I'm really intrigued by the latest statement from the Madeleine Fund, released in response to Jim Gamble's resignation from CEOP. They say that they found the news 'saddening'... Saddening? Why on earth would they find it saddening?
It's been common knowledge for some time that Mr Gamble was eager to relieve his position at CEOP and be employed elsewhere, so devoted to the job and all the children, was he. It seems that his resignation was just something waiting to happen.
But let's go back to basics - the McCanns have a missing child, Madeleine McCann whom they claim was abducted. CEOP have been involved with the 'search' for over 3 years, even during the time that Mr McCann claims that 'no law enforcement agency were actively looking'. Have they helped find Madeleine? No, they haven't - she is still missing. Not even the age enhanced image of a 7 year old Madeleine prompted any leads.
In the eyes of the parents of a missing child - massive fail.
Who would blame any parent for thinking this is absolutely, utterly desperate, our little girl is still missing? What parent would be saddened by Jim Gamble's resignation - wouldn't you be glad to see the back of him and eagerly await 'new blood' there at the top to try a new approach with fresh ideas?
Wouldn't you be over the moon that the government had set up a new initiative which would shake up the whole organisation and would involve specialists in fields such as kidnapping and child trafficking? After all, if you think your daughter has been abducted, these are the people you want on the job.
Think about the renewed hope it would give right-thinking parents. Can Jim Gamble still offer this to the McCanns after all these years.
Saddened... and too busy latching onto other causes or championing crusades for all the other children to distract from the fact that where they are today is because of their own actions.
This is not about all the other children... this should be about their daughter and no-one else.
"In this challenging economic climate, we urge the Government to remember the value of our children and the importance of the invaluable work which is necessary to protect children against the devastating crimes of child abduction and exploitation."
What callous audacity and cheek, never mind the fact that it is directed at a man who is grieving the loss of his young son.
They should attempt to get their own house in order before brazenly telling the world how our children should be valued and looked after. It smacks of nothing but ignorance and hypocrisy, which is something I think we've all come to expect...
Wednesday, 6 October 2010
Tuesday, 5 October 2010
Value our Children... Hypocrisy from the Madeleine Fund
Are we all surprised at the speed of the latest statement from the Madeleine Fund referring to Jim Gamble's resignation from CEOP! Is it really saddening? Is it a disaster?
Here's what they have to say...
We were told last night of the resignation of Jim Gamble from the Child Exploitation and On Line Protection Unit (CEOP). We are certain that he will be a huge loss to the field of child protection. Knowing how committed Mr Gamble is to this cause, it is extremely saddening that he feels unable to continue to lead CEOP which appears to be as a consequence of the proposed Governmental changes.
The search for our daughter Madeleine has been greatly enhanced by the work carried out by the team at CEOP. We would like to thank Mr Gamble for all of his efforts, both for Madeleine and for all missing and exploited children.
In this challenging economic climate, we urge the Government to remember the value of our children and the importance of the invaluable work which is necessary to protect children against the devastating crimes of child abduction and exploitation.
Why the rush? I wonder what panic prompted the necessity to get this statement out within 24 hours of Mr Gamble's resignation becoming public?
There was no rush to ring the police that fateful night in May.
There was no rush to search for their daughter.
There was no rush to leave Portugal, until they had to.
There was no rush to release Madeleine's age enhanced image to the public.
No haste or speed ever engaged when it involved their own child, yet here we have a carefully thought out statement drafted, released and online within hours for our perusal. I wonder why neither John McCann or Doug Skehan warranted this action on their resignations from the Madeleine Fund?
The McCanns say... "In this challenging economic climate, we urge the Government to remember the value of our children..."
Is this referring to all our children, or just the McCann children? Visions of Mr McCann's cryptic blogs come to mind...
Hypocrytical, considering they completely forgot the value of their own children in the first place and the reason we're all here over three years later.
Here's what they have to say...
We were told last night of the resignation of Jim Gamble from the Child Exploitation and On Line Protection Unit (CEOP). We are certain that he will be a huge loss to the field of child protection. Knowing how committed Mr Gamble is to this cause, it is extremely saddening that he feels unable to continue to lead CEOP which appears to be as a consequence of the proposed Governmental changes.
The search for our daughter Madeleine has been greatly enhanced by the work carried out by the team at CEOP. We would like to thank Mr Gamble for all of his efforts, both for Madeleine and for all missing and exploited children.
In this challenging economic climate, we urge the Government to remember the value of our children and the importance of the invaluable work which is necessary to protect children against the devastating crimes of child abduction and exploitation.
Why the rush? I wonder what panic prompted the necessity to get this statement out within 24 hours of Mr Gamble's resignation becoming public?
There was no rush to ring the police that fateful night in May.
There was no rush to search for their daughter.
There was no rush to leave Portugal, until they had to.
There was no rush to release Madeleine's age enhanced image to the public.
No haste or speed ever engaged when it involved their own child, yet here we have a carefully thought out statement drafted, released and online within hours for our perusal. I wonder why neither John McCann or Doug Skehan warranted this action on their resignations from the Madeleine Fund?
The McCanns say... "In this challenging economic climate, we urge the Government to remember the value of our children..."
Is this referring to all our children, or just the McCann children? Visions of Mr McCann's cryptic blogs come to mind...
Hypocrytical, considering they completely forgot the value of their own children in the first place and the reason we're all here over three years later.
Monday, 4 October 2010
McCann Case - Those Irritating Niggles!
Do you have them? I sure do... and they keep irritating me!
From day one, the public were bombarded with claims of abduction, jemmied shutters and swarthy intruders. Visions of a beautiful, big eyed child were emblazoned on our television screens 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. British toddler, Madeleine McCann, aged just 3 had been 'taken'.
Bring Madeleine home, she's not yours!
Then came the not-so-televised news from John Hill, Manager of the Ocean Club that the shutters were perfect, there was no sign of a break in to the apartment. Brief photos of the 'jemmied' shutters were shown on the news to be undamaged.
But hold that result... forget about the shutters, they're not newsworthy! Rewind back to the sweet little three year old with the big eyes. Forget about the fact that Madeleine, her 2 year old twin siblings and all of her younger friends were apparently left alone, night after night in empty apartments. Forget about the fact that this group of 9 adults all dined, drank and had their jollies in a restaurant down the road while all of their children were left alone to care for themselves. All of these children were 3 years and under!! That's not so much an irritating niggle, but a gobsmacking one. And one that bemuses me to this day, because it's only ever referenced to the McCanns. Nine adult individuals behaved in the same manner, apparently...
Anyway, back to those niggles... thanks to our great British press and media, I would be well on the way to actually believing the theory of abduction if it weren't for certain photo opportunities that Mr and Mrs McCann seemed to grasp with open arms...
Now forgive me, but the photos pictured above were all taken in the weeks following Madeleine's disappearance. The first photo (unbelievably) was taken on the 12th May 2007, just 9 days after Madeleine McCann's disappearance was announced to the world. Nine days without your child, without knowing where she is or who she's with? Nine days of not seeing your child with your own eyes and nine days of worry. Could you bring yourself to function properly within 9 days, let alone smile, laugh, prance around holding balloons and flowers?... In public.
It's in the utmost bad taste, even more so when you consider that (as her parents maintain) Madeleine McCann could be sitting with her 'abductor' in front of the television screen, recognising her parents' obvious smiles emanating from those photos. Well, let's give Mr and Mrs McCann the benefit of the doubt - maybe they have no control over their emotions and simply smile, laugh and be jolly at the most inappropriate moments. I'm sure Madeleine would understand.
Anyway, let's talk about another niggle... that of the Hell Hounds from South Yorkshire.
Eddie and Keela were actually the brainchild and suggestion of the British police. They are both spaniels (not collies) with incredible noses, and when working Eddie detects cadaver odour, Keela detects blood. These dogs have travelled the world, are in great demand and Eddie actually earns more money than McDonalds on a good day!
The dogs arrived in August 2007 with their owner Martin Grimes, and if this had been a run of the mill abduction case, you would expect them not to mark at all, pat on the head, dog biscuit and go home? These are the places that the Portuguese police requested that the dogs put their snouts...
Five apartments at the complex in Praia de Luz.
Mr Murat's property at Praia de Luz.
Mr and Mrs McCanns' villa at Praia de Luz
Articles of clothing from the McCanns' residence.
Western beach Praia de Luz.
Eastern Beach Praia de Luz.
10 Vehicles screened at Portimao
The dogs alerted in the McCanns' apartment, in their car and on various items of clothing belonging to Mrs McCann and a child's t-shirt. We are talking about a cadaver dog, alerting to the scent of a cadaver. Which in layman's terms is alerting to the scent of a dead body and I'm sorry to say that dogs don't lie. The cadaver dog also alerted to Madeleine's iconic soft toy, known as Cuddlecat.
They alerted nowhere else. Not in any other apartment or car or clothes. Only places and items belonging to the McCanns. Talk of false positives and false markings are rubbish because the dogs would have marked here, there and everywhere.
This is the biggest niggle of all... unfortunately I can't ask the dogs, so if you could explain that one for me I would be most grateful.
Eddie and Keela in action.
From day one, the public were bombarded with claims of abduction, jemmied shutters and swarthy intruders. Visions of a beautiful, big eyed child were emblazoned on our television screens 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. British toddler, Madeleine McCann, aged just 3 had been 'taken'.
Bring Madeleine home, she's not yours!
Then came the not-so-televised news from John Hill, Manager of the Ocean Club that the shutters were perfect, there was no sign of a break in to the apartment. Brief photos of the 'jemmied' shutters were shown on the news to be undamaged.
But hold that result... forget about the shutters, they're not newsworthy! Rewind back to the sweet little three year old with the big eyes. Forget about the fact that Madeleine, her 2 year old twin siblings and all of her younger friends were apparently left alone, night after night in empty apartments. Forget about the fact that this group of 9 adults all dined, drank and had their jollies in a restaurant down the road while all of their children were left alone to care for themselves. All of these children were 3 years and under!! That's not so much an irritating niggle, but a gobsmacking one. And one that bemuses me to this day, because it's only ever referenced to the McCanns. Nine adult individuals behaved in the same manner, apparently...
Anyway, back to those niggles... thanks to our great British press and media, I would be well on the way to actually believing the theory of abduction if it weren't for certain photo opportunities that Mr and Mrs McCann seemed to grasp with open arms...
Now forgive me, but the photos pictured above were all taken in the weeks following Madeleine's disappearance. The first photo (unbelievably) was taken on the 12th May 2007, just 9 days after Madeleine McCann's disappearance was announced to the world. Nine days without your child, without knowing where she is or who she's with? Nine days of not seeing your child with your own eyes and nine days of worry. Could you bring yourself to function properly within 9 days, let alone smile, laugh, prance around holding balloons and flowers?... In public.
It's in the utmost bad taste, even more so when you consider that (as her parents maintain) Madeleine McCann could be sitting with her 'abductor' in front of the television screen, recognising her parents' obvious smiles emanating from those photos. Well, let's give Mr and Mrs McCann the benefit of the doubt - maybe they have no control over their emotions and simply smile, laugh and be jolly at the most inappropriate moments. I'm sure Madeleine would understand.
Anyway, let's talk about another niggle... that of the Hell Hounds from South Yorkshire.
Eddie and Keela were actually the brainchild and suggestion of the British police. They are both spaniels (not collies) with incredible noses, and when working Eddie detects cadaver odour, Keela detects blood. These dogs have travelled the world, are in great demand and Eddie actually earns more money than McDonalds on a good day!
The dogs arrived in August 2007 with their owner Martin Grimes, and if this had been a run of the mill abduction case, you would expect them not to mark at all, pat on the head, dog biscuit and go home? These are the places that the Portuguese police requested that the dogs put their snouts...
Five apartments at the complex in Praia de Luz.
Mr Murat's property at Praia de Luz.
Mr and Mrs McCanns' villa at Praia de Luz
Articles of clothing from the McCanns' residence.
Western beach Praia de Luz.
Eastern Beach Praia de Luz.
10 Vehicles screened at Portimao
The dogs alerted in the McCanns' apartment, in their car and on various items of clothing belonging to Mrs McCann and a child's t-shirt. We are talking about a cadaver dog, alerting to the scent of a cadaver. Which in layman's terms is alerting to the scent of a dead body and I'm sorry to say that dogs don't lie. The cadaver dog also alerted to Madeleine's iconic soft toy, known as Cuddlecat.
They alerted nowhere else. Not in any other apartment or car or clothes. Only places and items belonging to the McCanns. Talk of false positives and false markings are rubbish because the dogs would have marked here, there and everywhere.
This is the biggest niggle of all... unfortunately I can't ask the dogs, so if you could explain that one for me I would be most grateful.
Eddie and Keela in action.
Sunday, 3 October 2010
Childish Put-Me-Downs...
Isn't it funny how children can put you down with one word, one sentence. They can halt the conversation with one full swoop and I don't mean with the usual 'where do babies come from?' question.
Your favourite for dinner!! Don't want it.
Can you tidy up please!? Why? Who's coming?
Tadaaaa! Wow! Mum's wearing make-up...
I love recounting tales of my childhood to my own children. Back in the day, memories viewed through rosy coloured specs when everything was good. We seemed to do so much more back then compared to kids nowadays, but that's a different story. One day after much harassment for another story, I decided to tell them about the night I met a jackal...
The night was moist... the rain had stopped and there was a low rumble of thunder in the background. I was about 15 years old, and my parents had (shock, horror) left me home alone while they did the monthly shop. I was quite happy though - house to myself and my beloved dog to protect me.
Although the thunder made me flinch, I was happy watching tv. The lamp cast a cosy glow over the room and the fire made everything so snug. Lovely, and I hoped that my parents took their time!
Quite out of the blue, something caught the dog's attention. Her ears pricked up, she sniffed the air and made a low growl as she looked towards the living room door. I stroked her and asked what was wrong, but my touch and words were ignored as she stalked towards the door. The lowly growl turned into panicked barks, she jumped, clawed the door and pranced around on all fours.
As this was happening, my curiosity was turning to all out fear. The hair on my arms was standing as the cold realisation hit me that someone could be standing on the other side of the door. And I was alone.
I paced, wringing my palms wondering what to do. And all the while, the dog was still prancing... still barking.. still growling. I looked longingly out of the window towards the drive, where my parents' car should have been. The drive was empty. The phone was in the hallway. I knew I had to open that door.
I grabbed the dog by the collar (I was so afraid that she would be hurt if someone was there) and gingerly turned the handle on the door. The glow from the room that was once so cosy spilled out into the long, dark hallway.
And there at my feet, right by the door stood what I can only describe as a jackal. It stood there defiantly in the shadows, it's ears pricked up and it held my shocked stare. I released the dog at that point and she chased the little creature along the hallway and into the kitchen. As I followed, I saw that the back door was lying wide open to the elements. I ran through the door and into the back garden.
The rain had stopped and left a damp blanket on everything. The thunder rumbled in the background and my beloved dog was running around in circles, whining and yelping. She was fine, unhurt but the jackal was nowhere to be seen. The back garden was 'dog-proof' to prevent our dog from getting out - and any dog from getting in. The gate was closed. There was absolutely no way out.
I called the dog back into the house, closed all the doors, put on all the lights and pushed the sofa against the living room door. I waited by the window for my parents to return. I was terrified.
I can't explain how the little creature entered our house, through closed gates and closed doors or where it went afterwards. But one thing's for sure, I'll never forget that night I came face to face with a jackal, and I'll never forget how my lovely dog protected me.
At this point I pause to tell the children that the story is finished, they are gazing at me... eyes agog and seriously spooked when No3 pipes up 'Mum, Mum tell us about the day you saw the pterodactyl....'
Your favourite for dinner!! Don't want it.
Can you tidy up please!? Why? Who's coming?
Tadaaaa! Wow! Mum's wearing make-up...
I love recounting tales of my childhood to my own children. Back in the day, memories viewed through rosy coloured specs when everything was good. We seemed to do so much more back then compared to kids nowadays, but that's a different story. One day after much harassment for another story, I decided to tell them about the night I met a jackal...
The night was moist... the rain had stopped and there was a low rumble of thunder in the background. I was about 15 years old, and my parents had (shock, horror) left me home alone while they did the monthly shop. I was quite happy though - house to myself and my beloved dog to protect me.
Although the thunder made me flinch, I was happy watching tv. The lamp cast a cosy glow over the room and the fire made everything so snug. Lovely, and I hoped that my parents took their time!
Quite out of the blue, something caught the dog's attention. Her ears pricked up, she sniffed the air and made a low growl as she looked towards the living room door. I stroked her and asked what was wrong, but my touch and words were ignored as she stalked towards the door. The lowly growl turned into panicked barks, she jumped, clawed the door and pranced around on all fours.
As this was happening, my curiosity was turning to all out fear. The hair on my arms was standing as the cold realisation hit me that someone could be standing on the other side of the door. And I was alone.
I paced, wringing my palms wondering what to do. And all the while, the dog was still prancing... still barking.. still growling. I looked longingly out of the window towards the drive, where my parents' car should have been. The drive was empty. The phone was in the hallway. I knew I had to open that door.
I grabbed the dog by the collar (I was so afraid that she would be hurt if someone was there) and gingerly turned the handle on the door. The glow from the room that was once so cosy spilled out into the long, dark hallway.
And there at my feet, right by the door stood what I can only describe as a jackal. It stood there defiantly in the shadows, it's ears pricked up and it held my shocked stare. I released the dog at that point and she chased the little creature along the hallway and into the kitchen. As I followed, I saw that the back door was lying wide open to the elements. I ran through the door and into the back garden.
The rain had stopped and left a damp blanket on everything. The thunder rumbled in the background and my beloved dog was running around in circles, whining and yelping. She was fine, unhurt but the jackal was nowhere to be seen. The back garden was 'dog-proof' to prevent our dog from getting out - and any dog from getting in. The gate was closed. There was absolutely no way out.
I called the dog back into the house, closed all the doors, put on all the lights and pushed the sofa against the living room door. I waited by the window for my parents to return. I was terrified.
I can't explain how the little creature entered our house, through closed gates and closed doors or where it went afterwards. But one thing's for sure, I'll never forget that night I came face to face with a jackal, and I'll never forget how my lovely dog protected me.
At this point I pause to tell the children that the story is finished, they are gazing at me... eyes agog and seriously spooked when No3 pipes up 'Mum, Mum tell us about the day you saw the pterodactyl....'
Saturday, 2 October 2010
The Mindset of the McCanns
Kate and Gerry McCann obviously felt at ease leaving their three toddlers alone, in a dark apartment. Night after night, while they dined and drank with their friends elsewhere in the village of Praia de Luz. They've apparently been told by many people that 'everyone does it' and what they did 'falls within the realms of responsible parenting'. Clarence Mitchell agrees with them, saying that it's a very 'British thing' to do.
I personally disagree with the comments Mr and Mrs McCann have made. I have never carried out anything remotely similar, and I don't know anyone who has either. And I don't think it's responsible. I would also disagree with Mr Mitchell's comments about it being a British thing - it's not.
Anyway, let's give the benefit of the doubt and pretend that everyone does actually do it. We all know the script... the layout and position of the apartment in relation to the Tapas Restaurant. Put yourself in the shoes and minds of parents who leave three small toddlers to care for themselves.
***
It's a brisk night, darkness has already begun to descend as you check one final time that your three children are tucked up, asleep in bed. You make your way out of the apartment, sliding the patio door behind you, leaving it ulocked and cross the balcony.
Aren't you already looking back to see if they've followed you?
You open the stairgate (which incidently is not recommended for children over 2 years as they can clamber over) and make your way down the steep, concrete steps. It's very dark as the large hedge and plants obscure the light from entering the area.
Aren't you already thinking 'How dangerous is this? Totally unsuitable for families'...
You close the latch on the little wrought iron gate (there is no lock) and make your way down the hill towards the entrance to the Ocean Club Reception.
Aren't you aware that this is a road, with traffic and parked cars.
You enter the Ocean Club complex through two sets of double doors and make your way along the snaking path. Past the toilet, through shrubs and bushes, past the swimming pool.
Aren't you thinking all this is between you and your children.
You arrive at the Tapas Restaurant and are shown to your table. It's a cool night but luckily your table is undercover. You look over to your apartment block. Your flat is out of view, obscured by both distance and the shrubbery. It is also dark and there's a chill in the air.
Aren't you wondering if they're still asleep, if they're still safe or calling out for you?
What is going through your mind right now, knowing that you have another thirty minutes before you need to look at those children again? Thirty long minutes... in which a lot can happen - falls from beds, slipping on tiles, fingers jammed in doors, plugs, undersink cupboard, cutlery drawer, table corners... the list inside the apartment is endless. As is the outside - steep stairs, cars, strangers...
Do any of these things enter your mind as you're thinking about your children being on their own?
What about the simple thought of a little boy or girl opening their eyes in the silent darkness to find that he or she is all alone. It's one thing wakening up from a bad dream and another thing wakening up in one.
***
Many people are sceptical about the theory of 'neglect', they speculate that it never happened and is a cover for something else. Others speculate about the children being given a little something to help them sleep. Putting myself in this particular mindset, I begin to wonder myself.
I personally disagree with the comments Mr and Mrs McCann have made. I have never carried out anything remotely similar, and I don't know anyone who has either. And I don't think it's responsible. I would also disagree with Mr Mitchell's comments about it being a British thing - it's not.
Anyway, let's give the benefit of the doubt and pretend that everyone does actually do it. We all know the script... the layout and position of the apartment in relation to the Tapas Restaurant. Put yourself in the shoes and minds of parents who leave three small toddlers to care for themselves.
***
It's a brisk night, darkness has already begun to descend as you check one final time that your three children are tucked up, asleep in bed. You make your way out of the apartment, sliding the patio door behind you, leaving it ulocked and cross the balcony.
Aren't you already looking back to see if they've followed you?
You open the stairgate (which incidently is not recommended for children over 2 years as they can clamber over) and make your way down the steep, concrete steps. It's very dark as the large hedge and plants obscure the light from entering the area.
Aren't you already thinking 'How dangerous is this? Totally unsuitable for families'...
You close the latch on the little wrought iron gate (there is no lock) and make your way down the hill towards the entrance to the Ocean Club Reception.
Aren't you aware that this is a road, with traffic and parked cars.
You enter the Ocean Club complex through two sets of double doors and make your way along the snaking path. Past the toilet, through shrubs and bushes, past the swimming pool.
Aren't you thinking all this is between you and your children.
You arrive at the Tapas Restaurant and are shown to your table. It's a cool night but luckily your table is undercover. You look over to your apartment block. Your flat is out of view, obscured by both distance and the shrubbery. It is also dark and there's a chill in the air.
Aren't you wondering if they're still asleep, if they're still safe or calling out for you?
What is going through your mind right now, knowing that you have another thirty minutes before you need to look at those children again? Thirty long minutes... in which a lot can happen - falls from beds, slipping on tiles, fingers jammed in doors, plugs, undersink cupboard, cutlery drawer, table corners... the list inside the apartment is endless. As is the outside - steep stairs, cars, strangers...
Do any of these things enter your mind as you're thinking about your children being on their own?
What about the simple thought of a little boy or girl opening their eyes in the silent darkness to find that he or she is all alone. It's one thing wakening up from a bad dream and another thing wakening up in one.
***
Many people are sceptical about the theory of 'neglect', they speculate that it never happened and is a cover for something else. Others speculate about the children being given a little something to help them sleep. Putting myself in this particular mindset, I begin to wonder myself.
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