Is there now grudging but growing acceptance that the McCanns didn't do it?

[Alfie]

I've noticed a willingness on the part of "sceptics" to explore other scenarios such as kidnap by the Mafia, Gerry being spotted in Lagos on the phone saying "please don't hurt her", woke and wandered etc, all scenarios which mean that cherished tropes such as "death in the apartment", "cadaver dog alerts" and Smithman being "you know who" have to be discarded (or put on the backburner anyway). 

Is it finally dawning on the doubters?

136

[Angelo222]

I've noticed a willingness on the part of "sceptics" to explore other scenarios such as kidnap by the Mafia, Gerry being spotted in Lagos on the phone saying "please don't hurt her", woke and wandered etc, all scenarios which mean that cherished tropes such as "death in the apartment", "cadaver dog alerts" and Smithman being "you know who" have to be discarded (or put on the backburner anyway). 

Is it finally dawning on the doubters?

I don't know why you should think that Alfie, all theories are still open last time I looked.  And as for post disappearance events, that is another story and could very well come to the fore after the Supreme Court has made its decision.

[Alfie]

I don't know why you should think that Alfie, all theories are still open last time I looked.  And as for post disappearance events, that is another story and could very well come to the fore after the Supreme Court has made its decision.

Not sure I understand what you mean by your last sentence, sorry. 

[G-Unit]

I've noticed a willingness on the part of "sceptics" to explore other scenarios such as kidnap by the Mafia, Gerry being spotted in Lagos on the phone saying "please don't hurt her", woke and wandered etc, all scenarios which mean that cherished tropes such as "death in the apartment", "cadaver dog alerts" and Smithman being "you know who" have to be discarded (or put on the backburner anyway). 

Is it finally dawning on the doubters?

All options are open and worthy of discussion Alfie; except for those who have nailed their colours to the mast of abduction, of course. Those poor souls have all their eggs in one basket which they have to defend at all costs.

[Alfie]

All options are open and worthy of discussion Alfie; except for those who have nailed their colours to the mast of abduction, of course. Those poor souls have all their eggs in one basket which they have to defend at all costs.

"Poor souls" sounds a bit patronizing to me, if you don't mind me saying. The thing is, we've had years of debate with doubters strenuously defending the veracity of the dog alerts and the notion that Gerry had time to be in two places at once so for them (the doubters) to consider any other option apart from parental involvement in body occultation leads me to wonder just how convinced they are by their own arguments. 

[jassi]

None of this debate means anything or leads anywhere, so us doubters just like to humour the believers  now and again. 

[Alfie]

None of this debate means anything or leads anywhere, so us doubters just like to humour the believers  now and again. 

Ah, I see.  OK, fair enough.  I didn't realize you spoke for all doubters but it's good to know that you are their representative. 

[Angelo222]

"Poor souls" sounds a bit patronizing to me, if you don't mind me saying. The thing is, we've had years of debate with doubters strenuously defending the veracity of the dog alerts and the notion that Gerry had time to be in two places at once so for them (the doubters) to consider any other option apart from parental involvement in body occultation leads me to wonder just how convinced they are by their own arguments.

Before Stephen mentions it I will.  There isn't the slightest evidence that Maddie was abducted, in fact its more likely she wasn't which makes it so interesting.  One thing which has never sat too comfy with me however is the parents of a missing kid attacking those who have tried their best to find her.  Effing tossers and tweedle dums et all.

Remember the letter Sofia sent to Kate McCann?

On 17 September 2008, Gonçalo Amaral's wife and the mother of his daughters wrote an open letter to Kate McCann pouring scorn on the criticism she had afforded her husband.

Sofia Leal did not pull any punches in her letter and made several specific references to the 'disgrace' comment attributed to Kate (Healey) McCann.

www.miscarriageofjustice.co/index.php?topic=2362.msg77530#msg77530

[Alice Purjorick]

I've noticed a willingness on the part of "sceptics" to explore other scenarios such as kidnap by the Mafia, Gerry being spotted in Lagos on the phone saying "please don't hurt her", woke and wandered etc, all scenarios which mean that cherished tropes such as "death in the apartment", "cadaver dog alerts" and Smithman being "you know who" have to be discarded (or put on the backburner anyway). 

Is it finally dawning on the doubters?

Is what finally dawning on the doubters?

[Lace]

None of this debate means anything or leads anywhere, so us doubters just like to humour the believers  now and again. 

Oh,  thank you jassi,  you are so kind.

[G-Unit]

"Poor souls" sounds a bit patronizing to me, if you don't mind me saying. The thing is, we've had years of debate with doubters strenuously defending the veracity of the dog alerts and the notion that Gerry had time to be in two places at once so for them (the doubters) to consider any other option apart from parental involvement in body occultation leads me to wonder just how convinced they are by their own arguments.

"cherished tropes'' was music to my ears; not.

[Alfie]

"cherished tropes'' was music to my ears; not.

Another non answer.

[Mr Gray]

All options are open and worthy of discussion Alfie; except for those who have nailed their colours to the mast of abduction, of course. Those poor souls have all their eggs in one basket which they have to defend at all costs.

you obviously dont read the posts properly. AFAIAC stranger abduction is by far and a way the most probable solution based on the available evidence....thats what the available evidence supports but some are too blind to see

[Robittybob1]

you obviously dont read the posts properly. AFAIAC stranger abduction is by far and a way the most probable solution based on the available evidence....thats what the available evidence supports but some are too blind to see

Can you define "stranger"?

[jassi]

Swarthy foreign type, I expect.