Gerry McCann says that thousands did or would have done the same as them.

[slartibartfast]

There may indeed have been "hundreds of thousands of comments" of condemnation but that these may have been made by the "general public" is stretching credulity a bit.

For example, I imagine you must have contributed quite a cache over the years to the 'hundreds and thousands' and may even have churned out a few hundred thousands of your own.

It is all very negative, don't you think?
Much better to think positively and whatever you may think of Madeleine's parents ... please be aware the majority of the 'general public' probably never give it a single thought ... beyond wishing Madeleine well.

The topic of the thread is "Gerry McCann claimed that they received many letters of support" Which they did; and these are the only ones which matter in the real world

So letters of support matter but ones of criticism don't?

[Brietta]

So letters of support matter but ones of criticism don't?

What credence should one give to cowardly, anonymous 'poison pen' ravings on the internet?  Quote - Hundreds of thousands of comments from the general public condemning the McCanns ... - End quote

Not worth the hot air they are written on.

Whereas signed letters and emails can be a huge comfort and support to grieving parents, as were the ones the McCanns thanked people for sending to them in their hour of need ... Quote - One letter, signed from a housewife in England, said: "Please hold on to the belief that the vast majority of people who have been following the news from Portugal send you their love, support and prayers.
"Your strength and commitment are an inspiration. I so hope that Madeleine will be with you safe and well, as soon as possible." - End quote 
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1560596/McCanns-lifted-by-sackfuls-of-support.html   

[Brietta]

The comfort of strangers: Gerry and Kate McCann with letters of support

Yesterday, Kate and Gerry McCann thanked the thousands of people who have written messages of support to them.

Last weekend alone, the couple received 7,000 e-mails of support and countless letters of support.

A retired Portuguese teacher told them: "We are in solidarity with you and believe in Madeleine's return. I hope she returns alive as soon as possible."

And a British housewife urged them to "hold on to the believe that the vast majority of people who have been following the news from Portugal send you their love, support and prayers. Your strength and commitment are an inspiration. I so hope that Madeleine will be with you safe and well, as soon as possible."

Perhaps the most poignant was a message of love from a child called Lucy, who drew a picture and wished Madeleine would "come home soon".
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/madeleine-police-too-busy-to-tell-parents-they-think-shes-dead-7262867.html

[ferryman]

So letters of support matter but ones of criticism don't?

Quite.

[mercury]

What credence should one give to cowardly, anonymous 'poison pen' ravings on the internet?  Quote - Hundreds of thousands of comments from the general public condemning the McCanns ... - End quote

Not worth the hot air they are written on.

Whereas signed letters and emails can be a huge comfort and support to grieving parents, as were the ones the McCanns thanked people for sending to them in their hour of need ... Quote - One letter, signed from a housewife in England, said: "Please hold on to the belief that the vast majority of people who have been following the news from Portugal send you their love, support and prayers.
"Your strength and commitment are an inspiration. I so hope that Madeleine will be with you safe and well, as soon as possible." - End quote 
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1560596/McCanns-lifted-by-sackfuls-of-support.html   

Steady on brietta
Not all questions or criticisms if the parents their actions heaviour and statements have been poisined pen letters

[Eleanor]

This is really not the same thing.  And silly to even suggest it is.

[Brietta]

Steady on brietta
Not all questions or criticisms if the parents their actions heaviour and statements have been poisined pen letters

Any suggestions what they are then?

[John]

The comfort of strangers: Gerry and Kate McCann with letters of support

Yesterday, Kate and Gerry McCann thanked the thousands of people who have written messages of support to them.

Last weekend alone, the couple received 7,000 e-mails of support and countless letters of support.

A retired Portuguese teacher told them: "We are in solidarity with you and believe in Madeleine's return. I hope she returns alive as soon as possible."

And a British housewife urged them to "hold on to the believe that the vast majority of people who have been following the news from Portugal send you their love, support and prayers. Your strength and commitment are an inspiration. I so hope that Madeleine will be with you safe and well, as soon as possible."

Perhaps the most poignant was a message of love from a child called Lucy, who drew a picture and wished Madeleine would "come home soon".
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/madeleine-police-too-busy-to-tell-parents-they-think-shes-dead-7262867.html

A lot has happened since that article appeared on 15 August 2007.  It would be interesting to know whether those same letter writers feel the same now.  Anyone hazard a guess based on more recent developments?

[Benice]

Have you forgotten what Gerry McCann said ?

In what respect by the way is it normal behaviour to leave very young children by themselves and totally unprotected ?

What is it you don't understand about my previous comment:

Quote
If the McCanns had left their children asleep and gone out clubbing for the night without checking on them - only returning at breakfast time   - I along with everyone else would have wanted them to be arrested and would have had no sympathy for them.
Unquote

[G-Unit]

A lot has happened since that article appeared on 15 August 2007.  It would be interesting to know whether those same letter writers feel the same now.  Anyone hazard a guess based on more recent developments?

The date of the story could be significant too. On 31st July 5A was searched, followed by their villa on 2nd August and their hire car on 6th.  On 8th August they had an uncomfortable interview with Neves and Encarnacao. They knew very well that the PJ were looking at them, so this could easily have been one of Mitchell's 'positive' stories.

[Brietta]

A lot has happened since that article appeared on 15 August 2007.  It would be interesting to know whether those same letter writers feel the same now.  Anyone hazard a guess based on more recent developments?

I think the support for Madeleine's parents in their campaign on her behalf is ongoing.
Particularly as I cannot conceive of anyone (with the exception of those directly involved in taking Madeleine) who wouldn't wish that her case is eventually brought to a satisfactory conclusion.
So although I have little doubt they won't be inundated with the volume of cards and letters on the daily basis they were in the immediate aftermath of Madeleine's disappearance ... people still continue to keep them and Madeleine in their thoughts.

Quote
Christmas 2015
Thank you for all the support given to the charity (Missing People) this year.

Thank you also for all the lovely Christmas cards we’ve received. It gives us a lot of pleasure and comfort to sit down together and share your kind messages, with the reassurance that Madeleine has not been forgotten.
End quote
http://findmadeleine.com/updates/index.html

Quote
The McCanns spoke of their gratitude at the help they are getting from Scotland Yard's ongoing review of the case.

And they repeated their hope that Portuguese police will now reopen the case.

Mr McCann said: "In previous years we have felt like we have been on our own to a large extent and now we have got (a) tremendous resource, doing a great job.

"We feel so much better supported and you know that those things that we have been talking about for the last three-and-a-half years about looking at every single piece of information, that's going on.

"We are happy to be led by the police and let the Metropolitan Police do the negotiations with the Portuguese authorities.

"But it does feel now finally someone in the authorities, British authorities, are actually trying to find Madeleine, who is completely innocent of course."

Mrs McCann also thanked the public for the support they had received for their campaign.

"I don't believe we would have got the review without their support," she said.

"People have petitioned and petitioned and petitioned and you know, wrote letters, and here we are.

"And we just hope, obviously, that the case will get reopened in due course because we certainly believe that is our best shot at finding Madeleine."
End quote
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/latest-news/madeleine-mccann-website-uses-maddy-823535

[jassi]

I think the support for Madeleine's parents in their campaign on her behalf is ongoing.
Particularly as I cannot conceive of anyone (with the exception of those directly involved in taking Madeleine) who wouldn't wish that her case is eventually brought to a satisfactory conclusion.
So although I have little doubt they won't be inundated with the volume of cards and letters on the daily basis they were in the immediate aftermath of Madeleine's disappearance ... people still continue to keep them and Madeleine in their thoughts.

Quote
Christmas 2015
Thank you for all the support given to the charity (Missing People) this year.

Thank you also for all the lovely Christmas cards we’ve received. It gives us a lot of pleasure and comfort to sit down together and share your kind messages, with the reassurance that Madeleine has not been forgotten.
End quote
http://findmadeleine.com/updates/index.html

Quote
The McCanns spoke of their gratitude at the help they are getting from Scotland Yard's ongoing review of the case.

And they repeated their hope that Portuguese police will now reopen the case.

Mr McCann said: "In previous years we have felt like we have been on our own to a large extent and now we have got (a) tremendous resource, doing a great job.

"We feel so much better supported and you know that those things that we have been talking about for the last three-and-a-half years about looking at every single piece of information, that's going on.

"We are happy to be led by the police and let the Metropolitan Police do the negotiations with the Portuguese authorities.

"But it does feel now finally someone in the authorities, British authorities, are actually trying to find Madeleine, who is completely innocent of course."

Mrs McCann also thanked the public for the support they had received for their campaign.

"I don't believe we would have got the review without their support," she said.

"People have petitioned and petitioned and petitioned and you know, wrote letters, and here we are.

"And we just hope, obviously, that the case will get reopened in due course because we certainly believe that is our best shot at finding Madeleine."
End quote
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/latest-news/madeleine-mccann-website-uses-maddy-823535

What would you consider to be a satisfactory conclusion?

[John]

There is a big difference between offering support as against supporting their child minding practises.  I would say many people have done so and continue to leave young children unattended while on holiday but that doesn't make it acceptable or sound behaviour.

My own view, which some might find old fashioned, is that if you bring children into this world you have a legal and moral obligation to protect them from harm regardless of the circumstances you find yourself in.  Far too often we hear about parents who put their own needs and desires before that of their children.

PS. I have altered the thread title slightly as it was misleading.

[Alice Purjorick]

I think the support for Madeleine's parents in their campaign on her behalf is ongoing.
Particularly as I cannot conceive of anyone (with the exception of those directly involved in taking Madeleine) who wouldn't wish that her case is eventually brought to a satisfactory conclusion.
So although I have little doubt they won't be inundated with the volume of cards and letters on the daily basis they were in the immediate aftermath of Madeleine's disappearance ... people still continue to keep them and Madeleine in their thoughts.

Quote
Christmas 2015
Thank you for all the support given to the charity (Missing People) this year.

Thank you also for all the lovely Christmas cards we’ve received. It gives us a lot of pleasure and comfort to sit down together and share your kind messages, with the reassurance that Madeleine has not been forgotten.
End quote
http://findmadeleine.com/updates/index.html

Quote
The McCanns spoke of their gratitude at the help they are getting from Scotland Yard's ongoing review of the case.

And they repeated their hope that Portuguese police will now reopen the case.

Mr McCann said: "In previous years we have felt like we have been on our own to a large extent and now we have got (a) tremendous resource, doing a great job.

"We feel so much better supported and you know that those things that we have been talking about for the last three-and-a-half years about looking at every single piece of information, that's going on.

"We are happy to be led by the police and let the Metropolitan Police do the negotiations with the Portuguese authorities.

"But it does feel now finally someone in the authorities, British authorities, are actually trying to find Madeleine, who is completely innocent of course."

Mrs McCann also thanked the public for the support they had received for their campaign.

"I don't believe we would have got the review without their support," she said.

"People have petitioned and petitioned and petitioned and you know, wrote letters, and here we are.

"And we just hope, obviously, that the case will get reopened in due course because we certainly believe that is our best shot at finding Madeleine."
End quote
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/latest-news/madeleine-mccann-website-uses-maddy-823535

http://www.spinwatch.org/index.php/blog/item/44-rebekah-brooks-at-leveson-inquiry-an-insight-into-how-the-sun-exploited-the-political-endorsement-of-the-murdoch-press

[Brietta]

There is a big difference between offering support as against supporting their child minding practises.  I would say many people have done so and continue to leave young children unattended while on holiday but that doesn't make it acceptable or sound behaviour.

My own view, which some might find old fashioned, is that if you bring children into this world you have a legal and moral obligation to protect them from harm regardless of the circumstances you find yourself in.  Far too often we hear about parents who put their own needs and desires before that of their children.

PS. I have altered the thread title slightly as it was misleading.

Sorry John ... I think this thread title is even more so ... all that was amiss with the last one was that it didn't match the OP.