Once More On Miller With Feeling

Geesh - you people see through everything I write, don't you?

Okay, time to "fess up!" Yes, I have had an "agenda" in this regard.

Here's a truth - when another web log wrote me and asked for a link to a Miller interview I gave it to them. I also told them then that I was no Miller fan. This was long before our beef, or one of the web log owners hooking up with EquuSearch, which I couldn't care less about, frankly.

Actually, that was our last communication. They never asked me why. Though, at the time, I believe, I did say in that email that some of the reports I was getting from the island were disappointing and surprising.

The reason I felt that way is simple and I didn't report it at the time, as it just didn't seem important.

Look when this is happening? Where is the family? They're in Alabama.

(Qualifier) I have never spoken to any member of Natalee's family, including her Father Dave Holloway.

What I will share in the way of a FACT as regards this issue is this - when some people were speculating that Dave Holloway wasn't "involved" enough - he was spending most everyday scouring the island, often on a three wheel all-terrain vehicle doing everything he could to find his missing Daughter.

What I also know is that at least one distraction he had was his feeling that he had to sit on or otherwise worry about Miller creating more fuss than anything else by running his mouth off and pissing off the very people the family needed to rely upon to try and get some answers. Not to mention a run in Miller had with the press at an early dive site which alienated nearly everyone on the island.

Other isolated reports I have been given from AMERICANS on Aruba as regards ES:

They often showed up late for starting, searched for two hours and complained when their, I believe, comped lunch wasn't on time. According to one US source, it was a joke.

Divers took vacations to go there but had two day decompression periods before and after their first and last dive. That was said to result in less than effective action and more time off than on while on Aruba for some - as no ground activity had been co-oridinated ... well, there's always the beach or the casino's, I suppose.

The most significant injury I have heard of that EVERYBODY is talking about behind the scenes but noone has or even will confirm, is that an ES member fell down drunk after leaving Hooters at 2-3 AM and was said to have broken his hip. As stated, that report is UNCONFIRMED ...

And NONE of this information comes from any Aruban based sources, or anyone affiliated with the government of Aruba - or affiliated with any of its media in any way. My best sources have always been Americans in Aruba as a result of this tragedy.

There ... you want the TRUTH ... you got it.

No, sorry, I'm not a big fan of MIller and haven't been since the phone call when I found  out the first item above ... over a month ago.

End of Story.

Comments

[TexasGal]

wow

[hobo]

Well, that dispels the rumor that you're shy.

Prayers for Natalee and Beth.

[TexasGal]

Dan do you think Beth and Jug have faith in him still?

[Dan]

TxGal - I've no idea - truth be told they need the media circus because if America moves on, so does any hope of ever coming to anything like a just resolution of this case. I don't begrudge them that.

But someone also has to know that at some point, Miller might not be the guy to be playing ring master. IMNSHO

[birmingham dog]

WHen this "enlightening" takes place here in the USA about the Equu-Search people then this case will be OFFC the front page and most everyone will forget about Natalee Holloway. Fox News, et;al is doing a huge dis-service to Natalee with having these EquuSearch people, Jossy Mansour, etc. in front of the camera to the public. When the USA public loose faith then it's over with, end of story.
The Reporting on this case by the Media is horrendous. I live in Birmingham and we have been hearing for some time there is a big conflict between Dave Holloway and the Twitys. I am a big Dave fan, and as for the others, I'll just say results speaks volumes. Poor Natalee, if she had never gone on that trip......Dave Holloway was right....

GWD

Dan thanx for stating your opinions and for making a stand. Truth and justice for ALL, even the damned...

[Jessie]

Well I can size up a nut case when I see one by what he says and the way he says it on TV. But it is good to have the evidence cited here.

PVDS was wise to regect Miller's offer to "clear the name of PVDS" by looking in that abandoned well. After that Miller would have demanded that the VDS home be searched again, the cars be searched again, both parents let TJ Ward sit down with them for his "scientific test", the property of the close friends be subjected to search, and on and on infinitum. The "Titty team" are just about feeding Fox News at this proint. They would not know "the truth" if "the truth" ran over them with a truck.

[TexasGal]

...sigh...and here we go again.

[birmingham dog]

Yea we see where the SCARED MONKEY crew is hanging out, dont we? They are over at the EquuSearch, TJ.Miller, Bungalow siping on a glass of half empty promises.

GWD

[birmingham dog]

troll alert, IGNORE him and do NOT carry on a discussion with him....thats how you handle sharks...no bllod pool then they move on..

GWD

[CancunGirl]

Tiburon:
Si eres quien dices que eres, porque sigues tratando de infiltrar este foro? Que sacas?

[TexasGal]

BD-What does the GWD stand for?

[CancunGirl]

Poof!!!! and he's gone again! Good job, Dan!!

[Sun]

Shark,
How about you got Hop on another Island and see if you can find someone who cares about what you have to say. All you do here is clutter up our comment area.

[Dan]

THere are no sharks in these waters any longer ... but they always come back - losers. Not much good being a shark when you don't have any teeth. : )

[PinkCobrazz]

Well heck looks like I responded to soon..good
job Dan.

Dan..clear off my prior post too..so that way..his quote doesn't show.

Thanks Dan.

[birmingham dog]

T-gal---GWD=guywdog

GWD

[kate]

dan ....... you will ALWAYS be THE MAN :)

[TexasGal]

BD-Thanks.

I am sitting here just atwiddlin' my thumbs waiting on whatever that was that Dan was talking about this morning about not dismissing the possibility of someone burning her body.

[hmmmm]

Maybe you help take the heat of me and report on Micheal Mansur.

Thanks
Deepak.

[PinkCobrazz]

Starting with Dave Holloway here...this gentleman I have utmost respect for. He handles himself
professionally...and is always right out there
in the middle of a dig or whatever working right
along..or looking somewhere for his daughter..
not sitting on his ass on the sidelines giving
press reports.

Yes..it is obvious there is tension between
the Twitty's and the Holloways. In the beginning..I think American's liked the family
in general. Now..I don't have that feeling.
I feel everyone is most sympathetic as to the
tragedy..but want Beth and Jug to go away.

I agree on Miller. At first I applauded his
hard work. Now I think he is enjoying seeing
his own face and being the center of attention
with the media..and he is now turning into
a circus clown. He needs to go away too!!

Let the FBI take over from here.

[Susan]

Dan, I don't know you personally, but it is nice to know that you can be honest when giving information. I don't doubt that for one minute that there are people who are involved in the search only for a "trip" to Aruba or for personal gain. (That's just my opinion) I commend your honest effort to get FACTS out there for those who are interested!

[Bryan S.]

Tim Miller sounds like a total freak. He should be placed in a room with padded walls where he can't screw anything else up. Like I stated before, he has a history of both mental illness and being confined to a mental asylum.

The story of the man falling outside of Hooters is pathetic. What a bunch of drunk idiots. I don't know who the "good guys" are in this whole thing anymore.

[gallowaygirl aka mojo]

Being from Houston, I think I can add a little local information regarding Equusearch that is 'confirmed'. Last year, Texas Equusearch earned a commendation from the superintendent of our school district for finding a missing elementary student. This was a small accolade compared some of the national and international recognition received by Tim Miller and his crew; but it was huge to us.

I can't really comment on the stories regarding late lunches or off-time activities because, as mentioned in the above post, they are UNconfirmed and perhaps not true. But I do know that decompression is required between dive time and flight time and there is no way to get around that particular restriction. But whether decompression time was used efficiently or not, I would not DARE to comment on without being on the ground in Aruba to judge the level of impediment facing Texas Equusearch.

Now I would speak to those who expect Texas Equusearch to be a group of perfect heros. They are not. Quite a few of them are the family of crime victims. Many are parents of kidnapped and murdered children. I can only imagine the baggage that some of these imperfect heros must carry daily while making their way through this life without their loved ones. Having never suffered such unspeakable loss, I don't think I could even bring myself to form an opinion as to the appropriateness of how they choose to cope from day to day. One must assume that everytime these special volunteers show up to search for someone's missing loved one, they are, on some level, reliving their own personal tragedies. (Kinda puts that allegation of drinking at Hooters in perspective doesn't it? I think I'd be more than a little 'in the bottle' if I were the parent of a murdered child.)

I think it is highly inappropriate to form opinions, especially negative ones, based primarily on gossip. And I seriously think some of you are basing your negative opinion on this ridiculous blog fight and some sort of misguided need to show loyalty to this blog.

These volunteers were asked to show up and they did. Nothing more need be said.

I expect to be banned after this posting. So be it. I'm disgusted anyway.

[Kat_Gram]

I read the Tim Miller article Dan posted. Miller sounds like a man tormented by his own demons. He has transferred his anger and unresolved issues over to this investigation making him ineffective and a liability.

I feel sorry for him. He needs to go home and leave someone else in charge of Equusearch and their equipment.

ps. What is the legal gambling age in Aruba ? Here in Canada it is 18. Before that, you are not even allowd on the premises.

[TexasGal]

I expect to be banned after this posting. So be it. I'm disgusted anyway.

Posted by: gallowaygirl aka mojo

Why would you be banned for stating your opinion? You are definitely entitled to it. Banning is for people who have no opinion but just come to create havoc.

[Anna]

Well, if no one else will, I will say that there would be no search at the landfill going on right now if not for the Texas Equuine group. None. It was just stated on Greta by Linda Allison that they are the only ones searching. Guess it is too hot and dirty for anybody else.

There are highly trained professionals in that group as well as Miller. He is just one member and I sort of doubt running things. Maybe he does but I sort of doubt he is running the sonar or handling the dogs, think that requires lots of training. Maybe some of his techniques and the things he says are irritating but doubt anybody has to babysit him. If it keeps the focus of the media on covering this, it can't be all bad. And he does have a reputation for doing a lot of good in his field of work.

Flame away, not coming back to read what you say anyway. Ha, ha.

[Dan]

I'm not interested in banning anyone who supports Miller. That's silly.

[mariaK]

gallowaygirl: No matter how great the work Equuasearch has done in the past, there is NO excuse for Tim Miller to shill himself for the Geraldo/FoxNews sideshow. Showing up at a suspects house with a camera crew isn't honest search work, it's grandstanding. I don't care how altruistic the Equuasearch people try to make this, I sincerely doubt that their concern is clearing Paulus's name. Equuasearch is just a private group and it is the right of all free citizens to decline their services. Who would want a former hard-drinking, psych-patient vigilante who held a gun to a civilian's head to be roaming around the private property? Equuasearch needs to just keep digging through the garbage until no one wants to interview them anymore, then they can slink on home. Maybe Tim Miller can win an award for search person who gave the most interviews and/or brought in the most donations.

[sleuth]

A little leven here...Miller is not all bad. But quite frankly, maybe not the brightest flea on the dog. And the man butchers English. Many Arubans speak it better than Miller. But I have seen other members of ES that seem to be some of the good guys.

An observation: The Holloways think Natalee is dead. The Twittys think she is alive. That's a major difference.

[Cindi in PA]

Mojo your opinion is very much respected, by me anyway. I am sure all these people in ES get emotionaly involved at some point on some cases from time to time. That is only human nature. However,at some point, those that lost a child have to come to grips with reality. I have lost a child also. But there comes a time to get a grip on one's actions and reactions. Does not seem that TM has come to terms with the death of his daughter yet. His intentions may be good, but he does no good without his emotions in check.

[MarkleSparkle]

Dan's comments are justifiable and reflect my view of the Miller. However I agree that the sensationalism that he provides to this case also keeps it in the spotlight. I think that helps keep interest alive and support for the search going on. So I suppose it's kind of a positive negative. Miller seems whack to me. But, I would probably be whack too.

[ashleigh]

I appreciate your blog entries Dan, and you have the integrity to post both sides of the story. I have no doubt that you care as much about Natalee and her family as any other spectator, and your efforts have demonstrated that.

I think people are afraid to criticize Tim Miller because he's coming from an origin of tragedy in his life. It is unseemly to see someone who experienced this injustice and tragedy as being anything but heroic when coming to the aid of others who are experiencing the same horrors. That's why I sent Equusearch money, not just for Natalee, but, because I believed they were helping people.

However, I think Tim Miller has a dual agenda, and I believe he is hurting the credibility of the American family who need the cooperation and support from the Arubans. So Tim is searching a landfill, and why do I know this will be unproductive?

He will once again declare that Natalee is not on the island, and leave. The only reason he came back was the duct tape and hair led him to believe he was going to miss out on being there if something came to fruition. I really didn't trust him after that since he seemed to be attracted to seek the glory, and I don't think anything he's doing in Aruba right now is going to be meaningful. I would be thrilled to be wrong, and see the money I sent him be used fruitfully. It will restore my faith in people like him who volunteer for these causes. Too many like him volunteered for 911, and ended up getting rich in the process. There are very few with pure intentions, and after his insane behavior the past few days, I don't see him as a productive element to this search.

But, other people have the right to still admire him. I wish I did. It's disappointing to feel the way I do about this man. I appreciate Dan's honest depictions of the way he is, vs. the way MSM has tried to canonize this self-serving crusader.

[gallowaygirl aka mojo]

First mariak, it is Equusearch as in equine. They started out as a mounted search group.

Secondly, though it was a goofy idea, I think the reason Miller showed up with a camera crew was because he was manipulated into it by Fox, as was Beth Twitty when she went there with Greta. Tim Miller most likely thought he could pressure, shame or con PVDS into letting him search the backyard, if he challenged him in a public manner. BUT, his motivation didn't strike me as for personal gain...I think he just really wants to find Natalee and was trying to figure out a way to get in the back yard. Cameras got Beth to the Van der Sloot dinner table after all.

sleuth....If you are gonna personally attack Tim Miller for his grammer, I'm gonna have to call you out on the use of the word "leven". I fail to understand the pertinence of a Scottish lake to your point.

And Dan...silly is this little snitfit with SM. Only you know if ego drives this trashing of Texas Equusearch.

[gallowaygirl aka mojo]

ashleigh -

Tim Miller left the island because the man who police adamently believe murdered his daughter and buried in in the I-45 corridor 'killing fields' committed suicide two weeks ago. He was in Houston receiving an update on his daughter's case.

[Cindi in PA]

An observation: The Holloways think Natalee is dead. The Twittys think she is alive. That's a major difference.

Posted by: sleuth | August 1, 2005 11:38 PM

Sleuth, I do not believe its a major difference, there is always one who is more realistic when dealing with children. At least in my experience.

[sleuth]

OOOOps! Left out an 'a.' Leaven. Honey, I have been up since 4 am, worked my butt off today, and still up reading the blog. My arthritic fingers don't always hit every key.

[sleuth]

this is not a friendly place tonight, guess it's time to go to bed

[birmingham dog]

This should be a Vaulable lesson yet again to us all. The MEDIA are ONLY involved in this case for the RATINGS. And with that fact known the Media will do anything they can to Sensationalize this case, i say this as the media now has too much invested to just drop the case. The Media will drag any tiny issue up to once again get everyones hopes up. I Never use the Word WHORE to decribe a person but in this situation the workd WHORE does apply to the Media...FOX INCLUDED and they might be at the Top of that sick list.
I live in Birminghama and there has been talk of a rift between the Holloways and the Twitys. there are lots of rumors, but I wont repeat them for chance of being Flamed by the pro-BT crowd.

Let's all remember this is about Natalee and Not BT....

GWD

[mariaK]

Here's my big question about the landfill search: The Equuasearch spokesperson said that they are at the landfill alone. They are not supervised by any law enforcement agents (Aruban police, FBI, etc). So what happens if they actually find something? I can imagine the defense having a field day putting Tim Miller's "promise" to make Paulus van der Sloot's life as miserable as he could make it up against any evidence that Tim Miller et al find in a search. Oh well, maybe the Arubans will stop feeding Equuasearch for free and the group can find another tropical island tragedy to exploit...oops, I mean solve.

[Cindi in PA]

sleuth....If you are gonna personally attack Tim Miller for his grammer, I'm gonna have to call you out on the use of the word "leven". I fail to understand the pertinence of a Scottish lake to your point.

OK, OK, enough is enough. There are 6 major different forms of language in the US. Stop putting folks down who communicate different than you might. A few weeks ago, a woman I work with said " I need to visit the bank in the box" before we go to lunch. I asked, bank in the box?
Laughing as I inquired of course, I had no clue what she was talking about. She said, you know that little box downstairs that you get money from. I had to laugh even harder. She is from one part of these great states, I am from another. But I sure as hell did not judge her use of language!

[gallowaygirl aka mojo]

sleuth -

I knew what you meant. :-) Now imagine how tired you would be if you were digging through a stinking garbage dump for a dead girl. Maybe you would hope people would overlook your harmless, colloquial manner of speaking.

[westcoast]

First mariak, it is Equusearch as in equine. They started out as a mounted search group.

Secondly, though it was a goofy idea, I think the reason Miller showed up with a camera crew was because he was manipulated into it by Fox, as was Beth Twitty when she went there with Greta. Tim Miller most likely thought he could pressure, shame or con PVDS into letting him search the backyard, if he challenged him in a public manner. BUT, his motivation didn't strike me as for personal gain...I think he just really wants to find Natalee and was trying to figure out a way to get in the back yard. Cameras got Beth to the Van der Sloot dinner table after all.

sleuth....If you are gonna personally attack Tim Miller for his grammer, I'm gonna have to call you out on the use of the word "leven". I fail to understand the pertinence of a Scottish lake to your point.

And Dan...silly is this little snitfit with SM. Only you know if ego drives this trashing of Texas Equusearch.

Posted by: gallowaygirl aka mojo | August 1, 2005 11:52 PM

So at what point do you think gallowaygirl that it is very unprofessional and mucking up the case and investigation for Tim Miller and Beth Holloway to go to the fence of PVDS and family and scream and yell for them to come out?

Your reasoning makes absolutely no sense to me for this behavior. PVDS and his wife were willing to let Beth into their home to talk. And what came out of that? Nothing but the media taking and running with the sweating of PVDS? WTF? My husband sweats when we are in the tropics on vacation, especially when there is no air conditioning, fans, etc. We spend our time beside the pool or ocean when we are not in our air conditioned room.

So my point is, why the heck would PVDS allow any of this media circus onto his grounds, including Equusearch? The man is up to no good and botching this investigation by trying such a pathetic stunt.

[DennisAOK]

mariaK,

One of the Texas EquuSearch guys explained tonight that if they find something they would immediately contact the Aruban police. |

[gallowaygirl aka mojo]

Cindi - I get it, but you should have really quoted sleuth to make your point....

"But quite frankly, maybe not the brightest flea on the dog. And the man butchers English. Many Arubans speak it better than Miller. But I have seen other members of ES that seem to be some of the good guys" - slueth

[gallowaygirl aka mojo]

westcoast -

Back up now.

My opinion is that Miller's MOTIVATION in publicly challenging PVDS was not for publicity, but for access. (And I agree, Fox's motivation was ratings.) However, I did NOT state that I believed PVDS should have allowed TM on his property. Re-read my post for clarity.

[mariaK]

DennisAOK-Still, if you were a judge would you accept evidence found by a private citizen with a stated vendetta? I have to think that the actual law enforcement people must know that this is only a publicity stunt. Sort of the way they stood back and watched the searchers drag up a 10 year old cement barrel. Sometimes when people think LE are not working hard enough, it may be that they are just not wasting their time.

[dr]

the two day decompression periods are about right before and after flying...

[DennisAOK]

mariaK,

I think if they found Natalee's body or items of clothing they surely would accept it.

[Cindi in PA]

The real point here is this.....Beth is missing a daughter, Dave is missing a daughter. They will both respond differently, they are two very different people. BUT FOR SOMEONE, ANYONE TO JUDGE THEIR REACTION, BEHAVIOR, LANGUAGE BASED ON HOW THEY WOULD REACT as being equal to the love for their child is ignorant to say the least. I had said this before and I will say it again, I had a daughter die, I do not want any broken hearts because of that. But I do know this, I responded very different than my husband

[color]

GALLOWAYGIRL.
I totally agree with you and could not have said it better myself. I don't know about being banned, but I realize I have to stay of these boards for a while. The nastinest towards other people in my opinion is uncalled for it's not why we are here. Or why I am here anyway and it is just getting to me. Like you say all those people with ES are volunteers who have lost either their children or someone else they love to murder. So what if one gets drunk, so what is they start late. I don't see anyone else out there digging in the Landfill.

JESSIE
What is your thing with Beth and Jug Twitty? I hope to God you are never in their shoes. You will never know what it is to lose a child untill you have done so. God help you for your negative criticism of them. Why is Jug evil? what a horrible thing to think never mind say. You may not like his personality or the way he presents himself. He loves Beth, and it is obvious he loved Natalee, he knows Beth's heart is broken and he hurts for her. So he over reacts sometimes he wants answers for his wife. Why in God's name does that make him evil?
My prayers go Out to Dave Holloway his wife Robin, Beth and Jug Twitty, I truly hope this ends for them soon. I'm outta here.