Rikito has left 1255 comments

Rikito comments on anything else new in Armenia???

Good grief there is more to Colombia than drinking, bars, live music, etc. That’s all high school stuff. The guy asked for some information and all you told him is where the Irish get their drinking water. There have been several new things that have been added to Armenia. There is a new family park called Diverfly which has rides and events for the whole family including a hot air balloon. The new Exhibition Centre has opened and they have regular events almost every week. Check LaCronica del Quindio for events go to: http://www.cronicadelquindio.com/. International fights directly from the U.S. are now available and several new restaurants have opened two or three new shopping malls have or will open soon. One Mall is dedicated only to women's clothing. If you can speak Spanish there are several programs at the 3-4 Universities in Armenia that can lead to a degree. Then there are the areas around Armenia that have also added some new stuff. Camping has become a big thing now and several areas cater to the overnight/backpacker camper. I am sure there is more but, Quindio is making a big effort to attract tourism for Colombian and those from other countries as well. Welcome back but don't drink the water!

Rikito comments on Evolve or DIE.

So Father Retired...when will you answer my questions? Also, I never said anything that happened to me as a child by any priest. I have no hatred towards anyone and I never said anything like that. Something tells me this may be a reason why you are perhaps 'retired'. There is a wonderful simple religion that is persecuted perhaps more than the Jews. It is the Baha’i faith. They have nine basic tenants which can easily be believed by all people. Two of them I find particularly moving for me. 1) The earth is one country and mankind are its citizens and 2) there is one race, the human race. I beleive those to be true and also beleive that if we all followed just these two tenanats how better the planet would be. Oh, and they are working on a third, 3) he who believes Hugo Chavez is a butt head will certainly enter the kingdom of the righteous dudes and dudets!

Rikito comments on Evolve or DIE.

barrumundi, it won't favor either. That is what the beauty of it will be. Read what Peter said...each will run their own forum and those latent intellectuals will have to find somewhere else to spew their hateful venom. Those who can only attack without offering something substantial will also go by the wayside. You will not need mods...they are useless anyway. And essentially you won't need rules. I look forward to someone criticisizing Darloup or someone else who feels entitled becasue he has the balls to speak his mind, and then the only response will be one hand clapping. And I do not need some resigned priest to tell me anything about freedom of speech or freedom in general. I had to listen to your righteous crap through grade school, and high school and most of it was just that...crap. It is good that you are retired…now your influence over the youth of Catholicism will be diminished. You have only been in PBH for a cup of coffee but, you think that you know the answers to everything that has happened here over the many years PBH has been around. Why don’t you take some time to fill out your profile so we can see what you really are? I have read some of your posts and I will never allow someone like you to have any influence over me. I never put myslfe or made any indications I was or am on a pedastal of any kind so you can stuff that somewhere. You do not even know who I am but, you can make judgements about me...that's what priests do, judge people they don't know or care about. Tell me who Elmo is and some of the other long timers…what do they think, what do they feel? We have lost a lot because of what people have done to Elmo. Four years ago you could not say that now he gets berated by mental midgets. And there are many others like him who just gave up talking to the lamers who are all hat and no cattle. I also know that several people in here will attack me for my comments about what I have said…that’s fine with me. But, tell us who you are before telling us what we should do.

Rikito comments on Evolve or DIE.

It is plain to see that many people are going to be adversely affected and have their feelings hurt. Several of those people are in this thread making the cuastic remarks to one person becasue they don't like him. The arrogance comes from those who think they are beter, more educated and more in tune with what is happening...guess what...you"re not! Freedom of speech also allows those with opposing opinions to have a say for what ever reason they want to say it. I certainly see no sainted intellectuals in here...that's a laugh!

Rikito comments on war within the next two years

Why do you say this? On what basis do you make this remark? Sounds silly to me as does anything Chavez says or does. Look, there will be no war in two years or ten. There is no reason to go to war. Colombia is not threatening Venezuela or any other SA country and Chavez knows this. If you look at the news in length you will see that Brazils President Lula had recently blocked (or suspended...do know which) Venezuela's application to the Mercosur trade bloc Mercosur is, the "Common Market of the South," is the largest trading bloc in South ... Venezuela's entrance into Mercosur has caused tension within the trade bloc. Without Venezuela in the bloc Chavez will be at a serious economic situation. Two years? How bout never? There are better facts to support never...and a day! At the end of the day it will all come down to economics and not military actions by someone who has little or no credibility. Also, in every country where the U.S. has a presence like, South Korea, Germany, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Japan, etc., there has been no effort by the Americans to take over any country within its sphere of influence and Chavez knows this as well. He is only trying to stir up anti-U.S. feelings for his own personal gain. He can't feed his people, they have no water and electricity is at a premium much of the time. The only V's who do well are the military and Chavez's supporters...which are a growing concern.

Rikito comments on Hacienda Napoles

kingfish, I understand what you are saying that is why a commented that this was not the Escobar site. As I said it is a childrens park about 2 km from Armenia center on the autopista between Periera and Armenia.

Rikito comments on Launch Party for English Magazine, The Arepa. Issue #5

so this is for and about Medellin right? PBH is for and about Colombia.

Rikito comments on Time change in Colombia?

There are about 70 countries that have some form of daylight savings time. Time zones were first used in the U.S. by the railroads in 1883 to standardize their schedules. Russia is really confusing with their 11 different times zones. Originally, DST was introduced by England recognized that the nation could save energy and changed their clocks during the first World War. It came to the U.S. in 1942 during WWll.

Rikito comments on Big Manifestation in the center of Bogota

BUSHWICK-BILL why are you so intent on pissing people off and insulting them getting upset because you are being insulted. From what I have read so far in this post, it is clear that you know little or nothing about the U.S. bases in Colombia or what their stated purpose is. In fact, you know nothing about the US military at all which nullifies anything that you are trying to argue. You have an opinion which is ok but, it’s only an opinion with no facts to support your beliefs. For example, you make a comment that 4 more years of Uribe would be bad and the death of democracy. Why do you say this? What kind of facts do you have to support this...oh wait you talk like a real back of the bus left winger so facts are not needed. It has been proven, debated and proven again and again that Uribe has done more for Colombia than probably any other President in the history of this country. I don't have the figures but other in here will gladly give them to you. Uribe has made Colombia safe, reduced the murder and kidnapping rates to somewhere around 80%. Uribe is responsible for creating an independent judiciary and Supreme Court. People in Colombia can walk their streets at night and not worry about being kidnapped. The list of his accomplishments far outweighs any negatives. I have read over and over about all of the supposed crimes and criminal activity Uribe is involve with or has been involved with but, there are no charges, no trials, no evidence, and no results. Just people like that dimwit Petro who has complained and charged Uribe since Uribe was sworn in as President. Yeah Petro, the M-19 poster boy who was part of the killing of innocent people to suit his political cause. I heard a story when I was working in Saudi Arabia that can be used in the same context as here. In KSA during the first Gulf War the religious heads went to the King and demanded that the U.S. be thrown out of KSA. They gave a whole host of complaints and arguments many of the complaints were probably true. But the King instead of saying yes or no to the religious leaders said something like this..."I don't like the Americans here anymore than you do but, you need to tell me what will happen to KSA the day after the Americans are thrown out of the country. If you can guarantee our freedom and ability to function as we do now I will throw them out." The religious leaders never came back to the King to demand the Americans leave the country. America has been a good partner for Colombia...no, it has been a great partner for Colombia. They purchase Colombian goods for the soldiers, they have trained the Colombian military to undoubtedly be the best equipped and most capable military organization in South America...ask Chavez why he has never tried to take over Colombia? The Americans have also provided a considerable amount of internal and external security for the Colombian government and the Colombian people. All are easily proven facts. Why don't you become part of Colombia and PBH and complete your profile? Are you a Colombian or a wanabe? Do you speak Spanish? Where were you born? What parts of Colombia have you been to? Why are you so afraid to fill out your profile? Why do you call makopp a troll? Is it because he disagrees with you or maybe he feels that you are the one who is full of crap? Do you really believe that the 5,000 (and going up by the second!) protesters in Bogota were all students? They were not. It is a well known fact that many of the protest marches that occur on the campuses are coordinated by FARC supporters, collaborators, or FARC themselves. This has been going on for years. The real students were not protesting because they were too busy studying. Something that you may want to take up doing.

Rikito comments on Strange question asking for friend who was born in bogota lives in canada but never had any colombian id

The Consulates are not in the people records business ok especially births and adoptions. In many cases such as the U.S. their main purpose is to assist Colombia business opportunities. Citizen services are the last thing they want to deal with. Theflatline and ojbarberena are very correct with their comments...but The most important thing is this… you will need to know the city and the number of the Notaria office that the baby is registered in. Without this you might as well be pickin poop with the chickens. If you are doing this for a friend be careful. Also, you may need a specific Power of Attorney in order to do this. (I’m not sure about this part). This is why the government offices said that they had no record...they didn't, the Notaria did...some Notarias specialize. For example, children born to foreign residents are listed in one particular Notaria in Bogota for all of Colombia. So how do you find out the correct number of the Notaria...the parents will know. It is a strict law that births be registered. You will need patience, patience, patience when dealing with any kind of government. So take a breath of air and go for it.

Rikito comments on

ok...I get the joke (I guess) that’s why I asked and I also think that the masons are one of the more worthwhile fraternities in existence. They do a lot of good for all people. The Catholic Church does not like them because they cannot control them. I know of one priest who I went to college with who is a mason. If the church knew he was a mason he would be immediately excommunicated. La_Huella, let me state again that there are no more Knights Templar. There may be some groups who chose to call themselves Templar’s but, the Templar’s as originally formed and operated have long been out of existence. There are many books (factual vs., fiction) that explain this. They were a Masonic organization but, there mission, and history has been completed. There is a good write up about Templar’s at the site: http://www.crystalinks.com/templars1.html which has more fiction than truth but, you can gleam some good info if you do not let your mind wander off into the crystals.

Rikito comments on Cartagena and underage artists dancing for tourist and foreigners

Clavo clavo clavo. Everytime you open your mouth nothing nut puke comes out. You cannot disagree or make an intelligent comment so you just do the only thing you can...make personal attacks. Wow I wish that I were as intelligent as you are.

Rikito comments on This is a Public Service to those with US Cell Phones.

what about Colombia cell phone users? Who cares about U.S. Cell phones anyway?

Rikito comments on

La_Huella, what do you know about Templars and Opus Dei? And before you answer pit your Da Vinci Code or Lost Symbol books down. "a whole lot stupider” based on what? Neither of these two groups have anything to do which the other? And if the Templars are so much smarter then how come they are no longer around? In other words the Templars no longer exist. Huskie, please forgive but, I do not read Spanish very well and I do not understand the comment you made or why. Could you give some more information? ...and dwmte7, how are Opus Dei "like henchman." Where did you get this information from? Yes they are a very conservative group who live by a code that was established long ago. The Catholic church allows them to be Catholics but, they must comply with all rules of the Church like any other Catholic. I think that if what you guys are saying is indicative of those opposed to Opus Dei, Dan Brown has done a great disservice to the Church. I can tell you this much. My older brother is Opus Dei and has been for almost 30 years. Opus Dei is a Catholic institution whose mission is to spread the message that work and the circumstances of everyday life are occasions for growing closer to God, for serving others, and for improving society. And it is not nor has it ever been a secret society. This secretiveness crap is nothing but a bunch of myths and half truths by people who do not like Opus Dei, the Jesuits, or the Catholic church. Dan Brown made it more modern with his recent books...recent fictional books. Dan forgot to tell you guys that Opus Dei only has about 85,000 to 90,000 men and women members. There is a writer named Michael Walsh who has written books about Opus Dei. A writer who hates the Catholic church and left the church long ago because he could not get anyone in the Vatican to listen to his unfounded beliefs. Dan Brown probably likes this guy because he can't get any good secret shit on the Masons. And finally, what does this have to do with Colombia?

Rikito comments on USA to be 30 % Hispanic Heritage by 2050

had to stretch this to get the Colombian aspect in here. It should still be off topic.

Rikito comments on Cartagena and underage artists dancing for tourist and foreigners

theflatline, I am curious about something. Have you ever been to Colombia? Your profile does not indicate that you have ever been here. If you have been here, how much time have you spent here? Just curious. I am also curious as to who elected you and Clavo to decide who can offer an opinion or express any kind of dissent and who cannot. Free speech is part of Colombia as it should be. And the way you guys sound if free speech were ever taken away they should start with you two. I read in here every day about assholes with an IQ two points above a rock criticize the U.S. and anything they try to do. I here this from people who are barely literate and who get 90% of their information from such intellectual sources such Wikki. They have a right to express themselves and offer their opinion. Both here in Colombia and in the U.S. It is a basic freedom. I would also be willing to bet a good amount of money that Darloup knows more about Colombia and especially its politics that both of you put together. I should add that at leats Clavo is a colombian and is from Colombia and has made some very strong and solid comments in the past but, I don't understand the put down he made on Darloup.

Rikito comments on Help me hiring a maid - protected legally, paid properly, etc.

Sure does create jobs...low pay, demeaning, unskilled, depressing, dangerous, unprotected, no or low benefits, abuse type of jobs. Have you ever met a young woman who just could not wait until she could start a wonderful and rewarding career as a maid? And I bet SENA even has a degree or certificate program on how to be a good slave...er maid. ...and cvivaspoorbuthappy, you are telling us that you leave the house with your wife and let the maid take care of the baby while you go out and party? Are you insane? Sorry dude but, that is plain criminal. In many countries (like your country of the US) if you did that you would be charged with a crime and child protective services would take the child. I am sure that your maid knows exactly what to do in any emergency situation involving your child. Or NOT! I can't believe you made such a dangerous statement as well as a potentially criminal one. If the maid hurts the child or the child becomes ill and is put in danger because your maid didn't know what to do who would you blame...in your case I assume it would be the maid. I can guarantee you one thing…you wouldn’t do this in Tampa and then tell people about it. And unless you are a very wealthy person you do not have a maid at all do you. And if you do I am sure you pay all of her employment and workmen's comp taxes...right? Yeah...right.

Rikito comments on President of Colombia has the SWINE FLU! GRIPA AH1N1

this is an old story. Uribe went through this several weeks ago. Kuirous...go to: http://colombiareports.com/index.php and you can get all the info you need in English. That is if you are only interested about the flu in Colombia.

Rikito comments on Help me hiring a maid - protected legally, paid properly, etc.

I always get people pissed off at me when I do this but, so what. Who cleaned up after you when you lived in Afghanistan? Why do you need to hire someone to do such a demeaning job? Sure she is poor and she needs the job (notice that I said 'she'...wonder why that is?) It's amazing to me that people have the balls to even ask this kind of question. It is a known fact that a woman can do any job in the workplace market that a man can do and in many cases she actually outperforms the man. The US is facing this now with more and more women being the primary 'bread winner'. Did you have a maid in Afghanistan? If you did I am sure it was a woman. Housekeeping type of work is far too difficult for a man to do…correctly. Why not try this for something that would be truly rewarding for both you and the maid. Hire the maid on a 50% part time basis and pay her accordingly. Then with the other 50% pay for to get and technical education or skill. This would benefit the woman and Colombia. You might also be able to get a tax break for paying the education. I knew a wealthy Indian family when I worked in Saudi Arabia. Because the husband was too old and the wife was physically unable to perform housekeeping work they employed a maid, a cook and, a car driver. The woman never bragged about this but, we found out through some other friends that she paid her employees a fair salary and she also paid for the education of their children. Once one of the employees had one of their parents die and she paid the airfare for the employee to go back to India for the funeral. Do yourself a favor…clean up after your own self? Who here enjoys cleaning someone else’s crap? Ok everyone it is now time for the naysayers to have their way with me. But don’t expect me to acquiesce or buy your story. My wife has a fulltime job and I am retired so…I clean my home together with my wife, I do all the laundry and ironing, I help cook meals with my wife and I take care of all our yard maintenance. I’m not looking for an award but, I am saying that those who have maids generally do not need them. They have them because it is the societal thing to do or better yet they are really really lazy. I know a woman in north Bogotá who lives with her husband in a two bedroom apartment with about 1000 sq. ft. of living space. Husband works…wife doesn’t…they have a maid and a cook 24/7. Ya gotta love it! Oh and she bitches about the quality of their work all the time.

Rikito comments on

Huskie, thanks for the heads up on RCN news in English. I had completely forgotten about this site. I like to read Colombia Reports at: http://colombiareports.com/index.php becasue you can make comments and get some different viewpoints.

Rikito comments on Strikes in Colombian Universities

theflatline, I can understand your comments and they are well taken. I also worked through college both grad & undergrad and carried a full load but, I agree more with shazam. It is well known that there is a continual dumbing down in American universities. I have experienced this first hand. I was an ad hoc professor at the College of the Mainland, U of Houston Grad school, Webster University and Phoenix University. In my experience the students who had steady jobs were better all around students than those who went to school on their parent’s nickel. "Students in the US are fairly conversant in their politics?" Hardly! When it comes to politics and social issues, American students are still dragging their knuckles as compared to political astuteness of SA and European students. If there was ever a debate the American students would do themselves well if they just stayed home. I also taught ad hoc at the American College in Greece, and the UAE. Foreign student are much more eager to enter into a debate and can usually hold their own against any American. I have listen to many of their arguments first hand and most American college students are barely conversant to any in-depth conversation. There are studies that show that American college students do not know the difference between socialism and communism, no idea of what fascism means, they think the U.S. political systems is a democracy, republicanism is what George Bush was, and that humans are the biggest contributors to global warming. It is too bad it is this way considering that Americans are more advanced in communications than any place on the planet and have more information at their fingertips than most of the world combined. One big reason? American college students do not read. They do not even read their textbooks; they do not read newspapers because they have the internet and television. I read a recent book by Dan Brown and in the book his main character is a college professor. In a class on symbology he chided one of his students who, when asked by the professor, indicated that he obtained his information from the 'net.' The professor scolded the student by telling him the looking up stuff on the internet is not research. And the comment, "Obama got elected with the help of active college students," is way off. Ever since the voting age was dropped to 18 years old college students have been relatively absent from actively participating in American politics. The 18-30 age group did have an impact but, who knows how many were in college or why they voted. And if they did have an impact it looks more and more like it may have been the biggest mistake in American politics.

Rikito comments on Strikes in Colombian Universities

Strikes are common in any university in South America and always has been. SA students are more aware of and more attune to political thought than US students. Of course that does not mean they are smarter...they only think they are. In the US most students can't find the state they are from on a map much less be conversant in politics. I find it refreshing as long as their is no harm to people or property.

Rikito comments on Bored of bars and dancing? How about a Bogota cock fight

kat...I think if you check you will find that bull fighting has become illegal in several parts of Spain and the banning of it s becoming more and more. There was an article in the news last week or so that said that becasue the number of fans are decreasing bull fights are disappearing. Also, animal rights groups are having a bigger say. Whatever..cockfighting or bull fighting is still useless especially bulll fighting. It sure is not an art when you render the bull senseless and unable to fight with all of the spears jammed in his back. (I don't know what the spears are called and don't want to know) and then you have those cute little macho bull fighters that do not come out to play with the bull until he is almost dead.

Rikito comments on Bored of bars and dancing? How about a Bogota cock fight

comon Kat...don't promote stuff like this. I don't know if you ever saw a animal fight of any kind but, I think that it is illegal in Colombia but, not enforced. These animals have feelings. I know I sound like an idiot do gooder but, I have seen these things before and it is really disgusting. What is more disgusting are the people who go to these things. For me it would be really enjoyable to get a couple of the fat drunken pigs that go to the fights and put them in the ring and let them go at...how long would that last? Burp.

Rikito comments on

With Iran the U.S. has a readymade attack machine. Israel. People do not understand about the Jews. They have been persecuted even before Christ was born, they were made into slaves, etc., and still they persevered. They survived WW2, The survived attacks by Egypt, Syria and their go betweens. They know that most of the world hates them so they do not give a rat’s ass about attacking Iran. Syria had the same thing going on. They were not building a bomb just a reactor. Israel told them no, no, no but, Syria said yes, yes, yes. At the end of that day the no's won the ballot. Iran knows that on any given day at any given time for any given reason Israel will bomb the Iranian nuke site. People will really be upset with them and they know that. But do you think they care about what the rest of the world thinks? Nah! That's what Iran needs to understand. Israel does not care what you or I think. They care about their survival. Remember last year when Hamas, etc., tried to engage Israel by firing off 400-700 rockets a day from Lebanon and killing innocent people? At first Israel did not respond but they only warned. Finally, Israel attacked and kicked the crap out of Hama, etc. Afterwards, the UN produced a report and blamed Israel for everything. So Israel should care about the UN? Nah1 I think that between today and sometime around this date next year Iran will be sweeping up what is left of their nuclear ambitions. The Arab world won’t do anything because the Iranians are not Arabs and do not speak Arabic and follow only a few of the Arabic holy and/or holidays. Also, the religion aspect Iranians believe in is not what most Muslims believe. Most Iranians are from the Shi'a sect while the rest of the Middle East Arabs are Sunni…bi big family difference in beliefs. In Saudi Arabia if you are a Shi'a good luck getting a job or buying a home. And if you marry one make sure you have a good will. Come back to Venezuela now…someone tell me why they will seek or need nuclear energy. One reason only…to piss of the U.S!

Rikito comments on

"They are like Simon and Mongo from PBH. They steal oil and money from the poor" Mongo is no longer a member of PBH.

Rikito comments on

In what way does Hugo feel that he needs nuclear energy? He has huge oil & gas deposits so he does need the energy that nuclear energy can provide. The argument against Hugo is the same as the argument against Iran. Iran will never be allowed to turn on the nuclear weapon switch...never and a day. The west...namely the U.S. would never allow Hugo to turn on the switch. Does anyone really think that Hugo would be allowed to proceed unimpeded in his plan for nuclear energy without a serious challenge? But, at the end of the day the likelihood of Hugo being around long enough to turn on the switch is as remote as his desire to have a nuclear weapon. And finally, how does this promote peace of any kind. The Hugo huggies are always bitching that Hugo only wants peace…now is their chance to put the words where they belong.

Rikito comments on

It's unfortunate he won. Since he has been the US President he has yet to accomplish one thing of value. His economic stimulus bill has resulted in the loss of 3 million jobs since it was approved. Nice guy, I voted for him. He has a lot of good ideas but, he has only been in office 8 months and his approval numbers go down each month and he has yet to accomplish anything except his world wide apology tour. Sure he promotes peace but, so do many others and these people have been doing it for years with some sucess. I don't have a better choice becasue the award is silly and the only reason I watched it was becasue of Cordoba. I am happy she was passed over becasue of her ultra left wing beliefs. Also, outside of the hostage stuff I have never heard of any of her accomplishments. Not to say there are none. If I had to vote, I would maybe vote for the G-* political leaders who together try to do everything they can to avoid war and promote peace everyday of every year. Anyway, one good thing will come of this...it will really piss off Chavez and the other mental midget in Iran. There are many many people who have worked and offered their lives to promote Peace who probably deserve this more than Obama. And the money he wins (which is a bunch) does not even go to him. The money is depsoited in the U.S. general fund.

Rikito comments on Whats Up With The Color of Medellin River Today?

mabe it is a new postobon drink being researched. you give it to your kids and you can always find them at night. just follow the light.

Rikito comments on Co. cocaine consumption almost =US coke consumption, %wise

mmmmm last time I checked coke and cocaine are the same unless you are tlaking about and undiluted form of cocaine. Why are you expressing a difference? Also, why single out just the U.S. It is a problem world wide and the percentage of use is probably higher in other contries than the U.S. In fact, based on recent research Spain uses the most cocaine fllowed by Ireland and Germany, and let's not rule out the Netherlands. Sure the U.S. has a high usage (and is steadily in decline over the past 10 years according to UN and other research studies) but remember that the U.S. has 300 million people. Eurpo's percapita usage is 2-3 times higher than anywhere else.

Rikito comments on Whats Up With The Color of Medellin River Today?

yummyj is correct. I would look at El Tiempo or something. It was on the news last night. They found the company who had been dumping the stuff in the river but they also said that the product wasn't dangerous or anything like that. Ok...then why dump it in the middle of the night? This will be interesting to follow and see how it stays above the fold or will it get buried and never seen again. I see a lot of these stories in Colombia. They have a one day life span and then they disappear with no follow up.

Rikito comments on

Colombians are really no different than most other cultures when it comes to stupid and lazy. People are like this when they have no role models to guide them when they are young, they see no way out or up from the system, or they get caught up in illegal activities. There are many other causes also, and there are all sorts of do-gooders who have social answers but, actually what they usually propose doesn't work in the long term either. Elmo, you are not from a wealthy family...why are you not like this? A question you can ask anyone who is not caught up in the system of failure. And none of this has anything to do with the class structure or call struggle. People like to use this excuse a lot in Colombia. There are many Colombians (several of which are PBHers) who are far from wealthy and could be considered stupid or lazy in a matter of minutes if they wanted to but they don't...why? Why is my wife like many other Colombians studying to 12:00am-2:00am to get her college degree? She came from a very humble background, was adopted, and was never encouraged to get a degree but she is fighting for it anyway. She is like many Colombians...many. She won't quit and she won't give in.

Rikito comments on Central Colombo Americano

Another question. I have advanced university degrees. Besides working in my career of Human Resources I have taught at the American College in Greece and the UAE. Also in Gabon, Africa. I have also taught graduate level courses in the U.S. in Human Resource Management at the U of Houston, Rice University and Webster University. I never had a Certificate there...do I need one here in Colombia? The Central Colombo Americano is charging $1,600 for a TEFL Certificate with no guarantee of getting a job. That does not balance very well for me especially considering the poor pay aspect. Bill & Lisa, are there any other Certificate Programs around that won't rip you off?

Rikito comments on New Column Is Posted

Its common knowledge...doubt it. Must have struck a nerve. I am not a troll so you can stop accusing me of this. Second, why have profiles if people do not fill them out so we know who we are talking about. And I do not attack anyone. On the contrary, I have been attacked on a regular basis and most of those kiddies out there who do attack are the same ones who are from Afghanistan, and/or who have never been to Colombia but sure do like to pretend they know all of the answers and also enjoy insulting who and when they can. Like you for instance...just what purpose was served by you attacking me? Your ego no doubt. I am in PBH because I want to learn more about the hoi poli of Colombia that is not found in the newspapers. I have been given countless pieces of advice that have helped me a lot and some of which I could not find anywhere else. You are the one who needs to read more and be a tough guy less...maybe plead your case to Peter if you want.

Rikito comments on

same here and probably off topic anyway

Rikito comments on New Column Is Posted

There are so many trolls in here because a lot of inappropriate subject matter is allowed to become matter of fact. Also, when you add gringos especially gringos from the U.S. and Europe you also add a tremendous amount of immature or holier than thou behavior. There is way too much talk about sex, places to get sex, where to get Colombian girls, etc. I have seen so many posts in here that ask for information on places to see and things to do in a certain area and the response is sex, bars and the like. This is not Colombia. And when you call someone out they run to mommy and cry foul, "that person is not being nice to me mommy." If you have an opinion that is not in total agreement with the poster you are called out as stupid and other derogatory names. It is almost impossible to have a mature and meaningful discussion without someone trolling in to add what he/she thinks are funny response...99% of them are not. "signs up with another user name and joins the ranks of the trolls." is not really done anymore. You can't log in with multiple IP addresses or whatever the control mechanism is. And Ray you shouldn't have to sign up as a troll...I have always thought you were one. There used to be one person in here who is no longer on PBH who did whatever he wanted to do to insult people. He used lies, fabrications on who he was inappropriate language; if you disagreed or challenged him he would become as mean spirited as possible. He was the person that people did everything they could to avoid him or avoid disagreeing with him. He was never wrong on any subject. Why was he this way? He was doing everything possible to drive people away from PBH to his own web site where you can say anything especially anything disrespectful to anyone or about anyone whether or not there is any truth to the comment. People will always want to bring down someone who is successful because to be successful takes a tremendous effort which people like the guy I am referring to will never make the effort of take the risk. Bill, I would love to see your new column. I have a great respect for most of your posting as being respectful, intelligent, and fair minded.

Rikito comments on

so romy how long have you had this disease? people just love to read your comments and chuckle. Another wanabie who has never been to Colombia but, is an expert on all matters pertaining to the people, the society and the political system. Oh I get it! You read a book!

Rikito comments on Nobel Peace Prize

Maybe if Alfred had not invented dynamite he would not have needed the Nobel Peace Prize in the first place. His little invention has killed how many millions of people world wide since its inception?

Rikito comments on US TOURIST VISA for Girlfriend

I hate to burst your bubble but, your girl freind does not stand much chance of making it to the US. The Drug problems and the abuse of Colombians overstaying their time limits have given the USCIS a bad taste on Tourist Visas. And the US is not the only country that is tough on tourist Visa's. I recently read an English language tourist article discussing the tourist Visa problems for the US and several other countries as well. I would do a search in here for Tourist Visa's and check out visajourney.com for some valuable up-to-date information. If I were you I would go for it and see what happens...she might get the luck of the gods that day. As you already know it does cost a few dollars and it's a crap shoot. If your girl friend does get a Tourist Visa it would be a good thing if you would write back and let us all know about her experience.

Rikito comments on Colombia rises five spots in UN Human Development Index

Good grief romy, this index is not supposed to and it specificaly says that. Read the damn thing will ya...then go ahead and dish on Colombia when you have something relevant to say.

Rikito comments on UN paints grim picture of child abuse in Colombian conflict

yeah right...as stated in your profile. Another wannabie whith negative comments on everything.

Rikito comments on

actually...anyone can nominate anyone for a Peace Prize. There are some other rules, but not much. I'm surpirsed mommy dearest has not nominated her daughter Ingrid for the Peace Prize yet.

Rikito comments on So many smart people here good to see it.

and thanks to you oneforyourmillion for your astute comments and intelligent insight...all from a person who lives in the African Congo, was born in Afganystan and has never been to Colombia. Gotta love it.

Rikito comments on UN paints grim picture of child abuse in Colombian conflict

For whitewidow when he comes to comment on how this is the fault of the Colombian government and specifically President Uribe in a country he has never been in...the working phrase is "illegal armed groups."

Rikito comments on

So Costeña, who is good for Colombia that is worthy of a nobel prize?

Rikito comments on Colombia rises five spots in UN Human Development Index

whitewidow, if you had taken the time it took for you to make your sophomoric comment you would have noted that this UN report specifically states that the human relations aspect was not measured. Nor were the inequities of gender salary differences. "The HDI provides a composite measure of three dimensions of human development: living a long and healthy life (measured by life expectancy), being educated (measured by adult literacy and gross enrolment in education) and having a decent standard of living (measured by purchasing power parity, PPP, income). The index is not in any sense a comprehensive measure of human development. It does not, for example, include important indicators such as gender or income inequality nor more difficult to measure concepts like respect for human rights and political freedoms. What it does provide is a broadened prism for viewing human progress and the complex relationship between income and well-being." This report is not meant to measure saving lives...read more and spew less might be a good way to go.

Rikito comments on

and you know this how? and you have proof that the liableous comments you made is factual...or not!

Rikito comments on Juan Carlos Guzman-Betancourt: A gifted conman

What is the purpose of this post? And shouldn't there be quotations and citing around material that is not yours and was copied from a copywritten web page. PBH is liable for stuff like this

Rikito comments on

I have read a lot about Ms. Cordoba but, I can't understand what she has done to promote peace. She hates the President and everything he stands for and tends to favor FARC as much as she can...FARC a terrorist organization which according to many Swedes are freedom fighters. Yep, freedom fighters who murder, rape, manage a multimillion dollar dug trade, assassinate politicians, and enslave children to work in their army or the coca fields. Yep, I think with that kind of backing she is a shoe in for the prize. She reminds me of Jessie Jackson. For South America, I like Lula da Silva who has probably done more for peace in South America than any other person. Certainly more than Cordoba.

Rikito comments on

this is not the palce for personal attacks of any kind from ny person for any reason. why not take it some place more private?