Platano's Kidnapping

Sr Tertius says on Jan 14, 2006, 10:11:

What a sad existence and a waste of breathing air. Pretending to make his personal attacks topics for discussion...

I googled this loser, and there's some interesting stuff, including an interrogation of Adam Isacson, the Director of Programs for Colombia of the Center for International Policy. Apparently this is how he spends his time, and we are supposed to put up with it.

"When the finger points to the moon, the fool looks at the finger" (Chinese proverb)

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Wastelandlive says on Jan 14, 2006, 10:45:

Yep - that was me. What's it to you? It was a good debate. "Interrogation?" Adam certainly didn't seem to mind.

http://www.ciponline.org/colombia/blog/archives/000047.htm

I'm flattered, though not surprised, by your interest. But I must say, "Sr. T," you're not required to "put up" with anything: I posted a thread at PBH. You saw the moniker. You clicked the link.

Perhaps you have a bee in your bonnet? A burr under your saddle? Remember "Sr.," smile - laugh! - nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!
_________________________

Platano? Tales of adventure travel tours? Did they teach you to field strip a Kalishnakov?

Wasteland

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platano says on Jan 14, 2006, 11:24:

Wasteland, You can read about my kidnapping here:

http://www.poorbuthappy.com/colombia/node/8176

plátano

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caslug says on Jan 14, 2006, 11:35:

one thing i really admire about Platano.. is that he is an idealistic optomist. He's the glass half empty guy, and while i think he is TOO idealistic, the world needs people like him that point out how EVEN the worse situation can be an opportunity. Because if there's NO idealist then positve profound change will never be realize. Realist(which most of us are) are always looking at the cost/benefit of situation and positive change ALWAYS cost alot and the benefits are too long terms for realist to benefit from. BUT it's the idealist that push and push(and many die) BEFORE their dreams are realize, yet they will cont pushing KNOWING that.

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Wastelandlive says on Jan 14, 2006, 11:39:

Well... as I wrote - I did look at all the posts linked to your profile.

The post you reference describes well your personal mindset, but is light on details like how it happened, or how you were freed.

But roger - I can take a hint. You're not sharing, and I'm sure you've got your reasons...

Wasteland

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platano says on Jan 14, 2006, 12:12:

Wasteland, not that I don't want to share... I have already... As I said they are scattered and they relate minutiae. Here are two examples I found by searching PBH. You apparently are not searching, and I'm sure you've got your reasons.

Mr. H.,
En la ciudad había una persona armada en la pieza como guardia. En el campo había por lo menos una persona (a veces más). Cuando caminando de lugar a lugar habían dos, uno frente, uno atrás.
Estoy de acuerdo contigo... debe ser super caro mantener presos, alimentarlos, etc.
No estoy de acuerdo que solo secuestran a los que tengan plata. También han secuestrado a gente pobre, hasta las muchachas de servicio (serivientas que limpian y cocinan) y exigen CP$30.000 o sea menos que US$15.00 y las familias pobres encuentran los CP$30.000 y pagan el rescate. No sé si esto es actividad guerrillera o simplemente delincuencia común imitando las tácticas de la guerrilla. Es comportamiento asqueroso por donde o quien sea.
By platano at Wed, 11/23/2005 - 01:19

Mr. H., regarding use of tu, vos, Usted and Sumerced...
The same approach applied with the guerrillas. By tuning into the conversational flow one can tell what form to use. On the first day of the kidnapping it was Usted. Later it changed to tu. We never got to vos since they all used aliases and they were holding the guns... I never came to feel they were friends.
About frog marching. Actually we walked at night and I would be between two guerrillas and they gave me the flashlight (very kind of them) but there was one flashlight for three of us so I would swing my arm forward and backward illuminating the way for all three of us.
plátano

plátano

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Wastelandlive says on Jan 14, 2006, 12:38:

Well, GIB, next time I'm in Bogota'? Actually, my cu~nado is a Capt. in Gaula.

He tells me quite a few. In particular he cured me of the "that doesn't happen inside the big cities" theory.

Happens quite frequently in Bogota, according to him. He should know... he's got a nice big scar from taking it in the chest from a shotgun on a rescue op.
______________________

Okay P, you busted me... beyond your own posts, no I haven't searched your bits and pieces out. My reasons? I'm lazy?

Seriously. I didn't mean to pry. But as long as you are feeding me tidbits... is there a reason you won't tell us how it happened or how you were set free? If so, that's cool. I'm under the impression that you're still there, so maybe its a security issue?

Wasteland

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platano says on Jan 14, 2006, 12:50:

Wasteland, mine was a good kidnapping and by that I mean... Mine was a political kidnapping, not an economic one. You are right about the cities not being safe. I was grabbed leaving my house, the adobe brick house I built in estrato 2, in Medellin.

I was released in the mountains at a formal press conference with TeleArepa, Caracol, RCN, Cruz Roja, human rights representatives, etc. present to witness the release. The guerrillas milked it for all it was worth in terms of publicity. They gave me back my wallet with COP$10.000 intact, telling me they are not "ladrones" which I thought was hilarious.

Why are you so interested in the details? Are you afraid of being kidnapped, or are you safely ensconced in the USA?plátano

plátano

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Wastelandlive says on Jan 14, 2006, 13:08:

Well, I'm safely ensconced for the moment... But thinking about coming back.

I have a realistic perception as to why I never had problems in Cartagena or Bogota for over two years. I wasn't an obvious target.

Buying property, and running a business is something else. As you know, that's a whole new level of exposure... GIB's point is well taken about cleaning out relative's accounts. Unless you're an orphan, it's not just your own risk. Sometimes I think that I simply cannot do this until my parents die. Maybe never - how would I feel if my sister or uncle had to spend their savings?

It's one of the reasons I find your sanguine attitude interesting.

Why am I interested in the details?

Because the work I've got open in the OTHER window is REALLY boring, and I far prefer blathering on about Colombia. Besides... that was a hell of an adventure that you lived. How long were you in captivity?

Wasteland

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platano says on Jan 14, 2006, 13:13:

Wasteland, Initially they told me they only needed me for leverage to get statements published in the newspaper and that would take three or four days. They actually showed me the newspaper and it contained what they had demanded be printed. Then they transferred me from the safe house in Medellin to the mountains and I kept asking when I would be released. They said they couldn't just release me... because if something happened to me they would be blamed for it... and they were responsible for my well being. So they had to arrange the big press event and that took ten days. So in all it was two weeks in captivity.plátano

plátano

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silviat says on Jan 15, 2006, 16:22:

Platano I always enjoy your post... I love the way you see the world.

Your post about your kidnapping was very nice.... I certainly admire very much the position you take in front of such situations.

Abracitos.

Silvia

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