aztec has left 2486 comments

aztec comments on The Right of Entitlement...real or B.S.?

dwmte7, were you not paid retroactive funds dating from when you first filed disability?

aztec comments on How to buy Colombian property and Colombian pesos.

tabla, euros make the US market a better bet for you! There are areas hurting where you can steal an apartment or house. Any one in the world can buy in the States without any special laws directed at them solely because they are aliens! Just keep all your transactions transparent. You have the same protection as any citizen. Of course you are also subject to the fluctuations of a fickle market.

aztec comments on The Right of Entitlement...real or B.S.?

Rikito My perception of what you are discussing is Classism(sp). Colombia still lives with the class system mixed in with a little racism.

aztec comments on ADIOS PBH

"...neo-nazis of Colombia and USA...peter, tinto and desi???" tasco66. I am late to this post but have to say the comment must have been made in just. My perception is they are very far from this description in their outlook!

aztec comments on buying property in colombia

Good question. I do believe you need to get an answer to this question if you plan to follow up with your purchase. When we were first looking to purchase our initial plan was to purchase an apartment in my wife's name. It became complicated immediately! For example, does she owe wind fall profits taxes on the "award" from her husband? The inheritance laws are different from those in the States.These are only two of the many obstacles one may find. My point is that you need to find a lawyer with experience handling foreign investments. That money you are planning to use, I assume is not already in Colombia? If you transfer significant amounts of money to Colombia you will need to eventually explain the transaction. Transparency is all the government is asking of you.This can be done with no repercussions if you follow the rules. Your problem will be in finding someone who knows the rules as they apply to your particular set of circumstances.

aztec comments on Pros and Cons of Moving to the UK

Britain and Ireland worst quality of life in Europe: study "Britain and Ireland have the highest average incomes in Europe but come bottom in terms of quality of life, while Spain and France are at the top of the index, according to a study published Wednesday. Britons have to pay sky high prices for fuel, food and other essentials, while having among the shortest holidays, latest retirement age and lowest life expectancy, according to the survey of 10 European countries. Ireland, which like Britain has seen a huge market-driven economic boom over the last decade, is even worse than its bigger neighbour, coming in last in the European Quality of Life Index by U-Switch, a British service comparison website. The findings come as Britain and Ireland face a sharp economic slowdown fuelled by the global credit crunch..." http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080716183816.flgnxhbz&show_article=1

aztec comments on An Invitation:

More than anything else besides the people these songs have formed the basis of my deep affection of the Country. On my very first trip I was exposed to the music and fell in love with it. It is truely a Colombian National Treasure!

aztec comments on man hole covers

My says the funniest things. She tells me that in Bogotá the thieves will steal the holes!

aztec comments on A Poltical Cartoon on Senator Barack Obama and his Wife

Thank you Plato. I did not know that. Sounds cool to me! Anyway, the older I get the more I am aware we Americans are all in the same boat!

aztec comments on A Poltical Cartoon on Senator Barack Obama and his Wife

Plato, I bet you did not know that the Northern aggressors occupied the South for ten years. That is longer than the United States occupied either Germany of Japan after the Big War! In effect the war did not end for the residents of the South in 1864/5. I am fortunate to remember my great grand mother (who was in her ninety's) talk about her father who disappeared when Sherman made his way through Georgia. Never to be seen again. She recalled when she was young, the soldiers came to her farm and slaughtered every living thing on the farm. There were no men around. Only women and children. For ten years after the war of aggression our Representatives in the Georgia legislature were predominately Black selected by the carpet baggers! And MitchAlvarez, I mean no disrespect to your mother. If you think so, I apologize. Since I cannot read Spanish I ran your statement written in Spanish through Google translator and it showed you referred to your mom.

aztec comments on A Poltical Cartoon on Senator Barack Obama and his Wife

MitchAlvarez, You are so prejudiced against the White Southerner it would not matter how I quoted you! And I mean no disrespect to your Mom.

aztec comments on Getting my birth certifcicate notarized ... getting my cedula

Why don't you ask someone at your nearest Colombian Embassy? My wife last week renewed her cedula in Atlanta. She was issued a temporary new one. She was informed it would be one year and a half before the original is available.

aztec comments on Wathing Anthony Bourdain! Colombians eat Pig Ears?

Not enough time to show Colombia! May have done more harm than good.

aztec comments on A Poltical Cartoon on Senator Barack Obama and his Wife

"ignorant country racist caucasians out in middle america and in many places in the south." There you go again! Mods never see these types of slights. Perhaps because they all agree with them?

aztec comments on PETER PLEASE READ -VERY IMPORTANT!

This is not a response about any alleged sex tourist. Rather a comment that I have never knowingly met a back packer in Colombia. This is evidently because they travel in different circles. The very last thing I am interested is where can one find a two dollar room for the night. Nor am I interested in hiking from Panama to Colombia through the Darien Gap! I do acknowledge that Colombian women are some of the most beautiful in the world. Nevertheless, I have no desire or inclination to visit Colombia for cheap and available prostitution. This site does offer an insight into the everyday life of Colombians. If read carefully, you will find people here who have experiences in all areas of the culture. Not only the poor barrios but also the rich country club life. There are good people in every part of the country. It is a mistake to write off one element of the culture simply because one is uncomfortable interacting with it! With regard to the comment about Rubito, GIB and Buggy, I vehemently disagree! Rubito and GIB at least live in Colombia and can share their perceptions of difficulties one may experience with the Colombia experience. Buggy was a nuisance who needed psychological counseling.

aztec comments on INTELLECTUALS LIE, THE POWERLESS DIE

Awareness by clander In Stuff that white people like. "An interesting fact about white people is that they firmly believe that all of the world’s problems can be solved through “awareness.�? Meaning the process of making other people aware of problems, and then magically someone else like the government will fix it. This belief allows them to feel that sweet self-satisfaction without actually having to solve anything or face any difficult challenges. Because, the only challenge of raising awareness is people not being aware. In a worst case scenario, if you fail someone doesn’t know about the problem. End of story." What makes this even more appealing for white people is that you can raise “awareness�? through expensive dinners, parties, marathons, selling t-shirts, fashion shows, concerts, eating at restaurants and bracelets. In other words, white people just have to keep doing stuff they like, EXCEPT now they can feel better about making a difference. Raising awareness is also awesome because once you raise awareness to an acceptable, aribtrary level, you can just back off and say “Bam! did my part. Now it’s your turn. Fix it.�? So to summarize - you get all the benefits of helping (self satisfaction, telling other people) but no need for difficult decisions or the ensuing criticism (how do you criticize awareness?). Once again, white people find a way to score that sweet double victory. Popular things to be aware of: The Environment, Diseases like Cancer and AIDS, Africa, Poverty, Anorexia, Homophobia, Midde School Field Hockey/Lacrosse teams, Drug Rehab, and political prisoners.

aztec comments on Selling pesos in the United States

Aztec, and your part of the country is?? North East Georgia.

aztec comments on Drinking Club Colombia Now!

Seriously beer experts. What exactly do you believe is the best tasting beer made in Colombia. I have over the years tried almost all of them but haven't formed an opinion since I am an occasional beer drinker.

aztec comments on Selling pesos in the United States

"mcheasley says on Jul 13, 2008, 20:01: flag I would have bought them this weekend while i was in Asheville." Man, you live in one of God's great locations! Asheville and the Lake Lure area, are destinations of most of those bounce backs or half backs as we call them in our part of the country.

aztec comments on Best Place to Invest in Real Estate in Colombia...

Gator, what do you think about investing in a "second" home in Villa de Leyva? Been there several times and am aware it is one of those places where people from Bogotá like to visit. Not a day trip but an easy overnight. Think one could leave it for a few months without "squatters" moving in? Probably need a caretaker. Another possibility would be rental since I see quiet a few for rent there now.

aztec comments on Rubito is missing

Desi and Peter know what happened to Rubito. If you are interested you will need to contact one or both of them.

aztec comments on US Minutemen/vigilante border patrol = paramilitary?

I saw a billboard yesterday that read: NEED HELP? CALL JESUS 1-800-505-3787 Out of curiosity, I did. A Mexican showed up with a lawnmower.

aztec comments on Happily Married Colombian's to American's. If your out there please post!!!!!!!

Successful marriage is hard to accomplish even when both of you are born, raised in the same city, share the same religion and are relatively close in age. My first wife meet all of those criteria. The marriage was successful but hard mainly because we were in that stage of raising children and never having enough money. With my second wife of 18+ years, a Colombian, we met none of those variables! In the first few years none of it matters but eventually it catches up with you and problems arise from different perspectives and cultures. Fortunately, we loved each other enough to work through them. I am now at the happiest and most satisfying part of my life. I must give thanks to my Colombian wife for that!

aztec comments on Buy Colombian!

Although I am Coonass, is that too French? lpdiver No. Maybe for those who don't have any idea what it means

aztec comments on US housing depression and black holes

Watched all day out of fear that I was seeing the end! This is serious folks. I was born in the major economic crises and have lived through others. If our leaders are not very careful we all will be on the soup lines. Time for leadership. Can't worry about political fall out. Unfortunately, the big financial institutions will need to be rescued. Otherwise me and you and the rest of the world are in unchartered waters. I know it is tempting to say to hell with them. That would be alright if we were not in the same sinking ship. Leadership requires action now and lets execute the guilty later.

aztec comments on Giving the dog a bone...

No not at all. I was jealous that I never had the exhilaration of the sport. We only had "roller skates"!

aztec comments on US Minutemen/vigilante border patrol = paramilitary?

kernow62, welcome back. Of course the are not the same. Didn't mean to imply they were. When I am in Bogota about all you see on local TV is CNN, BBC and the news from Mexico.

aztec comments on Clara Rojas le reclamó a �?ngrid Betancourt que le diga por qué se molestó con ella

The woman needs more protection than she is receiving. It is unfortunate she does not have assess to a structured rehabilitation program.

aztec comments on US Minutemen/vigilante border patrol = paramilitary?

wabbits, I lived next door to a soldier who survived the Bataan March and was held in one of those Japanese internment camps. They were unbelievably brutal. You do know the Japanese never signed the Geneva Convention protocols regarding POW's? About the only difference is that they did not burn the POW's in ovens! The tortures done to women and men are unspeakable. And comparing the US Minutemen border patrol to the paramilitary shows the effects of the Mexican TV! Most of the people in Colombia get their international understanding spoon fed via CNN and BBC.

aztec comments on Sustaining the Medellin Miracle Colombia Struggles to Hold On To Gains From Globalization

Thank you huskie. Good to read one like this!

aztec comments on Flexible Notoria required

A "flexible" Notory sounds like creative accounting!

aztec comments on Drinking latte with tyrants never works

Concern Arises Over Implications of New ICC Indictments on Darfur By Derek Kilner Nairobi 11 July 2008 The conflict in Darfur has killed between 200,000 and 300,000 people since 2003, and displaced over two million, according to U.N. estimates. http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-07-11-voa30.cfm

aztec comments on Drinking latte with tyrants never works

GregYohn, why in the hell is there not one African Country stepping up to prevent this atrocity in Darfur? You want that our American sons and daughters bleed for a place the whole world cares not one damn bit about? Where is the outrage in Europe? Oh, perhaps another resolution from France will also take care of this problem. The only thing I agree with you here is that it is outrageous to allow the massacres to continue. Just imagine what an outcry if America introduce troops to the area. You would be among the first to allege we were there only for the oil!

aztec comments on Hostages cite intolerable conditions

tasco66, You are joking? Or is that just a rhetorical question?

aztec comments on Drinking latte with tyrants never works

Why not pass another resolution against crime and murder. That will take care of our problems. While they are at it perhaps a mandate for a "livable" wage of $35,000. No problem it is that easy! Resolutions, demands and peaceful demonstrations will solve everything.

aztec comments on Only in Colombia, Part 47

Doesn't do much for her creditability. In the US she would be a celebrity but not in Colombia!

aztec comments on Five Reasons Why Liberals May Dislike the Betancourt Rescue

You may be interested in knowing that Conservatives share your concern about the wire tap bill. The right and left are in accord on this matter. History has too often proved that an unsupervised controlling government is more dangerous than any ideology. Having said that, let me paraphrase one of the Justices, "The Constitution is not a contract for suicide"! There must be a balance which protects us and at the same time guarantees our freedom. Where one draws the line is where the controversy exists. Someone with cultural backgrounds like Peter and Desi would place the restrictions at a different location than someone like me and others who see Government as more dangerous. That is not a value judgment but rather my perception they see the world differently. Doesn't mean they are wrong or right. Fortunately those two views of the modern world can coexist in the center of political thought.

aztec comments on Giving the dog a bone...

"on my skateboard" Lcacique Wow, How old are you?

aztec comments on

COLOMBIAN HOSTAGES INTERVIEW They speak for themselves! http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/07/10/farc.americans/index.html http://mxp.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/10/an-interview-beyond-words/

aztec comments on Five Reasons Why Liberals May Dislike the Betancourt Rescue

You can always vote for Bob Barr of the Libertarian Party.

aztec comments on The Three American Hostages interviewed Friday in the wee hours

She has been on all day with a few clips from the interview. I believe the interview will run off and on all day tomorrow beginning at 6:00 AM.

aztec comments on Five Reasons Why Liberals May Dislike the Betancourt Rescue

An Ally Betrayed July 10, 2008 "Last week’s daring rescue of 15 Colombian hostages held by the Marxist FARC has been universally hailed as a triumph of military strategy. But at least one group besides the gulled guerrilla jailers looks diminished in its aftermath: Congressional Democrats." http://frontpagemag.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=C4F88BB6-FA32-4172-A27C-288AA6BCD6C9

aztec comments on Five Reasons Why Liberals May Dislike the Betancourt Rescue

miamimike I am willing to concede Slick Willie initiated Plan Colombia but how about your admitting both houses were controlled by the Republicans. All funding bills must be started in the House.

aztec comments on Secrets of Married Men - Men, especially married men, are at a disadvantage in relationships, both verbally and emotionally.

Really?

aztec comments on Guys this is the type of Latina you need to find and Marry..

stellita is the best, i think. if not, she's got me hornswaggled........... No way! After 19 years you know you have a winner!

aztec comments on Five Reasons Why Liberals May Dislike the Betancourt Rescue

Thanks tasco66 for the post.

aztec comments on INTELLECTUALS LIE, THE POWERLESS DIE

Romy are you not an Argentinian living in Canada?

aztec comments on what makes USA a "first" world country?

Wouldn't you just love to be trapped in a fox hole with romy and Lcacique?

aztec comments on INTELLECTUALS LIE, THE POWERLESS DIE

Because of the difficulty with the url I have posted the whole article. Posted: 3:50 am July 9, 2008 THE greatest lie intellectuals tell us is that "the pen is mightier than the sword." That's what cowards claim when they want to preen as heroes. Billions of words have been hurled at Sudan's government. The misery in Darfur not only continues but deepens. While intellectuals wrestled with compound sentences, Darfur degenerated from selective oppression to savage anarchy. Legions of columnists and commentators have deplored Robert Mugabe's monstrous rule in Zimbabwe. But none of the hand-wringing by American, European or even African intellectuals restrained one fist or stopped one club in midair. Guess who "won" that election. Regiments of professors and pundits have bemoaned China's gobbling of Tibet for half a century. The result? Beijing cracked down even harder. "Brave" columnists wrote countless columns bemoaning the suffering of the Kurds and the Shia under Saddam Hussein. Their earnest paragraphs didn't save a single life. Only when better men acted did the surviving victims of one of the world's worst dictatorships glimpse freedom - an imperfect freedom but better than a mass grave. Nothing positive is going to happen in Sudan or Zimbabwe (or Tibet) until rule-of-law states take action. As outraged activists scribble on, Beijing blithely continues supporting these and other rogue regimes (and our president crawls to the Olympics - it's as if FDR had rushed to the games in Berlin). There was a good reason the assassins of 9/11 attacked the targets they did, rather than steering those planes into Columbia University or Harvard Yard: They knew that the potency of the intellectual is illusory, that it dissolves at the first shot. As I pointed out on July 4, even our glorious Declaration of Independence and our Constitution would be no more than bizarre artifacts had they not been defended by patriots willing to fight. Does anyone really believe that there's anything we can write or say that will persuade al Qaeda to make nice? It's on the strategic defensive today but only because our soldiers and Marines thumped the hell out of its cadres in Iraq and Afghanistan. The point isn't that military solutions are always the best solutions - any problem that can be resolved without bloodshed should be handled peaceably. But we've got to stop playing pretend: In this hate-plagued, often merciless world, events sometimes demand action, not just talk. Our diplomats and "distinguished commentators" see the world from the 17th floor of a luxury hotel or the office of an English-speaking Cabinet member. The insular safety of their lives has convinced them that every problem has a peaceful solution if only we can all have a good chat. But those who rule by the sword (or the fist, or engineered famines or outright genocide) don't want to hash things out. They want to win. No elegant phrase has ever stopped a bullet in midflight. Please, educate me: In over 5,000 years of more or less recorded history, how many tyrannies have been overthrown by noble sentiments? How many genocides have been averted by reasonable discussions? How many wars have been prevented by Quakers? As William James - no archconservative - put it a century ago, "History is a bath of blood." It's been a long time since we got badly splashed (9/11's casualties were an average day in Normandy). We're so spoiled that we've forgotten how brutal humankind can be. But our enemies are determined to remind us. Meanwhile, they practice on the innocents close at hand. If the pen truly were mightier than the sword, the defense industry would be making ink, paper and keyboards, rather than smart bombs and body armor. A pen wielded by a talented writer may wound a target's ego, but a sword will cut off the writer's head. Pacifists mean well. But they're a dictator's best friends. The man who won't fight for justice abets the terrorist, the tyrant and the concentration-camp guard. All decent men want peace. But wise men know that not all men are decent. The use of the pen is an indulgence we can afford only because better men and women grip the sword on our behalf. Ralph Peters' new book is "Looking for Trouble: Adventures in a Broken World." http://www.nypost.com/seven/07092008/postopinion/opedcolumnists/intellectuals_lie__the_powerless_die_119080.htm

aztec comments on PBH Marriage Posts

Don't try without a lawyer. Will be the best and wisest spent money ever!