Smart family isnt right

[cruisnfamily]

well said kdibattista!

I agree 100%.

Why don't we all sit back and wait and see. I agree they should be left alone for a while to heal and the girl (and probably the whole family) will need a really good therapist. I hope we do get the whole story(curiosity) but I think it is wrong to lay all this blame without the story.....let's wait 'til we hear it.

 

[SeaShelley]

First, let me say that I am very happy for the Smart family that this horrible tragedy ended with Elizabeth's safe return. I pray that she and the whole family receive the counseling that need and that someday their lives can return to normal.

Next, I wish the media would leave the family alone. Quit the interviews, quit the speculation.....ENOUGH ALREADY. I actually heard one reporter say that he didn't think Mr. Smart shed enough tears. WHAT??? I didn't realize there was a tear quota a distraught parent had to meet! Perhaps he didn't get his copy of "How to act in front of the media when your child is missing."

Lastly, I would like everyone here to take a long, hard look in their own mirror. Put yourself in the position of the Smart family, particularly Mr. Smart, for just a few minutes. How many of you, thrust into the media spotlight, wouldn't appear "odd" to members of the viewing public? "They cried too much, they didn't cry enough.....I wouldn't have acted that way." Unless you have walked this horrible mile in their shoes, you have no idea how you would react. Might I suggest you turn off your TV, quit trying to solve the case from your living room and go play with your kids. Give them an extra hug and be thankful you can.

 

[dandave]

Originally posted by pajamommy
I hate to say this, but the way he cries very much reminds me of how Susan Smith cried. I'm in no way saying he's hiding anything or anything like that, its just how he comes across to me when he cries, etc.

That is exactly how I feel. It gives me the creeps.

 

[Liz]

Before Elizabeth was found the Smarts were criticized as to why their child was getting so much media attention when there are many missing children who don't get this much attention. Now that Ed is trying to use this horrible situation for some good by pushing the Amber alert he is being criticized for doing that too. I would say no matter what they do they can't win but that's not true. They got their daughter back so they have already won.

 

[tink29]

I'm sooooooo glad, I'm not the only one who feels this way!!!

I was going to say something to my DH about it last night, but wasn't sure if I would sound insensitive. I'm glad that Elizabeth is home safe.......but something about her Dad just doesn't seem "right".

 

[kdibattista]

I am commenting on the families behavior from the beginning until now, just not what has happened over the past two days. The man "cries" without any tears. She was "brainwashed" but now seems settled.

Again, this is not directed at anyone in particular but for those of you who share this notion:

How do you think they should act? I am just curious what everyone believes the Smart family's "ideal reaction" should be because I would bet that every answer would be different.... why.... because if he cried too much, people would comment, if he was stone faced, people would comment, if he was laughing, people would comment. I am really shocked and amazed that people think he is creepy , strange, weird or insincere for behavior he is exhibiting after his daughter was held hostage for nine months . You don't think it's ripping his heart out that she was behind their house for 2 months.... that she could hear them calling for her? You don't think the mother is not blaming herself for having that man in their house? I am sure there is plenty of that going around with them having to hear it, day after day, hour after hour.

What I do know is that we don't know what we would do in that situation and I think passing judgement and making these kinds of destructive comments is horrendous.

 

[Buckalew]

kdibattista, I agree with your posts. I can't hardly believe what I am reading.
Often people around here do just as the Smart family did. No, I wouldn't do it (bringing strangers in) but then again, we all have had someone in our homes at sometime or another fixing or replacing something and we did not run a background check on them. I am sure that Mrs. Smart is carrying much guilt around.

This has been a shocking and eye-opening thread to read.

I am hoping we never know all the details of what happened to her. It is none of our business.

 

[CRB#33]

I'm with you buckalew, and several others here.

I'm so glad some people understood what I was trying to get across.

This father had nothing to do with it, and this child did not run away.

Criticizing his behavior on camera after all of this which NONE of us has ever gone through, is really awful. Like I said in another post, I pray that none of us ever experiences this. And if you do, I certainly will be the last one to make comments about how you appear on a TV camera.

JMO of course.

 

[Tiggeroo]

It wouldn't matter if the child was taken or ran away. She is back. I suspect that on top of everything else, the parents want to protect her privacy. What do you want him to say. Should he disclose if she has nightmares, should he tell us if she was sexually abused, should he say she seems happy but is not acting quite right. Any of these things may be true, but it is up to the family to deal with it. As has been said before, it will be difficult enough for her without having to attend highschool where every kid knowing the intimate details of what happened.
Unfortunately, it may not matter what the parents want. In order to prosecute these criminals these things may have to eventually become public.
Even if the girl is acting normal, I am sure the other shoe will eventually drop. If you have ever been in a difficult situation, all you want is for things to be normal. When they are you quickly jump back into things being normal. It is your insides that will not be normal. I hope that the family's religious beliefs do not stop them from getting the best child counselor around. Also, that the whole family will get counseling as well. They have spent 9months living on the edge. They probably have done nothing without thinking about how to get their daughter back. They too will have a huge adjustment trying to get all of their relationships back in line. It could be worst. They could have found a dead girl. Then everyone would also be saying the parents aren't right. (Ramsey's)
I don't blame people for feeling this way. We have seen that there are parents who will do anything to their children, and people can get on tv and lie about anything.

 

[Liz]

Ed's brother said on the news this morning that the family is probably going to go away for awhile to get away from all the media, etc. I think that would be a very good thing.

Should he disclose if she has nightmares, should he tell us if she was sexually abused, should he say she seems happy but is not acting quite right. Any of these things may be true, but it is up to the family to deal with it.

Totally agree! Ed's sister said "any problem we have to deal with now is a good problem because at least we have her back."

 

[Jeafl]

I'm a little confused as to why people think she's ok and back to normal. Basically, what I've seen of her is a picture of her with her family in the newspaper, and a short video clip of her walking. It's really hard to tell someone's mental state based on those 2 things.

My gut feeling is that the poor girl is in some kind of shock, and it will be a very long time before she is back to "normal".

 

[ennazus]

Should he disclose if she has nightmares, should he tell us if she was sexually abused, should he say she seems happy but is not acting quite right. Any of these things may be true, but it is up to the family to deal with it.

That's right! I suspect they are saying that everything is ok just because what else are they going to say. Of course there are going to be problems, but I wouldn't be airing them if I were the Smarts.

 

[goofygirl]

to many odd things, to many unanswerd questions, and the father seems to be putting on an act...

I agree. I thought the father was cold from day 1 of the "kidnapping". He talked about (and still talks) about his daughter's ordeal as if he's talking about buying a new pair of pants or something.


Rumor has it that she was pregnant, and the family had her hide so she can carry out her pregnancy and give birth in secret. This way they wouldnt lose their status in their society, and their church.

 

[WilmaBud]

I'm dismayed by what I'm reading in this thread, too. It's sad how quick people are to judge others who are "different" from them. How could any of us who have NEVER been in this type of situation possibly know how it would feel or how we would react? It's sad how quickly people want to blame the parents or look for something the parents did that would somehow lead to this tragedy. I think some people try to deal with their own fears by saying, in effect, "Well, I would never have done what those parents did!" They feel that "I'm different, so that would never happen to me or my child." As if the Smart's are to blame, somehow, for some whacko slicing their window screen, sneaking into their house, stealing their daughter from her own bed, and keeping her hidden from them for 9 months. Come on! I admit Mr. Smart may not be a typical man, but that doesn't make him guilty of anything. Also, so what if he ever runs for office, as some people are conjecturing? Is the John Walsh a bad person or a sicko for becoming a TV star on the heels of his personal tragedy? Perhaps the man will decide he wants to make a difference in the world after this ordeal. More power to him! Let's not victimize these people all over again.

 

[Liz]

Rumor has it that she was pregnant, and the family had her hide so she can carry out her pregnancy and give birth in secret. This way they wouldnt lose their status in their society, and their church.

ROFLOL!!! Thanks for the laugh! That's got to be the most ridiculous thing I've heard yet!

Edited to apologize to Goofygirl - I don't mean anything negative towards you. I just need to stay away from this thread. It makes my blood pressure go up!

 

[cruisnfamily]

Originally posted by goofygirl
Rumor has it that she was pregnant, and the family had her hide so she can carry out her pregnancy and give birth in secret. This way they wouldnt lose their status in their society, and their church.

That's the most ridiculous statement I've heard so far!

 

[Serena]

Um, goofygirl, I don't mean to insult you or where you heard that rumor, but I think that one wins the prize for the most off the wall rumor yet.

 

[CRB#33]

Anyone who actually believes or spreads that rumor, really needs to take a good hard look at themselves.

That is not even funny.

BUT these are the types of things that go around because everyone needs to make THEMSELVES feel better by judging someone else.

That rumor was started by one person who has absolutely no self esteem.

 

[goofygirl]

Edited to apologize to Goofygirl - I don't mean anything negative towards you.

Its ok, I am not taking it personally since its not even my theory.

I don't think its so strange, though. I've heard crazier things than that.

 

[bumcat]

I wouldn't be surprise if that was started by the media. If they can't get any info. they'll make it up. sad.