What Do Americans Think of Colombians?

Man Tequila says on Apr 3, 2008, 20:29:

'Why do you ask? I'd imagine you know the answer to this very well already.

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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Simon says on Apr 3, 2008, 20:35:

Oh man, here we go again.

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

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Swinn88 says on Apr 3, 2008, 20:36:

I'm not sure I know. but I certainly don't know what the rest of you think. so. Lets discuss it. whats correct whats not correct. Worth a go, no?

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Simon says on Apr 3, 2008, 20:38:

They think we're all nothing more than a bunch of drug traffickers and guerillas, yep, every single one of the 45 million of us.

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

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Man Tequila says on Apr 3, 2008, 20:51:

I can only guess what Americans think. Canadians still associate Colombians with cocaine and most would never dream of travelling to a country so associated with violence and drugs. Canada does not have a large Latino population relative to other immigrant groups, and most of this is confined to a handful of cities. Thus, they are unaware of differences between countries in Central and South America.

However, Cuba and Mexico remain very popular destinations for Canadian travellers. They usually visit resorts and fail to discover the real character of these countries. I suspect Canadians think of Latinos as "similar to Mexicans": friendly folks who are good dancers and like folk music, beans and tortillas. People who actually know Mexicans probably consider Latinos to be very religious, fairly hard working and fond of swearing.

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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DodgerDogs says on Apr 3, 2008, 20:57:

The people who only know of Colombia from Hollywood movies and news reports of kidnapping and human rights abuses , think Colombians are drug dealers and Kidnappers.
The world everyday is made more aware of people like Gabriel Garcia , Shakira, Juan Pablo Montoya,
Edgar Renteria , Jose Caberra , Judge Judy , Juanes , Marta Gomez and many of the worlds most famous designers and best architects.
Colombia has good and bad like everywhere, people think of Noth Americans and think George Bush, but GWB is only one North American, and does not stand for what all North Americans are.

If people only went by what Fox news said about Iraq's people ,they would have the wrong idea about Iraq's people.

How would you describe Iraq's people are Musilms if you only went by what Fox news said.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

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Simon says on Apr 3, 2008, 20:59:

Judge Judy? I think you mean Judge Cristina Perez.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cristina_Pérez_(judge)

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

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DodgerDogs says on Apr 3, 2008, 21:01:

The good thing about most people not knowing the real Colombia, is that means most people will
be afraid to come here and spoil Colombia's natural beauty, and its great many diverse cultures and customs. I love the fact I live in a city with of over 400,000 people and we have no Mc Donalds and we have no hot water even in the clinics , and we still manage okay.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

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Swinn88 says on Apr 3, 2008, 21:06:

I know this is off topic but when I was in High school our shop teacher showed us how to make an outdoor shower. Using one white painted drum or barrel and one painted black. The black painted barrel held hot water and the white reflected the light and stayed cool. I have made this system several times since then and thus will never go without hot water again. Sorry about going off topic.

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DodgerDogs says on Apr 3, 2008, 21:14:

I have a big 500 gallon plastic black tank on top of my roof, that gives me warm water, but never yeilds hot. It also comes in handy as where I live , they have the water turned off city wide for up to 10 days at a time. But when the water comes back on, we have the sweetest drinking water in all of Colombia,
we are famous in our town throughout Colombia for the sweet water and Vallenato music.
The good thing about Vallenato is it is never racist.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

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Swinn88 says on Apr 3, 2008, 21:17:

I know nobody will believe this but when I talk about Colombia I find most people IInterested in the topic intoxicated with the stories I have told and most want to know more. The truth is most people associate colombia with drugs. Sad but true. What I never expected was the number of Colombians that bad mouth Colombia. Even worse is other hispanoparlantes that are not from Colombia speak horribly of Colombia and wonder why I would visit or live in such a place. My wifes Dr. is Colombian. She was born in Colombia but raised in the U.S. She is what you would call an American. She says she loves to visit and see family but thats it. She would never live there. the crime is horrible the drug crime is ridiculous. My Wife of course hates to hear it but understands why she thinks that way. There is a Colombian Bakery down the street from me called la espiguita. The owner is from Bogota and told me he would never return to colombia after being in the u.s because life is so much harder in Colombia after living in the U.S. He also talks about crime and drugs and war in Colombia. Are they Correct or is what they say influenced by the media.

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Simon says on Apr 3, 2008, 21:23:

Swinn, they are somethat correct, but guess what?The country is changing! The economy in Colombia is booming and the country is becoming safer to live in (thanks to President Uribe). Colombians from abroad, especially those who are retired, will start moving back. I personally don't like it when I hear some Colombians say they would 'never ever' return to Colombia, to me they sound like a bunch of cowards who totally gave up on the country.

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

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DodgerDogs says on Apr 3, 2008, 21:24:

Swinn88: Those people are traitors and have disowned Colombia for the USA.
It is sad but many people from many places sell out their pride and culture for fear of being rejected and not accepted. I do not call hose people Colombianos, I call them lost , as they are trying to be something and make believe something false.
Swinn88 Are you Colombian or is your wife Colombian ? I do not know you , but have respect for you and admire the videos and post about the Choco region and other gret causes you have posted.

So tell me do you think those people who distance their self from the Origins are correct.
( Answer is nope they are dopes )

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

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Simon says on Apr 3, 2008, 21:27:

"It is sad but many people from many places sell out their pride and culture for fear of being rejected and not accepted."

This too is very true. I can't stand those coconut, sell-out mf'ers, they make me want to puke!

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

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DodgerDogs says on Apr 3, 2008, 21:31:

Colombia is a better place with out them, and the US is a worse place with them.
If you sell out your heritage , you will one day sell out anything and anybody.
If you have no pride , then you have no true ethics.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

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Simon says on Apr 3, 2008, 21:37:

Muy buen dicho DodgerDogs!

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

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eywed says on Apr 3, 2008, 21:55:

Plz explain to me why it makes you a bad person to leave Colombia find your dream and not want to go back. Say you leave when your young and make a great life for yourself in the USA and you have kids who grow up in the USA and now there grown and living in the USA and you don't want to leave your family. How in the world does that make you a bad person. You folk have a strange way of thinking.

Ay Hombe!!!!!

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eywed says on Apr 3, 2008, 22:00:

And as for what do Americans think of Colombians, Those that know nothing of the people or the country and only know what they see in the news will of course think bad of the country and it's people thats pretty simple. But those Americans who have Colombian friends who tell them more about the country will have a diffrent opinion.

Ay Hombe!!!!!

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goin_south says on Apr 3, 2008, 22:14:

Hey "My Friend!" Swinn... (cause otherwise, I'm sure you can pick up de duck and wring my neck with one hand in 10 seconds, "Lynn Swinn".)..... you wanna know what 'Mericans think? or what the people on PBH think?

1)... I don't think too many 'Mericans think too much, nor very often... about Colombia and Colombians.

2)... Now, pbh modefoques? Pretty much, I think we alll think it's betta than either paragliding, taking a world cruise, or dangerous white water rapids rafting.

Where do we go from here?

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DodgerDogs says on Apr 3, 2008, 22:14:

eyeweed: Those have settled else where and built a life, that is not selling out.
Shakira for example lives in Miami area, but still retains her Colombian roots.
Gabriel Garcia lives else where , but still holds onto his Colombian heritage.
It is not leaving your birth place to live else where, it is those who distance their heritage by,
being afraid of public opinion to claim their heritage.

Colombia is not Heaven on earth , but it is a great place to be from, and also a great place to be proud of, and a great place to live if you have the means to make a decent living.

A bad person in my thoughts is a person , who sells out and says what they think people
around them want to hear.

A good person is a person who takes pride in his roots, and if asked is not shy to say,
YO SOY COlOMBIANO by birth and vive los Esatdos Unidos , but always keeps his love
for his family and his heritage in his heart.


You can leave Colombia by choice and imporve your sitution economic wise.
You can let the Colombian in you leave your heart sell out wise
.
This applies to all people from all Countries , you should be proud of where you come from,
and be happy of where your at, if not then you have a life that is missing something.

I would never choose my country over the welfare of my children , but I would make my children aware of my origin and their heritage , and educate them about my origins many wonderful things.

" ESTA VIDA " says it all with this sing by the same title.


Reasons to return to Colombia
| View | Upload your own

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

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Lcacique says on Apr 3, 2008, 22:30:

Sorry DD, I disagree with you on that one. Who really gives a damn if someone moves out of their country and never wants to return? The idea that they are a traitor is absolutely silly. I'll live anywhere I feel like and it has nothing to do with being a traitor, it will have everything to do with being content. Why the hell confine yourself to one place? As if you owe something to it because that is where your mom gave birth to you. Many of the people I have spoken to have valid reasons for wanting to stay here and I cannot blame them for not wanting to return.

As everyone has already pointed out...Most "Americans" buy into the stereotypes (i.e. narcos and guerrillas). A good percentage of them think they are Mexicans until they are told that they are Colombians, then they wonder "Where in the hell is Colombia?" And then there are those who actually have known a few Colombians or have a little more well-rounded understanding of the inhabitants of this planet and they'll tell you that the majority of Colombians are extremely wonderful people (but like every country there are some a-holes as well).

Hoy se nota en la floresta un ambiente de alegría. ¡Y el rumor de ranchería es mas dulce y sabe a fiesta!

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Robert Jorge says on Apr 3, 2008, 22:31:

Swinn said: "I know nobody will believe this but when I talk about Colombia I find most people IInterested in the topic intoxicated with the stories I have told and most want to know more. The truth is most people associate colombia with drugs."

That's my experience also. At least where I live in the US, most people are totally ignorant of Colombia. I would say most people whom I have talked to about Colombia have a genuine interest in at least hearing about it - many are facinated and want to learn more. I meet people of Colombian heritage fairly often since I work with the public daily. When I chit chat with them, many are startled to meet a norteamericano who actually knows more about Colombia than what movies portray. My wife's best friend here in the States is a lady I met this way. Her friend is from Cali. My wife works for another couple; the lady is from Bogota. I met them at work too.

I personally feel, talking about Colombia to people who are ignorant of the country, is almost like being an ambassador. Sometimes when people think it is cute or original to make cocaine comments, I remind them that there has to be a consumer to have a producer. That generally stops the topic in it's tracks.

BEWARE of gold diggers.

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DodgerDogs says on Apr 3, 2008, 23:00:

Lcacique: I never said it was about a person , not wanting to return or returning to his origin.
I said it is wrong to be ashamed of your origin.

There are many people who live as close as Miami, who are from Colombia , that due to their job or economic sitution , can not return to Colombia.

There are many people who left Cuba who can not return , but still keep Cuba and its culture in their hearts.
I just say and believe one should be take pride in their origin, they do not have to wave a
Colombia flag on US soil , but they do not have to make believe Colombia is a bad place to live and be from.

If more people from all over the world , that now live in a place other than their birh place,
took the time to tell people of the good and bad things about where they came form
Then more people would be better educated about the many places in the owrld and many differnet Cultures.

In the US people from New York differ from people from Arkansas , but both states have many wonderful things and many not so wonderful things.

Gente in Bogota differ from gente from the Caribe , but both regions have great ccultures and good and bad customs.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

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Man Tequila says on Apr 3, 2008, 23:14:

Most Canadians are ignorant about Colombia. They make the cocaine jokes.

But if you explain that many Colombians suffer horribly because of drug trafficking and civil war and few actually benefit, and that Colombians have some of the friendliest people I've seen upon travelling to many countries, then Canadians will feel a little guilty about the cocaine jokes and start to listen to your stories about the place.

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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DodgerDogs says on Apr 3, 2008, 23:19:

Man Tequila : Well said and good thinking, make people see the rose and the thorns.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

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Lcacique says on Apr 3, 2008, 23:37:

RJ: I have had the same experience and totally agree. Many people show genuine and sincere interest in Colombia, probably because there are not many outlets for them to learn anything about the country other than what they get in the media. And the consumption thing is exactly right.

DD, I understand what you are saying now, but I'll say this...there are a variety of credible reasons for someone to be ashamed of Colombia or even to hate it (on an individual basis). That does not mean that they hate Colombians on a whole. I'm extremely ashamed of my country at times...I hate our role in the world sometimes. That does not mean that I hate the citizens of the US. And maybe some Colombians have shame because they have internalized all of the negativity that is spoken about them. You tell someone that their culture sucks, that they are all crooks, drug dealers, assassins, left-wing guerrillas, right-wing death squad members, etc. etc. and some people may start to believe it.

Hoy se nota en la floresta un ambiente de alegría. ¡Y el rumor de ranchería es mas dulce y sabe a fiesta!

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DodgerDogs says on Apr 3, 2008, 23:46:

Lcacique: The crimes the AUC's commited , and their joke of a purnishment they got for those crimes is shameful
.( most of Colombias gruesome murders and crimes were commited by the AUC's )

The FARC not letting Ingrid get proper medical care, and the way the Farc would not let a dying son see his father is shameful.
( They hide behind the lie they are for the rights of the poor and deprived, when they deal drugs and cause pain to so many people with their hostage taking and innocents that have been victims in their fights with the AUC and Colombia's military )

The displaced people in all parts of Colombia , and the strive they now endure is shameful.

The way most people believe everything Uribe says is truthful , is very shameful , he Uribe has done alot for Colombia, but I believe he has alot in his past that hurt Colombia.

I live in town that Jorge Tovar and Richard Palmieri both come from , and those two are both shameful.

I also live in a town where the leyendas are still told to the children, and Vallenato has its roots.

Colombia is so much good and so much bad, but has a great chance at a great future, if
people would just not take things to extremes on the good and bad.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

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manINred says on Apr 3, 2008, 23:47:

Some people from Singapore think that Colombia is part of Mexico.

I'm sure most people don't give much thought to the country at all.

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Lcacique says on Apr 4, 2008, 00:05:

Colombia: 2006-2010: A Window of Opportunity
Copyright 2007 by
The International Bank of reconstruction and Development/ The World Bank
Washington D.C.

Page 2:

Colombia experienced economic growth throughout the eighties and first half of the nineties allowed many to escape poverty.

In 2000, approximately “58 percent of the population was living under the poverty line, and 25 percent of the population was living in conditions of extreme poverty.�

Page 3:

With the economic improvement that has occurred over the past few years, “the nationwide poverty rate has dropped to under 50 percent and about 3.2 million people moved out of poverty during the first half of the current decade. Extreme poverty rates have declined to just under 15 percent; however, the latter still represents some 6 million people.�

“However, national figures hide great ethnic, gender, and regional differences. Afro-Colombians, indigenous peoples, and female-headed households continue to suffer disproportionately from poverty. Regional disparities mean the rural areas like the poor Pacífica region lag behind while metropolitan areas like Bogotá receive a boost from the renewed growth. All these factors contribute to Colombia’s income inequality—the poorest 20 percent of the population receive just 3 percent of the nation’s income, one of the most unequal distributions in the world.�

http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTCOLOMBIA/Resources/324863-117554...

Hoy se nota en la floresta un ambiente de alegría. ¡Y el rumor de ranchería es mas dulce y sabe a fiesta!

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Lcacique says on Apr 4, 2008, 01:26:

rubito, the last sentence is the part that is worrisome, and it is that way despite all of the progress and economic growth.

Hoy se nota en la floresta un ambiente de alegría. ¡Y el rumor de ranchería es mas dulce y sabe a fiesta!

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miamimike says on Apr 4, 2008, 03:27:

Simon Says "Swinn, they are somethat correct, but guess what?The country is changing! The economy in Colombia is booming and the country is becoming safer to live in (thanks to President Uribe)."
====================================================================
Simon--As far As Colombia being safer, Don't forget to give Credit to Plan Colombia(which Bill Clinton started btw) and all those Billions of US$$$ courtesy of the Hard Working US Taxpayers. Uribe did not make Colombia safer without America's help via plan Colombia. As much as many don't want to give the USA any credit, their money(us citizens) played a major role in making Colombia a safer place to do business. Prior to this happening(increased safety)Foreign investment which is coming into Colombia was practically nonexistent.

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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miamimike says on Apr 4, 2008, 03:44:

Swinn-its hard to discuss, without going into a abbreviated length story, a complete answer to your question. For starters, one cannot generalize what one thinks say of the Cubans and Colombians or Argentines and Colombians in the same breath. About the only thing they share is part of the Langauge and they fact they are immigrant groups to the USA. Here in Miami, Cubans have an Entitlement Mentality, Gimme Gimme Gimme as they fall under protection of the Cuban Adjustment Act which entitles them to Fast track Permenent US residency and a cornocopia of other benefits such as plan 8 housing benfits, health insurance, free educational benefits, medicare, medicaid ect. They draw the wrath of many Americans because they are tired of hearing the Cubans complain they don't receive enough from the USA after arriving. Maybe the US Government should charter a Friggin' White Carnival Cruise Ship for their passage to Miami. Those 2 hour fastboat trips the cubans pay $10,000 for must be uncomfortable! LOL

I see all the other Latino Groups coming here(Chileans, Venezuelans, Colombians, Argentines, Brazilans ect) as mostly a hard working industrous group of people, especially the Mexicans and Guatemalans who work our Fields in the Hot Sun. They are hardworkers for sure. I wish the US goverment upped the number of Farmworker Visas so they could become legal.

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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miamimike says on Apr 4, 2008, 03:56:

American, the reasons vary and not all are benevolent, what country do you have in mind? If you are talking about Japan, Germany, France, England post WW2, it was to rebuild the country and gets its citizens back on their feet and fight the spread of Communism. And it was very sucessful as no one today is saluting the Soviet Union Communist Hammer and Sickle or saying "Heil Hitler" nor are they "Goosestepping". If you are leading up to "its about Oil" that dog won't hunt as these countries had NO OIL. Out of all, England has remained our steadfast friend with no strings attached. They are a true friend thru thick and thin with no strings attached. We could use more friends like them,,,Afterthought, with all the fuss about the FTA not being passed, Uribe sees something veryinteresting about the American Consumer market and its benefit to Colombia,,,What may that be...

Here is something that you may find interesting concerning Europe Post WW2:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshall_Plan

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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miamimike says on Apr 4, 2008, 04:50:

American, please post a verifiable link to susbstantiate your claim,,,

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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miamimike says on Apr 4, 2008, 05:24:

C'mon Pow Wow Male Orange--you can do better then some Blog. How about a Verifiable Link with facts proven beyond a doubt on a Charge as serious as you mention ,,,

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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Colombiche says on Apr 4, 2008, 05:56:

Most of my clients hail from little backwater towns in Ontario and Canada's maritime provinces, so my being Colombian makes hip and exotic in their eyes, they call me sinorita and try to talk to me in spanish. They are always asking me to bring them coffee delight candy when I come by for meetings (I got them hooked so I keep a stash).

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

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elmodefoque says on Apr 4, 2008, 06:38:

if u aks a modefoque from kansas good chance he don;t be knowing noting from colombia. for them colombia is smack in the middle of fokin mexico.
if you aks a modefoque from nyc, there be a good chance he be knowing something about colombia . "hey! my dooorman is from midillin"
and if you be aksing any spic about colombia, the first thing you hear is that las colombianas son putas, i swear.

ASK NOT WHAT THE PUSSY CAN DO FOR YOU, BUT WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR THAT PUSSY!!!!!!!!!! CAT LOVER

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morphus says on Apr 4, 2008, 06:42:

Puerto Ricans think Colombians are the same as Mexicans.

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elmodefoque says on Apr 4, 2008, 06:46:

my fokin kids also think colombians are mexicans.
they call colombians the same name they call mexicans "nanos"

ASK NOT WHAT THE PUSSY CAN DO FOR YOU, BUT WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR THAT PUSSY!!!!!!!!!! CAT LOVER

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Colombiche says on Apr 4, 2008, 06:48:

ñaños are the ecuadorians, ustedes estan como confundidos.

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

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elmodefoque says on Apr 4, 2008, 06:52:

one time my son got upset with me cus i refused to bail him out, he called me a fokin "nano" jijijijijij

ASK NOT WHAT THE PUSSY CAN DO FOR YOU, BUT WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR THAT PUSSY!!!!!!!!!! CAT LOVER

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manINred says on Apr 4, 2008, 06:56:

see? in the eyes of people who couldn't care less, colombians = mexicans!

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morphus says on Apr 4, 2008, 07:26:

And since when do Americans think?

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Man Tequila says on Apr 4, 2008, 07:50:

at Rubito
I said many Colombians suffered horribly because of drugs and violence. Not just the lower quintile due to poverty, but those who lost friends and family members to violence, those displaced from their lands and home, even those who have to put up with the cocaine jokes when they tell someone they are Colombian -- worse since there is a grain of truth to it all. You could argue over what percentage this affects (though many of the Colombians I met could tell me about at least one familial tragedy), but not that many are affected.

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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Rikito says on Apr 4, 2008, 07:50:

Why does an American Black guy want to put crap like this in here? This site is about Colombia and travel and not to incite people from a country you know absolutely nothing about. Maybe you should be talking to your brother Louis. People like you come to Colombia to get laid by a non-black chick and go back to the States thinking that he is so BAD.

Go be a racist somewhere else. Oh, there are plenty in here who agree with your ignorant racist shit, but for what reason? Only to show how shallow you are. You can reach Louis at NOI, 7351 South Stoney Island Avenue, Chicago, IL 60649, Telephone: (773) 324-6000

It is not life that matters, but the journey.

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goin_south says on Apr 4, 2008, 07:54:

yeah, my kid ask me the other day, too: "Isn't 'she' ... mexican?"

what are they teaching kids in private schools these days?!?

Where do we go from here?

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Rikito says on Apr 4, 2008, 07:57:

and Rubito, why do you talk about the U.S. when you are not even an American. And why don't you live in Bogota? Maybe you and that racist simon could live together and get some Colombian chicks.

It is not life that matters, but the journey.

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aztec says on Apr 4, 2008, 08:05:

It has been our experience that when people here in the States get to know you (Colombian) they like you. In every community or organization with which we are affiliated my wife is one of the most liked and respected person in the group. Frequently she is selected into a leadership position.

She has come to realize every Colombian living in North America is an ambassador for Colombia.

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Rikito says on Apr 4, 2008, 08:12:

Excellent comment Aztec for a topic that is not relevant to PBH. And I am sure that there are many more Colombians like her. Just like ther are many good American ambassadors unlike our racist poster.

It is not life that matters, but the journey.

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jonas says on Apr 4, 2008, 09:23:

Unfortunately a lot of the gringos in Colombia and here on PBH are trying to act like ambassadors for the US, calling for war, acting selfish and...I better shut up now.

Simon Presidente!

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Lcacique says on Apr 4, 2008, 10:01:

miamimike: I think it is hilarious how you want "american" to post verifiable links but you posted a link from wikipedia which has been shown to be a terrible source. No offense...I just thought it was ironic.

Hoy se nota en la floresta un ambiente de alegría. ¡Y el rumor de ranchería es mas dulce y sabe a fiesta!

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Simon says on Apr 4, 2008, 10:01:

"Maybe you and that racist simon could live together and get some Colombian chicks."

Rikito,

Why the hell are you calling me a "racist"?

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

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Lcacique says on Apr 4, 2008, 10:28:

rikito: What did the poster say that was racist for that matter?

Hoy se nota en la floresta un ambiente de alegría. ¡Y el rumor de ranchería es mas dulce y sabe a fiesta!

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Rikito says on Apr 4, 2008, 10:29:

Simon, my humblest apologies to you. I was referring to the original postert,Swinn88.

Once again, sorry for the miscue.

It is not life that matters, but the journey.

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Simon says on Apr 4, 2008, 10:29:

Ok Rikito, no problem...todo bien!

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

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Lcacique says on Apr 4, 2008, 11:08:

rikito: What did the poster say that was racist?

Hoy se nota en la floresta un ambiente de alegría. ¡Y el rumor de ranchería es mas dulce y sabe a fiesta!

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Rikito says on Apr 4, 2008, 11:37:

Whoa wait a sec. American companies traded with the Nazis...notthe american government. The U.S. was were nutreal as long as they could. After all, Churchill's first cousin was a guy named Delano Roosevlet. And very few did business with Germany and had been doing such business long before Hitler came to power. Comapnies like Texaco sold germany their diesel fule. Tell me what the U.S. government ever did to aid the Nazi powers?

It is not life that matters, but the journey.

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Rikito says on Apr 4, 2008, 11:43:

Lcacique, this guy is doing nothing less than trying to incite. Trying to play the good cop bad cop by asking what Americans opinion of Latinos are. He knows this already. Why does he want to create an unnecessary discussion of something that he already knows will piss people off? Read what he says and hear his words. All he wants to do is talk about race which is not the purpose of this site. He has done this in other postings

He is either a racist or he is really stupid..or both. I have known so many people like this.

It is not life that matters, but the journey.

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Simon says on Apr 4, 2008, 11:46:

You know something Rikito, I agree with what you say above. I mean, how would the OP like it if someone started a thread asking 'What do Colombians think of Black Americans'?

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

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miamimike says on Apr 4, 2008, 12:07:

American--Nah still don't see that definitive proof! You wouldn't cut it as an Attorney in the Hague with the flimsy evidence you have presented so far. Keep diggin'!

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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Lcacique says on Apr 4, 2008, 12:14:

I respect your opinion and partially agree with you, but I see nothing wrong with discussing race on a Colombian website (there are plenty of posts that are unnecessary on PBH). He may have been trying to incite something, I do not know. Clearly it is an emotional topic, so of course it will incite certain responses. So do all of the topics dealing with whether or not Colombian women are all after gringo wallets, or who is better the FARC or the paras, etc.

It is, nevertheless, interesting that there are a handful of people on this site that really demonstrate no affection for Colombians as a whole; rather, they make it quite apparent that the only thing they notice about Colombia is something which is under a certain age and of a certain sex. Really they reduce it to something even smaller, focusing on a specific part of this "object's" anatomy. And then they want to have serious discussions about Colombia. That is laughable. Aren't there sites where these idiots could go that deal with sex tourism? If not, maybe I should start one up just to lure them away from this site.

Hoy se nota en la floresta un ambiente de alegría. ¡Y el rumor de ranchería es mas dulce y sabe a fiesta!

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aztec says on Apr 4, 2008, 12:36:

Lcacique if someone wants to act like an idiot then let them. The more sane and mature posters here just ignore their insanity. Or is it their immaturity?

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Monpirri says on Apr 4, 2008, 13:08:

ManINred, unfortunately some “Colombians" mainly from one part of Colombia, think that Colombia is part of Mexico.

“Some people from Singapore think that Colombia is part of Mexico."

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

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Frank Rizzo says on Apr 4, 2008, 13:15:

We love Colombians and Colombia !!

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mranderson says on Apr 4, 2008, 13:50:

I think colombians are nice.

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manINred says on Apr 4, 2008, 14:15:

"ManINred, unfortunately some “Colombians" mainly from one part of Colombia, think that Colombia is part of Mexico."

LOL monpirri, you can't be serious. Surely you jest, no? At the very least please elaborate!

Lcacique, the issue of race is a very pressing and relevant issue to Colombia, agreed that it is a topic worthy of discussion.

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aztec says on Apr 4, 2008, 14:27:

ManINred is joking but it is true many North Americans think Colombia is part of Mexico or is indeed Mexico.

We have been asked, by a college graduate no less, if my wife speaks Mexican. Of course she replied yes and that she also speaks Venezuelan, Peruvian, and Chilean.

Funny thing (or tragic) is that the individual never understood.

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manINred says on Apr 4, 2008, 14:48:

"ManINred is joking but it is true many North Americans think Colombia is part of Mexico or is indeed Mexico"

No, aztec I am not joking at all. I know that many north amricans, asians and others think that Colombia is part of Mexico. I am, however, confused as to Monpirri's claim that some Colombians think that Colombia is part of Mexico. I assume he means metaphorically.

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poco says on Apr 4, 2008, 15:05:

Quote: miamimike: I think it is hilarious how you want "american" to post verifiable links but you posted a link from wikipedia which has been shown to be a terrible source.

It seems to me you prefer YOUR sources or methods to obtain information which might be more questionable then wikipedia. Wikipedia has a method to remove totally false data and has many (need verification) notes.

Over the years wikipedia has made dramatic improvements and yes there is work to be done. There are tabs for discussion, edit, history,, plus, if certain data seems out of whack then you can always to a search.

Good information for one stop shoppers.

Wikipedia has a page about Colombia,, so what exactly is the problem?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colombia

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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kalder says on Apr 4, 2008, 15:18:

'Nature' magazine conducted a survey into the accuracy of Wikipedia. It was found to be more factually reliable than the online version of the Encyclopaedia Britannica. There was an average of (something like) 3.9 errors per article compared to the EB's 4.6.

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

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MaFe says on Apr 4, 2008, 15:19:

DodgerDogs says on Thursday April 3rd, 2008 21:31:
.
"If you sell out your heritage , you will one day sell out anything and anybody.
If you have no pride , then you have no true ethics"

Very well put!
I have had both extremes with what Americans think of Colombians.
What is dislike is when they generalize what a Colombian looks like.
I have had gringos very interested in Colombia.

I have also heard the other extreme where we are just drug producing scum, with prostitutes in every country in the world!!
Like Rubito said in the beginning...it's pure jealousy!

"All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsions, habit, reason, passion, desire. "-Aristotle

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manINred says on Apr 4, 2008, 15:22:

"'Nature' magazine conducted a survey into the accuracy of Wikipedia. It was found to be more factually reliable than the online version of the Encyclopaedia Britannica. There was an average of (something like) 3.9 errors per article compared to the EB's 4.6."

I don't necessarily agree with that. I have a friend who wrote the article on a famous former Leeds and West Ham player for wikipedia. He made a lot of stuff up, including he (un)fact that he had a fallafel named after him and that he owned various shops selling such fallafel.

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tejasmarcos says on Apr 4, 2008, 15:24:

typical american sentiment:

colombia = drugs and violence/kidnappings
colombians = drugs and violence/kidnappings

* however, once a foreigner discovers the truth, he is quick to defend colombia and colombians. isn't that kinda why this board got started?

the american people are misinformed about colombia and do not even realize that it is their own government that exacerbates this state of confusion.

and the media, don't get me started. we all see the lies that come by sacrificing truth for profit. it is the american way.

there is alot of hypocracy that exists in the usa regarding colombia in general. the funny thing is, the more time i spend here, the more i can see colombia itself following in those same footsteps.

trying to walk a straight line on sour mash and cheap wine...

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miamimike says on Apr 4, 2008, 15:27:

Poco, an Interesting Comparison you brought up and well made! Thank You!

Lcacique-so then since Wikipedia, in your words, "Has been shown to be be a Terrible Source" We then could deduct the following below obtained from the above Wikipedia Link as FALSE, since it is derived from a Terrible Source i.e. Wikipedia on Colombia:

"""""Colombia is a standing middle power[10] with the second largest Spanish speaking population of the world after Mexico.[6] It is largely recognized for its culture and is also one of the largest manufacturers in South America. Colombia is also one of the most ethnically diverse nations in South America, the result of large-scale migrations during the 20th century which has caused a dramatic population growth since then. Colombia is considered to be among 17 of the most megadiverse countries in the world""""""

Ironic, Eh, Goes to show you just can't beleive everything you read,,,,

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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Simon says on Apr 4, 2008, 15:39:

Hey, I love Wikipedia's entry on Colombia, it's pretty positive!

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

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poco says on Apr 4, 2008, 15:41:

Topic: What are the percepcions that americans have of Colombians

TejasMaarcos Quote:
colombia = drugs and violence/kidnappings
colombians = drugs and violence/kidnappings

Rubito Quote: They think the men are thugs and the women are whores.

This can be stated in various ways but,, that's what they think in the VAST majority of cases. This is constantly reinforced by media, union groups, U.S. congress and movies.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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Simon says on Apr 4, 2008, 15:46:

To any (US) American or anyone else who would only think in that repugnant way about my people, I have only two words....FOK YOU!!!

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

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tejasmarcos says on Apr 4, 2008, 15:54:

simon - your moniker almost exactly exemplifies the general perception of colombia and colombians.

if you ask 100 people where tony montana hailed from, half would say colombia. the other half would know it was cuba because they saw the movie.

* none of my friends will come here for fear of kidnapping. my brother's wife will not let him come here because here co-worker (from medellin) told her the horror stories.

** the funny thing is, the longer i stay in mde, the more and more conservative it appears to me. this town might as well be baptist and located in the bible belt. if people only knew.....

trying to walk a straight line on sour mash and cheap wine...

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Simon says on Apr 4, 2008, 15:56:

Everyone knows Tony Montana is Cuban! And you would have a hard time finding people who have not seen this screen classic!

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

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Lcacique says on Apr 4, 2008, 16:08:

miamimike: here's a couple articles addressing wikipedia. Notice the comments by people who work for wikipedia in the 2nd article, claiming it should not be used as a reliable source. Governments and the Church are constantly editing things on it (and while they may be doing so to correct errors, they may also be doing so to shape information). The site is not peer reviewed and it is not written by experts.


Late last year, Wikipedia came under fire for the accuracy of its articles.

In particular, prominent US journalist John Seigenthaler attacked an entry that incorrectly named him as a suspect in the assassinations of President John F Kennedy and his brother, Robert.

The false information was the work of Tennessean Brian Chase, who said he was trying to trick a co-worker.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4840340.stm


Here's another article:

MIDDLEBURY, Vt. - Neil Waters had never seen anything quite like it.

“I was looking at a stack of final examinations,��? said Waters, a professor of Japanese studies at Middlebury College in Vermont, “and I found several instances of misinformation that [were] identical from one student to another.��?

All of those students in Waters’ Japanese history class late last year had been steered wrong by the same source — Wikipedia, the sprawling online encyclopedia that has revolutionized how ordinary people find information.

Wikipedia is a marvel of Web innovation and utility, but the incident in Waters’ class, added to several celebrated controversies in which entries for famous people were found to be false, raises a troubling question: Just how accurate is Wikipedia, and can you trust what it tells you?

For Middlebury College’s history department, the answer is plain: Not totally, and not always. The department banned students from using it as a source in their papers, although they are allowed to consult it for background material, a move that was quickly mimicked by professors at other schools, including UCLA and the University of Pennsylvania.

Harnessing the wisdom of the masses
Wikipedia is different from traditional encyclopedias in one crucial respect. Instead of seeking out recognized authorities in hundreds or thousands of fields to write its articles, it lets anybody — everybody — write them. And it also lets anybody edit nearly all of them at will.

The idea is that the large Wikipedia usership will yield experts on a particular topic. The back and forth as they debate and tweak entries should, in turn, yield a deeply reviewed and credible consensus article.

But the sheer size of that usership means tens of thousands of changes are made each day to Wikipedia’s nearly 1.7 million entries (that’s in the English version — there are Wikipedias for nearly every significant language on Earth, including Esperanto and even Tok Pisin, a Creole spoken in northern Papua New Guinea). And while Wikipedia has a large staff of moderators and trusted editors, it can take a while for entries to be reviewed.

If you happen to consult an entry that hasn’t been fully vetted or edited — or one that’s fallen victim to a flurry of disputed edits by folks with axes to grind — you can get into trouble.

Just this year, a Wikipedia entry falsely proclaimed that the comedian Sinbad was dead. (“Saturday, I rose from the dead,��? he said.) Golfer Fuzzy Zoeller sued last month to find out who anonymously posted, falsely, that he abused drugs. And a prolific and highly trusted contributor believed to be a professor was unmasked as a 24-year-old college dropout.

Wikipedia comes clean
Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales presides over a burgeoning empire. Wikimedia, the site’s host, has expanded into textbooks, republishable content, news, shared media and online project coordination. It all rests on Wikipedia’s reputation as an always available, convenient and reliable repository of the world’s knowledge.

But as controversies have grown, Wikipedia has had to fight to uphold its reputation. One way it now does so is by acknowledging its shortcomings.

“Reaching neutrality is occasionally made harder by extreme-viewpoint contributors,��? it says, and it warns that “Wikipedia makes no guarantee of validity.��?

“Please be advised that nothing found here has necessarily been reviewed by people with the expertise required to provide you with complete, accurate or reliable information,��? it says in a general disclaimer.

‘Hacked to bits by hoi polloi’
That unreliability draws critics who say Wikipedia allows a forum for information vandals and propagandists. One of them is Larry Sanger, a co-founder of Wikipedia with Wales and its first editor.

While making it clear that he appreciates the merits of a project like Wikipedia, Sanger said in an article on the technology site Kuro5hin in 2005 that users are forced to take authors’ claims of expertise on faith and can be sandbagged by vandals at any time.

“If the project was lucky enough to have a writer or two well-informed about some specialized subject, and if their work was not degraded in quality by the majority of people, whose knowledge of the subject is based on paragraphs in books and mere mentions in college classes, then there might be a good, credible article on that specialized subject,��? Sanger wrote.

“Otherwise, there will be no article at all, a very amateurish-sounding article, or an article that looks like it might once have been pretty good, but which has been hacked to bits by hoi polloi,��? he added.

The conclusion is that users who rely on Wikipedia are running a risk. And for students whose research will be graded by real, honest-to-goodness experts in the classroom, that is probably too big a risk, said Sree Srinivasan, a journalism professor at Columbia University and visiting professor of new media at the Poynter Institute, a journalism education organization.

“We need to teach our students that, basically, information on Wikipedia can be updated very easily,��? Srinivasan stressed.

On that point, even Wikipedia agrees.

The ban at Middlebury College “is a great idea,��? said Jim Redmond, a Wikipedia administrator and editor. “Students shouldn’t even be tempted to use Wikipedia as an original source.��?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17740041/
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nope, I do not consider it credible.

Hoy se nota en la floresta un ambiente de alegría. ¡Y el rumor de ranchería es mas dulce y sabe a fiesta!

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poco says on Apr 4, 2008, 16:22:

Quote: Nope, I do not consider it credible.

The page on Colombia starts out with note: Not to be confused with Columbia.

What,, does it go down hill from there?

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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Lcacique says on Apr 4, 2008, 16:25:

More info on wikipedia hacking...



sorry, miamimike, I don't trust it. As the man from Wired notes, things do generally get corrected; however, how is one to know. Clearly, some things are obvious.

Hoy se nota en la floresta un ambiente de alegría. ¡Y el rumor de ranchería es mas dulce y sabe a fiesta!

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Panda says on Apr 4, 2008, 16:29:

Sorry I didn't read all the comments, so this might sound a bit out of context but relating to the one comment about people being bad for not being proud of their heritage I have to say that in my case I am from Colombia and have no problem saying so when someone asks me but am I proud of it? well I really am not (i don't really care much about the country actually) Does the fact that I can't stand vallenato and that I don't see the big deal on having coastline on 2 oceans make me a bad person?

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poco says on Apr 4, 2008, 16:29:

Quote: sorry, miamimike, I don't trust it.


Perhaps you don't trust this part: Colombia is divided into 32 departments and one capital district which is treated as a department.

With names and links?

I doubt it.

It appears it shouldn't be trusted by some University Students because they are to lazy and incompent to determine their own facts.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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manINred says on Apr 4, 2008, 16:36:

Hey Lcacique, I don't particularly trust it either. After what my friend told me, why should I?

That being said, it is pretty good for some things.

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manINred says on Apr 4, 2008, 16:39:

"It appears it shouldn't be trusted by some University Students because they are to lazy and incompent to determine their own facts."

What is that supposed to mean? How exactly are they supposed to determine their own facts? So I am supposed to develop, off the top of my head, a model for Aggregate Demand in an economy based on what? My knowledge on aggregate expenditure in an economy?

Of course not! But I'm not going to use Wikipedia to learn about Aggregate ANYTHING in an economy when there are hundreds of macroeconomic textbooks that develop the idea in much more detail (and much more accurately) than wikipedia does.

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Lcacique says on Apr 4, 2008, 16:40:

Poco: I'll be honest with you: I find you to be extremely arrogant and condescending.

Where in the hell do you get off on calling me lazy and incompetent?

Hoy se nota en la floresta un ambiente de alegría. ¡Y el rumor de ranchería es mas dulce y sabe a fiesta!

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poco says on Apr 4, 2008, 16:48:

Quote: As the man from Wired notes, things do generally get corrected; however, how is one to know. Clearly, some things are obvious.
---------------
I’ll be darned,, looks like someone (student?) is (obviously?) looking for a slave to do their research.
------------
Can someone do some research on colombia's oil industry, i need for a project please.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Colombia
-------------

Interesting Comments on the Wikipedia Colombia Discussion:

hey que es tanta foto de cucuta y norte de santander? la gente queno tiene ni idea de colombia va a pensar que cucuta es una ciudad importante en colombia (y NO ES). por que no quitan esas fotos? que asco el "ricardocolombia" y el "qwerty2" con su regionalismo estupido. y el metro de medellin? el puerto de barranquilla? las ruinas de san agustin? ni una fotico de bogota? pero 30 fotos de cucuta. dos de un rio pendejo que vale chimba. muy bien!!!!!!

Reading Wikipedia discussions is more entertaining then one would think.

Quote: Poco: I'll be honest with you: I find you to be extremely arrogant and condescending.
Where in the hell do you get off on calling me lazy and incompetent?

Reading deficit? I said SOME,, I'll take your word that you should be classified Hard working and competent.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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tejasmarcos says on Apr 4, 2008, 16:49:

say what you will about accuracy, it is crammed with information.

a good place to start, anyways.....

trying to walk a straight line on sour mash and cheap wine...

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Lcacique says on Apr 4, 2008, 17:08:

poco: Maybe you should have clarified that you were going to go from making a statement directed at me, to one about the article seeing as how you have made derogatory comments about my being a student in the past. Writing deficit? I'll take your word that you were talking about the article and not about me as well.

Hoy se nota en la floresta un ambiente de alegría. ¡Y el rumor de ranchería es mas dulce y sabe a fiesta!

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manINred says on Apr 4, 2008, 17:11:

"say what you will about accuracy, it is crammed with information.

a good place to start, anyways....."

Definitely tejasmarcos... but certainly an inappropriate place to finish if you require any degree of detail or serious level of study

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Lcacique says on Apr 4, 2008, 17:13:

tejas: I totally agree.

Look, I simply thought it was funny how miamimike criticized someone for using a source that was not credible (he was right) but yet he used a source that is questionable as well. I have nothing against miamimike, in fact I genuinely respect him. It was simply ironic. For me, wikipedia is not a great source. That does not mean that it is deplete of factual information or that it cannot be useful. As an academic, I would not trust it or utilize it as support for an argument.

Hoy se nota en la floresta un ambiente de alegría. ¡Y el rumor de ranchería es mas dulce y sabe a fiesta!

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tejasmarcos says on Apr 4, 2008, 17:29:

wikipedia is a great ONLINE source of information. true research comes from library time.

as for sources - reminds me of when newspaper and magazine writers get clobbered for not verifying their sources.

the only problem with wikipedia as i see is its open design. however, that is its great strength too. it seems to me after an entry is judged to be complete, it should be closed. any additional entries should be verified before added.

swinn's post has taken some turns, hasn't it?

trying to walk a straight line on sour mash and cheap wine...

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Robert Jorge says on Apr 4, 2008, 17:52:

Simon, I don't know many people yonger than my parents generation who have NOT seen Scarface and know that Tony Montana was Cuban. That was a central theme of the movie. Most people who have seen Scarface would be able to tell you the Colombians were the creeps in the Miami Beach hotel - Marta with the MAC10 suppressed submachine gun, the guy that looked like Noriega who chopped up Tony's brother with the chainsaw.

By the way, if you know where Johny Rockets cafe is on Ocean Dr. - that is the former lobby of where the hotel scene was shot. The hotel next door, to the right, is the Colony Hotel, made famous by all the South Beach art deco photos and prints.

BEWARE of gold diggers.

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poco says on Apr 4, 2008, 18:13:

Quote: poco: Maybe you should have clarified that you were going to go from making a statement directed at me, to one about the article seeing as how you have made derogatory comments about my being a student in the past. Writing deficit? I'll take your word that you were talking about the article and not about me as well.

It is a little hard for me to believe that I've made derogatory statements about you being a student because until now, I didn't know you were a student, or at least I can't remember knowing this fact?

Provide a link about derogatory statements I’ve made about you being a student.

I read the cut and paste article you posted and made this statement:

Poco quote: It appears it shouldn't be trusted by some University Students because they are to lazy and incompetent to determine their own facts.

Well,, geeeezzzz when an University (several quoted) needs to ban the use of wikipedia as a source for student papers tells me two things,,, lazy / incompetent.

Too lazy to do the proper research and which leads to the second. My question might be,, did this reach pandemic proportions? Actually, it looks like some haven’t made the transition from High School.

Quote: wikipedia is a great ONLINE source of information. true research comes from library time.

as for sources - reminds me of when newspaper and magazine writers get clobbered for not verifying their sources.

the only problem with wikipedia as i see is its open design. however, that is its great strength too. it seems to me after an entry is judged to be complete, it should be closed. any additional entries should be verified before added.

swinn's post has taken some turns, hasn't it?

Personally I like posting on thread subjects that have been BEAT TO DEATH.. not that I mind them,,

I'm proud of the fact that I remember making ONLY one post on WFC's threads.

I believe the comment was: I thought the marachi band was a good idea.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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Man Tequila says on Apr 4, 2008, 18:55:

I like wikipedia. I can count on one hand the number of errors I have seen. Some topics are more emotional and prone to revision, but with time the errors get weeded out.

As said, the level of most discussion is fairly superficial.

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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miamimike says on Apr 4, 2008, 19:10:

You comparison between my source and Wikipedia are day and night. PowWow/ Male Orange/London male used some Blog hardly anyone knows of and to put his source in the same basket as wikipedia is incomparable. One's a Blog, the another(though not perfect) well know and respected for its info,,,

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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Lcacique says on Apr 4, 2008, 19:22:

miamimike: the founder of the company released this disclaimer: "Please be advised that nothing found here has necessarily been reviewed by people with the expertise required to provide you with complete, accurate or reliable information."

Like I said, you were absolutely correct to knock PowWow out of the water for using a blog. And wikipedia is a much better source; however, given that it can be edited at anytime over and over by anyone...I personally would not use it to support an argument. That's just me. But who really cares...I'm not making fun of you, questioning your reasoning or saying that you are wrong to utilize the source.

Hoy se nota en la floresta un ambiente de alegría. ¡Y el rumor de ranchería es mas dulce y sabe a fiesta!

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Simon says on Apr 4, 2008, 19:27:

Robert Jorge,

Thanks for the bit of trivia. Saludes.

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

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miamimike says on Apr 4, 2008, 20:30:

Claims made by the likes of characters such as Pow wow/male orange/london male that the US supported nazi industries and/or Hitler have been circulating since my Youth way back when. To date I have not read any qualatative reliable reports backed up by precise facts. After you have been posting here awhile you will get to know this poster and not to take what he writes very seriously,,,LOL

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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Robert Jorge says on Apr 4, 2008, 21:05:

MM, there have always been people who claim the US, and/or US companies supported and did business with the Nazis DURING WWII. This is simply not true.

Now, with that said, there were a few US companies that did business with Germany prior to the war. Ford was one of them. But, so what? The US during and even directly before WWII was so ANTI Nazi, that we re-named cities and towns, many people of German heritage changed their last names to sound more Anglo, and calling somebody a "kraut" was fighting words. To this day, you can drive on the old national road 40 west of Richmond, Indiana. You will drive through a little town named "Pershing". Before WWII, it was named East Germantown.

BEWARE of gold diggers.

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Robert Jorge says on Apr 4, 2008, 21:08:

An example of people changing their last names: Smith. 100 years ago, a lot of their ancestors had the name of Schmidt. Other ethnic groups did the same thing.

BEWARE of gold diggers.

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Lcacique says on Apr 4, 2008, 22:14:

I know we profited from the Nazis in the sense that we snuck a lot of their scientists (Operation Paperclip) into the country. I'll let you guys look it up on wikipedia...A teacher of mine took part in it.

Hoy se nota en la floresta un ambiente de alegría. ¡Y el rumor de ranchería es mas dulce y sabe a fiesta!

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Robert Jorge says on Apr 4, 2008, 22:44:

Lcacique, we didn't profit from Nazis. We took advantage of, or used the spoils of beating an enemy that started a war with us. Most of those scientists weren't Nazis. As a matter of fact, I doubt any of them were. I actually had a great uncle who was a rocket scientist at Penumunde. He was a physisist and MD actually, but was forced to work on the rockets. Anyway, I can assure you he was not a Nazi party member.

And what is the problem with us