the land freedom

Desideria (Moderator) says on Jan 7, 2005, 07:56:

why did I I just got a dejá vu experience seeing Don Negro disappearing from this board (and from the land of the living, as well) in the near future? Unless he sobers up really soon...max, I'm concerned about your safety in a big way now.
Whatever your drinking, smoking, swallowing, sniffing, inhaling, injecting you ought to stop now.
Desi (no cheers, just frowns)

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 7, 2005, 08:11:

Smart money says Don Negro has never in his life bribed so much as a bus driver.

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nanis says on Jan 7, 2005, 08:44:

i know what you mean i have said it before in one of my posts and i'll say it again probably 7 in 10 colombianos are corrupted as hell we can even buy our own mothers! my dad's family was a member of the M19 my dad was a lavaperro he worked for various members of the cartel, he married my mum who's family are all sicarios and pandilleros. but it wasn't always like this my dad was a hard working man he worked really hard to provide for us but people used to be really mean to him, he had some nasty experiences and then he decided that he had enough of taking shit from people, my mum's family were really poor they grew up and still live in el retiro in cali and are members of the calle ancha gang. you see colombians sometimes get tired of working hard for nothing it is really sad but it's the truth. one of my dad's comments was that if the f--king goverment were getting extra money the easy way why couldn't he? and lets not even mention the police! we look up to these people and they keep letting us down time and time again, they are meant to be our leaders for god sake! so if they don't get their act together why should we? if they don't stop all the corruption i do not think that anyone else will..

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jan 7, 2005, 08:56:

I still think it's wrong to offer a poor sucker a bribe, that he/she may not be able to turn down. It's contributing to maintain the corruption in the country. Colombia needs more honesty, not more corruption, from the highest levels all the way to the grass roots.
I lived in Colombia for 12 years and never had I felt that I should try to bribe somebody. I lived by the book, and paid my dues. I was fined only once, for overstaying my visa and I paid. My gas would not be turned off because I run a tight ship and pay my bills when they are due.
One thing that totally disgusts me is all the imaginable ways people invent to avoid paying their taxes. They declare desceased parents as dependents, make up bogus statements of debt and payments, whatever works.
Foreigners/tourists in the country don't need to contribute to corruption. If that's your best shot, stay home.
Desi
(still frowning)
(btw max that was not humorous at all, some poor first-time visitor to Colombia might have bought that)

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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nanis says on Jan 7, 2005, 09:07:

you are right desi i got to handed to you, you seem to be one of the good ones, but hey if it was that easy would colombia be as fucked up as it is? yea in a dream world everybody would be honest and friendly but it never is thank god for people like you who still fight to keep things right but no everybody has the same mentallity as you, i'm ashamed of my family's background but i also know the difficulties that my family has had to go through that is not to say that they have the right to be dishonest or corrupt but considering that my mum's family is very poor, no money, no education whatsoever and no jobs how else are they suppose to provide for their families? is not like they are middle or upper class society is it? they don't get the chance to make anything of themselves and who's fault is that? the government!! who else?? so to stop the corruption we do not start from the bottom we need to start from the top because that's where all our money goes to!

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jan 7, 2005, 09:23:

Mrs. Gomez, I can understand where you're coming from, ok that's not totally true, since I haven't walked the proverbial mile in your shoes, but I wasn't born rich and am not even wealthy now either. I had the luck to be born in a society that would rather struggle and be poor than be dishonest. I understand the plight of the underpriviledged in Colombia; I lived there and had to see it everyday from dawn to nightfall. I'd have to be a callous person not to feel sympathy and wish that there was a better way to get out of poverty and desperation than turning into criminal activities.

I am not judging either you or your family; gods only know what I should have done under those circumstances. Something they did right anyway: you love your parents and your family with a passion, and that shows that they didn't fail with their lives. Sometimes our choices are so very limited.

What gets me upset are these people that come from rich countries and can pay their bills and fines and yet contribute to corruption and dishonesty. They walze right in with their superior attitudes and smile smugly when they brag about how "smart" and "tough" they are.

I disagree with you, Mrs. Gomez on one point though. The change has to start on the grass-roots level or it will never reach the top echelions.

Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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nanis says on Jan 7, 2005, 09:46:

Dear Desi... I wish it was like that Desi! But what good would it do for poor people to start the whole honesty campaign? Ok I’m not talking about all the people who live under the poverty line, no! most of them are more honest than anyone else you see people in Colombia work hard but what good will it do for these people to start walking on the straight line if the ones on top keep throwing their efforts in their faces! and as for my family well no one knows how tough it is to grow up poor in Colombia unless they've been through it themselves! Having to see my family getting killed one by one, my little cousins less than 18 years old and already dead and why? Because they do not get the chance to make a living that's why! And yes you are right being poor does not mean being dishonest!

take this for instance my 8 year old cousin worked in the market he used to sell chontaduros to provide for his brothers and sisters because his mum was ill and his dad was dead, one day a kid got mad at him because he wouldn't give this kid a chontaduro for free and the kid killed him, my aunt died a month later and my other cousins were left with no brother, or parents to provide for them! Life is hard in those places I should know! so if one day for some reason you have the chance to live or experience what my family has had to experience then may be you could think things through and in a different perspective.

I do respect your opinions however but that does not mean I have to agree on what you are saying to be honest with you no one learns from others’ experiences so you would have to go through what I’ve been through to agree with me and chances are that may never happen! So lets agree to disagree huh?

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oldbongo says on Jan 7, 2005, 09:54:

desi... you are so correct,you think, that you go down swinging.

please think again...mrs.gomez is the one who is correct.

the oldgringo sees the difficulty asi:

a vicious daisy-chain of corruption began with
the conquistadores,and has been continuousely refined
to this day.it permeates all stratas so that it is a
part of the fabric of life. as she said...sad,but true...

i, for one, hope to see the day when colombia,latin america,
feels different, ..but i don't think i will,...you see, corruption
is something that is passed down, through the generations, and
that's why i say, you go down swinging if you think that it hinges
on whether or not someone bakshishes someone.

and if you don't like the way some people try to avoid or delay
paying bills, try the israelis, the mavens,corruption there too.

in the end,..do you're thing,set your example, y preparete por todo

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Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 7, 2005, 10:05:

So, Don Negro So, your experience with bribing people consists of "tipping" one Costa Rican immigration official to look the other way for a trival violation and of giving some Colombian cops free money for things that weren't even against the law (hint, pot is legal here in personal-use amounts. So are knives.), yet you believe that any offense can be washed away with a simple bribe? It ain't so simple, my friend, and I wish you lots of luck if you are ever caught with a real crime to your name.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jan 7, 2005, 10:07:

I have no quarrel with Mrs. Gomez and neither with you old gringo. I just don't accept "sad but true" things that I consider can be changed. Not easily, maybe not in our lifetime, but I haven't given up on Colombia yet!

Yes, I do believe I set an example, a faulty example but a sincere one, anyway. If I go down "swinging" then that's that. Sorry, but I don't believe life being one big party and who cares. I do care, and that'll be my downfall, according to you.

Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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oldbongo says on Jan 7, 2005, 10:13:

senorito hollywood.. could you kindly quote the law re pot..

i hear is it ley 30, but from what year?

i also hear that the police may conveniently
interperet the law to permit them to hold you until
a judge releases you, so bakshish may be in order.

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elmodefoque says on Jan 7, 2005, 10:18:

rules of law only apply to the poor and oppresed. if you need to feed your family by all means do what ever you gotta do. if i saw that my kid was hungry and a rich colombiano passed by with a rolex watch, not only am i going to take that watch but his freaking hand too, so he wont be able to wipe his ass and have to get yet another maid to that for him.

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

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Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 7, 2005, 10:24:

Old Gringo 1994 The year of legalization was 1994, or at least that's when the constitutional court affirmed the law. President Uribe campaigned for a referendum to outlaw the "legal dose" and failed so it seems logical that it's still legal. I'm neither a pot smoker nor a Colombian lawyer, so that's all I can really give you.

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oldbongo says on Jan 7, 2005, 10:29:

no querido desi.. not your downfall,..your legacy.

i use the phrase as an aviso,..
you decide where the lines are.
and sometimes, they move.
...like the perilous bed.

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oldbongo says on Jan 7, 2005, 10:31:

you see... thanks..but clear as mud...como todo

i'm starting a new thred.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jan 7, 2005, 10:34:

the rules of law ought to apply to everybody and if we give up on that principle there's no hope. Elmo, you escaped from the poverty and live by your own rules of law, which is ok with me, but I don't think everybody ought to do the same.

You speak with a lot of hatred and resentment of the Colombian middle class, yet there's plenty of redeeming values to those people too. I've been part of it, living like one of them, doing my laundry by hand, sweeping the front yard every morning at 6 o'clock, taking my kids to the school bus at 6:15 four blocks away running across Avenida Roosevelt dodging the cars. No priviledges for the gringa. Working 10 hours a day, studying three hours every night, minding a house, a husband, a family. Learned to eat the sancocho (thought it was vile at the beginning, but taught myself to love it, just because I had made a choice and I was standing by it.

No, I don't accept your philosophy about the end justifying the means. That's faulty reasoning, because it only serves our small, egoistical needs.
Cheers anyway,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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elmodefoque says on Jan 7, 2005, 10:43:

desi, i agree! it ought to apply to all, but it does not! it does not apply to the rich here in the usa and less in colombia. i see it all the time and it starts early. you will not find any middle class and up in the colombian army, why? because they have cash and live by their own laws while kids in my family fight in the jungle so the rich could enjoy thing my young military relatives will never have.

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

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nanis says on Jan 7, 2005, 10:57:

Desi... I have no quarrel with you either! you seem like a very nice and intelligent lady who stands by her believes and I really respect you for that, I also wish that Colombia was a better place and if we all put our hearts to it we could make it .... But do you know how many people there are in Colombia? And 80% are of those are already corrupt! So how on earth are we gonna change their minds to make them walk in a straight line? That’s gonna take a lot and I’m not being pessimistic or anything but that aint gonna happen now is it? Yes we wish the whole world would be a better place and if there were more people like you it would probably be... and I’m saying probably! as for me well yea I’m very easy going and my motto is live each day as it was your last I’ve lived like this for a long time and I’m not gonna change dear girl.. And I do take things seriously I am a mother after all and if my kid was to go hungry I would do anything and I mean anything to provide for her! so life it's not a big party to me as you say but I’m not gonna waste my life trying to solve other peoples' problems if they don't wanna do it themselves, I’m gonna have a laugh and be happy and grateful for what I have now you shouldn't try to change people unless they are prepare to change that's what I always say!

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oldbongo says on Jan 7, 2005, 11:05:

mrs gomez.. that is exactly why we want you to come to the fiesta.
we like your ways of thinking. bravo!!!

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elmodefoque says on Jan 7, 2005, 11:18:

Tinto, I’ve talked to my sisters but they’re afraid to let them continue in the army and for Colombian poor that's one of the few options. Those kids are now "comiendo cable" or having a hard time, but that's not new to them. I help as much as I can, but they don't have that malicious instincts that sometimes you need to jump ahead. They are with out a doubt great soldiers, and served they country with great pride and honor, but that and another peso don’t buy an empanada.

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

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jan 7, 2005, 11:20:

Mrs. Gomez, thank you for having such a high opinion of me. I think you're alright yourself and that mother instinct is an unbeatable asset.

I think your estimate of the people already corrupted in Colombia is a bit high. In my Colombian "family" it doesn't look like that. My parents-in-law (r.i.p.) were uncorruptible: my father-in-law was like the law itself. Of their three sons two are (were) honest; one is a crook. A lot of people bend the rules in a small way but I doubt if they see it as a form of corruption. I believe in the education: starting with the children when they are very young to take responsibilty for their actions, that honesty has greater rewards for them than lying about little things. That it is ok to make a mistake, to be wrong, to fail, but it's not ok to lie about it or blame it on somebody else.

I wish I could have that attitude of yours of living each day like it was the last one in my life. My brood says I'm setting myself for a heart attack by caring too much of everything. I wish I could let down my guard and quit planning ahead my life taking care of every little detail that could encumber the accomplishment of my goals: just let things happen. However, it's not in my nature.

Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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nanis says on Jan 7, 2005, 11:35:

Desi.. i too care for people believe it or not! but my concerns are different, i am concerned for the people dying of hunger or going through situations such as illnesses etc. 20 of my friends and i put £10 each ($20) per month in a bank account that no one uses, every now and then we go through colombian newspapers and find some sad stories about people dying because they are so poor that they don't have any money to get medicines or medical treatment and that's where our money comes in handy. everytime i go to colombia i'll go shopping for food for at least 10 different families that are not related to me if i may add! i just get a taxi and start distributing food for people in real need.. and that's how i help the community out! not just worrying about the corruption and the crooks.. i worry i about the thing that really matter. but hey everyone is entitled to their own opinions aren't they? i guess we're just to strong minded ladies who stick by their own rules and believes and i like that even tho we don't agree on everything!

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kernow62 says on Jan 7, 2005, 11:36:

If I am reading this properly, the corruption is either because of the lack of jobs in the poorer classes, or simply because if the rich do it so can I attitude.

Unfortunately jobs won't come while the corruption is so prevalent, so I guess this has no solution. The poor will get poorer.

If I was in a bind in Colombia and was looking at serious charges, I am afraid I would act dishonestly and bribe somebody.

What is the difference in paying the cop directly or paying it to the institution he works for? Just like many people think nothing of stealing from the tax man, or stealing from a companny because they have "insurance" for this sort of thing.

Poor people would say it is better to pay the cop and help him out directly.

Desi you are leading by example, good for you. I am afraid I would use a bribe if the circumstance was serious enough to warrant it. However I would try to take the high road and not get myself in that sort of situation to begin with.

Is there a code of honour in Colombia amongst the poor that they don't steal from each other, or is it every man, woman and dog for themselves?

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jan 7, 2005, 12:06:

I do recommend you (Mrs. Gomez) for the effort you're making. I do the same type of thing, when in Colombia. I target the families that I know: children are close to my heart and I love to put a smile on their faces. I know I can't solve everybody's problems, what I do is less than a drop in the ocean. My in-laws came from a modest backgroud too, and I believe that they had the key to making it in Colombia. My mother-in-law was the granddaughter of an immensily rich German hacendado in Tuluá (Los Condores no entierran todos los dias, by Alvarez Gardeazabal), but since her grandmother didn't inherit anything at the time she grew up in poverty in Cali. From a lower middle class or upper lower class barrio of Obrero they made it to San Fernado by thriftiness, honesty, hard work and careful planning.

All their children were educated in good schools in Cali. There was never any extras there; they never belonged to any social clubs, never spent a dime unnecessarily. Later when they were already stable they travelled to the States, twice for a grand tour of the eastern states. My father-in-law had a meticulous mind and placed well his pesos: he bought three other houses in Cali for his three sons. One of them is now the one I own in El Lido. They had a hard life, sacrificed a lot for their children and yet, in the end, were living quite comfortably in that great old house in San Fernando.

I respected and loved them very much in my own gringa way. I miss them now, when the family has fallen apart and brothers have turned against each other over the inheritance and nobody is talking to anybody any longer. The end of an era. So sad.

Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jan 7, 2005, 12:14:

kernow the corruption is ingrained in the system. There's no community feeling or soldarity among the people. Maybe there is, among the poor. But not in the middle class, in a life-long fix of balancing their existance between not falling down, but trying to climb a step.
More people are falling than climbing. One of the big social problems of Colombia is not having a broad, strong middle class.

I'm the lucky one who has a choice, kernow. I can choose to live in Colombia, but if things don't work out, I can always return to the safety of my native Northern Europe. People down there have no choice: even a simple tourist visa is denied to the more often than not.

I don't think I'd pay a bribe, however. I'd stand in a queue from 5 a.m. at the door of DIAN or whatever to pay my fine there. I don't believe in settling things privately.

Cheers,
Desi
(and sorry for the rambling)

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jan 7, 2005, 15:38:

bump we never heard another word from the original poster....or from gringo in bogotá either.
Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 7, 2005, 18:23:

Bribery is exploitation or corruption is? Please explain: Is giving or taking the bribe exploitation? I largely agree, if the later. The people who most get the shit end of the stick are the poor and powerless (surprise!).

My issue with your post and attitude, Don Negro, is that you made a bunch of gratuitous yet unsubstantiated claims about the level of police corruption in Colombia when you really don't have the experience or expertise to do so. You don't really know if you could get away with murdering someone or having an illegal gun, yet you pretend as if you could, just because you once bribed a Costa Rican border agent.

In fact, it seems like you're advising people to feed and foster corruption here, which is one of the truly corrosive elements fueling the conflict and behind many tragedies.

FWIW, I've spent almost a year in Colombia and have never once had someone suggest I pay a bribe, even in incidents where I gladly would have paid to get through red tape. I've also spent a lot of time in Mexico so I know what the drill is when someone wants you to lubricate a transaction with a little mordita.

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Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 8, 2005, 07:24:

No deal pal No, Don Negro, I'm not going to "agree not to post in your threads". Here's why: This is a board that people come to for information and advice about the realities of life and travel in Colombia. You, by your own admission, are a compulsive liar and have posted under multiple identies here. Also, objectively, you don't really have a very solid grasp on the facts.

So when you post bullshit like advising a guy who asked a totally reasonable question of if it is possible to get a gun permit that he should just buy an illegal gun and depend on bribing cops, I feel obligated to call bullshit, because that kind of advice could be VERY harmful. Likewise, when you make sweeping statements about Colombia based, not on personal experience but, rather, youth hostel yarn spinning, but present them as empirical fact, I'll call bullshit on that, too.

Here's a hint: If you're reporting something that's a 3rd hand story you heard in youth hostel, say so up front, like "I once heard a story in youth hostel about a woman who cooked her poodle in the microwave." If it's something that happend to you, then say, "I once did XY and Z." And if it's something that you really don't know anything about, why say anything at all?

I actually live in Colombia and have grown tired of foreign visitors who think of it as their 3rd world playground where they don't have to observe the rules and/or common decency.

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ARMacleod says on Jan 8, 2005, 08:38:

Tell me something Mr negro When you are in the pontificating mood I have a picture of you in my mind

I visualise you sitting in a well upholstered chair and gently stroking a white cat. Am I anywhere near the mark?

Being of unsound mind and dubious disposition, I cannot be held legally liable for any indiscretions. ¡El diablo me hizo lo hago! But don't worry, be happy.

The brain is like a parachute, it only functions correctly when it is open. Pax vobiscum.

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Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 8, 2005, 12:36:

The last resort Thanks for explaining that you're attempting humor, Don Negro.

Accusing others of humorlessness is always the last resort of people who think the are funny but aren't.

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Sonny says on Jan 8, 2005, 20:35:

to bad for ms negro. I thought that Gary said all that needed to be said this morning. The man in short pants actually had a job and left this site. I understood he was a homosexual. I listen to stupid people every day but this guy has a handle on stupid and trying to impress people with his lack of education at the age of 19. At this rate is will not be a problem to anyone for long. I did this and that but not really jajajaj. Please give it up and talk like an adult not a child that thinks he knows everything. Please don't go back to Colombia. The country smell nice right now. I think you must have graduated from some kind of school but when you left to another 3rd world country you raised the IQ of both countries. Please try to talk like a man and help yourself not look so stupid. You are completely educated beyond your intelligence.

Friends???? How do you place a value on that?? They are like memories, without them you have nothing

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ARMacleod says on Jan 9, 2005, 02:19:

Re: too bad for ms negro! Brilliant!

"Please try to talk like a man and help yourself not look so stupid. You are completely educated beyond your intelligence".

God, I wish I had said that. You, in my very humble opinion have summed the situation up in a nutshell. Subtle and without lowering yourself to actual humiliation. I take my hat off to you sir.


Being of unsound mind and dubious disposition, I cannot be held legally liable for any indiscretions. ¡El diablo me hizo lo hago! But don't worry, be happy.

The brain is like a parachute, it only functions correctly when it is open. Pax vobiscum.

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Sonny says on Jan 9, 2005, 10:44:

repeat I repeat my statement. Maybe you will understand this time. You are educated beyond your intelligence. Leaving Colombia and going to some poor country that will have you will raise the IQ of both countries.
Try the military little boy. It is still possible to make a man out of the big mouth of yours.
If indeed you HAD an IQ above 115 jajajaj then you would act more like adult. Instead, you would rather show everyone here that your mommy still dresses your funny and you still suck your thumb. Try putting something in writing that shows others that you at least have a chance to succeed in this world and setting behind the safety of your computer does not hide you from the realities of adult hood.
Being a man comes with time not writing stupid things on the net. Respect is something you must EARN and your a long way from that little boy. You need to be out on your own while you still know everything and see how easy it is. Take your thumb out of your mouth, put on some long pants with the zipper in the FRONT not the side and grow up. You may find that someone may like you. There is still time.
Don't put it in your mind that what you write is taken seriously by the adult community. Most of us have already been there and have closet full of brats like you behind them. If your mommy had been a mail order bride then you would have been raised with some mannors. Something you lack. Your 19, face it. You,if given the chance you may make it to 20 though I doubt it.Your mouth will take care of your attitude just as soon as someone makes you back it up. But, hidding behind the computer will protect you from that won't it :)Keep up the good work negro. Be responceable and try to stop makeing people think your so smart. Spoiled, brat, childlike and thumb sucker come to mind here little boy that still has to use foul language to make his point. There is still hope for you.

Friends???? How do you place a value on that?? They are like memories, without them you have nothing

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Sonny says on Jan 9, 2005, 11:10:

very good Desi HE'S BACKKKKK As he stated, he will be back in "locombia" soon. To bad. When I first came to this site I like the people that attempted to want to help and it was like having a conversation between adults. We do not all agree but over time things work out. You have your opinion and I have mine and they have theres.
I enjoyed it a lot but when a little uneducated thumb sucking little boy who's IQ has not progressed beyond the use of four letter words to express his manhood then it is time to move on. How knows, maybe someone can remove this bad apple with more then one worm, virus.
You and a few others seem to understand the intent of this site and I appreciate your and their imput.
Have a good day and good luck with your concerns. I love Colombia and the reason for the problems is Colombia is because of people like Odo Engro, ooops Don Negro. Did I spell it correctly? :) Bye guys

Friends???? How do you place a value on that?? They are like memories, without them you have nothing

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Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 9, 2005, 11:15:

Don Negro is 19? Well, that puts it in some perspective.

Please take a word of sincere advice then. You're reasonably intelligent and I have to hand it to you that you're travelling to places like Colombia at such a young age. That takes a certain amount of courage. But you come off as callow, jaded, intellectually sloppy and disdainful of other people. Your late teens and early twenties are a fantastic time and will shape a lot the person you become.

If I had my early twenties to do over again I would talk less and listen more. And I would be more open to the fact that I might be wrong and others right.

You might consider the same.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jan 9, 2005, 11:21:

oh sonny, it wasn't me who brought him back! I was really quite upset at the beginning of this thread with him encouraging people to offer money in bribes, giving a false impression to people that this was accepted, commonplace and just one of the peculiar assets of living in Colombia not having to obey the laws and disregarding all common decency.
Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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Sonny says on Jan 9, 2005, 11:37:

Mr Hollywood That was good. At 19 I did not have time to be a brat, or spoiled. I was in Viet Nam. I will agree that at 19 he has a good life in front of him and if given the opportunity he could change things. That will come with maturity and the mountain he climbing is a tall one. I was told many times that sometimes less is more.
It could also be the people he is hanging with are not good for him or it could be that he is just plane spoiled. I understood he is from Colombia. I hope not but I think so. I hope I am wrong.

Friends???? How do you place a value on that?? They are like memories, without them you have nothing

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Sonny says on Jan 9, 2005, 11:50:

Sorry Desi I know you did not bring him back. I am sorry if you took it that way. People like that are much like a fart in the wind. You know he is there, you can smell him but you just can't see him, and only time will make him go away unless Peter can spray something that will make that happen sooner.
He will wake up one day and see things differently. It is only a matter of time. If he could put his brain in gear before he puts his mouth in motion he will be Ok.
You wrote something positive and he whould listen. I put people like him in jail every day. Seems that the clanging of the steal door BEHIND them has a way of changing attitudes. His time will come. It could come from this site as people like me read of his bribes, false impressions, or just disobeying the law has a one way door. You did good!!!!

Friends???? How do you place a value on that?? They are like memories, without them you have nothing

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ARMacleod says on Jan 9, 2005, 11:56:

Negro, from Colombia? I am glad that it is not so. On the other hand, it is to my eternal regret that I see he claims to be from UK? Dear god, what have we in this poor country done that was so bad as to have spawned such a creature.

Perhaps I have read it wrong, I hope so. In a previous post he remarked something to the effect "not here in the UK"

I trust that no one will ostracise me for living in the UK or for being British because of this heretic reptilian numb nutted prat. We are quite nice people really. (Most of the time)

No that is adequate, I will not fall into the drain of decimating his character any longer.

Others appear to be covering that better and more eloquently than my poor grasp of the written word can.

Being of unsound mind and dubious disposition, I cannot be held legally liable for any indiscretions. ¡El diablo me hizo lo hago! But don't worry, be happy.

The brain is like a parachute, it only functions correctly when it is open. Pax vobiscum.

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