benign.indifference has left 60 comments

benign.indifference comments on Best coffee in Colombia?

Alright, thanks everyone. Maybe I can buy them some Colombian coffee, watch them drink it and rave about it, then throw it in their faces that the best coffee is already in the USA, and that they fell for my clever trick. But that wouldn't be a very good wedding present I guess.

benign.indifference comments on Hogar visa to work visa, a quick question

Thanks a lot Gator, that is just the information I was looking for...

benign.indifference comments on spouse visa to work visa

Thanks, but that is not an option. This is a foreign-funded aid project requiring everything be legit.

benign.indifference comments on LGBT rights defender killed in Cali

Morrongo, I agree that it could certainly be robbery or something unrelated to his sexual preference. I think the point of the document is to be sure a full investigation is done to determine the cause for two reasons: 1. This guy's life has been threatened in the past, and, 2. Police investigations into murders of gays, lesbians, and transsexuals in Cali tend to end quickly with a cursory "crime of passion" label. No word yet on what motivated the crime. Just wanted to make people aware.

benign.indifference comments on LGBT rights defender killed in Cali

More to this document (from World Organization Against Torture) at: http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/49b78bc82.html It is a shame. I tend to view the world as "Human Rights for all humans." This guy put his ass on the line more than once to protect rights, so I feel he deserves some respect. As far as I have heard, still no news about motive...

benign.indifference comments on what's a good bottle of wine here?

I find the Frontera Cabernet Sauvignon with the "Concha y Toro" mark to be a good value at around 18,000. Well received wherever I go.

benign.indifference comments on Going to Cali with American girlfriend

For larger nightclubs I suggest clubs in Menga (Praga, Mango Biche, etc.). For variety, I just head to Barrio Grenada and walk around. It is safe and there are loads of smaller clubs. Just try some places out. Also a couple of pubs that play live music near Av. 8, Calle 17. I don't eat out a hell of a lot, but Grenada has a ton of restaurants as well. Typical restaurants will be the panaderias, which you'll have no trouble finding all over. I have travelled to Lago Calima a few times. Safe trip and a good road. Nothing to worry about.

benign.indifference comments on VISA PROBLEM - My fault but I still could use some help

UPDATE I went to DAS at 8 am. They said to come back at 2 pm. At 2 pm they said I would have to go to Cali to pay the multa. I begged a bit and said I am a volunteer in Cali, and my wife is in Cali. I´m surely coming back. They gave me an exemption, but wrote in my passport that I have to go to DAS when I return to Cali. Now I am in Quito and all is well (for now). Thanks for the advice.

benign.indifference comments on Absolutely The Best Apartment in Cali Available for Short-Term Rental in March 2009

I live near there, but definitely not living quite as large. Damn it. If you rent, maybe you'll see me walking by!

benign.indifference comments on To all the extranjeros who are working legally in Colombia.

My wife's employer told her the same thing: obligatory, even if you'll never see it. It would be great if that were not the case. She is a contract employee.

benign.indifference comments on Get small electronics fixed in Cali?

Hey, thanks!

benign.indifference comments on Cali to Quito

great info, thanks...

benign.indifference comments on A Job Regarding the Conflict

Do you speak spanish? If no, then teaching English is as close to working with this conflict as you are probably going to get. You may be able to catch on as a volunteer if you get your feet on the ground here, but paid work is highly competitive and fluent Spanish is a must.

benign.indifference comments on Anyone know there owls?

Thanks for all the tips! Looking at the pictures, it appears that corporalgator and Robert Scanlon were correct; I think it was the tropical screech owl.

benign.indifference comments on Homebrew in Colombia?

dw, Currently, I have a gas stove, so cannot implement the cooktop still I would prefer. Darloup, You cannot use the shitty kit. You've got to select your own ingredients and hone the brew to your own taste. I have made a few stinkers, but have also made some really pleasing brews. I haven't found any mean Colombian brews as of yet (not in Cali anyway), this the desire to produce one. I will figure this out, then I'll let you know how it went...

benign.indifference comments on The Colombian Goverment taxes the shit out of Christmas packages from overseas!!!!!

I had a similar unpleasant experience recently. Just because we got screwed doesn't mean it isn't legal!!!

benign.indifference comments on Buying a Cab?

Thanks guys. This is just the kind of information I was looking for.

benign.indifference comments on Christmas competition - win 20$!

I'll go withb an even 2,100.00 COP. I know, even never wins, but I'm not a winner.

benign.indifference comments on Colombian Coca Production Increases

Catfish, OK, There has definitely been an increase in distribution through Mexico, which is apparent, but I don't see your point. There is always going to be a new middleman when one gets cracked down on. How does that relate to production in Colombia? I lived in DC for the better part of the last decade, and there was definitely quality blow around, if you wanted to pay for it. Care to back up your assertions that we have won the war on drugs?

benign.indifference comments on Colombian Coca Production Increases

well thanks!

benign.indifference comments on Colombian Coca Production Increases

Well Darloup, I would tend to agree with you about the ability to find stats to suite your needs, and no one is truly independent, but I think there are two things to take into account when considering those sited by Foreign Policy: 1) The agenda of those creating the stats. I agree that the UN tends to be credible, as does the GAO. If anything, the GAO may be pressured to show progress. The fact that they are reporting otherwise is telling. 2) I think stats are only as important as the analysis you can draw from them. I don't think the stats from the FP article and those you presented are contradictory. I don't think they tell different stories. In fact, the report you site shows the same data: 2007 cultivation was up significantly (on pg 13). We have to look at them in context. The stats from the FP article tell us that more coca is being cultivated in Colombia, and more land is being used to do it. That is all. To me, this means the lives of people in the country are likely not getting better as a result of the eradication programs. The UN report tell us that less finished product was actually produced, but does address why: "Crops, however, were either not well tended or planted in poor yielding areas, as potential cocaine production only grew by 1% overall to 994 mt." (pg 25) It does not say aid to Colombia led to this decline. The WORLDWIDE share is a red herring in my view, as that is largely due to external factors (greater production in Venezuela, Bolivia, Peru). So, what can we draw from this? I would say that pressure on the supply-side in Colombia is negatively affecting poor farmers and armed actors with an interest in the trade. Demand is not being driven down, so prices for coca are still high, and driven higher as risk to produce is increased. I think you see this in the stats about greater cultivation and land use in order to meet demand. Until poverty and livelihoods programs take hold, this trend will continue. The report you site states that global production has remained steady, the majority of it from Colombia. I don't think this is what the framers of this aid had in mind. I appreciate your contribution, but I don't see your stats as contradictory.

benign.indifference comments on Colombian Coca Production Increases

Now I do not dispute that Colombia could use further US aid for internal security (fighting the Farc, narcos, and remobilized paras), but I think fumigation and targeting of coca grown by campesinos is a waste of that money. I think those of you who make the point that Colombia is safer with this aid are correct. However, we can target security measures without the impossible dream of coca eradication. Agreed? I think addressing the root causes of these issues would be a better policy (poverty in LA and addiction in the US and Europe).

benign.indifference comments on Cali to Machu Picchu?

Thank you for the advice so far. Let me stress that I doubt that I have the funds for 1 flight, much less two. I would certainly welcome the opportunity to make my life easier, but I do not have the financial means to do so. Bargain options are preferred. thanks.

benign.indifference comments on Help with some Colombia-related statistics

Thanks everyone for your tips.

benign.indifference comments on Ecuador Defaults on Bonds

What do you mean "finished"? Not trying to be an A**hole, just wondering about your analysis of the ramifications.

benign.indifference comments on Oppenheimer report: Subsidies In Latin America Go to the Wealthy

Economically speaking, this is my biggest critique of Chavez: He claims to want to support the poor and end exploitation by the rich ruling class, but then doesn´t target Venezuela's money appropriately to achieve the goal. He educates the ruling class while they badmouth him and his policies. With better programs and more stringent controls Venezuala could make a far greater impact on poverty. He seems only to want the headlines and rallies, while avoiding the hard and unpopular work of defining a target population, then monitoring and evaluating progress.

benign.indifference comments on Quality souvenirs?

Greg, Where is this jewelry mall you speak of?

benign.indifference comments on Dog trainers in CALI?

great idea, thanks!

benign.indifference comments on What is the average monthly salary in Colombia?

My wife and I live in Cali on maybe $800/mo. We do fine, plus have to pay some bills back home...

benign.indifference comments on Chiquita admits to funding/arming Paras, paying a fine

Yeah, my bad, it happened a while ago. However, I just came across it and found it interesting. Sorry for the old news, but still kinda interesting.

benign.indifference comments on Chiquita admits to funding/arming Paras, paying a fine

I cannot imagine being in that conference room when they hatched this plan. OK, I can, and I see it something like this: exec. 1 "My MBA program taught me to think outside the box. We sell bananas, right? Well we could sell more bananas if we shipped some guns down there, gave them to the strongest group we can buy, and set them loose!" exec. 2 "I like where this is going..."

benign.indifference comments on What is the best way to send and receive money via Internet from the US to Colombia

I have also withdrawn over a million at the Citi near parque versalles. I do not have a CitiBank card.

benign.indifference comments on Can you recommend a tattoo parlor/artist in CALI?

I forgot to ask: anyone know an approx. going rate? I am looking at getting a full shoulder piece done, maybe about 7"x5". Thanks.

benign.indifference comments on “Plan Colombia is ruining us; it is killing all of our crops

sanandressi, rather than just make such a strong statement, why don't you tell us WHY spraying is a good idea and should not be stopped? I think you are wrong, and rather than simply call you stupid, I'd first rather hear your justification. As for growing coca, I think it is the most rational capitalist move for these people. Generally, being a subsistence level farmer isn't that great. As I understand it, the Colombian government doesn't have much of a presence outside the cities (as far as education, infrastructure, social services go). So, people look for a way to better their conditions. Rational, not stupid. There are a number of ways forward. I think tomtom33 and lpdiver make two related and very valid points: 1. Drug trafficking cannot be stopped. It is simple economics. Even if you exert more pressure, you'll simply drive of the price, which will incent others to fill that void, perhaps more ruthlessly. 2. Legalization of coca would move the problem to the demand side, thus alleviating a lot of problems for Colombia (in my opinion). Give the green light and the narcotraffickers will get a taste of their own medicine, as big business moves in on THEIR territory, and takes over their lucrative businesses. All of the sudden you'll have Blackwater down there as a legitimate state actor protecting the next iteration of the United Fruit Company. Don't get me wrong, this doesn't sound optimal to me, but if you want the Farc and the Narcos gone while making a healthy bit of tax revenue, this is a good option. In fact, the War on Drugs, as conceived during the Nixon years, was never meant to put greater emphasis on supply. Two thirds of funding was to be dedicated to combatting demand (treatment and prevention). This plan has backfired, as coke on the street has actually fallen in price, in inflation adjusted figures. Spraying crops will not work. If you spray their cash crops and their food crops, they'll only need that coca cash infusion more. Worse, if you accidentally spray some else's legitimate crops while attempting to eradicate their neighbors coca, you may have just created a new producer (out of necessity, I might add). I really think the issue deserves a more nuanced analysis than "Coca wrong... Hulk smash!"

benign.indifference comments on Dollar Taking a Huge Dive against the Peso!

I earn pesos and have bills demoninated in dollars. BRING ON THE HUGE DIVE!

benign.indifference comments on

Simon, I take exception with your comment. This is not a binary decisionmaking process. It is possible to spend the money in more productive ways. To name a few: treatment for drug addiction in the US, conflict resolution education in Colombian schools, rural infrastructure development, training for and promotion of small business, etc., etc. Or, we could just give the money to Citibank!

benign.indifference comments on Rangel says Obama won't block Colombia deal

I have the feeling that this trade deal is just the kind of slam dunk that can get Obama rolling. He gets some language inserted in the deal that allows him to play the happy "CHANGE" music, and gets a boost from conservatives that wanted this thing passed, as well as keeping up relations with "our man" in the region. From my tone, don't draw that I don't like Obama in particular, I just don't trust politicians in general. Nothing ever really changes, and victories in the headlines are always easier than true victories on the ground.

benign.indifference comments on unbelieveable situation in baq

People are basically the same everywhere: some good, some bad, some selfish, some altruistic. I think you could certainly find analogous situations in the United States. That fact detracts nothing from the nobleness of Maria's actions...

benign.indifference comments on Washington Post: Pass the Pact

OK, to talk about the actual text of the article, I find this claim specious (not in its veracity, but in its nature): Crime statistics for 2007 show that union members in Colombia were actually less likely to be murdered than members of the general population. While this may be technically true, what does it mean to say that in a country with one of the highest per capita murder rates in the world! I think this sort of misleading logic calls the entire article into question. The person is obviously trying to build a case with obfuscating facts. I don´t doubt there are good reasons to pass this pact, but I don't appreciate efforts to use fuzzy logic to convince me.

benign.indifference comments on Colombia to help irate pyramid scheme investors

Maybe these are the smart people. It sounds like a good "investment" if you can force the government to subsidize the risk...

benign.indifference comments on Travel to the Amazon (from Cali)

OK, Thanks for the feedback. This trip may not be feasible right now. ixent, I´ll look into your suggestion...

benign.indifference comments on Which are the best English institutes in Medellin, Cali and Barranquilla???

I've heard good things about the Instituto Colombo-Americano in Cali. I already speak English, so I can't speak from experience.

benign.indifference comments on Is there more americans in CALI then MEDELLIN??

I am from the United States and I live in Cali. I am about as "bad" as Michael Jackson in the same-titled music video, but I haven´t had any problems. Grant you, I don´t go traipsing around Aguablanca or other such places and I keep my wits about me. However, if you just beat a murder wrap, I suggest you choose Medellin (for my safety)...

benign.indifference comments on Bolivia Slams EU Bid For Trade Talks With Peru, Colombia

Why is it loony to suggest that S. America could organize as an effective trading block? We are talking about negotiations with the European Union, correct? I don´t think they are always one big happy family. It is about leveraging economies of scale... Like splitting a Costco membership with your douchebag neighbor.

benign.indifference comments on

Byron, Just curious about where you found the article. From a mainstream news source?

benign.indifference comments on Human Rights, El talón de Aquiles de Uribe

As I said earlier, I really think the trade agreement has a better shot of passing with Obama as President. With a Democratic Congress, the deal can just be given some window dressing to Obama's liking, then passed for an easy Democratic victory. It is a gimme. With McCain, there it would have been unlikely to get support from a Democractic Congress.

benign.indifference comments on In desperate need of topo maps of Colombia

You might also find this interesting: http://mapascolombia.igac.gov.co/wps/portal/mapasdecolombia/

benign.indifference comments on

There is an anarchist socialist in this race? I thought it was just the standard centrist pabulum generally served up by the two parties that have a stranglehold on American politics (and the obligatory Ralph Nader). Maybe I will vote after all...

benign.indifference comments on Bloomberg: FARC Is a `Paper Tiger' After Offensive, Desertions

Interesting article. I found the subject line a little misleading, though. Bloomberg never called FAC a paper tiger, Santos did. I would find it more credible had the news organization chosen those words rather than a member of the Colombian gov't (whether you believe it to be true or not).

benign.indifference comments on Does ANYBODY know where to get a wedding dress in CALI?

I don´t know the prices, but there is a wedding/bridal shop on Calle 23, Just off Avenida de las Americas. Near this address: Calle 23 A No. 2N 70.