Holloway Investigation and Aruba Clarification

Irregardless of media representation, or public persuasion on either side, here's my take as of today:

What do I think about Aruba, the island?

The island is absolutely beautiful... from the beaches to the wilderness to the native architecture. I love it's rich history, and I very likely would never have known about it, otherwise. I love the expressions of cultural influence that are displayed in the colors and architectural styles. I love the juxtapositions of cacti, tropicals, white sand and clear water. I love what I have learned about the wildlife, including the rescued donkeys (what can I say... I have an affinity for donkeys and burros!). I HATE that the natural bridge collapsed before I had the opportunity to see it for myself.

And on the other hand, I'm not a fan of what a dependency on tourism does to a beautiful little island like Aruba, or Cozumel. The wealthy prey on opportunity, and non-contextual development booms. The local people prosper in small measure in relation to the outside developer, but become economically dependent, none-the-less. While the draw was once a wondrously remote, naturally beautiful and sleepy little island, it quickly becomes a party destination with bountiful casinos and international bar chains, like Carlos & Charlies and Hard Rock Cafes. Before long, you become unaware of the differences in Cozumel, Cabo... and Aruba.

What do I think about the people?

I have had the opportunity to meet many wonderful people via internet. I've, innately, always known that the world is full of people just like me... and Aruba is no different. The people I have come to know are JUST like me! They take pride in their communities. They work hard. They believe right is right and wrong is wrong. And their government does not always speak for them!

And they take it personally when their homeland is verbally attacked. How could they not?

This ordeal has been wrecklessly played out in the media. MSM has asked questions, when they knew there were no answers, leaving good and honorable folks to say more than they should. And yet, untold thousands of us have planned our days around the next evening's round of "news" programs, hoping to gain a single tidbit of information. We are ALL responsible, in varying amounts, for the road we traveled to get here.

What do I think of the boycott?

I think it's senseless.

First, what business is it of a state government to issue a boycott?

Second, it presumes that people are too ignorant to evaluate their own feelings and make decisions on their own.

Third, greater than 1% of Mountain Brook students (alone) that left on the trip, returned without incident. That's no excuse and as a percentage is STILL WAY not acceptable!!! It is just a sad state of affairs that this world has become such a place of predatory unpredictability. And it is not intended to pin any blame on Natalee. It is just that, in this day and age, we must review the odds for survival in all of our actions. Whether it is simply backing out of the driveway in the morning. using the walk-up ATM, or going to the grocery store after dark. These are odds we must all weigh, and decisions we all must make.

And fourth, there are far more scarey and evil countries in this world to which we, as a nation, fail to publically and certainly not by proclomation, discourage travel.

A simple resolution could have been passed by any state that felt so moved, to state support of the Holloway and Twitty families. These types of resolutions are passed daily. They mean a great deal to the people who are recognized, and they validate the feelings of their constituencies. There was absolutely no reason to suggest an action that has the potential to adversely affect a nation of people who have had no involvement in the matter.

I know that the intention was to pressure the 'common folk' who are most economically affected, so that they would, in turn, put pressure on local government. Would it have worked that way in the United States? If a foreign country threatened us, or boycott us in some way... what would be the common man's reaction? It would have pissed us off. Period. Why would you assume that the Arubans would feel any differently?

All of that said, I HAVE and DO boycott certain businesses and organizations, as a matter of personal principle. The difference is that it is not a response to a 'legislated resolution', but a matter of the free will to allocate my hard-earned dollars in a way that MY conscience will allow. Such matters should always be left to the judgment of individuals.

What do I think about the LE?

At this point, I'll have to leave it at... there were either mistakes made or a monstrous cover-up. I have no way of knowing which. And let me point out that either way, this is not the first or only LE to have committed either. I don't fool myself... I am totally aware that these things happen in communities around our nation, probably daily.

Do I think a crime was committed?

Yes, absolutely without a doubt, I do. I'm uncertain whether it was a crime of passion, or a crime of (in)convenience, but I DO believe a crime was committed. Call it intuition, or just look at probabilities. This girl did NOT commit suicide and she did NOT run away. There is NO reasonable argument or theory, and I have read umpteen thousand far-fetched suppositions, that anything but a crime resulted in her disappearance.

Do I think the Natalee Holloway case will ever be solved?

I do. I don't know when, but I believe it will be solved. Let's face it... someone knows something. And people can't and don't hold onto their secrets forever.

Do I think justice will ever be served?

Through my faith in God, I believe that justice is already being served. It's my opinion that Hell's punishment is sometimes delivered and served right here on earth.

My only reservation is if the perpitrator suffers from that sort of psychopathic and narcisstic mental illness that upon each (vast or narrow) escape, builds confidence and invincibility.

I'm speaking of no one in particular. Anyone who follows missing persons and sexual predator cases knows that, more often than not, the offender repeats his or her crime. My hope is that no one else will have to pay a price, great or small, in the hands of these/this perpetrator(s).

Conclusion

Time will tell. People of both countries must be patient, particularly with each other. This case aside, let us not rush to judge each other. We have far more in common than allegiances might reflect.