Dave, I hold no desire to hold a public argument

Yet you start a thread which you must have known is contraversial omn a public forum? "No desire to" must mean something different to me.

I live in Mapperton in Dorset. I lived in Portugal for seven years. I am a father of four children. I play guitar (badly).

Well done. I applaud your honesty at least. I am very rarely in that area but let me know which clubs you play guitar badly in and I will endevour to meet you. You already know which clubs I attend so I extend an invitation to you as well. PS - I beat you by one kid and three badly played instruments:-)

Because someone asks reasonable questions on this site they are a "Troll or a Trouble maker".

No. When an unknown guest starts a contravesial thread they are known as a troll or troublemaker. How were you outside this definition when you started the thread in question?

Was it you that went crying to your cronies asking for the thread to be deleted ?

Just how short is your memory? I actualy requested in the thread that it be left where it was so everyone could see the depths people could sink to to get attention. My issue with this one is that once the initial one was deleted, people should have respected the editing teams decision. Their job is tough enough and if I can stand by that decision even if I disagree I don't see why other people can't. I do not know and have never met a single of of the editing team so cronies hardly fits the bill.

You have been good enough to give us some details of who you are and why you raised the issue so you are no longer included in the definition of 'anonymous' guest who posts a contraversial thead so I will now treat you as someone I do know who I disagree with. I do not retract anything I said when you were posting anonymously.

Back to the thread then. You are still assuming guilt before innocence. You are still posting views which could be both hurtful and harmful to anyone involved. It is not something I would do myself but if you want to continue to do so feel free.

I guess I will never stop people repeating what they hear in the media but I will give it a damn good try in those instances where I feel it is important to show up the press for the parasites they are.

Good luck. I hope venting your feelings makes you feel better if nothing else. If and when the McCanns are convicted of whatever they are being accused, inside a court of law, I will comment on their actions. Until then it is all just speculation and rumour, a game which I do not want to join in with.

Regards

Dave