Does publicly "doubting" the McCanns add to the distress of the McCann family?

[Lyall]

I'm not trying to stop anyone or anything, I am simply asking the question.  If people who publicly doubt wish to carry on doing so then that is up to them, I would  like to understand though why some people can apparently care so deeply about the fate of one child (to the point of swearing quasi-religious oaths of allegiance to her), and seem to care not a jot about the child's younger siblings, or other members of her family.

I understand the point (and Anna's) but it's not an either-or situation. Amongst other things people feel that events like the publication of the Summers and Swan book and a very likely sooner or later second McCann book can't just be ignored.

[Lyall]

So basically you're saying I'm encouraging people to keep on hurting the McCann family?  Wow.  Let's extend that a little further then.  Would you not say that this entire sub-forum encourages people to doubt (question, if doubt is too strong a word) the McCanns' version of events and therefore cause potential distress to family members?

No, it doesn't encourage people to doubt. People will always doubt, if the case isn't solved (and even then some will still doubt). Discussion will always take place somewhere or other so is it not better it's discussion that isn't extreme and is more balanced than discussion elsewhere?

[Alfred R Jones]

So, whilst agreeing that publicly doubting the McCanns adds to the distress of the McCann family, it's a price worth paying because....?

[lordpookles]

Anyone who posts links to Blacksmith's blog is out to hurt the McCann family - it is full of invective and bile towards Kate and Gerry, and ceaselessly accuses them of being liars.  We also know now that a member of this very forum has personally hounded Kate McCann (or believes she has) into answering some dumb question that she (the interlocutor) has then plastered all over the internet in an attempt to further besmirch her (Kate's) character.

People need to know when to stop. Posting to Blacksmiths blog, which I agree with you just seems needlessly horrible imo is there ultimately their free right. Why Blacksmith would get that incensed I do not understand considering he does not know what happened. I support others rights to be able to post what ever they like though I don't support libel.

Regarding the question asking. Why why why? Go find another cause imo. Global warming or government corruption to just name a couple. Really out of line and insensitive to approach them. There's a big wide world out there and more fun and good feeling to be had then offending the parents of a possible child abduction. I would question yourself and try and be more self aware if I was you forum poster.

[Lyall]

Anyone who posts links to Blacksmith's blog is out to hurt the McCann family - it is full of invective and bile towards Kate and Gerry, and ceaselessly accuses them of being liars.  We also know now that a member of this very forum has personally hounded Kate McCann (or believes she has) into answering some dumb question that she (the interlocutor) has then plastered all over the internet in an attempt to further besmirch her (Kate's) character.

Some people have become more polarised since Brenda's death (unfortunately in my opinion).  You can thank Sky News and their allies for that, due to their in my view very idiotic action.

Sky News (and allies) only succeeded in making the extremists think they are indeed very important (otherwise why do it?)

[Alfred R Jones]

People need to know when to stop. Posting to Blacksmiths blog, which I agree with you just seems needlessly horrible imo is there ultimately their free right. Why Blacksmith would get that incensed I do not understand considering he does not know what happened. I support others rights to be able to post what ever they like though I don't support libel.

Regarding the question asking. Why why why? Go find another cause imo. Global warming or government corruption to just name a couple. Really out of line and insensitive to approach them. There's a big wide world out there and more fun and good feeling to be had then offending the parents of a possible child abduction. I would question yourself and try and be more self aware if I was you forum poster.

Thank you for your views LP, always quite refreshing. 

[Alfred R Jones]

Some people have become more polarised since Brenda's death (unfortunately in my opinion).  You can thank Sky News and their allies for that, due to their in my view very idiotic action.

Sky News (and allies) only succeeded in making the extremists think they are indeed very important (otherwise why do it?)

It's the same with all extremists isnt' it?  It's tempting to think that by ignoring extremists (of whatever flavour) that they will simply slink away and stop their extremist activities once deprived of the oxygen of publicity.  I don't actually see any evidence of that being true however. Online "doubting" of the McCanns hasn't got noticeably any worse since Sky shined a light on it, it was pretty much always that bad!

[Lyall]

It's the same with all extremists isnt' it?  It's tempting to think that by ignoring extremists (of whatever flavour) that they will simply slink away and stop their extremist activities once deprived of the oxygen of publicity.  I don't actually see any evidence of that being true however. Online "doubting" of the McCanns hasn't got noticeably any worse since Sky shined a light on it, it was pretty much always that bad!

I have to disagree with you there %£&)**#

[Alfred R Jones]

I have to disagree with you there %£&)**#

Which bit?

[Lyall]

Which bit?

The last bit.

[stephen25000]

What is your understanding of the term "McCann Family"?  Is it limited solely to Kate and Gerry, in your view?  Are there perhaps any other members of this family that might deserve a little sympathy and compassion and who are perhaps sometimes distressed by some of the activities of the so-called "doubters"? 

I don't of course expect any sort of on-topic response from you Stephen, so treat these as rhetorical questions, best ignored by yourself or at best only worthy of your ridicule and contempt.

The only discernible 'sympathy' you offer is for Gerry and Kate McCann.

For a plight of their own making.

So why didn't you mention Madeleine in your reply to me ?

[Alice Purjorick]

I'm not trying to stop anyone or anything, I am simply asking the question.  If people who publicly doubt wish to carry on doing so then that is up to them, I would  like to understand though why some people can apparently care so deeply about the fate of one child (to the point of swearing quasi-religious oaths of allegiance to her), and seem to care not a jot about the child's younger siblings, or other members of her family.

Because there's nowt as queer* as folk?
* I rely on this definition of the word queer "Of a questionable nature or character"

[Alfred R Jones]

The last bit.

Have you been following the online activities and antics of the McCann doubters since 2007?

[Alfred R Jones]

The only discernible 'sympathy' you offer is for Gerry and Kate McCann.

For a plight of their own making.

So why didn't you mention Madeleine in your reply to me ?

I prefer not to drag the children's names into these discussions.  But thanks for the predictable response which does not address one single point raised in my post.

[Mr Gray]

Of course it adds to the distress of the McCanns family...particularly the grandparents, but many posters on here don't care as we have seen. As I have said before...I wonder what has happened in their lives that has made them such bitter nasty people.