Lets work together to Find Natalee

Today we had two of our favorite bloggers comment on our coverage of the Natalee Holloway disappearance. Michelle Malkin take a swing at those of us who are covering the Natalee Holloway disappearance, while Rusty who gives us a nudge in a tongue and cheek way. I have a few observations that are very relevant to why we turned our world upside down.

First, a blog is a very personal expression of what we believe in. I never have said to Michelle Malkin, please stop writing about any topic she is covering. That would be rude. So I am thinking that Michelle’s sniping at us it fairly rude also. We are not doing this for our own edification. We are doing this for the Holloway and Twitty families, and the people of Aruba

Since our purposes for covering Natalee’s disappearance have been called into question, maybe answering these questions may help.

Why  did we post on it? Red lived down in Aruba and knows the situation.

Why did we continue? We found that we were helping a family in need. We were able to get information through the blog swarm that helped add to the story.

Did we ever dream we would go wall to wall with the story? Never, but once we got into it, and had the opportunity to participate in helping the family, get them information that otherwise never would have been uncovered. we sure as hell would not stop.

Do we like the traffic? Yes, but we would also be doing it if only 1000 people we reading us. We have a forum that has over 1000 members, who we are providing leadership to. We also are talking to other TV networks and people on the ground in Aruba and Birmingham sending new information that we are receiving.

So is this just an ego play? No, we had to make some tough decisions to keep putting the pressure on as we have. And as we pray that Natalee is found, we would be remiss to pull out now to cover other stories.

So when someone you respect essentially calls you out, and says you are doing this for ratings, it causes hurt and disappointed. Michelle, if this story hit you as hard as immigration has, would you blog it? That is how we feel about it. So please do not knock us, the blogosphere is a very large place. Many stories are covered top to bottom, however, we have found something that allows us to make a difference right now.

When we get emails from family and friends of Natalee thanking us for our efforts and to be strong, we take heart in that.

When we have people in Aruba thanking us for telling the truth about their island, and being fair about it, we take heart in that.

When we work hand in hand with other bloggers, (Riehl World View, The Political Teen, HyScience, and The Dark Side), to make sure that we are as accurate as possible and as empathetic to all parties as possible, we take heart in that.

Then new bloggers such Two Babes and a Brain who have come to our defense, because she could be anyones daughter.

So it is not about the Missing Pretty Girl Syndrome or Ratings in TTLB.

It is about doing the right thing. Part of me would love to get 8 hours sleep at night, but if I feel that Red and I are making a difference, we will live on 3 hours without complaint.

And to the many people that are helping Red and I out on this site, such as Admins RB, Absolut, and Cat. and our posters and people who are helping us out by commenting and calling and writing:

You have our thanks. Our very sincere thanks.

Tom and Red

 

 

Scared Monkeys Update: We would like to personally thank Michelle Malkin for taking the time to personally email both Tom and I discussing the issue. This is something she did not have to do and we thank her for doing so.

(From Michelle Malkin)

Update IV: I think my post has been completely misconstrued. The gentlemen at Scared Monkeys interpret my comments as “sniping” when all I was doing was politely observing that, despite my own misgivings, their work is finding a large audience. One of the Scared Monkeys’ commenters requests that someone “bitch slap” me for my post.

Crikey.

Dan Riehl has a much more thoughtful response here. As I’ve let all these gentlemen know, I wish them continued success with their blogs and will continue to read them with interest.

As Michelle stated in her email to us, “I wish you continued success and will continue to read your good work!
Very best,
Michelle

We would say the same to Michelle and let it be water under the bridge and let us both get on to blogging. Thank you Michelle for the kind words.