Natalee Case Discussion #826 11/07/09 - 12/09/09

[Keepthefaith]

Truth & Justice for Natalee!

NATALEE HOLLOWAY WAS TAKEN FROM THIS EARTH PHYSICALLY.....

SHE'S NEVER LEFT SPIRITUALLY

GOODNIGHT & GOD BLESS

KEEPTHEFAITH

 

[Keepthefaith]

LIFESONG 

HOPE ALL IS WELL

[crazybabyborg]

Anna? Would you like a Christmas outfit?


http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c100/crazybabyborgs/Christmas/anna3.gif

[crazybabyborg]

Wreck? I'm trying hard to "Christmas" you up! Halloween is a little more your style, but I know you've got Christmas in your heart so here goes!   


http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c100/crazybabyborgs/Christmas/wreck.gif

[jen3560]

Glenda is FOS    yea I said it

 

[klaasend]

Posted at RU regarding the Joran/Jaap interview:

[klaasend]

According to Glenda, Aruba isn't affected by the US troubled economy.  I was wondering what these people were celebrating.  Looks like they are going to get a paycheck afterall

http://www.awe24.com/?main&id=2202&offId=0&offDate=2009-12

[2NJSons_Mom]

   
Caribbean resorts roll out deals to lure travelers back to the islands

By Kitty Bean Yancey, USA TODAY
ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands — Ocean-view rooms steps from the sand at Bolongo Bay Beach Resort are selling for $265 on a mid-November Monday. But this one costs just 25 cents daily, plus tax, in a special deal.
The promotional package – $337.68 bottom line for three nights' lodging and airfare from Washington, D.C., plus $50 in dining and activities credits – is a steal. Billed as a celebration of the new U.S. quarter honoring the Virgin Islands and offered in October by BookIt.com, it was partly subsidized by the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. The idea: to help fill rooms and airline seats in a slow period when the Caribbean is jittery about what winter high season will bring.

"I had friends who called me and asked if I'd lost my mind," says Bolongo Bay general manager Paul Doumeng, 47, sitting in its tiki hut-style beach bar, where Jimmy Buffett is on the sound system and rum punch flows.

The government didn't cover all the cost of the now-finished promotion, "but the idea was to capture" visitors, he says. "Once they're here, they spend money" on food, drink and sunset sails.


PHOTO GALLERY: Caribbean on sale
Coming off a generally dismal 2009, "it's a crapshoot (for the Caribbean) this winter in terms of tourism," says Gay Myers, Caribbean editor for the Travel Weekly trade publication. The year has been bad "for just about every island," says Myers, though budget-all-inclusive-packed Cuba, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic reported upticks.

Visitors to St. Thomas – 2.4 million in 2008, most of them cruisers and Americans – were down about 12% through September, says Allegra Moorehead of the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism (visitusvi.com). But seats on non-stop flights from Puerto Rico and the States to St. Thomas in December will be up 13.8%, a USA TODAY analysis of schedules from OAG –Official Airline Guide finds. More cruisers are expected this season, mainly because 6,296-passenger Oasis of the Seas is due to call weekly.

How low can they go in high season?

There are other auspicious signs across the Caribbean as tourism enters its high season, from Thanksgiving to April. Islands escaped hurricane devastation. New or upgraded hotels are opening. Seats on non-stop flights from the USA are up 12.4% December through March vs. the same period last year, the OAG analysis finds.

Discounting, free nights and resort credits abound, as lodgings and tourist boards do all they can to have a better year.

St. Maarten, for instance, is stimulating bookings with a $50 daily credit a room ("SXM Bucks") that can be used at participating businesses. Bookings must be made by Monday.

Resorts such as the El San Juan Hotel & Casino are goosing business with discounts for prepaying – under $150 on slow days. The Westin Resort, Aruba, gave early-booking discounts and has a more than 50% increase in holiday-season reservations than 2008, it reports.

"People are leery" of spending unless they think they're getting value, says Bolongo's Doumeng, whose low-rise, friendly but unfancy family-run resort caters to the budget-minded.

English spoken, and the dollar still speaks

The U.S. Virgin Islands – which include St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John – have been doing better than some because of their much-promoted "no passport required" policy and the fact that the dollar is the currency and English the official language. It doesn't hurt that free shots of flavored rum are handed out as visitors arrive at the St. Thomas airport and at cruise-ship docks.

Still, St. Thomas cabdriver Ivan Nicholas (a service-oriented charmer who calls himself "Ivan the Terrific") says his earnings have declined 15%-20% this year.

Driving a visitor on a $50, two-hour island tour in his Ford van, Nicholas, 46, points out thrifty tourist options such as green-shuttered Duffy's Love Shack in a parking lot by the St. John ferry. It's advertising $1.50 beef tacos Tuesday and pours free drinks for women after 9 p.m. Wednesdays.

As the van snakes around curves on the lush, hilly 13-mile-long island, he ticks off some positives. St. Thomas remains a big cruise destination, and there's excitement that Oasis of the Seas' multitudes will be lying on the white sand at Magens Bay and bargaining for jewelry and electronics at dozens of duty-free shops that line the streets and alleys in the capital of Charlotte Amalie. Shopping is a huge draw, though visitors also can snorkel, dive, sail and fish.

While his passenger frets at the jam of taxis and open-air "safari buses" at scenic spots such as (Sir Francis) Drake's Seat on a high point where you can spy surrounding islands, Nicholas smiles at the crush of camera-toting cruisers and the traffic jam heading into Charlotte Amalie. Four ships are in today, he announces. Good for business.

Back at Bolongo, only 46% full on this pre-Thanksgiving weekday, some guests choose to dine in and drink till they can't on the resort's optional all-inclusive plan. St. Thomas at night is viewed with trepidation, because of the island's reputation for crime. Even Nicholas is hesitant to go into some neighborhoods.

This visitor enjoys Bolongo's calypso and limbo night, but can't resist heading to Duffy's – for a tab under $15, non-stop music and dancing. Cabs are hailed with some haggling over prices, which are set by the government but can be a matter of dispute.

When it comes to an early-morning airport run for departure, the call goes to Ivan the Reliable. He's at Bolongo at 6:45 a.m. – 15 minutes early – and points his van toward the airport.

"What drives our economy is you," he says. "We like Americans, because they spend money." Europeans generally aren't good tippers, he says.

"If people come here and tell their family and friends it is a nice place," he says earnestly, "then other people will come."

Contributing: Barbara Hansen

 
 
Find this article at:
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2009-11-27-caribbean27_ST_N.htm?csp=34 
 

     

Copyright 2009 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.
 
 

 

[Tamikosmom]

<snipped>

Maybe ... just maybe ... the Aruban people ... who struggle daily in the failing tourist industry to make a living to support their families ... will make the difference.  Maybe ... just maybe ... the Aruban people's frustration will be the catalyst that will put pressure on elected representative to do what needs to be done in regards to the Natalee Holloway case.

ARUBA ... if the hands of time imply that the clock cannot be turned back in regards to the justice process ... in regards to accountability ... then concede a corrupt investigation ... concede a cover-up to protect the son of one of your own.  It is time to return Natalee Holloway to her loved ones ... to her country.  It is time to allow the family a measure of closure.

Janet

+++++++++

NATALEE HOLLOWAY'S MOTHER

"The only leverage that we have in getting any traction in the investigation is when they feel the effects of a boycott," says Twitty.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/03/22/48hours/main1430644_page2.shtml

 "We cannot forget to demand and expect to have Natalee.  Natalee deserves to return to her country.  She  deserves it, and everyone knows it, every single person.  Every single person knows that.  They know it."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8485029/
 
 
NATALEE HOLLOWAY'S STEPFATHER
 
"Beth and I have been through this emotional roller coaster. And all we want is Natalee, whether she's alive or dead. We want to bring her back to the United States, and we'll leave and they can do whatever they want to do."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8551824


Kyle Kingman - In His Own Words

Kyle Kingman:  I took the proportions of the body form from the head, to shoulder, to a 90 degree angle which I believed to be the hem line of Natalee's skirt. I then took those proportions and matched them to the photo of Natalee with what she was last seen wearing. The proportions matched within an inch from head, to shoulder, to skirt line. Based on this comparison and with what we believed we saw in the Dec 29th video, Tim Miller contacted the family and told them the 99.9% comment. I told Tim not to do anything until we have forensic results back after the site is processed. Jan 7th we sampled the contents and in my opinion we found the skirt under the sand along with the other items The blue fabric was found right where the skirt is pictured. If it isn't her, it will forever haunt me as a major cosmic WTF.

[Tamikosmom]

A REMINDER

JULIA RENFRO

As missing-teen case cools, Aruba turns against family

Arubans helped search for the Alabama high-schooler, who disappeared two years ago, but now they're embittered by the negative publicity.

By Carol J. Williams
Los Angeles Times
June 9, 2007

ORANJESTAD, Aruba -- .... American Julia Renfro, editor-in-chief of Aruba Today, initially sided with Holloway's parents when they sought publicity and lambasted Aruban police for following Dutch investigative procedures different from those in the United States.

Galvanized by compassion for a desperate mother, Renfro stopped the presses of her daily newspaper for the first time in its history to include a picture of Holloway to aid Arubans in the islandwide search.

Renfro, a mother of four, spent weeks shuttling the family from the scene of one rumored development to another, but she became disenchanted with what she saw as Twitty's pandering to tabloid TV and "flat-out lies" she told on the air.

"I feel guilty saying any negative thing about a mother who has lost her daughter," Renfro said. "But her behavior was odd from the get-go."

Renfro has concluded that the body would have turned up by now if she died on the island proper. She -- and many Arubans -- doubts the three suspects, all good students without criminal records, could have pulled off a perfect crime, never caving in to intense interrogations.

"I've spoken with all of the suspects," she said. "I don't believe any of them did anything to her." ....

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003741183_aruba09.html

[Keepthefaith]

O/T...FYI in regards to the murder of the 4 police officers in the Seattle area.The suspect/murderer was shot and killed by Seattle police early this morning!God bless these families!

[Tamikosmom]

A REMINDERROBIN HOLLOWAY
December, 2007
 
.... As far as Julia, we have stayed in contact with her and she truly does care for Natalee and wants to know what happened to her as much as anyone else. Dave was able to meet with Mark for a little while last night while he was there and had a nice visit. It is good to know they are still there and willing to help. Please know they are still there too for Natalee ....
 
http://scaredmonkeys.net/index.php?topic=2409.msg311317#msg311317

[Tamikosmom]

O/T...FYI in regards to the murder of the 4 police officers in the Seattle area.The suspect/murderer was shot and killed by Seattle police early this morning!God bless these families!

Keepthefaith

My youngest son and American wife were in Seattle this weekend for a family reunion.  When the news broke ... tears of sadness and tears of anger were shed by all in attendance.  After the emotions subsided ... the gathering spent time upholding the families and friends of the fallen police officers in prayer.

 

Janet   

[Keepthefaith]

O/T...FYI in regards to the murder of the 4 police officers in the Seattle area.The suspect/murderer was shot and killed by Seattle police early this morning!God bless these families!

Keepthefaith

My youngest son and American wife were in Seattle this weekend for a family reunion.  When the news broke ... tears of sadness and tears of anger were shed by all in attendance.  After the emotions subsided ... the gathering spent time upholding the families and friends of the fallen police officers in prayer.

 

Janet   

We all know the power of prayers!As we continue to pray for Justice for Natalee Holloway,as well as many other missing persons cases and,unspeakable acts of evil,God will answer when ready.We may not like the timing but,he always answers in God's time!

Thank You Janet,
          KTF

[texasmom]

According to Glenda, Aruba isn't affected by the US troubled economy.  I was wondering what these people were celebrating.  Looks like they are going to get a paycheck afterall

http://www.awe24.com/?main&id=2202&offId=0&offDate=2009-12

http://www.amigoe.com/artman/publish/artikel_65835.php

Google translation:

ARUBA

The Aruban strike: Workers do not get paid

December 1, 2009, 13:43 (GMT -04:00)




Employees of The Aruban Resort hotel are Sat Yesterday they stopped work because the salary payment is being delayed again.

ORANGE CITY - Employees of the hotel The Aruban are furious about the lack of re-payment of their salaries. Yesterday, they also stopped work en masse and in the lobby of the hotel shouted their protest.

According to Chairman of Rudy Geerman FTA union workers would already have been paid last week Monday. "To show their goodwill they have decided not to directly protest, but the hotel still the chance to give their salary," said Geerman. Yesterday the staff got a memo from the supervisor that she "at the end of the week have enough money to pay the salary. "This was the final straw. It might be oil on the fire, but it is unacceptable that staff continually suffer from the problems of the hotel. People should simply pay their bills. "

Workers face penalties such as their mortgage or car loan is not repaid on time. "That's not fair," says Geerman. The workers want the Minister of Tourism, Labor and Transport Otmar Oduber (ASF) in the conflict mediation. If no solution, then the employees are willing to continue operations, said Geerman. The board does have to know when to delay in the salary payments, personnel to compensating.

It messes a lot longer at the hotel. Beginning this year, the Sales & Marketing signed with eighty people lost their jobs. A few weeks later that the foreign hotel owners again reversed. The hotel is in serious difficulties, since the economic crisis by selling timeshare apartments fell. Not even half of the apartment is sold, the rest is rented to tourists. The hotel also finds in financial difficulties because of U.S. banks which have lent the money - several million florin - is bankrupt. The Aruban Resort was therefore no money from this bank because the trustees already had made seizure, and was acute in payment difficulties. The payment of the salary goes through this situation even though not a long time. "The hotel runs well, however, the rooms are full. But the money disappears from the island, "said Geerman yesterday.

Earlier workers laid the hotel even briefly stopped work from dissatisfaction with the late payment of their salaries. At that time, the hotel management also noted a lack of money to pay them. According Geerman was then verbally by the supervisor promised to do everything to ensure that wages now are paid on time.

The Aruban Resort on Eagle Beach has a total of 362 rooms and apartments, a casino, restaurants, shops and swimming pools. The owner is KL International, which last year took over the hotel and millions of dollars invested into the renovation. If the casino was the largest of the island.

[texasmom]

http://www.amigoe.com/artman/publish/artikel_65834.php

Google translation:

ARUBA

1.5 Million florin money stolen from transport

December 1, 2009, 13:41 (GMT -04:00)



The stolen car that the three robbers went through it, was yesterday found quickly.

ORANGE CITY - A day after the raid on security and cash transport Aruba Security and Crime Prevention by the police announced that a total of 1.5 million florin was stolen.

Yesterday manager Nico Thompson has estimated that approximately a half amount of one million went. The three male perpetrators of the attack are still on the run.

The staff of Security and Crime Prevention was surprised yesterday morning by three armed robbers. The robbers turned their weapons on employees and demanded that they opened the safe.

Manager Thompson said that they currently busy with preventive measures for such an incident is in the future. The company can be sure such incidents.

The police would lose little today about the investigation. The police team was formed specifically to attack, is currently engaged in investigating the robbery. The robbers were never found. But is the car they cause near Hotel Casa del Mar found. This appears to have been stolen by the police.

(I'm hoping that means that the police found that the car used in the robbery was stolen.)
 

[texasmom]

http://www.amigoe.com/artman/publish/artikel_65838.php

Google translation:

Monica Kock withdraws from politics

December 1, 2009, 13:46 (GMT -04:00)

Email this article
Print this article
 


Monica Arends-Kock

ORANGE CITY - Monica Arends-Kock (46) retires as leader of the political party MPA. Kock stressed that it concerns a personal decision. The decision has implications for the party, but is not the end of MPA. She reported this morning during a press conference in her lawyer.

Kock said that she took the decision because she wants to spend more time with her family and also wants more concerned with the legal profession. She advises that one of her children within three years of study abroad and that they would be happy for them. Kock has two daughters, Gabriella and Elizabeth. "In the past I have been a lot of time invested in politics and I am not often they've been." She admits that the disappointing results of recent elections - the party did not seat to get - also played a role in its decision to withdraw as leader of the party rose. "It is always a consideration. I have now chosen another direction in my life. "

At a recent meeting of her fellow party members and candidates informed about her decision. "They are now looking at how they will go." Kock expects a firm right. "The roadmap with solutions for Aruba is ready, the main work is already done. It is a great plan. "

Kock looks back on a political career with election three and four years as Member of MPA with a political party headquarters. She is focused on the four years in parliament proud of what she can achieve a small opposition party. "We have quite a lot to get to know each other."

She began her political career in the party PPA and this was even president. In 2005 she decided that the party to turn away from her own party and to set up. On June 23, 2005 was Movimiento Patriotico Arubano a fact. The theme of the party "everyone counts".

Except lawyer, politician and mother Kock also boasts the title writer. Last August, she published the book Tuma man mi y mi cana cu. Loosely translated this means "take my hand and walk with me '. In the book the author tells mainly about her personal life. Politically in the book because it is a very important part of her life, she said then. "Politics is my life just as important as my work as a lawyer, family and my family."

[Magnolia]

According to Glenda, Aruba isn't affected by the US troubled economy.  I was wondering what these people were celebrating.  Looks like they are going to get a paycheck afterall

http://www.awe24.com/?main&id=2202&offId=0&offDate=2009-12

http://www.amigoe.com/artman/publish/artikel_65835.php

Google translation:

ARUBA

The Aruban strike: Workers do not get paid

December 1, 2009, 13:43 (GMT -04:00)




Employees of The Aruban Resort hotel are Sat Yesterday they stopped work because the salary payment is being delayed again.

ORANGE CITY - Employees of the hotel The Aruban are furious about the lack of re-payment of their salaries. Yesterday, they also stopped work en masse and in the lobby of the hotel shouted their protest.

According to Chairman of Rudy Geerman FTA union workers would already have been paid last week Monday. "To show their goodwill they have decided not to directly protest, but the hotel still the chance to give their salary," said Geerman. Yesterday the staff got a memo from the supervisor that she "at the end of the week have enough money to pay the salary. "This was the final straw. It might be oil on the fire, but it is unacceptable that staff continually suffer from the problems of the hotel. People should simply pay their bills. "

Workers face penalties such as their mortgage or car loan is not repaid on time. "That's not fair," says Geerman. The workers want the Minister of Tourism, Labor and Transport Otmar Oduber (ASF) in the conflict mediation. If no solution, then the employees are willing to continue operations, said Geerman. The board does have to know when to delay in the salary payments, personnel to compensating.

It messes a lot longer at the hotel. Beginning this year, the Sales & Marketing signed with eighty people lost their jobs. A few weeks later that the foreign hotel owners again reversed. The hotel is in serious difficulties, since the economic crisis by selling timeshare apartments fell. Not even half of the apartment is sold, the rest is rented to tourists. The hotel also finds in financial difficulties because of U.S. banks which have lent the money - several million florin - is bankrupt. The Aruban Resort was therefore no money from this bank because the trustees already had made seizure, and was acute in payment difficulties. The payment of the salary goes through this situation even though not a long time. "The hotel runs well, however, the rooms are full. But the money disappears from the island, "said Geerman yesterday.

Earlier workers laid the hotel even briefly stopped work from dissatisfaction with the late payment of their salaries. At that time, the hotel management also noted a lack of money to pay them. According Geerman was then verbally by the supervisor promised to do everything to ensure that wages now are paid on time.

The Aruban Resort on Eagle Beach has a total of 362 rooms and apartments, a casino, restaurants, shops and swimming pools. The owner is KL International, which last year took over the hotel and millions of dollars invested into the renovation. If the casino was the largest of the island.

Is this Rudy Geerman related to any of the four heads of the CapsLockWizard?

[texasmom]

http://www.amigoe.com/artman/publish/artikel_65833.php

Google translation:

ARUBA

Selling taxi permits restricted

December 1, 2009, 13:40 (GMT -04:00)

ORANGE CITY - As of today, taxi drivers can not act in each taxi licenses. Minister of Tourism, Labor and Transport Otmar Oduber (AVP) in the presence of the press that a ministerial decision signed an end to tolerating the overwriting of a transport license to third parties.

Previously, the ministry did nothing when taxi drivers because of advanced age, illness or change of career to their permits for large amounts resold. The moratorium on taxi licenses resulted in prices between the 70,000 and 90,000 florin. According to former Minister of Tourism and Transport Edison Briesen (MEP) were tolerated because they trade more taxi drivers have no pension scheme. Minister Oduber is, however, that such licenses owned by the Land Aruba and that it is never the intention of the legislature was to allow this trade. Overwriting of a license may only "if it is necessary for the maintenance of the family which the holder or co-breadwinner household was. The transfer is in this context is just to go to a resident member of the family.

Previously, taxi drivers were using a loophole in the legislation, which the old license application is withdrawn and a new official will be given to someone outside the family. The latter can now only take place if the new applicant is a resident family member. Second, there must be a medical or other special reason why the use of the license has become impossible. This requires a declaration by a doctor of the Social Insurance Bank (SVB) are discussed. Previously was a letter from the doctor enough. Too hard to be made that the taxi permit is necessary for the maintenance of the family.

The ministerial decision is in today. Up to half past three yesterday afternoon could not have acted in the old way. Minister Oduber said already two weeks ago about the taxi unions have been informed, but says there has been no run on transfers. During his press conference two weeks he returned to legal action will be taken against ex-minister Briesen, as it would appear that there really had been one of mutual tolerance in the sale of taxi licenses. During the press conference yesterday, Minister Oduber there is no further statements.

[texasmom]

According to Glenda, Aruba isn't affected by the US troubled economy.  I was wondering what these people were celebrating.  Looks like they are going to get a paycheck afterall

http://www.awe24.com/?main&id=2202&offId=0&offDate=2009-12

http://www.amigoe.com/artman/publish/artikel_65835.php

Google translation:

ARUBA

The Aruban strike: Workers do not get paid

December 1, 2009, 13:43 (GMT -04:00)




Employees of The Aruban Resort hotel are Sat Yesterday they stopped work because the salary payment is being delayed again.

ORANGE CITY - Employees of the hotel The Aruban are furious about the lack of re-payment of their salaries. Yesterday, they also stopped work en masse and in the lobby of the hotel shouted their protest.

According to Chairman of Rudy Geerman FTA union workers would already have been paid last week Monday. "To show their goodwill they have decided not to directly protest, but the hotel still the chance to give their salary," said Geerman. Yesterday the staff got a memo from the supervisor that she "at the end of the week have enough money to pay the salary. "This was the final straw. It might be oil on the fire, but it is unacceptable that staff continually suffer from the problems of the hotel. People should simply pay their bills. "

Workers face penalties such as their mortgage or car loan is not repaid on time. "That's not fair," says Geerman. The workers want the Minister of Tourism, Labor and Transport Otmar Oduber (ASF) in the conflict mediation. If no solution, then the employees are willing to continue operations, said Geerman. The board does have to know when to delay in the salary payments, personnel to compensating.

It messes a lot longer at the hotel. Beginning this year, the Sales & Marketing signed with eighty people lost their jobs. A few weeks later that the foreign hotel owners again reversed. The hotel is in serious difficulties, since the economic crisis by selling timeshare apartments fell. Not even half of the apartment is sold, the rest is rented to tourists. The hotel also finds in financial difficulties because of U.S. banks which have lent the money - several million florin - is bankrupt. The Aruban Resort was therefore no money from this bank because the trustees already had made seizure, and was acute in payment difficulties. The payment of the salary goes through this situation even though not a long time. "The hotel runs well, however, the rooms are full. But the money disappears from the island, "said Geerman yesterday.

Earlier workers laid the hotel even briefly stopped work from dissatisfaction with the late payment of their salaries. At that time, the hotel management also noted a lack of money to pay them. According Geerman was then verbally by the supervisor promised to do everything to ensure that wages now are paid on time.

The Aruban Resort on Eagle Beach has a total of 362 rooms and apartments, a casino, restaurants, shops and swimming pools. The owner is KL International, which last year took over the hotel and millions of dollars invested into the renovation. If the casino was the largest of the island.

Is this Rudy Geerman related to any of the four heads of the CapsLockWizard?

Gut feeling only...yes.