Is it any more dangerous for an America soldier vs. an America citizen to visit Colombia?

coffee beaner says on May 3, 2007, 10:49:

Stay in America.... your not wanted in Colombia!!!

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Barranquilla_Bob says on May 3, 2007, 10:50:

Thats a George Bush -Dick Chaney rumor. As the cartels could have all the soldiers they
want in Miami.
If you go to Colombia wear a Hawaii shirt and not
your U.S. soldier uniform,as your not on duty in Colombia
your a tourist like any other tourist. I have a brother
who visits me here,and he has 17 years active duty to date,
in the U.S. Army and he has never been kidnapped.I dont
think Dick Chaney would send any funds to you unless you
was a A.U.C. soldier,so paying a ransom would be hard
pressed.

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Robert Jorge says on May 3, 2007, 11:15:

Leave the military ID at home. I ran into a couple of gringos when I lived in Villavicencio. I assume they were military, because there aren't too many gringos in Villavo, there is a large Colombian Army base on the edge of town (7th Brigade), and the clubs I saw them in were not too far from this base. I tried to chit-chat with them, and they were VERY stand-off-ish. I asked one guy, "So what brings you to Colombia?" No answer and he walked away. So, assuming they are in Villavo working with the Colombian military, they sure don't want people to know that. I know the US does have a small military presence in Colombia, because I have talked to a couple of soldiers here in my town who have had to go to help train the Colombian guys with EOD, explosive ordinance disposal. The EOD school in the US is at Eglin AFB in Fort Walton Beach/Niceville Florida. Anyway, just don't tell anybody what your job is in the States, and I wouldn't sweat it. Just say you are in communications, a business manager, an engineer, whatever. You don't have to say, "I am a Staff Sergeant, aeronautical engineer, for the USAF, 8th squadron, Hurlburt Field."

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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blackout113 says on May 3, 2007, 11:33:

Thanks... I'll be heading down there soon. I just need to get my ass out of Iraq first!!! How's Cali, or where are the best places to party?

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webmanco says on May 3, 2007, 11:37:

Tell them You are a PBH Reporter

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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slguy says on May 3, 2007, 11:48:

Blackout Thanks for your service, man. Politics of the sandbox aside - the American people admire and respect your sense of duty. Keep your head down, and if we meet up in Colombia - or anywhere! - the drinks are on me!
slguy


Now I don't have to tell you good folks what's been happening in our beloved little town. Sheriff murdered, crops burned, stores looted, people stampeded, and cattle raped. The time has come to act, and act fast. I'm leaving.

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

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Robert Jorge says on May 3, 2007, 12:03:

Thanks for your service. I can't imagine what it will feel like for you to go from Iraq to Colombia. Enjoy!

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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kentuckygreg says on May 3, 2007, 12:46:

Go to Medellin or Cartagena and leave the military ID's at home. Keep a low profile and don't attract too much attention. Although when i went with my buddy to Cartagena we stuck out like sore thumbs. EVERYONE stared at us.

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lasvegasguy says on May 3, 2007, 12:58:

i have a friend whos husband was in the military. .so...they sent him in a small unit to burn coca fields in colombia...then..supposedly they confiscated all the processed cocaine and bought it back to the states...when i asked him why they did that...he said..."oh, probably to sell it...the military is in on it and it makes money off that stuff".

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scotty says on May 3, 2007, 13:03:

have fun first thanks for the service. go to Cali you'll have a blast. i know several american service men who travel to Cali. you'll have a great time!

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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Buongone says on May 3, 2007, 13:29:

Hawaii shirt/Haircut They know you are a Gringo.But so what. Have a good time!

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CaritadeAngel says on May 3, 2007, 20:22:

The US Military pays.. A whole bunch of people to answer questions just like this.

"I hope I never say anything worth quoting".

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sweet160 says on May 4, 2007, 01:50:

If they find out you could be proparly F****D it could be potentially very dangerous I think... Like when you drunk in a bar and mention it somehow...

" its a dog eat dog world, and I will eat your dog! "

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CaritadeAngel says on May 4, 2007, 06:21:

And I think they are nuts to even think about Cali... but I guess the lure of the most beautiful women in the world is just too much.

BTW, for those of you in a hero-worshiping mode right now, many US servicemen have never actually seen any desert more dangerous than Nevada.

"I hope I never say anything worth quoting".

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kalder says on May 4, 2007, 07:11:

Even in WWII only a third of Allied servicemen saw service in a 'hot' zone.

But that doesn't give us the right to belittle an organisation, without which we'd probably be speaking (if at all) in German, Russian or Arabic.

If it wasn't for the force of US arms, you'd probably be donning the veil a few years from now.

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

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elmexicano says on May 4, 2007, 07:54:

You'll have no problem in Colombia. Just dont wear your BDU's and you'll be fine. Just don't tell anyone you are in the Army. Whooah!

marcos

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CaritadeAngel says on May 4, 2007, 12:42:

Kalder... Kalder, I'm not belittling them.

They need to speak to their command information centre, because there could be legal implications to what they plan to do, in Colombia and at home, that do not ordinarily apply to civilians.

To point out potentially idiotic behaviour (and I've seen them do it with my own, big, beautiful eyes), is not belittling. I like American servicemen (in a general sort of way, not specifically as in "she likes a man in uniform"). They were my drinking buddies in East Asia They taught me to dance bachata, to arm wrestle, to limbo dance (ok, thats a long story) they invited me to spend Christmas with them when I was all alone, once they saved by big beautiful behind by "persuading" a man who was stalking me that it was a really bad idea, and for the most part they were not nearly so scary, creepy or screwed up as your average male ESL teacher in Asia. Many, as I recall, were true gentlemen, and I respect them very much. Nor does my liking of them as a bunch of human beings mean that I necessarily condone the foreign policy they are sent around the world to enforce, or that there aren't idiots in their midst.

Most are decent sorts BUT sometimes they like to act, as young men are wont to do, like silly arses. And being a silly arse when you are the agent of a big, powerful State, when you are in someone elses country, is a majorly bad idea anywhere.

I have a mind of my own you see. I am capable of separating the men from the machine, and evaluating both with compassion, intelligence and independence.

That whole "we'd all be speaking German and wearing burkhas" crap is plucked right out of the Murdoch rags and you know it. Fortunately I read real books.

What about you?


"Five things bring us closer to the unseen: the act of love, the birth of a baby, being in the pressence of death or disaster, the contemplation of great art, and the human voice lifted in song".

"I hope I never say anything worth quoting".

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on May 4, 2007, 12:48:

who on earth will know you are soldier, unless you are going to colombia wearing the uniform which I doubt.. leave the ID's card at home and go as a normal civilian. and let the hair grow a bit ;) and don't say si mi capitan!

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kalder says on May 4, 2007, 13:12:

Hi - that's a nice post CA. Balanced and reasoned. I now see that you're not belittling anyone.

But, my comment concerning the service the US military has done the world regarding Nazism and Islamic fanaticism is a sincere one. I won't get in to a points-scoring spat with you, as there's a surfeit of that on this site anyway (you've probably gathered that for yourself) and, as your post makes clear, you're here to debate rather than brawl.

However, I would like to make the point that, just because I don't subscribe to the fashionable and facile anti-Americanism held by large swathes of UK liberal opinion, it doesn't ipso facto mean that I receive my opinions, allow my weltanshauung to be informed by, or indeed ever read the Murdoch press. Not happening to conform to the liberal orthodoxy doesn't mean I lack an education, am incapable of independent thought, or don't read 'real' books.

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

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Robert Jorge says on May 4, 2007, 19:01:

"and not the advice from these stupid fucks on PBH.

esanch36"

What's up your ass esanch36? I didn't see any bad advice. Giving the poster the benefit of the doubt that he can remain a gentleman and keep his mouth shut about his employer, I fail to see what the problem is. Doesn't matter if your a soldier or not ... if one makes an ass out of themselves off of home turf, they will probably get into trouble. I just don't see what the big deal is about the military thing ... again, as long as the OP doesn't wear his BDUs or tags outside his T-shirt while in Colombia.

CA, I don't even know what Mordoch is. I remember the "we might be speaking Japanese or German if ..." like, 30 years ago. And I believe I remember hearing it in movies or shows that are 50 years old.

CA, of course many military haven't "seen anything more dangerous than the Nevada desert." I don't get your point. Are you trying to say unless a soldier is in actual combat, we shouldn't appreciate their service? That's what it sounds like you're implying to me.

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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Robert Jorge says on May 4, 2007, 19:36:

CA, after my little rant, I called up a couple of guys who would know about being able to travel while active duty. You gave good advice. I talked to a recently retired Major (USAF) and he said it is required for off-duty soldiers to talk to their commanding officer about travel outside of the US. He said it is generally OK and that he never heard of somebody NOT being able to travel as long as deployment wasn't imminent. He said they definitely want to know where you are going, why you are going, how long, etc. With Colombia still having "official warnings" from the State Dept., it might not be as automatic as, say a trip to Cancun. But anyway, good advice CA and probably the OP already knew this to begin with.

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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coffee beaner says on May 4, 2007, 19:39:

Robert Jorge..... I served in Iraq 2 times in actual combat, of course its a good thing to appreciate the service of every American that serves, but there is a big difference between doing 7 months in Ar Ramadi to doing 1 year in the "green zone". Also is not to put down the Army or anything but I doubt more then 2/3's have seen actual combat. I myself support every American serving in Iraq and Afganistan, but sometimes I do fell that not enough credit is giving to the actual 1/3 of the troops that actually see combat almost 5 times a week, this is my personal opinion and I don't mean to offend anyone.

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CaritadeAngel says on May 4, 2007, 19:46:

Then read my post more carefully, Rob And you'll realise I'm not the ungreatful liberal handwringer you think I am :).

There was a post further up about being more dangerous than COlombia, which is true. What is also true is that most servicemen have never actually been there. Please, I deal with the facts.

Murdoch is Rupert Murdoch who owns the whole world, including Fox TV, the Sky Network and a number of British tabloid semi-pornographic gossip rags, ( a bit less credible at times than the National Enquirer). In spite of being an Australian with a green-card (cos the US Supreme Court said a forgeiner can't own a US TV Network), his news networks are typically anti-immigration, regardless of the country, which (I at least) find a bit rich).

No one will be able to tell they are military? Oh yes you can. I'm a civilian and I can, so will others. There are a zillion things that give it away. Haircuts, military stances when being frisked at airports, refering to each other by surnames only, tattoos, rings, broad shoulders from the push ups etc.

Kalder, thanks, and I don't want point scoring either.

Cheers.

"Five things bring us closer to the unseen: the act of love, the birth of a baby, being in the pressence of death or disaster, the contemplation of great art, and the human voice lifted in song".

"I hope I never say anything worth quoting".

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coffee beaner says on May 4, 2007, 19:47:

By the way.... When I served in the Marine Corps I decided to go to Colombia and visit my family after my first deployment, I told my chain of command and all I really had to do was go to a debriefing from the Adj and have a return ticket to the United States, I must say it was a little easier for me since I do have family down in Medellin and I told the Adj. Officer that I had actually lived in Colombia for 2 years... so I had no problem, you probably will get a more specific "bullshit" debriefing since I assume your not related to anyone in Colombia. Hope this helps.

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CaritadeAngel says on May 4, 2007, 19:49:

Dont know why
But my com ain't cooperating and is posting my comments twice. Had to go back and stick this comment here. Why isn't there a delete button for this kind of thing?

"I hope I never say anything worth quoting".

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elreydelostrolls says on May 4, 2007, 19:52:

"Im sure there is a way to contact these guys that are operating down here and ask them for there advice and not the advice from these stupid fucks on PBH."

The best advice in the entire thread. Think of it this way, PBH is the little yellow school bus of the internet.

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CaritadeAngel says on May 4, 2007, 19:56:

Coffee... It's my impression from talking with Marines in Korea that you guys are the ones that go in first - the cutting edge of the sword so to speak, and the Army does the cleaning up much of the time.

That being the case, I would probably expect a Marine to have seen much more of Iraq than your average soldier. You guys always seemed much more switched on than the army, who seemed to me like daft wee boys most of the time.

"I hope I never say anything worth quoting".

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billyb says on May 4, 2007, 19:58:

What are you talking about, stay out of Cali? Cali is... not that much more dangerous than any of the other big cities and more fun than most. Its crime stats are skewed by the internescine war within the North Valley Cartel. For sure leave the military IDs at home and I hope you have a good time down there.

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coffee beaner says on May 4, 2007, 21:01:

CA and for the most part is true.... In 2003 my unit was one of the first into Baghdad, we stayed in Baghdad only 5 days until an Army unit came up to replace us. I will never forget that image of us in the highway leaving towards the South... everyone in our Battalion with Afros, dirty from no showers in a month, tired looking, bored and pissed off... on the other side of the road towards Baghdad... Army units with clean uniforms, haircuts, and happy.

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billyb says on May 4, 2007, 21:17:

CA, does have a point about tell tale signs... of military service even when in civies. One way the paras and army could tell if someone belonged to the FARC when in civies out on the town, was by pulling their shirts aside and looking for the marks left by the shoulder straps of their weapons. The FARC did the same with the soldiers when doing retenes and stopping buses and identifying them by their crew cuts.

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CaritadeAngel says on May 4, 2007, 21:18:

By the way, it was the Marines Who made sure I wasn't on my own at Christmas. Really really good bunch of guys. Would never date one, would never marry one (don't want the phone call, can't stand "amor de lejos") but as friends they were as true as steel.

"Five things bring us closer to the unseen: the act of love, the birth of a baby, being in the pressence of death or disaster, the contemplation of great art, and the human voice lifted in song".

"I hope I never say anything worth quoting".

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billyb says on May 4, 2007, 21:31:

Is CaritaAngel DG posting.... in drag ;)

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Miguel_Clavo says on May 4, 2007, 21:59:

Much too intelligent than DG, but i am surprised that,, UTC/UCLOWN/Elreydelostrolls hasnt been himself lately and tried to start a fight with her and run another woman off of PBH.....maybe a little gunshy, ya think, billyb?

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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billyb says on May 4, 2007, 22:08:

I have a feeling Carita could handle... him.

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scotty says on May 4, 2007, 22:41:

CA Im sorry I thought it was Soros that owns the world or is certainly trying to buy it. He is the big fat Billionire Liberal commie that funds organizations such as move on .org. he may very well be the most dangerous man in America, unless of course that is if you are an 11 year old girl then your your nightmare is that other Hollywood liberal creep Balistic Baldwin.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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elreydelostrolls says on May 4, 2007, 23:06:

I think she could handle me too. In fact there's nothing I'd like better than some handling. Well, maybe some sucking followed by....

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Robert Jorge says on May 4, 2007, 23:15:

UC, I mean elreydel - ... never mind.

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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billyb says on May 4, 2007, 23:17:

UC, you are starting to get pathetic.. ..

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bamapits3 says on May 5, 2007, 05:46:

Blackout Where are you at Bro, I am in Al Anbar province........ I was in afghanistan for 26 months and have been here for going on 5 months in Iraq, I have been to colombia like 5-6 times, just dont go down there saying ya i am a soldier.......just have a good time, a lot of hateful americans there.....be careful with them, the colombian people are great.

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elreydelostrolls says on May 5, 2007, 06:25:

Starting to get pathetic, Billy Boy? Geez, the whole site is pathetic along with the losers who post here.

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aztec says on May 5, 2007, 06:34:

"the whole site is pathetic along with the losers who post here. elreydelostrolls.


This clown has been here a total 3 days 8 hours!

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Robert Jorge says on May 5, 2007, 10:27:

Am I the only one that sees the irony of somebody calling posters here losers, when that comment is written by a poster? Either a self hater, or somebody with a wierd sense of humor who likes to start fires .... UC???

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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Miguel_Clavo says on May 5, 2007, 10:31:

Aztec.....El Rey De Los Trolls is UtopiaCowboy who is UClown.....now do you get it???? just a different handle, that is all, same putz.....


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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elreydelostrolls says on May 5, 2007, 12:32:

I always take my meds. It's one of the conditions of my probation.

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CaritadeAngel says on May 5, 2007, 12:39:

Who is DG?
In drag?

Hell no, I'm all woman.

Even though I hate chickflicks. God I hate chickflicks. Wanted to shoot myself in the head after Titanic, and don't even get me started on "The Lake House". I find Tarentino is the perfect antidote. For example, once I ended up being forced to watch Keanu and Sandra doing their thing in the Lake House, I watched all three Kill Bills and Crouching Tiger for good measure just to get it out my system.

Aw El Rey, and you were going to take me dancing? Now I'm all cut up inside. Speaking of sucking, my darling ... one might apply a "suck" type adjective to your post.

Tell me, sweetheart, and I know you are a sweetheart really aren't you, just maligned and misunderstood: is that REALLY the best you can do?


"Five things bring us closer to the unseen: the act of love, the birth of a baby, being in the pressence of death or disaster, the contemplation of great art, and the human voice lifted in song".

"I hope I never say anything worth quoting".

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elreydelostrolls says on May 5, 2007, 12:43:

No, it's not the best that I can do. Kalder says I've deteriorated into a shadow of my former virtual self.

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Miguel_Clavo says on May 5, 2007, 12:46:

DG was a former paranoid PBH poster who recently experienced a ThermoNuclear Meltdown, and is currently in therapy and rehab..he has promised that he would never return (for the second time in a year), so lets hope he/she is a man/woman of his/her word.....oh, and he had the credibility of Baghdad Bob during the Iraq invasion....may he RIP, poor gringo..but he did have his groupies here on PBH...=)

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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kalder says on May 5, 2007, 13:18:

CAngel DonGringo, a Yank expat living in Bogota, was a longstanding and frequent poster on this site. A man of strong opinions, often brusque, but more often fraternal and good-natured. Spoken very highly of by those who met him in person.

True, he did display mild paranoic tendencies towards the end of his tenure here and wasn't best pleased if someone teased him in anyway, but all-in-all he was a buena papa.

The use of the word 'groupie' for those who, like myself, speak well of him is a dreadful calumny. The thought of doing a line of coke with DG, before fellating him (or whatever it is groupies do)fills me with a disgust I'd only previously reserved for the idea of eating dogshit. It's a concept only a police officer, jaded from far too many years staring into the abyss of metropolitan turpitude, could come up with.

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

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Miguel_Clavo says on May 5, 2007, 13:50:

Wow, i guess your Holiness included himself in that group... but it was a general remark, not directed at anyone in particular, so i guess your interpretation of the word is how you must perceive yourself, due to the fact that you consider your as a member of that group....it wasnt directed to you personally, but hey, if the shoe fits.....enjoy them! dance the night away, if you so desire...it was meant to mean like "followers" or "supporters", and nothing sexual in nature ..its amazing how the minds of some people work these days .....oh, i will take your cop remark as a compliment,,,thanks!

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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kalder says on May 5, 2007, 14:12:

If talking about giving DG a blowjob didn't flag my post up as being humorous in intent, then the comment about Americans not doing irony has just been writ large, courtesy of 'Dragonslayer'.

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

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Miguel_Clavo says on May 5, 2007, 14:17:

Sorry, but Brit humour is not as easily noticed in written... format to us Yanks,,,i took it as if you were offended due to your interpretation of the word "groupie"...such activity as described by your post is not really THAT unusual in todays world..and i dont know anyones sexual preferences here on PBH, nor do i care.......and dont forget the 2-0....=)

gotta go watch the kentucky derby.....chao!

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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kalder says on May 5, 2007, 14:22:

No, no offence taken at all M_C. Point of fact, I'm enjoying this little teasing thing we seem to have started over DG :)

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

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Miguel_Clavo says on May 5, 2007, 14:29:

Dont worry, despite his last 2 promises not to return, he did after the first time, GIB-DG, so unless he returns this time the 3rd time might be the charm.....i followed him at first and even defended him the first time he threatend to leave forever and ever last year.....but after observing and reading his posts, i came to the conclusion he was quite delusional and was just telling stories that could not be verifed and were at best not credible.....like i said, may the dearly distraught RIP.....

btw...i have only met 1 person from England actually, (aside from layovers at the London airport) who was the guy who came to work for us....West Coast of the US doesnt seem to get alot of the same people from Europe as the east coast...but we get alot from the asian countries, etc......oh, and Russian mafia types like it here as well....and Afghani gangstas......

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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kalder says on May 5, 2007, 14:53:

How can he not return? A life without PBH...how could any of us cope with that?

We don't have too many Californians over here either; but we have plenty of Afghani gangstas. A massive influx of Russian mafiosi was expected as well, but they never came...got landed with the Albanian mob instead...thanks Santa.

Señora Kalder's dragging me off to watch the late film with her, so I'll bid you good night M_C. Take care.

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

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Miguel_Clavo says on May 5, 2007, 15:36:

You too.....btw, Street Sense took the Kentucky Derby... your Queen was there to watch.....

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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billyb says on May 5, 2007, 16:11:

My nag was "on any given Saturday', i guess... they just didn't mean this saturday.

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blackout113 says on May 6, 2007, 04:26:

bamapits I'm currently 10 months into this 15 month deployment. I also did tours in Bosnia and Afghanistan. Right now I'm in the northern part of Iraq. I must say, it's starting to get pretty freaking old out here. I guess thats why I'm looking to go some where else like Colombia. Anyways... thanks for everyone's advise on the subject. I totally understand how a lot of soldiers get out and act foolish in other countries. After my last deployment I took a trip down to panama and mistakenly hooked up with this guy's wife! Long story short... I had to defend myself, and he ended up in the hospital. At the time I thought I might end up going to jail in Panama! Which is why I asked if my status as an Active Duty soldier would be useful. I had no intentions of going around telling anyone that didn't need to know.

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aztec says on May 6, 2007, 08:51:

blackout113 you should have no problem. There are enough unattached girls/women there that you will not have to play with another mans wife.

I do think you need to be aware of your demeanor in the change from that combat environment and that of Colombia. My son played football in college and one of the hardest things was to control the aggression on the week ends. All week long he was in an environment where he was encouraged to take the other mans head off.

I have been to the local jail and bailed out several football players on one week end. The less mature ones never learn to control that aggression. It carries over into their everyday life. That is also why you hear of so many soldiers coming home and abusing their wifes. Violence has been their life for a year or more.

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bamapits3 says on May 6, 2007, 21:57:

a little adivce I think in colombia, well atleast at the nicer clubs that I go to, if you see a table with one guy and a few girls, that may not mean he is married, but dont think about it, the men with money in colombia tend to have a few girls with them, and I dont mean making 35,000 a year money, I mean drug money and big business money.....Dont need to see another fallin soldier, everyday we have the fallin soldier ceremony and watching the news is not the real thing when you see the casket with the american flag on it getting loaded onto the C-130...... 8 more dead yesterday in Al Anbar province. I was in Bagram afghanistan for 24 months and 2 months in Kabul at Camp Phoenix......

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bickerss says on May 7, 2007, 02:57:

Blackout, you will be fine in colombia, it is generally quite safe if u stick to the main areas. There are the normal amount of ex or current military types traveling around as you would find in any latin country.

Cali is also a good choice, stay near ave sexta, which is near chippichappy (a shopping mall u dont want to miss - try the bar reggae and pop which is inside). The travelors inn, which is a bit further out offers aparthotels for two at about 80,000 pesos a night. Thats where i stay when i go there. Your other option would be medellin, near parque lleres which is safe as hell and one great party if thats what ur after.

Investment Strategy - buying when others are crying!! Offloading when others are gloating!!!

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jay1234 says on May 7, 2007, 15:33:

blackout Turn on your PM, or else send me one. Active duty military need a Theater Clearance and a Country Clearance. I can send you a .mil website link that will tell you what you need to do. It takes roughly ten days lead time to get Country Clearance. Unless you are on orders that specify wear of uniform, military uniform is prohibited in Colombia.

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