Family launches new 'find Madeleine' advertising campaign

[JinxieJada]

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=3607322




The family of a 4-year-old British girl missing in Portugal said Saturday it was planning a $160,000, advertising campaign urging people to keep looking for the child, whose parents have been named suspects in the disappearance.
The newspaper, television and billboard campaign will be focused on Spain, Portugal and other parts of Europe and will be paid for using donations from a $2 million fund set up to help find Madeleine McCann, her uncle, John McCann, said in a statement.




"I hope that the general public will continue to support us in this. It is so important that we remember 'don't you forget about me,' our lovely wee Madeleine," he said, speaking as the fund's administrator.
Celebrities including children's author J.K. Rowling and soccer star David Beckham made public appeals in May that helped the family raise money for their fund.
Saturday's announcement followed the family's decision not to spend the proceeds from the fund on legal costs for Madeline's parents, Kate and Gerry McCann.
The parents were taking stock and preparing their legal case after a week of intense media speculation about their possible role in their daughter's disappearance during their vacation in southern Portugal on May 3, said Natalie Orringe, a spokeswoman for the McCanns.
The couple, both doctors, have no plans to leave their hometown of Rothley, in central England, to return to Portugal unless required to do so, she said.
They have been named as suspects in her disappearance, but deny any involvement and insist police keep searching for their missing girl.
A Portuguese investigating judge began examining the police file on Madeleine's disappearance on Wednesday and is expected to announce a decision next week on what further steps are required to determine what happened to her.
Forensic tests conducted at a government laboratory in Britain found evidence indicating that DNA from Madeleine was in the trunk of a car the parents used in Portugal's Algarve region after her disappearance.


************************************************** *****


Thoughts? is this another way to deflect attention away from them? OR is this the family's doing w/o K&G ?

[CaliKid]

Yes, the family is trying to deflect attention away from criticism of them and the charges against them.

They've done it before- in late August when news first began to surface that they might have had a hand in Madeleine's disappearance, the McCanns released a flurry of interviews.

Among them were statements announcing they were planning to a) go home, b) stay in Portugal, c) cut back on their public appearances, d) make a new push to find their daughter, e) sue a newspaper and f) not sue the paper.

It's all about creating news to counteract other news and speculation about their behavior. Besides which, everything they say they're going to do to find Madeleine is nothing new. The areas they want to target have already been blanketed with information on her.

[SleuthMom]

Geez, after all the shopping sprees, visit to the Pope and the US, jogging, launching balloons they NOW do this? *sigh*

[shrinkydink]

Geez, after all the shopping sprees, visit to the Pope and the US, jogging, launching balloons they NOW do this? *sigh*

You're joking, right? These campaigns have been all over the world all summer. They aren't just *now* doing this. They are continuing this, stupidly thinking they can make a difference in America. Little do they know they have already been thrown in the pile with the Ramseys & OJ already.

Shrinky

[CaliKid]

You're joking, right? These campaigns have been all over the world all summer. They aren't just *now* doing this. They are continuing this, stupidly thinking they can make a difference in America. Little do they know they have already been thrown in the pile with the Ramseys & OJ already.

Shrinky

Shrinky, you're not being fair or accurate. At the beginning right after Madeleine disappeared almost all of us gave the McCanns the benefit of the doubt and believed she'd been kidnapped. It was only after the jogging blogs and visiting the Pope that we began to doubt that their true focus was finding their daughter. And if it's determined that the parents were responsible for her death, the whole FindMadeleine campaign was a fraud from the get-go.

[Brefie]

Shrinky, you're not being fair or accurate. At the beginning right after Madeleine disappeared almost all of us gave the McCanns the benefit of the doubt and believed she'd been kidnapped. It was only after the jogging blogs and visiting the Pope that we began to doubt that their true focus was finding their daughter. And if it's determined that the parents were responsible for her death, the whole FindMadeleine campaign was a fraud from the get-go.

I have said it before...if they are proven to be the killers, I will personally write a letter to whomever calling for the most harsh of punishments. I will even post that letter here. No doubt.

BUT (y'all knew it was coming :D) They cannot be called on an ad campaign to find their missing child. If they just stopped begging for people to look THAT would be hinky imo.

[Texana]

You're joking, right? These campaigns have been all over the world all summer. They aren't just *now* doing this. They are continuing this, stupidly thinking they can make a difference in America. Little do they know they have already been thrown in the pile with the Ramseys & OJ already.

Shrinky

No, the billboards have not been all over Europe already. In fact, Madeleine's height and weight have not been released to the public, meaning that many supposed sightings could be ruled out much more quickly, freeing up time and resources to go after the more credible ones.

[marrigotti]

Yes, the family is trying to deflect attention away from criticism of them and the charges against them.

They've done it before- in late August when news first began to surface that they might have had a hand in Madeleine's disappearance, the McCanns released a flurry of interviews.

Among them were statements announcing they were planning to a) go home, b) stay in Portugal, c) cut back on their public appearances, d) make a new push to find their daughter, e) sue a newspaper and f) not sue the paper.

It's all about creating news to counteract other news and speculation about their behavior. Besides which, everything they say they're going to do to find Madeleine is nothing new. The areas they want to target have already been blanketed with information on her.

It seems to me that, whatever they do, they are criticized. They were criticized for not more aggressively looking for their daughter. Now they are criticized for the poster campaign. I do have doubts about them, yet I have read so very many contradictory stories that I am truly on the fence (unusual for me) and very suspicious of most reports. A case in point is that of the upstairs neighbor who supposedly heard Madeleine crying for a long time at one point. I took that quite seriously. Now I read that she denies having made the statement. It is very frustrating.

[eleven]

Yes, the family is trying to deflect attention away from criticism of them and the charges against them.

They've done it before- in late August when news first began to surface that they might have had a hand in Madeleine's disappearance, the McCanns released a flurry of interviews.

Among them were statements announcing they were planning to a) go home, b) stay in Portugal, c) cut back on their public appearances, d) make a new push to find their daughter, e) sue a newspaper and f) not sue the paper.

It's all about creating news to counteract other news and speculation about their behavior. Besides which, everything they say they're going to do to find Madeleine is nothing new. The areas they want to target have already been blanketed with information on her.

Really? What charges are against them? There have now been official charges placed against them?

[CaliKid]

No, the billboards have not been all over Europe already. In fact, Madeleine's height and weight have not been released to the public, meaning that many supposed sightings could be ruled out much more quickly, freeing up time and resources to go after the more credible ones.

I agree. The posters for finding Madeleine are in two languages- English and Portuguese. That makes it wonderful for sightings in Portugal or for those who speak English and are on holiday. Not so great for the people of the Netherlands, France, Germany, Morocco, etc. who don't speak either language.

There is little in the way of a physical description about her on the website.

And the McCanns treated almost every previous sighting of her with contempt. Not once did I ever see or hear a report on them saying, "Oh, Madeleine was seen at xxxx, and we hope it's her."

Really? What charges are against them? There have now been official charges placed against them?
Let me rephrase- suspicions of them.

[Texana]

Really? What charges are against them? There have now been official charges placed against them?

Not official charges. No one has been officially charged.

Some of them are going to be re-questioned.

[Elphaba]

I've said it before: if they are going to insist that they did not harm their daughter and are not involved in her disappearance, then they need to get off of their collective bums and make an effort to find her. No campaigning for monies... no focus on THEIR life of photoshoots and daily reports of checking their emails, jogging and what-have-yous... but a true collective movement to find that child. I will hold judgement on this billboard thing until they are up... if they are billboards that are nothing more than adverts for the findmadeleine website as the website exists, then it is in my opinion that they are not looking for her, but seeking campaign support. If it is a true "help us find her, here's info on her" billboards, then finally something was done right in putting forth a search to find her. It's a little late in the game, but finally. Yes, they are suspects in her disappearance... but until they have been charged and the PJ and British officials have said that Madeleine is beyond a shadow of a doubt deceased, then we can't truly write Madeleine off as being dead and not worthy of some effort to find her. If this is a ruse to avert attention away from the parents, worry not, the truth will prevail and they will be made to pay their dues for lying to everyone. But for now... until we officially know that Madeleine is gone... she's still a missing little girl.

Oh... Brian Ladd doesn't seem too happy that the McCanns are putting money into this billboard thing and not getting together with him on his campaign to get to Portugal to use his "abilities" to find her. He said he hopes it is not their ego holding them back. Say what you will about the McCanns, but I am glad they are not falling for his dream scams.

[Texana]

Yes, the campaign needs to be backed up with multi-language pleas and physical efforts in those countries where child trafficking is common.

[mjak]

Billboards??? This is what they feel the best thing they can do right now to find Maddie? Do they not realise how rediculis this is? There is no lack of media attention on Maddie. Her face has been plasted everywhere. What is lacking is search effort. How about spending there time and money investigating the avenuse they have for launching there own investigation. How about working to get a search group like texas equsearch to come look for Maddie. How about putting the effort and money into getting people looking for Maddie instead of focusing on people getting to look at Maddie. This new plan of action dose not make me think any better of the parents

mjak

[KOOL LOOK]

Billboards??? This is what they feel the best thing they can do right now to find Maddie? Do they not realise how rediculis this is? There is no lack of media attention on Maddie. Her face has been plasted everywhere. What is lacking is search effort. How about spending there time and money investigating the avenuse they have for launching there own investigation. How about working to get a search group like texas equsearch to come look for Maddie. How about putting the effort and money into getting people looking for Maddie instead of focusing on people getting to look at Maddie. This new plan of action dose not make me think any better of the parents

mjak

This is exactly how I feel about this new bit of information. It only makes me feel worse concerning the parents. We know what she looks like, she's everywhere. We need foot work. On the ground, professionals, locals, that sure is alot of money for billboards.

What a waste of tons of money. They need to be doing grid, door to door, wells, ditches, land, waters, cars, farms, etc... Come on people. what's up with this? I'm just not satisfied in the parents search efforts. All talk, no action.

Has the parents personally searched for them? Set up a command center? The long haul time consuming physical effort it takes to search? Somebody, please take the money from these people and put it to a good cause, please.

[CaliKid]

This is exactly how I feel about this new bit of information. It only makes me feel worse concerning the parents. We know what she looks like, she's everywhere. We need foot work. On the ground, professionals, locals, that sure is alot of money for billboards.

What a waste of tons of money. They need to be doing grid, door to door, wells, ditches, land, waters, cars, farms, etc... Come on people. what's up with this? I'm just not satisfied in the parents search efforts. All talk, no action.

Has the parents personally searched for them? Set up a command center? The long haul time consuming physical effort it takes to search? Somebody, please take the money from these people and put it to a good cause, please.

I agree. Since I'm suspicious of the parents and feel Madeleine is probably dead, I will hazard an opinion that they probably don't want some group like EquuSearch working to find her. They don't really want Madeleine found, it's just lip-service. But putting up billboards and even more posters makes the McCanns look good.

[SleuthMom]

Simply...since it is NOT their money, they do not care how that money is going to be spend AND since I personally suspect they disposed Maddie's body in a place that nobody will ever found her, they will continue with this sick game to gain some popularity, support AND trust that have been lost since they were made arguidos.

[shrinkydink]

Shrinky, you're not being fair or accurate. At the beginning right after Madeleine disappeared almost all of us gave the McCanns the benefit of the doubt and believed she'd been kidnapped. It was only after the jogging blogs and visiting the Pope that we began to doubt that their true focus was finding their daughter. And if it's determined that the parents were responsible for her death, the whole FindMadeleine campaign was a fraud from the get-go.


Of course IF they are found to have killed her themselves, it was all a fraud. But there's no serious evidence they did kill her, yet so many people are now acting as if there is.

How am I being unfair by pointing out that people here seem to have already convicted this family when even the forensic experts admit they don't have anything on them? It's just a hate-fest, and I don't really get why. It seems so overdone. It's no longer enough to call them idiots, but every move they make is now posted on here as signs of ten different kinds of ignorance and guilt. I'm starting to wonder if you're even reading the same news, you're so far out with some of your "analysis".

Yes, they seem to be jackasses, and they certainly hired a very, very bad PR person. But a lot of you guys all seem to think you would know so much more about how to handle this kind of situation. I just don't understand why any of you think that you would do one bit better in the same horrible circumstances.

Shrinky

[Shazza]

I agree. Since I'm suspicious of the parents and feel Madeleine is probably dead, I will hazard an opinion that they probably don't want some group like EquuSearch working to find her. They don't really want Madeleine found, it's just lip-service. But putting up billboards and even more posters makes the McCanns look good.
I agree, and it sounds to me like they or the publicist/team McCann want the heat taken off them, so are doing whatever they can to distract any more attention to themselves, that is my opinion of course.

[strach304]

As to what they should be doing some of the suggestions may not be possible anyway because of Portugal laws. They can't hire a private investigator. Would Tim Miller be allowed there or be willing? Didn't he need special permission in Aruba? Where should they look?

Don't forget the McCanns are using experts and consultants to tell them what they should be doing and the main focus all along has been to keep Madeleine's story in the media. I can't fault them for that.

[poco]

??? - why are they allowed to use the monies from the fund to do this?? IF they truly were involved with Maddy's disappearance/death, they can start another HUGE FIND MADDIE campaign, appear to be caring distraught parents, yet not a single $ comes out of their pocket.

I can tell you this - if one of my children went missing I would move heaven and earth to try to find them - the rest of my life would be spent trying to find out what happened to them - and it would have started from the day they went missing, not four months later.

[mjak]

I agree, and it sounds to me like they or the publicist/team McCann want the heat taken off them, so are doing whatever they can to distract any more attention to themselves, that is my opinion of course.

And.. this to me is a huge red flag. If these people had nothing to do with thier childs dissapearance they only thing they would want the heat on is the ongoing physical searchs for Maddie. This campagin is about put the spotlight on Maddies face instead of their own. Its not about finding Maddie. We are way past the need for spreading Maddies picture and story that has been done. Why are then not spending all that Money on actually search attempts??? RED FLAG

mjak

[mjak]

As to what they should be doing some of the suggestions may not be possible anyway because of Portugal laws. They can't hire a private investigator. Would Tim Miller be allowed there or be willing? Didn't he need special permission in Aruba? Where should they look?

Don't forget the McCanns are using experts and consultants to tell them what they should be doing and the main focus all along has been to keep Madeleine's story in the media. I can't fault them for that.

There is absolutly the issue of what they can do legally. However, what attempts have they made to find ways around the laws or work within them?

mjak

[KOOL LOOK]

There is no law prohibiting ground grid searches, the Mccanns own money to search for their own daughter, I haven't seen a command center, searches other than when they found a towel or something that appeared to be a blanket and did only that after a tip.

We all know, after the many searches we've seen in the last several years, these grid, person to person searches work. I recall many people being found. It's proven to work, why it's not being utilized tells me a lot.

Several high profile professionals, not to mention experienced parents like ed smart, have offered their services only to be denied. There is a successful proven method and technique to these searches, and their not being done, never have been.

With the length of time that has already past, every building in that area should have been searched. Volunteers would help. I see no pleas, from the Mccanns reaching out to the public. Other than to say, find Madeliene.

What kind of search is that? Why haven't they looked themselves? No excuse! The only cases I've personally witnessed where the close parties weren't involved in the searches, they turned out to be the perps.

[april4sky]

Of course IF they are found to have killed her themselves, it was all a fraud. But there's no serious evidence they did kill her, yet so many people are now acting as if there is.

How am I being unfair by pointing out that people here seem to have already convicted this family when even the forensic experts admit they don't have anything on them? It's just a hate-fest, and I don't really get why. It seems so overdone. It's no longer enough to call them idiots, but every move they make is now posted on here as signs of ten different kinds of ignorance and guilt. I'm starting to wonder if you're even reading the same news, you're so far out with some of your "analysis".

Yes, they seem to be jackasses, and they certainly hired a very, very bad PR person. But a lot of you guys all seem to think you would know so much more about how to handle this kind of situation. I just don't understand why any of you think that you would do one bit better in the same horrible circumstances.

Shrinky



Absolutely right Shrinky.

It really has become a case with some of damned if they do and damned if they don't. There's no logic to it. No matter which course the McCanns take it is always deemed the wrong one.
I'm damned if I understand it. :confused:

[englishleigh]

There have even been sightings of children in other countries near Portugal that were believed to possibly be Maddie and they just dismissed them. If you really wanted to find your daughter (or didn't already KNOW it couldn't be her), wouldn't you be traveling to these countries to check these sightings out by talking to police there, talking to the people who reported the sighting, etc?? Or at the VERY, VERY least, you wouldn't be pooh-poohing these sightings as not credible or not important as they did. A whole new "Find Madeleine" ad campaign in the face of not even caring about possible sightings of your child makes no sense.

[BethyC]

I quite agree with Shrinky -- folks need to set aside feelings and emotions with this case. The PJ have backed off with their 'evidence' lately cuz they don't really have any -- much of their tactic has been 'leaks' to their press -- their case against the McCann's has been based on rumor.

Can we please go back to being level-headed sleuths and spend more time on actual evidence and facts?

Thanks!!

[englishleigh]

I quite agree with Shrinky -- folks need to set aside feelings and emotions with this case. The PJ have backed off with their 'evidence' lately cuz they don't really have any -- much of their tactic has been 'leaks' to their press -- their case against the McCann's has been based on rumor.

Can we please go back to being level-headed sleuths and spend more time on actual evidence and facts?

Thanks!!

I'm terribly sorry, it's a very emotional case for most of us, so you will just have to deal with that.

[CaliKid]

Of course IF they are found to have killed her themselves, it was all a fraud. But there's no serious evidence they did kill her, yet so many people are now acting as if there is.

How am I being unfair by pointing out that people here seem to have already convicted this family when even the forensic experts admit they don't have anything on them? It's just a hate-fest, and I don't really get why. It seems so overdone. It's no longer enough to call them idiots, but every move they make is now posted on here as signs of ten different kinds of ignorance and guilt. I'm starting to wonder if you're even reading the same news, you're so far out with some of your "analysis".

Yes, they seem to be jackasses, and they certainly hired a very, very bad PR person. But a lot of you guys all seem to think you would know so much more about how to handle this kind of situation. I just don't understand why any of you think that you would do one bit better in the same horrible circumstances.

Shrinky

First of all, do not tell me I am participating in an "overdone hate-fest" of the McCanns, because I'm not. I am totally respectful of the McCanns and have been from the first. I just don't believe they're telling the truth about what happened to Madeleine.

As I'm sure you're aware, some people do get away with murder because they don't make mistakes (leave evidence) in committing the crime. They can't be tried, but that doesn't make them any less guilty. My belief in the McCanns' guilt or innocence is based on more than just forensics, it's based on how they've behaved since day one. This is at least the third so-called push by the McCanns to find Madeleine, and my opinion is that it's major goal is deflecting the public from their guilt. I have seen them do the same thing before.

And I would never find myself in the same horrible circumstances since I wouldn't leave my children alone in the first place or overdose my daughter on sedatives to keep her out of my way so I could party.

[Rino]

I quite agree with Shrinky -- folks need to set aside feelings and emotions with this case. The PJ have backed off with their 'evidence' lately cuz they don't really have any -- much of their tactic has been 'leaks' to their press -- their case against the McCann's has been based on rumor.

Can we please go back to being level-headed sleuths and spend more time on actual evidence and facts?

Thanks!!

There have been many facts in which most of us discuss but you have a blind eye and deaf ear when it comes to anything not pretty about them.

I don't think that your playing sleauth at all, you're playing defense attorney. You sure seem to think they need one ;)

[BloodshotEye]

Weird.
I don't feel like I should have to "set aside feelings and emotions with this case". We have news reports; some accurate some inaccurate, we are free to make some assumptions or not. It is pretty much a given, that we are all expressing opinions, based on whatever. The phase of the moon, the recent headlines, and personal experience.

So, no...I don't feel like I should have to set aside "feelings and emotions".

No "serious evidence" that the parents killed her? A qualifier here - it's all serious to me. But yup. For the most part, we know that our opinions based on various news sources, is not going to win a court case. Difficult at this stage of the case, to separate out the facts from mis-statements. Most of us are crystal clear, that opinions do not hold up in a court of law. So what. This is a forum to express and discuss opinions.

And as such, I shouldn't have to defend my opinions, at every corner. If I want to say that I believe the McCann's are martians, so be it. Good for me. A bit psycho ;]... but good for me. People are more than welcome to disagree with me, and say I am a bit loony (big surprise there); but I really don't want to have someone to admonish me, and say "that's not nice" and "You really shouldn't think that way".

We post our opinions, and chat about the latest news. I ain't interested in hearing someone suggest to me exactly what parameters I should use, and which of the 5 (6?) senses I should exclude while forming my opinion.

On to the news links...

[narlacat]

I quite agree with Shrinky -- folks need to set aside feelings and emotions with this case. The PJ have backed off with their 'evidence' lately cuz they don't really have any -- much of their tactic has been 'leaks' to their press -- their case against the McCann's has been based on rumor.

Can we please go back to being level-headed sleuths and spend more time on actual evidence and facts?

Thanks!!



I agree too- getting carried away emotionally isn't helping anyone, yes let's stick to the facts please- and dispel with the rumours...

Why would it make anyone feel like they are helping with solving a case when they are just making stuff up- where are all the real sleuths?

[STEADFAST]

http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:6AC8YBUAEn4J:news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6635463.stm+portugal+searching+madeleine&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us



Dave Shelton from Manchester, who now lives in the village, has been working with the police to co-ordinate volunteer searchers.
He told BBC News that a group of up to 20 locals and tourists were searching an area around the village, concentrating on ruins, wells and bushes.


He said: "Every morning at eight I go to see the police chief and he decides where we go and gives us our little zone, plus a map.
"We go off and do that area and then report back and tell him we have done the area so he can tick it off." (May 8th)


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6644615.stm



Police with dogs searched the McCann's apartment again on Thursday evening, while the family chose to remain at a police station outside the Algarve town.


Police said it is the final time they will search the block to look for clues. The wider search in the area will end in the next few days. . .



On scaling back the ground search, he said police and volunteers had searched a 200sq-km (77sq-mile) area - and some locations more than once.


Mr Sousa insisted he was doing everything he could to find the little girl, but so far from the ground search "the results are zero". (May 10)


So it looks like there WAS a systematic ground search of quite a large area. Maybe the McCanns don't (or didn't) realize that just because Madeleine wasn't found in these searches doesn't mean she isn't around there somewhere.



ETA I posted this in the wrong thread. (Should be in the thread about Were there any searches?) It's getting hard to tell which thread I'm in anymore!

[iNTERESTEDWOMAN]

First of all, do not tell me I am participating in an "overdone hate-fest" of the McCanns, because I'm not. I am totally respectful of the McCanns and have been from the first. I just don't believe they're telling the truth about what happened to Madeleine
...snip...
And I would never find myself in the same horrible circumstances since I wouldn't leave my children alone in the first place or overdose my daughter on sedatives to keep her out of my way so I could party.

I think Shrinkydink is referring to comments like this when expressing her concern for fairness to the family. There is absolutely no proof that the McCanns overdosed their daughter and if you where being respectful to the McCanns as you say you are, you would not have written this. She is missing, and no autopsy has been done to determine a cause, (if any) of death. How do you know she was overdosed?


This forum is quite amusing to read though, and this thread had me laughing out loud. Last week, I gave my theory of what happened to Maddie, and more than one flame was thrown my way. (Though my theory is quite morbid, and unfortunately posted in an incorrect thread, it was clearly labeled MY THEORY, which is loosely based on the few known facts). One poster even had to gall to correct me by saying that information I had wasn't accurate, because she was the one who originally posted the inaccurate info...:waitasec:

[SleuthMom]

This forum is quite amusing to read though, and this thread had me laughing out loud.

Wow, you surely have an interesting type of humor. I find nothing about Crime to be amusing at all...not to the point of laughing out loud either.

[Rino]

I think Shrinkydink is referring to comments like this when expressing her concern for fairness to the family. There is absolutely no proof that the McCanns overdosed their daughter and if you where being respectful to the McCanns as you say you are, you would not have written this. She is missing, and no autopsy has been done to determine a cause, (if any) of death. How do you know she was overdosed?


This forum is quite amusing to read though, and this thread had me laughing out loud. Last week, I gave my theory of what happened to Maddie, and more than one flame was thrown my way. (Though my theory is quite morbid, and unfortunately posted in an incorrect thread, it was clearly labeled MY THEORY, which is loosely based on the few known facts). One poster even had to gall to correct me by saying that information I had wasn't accurate, because she was the one who originally posted the inaccurate info...:waitasec:
I went back an read your theory based soley on your guesses, opinions and whims with nothing more concrete than others have based their thoughts on - all the while accusing the parents of awful behavior.

Yet you laugh at others? Why is your fiction to be taken any more seriously :waitasec: I think you just like to shock, jmo.....

[colomom]

I quite agree with Shrinky -- folks need to set aside feelings and emotions with this case. The PJ have backed off with their 'evidence' lately cuz they don't really have any -- much of their tactic has been 'leaks' to their press -- their case against the McCann's has been based on rumor.

Can we please go back to being level-headed sleuths and spend more time on actual evidence and facts?

Thanks!!

I agree too- getting carried away emotionally isn't helping anyone, yes let's stick to the facts please- and dispel with the rumours...

Why would it make anyone feel like they are helping with solving a case when they are just making stuff up- where are all the real sleuths?

I have an idea and I am sincere about this...

Why don't you open a thread called Discussion-Facts Only? I am sure the rest of the forum would honor the spirit of such a thread.

I would be very interested in watching how such a thread would develop.

As for me, I cannot help who I am as a person that definitely follows my gut instinct and responds to my emotions. As members of the human family I think it is very important that we let people be people.

[SleuthMom]

I have an idea and I am sincere about this...

Why don't you open a thread called Discussion-Facts Only? I am sure the rest of the forum would honor the spirit of such a thread.

I can imagine a conversation in that thread. Opening thread:

Fact: Madeleine is missing
Fact: Parents made official suspects

Next message: "I wonder how she disappeared? Maybe a kidnapper took her or her parents are involved?"

NO, let us NOT speculate but stick to the facts. Next!

Next message: The parents were made official suspects, if they are involved in her disappearance, do you all think maybe they killed her?

NO, we cannot spread rumors or speculate, let us stick to the facts. Next! And goes on...

:doh:

If such a thread every exist you will have the opening thread with the few facts and NOTHING else, get the idea? :rolleyes:

[Texana]

Shortest thread, ever.

Fact: Gerry and Kate McCann, both doctors on vacation in Portugal, left their three young children (ages 3 1/2 and 2) alone in a resort room from the hours of 8:45 p.m. (approximately) to 10:00 p.m. (approximately.)

Oh wait, we could make it longer with facts about their hometown, where they did their medical training, when they were married, how they overcame infertility with IVF.

Maybe a few more facts about their families, including the occupations of each member.

I bet it gets most number of views, ever on this forum.

[colomom]

Well since we have been requested by a number of poster to only discuss facts......let's see.....

Might be interesting.

It can always be deleted later....no harm done.

[CaliKid]

1. The McCanns went to Portugal and took their children.
2. They vacationed with 3 other couples, their children and another woman.
3. They went out to eat and/or drink on May 3.
4. Madeleine disappeared.
5. Nobody knows where she is, or they aren't saying.

[Pinkhammer]

Richard Branson is coughing up money for their defense.

That's a fact. A disgusting fact.

[christine2448]

Richard Branson is coughing up money for their defense.

That's a fact. A disgusting fact.

http://news.aol.com/story/_a/billionaire-to-help-missing-girls/20070916190509990001

Richard Branson, chairman of Virgin Group, pledged $200,000 on Sunday to help the British couple declared suspects in the disappearance of their young daughter to clear their name, a spokeswoman said.

[Jeana (DP)]

Richard Branson is coughing up money for their defense.

That's a fact. A disgusting fact.

Why? They're entitled to the best defense they can get. Personally, I would hope that they pull out all the stops. That way, if they're convicted of something it won't be for lack of effective counsel.

[BethInAK]

I quite agree with Shrinky -- folks need to set aside feelings and emotions with this case. The PJ have backed off with their 'evidence' lately cuz they don't really have any -- much of their tactic has been 'leaks' to their press -- their case against the McCann's has been based on rumor.

Can we please go back to being level-headed sleuths and spend more time on actual evidence and facts?

Thanks!!


Do you personally know what evidence the PJ have?
Because I sure don't and I've been following this case pretty closely.
I don't think anyone except the judge and the PJ know what evidence exists and I don't think that your conjecture that they don't have any is any more a fact than anything else posted in this forum.

[sherri79]

Why? They're entitled to the best defense they can get. Personally, I would hope that they pull out all the stops. That way, if they're convicted of something it won't be for lack of effective counsel. personally i find it disgusting that someone would offer money to help people that at the very least put their daughter in danger with their neglect. that is my personal feeling but it dont matter much because i dont have money to give them anyway. i do agree that if they did this i would hate to see them get off because they could not get a decent lawyer.

[Jeana (DP)]

personally i find it disgusting that someone would offer money to help people that at the very least put their daughter in danger with their neglect. that is my personal feeling but it dont matter much because i dont have money to give them anyway. i do agree that if they did this i would hate to see them get off because they could not get a decent lawyer.

I wouldn't give money to them either. However, we do have to admit (at least I do) that the Portugal police have screwed up this case BADLY. If they're guilty, I don't think that any amount of money will save them, but a botched police investigation might.:rolleyes:

[sherri79]

I wouldn't give money to them either. However, we do have to admit (at least I do) that the Portugal police have screwed up this case BADLY. If they're guilty, I don't think that any amount of money will save them, but a botched police investigation might.:rolleyes: and dont that just eat you up? if the parents did it the lack of investigation of them in the first weeks means they could get away with it. if the parents did not do it then not clearing them right away could lead the real perpetrator to get away with it. the idea that a person who would harm a child may get away with the crime because police screwed up really tics me off.

[BethInAK]

I wouldn't give money to them either. However, we do have to admit (at least I do) that the Portugal police have screwed up this case BADLY. If they're guilty, I don't think that any amount of money will save them, but a botched police investigation might.:rolleyes:

I agree completely.
And I think that a botched police investigation is just what we have.

[Jeana (DP)]

and dont that just eat you up? if the parents did it the lack of investigation of them in the first weeks means they could get away with it. if the parents did not do it then not clearing them right away could lead the real perpetrator to get away with it. the idea that a person who would harm a child may get away with the crime because police screwed up really tics me off.

I know. All we can do is wait and see. I'm pleased that the UK police will be questioning Mrs. McCann. I have a lot more faith in them as investigators.