Miami Herald Says: Colombian City, Once Violent, Now Very Liveable

Simon says on Jun 9, 2008, 20:47:

Wow, yesterday the 'Colombians helping the US with ethanol' story and now this! It's nice to see some US media finally reporting on the positive aspects of Colombia!

"Tu vas a ver, llegaras a mi edad y veras que Colombia seguira igual"-----Simon Sr.

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Lisa Zee says on Jun 9, 2008, 20:55:

I am very happy to read things like this. I waited all my life for this!. And it is going to get better, yeahhhhh,

Thanks mimimike!

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Simon says on Jun 9, 2008, 20:56:

Here's the same article in Spanish from El Nuevo Herald:

http://www.elnuevoherald.com/167/story/223688.html

"Tu vas a ver, llegaras a mi edad y veras que Colombia seguira igual"-----Simon Sr.

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Simon says on Jun 9, 2008, 21:01:

"Medellín is not alone. In fact, security across much of Colombia has improved since President Alvaro Uribe took office in 2002. He has the FARC guerrillas on the run, has dismantled most -- but certainly not all -- of the right-wing paramilitary groups -- and has curbed some of the worst human rights abuses by government troops"

Read it and weep 'anti-Urbistas/Farc lovers', he he he.

"Tu vas a ver, llegaras a mi edad y veras que Colombia seguira igual"-----Simon Sr.

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miamimike says on Jun 9, 2008, 22:15:

Simon, I am surprised, with you living in our fair city of Miami, you didn't catch this juicy little tidbit of news! LOL Put that Playboy Magazine down and start reading the Paper. Ja Ja

And Yes Prez Uribe deserves a lot of credit for improved security. My Visits have stretched over 3 Col Presidents starting with Samper and Uribe sure has made a differrence. I will also credit the Billions the US Taxpayers sent via Plan Colombia, started by Prez Bill Clinton in the late 90s and carried over by his predecessor GW Bush. The US took a chance on Colombia to help when few other countries would back in the 90s. I'm most happy for the residents of Colombia as they can walk without fear now in many places. Great Change!

My Avatar-- Sarah Palin Says " "You know the difference between a pit bull and a hockey mom?? Lipstick!" Now on a Short Verbal Tether by the Honorable John McCain

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Simon says on Jun 9, 2008, 22:51:

LOL!! I like how the Miami Herald is pretty pro-Colombian lately!

"Tu vas a ver, llegaras a mi edad y veras que Colombia seguira igual"-----Simon Sr.

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goin_south says on Jun 9, 2008, 23:01:

The Pres is probably... colombian.

Where do we go from here?

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christobeldawg says on Jun 9, 2008, 23:46:

and yet things are much better, overall, now, no? still, comparing it to DC and Detroit cannot help tourism

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

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dwmte7 says on Jun 10, 2008, 05:31:

i think visitors and residents alike owe a debt of gratitude to mr fajardo. the results of his efforts and those of his staff, as well others, are visible everywhere in and around medellin.

thank you mr. fajardo.

in 1990, i was a guest of a family in this barrio for having helped out one of their sons. i had no idea these folks and their neighbors were sicarios. in fact, at that early date, i really didn't know what sicarios were. i learned very quickly with my visit to their home for lunch that day. however, no threat was made, only an expression of gratitude for having helped their son...the reason for their invitation to me.

dwmte

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Jun 10, 2008, 06:00:

The US media has been reporting on some of the positive aspects of Colombia for at least seven years. Here are a few examples (look at the links on the left hand side under the word "articles").

http://home.earthlink.net/~cafe.tinto/bogota.htm

Note: The two articles about Christmas are from 1997 and 1999.

I don't update the website anymore, but the point is - if you are looking for positive news about Colombia, it's there and probably always has been.

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Monpirri says on Jun 10, 2008, 07:54:

Simon says on Jun 9, 2008, 22:51: flag
"LOL!! I like how the Miami Herald is pretty pro-Colombian lately!"
That is a good news!
Vote for Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008!

Goin_south says on Jun 9, 2008, 23:01: flag

"The Pres is probably... colombian."
This is even a better news when the whole Press starts to make up for several years of BS news.

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

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badboy says on Jun 10, 2008, 07:56:

The more desirable Medellin and other cities in Colombia become the less desirable gringos become to Colombian women.

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romy says on Jun 10, 2008, 18:20:

RP- that's simply not true... I actually recall swiping some girls at lleras in january from some American guys. The deushebags thought I was there to make friends with them hahaha

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romy says on Jun 10, 2008, 18:32:

no my friends that still live in Colombia could do the same

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romy says on Jun 10, 2008, 19:06:

it's actually the girls from lower estratos that americans will trump Colombians... but the point was that you overgeneralized and I think you've accepted that.

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CatGirl says on Jun 10, 2008, 19:14:

Kitty is confused....but nothing unusual, ja!

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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dwmte7 says on Jun 10, 2008, 19:31:

hello kitty...something 'blurlike' in this thread to you...me too.

dwmte

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webmanco says on Jun 10, 2008, 19:35:

Let´s add to the confusion, que fondo, que frente!!

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

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CatGirl says on Jun 10, 2008, 19:35:

jejeje - I am sorry - OK YOU WIN. it is not me but a pic of an actress someone says I look like, but it is really bad and in black and white for peetsake! You cannot tell her hair color, maybe I need to change back to the kitten, jejeje

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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webmanco says on Jun 10, 2008, 19:47:

I got it CatGirl

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

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CatGirl says on Jun 10, 2008, 20:06:

You got wot webman?

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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webmanco says on Jun 10, 2008, 20:17:

The avatar that looked like you

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

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CatGirl says on Jun 10, 2008, 20:18:

The black and white one?

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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webmanco says on Jun 10, 2008, 20:18:

Yes

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

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CatGirl says on Jun 10, 2008, 20:21:

jejeje - it is very blurrrrry - no good. I won't use again. I accidently put up my own pic (twice)for a sec when I was changing. But back to the kitten..puuurrr
(maybe I need to take a class on how to do these things, jeje)

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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CatGirl says on Jun 10, 2008, 20:23:

Her nose is bigger than mine...I think they are wrong....jeje. Hey! we are hijacking the thread. Oh well..

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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CatGirl says on Jun 10, 2008, 20:26:

Webman - you are soooo rubio!! I just noticed what you named the pic!! ja! jajaja - LOL...oh no I am going to fall on floor laughing now!

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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webmanco says on Jun 10, 2008, 20:30:

She would love to look like you.

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

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CatGirl says on Jun 10, 2008, 20:36:

Ok - here is a more recent pic of her - the one mentioned, but only one I can find. Her nose is bigger though



Did I do it correct?

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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webmanco says on Jun 10, 2008, 20:39:

Smart CatGirl

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

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CatGirl says on Jun 10, 2008, 20:40:

Ohhh - Webman! I saw your comment....Gracias, you are too much

Creo que estamos bien juntos..jeje (correct spanish?)

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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webmanco says on Jun 10, 2008, 20:42:

todo bien, todo bien como dice el Pibe Valderrama

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

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CatGirl says on Jun 10, 2008, 20:44:

Look what I did! jejeje

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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webmanco says on Jun 10, 2008, 20:45:

:-)

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

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CatGirl says on Jun 10, 2008, 20:46:

jaja - date night? Are you jealous RP? ja!

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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CatGirl says on Jun 10, 2008, 20:49:

She plays the only wife that produced a son for King Henry the 8th.....she was what he called his Angel ;). Good TV series. jeje...Ok - I better stop hijacking - cause UK is far away from Colombia

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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CatGirl says on Jun 10, 2008, 20:51:

Wot? thought the Celtics won? I guessed the Lakers and was wrong ;(

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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CatGirl says on Jun 10, 2008, 20:54:

Ok - How did you do that Webman? Are you a Magician? jijiji

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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CatGirl says on Jun 10, 2008, 20:57:

You are crafty Web....oooooohhhh. OK it is almost 11pm Bogota time. For me....I need leche caliente..for kitten..Puurrr

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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webmanco says on Jun 10, 2008, 21:00:

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

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CatGirl says on Jun 10, 2008, 21:32:

Ok - she has NO curves...not a good pic of her..no breasts or waist? She needs a better outfit, jejeje. Worst dressed jjiji

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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CatGirl says on Jun 10, 2008, 21:43:

Now she looks more curvatious jeje...still a bad dress but better than that parachute!

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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webmanco says on Jun 10, 2008, 21:45:

What is her best movie? I would like to see more of her.

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

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CatGirl says on Jun 10, 2008, 21:53:

hmmm...not really much - I think you will find her part in The Tudors will more than likely start a more serious career - make or break her. She does a good job in this series about King Henry the VIII - his 3rd wife, Jane Seymour The earlier movies I think are kind of cheesy if I recall - she was in Journey to the Center of the Earth - she is Finnish and she recently had a Bday too in May




So much for the OP - Oops

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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webmanco says on Jun 11, 2008, 05:27:

Sorry Miamimike I was led into misbehaving last night :-) but now that I am sober :-) and CatGirl is sleeping, back on topic.

Colombia is more secure nowdays, but I don´t like the security coming from more guns and military personel, and from external "help". I got a feel of the security on my trip to Medellín and la Guajira last year, I got stopped several times on my way to Medellín by the Ejercito Colombiano, and once I did not get stopped but got confuse on a road near La Guajira, late at night, and while deciding where to take a soldier came out of nowhere and gave us directions, It was new year, I was glad to see that soldier but at the same time sad that we in Colombia do need to increment our military forces in order to have a safe country, instead of investing more on Educaction, jobs and health.


Yesterday, June 10, there were two detonations one on a police station leaving 13 policemen injured, earier another detonation took place elsewhere in Bogotá killing a woman.

It is said that whatever happens to the capital of the country it is a reflection of the situation of the country.

That been said, although the positive news, I do see things might get worse even if Uribe stays at power, due that little has been done on social investments. Although I do listen once in a while to President Uribe in his "consejos comunitarios" and believe he got the best intentions it is not an easy task that one man alone can do, and Colombia should not put its hopes in just one man.

Here is the right link to the article in Spanish
http://www.elnuevoherald.com/noticias/america_latina/story/223688.html



RAUL ARBOLEDA / AFP/Getty Images

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

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dwmte7 says on Jun 11, 2008, 06:12:

try walkin outta the bank of the republic there with $35,000.00 u.s. in pesos... that was before i had my account at bic in oviedo. what a fright! too many times. just to make payroll and buy materials. with that kind of money in bags you couldn't trust the guard at the door. he'd shoot you as would any good bandito.

dwmte

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CatGirl says on Jun 11, 2008, 09:37:

Webman: The El Neuvo Herald is newer to me, where is this based? Nice, thanks for the link ;))

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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CatGirl says on Jun 11, 2008, 09:37:

Webman: The El Neuvo Herald is newer to me, where is this based? Nice, thanks for the link ;))

PS _ is there an English version?

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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webmanco says on Jun 11, 2008, 09:39:

English Version
http://www.miamiherald.com/

Miami Florida

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

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CatGirl says on Jun 11, 2008, 09:40:

jajaaj - OMG - OK kitty is dense...sorry. Thanks

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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CatGirl says on Jun 11, 2008, 09:41:

You must be chuckling right now, huh?

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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CatGirl says on Jun 11, 2008, 09:41:

You must be chuckling right now, huh?

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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CatGirl says on Jun 11, 2008, 09:41:

You must be chuckling right now, huh?

OK there is something seriously wrong with the Submit button thang- sorry for the multiple posts.....I am making too many babies (kittens) here

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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BillBigD says on Jun 11, 2008, 16:58:

Same article was in a Washington DC paper yesterday.

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Man Tequila says on Jun 11, 2008, 17:02:

It's good to hear good news.

After a guy went postal in Japan, The Toronto Star had a UN office of drug crime chart on murder rates, no year given, which said Colombia was more dangerous than anywhere else.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

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