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My Sister, Nicole Vienneau, Has Gone Missing in Syria
vienneau.livejournal.com — Canadian female backpacker gone missing in Syria. Any help from the Digg community in locating her is greatly appreciated.
tjex- 2805 diggs
- digg it
- PyroSkank, on 10/12/2007, -359/+66This is (one of the many reasons) why I will never, ever travel to an Islamist hellhole like Syria.
I sincerely hope that this poor woman turns up safe and sound. But I doubt it.- junkalam, on 10/12/2007, -120/+113I doubt an uneducated bigot like you would have the money to travel anywhere. Syria is as anti-islamist as they get. Look it up if you don't believe me.
- Ouzin, on 10/12/2007, -52/+20@pyroskank
Oh wow. That was just wrong dude.
/agree with @junkalarm - inspecality, on 10/12/2007, -26/+81If I ever go to a third-world country, I'm taking John McCain. He'll protect me.
- gldfshnpcklejar, on 10/12/2007, -87/+34Why the ***** would anyone with money/no relatives in a first world country go into Syria.
Possibilities of what happened to her:
1) Raped
2) Murdered
3) Kidnapped
4) All of the Above
5) Fell off a cliff
6) Heart Attack
7) Brain Hemorrhage
8) Attacked by a bear
9) Slipped in the bathtub
10) Hates the original poster and doesn't want to stay in contact with you.
And I agree with pyro. I hope she's alive, but that's what you get if you go places like that. - kidhero, on 10/12/2007, -33/+111@junkalam:
hey *****, syria is over 75% arab and muslim in one sectarian form or another. good thing your enlightened ass knows so much about geography. - oonix, on 10/12/2007, -18/+13@coolestkidalive
she could blend in easily if looking at skin color only. syrians are "whiter" than most "white" people. - olddirtycr, on 10/12/2007, -20/+18Hopefully she's safe somewhere and just not able to reach email. I commend her for her bravery on traveling around the world, I find it hard to step out of the United States.
- junkalam, on 10/12/2007, -33/+19back @ kidhero
I was talking about the political system in Syria you moron ! It's a Bathist regime just like Saddam Hussein's was. Islamist movements and their line of thought are the greatest threat to Bathists and thus their enemies. IDIOT ! - kuzotz, on 10/12/2007, -15/+13Ever sinc eI was a child it has been my dream to travel around the world...
I'm in the US... Anyway I do a lot of traveling now, and enjoy it..
I understand the dangers of international travel, and this canadian woman hopefully understood also..
If I am to die it will be on the road(traveling).. - gldfshnpcklejar, on 10/12/2007, -38/+24Summary of most comments on this page:
"Your sister is a dumb ***** for going backpacking in Syria by herself." - Cwo655321, on 10/12/2007, -23/+2pics or it didn't happen :P
- GawtMilk, on 10/12/2007, -20/+5Because the target demographic of Digg users are middle aged Syrians who actually get out of the house. I understand why you're concerned, but posting it to Digg? How do you honestly expect this community to help?
- kuzotz, on 10/12/2007, -9/+14Well I'll be in Turkey next week, and I live in Oklahoma... I come here to get news nothing else.. It has various sources.... Thus I like digg.com its like a hub.
- AegisGFX, on 10/12/2007, -23/+5When she gets back, can I get her number?
- fkr3, on 10/12/2007, -24/+2I found her. Oh wait no, sorry, I forgot I'm not in Syria.
Good luck though. - crocodilexp, on 10/12/2007, -6/+44@pyroskank
You'd be surprised at how some places portrayed as hellholes in the media can actually be quite nice to travel in, with welcoming locals very eager to talk to foreigners and make friends. Laos, for instance, is a very interesting destination with friendly locals -- despite being a communist hellhole (after being bombed into stone age by the U.S. during the Vietnam war).
This said, you do have a point - being a single, young female traveler in a middle-eastern country is not really wise. It is a matter of time before something bad happens. Makes you wonder what she learned in all her long travels.
Of course, I hope she emerges alive and well eventually. - LovingDigg, on 10/12/2007, -8/+16Diggers would be glad to help, but the only problem is we don't leave our computers. We eat, sleep, and die on digg.
- mrbeagle, on 10/12/2007, -17/+9Three weeks missing? Not to be negative, but I think you should start preparing for the worst. I'm sorry.
- flxfxp, on 10/12/2007, -12/+37How is the digg community supposed to help? Should we all look on Google earth?
- hdtvdust, on 10/12/2007, -36/+0I'd hit it. Your sister is hot. (was hot?)
- rnwen2750, on 10/12/2007, -3/+28Wow, you all have never had anything utterly terrifying happen to you all, have you? If you had, you would know that even something as seemingly illogical as posting on digg can make you feel a bit better, hoping against hope that someone SOMEWHERE will have heard something.
- mhale85, on 10/12/2007, -9/+9@kidhero
You use profanity and ad hominem and then confuse Islamist with Arab and Muslim. I suggest you analyze responses before you insult an entire civilization and other digg users. Additionally, unless you mean political geography, which implies a degree of knowledge in comparative world politics, what do the borders of the nation of Syria have to do with its domestic political makeup? - jamessavik, on 10/12/2007, -15/+8I do love Canadians but they are so gulliable.
OK Canucks- one more time for the hard of hearing: just because you are politically correct, don't expect everybody else to be. - ICSU, on 10/12/2007, -6/+15I was in Syria some years ago with my friends backpacking and it was awesome. Friendly people, low prices, nice places to visit.
Crime is very low there, almost non-existent. I am afraid this case only helps to strengthen Americans' irrational paranoia.
And yes, we did have women with us and are all white and looking "Western". - schnuck, on 10/12/2007, -4/+5pyroskank, syria... is that not bush's top ally when it comes to send his most favourite citizens & guests for some extraordinary rendition roundtrips? i wouldnt call that a hellhole. you dont call allies hellholes. that would almost make your country a hellhole... oh wait!
- ubuntuedgy, on 10/12/2007, -6/+9Syria is not one of those hard core places like Saudi Arabia is (I have been to Saudi). Syria is more like an Iran: very western, but you would never know it from watching our media. I mean, come on, their leaders a ***** wackjobs...so is ours. We're brothers!
- thebrownell, on 10/12/2007, -7/+4@jamessavik:
I do love most Americans but you are an *****.
OK dumbass - one more time for the hard of hearing: don't judge a whole nation on one person's actions. - faskippy, on 10/12/2007, -4/+0@ goldfish...YOU are what's wrong with this picture.
- tugger, on 10/12/2007, -8/+9Syria is hell of alot safer to travel around than the USA.
They don't sentance kids to death either..
Civilisation is relative. - matthewmok, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9I have been to Syria and found it to be surprisingly very "Western". The people were friendly, accommodations clean and the city of Damascus was far cleaner than Paris. I also felt very safe there. Safer than I have felt in most big cities of the U.S., Mexico, S. America, or Europe. Now that is not to say there are not dangers. But I mention my experience only in that she could have been harmed in any number of places in the world just as readily. Just because she was in Syria does not mean her chances were increased. I also always traveled with a companion and I am not female; IF I were female I would certainly always travel with a companion. When you travel with a companion or two the chances of venturing into harm is far less no matter where you are and such exotic trips can be done with a lot of safety.
I hope she is o.k. and she turns up... - snypa, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4I don't know why junkalam is being dugg down, hes completely right, the government is not even an Islamic one, neither was Iraq's.
Any backpacker is at risk from kidnapping etc etc in ANY country; they're in unknown territory and often alone, in this case, being a middle eastern country makes her risk no less or more. You a lot of people here seem to think white foreign females are mercilessly raped and killed by a bunch of savage wild animals in the Middle East. - littlebylittle, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3@hdtvdust
A person is talking about a missing Sister and you're saying "I'd hit it?"
You're f*cking sick in the mind.
I don't think you're a Troll either. I think you mean to be sick and cruel. - diggimator, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1@kidhero
As other downvoted users have already pointed out, junkalam was objecting to the description of Syria as an "islamist hellhole", given the strong influence of its Baathist government.
As western powers have been more engaged in the Middle East recently, it is important for people to know the difference between the terms "islamist" and "muslim." A muslim country can be anti-islamist at the same time.
Ever since the US put them on their *****-list for being in favor of continued UN weapons inspections over Bush's war plans, I suppose they've received an image of being a more "dangerous" place than it actually is. I don't think it is likely Nicole is in the hands of terrorists. That said, I hope Nicole is found ASAP.
- DirtySnachez, on 10/12/2007, -27/+9I'd bet the streets of Vancouver (E.Granville etc) nowdays probably see more shady business that the main drag in Syria.
- digg-dugg, on 10/12/2007, -10/+5E.Granville? doesnt Granville street run north south?
- jchrome, on 10/12/2007, -8/+4How could a place be more safe or beautiful than Granville? You're on crack.
- raabco, on 10/12/2007, -5/+7Apparently You've never spent any time on Hastings st.....
- kushed, on 10/12/2007, -6/+48I am sure she was aware of the risks, she took the challenge but this adventure had a unfortunate ending. Hopefully she is ok and returns home to tell the storry.
- skim1420, on 10/12/2007, -5/+6The blog mentions how stressed her parents were about these trips, which apparently happen frequently. I don't know exactly what she does on these trips, but I hope it's just for leisure, putting her family through apparently what is a valid worry.
- datalife, on 10/12/2007, -7/+17If there are any diggers in Syria, go outside and look!!
- kuzotz, on 10/12/2007, -20/+7Screw her family she is following what she wanted to do in life. ITs the woman's life. The family does not OWN her......
I swear my grandma is scared that I'm going to Turkey.. to be more specific. Istanbul. She thinks I'll get blown up or some *****. I'm tired of this crap. Yes they can worry that's natural, but jesus let people travel let them follow their dreams in life. It is what I love to do. Travel, and backpack. Since I will die sooner or later hopefully I die traveling because I died doing what I loved... - tjex, on 10/12/2007, -3/+33Can't you people put your idiotic coments to the side and try to help for once? Stuff happens all over the world!
I seriously can't believe how insensitive some of you are and how childish you come across as. - d3c0yn4m3l355, on 10/12/2007, -4/+4Sorry to say, but I CBA. I don't feel sorry for disappearing of her as many more disappeared in the meantime. Though it might be painful for the family, this happens to more people. If we are going to diggup all disapearances that happen daily digg would be a lost-people website instead of what it is as we speak.
Also for all those idiots claiming that 'she was aware of the risks' Syria is a nice place to be, its just as dangerous as Canada or Turkey. Nor is it islamic like a lot claim. But then most people reading digg probaly never left their own country so rely on what NBC delivers them to their tele.
- dandan111, on 10/12/2007, -12/+16Good luck finding her, we really hope she is ok, though I agree going to Syria to backpack might not have been such a great idea. Too late now, in any case, so let's help anyway we can.
- kevincannon, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I'm sure that someone who's travelled so extensively has a good ideas of the risks involved, presumably a much better idea than most people here.
- shrs27, on 10/12/2007, -4/+34i hope that she is ok.
- Zzyw, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5Also, the sky is blue.
- Karted, on 10/12/2007, -35/+3I normally would bury these types of stories but since shes Canadian like me i will digg it. Good luck.
- Itazura, on 10/12/2007, -43/+3Hostel d00d.
- GawtMilk, on 10/12/2007, -8/+4Slovakia != Syria
- ynggrsshppr, on 10/12/2007, -18/+27I'm not sure what a bunch of people sitting in front of their computers can do for a missing person in Syria. I don't believe in prayer so that is out of the question. Being kind and saying words of comfort seem silly as well. What to do.
- masamunecyrus, on 10/12/2007, -4/+60The presumption is that someone viewing this
A.) Is currently in Syria, viewing digg
B.) Knows someone in Syria that they can tell to check the local news. - DarkReign16, on 10/12/2007, -14/+4Oh, sorry, I meant to digg you up. = (
- ipodman715, on 10/12/2007, -4/+5Pray to the FSM...
- Pertuberant, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3I think the thread is all about shouting out loud his sister is missing. And if I am right, then the thread has got a serious reason to live on...
- masamunecyrus, on 10/12/2007, -4/+60The presumption is that someone viewing this
- mastermind59, on 10/12/2007, -24/+9Sex slavery is high in that area, many white girls are kidnapped and or sold for a couple thousand dollars. I hope this didn't happen to your sister and she is ok.
- FatShady, on 10/12/2007, -42/+15And Digg will help find her.... how, exactly?
Why do so many people Digg up these ***** retarded "stories"?- DeskFlyer, on 10/12/2007, -28/+13Probably for the same reason why people like me bury ***** retarded posts like yours. Idiot.
- DeskFlyer, on 10/12/2007, -5/+35I hope your sister turns up OK.
Dugg. - gafasiesornivek, on 10/12/2007, -12/+33Quick everyone! To the Diggmobile! Nothing like contacting the authorities when Digg can solve everything!
- estvir, on 10/12/2007, -8/+24"To the Diggmobile!"
I see a Photoshop competition coming up.
- estvir, on 10/12/2007, -8/+24"To the Diggmobile!"
- Aliarse, on 10/12/2007, -16/+51I'm going to start up Google Earth right now.
Give me 1 hr and i will have found her.- kenvsryu, on 10/12/2007, -21/+121try these coordinates: 09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0
- estvir, on 10/12/2007, -10/+8Jack Bauer, is that you ?
kenvsryu, that was gold. :) - Aliarse, on 10/12/2007, -10/+29Way to steal my thunder, kenvsryu.
My Google Earth comment was a future classic, but as usual, someone always has to go one better. - hdtvdust, on 10/12/2007, -4/+20Diggers sure know how to overuse a joke to the point of patheticness.
- mckirkus, on 10/12/2007, -8/+8Call me an arsehole but isn't this a crappy thread to make jokes? I think the best bet is that some journalists from the mainstream media sees this and brings it more attention. Good luck with your sis.
- secretrk1313, on 10/12/2007, -8/+8please let this story go big so people that can help will.
- HolyCrapYo, on 10/12/2007, -15/+9I'm on my way there. I mean really.. No? Anyone? Come on? Fine.
- marky7186, on 10/12/2007, -4/+1is she horde or alliance?
- dugR, on 10/12/2007, -26/+17what, does this look like search and rescue? This is mostly a tech related website.
- assholepundit, on 10/12/2007, -13/+26I have checked Stormwind, Ironforge and Darnassus, but have found no sign. If you guys can check out Orgrimmor, then we can meet up in Thunderbluff and plan the search of Underworld. I didn't read the whole article, this is a level 25 hunter we're looking for here, right?
- Wacer, on 10/12/2007, -10/+8@assholepundit
Even in a serious story you idiots have to post stupid jokes and gaming crap. Can't you find a different article to post your fermented comments.
- assholepundit, on 10/12/2007, -13/+26I have checked Stormwind, Ironforge and Darnassus, but have found no sign. If you guys can check out Orgrimmor, then we can meet up in Thunderbluff and plan the search of Underworld. I didn't read the whole article, this is a level 25 hunter we're looking for here, right?
- djdigital, on 10/12/2007, -14/+5Looks like digg is back up.
- TubbyCat, on 10/12/2007, -8/+13People over-react everything. I always thought that Israel was some bombing-everywhere-people-dying country. Ends out that when I get there that they're just a bunch of friendly people. We weren't even in danger in the Palestinian areas. In other words, Syria isn't very dangerous. Stop acting like she's an idiot for going.
- biuku, on 10/12/2007, -17/+41omg, i read the top 10 comments on digg and want to throw up. listen all Americans ... it is normal to travel in what you call "third world" countries ... that's how you learn to not bomb them. that's what the outside world does.
she's in trouble and needs help, not some brutal hatred or ignorance about what thickets may lie beyond the shire.- userini, on 10/12/2007, -3/+13I have been born and raised in a third world country, and I would never in hell recommend for someone from the west to go backpacking around where I'm from. In most third world countries, people automatically assume that if you're from the west, you're rich. Even if the motive is not robbery, a person from the west might get hurt or killed simply out of sheer anger and jealousy of the local populace. And I'm not even mentioning that she (most likely) was not Muslim, and thus, a non-believer.
- siszam, on 10/12/2007, -13/+14I've said a prayer for Nicole. I sincerely hope she turns up ok.
- DarkReign16, on 10/12/2007, -8/+5She wants us to help her siszam, as in do something that would find her.
- reddevil3, on 10/12/2007, -7/+15I love how all the diggers started bashing the "Islamist" countries. RTFA, they traveled through multiple MidEast countries and *GASP* enjoyed the places!
- Scheissen, on 10/12/2007, -25/+3You do know your sister got lost in Syria, right? You do know this is digg?
- DarkReign16, on 10/12/2007, -5/+13You underestimate the power of digg.
- DarkReign16, on 10/12/2007, -6/+18Imagine the world wide headlines if we find her, "DiggersFinds Missing Girl, world says 'dugg'".
Seriously, maybe we diggers can unite for a good cause, who's with me?- G-RaZoR, on 10/12/2007, -2/+7eww...ouch...sorry darkreigh16, I gotta work. I'm *out*
- rnwen2750, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5And can you imagine the headlines when they post these responses to this? You all need to get some damn perspective.
- kevlarbaboon, on 10/12/2007, -13/+3I didn't find her on Google Earth, but hey I think those might be some elephants!
Ah, no nevermind.- Shadowhawk109, on 10/12/2007, -9/+5You were doing a search in America, not Syria. Those were our fat lesbians.
- rnwen2750, on 10/12/2007, -7/+2Fat lesbians? Hardly. The fattest people I know are computer nerds (male mostly). Oh wait...
- smokeyjohnson, on 10/12/2007, -8/+8she's probably just out of reach man. I certainly wouldn't listen to these assholes. third world country wont have wireless internet and cell phone service.
- Flimnit, on 10/12/2007, -2/+18The more people that share this story the better chance that the media will pick it up. This is how Diggers can help...tell everyone you know.
- kuzotz, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8anyone that is researching current events through the net and other methods are ten steps ahead of the mainstream. I think people underestimate just how ill informed the mainstream is.
- qubed, on 10/12/2007, -1/+30I've got several friends in Syria after travelling there a couple of months ago. Beautiful country, really amazing. We went all over the country and the people were so friendly to my wife & I who had come all the way from Australia. Will definately email them the link now, hope she is okay.
- washingtonydc, on 10/12/2007, -15/+1people still play magic?
- HanSolo69, on 10/12/2007, -19/+6Well good thing Digg has soooo may users in Syria, I'm sure one of them has seen her.
/heartless bastard - chriskzoo, on 10/12/2007, -20/+3I'd hit it! (seriously, how'd you guys miss this in the first 60 posts!?)
- partriv, on 10/12/2007, -20/+1i'd hit it...
i wonder who else would... - partriv, on 10/12/2007, -23/+2bury this
- futureisours, on 10/12/2007, -9/+13Reading the comments on here... it's just pathetic.. I think it's obvious that she shouldn't have been backpacking (alone?) in this country.. doesn't mean you have to say it.
- jlhoben, on 10/12/2007, -4/+11Hope you find her.
- Sithlrd, on 10/12/2007, -19/+3Darwin wins again
- adragontattoo, on 10/12/2007, -15/+16Ok I just checked my condo, and she is not here, I REPEAT SHE IS NOT HERE!
- HouseofEl, on 10/12/2007, -14/+4I really hope she is found. Yet I still can't help but think why someone would be willing to backpack through ***** Syria right now. The political climate throughout the middle east would make me very nervous, no matter how experienced I was.
- Cirrius, on 10/12/2007, -14/+4My sincerest condolences, but I have to ask, did anyone ever point out to her that backpacking in Syria was maybe not such a good idea?
- ajamer, on 10/12/2007, -1/+111Syrian American digger here and let me just say many of you guys have a warped understanding of the area. In all honesty, Syria is safer than your typical American city. Internet access is prevalent, and access to prepaid GSM SIM cell phone cards is easy.
Your best bet is to contact the Canadian embassy and maybe they can tell you if she's crossed the border into Turkey.
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/syria/contact-en.asp
Street Address
Lot 12, Autostrade Mezzeh
Damascus, Syria
Postal Address
The Canadian Embassy
PO Box 3394
Damascus, Syria
Telephone: (011 963 11) 611-6692
Fax: (011 963 11) 611-4000
Email Addresses
* General Inquiries: dmcus@dfait-maeci.gc.ca
The Syrian police are actually top notch. My cousin was kidnapped a few months ago (yes, I said there is very little crime and I stick by that, this was a crazy case) as he is the son of a very wealthy merchant. The kidnappers pretended to be Iraqis and demanded 450,000 Euros as payment.
Long story short, the Syrian police have audio recordings of EVERY phone call in the country and were able to figure out that it was my relatives business associate behind it all. When the heat was on, they tried to dump the kid off a highway, but every body in Syria had heard his story.
My relative threw a big party for his son's safe return and invited the business associate who kidnapped him. In a Count of Monte Cristo type revenge plot, he was black bagged by the police and will probably be executed along with the other gangsters.
If she was close to the Turkish border, you might want to contact the Canadian Consulate in Aleppo (the 2nd biggest city in Syria, and on the border)- Vienneau, on 10/12/2007, -1/+17@ajamer
We're working with Foreign Affairs and presumably all the various Syrian Consulates have been contacted and are the lookout. The RCMP (Canadian police) have contacted Interpol as well. - railsroad, on 10/12/2007, -11/+7Your story make Syria sound like a very safe country.
So, basically, any invitation could be a potential death sentence?
Regardless, I'll fill that RSVP soon. Thanks :) - ajamer, on 10/12/2007, -2/+18@railsroad
I wanted to demonstrate how paranoid the Syrian government is right now about the crap in Iraq spreading spilling over into Syria. With Syria taking on more than 1,000,000 refugees, there is a definite threat that a few criminals made it through. Other than the story above, the only other crime I heard about was at a LAN center between 2 Counter Strike teams and after one player smacked his friend next to him for screwing up. It resulted in internal bleeding and the guy died. - ajamer, on 10/12/2007, -1/+12also, don't put too much weight in a lack of credit card history as only touristy places (big hotels) will accept them. I was in Syria last summer, and ATMs were just starting to be rolled out. I don't know if they're on the Cirrus network. Most people exchange cash on the gray market (a jewelery shop or something)
Also, if she ever took a bus between cities, she would have had to register and write her name in a log book. That's a good place to ask the police to check. - captmorgan555, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Wait wait wait... your friend smacked your other friend over a counter strike match. Which killed him! And thats how you got to discussing this missing girl?... WTF
- Vienneau, on 10/12/2007, -1/+17@ajamer
- UrbanVoyeur, on 10/12/2007, -22/+12Of course I hope she turns up ok, but I have to ask why a white, non-Muslim, non-Arab, unmarried woman would travel solo in the backwaters of a Arab, Muslim country while the US is engaged in a shooting war in Iraq and tempers in Israel and Lebanon are near a boiling point.
Yeah, it's a cool adventure an all that, but this is not the 60's or 70's and that is dangerous part of the world. People, guns, money and drugs are all moved across the Syrian borders through the wilderness. Stay out there long enough and chances are you'll find someone who doesn't want to be found.
I don't want anything bad to happen to her, but this was not a very bright thing to do. Just because you CAN go somewhere doesn't mean you SHOULD.
Hopefully, she just sprained an ankle and managed to get help from a village that was off the grid.- kuzotz, on 10/12/2007, -2/+15theres drugs and money and weapons being moved in almost every ***** country.. The world has always been dangerous. blah blah blah.
Have you even been to Syria. Most Syrians are freaking whiter than christmas..
BTW Syria isn't any more dangerous than Turkey... And trust me tons of tourist pour into these places. And many tourist goto Iran, and many many tourist goto Cuba.
- kuzotz, on 10/12/2007, -2/+15theres drugs and money and weapons being moved in almost every ***** country.. The world has always been dangerous. blah blah blah.
- rubored, on 10/12/2007, -23/+3I ate her..
- mobislink, on 10/12/2007, -5/+22Diggers are a pretty insensitive bunch. Regardless of what drives someone to travel to a 3rd world country he is asking for help. Posting this story here on the slight chance that someone from Syria may have seen her or can provide information. It is very unlikely but when someone you love is missing you try anything possible.
What can we do? Simply dig the story so it gets as much visibility as possible and maybe a comment of hope.
Some of the comments here are heartless. Just think if it was your little sister or you mom. How would you feel if someone said nonchalantly, "she was probably raped".- zaibatsu, on 10/12/2007, -2/+12I agree that something bad might have happened to her. But, lets try to be civil, and if anyone on the site is in Syria, or has access to resources in the country then lets help. Not all of us are heartless on this site. My company doesn't have any contacts in the country, but I would be willing to help fund anyone that does have some contacts. Check my profile for contact info.
- stevenvh, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2@hagnar:
how about making moving to Five Degrees of Separation, with Digg's help?
- gmweezel, on 10/12/2007, -15/+4Excuse me if I sound inconsiderate but since when did Digg become a missing person's investigation office?
- kevincannon, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2No, you're not excused for being so callous.
News outlets are often used for tracking down missing persons.
- kevincannon, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2No, you're not excused for being so callous.
- jgarra23, on 10/12/2007, -28/+2I say fake. Sorry, something about it doesn't ring true to me.
- Vienneau, on 10/12/2007, -1/+23Check the length of the blog (it's mine). Google me to verify my credibility - Matthew Vienneau. I'm her brother (and real). It's not fake.
- fucter, on 10/12/2007, -16/+1same here, but i don't want to seem like a jerk
- stevenvh, on 10/12/2007, -4/+23"I say fake. Sorry, something about it doesn't ring true to me."
LIKE WHAT!!???
- Syria doesn't even exist. It's a made up country like Kazakhstan and Australia
- You can't backpack that far from home. Your backpack will disintegrate
- Nobody ever went missing. Ever.
- Nicole. Now I ask you. Does that sound like a person's name? Huh? HUH!!??
- PainCompliance, on 10/12/2007, -8/+4Well I do pray that she is alright and that God will look out for her. It's not the ignorance of people going to these countries that worries me, it's the ignorance of some of the people IN these countries that's scary.
And before I get all bashed by you folks, remember last year when a Fox news reporter and his cameraman were taken hostage in Gaza? After they were released they said that their captors kept insisting to the cameraman that his home country- New Zealand- was part of the United States and that he was a CIA agent/operative. That type of ignorance is NOT an isolated thing I am sorry to say. My point being that you may tell someone that you are Canadian but if you are a white, English speaking person, they most likely won't believe you. Many of the POW's during the first gulf war who were of darker complexion or had somewhat Semitic feature were accused by their interrogators of being Israeli's. Even when they were clearly British or American. The people over there see the boogie man around every corner.
I hate to paint a bleak picture and I truly do hope she is safe and comes home ok. I think really you have done all you can do for the moment, hopefully the RCMP, FBI and your embassy over there can get Interpol to but someone on it. But I wouldn't put a whole lot of hope on Interpol getting off their lazy asses a doing much, I've dealt with them in the past and they on seem to do anything when it's "high profile"- ajamer, on 10/12/2007, -1/+20Syria is nothing like Palestine. I've heard more gun fire on the south side of Chicago than in Syria
- everlast88, on 10/12/2007, -4/+17some of you are such douche bags, this man is requesting your help and so many of you are just going "well, she shouldn't have gone to syria", I'll get some important people i know (sorry, i cant name names) to spread the word
- LisaRianne, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0thank you, nicole is my cousin and it's nice to know that there are human people who have heard this story
- Vienneau, on 10/12/2007, -2/+55Hi Everyone, this is Nicole's brother Matthew. It's my blog that this is linked to.
I do appreciate everyone's comments - even the nasty ones. Some were even rather amusing.
My hopes in attempting this is to use the power of large groups of people. The more people I reach, the more likely I'll find someone who has relatives in the area, or has recently travelled the area, or has ideas that we haven't though of, or whatever. It's like networking to get a job, but on a much bigger scale. Unfortunately, as several of you have pointed out, the Internet is much more of a Western world/North American thing than a Syrian thing, but I can only work with the tools I have.
I appreciate people raising the profile of the article so that more people notice it. And if you want to offer any private advice or suggestions, I can be reached at mattv99@hotmail.com.
As for travelling Syria - it's not as bad as many of you seem to believe, especially for Canadians. Violent crime is much lower than in the West, for example. While there are definitely risks, at this point I'm much more suspicious that there was a car accident or something similarly mundane than anything exotic like a terrorist kidnapping. Quite frankly, if I could just reach someone in Damascus who could ask around at the various hospitals, that would be a great help, though I'm hoping the Canadian government has already done that.
Keep on commenting!
Matt- zombiedepot, on 10/12/2007, -1/+11Good luck on finding your sister. Keep us updated.
- kidcodea, on 10/12/2007, -7/+2"it is normal to travel in what you call "third world" countries ... that's how you learn to not bomb them. "
lol :) - DeFex, on 10/12/2007, -11/+2They don't care. she is not american.
- Mactard, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8Good Luck.
I would be devastated to lose one of my sisters.- ipodman715, on 10/12/2007, -5/+2At least I don't have any siblings (well it's a mixed blessing...)
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