MORE SMOKE AND MIRRORS

Even after 11 years, the smoke and mirrors continue and no-one is any the wiser than we were 6 or was it 7, years ago when the British police set up a task force to investigate the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.  Their objective 'to investigate.....  as if the abduction had occurred in the UK'. The chant of all those who are firmly convinced that Operation Grange are covering up - for whoever. 

 

I personally don't hold that any words are carved in stone, language like life is fluid, it changes constantly.  Circumstances change, new information comes to light.  Conspiracy theorists unfortunately, have a tendency to ignore that which is directly in front of their faces.  They continue to look deranged rather than admit they might be wrong.  Realistically, what could a British police force do in Portugal, that the PJ couldn't? Particularly with all the language and cultural barriers?  The only reason for a British task force, would be if British citizens were involved.

 

But let's get back to the continuing Smoke and Mirrors.  Last week another McCann related story appeared in The Sun.  Using Kate's 50th birthday, it was reminder of the McCanns' plight. They are down to their last £750k, but set to continue their own search when Operation Grange closes.  A 'pal' told the Sun about Kate's sadness, and other pals volunteered that they were going to try and bolster her spirits. Clarence Mitchell said the parents are extremely grateful to the police for all they have done and are doing in the continuing Search. 

 

All very pedestrian, nothing new here, move along folks nothing to see.  Except.  Gerry and Kate are not the only victims of tragic events, each of whom go through sorrowful anniversaries, milestones and Mothers Days.  Why are they not asked how they feel, or how they are getting on?  And would they want to be? I suspect not.

 

So what was the reason for squeezing a story out the Madeleine case, yet again?  Was it planted by Team McCann?  It's looking that way, 'a pal', 'pals' finishing with CM.  It's unlikely journalists worldwide kept a note of Kate's birthday in their diaries.  I'm sure they have to scrape many barrels while scratching around for a story, but I doubt birthday lists are included.  The Sun of course, didn't have to go with the non story, and that they did suggests it is in their interests to keep Madeleine's parents in the public eye. 

 

The article is intended to garner sympathy for the parents who are going to give the money Kate earned on her book to the Fund. Again, it would seem, as the book carried stickers saying that's exactly where the royalties were going.  Regardless.  If they have £750k available for the Search, why not give it to Operation Grange so they can continue? 

 

I know Clarence says the McCanns are extremely grateful, but I don't sense any enthusiasm there.  In fact I get the distinct impression that the McCanns and Operation Grange have reached different conclusions. Gerry and Kate seem resigned to the fact that OG appear to believe Madeleine is no longer alive.  They, on the other hand, plan to continue their search.  All of which begs the question, if OG are 'covering up' on behalf of Gerry and Kate, why are they not singing in harmony?

 

I've always wondered, given the McCanns' complaining of media intrusion, and the nasty things being said about them online, why they continue to keep themselves in the news.  They, more than anyone, should know when they issue a press release there will be a backlash.  I don't wish to be too harsh, but the definition of stupid, is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Even rats in a laboratory learn to stop pushing the button that electrocutes them.  They still employ Clarence? Why?  11 years on, can't they speak to the media and the public directly? It's not as if CM has any great powers of persuasion, even in the early days he was described as 'lying with as many teeth as he has in his head', though sadly I can't at the moment remember who said it.  

 

Clarence effectively said nothing.  He's no Sarah 'not that I aware of' Sanders or Anthony 'let me give you the lowdown' Scaramucci. 'The McCanns are extremely grateful' could have been said by any of the pals who gave quotes for this story, at zero cost.  It's literally one step up from 'no comment'.  They could even have said it themselves.  CM is what remains of a crumbling protective wall.  For me, this protective wall is worrying.  Weird, but worrying.  They seem to believe everyone is out to get them, and that's an unhappy way to be.  Far more than reality suggests.  In Court they claimed they had received threats on social media, but couldn't produce any.  There are no angry mobs out there.  The angry mob leader wanna be, Tony Bennett, has little if no support outside a handful of certifiable sidekicks who are too afraid to reveal their names.

 

The only thing that stops the McCanns communicating is the McCanns themselves.  True, it is horrible to be ripped to shreds online, but not so much that it dictates how you live and prevents you from defending yourself.  Major and minor celebrities are torn to pieces daily.  I once had a 'pro' website spend days/months discussing whether I wore a  wig and they did in fact call me Wiggy.  Far from being traumatised by the discussion (they were hoping it was cancer) I found it hilarious.  I have a lush head full of 'paddy hair', one of my blessings.  Even when my world collapses, my hair always looks amazing!  It's one of my 'constants', and something I hope someone will carve on my tombstone.  'Always had great hair'.  'Also a writer',

Gerry at one time considered himself a man of many eloquent words, and Kate is the author of a book, it must irk enormously that they are not able to defend themselves online.  I suspect the real reason is, there are just too many awkward questions awaiting them.  Even with all the interviews they have given, they have never expanded on their original statements. They haven't veered off onto other memories from the holiday, or any anecdotes or trivial incidents.  Instead they issue statements via a spokesman or pals, the same MO they used when Madeleine first went missing and they were under Judicial Secrecy.  At that time they were putting out negative stories about the Portuguese police via their friends and family, thus getting round the JS.

At one time I would have said every press release issued by Team McCann had an objective.  TM would probably say to raise awareness, as in Madeleine is still missing.    Fair enough.  But basically they are nothing burgers (apologies, lol, presently hooked on US politics), they are not passionate enough to stir up emotions, nor strong enough to convince anyone of anything.  The parents are giving a tepid response to the ending of the official search for their daughter.  And perhaps a sign that OG haven't given them what they wanted.  And they haven't, their daughter is still missing.  Maybe the talk of using the account hopping £750k to continue their search is bravado, but it also says they are not going to accept the conclusions of OG.