An Open Letter To Aruba

I have been nothing but objective, supportive and understanding as regards the tiny island of Aruba as it wrestles with a tremendous problem. As is likely the case with many reasonable Americans and citizens of the world, watching what has been happening on the island of Aruba has called for tremendous patience, understanding and maybe even a certain kindness.

As for the particulars of any investigation, I leave judgment to those far more experienced in such things. As a business person, I understand the need to balance the books with ones public image. But I have also been watching for a week or two now as a very, very troubling development has begun to appear on the island.

Questions have been coming from the island during that period of time, about Natalee Holloway. Fair enough, though I would point out to my Caribbean friends that as things stand, you honestly do have far more questions of a serious nature to answer than to ask just now.

Recently, at least one media outlet has been consistently inquiring as to Natalee's friends. Who are/were her boyfriends? How many were her boyfriends? And today it is my understanding that this media outlet not only asked these questions, but also believes it somehow has a right to demand answers from Natalee Holloway's family. And you broadcast this on the air?

America is kind, Aruba, but she is not naive. There can be only one extremely self serving rationale behind such questions being asked in the public media at this time, especially as all ethical and reliable media can easily validate the honorable truth. Natalee was a high school student and a vibrant, good hearted young woman of more than average or reasonable moral character. Period.

Now, you have your answers, just as many of us already have the pertinent facts, which frankly are far too worthy to be hurled into the middle of this confounding mix.

Might she be capable of a mistake? A misjudgment? I suppose. But then who isn't? And really, who cares? But these troubling questions I and now apparently many others have begun to hear, questions which can only hope to serve one rather pathetic and singular purpose, as they serve no valuable role in this tragedy - they will not give anyone meaningful answers, Aruba. They will only serve to focus the attention of America, and perhaps even a larger portion of the world upon your seeming inability to answer the very many valid questions sitting as yet unanswered and squarely upon your island's beaches today.

My friends in Aruba, America might forgive a certain incompetence, or, God forbid maybe even some corruption as regards this still on going investigation. And Aruba likely would endure the damage to its reputation should it come to be that America and some others in the world conclude that your system of policing needs some attention and possibly refinement, if not outright improvement.

Of course, all this is assuming you wish to continue to be a playground of sorts for the world, and most particularly for that piece of it that is American.

But, be careful, Aruba. In terms of legal issues and public perception, if there is anything America detests more than seeing the guilty go free, it is seeing the innocent dragged down into the mud, in this case the mud of a rock and sand island we really could manage to do fine without, should a significant portion of our population so choose.

I'd suggest you think very carefully as to whether or not you want to make a similar admittedly bold statement as regards America, or more factually her tourist dollars, before you begin asking too many unnecessary questions while America is looking upon you to provide some straightforward and increasingly overdue answers.

Update: For those posting the ridiculous reaction that "all questions are relevant in this case." It would be best if you thought some prior to posting. 1) A caveat of the Dutch system is that investigative information cannot be made public, therefore 2) Any public media attempt to smear the reputation of an apparent victim cannot in any manner be defended as "part" of an invetsigation, and 3) Even if it were so, then why, as stated by P v d Sloot last night, did authorities not even "interrogate" him during his brief detention, but only take a statement?

If you would advocate "interrogating" a young victims reputation publically in a manner that can only be defined as a smear campaign, yet, not complain at the failure of the Aruban police to interrogate a, in their own words, potentenial suspect privately while he is in detention - you either lack wisdom, judgment, or a reasonably clear view of the dynamics of this case.

Lastly, nowhere have I ever advocated that Aruban authorities do "less" in a situation where many are coming to the conclusion that they have been doing far too little far too late thus far. If you cannot distinguish between misguided public relations and an investigation, hopefully you never take up the law, or serious argument around it.

Comments

[Tanya]

marin face it a shoddy job was done on the investigation. Joran does not represent Aruba he represent a sector of society that lives among us all in every country. prove to us she is alive I ask you. Aruba says she never left by boat they have radar. well if after 25 days she cannot be found on that island what is the rational thinking? I do not believe the rest of aruba could be hiding her and allowing their country to face the music if she was indeed a spoilt rich girl avoiding her parents. Hey lets try to find her body to move this heat off of aruba.
drinking and parting is an island culture i grew up in jamaica. MURDER IS another topic.

[mora68]

Wow Dan...that is all I can say...Wow...nicely said...

[Flying Dutchman]

Thx izzy!

[DeeDee]

Harp that is another fine example of corruption from the top. Was she beautiful? Could it have been a kidnapping similar to what has happened here. Could the Cheif of Polic in Aruba be involved in a sex/slave ring? Sounds so outragious and yet stranger things have happened. Powerful men who have powerful egos.

[Harp]

To flying dutchman; you welcome...no problem

[Media Freak.]

According to Caren,

They have the guilty one in jail, but what hurt the case us that the father give LEGAL ADVICE to the kids and also intervere with the investigation when he called another friend of Joran who was interviewed by the police to figure out what he said.

Unfortunately, what the prosecutors are mad about is the fact that what the father did is not something he can be jailed for and was release by a judge.

Flying Dutchman, Aruba was part of the Netherland Antilles, the island you used to transport slaves and convicts and murderers and thiefs to transport them to your territory in the US, remember NEW AMSTERDAM (NEW YORK) and promote APARTHEID in your territory of South Africa?

Aruba wanted autonomy, since the 50's they started a fight to get their own government. Aruba had to make new alliances with other countries and UN in order to get their legal Status Aparte in 1986, and since Aruba is part of the European Union, still getting the funds it deserves.

The help they asked your minister is just to wake him up, because it YOUR LEGAL SYSTEM that are being bashed. And don't forget that the International Tribunal is in the Netherlands, imagina that Milosevic begins to thinks like some of the Americans think about your legal system.

[dolores]

Marin, great post. I agree with you totally.

[beebee]

no american should go back to aruba for 10 year or unitl they give her up....all american busnisess should pull out of aruba for 20 years all american cursie ship not port there for 10 years...
plus the same should be applied to the Main land.....they are key stoned cops.....they have now respect for anyone but their on white ductch people. for a 6 foot man to leave a women on the beach at 2am is the stupid/uncare act on the face of the earth....dutch boy that lies 8 times...freiend that lie for the sake of lieing.....a father that say to the effect shut up is they dont finder your free...

i am being to really dispise these people.......and if all the people of aruba have those underlining tones in their mental make-up well hurrican season is coming and God has a way of getting rid of liar, people who do not take ladies home safely...judges that tell suspect to shut up...and cops...that are work like they were living in the 1400BC....

aruba should have a travel slogan.....

when you come to aruba set your clock back 5000 years!

[dutch]

@mediafreak

Please stop posting if you have no clue: Aruba..slavery? No

Aruba: part of European Union? No

Get a life...

[Bartholomew]

When, Paul was locked up I wonder if they out him in a cell close to his son - so they could talk and refine the story? I suggest this because I thought it was surprising they put the security guard next to one of the Kalpoes - shouldn't they be keeping suspects away from each other? Not doing so could cause problems for the investigation, I would think.

[Media Freak.]

Netherland Antilles was used to transport slaves by your Man PETER STUYVESANT, remember?

The ones that sold New York for Suriname?

And Aruba is a member as is The Netherlands and Antilles of the European Union.

I have a life, do you?

[AmazonBuzzy]

America's mothers and fathers are watching. Most of us you are not hearing from, but we're here. Harm against our young is one of the worst things you can do. I for one am tired of it. It sickens me. What can I do, what can we do? I'm still watching, reading, and most of all thinking and when we come up with a plan, we will be doing!

Thank you Dan for being a voice from the silence and giving the rest of us a place to gather. Blogs like this are and will be increasingly more important in our global community because it gives us power. Power a lot of important people don't like. A push to cut us down is already underway. Why? Because their AFRAID!

Peace in the jungle

[Dman]

Someone should arrest Van Stratten the Polis Chief and put him in the general population at KIA...he would be singing an opera fast.

[Phantom]

THANK YOU DAN! Said better then I could have.

I've canceled my vacation to Aruba And I will do my utmost to convince others to do the same.

Give BHT and America back her daughter!

[tmag]

does anyone wonder if the only reason Paul was brought in was to get stories straight on the inside, away from the media? IE: He was only questioned for a little while. Wonder if the investigators thought to ask him about his little planning meeting on the 31st with the boys, or do we have to rely on Mickey Johns to come up with that connection?

[Media Freak.]

Bartholomew,

The father was locked up in the Noord Station and Joran at the Oranjestad Station.

[Flying Dutchman]

@Media Freak

Don't know if you're American or Aruban, but right now you're talking BS.

Holding those acusations against the current Dutch society is pretty lame. Am I to conclude, the Germans are still responsable for what happened in WWII. That England and Spain are still responsible of what happened to native Americans.

By the way Apartheid is not a Dutch invention. It's a South African in a time the Dutch already left South Africa.

Sure the Dutch legal system isn't perfect, I never said that.
But the same goes for the American legal system.

And one word on the International Tribunal. Almost every country in the world has acknowledged the International Tribunal and the way it works (Milosevic does not by the way).
But there is a clause by the Americans, that no American citizen can ever be sentenced there. in other words: If a Vietnamese napalm-victim wants to put an American GI on trial for inflicting her wounds, it is not possible. If we do, America threatens to invade Holland and free the GI. Kind of funny don't you think?

[ev]

Answer to P in SE Asia I lived there for 3 years believe me the Dutch treat the antilleans like second class citizens. Trust me I know this for a fact. Have you ever been there wait let me guess on vacation those are quite two different things being there on vacation and actually living there.

[Bartholomew]

The father was locked up in the Noord Station and Joran at the Oranjestad Station.
______________________________________
Media Freak,
Thanks. You have access to a news service?

[Bartholomew]

Thanks. You have access to a news service?
__________________________________________

By that I mean you seem to be unusually knowledgeable.

[tmag]

the chief of police doesn't have to be directly involved in illegal activities, but could very well take bribes or close his eyes. Remember the post about the police on the beach getting in on the action? Follow the money. Check out the police chief life style compared to his alleged salary.

[Harp]

BeeBee wrote:and if all the people of aruba have those underlining tones in their mental make-up well hurrican season is coming and God has a way of getting rid of liar
**According to your way of thinking....Remember Florida was hip by hurricane more times than ever before last year...are there all liars over there? Let we stop make remarks we will regret.

[seedyrum]

Marin,

Investigation of a "missing" person in the USA begins with family, friends associates then branch out.

Investigation in Aruba begins 10 days later if it has begun.

For Aruba to now start to investigate Natalee, her family and friends is disingenuous and unprofessional.

Has Aruba begun the search of Juran, his parents and friends, the 2 lemmings, their family and friends?

More importantly, will the people be honest and forthcoming with any credible information without fear of retribution?

I wonder when the Kapoes' parents will say enough of this charade and tell their sons to tell the truth and clear their names. (if they arent guilty of more than lying to protect an ingrate of a friend)

Even if Natalie slept with the football team, she was LAST seen ALIVE with JURAN.

and those are the facts

[vinkje]

Anybody who wants to boycott Aruba and call on all American citicens not to go there, go ahead. In the same breath, call your soldiers back from Irak. They are also your sons and daughters that die and kill, over power and corruption! Remember to close your doors at night, for facts still state that you're child is more likely to be killed in his/her own home town than vacationing in Aruba. But I guess that's better, right?

Am I being fair now? No! I want to show you a mirror. All these blogs are filled with people who much rather have fun (yes,that's what I call it, you're leaches) over a real life soap, than the Bold and the Beautiful. In all the statements you make, you forget that you're hurting many innoncent people. Get a life.

[Unpopular_Truth]

Americans look at it like a stolen property case.

Aruba and the Netherlands look at it like a girl gone missing so they want to examine all the possible causes.

[vcsiii50]

to Harp
Sorry that you had to (have to) live with that.
I hope in this case Natalee, or at least her family, can be helped.

It's unbearable and horrible for any parent or family member to have to suffer this. I just know that if America's power and wealth are to have any positive meaning at all, then it is in cases like this that we as a country need bring it to bear.

By the way, never been to Aruba, bit love the US and BVI, and love the people there too, sure that the ordianary Aruban is just as humane and caring.

[resorttownmom]

To play the devil's advocate, let me propose a scenario based upon the rumor's floating around. Why do the Arubans have the right to question the students on the trip or know what might have been going on with Natalee?

This is a totally hypothetical scenario but the police would have to look at everything.

Hypothetically:

The ex-boyfriend got Natalee pregnant. He does not want to become a father and they both want to go to college. Possibly both families are religious and would not allow an abortion. Also they are humiliated that they made such a mistake. The plan is the boyfriend books another flight and plans to stay in Aruba for a few days after the trip so that they can go to get the abortion. Natalee was supposed to not show up for the flight the next day and go to get the abortion. After it was all over, they both were supposed to tell everyone that she stayed over to be with him and they go home. But she changes her mind and cannot do it. He gets mad. She runs away because he won't accept the baby. She is somewhere in a state of despair and refuses to be found because she cannot bear this humiliation.

Well, not that I think this happened but I could have. Why can't the Arubans ask questions? We are asking questions. That does not mean they are trying to ruin her reputation. A missing person is totally changing Aruba. The inspector's contract is not being renewed. He may have even decided to quit or retire or something feeling he cannot be effective any more. The election is coming and each political party is using this as a campaign issue. Dan, you are being an arrogant American. You have to respect both sides not just the American one.

[resorttownmom]

To play the devil's advocate, let me propose a scenario based upon the rumor's floating around. Why do the Arubans have the right to question the students on the trip or know what might have been going on with Natalee?

This is a totally hypothetical scenario but the police would have to look at everything.

Hypothetically:

The ex-boyfriend got Natalee pregnant. He does not want to become a father and they both want to go to college. Possibly both families are religious and would not allow an abortion. Also they are humiliated that they made such a mistake. The plan is the boyfriend books another flight and plans to stay in Aruba for a few days after the trip so that they can go to get the abortion. Natalee was supposed to not show up for the flight the next day and go to get the abortion. After it was all over, they both were supposed to tell everyone that she stayed over to be with him and they go home. But she changes her mind and cannot do it. He gets mad. She runs away because he won't accept the baby. She is somewhere in a state of despair and refuses to be found because she cannot bear this humiliation.

Well, not that I think this happened but I could have. Why can't the Arubans ask questions? We are asking questions. That does not mean they are trying to ruin her reputation. A missing person is totally changing Aruba. The inspector's contract is not being renewed. He may have even decided to quit or retire or something feeling he cannot be effective any more. The election is coming and each political party is using this as a campaign issue. Dan, you are being an arrogant American. You have to respect both sides not just the American one.

-------------------------------------------------
Sorry I forgot about the cursor problem. It must be at the bottom.

[ev]

I don't think we are generalizing Aruba prides itself in saying that its safe to send our children there because there is no crime. There is crime but won't say because it would taint the way the Americans perceive them. If you sons and daughters signed up for the military then that's different. Natalie did not sign up to be raped and killed. You need to get a life.

[Media Freak.]

Yeah, I have access to new services, but do not trust them, since they are speculating and creating their own stories. Not once but many time I've said that listening to TOP95 is like reading the tabloids, and there is where the only 'aruban reportes' are the ones that wants to blame everyone else and create conspiracies.

I have other judicial and goverment sources. But must remind you that there is a clear separation of state and judicial system. Sometimes their info are contradictorial and I lean more toward the judicial insiders.

[tmag]

Last night, the family asked us to write letters to the Ambassdor. Here is a sample. just cut and paste to a word doc if you want to help.

Mr. Boudewijn Johannes Van Eenennaam
Dutch Ambassador to the United States
The Royal Netherlands Embassy
4200 Linnean Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20008

Dear Mr. Ambassador
America wants to encourage you to do all you can to help find Natalee Holloway by supporting the use of state of the art technology in the investigation, and continuing to lend other technical support to the effort. We all thank you very much for your help and for your concern.
Kindest Regards,

[dolores]

The chief of police is not retiring because of the NH case. His retirement was planned well in advance. He is a hard working, humble man who has grown to love Aruba, and we love him. He speakes our language with the most funny accent and has never been anything than an asset to our police department. From time to time, some people have tried to use him as a political tool, and he has always stood up against that. I respect the man and thank him for his years of service to the Arubans and their comunity.

[CowboyGuy]

Dan,

I think you've lost your mind ;)

The media is independent of the investigation, and the Arubian media is no more reckless than the American media.

Questions about the victim, the victim's friends, family, and acquaintences are valid, and would certainly be investigated in America as well as Aruba. The difference is that in America the investigation would be made public sooner rather than later, which would result in an end to speculation about those who were not likely involved in the disappearance.

The vacuum of information coming from investigators in this case leads to much speculation by the people living in Aruba (as well as the Ameircan media and blogsphere), and the Arubian media is just voicing questions that are on the minds of the people.

I imagine that there is alot more speculation and rumor mongering going on in Aruba precisely because of the fact that the investigation is conducted privately.

Finally, let's look at your description of the "smear campaign" from your post: "consistently inquiring as to Natalee's friends. Who are/were her boyfriends? How many were her boyfriends?"

That doesn't sound like an explosive character assasination to me. Those seem like reasonable questions. Perhaps there were also questions about sex and drugs. While that may be viewed as a smearing the victim in America, I believe that the Arubians and the Dutch take a much more relaxed view of sex and drugs, both legally and morally.

[Sjees Holland]

Maybe I should start in a different way than many of the fellow Dutch' whose reactions I've read here.....

First of all let me start by saying my sympathy is with the Holloway family...Let us all hope Natalee is found soon (preferably alive and unharmed!)...if not so: let us hope the people who killed her (because unfortunately it looks that way) are convicted and locked away for a long time (preferably in the horrible Koraal Specht prison on Curacao)...

As for some of the comments I read here, "understandable, not always correct, but understandable"...I'm not going to comment those, in stead I will try to explain

HOW I AS A DUTCHMAN SEE ALL THIS:

-Investigators/police on the Island of Aruba usually only write parking tickets, they have very little experience with disappearance/murder cases, therefore have made little progress, but I think they are willing to solve the case and with help from Dutch and US professionals: Dutch Navy fleet, FBI interrogation and investigation experts, maybe even Dutch crime Journalist Peter de Vries (who has solved a lot of cold cases in the Netherlands) I am convinced they will.

-For me it's obvious Joran is as guilty as heck: The reason he hasn't cracked though is unclear to me, perhaps he's a real cold hearted S.OF.A.B. (I must admit he kind a looks that way)...If this would have been a 'passionate crime' he would have cracked already.

-The US is not the only country in the world with the intention or the capabilities to bring the guilty to justice! It's a good thing that Dutch and American officials help out to make sure the investigation is thorough!.....BUT a trial in the US? NO WAY!
If you want perpetrators of crimes on American citizens to be tried by American standards do NOT go abroad!
In other words either agree with the judicial/social system of a foreign country or stay in the US..maybe even in your own STATE!

-The Dutch judicial system mave have its drawbacks, but then again so does the American system (The whole world remembers the OJ Case!)

-Accusing the Dutch Judicial system and the Aruban authorities of wanting to trial two black security gaurds because they are black...is a big insult to both the Dutch people and our social & judicial system...We have a constitution as well! Stating very clearly in article 1 that all men and women are equal regardless of their race / believes / sexual orientation etc...it's very rude to question the judicial system of a highly modern Western European Constitutional Monarchy!
It probably says more about feelings of inequality in the US...but again I can't say because I am no expert on your society, so please! don't try to be one of mine!

-If you question the willingness of the Aruban people/professionals to solve this crime, then you're out of line...You can question their capacities/methods/work ethos (they tend to be lazy ;-) ) but not their willingness..the last thing they want, is to leave this crime unsolved...probably worse than discovering what
really happened (now it's all left to the imagination...American women sold off to South America as sex slaves / Raped and ripped to pieces / Raped and tossed in the Ocean etc)....If this crime is solved the Holloway family will have its peace and so will the Island of Aruba (eventually)

-How tragic all this sounds: How many disappeared children are there currently listed in the US? And how are these cases handled, is FoxNews all over those towns/cities as well, and do you actually think the investigators do not question their families about the habits of their disappeared children??
I can only say I honestly don't know...
What I DO know is that the crime on this lovely young lady should be solved A.S.A.P.
and that all US, Dutch and Aruban people feel the same way!

To summarize a long story:
Joran is going down and so are his Surinamese friends and his dad (all three for purgery!) and everybody (either Dutch/Aruban or American) loves to see the perpetrator(s) convincted!

[AnnaA]

So bashing America and telling lies about even the country of the victim is going to make everything better?

Keep it up Arubans/Dutch for if there is anything we Americans do well, it is remember. A.very.long.time. We do not appreciate your promulgation of lies and distortions about NH or our country in general. Most of you are so ignorant of our legal system that you are quoting old wives tales, pure fabrication and all the rest. Just adding a false number and pretending it is a true statistic does not make it so, just as Joren saying he left NH at the HI does not make it so. I see a pattern forming here.

America has a lower crime rate than many EU countries such as Great Britain and Australia which can easily be verified by stats, check Google and stop lying. Does no one in that society value the truth? Do you think smearing us is going to change how we are feeling right now? No, these added, unnecessary lies are what is making it worse. We hate a cover-up and unlike your claims to the contrary will punish that often worse than the crime. See Richard Nixon if you do not believe me.

So if you think spitting in our faces and lying about us and our country is a good way to solve this problem, fine. But the whole world is watching and certainly American parents. Please stop with the wild exaggerations of crime in this country. Sure, it happens everywhere but that is not the point. What happens afterward and how it is discouraged in the future means more.

Based on what has happened in Aruba with the disappearance of Natalee Holloway, it is pretty much open season there on our young women for the local predators to act with complete impunity. Note I have named no local predator and am still open to it being someone other than the prime suspect but not until and after he has given a verifiable accounting of what happened to her at least while in his company.

This is a minimum to ask and yet we are treated in this disgusting and dreadful manner. This is supposed to make us want to go to Aruba? How? How could it possibly when all we hear is how if this happens to us there, we will be blamed oursevles and aspersions cast on our family and friends?

We deserved better and so did Natalee.

[Harp]

To vsciii50: thank for your words. Although I know not all America think the same way...sometimes it mades a diffent to hear/read it.

[websleuth2]

I will not go back to Aruba, and not because Natalee is missing --

I am boycotting Aruba because of the arrest of the Black security guards.

I am boycotting Aruba because of the smear campaign against the young female victim.

I am boycotting Aruba because of Arubans' anti-American attitudes expressed in these blogs.

Why should we spend our money in Aruba, where we are not wanted when we have Hawaii! Palm Springs! Santa Barbara! San Diego! New Orleans! Cape Fear! The Chesapeake! Venice Beach! Santa Monica!

[izzy]

marin -- wow, you are extremely bitter and angry. I can understand your frustration to a point, especially after seeing some of the Aruba-bashing comments posted by individuals on this blog and others, but is a gross exaggeration to state that the media has been trashing Aruba and the Van der Sloots. I have been following this case closely in the US media and have found that reporters and even the family of Natalee Holloway repeatedly lavish praise on the people of Aruba and the beauty of the island. It is only the law enforcement process that is being questioned by the media, since the three suspects now in custody were allowed to roam free for ten days while two security guards were arrested based on their lies. I can assure you that the media would be equally critical of the same thing happening right here on US soil.

As for the Van der Sloots, they are rightfully the focus of the police investigation and therefore naturally also the focus of media coverage. Joran Van der Sloot has told a series of lies and even had a cover story in place before he was ever questioned by police that is now known to be false. His father appears to have interfered in the investigation and even reportedly went so far as to tell the three suspects "no body, no case". It is reasonable to expect that they will have negative media coverage under these circumstances.

It is not reasonable, however, to trash Natalee Holloway's reputation because she had the audacity to disappear and put Aruba in an awkward situation. Yes, we are all familiar with the "Runaway Bride", but she turned up after a few days, and the media soon dug up all kinds of interesting information indicating that the woman is not mentally stable. By contrast Natalee Holloway has been missing for over a month and has an impeccable reputation for being a solid citizen; if there were any dirt on her, I'm sure it would have surfaced by now.

Please do not compare Natalee to Joran or try to imply that his behavior is typical of the world's teenagers. Did you notice that in multiple interviews Natalee's father (Jug Twitty) has expressed shock and disbelief that Joran was gambling and drinking in a casino at 3:00 am on a school night? That is because this behavior would not be tolerated for the average American teenager -- no underage drinking or gambling, and no staying out until the wee hours on a school night. Perhaps in the Netherlands or Aruba this kind of behavior is considered acceptable for teenagers, but not in the US, and certainly not in Alabama.

It is very sad that your anger over perceived bashing of Aruba and the Van der Sloots makes you want to drag Natalee's name through the mud. You can trot out every theory you like, but no high achieving eighteen year old girl from a loving home with a full scholarship to her state's university and many close friends would willingly disappear and hide from her loved ones for over a month, putting them through utter anguish. Clearly Joran Van der Sloot is hiding something, and clearly a crime of some sort has been committed, and Natalee is the victim. How dare you trash her good name because you don't like the press coverage of this case.

Please do Aruba a favor and resist the urge to express these feelings in a public forum, because you are doing the island no favors in terms of positive publicity. I know there are many kind-hearted and compassionate people on the island who are much better able to view this situation in a balanced way and do not feel the need to trash Natalee Holloway in order to compensate for some of the negative publicity Aruba has received.

[Kelli]

To summarize a long story:
Joran is going down and so are his Surinamese friends and his dad (all three for purgery!) and everybody (either Dutch/Aruban or American) loves to see the perpetrator(s) convincted!

Posted by: Sjees Holland | June 30, 2005 10:09 AM

Oh great,a purgery charge..What's the punishment for that? Two days detention? Give me a break!...

[dolores]

AnnaA

Statements like "in Aruba it is open season for predators on young women" is doing the same to our country, that you so strongly dislike about us doing to you Iwell that was a big point in your post, right?). What you state there, is a LIE. SLANDER. NH case is an isolated case, millions of women have visited Aruba and were not prey to local predators. This is an isolated, but horrible incident. And we.don't.forget.either. We also want the people guilty to the disappeacence and whatever horrible crime commited LOCKED UP AND BEHIND BARS. And so far, the investigation is still ongoing. What in heavens name do you want??? We can't bypass all our laws and hang the darn kids!

[seedyrum]

Vinkie,
I would call back our troops if it was in my power but I cant so I wont.

Honestly I think Bush lied to Congress and American people the reason to go to war.

It was stated because Saddam had WMD, since the war was started no WMD were found, the reason was changed to Saddam was an evil man and needed to be removed from office, the reason was changed to democracy for the Iraquis now it is changed to connection to 9-11.

Does that sound familiar? Change from reason to reason to reason to reason to reason.

Make the reason fit the policy or whatever the public will believe and "storytellers can get away with.

However since we are there, we have caused a mess, we will stay the course and make a difference. Support the troops who were following orders of their Commander in Chief.

We are figting the insurgents with more terrorists coming our way. Is your country doing any fighting of terrorists?

Pray that we kill them all so that your country will be blood free.

We are proactive not reactive. What is your country? Hide behind yellow and let someone else do your fighting??

[DeeDee]

Below is an insert of a partial post on Scared Monkeys. It appears that someone on the "inside" is trying to draw attention to the officials on the island and pointing fingers toward money laundering/drug corruption. Just another view.

DH = Police Chief
Arawak King = Prime Minister
Babylonians = Dutch
Lions = drug/prostitution/slavery cartel

Shango says that the chief, PM and Lions are running durgs, prostitutes and sex slaves and that teh VDSs and Kalpoes are in on it as well. One big happy family of scum

The Chief is the weakest link, the most easy to expose. VDSs and Kalpoes are talking to prosecutors. But the PM and Chief will say that they can not investigate the allegations because their hands are tied by Dutch law. This is one good way to check Shango’s veracity.

Raise hell about why Chief is resigning. Raise hell about why no one will look into allegations of drugs,hookers,sex slaves and see if we get some excuse from the PM about how its up to the Dutch to conduct the investigation. If you hear something along these lines, Shango’s Olorum is credible.

Federal Bureau, can you apply on pressure? Problem is investigation of corruption into Aruban gov’t has to be conducted by Dutch, most likely. Will Dutch do it?

[Tanya]

websleuth2 the florida gulf with the sharks that only take limbs. ( not clothing )
Be angry at the aruban authorities not the island

[Bobup]

If the Dutch run Aruban legal system let’s this go unsolved and these guy’s walk it will send a clear message to the drug lord’s and other criminal’s that American’s open season, there will be no FBI or big media coverage on American victim’s after this. Enter Aruba at your own risk American you may not ever be seen again.

[Sarah]

Awesome letter Dan.. Thanks..

I heard something last night in the interview Greta had with that other Croes guy that went with Beth and Jug to Joran's house that first nite. He said Joran was claiming Natalee was drunk and drugged up.. Now how in the world did he "know" she was using drugs when he had only been with her that night for an hour or so...just part of his "story" he had concocted to tell anybody looking for Natalee. He wanted her to look like the bad person and he was the good person taking care of her.. If she was on drugs, it was because he gave them to her!!!

[dolores]

Deedee, don't start following Shango or you will go nuts! He/she has been posting on Scaredmomnkeys for many days now creating a Da Vinci COde of his own. And laughing his/her sick butt off.

[The Dutch Built Harlem]

SJEES HOLLAND:

Big respect my Dutch mate!

[Tsunder]

No Arubians are reeling you in, you choose what you want to do.. you dont have to come to Aruba, this is a website to talk/solve the case of Natalee Holloway, not to say Aruba is bad and we should never go there.. please try to concentrate on posting more interesting things about the status of the NH case.. Thank you

[Tanya]

delores aruban people protesting against the way the authorities handle this would really help. you are correct aruba did not do this but this boy's ativities has ruined the countries reputation. Jamaicas rep has also been damages by the dregs of society dont let this happen to aruba.

[marin]

Had there been any evidence it would have been found. No amount of washing can totally remove blood from clothes and luminol reveals all. Even being "free" for ten days post dissapearance Joran could not possibly have removed all traces of a crime. It's just not possible, something David Westerfield found out when he had his jacket dry cleaned, and even after that effort Danille Van Damms blood was still found, and even though his trailer was cleaned with bleach, forensic evidence was still found. People place too much weight on the ten days. Scott Peterson had four months and he was still arrested and conviceted. It is common in the United States to interrogate all family members and most are asked to submit to lie detector tests (as in the case of John Mason, who passed it, but still faced arrest and was the last person known to have seen his fiance....until they discovered the taxi driver and the people on the bus) Again, were those boys in the U.S. they would not be languishing in prison, they would in fact, be free. Being the last known person to have seen someone alive is not a death penalty crime.

Americans appear to be bi-polar in their pursuit of justice. They can attack but can't take it when the tables are turned. The manner in which supposed victims are sanctified totally removes their humanness as no one person is that one dimensional. Americans love it when their media demonizes the "bad guy" but heaven help us should the victim turn out to be human versus a saint.

I for one am waiting anxiously for the media to start to uncover the OTHER side of the story. I guess they've finished up with the Aruban people and the Van der Sloots for now, after all how much worse can they make them appear? It's been a month, a trained monkey could have predicted that when the media finished with their other victims they would turn on the stones left unturned. It's not rocket science. The louder you scream for them to stop, the harder they will look.