Gerry McCann: some forum posters "have too much time on their hands"

**Chris** · 10-03-2009, 19:19

Gerry McCann has appeared before the Culture, Media and Sport select committee to discuss the Press coverage in the wake of the disappearance of his daughter Madeleine. As well as attacking the way the Press turned her into a 'commodity' from which there were 'profits to be made', he also laid into the contributors of many internet forums, and online newspaper comment columns.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBC

Mr McCann was also critical of many of the contributors to newspaper - and other website - chatrooms.
He said many had "too much time on their hands", adding: "I feel very sorry for those people who a need to do that [write abusive and unsubstantiated comments] and there's something clearly missing in those lives."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7935156.stm

There were some pretty choice comments from some posters on here, as I remember. I wonder whether the McCanns, or anyone connected with the family, saw them.

Discuss ...

10-03-2009, 19:21

Well instead of going out for a drink he should have spent his time looking after his daughter

As far as if he read this forum and comments here lets hope so he and his wife should suffer every day for what they did ,they are ultimately responsible for whatever happened to Maddie

Oh and I spose this all means an extra pay packet for him?(attempt to get more media coverage)

Charlie_Bubble · 10-03-2009, 19:29

..and if people hadn't bothered to read papers, post in forums, chat in chatrooms about his missing daughter, she'd have been forgotten the very next day. Sometimes people should not bite the hand that feeds them. He and his wife rode the media wave in the hope that this would help in the search for their daughter, he should be prepared for the odd thing he didn't like being posted/written.

**Damien** · 10-03-2009, 19:30

This is a high indexing site, and we have had people involved with the stories discussed finding the related topic and commenting on it. At least twice as far as I know. Especially a forum such as this which scores high on Google. There have been occasions I have come across this site purely organically in searching for news items.

People should be aware your only vaguely anonymous on the web, and even if they don't you know you personally, your comments can be read by the people involved. We (as members) and the owners of the site are also bound by the rules on libel.

**Chris** · 10-03-2009, 19:31

I'd say a huge libel action settled out of court with a fat payment from several newspapers and prominent apologies indicates there was more than the 'odd thing' he didn't like, Charlie.

jellybaby · 10-03-2009, 19:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie_Bubble

..and if people hadn't bothered to read papers, post in forums, chat in chatrooms about his missing daughter, she'd have been forgotten the very next day. Sometimes people should not bite the hand that feeds them. He and his wife rode the media wave in the hope that this would help in the search for their daughter, he should be prepared for the odd thing he didn't like being posted/written.

Exactly,

The McCann's were encouraging the media to keep it in the headlines, you've got to take the good with the bad if you're going to use the media for your own purposes.

10-03-2009, 19:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

This is a high indexing site, and we have had people involved with the stories discussed finding the related topic and commenting on it. At least twice as far as I know. Especially a forum such as this which scores high on Google. There have been occasions I have come across this site purely organically in searching for news items.

People should be aware your only vaguely anonymous on the web, and even if they don't you know you personally, your comments can be read by the people involved. We (as members) and the owners of the site are also bound by the rules on libel.

I never libeled them. They did go for a drink (and a meal)they did leave their kids unattended they are ultimately to blame

papa smurf · 10-03-2009, 19:39

my opinion -the mccann's left there children unattended while they went off to the boozer/eatery ,they are totally to blame ,i have been in similar circumstances with my x -and kids we always took them with us or took it shifts to baby sit while the other was at the pub /eatery never was there a time when they were alone .
the mccann's actions were not the actions of responsible parents in my opinion, i still believe they should be prosecuted ..

Charlie_Bubble · 10-03-2009, 19:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

I'd say a huge libel action settled out of court with a fat payment from several newspapers and prominent apologies indicates there was more than the 'odd thing' he didn't like, Charlie.

I was talking about the odd comment written in forums and chatrooms. I am well aware that several of the tabloids have made payouts to him and to the guy in Portugal that they tried to frame. They should be treated differently in the context of this thread from people expressing opinions in forums/chatrooms.

**Damien** · 10-03-2009, 19:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinglebarb

I never libeled them. They did go for a drink (and a meal)they did leave their kids unattended they are ultimately to blame

My comment wasn't directed at you, Sorry.

punky · 10-03-2009, 19:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinglebarb

Well instead of going out for a drink he should have spent his time looking after his daughter

As far as if he read this forum and comments here lets hope so he and his wife should suffer every day for what they did ,they are ultimately responsible for whatever happened to Maddie

Oh and I spose this all means an extra pay packet for him?(attempt to get more media coverage)

Well said mate.

Recently a woman left a child alone in her home. The child was tragically killed in a fire. She was given 6 years for that. The McCanns left a child alone in their home. The child was tragically taken, and probably killed. They are treated as victims. It ain't right.

I also find it a bit rich that they are complaining about the media circus surrounding the case when they stoked most of it up themselves.

10-03-2009, 20:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

My comment wasn't directed at you, Sorry.

I know dude

I remember I had a lot to say in the other thread it was quite an emotive topic

**Chris** · 10-03-2009, 20:23

Can I please remind people who are considering adding comments to this thread that the laws of defamation (a.k.a. "Libel") DO apply to forum posts and we will edit/delete anything which we believe puts Cable Forum on the wrong side of those laws.

Furthermore, I opened this topic with a suggestion that members may like to discuss Gerry McCann's comments about the use of internet forums. This topic is NOT here so people can simply re-state the entire contents of the original McCann thread.

Let's stick to the topic and stick within the law please.

SMG · 10-03-2009, 20:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinglebarb

Well instead of going out for a drink he should have spent his time looking after his daughter

As far as if he read this forum and comments here lets hope so he and his wife should suffer every day for what they did ,they are ultimately responsible for whatever happened to Maddie

Oh and I spose this all means an extra pay packet for him?(attempt to get more media coverage)

Well, I`ve got to agree with every word. Trying to lay blame on others when he & his wife are fully responsible for the whole mess. I don't remember them showing much remorse for that poor child.

Added:: Sorry Chris, posted at the same time as yours.

Saaf_laandon_mo · 10-03-2009, 20:33

Let's hope Gerry comes across this thread and reads whats been said. Totally agree with Zing, Punky and Papa. They should have been prosecuted for leaving their kids alone in the apartment. The think that peeved me off even more was when their friends/family members and other supporters were coming on the media insisting they had done nothing wrong by leaving their kids alone in the apartment. I even heard some say that most parents would do the same. Then there was all the stuff about the apartment being in full view, "we could see it from where we were" blah blah blah.

They are lucky that he is a heart surgeon and not living on a council estate. Otherwise I could see them both being given a far harsher time from the authorities than the easy ride they have had in that they have got away with being such irresponsible parents.

Remeber we aren't talking about parents who took their eyes off their kids for a few moments. Or who slipped their grip off the kid's hands, or got distracted for a few seconds whilst their kid has been abducted. We are talking about a couple who left 3 kids under the age of 4 asleep in a room which wasn't even in view, to enjoy a night of food and drinks with their chums. Disgusting if you ask me.