Madeleine McCann - Search? that's not searching

Malta Media carries an article about Madeleine McCann that is rather misleading. The article contains the following statement,

"Her parents Kate and Gerry have been searching for their daughter ever since she went missing. The girl's parents have searched for her in Morocco as well as Portugal."

No they haven't. They haven't searched for her anywhere.

What they have done is travelled around Europe in a private jet, met the Pope, political dignitaries, city officials (none of whom are in a position to offer much in the way of practical assistance) and giving media conferences that they are happy to attend - as long as they are not asked awkward questions. Gerry McCann has attended what the family describe as "business meetings" and the mother has suddenly gone quiet.

They haven't searched - they have travelled from one comfy chair to another.

What they have not done, is what other parents of missing children have done - and in many cases continue to do.

They have not tramped the streets of cities or areas where their daughter may possibly be, armed with photographs of their daughter in the hope that a personal approach may jog someone's memory or even conscience.

Morocco is a major gateway for child trafficking. They did not tour the markets, side streets and sordid clubs asking, "Have you seen this little girl?" In fact, they left Morocco until last on their whirlwind tour of Europe. They also left Amsterdam until the end of their trip. Amsterdam is rife with child sex and also a major gateway for child trafficking. The McCanns should know that as they lived there with Madeleine.

Why did they not tour the streets, clubs and bars? I agree, that even if they had, the chances of getting a result were slim. However, would it not have been a bit more productive and constructive than giving press conferences, meeting Mayors and local politicians, releasing balloons and doves all around the world, appointing campaign managers, press officers and a family spokesperson?

Wouldn't the increasingly jaded and disgusted public have more sympathy for two tired, knackered parents tramping the streets, knocking on doors, slipping barmen a few quid for information, than for two grubs who have turned this into "Madeleine McCann Enterprises Presents"?

There is a lady in Sydney whose daughter went missing several years ago. She still tours the streets and bars of the red light areas with her daughter's photo in her hand, praying that someone, some day, will tell her the words she still hopes to hear.

She hasn't attended any, "business meetings" or rushed to the airport to catch a private jet. She did the hard graft herself, unlike the McCanns who leave others to clear up the mess they themselves created. Because as we all know - everyone is to blame except for Saint Gerry and Saint Kate.

The lady in Sydney may not be as well known as the McCanns, she may not have the same support from family and friends as the McCanns.

But she continues to search on foot, alone and without any razzmatazz.

And she remembers how to spell her daughter's name.