1st of May Workers' Day, Bogota

scotty says on May 1, 2007, 16:45:

hmmm May Day Isnt that a communist celebrated holiday?

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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juancegomez says on May 1, 2007, 19:11:

4 Things 1. I don't know how it works in the U.S., but I don't think one has to be communist (I'm not) in order to participate in May 1st, nor to appreciate its existence.

2. I fully support any peaceful attempts to express dissent and protest against the current administration, and that's what most of the marchers did.

One can of course debate about the details of each particular criticism, but the act of peacefully protesting is something I fully agree with.

3. On the other hand, I still completely reject pathetic slogans such as that ""Uribe, fascista, Usted es terrorista", which do far more harm than good.

I find the intelligence of whoever came up with that particular phrase to be lacking, to put it lightly. Mass mentality may encourage some people to join in such chants, regardless of their factual and symbolic importance, but I don't agree with it.

4. Additionally, I fully reject the small minority of good-for-nothings that use protest marches as an excuse for vandalism, property damage, violence and theft.

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miamimike says on May 1, 2007, 20:25:

Wonder if any Coco Cola Workers Were Present? If I remember correctly, several have been killed in Colombia only for organizing to better their deplorable working conditions at the Coco Cola plants in Colombia. This is in no way communistic,,,Even the Chinese have organized the Walmarts that opened in their country.

My Avatar-- Sarah Palin Says " "You know the difference between a pit bull and a hockey mom?? Lipstick!" Now on a Short Verbal Tether by the Honorable John McCain

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juancegomez says on May 1, 2007, 20:39:

miamimike I don't know for sure right now, but if I had to guess, given previous precedents, they were likely present or represented at one or more of the marches nationwide.

Murders of union members are deplorable and will remain so as long as they continue to happen. That's one of the things that is historically protested against during May 1st marches.

Like I've said before though, not everything about unions in Colombia is limited to the barbaric violence against some of them, so while that issue is evidently very important, it shouldn't exclude other concerns. It cannot be said, for example, that all unions are equally and automatically vulnerable to violence, without looking at the specific details. To name one factor, there are forms of worker exploitation, for example, that don't necessarily involve any deadly violence.

And additionally, I don't think we are in any position to seriously discuss the different merits and pitfalls of Chinese unions, which are not limited to Walmart's.

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Alma del Norte says on May 2, 2007, 07:21:

Coca Cola - presente Yes, the Cola workers were there and a whole lot more. I think just about every group on the march apart from the communists, anarchists and christian contingent were using the "fascista" chant. It surprised me too.

La vida es una rutina

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Alma del Norte says on May 2, 2007, 07:24:

Scotty May 1, is an international labour day, it´s not communist per se. Many ordinary people were marching. I don't see that their political persuasion makes a differance anyway.

La vida es una rutina

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aztec says on May 2, 2007, 07:58:

It does make a difference because... ...it detracts from their main objective.

To many people of the world it is a day for celebrating communism. Just read the news from Cuba where the people were all atwitter hoping the communist dictator Castro might show up.

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Alma del Norte says on May 2, 2007, 11:06:

It's a day for celebrating Socialism, whether that's a communistic type or not. Got a problem with that? In the UK some of the most vociferous voices in the political debate are "commies" in one form or another. More power to their elbow...and the people come to that.

La vida es una rutina

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aztec says on May 2, 2007, 19:28:

Got a problem with that?Alma del Norte Hell yes! Is that emphatic enough for you?

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scotty says on May 3, 2007, 03:30:

oh yes it is its the day celebrated in a big way in all the communist countries and also celebrated by idiots who think it is about the worker, the laborer. its no accident that these illegal mexicans have chosen may Day to march. i cant wait until the put down their flags and raise the cycle and hammer flag...Chavez will love it!

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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kalder says on May 3, 2007, 04:53:

Friend "In the UK some of the most vociferous voices in the political debate are "commies" in one form or another."

Quite so. But they seldom raise their voices in the interest of the workingman. They usually save all that 'vociferousness' to clamour for some PC BS.

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

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scotty says on May 5, 2007, 04:31:

kalder same way everywhere. lets all get PC. i for one am going to follow the Sheryl Crow proposition and use only one square of toilet paper per sitting. This will be my way of helping global warming. i feel so goooood and so PPPPCCC.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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Miguel_Clavo says on May 5, 2007, 10:43:

How funny! this topic came up last year about the same time, and i mentioned it was an international day for communists as well, and i got blasted for saying that....everyone said it was Laborers Day, and Workers Day, Pick Your Nose Day for Jesus, etc...tried to educate those morons that the same day can have very different meanings in the various countries......now, where are those ignorant posters from last year? i should pull that thread up and list their names...jjajajaja


Just my opinion...

Miguel_Clavo =)..aka, DragonSlayer..2-0..Colombia es pasión!

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

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cali373 says on May 6, 2007, 21:15:

Scotty a simple yahoo or A simple yahoo or google search would have answered the question factually. The roots of may day actually started in the U.S.

Smile if you are a thinker!

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