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Ingrid can make a difference if she wants

A grave situation.

Ingrid the "poster child for secuestrados" Betencourt and the 3 American "contractors" were HUGE in keeping the terrorist ways of the FARC in the press. Many thanks to France.

Of course the current Colombian Administration in just a few short years has really turned things around in the war against the FARC whos power in recent times has been greatly weakened (no need to post links to the WSJ, USA Today, AP, BBC etc.....)

But the thing I fear the most is that now the leftover hostages will get brushed under the carpet (Cover Story, 'La Semana' Dec 2007) and as a result world support against the FARC will diminish. 'Ingrid's mother', 'Ingrid's health', 'Ingrid this' and 'Ingrid that', constantly kept the spotlight on the secuestrados and also on the FARC. Couple that with Chavez being a dolt and then link him to the FARC and there is tremendous recognition and momentum and world support against the terrorist FARC rebels.

As there should be.

It’s difficult to say but something good came out of Ingrid’s foolish capture. The rescue as wonderful as it was could end up being a double edged sword - especially if she keeps quiet or uses her current fame unwisely.

With these high profile secuestrados free many media companies will claim some sort of triumph and move on. That FARC story in Colombia is old news, no more to see, Ingrid is free. Media coverage against the FARC will dwindle.

What's left in the arsenal to maintain and garner world support for Colombia and the 40 year conflict with the FARC terrorists?

Ingrid.

I can only hope that these money making sensationalist journalism documentaries and interviews that are and will be cashing in the rescue and Ingrid's fame will properly address the terrorist FARC organization that still exists – and not with just some passing sentence. Ingrid must see to this.

The real test of Ingrid is how she will use these coming weeks to speak out against the FARC and garner continued support – not what you people seem to be debating here: What she ate for dinner, who she thanked first or what did the French do.

The FARC's days are numbered and one can only hope those numbers are little. Ingrid is in a prime position to refocus the attention away from her, her, her and position all of it on the main problem. If she interviews like a self centered celebrity and not an activist, that’s when the real bashing should begin.

Let’s see what she’s made of and where her heart really lies since she has the ability to control what takes place in the press and in the eyes of the world.

By rocinante on Jul 6, 2008, 10:59 in Friendly Talkzone.

rocinante says on Jul 6, 2008, 11:01:

So the edit function is still running a mickey mouse script on the hour. I thought this was changed. I posted this at :59 past the hour. How am I going to fixx all my meestakes in kess than aminute?

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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houstongal says on Jul 6, 2008, 11:05:

Good commentary Roci. Let's hope she's smart and realizes the power she now has to keep the issue in the forefront. The war against FARC continues. The loss of their key hostages could make them want to seek revenge. Must keep the eye on the ball...

The edit function still shows an hour for comments. I wonder if Peter didn't change that for posts?

"It is now official: there's no place on earth where you will not find a Peruvian band." David Sedaris

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huskie says on Jul 6, 2008, 11:11:

I commented exactly the same as you, in different words, of course, a couple of days ago. Roci. I Completely agree.
Cheers

"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds-"

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Cheers Terry says on Jul 6, 2008, 11:24:

Great post Roci.

Cheers,
Terry

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billyb says on Jul 6, 2008, 12:37:

Of course today she announced that she probably won't attend the march planned for July 20th in Colombia in honor of the Colombian army. And so it begins.

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Jul 6, 2008, 12:48:

En diálogo desde París con el programa "Las voces del secuestro" de Caracol Radio, Ingrid Betancourt explicó que su decisión sobre ese asunto será tomada en conjunto con su familia, analizando los posibles riesgos de seguridad que implicaría su desplazamiento hacia Colombia.

La dirigente política explicó que sus familiares le habían dicho que "no querían que cuando ya logramos estar juntos, de pronto haya un atentado y finalmente todo lo que estábamos tocando con las manos volara en pedazos, que lo pensara y lo estoy pensando".

Ingrid Betancourt envió mensajes de aliento a través de Caracol Radio, a las personas que permanecen secuestradas en poder de las FARC, y manifestó su permanente disposición a seguir trabajando para que regresen a casa lo más pronto

which I understand, she is still scare of what might happen to her on the march, an attempt against her who knows, remember that when she came out she didn't spoke well of the Farc, her family don't want to risk her again. she is better away for a while in a safe place. she was one of the most highest profile hostages and the Farc must be fuming!!!

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huskie says on Jul 6, 2008, 13:59:

Kat, They can get her in France too! Do not forget that, or anywhere she goes for that matter. Even if she hides under St Peters Cathedral in the Vatican. the FARC IS FARC
Cheers

"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds-"

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droble77 says on Jul 6, 2008, 17:11:

If it ain't the FARC, it could be a paraco! ;-) Didn't she have to schlepp her kids out of Colombia when she was running for office? With that anti-corruption campaign of hers, she made a lot of enemies, not just the ones hiding in the jungle; sometimes the most dangerous enemy is walking the legitimate halls of power.

Hell, I think some of the PBHers might want to take a shot at her if they had half the chance! LOL! :))

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sanandressi says on Jul 6, 2008, 21:13:

Ingrid needs to write her book and help with the movie and kindly DISAPPEAR! She is an idealist as was ANDRES PASTRANA. Uribe deserves a third term and if not then another strong arm needs to come along.

Ingrid thought she was gonna disarm the Para's and negotiate with the FARC. Uribe, through his PARA connections, has gotten most of them to give up the fight and his pressure on the FARC militarily has worked well. I don't see what Ingrid Betancourt brings to the table if she ever did?

Colombia is addicted to easy money via drugs. Who is on the take and who is not? The FARC are not the FMLN or FSLN in Central America. Organized criminals at the core. The idiology is gone!

There are still 600 or 700 hostages right? Will Uribe sacrifice them by sending in the military full force? Does Chavez and Correa really have any say with the FARC? The FARC and ELN have been around a lot longer than Chavez or Correa.

I am not Colombian so maybe it is none of my business but I don't see Ingrid as a potential viable Colombian president. She advoctaes a weak line...or she did anyway. Colombia already had its Pastrana.

Support Plan Colombia, re-elect ilena Ros-Lehtinen

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Lisa Zee says on Jul 6, 2008, 21:17:

Is Ingrid running for President?. I hope she stays in France and lives a wonderful life with her children and with whomever she wants.

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billyb says on Jul 7, 2008, 06:51:

Ingrid was asked if knowing what she knows now, would she have made the trip again and she said yes. She might have grown in the jungle, but seems like her judgement is still shaky, at best.

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sloopskipper says on Jul 7, 2008, 08:12:

billyb says on Jul 7 (today): flag

"Ingrid was asked if knowing what she knows now, would she have made the trip again and she said yes. She might have grown in the jungle, but seems like her judgement is still shaky, at best."

That's being
very kind, Billy.

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rocinante says on Jul 13, 2008, 08:57:

I saw the tail end of the Larry King interview last night - among not hating the FARC one of her biggest problems was that she was the only women in her group and having to wash her hair took so long that she was always late.

She now has me convinced that she is a total idiot and I can't wait to get to Medallo to actually hear what real Colombians think of her. I promise I won't be baised but I have a feeling her life is not safe in Colombia. No wonder she immediately blew the hell out.

What she represented - a famous face for all secuestrados - and the fact that she got freed is the only good news. But she will do pretty much nothing with her media power to aid against the terrorists that held her stupid ass captive for 7 years.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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MitchAlvarez says on Jul 13, 2008, 09:11:

Lisa I agree. I hope she stays in France.

"Ingrid callate la jeta!! Stay in France"

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