RSSTim Miller of EquuSearch takes the High Ground
Last night Tim Miller appeared on CNN’s Nancy Grace and although was repeatedly bated by the host refused to get into an on air confrontation over recent comments made by Jim Knox. Tim Miller of EquuSearch gave high praise to the many volunteers who took part in the searches on Aruba for Natalee Holloway and continued to stress the point that “The focus needs to stay on Natalee, period, end.”
MILLER: Well, I mean, these are things I`m advised by our attorney not say to interfere with a possible lawsuit. I mean, this stuff`s on the Internet. It`s — you know, it`s floated all around. And so anyhow, it sends some real negative messages about a very positive search, and this doesn`t need to go negative. The focus needs to stay on Natalee, period, end.
Tim Miller also focused on the profound frustration and disappointment in not being able to help Natalee’s family closure. A disappointment that I felt personally as well. I must admit it can get very depressing when one tries so hard and puts themselves in such an emotional situation for an extended period of time and does not get the results that one was trying to attain. The emotional aspects of dealing with the search and the family coupled with the just horrendous environment one is searching in only to leave Aruba without results was difficult. There is a feeling of disappointing Natalee’s family and letting them down. As Tim Miller made comments last night all I could do was nod in agreement and feel the disappointment again.
TIM MILLER, TEXAS EQUUSEARCH DIRECTOR: Well, thanks for having me here tonight. You know, I`ve got mixed emotions on that. Of course, there`s that big question mark out there still, What did happen to Natalee? I know our efforts — you know, we walked away and felt as though that, you know, we didn`t accomplish any more than we did when we got there. You know, I`m still real concerned about the dump. There`s some things we`re actually working with right now and…
MILLER: Well, I`m saying, you know, the only way we`re going to know is, of course, through DNA testing. You know, from what we understand, the way the waters flow, it`s — you know, it`s something that couldn`t possibly go there, but you know, people have been wrong before. We had a huge interest in the water in the beginning and spent a lot of time in the water. We did a lot of diving, side-scan sonar equipment and stuff.
And you know, somehow or another, this thing`s going to have to come it a close. Something`s going to have to happen so there can be an arrest. Something`s going to have to happen so this family can get some closure and try to move forward with their life and…
MILLER: And anyhow, it was disturbing to — you know, I remember talking to Beth before we left, and I said, Beth, one day, you`ll be able to look back at this and see that Natalee`s disappearance wasn`t in vain. And with all the resources, all the people that went there, you know, we`re looking at this as something positive for future missing person cases all over the nation, which there`s going to be some. And with all the negative things that were said, many of our people…
MILLER: That is a huge island when you`re searching for one small girl. We certainly realized that when — I know we did everything that we could possibly do. We brought in every resource that we thought could possibly be brought in. And there were a tremendous amount of frustrations, and you know, we walked away feeling like we didn`t accomplish a whole lot, that maybe we let the family down, we let the community down. And we know from our hearts, you know, what it`s like on a search for missing people. And we took it personal
We took it extremely personal with Tito last night went on and said that Equusearch set the dump on fire four days after we was gone, and about the turtle egg deal and the threatening the judge. We put too much into that thing to absorb all this criticism, and we will not do it. I mean, let`s report the facts as they are when the dump caught on fire. Let`s report the facts about the turtle eggs. And we`re not going to take that criticism and sit back. This is about Natalee. I think everybody deserves a huge applause for what they did over there, and there`s a lot of people that got real hurt feelings about this thing..
Although Tim Miller certainly let it be known that he and TES would not sit back and take the criticism, he certainly tried to focus on Natalee, positives that may come from this search and a hopeful closure for the family. However, that is not to say Tim Miller did not briefly comment on his displeasure to certain comments that had been made.
MILLER: Just some things that Jim Knox had said. And you know, it`s one of the things right now that our attorneys have, and we`re certainly looking at some things. And you know, we don`t want to take the focus off of Natalee Holloway. I mean, Jim and I — Jim Knox and I had a long conversation on the phone on Monday. Jim certainly knew I was upset. This was after Paul Reynolds called Jim. Paul let him know I was upset.
Speed Camera’s: For Safety or Revenue
The politicians will pontificate regularly that speed cameras are there to promote safety, and that the high fines that are associated with them are just to slow people down. The UK has been using them for years, and have generated over 1 billion US dollars in revenue through fines.
Well the truth about this hypocracy is coming out. According to a study that was never supposed to come out they have been lying about the safety aspect. When speed cameras are used in the United Kingdom, accidents are more likely to happen 31 percent of the time, and in construction zone where the cameras are used, the accident rate increases 55 percent.
These are truly horrifying statistics, especially when states such as Illinois are planning on implementing them.
Another example of how governments in there lust to take money out of your wallet for themselves to spend will put you in danger.
Hat tip Techdirt.
American Media Protest Canceled in Aruba
According to multiple sources in Aruba and also from Aruba Today, the supposed planned American Media Boycott planned for tomorrow has been canceled. Sources say, “there will not be a demonstration tomorrow or anytime in the near future.” I am wondering if my initial thought that the Minister of Tourism better do something to head this off may not have been not too far off?
More Texas EquuSearch Bashing; Now blamed for Landfill Fire
Frankly this is getting rather old rather fast. The latest installment of blame Texas EquuSearch brings us to last nights Fox News’ “On the Record” with Greta Van Susteren. It would appear that in a slow news cycle that any rumor or innuendo is some how going to pass for news. During last nights show, Tito Lacle of Aruba Today said the following comments that makes one question why it was said and why Greta provided no follow up questioning such baseless accusations: (Transcript)
Greta: In terms of the search today, any update on what’s being searched?
Tito: Well, basically we did some research today as to why the group that came in last week had so much trouble getting into the landfill. I spoke to the Minister, I spoke to several people in charge, and the minister didn’t even know this group was on the Island. He thought that the Texas Equusearch people were still here. I spoke to the people of the landfill and they confirmed that they closed the area because of the problems they had with Texas Equusearch people. Lastly, because of that the new guy in town, Fred, is paying the price for what the Texas Equusearch people apparently did. It seems, Greta, that the Texas Equusearch people were the ones that started a fire last Thursday and that caused problems for the landfill people. They decided to close it down until further notice, until they make out a new permit for anybody else to do whatever they have to do for the search. I must say, Greta, they don’t have a problem with anybody as long as they keep themselves to the rule but right now they are just waiting for higher up approval for anybody to be getting in and helping with the Natalee search.
One wonders just how much investigative journalism went into this? Exactly how many sources were questioned during this research and was TES ever even consulted in the matter to get their side of the story? From what I have determined the answer with regards to contacting Texas EquuSearch was no. Some how an accusation from someone at the landfill is allowed to stand as the truth and allowed to be broadcast live on Fox TV. A further accusation by Tito that that Fred Golba “is paying the price for what the Texas Equusearch people apparently did.” Paying a price for incidents that took place after TES left Aruba?
In researching this accusation made the fire at the landfill that they are discussing took place last Thursday or Friday, August 11th or 12th. Anyone researching this story could have contacted TES as I did and discovered that the last member of TES, Joe Huston, left Aruba on August 8, 2005. Joe Huston contacted me via email last night with this comment:
I was the last TES member and I left on 08/08/05.
Miraculously, TES was some how responsible for a fire that occurred in a landfill some 3 or 4 days later after they left. Accusations that were made by individuals at a landfill who were also responsible for the covering up of pre-dug holes that the new search teams were supposed to go through with their dogs. Holes covered up as Fred Golba was reported to have seen right in front of his eyes as he became sickened. The truth of the matter seems to be all based on a false accusation because TES was not even on Aruba to start the so-called fire at the landfill that in turn caused the landfill people to close it and make life difficult for the new search teams. One really begins to wonder what some of the agendas are by some when searching for Natalee Holloway. Maybe these comments were said to create a diversion from the fact that the landfill had filled in the holes and wasted previous valuable man hours? Does anyone not think that simple fact checks like dates and locations could not be done? What makes things even more precarious is that a Minister whom I presume was the Minister of Works did not even know what search team was on Aruba and that TES had actually left according to Tito.
At what point does news become PR or just sensationalism to get any story out at any time? The accusation of the fire in the landfill sounds very much like the TES destroyed turtle eggs story. A baseless accusation with no proof. All this while the further news story coming out at the same time by Tito referencing the upcoming boycott of the American media:
Greta: Alright. In terms of the reaction of the people who live in Aruba, what’s their view today, or at least in recent days, of the American media and of these private search groups coming in?
Tito: The private search groups— they’re ok with that, as far as the media, they still have their problems with it. There was a talk show today on the radio, and people were a little bit livid on the situation of the press. Still, at one point, I must point out, not all the press, some media and some specific names were mentioned that they have a problem with and they are working toward a possible protest, but that is not confirmed yet, until the end of this week.
Greta: Alright, and that possible protest, that would be, at least they’re thinking about it, against the American media. Where would that be located? Where would that happen in Aruba?
Tito: That location is still to be seen, based on a permit that they are still waiting upon, and once that is issued, I’ll be able to give you more information as to the exact date, location, and time frame, but it looks right now as it’s going to be toward the end of the week.
Greta: How much ground swell is there to protect American media? How much enthusiasm is there to protest American media.
How ironic; a boycott of the American media for the views they express yet we have had exaggerated and blatantly false charges made by Arubans as well that have certainly been inflammatory. Seems like there may be enough misinformation to go around on all sides. A boycott of American media? This is once again hardly the image that Aruba wants to portray.
Maybe everyone in Aruba forgot about this article from April 18, 2004; Arubastation.com Aruba moving towards full transition of parkietenbos facility
Although spontaneous fires at the site remain a concern, the project has been responsible for bringing an end to the daily occurrence of uncontrolled fires and for the implementation of a Thermal Treatment Unit for the safe disposal of contaminated wastes. CIWS, together with representatives from the Ministry of Public Health and Environment and Serlimar, have approached the issue of how best to handle situations of spontaneous fires, seeking to further revise and implement fire prevention protocol and action plans.
CANCELLED!!! Demonstrations Against American Media in Aruba Tomorrow
UPDATEThe Protest that was to happen in Aruba were cancelled.
The ill conceived plan to demonstrate against the American media is awaiting permits, but is scheduled to happen on Thursday, at 6:00 PM at Plaza Betico Croes. The expectations are that the Aruban’s will present a front against perceived injustices about Aruba that are being portrayed in the media.
One has to remember that the political season is starting now, and the island is ramping up for it’s national elections. Their are many political parties in Aruba all vying for the leadership. The Natalee Holloway story will be a big part of the election season, and we all must recognize that some of the reaction from the government is political now, not just about Natalee.
Manifestation against American media
ARUBA A manifestation is planned for this coming Thursday against the way in which the American TV stations CNN and FOX are portraiting Aruba in their programmes.The organizers get annoyed at the unfounded negative news coverage and want to express this peacefully.
They are now waiting for the permit and as soon as they get that, a group of concerned citizens will gather on the Plaza Betico Croes on Thursday at 18:00.Special attention will be paid to the way above-mentioned media deals with the disappearance of Natalee Holloway.The manifestation will be peaceful and the Parliament will be asked to do everything in their power to end this spate of negative reports.Chairman of Parliament Marlon Werleman will probably be present to officially receive the request.Interested parties are asked to come with Aruban flags. (via Amigoe.com)
