platano has left 2637 comments

platano comments on BULLFIGHTS IN MEDELLIN

La tortura... ni arte, ni cultura. Boycott bullfights.

platano comments on nevers have the norte americanos visit our city.

No caigan en la trampa.... don't fall into the trap... These may be FARC guerrillas trying to lure gringos into FARC territory to kidnap them.plátano

platano comments on Kidnapped Colombia lawmakers urge talks

I would support negotiation with the terrorists By negotiating the two sides can come closer together.
By negotiating you are rewarding the terrorists, which will lead to more kidnapping, which will lead to more negotiation, in a upward spiral of communication and closeness until the issues have been resolved and the kidnappings stop. Negotiation, rewarding the terrorists with attention and taking them seriously, is the way to increase the dialogue between the parties and to eventually come to an end to the kidnappings. plátano

platano comments on USA Democrats Oppose Child Slave and Labor in Colombia

Mr. H, I took a detour to CBlog (Que En Paz Descanse). Also, I really do have a life and have been working hard recently so I'm not going to be able to post much.plátano

platano comments on Did a thread just dissapeared?

Sr. Tertius, Just so you don't question your own sanity... I assure you I distinctly remember reading the thread.plátano

platano comments on USA Democrats Oppose Child Slave and Labor in Colombia

miamimike, This is surprising news to me because I thought independent trade unions were illegal in China, with all workers belonging to the Communist Party controlled umbrella body All China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU).

I guess the Chinese Communist government had a change of policy because previously Chinese workers who went on strike over pay and workplace abuses were dismissed and organizers of labor protests have faced imprisonment.

Anyway, I'm glad to hear communism is working to the benefit of the workers! plátano

platano comments on Juan Pablo Montoya out of F1 race on first corner

Montoya caught on camera, faces possible fine Montoya gesture could result in Busch Series penalty: NASCAR will look into whether Juan Pablo Montoya violated any of its rules by using an obscene gesture that was telecast by a Speed in-car camera during the final Busch Series practice Friday, NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston confirmed. The Chip Ganassi Racing driver apparently was unaware the camera was being used for live television. NASCAR has fined and penalized drivers for obscene gestures caught on live television in the past. --April 21, 2007plátano

platano comments on Colombians angry over Gore and Senate freeze. (new laws to visit Colombia)

Las malas lenguas dicen... that a Gore presidential campaign is ramping up, so maybe it was a preemptive decision. Someone could conceivably use it against Gore that he appeared with Uribe, who in turn has supported (tacitly or actively) the Convivirs and autodefensas that evolved into the AUC and their chainsaw massacres of people on their famous lists which in turn created millions of displaced, which in turn... etc. etc.

Not something a presidential candidate wants to risk being associated with given the propensity for attack ads and smear campaigns to resurrect old photos and "swiftboat" people's political ambitions.plátano

platano comments on USA Democrats Oppose Child Slave and Labor in Colombia

The Dems passed a minimum wage increase first... next they will focus on things like treating currency manipulation as an illegal export subsidy and authorizing countervailing duties (CVDs), permitting the Department of Commerce to impose CVDs on China and other non-market economies to offset subsidies, and pressing the USTR to enforce intellectual property rights (IPRs) through the WTO.

But, so far Bush as been as emphatic as the Dems and both have been mostly just talking... but nobody is brave enough to put the bell on the China cat.plátano

platano comments on Colombians angry over Gore and Senate freeze. (new laws to visit Colombia)

Isn't it really a bipartisan affair? Miguel Clavo said: "I would add Pelosi, Leahy, Reid, and Kennedy to the F&%K Gore"

Bill Murray said:
"Hey, I'm a voter.
Aren't you supposed to lie to me
and kiss my butt?"

That's what politicians of both parties do.
plátano

platano comments on USA Democrats Oppose Child Slave and Labor in Colombia

Aztec, The Republicans have a big slave labor center and they invest heavily in it to keep WalMart stocked. It's called China. plátano

platano comments on Juan Pablo Montoya out of F1 race on first corner

Hola webmanco sí o pa' que parcero...todo bien, todo bien... chevere. plátano

platano comments on Colombians angry over Gore and Senate freeze. (new laws to visit Colombia)

Is Gore's family still drilling on the U'wa territory? Back in 2000 the U'Wa people were very disturbed by Occidental Petroleum plans to drill for
oil in their lands. They warned that if the oil project went forward the area would
become yet another center of violent conflict between the military, paramilitaries and
guerilla factions. The Gore family had close ties with Occidental (major stockholders).

So Gore's history with Colombia is not exactly a pretty one. The U'Wa people at one point threatened mass suicide because Gore's economic interest was punching holes in the U'Wa mother: mother earth.
plátano

platano comments on Juan Pablo Montoya out of F1 race on first corner

I saw that love tap between Montoya and Stewart... In my opinion it was good, clean, (and, yes, aggressive) racing... but it wasn't an intentional taking out of Stewart. JPM is not wreckless and he's getting better by the week with NASCAR.
plátano

platano comments on USA Democrats Oppose Child Slave and Labor in Colombia

Thanks, Miamimike, I am going to catch hell? I am not to blame.... I'm just the innocent messenger of the NYT reporting.

Blame the evil USA Democrats who oppose exploitation of children and mistreatment of workers. :)
plátano

platano comments on USA Democrats Oppose Child Slave and Labor in Colombia

Botched Headline My first post in a while and I botch the headline. It should read:

USA Democrats Oppose Child and Slave Labor in Colombia
plátano

platano comments on Colombian left tries to link Uribe to "paras"

Petro gave no new information say law experts As long as opposition Senator Gustavo Petro's denunciations are taken from inactive or archived judicial files, introducing no new evidence, the trials meant to prove delinquent or not delinquent citizens that were already absolved for alleged links to paramilitary groups in Antioquia will not be reopened.

Such was the opinion of penal law experts such as the two former district attorneys who were present when the investigations surrounding La Carolina, in which Petro involved the President's brother, were underway. ---El Colombiano

platano comments on The Next President of Colombia?

Uribe could go for a third term It would require changing the rules a little... but they already did that once to allow for a second Uribe term.

I think Uribe could win a third term, if he wants it. People love him. He has made Colombia "safer". (unless you happen to be involved with human rights work or you happen to be concerned about organized labor or ...)plátano

platano comments on Colombian left tries to link Uribe to "paras"

Still no smoking gun? Let's see.... we've got people being assassinated at Uribe's finca.

Another of Uribe's fincas being used for meetings between illegal paramilitary groups and Convivir.

We've got Uribe's signature authorizing two Convivir's that were being run by paramilitary chiefs.

We've got photographic evidence of Uribe's brother, Santiago, with Fabio Ochoa Vásquez in 1985, one year after the assassination of Rodrigo Lara when Ochoa's involvement in narcotrafficking was public knowledge.

We've got a paramilitary beeper message directly implicating Uribe when he was governor of Antioquia.

And most importantly, for those who still do not believe there is any smoking gun... we have had a paramilitary howitzer go off (one that grew directly out of Convivir), destroying Colombian families and damaging Colombian democracy with chainsaw masacres and a systematic elimination of a legitimate political party, La Union Patriotica.... and that howitzer is still smoking and has not been silenced as the paras are recycled and continue their assassinations.

According to para testimony DAS, B2 and the paras were involved in a joint action that led to the assassination of Galan in Soacha. (of course, Maza, ex-DAS chief, denies this). As more paras begin to give testimony things will become even clearer.

One thing is for sure, and Uribe has confirmed this: Petro is influential. And statements made by Uribe today could provide impetus for dark forces to act... well, let's just say I fear for Petro's life and Uribe is not helping keep him alive.
plátano

platano comments on Exporting Colombian Violence and Murder ?

But don't blame Colombians for crime in Costa Rica since most Colombians who emigrate to Costa Rica are professionals...

"A manera de conclusión, se puede indicar que los inmigrantes
colombianos revisten el siguiente perfil:
Son en su mayoría profesionales, empresarios y comerciantes,
que ven a Costa Rica como su destino favorito o como un
puente para llegar a los Estados Unidos. "
DATOS SOBRE LA INMIGRACION COLOMBIANA by Julio Varela Jara

platano comments on Colombian Blog

Monpirri, c-blog is not all anti-Colombia I sometimes post there and I love Colombia with all my heartplátano

platano comments on Freedom edges closer for Colombian hostages

DonGringo, After a certain stage in human development a wonderful thing happens: human beings learn to use language. Instead of throwing temper tantrums, instead of screaming, instead of kicking, instead of violence, human beings are able to use words to express themselves without doing damage to others. All FARC operatives have reached that level of human development; they all have the ability to use language and to reason. Because they can talk and they can reason it is possible to negotiate with them about what they value, what they believe. I did it during my kidnapping. They listened, they argued... they didn't just pull the trigger and eliminate me.

It turns out they have children they love, they have a country they love, they have music they love, they have political beliefs they defend, they have parents and extended families who love them. They read literature, they have ideas... they are not that different from other Colombians who have not chosen to engage in armed conflict.

It is easy to call them names and label them as "criminals and terrorists". I prefer to point out their actions are actually counterproductive and inconsistent with their stated goals. But I respect their humanity and I had many discussions with them about literary works, political theories, and family values so I can't as easily paint them with a broad brush. They are all unique, they are human beings, and they love Colombia, just as most of us on this forum love Colombia.plátano

platano comments on Freedom edges closer for Colombian hostages

All well and good... as far as it goes.

But FARC must release ALL the hostages, not just "high-profile" hostages. And then FARC must renounce kidnapping and drug-dealing as forms of financing their violent attacks on Colombians and Colombian infrastructure. Just my opinion. plátano

platano comments on FARC says that Uribe should decree DMZ

Yes, the purpose is very specific In the specific case of the hostages there are at least two ways attempts have been made to rescue hostages: 1) negotiate a release, and, 2) go in shooting.

In a negotiated release nobody dies. The guerrillas, the military soldiers or Gaula, and the hostages all have their physical integrity preserved.

In a situation where you go in shooting often a crossfire results and usually someone is shot dead, often one or more of the hostages are killed by the violence meant to liberate them.

Given these two scenarios my preference would be for a negotiated solution which preserves the lives of everyone involved. My great hope is that Uribe and the guerrillas can successfully and nonviolently resolve their differences.
plátano

platano comments on Las Ferias De Cali

Vicki, Todavia no han anunciado los grupos.

Pero pronto los anunciarán y se puede ver en este enlace:

http://www.berraco.com/index.php/cali/index#plátano

platano comments on FARC says that Uribe should decree DMZ

Mi esperanza es que la paz llegue en Colombia esta navidad Como siempre he dicho, la violencia no es la forma de llegar a la paz. Algun dia los actores armados tienen que dejar de matarse, tienen que hablarse y escucharse mutuamente.

Pues, parece que ese dia se está acercando:

"Las últimas declaraciones del presidente Uribe y de las Farc con respecto al tema del acuerdo humanitario hacen pensar a las familias de los llamados canjeables en la posibilidad de que por fin las partes están hablando un mismo idioma." El Colombiano, 1 de octubre 2006.plátano

platano comments on * HELP TRANSLATING SOME SPANISH! *

jaramillo, You are correct and I understood that was what was meant. I was doing a literal word-by-word translation. (not translating by phrases like "acabo de")

The way it was written acabo can be translated literally as the first person present tense of acabar... The way I translated it means the word should be written as acabó, as you correctly wrote it.

But I agree with webmanco.... Tinto has the winning translation!

platano comments on Retired Colombian Military fighting for freedom in Iraq next to Americans

arthur brode, I really enjoyed your comment: "At least these "Mercenaries" have the experience it takes to get the job done with less casualties..."

Are they getting the job done? Does experience prevent being blown to bits by an IED?

Freedom has nothing to do with invading and occupying a country whose democratically elected government (and a majority of its citizens) doesn't even want Colombian mercenaries there.

platano comments on * HELP TRANSLATING SOME SPANISH! *

Literal then natural... cuentame comote acabo de ir a ti

LITERAL: tell me how you I finish of to go to you

LOL! This is a good example of why translation has little to do with literal translation of words. Translation is transferring the meaning (not the words) to the target language.

NATURAL: Tell me, how'd it go for you?

platano comments on Damn hot in NYC

Rubi, You should try Victoria, B.C. No global warming. Probably good for your eczema.plátano

platano comments on Dichos colombianos

Hombre en la cocina huele a caca de gallina.plátano

platano comments on or i should've asked, what is this strata 1,2,3 levels?

Poco has indeed shed light Thanks, Poco. My experience in the lower stratas has always been positive. It is not right to equate low strata with unsafe neighborhoods. I have also been a victim of theft in Colombia... but not in the low strata places I lived... it was in a strata 5 barrio. Climbed up to the second floor and entered through an open balcony door. ¡Les di papaya! The higher strata barrios may be less safe in terms of theft. If you were a thief, you would go to strata 5 or 6 where you can steal good stuff! LOL!

platano comments on or i should've asked, what is this strata 1,2,3 levels?

UTC, If gringos don't have family or friends there, I wouldn't recommend going to those barrios for tourism... LOL! Medellín is dangerous! But my neighbors did call the police when I was kidnapped by guerrillas in front of my house. Great people!plátano

platano comments on or i should've asked, what is this strata 1,2,3 levels?

Yeah, Desi, you have to be careful... Once I fell asleep on the bus in Medellin and the driver woke me up when we reached the end of the line in barrio Popular 2!plátano

platano comments on or i should've asked, what is this strata 1,2,3 levels?

UTC, I lived in several (Manrique, Aranjuez, and Robledo) and I lived downtown for a while on Avenida Oriental and visited Parque Bolivar at night... I still can smell the arepas de chócolo the negritas are preparingplátano

platano comments on Chavez this year alone has paid 3 billion dollars to the Russians for military equipment

Gringos are good at minding their own business... Trouble is, when it comes to their own backyard (the Americas) they seem to think Colombia and Venezuela are their own business!

If Colombia was buying gold toilets from China, you can bet some auditor in Washington, D. C. is going to want to know if Plan Colombia monies were diverted for that purpose.plátano

platano comments on or i should've asked, what is this strata 1,2,3 levels?

Thanks, Desi... For the reminder that translation is not about finding equivalent meanings word for word. It is about getting the meaning across in the target language, using whatever words are needed, as you have so expertly done with "pico y placa"

I would like to add that I have lived in both strata 2 and 3 in both Cali and Medellin and the people who were my neighbors were great people! plátano

platano comments on Santa Marta safe ????

Nucknfuts... Irotama is dangerous. I spent a week there. Then I paid for a few extra days...
Here's why it is dangerous: I didn't want to leave. And the chefs make delicious food and it's all you can eat... very dangerous!plátano

platano comments on Speed

Feels speedier to me... plátano

platano comments on

Possibly AUC or possibly FARC or possibly hooligans... Has anyone taken responsibility for this attack?

platano comments on Colombia: Sede del Mundial 2014?

Sr Tertius, tal vez sea esta noche estrellada pero no quiero criticar tan fuertemente a Uribe por el hecho de pensar en grande.

Yo espero que las condiciones econónicas cambiarán en los próximos cinco años (bueno admito que soy optimista eterno) para poder costear el mundial.

¿Quién quita que Uribe es un visionario?

Es facíl encontrar los "peros" y dado la realidad actual tienen peso, más no nos debemos dejar de encasillar por eso o dejar de soñar en grande. La esperanza es el último que muere.

platano comments on Colombia: Sede del Mundial 2014?

"...con clubes profesionales que apenas sobreviven..." Pues, eso sería un argumento a favor del Mundial en Colombia... pues, ¿el anfitrión no tiene como aseguranza de jugar en el Mundial, un tiquete de entrada gratis para Colombia?

platano comments on Got Milk? Maybe Better Not to in Bogota?

Monpirri, The article is available to anyone. The journal name is Food Additives & Contaminants; (Aug2006, Vol. 23 Issue 8). You may be able to get it free through interlibrary loan in the USA.

The article can be purchased for $38.67 here: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/tandf/tfac/2006/00000023/00000008/art00005

For my budget $38.67 plus tax is exorbitant!

platano comments on Happy planet index: Colombia no 2

No te preocupes Desi, I appreciate your sharing the meta-analysis of over 100 studies which shows Colombia beats out three quarters of the world's countries (of the 178 countries included in the analysis)... so my faith in Colombia and its happiness remains unshaken. Even in Cali en las casas privadas tanto en los clubes, tabernas, los sitios, las parrillas, etc. Cali sigue siendo Cali pachanguera.

platano comments on Wait a minute! Not so happy...

Colombia confirmed again in this meta-study of happiness... Based on an analysis of the results from over 100 studies in which people in countries with good healthcare, a higher GDP per captia, and access to education were much more likely to report being happy, Colombia beats out three quarters of the world's nations.

Thanks for sharing this Desi!

platano comments on Happy planet index: Colombia no 2

There have been several threads on happiness... including scientific studies of large populations using methodology that provides results that are valid and reliable... The studies just keep piling up. Colombians are happy people in spite of a few problems in Colombia.

platano comments on

And when you've had enough of Bogota, Cali and Medellin... try seeing another Colombia. Travel alone to rural areas (dress down) and see beauty you have never seen before and meet people who are not "prevenidos", people who are open and generous and could give a shit how much money you have.... people with an inner integrity and dignity that perhaps the jaded or cynical city dwellers might have lost.

Go see rural Nariño, go to tourist spots like Nuquí, or nontourist spots like Quibdó or the rural parts of exquisite departments like Risaralda and Cauca. Don't forget to visit San Antonio del Chamí where Risaralda meets Chocó at the Rio San Juan. Participate in the lesser known festivals or simply hang out with people in veredas of 10 to 50 houses. Experience the ice-cold morning showers and the friendliest people you could ever hope to know.

Don't be afraid of bus trips (day and night buses) ... take advantage of the buses, colectivos, jeeps, chivas, and your feet to see Colombia.

Travel light and travel without fear, and learn a different Colombia.

platano comments on Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica & Panama top 5 happiest countries on earth

Happiness runs in a circular motion, happiness is... In twelve years travelling all over Colombia, living in Medellin and Cali and visiting with people (urban and rural) of all different socioeconomic strata I would say that (compared to the other 17 countries I have visited).... Colombians are the happiest in ALL economic levels.

In "tugurios" or poor rural "chozas" or wherever ... with a bag of chips and 2-liter bottles of soda we would dance all night (cumbia, vallenato, guasca, salsa, chuco chuco, paso doble, waltz, tango, it didn't matter. We danced to freaking Bach and Mozart!) In Cali we would pile into somebody's broken down Renault 4, cross the bridge at 3:00 a.m., and continue to dance in Juanchito until 6:00 a.m. (only salsa and timba of course)

The scientific studies are only icing on the cake, confirming what I already know.

Además, pues, siendo colombiano de corazón... I am completely happy!

platano comments on What happened to this website?

I doubt we are under attack... I think Al Qaeda has bigger fish to fry.

platano comments on Got Milk? Maybe Better Not to in Bogota?

Monpirri, It is not available on the internet since it is a subscription journal... it is available in university research libraries in print... or online if you want to pay an exorbitant fee.