Once Again, Its all about the Tourism. Its too bad it wasn’t about Natalee Holloway

It amazes me how the discussion of any investigation, searching or justice for Natalee Holloway has been changed to tourism and boycott. In an AM Digital article about “Now, more than ever, we must show the real face of Aruba“, just one mention of Natalee Holloway and no mention of why people feel offended enough to boycott. Only references of a safe island and to treat your guests and visitors with hospitality.

more than ever we must show our visitors, from wherever they are, that we indeed are a hospitable, friendly and always ready to help and assist.

These are the people that must continue to feel our warmth, and continue to feel that we are humble, simple, honest and friendly, and that we appreciate our visitors.

You mean you have to tell people to be friendly to tourists? We certainly understand the reason that Aruba wants no part of a boycott, but newspapers actually have to write articles to tell citizens of Aruba to act friendly to tourists no matter where they are from? That is almost incredible. You mean there are actually those that would not? An island in the Caribbean that depends approximately 70% on tourism and some how the people need to be reminded that more than ever Aruba needs to present a good face.

It is always quick to blame others rather than look at the investigation at hand in Aruba with the Natalee Holloway case. Why does anyone think that people from other countries are angered and outraged enough to potentially boycott Aruba? They did not just wake up one day and choose Aruba as the “boycott de jour”.

It is very normal that many, if not all, of us are feeling rage when we hear a number of people that do not know us; that have never been here; that do not know our legal system; or that are simply guided by speculative information; are trying to prevent tourists to continue visiting our island.

It is amazing to many that you are not angered by the individuals who have placed you in this position. Instead blame the people that are outraged over the treatment and the less than adequate investigation of a missing girl. I would really like to know who on Aruba would not be livid and lose their patience under the same circumstances? I would certainly feel the same way if this same situation happened to any of the people that I have met over the years in visiting Aruba.

Newspapers are usually critical of events that occur to bring light to them to try and cause reform. Newspaper and journalism is not just supposed to toe the party line. To those in Aruba I would ask the following questions because some pertain more to them than would be visitors to Aruba. If you do not believe the American media and Natalee’s family that the three suspects that were last seen with Natalee Holloway had anything to do with her disappearance, then how do you sit by and think its OK to be imprisoned for three months? Is it OK for people to be falsely imprisoned? How do you sit by and hear your deputy police chief state that he believes the three suspects had involvement in the disappearance of Natalee? I can remember back when Beth Twitty had to apologize to the Kalpoe’s for statements she made calling them criminals. A forced apology through public Aruba pressure that many have never forgotten. Why is it that Dompig does not have to do the same? He all but called the three guilty just not able to prove it. What is the difference?

Aruba claims to be a safe and “Happy Island” and that may be the case most of the time. However, it was not the case for Natalee Holloway. The fact that people think that it can just be pushed away as an isolated incident is offensive to many. Especially in the manner that it has been handled from the outset.

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Arlene Ellis Schipper discusses the Natalee Holloway case; “There is movement. There are—there’s 12,000 pages of documents that they have reviewed”

Last night on Rita Cosby’s ‘Live & Direct’ November 16, 2005; Arlene Ellis Schipper discussed the rampant rumors of Natalee Holloway and the “action” that is taking place in the investigation. I have always appreciated Arlene’s blunt and honest approach to answering questions. Talking with her personally she never sugar coated anything. However, I really must consider the source when she makes comments now regarding the Natalee Holloway investigation as she is a part of the Aruban Strategic Communication Task Force.

The cruel rumors spread over Aruba yesterday that Natalee was found alive in Mexico passed through the resort island with more believability than the fact that the last three individuals seen with Natalee actually had something to do with her disappearance. Which is truly sad as Arlene said the following:

Well, I’ve heard the rumor, as well. However, nothing has been confirmed.

Rumors like this spread because we eat, live and breathe this case. We take it so seriously, unlike people, for instance, who think that we take it—I’ve heard many allegation of, for instance, the governor of Alabama, to think, to say that we don’t take this seriously…

I’ve heard many allegation of, for instance, the governor of Alabama, to think, to say that we don’t take this seriously. I mean, there has hardly been a case in Aruba that has been taken this seriously. So that’s why these rumors are picked up because we hope so much for a resolution.

Here is where I begin to wonder why Arlene Ellis Schipper is interviewed by these shows anymore. I think at this point in the investigation, with all this time that has gone by, all the errors by the investigators where many wonder if they ever took it seriously comes Arlene’s comments. She is now a part of the Aruban Strategic Task Force who’s sole job is to save the tourism on Aruba at any cost. Arlene went from a lawyer and private Aruban citizen who gave legal comments on these shows to an advocate and lobbyist for Aruban tourism. How can anyone think that there is objectivity in the comments? If there isn’t then she is hardly doing her job for the Strategic Task Force.

The attitude of many including the Holloway and Twitty family at this point can best be described by Rita’s guest Vito Colucci.

Most of the seasoned investigators that have been on these programs have said from the beginning this has been a flawed investigation. There was a handful, when the three of them were released for that 10-day period, Rita, that said it was great police work. They were going to monitor them. Baloney! They’ve never done these types of cases. They don’t know how to do them, Rita. That’s the bottom line. And I don’t trust them, as number two. Very simple.

However, somehow we are to believe that the case goes forward and it is not window dressing for appearance sake looking into the teeth of a boycott as Arlene states:

Well, I can tell you, Rita, this investigation is very much alive, and it has been all this time. The adding of a few new members to the investigation team is not something new. It has been gone on quite—every time because every time, they’re adding fresh eyes to this investigation.

No, no. There is movement. There are—there’s 12,000 pages of documents that they have reviewed, and re-heard witnesses and checked out all the tips that they haven’t been able to check out yet because they have gotten so many anonymous tips.

So what have they been waiting for, Christmas? Looks that way. To hear Arlene one would think that the ALE is in over their head and do not have the resources to investigate this situation adequately. Just one more reason to ask for help from the outside, that they refused to do.

Also, the fact still remains … once trust is lost, it doesn’t matter what you do or what you say you are going to do. Maybe that’s the reason why everyone sees Dave Holloway’s comments and reactions these days. He lost his patience because he lost trust in the process.

The rest of the interview:

COSBY: And a rumor is spreading like wildfire on the island of Aruba tonight. People on the streets are buzzing about a rumor that Natalee Holloway may have been found alive and well.

On the phone with us tonight from Aruba is attorney Arlene Ellis Schipper. She’s a member of the island’s Strategic Communications Task Force. Arlene, what can you tell us about this rumor? What have you been hearing?

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Joseph P. Smith … GUILTY in the murder of Carlie Brucia

Carlie Brucia verdict has just been announced … Guilty on all charges … Jurors deciding fate of Joseph P. Smith, accused of kidnapping, raping and killing Carlie Brucia

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Natalee Holloway: Diario Gets it, Maybe Aruba May want to Listen to end the Boycott

For some reason there are those in Aruba that just don’t seem to get it with regards to those in the US that support or even contemplate the thought of a boycott. There is just cause for people to be upset over the way the Natalee Holloway case has been handled by Aruban authorities and still is to this day. Whether you believe a boycott is the answer or not is another story; however, one looks at this situation and ask a couple of questions. One, what frustration and lack of cooperation drove the family to consider a boycott? Especially Dave Holloway? Two, why did Aruban officials ever let it get to this point?

The second question may be partially answered by the reaction we continue to get from Aruban officials. One really does begin to wonder of the attitudes that existed toward the family and the help they received when we hear the following inflamatory comments from an ex-Aruban spokesperson:

The former government spokesperson declared on FOX News Channel (when he was interviewed) that there were truly errors made in Aruba at the beginning of the investigation into Natalee’s case, but that the US also took care of the war in Iraq incorrectly from the beginning!

To make such a juvenile statement and comparison really does show a lack of understanding and the fact that Aruban authorities were never able to handle a missing persons case and should have asked for FBI help immediately to solve the case. Diario is correct when they state in their article that all such talk accomplishes is adding fuel to the fire.

Well, this was fuel added to the fire of the American TV viewing public’s sentiments and the consequences of the preposterous declarations and statements of the former government spokesperson were to have more and more people in the US asking for a boycott of Aruba.

Appeals have been made to the public to put pressure on cruise ships to not come to Aruba. Until when will these macho acts continue from Aruba to result a total disaster for this island?

Let’s hope that this does not continue to occur as it serves no purpose whatsoever. Arubans have claimed that a boycott would be harmful to their island. How are such comments also not just as harmful? Beginning a new and competent investigation in the disappearance of Natalee Holloway with new investigators and prosecutors is hardly much to ask for in lieu of a boycott. It would seem a wiser move than adding “fuel to the fire”.

Read the translated version of the Diaro article:

From Diario, November 16, 2005: Den caso Natalee EX-VOCERO DI GOBIERNO A CREA MAS RABIA AINDA NA MERCA CONTRA ARUBA

In the case of Natalee Former government spokesperson creates even more anger against Aruba in the U.S.

ORANJESTAD (AAN) In the US, things are turning darker day after day for the country of Aruba, its image, and surely its tourism and financial future given the planned actions of the boycott.

It is more than logical that nobody wants to call themselves an Aruban or wants to beat their chest and say that they love this island and will defend it until the end, that they don’t want any manner of boycott against their island!

If everyone knows that in the US certain persons want to use the case of Natalee to create sensation, and while there isn’t a solution to the case, any declaration a little on the outrageous side on the part of Aruba, can end up adding fuel to the fire, then why are there in Aruba supposed heroes who believe that they can go confront them macho-style, who can do even more damage in the case of Natalee?

These are the questions that everyone who loves this island have to ask them because last Sunday again, unnecessary anger arose towards the American public who can see and hear via an American TV channel, how a former government spokesperson went to spin the case of Natalee by telling Americans that the war in Iraq was also something that Americans took care of in an incorrect way from the beginning.

What does the war in Iraq have to do with Aruba and how can this help us to solve the case of Natalee and surely avoid the boycott who will harm the whole island?

(The rest of the translation)

Joe Mammana Speaks Out; As Michelle Says So

Joe Mammana has his critics, he has his fans as well. Michelle over at Michelle Say So has done a nice article on the many lives that Joe has tried to help. Natalee Holloway is just one of the many that in his own way Joe Mammana has tried to aid. Some people find his non-PC way and honest talk refreshing while other seem to be intimidated.

In talking to Joe Mammana for the first time today one thing rang loud and clear. He is a many of focus, directions and perseverance. When he begins something, he does not end it until its conclusion. Joe stated today that he has already sent some of his people to Aruba and claims that they stayed at the Casa del Mar. Joe Mammana is a man of conviction and is upset that a US citizen could go missing on foreign soil and the investigation be as mishandled whether intentionally or not. Frankly many fall into the same category.

He got involved with the Natalee Holloway disappearance as he has with many. He was offended by the actions of others against an individual. His critics say that he has a past and for some reason paying for past crimes means nothing to them. None of us are perfect and Joe Mammana never claimed to be a choir boy. He has made mistakes, but what is he doing with his life now. The same thing that got him in trouble in the past? NO. For some reason Joe Mammana’s critics do not seem to care that he actually has done time for his crimes. Instead of focusing on the positive that Joe does by trying to aid families they just seem to focus on the past. Rather a sad commentary.

Joe Mammana is somehow guilty for helping families with missing children and adults. What a crime.

Joe M. Speaks Out Against His Critics Regarding His Missing Persons Crusade:

I am responding to the accusations that only missing white girls get the attention of the media, myself and help from missing person’s groups. This is absolutely false.

Read the full post on the many families that Joe Mammana has tried to help, which is a lot more than I can say about his many critics.