Colombia's displaced 'rises 25%'

romy says on Apr 23, 2009, 09:39:

Please a President for all Colombians

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Boisegringo says on Apr 23, 2009, 16:34:

Rural Colombia is a lot like the back woods of Kentucky or Tennesse, or the southern reaches of the Mississippi Delta. Its a big ol' inbred world that the rest of the world ceased caring about...I am not saying it is right or wrong, but it definitely is a horribly sad part of our humanity...

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romy says on Apr 23, 2009, 17:28:

I completely disagree. Most upper class Colombians have rural backgrounds, hence the cultural importance of fincas, ferias, cabalgatas, etc. The inbred stuff is fairly inaccurate as well for rural Colombia.

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billyb says on Apr 23, 2009, 17:33:

I agree with romy above. I sure hope this isn't habit forming.

"All I want to know is where I'm going to die, so I never go there" Unkown (at least to me) wise man.

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Boisegringo says on Apr 23, 2009, 22:23:

My point being, removing the inbred comment, the socio-political landscape is such that that people turn a blind eye to the disadvantaged. Those disadvantaged lack, for many reasons, a constituent base large enough be fairly represented. Not every rural family owns 40 acres and a mule. The comparison was the heart felt understanding that, whether Colombia, or the Mississippi delta region, or slums of Keiv, some people are so poor that they don't register in most people's social consciousness, and thus are easily victimized in the ebbs and flow social disturbances.

In the last 40 years of FARC insurgency, and the resultant counter insurgeny, Colombia has lost how many languages due to dislocation, and in some cases, extermination of aboriginal groups?

I didn't mean to be flippant, and Romy, I agree with your comment in general, a government for all people. Easier said than done, and the sad part is that alot of people fall through the cracks in the process of providing a good government.

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kalder says on Apr 24, 2009, 00:18:

This is a very worthwhile post. The mass displacement of people is a crime crying to heaven for vengeance. Colombia urgently needs land reform (if only the restoration of smallholdings to those driven off of them), enforced by dedicated 'Ministry of the Interior' style troops.

Whether the political will (and money) will ever be there for such a scheme is, of course, another thing entirely...

"A piece of cheese may entrap a mouse, but a bicycle could ensnare the Imperial Chancellor."~~An Bai Kuang

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billyb says on Apr 24, 2009, 06:25:

All the land confiscated from the narcos, paras, guerrillas, corrupt politicians (these last should be hung as well) and all their testaferos needs to be given to the displaced, and at a much faster rate than is being carried out at at the current time.

"All I want to know is where I'm going to die, so I never go there" Unkown (at least to me) wise man.

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romy says on Apr 24, 2009, 11:06:

That's a well thought-out comment Boisegringo that I tend to agree with, the disadvantaged are easier forgotten than included. I recognize my argument is very idealistic considering what you have referred to as the "socio-political landscape". And as you have implied, it applies to many places around the world. The underlying philosophical question is one I struggle with constantly. Many argue that by nature people are selfish therefore the 'Dog eat dog' mentality is the rational one, while I would argue that altruism is natural and people should find ways to embrace this. In governance I just hope for a more socially just mindset.
Elsapo brings up a good point, that makes me critical of just giving land to the displaced. These people remain vulnerable if simply given a chunk of land. Education, health and security policies are necessary for anything to be sustainable.

Speaking of corrupt politicians BB, you did hear the latest on Tomas and Jeronimo, no?

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billyb says on Apr 24, 2009, 11:52:

"Speaking of corrupt politicians BB"

I didn't know they were politicians, but yup, if they are guilty, they should go to jail as well.

"All I want to know is where I'm going to die, so I never go there" Unkown (at least to me) wise man.

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tasco66 says on Apr 24, 2009, 12:16:

A small search about Codhes turns up very interesting comments:

"Let me see- so some NGO's in Columbia are so cosy with FARC that their helicopters land in the areas they control as and when they feel like it. Could it be that there is a cosy relationship between FARC and say, Codhes?"

"I mean, just because Codhes would dearly love to see the Uribe administration destroyed, the only government Colombia has EVER HAD to successfully take on FARC and militarily defeat them, lets not jump to the conclusion that they therefore sympathise with FARC. No no."

no, no, no....

The trouble with free elections is, you never know who is going to win (Leonid Brezhnev)

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romy says on Apr 24, 2009, 12:21:

Well I would expect the politicians that were involved to go to jail as well, though the conviction of Yidis Medina has set a new standard for what is considered justice in Colombia.
Anyways if guilty, it's troubling how Alvarito is so unaware of people around him, eh. Or hard to believe because it's always the same excuse?

Another note from the rotten state of Colombia, is it funny or sad that the Para who accused Alvaro of being involved with El Aro was murdered?

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