Tue 22 May 2007
“What,” I asked of Dave the resident office muppet, “the very fuck are you wearing?”
“What?” he responded defensively looking down at his rumpled attire.
“What is that on your lapel?”
“Oh that. It’s a ribbon for baby Maddie.”
There are no words.
What I wanted to say is “Don’t be such a fucking idiot. I am sure that every right minded person in this country wants that poor girl found safely, but you wearing a ribbon in this office is not going to make one fucking iota of difference. Seriously, do you think her abductor is going to be wandering past your desk and think, “Actually, he is right, I should hand her back!” No, it’s not going to happen. There are a hundred tragedies a week with young children, but for some reason the media has chosen to follow this one. Get a grip man and stop dressing like a morris dancer.”
But of course, to voice such an opinion would, in some peoples eyes, be deemed worthy of the abductor himself. So instead, I shook my head and went about my business.
Do not get me wrong. I hope the poor girl is found, but is anyone else finding this incessant media coverage a little bit over the top? There is even a ‘missing poster’ in a news agents down the road from me. Honestly.
Even though you can’t turn on the TV or read a newspaper without seeing that poor girls face, there seems to be very little preventative advice being dispensed by the media. I am not saying that now is the time for pointing fingers, but in the next few weeks over a million families will head abroad on holiday. Do you not think now would be an opportune time to point out that going out for a meal and leaving your very young children unattended is a bad idea?
The people I feel most sorry for in all this are the Royal family. If the media coverage doesn’t return to normal soon, then the public are in danger of forgetting that Diana has been dead for just ten short years.
34 Responses to “Doing your bit”
May 22nd, 2007 at 8:13 am
Angry, you are such a bad man! The fact that you voiced an opinion that is shared by any decent parent doesn’t mean that you should. Thank God for anonymous blogs!
May 22nd, 2007 at 8:25 am
I could be wrong, but doesn’t the money raised by the ribbon that your office muppet bought go towards the reward fund and helping to pay for a private investigator long after the poilice have given up.
There are plenty of things that the media covers completely disproptionately to the interest of most. But I don’t think this is one.
Also I don’t think much would be gained by preaching to the nation now. Every kid under the age of 16 is going to be kept on a very short lead on holiday for some time.
May 22nd, 2007 at 8:50 am
Kind of agree kind of dont, the media are definately exploiting this, but I cant really say anything against efforts to help find an abducted child.
Not sure a private detective is going to help much after a full police search though.
May 22nd, 2007 at 8:53 am
It is terribly sad, but I do agree; the unhalting coverage is hardly helpful (or perhaps appropriate).
My first thought (because I am a bad person) about this whole thing was remorse. What about all the other kids who suffer, every day? Those who maybe aren’t pretty blonde girls with well-spoken relatives.
But I am going straight to hell, obviously.
May 22nd, 2007 at 9:16 am
i’m right behind you, rach
May 22nd, 2007 at 9:40 am
simberr - Hello. I am not a parent, I don’t think, but I know a lot of people who feel the same.
mark - You don’t think there would be much to be gained by preaching to the nation about leaving your kids along? I wish I could agree with you.
Oli - I want the girl found, obviously. But what about the other 18 kids missing in the UK at the moment (according to the Internet), some as you as 1. Unfortunately, they are not from white middle class families.
rach - absolutely. I have a suite reserved.
me - Ooh, threesome!!
May 22nd, 2007 at 9:44 am
Warm a seat for me then.
I feel sorry for the lovely, lovely people who have to take a ribbon off in order to have space for this one.
How to decide between the puce coloured ‘bowel support’ symbol or the red, light up ‘institute for destitute prostitutes’?
May 22nd, 2007 at 10:01 am
Hurrah!
I believe that every nonce who wears a ribbon for whatever reason should be legally compelled to add rather then replace them, until such time as they suffocate under the weight of ribbons and the world is finally rid of them.
With you on the Royal Family, though. You don’t think…no, surely not…Mr Al Fayed should look into this…did they do it?
May 22nd, 2007 at 10:19 am
I’m on the fence here i think- clearly sensationalism from the media- cute blonde girl and all that* but getting the message out to the rest of europe must be a good thing- so if by any stretch of the imagination, she is still alive, someone may spot her. ( the poster in your newagents is a bit silly now. )
*any seats left?
May 22nd, 2007 at 11:16 am
Yep.
And people are still surprised when they discover I don’t watch or read the news any more…
May 22nd, 2007 at 11:51 am
It’s a handy way for people to say, “I am not a paedophile or a child abductor,” in the same way the Jade saga was just people taking the opportunity to say, “I’m neither a racist nor a bully.”
May 22nd, 2007 at 12:11 pm
Finally somebody said it!
Completely agree but if you actually say that to another person they think you’re a cold hearted callous bastard.
I feel very sorry for them but it’s all very ott and kinda cant help thinking a teeny bit that leaving kiddies alone in an apartment is just asking for trouble….
May 22nd, 2007 at 12:31 pm
People are not saying it because it is the last thing her parents need to hear. I totally agree with you Angry but her parents will have been having the same thoughts since she was taken.
For every person that steps forward with the “I can’t believe they left them alone” comment there is another just behind them with the view of “I left my kids like that for years” or “My parents did that all the time”
It is risky but ultimately they have been unlucky and her parents no doubt feel like shit as a result but please don’t lose sight of the fact that the person that did this is fucking scum, deserves no place in decent society and will be in hell well before anyone commenting on this blog.
May 22nd, 2007 at 12:50 pm
I couldn’t agree more.
It is very very sad that Madelenine’s been missing for over two weeks and I hope she is found soon, but the parents should haven known better. Most parents I know, including my own, would have not left 3 children unattended whilst having a meal.
I am probably going to hell with you lot, please save me a cool spot.
May 22nd, 2007 at 12:53 pm
If I was the parent in question I would absolutely want the world to respond like this. No question. Mind you, I am not personally wearing a yellow ribbon, now will I be making a donation to the recovery fund.
Saying that, I have never left the kids alone in a hotel room while I had dinner. Its a bad world out there.
May 22nd, 2007 at 12:54 pm
Relax and enjoy it Mr. A. Big BFecking Brother starts in a week and all the media wil be showing for the next 6 months is stories about fucked up, self-serving, brain-dead morons.
With you on the sentiments tho’ as I already have a seat booked on the hell-bound express.
GH.
May 22nd, 2007 at 1:16 pm
Actually, some studies have shown that praying for people/things can have a statistically-significant impact on them.
So technically, everybody who says something like “I hope they find her” has already done their bit to help the cause
May 22nd, 2007 at 2:22 pm
Angry, don’t worry: today The Express led with “90% say no to Queen Camilla” and The Mail, “Millions faces holiday chaos”.
Things are slowly returning to normal.
May 22nd, 2007 at 3:58 pm
While every day that a kid goes missing makes it more likely that the child is not going to come back in any alive form, It’s not impossible.
I am reminded of a young girl in the SW area of the US who was kidnapped and held for many years by some sicko Utah-type religious and his wife (he decided she would be his 2nd wife…)and who was ultimately found by someone who (I think) spotted her by her resemblance to an “aged up” photo that had been circulated, even though the jerk and wife had been dressing her up like a Saudi photo-negative in a white abaya.
May 22nd, 2007 at 4:46 pm
I agree that they should not have left her alone, but is it fair to indict them only for it rather than damn the world that means you cant do that. There is a sick perverted probably murderous man/woman out there and I for one, as a father, would be glad of any media “sensationalism” if it meant the hope of finding her alive didn’t seem quite so futile.
As for finally getting back to normal, I would rather have updates on Madeleine than the Royal family, holiday chaos and Big Brother!
You need to get your priorities in order I think.
May 22nd, 2007 at 4:53 pm
As for the ribbon, is there really anything wrong with showing support? Does Dave the office muppet actually think his wearing it will result in her being found or is he acknowledging the fact a small girl has been stolen and probably killed.
I wear a poppy every year, should I not bother? The soldiers still died and they aren’t going to do a Lazarus so maybe, following your logic, I shouldn’t bother.
Are you just revealing your Comment Whore tendencies here Mr. Angry by writing what is sure to be a contentious post?
May 22nd, 2007 at 5:36 pm
Rather than individually respond, a couple of things to clarify my views.
1. I hope she is found.
2. Do I think this is a tragedy? Absolutely.
3. I do not want the parents vilified, I am sure that going for dinner that night and leaving the kids alone will be the biggest regret of their lives, but surely an acknowledgment in the media that they did the wrong thing could prevent others doing the same one day?
4. Do I think this is more of a tragedy than any of the other 18 children currently missing in the UK. No, not necessarily.
5. Do I think that the country would be engaged in the same media frenzy if she had been one of 7 kids to a non-white family on income support? Absolutely not.
6. Would I do the same as the McCanns if it were me and my (yet to be spawned) family? Absolutely.
7. I never realised my comment whoring tendencies had ever been concealed.
May 22nd, 2007 at 10:48 pm
Angry, I back every single one of your seven points, save that I read today that no fewer than 600 children and young adults have been reported missing since Madeleine McCann was snatched. I know that some people argue that publicising Madeleine’s case will result in publicity for them, but I don’t see any papers making room to print photos of them on a daily basis.
May 22nd, 2007 at 11:51 pm
wow,it sure is going to be an interesting company over there in Hell.
I don’t think like you,but can I still come along/do they do disounts for big parties in that place?
May 23rd, 2007 at 12:53 am
Thank you, Angry. I am sick of Madeline.
1. Ribbons? Ridiculous.
2. She’ll be Saint Maddie next, like Diana.
3. The media is racist, and sexist, and bigoted. White, pretty, female, English, middle class. Ideal for the picture desk.
4. How many ugly foreign children equal one Maddie?
5. Worldwide broadcast FA Cup Final video? How embarrassing. Tells the rest of the world how much we value *their* children.
6. Whoever did it must be really getting off on all this attention.
May 23rd, 2007 at 1:00 am
7. So she had a Chelsea football shirt. What a ridiculous reason for loads of people to get particularly upset about her. If I had done it I would love the idea of half of Wembley Stadium howling like wolves with impotent rage.
May 23rd, 2007 at 8:49 am
of course, of course we’re all desperate that she should be found - BUT why does everyone fixate on one child where there are so many child victims of abuse, war, famine, slavery … on and on and on whose plights go unreported. if people are really concerned about the welfare of children (as opposed to one particular child) join amnesty for fucks sake, or actionaid, or any one of the many charities struggling to get finds and coverage instead of jumping on an already very crowded bandwagon.
May 23rd, 2007 at 8:49 am
funds not finds
May 23rd, 2007 at 9:14 am
Phil, why do you think they are only following madelines story becuase she is white and middle class?
Damiloa Taylor was a black, boy from a council estate and the press sure followed his story for months.
Like it or not the whether she is found or not and the status of the investigation is important news for many people and they will buy papers and watch the news channels who supply that information.
May 23rd, 2007 at 10:24 am
they could have avoided all this fuss by taking the kids to dinner.
The Doctor.
May 23rd, 2007 at 10:44 am
Also ‘Baby Maddie’ ???? She isn’t a baby and her name isn’t Maddie, it’s Madeleine. The only people who call her Maddie are the British public who have somewhat sentimentalised her and taken her on as their own, and the cynical gutter press who prey on that. I’m sure her parents don’t mind too much it as it keeps the profile of the case high, but that is not a name used by people who actually know her.
May 23rd, 2007 at 11:18 am
Blimey Angry. I was out of the office yesterday and you went and posted a controversial post.I work in a small office in a shared building in a small rural settlement. We have a Missing poster on our notice board here. Call Crimestoppers and all that. To me this is very obvious and doesn’t need to be said.
I like every sane human being want her returned safely but, I rather think that due to the time elapsed, this is looking less likely.
I think the press coverage is in someways a good thing. It keeps peoples awareness up. In otherways it disgusts me. They are taking the cute blond girl and selling papers for profit.
I think it would be good to remind people not to take risks with their children. My son is now 6 months old and when Wifey and I went on holiday to Spain when the baby was 3 months old we looked at getting a baby sitter via the resort. When we met the baby sitter there was no way we were going to leave the baby with the mad woman who was held up as the resort baby sitter. She was also charged out at 25 euros per hour which we though was extortionate. We put the baby in his cary cot and took him with us. He slept under our table.
In short I don’t know if there is ever going to be a time when the kids are in bed asleep and Wifey and I want some ‘us’ time and we would ‘take a chance’ and leave the children alone. I can’t judge as I really don’t know what may happen in the future. I know it sounds obvious but who can honestly say never if they haven’t been though it.
My thoughts are with her and her family but I won’t be wearing a yellow ribbon.
May 23rd, 2007 at 4:55 pm
You’re a twisted genius Angry.
Seriously though, is that true about the royals?
May 25th, 2007 at 7:34 am
Princess Diana’s dead? Why wasn’t it on the news?