Los Defensivos

Colombiche says on Oct 23, 2005, 15:02:

Hola Pepster "Why is it if I was born, raised and educated in America and of Colombian heritage that I am neither?"

But you are one of them Pepster. Tu eres Colombiano. Why? Because your DNA says so, your last name says so, every drop of blood running through your veins says so. Where you are born is just a matter of circumstance. Let's say your Colombian mother had decided to give birth to you in Japan, would that make you a full-blooded Japanese?

This is how I see it.

We constantly hear people refer to Heather Locklear and Britney Spears as Americans, Gringas. I have not once heard anybody refer to JLo or Selena as Gringas. Heck, people are more likely to see Pamela Andersson or Michael J Fox as an American, eventhough they are actually a Canadian. Just ask anybody overseas this question.

JLo gets lumped in the same category as Shakira. Never mind that Shakira is a born and raised Colombiana and that JLo is like 3rd generation American born Puerto Rican and Selena is a Chicana who can trace like 5 past generations to the very state of Texas. At the end of the day, they are both "Latinas". Not Gringas, but "Latinas". The closest I have heard JLo being referred to as an American is when she gets called "Newyorkrican". In the middle of her songs she belts out "Boricua Morena", not "Gringa morena". Why? who cares that she probably didn't set foot on Puerto Rico before her musical career boomed, she is Boricua Morena. From the island of Borinquen.

Because her lastname, her face, the way she swings her hips when she dances scream out "Latina", mestiza, morena, descendiente de Españoles, negros e Indios. Let's try to get Heather locklear to move her body like that, it is not going to happen Pepster.

There are things stronger than the place where you grow up. Things we carry in our blood, memories that have been embedded onto our cells through the eons, our history. A few years are not going to change all that. Call me a romantic, a dreamer, but this is how I see the world, this is how I see myself.

I wouldn't change anything about who I am if I could. I am Colombian, whether the country is in good or bad shape, whether our realestate market is booming or not, whether I live in Canada today, in the US or England tomorrow.... whether the world loves us, hates us or simply doesn't care, I am Colombian and I embrace that reality.

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

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utopiacowboy says on Oct 23, 2005, 15:20:

You can say what you like, Colombiche, but Texans claim Selena for their very own just like we claim Eva Longoria for our very own. Maybe they aren't called Americans but I think every Texan is proud to call them Texans. And I say f*ck the other 49!

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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Colombiche says on Oct 23, 2005, 15:24:

Okay Utopia Do YOU see Selena Quintanilla as a Gringa?

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

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pepster says on Oct 23, 2005, 15:26:

So where does it begin? Colmbiche,

My mom's grandparents are from Holland and Father's are from Spain.

So aren't I just as much Spaniard or Dutch? Or Colombian?

You are what you live, I grew up in America, with Colombian customs at home. I am an adult now...that loves Colombia but lives and thinks somewhat like any other American.

So according to you and according to DNA my mom and dad have forsaken Holland and Spain? No, they've accepted Colombia as their home as I America.

Colombia is not a color nor a race. It's a culture and a state of mind. Unless you have indian blood. You're of european decent. Just because I'm "latin" does not make not white. I am white, so what? Spanish is not a color. Selena is of dark complexion, but what do you say about Colombians, Venezuelans and Mexicans of German decent? Oh, you call them Colombians...not germans. Why?

The Pepster ColombianBlog.com

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Colombiche says on Oct 23, 2005, 15:28:

? "I am an adult now...that loves Colombia but lives and thinks somewhat like any other American."

Yeah, I noticed the love!

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

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pepster says on Oct 23, 2005, 15:30:

Yup "I am an adult now...that loves Colombia but lives and thinks somewhat like any other American."

Yeah, I noticed the love!"

Damn proud Son.

The Pepster ColombianBlog.com

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Colombiche says on Oct 23, 2005, 15:33:

Um "Damn proud Son"

Can't be a son, I'm a woman!

:)

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

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pepster says on Oct 23, 2005, 15:33:

oops sorry...I didn't know...

Pepster is really for Pepin.

I hate that nickname. I can't stand it. Therefore, the pepster.

I couldn't discern from Colombiche that you were a girl...

The Pepster ColombianBlog.com

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Colombiche says on Oct 23, 2005, 15:34:

Let's just agree to disagree... You can go on feeling as American as you like, I go on feeling as Colombian as I like and we are both happy people. Oops gotta go, I hear the smoke alarm going off, I think my arepas de chocolo are burning!!!

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

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pepster says on Oct 23, 2005, 15:37:

ok ah...in my house I always knew dinner was ready...not because my mom said so because the fire alarm would go off!!! :)

The Pepster ColombianBlog.com

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kernow62 says on Oct 23, 2005, 15:55:

Oh yeah, Pepster is SO much better than Pepin. ;-)

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pepster says on Oct 23, 2005, 16:18:

I know... I still squirm when I hear it...

The Pepster ColombianBlog.com

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utopiacowboy says on Oct 23, 2005, 16:47:

Well, of course she was not a gringa, Colombiche, but it's getting tough to tell who's gringo and who's not, especially here. You could judge by appearance but that would get you in trouble (plenty of blondes and redheads with blue eyes who have a Latino/a parent). You could judge by who can speak Spanish but that would get you in trouble too (plenty of Latinos can't speak Spanish while my oldest daughter is fluent and is not Latina). You could judge by who likes to eat quesadillas and fajitas but that's a problem because we all like to eat them! We've got so much mixing going on we're just gonna end up a bunch of Texicans. Which is fine by 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.

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tomtom33 says on Oct 24, 2005, 05:19:

Environment I was born and raised in the US with Swedish and Norwegian customs. I am a Scandinavian American who chooses to live in Colombia. Maybe I'll see Sweden and Norway some day.

I am largely a product of my environment-parents, family, friends and education. But, damn it's been tough growing up as a half-breed.

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caslug says on Oct 24, 2005, 05:56:

i've always felt one great thing about US.. is that everyone is consider an "american" in the eyes of the world and the government, no mattered where you orignally came from or where your parents came from. Other countries think that if you don't LOOK like them then you're not THEM. ie, in china and japan, you may have citizenshp(via being born in the country) but if you don't LOOK chinese/japanese they will discriminate against you and the law doesn't really protect you(in getting jobs/education etc.,) Stuff like that HAPPENS in the US, but gets less and less, it DEFINITELY happens in the US in the PAST even worsed.

Look at our military, they're kids from all ethnic background serving, getting wounded, even killed. When the roadside bombs goes off, it certainly doesn't discriminate if the kid was origianlly from colombia, vietnam, or chicago. To the enemy you're american. I was in NYC during 9/11 i a remember that ALL american at that time felt the horror and reached out with a helping hand.

I think Yo-Yo-Ma or Ang Lee consider themselves american, US certainly takes pride in their work. So why can't Pepster be american AND colombian, if he wants to. He's paying US taxes and he has a US passport. I think if you get benefit(ie, jobs, passport, education, etc.,) from the country you live in then you should consider yourself one of their citizen. Sure you can celebrate you individual heritage but don't disparage the citizenship. We still have americans that still called themselves, irish-american, italian-american, chinese-american, who's family came to US 100's of years ago. They just take pride in the fact their history and cultured.

I find that when i'm abroad whenever i met and fellow american, we bond pretty quickly, BECAUSE of our common citizenship(we share the same concerns) AND "culture". AND if the shit goes down in a foreign country where in, where do you think ALL american will head to? OUR US embassy. If i tell and american i live in Orange County, CA he KNOWS where it is. When i tell and NON-American, i live in OC, they have NO idea. I can call a fellow american "dude" and they understand the coloqulism rigth away. We can compare notes on how US is different than the country we are in and have a common understanding.

When i travelled to other countries and they look at me, they AUTOMATIC assuming i'm from china! i simply correct them by saying that i'm american, BUT my parents came from asia. I also try to do my bit(in educating them) that america is a very diverse country, in Florida, there are americans that are latino-american, while in california there are many americans that are asian-american, and latino-american, etc., It's sometime a slightly foreign concept to them because THEIR country is homogenous.

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pepster says on Oct 24, 2005, 07:48:

thank you Caslug,

You have been so much more eloquent that I could have been. I have a tendancy to be curt or somewhat abraisive with my retorts.

I think alot of hispanic americans suffer from racial resentment they should get over. Being able to speak spanish or being from a latin country does not automatically make you brown, black or indian.

I resent this analogy that in order to be American you have to be white. Well, guess what I am white, but that's not what makes me American, it's exactly what Caslug has spelled out.

Again, very nice post.

The Pepster ColombianBlog.com

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kernow62 says on Oct 24, 2005, 07:53:

Why do Americans seem to think that the USA is the ONLY diverse country in the world?

I have friends from the UK who come to the US on holiday and are met with "You are from England?" just because they happen not to be whitey white or in the case of Florida visitors lobster red it somehow is incomprehensible that they could be English. Heck some of them even have teeth!

Visit almost any country in Europe and you will see the same diversity.

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pepster says on Oct 24, 2005, 07:55:

No has said No one has said America is the only diverse country. Why do you assume that? But I tell you what, I don't care what color you are but when an Englishman opens his mouth in America with that accent...there is no doubt where they're from.

With that said, you also cannot compare...not even close, the diversity in North America to the one in Western Europe.

The Pepster ColombianBlog.com

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Mr. Hollywood says on Oct 24, 2005, 07:56:

ColombianX I think it's really funny that ColombianX "left" this forum only to send harrassing PMs to Colombians who he seems to think aren't Colombian enough for him.

Come out, come out, wherever you are!

By the way, why can't someone be both "American" and "Latino" at the same time? Or for that matter, even a gringo latino? Latino culture is and has been a huge part of the US for a long time. It's not an either/or situation.

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Colombiche says on Oct 24, 2005, 09:03:

Sure I don't buy that American society is so integrated. If it is, why are movies like Crash and the Oh so inspiring "Maid in Manhattan" making millions? There is a huge color line, races are still being pigeon holed, it is not about how American you feel, it is about how people see you! It's cool to say, okay, I'm an American citizen, I love this country, it is another to put on the blinders and not see the reality around you. Sorry guys, you all make valid points but I still beg to differ with you on this one.

I am a Canadian citizen, I have lived here since I am 10, I am white with light eyes, speak English almost with no accent. I met a guy on a plane the other day, he was an American, he asked me where are you coming from? I said "Toronto". Then he says "No, where are you REALLY from?" I said "Colombia". He never looked as me as being a Canadian. Why? Because I don't fit the stereotype of the anglo Canadian eventhough I'm white. The closest I have ever come to being regarded as truly Canadian is when people think I am a French Canadian chick. The way I see it, this country was built based on British Law, british customs, the English language. Even many Quebequers who have been here probably longer than the Anglos, don't feel Canadian. they feel "Quebecois". Why? Because an English State does not represent who they are. If it was so simple, why would these guys run around crying separation???

Nobody will ever regard me as a Canadian, the will see me as a Latino woman who lives in Canada. It has nothing to do with color (like I said I'm white), it is about roots I guess.

I love this country, I pay taxes, I worry about what's going on here, but that is very different from fooling myselt into thinking that I am as Canadian as Mr. Doug Smith who has been here for 10 generations. I don't have blinders on, sorry. The scenario you guys pose is very utopian, very lovely, but it is not completely realistic.

Caslug, you threw an example about being in the army. Let me pose another scenario. Let's say you are in China, there is a battle going on but nobody is wearing a uniform. Just chinese out to get Americans, Americans out to get Chinese. You and Utopia cowboy are walking right in the firing range of a Chinese sniper who is out to get americans. Who do you think he would fire at? I know it is a stupid example, but just give me what you think the answer would be. (Sorry UC, not that I want you to get shot or anything, jus using you as an example of a blonde light eyed American who is actually really Canadian).

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

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elmodefoque says on Oct 24, 2005, 09:31:

I don’t have much of a problem being confused for a gringo, I look like a spic or something else from a mile away. The minute gringos see my black ass, I’m immediately label a Pakistani, a Hawaiian Don Ho looking modefoque and to Puerto Ricans I’m boricua Indio just like their Eric Estrada, others can’t figure out WTF I am?
In Barranquilla I ‘m immediately labeled a “corroncho�, we got many modefoques identical to me walking around in the worst neighborhoods in curramba, maybe that’s why I feel most at home there. One of the advantages of being a stereotypical poor Colombian looking SOB is that I could travel anywhere in Colombia. I look just like a modefoque who ain’t got no money

any colombianita willing to date me, IS UP TO NO GOOD

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Colombiche says on Oct 24, 2005, 09:34:

good to have Elmo's input A dude that speaks the truth in the most matter of fact of ways... I call it disguised wisdom... LOL. Elmo, I have a crawling suspicion that you are one educated corroncho, possibly a CEO of some sort who built this magical, Marquezesque character for the PBH forum. You have the ability to convey in one sentence what many of us take several paragraphs to do.

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

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Colombiche says on Oct 24, 2005, 10:35:

Funny you should say that.. "Come out, come out, wherever you are!" (about Colx).

Actually, I doubt he can come out of where he is right now, he is barricaded inside his house right now, waiting for Wilma to pass. I cross my fingers everything will be cool with colx, so he will be back to piss everybody off.

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

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kernow62 says on Oct 24, 2005, 11:15:

Pepster, all I hear is Americ Pepster, all I hear in the press is America is a melting pot this and that. Not specifically your thread. Perhaps the US is more diverse overall, but there are plenty of pockets that aren't diverse at all. Just as in the UK, London for example may be more diverse than 99% of the USA, but rural areas will be far less so. Basically European colonial powers had to let anyone from their former colonies in with the right to reside, and as Britain used to rule most of the world it is only natural that it attracted such a diverse populace. What is surprising is finding a large Indian community in Paris for example or Chinese in Budapest which the legal count is over 20,000, most Americans wouldn't have a clue that these countries were that diverse.

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quindioman says on Oct 24, 2005, 11:17:

or the humongous Turkish population in Deutschland

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kernow62 says on Oct 24, 2005, 11:24:

Oh yes, I forgot about Berlin!

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pepster says on Oct 24, 2005, 12:05:

We're Aware... Kernow62,

Informed Americans are aware of some diversity in Europe for unfortunately for the wrong reasons. For instance we know Belgium is having serious issues with the growing middle eastern population there affecting their local politics.

We know of the large turkish and muslim population in Spain because of the bombings. The same for London.

But your comment is completely off the mark on America. Sure you say London is 99% diverse (I don't know how get to that number), but you obviously have never been to New York City, or Boston and Philadelphia. Little Italy, Chinatown, Koreatown etc.

Again, Europe is nowhere near as diverse as America. I mean it's not even a comparison. We have almost every major country in the world represented here. Name one country in Europe that does?
Sure, we have large pockets that are not diverse...hey it's a BIG country!

Colombiche,

You need to travel a little out of the little anglo-saxon town you may be in. Canada is not a true representation of the united states.
Latins or Hispanics are the majority minority and one day will be the majority in quite a few states.

Stop associating everything with being accepted by the white anglos. I sense a strong resentment in you. I've found people like you are the ones who refuse to assimilate and keep your distance. My friends know my spanish heritage, they enjoy the parties, the food, the culture. Some of them have even traveled with me to Colombia (Cartagena in particular). Maybe you have had bad experiences in Canada. Maybe they're zenophobic...I don't know.

Hey you think Colombians are any better? If you're Japanese, Chinese...doesn't matter...you're a 'chino'. If you're in B/quilla, and you're from Medellin or Paisa. What do they call you? Paisa or Rolo...nope. A "cachaco". That is a fact. If you're Canadian or American...doesn't matter...You're a "gringo". And if you're Lebanese, Palestanian or Turkish...yup that's right...you're a "turco". You can speak perfect spanish in colombia but if you're last name is Char or Ghisays...you're a turco. Tell me I'm wrong.

But don't knock us who believe in America and call ourselves Americans. I'm sure you're not one of the original indians or peoples of Colombia. No one is chastizing you for not recognizing your Spaniard or other European heritage. Like who you are and get over it.

Not everyone is a "resentido social" or a "acomplejado".

The Pepster ColombianBlog.com

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Colombiche says on Oct 24, 2005, 12:36:

Pepster "You need to travel a little out of the little anglo-saxon town you may be in"

I live in Toronto, a city where 65% of the population is foreign. Toronto is actually more diverse than most American cities. I have travelled extensively in the United States, I actually lived in Queens New York for a while, right near Junction blvd, spent months at at time in Florida, travel to Detroit and Atlanta every other weekend on business.


"Stop associating everything with being accepted by the white anglos"

I am not talking about white anglos, I am talking about the entire word in general sees you. I am not looking for anybody's approval, I know who I am.

"I've found people like you are the ones who refuse to assimilate and keep your distance"

Pepster, you are making assumptions. What do you know about my life? I have friends from all over the globe. Currently work in an environment where 3 out of 5 people are foreign. Actually manage teams of 2 to 10 people at any given time, on a given project, my public relation skills are good, I am very fair. What you read on a forum are my innermost thoughts and opinions. by nature, I like to give the underdog a chance, don't like to say the same big guys winning all the battles. There is a big difference between accepting reality as it is and isolating myself from the world.

I'm sure you're not one of the original indians or peoples of Colombia"

Once again, you are making assumptions. Just because I am fair, it means doesn't mean I am purely European. My paternal grandfather was a dark skinned mestizo.

"Not everyone is a "resentido social" or a "accomplejado".

Are you implying that I am? What do you know about my experiences? Just because you don't agree with my point of view, don't knock me personally Pepster, it weakens your argument.

"Like who you are and get over it. "

Oh trust me, I like who I am. I know who I am. I don't go around claiming to be something I am not.

I am done with this thread, if you can't argue your point without attacking me personally, then I am not interested in continuing.

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

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silviat says on Oct 24, 2005, 12:55:

Mr Hollywood I will back you in your comment about ColombianoX

I use to read his threads and I found some of his opinions very interesting and some others I just disagree with...

But now it has really surprise me to find out that I am not the only one who has receive not very nice PMs from him.


Pepster I am sorry I am not making a comment about the original subject of your thread, but I found interesting that you have been PM by him in a sort of insulting way from him... Just last week I expressed my opinion about the whole re-election issue and I started receiving the same kind of PMs from him.


To those who are more familiar with PBH, in situations like that, can you fill a complain or something? Can you send a message to one of the moderators?

Thanks

Saludos

Silvia

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pepster says on Oct 24, 2005, 12:59:

I'm not... Colombiche,

I'm not attacking you personally. Please don't take it as such.

But you have yet to make a valid point in my opinion :)

C'mon...don't go away from this thread. You make my day exciting.
I'm not kidding.

The Pepster ColombianBlog.com

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pepster says on Oct 24, 2005, 13:00:

Silvia I've just sent you a message...

The Pepster ColombianBlog.com

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Rubiazo says on Oct 24, 2005, 13:10:

Language a lot of it has to do with the language. If you want to be COMPLETELY 100% accepted in any culture you must speak the language exactly the way they expect you to hear it.

Apparently even in ultra-xenophobic Japan, if you can speak perfect honorific Japanese the way they can, you can go anywhere a Japanese goes and do anything that they do. Hell, there is even a blond blue-eyed Canadian geisha, for Christ's sakes!

In the US, if your skin is light enough and your English has absolutely no trace of an accent, you can 'pass' for a regular white person and get access to all the opportunities that they have. Otherwise, you are a second class citizen.

I've never been there but FWIW I think London is probably as diverse as NYC or even more so. NYC has 178 nationalities speaking 250 different languages but we are mostly Jewish, Irish, Italian, Dominican, Puerto Rican, and Afroamerican. Everybody else is in the remaining 5% or so of the population.

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Colombiche says on Oct 24, 2005, 13:14:

If I make your day exciting You need to get yourself a day.

If you don't see any validity in my points that is fine. I don't think you have made any valid points either. What I don't like, issomebody attacking me personally just because I don't agree with their POV. Therefore, I will no longer waste my time with this topic, which at the end of the day is really irrelevant. I know where I stand and that is good enough for me.

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

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quindioman says on Oct 24, 2005, 13:43:

... "Again, Europe is nowhere near as diverse as America. I mean it's not even a comparison. We have almost every major country in the world represented here. Name one country in Europe that does?"

I don't need to name a country, just London will do.
London is as diverse as any city in the US...... NYC included.

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pepster says on Oct 24, 2005, 13:49:

first of all... Colombiche,

It's not an irrelvant subject. Why do you make that assumption if it's relevant to me?

Second, I was trying to be nice and show some sense of humor which you obviously have none.

I'll have myself a day...hopefully you'll have yourself a laugh...you need one.

quindioman,

London is not all of Europe.

The Pepster ColombianBlog.com

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quindioman says on Oct 24, 2005, 13:55:

pepster you asked someone to mention 1 country in Europe that was as diverse as the states....i responded that a city suffices in place of a country and duly gave London as an example....you are very observant in saying that London is not all of Europe, however neither is NYC all of America.

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pepster says on Oct 24, 2005, 14:00:

I'm sorry... I meant a country. Not just a city. Hell Paris is diverse somewhat and so is Berlin. But get out of the city and let's see what you get. You get out of New York City and you hit Passaic, Paterson, Hackensack, Jersey City, Brooklyn, Queens, Elizabeth, Fort Lee.

All major towns and cities that as diverse as you get.

Again, can you name a Country that is as diverse in TOTAL, in GENERAL as the US? How many ethnic politicians do Europeans have?

The Pepster ColombianBlog.com

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quindioman says on Oct 24, 2005, 14:05:

I'll actually elaborate and present a case for Europe in fact being far more diverse than America. Europe has separate countries that each have their own language (English, French, Spanish, Italian....you get my drift).....America has different states that all speak the same language.....aside from NYC and maybe Chicago or Boston, other cities in the states might not be so diverse....Europe has cities that are truly diverse....London, Paris, Berlin, Copenhaguen, Berlin, Amsterdam, Madrid, Lisboa. Europe in itself is what I would call diverse (note the different countries and cultires prevalent).


This comment doesn't help you much either....."Informed Americans are aware of some diversity in Europe for unfortunately for the wrong reasons. For instance we know Belgium is having serious issues with the growing middle eastern population there affecting their local politics.

We know of the large turkish and muslim population in Spain because of the bombings. The same for London.".....V. interesting Pepster...i never knew Turks were involved in these bombings

BTW the Turkish population in Spain is insignificant when compared to the Turkish population in Germany.

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pepster says on Oct 24, 2005, 14:09:

Turkish No they weren't involved, but were mentioned in reports about Madrid's muslim popoulation.

How does my comment of America's lack of knowledge of Europe hurt my argument? I know Americans are UScentric. It's not good but there is an explanation for this...there is too much going on here and our population is slowly going brain dead with tabloids.

With that said.

America has communities, LARGE ones that represent almost every major country in the World. Not just cities. America is inclusive (most of the time, it's not all panacea), people here all become one. In Europe, you truly are a minority and kept as such. Can you please answer why with SO much diversity, how come it's not displayed in the power structure of their respective governments?

The Pepster ColombianBlog.com

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quindioman says on Oct 24, 2005, 14:11:

we're moving onto another subject here Pepster.....I was talking about diversity, you seem to have changed the ball.....don't like playing diversityball?

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Colombiche says on Oct 24, 2005, 14:12:

... "Second, I was trying to be nice and show some sense of humor which you obviously have none."

You are not familiar with my posting style. I'm a joker.

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

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quindioman says on Oct 24, 2005, 14:14:

if i didn't have a Colombian passport I could get up on Friday and say...."I fancy going to Gothenburg" and hey presto in less than 2 hours I'm in the land of Norse gods and endless legs.....same eef ay felt a beet fronch....i could pop into zee eurosta and voila I'l bee in gay Pari fsater than you culd sey ello ello.....Belgium....Slovakia....Czech Republic anyone? I here they have good beers....

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pepster says on Oct 24, 2005, 14:14:

Obviously not And that style is?

The Pepster ColombianBlog.com

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pepster says on Oct 24, 2005, 14:16:

oh well I mean I see your point, but Europe is only diverse in your description because the countries are small and easy to travel to. I still don't get how that compares to my point of diversity within a country's own border?

The Pepster ColombianBlog.com

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Colombiche says on Oct 24, 2005, 14:18:

Check out my posts .. the threads I have started and participated in. Beaners, broken English, drug mules, corronchos with overly decorated cars.

This forum is where I vent my silly stories, when I am not in Colombia or writing for my magazine. Generally I get lots of responses, so at least I know how to pinch the right nerves.

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

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pepster says on Oct 24, 2005, 14:19:

Ok Alright, Colombiche. I'm sincere that I wasn't insulting you.

I wasn't calling you those names but those that feel they're not real Americans. I honestly was not thinking or writing in the second person.

The Pepster ColombianBlog.com

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pepster says on Oct 24, 2005, 14:20:

hmmm "Generally I get lots of responses, so at least I know how to pinch the right nerves."

Pinch away!

The Pepster ColombianBlog.com

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Colombiche says on Oct 24, 2005, 14:21:

What a coincidence... I am a sitdown comedian.

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

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pepster says on Oct 24, 2005, 14:22:

Tinto Afghan cuisine...I wonder what that diet is based on? Lamb?

The Pepster ColombianBlog.com

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quindioman says on Oct 24, 2005, 14:26:

..... small and easy to travel to.....?
You're having a bubble here Pepster....and BTW if you have a Colombian passport not even Colombia is easy to travel to....oh and at least countries in Europe don't deny me a tourist visa.....

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Colombiche says on Oct 24, 2005, 14:26:

Afghan cuisine Is based on rice stews. All kinds of rice stews with these funny herbs. I should know, this colombiana dated an Afghan man for over a year. Poor sucker thought he was going to tame me and show me who is boss.

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

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pepster says on Oct 24, 2005, 14:32:

sorry duplicate

The Pepster ColombianBlog.com

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pepster says on Oct 24, 2005, 14:32:

interesting 'at least countries in Europe don't deny me a tourist visa.....'

This I agree with you. If I were in your position, I'd love Europe too. Ironically, I'm going for my Colombian passport as soon as I get a chance.

The Pepster ColombianBlog.com

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pepster says on Oct 24, 2005, 14:35:

Ethopia That's funny.

The Pepster ColombianBlog.com

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quindioman says on Oct 24, 2005, 14:36:

Pester why on earth would you want to apply for a Colombian pasport? I'm assuming you already have an american one.....unless you are planning on a visit to Cuba then why are you getting a Colombian passport?

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pepster says on Oct 24, 2005, 14:42:

It's Pepster Not Pester...although that's funny too!

I'm planning on perhaps moving to B/quilla. I may be able to telecommute next year. I cannot live in Colombia without residency or citizenship. Everything is a hassle without a cedula.

Also, I've always wanted to go to Cuba. I once tried go to an art expo but my plans fell through. The US allows trips of that sort but I have to clear it with the state dept. What a mess.

Since my mom and dad still have their Colombian citizenship (my moved here when she was 12 and I was born here). I qualify.

I also qualify for Venezuela Citizenship (the wife is venezuelan) but I'll pass on that one.

The Pepster ColombianBlog.com

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kernow62 says on Oct 24, 2005, 15:44:

Pepster, I did some searches and the best I could GOOGLE was 12% of Europe and 10.5% to 11% of US are foreign born. This is of course the legal ones, or those who want to be counted. So near enough equal. UK is actually less than the US at 9%, so you win.

However the UK and much of Europe is so densely populated compared to the US it just seems like it is more diverse, and that is not counting the ethnic diversity in Europe from people that aren't considered immigrants, those that are European and speak any of a multitude or in many cases multiple European languages and it will be easy to see Europe is extremely diverse.

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pepster says on Oct 24, 2005, 16:22:

I wonder.. kernow62,

Thanks! But now I wonder how diverse that foreign born total is?
Actually, it's quite sobering what you posted. I stand corrected, Europe is pretty diverse.

The Pepster ColombianBlog.com

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Rubiazo says on Oct 24, 2005, 16:26:

The real mark of diversity is not just how many people are foreign born (I think NYC would take the cake on that one, especially if you count Puerto Rico as foreign).

You have to look at just HOW many different cultures are in one place, and how strong they are. Also, you may want to look at how ACCESSIBLE those cultures are. Toronto is a very diverse place, for example, but it's not like you or I could just walk into a Somalian bar and sit and have a drink with the local Somalis. For one thing you'd never understand each other unless you speak their lanuage.

Colombiche, why don't you try to date a Somali? They have a little operation which could cure you of your excessive lusts permanently! And they do it all the time right in TO!

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utopiacowboy says on Oct 24, 2005, 16:54:

Damm, "a blond blue-eyed Canadian geisha"! Now that's something to contemplate.

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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kernow62 says on Oct 24, 2005, 17:05:

I wonder if one could find a place for a donner kebab in England, perhaps Quindioman would know. ;-)

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Monpirri says on Oct 24, 2005, 22:53:

North America and its cultural diversity. America is so culturally diverse that it has named several cities after other international cities: Bogota, New Jersey Bethelehem, Pennsylvania Cairo, Illinois Lima, Ohio London, Indiana Rome, New York Moscow, Idaho Panama, Florida Paris, Texas Warsaw, Virginia And the list goes on...

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

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kernow62 says on Oct 25, 2005, 04:44:

monpirri1 you forgot about New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Toledo, Bristol, Cleveland, Birmingham.........

Oh and what about Bagdad, Florida or Havana, Florida. How would you like to be a redneck and call Bagdad home.

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elmodefoque says on Oct 25, 2005, 05:56:

Ok, my two cents worth. Straight up! NO! I repeat, NO other city in the planet is more diverse than NYC, No way No how. Ride the freaking subway and look around and see how many white modefoque you see, almost none! London might have many people from India and some African and Arab nations, but most of the faces you see are boring, depressing pasty pale, tight ass modefoques, hell, we got more Indians here than anywhere, you could smell the curry all over Elmhurst, Queens and in every taxi. You can’t turn with out bumping into an Arab, I get my breakfast from them every morning. Africans are all over the street selling fake handbags and I won’t even mention Korean, Chinese and Japanese, never mind SPICS. When I arrived in NYC for the first three years the only white people I saw were on TV. I did not see one until we visited a relative in New Jersey. Walk around Times Square, 34th Street, the heart of Manhattan, for every white modefoque you see, you gonna see 200 third world ugly modefoques. I ‘ve seen New Yorkers take pictures of hicks from Minnesota, Wisconsin all them bible belt states, we don’t see them up this way, they come around a lot during Christmas and thanksgiving to march at the Macys parade. Those blondes from Minnesota are gigantic, goddesses.

any colombianita willing to date me, IS UP TO NO GOOD

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Colombiche says on Oct 25, 2005, 06:21:

Elmo If you ran for president, what do you think would be your chances of winning?

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

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elmodefoque says on Oct 25, 2005, 06:25:

zero to none, i think i've insulted every modefoque in the planet, mostly me.

any colombianita willing to date me, IS UP TO NO GOOD

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Colombiche says on Oct 25, 2005, 06:28:

Ha ha ha I would have voted for you! I want to see a SPIC president, when do you think that is going to happen?

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

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quindioman says on Oct 25, 2005, 06:36:

i hear you elmo very funny hombre but I'm going to carry on championing London.
I'm typing this at work and I'll give a brief example.....the peson typing this is Colombian....there are two receptionists sitting next to me, one South African the other Polish....behind me there is the room service manager (Algerian), the General manager Chief Mombassa (Kenyan), the housekeeping manager (Italian), a sales officer (token White English girl).
Room service staff hail from Lithuania, Philipines, Slovakia, Estonia....the housekeeping staff is predominantly Lithuanian...other nationalities I have left out are Spanish and Indian....and this is just at work.
I'm a bug ruby (curry) fan.....I don't have to go far to get a nice Byryani...there's always Brick Lane...if you can't get a curry in Brick Lane then forget about it.
As a concierge I have to keep up to date with the restaurant scene here in London and every nationality is catered for......even Kernow can whet that appetite for a Donner.

I'll tell you what Elmo....London doesn't have a fraction of the latinos NYC has but Latinos are represented...just the other week whilst smoking a doobie on my way home I was approached by a friendly Guatemalan...so I think we both have something in common...we both seem to appreciate our adopted cities.

PS.....NYC does not have the history London has.....I still think London and not NYC should be the unnoficial capital of the world

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elmodefoque says on Oct 25, 2005, 06:43:

i see a spic mayor for NYC in the near feature, as for USA president, we still got a few more years to go.

any colombianita willing to date me, IS UP TO NO GOOD

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quindioman says on Oct 25, 2005, 06:54:

well i don't even see a spic policeman here let alone have one as mayor....the establishment here is predominantly white or maybe from the Indian sub continent

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Oct 25, 2005, 06:54:

It used to be that way.... ...but they lost one title (financial capital) during WWI. As media and advertising developed into global businesses, NYC earned/inherited those titles, too.

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Colombiche says on Oct 25, 2005, 07:02:

Question Why is that? Why do you guys not visualize a spic being president yet? What if it is a spic who is American born and raised?

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

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elmodefoque says on Oct 25, 2005, 07:16:

Jeb Bush is gonna be the next spic president, have you heard that modefoque spic Spanish, he sounds just like them Cubans from Miami and all his press conferences are conducted in spic and English.

any colombianita willing to date me, IS UP TO NO GOOD

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elmodefoque says on Oct 25, 2005, 07:19:

Bill Richardson, Mexican American from New Mexico got my vote for spic president.

any colombianita willing to date me, IS UP TO NO GOOD

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tomtom33 says on Oct 25, 2005, 07:20:

Elmo "...Minnesota, Wisconsin all them bible belt states,..." You have to get out of NYC on occasion. I was born in Minneapolis and raised in both States. This ain't the Bible belt. Of course I do have some relatives in northern Minn. and ND who are heavy thumpers. I try to avoid them.

They are Goddesses. However, they are liberated Goddesses. Give me a Colombiana any time.

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tomtom33 says on Oct 25, 2005, 07:23:

Young JEB could be hard to beat.

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elmodefoque says on Oct 25, 2005, 07:39:

tom, i like them there liberated goddesses which means everything goes, i mean everthing and i could come up with some real nasty s--t to do, if ya know what i mean.

any colombianita willing to date me, IS UP TO NO GOOD

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pepster says on Oct 25, 2005, 07:39:

Any Bush The last thing I ever want to see is another scumbag Bush in the white house.

One truly evil family. Except for George H. Bush the father, I have a soft spot for him.

The Pepster ColombianBlog.com

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Hunter says on Oct 25, 2005, 14:47:

London or New York Are the most diverse cities in the world, hard to say which is more diverese, also very hard to get accurate numbers, because many people don't want to be registered.

Only approx half of the people in London were born there, the others are from the rest of the world, there are approx 75,000 Colombians in London for one example related to this board.

Hunter

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pepster says on Oct 25, 2005, 15:31:

NYC I'd bet hands down...NYC.

I don't even think it warrants a discussion.

The Pepster ColombianBlog.com

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kernow62 says on Oct 25, 2005, 20:05:

Elmo, NYC's Indian population 206,000, London's Indian population 534,000. However NYC's Indian population is increasing very rapidly compared to London's. London also has at 190,000 each Pakistani and Bangladeshi populations.

NYC has a larger population so as far as percentages go London is ahead on this particular group, but as these places were once British colonies that is understandable.

NY I think holds a lot of advantages compared to London, not least of which it is a hell of a lot cheaper to live in NYC than in London.

Personally I was very surprised to see that London is as diverse as it is, I really didn't expect to find a sizeable Latin American community there for example, or a Vietnemese community. I expected large West Indian, Asian, Chinese, African and Middle-eastern communities which they have.

I have only visited both cities, never lived in either and I wouldn't want to bet which was more diverse.

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Lauthra says on Oct 25, 2005, 20:30:

Nato ^ ^(='.'=) Nato

(='.'=)

Nato (='.'=)

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kernow62 says on Oct 25, 2005, 20:43:

Meow

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Lucas Freley says on Sep 25, 2007, 20:25:

Nato me encantó tu contribución a este Thread...jaja ;)

Que nombres de leyenda que hay acá !!!!!!!!!!

Pepster...don JD ¿como anda tanto tiempo?

Hoy que estás esplendida y que todo lo iluminas, demos un paseo, vuelta por el Universo (Gustavo Cerati)

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Monpirri says on Oct 2, 2007, 15:29:

Damn...now I got it! I know that Pespter guy!!

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

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Lucas Freley says on Oct 2, 2007, 20:05:

Jaja, claro. JD es tan Pepster, como Chontaduro es Monpirri...:))))))

Hoy que estás esplendida y que todo lo iluminas, demos un paseo, vuelta por el Universo (Gustavo Cerati)

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Monpirri says on Oct 3, 2007, 05:29:

Claro que si che, ahora entiendo, Pepster en JD son la misma persona.
Yo le digo a ese tipo vendido, jajajajaj

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

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