Lively Case Discussion #580 2/1 - 2/4/2007

[dkpen]

Hi everyone!

Just a drive by for a quick post for those who have not seen this yet. And if it's been previously posted, oops. I haven't read back today.

February 5, 2007
 
Aruba Taking Action To Counter Their Boycott
 
Summary: Status Update: Aruba is taking action to lure more tourists to their island after the boycott inspired by the disappearance of Natalee Holloway has dramatically affected their economy.
 
    The boycott of Aruba triggered by the lack of action, or incompetence of Aruban officials as some may say, surrounding the disappearance of Natalee Holloway is being countered by Aruba.

   Over the past few months, at least one hotel in Aruba has been sold, which indicates that investors saw bargains, probably because soft sales lowered property values. Over the past few months, Aruba has been investing heavily into enticements to lure cruise lines into making Aruba a port of call, which has the effect of bringing in tourism dollars less hotel stays, as those vacationers can sleep in their ship-board rooms. The cruise-lines are bringing people into Aruba who would otherwise not pick Aruba as a primary vacation destination, but will go there if it happens to be one of several ports of call.

   While this has brought dollars into restaurants and souvenir shops, some of which sell Arubas secondary industry items being creams and lotions, it has not increased hotel nights, which is a major revenue stream for Arubas economy. To solve this problem, Aruba is now building up hotel-based tourism using their tried and true marketing techniques to increase hotel nights, rather than creating new marketing concepts and logos.

   Over the past few months, Boycott Watch has been contacted by several Arubans, including one tourism official, all making the same claim that the hotel sale and increased television advertisements indicate the boycott is over, to which Boycott Watch has responded by correcting them - investment is not an indication that the boycott is over, rather investor speculation and advertisement respectively, thus indicating some people think the boycott has reached its peak or that the Aruba economy has hit bottom and that Aruba is looking toward a brighter future.

   The most recent economic numbers we have seen back that up, and at the same time we at Boycott Watch would not be surprised if the boycott of Aruba, which has had a definite effect on their economy, is waning, particularly because Natalee Holloway is no longer in the news every day. Considering, however, the high profile of this case, there are certainly many people who will not visit Aruba if not in memory of Natalee Holloway, in fear of their own personal safety considering the poor self-image Aruba created for itself.

   Aruba has been hurt by the boycott against them, and while they are working to recover from the boycott, it remains to be seen if the tourism numbers ever return to its former glory. While some people will continue to boycott Aruba indefinitely, any natural growth of business may mask the boycott, but it will be seen as a stunt in growth. Additionally, while the economic pains Aruba has seen nowhere compare to the pain Natalee's family continues to feel, the boycott accomplished its goal of telling Aruba that Americans stand with Natalee Holloway's family.  
 
http://www.boycottwatch.org/misc/aruba5.htm

[robots]

<---------waiting for the NY yankees to start playing !!




kick some RED SOX out of the park

 

Yankees RULE  

[sb]

I just found it. But of course.

He could have thrown 6 INTS and fumbled 3 times and not completed a pass but when they won, he was a lock.

[robots]

the BOYCOTT has only just begun
 

[Cat]

AT LEAST HE CLIMB UP AND LEAD THE BAND IN ROCKY TOP.I did like the gorilla /Bud commercial.what was special about the Net flix and blockbuster.My neighbors the owls have returned and they are noisy at 5:00.oh well ,time for a nap and deep purrs and thoughts.Cat

[sb]

Somehow, Beth needs to get back into the news. Things have been very slow recently.

[Angiex911dsptchr]

Confirmed the body of the baby is that of Niya  
In a snow covered field..
FbI and police still investigating..
second polygraph test given to father.
Autopsy neing done tomorrow to determine cause of death

 ALso close by a father and his 3 kids found dead in rostraver, PA

 Dad and mom seperated recently.. and he had a visit with the kids.. mom came to pick them up.. no answer at the door.. all fodn dead upstairs.. he killed his kids and himself.

WTF this  is so sick

[Angiex911dsptchr]

SOB should have just offed himself  IMO..  

[Cat]

i will support the boycott forever.It needs to be continued.One Major travel agent refuses bus's to the abc's for Beth and safety issues.Cat

[Dihannah1]

Hi all!  Just flying by too.  Read dkpens article, and thanks for sharing.  One question comes to mind....   hhmm, want to do something about tourism?  Hey! here's an idea!   Solve Natalees case and bring it out in the open!  Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out.  Save yourselves some time and money, and just do one thing!  geesh!

[Dihannah1]

Oh and noticed Rob posting again!  Welcome back Rob!

[robots]

i will support the boycott forever.It needs to be continued.One Major travel agent refuses bus's to the abc's for Beth and safety issues.Cat

me too

sending out messages to all ROBOTS to BOYCOTT

are you sending out messages to all CATS ?

 

[LilPuma]

I copied this over for the families of Niya and Kaitlin and Natalee and so many others.....

Quilt of Holes

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.

Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.

But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been
difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.

I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was
disheartened.

My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.

Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon
me, and nodded for me to rise.

My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held
up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the
judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.

And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.

I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light.

An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes.

Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, "Every time you gave over
your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.

Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you."

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!

When there is nothing left but God that is when you find out that God is all you need.

[Angiex911dsptchr]

Very touching Lil Puma..

[Sleuth]

OK, I thought this before the Super Bowl but he has cemented my opinion by his play.

Rex Grossman is the worse quarterback ever to play in a Super Bowl. This guy should not even be a second or third string QB on most teams.

All the Bears needed was a below adequate QB to compete ... Grossman is a joke. A total and complete joke.

Ok, rant over ...

I rather liked the way Grossman played today....I was cheering for his continued manuevers throughout  

[Sleuth]

I know there are some monkeys who are crazy about Prince - he did a FINE half time show, in the rain. (Purple rain, at that ... )

Personally, I've never understood the facination with him although he did do a good job with the half time show, especially given the rain.  He's just not my type.  

I probably like him most because back in his Purple Rain days if you saw the purple lights against his huge white recording studio you could stop by and see him playing live and impromptu...

[bleachedblack]

I know there are some monkeys who are crazy about Prince - he did a FINE half time show, in the rain. (Purple rain, at that ... )

Personally, I've never understood the facination with him although he did do a good job with the half time show, especially given the rain.  He's just not my type.  

I probably like him most because back in his Purple Rain days if you saw the purple lights against his huge white recording studio you could stop by and see him playing live and impromptu...

I never really liked his music, but I can appreciate the fact that he is an excellent musical artistic talent. IMO

My favorite Price....the video makes me laugh!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b1tqBsoou0

[IndyDan]

OK, I thought this before the Super Bowl but he has cemented my opinion by his play.

Rex Grossman is the worse quarterback ever to play in a Super Bowl. This guy should not even be a second or third string QB on most teams.

All the Bears needed was a below adequate QB to compete ... Grossman is a joke. A total and complete joke.

Ok, rant over ...

I don't have a problem with Grossman      

By the looks of that hat I am sure you don't. The one blessing is at least Manning can get his SB ring so we do not have to hear announcers fawning over him.

There are probably 15 back up QB's in the NFL that could have started for the Bears today and done a better job. If it were not for the Bear defense this game would have been 40-17 easily.

Actually I predicted to my extended Chicago family a score of 34 - 13 but based that on ideal weather conditions.  Never figured it would be a downpour the whole game which favored the Bears.  It was the Bears defense that lost the game.  Don't try to blame it on Grossman, look at the stats.

[San]

I know there are some monkeys who are crazy about Prince - he did a FINE half time show, in the rain. (Purple rain, at that ... )

Personally, I've never understood the facination with him although he did do a good job with the half time show, especially given the rain.  He's just not my type.  

I probably like him most because back in his Purple Rain days if you saw the purple lights against his huge white recording studio you could stop by and see him playing live and impromptu...

My sister said he is a good basketball player and he plays basketball in  LA Gear Stilettos and even dunks the ball .

[IndyDan]

The girls are game, we're heading downtown to join in on the celebration. Already scheduled tomorrow off as a Vday.  The official celebration is tomorrow at 4:30, plan to be there too.