"Mad World"

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071016/ap_on_re_eu/interpol_manhunt_40

By ANGELA DOLAND and JOHN LEICESTER, Associated Press Writers Tue Oct 16, 4:04 PM ET

PARIS - A suspected pedophile being hunted by Interpol contributed to an online forum for teachers, and police say they believe he wrote under a pseudonym about the risks of catching HIV from oral sex and how to erase pornographic computer files "so no one will see."

Two teachers who knew and socialized with Christopher Paul Neil, a 32-year-old Canadian now being sought for allegedly abusing young boys, told The Associated Press he wrote extensively online under the pseudonym "Peter Jackson." They described him as a social, fun-loving person, and said no one in their circles suspected him of pedophilia.

The worldwide manhunt for Neil, who eluded police for years, is now centered on Thailand. Authorities say Neil flew into Bangkok on a one-way ticket Thursday and is still at large.

From Canada, Neil's brother urged him to turn himself in. "My mother is devastated and the family is in shock," Matthew Neil said from the family home in Maple Ridge, British Columbia.

Before Neil disappeared last week, more than 300 messages under the name Peter Jackson had been posted on a forum for English teachers called Dave's ESL Cafe. The posts are a window into the mind of a man who portrays himself as dedicated to teaching, well-traveled and well-spoken — but with a sophomoric sense of humor. Sex is a recurring theme, though he never mentions an attraction to children...

Mom sent this to me a couple days ago and I just saw a report on it on CNN. She sent it to me because she thought maybe I knew the guy. LUCKILY, I don't know him, but I am pretty sure I've had some contact with him on Dave's ESL Cafe as I researched teaching English in South Korea on the forum there before I decided to research Taiwan.

The thought that people like this could be colleagues, neighbors, friends makes me sick!! We are teachers for christ sake!!! We are there to educate these children even if it is only in English. We are there to give them confidence, to open their minds and prepare them for the future. They are just children!!!!

It is sad that the EFL teaching career is at such a demand for teachers that anyone can become a teacher and that means people who don't care or people like this guy who is now being chased by INTERPOL...

I hope that I can bring a positive light to EFL teaching. I truly want to be a good teacher and give these kids a chance to open their minds. I may not teach them to avoid scary and dangerous situations directly, but I hope that opening their mind will help to broaden their common sense and build their confidence so that they can live a happy and innocent life.

I have also decided that in a few years I would like to adopt a Taiwanese child, regardless if I already have children or not. I've been thinking about adoption for a while and OF COURSE I'm not going do it now, but I would really like to when I am financially and mentally secure.

Last night I tried to put myself in the shoes of an adopted child. I lived a very lucky life. I had a wonderful childhood in suburban Ohio with PLENTY of food, a roof over my head, clothes, well..EVERYTHING I needed and MORE!!! I was spoiled and an only child.

There are children out there who don't have a loving family or friends or warm clothes or comfy shoes...or any shoes. They don't get to sleep in a nice warm soft bed every night. They have to eat scraps, if they get any food at all. Chances are they are being abused in the orphanage and beaten and god knows what else...the thought of it makes me want to cry!!!!! They have no chance for a future and could end up on the street the rest of their lives or even dead by 15...

I wish I could give all of them a chance, but unfortunately I assume I will be struggling to give just that one child that chance to have a nice home, a happy family and a good life. But I would like to give that one child that chance.


Back to the news story...as for weirdos on online forums...they are EVERYWHERE...I like Dave's ESL Cafe! Dave's ESL Cafe has helped me with my research on EFL teaching as well as my CELTA and other things. It is such a shame that the bitter, jaded and disturbed try to rule the roost on ANY message forum. I know at least 3 people on EVERY forum I'm on that would be considered bitter, jaded or just plain effyouseekayd up... My point is...is that there are weird people out there and that's fine-Hell we are all different in our own ways...but you HAVE to draw the line somewhere!!! When it involves hurting people mentally or physically and involves children in such a sick and twisted way-it needs to be nipped in the bud!!!!

Well, that is my two cents...I'm sorry but it kind of has me upset...this could be happening to my students and I wouldn't even know...to be honest-it scares me...