Dave Holloway; There May Be One Final Ocean Search for Natalee Holloway

According to Dave Holloway there may be one final ocean search to locate his missing daughter Natalee Holloway. It has been a year since Natalee went missing on Aruba and “Aruban authorities are no closer to cracking the case that has generated worldwide media attention and tarnished the island’s reputation than they were a year ago.”

A final search off the coast of the Dutch Caribbean island of Aruba could take place next month in the case of Natalee Holloway, the missing teenager’s father says.

The Clinton, Miss., native, was 18 when she disappeared in May 2005 during a graduation trip to the island with her Mountain Brook, Ala., high school classmates. She was last seen leaving a bar with three young men on May 30, 2005.

(Sun Herald)

However, no matter what the result Dave Holloway made it clear that “he will continue to push to find out what happened to Natalee.” As any parent of a missing child would do.

Amigoe: Holloway-case leaves its marks on the police-commissioners’ conference

One year after the disappearance of Natalee Holloway and they still do not get it. The ACCP, Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police, and have come to the determination that it is an issue to “emphasized the importance of the safety image.” NO, its not an image, it is supposed to be a reality.  

Portraying an image of a safe and secure island is exactly what has got Aruba in to the nightmare scenario they find themselves today. Honestly would be a first step. Competency in investigations would be another. Not protecting your own and providing a cover up would be a third.

It is absolutely unbelievable that almost one year after Natalee Holloway disappeared that these Caribbean islands are as clueless as they were prior to the Alabama teens disappearance. No one wants to hear or read about how safe and secure you are. TOURISTS want to see actions. Talk is cheap. Governor Fredis Refunjol made the following comment,

“People on vacation do not want to be concerned about what to expect around the next corner.”

Once again they have it wrong. People on vacation do not want to be lied to that there is no crime. They do not want to be lied to that guidelines, rules and laws of Caribbean islands are going to be enforced, except for the privileged few. Tourists do not want to spend their hard earned money and find out that if God forbid something happen like their child go missing that it will be botched or covered up. Tourists also do not want to vacation places where they are made to be the criminal and treated poorly when they are the victim. Why would anyone spend money to be treated like this?

ACCP, get a clue … or be prepared for even worse tourism numbers.

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Happy Memorial Day

On this Memorial Day please take time to remember the brave many men and women who have given their lives for our freedom. So many have and continue to make the ultimate sacrifice for us. Please do not ever forget.

Always remember, Freedom is never free.

We recently had the opportunity to meet some military soldiers from the 101st Airborne coming back from leave from Iraq. The sacrifices these “Screaming Eagles” make as well as all in our Armed Forces are beyond words. If you ever get the opportunity to have a conversation, one understands why these brave men and women volunteer for the job they do. At the very least, the next time you are in an airport and you see one of our brave members of the military, whether it be Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard or National Guard, just say “thank you”. You would be surprised how much it really means to them.

On this Memorial Day I remember my many uncles that have passed that were a part of the Greatest Generation who served in every theater during WWII. One of whom is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

God bless them all and thank you.

Bush to lay wreath at Arlington

WASHINGTON – As he observes Memorial Day today, President Bush is expected to say more sacrifices may be needed in Iraq. At Arlington National Cemetery, Bush will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Bush is also signing a bill this morning that bars protesters from some military funerals.

Update: This is a little off topic, but I do have a question. Why can Google.com change its graphic for Arthur Conan Doyles Birthday last week but not change it for Memorial Day?

Teddy Roosevelt Had it Right Way Back In 1907

Theodore Roosevelt’s ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907.

“ In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person’s becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American…There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn’t an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag… We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language… and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.”

Holland – Solve The Natalee Holloway Disappearance!

It looks like the Dutch are starting to recognize the inability of the Aruban’s to solve the Natalee Holloway disappearance. This article from AD.nl was kindly translated for  us by Zina and portrays what we have been saying since day 1, the Aruban police do not have the competence, tools, or motivation  to solve the crime.

As we come upon the 1 year anniversary of the  disappearance of Natalee Holloway, it is time for the Dutch to step in and help solve the crime.

Holloway Case: ‘Holland, intervene’

Amsterdam: Exactly a year after the disappearance of Natalee Holloway in Aruba, the investigation is stuck.

Criminal law experts and Natalee’s Mother only see one solution: Holland has to intervene.

Dutch detectives have to take control of the police team that on Aruba is investigating the disappearance of Natalee Holloway. This is argued by criminal law expert Peter van Koppen.

After a year the investigation of the disappearance of the American teenager is stuck. At least nine persons are accused of having kidnapped and murdered Natalee, more than 280 witnesses have been heard and there’s a file of over 40,000 pages. But what happened to Natalee in the early morning of may 30th 2005 on Aruba ? The investigators don’t know.

Criminal law experts and people involved have the impression that police and justice on Aruba are completely lost. It seems like the Arubans are capturing suspects randomly, says Van Koppen.

It would be wise if ‘a Dutch team takes over the case instead of having the Arubans dragging on the investigation. The current police team is apparently not able to distinguish ripe from green. A good Dutch team could manage it.

Lawyer Gerard Spong, who as lawyerr of the suspect Guido W. got to know the file agrees with Van Koppen. Spong calls the Aruban investigation amateurish. According to him the case is so complicated that a college of three judges should handle it. This is not possible in Aruba.

Also the mother of Natalee Holloway, Beth Twitty, hopes that Dutch detectives will eventually shed some light on the case. In an interview with the AD she calls the investigation on Aruba so far a mess.

Aruban lawyers notice that witnesses and suspects are continuously being called for questioning again. People who have been interrogated twenty times already, get sick of it. Several suspects refuse to even talk to the police anymore, according to a lawyer. Police and justice on Aruba refuse to comment.