I can't believe I'm reading this!

[mary80]

Are they ever going to stop digging that hole any bigger?

The McCanns now say how they considered taking their three children with them to another restaurant called the Millennium further away, but rejected the idea only because they did not have a buggy, they said.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7374225.stm

They considered. How big of them to actually pause before they went and left them there all alone.

[mary80]

You say they've been punished enough with having to wake up every morning knowing what they did but it isn't justice! What about the people who kill through mental illness, not knowing what they did but they have to serve time in prison for their crime. A poor comparison I know, I strongly feel they should be prosecuted. I feel for them I really do,it must be horrible for them but more so because they were caught neglecting their kids and look what happened!

[Quinlad]

And then you'll be happy?

Maybe they should keep a lower profile and out of our newspapers. It must be annoying for Middle England to have to harrumph into its cornflakes every morning.

[B00]

What would you like to happen to them Mary?

Prison possibly? Yes that'll certainly help the twins who are more than likely traumatised as it is.

[Quinlad]

It's classic British mentality. A story can't be out to bed unless heads have rolled.

[mary80]

No, not prison but something. So what if they find her what will happen then, do they just go about their lives and nothing more be said about it? Or will you be shouting for them to be prosecuted then? Tell me this Boo would you have left your kids alone?

[B00]

Will I be shouting for them to prosecuted again? Errr no, I'm not shouting for it to happen in the first place....you've totally lost me on that one I'm afraid.

Would I leave my children alone? No, I certainly wouldn't, but this isn't about me is it?

You Mary, along with everyone else seem blinkered to what I'm actually saying. I've never said leaving the children was right, it wasn't, it was dreadfully wrong.

You seem to think that because I refuse to bay for their blood that I'm cononing their actions- I dont.

[B00]

*condoning

[mary80]

mean the general public would want some sort of prosecution if Maddie was found. I doubt very much she would be handed straight back to her parents.
I wonder if they said "they'd never leave their kids"? No one knows what they would do until in the situation. I can't say I wouldn't leave my son alone while I go for a meal, I don't think I would but hey on holiday things might be different. I don't like the whole sorry situation. I just wish they would stay out the public eye as all it does is anger me and make me go off on rants like this!

[cado]

Boo don't worry with theses igits. everyone is entitled to their opinion and SO are you.

[mary80]

cado: I very much respect Boo and everyones elses opinions. Everyone has their view on this case and I have mine. I'll keep my thoughts to myself from now on so not to offend anyone else.

[B00]

mary- sorry.

Of course you should have your opinion on this matter and you have every right to express it on here or anywhere as do we all (thank you cado xx)

I just disagree with you, that's all- no biggie :-)

[cado]

don't take it personal Mary. soon this thread wil be forgotten. it's good to sare opinions and debate.

[tigerlily11]

Well said BOO.
Although now and again it can turn abit nasty. But BOO's not like that. :-)

[B00]

aye...what Cado says ^^^

Also, I just got annoyed when I felt I had to justify why I had sympathy for them and it was somehow a reflection on my own parenting skills.

[daffy654]

mary80 you are presuming to speak for everyone when you say the 'general public' would want them prosecuted,I for one would not and reading through this thread there are many others who wouldn't as well. Please don't assume you are in the majority with your 'hang em high' attitude.

[mary80]

And I you Boo ; ) I think I will leave it there though. It's been discussed to the death and it's not making a blind bit of difference to the McCann family. Thanks for the answers.

[anotheoldgit]

I wonder how many will be spending 2 hours( ITV 20.00 to 22.00) of their lives,goggling that box n the corner tonight?

I will not, in fact I am bored to my back teeth, with the MaCanns. Tragic? yes but how long will it go on for?

Obviously the MaCanns won.t be able to, but for the rest of us, time to draw a line underneath it now.

[persianlady]

mary80.......... you are one hard hearted individual. I am with Boo,Quinland and jno on this.
What is sad is that no-one has mentioned the second reason for the programme tonight, apart from getting Madeleines face out there again was to push for this "Amber Alert" system to be adopted by every country in Europe. It is shocking to learn that only four countries have signed up for it. It is a system that obviously works. It has been successful in France in 5 out of 5 cases. It was what eventually lead to Elizabeth Smart being found in America. People are resentful for some reason about Madeleine receiving more than her fair share of publicity. who decides what is fair? I admire the McCanns for trying to prevent someone else from losing their child.Why dont people vent their anger at their MEPs. Why the hell are they not pushing this thing throughout Europe? Surely something like this is more important than issuing edicts on bent bananas, etc?

[08012006]

This whole never-ending farce is making that insipid pair even more loathsome

[LoftyLottie]

I came into this debate late. However, I have to admit to feeling exactly the same as Mary80. And I totally agree with NewJudge about the McCanns media activity.

They neglected their children and as such should be prosecuted regardless of whether they have suffered or not. In both Portugal and the UK if young children are left unattended and something happens to them then the parents are responsible and can be prosecuted. Why have laws if we let people off because they have 'suffered' as a result of their actions?

I do not believe they should receive punishment but I do believe they should be charged with neglect. It is then up to a Judge to decide whether they have 'suffered enough' and give them a suspended sentence.