I dont mean to be mean but....

[pigeon toes]

I really feel for Maddy's family, and i hope they catch the ba**ard who took her, but i have to say this. I dont really see the point in cancelling tv storylines because of it...at the end of the day, it is a tragic thing that happened, but that's the thing, it doe's happen, and maybe by putting on on a tv show will highlight that fact. Also, Maddy is not the first person to be kidnapped, yet there is all this media coverage for her (which is great, cos it's all really upsetting that this could happen) but what about all the other people that have gone missing too? and why havn't her parents been questioned for neglect, as they went out and left her, even tho the hotel had a creche faciity. Like i said, i don't mean to be mean, and i wouldnt wish this to happen on anyone, but i feel like the media pick and choose their cases and forget about all the other bad things that are happeign to other people. I hope iv worded this right and not com across as a hearless bi*tch, it's hard to explain what i mean via typing. Does anyone see what im saying?

[marwel7]

I'm glad they have cancelled these storlines as I take great exception to stories that put children in danger.

[cyanide]

Yes,i see what you`re saying and no you don`t come across as heartless but until it happens to us (i hope it doesn`t)how can we say how we`d feel?I don`t know.

[marwel7]

And before anyone says it,yes i know it isn't real,they are only acting and the actors themselves are never in any danger.I don't take soaps seriously at all.I just don't like them using child characters in this way.

[jno]

it sort of feels as if a fictional story is hijacking the emotions we feel about real people. It's uncomfortable to feel sorry for Mandy and then be invited to feel the same for a purely fictional character. So I'm happy enough with these shows being put off for a while. But holding a minute's silence and getting people to wear ribbons - goodness knows what that sort of thing is meant to achieve.

[**Clem**]

I completely agree with everything you said pigeon and you said what you were thinking very well and didn't sound heartless at all.
I've been thinking exactly the same as you, especially the part about the parents being questioned about neglect, and everyone I've spoken to has said the same thing. You're completely right about the media picking and choosing what cases to talk about while completely ignoring others too. It's bad enough imagining what the poor little girl is going through/has gone through but the parents role in it and the media's reaction to it has made it even more unbearable.
I just hope she's okay, along with the thousands of other missing children too. x

[northboy]

but would there be much media if this happened to a working class family on benefits,on holiday??????

[wigglebum]

I've been thinking exactly the same but found it hard to write it down without people thinking I was heartless.

I don't think your heartless at all, I think this sort of thing does need to be highlighted therefore the canceling the storylines does seem pointless. These storylines were also written before poor little Maddy was taken so their not jumping on any bandwagons.

[tatie]

Yes you do sound mean and quite heartless, try thinking of what Madeleine is going through and what her parents are feeling instead of what you who seemingLY has done no wrong are feeling.

[weecalf]

It would have taken time and thought for you to start this thread and I respect that .The only problem I would have with the thread is that you give credence to the this form of television entertainment ,the soaps .The makers of these soaps would run with any storyline to put up the viewing figures .They could possibally have thought of this story line before the terrible events in Portugal but does that then not prove the point I am making.

[galltin]

But the soaps aren't running the storylines , that's pigeon toes point.