Madeleine McCann: Colette Douglas Home Spreads The Fear And Inside Irvine Welsh
MADDIE WATCH - Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Madeleine McCann, Kate McCann, Gerry McCann
THE HERALD: “Do you want to see every parent in the dock?”
It’s Colette Douglas Home, professional Maddie opinion giver. And to answer her question: yes. Fingerprint them, photograph them and question them for 42 days. Only the guilty have anything to fear.
Fear:
You’ve got to admit, they shouldn’t have left the children unattended and gone out to dinner.” It was a colleague talking to me about Kate and Gerry McCann. He went on: “We go on holiday with a big group of friends but we’d never do that. We put the wee ones to bed and eat downstairs.”
“And do you check on them every half hour?”
“Yes. Well, we send the teenagers to do the checking.”
Fear:
I wonder if he realises how fortunate he has been. If something terrible had happened, can you imagine the headlines? They would probably say something like: “Teenagers checked on missing toddler while parents partied.”
Yeah, who cares that the children have been eaten by alligators, fallen down the plughole or hit the minibar and suffocated in their own vomit – it’s the media’s reaction to it that matters most.
And what of the McCanns, Colette’s favourite subject:
I imagined the fact that Kate and Gerry McCann are doctors would stand them in some regard, since they spend their lives trying to help others. I was wrong. I thought the clear evidence from family photographs that Madeleine was a happy, well-cared-for child would demonstrate that leaving her unsupervised was an aberration, not the norm. But I didn’t allow for jealousy and resentment.
Maybe people are just bored of the McCanns? But Colette cannot face that possibility:
So let’s think about that call for prosecution. If the McCanns are to stand in the dock, who should stand beside them? We can start with those who were on the same holiday and who didn’t hire a babysitter. Then what about all the other couples who have stayed at that or any family-friendly holiday village where they felt safe enough to leave the children unattended while they ate? What about people who eat in the garden on hot summer evenings while their children sleep in the house? What about parents who sleep indoors, maybe one night a year, while their kids sleep in a tent? If we apply these standards, the courts would be jam-packed.
What about them? The McCanns are not being prosecuted child neglect, child abandonment, nor for any other crime.
THE SCOTSMAN: “Crime and Punishment - Irvine Welsh”
Dave Robinson is in Saughton jail. For crimes againt journalism. Ho-ho:
I’M WALKING behind the Famous Author. He’s wearing trainers, a T-shirt, an expensive-looking grey-green leather jacket and is carrying a plastic bag. As I follow him, I’m thinking that the way people walk tells you something about them. The Famous Author walks like a fighter: self-confident, disciplined, head up. He doesn’t walk like a 50-year-old, though in a couple of months he will be one.
How close behind Welsh is Robinson? Close enough to smell him?
Welsh has written a book called Crime, HMP Edinburgh. But he nearly didn’t:
He’s talked to child-abuse survivors’ groups and handles the subject with uncommon sensitivity – so much so, in fact, that he gave up writing the book altogether when the Madeleine McCann story first broke. “Even approaching the subject tangentially seemed frivolous and stupid.”
His is work of fiction, the McCann case is one of fact. What has one to do with the other? The McCann case is a touchstone for a writer’s book, a stepping stone on the PR drive.
July 29th, 2008 at 8:12 am
first
July 29th, 2008 at 8:17 am
Morning BF,
July 29th, 2008 at 8:17 am
3rd first
July 29th, 2008 at 8:18 am
ah…Colette…
I wonder if she knows anyone who leaves their 3, all under 4 y’s, children
alone night after night in a foreign holiday apartment, who leave the door
“unlocked”, allegedly, and proceed to a Tapas bar well over a hundred
yards away to make merry for hours.
Bet she does.
July 29th, 2008 at 8:19 am
I do not take part in the number scramble.
Too stressful for moi.
July 29th, 2008 at 8:19 am
Carmen!!!!!! What are you doing here?
Rest that arm of yours!
Do you feel better?
July 29th, 2008 at 8:19 am
Eamon Holmes was very horrible to portugal and their police on sky 6.50 this morning!
Tourists are rich pickings
He was robbed in his villa, and wont go back !!
He will only stay in a hotel complex with security now.
If the european countries enjoy our tourism, they dont invest it back into the police.
They will steal a £1000 camera and sell it for 15 euros thats how desperate these people are !!!
July 29th, 2008 at 8:22 am
Been up half the night, Jo!
It is getting better, typing with it feels like having half a potato on the end of each finger!
So many people complaining that discussing the issues before any court case is ‘pre-judging’ and best left to the courts, and yet there is no complaint at people discussing the mitigation - ‘they have suffered enough’……….surely that would be pre-judging the court’s mercy, by their logic?
July 29th, 2008 at 8:23 am
E Holmes should invest in some better fitting clothes. IMO
He seems to be outgrowing his present attires.
July 29th, 2008 at 8:25 am
Here we have very interesting articles
I hope rasputin de mi corazon will take the time not only to read them but UNDERSTAND them
29.7.08
Mark Harrison report: The turning point at Praia da Luz
28.7.08
Forums under attack, blogs will be next (II)
“Since more than eight months, organized groups have been “working” in the net, collecting data from sites where McCann’s critics use to post. Some of those groups do it openly, while others have a “job” that requires a more low-profile. After the Daily Express case, the McCann campaign diverted more resources to fight the critics on the Web.
Clarence Mitchell even confirmed an “upgrade” on the technical equipment at the disposal of the McCann “private search”, when he told BBC, on July 1, that the McCanns had already their own “very sophisticated intelligence gathering operation.”
I ALWAYS said the pair is dangerous and they definitively do NOT understand the word DEMOCRACY
Serious crap here,guys
http://gazetadigitalmadeleinecase.blogspot.com/
July 29th, 2008 at 8:25 am
Amber Alert for EU rejected.
“”The set up of an European Amber Alert System was rejected, yesterday, by
EU Justice Minister, during an informal meeting, in Cannes, France. “We shouldn’t send out a European alert when a child has been gone for just a few hours,” German Justice Minister told the Media. “The great majority of children return home after
two or three days.” However, the EU Justice Ministers agreed on the necessity of a closer cooperation between police forces and alert systems already used in EU countries.””
http://gazetadigitalmadeleinecase.blogspot.com/2008/07/eu-ministers-reject-madeleine-alert.html
July 29th, 2008 at 8:26 am
As the link to the anglicised version of the PJ report was removed from the previous thread, can we take it that mods will be agreeing that Amaral’s book may contain libelous statements ?
Administrator: Assume nothing that’s the better policy. I cannot comment on the content since I have not read it. The difficulty is the book is a version of events which may not agree with the officially expressed view. I have not spoken to the Moderator involved in sidelining the posting you mention but I would tend to agree with the decision. I agree since you appear to have put it up as a deliberate challenge and meant to provoke a response. I do not regard such action as either relevant, showing a single thread of humour or worthy of your seemingly multiple personna, style and viewpoints. I also regard the query here as mendacious. So sue me!! -agw
July 29th, 2008 at 8:31 am
Carmen
If I knew exactely what you are suffering from I believe I could help
This case is taking a very nasty turn,Carmen.
Some people are definitively trying to prevent and forbid freedom of speech.
It is also a strategy to totally divert the attention and focus on the ever REAL issue: Madeleine”s disappearance
I personally do not think I can allow this because this is becoming extremely serious
It cannot happen and will not happen
July 29th, 2008 at 8:32 am
“”"You can take it that mods and admin will be as alert and vigilant as ever.
Carmen”"”
As usual, good.
That should help protect Mr Amaral from any such attacks too.
July 29th, 2008 at 8:32 am
We shall not be silenced !!!
July 29th, 2008 at 8:33 am
That is not the question I asked, are you by removing the anglicised link, somehow implying that the alleged report is unsafe or not genuine.
Administrator: Please persist.
I repeat:
Administrator: Assume nothing that’s the better policy. I cannot comment on the content since I have not read it. The difficulty is the book is a version of events which may not agree with the officially expressed view. I have not spoken to the Moderator involved in sidelining the posting you mention but I would tend to agree with the decision. I agree since you appear to have put it up as a deliberate challenge and meant to provoke a response. I do not regard such action as either relevant, showing a single thread of humour or worthy of your seemingly multiple personna, style and viewpoints. I also regard the query here as mendacious. So sue me!! -agw
July 29th, 2008 at 8:33 am
Dont answer back!
July 29th, 2008 at 8:34 am
July 29th, 2008 at 8:34 am
Clarence makes me tremble…..with laughter.
July 29th, 2008 at 8:35 am
Any mcannylickers about ??
July 29th, 2008 at 8:36 am
jo Says:
July 29th, 2008 at 8:31 am edit
Things have moved on since the last time there was a serious attempt to suppress free speech in Europe, Jo.
That nice Mr Berners - Lee gave us the internet.
Close one web page, another one opens. Even the Chinese gave in in the end.
July 29th, 2008 at 8:37 am
Gandolf
Have you got a translation of the Opinion article in yesterday’s Expresso? Written by the editor, Henrique Monteiro. (It’s not the one you gave the link for a little while ago. That was good as well though. Yes, the GNR was yet another group blasted by Amaral! But then….is anyone not blamed by the poor man? The GNR should feel annoyed if they weren’t included, along with the PJ, the British Govt, the Portuguese Govt, the PJ, the FSS, the NHS…..why the hell should the GNR escape!)
Anyway, the Expresso leader makes very interesting reading, and from a Portuguese point of view. I’d like an intelligible translation.
Maybe I should put it into “google translate” but the result isn’t very good, though better than babel fish! It’s clear that Monteiro is angry and ashamed at the image of Portuguese justice which Amaral is giving….”barbarism”…..”medieval justice, this idea of conviction without evidence” etc. etc.
July 29th, 2008 at 8:39 am
Matt
That should help protect Mr Amaral from any such attacks too.
****
I dont think he feels “attacked”,Matt
He said they were more than welcome to discuss the case IN court and it would be a portuguese court
I am increasingly concerned with our freedom of expression in the UK and english blogs and forums
This is NOT on at all.I know this is created to make a diversion from the real issue but still,it is very worrying
I do not live in the Uk nor am I a british citizen but what is happening in your country is unbelievable and you lot must get your act together.You will be supported,dont worry about this
July 29th, 2008 at 8:43 am
Gandolf
You can sue me as well…but I am telling you: I run much faster than you
July 29th, 2008 at 8:46 am
I wonder how spending donated money on means to deal with blogs/forums/libel etc is going to search for the child?? Or are the pro’s going to say that it’s a way to raise even more money? Isn’t every day of essence? So why not concentrate on finding the child? No, let’s first concentrate on how to punish those evil bloggers who have the audicity to translate Portuguese articles into English then we’ll get down to business and look for our daughter
Honestly, I can’t understand these people - I’ve got 3 kids myself and really, I just can’t believe them….
July 29th, 2008 at 8:47 am
Remember not to leave that stepping stone unturned, mr Journo…
I like the way that, thanks to the inter-bob that certain aspects of this case just won’t go away, and despite all efforts, ostensibly…
July 29th, 2008 at 8:47 am
Are we unable now to ask a CIVIL question and expect a CIVIL answer agw, if you haven’t read the link which has nothing to do with the book except the parts Amaral may have chosen to use, why be so defensive, are you afraid that Anorak would be open to action if you allowed it. If so fine, but don’t lecture me about nothing, because you got out of the wrong side of bed, it is the internet not mastermind,just as well !
Administrator: Ask as many questions as you like. Do not expect a civil reply to a deliberate attempt to force an unenforceable issue. Wrong side of the bed ?. ..Mewl elsewhere kitten, I’m a cynic all day every day and your attitude is getting close to being beneath my contempt.
Since whichever version of Gandolf you are today appears to be actioning a deliberately moronic mode, I repeat, yet again, my earlier comment. Do me the honour of reading it very carefully and not the apparent cursoriness shown so far.
Administrator: Assume nothing that’s the better policy. I cannot comment on the content since I have not read it. The difficulty is the book is a version of events which may not agree with the officially expressed view. I have not spoken to the Moderator involved in sidelining the posting you mention but I would tend to agree with the decision. I agree since you appear to have put it up as a deliberate challenge and meant to provoke a response. I do not regard such action as either relevant, showing a single thread of humour or worthy of your seemingly multiple personna, style and viewpoints. I also regard the query here as mendacious. So sue me!! -agw
July 29th, 2008 at 8:48 am
jo Says:
July 29th, 2008 at 8:39 am
That I know….am sure that he will expose them even more in Court.
But I wasn’t referring to that…more to the ones in Rapture presently.
July 29th, 2008 at 8:49 am
Jo says
(earlier this morning) - How is Sweet Duncan” today
++++++++++++++++++++
Hi Jo, was traveling to work when you posted earlier. I’m fine. Hope you are too. Have to log off now though and do some proper work.
Have a a good day!
Duncan
July 29th, 2008 at 8:50 am
Carmen
The only thing I know is how to satnd up for my rightS and help others to do the same
Whats happening with “them” is simply outrageous but be reassured that “some” also have “sophisticated tools”.We wont have it nor let it happen
The main focus is justice for Madeleine and “they” wont let it happen
Very bad news