We can discuss this, that's fine. But let's agree that we 'discuss' and 'disagree' if necessary but that we don't 'fight' and we don't base reactions on spelling ability or anything else that is meaningless to the point at hand.
Let's have some self respect shall we?
I agree actually...I think it's obviously a terrible thing which has happened-but I feel a huge amount more sympathetic for the girl than her parents...Did anyone else hear that her father went to pick up his suitcase and was pickpocketed for his photographs of Madeleine? I know its a terrible, awful thing to have happened-but if the parents were given a huge amount of money, would they leave it in a hotel room unattended? Contraversial, maybe, that even though I agree it shouldnt happen in a million years, I think that the McCann's should have been more careful. I wouldnt wish this situation upon anyone, but hopefully it will make others think twice...
and we definitely need to discuss, not argue
Quote: Tom Pk @ June 22, 2007, 12:39 PMWe can discuss this, that's fine. But let's agree that we 'discuss' and 'disagree' if necessary but that we don't 'fight' and we don't base reactions on spelling ability or anything else that is meaningless to the point at hand.
Let's have some self respect shall we?
Quote: Alan Alexander @ June 22, 2007, 12:03 PMI don't need to prove anything to you. Although I just proved I can spell prove.
Quote: Alan Alexander @ June 22, 2007, 12:32 PMOh, for christ's sake. You're clinging to a typo for comfort?
For once I didn't start it 
Quote: ajp29 @ June 22, 2007, 12:36 PMMy point Alan was that of all the things to be offended by in the world today the fate of one girl is not high up there on the list. As in my original post I suspect people are so concerned only because she is 'of the faith' and for no other reason. The situation was of the McCanns' own making and I feel no sympathy for them but I do for the little girl.
Okay, in the name of debate, let me take on your points:
1. Whether worse things happen in the world or not, it IS acceptable to be offended at someone chuckling at the prospect of a child lying, rotting, in a shallow grave in her parents' garden.
2. Your suspicion that people are only concerned because the child is "of the faith" seems sectarian (and we get a lot of that round these parts). But, as you say, it's only a suspicion, so we can discount that.
3. The situation was not of the McCann's own making. Regardless of whether you feel they failed as parents on that occasion, you would have to admit that the situation was created by the person who abducted the child, surely?
It's definitely not something to be taken lightly, but surely everyone is also entitled to their own opinions?
Quote: ajp29 @ June 22, 2007, 12:41 PMFor once I didn't start it
Well, actually you did with your assertion that I should prove I'm a professional writer before my opinion on Aaron's post was valid.
1. Its OK to be offended but attacking someone for using their freedom of speech on their own website is stupid.
2. You haven't read my earlier post so you may not understand what I mean by 'of the faith.' If it was a black family then there would not be as much media coverage.
3. I don't accept that. Children are meant to be the number 1 priority as a parent not going out to have drinks. There was also a baysitting service available. They are doctors they could afford it.
Quote: ajp29 @ June 22, 2007, 12:36 PMMy point Alan was that of all the things to be offended by in the world today the fate of one girl is not high up there on the list. As in my original post I suspect people are so concerned only because she is 'of the faith' and for no other reason. The situation was of the McCanns' own making and I feel no sympathy for them but I do for the little girl.
Sorry, but this debate is going from bad to worse!
If a small child plucked from her family for unimaginable horrors doesn't figure high on anyones 'list', what does?
Personally, as a mother, I can think of nothing worse than one of my kids going missing, and I have great sympathy for her parents - although they made a mistake, they did not ask for Madeline to be taken, and are doubtless experiencing a living hell at this moment.
Stylo I'm a utilitarian so no
Quote: ajp29 @ June 22, 2007, 12:47 PM1. Its OK to be offended but attacking someone for using their freedom of speech on their own website is stupid.
Look, you're surely allowing your anger at my view of your work to cloud your view.
Think about that sentence you just wrote. The one up there, in quotes.
Now, can't you see that it's illogical? Stupid, even?
Utilitarianism is a noble concept... until it's one of your kids
True unless its thousands of kids versus apathy.
Alan I don't get your point.
Stylo, Im sure that for any mother, their child going missing is their worst nightmare-and Im not condoning what the kidnapper did by any means-but therefore would you leave your children alone in a hotel room while they were sleeping? Im almost 16, and my parents STILL wouldnt dream of leaving me in the house with my younger brother to go drinking while we were asleep, so when the eldest wasn't even 4, horrified them! It still shouldnt have happened by any means though, dont get me wrong
I agree, Scatterbrained Floozy; my point is that with the benefit of hindsight Maddy's parents would agree also.
It wasnt like they hadnt done it before...I only hope that this incident will be the last of it's type to be honest-because maybe it would give them hindsight or the others' experience. when women are taken to court as shoplifters, they get longer in prison because it's deemed that the maternal instinct should go at least someway to stopping them-and that's not even related to mothers in particular, or motherly incidents in particular-so in my mind, this shouldnt even have begun to happen