ColomBuenazo has left 84 comments

ColomBuenazo comments on Colombian Arepas: Andean Beauties, Now Brooklyn Chic (Press Release)

Sorry to have missed you Rubito. I would have enjoyed meeting you. You should stop by to sample the brand-new arepa menu on the 20th. It will hopefully be a blast! Let me know so I can expect you.

ColomBuenazo comments on THE COOLEST COLOMBIAN CAFE JUST OPENED UP IN HIP GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN

SURE...VISIT FOR BRUNCH Rubito:
Whenever you are back in NYC, come by for weekend brunch. It's served from 10a to 3p.
Hours: M-F: 7:30am to 7:30pm
Sat: 9:30am to 7:30pm
Sun: 10am to 6pm

I am usually there in the evenings or on Saturday (sometimes on Sunday as well)

See you soon...

ColomBuenazo comments on THE COOLEST COLOMBIAN CAFE JUST OPENED UP IN HIP GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN

I TRIED TO REPRESENT THE BEST OF COLOMBIA Thanks BillyB. I did try to put forth the best face of our country, Colombia. It's a fresh, modern, more cosmopolitan face that is enhanced by all the products I carry.

Simon: I didn't grow up in GP, I was partially raised in Sunnyside, Queens, just a short bus away from GP, but when choosing the location of the cafe, I considered GP because of the up-and-coming spirit of the neighborhood.

I hope I can serve you all......

ColomBuenazo comments on THE COOLEST COLOMBIAN CAFE JUST OPENED UP IN HIP GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN

COME BY AND VISIT... Yep...got the Arepas de Choclo, and a whole menu of arepas (con pollo, queso, pericos, etc.) in addition the the best toasted sandwiches, salads and pastries.

I also carry the best French croissants and baked goods.

Cafecito is at 1015 Manhattan Avenue between Green and Huron Streets.

As for the Poles and also the Puerto Ricans, they are still here although the neighborhood is really gentrifying and the hipsters from Williamsburg have now also moved to the area.

They love the weekend brunch especially the Pericos eggs, huevos con albahaca, benedict eggs, etc.

ColomBuenazo comments on WHY NOT IN BOGOTÁ or any other Colombian city?

BOGOTÁ is the NEXT BEST THING! So now we know BsAs is happening, and that Bogotá is waiting to be transformed. The TIME is NOW to start a business in Bogotá. PIONEERS and TRENDSETTERS always get handomely rewarded later in terms of prestige and profit. BOGOTÁ and COLOMBIA in general ARE THE NEXT BEST THING....The average world citizen just doesn´t know it...

ColomBuenazo comments on Need some help over here

Best Solution! Since your husband has great CE experience and credential, the best solution would be to START HIS OWN CONSULTING COMPANY down there. THere is EXCELLENT Engineering talent in Colombia that can be used and partnered with.
Meanwhile, you will be the company´s face and representative while he picks up his Spanish. CASE SOLVED!

ColomBuenazo comments on URIBE VIOLA LAS LEYES PARA COMPLACER LA IGLESIA

DA TRISTEZA LAS DOCTRINAS PATRIOTAS Y LA RELIGIOSAS!! Una cosa es civismo y otra es el adoctrinamiento de la religión. NO ENTIENDO porque las dos se tratan en el mismo plano.
LA RELIGION siempre embrutece porque no deja ver el mundo y el universo por lo que son.
No hay PEOR muestra de adoctrinamiento de mentes que la que se muestra a través del fervor patriótico como en Estados Unidos y Corea de Norte y-o el fervor religioso a nivel del estado como en Irán. LA religion y el patriotismo siempre dictaran QUE, COMO y CUANDO pensar sobre cualquier tema.
DONDE ESTA EL PENSAMIENTO LIBRE, EL RACIOCINO HUMANO y LA FILOSOFIA LÓGICA UNIVERSAL???

ColomBuenazo comments on Uribe wants to violate separation of Chuch and State

NOT TO A RELIGIOUS STATE!! Asking for proof of this is greatly irrelevant because it's not addressing the topic or the original thread. However, I don't think that I'd have to even provide an answer to such a self-evident challenge. In any case, I've decided to take the time --not by copying and pasting comments-- but to actually compose a reply.

Please see the latest bilingual scientific report on the correlation of Science, Religion and Development:
http://atta.labb.usb.ve/Klaus/ScieRelDev.pdf

Now, the comment about the Vatican is obviously tongue-in-cheek. But it's not a secret that Uribe is a fervorous, Bush-like, religious president who would favor many laws that would please his religious vies and constituency.

ColomBuenazo comments on Uribe wants to violate separation of Chuch and State

ACTUAL HOUSE OF REP'S LINK!! Send an email! www.camara.gov.co/web/mod.php?mod=contacts&op=listall&PHPSESSID=e9c4acd449256a7b4eba3b71d88cbecd

ColomBuenazo comments on Uribe wants to violate separation of Chuch and State

THERE CAN´T BE A COMPROMISE!! Democratic issues like this CAN'T BE GIVEN A COMPROMISE. A political state is EITHER SECULAR or a RELIGIOUS state but it can't be in-between. Uribe wants to turn Colombia into an extended arm of the Vatican because I don't believe he wants to emulate IRAN.
In reference to the consequences of teaching religion now or in the past, I can only say that this opinion only reflects a great lack of sophistication and understanding of the political process, democracy itself and constitutional principles. The grave consequences that a bill like this will bring about is the closing of the human mind by fostering and perpetuating magical (religious) dogmas regardless of the type of religion. Obviously some people couldn't care less either way, since they don't truly understand what it's at stake; that is to say RATIONALISM, FREE-THINKING and FREEDOM of the Colombian people.
Lastly, there is a UNFALLIBLE CORRELATION between a country's secularity and the level of DEVELOPMENT. The more a country is developed, the less religious it is.
Thanks to the PHB'er who posted the link to the Colombian House of Representatives.
www.camararep.gov.co

ColomBuenazo comments on URIBE VIOLA LAS LEYES PARA COMPLACER LA IGLESIA

AQUI NO PUEDE HABER NINGUN COMPROMISO!! En situaciones como estas, NO PUEDE HABER NINGÚN COMPROMISO. O el estado es LAICO O es RELIGIOSO. Uribe quiere que se Colombia se vuelva un brazo extendido del Vaticano.
Con referencia a cuál es la diferencia de enseñar religión ahora o el pasado, sólo puedo decir que esta opinión refleja una gran falta de sofisticación y entendimiento en cuanto al proceso democrático, constitucional y laicidad sin mencionar el adoctrinamiento y como consecuencia el cierre de mentes con dogmas religiosos de cualquier índole. Por supuesto a algunas personas les da lo mismo pues no entienden lo que está en juego lo cual es EL RACIOCINIO, LIBRE
PENSAMIENTO y RAZONAMIENTO de la mente de todo un pueblo.
Por último agradezco que se haya pegado el vínculo de la Cámara de Representantes pues tenemos que ejercer presión.

ColomBuenazo comments on Novena al Niño Jesus

NOT ALL COLOMBIANS ARE SUPERNATURALIST!! It daunts me to see that Colombians in general think that the rest of Colombians are supernaturalist i.e. believers or religious. Colombians should be more sophisticated about diversity!!

ColomBuenazo comments on COLOMBIAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: FREE FORUM AT HARVARD/MIT

GOOD CHANCE TO SHOW OTHER FACES OF COLOMBIA Thanks for the bus tip.
I have been to Boston, and I've taken the fungwah bus leaving from Christye Street in NYC Chinatown.

ColomBuenazo comments on PLATANO TAKES A VACATION

Are topics being PICKED and CHOSEN??? Are Uribe and Bush's policies trickling down to even this forum?? This is considered a CRACKDOWN on DISSENT.

May be the forum administrators just want us to post LCD (Lowest Common Denominator), stupid topics.

ColomBuenazo comments on LatAm Summit. WHERE DOES COLOMBIA FIT IN ALL THIS??

GROWING TREND! Latin America is clearly moving to a mixed model of NEO-SOCIALISM, in which they embrace the CAPITALISTIC means but use the results to address SOCIAL issues.

It's clear that BUSH won't have a good time down there, especially now that the counter-summit called "The Summit of the Peoples" is cocurrently taking place in Argentina.

It seems like the FTAA (ALCA) is dead and ALBA (the Bolivarian Alternative) is gathering tremendous steam.

ColomBuenazo comments on New Colombian-American movie

ANYTIME! We need more films that promote and balance the image of Colombia.

Are there any Film makers, cinematographers here?

This is good opening to seize the moment and start a good and profitable trend.

ColomBuenazo comments on Let's Network! PROFESSION / OCCUPATION SURVEY!!

SURVEY HAS BEGUN SHAPING UP!!! I am glad that some fellow PBH's have shared some of their profession and interests. Let's keep it up!

We soon can start referring and pairing projects up!!

ColomBuenazo comments on Let's Network! PROFESSION / OCCUPATION SURVEY!!

NOT LOOKING FOR YOUR SS # or CEDULA # !! Neither was I trying to get your DOB, marital status or any other data like that.

I just took the proactive step of laying the groundwork for a NETWORK of Colombians and Colombiaphiles who could help each other and the Colombia out.

I understand that some people are concerned with privacy (that's why I posted my info first) but I didn't request any vital statistics.

Anyhow, anyone still interested in participating is welcome.

¡¡PASÉNLA BIEN!!

ColomBuenazo comments on Let's Network! PROFESSION / OCCUPATION SURVEY!!

Miss Lesbian: Good For You! Now will you please complete the survey?

ColomBuenazo comments on FUCK YOU

WHAT'S UP WITH THIS DUDE??? Dude,
No need for all this foul, disrespectful language. There EXISTS more ways to express your thoughts than this way man.

You are being offensive and reckless with the forum and all PBHs.

Peace

ColomBuenazo comments on NEW LIST OF COLOMBIAN SCIENTISTS (PLÁTANO'S GOOD JOB FOR THE TOPIC)

ADDRESSING AND DEBUNKING " KERRY'S FACTS" The concept of a Radar was GERMAN by inception. Christian Huelmeyer invented the concept in 1904. It was later developed by other fellow German and British scientists. Obviously, the invention is German.

Radio was invented by Croatian Nikola Tesla. The concept was further developed in the United States in the late 1800's.

The concept of Electricity was discovered and developed by the Ancients Greeks, the English and French, and it was finally culminated and demonstrated by an AMERICAN, Benjamin Franklyn; one of US's founding fathers.

As for jet engines:
A German, Dr. Hans von Ohain and a British, Sir Frank Whittle are both recognized as being the co-inventors of the jet engine. Each worked separately and knew nothing of the other's work. Hans von Ohain is considered the designer of the first operational turbojet engine. Frank Whittle was the first to register a patent for the turbojet engine in 1930. Hans von Ohain was granted a patent for his turbojet engine in 1936. However, Hans von Ohain's jet was the first to fly in 1939. Frank Whittle's jet first flew in in 1941.

While is true that some of the greatest works have come from the other side of the pond, it is necessary to clarify that all that knowledge Europeans required to develop science and technology could NOT HAVE BEEN possible without the legacy of the Mesopotamians, the Ancient Greeks, the Indians, Chinese and Arabs.

I could continue debunking more "facts" but Shall I go on??

ColomBuenazo comments on NEW LIST OF COLOMBIAN SCIENTISTS (PLÁTANO'S GOOD JOB FOR THE TOPIC)

JUST A LITTLE TIME IS ALL THAT'S NEEDED. I guess it's more about the passion and the burning desire to share one's ideas and others' achievements. I am sure Platano takes just a little time to research all these topics on the internet before they get posted. That's what I did anyway.

ColomBuenazo comments on Whats up, i'm new here.

YA SOMOS DOS! Colombiano in Midtown and Queens, NEW YORK here too. Get back and may be we can set up something to meet up sometime soon.

ColomBuenazo comments on Uribe's government plans to get on the AUC payroll

GROUND RULES VIOLATIONS / FOX'S RIGHT AGENDA Even up to now, I have refused to violate this site's ground rules; that is to say, I don't engage myself in direct and personal attacks aimed at any of my fellow bloggers. What I do is, I take issue with COMMENTS and CONTENT of some ideas expressed in this forum, but never do I get personal here.
Comments like "Pardon me, but you definitely don't have much patience for proper reading comprehension, do you, ColomBuenazo? " or "you can't even comprehend what I typed correctly, much less what the EL TIEMPO articles contain", or "In fact, the only ones who are as of yet engaging in political chatter beyond the facts presented in the case are yourself and platano, in different ways", only evidences one's inability to react to issues in a more rational manner, with a more sophisticated language directed at ideas but never to people.
Having said that, it's news to me that Fox's network is "Anti-Communist, Anti-Terrorist and against Traitors to Freedom.", but it seems that that been established in this discussion. I DO KNOW HOWEVER that they always STOMP to protect and preserve the ESTABLISHMENT from any independent, freethinking criticism directed at the Conservative Right; that is simply a journalistic FACT.

Finally, independent, avant-garde, anti-status quo thinkers have always been outcasted in society, but their well-reasoned and rational ideas always end-up catching up and becoming mainstream in the long run.

Although I wish I had WAY MORE time at hand to write more extended pieces but I really need to get back to work.

ColomBuenazo comments on Uribe's government plans to get on the AUC payroll

PLATANO'S CORRECT STAND ON URIBE! Comments by JCG just remind me of Fox's News "Fair and Balanced" policy. JCG's comments, just like Fox's, have become the unofficial spokespeople of the conservative right irrespective of the country. Any slight, OBJECTIVE and well-founded criticism directed at URIBE is SPINNED and played down into political chatter. JCG's swift and quick reaction to any LEGITIMATE dissent from Uribe's policies, evidences the deeply entrenched and totally biased psyche that a large number of Colombians ultimately suffer from and spit out.
In a rush to become the status quo preserver and Uribe defender, JC's comments have become totally "UNFAIRED AND IMBALANCED", and further detrimental.

ColomBuenazo comments on Visiting Colombia

WELCOME TO COLOMBIA! Kasu,
It's nice to see that you are interested in visiting Colombia. Although I am not from Cali and I reside in New York City, I know Cali is a very lively and fun city to visit, especially during Christmas.
I hope you also have a chance to visit "The Athens of South America", meaning Bogotá. There are a myriad of things to do and places to see, from amazing museums, and an interesting theater scene to great restaurants and excellent clubs to party.

Either way, WELCOME TO COLOMBIA. WE NEED MORE INDIANS visiting the country.

HAVE FUN!!

ColomBuenazo comments on Colombians in NYC, wanna meet up?

IN NEW YORK CITY TOO! What's up Currambero?
I am also in New York City. I work in Midtown near the Empire State Building, and live across the East River in Queens.
Let's set up a nice gathering for all Colombians who want to join for a TERTULIA or something.
Just set the date, time and place to meet!

Gózela hermano...

ColomBuenazo comments on Ignorance breeds Uribistas

COLOMBIAN MEDIEVAL SOCIETY The initial posting portrays an insightful and accurate picture of what most URIBE's supporters are like in Colombia, albeit knowingly they happily and willingly stand by their President.

Although Uribe's safety and economic achievements are to be acknowledge, to justify those in terms of his "PAISA-ness" or his last name is a sad example of REGIONALISM, CRONYISM and MESIANISM. The same holds true for some other country groups whether they are VALLUNOS, ROLOS, COSTEÑOS etc. although Paisas have always accented this trend more; to the point that they wanted to establish their own PROTOREPUBLIC sometime in the past. Colombia's society still reflects these deeply entrenched PAROCHIAL values pertaining to class and status, which usually belong to the European medieval and Latin American colonial days.

The citizens of a country can always be rallied and manipulated under two banners: 1)PATRIOTISM and 2)RELIGION . At times, URIBE has used both.
Once the religious and patriotic card is pulled, the majority of a country's population follows the Politicians' (in this case the President) wishes.

The lack of peoples' RATIONALITY and CRITICAL THINKING, lead them to not question, antagonize or organize against the status quo.

Why is it that most Latinamericans are still so fixated with MESIANIC, CAUDILLO leaders? Look at Uribe's Colombia or Chavez' Venezuela.
Don't most Latinamericans believe in the strenghtening of the democratic system? How much more time do they need to waste to understand that Politics and ideas are NOT about the politician but rather about IDEAS themselves and their strengthening and transcendence?

Bogotá's recent political history is a good start and a telling example to Colombia and other Latinamerican countries about the deveopment of ideas and the strengthening of political processes.

"Fear turns lions into sheeps so the Shepherd easily herds them"

ColomBuenazo comments on Once Again: URIBE REPRESSES DISSENT IN COLOMBIA!!

Actual LA Times Article The initial posting was, in no way, formed or shape, based on this article, my analysis just coincides with this article that just happened to stumble into now.

Here it's the actual article for those who can not seem to be able to access it:

Colombians' Trust Buoys 'Teflon' President

Despite foundering efforts to end civil war, Alvaro Uribe has 70% approval ratings. The adulation is stiffling dissent, critics say.

By Henry Chu, Times Staff Writer

BOGOTA, Colombia — To hear his critics tell it, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe ought to be in trouble.

The foundation of his mandate, a promise to tame this nation's unrelenting civil war, is tottering. Attacks by leftist rebels have surged since the beginning of the year, and hundreds of soldiers have died.

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Accusations of cronyism and nepotism have dogged his administration, while unemployment and poverty remain stubborn challenges throughout the country. Cocaine continues to be a major export.

But with just a year to go in his term, Uribe, 53, is riding a wave of popularity unmatched almost anywhere in the Americas. His approval ratings rarely dip below 70%, and are so resistant to criticism and complaints that some have taken to calling him Colombia's "Teflon president." Only one other democratically elected leader in the region, Venezuela's populist president, Hugo Chavez, pulls in such impressive numbers in the polls.

How the center-right Uribe, a Harvard-educated attorney who entered the presidential race four years ago practically as an unknown, has maintained such a high level of support is a testament, analysts say, to his government's single-minded pursuit of public security during his tenure — and his carefully cultivated image as a tough-minded, hard-working leader and man of the people.

"He confronts problems very directly and in direct, colloquial language. He has a great capacity for communication with the ordinary citizen," said Alfredo Rangel, director of the Security and Democracy Foundation, a think tank in Bogota, the Colombian capital.

In many ways, Uribe's clear-cut, with-us-or-against-us approach to the battle against Marxist guerrillas and his appeal to patriotism have invited comparisons with President Bush. The two men, both former governors, are staunch allies, and Colombia has received billions of dollars in aid from Washington for its fight against drug trafficking and the left-wing guerrillas.

Rangel said Uribe's penchant for portraying issues in such stark terms, and the public adulation heaped on him, has had unwelcome effects as well, such as stifling legitimate dissent and criticism.

"It has generated an environment where to talk badly about Uribe is seen as being unpatriotic, sort of like it was in the U.S. to criticize the Iraq war," Rangel said. "To talk badly about Uribe is to ruin the collective fiesta. People continue thinking that Uribe is a redeemer, and they want to continue believing in their redeemer."

Known for his flashes of temper and what some consider highhanded ways, Uribe thrives on direct contact with voters, but Rangel warned that politics based on personal charisma could be "problematic for democracy in the long term" if Colombia's political parties or other state institutions became weakened.

That Uribe's administration has brought about greater social stability is hard to deny.

Killings and kidnappings, though still widespread, have fallen since he was elected in 2002; this year's homicide rate is on track to be the lowest in 25 years.

Attacks on major urban centers by the left-wing Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, have become rare. Right-wing paramilitary groups are engaged in peace and demobilization talks. State highways previously too dangerous to travel because of the conflict are navigable once again, at least during daylight.

By the start of this year, Uribe had all but declared victory against the FARC, asserting that his Democratic Security plan to beef up police and military forces had thrown the rebels into disarray and put them on the run.

But those claims proved premature: Rebels have since struck back hard. In June, at least 20 Colombian soldiers were killed in a single FARC attack on a remote army outpost in the jungle near the border with Ecuador, leading Uribe to concede that aspects of his security strategy in the south were in need of rethinking. In all, more than 300 troops have been killed this year.

Guerrillas also have stepped up attacks on infrastructure, setting oil wells ablaze, blowing up pipelines and disrupting electricity supply. Two blackouts this month in southwestern Colombia left at least half a million residents without power, some for days.

"The government and perhaps some analysts were a little too triumphalist" in their claims that the rebels had been defeated, said Michael Shifter of the Inter-American Dialogue think tank in Washington.

"But I think the other extreme, to say that they haven't been hurt, is inaccurate. They have suffered some losses."

Although serious, the security setbacks have not dented Uribe's popularity.

"Uribe is just [such] a remarkable president that even when things go badly, he benefits," Shifter said. "He's the guy who put the security issue as the overriding priority on the agenda…. Even though there have been lots of problems with it, and one could question how much security has been improved, it's still an issue with which he's totally identified, and people think that there's no other option other than to improve the capacity of the security forces to protect Colombians.

"There's just a sort of a trust in him," Shifter added. "He has built that bond and connection with people through his leadership style. And it's not immediately obvious what an alternative would look like."

To maintain that bond, Uribe holds regular town hall meetings around the country to hear complaints and to promise solutions, gatherings that are broadcast for hours on national television. He routinely recites, and seems to fulfill, his personal motto, "Work, work, work."

All eyes are now on the nine people who may hold Uribe's political fate in their hands: the members of the nation's Constitutional Court. The body is expected to rule soon on legislation passed last year that would permit Uribe to run for reelection, which sitting Colombian presidents currently are barred from doing. A decision is likely to be handed down by year's end.

Polls show that Uribe would be in formidable position to win a second four-year term, which he openly wants, if he is allowed to run in May's election.

But which way the court will rule is now "the million-dollar question," Shifter said, with analysts and legal observers divided over what the outcome will be.

Fernando Londoño, a former interior and justice minister, predicted recently that the amendment would be rejected, which could spark a political crisis because Uribe has not groomed a clear successor and his rivals are comparatively weak.

But Rangel said the judges could be swayed by public opinion and concern over the fallout of a decision to keep the ban on reelection in place.

"There are very solid, very strong arguments to accept or reject the constitutional amendment," he said.

"So in the final analysis, the decision by the court will be a political one."

ColomBuenazo comments on Once Again: URIBE REPRESSES DISSENT IN COLOMBIA!!

LA Times CONFIRMS URIBE'S ATTACK ON DISSENT Clearly the international press is also picking up the trend.
For more on URIBE's stiffling on dissent, please check the recently-published article by the LA Times:

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-uribe22sep22,1,509683.story?coll=la-headlines-world

In addition, the following is another example of Uribe's "WAR ON DISSENT". He says the legitimate international and domestic NGO's and their supporters are TERRORISTS.

This man sounds like Bush!

ColomBuenazo comments on Once Again: URIBE REPRESSES DISSENT IN COLOMBIA!!

IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO CHALLENGE FACTS! To think that Uribe is the only "hope" and solution to Colombian problems is short-sighted CAUDILLISMO that can be equated with the coming of a religious MESSIAH. The solid foundation of a working democratic system is its working INSTITUTIONS, but NOT its politicians who could come and go at anytime. For instance, Bogota's mayors have come and go during the last decade but Bogota's success is due to the continuation of a myriad of administrative policies that have come to fruition through the working INSTITUTIONS of the local government. In short, CAUDILLOS and MESSIAHS are not saviours of cities or countries, INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTH is.

As to the "pamphlet-like" attacks directed at my writings, I could see why it could be thought that they are exaggerated and extracted from a "pamphlet"; if writing CONCISELY, OBJECTIVELY and ARTICULATELY represents that, scientific-like journalism shouldn't be allowed in a society. My comments are greatly ANALYTICAL in principle and FACTUALLY-BASED. There's not a single comment line that is based on bogus information.

The initial posting laid out URIBE 's DICTATORIAL tendencies, but, at no time, explicited said that URIBE is Strossner or Pinochet.
Attacking ANY DISSENT in a democracy regardless if it's aimed at a single citizen or a group, is NEVER EXAGERATION, and it REPRESENTS REPRESSION and a CRACK-DOWN on FREEDOM of SPEECH. Political repression does not have to be widespread to be considered repression. WHERE IS THIS IDEA BEING EXTRACTED FROM?? Are we trying to say that there should exist two categories of repression; one that is "good, localized and acceptable" and another that's "bad and widespread"? As far as the civilized world is concerned, the definition of REPRESSION is only ONE.

Regarding the comment "I could argue that, in fact, that that's surprisingly little repression in practice, given historical precedents." DOES IT SUGGEST THAT LITTLE REPRESSION IS OKAY?

Finally, the greatly concientious ANALYSIS of REALITY based on contrasting and juxtaposing ideas (link to the actual editorial articles was included) can always seem FARFETCHED. But it is clear that most Colombians are happily living in this far-fetching SURREAL world that competes head-to-head with a RIGHT-WING version of García Márquez's MAGIC REALISM.

FACTS CAN'T BE DEBUNKED!

ColomBuenazo comments on Shame on Uribe!

Uribe's BOFETADA to the Colombian people and the world!!! Uribe helped creating the prototype of viscious and violent Paramilitaty groups back in the 80's and early 90's when he was the Antioquia Governor. He is by default a right-wing backer of the bloody Paramilitary dealings. Now, he's pushed down the Colombian people's throats, his so-called "Injustice and No-Peace law".

How can the US and the world expect that URIBE fully and seriously prosecutes and extradites his BUDDIES?

Is like asking Bush to investigate Karl Rove, Cheney, Tom DeLay or BIll Frist?

ColomBuenazo comments on Search: Engineer needs a 2 BR apt in NY

Craigslist = Crazylist When it comes to decent, affordable apartments in NYC, Craigslist has become Crazylist. I've tried to find something somewhat decent but I haven't had any luck, and the Real Estate postings have been overtaken, and are now ruled by RE Agencies and brokers. That SUCKS BIG TIME. That's why I have resorted to get a more personal referral from any fellow Colombian or American at this site.
NICOMN: Thanks a lot for your help though.

ColomBuenazo comments on Plan Colombia: I want your opinion

PLAN COLOMBIA is a MONUMENTAL DISASTER Plan Colombia (PC) has never been an effective way to combat drug production and drug traficking in Colombia. When PC was presented by Pastrana to the Clinton Administration in the mid-1990's, it proposed that about 70% of the funding would be used for social development, infrastructure development and alternative crops, and 30% for enforcement. The Republican congress and the Administration subverted the plan, and switch over the numbers, 20-30% for social development and the rest for enforcenment, including fumigations. After over half-a-decade, the results are catastrophic: Coca production has been minutely decreased, new genetically-enhanced coca plants have been tooled, Campesinos in the countryside are being displaced to cities to create poverty belts and human misery, and water, air, human subjects and natural resources are being grossly poisoned and polluted.

My question for other fellow Colombians and Americans: Would you put up with an orchestrated noxious fumigating plan led by government, which would wipe-out Yellowstone or Yosemite Parks amonge many others? WE NEED TO SPEAK AGAINST THIS!!

ColomBuenazo comments on Colombian restaurant in Manhattan!!

BOGOTA BISTRO : COOLEST Colombian / Latino Restaurant The COOLEST and BEST Colombian / Nuevo Latino in the area is in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

I highly recommend BOGOTA BISTRO which recently opened.

Visit their web site at:
www.bogotabistro.com

ColomBuenazo comments on SHAMEFUL! - Congressman Ciro Ramirez MUST BE REMOVED from Colombian Congress!!!

POSTERS' FLAWED LOGIC It's disturbing to observe how profoundly flawed it's the logic and rationality of some of the PBHers on this site. If they cann't possibly attack the argument and veracity of an initial thread, they resort to direct personal attacks which only evidence their lack of exquisite rational sophistication.
If the initial posting is read, digested and understood properly, there was a hypothetical statement equating the possible, unconstitutionally-forced ascendance of Uribe to a second term to the consolidation or the Third Reich and Hitler in Germany. All this is historically-based, therefore to call Uribe a Mesianic dictator in the event that this scenario materializes, it's undoubtedly accurate.
Regarding the "so-called" senator, the moment a senator is sworn-in, (s)he swears to abide, respect and foster all the fundamental principles of a democratic republic, including its constitution, its institutions such as the Supreme Court, and/or international laws. The minute that a congressperson steps over that boundary, (s)he can not be called and does not DESERVE to be a senator any LONGER, since (s)he has INFRINGED and broken all vows made to the people, the republic and democracy of a nation.
This topic is NOT a matter of my opinion OVER the opinion of others, instead this thread is about FACTUAL, LOGICAL and IRREFUTABLE EVIDENCE.
I would encourage people in general to be more of critical, independant thinkers.

ColomBuenazo comments on When is Colombian National Beauty Contest in Cartagena this year?

Not "Shoulding" = REGRESSIVE On the contrary, "SHOULDING" NEEDS be encouraged more. What people define as "shoulding" is called CRITICAL THINKING!!! Whoever is not a critical thinker, is certainly just a CONFORMIST and a lover of the regressive Status-Quo, and that's definitively not FORWARD-THINKING.
It's AVANT-GARDE to be critical of irrelevant, detrimental and backward themes and ideas, for the sake of society and civilization's PROGRESS.
This is one of the few ways SOCIETIES could effect CHANGE for the betterment of their citizens' lives.

ColomBuenazo comments on

Wall Street Journal is the ARM of the Regressive REPUBLICANS For those of you who don't know, the Wall Street Journal is one of the propaganda papers for the Regressive Republicans (RegressiCans), the NeoCons, Uribush and the detrimental Think Tanks they have created to spin reality and stay put. If you agree with the Bush (mis)administration's views then you'll find most articles on this paper reasonable.
It then makes sense that they take it against and minimize Chavez' workings and accomplishemtns in Latin America.
Chavez' might not be a 100% favorite of mine (only a 70-80%..hehe), but he's got GRAND ideals, leadership and well-defined goals for a truly INDEPENDANT and PROGRESSIVE Latin America.

ColomBuenazo comments on Colombian restaurant in Manhattan!!

COOL COLOMBIAN RESTAURANT NEEDED! It's unfortunate to see that Colombians and Colombiaphiles DON'T have a restaurant of their own to indulge at in Manhattan.

Most Colombian restaurants are in Queens and they are very PROVINCIAL-looking, little creative and somewhat regular foodwise.

A COOL, trendy and innovative Colombian restaurant SEEMS TO BE the perfect idea for a business in Manhattan.

A Nuevo-Colombiano Restaurant might be the answer we all are waiting for.

ColomBuenazo comments on When is Colombian National Beauty Contest in Cartagena this year?

REINADOS = RIDICULOUS WASTE OF MONEY WHO FREAKING CARES ABOUT THIS???
REINADOS should be IRRELEVANT in a country ravaged with conflict, poverty, inequality and corruption.
They should build better schools, colleges, hospitals and infrastructure with the money they spend on all those stupid, low-IQ REINADOS.

ColomBuenazo comments on Spanish courses in Spain

ADVISE: Don't Take European Spanish To any person who's thinking about taking Spanish language classes, my advise is that you should take LATIN AMERICAN Spanish. Although European and Latin American Spanish are fundamentally similar, they are not exactly the same. Latin American Spanish is more GLOBALLY useful, it's natively spoken by an extremely large population in the Americas, it's the type of Spanish that most people are learning and it's the kind of Spanish spoken in the US. Remember European Spanish is ONLY natively spoken by 40+ million people, whereas Latin American Spanish is natively spoken by over FOUR HUNDRED MILLION people. I am CERTAIN you are better off taking LATIN AMERICAN SPANISH.

ColomBuenazo comments on Born in the U.S.A.

You are not "White" then!! If you have Colombian blood (as you claim to have) then you are not white. Just the fact that you are Colombian makes you have MIXED BLOOD; that is you have INDIGENOUS, BLACK and/or European blood in any combination.
You contradict yourself on your comments. On the one hand, you said you are "white", on the other hand, you said you are Colombian and Latina. You seem confused!!
You might look "white", but you are mixed, you are Latina/Colombian. Now, try to tell that to any "white" person, and remember the so called "one-drop" heritage rule created by whites: If you have a drop of blood from black, and for that matter, indigenous, etc., YOU ARE NOT WHITE.

ColomBuenazo comments on NOT TO URIBE'S IMMEDIATE REELECTION

Not INTERESTED in topic? I realize this is not a LCD (Lowest Common Denominator) kind of topic so most PBH'ers don't want to opine on it, but it would be stimulating to see people's perspective on this relevant and historic topic.

I refuse to post jaded topics like "Is Colombia safe?", "Can I teach English in Colombia?", "Just got married and confused about papers".

Cheers

ColomBuenazo comments on El editorial del periodico Liberal - "El Tiempo" de Bogota le dice "SI" a la reelecion de Uribe.

NOT TO URIBE'S IMMEDIATE REELECTION Yesterday's El Tiempo Editorial advocated for the immediate reelection of Uribe. It was expected that this paper would throw its support to the current administration; after all, Uribe's VICE-PRESIDENT Santos is the son of the newspaper owner (Talking about independant media..hehe).
But that aside, this is why Uribe MUST NOT be immediately reelected: An immediate reelection would only evidence that Colombia has not stopped being a THIRD WORLD BANANA REPUBLIC in which the country's people put pressure on the independant judicial body of the Supreme Court, and rally behind a CAUDILLO or mesianic leader (think of Bush??? hehe) to solve their problems. A solid and stable democracy is only reflected in the ROBUSTNESS of all its institutions which will be around in the long-term, but not on the lifetime and power of a CAUDILLO. That's a little sophisticated and short-termed solution. The thing is that Uribe knows it but he'd rather opt out for maintaining power.

A more intelligent and strategic way to continuing with the Colombian economic and security momentum is to have an election in which URIBE is NOT a candidate but in which he could be could present another candidate of his own party for reelection. Now, for the period 2010-2014. Uribe should run; this would REALLY and GREATLY strengthen all institutions, the rule of law and the understanding for long-term solutions. DEMOCRACIES SHOULD NOT rest on the weak shoulders of a person, but instead on the solid foundation of the democratic INSTITUTIONS.
NO A LA REELECCIÓN DE UN CAUDILLO, SÍ A LA SOLIDEZ DE LAS INSTITUCIONES DEMOCRÁTICAS!!!

ColomBuenazo comments on If you say Col"U"mbia, this is for you!!!!!!!

COLUMBUS DISCOVERED NOTHING!! -There was NADA to be "discovered" As a Colombian mestizo with Muisca blood and a Latin American in general, it is an loud INSULT to say that this part of the world was "DISCOVERED" by the Europeans. There was NOTHING to be discovered in these lands.
It's certainly relevant and IMPORTANT to educate the ignoramus and make a note that there were ANCIENT civilizations in this part of the world such as the MAYAN, INCAN and AZTEC that rivaled the most complex Mesopotamian civilizations at parallel times. Some of these civilizations flourished and thrived WAY before any European attempt to create civilizations starting with the Cretan Minoans. The CARAL civilization in what is now Peru is estimated to be over 5000 years old, that is to say as old as Mesopotamia.
To say that these lands were "discovered" is to fall prey of the myoptic and disregarding eurocentric perspective to look at the world.
One important fact to wonder about: Had the natives of the Americas conquered, subdued and enslaved Europeans, would have they "discovered" Europe? Why don't we argue then that Europe was discovered by the Chinese or the Indians?
THERE WAS NOTHING TO BE "DISCOVERED". Let's give more well-deseved respect to the Indigenous people of these continents.

ColomBuenazo comments on United States of the AMERICAS

TOPIC DERAILMENT How is it that the discussion of a well thought-out, unifying idea became an immigration debate on Mexicans/latinos?
Once again, emotions have prevailed over reason.
As usual, the compass has been lost here....
MORE OBJECTIVITY and FOCUS are needed in this blog!

ColomBuenazo comments on

STOP ECONOMIC SEGREGATION! This strata segregation system is plainly an illusion; these people want to believe they are in Miami or Paris. There are an overwhelming number of decent and hard-working people in all strata. I COMMEND all resident foreigners who could see beyond such a ridiculous system, and make the most out of their experience in Colombia, by moving into a more REALISTIC neighborhood. I am sure that if foreigners wanted to be in a systen like that, they would have stayed back home in the US or Europe. Strata 5/6 are simply the manifestation of the huge complex these rich people have. The REAL COLOMBIA can certainly be discovered through the most humble peoples and places, but not through the complex-filled, Miami-idealizing kind of people who live in those so called "rich" neighborhoods.
TO CHANGE THESE HIDEOUS SOCIAL SYSTEM and THE COUNTRY, these backward and regressive social rules must be knocked down, and that is precisely what GRINGO has done!!!
Good for you GRINGOinBOGOTA, I congratulate you for moving into a more realistic neighboorhood; I hope you can now EXPERIENCE the RICHNESS of Colombian culture. You have really become a genuine trendsetter and you are now giving a lesson to all those ignorant Colombians who believe in the illusion of being in such a bubble.

ColomBuenazo comments on EUROPE'S MONETARY DEBT WITH LATIN AMERICA

WISHFUL THINKING I know the post is plainly rhetorical and just wishful thinking, but in a world of ideas and arguments, it is certainly NOT far-fetched to raise and press this issue to educate most people in order to foster change. Also, the most sweeping global changes have always started as simple ideas.
This topic is definitively worthy of an editorial in any major newspaper. I'd enjoy writing editorials of this sort for any major publication.

ColomBuenazo comments on Museums in Cartagena

We Need More of These I commend you for what you are doing!! It's great to see how some Colombiaphiles inside or abroad, are fostering culture and the arts.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!! WE NEED MORE PEOPLE AND PROJECTS LIKE THESE!!

ColomBuenazo comments on COLOMBIA PASSES PEACE BILL

Dark Moment in Colombia's History This is a sad moment in Colombia's history. By passing a law which grants the paramilitaries rights and benefits of immunity and impunity for all the heinous crimes committed for the past couple of decades, the Colombian congress and its backers, the Uribe administration, have begun writing a new chapter of Colombian history. This episode will have to do with perpetuating hate, intolerance, injustice and war. It's clear that the regressively right-wing policies of Uribe will only FURTHER the political chaos in the country.