Media blinders

Unknown to millions of interested Americans, a judge on thursday ordered the conditional release of a Dutch teenager in the disappearance of Natalee Holloway, but he remains a suspect, his defense attorney said. Joran van der Sloot, 18, could be released from jail as early as Saturday and remain free pending the outcome of the probe. The Kalpoe brothers were released on July 4 but were re-arrested last week. The announcement came a day after a hearing in which Carlo argued that prosecutors have produced no evidence that his client was involved in Holloway's disappearance or that a crime had been committed. A judge ordered Satish Kalpoe to remain jailed another eight days, said government spokesman Ruben Trapenberg said, without giving further details. The judge was still to rule on whether to continue holding or release Deepak Satish. Suspects can be detained for 116 days without charge in the Dutch Caribbean island.

Unfortunately, the only ‘news worthy’ stories in the United States is testimonials and pictures from hurricane Katrina, and gas prices. Yes it is unfortunate what happened to gulf coast residents in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Florida, but that is the coast of living next to the ocean, and not paying attention to evacuation notices. The only good thing that came out of the hurricane is the disappearance of anti-war protester Cindy Sheehan. Hopefully she was and will stay littered with the rest of the garbage.

Less traumatic then a hurricane was the media coverage given to the Natalee Holloway case in Aruba. At first the media and public were sure it was the two security officers. Showing the total incompetence of the Aruban government was the looney “Twiggy�. She called into question the three teenage witnesses, and later learned they may be prime suspects. But now into the stage of proving the case, the lack of evidence is becoming more evident. Yes you can say you think this person may be guilt, but the accused has a right to a trial.