Still Traveling

By Gene Long

April 27, 2006 10:59 AM | Link to this

I would boycott Aruba, I would also boycott any where gay marriage is approvewd

By Internationa Travler

April 27, 2006 11:35 AM | Link to this

No I would not boycott Aruba.

By Dave

April 27, 2006 11:37 AM | Link to this

I would also feel just fine boycotting Aruba. There are plenty of other places in this world to go; Aruba is just a over-popularized island that has a crappy gov’t. Wouldn’t you like to go somewhere that isn’t trendy and full of the see and be seen crowd?

I think gay marriage is perfectly fine. What’s there to lose? Looks like Gene Long (above) is a bit scared of gay people. If you disagree with him, email him at his address:

long9828@bellsouth.net

By Tommy Tutone

April 27, 2006 11:44 AM | Link to this

I would boycott churches that support the Southern Baptist Convention churches because they and their congregations are ignorant fools.

By johnboy

April 27, 2006 11:45 AM | Link to this

Abso-Friggin-lutely.

Never going to Aruba.

Why go to S. Dakota anyway?

By Ultraelf

April 27, 2006 12:01 PM | Link to this

I would boycott S. Dakota and any state that houses Southern Baptist and NAACP conventions. Those brainwashing conventions are dangerous and are taught by dangerous people who want to control the citizens of the USA.

By Why?

April 27, 2006 12:04 PM | Link to this

Why boycott a country because of an unsolved disappearance? The U.S. has them all the time. Should we be boycotted?

By Ed

April 27, 2006 12:10 PM | Link to this

No, I would not boycott Aruba. I would agree that their police have not done a good job on the Holloway disappearance, but that small, peaceful island does not have, nor can they afford to have, a world-class investigatory organization like we are accustomed to in the US. Should foreigners boycott the US because of crime here?

Furthermore, Natalie Holloway’s parents have never acknowledged that their daughter had been drinking (the drinking age is much lower on Caribbean islands) and went off with several strange young men who she did not know. Would she have done this at home in Birmingham? Of course not! But she was irresponsible and, it appears, paid for that irresponsibility with her life. We should not blame 100,00 Arubans for that.

By kk

April 27, 2006 12:23 PM | Link to this

Oh Jesus, are we back to the freedom fries again? Boycott Walmart. Boycott bad education that keeps people ignorant. Hey, I want to never step foot in any conservative fundamentalist Southern region again, but I know I can’t blame everyone there just because rampant ignorance is far more prevalent there. Far as I’m concerned, stay there in your own little concentrated realm of hatefullness & self centeredness.

By Melllllll1

April 27, 2006 12:23 PM | Link to this

I wouldn’t boycott Aruba. I’ve never planned to go there - but if the opportunity came around I would go. I feel for the family but bottom line - You don’t send 125 HIGH SCHOOL KIDS someplace like that with 8 chaperones. The parents should have thought before sending their daughter.

I would however boycott Alabama. Especially hearing about how this past month the Alabama legislature voted to pardon Rosa Parks and others convicted for breaking segregation-era race laws. Are these people nuts?!?! I can’t even believe any of these arrest records still exist to pardon them. The woman and others are United States Citizens that were exercising their rights as United States Citizens and expected to be treated like United States Citizens.

Alabama is perfect proof that there is no limit as to how far back woods southerners can actually stick their heads up their a?s?s?e?s!!!

By AmericanExpat

April 27, 2006 12:26 PM | Link to this

No, I wouldn’t boycott Aruba but most certainly would not spend my money anywhere in S. Dakota.

And as an American living in Amsterdam, I can happily say to Gene Long… “Sir, We don’t want your kind here.”

By MrLiberty

April 27, 2006 12:29 PM | Link to this

I can’t say that I would boycott Aruba, but it sounds like boycotting all cruise lines would be a great idea for all the same reasons as Aruba.

Consumers are constantly turning to the government to “solve” their problems with companies or other governments. Not only is this an unamerican approach, it is inherently frought with problems and a whole host of unexpected consequences.

Consumers need to wake up and realize that they hold REAL power in their purchasing power. Boycotts of personal care products from companies like Avon, and others helped force the end of cruel and unnecessary animal testing. The ongoing boycott of Gillette and Proctor and Gamble hope to achieve the same things. Al Sharpton’s support for the ongoing boycott of KFC over animal cruelty is another example. Bus boycotts during the 60’s helped force changes in Jim Crow laws.

If you feel strongly enough about an issue, then you have a responsibility to boycott a business that goes against your moral code. It may not change anything in the end, but at least you can live with yourself morally. To do otherwise is to be untrue to yourself.

As a followup, it is also important to write letters to management, or the country’s leader, etc. to let them know why you are boycotting them. Lost business will not generate the change you desire unless they know why they lost the business.

Power to the consumer!

By janice

April 27, 2006 12:31 PM | Link to this

I would never boycott Aruba because some immature, underage, drug-smoking, alcohol consuming teen decides to run off with people she didn’t know, a decision that cost her her life. What I would do is use her as an example to my child that bad associates and bad decisions can kill you. Natalie Holloway was doing what most teens and young adults do on spring break!!!!!!!!!

Instead of boycotting Aruba, teach your young kids the difference between right and wrong so that they can make right decisions when they are with their peers.

By Kris

April 27, 2006 12:42 PM | Link to this

No! Many minority and economically disadvantaged children go missing in Alabama, yet I haven’t heard of any requested boycotts of that state. The governor of Alamabama needs to focus on the abused and neglected children in his state whose families are not in an economic position to launch a national media campaign.

By Eric

April 27, 2006 12:57 PM | Link to this

Boycott Aruba? Stupidity to end all stupidity. How about boycott every state where there a missing women right now? What makes this one Holloway girl so special anyway? Oh yeah, the America LOVES to see young, white, attractive women in despair or worse (Lacy Peterson, Runaway Bride, etc). If Holloway were black or latino - if you heard about it AT ALL it would have lasted about 2 minutes in the news then be gone forever.

By meme

April 27, 2006 1:02 PM | Link to this

Oh, Eric, you didn’t just say that the runaway bride was attractive did you?

By bobby

April 27, 2006 1:19 PM | Link to this

Boycott Aruba. would consider it based on their higher ups have family members involved. Ed - I can care less about tourist boycotting America. We already have an illigal “tourist” problem. Janice - Be real. I knew a girl that got raped by a guy she knew through a good friend. He raped her at a hotel she was working at as she was cleaning rooms. As he was leading her to another location more than likely to kill her as he had a knife on her, a lady noticed that something wasn’t right and blew her horn and the she jumped in the lady’s car and the guy ran off. Everyone has made bad decisions. Many people have dated for months and then one day have unprotected sex and get Aids, do they deserve it. You sound like a person that feels that Natalie deserved it. All that preaching does nothing to guarantee anything, look at the preachers child. So to think your child will never put herself/himself in a dangerous situation is not realistic, you need to just hope that when that happens there aren’t any predators present.

By Maybe

April 27, 2006 1:21 PM | Link to this

Maybe Tommy Tutone and Ultraelf can take a Disney Cruise to Aruba and work out all the little details of their little mind-control conspiracy, then report them back to an all white audience in South Carolina.

By waterbug24

April 27, 2006 1:32 PM | Link to this

I was in Aruba in January, and it was one of the most beautiful and peaceful places our cruise docked. I have already not boycotted it, nor would I ever.

By Cat

April 27, 2006 1:35 PM | Link to this

Boycott Aruba or Disney? YES!!

Boycott South Dakota or Kanaub, Utah? NO!! In fact, would make me more likely to plan business there, to support pro-life, pro-family politicians.

Boycott SC? No opinion. Too many factors.

By Rayne

April 27, 2006 1:42 PM | Link to this

Boycotting a country because of that…is ridiculous. If it makes you feel better, fine…YOUR choice, not mine. I’m still under the belief that we make our own choices, we have personal responsibilities for our actions and it is up to each person to decide for themselves…NOT be led like sheep to the slaughter. Never thought about going to S. Dakota…don’t really care about their politics, just care if I’ll be robbed at gun-point or if I can sleep under the stars safely. You know, we all tend to gripe about issues that don’t really matter, but refuse to work on the ones that do. What about kids that don’t get to go to school? What about AIDS? What about my right to peacefully assemble and pray to God in public? To profess Jesus as my Lord and Savior? What about the thousands of people that commit suicide everyday, the teens/children that are virtually left alone with no adult to show love or compassion??? Can we look in the mirror and work on THAT person, make sure THAT person has it together and is helping to make the space they affect a better place? Can we please start THERE???

Stop looking to others to tell you what to do, stop following the leader and BECOME a leader! Search inside and find what is the truth and what YOU need to do to better this place before you become a victim of life having never made a change.

By janice

April 27, 2006 1:46 PM | Link to this

No, I am being very REAL. We’ve read that her own friends had enough sense to see danger ahead and not RUN to it. Our children must be taught that everyone they meet, while they may appear to be friendly and nice are NOT, so it’s not just that she made a bad decision, but she didn’t even listen to her friends telling her NOT to go with the young men.

The young lady that you mentioned happened to be in the right place at the wrong time, that’s totally different. Natalie Holloway was not led away by anyone but herself.

As the saying goes “knowledge is power” teach your children how to make good decisions so that when BIG decisions come, they can handle it.

By Lavender Mills

April 27, 2006 1:50 PM | Link to this

I would not boycott Aruba because all teh attention recieved for teh Natalie H. cases wouldn’t be the same if the young lady was a black woman.

By Dee

April 27, 2006 1:50 PM | Link to this

Yes I would in regards to Aruba. That could have been my daughter or anybody else for that matter. I wouldn’t feel safe visiting Aruba nor protected by their government.

By Lavender Mills

April 27, 2006 1:58 PM | Link to this

I would not boycott Aruba because all the attention recieved for the Natalie Holloway cases wouldn’t be the same if the young lady was a black woman.

By Lisa S

April 27, 2006 1:59 PM | Link to this

Yep, I don’t contribute to causes that I oppose. Just as I wouldn’t give money to NAMBLA, or the DNC, I also wouldn’t give money to South Dakota or Kanab, Utah. I have no desire to go to Aruba, so it’s not an issue really. I’ve already missed two chances to go to France, because I won’t spend tourist money there either.

By Rayne

April 27, 2006 2:04 PM | Link to this

ok…how can you say FOR sure it would not be the same if the victim were black/hispanic/anything but white??? Is that because the media has trained you to believe that? nathalie’s family has a lot of money…that is the reason it had so much hype. Mom paid for the hype…mom made sure every media outlet knew.

that is one place where we have let the media and the government keep us from being united…race! And that you will find is only a REAL problem in the US. Other countries, people all live, work, marry and accept one another. Stop quoting what you hear and look into the facts. I’ve done enough research to know that yes, at one time this country was very against anyone that wasn’t white. But now, the division is among the people themselves, not the government. Whites don’t understand why there is still an issue, Blacks don’t understand why there is still an issue…and so on. maybe its simply a generational hype? mom said so, so it must be? lets stop living in the past and making rash judgements as to race and begin to be united.

We can change the world with words…make sure yours are positive and not negative.

By Eric

April 27, 2006 2:06 PM | Link to this

“Oh, Eric, you didn’t just say that the runaway bride was attractive did you?”

LOL! Well certainly not to me, but you get my point… white women in trouble… MONTHS of coverage. Minority women in trouble… SECONDS of coverage.

By t

April 27, 2006 2:06 PM | Link to this

NO……Something can happen anywhere!

By John

April 27, 2006 2:08 PM | Link to this

I won’t go to Jamaica, Bermuda, or St. Maarten.

By Rayne

April 27, 2006 2:11 PM | Link to this

By the way…anyone missing FRANCE because of ANY REASON…I have to say is bonkers! The people there are the kindest, warmest people I have ever met. They have guts to say what they think and feel and aren’t worried about the repurcussions. For that reason alone, I would have high regard for them. We are too worried in this country about DIPLOMACY, what others think. They say it…we just think it.

Lisa S, honey…you are missing one of the best countries on the planet. That’s fine, you probably wouldn’t see what the rest of us do because your eyes are blinded by what you are told instead of what is there. I’m not hating on you, just stating we don’t always know the facts. I know for a fact that their media is FAR more open than ours is. Journalism in its truest form is WITHOUT bias. In the US journalism is based on advertising dollars. You hear a completely different story in another country…i tend to take it more for truth.

By George Rodriguez Espada

April 27, 2006 2:33 PM | Link to this

ARUBA/HOLLAND:

WHEN ONE THINKS THAT A YOUNG WOMAN OR ANY WOMAN FOR THAT REASON IS NOT SAFE IN SUCH A SMALL ISLAND, ONE HAS TO WONDER ABOUT THE MORAL COMPASS OF THIS INSIGNIFICANT ISLAND.

IF I WERE FROM ARUBA OR HOLLAND I WOULD BE EMBARRASSED BY THE ACTIONS/OR INACTIONS OF THE DUTCH AND THEIR SYSTEM OF JUSTICE. THEY HAVE ACTED INCOMPETANTLY, AND ARROGANT. ARUBA IS NOT A SAFE PLACE TO TRAVEL AND WE NEED TO PUT THEM ON OUR “ALERT lIST” OF DANGEROUS PLACES TO TRAVEL FOR AMERICANS.

WE NEED TO PUT ECONOMIC PRESSURE ON HOLLAND TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO SOLVE THIS CASE.OR IS THIS ABOUT LOCAL POLITICS AND CORRUPTION. THE DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF DOMPIG WAS VINDICTIVE, DISHONEST AND DISRESPECTFUL,I AM SURE IF IT WERE HIS DAUGHTER, CASE CLOSED, KILLERS IN PRISON. BUT NO HE HAS TO BE A JERK!

I DO NOT THINK I WOULD BE CRASY ENOUGH TO GO TO ARUBA…THERE ARE BETTER ISLANDS, LIKE PUERTO RICO, USA, THE EMERALD ISLAND, MORE BEAUTIFUL, CHEAPER, CLOSER AND PROTECTED BY THE USA…

GEORGE RODRIGUEZ ESPADA…I SUPPPORT GOVERNOR PERDUE’S BOYCOTT OF ARUBA…

By Ripdog

April 27, 2006 2:47 PM | Link to this

I wouldn’t boycott Aruba. As a matter of fact, I went there right after the Holloway incident. Crime is unfortunate, but it’s not like the Aruban government kidnapped the young lady. These were isolated actions by individuals that are in that country. If we use the thinking of the govenor of Alabama, we should boycott Atlanta because so many of the Missing and Murdered Children Cases in the 1980’s went unsolved.

By Jennifer

April 27, 2006 2:50 PM | Link to this

I wouldn’t boycott a place just because they have different beliefs than I do. Besides, Georgia is about as bass akwards as it gets, but are worse places in the South. I’d avoid Utah because it’s Utah. Just like I’d avoid Kansas because it’s Kansas- no reason to go.

And as far as boycotting Aruba goes that’s just silly. There are people who go missing all of the time but are we boycotting those places? No. As a matter of fact we barely hear about them. There have been many children go missing right here in Georgia but I don’t see anyone screaming to boycott here.

And I’m sure Disney isn’t missing those Baptists, either.

By Ripdog

April 27, 2006 2:53 PM | Link to this

George, I think your post is just another example of American arrogance. This island hasn’t had a major crime in over 30 years. You are more likely to be abducted in Hawaii than Aruba. Just because one young lady was abducted under questionable circumstances doesn’t give us the right to condemn this nation. Quite frankly, the government over there has done more to find her than our government has done to find many unpublicized missing minority youth. Maybe you should do a little research before you make ignorant, uneducated statements.

By Dianne

April 27, 2006 2:58 PM | Link to this

Yes I would and will boycott Aruba. The so called investigation into the disappearance of Ms. Holloway is a travesty and a mockery to justice. No one should be treated as the parents of Ms. Holloway has in the case. There are many many other beautiful places to visit and spend your hard earned dollars than on an island where it has been made very clear…you are not safe and if anything criminal should befall you…you have no rights. Aruba wants you money….that’s it plain and simple.

By Becca

April 27, 2006 3:05 PM | Link to this

No, I would go whereever I wanted to go. Heck I want to go to Cuba. Stupid politics.

By Brett "the Hitman" Hart

April 27, 2006 3:05 PM | Link to this

You should all come to Canada. Its cold up here and we dont care who you poke in the night. If your little girl wanishes here she was only eaten by wolves. We also have the best cookies in the world.

By Rayne

April 27, 2006 3:09 PM | Link to this

I’m with Becca, I want to go to Cuba!

By Jennifer

April 27, 2006 3:11 PM | Link to this

I’m right there with you, Becca. As a matter of fact, we’re thinking about a trip to Cairo. Not sure if it will happen or not, or when, but I wouldn’t boycott it, either. Why deprive myself of culture and beauty because of politics. Of course, I might have to stick a huge maple leaf on my back and say, “eh” a lot so people don’t know I’m from the U.S. LOL

There are a lot of children who have gone missing right here and after the news stops talking about them most people forget they even existed or were kidnapped/murdered.

Dianne, do you personally know Ms. Holloway’s family? How were they treated so badly? The government of Aruba is doing everything they can and they catered to them while they stayed there hoping to hear something about their daughter. As sad as it is the reality of it is who in the hell sends that many kids with that few chaperones? Not to mention they were all out drinking and were being extremely irresponsible in unfamiliar surroundings. But they’re kids and kids make stupid mistkes. However, I wouldn’t send my teen anywhere under those circumstances.

By lwa

April 27, 2006 3:12 PM | Link to this

“IF I WERE FROM ARUBA OR HOLLAND I WOULD BE EMBARRASSED BY THE ACTIONS/OR INACTIONS OF THE DUTCH AND THEIR SYSTEM OF JUSTICE. THEY HAVE ACTED INCOMPETANTLY, AND ARROGANT. ARUBA IS NOT A SAFE PLACE TO TRAVEL AND WE NEED TO PUT THEM ON OUR “ALERT lISTâ€? OF DANGEROUS PLACES TO TRAVEL FOR AMERICANS.”

If we took that attitude, most of us should be ashamed of our Nation’s capital. Washington DC has thousands of unsolved murders and crimes over the last 30 years (if not 40). Aruba has a low crime rate. America could be put on the alert list if we are talking about 1 murder that has been unsolved.

As a matter of fact, would all stay in the house. Crime is everywhere and there are a lot of unsolved crimes out there in every major city… as well as small towns.

No, I am not going to boycott Aruba. Crime is a fact of life. Always has been, always will be.

By Brett " the Hitman" hart

April 27, 2006 3:15 PM | Link to this

That Holloway was an adult not some twelve year old little girl. Shes dead now and sorry to say her parents will never know who did it. Cairo huh… hey i want to go and see the pyramids too but they put thier toilet paper in a little basket and not in the crapper there you know. Thats nasty. You should just come on up to Canada and see the snow pyramids my kids make instead.

By Brett " the Hitman" hart

April 27, 2006 3:16 PM | Link to this

That Holloway was an adult not some twelve year old little girl. Shes dead now and sorry to say her parents will never know who did it. Cairo huh… hey i want to go and see the pyramids too but they put their toilet paper in a little basket and not in the crapper there you know. Thats nasty. You should just come on up to Canada and see the snow pyramids my kids make instead.

By Jennifer

April 27, 2006 3:19 PM | Link to this

Canada is on the ‘List of Places I Want to See Before I Die,’ too. But I have to say I don’t fancy being somewhere where I’ll freeze, which is what I moved away from when I moved to Atlanta. So I guess I’ll have to visit when it’s warmer :)

No TP in the john, huh? Well, I guess I’ll survive but I have to admit that’s strange. I have a very close friend who moved here from Cairo and I have another friend who is getting ready to visit with a group of friends.

By Brett " the Hitman" Hart

April 27, 2006 3:22 PM | Link to this

Well freezing to death is part of life in the great counrty on Earth, Canada. The problem with Aruba sounds to me like they let the Dutch be in charge of things. Oh hey dont get me wrond they make good wooden shoes and dikes but besides that the Dutch are some of the most clueless people on the planet eh.

By Eric

April 27, 2006 3:23 PM | Link to this

George Rodriguez Espada…. if you believe all that crap you posted…you must REALLY hate America then.

By Jennifer

April 27, 2006 3:30 PM | Link to this

I am getting one heck of a laugh at all of you who talk about you would go somewhere that was “protected by the United States.” Are you friggin blind?? Do you not see all of the crime that happens here right under your noses? No one can protect you from everything that is bad and to think that they can then you are delusional.

Put economic pressure on them? Why? Because she got drunk and made poor decisions? She would have made those same decisions in college. Then who would you blame? What would you do? Put economic pressure on the college, too? Give me a break.

By Brett " the Hitman" Hart

April 27, 2006 3:31 PM | Link to this

South Dakota huh? Honestly who said ” hey lets go to South Dakota” You end up there if your lost or you are passing through. Its a long long long drive from one end to the other broken only by Wall Drug, the Corn Palace, and Mt Rushmore. By the way they all rock. I mean we have snow drifts a hundred feet tall and all the moose you can eat but Wall Drug and Rushmore they are hard to beat.

By Brett " the Hitman" Hart

April 27, 2006 3:35 PM | Link to this

I know what happened to her. Its like this one time myself, Brett ” the Hitman” Hart , Owne Hart, and Jim “the Anvil” where running a train on this girl and she got all upset because Jim is ugly and all. Well he was having his turn one way or the other so we had to kill her right? Oh crap. You didnt just read this.

By Drew

April 27, 2006 3:54 PM | Link to this

First, I think A LOT (as in most) of the people here are uninformed. The Alabama governor did not say boycott Aruba because it’s dangerous. He said boycott the island because the Aruban government isn’t doing enough to help with the investigation. For that reason, I would say it is ok to boycott and support that decision.

Second, I personally try to SUPPORT anything that Southern Baptists disagree with. As “Tommy Tutone” said, they (S. Baptists) are ignorant fools.

By Michelle

April 27, 2006 3:55 PM | Link to this

Yes to all but Aruba. Boycott an entire island because a girl got drunk and went off with 3 men? No. It’s a terrible thing that happened, but as someone else said, unsolved crimes happen all the time here and in many other countries.

By Perspective

April 27, 2006 3:59 PM | Link to this

I just got back from a week-long vacation in Aruba a few weeks ago, and I must say that I had a wonderful time. Furthermore, I felt perfectly safe. Any preconceived reservations that I may have carried to Aruba were set at ease almost immediately. I have never met kinder, more helpful or more courteous individuals than those that welcomed me througout my stay in Oranjestad and all over the island. With that said, I was still sure to exercise good judgement wherever I went. If I didn’t know how to get to where I was going, I would ask for directions. When I went out at night and walked back to my hotel in the early hours of the morning, I stayed on the main road and avoided dark streets and corners. Let’s face it, unless you live by yourself underground, personal safety can’t be take for granted anywhere. It would be arrogant to think you may. I would rather walk anywhere in Aruba late at night than walk down some streets of downtown Atlanta just a few miles from my home.

By truthfully

April 27, 2006 4:15 PM | Link to this

GENE. dave got you. LOL And no if we boycott that then please believe there would be no where to go if we really sat down an dhad these vaious boycotts based on activities beyond our control. hell I’d boycott GA if that was the case. But I do live here. There is drama everywhere. We all know this. I’m saying I’m for drama, but when has this world been drama free since we’ve been livin breathin in it? Ok. point made. As I book my getaway to aruba with v-103. the big station. LOL

By Anita Ballentine

April 27, 2006 4:20 PM | Link to this

Yes I would boycott Aruba if fact we thought about going on vacation there. But my husband said he would not go anywhere that didn’t care enough to do a proper investigation with a tourist that came to their land and spent money. I think they waited to long to check things out and made it look like they where covering up for their people.Also is it not a possiblity that Natalee has been abducted. That one kid I thought had a big gambling debt. Would that not be a good reason to help them take Natalee . These kids can’t committ the perfect crime, at least not without help. Looks like we may never get answers. And how can you go to vacation somewhere you can disappear with a trace. YES I WOULD BOYCOTT !! My Pray To The Twitty’s and Holloway Family

By brent

April 27, 2006 4:22 PM | Link to this

If you think Aruba is unsafe, you’ve obviously never been there. It’s one of, if not the safest of all the Carribbean islands. I felt far safer on the streets of Oranjestad than I do on the streets of Atlanta, that’s for sure. As far as the Aruban/Dutch government not doing enough to solve the case — well, they’re not the only ones who’ve come up snake eyes in this investigation so far. No one has been able to find anything — including “expert” private search teams from the US. Geez, they held those 3 kids for how many weeks? — without even having any evidence to charge them. That’s a lot more than could have been done here. The bottom line is, as sad as this is for her family & friends, it never would have happened if she had used even an ounce of common sense.

So no, I wouldn’t boycott Aruba. But anyone who would over this incident is a good riddance, anyway, so feel free to stay away. More room on the beach for me.

As for all the other places mentioned, I wouldn’t want to go to any them anyway…

By cece

April 27, 2006 4:36 PM | Link to this

Its a shame that our kids do not listen or use common since. They should never drink too much and should keep a look out over thier drinks, although they shouldn’t have to, but in this day and age so much meanness happens. We should teach our kids to stay alert on all occasions. I’m sure Beth Twitty did her best, and yes I would boycott Aruba or any other place that can’t obey and keep the laws. I don’t know what happened but someone on that island does, and he should be punished severely for his crime or any part he played in itt.

By Jennifer

April 27, 2006 4:38 PM | Link to this

Yep, still laughing at those of you who think her and her family have been somehow wronged by the Dutch government. Brent is right when he said that those three kids were held longer than they would have been here (without any evidence, that is). There were search teams from the US brought in and private investigators but nothing, so far, has come of that.

Btw, those of you who are won’t go to Aruba because of the ONE missing girl- you probably shouldn’t book a cruise, either, because you know, that ONE guy fell overboard and they didn’t find him, either.

By Jennifer

April 27, 2006 4:40 PM | Link to this

So, if you are going to boycott anyplace that doesn’t obey and keep the laws, when are you leaving here?

By Pompano

April 27, 2006 4:51 PM | Link to this

We recently had a drug death of a teen in Athens. Still no convictions - yet no one is calling for a boycott of the University of Georgia.

As for those who say the Aruban gov’t didn’t do enough, they’ve arrested, detained & questioned several suspects - we can’t hold people here w/oput filing charges. They’ve devoted their entire police-force (not to mention private individuals) to combing the island for clues. If Van der Sloot & the Kalpoe brothers can keep all the details of an alleged lie straight after all the scrutiny they have endured they should be in the mafia.

Finally, how much responsibility does a gov’t have to solve a mystery that’s founded in drugs, under-age drinking and obviously poor judgment? Sounds just like most of the unsolved cases in the US.

By Jennifer

April 27, 2006 4:58 PM | Link to this

Well, I’d call for a boycott of UGA just because it’s UGA ;) j/k

Actually, I think the knee-jerk reactions some people have are very silly and unfounded. The government cannot protect everyone and it shouldn’t have to. At what point are people supposed to take responsibility for themselves? I can never feel what her parents and other members of her family are feeling because something like this has never happened in my family, but at what point is a 17 year old responsible for his/her actions? For goodness sakes she was almost 18. I think she got away from mommy and daddy and wanted to party, but maybe mommy and daddy hadn’t informed her of how to drink responsibly. Rather, they probably always told her drinking was bad and not to do it. I don’t know for sure but I do know that happens in a lot of drinking/drug incidents. It most likely was the same scenario with the poor kid who died at UGA.

By buddy

April 27, 2006 4:58 PM | Link to this

i would boycott a certain thing, like on my own i am currently and have been boycotting purchasing or even listening to r.kelley music, because someone has to take a stand for those young girls he molested.i do not support anyone that harms children!

By Jennifer

April 27, 2006 5:02 PM | Link to this

Oh, heck, buddy. I wouldn’t listen to R. Kelley because his music sucks. I swear he tries to turn the most boring things into songs.

I got up today/I brushed my teeth/I put on my clothes/I went outside…boring, boring stuff.

I have to admit, though, the Boondocks did a great sketch on him.

By Steve

April 27, 2006 5:03 PM | Link to this

It’s obvious to me that the government of Aruba murdered Natalee Holloway in an elaborate plot to keep Alabamians from coming to Aruba. Perhaps Atlanta should try the same.

By buddy

April 27, 2006 5:10 PM | Link to this

yeah jennifer, you are right. the lyrics were extra corny but i liked the beats & rythms! :)

i would boycott aruba, but you also have to realize that when you leave the u.s., you leave everything familiar that you know !so be the heck careful!! “they do thangs di’frent in them parts!”

By Jennifer

April 27, 2006 5:18 PM | Link to this

Steve, you crack me up! Great post and thanks for the laugh. Believe me, I’ve had a few today over some of the posts here and it has ended my day very well.

Responsibility, people, it’s about responsibility in this case.

By Rayne

April 27, 2006 5:27 PM | Link to this

I found this on aruba.com this just shows what they did to help. I don’t see any part of US government doing this to help people missing here. I would say that they went above and beyond. Again, its facts people…not just what you hear in the media.

Introduction

Almost from the moment Natalee Holloway disappeared, the nation of Aruba has been focused on finding her.

The people of Aruba have responded to this situation with great sympathy for the anguish the Holloway and Twitty families are experiencing. The Aruban community, police, government, and many members of the Aruban business community have gone out of their way to assist the Holloway and Twitty families by participating in extensive searches of the island, donating large sums of money to search efforts, offering discounted as well as complimentary services,handing out ribbons and flyers, holding vigils and prayer services, setting up radio station tip hotlines, and cooperating fully with police officials.

Support in Funding the Search and Rescue Efforts of Ms. Natalee Holloway

When Ms. Natalee Holloway was first reported missing, the Government and the entire community of Aruba were shocked. This shock and empathy with the family of Ms. Holloway resulted in an immediate outpouring of help in many forms.

• Moral support • Financial contributions • Contributions by the hotel industry • Contributions by the local Government and other private sector members

Following is a listing of some of the contributions made to the search and rescue effort of the missing teen.

There have been many more that wish to remain anonymous.

Moral Support

• A psychologist was offered by the Government of Aruba and used by Mrs.Twitty • A media liaison was offered by the Government of Aruba and used by Mrs.Twitty’s family for U.S. media coverage • Vigils by the community were held on various occasions to show support • Churches of all denominations held masses to pray for Natalee’s well being and safe return • Private group searches were held for weeks • Moral support in the form of visits of Government officials to the family

Financial Contribution

Banking members of Aruba US $ 20,000.00 Contributions from the Aruban Hotel Industry The Wyndham Resort (Lodging and work space for the family) Cost US $ 30,000.00 The Brickel Bay Hotel (Lodging, food and beverages of Equusearch) Cost US $100,000.00 The Holiday Inn (Lodging and meeting facilities) Cost US $ 89,736.00 Playa Linda Beach Resort (Lodging) Cost US $ 9,016.63

Other Contributions

• Numerous private boats for the search • Use of a submarine as transport for the search teams • Use of a helicopter • Transportation for the search teams/members • Search efforts by the Dutch Marines and the Coast Guard • Search dogs • Dutch F-16 planes with approximately 40 highly-trained experts (plus housing and food and beverage for these experts in Curaçao) • Machinery for the many searches • Half day off for all civil servants to participate in the search efforts • Assistance from the Search and Rescue team of Aruba • Assistance from the Red Cross of Aruba • Boat/diving equipment (such as tanks, refills) and use of the Pelican Pier for the search operation • Fire Department devoted several days to draining ponds • Dutch investigators flown in to interrogate the suspects and review the investigation • Judges specially flown in from Curaçao • Restaurant contributions for free meals • Free rental cars to the family and various search teams • Various other contributions to the Texas Equusearch

The total contribution of the island of Aruba, in this case, is substantial – monetarily as well as non-monetarily.

By MRC

April 27, 2006 5:31 PM | Link to this

I would not boycott Aruba. Why? The Aruban government was not responsible for Natalee Holloway’s disappearance. Her chaperones should have been charged for her disappearance. How come they weren’t chaperoning? And what about her “so-called friends?” I know I wouldn’t have let my friend go off with some unknown males, no matter how drunk she was. Some friends, if you ask me. Anyways, I want to go to Aruba, because I love the islands. I want to island-hop and Aruba would be in one of my stops. Boycott Aruba, yeah right. No one boycotts America when people go missing. Hold the chaperones responsible for her disappearance. No one is investigating them.

By Martin Jung

April 27, 2006 6:17 PM | Link to this

My entire family and I are presently boycotting Aruba … The investigation into the Holloway disappearance is a total disgrace … It doesn’t take very long to understand that something else is going on here which is more important than finding or even prosecuting the guilty parties … No police organization in the world could actually be as completely inept as the Aruba cops appear to be … Whether it is a coverup, intentional diversion, return for favors owed or whatever is not clear to outsiders looking in; however, I am certain that ‘key insiders’ are very well aware of what is happening … I feel extremely sorry for Natalie’s family … I encourage all Americans to stay away from that little corrupt island …

By Melinda

April 27, 2006 6:35 PM | Link to this

Why would I boycott Aruba? Some teenage girl goes off with guys, ends up missing, and we’re supposed to declare it unfit to visit? How many people go missing or are murdered in Atlanta each day? I don’t see a mass exodus from there.

And who cares about gay marriage? If you don’t want to marry someone of the same sex, then you don’t have to. End of story.

Where is Kanab, Utah and why would anyone go there anyway?

By OldTimer

April 27, 2006 7:43 PM | Link to this

Still haven’t been to Aruba, but always liked it. Kudos to the Beach Boys for that. Don’t think I”ll be going their though. There are beaches just as beautiful without the issues. Bottem line is they just didn’t handle it well.

By Jennifer

April 27, 2006 7:43 PM | Link to this

I received the following email in my personal email account.

Subject line: Cretin

Body of email: YOU are obviously a lot more “bass akwards” than Georgia, Toto.

This just proves my point: Georgia is bass akwards.

Please feel free to email emperor.of.the.north.pole@gmail.com at your leisure. He certainly provided my friends and I with a good laugh this evening!

By john

April 27, 2006 8:07 PM | Link to this

Yep. Never go again.

By Grammy

April 27, 2006 8:18 PM | Link to this

Definitely Aruba, the Natalee Halloway case has been significantly mishandled, even though they do have a right to do things differently. They haven’t shown me that Americans would be safe there.
Put them on a line with Iraq and Iran but for different reasons. God Bless America, everytime I go out of the country, I realize how lucky I am to come back!

By Wynn Johnson

April 27, 2006 9:13 PM | Link to this

I already boycott Chik-Fil-A because of their ties to the Southern Baptists (and hate groups like Focus on the Family). Boycotting anything else they support couldn’t be too difficult.

I’d boycott South Dakota, but that’s as pointless as boycotting Aruba, which by the way is one stop my fiancee and I will be making on our honeymoon cruise this fall.

By Pernette

April 28, 2006 9:08 AM | Link to this

I would not boycott Aruba. Natalee exercised poor judgement and met with a very unfortunate end, but it is not the fault of the government. We were always taught that if you go somewhere with a group, you leave with that group. She drank too much and left in a cab with strangers not her classmates. Why isn’t her school being held more accountable for not adequately chaperoning her? Or maybe her parents should be blamed for not teaching her basic and fundamental rules of life?

We recently had a girl in NY who was killed by a bouncer. This girl also did not go home with her friend and chose to party by herself with strangers. She was found dead and sexually assaulted. Had she went home with her friend that night, instead of feeling invincible, she would be alive right now.

I know I am rambling, but I think there is a level of personal responsibility. You cannot assume that you are safe anywhere!!

There is crime everywhere. I don’t believe Aruba is not a safe place to visit. I believe that a young girl made a foolish and someone was there to prey on that mistake and her.

If anything, I think it’s scarier to live in the US.

By Lisa S

April 28, 2006 9:28 AM | Link to this

Rayne,

I’ve been to France before. I found it to be a wonderful place at the time (mainly because I was young and didn’t have any real knowledge of the world). Since the riots (both religious and economic), I wouldn’t step foot there. It actually has nothing to do with diplomacy or anything else. Why did you just assume that because I said I wouldn’t spend money in France, that it had anything to do with Politics? I prefer not to go anywhere where they allow violent and destructive protesters the right of way.

By Mark

April 28, 2006 9:43 AM | Link to this

If we boycott every city/State/Country where there are instances of poor investications (sic), we wouldn’t have anywhere to go! Really!

How about if we boycott newspapers where there are instances of poor editing? Does the AJC know how to spell investigation? Do they have a spell checker?

By Pernette

April 28, 2006 9:44 AM | Link to this

I would not boycott Aruba. Natalee exercised poor judgement and met with a very unfortunate end, but it is not the fault of the government. We were always taught that if you go somewhere with a group, you leave with that group. She drank too much and left in a cab with strangers not her classmates. Why isn’t her school being held more accountable for not adequately chaperoning her? Or maybe her parents should be blamed for not teaching her basic and fundamental rules of life?

We recently had a girl in NY who was killed by a bouncer. This girl also did not go home with her friend and chose to party by herself with strangers. She was found dead and sexually assaulted. Had she went home with her friend that night, instead of feeling invincible, she would be alive right now.

I know I am rambling, but I think there is a level of personal responsibility. You cannot assume that you are safe anywhere!!

There is crime everywhere. I don’t believe Aruba is not a safe place to visit. I believe that a young girl made a foolish and someone was there to prey on that mistake and her.

If anything, I think it’s scarier to live in the US. Does anyone remember the German tourists who were getting killed left and right in Florida in the 90’s?

By G

April 28, 2006 10:12 AM | Link to this

No, I won’t boycott. Aruba is a great place. I’m sick and tired of the tendency to blame everyone in a place or group because of the actions of a few. That’s as bloody stupid as blaming all Muslims because of radicals, blaming all white Americans because of slavery century before last, blaming everyone in a political party because of the actions of a few, and so on. Blaming a group is easy, lazy, and stupid. Blame the individuals. Stereotyping and name-calling is the cheap way out.

By Sarah

April 28, 2006 10:39 AM | Link to this

I wouldn’t boycott Aruba, nor would I make the same mistakes a naive trusting high school senior made, but no matter what poor judgement she used, no one deserves to be murdered for making a poor decision. As far as Gene Long and boycotting an entire state because they passed a gay marriage law? Gene, are you afraid you may see two healthy happy people who happen to be of the same sex and it may stir some underlying feelings you have repressed? I think Disney is a much better place to be without a bunch of marrow minded pin-headed Baptist. South Dakota? I have been there, I would never go back, it’s the most boring palce on earth. As far as Utah is concerned, it’s funny the Morman church can secretly endorse plural marriages for old pedophile men with uneducated fourteen year old girls but condemn gay unions. That’s typical good old fashioned double standards at work, much like the Cathlolic church.

By Bill Ivy

April 28, 2006 11:30 AM | Link to this

Bad things happen. A girl went to a place and acted out of control. Her parents worst fears came true. Her father actually said, “his daughter would never drink or do drugs” The unfortunate part of all this is the parents of Natalee Holloway blame everyone else, when they truly have no idea what there daughter was into. Oh, and here is some breaking news, good grades DO NOT equate to not partying.

By jdoe

April 28, 2006 12:20 PM | Link to this

The Natalee Holloway case is way overblown. That woman wanted it, she asked for it, and she got it. LOL.

By Rayne

April 28, 2006 12:43 PM | Link to this

lisa s. You are right I assumed, i apologize.

to G right on man! I’ve said that in a very long style…you said it right on point!

Mark You noticed as well??? I taught journalism for a while and never could understand when I saw grammatical or spelling issues in a paper!!!!!!!!!!!

By Stell S.

April 28, 2006 2:11 PM | Link to this

I posted this blog initally and have to say I find jdoe’s statement about Natalee Holloway highly offensive. He says “she wanted it, she asked for it, and she got it.” That’s the old sexist comment that used to be directed at women who were raped. I see that misogyny is alive and well. It’s interesting that the hate statements and the blame in this blog aren’t directed at the perps (who remain unknown, of course), but at the young woman who disappeared.

By j

April 28, 2006 3:20 PM | Link to this

Im a female that thinks the lil t** was begging for something..

Her mom is an idiot to think she was all that innocent there..

I know my child will not be going on any SR trip.. like that.. for one. Im not going to pay for it.. and 2 if they think as long as they are under my roof they wont be acting like that either.,