To do with JK Rowling, I really don’t think her demographic, fairly young children, would go and buy her book soley for the reason that Madeleine McCann’s face was on a poster next to the book, therefore, I think we can fairly rule out that as an intention.
Has it ever crossed any of your cynical minds that maybe people actually just want to help find an innocent little girl, to whom a terrible thing has been bestowed upon?
I for one will continue believing in her until I hear otherwise, after all, I think people forget that we are dealing with an amazing little 4 year old here.
People’s best wishes really isn’t a lot for a family, whom yes, have made mistakes, but are going through an atrocity that most of you will have not, and hopefully never will experience.

It certainly does fit a few posters here, however.

Hi Cynic. If this is true (and I applaud you if it is), why did you pick the name Cynic?

Cynic: “A person disposed to rail or find fault; now usually: One who shows a disposition to disbelieve in the sincerity or goodness of human motives and actions, and is wont to express this by sneers and sarcasms; a sneering fault-finder. ” _Oxford English Dictionary_.

If you’re “disposed” towards anything, your thinking isn’t really free.

(There is another definition of cynic but I’m guessing you’re not “[o]ne of a sect of philosophers in ancient Greece, founded by Antisthenes, a pupil of Socrates, who were marked by an ostentatious contempt for ease, wealth, and the enjoyments of life; the most famous was Diogenes, a pupil of Antisthenes, who carried the principles of the sect to an extreme of asceticism.” _Oxford English Dicitonary_.)

I suspect that the McCann’s PR people or the Tabs asked her publishers to enforce this rule, and they dare not risk saying no.

Alternatively she may really want Madeleine McCann found as she is a potential customer of hers in the future.

On a lighter note…
JKR has become a dollar billionaire this week and that’s before the release of the latest this weekend that half the country seems to be waiting for. Publicity is the last thing she needs! vbg,
Good or bad idea she’s trying to help for the right reasons!

This sort of danger is present in the novels: in _Half-Blood Prince_ we hear of a four-year-old boy who is bitten by a werewolf and dies, a metaphor for children’s vicitimization at the hands of adults in the real world. The series does not shy away from evil and suffering.

Generally I much prefer reasoned debate - and need a kick up the backside when I fall off the waggon (so to speak) - so thank you for administering it!

I did completely agree with your post in respect of child abusers living amongst us … respectable married men, loving sons, dutiful son in laws, scout leaders, priests, teachers, youth workers - anywhere where legitimate contact with our children makes them less obvious.

One of my biggest gripes with the kind of media coverage that we have seen in this case is the ‘Stranger Abduction’; ‘Registered Paedophile’ hysteria which inevitably comes with it … it obscures the truth - that Paedophiles are indistinguishable from the rest of us and that the vast majority have never come close to being caught, let alone convicted and placed on a Sex Offenders Register

My own feeling is that Madeleine was probably taken from outside the apartment - having gone looking for her parents … and it is perfectly possible that she knew her abductor (either well or slightly) and therefore walked away quietly with the promise of going to find Mummy. Any one of the staff could have done such a thing, as indeed could another tourist or even one of the McCanns’ party. When it comes to paedophiles there really is no way that we can ever say of anyone “I know” that he is innocent.

Molly

I’m sorry, I’ve tried to be polite on these forums, but that is (and this is a big claim) the stupidest, most asinine, most risible, most idiotic opinion I have yet come across on these forums. Worthy of Gilderoy Lockhart.

I hope that her parents are charged soon, with endangering a child’s life.

It would be a start.

That might give the McCannes the kind of publicity they so obviously need.

I was just saying that it is ‘on the premises’ in the eyes of the law. The Tapas bar is on the club premises as are the apartments.

Re: being abducted to be molested….. law of averages (and the local police) says thats most likely although of course no-one know anything for sure.

It fascinates me how so many posters are so rude… what happened to reasoned debate?

Your critising of the “no stone unturned” campaign is sending the wrong message to those who abduct, exploit and do horrible things to kids. There is more press about how bad and wrong Kate and Gerry are and JK Rowling than the MONSTERS that do this sort of thing. Think about it.

JK Rowling is using her resources to help the innocent children of the world. Gerry and Kate are not only looking for their own child, but raising awareness for other children in the world who are missing, exploited etc.

In the US alone a child goes missing every 40 seconds! That is 800,000 children a year…… now, should we be concerned? I think we should focus on those numbers and not critisize the people who are trying to solve the problem. Dont support Child abuse, child porn, and exploitation by critisizing those who are fighting it!

Now anyone who is going to take the time to critisize this is heartless and cruel. Please search your heart find a way to put your anger in the right place.

Susan USA “Just keep’m close”

I have been on holiday with my children on frequent occasions and in all honesty, no I haven’t ever left them in a kids club - that’s no reflection on those who choose to do so (a kids club is fine as long as the staff are fully trained, police checked and the place is safe) - it’s just never been something that I have chosen to do.

Yes, yes Louisa - I’m twisted for not believing that the McCanns should be feted as the best parents the world has ever seen, blah, blah, blah …. Have you ever thought about just how insulting that is to all the thousands of parents out there with children with special needs, who struggle day after day to cope with limited resources and no respite and who wouldn’t DREAM of leaving their beloved children to go out and indulge themselves??

I’m fortunate enough to not be among their number but they get my total respect as parents, even if they will never get the praise and adulation that the McCanns get for putting themselves before their kids - Now that’s what I call a sick world! Madeleine deserved so much more.

Molly

No, I’m not a paedophile, and I had a well brought up, happy, protected childhood and wasn’t abused. I’m 41 yr old female, and don’t like my thoughts to be adapted or washed by the media. I’m a freethinker, who thinks deeply and originally about lots of things. I try to see things from another angle, it can help to solve problems and no end of mysteries. Sorry if my thinking isn’t run of the mill and brain washed as some people on here.

he really has rallied up quite a fan club, but it makes you think and maybe he is right, Just my opinion, puts a whole new light on the situation