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Response to Post on Colombia Delegation

I have been visiting this website for a few months and have found it to be extremely helpful and full of useful information. I have even recommended it to other people because until now I have believed it to be a useful tool for anyone who would like to learn more about Colombia.

Therefore, you can imagine my extreme disappointment with most of the responses to a previous post about a humanitarian delegation that will be doing some work in Colombia later this summer. I am part of this same delegation and it appears that quite a few people have completely misunderstood its purpose and affiliation. I don't care to explain the details at this point, because it appears that some of you have already jumped to a number of unfair conclusions based on ridiculous stereotypes that you have created in your head. You could have easily asked for clarification as to the delegation's purpose or affiliation. Had you done this, then the response thread would have probably gone in a more positive direction. But you didn't ask. You simply assumed the worst and in the process showed one of the more ugly sides that humanity has to offer.

I am really disappointed by this and I hope that some of you will consider the impact of your words and actions in the future. I also hope that someone will do or say SOMETHING to redeem this forum so that it no longer appears to be controlled by a bunch of hostile, self-righteous assholes who take joy in ridiculing other people. Absolutely shameful.

By cholula on Jun 10, 2004, 17:53 in Friendly Talkzone.

robertdelred says on Jun 10, 2004, 18:53:

You only raise more suspicion Definetly CIA .

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junior says on Jun 10, 2004, 19:09:

friendlytalkzone.... i agree wholeheartedly with your feelings, i also told my friends about this wonderful site i had found only to be told that ALL MEXICANS ARE SCUM....ALL MEXICANS ARE GANG MEMBERS

disheartening, since the writer knows i'm of mexican descent...

some of the writers are "los indicados"....

some of the writers are very friendly, warm, and caring people...

i won't let a few discourage me from writing, i have seen this side of human behavior many times in my life, not good...

don't let the few discourage you, there are some really wonderful people on this site...

junior...i love colombia

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cholula says on Jun 10, 2004, 19:42:

LOL! I like the way you think.

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cholula says on Jun 10, 2004, 19:47:

Thanks, Junior. I appreciate your response.

I've seen the two different types of people you're talking about and believe that most of us can be either type at any given day. Still, just because someone is feeling vicious or defensive doesn't mean that it's okay to take out that hostility on some poor soul who simply had a question. They could have responded to me that way and I couldn't have cared less. I don't mind taking a beating and actually found the section on Espanol for Hostages to be pretty damn funny. It's just that the wit wasn't used at the right time with the right person. It's an easy mistake to make, but I just wanted people to think about it a little bit.

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Sam Salmon says on Jun 10, 2004, 20:49:

Well Cholula I'm extremely di Well Cholula I'm extremely disappointed at what I see as your terminal naiveté.

It's very difficult to be neutral when someone insists on sticking their hand into a hornet's nest-especially one that has a sign on it in both Spanish and English DO NOT DISTURB! NO DISTURBE!

' a la orden!'

' a la orden!'

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Gator says on Jun 11, 2004, 06:04:

If You Don't Like the Answers, Don't Post the Question No hay de qué amigo, estoy aquí para servirle. Yo creo que usted no tienes razón.

¡Así es la vida¡ Dulce para unos y amarga para otros.

BTW, Oh forget it, people like you don't pay attention. In the words of the immortal Rodney King, "Why can't we all get along?"

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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cholula says on Jun 11, 2004, 10:01:

The answer wasn't the problem. It was simply the vicious undertone that came with it. You're obviously a very intelligent person with an interesting sense of humor, which I can always appreciate. Still, did you have to take out your unresolved issues on someone who was simply trying to find out more information?

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cholula says on Jun 11, 2004, 10:09:

Sam, if your definition of "terminal naivite" is someone who expects a certain level of common decency from people, then I am guilty as charged.

Look, I'm not trying to insult anyone or start a flame war here. I'm sure that you have some very legitimate reasons to feel the way you do. Perhaps some dirty hippies once broke into your place and tie-dyed all your favorite shirts. Who knows? Regardless, do you really think it's fair to make assumptions about people you don't know? Why don't you make an effort to learn more and THEN decide what you think?

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ShazCas says on Jun 12, 2004, 04:41:

Disappointing I've been a member of this forum for quite a long time, and I've read a lot of things written by all of the people who responded so negatively to Kevin's question. I'm not surprised by their opinions, I've heard them before, and I don't agree with them, but we all know that everyone's entitled to their own opinion. However, I'm really shocked that they were so rude to someone who just asked a question. Surely one of the functions of this forum is to give people good advice, not slag them off? I'm also disappointed they weren't mature enough to apologise. Not for their opinions, no one should do that. They should apologise for being so rude to soemone who doesn't deserve it, and for assuming things without asking. We can do without that kind of attitude, and I'm disappointed.

As for the subject itself, surely Colombia needs all the international attention it can get? Plus Sam, those people ASKED for help, so they don't have a "DO NOT DISTURB" sign up. What exactly are YOU all doing for Colombia??????

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junior says on Jun 12, 2004, 08:37:

shazCas... "I've heard them before..."

"everyone's entitled to their opinion..."

"for assuming things without asking..."

i agree with everything you have said, and thank you for saying them.
i didn't like being told that "all mexicans are scum...all mexicans are gang members..."

and this from the people who have taken ownership of colombia...somehow they know best....about what?

people are entitled to an opinion...with respect...we don't always agree, but that doesn't mean that we should attack each other in such vicious ways... i enjoy good conversation, even if we don't agree an intelligent conversation is good for everyone, especially if the views are stated with respect...

you see, if you don't agree with these gentlemen, you are stupid, you are ignorant...

what they do reflect is what is bad with the world today, their behavior is the unlying human behavioral causes of all violent and hateful situations in the world today...INTOLERANCE

they hide behind the internet, just like nice people turn into disrepectful drivers here in california...once inside an automobile, people's personality change for the worst, because they are shielded by the vehicle and its lack of personability....this behavior is abusive...

all this by people who claim to know what is good or bad for colombia...

i'm glad you are here, so i don't feel so all alone in my thinking, i'm glad for cholula also, for someone finally saying something about this behavior other than myself...

lastly, they don't speak for colombia or colombians...they only speak for themselves...regardless of the fact that some are colombian and live there...if you represent the views of colombians then run for office and represent their views...i believe colombians love america and want to be included in the world today...i believe that colombians are not protectionist or isolationist...

something to think about....

if the economy improves, then colombia won't be so quaint and charming...i mean so CHEAP to live in and it might upset my retirement plans....to some people, do nothing means cheaper living...

i love america...but i love people in general...i would love to see all the world interact more freely....i also have come to love colombia through my conversations with my colombian friends, who i might add, love america and americans and don't feel like the few individuals who are mean spirited and hide behind the internet...who seem to hate their own country, america isn't perfect but just like in colombia, most americans are good people...

more importantly, what do these individuals do in their own communities? do they volunteer their time? do they educate? do they go to church? what is it that redeems them in society? other than their intolerance and hate....

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santiago says on Jun 12, 2004, 11:17:

cholula – ShazCas- and - junior
Great response from all of you, I agree 100%.
I am also very disappointed.
The same people who wrote negative comments to Kevin’s question are now commenting and making comments about your disappointment in their negativity.
You all have been very kind in your responses to their extreme rudeness.

I can not help to point out that the biggest offender is Gator.
His first two words to Kevin were “ I Assume” That was a clue to his worthlessness.
Gator is really not worth responding to anymore and it will be a good idea if we can all just ignore him and his “ASSumptions” and negativity in this forum.
So, Gator, please go away or think a little before writing more of your negativity to your "ASSumptions".
Santiago

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Jun 12, 2004, 11:22:

agree with the posters above.
None of us possesses the whole truth and only the truth. Let's keep our minds open,
cheers,
Dd

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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Hunter says on Jun 12, 2004, 13:07:

Many guys.... who were not happy with the original post and who gave the neagtive responces to the post either live in Colombia or spend a lot of time here.

NGOs etc have a bad reputation in Colombia as pointed out in the previouse posts, if you or others had been reading the board previously you should have noted that.

I agree with what you are saying at the beginning of this thread and people went a bit overboard, but I believe that the original post should have explained some of what you are saying.

Hunter

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