disappearance May 30. Detailed crime statistics are hard to come by: In 2003, the most recent year with available data, there were 4,236 crimes, though no specifics on those against tourists. According to Aruba's attorney general, five homicides were reported last year. But police have not provided a breakdown of offenses since 1995, says Martijn Balkestein of the Central Bureau of Statistics. (Related story: Travel firms feel little fallout)

The U.S. State Department's travel advice for Aruba states "be careful when ordering beverages in local nightclubs and bars, especially at night" and "U.S. citizens should not hitchhike or accept rides from strangers."

But the State Department's 2005 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report notes that "while Aruba enjoys a low crime rate, prominent drug traffickers are establishing themselves sporadically on the island ... drugs are easily found within walking distance of Oranjestad's cruise pier and are frequently peddled to cruise ship tourists. The expanding use of (Ecstasy) in clubs by young people attracts increasing attention."

Says Justin McNaull of AAA Travel: "The reality of travel is that you can get mugged anywhere, (and) the greatest danger to Americans traveling abroad is car crashes. If this stands up as being an isolated incident, it's unlikely to have a long-term impact."

Isolated incident my ass...

Check out what this anonymous jackass wrote...please respond to this jerk on behalf of Natalee's honor!!! By the way, I think this guy was sick the day they learned how to spell in school...

"Man, are you Americans buth stupid and ignorrent. No results are being seen in Aruba at all....and thats good, for there is no proof whatsoever that this girl is murdered. Whatever happened to 'innocent untill proven guilty' doesnt that count for the island Aruba as well. For years you guys invaded this beatifull island, and when something happens you all start acting like a bunch of mindless fenatic lemmings. Please start to worry about all the crime in your own goddamn country and especially by the tons of unsolved missing person cases, please ban every city, town and community where people are doing not enough to try to find out what happened to these missing persons (especially when they are not being backed up by media-horny mothers or just being plain coloured). You realy think you rule the world and i am so happy that this is one of those cases that shows tha how many hours of indoctrination fox puts in, in the end no-one realy cares. I hope you fanatics will show the same dedication in appologize to the community of Aruba when Nataly shows up in a sleazy porn-movie and ends up being just the person we already knew she was.....!"

Start emailing the addresses below and keep writing those letters. Here are emails and physical addresses to the U.S. State Department.

Also, the statement below about travel to Aruba was actually on the front page of U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs, with the following information

Aruba

Americans planning travel to Aruba should read New Requirements for Travelers Between the United States and the Western Hemisphere available on the Department of State web site at http://travel.state.gov

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Aruba, an autonomous island in the Caribbean, is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Tourist facilities are widely available. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Aruba for additional information.

See our Foreign Entry Requirements brochure for more information on Aruba and other countries. Visit the Embassy of The Netherlands web site at http://www.netherlands-embassy.org for the most current visa information.

Read our information on dual nationality and the prevention of international child abduction. Link to Customs and ATA Information.

SAFETY AND SECURITY: For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be found.

Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State's pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.

CRIME: Street crime is low, but there have been incidents of theft from hotel rooms. Armed robbery has been known to occur. Valuables left unattended on beaches, in cars and in hotel lobbies are easy targets for theft. (Drugged girls are also easy targets...)

INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, to contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed. Posts in countries that have victims of crime assistance programs should include that information.

See our information on Victims of Crime at

http://travel.state.gov/travel

HELP FOR AMERICAN VICTIMS OF CRIME OVERSEAS

The Bureau of Consular Affairs, Overseas Citizens Services is committed to assisting American citizens who become victims of crime while traveling, working, or residing abroad. Government officials, known as consuls or consular officers, at embassies and consulates in nearly 250 cities throughout the world are responsible for assisting U.S. citizens who may be traveling, working, or residing abroad. In addition, in approximately 50 cities where a significant number of Americans reside or visit and there is no U.S. embassy or consulate, consular agents provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens. Consuls, consular agents, and local employees work with their counterparts in the Bureau of Consular Affairs Overseas Citizens Services Office in Washington, D.C. to provide emergency and non-emergency services to Americans abroad.

How to Contact Us

Consular duty personnel are available for emergency assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at embassies, consulates, and consular agencies overseas and in Washington, D.C. To contact the Office of Overseas Citizens Services in the U.S. call 1-888-407-4747 (during business hours) or 202-647-5225 (after hours). Contact information for U.S. embassies, consulates, and consular agencies overseas is on this Internet site.

If You Are the Victim of a Crime Overseas

Contact the nearest U.S. embassy, consulate, or consular agency for assistance.

Contact local police to report the incident and obtain immediate help with safety concerns. Request a copy of the police report. (This didn't happen, obviously.)

Consular Assistance to American Crime Victims

Consular personnel can provide assistance to crime victims. When a U.S. citizen becomes the victim of a crime overseas, he or she may suffer physical, emotional, or financial injuries. Additionally, the emotional impact of the crime may be intensified because the victim is in unfamiliar surroundings. The victim may not be near sources of comfort and support, fluent in the local language, or knowledgeable about local laws and customs.

Consuls, consular agents, and local employees at overseas posts are familiar with local government agencies and resources in the country where they work. They can help American crime victims with issues such as:

Addressing emergency needs that arise as a result of the crime;

Obtaining general information about the local criminal justice process and information about your case; (Nope...missed that one, too.)

Obtaining information about local resources to assist victims, including foreign crime victim compensation programs;

Individual Reactions to Crime Victimization

How individuals react to being the victim of a crime will vary from person to person. Reactions are affected by individual factors such as how the victim handles stress, the nature and duration of the crime, the physical safety of the victim, and the number and type of support systems available. Reactions to a crime may be immediate or delayed.

The physical, emotional, or cognitive (involving thinking ability) symptoms a victim may experience could include nausea, headaches, fatigue, hyperventilation, or sleeping problems. Some victims report feelings of anxiety or fear, hyper-vigilance, guilt, anger, or isolation. Some experience difficulty making decisions, short-term memory problems, difficulty concentrating, or recurring memories of the crime.

It is important to realize that these are normal feelings, behaviors and reactions to an abnormal event. One of the first things to pay attention to is your need to feel safer. Addressing safety concerns and receiving emotional support can help. For most victims the reactions described above diminish with time. If these reactions persist and are disrupting your life or getting worse after three or four weeks, you should consider seeking professional assistance.

Resources and Information for Crime Victims:

Victim Assistance : If you are the victim of a crime while overseas you may benefit from specialized resources for crime victims available in the U.S.

Throughout the United States thousands of local crime victim assistance programs offer help to victims of violent crime and most will help residents of their community who have been the victim of a crime in another country.

These include rape crisis counseling programs, shelter and counseling programs for battered women, support groups and bereavement counseling for family members of homicide victims, diagnostic and treatment programs for child abuse victims, assistance for victims of drunk driving crashes, and others. Information about locating crime victim assistance programs is below.

Victim Compensation : All states operate crime victim compensation programs and nearly half of them offer benefits to their residents who are victims of violent crime overseas. (See contact information for state compensation programs below.) These state compensation programs provide financial assistance to eligible victims for reimbursement of expenses such as medical treatment, counseling, funeral costs, lost income or loss of support, and others. Generally victim compensation programs require the victim to report the crime to law enforcement and they usually request a copy of the police report.

Contact Information for Victim Compensation and Assistance Programs:

Information about each state’s crime victim compensation program and how to apply for compensation is available on the Internet at the web site of the National Association of Crime Victim Compensation Boards, http://www.nacvcb.org

The toll-free 24 hours a day /7 days a week hotline for sexual assault crisis counseling and referrals in the United States is 1-800-656-HOPE. It is operated by a non-profit organization, RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network), which also has information on the Internet at http://www.rainn.org

Information about local sexual assault victim assistance programs in the U.S. is also available from each state’s sexual assault coalition. Contact information for these state coalitions are listed at the website of the U.S. Department of Justice Violence Against Women Office, http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/vawo/help.htm

The toll-free 24 hours a day /7 days a week National Domestic Violence Hotline, which provides crisis counseling and referrals in the U.S., is 1-800-799-SAFE.

Information about local domestic violence victim assistance programs in the U.S. is also available from each state’s domestic violence coalition. Contact information for these state coalitions is listed at the website of the U.S. Department of Justice Violence Against Women Office, http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/vawo/help.htm

The toll-free 24 hours a day /7 days a week crisis counseling and referral line for families and friends of those who have died by violence is 1-888-818-POMC. It is operated by a non-profit organization, POMC, Inc., (The National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children) which also has information on the Internet at http://www.pomc.org

Information for crime victims on the impact of crime, safety planning, legal rights and civil legal remedies, and options for assistance and referrals to local programs is also available from the National Crime Victim Center. Call toll free (8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. EST) 1-800-FYI-CALL or call TTY for hearing impaired (8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. EST) 1-800-211-7996. Information is also available on the Internet at http://www.ncvc.org

Information and referral to victim assistance programs is available from the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA). Call toll-free 24 hours a day /7 days a week 1-800-TRY-NOVA. Information is also available on the Internet at http://www.try-nova.org

Information about victim assistance programs in approximately 20 countries is available at the web site of Victim Assistance On-line, http://www.vaonline.org

Steve Cohen mentioned possible re-interviewing of the three suspects. He went over that the 12,000 pages of testimony have been reviewed. He revealed a new prosecutor is coming from Curacao (old news actually) to oversee the case to check for new leads.

The hot item reported by Steve Cohen was a letter received by Paulus van der Sloot claiming to be from Natalee Holloway. She explains in the letter why she ran away from her mother and is living in the USA. She tells the Dutch authorities to test the letter for her DNA to verify that it is her. Steve Cohen reported that Police Chief Dompig received the letter from Paulus today and immediately sent it to the Dutch Forensic Institute (DFI) for DNA testing and authentication.

(This has got to be the biggest bullshit smoke screen I have ever seen. Hint: see my post below. We aren't dealing with rational, ethical or moral people.)

Beth Twitty tried to evade responding, stressing that the police should focus on the blood in Joran's sneaker. She claimed that she was not hopeful of the letter.

Here's Steve Cohen, a Philadelphia native, with Aruban attorney, and Paulus Van Der Sloot in the background. Cohen has been a "good friend to Aruba since 1979".

I had a chance to speak with Rich Strom, a retired Philadelphia homicide detective, and current private investigator who is working on the Holloway case. He has been in Aruba for the last couple weeks and has just returned. He mentioned all the blatant lies, aruban manipulation (propaganda) and the horrific and hateful attitude towards Americans, specifically Natalee and Beth.

Rich told me that when he initially flew into Aruba and walked into the airport, the security guards were walking up to tourists, himself included, saying, "Breaking News! Did you hear they found that little bitch Natalee Holloway in Alabama?" Rich knew this was an obvious and blatant lie and had to hold himself back from these morons. The security guards began laughing hysterically, "We should extradite her and throw that bitch (Natalee) in jail for causing us so many problems!"

These are the kind of evil people we are dealing with, here. We may have to stoop to their level, which is exactly what I plan on doing.

Justice for Natalee and all the women who've been victimized in Aruba! Don't forget the old saying, "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned"...Beth is not giving up, and neither are the tens of thousands of the rest of us.

Will the NAACP give the Aruba Boycott Endorsement? It's a strong possibility.

Click here for more information, including more to follow.

I've had an overwhelming amount of emails regarding the blasphemous article written by Bryan Burrough on Natalee Holloway with his interview of Chief Dompig from Aruba. Let's tell Vanity Fair what we think of their pathetic journalism.

Ever heard of fact-checking, Bryan?

Read disgusting article here

If you'd like to share your complaints or comments send your reply here:

Vanity Fair
letters@vf.com
fax 212-286-4324

Barbados Advocate
December 8, 2005

ANY of the countries in the Caribbean region can be faced, as Aruba was recently, with the issue of visitor safety and security, as such, this will be the theme of the upcoming Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP) conference to be held in that Dutch territory next year.

Giving an outline of the draft agenda for the conference, Jeanette Richardson- Baar, Chief of Staff, to the Commissioner of Police of Aruba said that the conference will be a perfect opportunity to showcase to everyone abroad that Aruba still is a very safe and secure island to visit.

Her comments came as she spoke to those gathered for the final day of the ACCP Inter-sessional meeting at the Amaryllis Beach Resort yesterday. The image of Aruba in terms of visitor safety was very badly damaged by the Natalee Holloway case, which is a case that never happened in Aruba before. We do not have a lot of murders, we have four or five murders a year most of them connected to drugs or criminals shooting each other ... for us it was very unusual, and we have been working very hard on it and we have been trying to do whatever we can to boost up the image of Aruba again, she said. With that in mind, Richardson-Baar noted that at any time, a similar situation could occur in another country in the region and so it is imperative that all the countries are well prepared.

One important issue that needs to be addressed, she stated, is how the authorities relate to the media, especially inter- national media entities. We have to train people more how to deal with the media. We have our information officers who are used to dealing with the local press and that is on a one-on-one basis. They all know each other, they dont make trouble and they know what to expect of each other. But we were confronted with CNN and FOX and people who have different ethics in terms of gathering information, she lamented.

As such, she explained that one of the items on the agenda for the conference will be Strategies for Effective Media Manage-ment, in which law enforcement officers will be trained so that if something like that was to happen in another country, that they would be able to deal with it effectively and efficiently. In addition to crime reporting and the media, the conference, she added, will look at three other main themes regional crime and security, community-policing philosophy in action and major events management.

CLICK HERE IF YOU ARE INTERESTED

I spoke with Beth last night. I haven't had the time to prepare my posting, but keep checking back. It was very interesting to say the least.

In addition, I will be posting inside information regarding the two black security guards that were originally detained (and are STILL considered 'suspects' according the ALE), how the NAACP is planning on getting involved in the injustice and blatant racism within Aruba; and shocking information regarding the America man who was recently murdered in Aruba.

CONSPIRACY, LIES, AND COVER UP

American Robert Wayne Benson, 58
Benson was employed by a company that fixes cars and motorcycles in Aruba
and was found dead in a locked container.

Security Guard, Mickey John

Security Guard, Abraham Jones

Please don't bother me with this Natalee Holloway mess...I'm too busy.

Mississippi Governor Barbour's Background

Haley Reeves Barbour is the current governor of Mississippi, and a Republican. He gained a national spotlight in August 2005 after Mississippi was hit by Hurricane Katrina. Since then he has been under strong speculation as a possible 2008 presidential candidate, although he was rumored to be considering running even before then.

This was confirmed when it was discovered long time friend Ed Rogers owned the "Barbour for President" Web site.

Governor Barbour's Reaction to Dave Holloway's Plea

"I called the governor while he was out of town because I would like to just get his position on it," Holloway told The Meridian Star. "But I haven't heard back from him." Holloway said residents of Mississippi can boycott Aruba without the governor's urging, but he would like to see Barbour support the effort.

Pete Smith, a spokesman for Barbour, said Tuesday the governor has not had time to consider the boycott. "He's just gotten back from Iraq and he is focusing on federal aid for Hurricane Katrina victims and he has not had a chance to think about it. But he will take a look at it," Smith said.

Let's see if he keeps his word...since he plans on running for president, and all....

Write your letters to Governor Barbour!

Governor Haley Barbour
P.O. Box 139
Jackson, MS 39205

Physical Address:
501 N. West Street
Governor's Office 15th Floor
Jackson, MS 39201
Phone: 601.359.3150
Fax: 601.359.3741

Alabama's first lady backs Holloway family, condemns Aruba

By SAMIRA JAFARI
Associated Press

Alabama First Lady Patsy Riley promised the family of missing teenager Natalee Holloway that the state will always support the search for her, and accused the Aruban government of turning its back on the family. "To know that another country turned its back," Riley said, her voice breaking with emotion during a candlelit prayer meeting Thursday night for missing children. "The people of Alabama will never turn their back."

Holloway's mother, Beth Twitty, and her stepfather, Jug Twitty, attended the prayer meeting at the Gov.'s Mansion along with two dozen friends from the 18-year-old's hometown of Mountain Brook. At least four other families of missing children also attended the meeting.

"It touches me that they have so much strength to stand up for our family," Jug Twitty said, referring to Gov. Bob Riley and his wife. Two glass bowls were set out for what Riley called a "love offering" to help the Holloways in their search. She said the money would not be counted at the meeting and the family could "do with that what they choose."

Some 40 Alabama children are missing, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Tara Frazier, whose 15-year-old niece Sharnecia went missing a year ago, said that while the prayer meeting was largely focused on Holloway, she still felt consoled. "It was a comfort," she said after the meeting. "Not so much sad, but comforting."

Patsy Riley, speaking from the steps of the mansion, asked the victims' families to stand together and draw from one another's strength. They held hands in prayer, later lighting white candles in memory of their missing children. "This is about all missing children," the first lady told them.

"The difference with Natalee is that a different country is involved. ...Therefore, there's a different crisis."

Holloway's family initially praised Aruban authorities for their work on the case, but they turned critical, alleging incompetence and conflicts of interest, and joined the governor in calling for a nationwide boycott of travel to Aruba. Riley has sent letters to the 49 other American governors, urging them to join him in the boycott. So far, Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee has been the only governor to join.

Meanwhile, Assistant Aruban Police Chief Gerold G. Dompig has said in interviews that Beth Twitty has hurt the investigation by releasing sensitive information during her frequent appearances on U.S. television shows. And he said Holloway's classmates need to be questioned more because of "disturbing" statements they've made on TV and the Internet.

The first lady said she decided to hold the prayer meeting this year because the holidays can be the toughest time for families who have lost a child. Patsy Riley told the families that blowing out their candles "does not mean the end of this prayer meeting. "We will never stop searching for your loved ones."

Candles can't bring Natalee back...
but if the U.S. puts a candle under ALE's ass, then maybe.

Official Statement From the Aruban Government:
Aruba Supporting the Candlelight Vigil for Natalee Holloway

ORANJESTAD, Aruba, Dec. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The people of Aruba and their government warmly and wholeheartedly support (Support? I don't believe we need your phony half-hearted support. I have a hunch this PR move of yours is the doing of the Aruba's new partner in crime, Steve Cohen.)

The candlelight vigil being held this evening in the United States for Natalee Holloway. Almost from the moment Ms. Holloway disappeared, the nation of Aruba has been focused on finding her. (Focused on finding Natalee? If a liar lies long enough, they start to believe their own lies. Besides, the key word here is "Almost from the moment". Almost meaning 6+ months? Plus NO PROOF that anything is being done at this time.)

The people of Aruba join those at the vigil in spirit this evening with Ms. Holloway in our hearts, in our thoughts, and in our prayers.

Aruba Tourism Authority

Oh, so sweet of you Aruba...do you want a cookie?

ARUBA – Justice-minister Rudy Croes (MEP) gave the public prosecutor (OM) till December 17th the time to solve the internal problems. The conflict between chief district attorneyKarin Janssen and Attorney General Theresa Croes-Fernandes Perna has been going on for six months already. The minister is now threatening with taking measures against the chief district attorney, because the Attorney General (PG) is her superior.

One of the reasons for the conflict is the way the media was informed in the Holloway-case. Janssen, who is a media-officer in the Netherlands, is of the opinion that it was not professionally done. The conflict escalated when Janssen was interviewed by the Nova. The OM then sent Janssen’s cellular telephone number to all the local and international media that was present. “Now that she has spoken to one journalist, she might as well speak to all of them”, said OM-media information official Mariaine Croes, daughter of the Attorney General. At that moment, Janssen was up to her ears in the investigation on the disappeared Natalee Holloway and got in trouble because of this. It was decided shortly after that the OM would only give written information on this case. Another reason for the conflict is that Janssen is of the opinion that the Attorney General is too much involved with current investigations instead of working on policy level. She resents at the PG interfering with the case of two suspicious MEP-supporters that made anonymous threats by phone from the Government office. The PG dismissed this case without consulting Janssen. Former chief of police, Jan van der Straten also clashed with minister Croes about this.

I would continue to try to focus the world spotlight on Aruba and its attempting to cover up the disappearance of my daughter. (Actually, it's so obvious at this point that it can't be called a cover-up anymore.)

I certainly would not go anywhere on Aruba by myself.

I would carry my campaign to the Netherlands, asking that moves be taken to investigate the Dutch administration of this and other Caribbean islands, such as Curacao (where Amy Bradley disappeared in 1998; again, no official action taken).

I would take what moves I could to see if the United States will relocate to another island its DEA anti-drug assets. The suspicion is that some highly-placed Aruban officials benefit from inside knowledge as to our anti-drug efforts ... and who could be more valuable to the drug barons than a prospective judge such as Paulus van der Sloot?

I would never give up in my efforts to seek justice for my daughter.

And I would ask why, although the ordinary people of America have demonstrated their support for my efforts, our own government seems indifferent.

--Richard R., Vermont, USA

MERIDIAN, Miss. - The father of missing Alabama teen Natalee Holloway would like Mississippi to join a travel boycott of Aruba to protest the way officials there have handled the disappearance of his daughter.

Dave Holloway, a Meridian insurance agent, said he has called the governor's office to urge Gov. Haley Barbour to join Alabama Gov. Bob Riley and Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee in the travel boycott of the Dutch Caribbean island. "I called the governor while he was out of town because I would like to just get his position on it," Holloway told The Meridian Star. "But I haven't heard back from him."

Holloway said residents of Mississippi can boycott Aruba without the governor's urging, but he would like to see Barbour support the effort. Pete Smith, a spokesman for Barbour, said Tuesday the governor has not had time to consider the boycott. "He's just gotten back from Iraq and he is focusing on federal aid for Hurricane Katrina victims and he has not had a chance to think about it. But he will take a look at it," Smith said.

Riley has said he is concerned because the Aruban investigation has produced no results in the case of Holloway, who was 18 when she disappeared during a high school graduation trip to the island May 30. Riley said and he is not convinced everything possible is being done.

Last month, he asked other governors to urge their citizens not to vacation in Aruba. Huckabee joined the boycott last month, but he is the only other governor so far to do so. Huckabee said Beth Holloway Twitty, Holloway's mother, is originally from Arkansas and that many of the missing teen's other relatives still live in the state. Natalee Holloway is a Clinton, Miss., native. A graduate of Mountain Brook High School in suburban Birmingham, Ala., she was last seen leaving a bar with three young men from Aruba. Each of the three was taken into custody but has since been released.

Henry Hyde, Illinois U.S. Representative

Republican Henry Hyde, Chairman of Committee on International Relations in the US House of Representatives, commented yesterday to local media that he believed the boycott call by the Governor of Alabama is not receiving true support in the U.S.

According to who? I guess his 'people' aren't getting all the right information from their constituents.

He considers the boycott an individual action and not one that would be sustained nationwide. "We want to resolve this case as fast as possible. We do not believe that the boycott would help the case," Hyde said.

I believe the relationship between the Aruban and the U.S. congresses is good. I think the people who understand the complicity of the two justice systems are less worried and will not support the boycott, he added. "Aruba is a very important strategic area. It is a friendly island and we have to maintain a strong relationship with it," he said. Hyde and a delegation of 5 other congressmen had been on the island for one night, staying at the Renaissance Resort.

John Pauly's helping hand in Aruba

There's another local connection to the case of Alabama teenNatalee Holloway, who has been missing in Aruba since May. Veteran TV news producer John Pauly, of the Main Line, who worked as Channel 10's investigative reporter in the 1980s, has been working as an adviser to the Aruban Strategic Communications Task Force. Currently stateside, Pauly's spent seven weeks in Aruba, and may go back next month to further serve as a media liason with the Task Force, made up of government and tourism agencies. Pauly says print media and major TV networks have been mostly responsible, but that some outlets are airing unsubstantiated reports with reckless abandon. The biggest culprits, he says, are CNN/Court TV's Nancy Grace, and Fox News' Sean Hannity, Alan Colmes and Bill O'Reilly.

John Pauly Speaks Out--Aruba Truth??

A newsman who covered the case but wished to remain anonymous praised Pauly, who set up regular noon briefings to allow Aruban authorities to correct errors and rumors. "He was always ready to help, doing his best to get information from a government almost always mute or sparing of words, and often anticipating the reporters' requests," the source replied in an e-mail. "A newsman himself, he understands the press. One can only hope he helped the Aruban government understand it better."

Pauly felt the cable news offenders never gave the Aruban government and other officials credit for giving employees days off (wowie zowie! Wasn't that just so generous!) to search for Natalee, using three F-16 fighter jets with special radar to search for her and conducting an Arms Across Aruba prayer vigil for her. "That got about maybe 20 seconds and then they went right back to the nonsense," said Pauly.

Pauly feels his "greatest triumph" was persuading Aruban authorities to hold a press briefing when the suspects were released and made available for interviews. "The Aruban police thought the American media were morons because of all the misinformation they were putting on the air," said Pauly. "So they weren't about to cooperate with them."

He persuaded the police to cooperate with the media or risk the probability that the media would stake out the prison and suspect's homes and there would be threats to public safety. "This was the first time in the history of this investigation that the police actually cooperated with the media," said Pauly. "So the media got their access to ask questions."

Unfortunately, the question of what happened to Holloway may never be solved. "Look at it from a logical point of view," said Pauly. "There's no body, so there's no murder. There's no crime. There's no rape because there's no complainant. There's no forensic evidence, no credible witnesses. So what are you going to do with these guys?"

Steve Cohen, "friend of Aruba" since 1979

ORANJESTAD: A press conference given by the Strategic Communications Task Force (SCT) took place on Friday, where the CEO of AHATA and members of the SCT that they held a meeting and they came to the decision to name a special person to be spokesperson for SCT, for everything that has to do with the case of Natalee Holloway.

ATIA’s president, Serge Mansur, said that the decision was to name Steve Cohen for this post. Steve Cohen has worked as a reporter and presenter in the US, where he was a ‘Senior News Executive’ in Los Angeles and New York.

According to Mr. Mansur, Cohen is one of the creators and producer of the famous Court TV in the US, where he had experience in more than 150 big cases in the courts of the US. Steve Cohen was also vice president of CBS during 12 years.

This person was on the case from the beginning and has been coming to Aruba since 1979.

Steve Cohen took the podium, where he thanked those who gave him the position of spokesperson. According to Cohen, 6 months ago, Aruba was a country that was c

onsidered as safe, where tourists were safe in their beloved vacations.

Now, 6 months later Aruba is still the same, but the image that the US has given Aruba has changed, because of a worried family and others who think that Aruba did not act fast enough, speak and think badly of Aruba. The objective in the months to come is to change this back. We do not have the amount of criminality that America has and we have one of the best police corps in the area of the Caribbean.

We? What's with WE? You are an american citizen I believe, Steve.

This, according to Cohen, who said that this is the message that has to be heard for Americans, but Beth Twitty is still saying that the judicial system of Aruba is not working and that it is corrupt.

The fact that a person or family is sad, does not take away that they always have to speak the truth about what has happened.

The press asked Cohen how he thinks he will do this. According to Cohen, he will try to go on talk shows to try to relay his message to Americans. He said that attorney Arlene Ellis Schipper has done a tremendous job, but cannot confront alone all those that they have put against her in the American programs.

Frank Rizzo, Jr.

In a day of ceremonial resolutions and unanimous votes yesterday in City Council, there was one moment of genuine debate. At hand: A resolution cosponsored by Councilmen Juan F. Ramos and Jack Kelly urging Philadelphians to boycott Aruba because of alleged Aruban foot-dragging over the case of missing American teenager Natalee Holloway.

"Evidently, Aruba doesn't work [as] well as the United States does," Kelly said. He said Holloway's mother had to have others order her food when visiting the Dutch territory because of fear that devious locals might try to poison her for her agitation over her daughter's case.

Rising to Aruba's defense was Councilman Frank Rizzo. "The people of Aruba are good people," he said, adding that a boycott could "also be very hurtful to Philadelphia," because U.S. Airways, the ailing carrier that dominates the city's airport, flies 9,000 people there monthly. Kelly wasn't very impressed with Rizzo's economic argument. "U.S. Airways serves many, many islands," he said.

What Rizzo didn't mention then is that he has often been one of those people. He said he had been vacationing on the island for years and planned to buy property and possibly retire there. "I know the people, I know the politicians, I know the police chief," he said later. "They've cooperated."

Saw this on a forum,
and I just had to share,
It was a perfect description,
'Cuz this case 'aint so rare

The writing was witty,
Her depiction so clear,
Alas Natalee is still missing,
Every parents worst fear

T’was the last night of fun,
Which those teens would recall,
The setting of the sun,
A new life in the fall.

New people she met
Her world seemed all right.
Just one last ‘hurrah’
At the end of the night.

“We’ll go see the lighthouse,
We’ll walk on the beach”
They drove out of sight,
She’s no longer in reach…

A parent’s worst nightmare,
A trip into hell,
The Dutchmen are thinking,
A story to tell.

From the Vandersloot house
There arose such a clatter
Paul couldn’t stop sweating
He knew[i][/i] what was the matter!

When what to his wondering eyes did appear
A van full of rebels,
“Oh $h*t, they’re here!!”

The stories are told,
At least a few dozen.
Seems everyone here
Is somebody’s cousin.

Dennis Jacobs asked Dave,
“How much money you got?”
if you rich we will search,
but we won’t, ‘cause you not!”

Karin Jannsen is dim,
Gives blondes a bad name
Won’t talk to Beth,
Gives Aruba much shame.

“We do not search houses,
That’s the cowboy way,
But if you are a black man,
Well, then it’s OK.”

Reuben Trapenburg says,
“Aruba is free,
For family who comes
To search for Natalee”

From the top of the landfill
To the bottom of the sea
“Pretend that we’re searching,
Then charge them a fee.”

Joran sits alone,
in a jail for the summer
He cries to the judge
"why my life such a bummer?"

“So sorry” says Judge,
“for all of your strife.”
“Now fly off to Holland,
get on with your life!”

The three boys are sent walking
“We’ll set up a trap
Those boys, they’ll start talking,”
(Wow, you’re full of crap!)

Mama says, “we all lie,
There’s no point in this drama
When they bad I just say
‘why you lie to your mama?’”

Joran speaks on camera,
He has nothing to fear.
He talks all he wants,
His Daddy is near!

Deepak – enough with the BS already
She did or she didn’t …
you wouldn’t believe
How easy it is to BS and deceive

Satish is so quiet
he says ne’er a word.
Can his lawyer speak English?
Will his version be heard?

Chief Dompig declares,
“they’re all guilty as hell”,
But the ALE office
still has a smell.

Arlene has a fit
for the boycott we’re seeking.
You can’t produce Natalee,
So stop your shrieking!!

“It’s an ongoing case,
we work ‘round the clock.”
Yeah, OK Arlene,
Stuff that shriek with a sock!

Chief Dompig announces
who is to blame
Through ‘Vanity Fair’,
he calls them by name,

It’s Beth and it’s Greta,and it’s Robin and Dave,
Remember,we have our tourism to save.

It’s Phil, and Jamie, and that Nancy Grace,
You know how we hate having her in our face!

Joe Mamanna’s a gangster, And don’t forget Jug.
Put all the evidence under that rug!

While America considers the possible dread,
Visions of Extasy fill Joran’s head
He flashes a smile to hide inner wrath,
Of course he does….he’s a sociopath!

He hears Daddy’s words, time after time,
“Remember my boy, no body NO CRIME!”

--Queen of Denmark
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