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

[JailLess1]

((VR)) I wasn't referring to you at all when I said, 'loud mouths'. I stated who I was referring to & the rest kniw exactly who they are because they've morw often then not their posts have been negative for the past few days. Matter of fact I agree w/ a something in your post. You should speak for yourself, you may 'say' you don't take opinions as carved in stone but some do & their posts & personal agendas are very transparent whether they realize it or not. As for our own personal opinions as to whats mature & whats the definition of 'behaving' maturely, this is what I'm saying...to one person Dan may behaving immaturely but to another the person responding may appear immature. The bottom line is that this is the man's blog, he doesn't have to carry himself accordingly to anyone's liking & if you already see that someone else is bringing a particular issue to his attention, then why repeat it & bother to run it in the ground? Sounds to me if someone does that then they ARE RANTING & talking more sh-t then the lord allows. Whats the point in blowing up the board w/ an individuals personal feelings? Majority of us come here to indulge in intelligent conversation & share info & logical debate. And matter of fact, I, myself agree w/ some of Dan's opinions which he has clearly stated were also the opinions of others, which I myself have read on other boards also. Dan & Red are my 2 favorite people in blog land & that's why I go to their blogs, unlike a few who plant themselves places just to bitch!

[Bryan S.]

Dan, just once again thanks for this thread. I'm glad that there are people out there that look at everyone with some degree of skepticism and not just make anyone who is helping in the search out to be some angelic figure who could do no wrong.
We aired all of the "rumors" about Joran and the Kalpoe brothers, so whats wrong with questioning the pasts of the searchers as well? There has been no shred of physical evidence turned up, sp who knows anymore? Questioning the motives of what looks like a pack of vigilantes led by an ex-mental patient with a lot of emotional baggage and a ratings hungry press who has driven this story even in...lets face it, the sheer absence of anything NEW to report is not only right, its intelligent.

For those of you who support people unconditionally just because you have prejudged this case from day one.....as Bill O Reilly would say, enjoy your Kool-Aid.

[JailLess1]

Bryan S., well said!

[fokje]

well, nothing wrong with the EquuSearch I would say. If that is a way to bolster the convidence in the type of search people have by the local authorities, then it's just fine. If you ask me whether it's usefull then I say no.

[JS]

Sorry if my "rant" offended you. I just know from personal experience what a wonderful man Tim Miller is, he helped search for my brother who was found dead a couple years ago. I now live in Mountain Brook, Alabama and know what this family is going through since i have been there myself. I don't understand the need to insult a man and volunteers who spend countless hours working in disgusting, filthy conditions to help a family have closure. I don't understand how it is relevant to this case and finding Natalee. The reason i was at this blog to begin with was because in the beginning there was worthwhile news and a sense of compassion, however now it has been reduced to dragging a Tim Miller's name through the dirt. No one says he is perfect, NO ONE is. However, he should be commended for the job he does and the closure he provides to familes he helps. NO one can know the feeling of losing a loved one unless it has happened to you, and for those who have lost God Bless and may God Bless the volunteers in Aruba.

[medicinegirl]

I'm an American who works in Aruba as a nurse pracitioner. I've been here 14 years now. The info about the ES member falling down drunk and breaking his hip after a night out at Hooter's is CORRECT!! I prepped him for surgery. Tim Miller is not well liked here. He came to visit his cohort and the MD's asked im to leave the floor. He's alienated most Arubans and Americans here. Paulus vd Sloot has two words for Mr Miller, "RESTRAINING ORDER"!! He's hired a PI out of Chicago to prove Joran didn't do it. This guy is GREAT, unlike TJ Ward. His nickname here is CrapJaw ward because never shuts up and most f what he says is bogus. If you want info let me know. I've got an 18 y/o son who plays soccer with Joran, so I get some gossip.

[fokje]

medicinegirl wrote: "I'm an American who works in Aruba as a nurse pracitioner. I've been here 14 years now. The info about the ES member falling down drunk and breaking his hip after a night out at Hooter's is CORRECT!! I prepped him for surgery."

I appreciate your comment, but I wondered if you are allowed to write this?

[vr]

Not to fired up about Bill Riley --- BUT I SURE

WOULD WANT HIM ON MY SIDE, IF NEED BE !

Re: Miller

Throughout history, people driven by a passion

for ANY cause, are not the so-called "norm"

especially when measured by society's yardstick

of acceptable/appropriate or even normal.

Same goes for the great thinkers in history --

most artists and other highly accomplished and/or

driven people. I would hate to think that

their positive contributions would be obliterated

due to "personality" quirks -- or out-of-the-

ordinary behavior ! Not everyone is 'talented'

in the same area's -- how boring that would be --

Acceptance of each other is not necessary;

however, dogmatic thinking and acting upon such

is detrimental. Diversity and tolerance just

might open doors in a closed mind, if allowed

to do so !

[AnnaMaria]

JailLess1:

You clearly don't understand the difference between opinion and rumor mongering. While Dan has every right to post whatever he wants, and no person stated otherwise, when he relies on "unnamed sources" on information that discredits and harms another person without absolute proof of said statements, he's dancing perilously close to defamation.

Nobody is drinking kool-aid. For my part, I'd just like to see detailed facts about Miller, rather than days worth of smearing innuendo from "unnamed sources."

Also, hysterical that you come here to yell at people with differing opinions than yours about taking their differing opinions elsewhere. Irony at its finest.

Dan has a great blog. Can't speak for everyone, but my post was meant to be constructive. Sometimes it's easier to see from the outside what someone more emotionally involved might miss.

[AnnaMaria]

JailLess1:

You clearly don't understand the difference between opinion and rumor mongering. While Dan has every right to post whatever he wants, and no person stated otherwise, when he relies on "unnamed sources" on information that discredits and harms another person without absolute proof of said statements, he's dancing perilously close to defamation.

Nobody is drinking kool-aid. For my part, I'd just like to see detailed facts about Miller, rather than days worth of smearing innuendo from "unnamed sources."

Also, hysterical that you come here to yell at people with differing opinions than yours about taking their differing opinions elsewhere. Irony at its finest.

Dan has a great blog. Can't speak for everyone, but my post was meant to be constructive. Sometimes it's easier to see from the outside what someone more emotionally involved might miss.

[Cindi in PA]

God Bless and may God Bless the volunteers in Aruba.

Posted by: JS | August 2, 2005 03:55 PM

Wow JS, just read your post. I am truly sorry about your brother. I also think TM is too close to this investigation for his own good right now.