Published: May 30, 2006 09:02 pm      

Time for America to get tough with Aruba

Aruba knows the “Natalee Holloway” tourism costs. For better or worse, in the United States, “Aruba” has become a poster child for teen travel safety abroad. What outcome is best now?

Americans should “kick butt and take names.” Few Americans doubt Aruban complicity in luring youthful Natalee away with drinks, drugs and deception. Fewer still doubt Aruban law enforcement’s ineptitude — and complicity. Ineptitude or callous indifference allowed the perpetrators to abduct, rape and murder with impunity. To avoid prosecution, conspirators disposed of Natalee. Aruban judges shielded them, even as they acted.

In the past, people sought Aruba for safety. That perception changed, probably forever. Aruba’s traditional visitors will continue visiting. However, new prospects will think about Natalee Holloway. Bargains may sway them, but some will defer travel based on perceptions.

Callous indifference to human life, decency, judicial and law enforcement cronyism, and sordid support of rapists and murderers will cost the island visits from families with female adolescents, no matter how cheap. Parents simply won’t risk their kids’ victimization for a bargain. Americans remain appalled that dumping young girls on the beach passes for acceptable behavior in Aruba.

Perhaps advertising can sweep Aruba’s dirty little problem under the rug. However, Beth Twitty’s traveling the country with her personal story of grief caused by “travel to places like Aruba” will play until the end of time. What’s Aruba’s cost?

Aruba could have worked with Beth Twitty closely from the beginning; that opportunity was lost. Her song plays like a broken record. It should — on and on.

Unfair? It was unfair for young men to take Natalee’s life, but they did. They fed her booze — and what else more, we’ll never know. Then they dumped her — by their sworn accounts. Someone should pay now; it’s not fair.

If Natalee’s perpetrators aren’t responsible, who is? For Americans, the base answer: those accountable for shielding those responsible. Who is that?



J.K. August

Denver