Greta Van Susteren Answers Criticism About Natalee Holloway Shows. Why?

Greta Van Susteren, I am not sure why we would even have to say this to you … but why would you feel the need to answer criticism about your show and the coverage of Natalee Holloway? Who would complain about your coverage of Natalee Holloway, a missing teenager in Aruba, who symbolically represents all teenage girls who go on vacations and think they are safe and immune to real life dangers that exist in overstated safe island paradises.

Let us just say there is a big difference between criticism of one’s opinions and criticism of one’s content. One you have a right to, the other you do not.

I agree with Greta’s answer when it comes to those who wish to tell you what is important and what you should do and write on. The blogosphere is not all that much different from TV in that respect. Whether it be remote, key board or mouse; they are one in the same.

“They should take out the remote control if they don’t like it,” says the attorney-cum-broadcasting star with characteristic directness.

One wonders why people would criticize Greta for her coverage of Natalee Holloway. Is it the competition who fell to a distant second, or those that just feel the need to think they know more than a successful broadcaster? The make-up of Greta’s show would be a natural to cover such a story.

“On Natalee Holloway, we worked hard and fast in the beginning and we had all the sources and contacts — and being aggressive enables us to get the jump on other people.” (National Ledger)

For the most part Greta Van Susteren walked a fine balance between reporting, fact gathering, exclusives and ratings. That is what boosted her show, “On The Record” ahead of The O’Reilly Factor last summer. On The Record was must see TV for those that wanted information on the Natalee Holloway case. However, I will say she made a tactical error when she had the opportunity to interview Joran Van der Sloot, (interview 2 or 3) that cost her in the eyes of many. Not holding Joran’s feet, or sneakers as the case may be, to the fire was one. The other was stating “she was inclined to believe him“. It hardly seem possible especially coming from an attorney who was privy to so much inside information in the case due to her special relationship with Beth Twitty. Maybe it was just said in hopes of getting interview II?

 For those who wish to criticize Greta for her coverage of Natalee Holloway miss the big picture. Yes, I know this is a new flash to all you college journalism majors, but the media is about ratings. The media is not about altruistic stories that win Pulitzers. You will learn that when you graduate. That being said, the media is about ratings. What the media learned is that missing persons gather ratings. 

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Tour de France winner Floyd Landis denies Doping, This is going to get Ugly

Yesterday Tour de France winner Floyd Landis denied taking any performance-enhancing drugs during the race and said he would fight to clear his name.

“I don’t know what the explanation for it is, whether it was a mistake or whether it’s an occurrence from some other circumstances that go on in the race or something I did,” he told reporters in a teleconference call.

“But it was not from an exogenous outside source of testosterone.”

When asked by reporters if he had taken any banned substances to boost his performance during the race, Landis replied: “No”.

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Local Boy Does Good … Gateway Pundit Featured by ST Media

There is not a day that goes by that I do not check out the GateWay Pundit for international and political news. However, the Gateway Pundit is not just another blog, the Gateway Pundit is Jim Hoft and a friend. Scared Monkeys met up with Jim for the first time last summer at Blog Nashville and struck up a nice friendship. The hard work that the Gateway Pundit does is respected and appreciated by many, present company included. Â  

I would recommend that everyone check out his site. Whether one agrees with him politically makes no difference. His coverage of international affairs and sources are among the best on the web.

Great job Gateway … BTW … I thought we were one of your Blog heroes? You know we love ya. Â  

Aruban Investigation: Paulus Van der Sloot Pulling in the Favors

Paulus Van der Sloot and the never ending Favors.

(Hat Tip: Klaas, click on picture to enlarge)

When one has friends in high places, favors are not only a premium, they are a necessity. One never knows when they will need to call in their mark. After all is said and done, Paulus Van der Sloot awaits the judges decision in his civil law suit against Aruba for false imprisonment. A law suit where not only Paulus stands to gain financially, but his son Joran as well who is still a suspect the last time I looked.

Let us remember back to the 48 Hours – CBS – Saturday, 3/25/2006, interview with Gerold Dompig.  Dompig accuses the elder Van der Sloot of being knowing more and being involved.

Dompig says he believes Paulus van der Sloot does know more than he has been telling about the circumstances surrounding Holloway’s disappearance.

The exact quote from the interview was as follows:

Troy Roberts (CBS): Do you believe Paulus Van Der Sloot knows more than he has been telling?
Gerold Dompig: Yes I Do…

Not only is a suspect in Joran Van der Sloot somehow given the right by a judge to receive monies for damages, but also Paulus was given the right to sue when the chief of police thinks he is complicit in the crime.

Paulus, its good to know people in high places isn’t it?

Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act Signed into Law

Today President George W. Bush signed into law “The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act” or H.R. 4472. This ground breaking legislation in the protection of children and against sexual predators is a long time in coming. Child rights advocates have called this bill the  most sweeping sex offender legislation to target pedophiles in years. Kudos to John Walsh who has been the pioneer and driving force for child safety for years.

Read the full story and get the changes that this law will enact at Missing & Exploited.