Natalee Holloway And The Media

What is there to say really? I listened to Arlene Schipper on Fox with Greta tonight - I can still hear Greta saying, so it is possible the tapes were altered, you know by accident, ignorance, a mistake, or for ratings, blah blah blah ...

As an American with an interest in the media, I can't think of anything more embarrassing than that pathetic encore to the circus which was and is Dr. Phil. If anyone wants to continue to insist that these people care anything about Natalee Holloway, it only proves their own ignorance.

I referenced an email from Clint Van Sandt the other day - apparently he has chosen to not respond to my return mail. I recall admiring his work early on. All I really took away from his email was that he is a genuinely decent person who has gotten too close to a story to report it objectively - let alone pursue what might be a difficult truth he claimed to seek.

Maybe that's unfair. And maybe I would conclude otherwise had we had the chance to speak, as I proposed. I guess I'll never know. But nothing I sensed in him was wrong, or bad - I just think some caught up in covering this story have fixed the template so rigidly, they aren't really open to objective observation any more. That isn't journalism, unfortunately. It's just good theater for some in the end. And ultimately, there can be no excuse for any of them who would pass it off as the news.

Comments

[Shonane]

I registered for the type key account. Went and opened up my email account and clicked on the link for type key, then was validated for a type key account. Then I came back to this site and tried to enter a message on the test thread. Doesn't work. When I click "log in" it takes me nowhere - same page comes up telling me I have to log in before posting.Tried this 3 times with same results.

[Dan]

email me

[Sun]

Dan, having the same problem here - any suggestions?

[Isanah]

I have signed and posted with type pad, but then I lose my sign in and revert back to the old way.

[Sun]

testing

[cindi in pa]

I have never had to use type pad to post here. Could be just a glitch.

[Honey]

I have signed and posted with type pad, but then I lose my sign in and revert back to the old way.

Posted by: Isanah | Nov 29, 2005 2:44:23 AM

You left the test page. When you go back to the test page, click on 'sign in' (at the bottom) and it should automatically log you in if you checked staying logged on for two weeks, or you'll have to enter your membername and password again.

[cindi in pa]

hi sun, read you loud and clear

[cindi in pa]

Dan, I have given up all hope on the MSM. My local station gives local news and that's it. My faith in Fox, Cnn, has gone by the waste side, and I am truly fed up with it. I won't even watch any longer. I rather my info come from blogs, Drudge and print.

[Isanah]

You left the test page. When you go back to the test page, click on 'sign in' (at the bottom) and it should automatically log you in if you checked staying logged on for two weeks, or you'll have to enter your membername and password again.

Posted by: Honey | Nov 29, 2005 2:54:25 AM

Ok, I'll try that, but how long will this be an issue!

[maria]

greta you just sunk to the mudd leval.

were is your outrage for this reprehensible act ?

Shame on you.

[Jon]

Skeeters: I'm sure she had sex with all of you.

Deepak: She did.

Skeeters: Good, well...

Deepak: No, she did. And you wouldn't believe how simple it was that night.

Deepak said "No, she did" because he didn't think Skeeters believed him. He meant, "No, she really did."

Dutch/ALE are hearing "No, she did and" as "No, she didn't".

[Brooke]

The media bias is and has been clear from day one of this "case" more of a case to promote Beth.

Is Beth&Company really being exploited by the media? Think about that for a moment. Beth has gotten all the publicity (which we now find out was to promote her and her alone) she ever wanted for her books and movies and $$$$$!!

NH is and appears to be an afterthought with her. On several shows were she appeared with others missing family members all of the men and women had tears except BT she is cold and calculating and heartless so who is really exploiting who or is it a mutual thing???

[tiredofbashers]

The media bias is and has been clear from day one of this "case" more of a case to promote Beth.

Is Beth&Company really being exploited by the media? Think about that for a moment. Beth has gotten all the publicity (which we now find out was to promote her and her alone) she ever wanted for her books and movies and $$$$$!!

NH is and appears to be an afterthought with her. On several shows were she appeared with others missing family members all of the men and women had tears except BT she is cold and calculating and heartless so who is really exploiting who or is it a mutual thing???

Posted by: Brooke | Nov 29, 2005 8:25:51 AM

Beth is NOT cold, calculating and heartless as you claim her to be. I have watched her break down and lose it on TV, and just the other night when Beth was on with Taylor's mom and laytoya's dad she tried very hard to hold back the tears but as soon as she started talking about how hard it was to see Natalee's car in the driveway and her unopened graduation presents, she started getting very emotional. My guess would be that she tries to hold it together when being interviewed but realy loses it when she is alone. Unless you have a missing or murdered child, you have NO IDEA what Beth is feeling or what she is going through and to make ridiculous claims like her being cold is just plain ignorant. Beth is a mother that is suffering because some jerks did "something bad" to her daughter. She can't hold her daughter, comfort her or even give her a proper burial. It has to be even harder during the holidays because it's their 1st holiday without Natalee and that's very sad. I think Beth is VERY ANGRY about the way ALE has screwed up this case and she has every right to be. You can hate Beth if you want but most mothers would do anything and everything to get their child back too even if it meant pissing off a few people who claim to care about Natalee but really only use her tragedy for entertainment purposes. At the end of the day you can go home and enjoy your family but at the end of Beth's day her daughter is still missing. You should STOP judging this lady and stop your constant bashing of her. I have never seen you post anything but ANTI-Beth crap so it's very obvious how YOU feel about her! Until you have walked a mile in her shoes, you shouldn't be so judgemental.

[Cheri]

"walk a mile in her shoes">>> well maybe she should walk a mile in the shoes of all the other parents/ relatives who are NOT getting this media blitz/help/money/donations...

Pretty sad when of all the relatives on greta's show that Beth is only one brining up her money situation....and how phoney..how about all the money that has been raised for them?

It breaks my heart to see all the missing people who have $5000, $10000 rewards offered for them...so much more for Natalee..and so much more air time...when really the answers are not here in tv studios in the usa

Yes, it is sad..but when the media begins just using it for ratings it becomes sickning. I do think that Phil is using this for ratings, I think they did not think the tapes were admissable and they waited all that time to play them, hoping for ratings. They were suprized that aruba/holland wanted to "verify" them

Please stop with the "walk a mile in her shoes" junk...that is so lame..if every other missing person case got this attention, money etc;..then that might have some bearing. Til then it is as silly as calling other posters "jealous"

[VASteve]

It's all so sad. I feel badly for everyone involved.

[The-Guy]

Shame on all of you who have no compassion for a family who has lost a daughter. I only hope for your sake if it happens to you that God will be as merciful to you as you have been to the family of Natalee.

[jude]

Sickos!

[jude]

Wrong... should have said evil doers! It's people of your ilk that drive down real estate property!
Go Beth, Greta, et al!

[Key West]

I'm I in ??

[Key West]

1 2 3 test ... finally!

Posted by: Loesje | Nov 29, 2005 11:37:54 AM

I still had to read the "Maze"..???!!!
I don't know if I'm in/ out!!

[Loesje]

I don't know if I'm in/ out!!

Posted by: Key West | Nov 29, 2005 11:44:31 AM

You are in. I had to try many times, now I don't dare to leave so I stay in the background.

No neither of you are "in" - this is a general thread.

[Grady White]

uh huh

[katya]

Bon dia.

Now I can't even find the test thread..is it still there?

[jude]

Beth is a cold heartless person who wants to see innocent people in prison and is not searching for her daughter, but gathering a lot of $$$ pretending it is for the search. Misrepresenting the purpose for the fundraising....

How much money did Dave get from the Beth funding ???

Tell me......... about $ 0.00 !!!

Posted by: DUTCH | Nov 29, 2005 11:31:49 AM

And your point is? You have no facts to back up your assertions.

[Loesje]

Well, the effort was in vain, as Dan is throwing me out. Ok, bye Dan.

[Jennifer Cannon]

I don't know what's going on here.

[Jennifer Cannon]

Still trying to figure this out.

[tiredofbashers]

"walk a mile in her shoes">>> well maybe she should walk a mile in the shoes of all the other parents/ relatives who are NOT getting this media blitz/help/money/donations...

She HAS walked in their shoes. These other parents have the same right to go out there and search for their child just as Beth has. The media took interest in this case because for one it happened outside the US and secondly, it was obvious from day one that something wasn't right starting with the arrest of the two security guards and by allowing the 3 boys to run free for the first 10 days of her disappearance giving them time to get rid of the body or any evidence and let's not forget the meeting around the pool to get their stories straight.

Pretty sad when of all the relatives on greta's show that Beth is only one brining up her money situation....and how phoney..how about all the money that has been raised for them?

Maybe it's because she is the only one who has been out of work for 6 months searching for her daughter. if the other parents start getting out there and allowing their stories to be told then they may receive some additional reward money too. People can't donate to someone that they don't know about.

It breaks my heart to see all the missing people who have $5000, $10000 rewards offered for them...so much more for Natalee..and so much more air time...when really the answers are not here in tv studios in the usa

It breaks my heart too but these parents need to get out there and ask for help just as beth did. I'm sure it wasn't easy but Beth has proved that it can be done if you are determined enough.

Yes, it is sad..but when the media begins just using it for ratings it becomes sickning. I do think that Phil is using this for ratings, I think they did not think the tapes were admissable and they waited all that time to play them, hoping for ratings. They were suprized that aruba/holland wanted to "verify" them

I agree with you about Dr Phil. I think he used Beth and Natalee for ratings. beth thought he really wanted to help her but we all know differenly now. I will never watch his show again!

Please stop with the "walk a mile in her shoes" junk...that is so lame..if every other missing person case got this attention, money etc;..then that might have some bearing. Til then it is as silly as calling other posters "jealous"

If, if if.....If every case got this attention..blah, blah, blah.....if every parent of a missing child got out there and tried as hard as beth has to find their child there would probably be a lot more kids found and cases solved. Natalee's case didn't get all of this attention for no reason at all. First of all it's an American teenager missing in a foreign country. Secondly, we watched beth as her health declined because she didn't give a damn about herself ONLY finding her daughter. we watched as the 3 suspects were allowed to roam the streets for 10 days while 2 innocent men were jailed because the 3 suspects implicated them to save THEIR own ass. if this case had ever been investigated properly the media wouldn't have jumped in the way they did. I think Beth is to be admired for her determination and dedication she has to her daughter. I wish that could be said about more parents of missing kids!

Posted by: Cheri | Nov 29, 2005 10:16:41 AM

It's all so sad. I feel badly for everyone involved

[plhtx]

testing

[fiery]

where did the NH thread go anyone know?

[Jody]

Dr. Phil is quickly becoming the next Jerry Springer. I think he is having a show on today where he tells everyone off and throws the guests off the set. It is nothing but a ploy to get people to watch with the hopes to see a melt down on TV.

[jude]

Personally, I believe it will take an act of God to remove the veil of Aruban lies that continue to cloud this case. The early hours held the clues in solving this mystery, but were botched, perhaps via ineptness or corruption. Due to the obvious subterfuge, it's now probably too little, too late.
One fact remains: whatever happened to Natalee, Aruba was the genesis!
This isn't about the media, Greta etc!
It's about Natalee.

[Loesje]

No neither of you are "in" - this is a general thread.

Posted by: Loesje | Nov 29, 2005 11:51:53 AM

I see, I tried the NH chat a few times without succes. TypePad registration went fine though. I saw my posts were deleted, really don't understand so I will leave anyway.

[dugo]

I see, I tried the NH chat a few times without succes. TypePad registration went fine though. I saw my posts were deleted, really don't understand so I will leave anyway.
Posted by: Loesje | Nov 29, 2005 12:23:34 PM

Everything will be all right.. *sing* don't worry, 'bout a thing.. */sing*

[Bigfish]

Dan-Good commentary. I agree with you about Greta as she sold out long ago.

As far as Van Zandt, he was "on board" with H Lejuez and Art Wood back in August when the Twitty camp was promoting the 6 date rapes in the US and Aruba that were all LIES.

Just recently, he also got on board and piled on with Dr. Phil and the Twitty Klan in promoting and the Skeeter tape fraud.

Van Zandt an adult and should answer for his actions! JMHO

Bigfish