“”"This whole thing stinks, and the visit to Mr Murat should also be examined
very closely indeed. A millionaire AND his solicitor together are capable of intimidating”"”

Not to mention, having lots and lots of money with which to give a very expensive present.

May 5th, 2008 at 9:18 am

**************
I think you forget this is a CRIMINAL investigation,going beyond neglect…..

” If said neglect charge-which they really fear-was brought , they would lose the twins. ”

No way. The situation of the twins has already been accessed by the social services, and whatever measure might or might not have been taken, they are still with the parents.

It is possible to bring a neglect charge, saying they were guilty in priciple, but give them only a symbolic penalty, or even no penalty at all.

If you follow the recent stories about persons charged for children left alone in the UK, you may find that there was always a history of previous incidents that involved social services. If the McCanns’ behaviour would be classified as neglect, the first step would normally be to issue a warning to them. I don’t think that the situation in Portugal is that different.

There’s a discussion on site and in the media about the drunken parents, and wondering about the comparison

Gone to stick my post there then

Yes, I must be off too. See you later.

Since reading about the Documentary recently, which I could not be bothered to watch, we noted that K & G have kept all letters that they have received in boxes labeled variously “Well-wishers” , “Nasty” and one was labeled “Psychics and Mediums”, now tell me….why have they not gone through THAT box, set out all the common threads, and followed them up ?

I know that it has been said that 150 Mediums contacted the Portuguese Police, probably as many contacted the Leics. Police and there just MUST be something common to all of those from any “worth their salt”, and surely - when grasping at straws in the matter of your child’s disappearance, wouldn’t you try anything at least once ??

“What are Spanish parenting practices?”

——————-

Very varied!!! Often over-protective in the physical sense (IMO) but a great many children don’t see enough of their parents. When both parents work (as they oftendo), they tend to be left with grandparents, an unqualified nanny (usually not Spanish), etc., who are not always the best educators. There is, however, quite a lot of legislation (and proposed legislation) to help parents combine work and family (e.g. it is possible to have a shorter working day if you have children under 6).

” Usually, nervous laughter is before you’ve done something, not after. Given the number of tv interviews the McCanns have done over the last week or so I doubt they can claim unfamiliarity with the process. ”

I don’t agree. They have given quite a lot of interviews in the last days, but they are not the kind of person who give TV interviews every other day. There will still be some stage-fright, especially when they know that every single word comes under scrutiny. And that will include a feeling of relief once an interview is over, a mood when you are in danger to perform a smile or a laughter.

Next chapter: reconstruction or no reconstruction?

Also,the PJ seems to be learning now? did you read the story about the irish family?
Parents judged for neglect and drinking in front of minors
Why NOT the mccanns then?
At least,none of those children have disappeared….I wonder if the mccanns will gert hold of this story as theirs,again?
Why NOT the mccanns then?

M and A

There’s a discussion on site and in the media about the drunken parents, and wondering about the comparison

Not sure about British parenting. This is on the Sky News website this morning:

“Kids In Care As Drunk Parents Pass Out
Updated:06:16, Monday May 05, 2008

Authorities in Portugal have spoken of their shock after three young British children were taken into protective custody because their parents became so drunk they passed out.”

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30200-1314990,00.html

373 AgendaWide. As someone who is not British but who has lived there I have always been struck by how preciously children are treated by the parents I have met ,and how much effort British parents put into supporting their children’s individual interests/development.
———-
what country were you living in? This (the UK) invented nannies, boarding schools, school uniforms for 3 year olds, teletubbies and the ethos “seen and not heard”. Now the English have a curriculum for two year olds in maths and languages (!) and start school at 4 years old. I hate to say it because there are many many parents here who hate all that but this country isnt child friendly and most parents know it!

—————————–
Your points are more about the country and mine about the parents I have met- and both of us have our own experiences/opinions.
I think that due to high density population/ traffic there are few safe open spaces giving children freedom to roam in the UK. That often means that parents have to put more effort into supporting their children’s interests - admittedly many parents do and many don’t - but there are many opportunities for children to develop their interests from a young age. Though it is difficult because of pressures to work/earn a living on families, imo many parents make big efforts.
It is off topic to discuss the educational curriculum for young children in Britain but a little 5 year old I know was asked ‘Do you do anything apart from play in Reception class ? And he replied’Yes I have a hot dinner as well’
I’ve no time today to dig sociological research on British parenting practices but only a minority of children go to boarding school, although it is supposedly more popular since Harry Potter. On topic imo it is not typical of British parents to leave small children unsupervised, and I doubt it would be viewed as the British Standard.
off for the day now…

M and A

Groundhog Day again and again and again

“And asking British citizens who have spoken to British police officers to tell the McCanns what they said is unlikely to have gathered any friends in the plod. It’s disrespectful, at the very least…”
As you say, the very least.
I believe it is illegal, though I shall check before I say it definitely is.

For two prime suspects in a serious crime to contact potential prosecution witnesses to try to find out what evidence they have given to the enquiry is potentially a conspiracy to pervert he course of Justice, and might lead to potential witness intimidation.
WIKIPEIA
In the United Kingdom, witness intimidation is covered by Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994: section 51. Under this act it is an offence to perform an act which is intended to and does intimidate a person who the offender knows or believes to be involved with a criminal case with the intention of disturbing the proceedings.

In the US it is witness tampering - Witness tampering is harming or otherwise threatening a witness, hoping to influence their testimony. (Wiki)

Dont know the Portuguese equivalent, but there will be one

Witnesses who have said things detrimental to the McCs should consider their position very carefully indeed, before giving out personal details.
This whole thing stinks, and the visit to Mr Murat should also be examined very closely indeed. A millionaire AND his solicitor together are capable of intimidating.