What's the point of the lie?

Question

If you truly believe you are in the right when you leave your children alone to go out for a meal. Why lie? Why say you checked on them if you believe you did nothing wrong? What would be the need?

Shock?
Guilt?
Spur of the moment?
Verbal diahorrea?
Covering your own back?

Your thoughts please.

Without the normal rude name calling please!

Libbyft
Sorry! Did you answer the question?
Nope didn't think so!

To express the opinion that you have shows that you are unable to enter into a reasonable and healthy debate. Which shows you up to be an extremely immature individual.

I have noticed that alongside all the rants about how sad I am none of you have answered my question which again goes to your own ability to enter into a healthy debate.

To all of you who are reasonably answering my question; good on you.

To those who are evading the question by posting rude comments will you please enter into the debate with a bit of dignity.

Focus
Totally agree. People leave their kids alone all the time without thinking about the consequences. I think as a society we have all become complacent about our lives when we have no right to be complacent when it comes to our kids. We have all done stupid things that we're not proud of and following the Madeleine case would not dream of ever doing again even down to leaving our kids in the car while we nip in a shop. We have the responsibility of another human being when we have kids and it's our responsibility to ensure their safety I think that's why so many people are angry at the McCanns. I was extremely angry in the beginning but have mellowed to a point. I think openly admitting their mistake would go a long way to upping public support. No rational human being would wish this situation on their worst enemy.

However there seems to be a minority on each side of the fence who are enjoying making disgusting comments regarding those whom they don't agree with.

Angela O
I think that's the biggest problem for the general public. The fact that they lied and subsequently hindered the investigation.

I feel so sorry for Madeleine she is the true victim in all of this.

Answer 1

i think they got into the 'habit' of leaving them alone, the first few times with success, checking on them more regularly. because no harm had come of it, their confidence grew and left the time scale and the distance for longer periods.

i think when they lied they were in denial and was panicked. i also think that instead of smelling the coffee and admitting their negligence it sits more comfortable for them to go along denying there actions caused their child's disappearance.

maybe now they feel that they have to go along with this in public as pride and arrogance plays a massive part this this couples life

Answer 2

They know they weren't in the right. I recall Kate's mum being interviewed in the first week and, when she was asked about what had happened on the night Madeleine disappeared, she said 'I'd prefer not to comment about that'.

That was one weird reply. They know they were wrong. They know it wasn't like having a bbq in the garden.

Perhaps the story about checking on the kids every half hour was a defence mechanism which is understandable.

But it wasn't true. And that makes me very edgy about the whole thing.

Why concoct a defence mechanism when your child's just been stolen? Why not just double up with guilt and tell the truth.

After all, there are people who spend a lifetime racked with guilt over the smallest things even when they are in no way responsible at all. People who continue to think they are personally at fault even when they aren't. That's human nature.

The worst case scenario is that Gerry, for example, needs an alibi for that night. Everyone there does. Maybe he's already convinced the Portuguese police.

If so, it's because either (a) he never left the tapas bar at all and so was in full view all evening; or (b) when he did leave the tapas bar to check on the children, he wasn't gone for long enough to raise suspicion afterwards.

It's either (a) or (b).

So, Clarence Mitchell - seconded from the Foreign Office to handle the McCann PR - which is it??

Oh, and Mr Angry says "The facts are widespread knowledge now". Well, let's hear it from you then, Mr Angry. Give us a timeline for the evening of 3 May ...

Answer 3

The reasons are all the above and one more huge one, and that's public sympathy.

The chances of the Police finding her are tiny, the way it will happen is her being spotted by the public be in in Portugal, Malta, here or anywhere in the world.

If there is the smallest chance that the loss of public sympathy could effect the chances of her being found then they will say or do what they have to just to cover their backs and to an extent, i don't blame them.

Yes, Maddie is THE most important thing in this but there are some people (even if it is a small number) will mentally switch off because they were severely negligent.

I think it's the main reason why the Journos haven't ripped them to sheds in the interviews, they want to keep public sympathy with them and do anything possible no matter how small to keep her in the publics thoughts.

Answer 4

To be honest with you, my view is this.
The Mcanns are amongst those classed as "Have a lots". As is usual, these "Have a lots" decided to save a few bob by not employing a baby sitter.

No doubt, many others have done it before them and got away with it.
The problem is, these "Have a lots" didn't get away with, they know they have been completely stupid and (like the previous answer) are probably being torn by all of the emotions you have mentioned.

Using any excuse or reason to avoid their eventual move back home to reality, is probably another unspoken reaction to their dilemma.

The silliest part about it is that while they delay their return home to face the music, the nation is rife with innuendo and rumour of what they are supposed to have done/ not done.

There again, this is probably a trait of the "Have a lots". Ignore the problem and it may go away, keep the results of our neglectful actions in the forefront of the media and maybe, just maybe, we can eventually go home with no repercussions.

Answer 5

Gill79, you are absolutely right, why would they lie if they feel they haven't done anything wrong? By the way, I find it sickening that when we say how neglectful it was to leave the three kiddies alone in the first place, we get a load of insults fired at us? - why? we haven't done anything wrong, just said that its wrong (and it is wrong) to leave young kids and go out on the pop.

Answer 6

People lie to hide their own actions which it does not take an ounce of intelligence to realise that leaving small children alone and unattended is wrong.

People lie to cover up the truth .

It is these blatant lies which are causing so much aggravation and until the truth is spoken out of Mr and Mrs mccanns own mouths they will be vilified as it is their lies that have held up the investigation and no amount of sidetracking from the obvious will deflect from that

Answer 7

Probably guilt, in hindsight I'm sure they realise that it was the biggest mistake they have, or will, ever make. What I would like to know is how everyone knows all this stuff? Presumably from working in close collaboration with the police and not the unreliable source of newspapers and hearsay?

Answer 8

If one is convinced that one is right and has no guilt feelings there is never a reason for having to lie. One lies to exaggerate one's own self importance, one lies to cover up something done wrong. One does not lie if there is nothing to lie about.

Answer 9

How about not focusing on the rights or wrongs of the parents and think about what that child may be going/gone through!

All this petty nitpicking makes me really sick - no one is perfect I for one am so incredibly grateful that my bad parenting moments have led to nothing more serious than a scraped knee. Do you really think that all this pathetic back biting on here and elsewhere in any way touches what Maddy's poor parents are going through? They must be totally wracked with what ifs etc etc.

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone! We've all done things we regret - the McCanns are paying the most terrible price - so if you've nothing helpful to say shut up!

Answer 10

I think that alphacentauri has the right idea. Like him I am an agnostic about the McCanns. However my philosophy is simple, everything that helps find Madeleine: press coverage; support from celebrities; donations; that blooming soft toy is a GOOD thing.

Everything that undermines that campaign: self-righteous criticism of the McCanns conduct (whatever the justification); vetching from the envious about their lifestyle; black propaganda from "activists" who seek only to cause bad feeling, class hatred, anti-Scottish feelings?, conduct a hate campaign and general mayhem, I consider a BAD thing.

These "activists" are completely cynical, care nothing for the actual issues, least of all anything about recovering Madeleine. To all those genuine people who consider themselves anti-McCannistas all I really ask is that they consider if they are actually making things better?