More On The Aruba Boycott

Ouch!

Alabama is home to some of the poorest people in America; coupled with one of the greatest disparities between rich and poor in the country.  Their crime rate rivals that of Eastern European and Asian capitals and one would think that Governor Riley would have something better to do than tell a bunch of poor people not to take a luxury vacation that they cannot afford.  You can’t blame the governor for wanting to be on television, but you have to question the logic of his proposition: criminal activity and unsolved crimes equals boycott.

It would have done Riley well not to open his state to this kind of scrutiny given the problems that the chicken pluckers and cotton farmers already have, but he did so let’s compare the crime rate of Alabama with the rest of the world and decide if it is safer to go to the Holloway and Twitty home state or van der Sloot's Aruba.

There are 85 people missing in Alabama, fifteen of them minors (one doesn't know for certain that these are accurate, but we'll give Alabama the benefit of the doubt since a very public case is missing from that count) and the state has more than a dozen missing felons (the Twitty’s are upset that Natalee got lost in Aruba, but Alabama is losing convicted felons!), 191 people are on Alabama’s death row (probably not there for petty theft) and 4,757 registered sex offenders call the Yellowhammer State home (contrast that with 3,237 sex offenders in all of the United Kingdom where more than 60 million people live compared to the 4.5 million in Alabama).  Overall, Alabama is not safe and certainly not safer, statistically, than Aruba or almost anywhere else in the world.

The good news is that Governor Riley can call Tony Blair and brag about having more perverts than all of Great Britain; the bad news is that Riley opened the door to this scrutiny and when you look at the facts – Alabama should be boycotted.

Comments

[Northerner]

Just one problem: what is there to boycott in Alabama?? I can't think of a thing that that state can offer that I would want. Nor of a thing that I could provide and deny them. They are in sort of a no-mans-land already.

[Jennifer]

What a great comparison & one that has dutiful been left out of FOX Greta & Nancy disGrace interviews with the not honest Twitty's.

[Brooke]

BOYCOTT ALABAMA!!
Especially in light of the kinds of people that come from that state, BT, JT, Riley.

Boycott BT&Co movies and books that exploit Natalee , "grieving" hootie" EXPLOITS her own daughter!!

Riley has the audacity (wonder if people from AL understand that big word) to harass another country at the expense of all Americans? Again exploiting NH.

"Their crime rate rivals that of Eastern European and Asian capitals and one would think that Governor Riley would have something better to do than tell a bunch of poor people not to take a luxury vacation that they cannot afford. "

Well if the poor of AL are anything like the freeloaders that come from there than they could afford to take a 3 month vacation in Aruba and bring all their friends OR BETTER yet ask for Millions in DONATIONS will get them several months there! AGAIN EXPLOITING Natalee her own "grieving mother" EXPLOITS her daughter.

Putting two and two together one might come up with BT buying a very expensive car for her TEEN son, so one would say, hmmmm if they are that rich to afford a $37,000.00 car for a teen, than why did they need all those millions in "DONATIONS?

Those of us who are not the Defenders-of-grieving hootie and her blowhard husband cult followers Lemmings of BT &Co can CLEARLY see that the grieiving mother IS EXPLOITING HER OWN DAUGHTER!
DISPICABLE Southern mother, is that the way all southerners are? Thank you God for allowing me to be born in the great State of ILLINOIS and a Midwesterner!!

[a..incanada]

Amen! Boycott Alabama!

[April]

A lot of people spent their warm Christmas in Aruba. Not this year, people are bundle up their firewoods, fireplaces and fresh Christmas trees and welcoming Natalee home. I like the idea of boycott which will put lots of pressure on Aruba to find Natalee quick. We all have feelings about the missing women and children, specifically when one of them is your loved one. I put more wrapped toys under the Natalee Christmas tree in the shopping mall.

[mem]

I am from the island,

for God sake, you all people STOP this crazyness,

stop saying, boycott Aruba,

stop saying, boycott Alabama

stop inciting both (and the thirt) parties,

saying all those bad thing to each other

I am sure from what happend the first week

what went wrong the first week

that will be taking care of, but it will not be

a show for nobody, that is the way it should be.

[bizman]

Damn,that's about all I can say.BOYCOTT ALABAMA!!!

[nelson]

A Natalee Christmas TREE????? really show you how crazy and beyond these people are, I think what we need here is an exorcist!!!.

[> ~~ iwabwu ~~ <]

Dan,

I believe your comparison is apples to oranges for many reasons.

Alabama as a state has many times the population of Aruba. It also covers a wider geograhy.

If one were to compare Mountain Brook statistics http://www.cityrating.com/citycrime.asp?city=Mountain+Brook&state=AL , it still would not be 'apples to apples'. Moumtain Brook has very little crime, and is much closer to Aruba in population than the whole state of Alabama.

To try and get to 'apples to apples', one could compare the rate of the Netherlands Antilles (from which Aruba bacame separate in 1986). I think the perception of crime /safety would change significantly.

You can slice and dice statistics all you like. But I think one could always argue 'apples to oranges'.

And, how many people are incorporated in the facility in which Fred Maduro worked? What are their crimes?

I wonder what the crime rates for murder, rape, and other crimes are in Aruba the Netherlands Antilles? For residents, not including tourists.

[bizman]

P.S. a bullet only costs a nickel.

Posted by: dan is a dope | Nov 13, 2005 9:36:17 AM

RIGHT,so why would anyone in Aruba go thru the trouble of poisoning Beth as she has claimed.

[bizman]

A lot of people spent their warm Christmas in Aruba. Not this year, people are bundle up their firewoods, fireplaces and fresh Christmas trees and welcoming Natalee home. I like the idea of boycott which will put lots of pressure on Aruba to find Natalee quick. We all have feelings about the missing women and children, specifically when one of them is your loved one. I put more wrapped toys under the Natalee Christmas tree in the shopping mall.

Posted by: April | Nov 13, 2005 8:21:00 AM

You have got to be kidding.Do you realize what you have done?You are spending Beth's money by doing such a thing.You need to go back and get those gifts and return them for the money and send it to Beth c/o Amsouth Bank.You better hope Beth does not hear about this or she just may cut off your supply of KOOL-AID.

A NATALEE HOLIDAY TREE,BARF,BARF,BARF.

[Janna]

It is so maddening so many people talk bad about Aruba. I wouldn't advise my husband to take out a Christmas credit card loan to send off my in-laws to Aruba beaches. My in-laws love Aruba beaches. They visted there three times last five years, but time changes, you know. My in-laws are grandparents, and they don't think anything bad can occur to them. Plus they enjoy adventures.

[NSP]

I live in Alabama. Our state government is no different from your state government.

I used to think that Dan was unbiased like Fox, but all this Alabama bashing is really getting to me.

I believe that both sides are impeding the investigation. The Arubans seem to be more concerned about their island instead of asking questions to other Arubans or foreigners on the island or who know the island very well. The only two places that I know that will allow Americans to enter a country without a passport is Mexico or Canada. The Twittys aren't using professional private investigators.

I, like most Alabamians, did not want it to get to this point. But something had to be done. Communication was breaking down. Gov. Riley does have to protect his constituents, whether you like it or not.

Yes, we do have missing people in our state. Unlike Aruba, these people have more resources here than down there in Aruba. We have TV shows that focus on cold case (AMW, Cold Case Files on A&E, etc.) These people can pick up a phone or email a politician that they can trust or the state, the FBI, the Missing and Exploited children webpage and post the info that they get from investigators and see if the can help. These same agencies can see if the lower agency did have corruption in their agency.

On Riley, while he's not my personal choice for an Alabama leader; he's a better than some of the legislators we have:

Alvin Holmes: drunk (who used the "racist" state constition for immunity and demoted the cop who arrested him)and race baiter (AKA Jesse Jackson wannabe)
Don Siegelman: ex-governor about to face Fed charges along with Scrucshy and trying to be the governor of this state again while having these charges (Yes, he's trying to against Riley)
Paul Hubbard: sick and old as hell and still in control of the Education budget
Hank Sanders: under investigation for family ties (same as DeLay)

With the government we have, we try to elect the lesser of the two evils.

Just like you claim the Arubans are just like you, we Alabamians are just like you, too.

I'm not a high school dropout. I do have a degree from Auburn and like this state very much. I do live in an apartment in a city, and not in a trailer in the middle of nowhere (not like it's a bad thing, at least these people do have some land and a house.)

[NSP]

Correction:

Don Siegelman: ex-governor about to face Fed charges along with Scrucshy and trying to be the governor of this state again while having these charges (Yes, he's trying to run against Riley)

[NedNederlander]

All this boycott stuff is pure crap!! Who do you think is fighting in iraq right now? My brother! Helping out our american Friends who are in a shitload of trouble over there. And now America allows this to happen? govenors calling for boycots of holland? R they NUTS? NExt we wil see the mayor of new orleans fill the city back up with water because holland pumped his city dry!

I was hoping for a forcefull response from George.W.Bush against statements issued by these renegade gov's, but it appears he doesnt want to burn his fingers on this one!!

[Michele]

Wow. All I can say right now, is wow. I can't believe some of you people have the audacity to speak badly regarding residents of Alabama. Illinois? Are you kidding me? Yeah, I hear people selling everything they own to go there every day. I'm sure it's a dream of most to live there. Yeah right.

My husband and I just got back from a week in New York, and my best friend and I just got back from a trip to Atlanta. We could have chosen to go to Aruba just as easily. There are many people who can afford to go on great vacations that live here in Alabama. While I will concede that there is not a lot here to do in a tourist type setting, there are a lot of states that are the same way. Anybody going on vacation to Illinois this year?

I am proud to say I'm from Alabama. I have a college degree, a nice home, and I have way too much pride in myself and others to lower myself to talk badly about people I've never met. Some of you need to find something else to do, and think about how you're acting. I believe a couple of posts on here, (Illinois, and the post about the Natalie tree) are from kids trying to cause trouble, because surely adults wouldn't behave that way. I've never seen or heard of the "natalie tree" until now, but I would think that it would be collecting presents for needy children for Christmas in Natalie's memory. What's wrong with that?

And Dan....I normally come to your blog for updates on news stories, and to see if there is anything new about Natalie. I was shocked to see the top post this morning bashing Alabama. I was beginning to think of you as a journalist. What is the point of that story other than to start trouble and to upset people from Alabama? Say what you feel you can live with about Beth, Jug, and even Gov. Riley, because they put themselves out there. Leave the rest of us alone.

[Alyssa]

the boygott acts like a runaway train now, and there is no recourse. Aruba and Alabama will be wrecked like Bagdad. The other states will benefit from the great battle. What for? Why don't you both back down, and together help find Natalee and bring her home. It's such an international disgrace and laughing stock to see 2 As are fighting each other for nothing. What a shame! The key thing is Natalee is lost and long over due. I would want my loved one to find her way home for Christmas. My tears sored my eyes and my heart sunk my emotions.

[Maura]

Dan,
You are missing the point! This is not about comparing crime in AL & Aruba! This is about the Aruban's REFUSING to help find a missing American citizen... Natalee Holloway!

Apples dont equal oranges.

[Shari]

Michele,
I think you should print out Dan's post regarding boycotting Alabama and xerox a bunch and pass them around throughout Alabama. Or you could take out an article in your local newspaper. Being that Arubans have the right to come here and support their country, I think citizens of Alabama have that same right. So spread the word!

[katya]

You people realize that Dan didn't wrtie these words, don't you. It is an opinion piece by Steve Yuhas, who is a radio host in California. However I think it is very indicative of public opinion about this illl-conceived boycott.

[cindi in pa]

This is about the Aruban's REFUSING to help find a missing American citizen... Natalee Holloway!

Apples dont equal oranges.

Posted by: Maura | Nov 13, 2005 10:49:18 AM

I am sure if you would contact many of the famlies with missing persons in Alabama, they will say the same about Alabama LE that is being said about Aruba.
The point is not to compare apples and oranges, but to show just how rediciulas a boycott in Aruba would be.

[Shari]

Boycott or not...regardless of who brought the issue up. The people of Alabama have the right to express themselves, just as the Arubans.

Democracy lives!

[bizman]

It seems that Alabama has a new tragedy to face this morning.Yes even a more important issue than all of the missing people from Alabama.
When will the suffering end for the folk from Alabama????

***WARNING GRAPHIC DETAILS***

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/football/ncaa/11/12/lsu.bama.ap/index.html?cnn=yes

Posted by: bizman | Nov 13, 2005 11:18:30 AM

[LB]

Posted by: April | Nov 13, 2005 8:21:00 AM

A NATALEE XMAS TREE? How about a christmas tree for each of the missing people in AL - or just the Birmingham area, even? Why is Natalee SO much more important?

[a..incanada]

The Aruban poster was right, "boycotting" is totally senseless at any time.
Many are berating the Aruban Government and Justice system, which is that of the Netherlands as well. I've seen boycott mentioned against all that is Holland. Netherlands' soldiers are helping to save the skins of American soldiers in Iraq. Take a look at all the Dutch companies that have invested in America? in Alabama? A large Dutch company in Alabama has provided large amounts of money towards the campaigns of at least three persons in politics; by large I mean over 50,000 dollars over the past 7 years. These very same Politicians want a boycott of Aruba!
Philadelphia also has a money trail, straight to the boycott. Dirty money speaks down south! You say Alabama is mainly poor? What would happen if these large companies were to pull out of there due to the boycott? Where is the sense in it all?
I'd like to see interviews of other families that have lost children and they haven't gotten so much as two headlines towards their dilemma! I don't think that MSM would do that though, as the ratings wouldn't be there, would they?
English newspapers have stated that MSM ratings have DOUBLED over the Beth scenario, so they won't be willing to give that up to talk to some poor people who have faced injustices in Alabama, and can't find their loved ones, and can't get so much as the time of day from the powers that be.

[truthbetold]

hilarious and the truth!!!!!!! I am sure beth and jug ponied up some money to this govenor for his mouth on the boycott yet didn't jug write a letter just a few months ago to the same govenor saying no boycott because it will hurt the arubans who have helped them??? I am so sick of beth......what a selfish snob to do this to the people who fed her gave her free hotels and everything else helped her put up posters searched for natalee .....she is a ingrateful person if I have ever seen one

[Markd]

What is the population of Alabama and what is the population of Aruba? YOu failed to take that into consideration with your pro-Aruban slant that you have been spewing lately. Also, if you look into the statistics on that island, how many of these things are even reported? The ALE are too lazy to do anything so I am sure there is far more crime than actually gets reported. How you can continue to stick up for Aruba after they have done everything not to solve this case makes me sick

[LALady]

It seems that Alabama has a new tragedy to face this morning.Yes even a more important issue than all of the missing people from Alabama.
When will the suffering end for the folk from Alabama????........
Bizman....sorry for the pain...but being from LA. I love it....good post...made me laugh

[Ed Wood]

I put more wrapped toys under the Natalee Christmas tree in the shopping mall.

Posted by: April | Nov 13, 2005 8:21:00 AM

OMG! The horror!

[cindi in pa]

I put more wrapped toys under the Natalee Christmas tree in the shopping mall.

Posted by: April | Nov 13, 2005 8:21:00 AM

April, before some folks have a coronary lol, would you please tell us what a Natalee christmas tree is?

[petunia]

This is missing the point. Yes, Alabama and all 50 US states have plenty of room for improvement in the crime department. The US is not the safest spot in the world. That's irrelevant to this--the reason people are upset with Aruba is not because it's not safe. It's because of the way the Natalee case has been handled--special treatment for those in high places, the delay in interrogating the 3 suspects, multiple stories coming out of ALE, evidence (like bones) either ignored or handled extremely slowly.

[david r]

This website has become the great home of the ad hominem argument: don't respond the logic of your opponent, just trash them instead. Don't respond to Jossy Mansur's editorial, just point out he's the Aruban version of the National Enquirer.

Dan, are you just a hate monger like your disciples ?

[bizman]

Bizman....sorry for the pain...but being from LA. I love it....good post...made me laugh

Posted by: LALady | Nov 13, 2005 12:33:06 PM
LOL,no pain for me as I am not from Alabama,just pointing out what amounts to a national tradegy for the folk in Alabama.

LALady,hmmmmm,would that stand for Lower Alabama Lady,LOL??

[Michele]

LB-good idea, I agree. And Bizman, yes it was a very sad evening around here last night. It was a good game, and I don't usually watch them. I don't know about the "more important than the missing people" comment however. katya-I do realize Dan didn't write it, but he seems to be seeking out anti-Alabama material a lot lately, and it's gotten a bit out of hand in my opinion. I'm not saying I agree with the boycott, but Riley's opinions aren't the same as everyone in Alabama's, believe me!

I'm glad to see some intelligent posts on this topic today. Hopefully the kindergarten kids have left the building!

Have a great day guys and gals!

[bizman]

Have a great day guys and gals!

Posted by: Michele | Nov 13, 2005 1:14:06 PM

Michelle,I dont think it as much reporting anti-Alabama as it is pointing out the fact that Riley should not be throwing stones when he has had a helluva lot more people go missing in his state that remain unsolved than Aruba does.Point being made is for Riley to stop calling the kettle black.The double standard in which this whole case has been done by has to stop if it is ever to be solved.I say Riley is doing what he has been paid to do via major donations.

[FloridaPatty]

IMO a bad way to fuel the wrong kind of fire. Never a good idea to point the finger the other way and say "well you have...." It doesn't diminish this family's loss, doesn't bring this child back to her family and doesn't remove the numerous blunders that occurred.

Let's pick Iowa next what do you say? Florida? Michigan? Idaho? Nevada? Germany? Russia? Serbia?

Having made my point I'll add that my father was born in Alabama. I had the HONOR to spend one summer and many vacations to this warm southern state. Where women call you "darlin'" and "sugar" and sweet tea pours like honey off the comb. I had never seen red clay dirt before, only in baseball games and in this state it is prolific. Simple pleasures. Miles of cotton, soybeans and churches! Some of the most religious people I've seen.

I found myself wanting to say please don't disparage one group of people for the fault of anothers and then I thought of Aruba. On that island right now there are people who know what happened to this girl. They will probably never tell. This is like a small town in Mississippi where a sheriff was involved in the murder of three civil rights activits and everyone knew he was. Few people dared speak up. Justice came many years later when the man was old and dying from cancer. Time will tell.

[cindi in pa]

I'm not saying I agree with the boycott, but Riley's opinions aren't the same as everyone in Alabama's, believe me!

I'm glad to see some intelligent posts on this topic today. Hopefully the kindergarten kids have left the building!

Have a great day guys and gals!

Posted by: Michele | Nov 13, 2005 1:14:06 PM

I think most folks realize that Michele. The point is how insane a boycott of Aruba would be. Not to point out the down side of life in Alabama. What is said about Alabama could be said of most states in this country. But other states governors are not calling for a boycott.

[roy]

Dan,
You are missing the point! This is not about comparing crime in AL & Aruba! This is about the Aruban's REFUSING to help find a missing American citizen... Natalee Holloway!

Apples dont equal oranges.

Posted by: Maura | Nov 13, 2005 10:49:18 AM

WTF are you talking about.
Arubans refusing to help find Natalee..
Apples/oranges... you must be a lemmon.

[TxGirl]

I found myself wanting to say please don't disparage one group of people for the fault of anothers and then I thought of Aruba. On that island right now there are people who know what happened to this girl. They will probably never tell. This is like a small town in Mississippi where a sheriff was involved in the murder of three civil rights activits and everyone knew he was. Few people dared speak up. Justice came many years later when the man was old and dying from cancer. Time will tell.

Posted by: FloridaPatty | Nov 13, 2005 1:27:07 PM

FLPatty, what do you base this on? A series of whodunits and whatif's? No problem with it being your opinion but don't hold a trial and be judge and jury based on innuendo fueled by the unprofessional and irresponsible actions of cable news hosts and distraught parents. And now politicians...

[tazman]

That article was written by Steve Yuhas of KOGO AM San Diego. Not Dan. Dan are you plagiarizing??

Steve you need to go to anger management therapy. Donate big bucks to the State of Alabama. And, last but not least go to the health club at least 5 days a week. Exercise your body not your mouth!!

[katya]

That article was written by Steve Yuhas of KOGO AM San Diego. Not Dan. Dan are you plagiarizing??

Steve you need to go to anger management therapy. Donate big bucks to the State of Alabama. And, last but not least go to the health club at least 5 days a week. Exercise your body not your mouth!!

Posted by: tazman

Since Dan provided a link to the original article it isn't plagarizing. Why are you attacking Dan?

[April]

Natalee Christmas Tree is the Angels Toys for Kids tree we have in town in most shopping malls and big restaurants. Only now Natalee is the top Angel at the center of the tree. All the other kids have their pictures, icon or poems in each of the Angel cards. When someone picks an Angel card off the tree, the wrapped toy will have the card taped to it sitting under the tree. Natalee's star card will be on the tree all the time, sickers are provided to tag Natalee's toys. All Natalee's toys will be delivered to the kids in hospitals by the Marine Corps.

[Max]

I used to think that Dan was unbiased like Fox, but all this Alabama bashing is really getting to me.

Posted by: NSP | Nov 13, 2005 10:24:08 AM

Unbiased LIKE FOX?
On this subject... Fox News is the most biased coverage out there.

[Max]

Dan,
You are missing the point! This is not about comparing crime in AL & Aruba! This is about the Aruban's REFUSING to help find a missing American citizen... Natalee Holloway!

Apples dont equal oranges.

Posted by: Maura | Nov 13, 2005 10:49:18 AM

WHEN have the Arubans ever refused to help find Natalee. That island has bent over backwards to find her. They claim they have spent over a million dollars and I believe them. Sending those F-16s up must have cost a small fortune.

[Max]

Boycott or not...regardless of who brought the issue up. The people of Alabama have the right to express themselves, just as the Arubans.

Democracy lives!

Posted by: Shari | Nov 13, 2005 11:15:55 AM

I have no problem with that... express away.
Just don't try to drag the rest of us onto your ill conceived bandwagon.

[nova]

As an Alabamian and Mobilian I would love for all Yankees to boycott Gulf Shores. You have ruined it over the last 40 years. Please take your high rise condos and go back above the Mason Dixon Line. We will boycott Aruba. And we hope you will boycott Alabama. Gulf Shores used to be so nice before all you non Alabamians showed up down there.

[Marilyn]

Dan,
You are missing the point! This is not about comparing crime in AL & Aruba! This is about the Aruban's REFUSING to help find a missing American citizen... Natalee Holloway!

Apples dont equal oranges.

Posted by: Maura | Nov 13, 2005 10:49:18 AM

WHEN have the Arubans ever refused to help find Natalee. That island has bent over backwards to find her. They claim they have spent over a million dollars and I believe them. Sending those F-16s up must have cost a small fortune.

Posted by: Max | Nov 13, 2005 3:45:47 PM

I agree with Max completely... Anyone who thinks they have not tried to find Natalee is delusional.

REFUSED to find her??? That is an incredibly ignorant remark. They have done more, spent more, tried harder, and kept her in the people's minds there more than any missing person case I have ever seen.. anywhere.

The financial cost to them has been enormous... and they are getting all of this criticism and boycott talk in return, which will undoubtedly cost them in a different way.

Shame on the Americans who are so shallow and narrow-minded to not get the facts straight before throwing such negative and hurtful publicity to the island and fine people of Aruba.

I find the boycott very embarrassing! JMO

[knot]

Dang! it's working! I knew it would work...hits on this site are shootin up like the space shuttle..good job Dan..you have learned well from Greta and the gang..I think you have really learned what it takes to make a go of it..even if you did have to use Steve Yuhas...but hey! that's no different than when you say Beth uses the media..

[Gina]

Many of us heard about the boycott at our annual last Autumn Day Picnic in our suburban division. Somebody made a big strawberry creme cake with the Hope for Natalee fantastic icings. All ladies will pledge fasting a day per week to support the boycott.

[tazman]

As Beth stated, she is concerned about the safety of tourists going to Aruba and even the safety of the Aruban people. She and Dave indicated that they did not want a boycott but have had to resort to one. Natalee was a tourist. Six months have gone by now and there is no conclusion. Everyone is pointing fingers at everyone else including all of you!! The anger and resentment towards Beth is wasted energy! This is a tragedy. Something that shouldn't have happened. However, it did happen. Natalee disappeared and no one has told the truth. Beth has the right to do whatever she can to find Natalee. If people want to support her, then they have that right too!! If they don't then they also have that right!!

Bashing everyone and everthing about this case is negative energy!!