Minute's silence too much

[NikkiB]

Sorry, but much as I'd love Maddy to be reunited with her family, and I support all the publicity generated to find her, the minutes silence that took place today for her was TOO MUCH.
What will that minute achieve? It isn't constructive. It won't find her or comfort her. It really does reek of bandwagon jumping now. And as minutes silences are generally reserved for those who've passed away, it's very morbid and negative.

[TheGopher]

I don't know about the law, but I would expect the Portuguese people generally are totally amazed and disgusted at the way the parents acted in leaving their children alone. They, along with other meditteranean peoples include their children in their social life including informal meals out in the evenings. I can't believe how anybody could leave three tiny children alone in a room without the children being able to access a trusted adult at any time.

What has happened is terrible and would never have happened if the parents had behaved responsibly.

[TheGopher]

To answer the question, I agree 100% with you NikkiB.

[hedge]

http://www.unicef.org/publications/files/IPU_c ombattingchildtrafficking_GB(1).pdf

I agree with a number of the post here.

I recommend people to read the above report about child trafficking produced by UNICEF last year, which makes horrific reading.

While i do feel the media have used this whole case for there own benefits, by not producing reports that are not emotionally charged, they are also guilty of not highlighting the abhorrent way we as adults treat children on a global scale. Each society abuses children whether its is for the labour or sex trade etc etc.
What those that have lent their name and support should consider is that rather than doing so for one tragic incident they maybe should also do so for the thousands of children who are abducted and trafficked each year.

Maybe if we as a society did that, a minutes silence would be an apt way for us to express our disgust at these acts on behalf of the thousands, inclusive of Madeline and use that to lobby our goverments to take firm and decisive action against these practices.
Hedge

[Pippa68]

We still don't know that she was abducted!

I agree with all who think the minutes silence was over the top. This case is getting more curious as the days go by..

[teddybon]

way too much, I am beginning to wonder about the parents reactions.....not distraught, not frantic.....maybe enjoying the attention?

[Pippa68]

teddy I think you have probably said what a LOT of people are thinking..

[kwicky]

I hope we are not all barking up the wrong tree. Some innocent people may have been victimised unfaIrly. It was reported that the patio doors were unlocked. What if Maddy had awoken and left the flat looking for her parents? It was also reported that roadworks were nearby and she could have fallen into one of the trenches.

[teddybon]

She and her siblings should not have been left alone.

[bensmum]

I have to agree that the minute's silence is taking it a bit far. I do so hope that the little girl is okay but I fear that as time goes by and the case is kept at a very high profile it makes it more difficult for an abductor to return her. I also read today that there was no sign of a forced entry so there are some disturbing aspects coming out. as kwicky says she could have wandered off and been picked up by someone rather than taken from her room.

[DarthPhilius]

Teddybon, were all the kids left alone? If they were, surely if someone abducted her they would take them all or the kids would talk about what happened?
Just wondering.

[Pippa68]

That has been spoken about quite a bit..the fact that the 2 year old twins were still in the apartment.

When the news broke it was my first thought...if I had ever left my 4 year old alone in a strange place they probably would have woken up and wandered off looking for me.

[tigerlily11]

Death its might have been tricky taking 3 of them at the same tim.
But I am glad I'm not the only one thinking its all a bit suspect where the parents are concerned.
I hope she is found but the media as usual are going ott.
And now its been over two weeks Maddie is going the way of most media stroies. They are getting bored with it.

[TheGopher]

teddybon, I too think you have dared to voice what a lot of us feel.

I also think that a lot of people are rather 'enjoying' this public outpouring of grief; a terrible tragedy we all agree, but everything has gone 'over the top' with the publicity, public gatherings, ribbons, money raising, etc, etc - much like the whole 'Diana' situation.

[libertie]

Must admit these public displays of grief have always made me feel a little uncomfortable! I can quite understand why those that know Madeleine and her family would want to show their support by wearing yellow ribbons and the like! As for the rest of us, I'm sure it goes without saying that any decent person fervently hopes that she is soon reunited with her family!

[jim_lauchlan]

I don't recall a minutes silence for Ben Needham, Victoria Climbie, Damilola Taylor or Stephen Lawrence or Kris Donald. Not pretty enough and middle class enough maybe?

[TheGopher]

Jim, yours is a very valid point. Personally, I would rather give money to an organisation that deals with child abuse, missing children, etc. generally than to give money to this one fund, much of which is going towards financing the parents stay in Portugal.

Let's hope that now media interest is fading, that the Portugese police can now go quietly about their duties trying to solve this without being hampered by the press and having to answer to all the criticisms that have been levelled against them by those that don't know the facts.

[teddybon]

I did think twice before airing my views as I know some people are just thinking 'How awful'
BUT there's something about all this that just doesn't sit right for me. I am as keen to see the little girl's safe return as anybody- it's all this broohaha that makes one wonder.

[Kathyan]

I agree Teddy. Too much appearing on TV and they don't appear to be distraught to me. My daughter has said there is something not right about this whole affair from day one. Makes you wonder eh?

[NikkiB]

TheGopher - picking up on what you said, it's situations like this, and also when the nanny called Louise was on trial in the USA, plus the anti-paedophile marches in Portsmouth - it seems to mobilise the local community into a kind of "Blitz spirit". That's no bad thing but it's rather sad that only when tragedy occurs does this pulling together happen.