American Embassy ????

Mario says on Jan 10, 2007, 10:28:

Depends what you're there for I went in January 2005 (out of ignorance) to report my presence in Colombia as is recommended by the U.S. State Department. I was initially given a hard time but after a few minutes of explaining what I was there for, as well as my CITIZEN RIGHTS, they were persuaded to open the gate.

I was there again 2 weeks ago for the purpose of registering my daughter's birth abroad, filing for a SS card and applying for her passport. I was again allowed in and I spoke on the phone by the Citizen Services door to the Director of U.S. Citizen Services who I'd communicated with previously via email and he informed me it was a new rule to make an appointment for this purpose - so I returned last week as scheduled and everything went fine...

But you won't see a U.S. flag flying there and that is totally F***** UP. The Colombian guards on duty at the U.S. Embassy will also stop you from taking any photos with your own tax dollar-supported embassy in the shot, but I think I got 8 or 9 before I was stopped.

"The angle of the dangle is directly proportionate to the swerve of the curve."

Mario says on Jan 10, 2007, 12:05:

No... I'd thought of that when I was there and that was one excuse given, but based on where the flag was in early 2005, it's not possible. Even at half mast, the flag is still supposed to be visible from the ground within some regulated distance and I was within 50-80 yards of that location, from out in the street exiting the taxi to walking up to the building entrance for Citizen Services.

"The angle of the dangle is directly proportionate to the swerve of the curve."

aztec says on Jan 10, 2007, 15:09:

mario "I went in January 2005 (out of ignorance) to report my presence in Colombia as is recommended by the U.S. State Department."

You can do this via the internet.

Mario says on Jan 10, 2007, 17:54:

Aztec I wouldn't do it on a bet. It's a waste of time. My brothers know where I am when I travel and if for some reason I don't make it back, they know what to do.

"The angle of the dangle is directly proportionate to the swerve of the curve."

blogota.com says on Jan 10, 2007, 20:21:

What's the big deal with the flag? I know I wouldn't give a rat's ass if I didn't see the Colombian flag at our consulate in Washington. Remember... religion and patriotism ain't (shouldn't be) the same thing.

PV

blogota.com

utopiacowboy says on Jan 10, 2007, 22:03:

They did not want to let me in. I took out that blue passport, waved it in their faces and said, "I'm an American citizen and I'm going in." My advice is raise hell with your congressmen about it.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

Mario says on Jan 11, 2007, 05:40:

The big deal? It's considered U.S. soil and the flag is supposed to be present by regulation.

UC - They did the same with me in January '05 and I did the same as you except I must've had a different guard. They let me pass through alone with my wife waiting on the sidewalk outside the gates - and I went to the phone at the USCS entrance and called inside. Never really went past the second security desk at that time. There are three security checks between the street and the USCS area.

Somebody ought to remind those working there that it's taxpayers like us who are paying their salaries the next time they get arrogant with a U.S. National entering our own friggin' embassy. But that won't matter.

"The angle of the dangle is directly proportionate to the swerve of the curve."

Mario says on Jan 11, 2007, 06:08:

Pretty good points Remember a few months ago how Americans had to reimburse the U.S. government to be airlifted out of Palestine?

"The angle of the dangle is directly proportionate to the swerve of the curve."

bufalo says on Jan 11, 2007, 07:14:

Both times I had something to do at the US embassy in Bogotá. I got the same dweeb with the same attitude. I gave him a huge attitude back once and cursed him out the second time. Both times it worked fine, guy came back all nice calling me Sir and all. This wasn't the guard out front, but the US people on the inside.

I went to the embassy in Barcelona and called the one in Madrid, what a bunch of sweethearts - a whole other world.

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

Gomezman5 says on Jan 11, 2007, 07:16:

Well Stated "It's about planning and personal responsibility - if you want to live in a war zone or other hot spot, you ought to have some cash or a credit card handy."

Yes sir. That above quote about says it all. OOooops I almost forgot, there are no wars in Colombia. Colombia, a hot spot? No way. When will I learn????

Mario says on Jan 11, 2007, 07:20:

The only U.S. person I saw inside... Was the woman who took my money at the window, the 7th and next to last person involved in my transactions there.

It's true that you have to be ready to be completely assertive to the point of hostile to get into your own embassy in Bogota, but whatever works, sad to say.

"The angle of the dangle is directly proportionate to the swerve of the curve."

Mario says on Jan 11, 2007, 07:23:

Fortunately We're nowhere remotely near the type of situation in Colombia where U.S. citizens and other foreign nationals have to be airlifted out en masse.

Unrelated really, but this Reuters article from 1-4-07 is interesting:

http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=worldNews&storyid=2007-01-04T182936Z_01_N04282480_RTRUKOC_0_US-COLOMBIA-CRIME.xml&src=rss&rpc=81

"The angle of the dangle is directly proportionate to the swerve of the curve."

southern151 says on Jan 11, 2007, 11:19:

Mario.. The worst part is, they opt to live there and they should be accountable for their whereabouts. They knew where they were moving! Yet, in New Orleans, there are a bunch of our own that were living down there in a friggin bowl! They were bleeding us dry well before that bitch, Katrina came to visit! Now, they are all there really hammering it home in us! I live near all of this so, I speak with experience. You should see the shit! My town was one of the first places they were evacuated to and you'd see them in Wal-Mart spending FEMA money like they had hit the fn lottery! I wonder when they will have to pay that back? Oh yeah, never!

The moral of the story is, it is time that Americans everywhere learn to stand on their own two feet. I'm glad that Americans in Palestine had to pay to be removed! Maybe they will learn to stay out of areas of hostility and other danger. ???????

cali373 says on Jan 11, 2007, 19:01:

"Sounds fair to me". Let me get this straight. The same law requires US citizens abroad to pay US taxes, but in the event something terrible happens you and have no other option but to seek help from your government, which you are still financing while living outside the country, you have to pay for help (in the case of lebanon the US is indirectly involved by giving israel more billions of our tax dollars to oppress palestinians). Isn't paying taxes already helping? So when Clinton gave OXY 98 million dollars to help defend their pipeline, did OXY have to reimburse our Government later on? Shouldn't OXY have thought "about planning and personal responsibility" - if you want to exploit natural resources at make millions by getting favorable concessions from a government and live in a war zone or other hot spot, they ought to have some funds handy to protect their investment.

Smile if you are a thinker!

cali373 says on Jan 11, 2007, 19:35:

"The moral of the story is, it is time that Americans everywhere learn to stand on their own two feet. I'm glad that Americans in Palestine had to pay to be removed! Maybe they will learn to stay out of areas of hostility and other danger. ???????" I could agree with you more!!! Since the Large corporations are legally an entity of the us with legal rights like a citizen. They should also stand on their own feet and not depend on the US armed forces or millions in "AID" (which the defense industry profits from) to pave the way for exploitation of third world countries. One example I mentioned earlier with $98 million to protect OXY's investment. Another example: We hear everyday about the issues in iraq, however you never hear about the oil suppy being disrupted. Why, because those operations are the safest part of iraq, because it is protected by our army. I should also mention that prior to the invasion of Iraq, it's oil industry was run by iraq. Now it is being run by the usual suspects. Exxon, PB, chevron, etc. And keep in mind that even though you hear about oil being at $57-$60 a barrel, the iraqi people do not get that rate.

Smile if you are a thinker!

alvinl35 says on Jan 12, 2007, 05:52:

trip to cali, american money to pesos Hello, I will be in cali, colombia next week. I need to know where I can go to change american money to pesos. I need a ATM, is the ATM in english??? I will bring american money and travelers checks. I was in Cali, six months ago and I stayed at the Radission hotel and they cash all my checks into pesos. this time I am not staying at a hotel, but with my girlfriend.

I am from florida and need to know if I can used my ATM card in Cali. ALso, I will bring cash and travelers checks. what is the best way for this.
Please help!! ALvin

cali373 says on Jan 12, 2007, 07:57:

"If the pipeline was constantly being blown up like it used to be, the environmental damage would be huge and there would be hundreds of millions of dollars in less revenue for the Colombian national treasury." Tinto, I almost fell off my chair laughing so hard. Multi-nationals caring about the environment. That is like saying the U.S. government under Bush cares about global warming and the environment.
1) there would be hundreds of millions of dollars in less revenue for the Colombian national treasury. Colombians win.

Do not make the mistake that the Colombian government and the colombian people are one and the same. While the Colombian treasury may have more revenue, under no circumstances even under Uribe can we say that the "Colombians" are better off. Perhaps rich cronies of the politicians win, since its usually they who benefit from the state treasury. If the state is worried about revenue they should reduce subsidies and increase taxes on the Oil and mining multinationals who get incredible incentives to exploit Colombia's natural resources. Especially when resources are at an all time high in prices. So do not even try that one Tinto.
2)"the environment wins"
I agree that the environment will have a small win with less pipeline attacks but that is greatly offset by Companies cause environmental damage. In 1994 British Petroleum was fined $267,000 for damaging natural resources and contamination due to non-compliance with environmental laws. Drummond and Exxon open pit mines also damage the air quality in nearby areas. The aerial drug fumigations make arable land of licit crops useless.

3)"US taxpayers win when Colombia has money to repay its debts." from the worldbank website: Individual debt instruments issued by the World Bank are not direct obligations of any government. However, World Bank debt instruments are collectively backed by the capital commitments of its member countries. Actually The U.S owns 16.9% SHARES of the worldbank, It is largest shareholder, so U.S. taxpayers may benefit somewhat If the returns are used for infrastructure, education, real homeland security.

4)"but you can find thousands of these special interest handouts in the federal budget." Thanks for acknowledging that Tinto. Let me tell you I just fell a whole lot better now (sarcasm).
Rationalization you said? Come on Tinto, you have been known to do alot better than that post

Smile if you are a thinker!

cali373 says on Jan 12, 2007, 08:07:

The mention of the U.S. constitution on this toipic is a new level of "AUDACITY" I have heard on this forum. Considering that the so called "conservatives" who have falsely proclaimed themselves to a strict interpretation of the constitution, violated it so much since 1999 that rendered its words basically worthless, until last novembers elections. Nixon's soul in Hades is looking up and must be thinking, you see what I did was not so bad. Then looking over to Reagan and Saddam (next to him) and saying "make room for the bush jr and his dad".

Smile if you are a thinker!

cali373 says on Jan 12, 2007, 11:58:

"It has nothing to do with liberals or conservatives" I completely agree, i was just re-iterating the current Republican lingo. Today's Republican party is far from being Lincoln's Republican party.

Smile if you are a thinker!

aztec says on Jan 12, 2007, 19:41:

This is for cali373. & other liberals on the site. Immigration. ------------------------------------------------------------------------
THEY ARE HEADING FOR *CANADA* NOW
Manitoba Herald, *Canada*

The flood of American liberals sneaking across the border into *Canada* has intensified in the past year, sparking calls for increased patrols to stop the illegal immigration. The actions of President Bush are prompting the exodus among left-leaning citizens who fear they'll soon be required to hunt, pray, and agree with Bill O'Reilly.

Canadian border farmers say it's not uncommon to see dozens of sociology professors, animal-rights activists and Unitarians crossing their fields at night.

"I went out to milk the cows the other day, and there was a Hollywood producer huddled in the barn," said Manitoba farmer Red Greenfield, whose acreage borders North Dakota. The producer was cold, exhausted and hungry. "He asked me if I could spare a latte and some free-range chicken. When I said I didn't have any, he left. Didn't even get a chance to show him my screenplay, eh?"

In an effort to stop the illegal aliens, Greenfield erected higher fences, but the liberals scaled them. So he tried installing speakers that blare Rush Limbaugh across the fields. "Not real effective," he said. "The liberals still got through, and Rush annoyed the cows so much they wouldn't give milk."

Officials are particularly concerned about smugglers who meet liberals near the Canadian border, pack them into Volvo station wagons, drive them across the border and leave them to fend for themselves.

"A lot of these people are not prepared for rugged conditions," an Ontario border patrolman said. "I found one carload without a drop of drinking water. "They did have a nice little Napa Valley cabernet, though."

When liberals are caught, they're sent back across the border, often wailing loudly that they fear retribution from conservatives. Rumors have been circulating about the Bush administration establishing re-education camps in which liberals will be forced to drink domestic beer and watch NASCAR races.

In recent days, liberals have turned to sometimes-ingenious ways of crossing the border. Some have taken to posing as senior citizens on bus trips to buy cheap Canadian prescription drugs. After catching a half-dozen young vegans disguised in powdered wigs, Canadian immigration authorities began stopping buses and quizzing the supposed senior-citizen passengers on Perry Como and Rosemary Clooney hits to prove they were alive in the '50s.

"If they can't identify the accordion player on The Lawrence Welk Show, we get suspicious about their age," an official said.

Canadian citizens have complained that the illegal immigrants are creating an organic-broccoli shortage and renting all the good Susan Sarandon movies. "I feel sorry for American liberals, but the Canadian economy just can't support them," an Ottawa resident said. "How many art-history majors does one country need?"

In an effort to ease tensions between the United States and *Canada*, Vice President Dick Cheney met with the Canadian ambassador and pledged that the administration would take steps to reassure liberals, a source close to Cheney said. "We're going to have some Peter, Paul & Mary concerts. And we might put some endangered species on postage stamps. The President is determined to reach out," he said.

Seems that migrating to Colombia would be easier.

Mario says on Jan 12, 2007, 20:46:

That's funny Because it shows how unquestionably stupid the author is.

And like Senator Rangel said of G.W. Bush. "I think he shatters the myth of white supremacy once and for all".

"The angle of the dangle is directly proportionate to the swerve of the curve."

Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 12, 2007, 22:22:

Voting Dongringo, why do you say you can't vote when you're living abroad? I vote with an absentee ballot in every election.

In terms of the US government's relatively useless stance toward its own citizens abroad: Sure, it's not in the constitution, but it's frickin' WEAK that the single richest government on earth can't do for its citizens what dozens of less affluent countries do as a matter of policy. After the tsunami, for example, a huge number of European countries charted jets to get their citizens out of danger ASAP. The US was pathetic when it came to helping Americans stranded there.

Another interesting example I know about is that the UAE had private charter jets into New Orleans airlifting out dozens of Emirati college students who had been caught by Katrina. The jets were there and gone before FEMA even had any serious manpower on the ground to help Americans. So it seems foreign countries are even better at taking care of their citizens than the US is at taking care of our people in our own country.