Should the McCanns go back to Portugal to look for Madeleine?

[Benice]

And exactly how do the McCanns conduct a house to house search?  Do they have authority to enter any premises or outbuildings and search?  What would happen if the person said, 'NO'?  Would they still have a legal right to enter that premises?

Are the McCanns, their friends and family expected to pick up spades and start digging up the countryside of Portugal?  Are you saying this is what they should be doing, even if it means breaking the law?  Do you not agree, that if the McCanns entered any property without permission they could be arrested for trespass?

Please tell me how they can conduct a search with so many legal restraints against them!!!!!

Who mentioned house to house anything??   You haven't read my posts have you?

I made the point and I will make it again for you as a newbie that the McCanns should be spending a considerable lot more time out in Portugal than they currently do.  If they are as committed to the search for Madeleine as they profess to be why are they not doing something about it where it counts?

I have suggested that they tour the country and neighbouring Spain making contact with any sizeable communities as they go attracting local media interest and getting the photo of Madeleine and the information including an award out there.  Is this so difficult to comprehend??

The comments by pros claiming that the Portuguese would be less than helpful or even threatening towards then is garbage.  They are no longer official suspects, they are free to do whatever they want.  Inevitably they would attract a media circus wherever they went but all the better...milk it...get the message out there!!!

They will not find Madeleine in Rothley or even England, the Met will not find Madeleine either because they are effectively impotent as far as any investigative work in portugal is concerned and the Portuguese Police aren't even looking or bothered.   After 6 years of zero progress in the case you would think that someone with their intelligence would have worked that out by now.

IMO The reason they haven't done what you suggest Angelo - is because they ARE intelligent. 

[Matthew Wyse]

And exactly how do the McCanns conduct a house to house search?  Do they have authority to enter any premises or outbuildings and search?  What would happen if the person said, 'NO'?  Would they still have a legal right to enter that premises?

Are the McCanns, their friends and family expected to pick up spades and start digging up the countryside of Portugal?  Are you saying this is what they should be doing, even if it means breaking the law?  Do you not agree, that if the McCanns entered any property without permission they could be arrested for trespass?

Please tell me how they can conduct a search with so many legal restraints against them!!!!!

Who mentioned house to house anything??   You haven't read my posts have you?

I made the point and I will make it again for you as a newbie that the McCanns should be spending a considerable lot more time out in Portugal than they currently do.  If they are as committed to the search for Madeleine as they profess to be why are they not doing something about it where it counts?

I have suggested that they tour the country and neighbouring Spain making contact with any sizeable communities as they go attracting local media interest and getting the photo of Madeleine and the information including an award out there.  Is this so difficult to comprehend??

The comments by pros claiming that the Portuguese would be less than helpful or even threatening towards then is garbage.  They are no longer official suspects, they are free to do whatever they want.  Inevitably they would attract a media circus wherever they went but all the better...milk it...get the message out there!!!

They will not find Madeleine in Rothley or even England, the Met will not find Madeleine either because they are effectively impotent as far as any investigative work in portugal is concerned and the Portuguese Police aren't even looking or bothered.   After 6 years of zero progress in the case you would think that someone with their intelligence would have worked that out by now.

I don't usually comment on the maddie case but this is a good point.    My own thoughts on this lie somewhere along the same lines of those espoused by angelo.     Maddie was abducted in Portugal and it is to Portugal that the search must be centered.    Six years have been wasted and as far as I can see the McCanns have spent a mere days in the country since coming back.



For me it is a yes vote and time they backed some bags and got back to basics.


PS   I have found McCann supporters on this forum to be aggressive and patronizing in a way in which I have never experienced in the Bamber case which I follow occasionally.    Their attitude to constructive criticism does their cause no justice. 

PPS  Benice.    Your comment just serves to prove me right.   Get over yourself.

[sadie]

Benice makes a very valid point Matthew

It is becuase they ARE intelligent that they take the only sensible option.

[gilet]

You've lost the plot Angelo. Seriously.

Not at all, I am not an apologist for the McCanns like you appear to be.  I mentioned yesterday that the Needhams and the Fitzpatricks are to be applauded for their tireless search for their child which in the end proved fruitless.  At least they got out there and did something.  What have the McCanns done???

Remind me what did Amy's stepfather do? You know the stepfather who was at least partly responsible for the child, Amy, whilst she was in Spain?

Ah yes, its coming to me now. He stabbed the brother of Amy and killed him and dropped the knife down a drain before leaving him to die, just before that brother was allegedly going to tell the police something interesting about the death of his sister.

If that is what you call doing something, I am afraid I prefer the McCann actions.

[Angelo222]

Not at all, I am not an apologist for the McCanns like you appear to be.  I mentioned yesterday that the Needhams and the Fitzpatricks are to be applauded for their tireless search for their child which in the end proved fruitless.  At least they got out there and did something.  What have the McCanns done???

Remind me what did Amy's stepfather do? You know the stepfather who was at least partly responsible for the child, Amy, whilst she was in Spain?

Ah yes, its coming to me now. He stabbed the brother of Amy and killed him and dropped the knife down a drain before leaving him to die, just before that brother was allegedly going to tell the police something interesting about the death of his sister.

If that is what you call doing something, I am afraid I prefer the McCann actions.

I did post Fitzpatrick as in Amy's surname.  Did you get that??  The stepfather is called David Mahon!!   

[John]

IMO The reason they haven't done what you suggest Angelo - is because they ARE intelligent.

Intelligent but badly represented appears to be the consensus of opinion.  My own view is that they are scared to return to Portugal together in order to conduct the campaign which Angelo suggests in case they are picked up again by the PJ.

[DCI]

IMO The reason they haven't done what you suggest Angelo - is because they ARE intelligent.

Intelligent but badly represented appears to be the consensus of opinion.  My own view is that they are scared to return to Portugal together in order to conduct the campaign which Angelo suggests in case they are picked up again by the PJ.

Yes and so would I be. Have you seen what can happen on stairs, in Portugal?  8-)(--)

[Benice]

IMO The reason they haven't done what you suggest Angelo - is because they ARE intelligent.

Intelligent but badly represented appears to be the consensus of opinion.  My own view is that they are scared to return to Portugal together in order to conduct the campaign which Angelo suggests in case they are picked up again by the PJ.

You're entitled to your opinion John.    But  IMO the reason they don't campaign in Portugal  is because it would not only be the least productive way to deploy their limited resources,  it would also be the most wasteful -  and of course the worst possible scenario for their young children.   

[TTSOFAFM]

IMO The reason they haven't done what you suggest Angelo - is because they ARE intelligent.

Intelligent but badly represented appears to be the consensus of opinion.  My own view is that they are scared to return to Portugal together in order to conduct the campaign which Angelo suggests in case they are picked up again by the PJ.

You're entitled to your opinion John.    But  IMO the reason they don't campaign in Portugal  is because it would not only be the least productive way to deploy their limited resources,  it would also be the most wasteful -  and of course the worst possible scenario for their young children.   

You forget Benice, when they do go on this mammoth campaign of talking to every person in Portugal and Spain, with limited resources and their remaining children left with family members, some people can use then use the argument that they have abandoned and neglected the twins, as another stick to beat this family with.

The McCanns are using a campaign that is effective.  They are asking for the publics help when travelling abroad for distribution of posters etc. and they are using what funds are available for private investigators to follow up leads (which we know at the moment has been put on hold pending Scotland Yard review).

[Benice]

IMO The reason they haven't done what you suggest Angelo - is because they ARE intelligent.

Intelligent but badly represented appears to be the consensus of opinion.  My own view is that they are scared to return to Portugal together in order to conduct the campaign which Angelo suggests in case they are picked up again by the PJ.

You're entitled to your opinion John.    But  IMO the reason they don't campaign in Portugal  is because it would not only be the least productive way to deploy their limited resources,  it would also be the most wasteful -  and of course the worst possible scenario for their young children.   

You forget Benice, when they do go on this mammoth campaign of talking to every person in Portugal and Spain, with limited resources and their remaining children left with family members, some people can use then use the argument that they have abandoned and neglected the twins, as another stick to beat this family with.

The McCanns are using a campaign that is effective.  They are asking for the publics help when travelling abroad for distribution of posters etc. and they are using what funds are available for private investigators to follow up leads (which we know at the moment has been put on hold pending Scotland Yard review).

I agree.   They've chosen the most sensible and productive route to go IMO.     How can they go round Portugal chatting to the Portuguese when they don't even speak the language?   They would have to employ a full time interpretor, and can you imagine how long it would take to 'chat'  - with everything having to be translated back and forth all the time.     The whole concept is completely impractical from every angle and so a non starter IMHO.   

[John]

IMO The reason they haven't done what you suggest Angelo - is because they ARE intelligent.

Intelligent but badly represented appears to be the consensus of opinion.  My own view is that they are scared to return to Portugal together in order to conduct the campaign which Angelo suggests in case they are picked up again by the PJ.

You're entitled to your opinion John.    But  IMO the reason they don't campaign in Portugal  is because it would not only be the least productive way to deploy their limited resources,  it would also be the most wasteful -  and of course the worst possible scenario for their young children.   

You forget Benice, when they do go on this mammoth campaign of talking to every person in Portugal and Spain, with limited resources and their remaining children left with family members, some people can use then use the argument that they have abandoned and neglected the twins, as another stick to beat this family with.

The McCanns are using a campaign that is effective.  They are asking for the publics help when travelling abroad for distribution of posters etc. and they are using what funds are available for private investigators to follow up leads (which we know at the moment has been put on hold pending Scotland Yard review).

Just as you are entitled to your opinion Benice.  There is no reason why they can't run a new campaign on the Iberian peninsula, they have the funds to do it quite easily.  Communicating in Portugal never phased them 6 years ago and won't do so today.  Most journalists in Portugal are bilingual in any event.

TTSOFAFM.  The use of the word "effective" is a slight exaggeration by any stretch of the imagination.  What have they achieved? 

Angelo posted a very true point earlier when he pointed out that with all the £millions spent they are no closer to solving the case than they were 6 years ago.  In fact they are going over old ground because they have no new leads.  Those are the indisputable facts I'm afraid.

[sadie]

IMO The reason they haven't done what you suggest Angelo - is because they ARE intelligent.

Intelligent but badly represented appears to be the consensus of opinion.  My own view is that they are scared to return to Portugal together in order to conduct the campaign which Angelo suggests in case they are picked up again by the PJ.

You're entitled to your opinion John.    But  IMO the reason they don't campaign in Portugal  is because it would not only be the least productive way to deploy their limited resources,  it would also be the most wasteful -  and of course the worst possible scenario for their young children.   

You forget Benice, when they do go on this mammoth campaign of talking to every person in Portugal and Spain, with limited resources and their remaining children left with family members, some people can use then use the argument that they have abandoned and neglected the twins, as another stick to beat this family with.

The McCanns are using a campaign that is effective.  They are asking for the publics help when travelling abroad for distribution of posters etc. and they are using what funds are available for private investigators to follow up leads (which we know at the moment has been put on hold pending Scotland Yard review).

Just as you are entitled to your opinion Benice.  There is no reason why they can't run a new campaign on the Iberian peninsula, they have the funds to do it quite easily.  Communicating in Portugal never phased them 6 years ago and won't do so today.  Most journalists in Portugal are bilingual in any event.

TTSOFAFM.  The use of the word "effective" is a slight exaggeration by any stretch of the imagination.  What have they achieved? 

Angelo posted a very true point earlier when he pointed out that with all the £millions spent they are no closer to solving the case than they were 6 years ago.  In fact they are going over old ground because they have no new leads.  Those are the indisputable facts I'm afraid.

They are disputable John. 

There are new leads.

I know that

[icabodcrane]

IMO The reason they haven't done what you suggest Angelo - is because they ARE intelligent.

Intelligent but badly represented appears to be the consensus of opinion.  My own view is that they are scared to return to Portugal together in order to conduct the campaign which Angelo suggests in case they are picked up again by the PJ.

You're entitled to your opinion John.    But  IMO the reason they don't campaign in Portugal  is because it would not only be the least productive way to deploy their limited resources,  it would also be the most wasteful -  and of course the worst possible scenario for their young children.   

You forget Benice, when they do go on this mammoth campaign of talking to every person in Portugal and Spain, with limited resources and their remaining children left with family members, some people can use then use the argument that they have abandoned and neglected the twins, as another stick to beat this family with.

The McCanns are using a campaign that is effective.  They are asking for the publics help when travelling abroad for distribution of posters etc. and they are using what funds are available for private investigators to follow up leads (which we know at the moment has been put on hold pending Scotland Yard review).

Just as you are entitled to your opinion Benice.  There is no reason why they can't run a new campaign on the Iberian peninsula, they have the funds to do it quite easily.  Communicating in Portugal never phased them 6 years ago and won't do so today.  Most journalists in Portugal are bilingual in any event.

TTSOFAFM.  The use of the word "effective" is a slight exaggeration by any stretch of the imagination.  What have they achieved? 

Angelo posted a very true point earlier when he pointed out that with all the £millions spent they are no closer to solving the case than they were 6 years ago.  In fact they are going over old ground because they have no new leads.  Those are the indisputable facts I'm afraid.

You are quite right John,   the fact that no more is known about what happened to Madeleine than was known six years ago  is evidence that the campaign has  not  been effective

Why the McCanns don't acknowledge that fact, and change tactics accordingly, is beyond understanding

[AnneGuedes]

Her full answer in fact was ''Yes if that's what the investigation thinks''   She was being ironic, and who could bame her when the people who WERE harming the investigation by trying to frame her instead of looking for Madeleine were the very same people accusing HER of harming the investigation.   The supreme irony of that whole situation would hardly have escaped her - wouldn't you agree?

Whatever the situation Mrs McCann reveals a remarkable and unfailing sense of derision :
It was not until about 11.10pm that two policemen arrived from the nearest town, Lagos, about five miles away. To me they seemed bewildered and out of their depth, and I couldn’t shake the images of Tweedledum and Tweedledee out of my head.

[John]

Before I get accused of being an anti lets be clear about this.  As a parent of three great sons I have every sympathy with the McCanns and what they have suffered since losing Maddie in 2007. They were forced into making rash decisions at the time of the abduction and were misled by many people into maybe not making the right decisions at the time.  That said though, they have had years to get their act together, Kate looking after the family home while Gerry goes out to work.  All very well I hear you say but what about Maddie?

Someone posted the aims of the Madeleine fund earlier and something struck me about it.  One of the aims was to see Madeleine return home to her family. Return home?  Should that not be go out and find her?  It all sounds terribly passive to me, sit back and let someone else search for her?  And pleeeeeeaaasssseee don't respond with the same old tripe that they don't speak Portuguese or might get mugged or must look after the twins now or some other silly excuse.  I must say though I do agree with Angelo when he says if it was his kid he would be out there looking and digging and searching until the end.