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Interesting reading

In the late 1980`s a small group of people from Ireland settled in rural Colombia. Since 1995 one of the group, jenny James, has been writing about their experiences. Go to www.afan.org.uk and you can read her green letters
The last one talked about the recent killings in the peace community. I have been reading them for a while and find them very interesting

By greg on Apr 19, 2005, 11:58 in Friendly Talkzone. AddThis Social Bookmark Button


platano says on Apr 19, 2005, 12:49:

I have read these letters.... and I agree they are fascinating.

What amazed me is how she went directly to the FARC to complain and demand justice. And instead of just killing her on the spot as a terrorist might, they talked to her. They did not give her justice and comply with her demands. But they didn't kill her either. My conclusion is they are not terrorists, not monsters, they are people with a political agenda they want to realize through violent means and sometimes there is "collateral damage" just like..... no, I can't say that on this forum! :)

Plátano X, Defensor de la Colombianidad
Defensor de la libertad de la locomoción en Colombia (Constitución de 1991) ¡Libertad por Ingrid Betancourt!
DISCLAIMER: I am not objective. I am madly in love with Colombia (and a bit mad)

plátano

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utopiacowboy says on Apr 19, 2005, 13:32:

I don't know why they didn't kill her - she should stay the hell out of Colombia and mind her own business. You'd think the Irish would have their hands full at home without running around the world telling everyone how to live. Let the Colombians sort this mess out themselves. Or not.

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.

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.

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gregshav says on Apr 19, 2005, 13:36:

collateral damage They wipe out whole communities in one swipe, come on now.

They just made a whole native Indian community of 3,000 abandon their town, collateral damage. That's a good one.

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greg says on Apr 19, 2005, 14:07:

In 2000 The FARC murdered two of her family members. I admire her courage for confronting them.

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utopiacowboy says on Apr 19, 2005, 14:31:

If I'm stupid enough to go to Colombia and live, I deserve everything horrible thing that happens to me.

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.

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.

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Mr. Hollywood says on Apr 19, 2005, 14:37:

The FARC was reasonable The FARC was so neighborly that they murdered her son and stepson. With that kind of friends, who needs enemies.

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platano says on Apr 19, 2005, 15:54:

Mr. Hollywood, drop the monolith, please! Did you read the Green Letters?

She went to confront the FARC about an out-of-control front leader who murdered her children. If all FARC people were terrorists, they would have just shot her, too.

That is what makes the letters fascinating. Her loss, her courage in confronting FARC, and the FARC response/non-response.

It's difficult too use such a broad brush as to say all FARC are X, Y, or Z. They are varied individuals and many actually have reasoning capacity. [gasp!] If they were just idiots the Colombian Army would not have had any trouble finishing them off long ago.

plátano

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platano says on Apr 19, 2005, 16:34:

There you go again, Platano! You should apologize to Mr. Hollywood right now! You, Platano, are the last person to be talking about monoliths. I could fill a whole page of the things you have written that are monolithic: Colombian doctors are world leaders! Paisa women are the best! etc. etc.

Why don't you practice what you preach, Platano, and apologize to Mr. Hollywood.

plátano

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Apr 19, 2005, 16:41:

From the Merck Manual of Mental Illness, internet edition Symptom: Subject talks to himself

Diagnosis: Normal



Symptom: Same subject then answers/responds

Diagnosis: Insanity



Normannnnnnn......? Mother!



;-)

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platano says on Apr 19, 2005, 17:01:

Tinto, the DSM-IV-TR has a diagnosis, too... Symptoms:
Subject talks in favor of FARC as a victim of Stockholm Syndrome, then calls them murderers and terrorists. Thinks he is a Colombian, then thinks he is a gringo. Acts lovingly, then is acerbic. Defends Cali, then defends Medellin. Signs posts as Platano, or, Plátano, or Platano X, often with descriptive names like "dreamer," "bobo," etc.

Diagnosis:
DSM-IV-TR 300.14 Dissociative Identity Disorder (formerly Multiple Personality Disorder)

plátano

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Mr. Hollywood says on Apr 19, 2005, 17:12:

Yessir Platano, I read the green letters about a year ago. I think Ms. James is a brave and fascinating woman. I also like that in her letters she's pretty damn unstinting in her criticisms of all the people who've wronged her, yet doesn't stoop to their level.

I don't know why you, however, feel that there's a need to defend the FARC by asserting that some of them are nice people, or good looking, or shared their canteen with you or whatever. Nobody here ever said that all individuals in the FARC are heartless vampires. I can criticize the group without painting them all as evil.

By the way, how IS Stockholm this time of year?

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platano says on Apr 19, 2005, 17:24:

Mr. Hollywood, I apologize... No one has used the exact words "heartless vampires" but someone did criticize the group and call them a "dying band of criminals" (www.poorbuthappy.com/colombia/node/8406) and they have been called "FARC murderers" by someone on this forum (www.poorbuthappy.com/colombia/node/8437) and someone lets people know whenever the FARC is publicly criticized (www.poorbuthappy.com/colombia/node/8900)

I absolutely agree with you that you can criticize the group without painting them as evil and I apologize for any offense given.

The weather is a bit chilly in Stockholm but the nightmares are decreasing.

Platano

plátano

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Mr. Hollywood says on Apr 19, 2005, 17:41:

Excellent work You really DO an excellent job of imitating Dissociative Identity Disorder. Keep it up! All of you!

Send my love to the Swedish girls!

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carter says on Apr 20, 2005, 09:32:

UC Started out in a public hospital were I was miss diagnosed and got pretty darn sick. luckily I had travel insurance so I was able to move to the main private hospital in Bogota. It was a great hospital and the doctors fantastic but cost an arm an a leg.

I would never rely on the public hospital system here again, but Im lucky I can afford to make that decision.

My friends who work as doctors and in other projects in 3rd world countries are not doing it for heavens reward. Actually some of them are gay so despite the fact they have done more to follow Gods word than most Catholics according to the pope they'll go to hell.


note to self: get more travel insurance

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