Natalee Holloway: Add Another To the Aruba Boycott List; Arkansas Gov. Huckabee says Yes

Aruba the Truth and the Aruban Strategic Communications Task Force once asked the question, Does Anybody Out There Think A Boycott Is A Good Idea?

The answer appears to be yes. This time Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee is supporting the Aruban boycott.

Governor Mike Huckabee announced Tuesday he is joining with Alabama Governor Bob Riley in requesting Arkansans consider avoiding travel to the Caribbean island of Aruba on behalf of the family of missing Alabama teen Natalee Holloway.

“I have received a letter from Governor Riley explaining the situation and requesting that I join him in urging this boycott, and I agreed,” said Huckabee. “Out of respect for the Holloway family, including several members who live here in Arkansas, and out of concern for the safety of our citizens, I believe the prudent course of action is to avoid travel to Aruba for the time being.”

(full story)

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Natalee Holloway Editorial; It’s not about the Politics, It’s about the Pressure

Aruban officials and the Aruban Strategic Task Force have been critical of the boycott called for by Alabama Governor Bob Riley. The Task Force has even gone so far as to say, Does Anybody Out There Think A Boycott Is A Good Idea? Although there have been several editorials stating that the boycott will have no effect which should be comforting to Aruba. However, it hardly seems the case by the reaction the boycott has received in Aruba. There are those that believe that a boycott won’t solve anything. There are some who feel differently. Some are of the opinion it is an individuals choice whether to go there or not.

The Decatur Daily initially had an editorial entitled ‘Boycotting Aruba won’t solve the Holloway case’ that was touted by Aruba the Truth for it’s anti-boycott stance.

From what we can see, Aruban officials have botched their investigation. Tragically, it appears unlikely that Natalee Holloway will ever be found. If a boycott would miraculously change that, we’d support it. But it won’t, and it certainly won’t promote cooperation between Americans and Arubans in continuing to pursue the case.

Every tourist is free, of course, to stay away from Aruba for this or any other reason. But the boycott strikes us as an empty and perhaps harmful gesture.

Suddenly the same newspaper two weeks later seemingly has a different take in their editorial pages, Keep pressure on Aruba to solve Holloway case. It has been stated by Aruban officials and The Strategic Task Force that Governor Bob Riley called for the boycott for political reasons. It is an interesting concept that it is OK for Aruba and a Strategic Task Force set up to protect Aruba and its tourism from what they claim are misrepresentations and falsehoods. However, it is not OK for the Governor of a State to protect his constituents in the same manner. To borrow a phrase, wouldn’t this be fair and balanced? The Editorial brings out some interesting points.

Governors of the other 49 states may not be as familiar with Natalee Holloway’s disappearance as Bob Riley, but they should not conclude he’s indulging in self-serving politics as he calls for a tourist boycott of Aruba.

Politics are hardly the case. He’s responding to and identifying with a parent’s cry for help.

At this point, asking American tourists to find another vacation spot in the southern Caribbean is about the only pressure the governor can bring against Aruban authorities.

Barring any official U.S. State Department action, the governor’s appeal to his peers will at least heighten public awareness that Aruba isn’t a Garden of Eden tucked away in the sun drenched Caribbean. (Full editorial)

Maybe this is what Aruban tourism officials do fear. An editorial opinion that went from there was no point to a boycott to what choice was there? In any event it would just seem so simple to alleviate the issue. Believe it or not this is still about a missing teenager, Natalee Holloway. Remember her?

It’s not about a boycott or a tape or tourism. It’s about a missing person and a life. One that by all accounts is gone. If one does their job to the utmost and the investigation is handled in a much more serious manner with less mistakes (mistakes that even Aruban officials have admit occurred); win, lose or draw it all goes away and everyone goes back to their lives. That does not mean window dressing, it means a real investigation.

Unfortunately, this case has turned into nothing more by many than a hate-fest. It is sad that there is almost a joyful glee by some that a tape may or may not have been manipulated. There is more energy put forth to promote that idea than there has been to honestly discuss why the case has deteriorated to at present. What happened to the questioning of the suspects that was said would occur over a month ago? Where does the case stand at this point? One would think that Natalee Holloway’s family has a right to know.

The Holloway’s and Twitty’s belong to a small fraternity of people that no one wants to be a member of. Many who have no emotional stake in this case have said that the family should just give up and walk away. Who is their right mind would honesty do such a thing if it was their child? What choice would you have as a parent but to “Keep pressure on Aruba to solve Holloway case“?

Finally After All This Time, Natalee Holloway on the FBI Missing Persons List

After nearly 6 months, Natalee Holloway is on The FBI Missing Person’s List.

I guess we are no longer going to be able to ask this question, Why is Natalee not on FBI’s Missing Persons List? Check out the answer we originally got when the question was asked.

DISAPPEARANCE OF NATALEE ANN HOLLOWAY

The FBI is seeking information regarding Natalee Ann Holloway who disappeared on May 30, 2005, while she was in Aruba on a senior class trip. Holloway traveled with Mountain Brook, Alabama High School seniors and chaperones to Aruba on May 26, 2005. Reportedly, on the evening of May 29, 2005, Holloway and a large group of students went to Carlos ‘N Charlie’s Nightclub in Oranjestad, Aruba. When Carlos ‘N Charlie’s was closing around 1:00 a.m., some of the group headed back to the Holiday Inn where they were staying, and others in the group gathered at various area bars. Holloway was last seen around 1:30 a.m. leaving the area in a silver Honda with three young males, Joran van der Sloot, Deepak Kalpoe, and Satish Kalpoe. Holloway did not return to her hotel room, and her personal belongings remained in her room. On the morning of May 30, 2005, when the Mountain Brook group was scheduled to meet in the lobby of the hotel in preparation for their departure from Aruba, Holloway never joined them. The Mountain Brook group returned to the United States, however Holloway’s whereabouts remain unknown.

Make what you want of the developments. Seems rather peculiar that after nearly six months this would occur. Is there a change in how the FBI will handle this disappearance? Only time will tell.

Hat Tip: Ozziesmom & bleachedblack

Beth Twitty’s Real Reaction to the Dr. Phil Tapes

Over at Aruba the Truth they are stating the following as being Beth Twitty’s reaction to the announcement of the Dr. Phil tapes:

The Reaction Of Beth Twitty

It was clear that the family had the same dismay as investigators when the tape review was completed.

Beth admitted that it was possible, without her knowledge, that the tape was altered or improperly edited.

I am not quite sure where Aruba the Truth is getting this comment from as they did not bother to source or link to any transcript where it was said. Details, details.

These were the comments by Beth Twitty from FOX, 11-23-05, Geraldo, At Large w/Geraldo Rivera — Wednesday

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