Oduber in New Year’s speech: ‘More tolerance in 2007′ (More Head in the Sand from Aruban PM)

 

In Prime Ministers Nelson Oduber’s New Year’s speech he claimed 2006 was a Chart down 1productive year. For who? Have you taken a look at your economic numbers lately PM Oduber,  HereHere …. Here … Here … Here … Here.  Let alone inflation rates rising in Aruba, budget cuts, no legislation to control corruption and an inaccurately reported crime rate. What a joke. Unfortunately for the Aruban people, its being played on them as well.

Do you understand that Aruba has become synonymous with Missing Persons, Natalee Holloway and Cover up and corruption? No tourism marking plan will change that until you put worth a sincere effort to find real answers as to what happened to Natalee Holloway and prosecute those responsible.

That’s it, in a time where the rest of the Caribbean is enjoying prosperous growth in tourism and reaping the rewards of those economic windfall, keep your head in the sandy white beaches of Aruba. Hotel occupancy rates were up in nearby Curacao; however, not in Aruba. Keep spinning to your people that everything is okay. I think we can all remember another individual who disputed the facts over and over as well.

Baghdad bob

“2006 was a very productive year”, said Oduber.  He said that his government is a ‘trendsetter’ and he complemented the private sector that according to him, had done everything to contribute to the economic development of Aruba in a positive and constructive manner.

Aruban Prime Minister Nelson Oduber would dare ask for “solidarity, understanding, and toleration.” Interesting words coming from a man who’s MEP Party stated the following democratic and tolerant comments regarding summoning militants. These certainly sound like the words of a party that has the mission of “can’t we all get along”.

“If and when it comes to demonstrations and strikes, MEP will summon its militants to turn the tide and protect democracy and the constitutional state.”

MEP says that they are totally aware of AVP’s strategy and also which entrepreneurs are involved. “Do not confuse our kindness and toleration with weakness, because we warn the population that it will work out differently this time.”

Here is the cherry on the top of the ice cream, the icing on the cake. PM Oduber concludes Head_in_sandhis speech with the following line. Pardon me Mr. Prime Minister … isn’t the “safe” part the reason why you and Aruba find yourself in the predicament you do? The perception that people will not be safe and that “YOU” failed to protect a tourist on your island and you “FAILED” to provide any form of adequate answers for Natalee’e family. Keep living in a world of “denial” and things will only remain the same or become worse.

He concluded his speech by wishing everybody a happy, healthy, peaceful, and safe 2007.

Just admit it and ask yourself, “where’s Natalee?” Everybody else is. Admitting your problem is the first step in dealing with them.

Vanderbilt_mention

(Vanderbilt – ‘06)

Read the full story at Amigoe, January 4, 2007: Oduber in New Year’s speech: ‘More tolerance in 2007’ 

 According to Prime Minister Nelson Oduber, 2006 was ‘a productive year’.

ORANJESTAD – Prime Minister Nelson Oduber (MEP) said in his new year’s speech that ‘all citizens of Aruba’ are responsible for themselves, for their family and for their country.  He wished that in 2007, everybody treats each other with more solidarity, understanding, and toleration.   

“2006 was a very productive year”, said Oduber.  He said that his government is a ‘trendsetter’ and he complemented the private sector that according to him, had done everything to contribute to the economic development of Aruba in a positive and constructive manner.

He quoted a few events in 2006, like the celebration of 20 years Status Aparte and 30 years Flag and National Anthem.  These are historic facts that make us realize how Aruba has developed herself in the past decade.  He also said that it was an honour having welcomed Queen Beatrix to Aruba.  He also mentioned the meeting with the Dutch government and the agreements between the two countries to work together on the immigration policy, the finances, and Justice. 

FINANCE

He also quoted the bbo that by now is in effect.  He considers it a historic moment.  The oil refinery that is also going to contribute, the income- and profit tax that is lowered starting this January 1st, the minimum wage that is increased from 1360 to 1460 florins.  The idea is to have a balanced budget in 2009; the national debt is then reduced from 46 to 40 percent, and the interest on income from 11 to 6 percent. 

BUILDINGS

He mentioned the new buildings that were completed and opened in 2006:  the sport complex Frans Figaroa in Noord, the luxurious building of the Aruba General Pension fund in Seroe Blanco, the new Jaburibari sport park, the expansion of the St. Michael Pavilion, the new bus stations that will be opened in 2007 in Oranjestad and San Nicolas, the renovations, investments and expansion of a few big hotels, like Westin, Riu, Allegro, Divi, Holiday Inn and Renaissance, the renovation of the old library in the Winhelminastraat and the buildings Huisje Wild and Ecury in the Schelpstraat.  He mentioned the arrival of airline companies Jet Blue and Martinair and the Fitch Ratings that rated Aruba as financially stable in 2006.     

Oduber said that the negativism of the opposition in 2006 is an attempt to destabilize the country.  He is of the opinion that the social partners and the unions showed little respect by trying to immobilize the country and stop economic development.  Also the media tried to harm the government by providing their readers, listeners, and viewers with negative information.  He hopes that all the negative statements towards his government will cease in 2007. 

He concluded his speech by wishing everybody a happy, healthy, peaceful, and safe 2007.   
 



If you liked this post, you may also like these:

  • Aruba: One Sad Island
  • Rudy Croes: Holloway case Has Caused enormous Damage to the Tourism Economy of Aruba
  • Did you Read About the Following Today?
  • Aruba: Hypocrites … MEP & Oduber call for Call for Boycott of Diario
  • “Aruba does not want Independence; We cannot handle that”




  • Comments

    96 Responses to “Oduber in New Year’s speech: ‘More tolerance in 2007′ (More Head in the Sand from Aruban PM)”

    1. Rumba Aruba on January 4th, 2007 11:58 am

      All this discussion about Aruban politics and politicians by some American monkeys is as ridiculous as a Venezuelan president discussing American politics… (remember Bush is Devil comment from Hugo Chavez ???)

      I would think that some Americans would agree with me that local politics should be let for the people that live in their own country….

    2. SUPER DAVE on January 4th, 2007 12:02 pm

      REMINDS ME OF FIDEL CASTRO.

    3. Rumba Aruba on January 4th, 2007 12:03 pm

      ALso this whole article is one more of the one-sided, biased and negative own interpretation of the writer…Nothing else…

      The same circular thinking for local consumption over and over again….It’s getting boring….

      _________

      SM: Do you want to crackers and cheese to go a long with that “whine”?

      Just go to the Central Bank of Aruba’s website and see the cold hard numbers … drink some more Kool-Aid while you are at it. Denial is a terrible thing.

      R

    4. Miss-Underestimated on January 4th, 2007 12:11 pm

      Super Dave

      I thought the same thing

      Ewww Militants?????

      Rumba …No work today?

    5. JusticeforNatalee on January 4th, 2007 12:17 pm

      What happened to NATALEE, Oranjestad Oduber?

      When are the perps going to JAIL?

      JUSTICE FOR NATALEE
      BOYCOTT ARUBA

    6. Rumba Aruba on January 4th, 2007 12:17 pm

      What I really admire though of this website is the constant negativity that the bloggers can sustain day after day…It’s mind boggling… I couldn’t ever sustain it…

      Normal people can definitely be positive too….Not this website…

      :-(

    7. JusticeforNatalee on January 4th, 2007 12:30 pm

      Fighting for justice is a positive thing to do.

      Keep fighting the good fight for Natalee Holloway.

      Ignore Rumba Wrongo Aruba

    8. Miss-Underestimated on January 4th, 2007 12:36 pm
    9. Molly on January 4th, 2007 12:39 pm

      Justice for Natalee

      Not giving up.

      molly (in Houston)

    10. Rumba Aruba on January 4th, 2007 12:39 pm

      JusticeforNatalee:

      You are one of the few positive people I have seen on this Blog…

      Keep it up !!! And don’t let the HATE of the other monkeys consume you….

    11. Mere on January 4th, 2007 12:41 pm

      #1, #3, #6…..So you think that local politics should be left to the locals…but you want the rest of the world to come visit and leave their money with you….that gives you a huge responsibility in taking care of those people….no tourist is going to visit an island where tourists disappear or are killed while on “vacation”. Normal people are positive…I am positive that I will not visit Aruba.

    12. vicki on January 4th, 2007 12:41 pm

      I see kelmal is back or its clone…hahahha how sad that some ppl on LIERUBA believe anything that they are told. Can you imagine living with those blinders on….Crazy

      ____________

      SM:   Nope, not Kelmal or a clone.   Probably someone employed by AHATA that has been given SM Blog duty for the day (klaasend)

    13. Molly on January 4th, 2007 12:43 pm

      More tolerance of what, Obby? Drugs, rape, missing people, lies? Oh sure, tolerance is the answer. Let Aruba do anything it stink’ well pleases. NOT

      “No sugar tonight, no coffee
      No sugar tonight, no tea.”
      And no bread for thee.

      Tolerate that, Obby.

      molly (in Houston)

    14. Rumba Aruba on January 4th, 2007 1:00 pm

      Klaasend:

      At least I am not getting funded by a Bogus foundation for living “la vida loca”…(International Safe Travels Foundation)…

      She should be teaching teenagers about the dangers of drinking and doing drugs….and going with strangers….NOT SMART !!!

      __________________

      SM:   Nobody at SM is getting paid to do anything by anyone.   Natalee was an adult and of legal drinking and gambling age.   How was anyone to know that the young men in Aruba make a game out of targeting tourist girls.   How was anyone to know that Aruba doesn’t abide by it’s own laws?   It was illegal for Joran to be gambling in the casino.   It was illegal for Joran to be drinking in Carlos n Charlies.   In my opinion, if Natalee had not met up with Joran she’d still be with us.  

      Let’s face it.   You  wouldn’t be posting on this blog at all if AHATA wasn’t worried.  (klaasend)  

       

    15. vicki on January 4th, 2007 1:05 pm

      #12-SM- sure did sound like that wacko, but how funny is that getting paid to try and derail a blog????hahahahahaha
      try not to get to dizzy with all that spinning.

    16. Minnesota Dad on January 4th, 2007 1:08 pm

      Yep, the AHATA shills are back.

      Rumba….it is not negative to point out that Aruban Law Enforcement and Justice Departments have gone out of their way to cover-up for the perpetrator….Paulus Van Der Sloot.

      Why no timeline for Paulus??? Despite him being arrested and jailed!

      Why no search of his home??? Despite a search warrant asking for a complete search of his property!

      Why discount the blood soaked mattress and discard the evidence??? Despite sending blood evidence to Holland only for it to be called cleaning fluid!

      Why releasing him as a suspect??? Despite not releasing any of the other key perps.

      Why giving him $30k for his arrest??? Despite the criminal investigation not being completed.

      The reason people continue to come here is that we know what happened, who did it, and the depth of the corruption hiding this from being solved.

      This most certainly is not being ‘negative’. It is about getting justice done and continuing to put the spotlight on Aruba and harm their tourism $$$ until they come clean on their crimes.

      START WITH VOIDING ALL JUDGEMENTS MADE TO PROTECT AND INSULATE PAULUS FROM HIS CRIMES. The heads will roll quickly after this is done.

      Board up your shops Rumba Aruba….we ain’t comin! md

    17. JusticeforNatalee on January 4th, 2007 1:19 pm

      Oranjestad Oduber:

      You need to be more INTOLERANT of:

      Local men drugging and raping tourist women

      Corruption in ALE

      Crimes against Natalee Holloway and other young women

      Murder on your island

      Perps walking around free

    18. driving miss daisy on January 4th, 2007 1:21 pm

      Americans and negativity, huh? Yes, I agree it is a very negative. We Americans perceive our Caribbean neighbors to be committing social and economic suicide and we see the impact it is making not only on their economy but their society and what we see is not good.

    19. Scared Monkeys on January 4th, 2007 1:30 pm

      #14 Rumba … Maybe you would like to buy a vowel? Cuz you certainly don’t have a clue.

      Just like all Kool-Aid drinkers you bring up being paid by the family. You are not only a joke, but a fool.

      SM can claim it is independent of all family influence no matter what missing persons story we do or cover.

      With all the people that have submitted stories to tabloids, news shows, etc … SM has never done so, nor ever taken a dime from a family.

      To bad you probably can’t say the same about receiving florins for your efforts.

      R

    20. robots on January 4th, 2007 1:39 pm

      aruba blows

    21. windy city on January 4th, 2007 1:44 pm

      The AHATA must be running low on funds. The best they could do is Rumba?

    22. Rumba Aruba on January 4th, 2007 1:48 pm

      Klaasend:

      It’s just a hobby of mine posting at websites which are biased and one-sided full of gibberish…

      ;-)

      ____________

      SM: “Gibberish” (definition) see #1, 3, 6, 10, 14, 22 …

      Rumba Aruba must be a pretty busy person seeing that 99% of the 30 million+  blogs out their are opinion driven by the site owners. Where do you find the time to grace us with your presence?

      Red

    23. Miss-Underestimated on January 4th, 2007 1:50 pm

      Why does Aruba entice young people to drink on their island, its all about the money. Allowing the judges underaged son to partake in drinking, gambling and Lord knows what else.

      Aruba should have a orientation before tourists are off the plane, of the dangers of Aruba.

      But you empty beaches tell us the word is already out.

      Say Hi to Arlene or better yet she can come here and tell us how we just don’t understand, and Natalee just kinda VANISHED.

    24. Roy on January 4th, 2007 1:52 pm

      Tell it Dad….Then the fella (PVDS) has the gumption to hide his skeleton in someone else’s closet (rocks)… stroke of genious or what? Then OD1 goes from “No one is above the law” to “It is not in Aruba’s interest”… Van Der Stratten turns the reign back over to Dompig and tells him, “Solve it now dumb a**!” And everyone’s favorite Uncle stumbles over an appropriate explanation to explain dem dar rocks….
      If Carpe is right about the pic’s at the rocks and there does appear to be another body thar….then who’s closet we looking in. Satish’s maybe….. Based on interpretations of the Police recording argument, I forgot, Were we looking for Natalee or some girl that Satish struck with his car? These boys were threatening one another in my estimation with what they knew to have been discovered, then bowed to the cover-up and played the “If” game. Was this the external pressure applied to Deepak to get him to cooperate. Damn, the boy would be getting it from 3 sides….. Iffn this be anywhere close, this would also finally give me an understanding of the culvert video. Just some random thoughts!

    25. dennisintn on January 4th, 2007 1:56 pm

      #l, the biggest problem aruba has today is that americans are letting aruban locals handle their own politics, and are staying at home or going elsewhere because they don’t like the way your local politics are handled. more and more potential tourists are deciding every day that they don’t like the way aruba runs it’s own politics, and are staying away. none of us like the way victims and their families are treated. the new aruba slogan should be “the victim tourist is responsible for what we do to him/her, they should have expected it”. aruba can’t even keep their own “privileged” perverts, drug peddlers, and burglars out of the hotels, much less protect people on the beaches and streets. taking women and youngsters to aruba is the same as letting them stick their hands into holes you just saw a rattlesnake crawl into.
      dennisintn

    26. Miss-Underestimated on January 4th, 2007 1:56 pm

      Gibberish…..Oh Anita….

    27. dennisintn on January 4th, 2007 2:02 pm

      #l, since you’re so well acquainted with aruba, what’s the latest on the l6 yr. old aruban girl who was gang-raped last summer? is she still having to attend school off the island because of safety and privacy reasons? did the rapists who took the cellphone pics and transmitted them to their friends still unprosecuted? have the pics shown up on the internet yet? did a.l.e. ever figure out how to make the rapists delete the pics from all the cellphones that got them, or are they treating this poor girl’s tragedy like everything else? ignore it, and it will go away? and what was learned from this crime? here it is in a nutshell: crimes against women are o.k. never admit the truth and we’ll make the crime disappear.
      dennisintn

    28. dennisintn on January 4th, 2007 2:14 pm

      sm, according to a tourist who was just on aruba, the airport worker they talked to said the official govt. word to them was that natalee had run away with her lover and they were living happily together in the cayman islands. the l4 yr. old boy who disappeared a few years ago was all an insurance scam by his mother, and they are living it up in mexico. the picture of baghdad bob is very appropriate here, i really miss him and aruba steve’s wonderfully intelligent and honest opinions of their respective situations. one was about as honest as the other. rumba aruba’s mother would be very upset and disappointed if she knew what he/she/it was doing for a living.
      dennisintn

    29. Miss-Underestimated on January 4th, 2007 2:22 pm

      LOL
      Rumba, the last post on your Aruba site was 12/20/06. visitors ususally post
      1. If they are on your island.
      2. If they had a good time.

      I don’t see that….

      LOL, were are the visitors?

      Rumba, go knock down a few and kick with your buddies at CnC’s and the tourist will show up, this happens all the time. Go ask your infamous ALE.

      JUSTICE FOR NATALEE HOLLOWAY

    30. vicki on January 4th, 2007 3:13 pm

      29 MISS U you make me crack up laughing. If it wasnt such a tragic situation, you could really appriciate some of these diehards from SATANS ISLAND.

    31. Miss-Underestimated on January 4th, 2007 3:24 pm

      Vicki,

      Just so everyone knows I do not find humour in what happened to Natalee Holloway or what her entire family has been put thru on SATANS ISLAND.

      What I do find humourous is the idiotic things these posters say and do, they mistake us for the likes of them (idiots)

      Have you ever seen a group of people who come and try to defy what is written proof?
      It’s like you kid coming to you and sayin “oh that’s not a F on my report card, the teacher meant to put a A”

      The humour is seeing all these creeps back pedaling and spinning, to me it’s like whada they gonna come up with next, you can almost predict.

      IT AIN’T WORKING ARUBA…..A PIG IS A PIG.
      YOU’LL HAVE TO EAT YOUR PORK SANDWICH WITHOUT THE BREAD.

    32. Carpe Noctem on January 4th, 2007 3:37 pm

      Hey Rumba…

      Long time, No C!

      Howzabout you whip out your false teeth,
      stick em down in your gramma brassiere,
      and go slingshot your neighborhood possum
      in the a$$ with em. LOL

      BE GONE WITH YOU,
      youuu parsimonous
      ole buzzard. -J4N

      http://tinyurl.com/ygq79p

      http://tinyurl.com/ydn375

    33. Miss-Underestimated on January 4th, 2007 3:54 pm

      You know who’s bra would make a hell of slingshot….

    34. Scared Monkeys on January 4th, 2007 3:56 pm

      Looks like Rumba drew the short straw at the AHATA Holiday party and got Scared Monkeys posting detail for the New Years vacation period.

      Come on you can do better than the same old tired argument.

      AHATA employees moonlighting as seminar commenters as full time tourism job has been cut by 38%. :)

      R

    35. Miss-Underestimated on January 4th, 2007 3:59 pm

      LOL Red,

      I wonder if Rumba is getting HOLIDAY PAY.
      Rumba prolly is posting and helping Dompig keep track of ships/boats that won’t come to Aruba.

    36. Richard on January 4th, 2007 4:38 pm

      Don’t know why Rhumba (dance on, brother!) is complaining about the negativism on this forum. Who’s negative?

      We’re positive, in that we know what we want from Aruba:

      1. The truth in what happened to Natalee Holloway.
      2. The return of Natalee Holloway to her loving family … alive if at all possible, or, if not, her remains.
      3. Justice for Natalee Holloway in the sense of an investigation, arrests, trials, and punishment for anyone complicit in her disappearance, anyone who harmed her or allowed her to be harmed, or who knew about harmful actions against her and failed to disclose them to authorities.

      Nobody appointed me spokesman, but I think that’s a fair statement of what we here want. Very positive indeed!

      And what else? Oh, yes … UNTIL WE GET THESE, WE WANT A BOYCOTT OF ARUBA. NOBODY SHOULD RISK THEIR LIFE THERE.

      To further that goal, here’s an e-mail I just sent to Kryssa@yahoo-inc.com after I saw yet another repulsive travel ad for Aruba in that box near the bulk mail:

      I wish to protest, in the strongest terms possible, your willingness to accept travel advertisements that try to lure people to Aruba. I saw another such ad today.

      The government of Aruba has consistently obstructed the family of Natalee Holloway from finding answers to the disappearance of their daughter there on May 30, 2005. No sane person at this time can believe that Aruba is not conducting a cover-up to protect certain individuals of its own. Those people who have followed the case are aware that Aruba fails to disclose the true extent of its crime rate and covers up many other assaults on tourists.

      If anyone chooses to doubt the existence of such a conspiracy among elements of Aruba’s government and law enforcement, then that person must conclude that the ineptitude of these same organizations in this matter is so sweeping as to make travel there a matter of incalculable risk.

      Might I suggest that your company take the moral stance of informing Aruba that you will not accept any more travel ads that bear its name until and unless that nation provides answers in the Natalee Holloway case and punishes anyone involved in her disappearance.
      I also would hope that you will enforce this position with your other advertisers.

      As Coriolanus said, “There is a world elsewhere.” I cannot imagine that you need to allow a failing criminal government to draw new victims through the medium of your advertisements.

      Any problems with this, Rhumba?

    37. JusticeforNatalee on January 4th, 2007 4:39 pm

      LOL #33

    38. Richard on January 4th, 2007 4:43 pm

      By the way, Rhumba (dance on, brother!), don’t expect too much from your refinery. So far this week, the price of oil has been plunging on the international markets, and today the weekly statistics on oil and oil derivatives (that is, products which are based on or derived from oil) showed that supplies of gasoline on hand in the U.S. are much higher than were expected.

      Go check the stock price of Valero (VLO). Read it and weep.

      More bad news for Aruba, if present trends continue.

      Couldn’t think of another place where I’d rather see bad things happen, either. They say that what goes around, comes around … and ever since May 30, 2005, the Aruban government has set your little tropical paradise up for one big fall. Nope, it’s not me rubbing your nose in the sand … it’s the Dutchies, laughing as they go back home to let YOU bear the consequences.

    39. knievel on January 4th, 2007 5:14 pm

      Rumba kind of has a point.I do notice it is the same folks over and over on this board(ms underst,dennis,mndad,justice4nat,etc)From what I can gather, the tourist are there in full flock right now.They are building condos by carlosn charlies and some new hotels in palm beach.I think its almost 2 years since this happened and the outrage is starting to fade.people forget and after 5 years not many people will remember let alone support the “boycott”…I doubt any of those people would have gone there anyways.I think Myrtle Beach and Gulfshores is more your pace.I do want to check out that new riu rumba was mentioning……

    40. Leo on January 4th, 2007 5:19 pm

      Folks,

      You might as well give it a rest. As long as the U.S. government refuses to become involved Aruba is not going to solve this crime. As far as the elites on Aruba are concerned the whole island can sink into the sea as long as Joran is not inconvenienced in any way. Besides, if tourism is dead Aruba can always fall back on its second industry, i.e. the illicit drug trade. Drug king-pins don’t care about Natalee – they’ll do business anywhere.

    41. semmonitean on January 4th, 2007 5:27 pm

      Hey Richard,

      I would not expect those oil to plunge much longer.with the situation in iraq not getting any better i expect oil to start rising again in the summer

    42. SUPER DAVE on January 4th, 2007 5:45 pm

      rumba aruba: it’s well known that the weak minded are not able to retain even elementary details .the mission is to help the victim (Natalee Holloway) and not to support your criminals as you evidently are trying to do. the tourism board must be getting nervous as to pay trolls like you to
      dirty things up.

    43. SUPER DAVE on January 4th, 2007 5:50 pm

      knievel: go jump a bike over aruba and break your neck please! gulf shores is beautiful and haven’t seen a pervert there yet. but you have a whole island full of them on aruba don’t you?

    44. dennisintn on January 4th, 2007 6:09 pm

      #36, richard, i think you covered the subject perfectly. thank you sir.
      dennisintn

    45. Carpe Noctem on January 4th, 2007 6:30 pm

      Miss U. You know who’s bra would make a hell of slingshot….

      Comment by Miss-Underestimated | January 4, 2007, 3:54 pm
      ———–

      :lol: :lol: :lol:

      Bra-niiiiiita’s ?!?

    46. Carpe Noctem on January 4th, 2007 6:36 pm

      On second thought:

      Anita’s would be more like
      an old trebuchet/catapult.

      Why… I bet you one of her righteous
      cups could hurl out a watermelon approximately
      three football fields!

      INCOMINGGGGGGGGGGGG

    47. ayfit on January 4th, 2007 6:41 pm

      JQK:
      waiting.

    48. Allan K on January 4th, 2007 6:56 pm

      Explained the boycott to him. He is planning his trip to Aruba. Here is his answer and his justice.

      I live in New York City. If I boycotted places Americans were killed, it would make for a very small world, not to mention my own neighborhood. Clearly, I (and all the other tourists here) reject any such boycott.

      By your reasoning, much of the world might wonder why only white children and teens who are killed or exploited seem to garner any attention from the American public.
      Are you not aware of Aruba boycott? Did you not know an American girl was killed there and cover-up ensued to protect their tourism.

      Alex

      His job-Alex is a social architect, interested in ways of helping form a culture of creativity, freedom, and JUSTICE. He helps organizations and businesses use social computing and communications-including blogs and wikis-to better reach their objectives.

    49. JusticeforNatalee on January 4th, 2007 7:11 pm

      Ayfit,

      My guess is that JQK is waiting for a response to the lawsuit.

    50. JusticeforNatalee on January 4th, 2007 7:15 pm

      Folks who come here and try to discourage us:

      Why don’t YOU give it a rest!

      We are immune to what you have to say. We have heard it before and the trolls have been proven wrong.

      We were told De Vries would never be interested in Natalee’s case. But then he ended up taking on the case and blowing it wide open.

      So go waste your time elsewhere. We are standing by Natalee.

    51. Minnesota Dad on January 4th, 2007 7:18 pm

      Yep, Knievel…..

      Folks are just flocking to the beach:
      http://www.bucuticam.com/index.html
      bucuti web cam

      Go back to giving away free trips with Kelly and Regis…It appears the faking of ‘We are doing just great!’ line isn’t working.

      md

    52. Minnesota Dad on January 4th, 2007 7:20 pm

      This is too funny….

      Last week was prime tourist time in Aruba. Check out the ArubaCam photo for the day:

      http://tinyurl.com/wpc78

      Yep, tourism is going great!!! md

    53. ayfit on January 4th, 2007 7:33 pm

      Justice you are relentless,I would say that you are right. I get impatient.I’m afraid,with the system in place in Aruba,we will never get the answers we so desperately want.It will prove to be impossible to penetrate the corruptness in Aruba.Sad but true.Beth deserves peace,I continue to pray for her.Someone knows what happened to Natalee,hopefully this will eat them up until they come foward.Even then, in Aruba,nothing will be done about it.Sad but true.

    54. Tibrogargan on January 4th, 2007 8:06 pm

      The trolls and knockers are out early this year. #46 – my husband’s comment on earlier photos of this spectacle was “boulder holders”. According to the locals even the beachcams lie on Aruba. My suggestion for their new flag ~ an ostrich with its head in the sand/rubble and the caption : All people lie. 2007 means answers for Natalee’s family. God bless and comfort them.
      Hi Klaasend – have sent you an email titled Page problem (you may not recognise the name) Cheers

    55. Tibrogargan on January 4th, 2007 8:08 pm

      That was quick – just went to main item and see the ostrich is already there. No need to improve on the artwork just attach to their flag LOL

    56. IndyDan on January 4th, 2007 8:26 pm

      Leo #40 – except for the ‘give it a rest part’, sadly I agree with your message. The Dutch that run the island don’t care, tourism doesn’t float their boat and the Gov’t doesn’t have a trump card to rein them in.
      So the corrupt Dutchies carry on like nothing happened and the poor Rubies try to make the best of it by chanting their silly stupid swan song. Then they get mad at US for recognizing them as the victims.

    57. Richard on January 4th, 2007 8:39 pm

      The ostrich is an appropriate emblem for Aruba. But its head should not be in the sand, but rather concealed in a certain bodily orifice … I hope everyone gets the point.

      Thanks, Dennis Intl (44).

      And as for Alex (48), who I gather is planning a trip to Aruba, the point is not that an American may have gotten killed there. As you quite rightly note, that can and does happen in many places abroad and at home. Even happens here in my bucolic state of Vermont.

      The point is … Aruba has lied, concealed the truth, most likely destroyed evidence, assaulted verbally (not physically, so far as I know, but they would probably do so given the chance) the family of the victim, allowed American volunteers to do the search and pay the bills that THEY SHOULD BE PAYING, and in short has done everything to make it clear that they are protecting their own.

      How many? Who? Nobody can be sure. Many of us think that more are involved than the Three Stooges, but that isn’t the main issue right now.

      What is the issue? Aruba is to be held accountable for its actions and inactions. Anyone who goes there is saying, in effect, “Hey, nothing happened to me. I can get a bargain price … and that’s all I care about. Justice? That’s not my job.”

      Of course, if/when something DOES happen to you, who will be yelling and screaming the loudest?

      What a person does is indicative of his/her moral beliefs. I’ll choose to stand by the victim and her family and to do what I can to support the safety of my people abroad. Aruba thinks it can spit on us, take us for granted?

      Let Aruba think so … I’ll do what I can to discourage people from going there, and I’ll express my belief that it is not a moral action to go there. Doing so supports those who think we Americans will not stand by our own.

      “Ask not for whom the bell tolleth….”

    58. dennisintn on January 4th, 2007 9:33 pm

      i wouldn’t be afraid for myself to go to aruba. i just don’t like associating with people with their kind of attitude about the value of life and justice. and i don’t want to associate with people on the planes and hotel with people who don’t see that they’re wrong to go and why.
      dennisintn

    59. GutFeeling on January 4th, 2007 10:00 pm

      #1 Rumba Aruba
      The manner in which the “get out of jail free card” was granted to the three suspects strongly suggests state sposored crime. So yes, local politics is a key focus of interest for those of us who follow this incident.

      I work in public relations for home, fashion and travel publications and I read Scared monkeys periodically for info about this case. I find it very informative and I am able to consider both the straight forward information provided and the opinions as well.

      Most people, with whom I interact, wouldn’t go to Aruba anyway, but the failure to investigate this crime is more damaging to tourism than any evidence that might have surfaced as a result of a proper investigation.

    60. JusticeforNatalee on January 4th, 2007 10:13 pm

      It’s not much of a bargain if you don’t come back alive.

      It’s not much of a bargain if the police force fails to protect you.

      It’s not much of a bargain if your precious daughter is the target of local rapists.

      It’s not much of a bargain if the prosecutor fails to press charges against any perps who may do harm to you or your loved ones.

      Justice for Natalee means justice for you and your loved ones.

      Let Aruba know that it will NOT get away with covering up crimes.

      BOYCOTT BOYCOTT BOYCOTT

    61. mayan_moons on January 4th, 2007 10:25 pm

      Richard you strike a major chord with me when you speak of American’s standing by their own, it is that i value so highly.

      Everything they did to Natalee they did to me.

      Natalee couldn’t fight back but i can and i will.

    62. Tazman on January 5th, 2007 2:56 am

      TO: rumba bumba aruba

      Who is one-sided, biased and full of gibberish? You sound like you’re talking about yourself. You certainly don’t value human life. If you did, you would be way more respectful of Natalee and her family. If you live on aruba, then you are part of the problem and need to become part of the solution. The future of aruba depends on Natalee’s case being solved and the criminals being sentenced, jailed and/or executed.

    63. Tazman on January 5th, 2007 2:58 am

      Scary picture!!

      Looks like Castro!!

    64. realtruth on January 5th, 2007 4:17 am

      I met someone from Aruba yesterday. In their opinion it was the wealthy and corrupt dutch who ordered the cover-up of Natalee Holloway. All the wealthy kids who had anything to do with Natalee left the island long ago. They all beleive she’s in the ocean, never to be found. The tourism is very noticeably down. Because of the significant drop in tourism, the gov’t may impose a 13% sales tax on everything. Basically the smug, arrogant, cocky, dutch don’t give a crap about anyone other than themselves.

    65. Richard on January 5th, 2007 7:50 am

      The story hasn’t been posted yet on SM … but this morning, Jan. 5, the Birmingham (AL) News ran an article that Jug Twitty and Beth Twitty are filing for divorce.

      Nobody outside of the family has the right to comment or opine, certainly including me. Yet from what I’ve read, many families that undergo the trauma of a missing family member find that the tragedy affects their relationship.

      I have little personal knowledge of the family, yet I believe that these divorce proceedings are most probably another legacy of the Aruba tragedy.

      We all give the Holloway Twittys our support, admiration, and even love. May the outpouring of these feelings be redoubled now, in this time of testing.

      And while little is said about Natalee’s brother, Matt, I hope that his path can be eased.

      And let us reaffirm that the bastards in Aruba are going to pay for their treatment of this grieving family. Pay dearly.

    66. Richard on January 5th, 2007 8:20 am

      Here’s the article, with the url. My thoughts are with the family, and especially Matt, at this very difficult time.

      http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1167992143244620.xml&coll=2

      Twittys begin divorce proceedings
      Friday, January 05, 2007
      HANNAH WOLFSON
      News staff writer
      Natalee Holloway’s stepfather has filed for divorce from her mother, Beth Twitty, according to court documents.
      George “Jug” Twitty filed papers in Jefferson County Circuit Court on Dec. 29 citing irreconcilable differences with his wife.
      Jug Twitty declined to comment on the divorce procedure. Attempts to reach Beth Twitty for comment were unsuccessful.
      The couple received international attention a year and a half ago when Natalee Holloway, then 18, disappeared in Aruba on a trip with fellow graduates from Mountain Brook High School. In the weeks following the teen’s disappearance on May 30, 2005, the Twittys appeared side by side in television interviews and news conferences.
      As the case dragged on unsolved and Jug Twitty returned to Birmingham, Beth Twitty remained in Aruba for almost three months. After her return, she founded the International Safe Travels Foundation, leaving her job with the Mountain Brook Schools, and now spends much of her time traveling to speak to high school students.
      The couple separated Dec. 15, according to the court filing, although their home off Overton Road is still listed as both their addresses. In the papers, Jug Twitty claims there’s “such a complete incompatibility of temperament that the parties can no longer live together.”
      The Twittys married July 26, 2000, a second marriage for both.

    67. Carpe Noctem on January 5th, 2007 8:49 am

      Hey Aruba,

      Go play your ATA and AHATA propaganda
      for someone stupid enough to buy it.

      Your island stands behind murdering
      rapists, & supports the decision to
      let them go free and not be
      held accountable for their
      crimes.

      TWO WORDS:

      Natalee Holloway

      That is all anyone has to say anymore!

      WE KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THAT MEANS.

      We all have seen how you
      treat people during their
      most vulnerable moments.

      Your island is sh!t,
      the word is out globally.

      …and we’ll continue to pound
      you relentlessly as long as the
      Oranjestad Tourist Execution Squad of

      Paulus, Joran, Deepak, and
      Satish walk the streets.

      GAME OVER. MAN.

      http://tinyurl.com/yl2wbh

      -J4N-

    68. JusticeforNatalee on January 5th, 2007 9:05 am

      I am sorry that Beth has to go through another trauma.

      Most likely, it is a side effect of the tragic situation concerning Natalee.

      I think John Walsh said that most/many marriages do not survive the loss of a child.

    69. Carpe Noctem on January 5th, 2007 9:15 am

      P.S. ARUBA – Go pull your underwear outta your crack…

      Somebody gave ya a ‘MELVIN’

      http://tinyurl.com/yfcqyt

      http://tinyurl.com/w3qqd

      Justice For Natalee.

      Aruba, ya getsk none!

    70. Tazman on January 5th, 2007 10:54 am

      My prayers continue for Beth, Jug and all the members of their families. The crimes against Natalee and all of her family have caused this latest news of Jug filing for divorce. They need privacy and respect.

      WE WANT JUSTICE FOR NATALEE HOLLOWAY

    71. Molly on January 5th, 2007 11:36 am

      65, Richard, It is so true. There is never any mention of Matt. I have worried about him and prayed for him. He seems to have been totally left out of the picture. He lost his sister, and now his second family is falling apart. Very tragic and sad.

      God bless the Holloways and the Twittys. This burden has been too hard to bare. Surely, no one has worked harder to find their missing child. May justice soon ring loud and clear.

      molly (in Houston)

    72. El Freako on January 5th, 2007 1:44 pm

      Bunch of wishful thinkers here. All you handful tech advanced monkeys think you can boycott us?

      Sick people, you think this NH is a riddle game you play on your monkey site, trying to eat away from you sorry bushwack lives.

      Aruba will never cease, and is bullet proof from boycott. I see Mr. Mansur. Diario and AVP, ATV (NBC corr) succeeded in brainwashing you.

      Yes, boycott Aruba, where? Is that it? :gasp:

      Going to the beach now, tah tah…

      ________

      SM: Boycott? What boycott? People are not going to Aruba because of their own free will and personal choice. That’s why your tourism looks so bleek. That’s the thing about personal choice … people can decide for themselves. Keep drinking that Kool-Aid though.

      People want answers and until they get them, they will spend their tourism dollars elsewhere. Thats the cold hard reality. No marketing campaign will ever change that.

      “bushwack lives” – wouldn’t that be the definition of someone who reads and posts on a web site where they hate the people and commentary? Why do you read here if you can’t stand it? Face it, SM is your addiction.

      Have fun at the beach, I am sure you will find plenty of empty spots. ;)

      R

    73. Patti on January 5th, 2007 2:16 pm

      What the !?!?!?

      Oduber comes out to make his speech in an outfit he bought from the Navy Surplus Store.

      Appearances… everything is for appearances.

    74. Patti on January 5th, 2007 2:56 pm

      I can hear him now:

      “Calm down everybody. Everything is okay. Please,

      just eat your bread, drink your kool-aid and be happy…

      or else.”

      Excuse me, Mr. Oduber, but where, exactly, are these
      militants that you speak of? Can they fit in your
      back pocket?

      And, please, do tell: What else do you have in that
      pocket of yours? More tricks?

      Now you see it… now you don’t?

      Holland: Is this your idea of democracy on one “happy” island?

      And, please, do tell: How is that investigation
      INTO the investigation going?

      Boycott Aruba… or else

    75. Desiree on January 5th, 2007 5:37 pm

      Or else what Patti? You want to enter the country with your militants and shoot everyone? focus on the year ahead of you and get a life. There are more people missing in the States under strange circumstances maybe we can include them at well. Let’s pray for Natalee but without all this hate.

    76. arubagirl on January 5th, 2007 6:01 pm

      #1, etc… As I’m a true born Aruban, I have to say this about Nel Oduber’s speech: I didn’t know he gave one. Thank God I missed it or I would have been throwing things at the tv. I guess there is at least one person happy to be paying BBO.

    77. Patti on January 5th, 2007 7:10 pm

      Desiree:

      Sweety, I don’t hate him.

      I have nothing against him… only the things that he does. Does it not concern you that you have a man on the island of Aruba saying that he is going to unleash his militants on anyone that doesn’t support him? Sounds to me that you got a civil war going on over there.

      What is it?

      You are rationing bread and water for what? Are your
      people that powerless that they can not even determine for
      themselves the price of bread?

      That’s not hate… that’s concern.

      What is it that your people are doing? Are you all slaves
      to a man that has his pockets so deep in dirty money that
      any one of you can be bought and sold in an instant? Do
      you not care that it is because of his drugs, that are
      bought and sold by his militants, that your children are
      miserable?

      Tell me, please: What is the drug of choice on your island?

      Isn’t it true that your island is a leader in the
      production and distribution of the drug called “Ecstacy”
      not to mention all the cocaine that passes under, over and
      through your island on a daily basis.

      Does it not concern you that your leader concerns himself
      with the needs of the rich, only to offer you bread and
      water?

      And Please, just one final question:

      How did his pockets get soooooooo deep?

      This isn’t hate, Honey, this is love speakin’

      Wake Up!

    78. Maggie on January 5th, 2007 7:41 pm

      There are more people missing in the states because this is a country of 300,000,000 million, and Aruba is a country of around 100,000. What was done to Natalee and her family shouldn’t be tolerated in any country, let alone one who thrives on tourism. I can’t think of one honorable person handling this case who has been honest and stood up for Natalee and her family. One of Mr. Oduber’s first statments was he was sick of this case. Try walking in Natalee and her family’s shoes for one day.

    79. arubagirl on January 5th, 2007 8:55 pm

      #77 rationing bread and water? Huh? What did I miss?

    80. Patti on January 5th, 2007 9:51 pm

      Aruba Girl:

      Rationing is about what it comes out to be.

      Having the government fix the price of bread to assure
      that everyone, at least, have enough to sustain life….

      Wow!!!

      Do you have to ask him if you can go to the
      bathroom too?

      Boycott Aruba… or else

    81. Patti on January 5th, 2007 10:12 pm

      Holland:

      Did you hear that? You’re lovely, happy, little Island…Your favorite son, Aruba, is fixing the
      price of bread to assure that all get enough to
      sustain life.

      What do you have there, an island of slaves?

      Pound for Pound, I’ll bet there is more cocaine
      on that island, than there is bread…

      Gee… I wonder, where is it going?

      Look, Ma! He’s doin’ that trick again:

      Now you see it, now you don’t.

    82. Tazman on January 5th, 2007 10:28 pm

      Wow!

      Am I glad to be an American living on American soil. That clown Oduber wearing his costume looks scary! Is the military running aruba now? What?? He has to tell everyone when they can go to the bathroom?? Oh, Desiree, honey ya better start calling Oduber for his permission!!!

      WE WANT JUSTICE FOR NATALEE HOLLOWAY!!!

    83. arubaboy on January 5th, 2007 11:01 pm

      Patty:
      Lets assume the NH is not found the next 5 years and lets assume you will keep posting on this still continuing board. And after 5 years boycott Aruba is completely ruined….. After 10 years boycotting…. Aruba become a desert…. NH still not found…. Patty, Carpe etc.. are you still boycotting what? who? stones, sand??
      What I mean to say is you can boycott as long as you can the fact is likely that NH will never be found and if things go like I said most of us will be living then in the Netherlands.
      Remember chances are big there will be no solution for this case. Arubans have Dutch passport, we can easily emigrate to the Netherlands if we really have to do it.
      Think about it!!

      Boycott or else…. LOL

    84. Dayhiker on January 5th, 2007 11:27 pm

      Arubaboy, I thought about it. Go back to the Netherlands!

    85. Patti on January 6th, 2007 12:35 am

      Aruba Boy:

      Is that a trick question?

      The boycott is against your government, not you. If you
      want to go to the Netherlands, you are welcome to. I won’t
      stop you. Will we boycott Aruba until there is nothing left but sand and rocks? I suppose so.

      Friends of the family plan to boycott your island as long
      as there is no justice. Your prosecutor has evidence that
      there was a crime, in fact, enough evidence to prosecute;
      and, as of yet, she hasn’t.

      As long as your government refuses to prosecute the person
      that they know is responsible for the disappearance of
      Natalee Holloway, we will boycott.

      We will not be sending our friends and families to your
      island until we know that your government is responsible
      enough to investigate and prosecute crimes against
      tourists. It’s that simple.

      Aruba Boy, we are not out to hurt you or any of the people
      of the island. We don’t hate you. We see you as a victim
      of a crooked government as much as we see ourselves as a
      victim. In my own personal opinion, your people are
      oppressed by a government that is even less concerned about
      your needs as they are ours. I hope you don’t end up
      marrooned on an island of nothing but rock and sand, but
      that is up to your government and The Netherlands, not me.

      The island of Aruba has not given us a choice.

      Boycott Aruba… or else.

    86. arubagirl on January 6th, 2007 8:49 am

      #80, I’m still not following you, I presume that you’re refering to the white bread thing. You’ll be happy to know that that has been solved.

    87. JusticeforNatalee on January 6th, 2007 9:23 am

      Arubaboy,

      Many Americans suspect a COVERUP in Natalee’s case.

      Officials know what happened and refuse to prosecute.

    88. arubaboy on January 6th, 2007 3:20 pm

      87. Most of us in Aruba don’t believe in a coverup rather in incompetent of the Aruban’s investigators. It is unbelievable that many Americans believe in a coverup.
      You really think the prosecutors know what happened and prefered to keep silence and let Aruba bust? Only to help one or two families?? We must be really dumb! I don’t think so. Ah you believe what you want it is your right.

      Patty: If Aruba go down and you still don’t have answers.
      What did you achieve? Aruba destroyed? Most of us living in a other country? I hope you will not feel a satisfaction if this happened. The longer the NH tragedy go unsolved the chances we know what really happened will diminish.

      Boycott Aruba or else. It’s up to you!

    89. dennisintn on January 6th, 2007 7:46 pm

      you believe that people packing guns, and responsible for the safety and welfare of all aruba’s people are this incompetent? how do you sleep at night? how do you sleep soundly at night knowing about all the lies that aruban govt. officials and spokesmen have told about the progress of this case and about natalee herself and her parents?
      while i’m questioning a real aruban, if you have a daughter, how do you sleep at night knowing that if your daughter is gangraped while pictures are being taken of the outrage and being sent out to all their friends. and the rapists are not prosecuted, and you daughter will have to leave the island to avoid the embarassment, ridicule of the males who got the pictures and possible further endangerment to her life? i’d really like to know, and i think others would like to know how a real aruban sleeps at night?
      dennisintn

    90. Desiree on January 7th, 2007 12:18 am

      I have two daughters , teenagers who feel safe and sound here in aruba. They are raised with awareness and know the buddy sytem.The Natalee case is a sad case, could have happened anywhere in the world. There is still an investigation going on. Nobody would protect two families on the island. Tourism is way too important. The tunnel vision there is might have to do with a cover up from someone who works in the police department. Why don’t we see reports of Michael Dompig being on the bech at Moomba bar next to the Holiday Inn at 3:00am in the morning. There was a huge party going on and what about Booti?

      _____________

      SM:   Thanks for bringing Michael Dompig up.   What about Michael and GVC selling drugs to tourists?   Have Michael and GVC been arrested or put in jail for selling drugs?   What did you say…NO?   Why is that? (klaasend)

    91. Desiree on January 7th, 2007 12:43 am

      Corrupt cops!!!!! Son of the chief. But again not all drug dealers are kidnappers or.. They should do something about the big drugdealers those who are avoid by some of the police

    92. dennisintn on January 7th, 2007 12:49 pm

      #40, we aren’t giving up, and we sure as hell aren’t waiting for the govt. to do anything, u.s. or aruba. it’s more satisfying to do it ourselves anyway. no natalee, no justice, no aruba tourism.
      dennisintn

    93. Patti on January 7th, 2007 10:27 pm

      Desiree:

      Corrupt cops!!!! Son of the chief. But agian not all drug dealers are kidnappers or.. They should do something about the big drugdealers those who are avoid by some of the police

      __________________________________________________________

      Patti:

      You say, “they” should do something:

      I say, “you” should do something:

      And everybody is saying, “we” should do something:

      Either way, something has got to be done. How can I help?

    94. Patti on January 8th, 2007 1:47 am

      ARUBA:

      Oh, Aruba, with your white sandy beaches and your beautiful skies. How is it that you do not have a heart?

      You come on here, everyday, speaking about your pride. You complain of your problems and you cry, secretly, at night. How is it that you know, not, what to do?

      You skuff at the sound of the word slave, while your streets are full of them. You walk passed them, everyday, on your way to your work. You wisper, silently, about their demise; but you do not know of them. Everyday, the sun, it rises; and they are there. But, not one of you see.

      Slaves… with all their dirty money and their crooked deals looking for another fix. Slaves to a society that tolerates the marketing of your drugs and their running of their feet. They run, only, to badness.

      They clean your homes for you, they wash your car for you and, at night, you lock your doors in fear. They beg for your money and ask for your life, but you give them nothing. They are the untouchables.

      You say that you’re Dutch, you say that you’re Jew, only Aruban when it suits you.

      Oduber, when do you give a fair shake? We got your drugs going this way and your mouth going that. You speak of tolerance, like a facade, as you are neither tolerant nor truthful. You are a dream. Your people look upon you and they see, not, what you are; only what they wish for. Some say you’re a puppet while others say you’re a tyrant, but we all say that you’re wrong.

      How silly it is, they all say; and silly it is, to ask for Justice from a man that is incapable of giving it to his own people.

      Mr. Oduber, you are no more than a slave. We look upon YOU with disgust and demise. You are the one that is running to badness for your next fix, with all your dirty money and your crooked deals… and you are the one with not a heart, untouchable.

      Boycott, Aruba!

    95. Scared Monkeys on July 8th, 2007 10:18 pm

      [...] Prime Ministers Nelson Oduber’s New Year’s speech claims 2006 was a productive year [...]

    96. Family incest photos. on July 22nd, 2008 6:29 pm

      Free incest stories free….

      Mature incest. Free incest sex stories. Incest cartoons. Incest brother sister….

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