This Was Disappointing

I couldn't get a hold of who I wanted to on the phone when I got home, so I thought I'd have a look at the news. I never made it past Fox. "Holloway's mother confronts the parents of Joran van der Sloot" reads the headline for Greta Van Sustern's show OTR tonight.

I applaud Fox as they are about the only network paying this significant attention at this point, but is there really a need to Springer-ize every headline ... every blurb?

My big mistake was clicking the wrong link and winding up on "Greta's Blog." Here's a few snappy bits from today's entry.

Monday started at 5 a.m. for me

While the island is not huge, these locations were not close and there is rush hour traffic on the island.

Finally, after the four tapings at the four locations, our producer "allowed" us to go to our hotel and check in.

I am not sure our producer would have let us out of his sight if the bureau were not in the same hotel!

Of course it could turn out when all the information is made public that the investigation was aggressive and thorough... we just don't know since we have so little information coming from the police. The risk is that when we don't know something that we let our imaginations run wild. This is one of the reasons I wanted to do the many walk and talks —- to give you some more information.

Of course I am teasing him to death

The one thing that I can't emphasize enough is that this island, but for Natalee, seems safe. The tourists I have spoken to say it is safe. Someone from the government asked me why we are covering this case so closely and I said because often we follow the "unusual" stories —- and, frankly, this is unusual in Aruba.

As for Monday night's show, I am curious whether you heard me say "so what!" at the top of the show as it was starting. I was saying it as I was getting cued to the start the show. Why did I say that? Because someone told Natalee's mother Beth to make sure she did not step in front of the camera when she replaced Julie Banderas on the chair next to me. I said "so what" — meaning that it was not the end of the world if our shot got messed up.

I wanted Beth to feel comfortable in the midst of her nightmare. I did not care if she messed up our live shot — I just want to find her child for her. Our live shot is inconsequential compared to her personal hell. I really admire Natalee's mother... not I just want to help her.

Sorry, it just struck me as pathetic. Poor Greta has to get up at 5AM ... poor Greta has to wait in rush hour traffic .... poor Greta has a producer who worries that the talent might fall asleep, or grab one too many rum and cokes before show time, I suppose ... the police could be wonderful, or may have totally blown it, we don't know ... but that's okay, because Ms. Greta gonna give us the South Sea Island version of Mistah Roger's Neighborhood and pass it off as informacion, ... and don't let Ms. Holloway trip over a cord on her way to her seat, cuz we don't want her breaking an ankle before Tuesday Night's big mud wrestling final. And when, oh when am I going to find time to work on my tan?

Yes, Greta, Aruba is safe, just ask the guy who nearly had his head cut off two days ago, or wasn't he a tourist? so it doesn't matter ... and don't forget to pick up your comps at the hotel before you leave ... the way your entry reads, you must get one for every time you use the word safe.

But, I have to hand it to you, you did get one thing right ... But for Natalee, yes, Greta, But for Natalee you'd probably be stuck back at home in the regular old boring studio, now, wouldn't that just suck?

Oh, come on, lighten up folks ... after all, I'm just teasing her to death. I hope the thing was written by a ghost, if not, it should be.

Update: The Political Teen has the video.

Comments

[patrick]

I was pretty tough on Greta yesterday for her broadcast which I thought was weak. I applaud her for her scoop today, but I think the mother is truly the one who deserves the recognition for investigating. After all, according to Greta it was BHT who when Greta said she wanted to accompany her for the day and asked what she wanted to do, that BHT said she 'wanted to go see the parents of JVS'. So, it was the mother's idea to visit them and question them. Greta was just along for the ride. I'm not a huge Geraldo fan, as I think he's a bit flaky, but I think he produces good sources and gets scoops cuz he chases after the story and actually investigates things. Greta got a lucky one here thanks to BHT. She needs to learn from this and think of doing these types of things on her own when investigating stories. I'm not trying to bash Greta. I think she is a very nice and honest person. Just don't think she's a very strong investigative reporter.

[Mary]

Dan.....GRETA is not perfect..No one is. She feels this mothers pain. She is only trying to help. Lighten up on her a bit. It is more than just work for Greta, I TRULY feel that.
She is all that that Natlee's mom has right now.
What would you do if Natalee were your child.?
Go Greta. Do all you can whether it is perfect or not.
Natalee's mom needs all the support she can get right now.
I commend you GRETA!! You go girl...

[Mary J.]

Can't stand that asshole O'Reilly. Wouldn't even let Greta talk tonight. Wish he'd hole himself up in a closet with a loofah or something.

Congrats to Greta for winning Natalee's mom's trust enough to have been in on the the van der scoop today.

Can't wait to hear more later.

Sounds like Dan is in Aruba.

Wish O'Reilly was in hell with the rest of his kind.

[ATLjoie]

When is Greta going to work on her tan? Haven't you noticed she must terribly afraid of the sun. I have never seen anyone wear so many clothes in Aruba!! lol

[JustMe]

Do you guys really want to know what happened to Natalee? If so then tell the Texans to leave their horses and dogs at home. Give them some rubber hoses and access to Joran and the interrogation room of the jail house. They would crack this case in less than an hour.

[Mary]

AND DAN....Think about it...This is something that in reality should not die til it is resolved.
Do you not have any sympathy for the mom.
I say again...Wouldn't you want FOX are any news organization to be on your side til the truth was told. Something happened there on that night on the 30th. What is the real truth?? There is only one truth and if Fox is the only one that is covering it now then so be it. Every headline every move, til the answer to the real truth is uncovered !!!! Do not let it die Fox....I commend you !!! CARRY ON.
The DUTCH boy has lived a double life for years now. The wool has become very thick.

[george]

Dan,

With all do respect:
1) I think Greta is doing an excellent job.
2) I feel Aruba is safe. I have been there multiple times, and I think is safer than most of the cities in USA. I don't understand the need for trashing Aruba.

I feel frustrated -maybe like you-, with the judicial/investigation methods, and with the lack of information available (specially for Natalee's parents).

[patrick]

In all fairness, this type of reporting is not really Greta's forte. She is a lawyer and does an excellent job on her show discussing the days current legal cases, etc. I think it's interesting Fox would send her to Aruba on this case/story. She obviously has the legal background to help the family and viewers understand the Aruba system. It is evident however, that she doesn't have much of am investigative reporting background. I do applaud her and Fox for staying on this sad event.

[kimber]

If Aruba is so safe, why is someone missing and no one has a clue or any confirmed or deny evidence about this missing person????

[Susan]

I like Greta....She tries her best. She and no one is perfect.
Greta you rock!!
keep up the good work...

[Freta]

MARY J.....PERHAPS YOU SHOULD GO THERE TO BE WITH YOUR KIND!!!!!!

[kimber]

Greta is an honest person, forthcoming that she is an attorney. She is the first to show and remain on the island where these suspects live and the first to have this interview that will be on shortly. Who cares if she needs to work on her tan...that really isnt the issue, but bothe sides of the coin if she wanted one she has the money to get one sun or sunless....doesnt change the missing natalee...or the delay in detaining the 3 suspects...

[Florida Girl]

Dan -

In my opinion, I think Greta is doing more than anyone else that is down there, or has been down there (MSM,Geraldo) since this started. I commend her, and I like what she is doing.

I think when this started, it was just another story or opportunity for a scoop for a lot of the media that is covering it (including Greta). I don't feel it is "just a story" anymore for Greta. I truly believe she is sincere in her want to help BHT and the family to find Natalee, and has really started to bond with Beth Holloway. I remember last night on Greta's show, BHT said "Greta, I look forward to spending more time with you and talking to you".

What started out as a day with BHT, to find out what her days were like, Greta said to BHT, "What do you want to do first?"...she said talk to PVDS. Greta said, "let's go". I don't think Greta would have gone in there this morning and said "hey Beth, let's go to the VDS's house and try to get some information". I just don't think she would have done that, it's just too insensitive, in my opinion. It was all about what BHT wanted to do, and I'm sure Great was excited to follow along, like any of us would have done, because this is such a mystery, not just to get a scoop.

Anyway, I'm done, and I have to say, although I'm fairly new here, and most of what I have read in your posts, I have agreed with. This time, I have to strongly disagree.

I say GO GRETA!... keep up the good work, and thanks for taking us along with you!

COME HOME NATALEE!!!!

k

[wft]

kimber...check out http://www.visitaruba.com/facts/newsdesk/missing.html

[Steve]

Dan, I'm more a fan of Greta's than not -- but I think you hit the nail on the head on this. We know Aruba is safe. We don't care. We just want to know where the girl is, period. I look at Beth Holloway Twitty's sunburned face and feel it's like seeing the face of someone who is peering into hell daily, because that is what the mother of of a missing child endures. You are right to call this one out -- I know people can find a joke anywhere, but there's nothing light about this story to me.

[Demopolis]

Why defend Greta, people? She's a tabloid journalist. Next, you'll be saying, "Geraldo will get to the bottom of this!"

Dan calls 'em like he sees 'em. And this time he saw it right.

[Mary]

Just me.....Right on...I love it.

[Frank]

5:00 a.m. rush hour traffic? I suppose everyone is rushing home at that time. :-)

[Florida Girl]

P.S.

The "TAN" comment was not necessary. Greta is down there working her ass off from 5am, til who knows when, probably 1-2am. This is not a VACATION for anyone down there working on this story!

Shame.....

[kimber]

I respect Dan, but after reading that FOX is about the only network there is untrue, Current Affair, CNN, MSNBC, FOX, there are many networks there, so many that some of them don't know where they will be staying tommorrow night as the hotels are booked there. This story is huge in the US on every mahor network at least ever 30 minutes to an hour every day...

[JL]

From what I have read on this page so far. I think you are outnumbered Dan....Sorry..Greta and Fox rules!!

[george]

Hi Kimber,

To feel safe in one place doesn't mean that there are no crimes.
But there is a big diference with the image that some people want to give about Aruba. So far I haven't heard from anybody in this blog that has been in Aruba and have felt unsafe

I think the worst mistake after Natalee's disappearance is the way the police has been handling the case, and not letting the FBI having a more important role in Natalee's search (this should be the main focus of the investigation)

[kimber]

WFT, It was sad to see that, and I am aware that there are others missing, this case in particular is so intriguing to so many as for the first night after Natalee was missing, the parents spoke with the father of one of the now suspects and it took 48 hours to be heard and ten days to do anything...alot can happen in ten days. Facts be known, those 3 saw her last and those 3 have changed their stories one too many times. I feel for her family and I couldn't imagine being in their situation knowing that someone knows.

[kimber]

George,
Show anyone in the world a place where there is no crime. It is unfortunately everywhere. But, I have never heard of an investigation like this. They wait 10 days to do anything to the 2 original suspects bought forward by Natalees parents. When time went by for search warrant "they cant go in like cowboys." They did for the 2 security guards. And there was no evidence or they wouldnt of been let go. Not good investigative work at all. The world would feel different if they had never raided the 2 security guards homes...made the world wonder...where is natalee???

[george]

Kimber,

I agree with your latest statements. I think the case was mishandled since the beginning (maybe inexperience), and that the main focus in the investigation has not been finding Natalee but gathering information for future criminal prosecution. And this is not helping Aruba's image

[Whitney]

Yes, this has/is disappointing...actually that's been close to the original content. Your links are pretty good, though. Just a thought.

[islandlife]

Well, the 2 guards were arrested because at that moment there was a huge hunger for some clarity, mainly because the press laid so heavily on the case.

I think Joran was not immediately arrested because his dad is a judge. It would be like walking an elephant in a glass house. It is a small community there.

[Sarah]

Greta is just doing a job.. She can't even pronounce Natalee's last name correctly even after tons of emails have been sent to her asking her to say it correct. She blames it on her yankee accent but nobody else at Fox says it wrong and they are all yankees too. And as far as Greta winning Beth's trust? Beth wants her daughter back and the family should use any means they can to find her. Now don't waste her time bashing me for my opinions of Greta. This blog is not for bashing other bloggers!

[Dan Riehl]

"Dan,

For a guy who used stale photos from Joran's various websites (which have been archived in numerous places on the web) as a "hook" to get on a Fox program and promote your own blog, I think the last thing you should be doing is throwing stones at Greta for an interview you'd cut off both of your nuts to have conceived let alone executed."

Hmmm, seems as thought a little education is in order. 1) I couldn't "conceive" of such an interview, as I wouldn't have done it. If the familes wanted a private time, wonderful, I could never stand out in front of a camera afterwards, and still now on O'reilly and put it all in public view - it's exploiting not only one, but two familes at a time of incredible crisis. 2) If you know how to read a site meter you'll note that my traffic peaked a week before the Fox show, not after. and 3)If you knew that the sole purpose of my going on was to give them cover to show pictures, some of which I had never seen before, frankly, and - what was that the booker said, you know, "say the juicy stuff that we can't say" - which I didn't, and told them I wouldn't beforehand ... well, if you knew all that, you might know what you're talking about. As you don't ... well, clearly you don't.
FInally, I detest the exploitation game and would much rather see Murdoch take some of the big bucks, keep Greta et al in NY and LA and contribute to whatever cause or effort that might at least solve the mystery of this missing young women before Fox grabs it's next ratings buster and leaves the family behind and alone to wonder, fool.

[mora68]

Dan...I didn't think Greta was complaining in her blog...don't let your arrogance get in the way of a decent website. Greta has her blog and for those that enjoy reading it, and getting a feel for what a day in the life of Greta might be like, so be it. Honestly, get off your high horse...I'd argue more with your intellectual self, but, I am just too tired to do so...need to conserve my energy for more important things...like feeding the dog.

[Lurker]

Did Greta think to ask the Good Judge Van der Slut WTF he was doing hiding IN THE BUSHES?! I thought only pervs did that -- oh wait, maybe that fits!

[publius]

lurker, you hit the nail on the head. why is a judge in training hiding in the bushes?
It might not be sinister at all. most yard animals relieve themselves in the bushes.
this van der slut family is the poster child for EUROTRASH!!!!!!!!!!! that is all they are plain and simple. But now they can add other titles of european dignity and nobility to their family crest. MURDERERS, AIDING AND ABETTING, CONSPIRACY, OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE. The van der sluts and kalpoes should be put on a leaky raft on the north shore along with ankle weights and chicken guts. even sharks need a little appetizer.

[Man Fraid]

If they are lucky, months from now, the body will wash ashore on the coastline of Venezula / Panama. The LE in those countries would have to alert villagers of that possibility.

Otherwise, her body would have being secured with enough weights to keep it on the ocean floor (miles off-shore). The depth and ocean currents will make it near impossible to find.

There's no chance for the Arubian LE. They're not finding a trace of evidence on land. The body is lost forever. The young men are not confessing.

These guys know they can sit this thing out and in 6 - 8 months they'll walk.

At somepoint Ms. BHT will have to work with the Arubian LE to offer a 'deal' in exchange for where the body was placed.

[Cerulean]

Dan, you need to take a break. You were pretty harsh. Greta is not a genius but she has more integrity than O'Reily or Geraldo. O'Reily has about two brain cells.

[John]

Last night a few of Natalee's friends were on TV. They were asking them questions but did not ask them all the right questions.

I want to know if Joran and Natalie had plans to meet at Carlos and Charlie's? When they were at Carlos and Charlie's were they hanging out together or were they in separate groups? If they were hanging out together why didn't Natalee's friends come get her before they were leaving? Was Natalie fighting with her friends?

[Jenn]

Dan, I have enjoyed your blogs and all of your updates about the continuing search for Ms. Holloway. I have to say...I am a bit dissapointed in this post. I didn't see you the as the type to bash this way. You and Greta are on the same side.
Maybe you need to take a break from this for a while. It is tough on all of us. Take Care!!

jenn