BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.

Subject: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Victor in Mapperton
Date: 02 May 08 - 09:21 PM

Hard to believe that twelve months have passed since Gerry and Kate McCann left their three children alone in an unlocked ground floor apartment in Portugal while they went out for a meal with their friends which resulted in the disappearance of their three year old daughter Madeline.

The parents have been criticised for leaving their children (all under three years of age) alone while they ate and drank at a nearby restaurant despite the availability of a babysitting service and a crèche.

A lady called Pamela Fenn, who lives in the flat above the one the McCann's were in had told police that on the Tuesday night before the disappearance that she had heard Madeleine crying for about 75 minutes before her parents returned from dinner. In an interview with the BBC on 25 May, the McCanns admitted to leaving the children alone for this amount of time that Tuesday night and spoke of the guilt they felt.

A petition to the Prime Minister was started on 12 June requesting that Leicestershire Social Services fulfil their statutory obligation to investigate the circumstances which led to Madeleine and her siblings being left unattended in an unlocked, ground floor hotel room. Crown Prosecution Service lawyers are still to decide whether any offence may have been committed under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, which deals with ill-treatment, cruelty, neglect and abandonment of these children all under 3 years of age.

The McCann's said the calls to prosecute them were hurtful and unhelpful. The fact is they were guilty of neglect and if they had remained in the company of their children on holiday as most responsible parents do, they would not be in the current situation.

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Sorcha
Date: 02 May 08 - 09:47 PM

You just HAD to start this again didn't you? Can't leave well enough alone on the Mudcat threads.

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Victor in Mapperton
Date: 02 May 08 - 10:01 PM

Sorcha, it is a current news story. Please check today's BBC website. It is also covered on every television news channel.

So are you saying this section of the site doesn't cover current news stories ?

Dear dear, has someone upset you tonight ?

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Megan L
Date: 03 May 08 - 02:53 AM

There was no need for such a snide remark Victor. The truth is this thread will be as useful as the last one on the subject. Which was all steam and no motion nothing said did anything practicle to find the poor child.

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 03 May 08 - 03:50 AM

The McCann's said the calls to prosecute them were hurtful and unhelpful.

They are indeed. As is this thread. Again.

The fact is they were guilty of neglect

The fact is that thay have not been charged with anything let alone tried. The fact is that until they are proven guilty they are assumed innocent. The fact is that those who have tried, sentenced and already executed the McCanns are doing so so they can feel moraly superior. Sorry Victor but they are not. Moraly reprehensible is nearer the mark.

Dave.

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 03 May 08 - 04:58 AM

What a nasty vindictive person you are Victor, and so wrongly named.

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Victor in Mapperton
Date: 03 May 08 - 05:57 AM

This news story still generates a lot of public interest. It involves two police forces and three private investigation companies and saw a major European awareness campaign launched.

It's such a sad story. A little three year old girl who was left alone by her parents vanished without trace.

This time last year we had the public support of the Pope, David Beckham, Robbie Williams and many more well known celebrities, sadly none of the above now take an active role in the campaign.

Mr. Polshaw, I think you would find leaving three children aged three and under alone is a crime if you care to look up the Children and Young Persons Act of 1933.

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 03 May 08 - 06:59 AM

What a nasty vindictive person you are Victor

It really would be better if people who don't like the subject don't open the thread unless they have something sensible to say in response; that something may even condemn the opening of it again and that is fine, but there definitely is no need for nasty name calling.

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: skarpi
Date: 03 May 08 - 06:59 AM

Victor , no one knows his future not even you !! you could be walking along the street with your child and suddenly a car would drive over it ?
you did not see it coming , still you were there with you r child .

Your in the store with your child and you turn away for 1 sec and the child is gone ?

Its so good to be on the side line and judge , judge things that
we did not take any part of. No one is quilty until it proofs otherwise,
and they have not been proofed that they are .

I am not a judge in this case and neither is you , so just let
the Police and system keep on lookín , they might find something in the end , its a saying the : if you do something wrong in the past , the past will always most always knock on your back .

All the best Skarpi Iceland

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Victor in Mapperton
Date: 03 May 08 - 07:35 AM

You are correct in what you say skarpi. However, there is a difference in a child being hit by a truck and two adults going out to drink and party and standing looking at three children aged three and under in their beds and "claiming" to walk out leaving the door unlocked.

The examples you gave are known as accidents.

Thanks eanjay. Don't worry about the name calling, look who the remarks come from !!

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Emma B
Date: 03 May 08 - 07:42 AM

On this anniversary there is indeed world wide news reportage.

In the UK

the Lead item of News at Ten was the McCann documentary!

'Tuesday's News at Ten (ITV1) led on the McCanns and how they felt last August when they were named aguidos in the investigation into the disappearance of their daughter.
We already knew that the McCanns were aguidos, of course, so the news - the biggest story of the day according to Sir Trevor and the team, bigger than petrol prices, or the housing market, or Austria, or Ken v Boris - was that Kate McCann says she felt "angry" and Jerry found it "surreal" when they became people of interest to the inquiry.
Bong: Kate McCann was angry last summer.
Bong: petrol's £5 a gallon.
Bong: the horrid Austrian man is definitely both father and grandfather to lots of kids.'

quote from
Last night's TV The Guardian Thursday May 1

'Time' notes....

'with Saturday marking the first anniversary of the 4-year-old's disappearance from her family's vacation apartment in the Portuguese resort town of Praia da Luz, the ongoing media circus is again revving into overdrive. ....

Indeed, it has already begun. A two-hour television documentary about the girl's parents, Gerry and Kate McCann, was broadcast nationally last Wednesday night. It accorded sympathetic treatment to the McCanns, who remain official suspects in the investigation...

...Mark Williams-Thomas is a former detective who's now a regular consultant to various media outlets. He says police working the case in Praia da Luz "are in no rush to lift the arguido status." ...

Williams-Thomas says, it's doubtful the crime will ever be solved, unless Madeleine's body is discovered. He also doubts the police have evidence to charge the McCanns with murder. But, he says, it is likely they will be charged with child neglect, an accusation the McCanns reject.'


Myself, I can only sadly echo the comments from
'Anorak' (Tabloid news for broadsheet readers)

'The parents, friends, police and above all else the media have failed Madeleine McCann.'

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: skarpi
Date: 03 May 08 - 07:58 AM

accidents ?

are saying that they planned this ?

as I said No man knows his future .

" you come home , park your car take your kid in the house
the kid goes in his room , suddenly you must go back to your car to get something and you meet your friend outside your house for five min
then you turn back in your house and you find out that your kid is gone ?

accident ?? I dont think so , you did not see it coming .

but like I said : if they have done something wrong , it will
come back on them , no one can live with a quilt.


Only the future will put a light on this case , what about all the others !!
childs that are taken away and abused , sold , and killed ??

Madeleine is not the only one , Austria for exsamble just
few days ago ?


we live in a sad world .

All the best Skarpi Iceland

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Victor in Mapperton
Date: 03 May 08 - 08:24 AM

We do indeed live in a sad world Skarpi. I accept your examples, but neither you nor I would knowingly plan a social evening with friends and agree to leave three children aged three and under alone in a strange environment. Also this was not a one off. The parents admitted that this was not the first night they had done this that week.

Both parents are doctors and would have had a greater insight into what could have happened to such young children left alone, at least one of them must have treated domestic paediatric related injuries.

As a general practitioner Mrs. McCann would have been obligated by law to report any of her patients if she was in receipt of information that they were leaving their children unattended.

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Ythanside
Date: 03 May 08 - 05:24 PM

Keep saying these things, Victor, and you will be attacked constantly for telling the truth.
Those who criticise you seem blind to the fact that children must be protected from those who abuse or neglect them.

Only Madelaine McCann's abductor knows what has happened to her, but the entire world now knows that her parents made a conscious decision to leave her alone with her younger siblings.
Paint it how you wish, they knowingly broke the law. Had they returned sooner and found her safe and well the fact remains that they committed the crime of wilful neglect.

Read any law relating to the care of children and you will see the phrase 'the welfare of the child is of paramount importance'. In other words, above and beyond all other considerations.

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 03 May 08 - 05:46 PM

It would also seem that one year on the parents are still reluctant to take any responsibility at all for this disappearance - unless I have missed that bit of course ...... and I agree, Victor is telling the truth. Certainly the parents have said that they wish that they had not left the children alone but they appear to think that leaving children alone and a child being abducted are mutually exclusive events.

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 03 May 08 - 05:55 PM

What I meant to say was that they appear to think that a child being abducted is not a result of a child being left alone - it is always someone else's fault.

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: skipy
Date: 03 May 08 - 06:51 PM

How I wish that I had never even heard of her.
That would mean that the events of last year would not have happened & she would be at home, safe with Mum & Dad.
Skipy

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Sorcha
Date: 03 May 08 - 09:05 PM

Oh, I 'agree' with Victor too, never said I didn't. I just don't see the need to hash and re hash on the Mudcat. I guess that is BS for you tho.

So, it's 'news'. Eh? News has sure come down in quality. If it's not 'entertainment' it's not News. Sorry, I'm such a cynic.

skipy, I AGREE with YOU too! I wish I'd never heard of her.

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 04 May 08 - 02:59 AM

The parents were in the wrong. I know it, anyone with half a working brain-cell knows it and, guess what, the McCann's will know it too - far better than any of us.

They must be suffering not only the torture of losing their child, but the even worse torture of knowing their actions, if not the cause, were a major contributing factor to her disappearance.

There's no need for us to beat them up, my guess is that they beat themselves up constantly. And, at some point in time, they will be taken to task by the legal system.

They're in hell already. Let's leave them to their personal misery, and pray for that little girl. I will.

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Victor in Mapperton
Date: 04 May 08 - 03:09 AM

Thanks Ythanside, there are a few snobs without substance on here. If the parents had been working class and out drinking beer after a football match they would be getting the wrath of this crew.

As you correctly pointed out eanjay the parents do not take responsibility for their actions. To leave three children alone one night is scandalous. To admit to leaving three children every night of their holiday is beyond words.

Children are entitled to protection even if the parents are incapable of providing it.

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 04 May 08 - 04:21 AM

Absolutely right Victor.

But banging on about it, hovering over them like a vulture, and delighting in sticking pins in their eyes isn't helping the child whose entitlements you're claiming to be so protective of.

The McCanns may not be publically offering themselves up for possible flagellation and crucifixion, but I'd bet my pension AND yours that, in private, they're already nailed to the cross.

Let's leave it to the legal profession, and concentrate on the enormous task of finding out what happened to the child, eh? Seems the Christian thing to do.

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Ythanside
Date: 04 May 08 - 05:16 AM

Amen.

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: akenaton
Date: 04 May 08 - 05:16 AM

This forum is designed to allow members and guests to express their opinions. If some members don't like the opinions of others, they can either refute them or dont open the thread.

Gagging is not permissible IMO.

Personally, from what I have read and filling in the blanks,I believe the McCanns guilty of a crime involving the death of the child and concealment of that crime.

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 04 May 08 - 05:39 AM

I Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: skarpi
Date: 04 May 08 - 07:57 AM

hallo all

Keep saying these things, Victor, and you will be attacked constantly for telling the truth.
Those who criticise you seem blind to the fact that children must be protected from those who abuse or neglect them. ??

First of all , I am not attacking Victor , I only said :no one is quilty
unless proof otherwise , thats the law remember ? .



Thanks Ythanside, there are a few snobs without substance on here. If the parents had been working class and out drinking beer after a football match they would be getting the wrath of this crew.


and Second , I am not a snop Victor and I have never been .
but in Mudcat there has always been " black and white about
some tihngs that people are not agree with ,


and third : I will not judge in this matter . So keep on
wandering about it and judge as you please , as I said if those
unlucky McCann s have some thing to hide the past will come back ,
just remember the Island Jersey few months back .

So all good folks ,
ATB Skarpi Iceland

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Victor in Mapperton
Date: 04 May 08 - 09:02 AM

I am 100% with you akenaton. I would like to say more here but got bombed the last time I did.

If only akenaton it was "freedom of opinion". I doubt many here could agree that it is, well if your a crew member maybe.

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Emma B
Date: 04 May 08 - 09:08 AM

Mystery remains: why was she left alone?

The view from the Irish press

'Not just here in Luz, but everywhere, that news of the details of that night has travelled. There has been criticism of the McCanns for leaving three small children alone in a strange apartment while they socialised with friends.

"In Portugal, we absolutely adore children," said another local. "We just cannot get our heads around the fact that these small babies were on their own in a town where children are always welcome, no matter what time of night or day."

I tell her that in a documentary due to be screened this week on ITV, Kate McCann is understood to explain that they would have used a baby-listening service had one been available, but because there wasn't they decided instead to leave the children alone and make regular checks on them.

"There was a babysitting facility and an evening creche available, why didn't they use that," she asks.

I have no answer for her, being totally unable to comprehend the McCanns' actions with regard to the welfare of their children.'

The Irish Independent sunday May 4

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: skarpi
Date: 04 May 08 - 10:01 AM

Victor !! you said "freedom of opinion". Good go on please I would like to see more from you , you do in fact point out a good facts and I like
it but there is always a gray line we all go , and thats when we start Judge , there is a diffrent between judging and havin opinion .


The word " Freedom " its a strong word and it have a great meaning ,
here in Iceland we " still " have this freedom to leave our kids alone
outside playin without worry about some bad people, but it could change someday .

Like I said before its a SAD WORLD we live in .

All the best to you all
Skarpi Iceland

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Big Phil
Date: 04 May 08 - 10:35 AM

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Big Phil
Date: 04 May 08 - 10:38 AM

I agree with Victor. As suspects, the parents ought to be treated as such, not as minor celebrity's.

Phil*

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Ythanside
Date: 04 May 08 - 10:46 AM

Trying to remain objective while viewing such a desperately tragic case as this is virtually impossible, as almost any comment places the author in an invidious position. The judicial system, however, is unemotional and impartial, and it seems inevitable that Madelaine's parents will at some time be called to account for their actions. My hope is that a compassionate judge will admonish them. Anything more punitive would be inhuman.

As a parent I cannot, for one single moment, imagine the torture that the McCanns must be suffering throughout every minute of every day. They are living the nightmare of mothers and fathers the world over, and no words exist to assuage their pain.
They have the heartfelt sympathy of millions, me included.

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Victor in Mapperton
Date: 04 May 08 - 11:07 AM

Sorry Giok, when I want a comment from you I will ask for it. Now go play with your nice little friends, sorry I don't do ego massaging.

If Joe feels there is a problem with a thread or a comment from me I will sit up and listen. Never was one to heed the organ grinders monkey or the shoe shine boy.

If members wish to discuss a topic I don't think it is necessary (yet)to run it past you first is it ?

A legend in his own lunchtime.

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 04 May 08 - 11:35 AM

I can understand some people feeling this topic has been exhausted. However, since it has been rammed down our throats for a whole year some of us do need to comment to get rid of the frustration of it all.

For me it is the constantly changing goalposts:

Criticising the parents is hurtful and unhelpful but it is OK to criticise the police, the media, Robert Murat and two of his friends (who also are entitled to be considered innocent until proven guilty). I just hope he is as successful in his compensation bid - which he presumably has to fund himself.

The police and the media are not allowed to "leak" information but it is OK for the extended family and friends to do this.

Only certain people are allowed to point the finger.

The family hope that the limelight focus on them will die down soon, (except when it suits them for it not to).

The list is never ending.

If we could have some respite from it all I'm sure the need to go on about it would disappear.

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Gene Burton
Date: 04 May 08 - 12:19 PM

It's Murat I feel most sorry for. Almost certainly guiltless of anything other than trying to do what he could to aid the search, and being a bachelor; yet his name, address, personal circumstances etc. were splashed across every newspaper, etc. in the land. How on earth is the man ever supposed to get his life back to normal? Same with the initial suspect in the Ipswich murders (the supermarket worker later released without charge). Surely we could legislate to prevent the publication of suspect details in these kinds of cases, at least up until the point when the trial (if there ever is one) takes place?

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Victor in Mapperton
Date: 04 May 08 - 01:11 PM

The people who must shoulder the burden of responsibility for the disappearance are Gerry and Kate McCann. They let her down by being selfish and indulging in their own pleasures leaving her alone and vulnerable. If they wanted that type of holiday they should have left the kids at home.

They were on the razz every night that week through their own admission. The children unfortunately got in the way of their "me time". These people are doctors and in their professional lives would not hesitate to point the "abuse" finger at any other parent who left their children alone like they did.

I do think the McCann's have acted somewhat oddly throughout this investigation, particularly the mother. I can't quite see it as natural for a mother in her position to make one of her immediate priorities in the days immediately following the disappearance of her daughter a visit to the Pope – without her remaining children.
Even female doctors are subject to domestic abuse whether it be mental, physical or psychological bullying. Kate looks to me to be very submissive to Gerry. Her eyes dart towards him when the couple are questioned by the media. It's as though she can't speak up for herself.

The running was another strange one. The last thing on my mind would be to go for a run if one of my kids was abducted. I would be spewing venom and throwing my stomach up. As I already said, if the child been from a working class family on a council estate (colour irrelevant) and the parents had gone over the road to the pub for an hour, the story would have been totally different, charges would have been brought by now, and if the child was still missing, it would still be in the news.

You know as well as what I do that a single parent from a council estate, would have been singled out and social services would be all over them like a rash. The parent would probably be blamed from the start, but for some reason people are skirting around this issue.

As a parent I personally would never have dreamt of leaving my child, let alone children/babies on their own, just to have something to eat. In fact I would never have left my child alone full stop. I hope I don't sound too heartless because I am not, I am just coming from a parent who cannot understand how any parent would leave their children alone in a strange country, that don't speak the same language as you, where you don't know really what the area is like. Would you do it in England? I don't think many would, so I don't understand why being in a different country, with a language barrier on a 'Family' holiday would be OK.

Some of the comments on this thread amaze me, a crime has been committed. Leaving children alone is a crime. Should we ignore this fact ?

I made no secret of my own feelings about the case from the first day. I think the child neglect charges will be the least of the McCann's worries.

No doubt mudcats "Little Caesar" will have some comment or biblical verse for me !

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: skarpi
Date: 04 May 08 - 01:51 PM

victor , no I would not leave a child alone in England or in any other
country, couse I dont know the area .

ATB Skarpi Iceland

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Emma B
Date: 04 May 08 - 02:05 PM

'McCanns 'could make £1 million from book'

'The parents of Madeleine McCann announced yesterday that they were in negotiations to write a book about the disappearance of their daughter.

Publishing experts have estimated that the McCanns' book could receive an advance of up to £1 million, but have said that the couple may struggle to say anything new.

Proceeds of any deal would go to the Find Madeleine Fund, which has received more than £1.5 million in public donations and a libel payout.'

Times online

Mr and Mrs McCann, who are still suspects and cannot talk about the case until their arguido status is lifted, will use a ghost writer.

Clarence Mitchell, their spokesman, said: "It is a legitimate way of raising money for the fund".

.....the fund that can still ONLY be used to cover the McCanns and their PR/spin doctors/spokespeople etc expenses and fund further searches until such time as the child is found.

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: CarolC
Date: 04 May 08 - 02:49 PM

I haven't said anything on this subject prior to now, but I find it strange that the parents even still have custody of their other two children.

If they had made a habit of leaving three children under the age of three alone in their own house for more than an hour at a time and one of them died in a fire while the parents were gone, would the remaining two children have been left in their custody?

What if they had left them alone, and the oldest of the three had managed to find and consume a fatal quantity of some kind of medicine? Or if one of the younger children had choked to death on a button that came off of a piece of clothing and rolled under a chair where no one had noticed it? Or if one of them had pulled a lamp down on his or herself, causing the bulb to break and was then electrocuted after putting a finger where the bulb had been?

How is it that the kind of neglect that resulted in this abduction hasn't been considered grounds for the parents losing custody of the remaining children?

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 04 May 08 - 02:56 PM

'The parents of Madeleine McCann announced yesterday that they were in negotiations to write a book about the disappearance of their daughter.

In interviews last week they said that they now hoped that they would fade from the limelight.

..........until the book signing and promotion, of course!

Ever changing goalposts.

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Victor in Mapperton
Date: 04 May 08 - 06:38 PM

Yes Emma I saw that in the paper. I read it was an idea by failed BBC reporter Clarence Mitchell.

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 05 May 08 - 05:58 AM

"Some of the comments on this thread amaze me, a crime has been committed. Leaving children alone is a crime. Should we ignore this fact ?"

Maybe mine are some of the comments you're referring to, Victor, but surprisingly we're in agreemnet over much of this sad case. You're right, leaving children alone is criminal - but Lynch-Mobs are illegal in the UK, so let's leave it to the law. In due course minds much smarter than mine and yours, however clever you think you are, will be concentrated on this matter, but I'd guess that, for now, and for reasons we perhaps aren't yet aware of, kicking the McCann's arses for being such idiots is not the top priority.

There are many things about this case that may well turn out not to be what they at first seemed.

You ask, "Should we ignore this fact?". Frankly, it's not up to 'we', it's up to the police and/or the CPS to decide if and when to charge the McCanns. God help us if that responsibility were to be directed by the kind of rabble-rousing rhetoric and invective we've read a-plenty on here. It's not the suggestion of their culpability that offends me, Victor, I agree that they have much to answer for - it's the language and the venom, the 'Sun-Speak', that I feel is out of order.

And going on about what a perfect parent you are/were really doesn't cut any ice, and has no bearing on the McCann case. Did you never, ever make a mistake in bringing up you're kids? I know I did. I wish I was such a saint.

And yes, as doctors they would have responsibilities regarding evidence of child-neglect amongst their patients, but having training and professional responsibility doesn't make the individual infallible. How many times do you hear of senior police officers being caught speeding, or over the drink-drive limit? More than you would expect, given their background. And I'd bet that the McCanns know just what selfish fuckwits they were too. They lost their child, almost certainly for ever, through their own negligence and stupidity. They have that, and the anticipation of prosecution, to live with. Rather them than me. I pity them.

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Victor in Mapperton
Date: 05 May 08 - 07:36 AM

"And going on about what a perfect parent you are/were really doesn't cut any ice"

I never said I was perfect, responsible YES. Big difference.

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 05 May 08 - 07:38 AM

I'll give you that one Victor! :-) :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Victor in Mapperton
Date: 05 May 08 - 09:25 AM

Thanks Backwoodman. Best wishes from this end.

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 05 May 08 - 09:55 AM

Likewise, Victor.

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 05 May 08 - 01:53 PM

Mr. Polshaw, I think you would find leaving three children aged three and under alone is a crime if you care to look up the Children and Young Persons Act of 1933.

It may well be so, Victor. Which only proves my point still further. If what they did is against the law why do you think that they have still not been charged with anything, 12 months after the event. I do not care to look it up. I am quite happy to accept your word for it. Maybe you will accept my word that until they are PROVEN guilty they are assumed innocent. The so called 'fact' you gave in yor opening post is, at present, nothing but a complete fabrication on your part.

Maybe they will be tried and convicted at some point but until that happens the very law that you seem so keen to uphold does seem to make your statement of 'fact' somewhat ridiculous.

Cheers

Dave

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Wolfgang
Date: 05 May 08 - 03:07 PM

..disappearance of their three year old daughter Madeline.

The parents have been criticised for leaving their children (all under three years of age) alone. (Victor)

...leaving three children under the age of three alone (Carol)

Math is really difficult. Given are the three integers 2, 2, and 3. Which is the lowest integer of which can be said that all three are below it?

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: CarolC
Date: 05 May 08 - 03:24 PM

How old was Madeline when she went missing?

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: Emma B
Date: 05 May 08 - 03:33 PM

Madeline was 3 years of age, her twin siblings were 2 years old.

Subject: RE: BS: Madeline McCann. One year on.
From: CarolC
Date: 05 May 08 - 03:56 PM

Ok. I will rephrase for Wolfgang's benefit, since I know he will be profoundly disturbed until I do...


I haven't said anything on this subject prior to now, but I find it strange that the parents even still have custody of their other two children.

If they had made a habit of leaving three children aged three and under alone in their own house for more than an hour at a time and one of them died in a fire while the parents were gone, would the remaining two children have been left in their custody?

What if they had left them alone, and the oldest of the three had managed to find and consume a fatal quantity of some kind of medicine? Or if one of the younger children had choked to death on a button that came off of a piece of clothing and rolled under a chair where no one had noticed it? Or if one of them had pulled a lamp down on his or herself, causing the bulb to break and was then electrocuted after putting a finger where the bulb had been?

How is it that the kind of neglect that resulted in this abduction hasn't been considered grounds for the parents losing custody of the remaining children?