Category Archives: News

Discussion of anything that’s going on in the world.

Is it over yet?

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According to the news, 73% of John McCain’s political ads contain a negative message about Barack Obama. And 61% of Barack Obama’s political ads contain a negative message about John McCain. It’s getting old and annoying. Why can’t politicians concentrate on the country they are going to rule, and the things they are going to do to fix what they think (and we see) is wrong. Oh well, what do I know?

This weekend I had the opportunity to hear a lot about politics in the 8-hour trip to and from Chicago. POTUS 08 was on our XM radio most of the time because John likes to be informed about what’s going on. And then I had to hear all of the candidates, their vice-president options and their wives. I’ve always said I don’t dislike John McCain, but after hearing his warmongering discourse and how he tries to attack his opponent in every single sentence that comes out of his mouth, I was more than disappointed.

And what I heard is probably just a tiny part of what the presidential candidates have to offer, but Joe Biden’s rally discourse in Colorado was refreshing. And Michelle Obama’s discourse in Ohio was directed to the real people who make this country without having to criticize McCain’s plan once. Sarah Palin is a joke, I am convinced, and McCain’s voice is simply annoying to my ears –and his fight, fight, fight lines make me sick.

I hope this country will seek the change it needs. I hope the people of this country will choose their leader wisely. But most of all, I hope this negative cloud goes away.

My Political Statement of the Year

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I know, from personal experience, that discussing politics can get you in trouble. Especially if you are thin-skinned like me, and get easily offended by people’s remarks about your opinions. And especially because of the adamant arrogance that overpopulates the blogosphere since it’s very beginnings. I’ve been around long enough to know about all those pundits.

But now, with the election coming soon, politics is all I read about. And people spend hours, brain cells and keystrokes making their views valid, sharing opinions and, in some cases, making asses of themselves when not able to express their views as civilized human beings. Suddenly everyone is an expert in government matters, and how dare you say otherwise! It happens to the best of us; it has happened to me.

My husband remembers when I used this weblog as some kind of political outlet. Now that I think about it, I wasn’t really discussing politics but policies… those of the U.S. government back in 2001-2003 when all hell broke loose and this country ended up in a stupid war that has claimed thousands of lives and hasn’t ended. I wasn’t even living here, and I was mostly taking a personal side about what I thought George W. Bush was getting into. But politics? I know zilch about it. I simply was, and I still am, against the war.

So this week with John McCain and his Palin vice-president… it’s been entertaining. I never know who to give credit to. People seem to have taken that woman’s private life as some kind of soap-opera. Do I know about her policies? Heck, no! I should probably get informed about it all. And then there is the Republicans calling the Democrats idiots, you should know better, you are wrong, get your facts right, etc. And vice-versa.

And in all truth, who has the facts right? Certainly not us, mere citizens (or residents). In the end, we are just pieces of the puzzle, and I thank God for freedom of speech so we can somehow guide each other in this darkness politics is. What drives me nuts is the “I’m holier than thou” attitude some people take when having different opinions. But that’s the human kind for you.

I should probably spend more time learning about what these two men who are running for president have on their agendas. The problem is, there are too many sources… and I can’t even vote.

Ortega? Sure… Pffft!

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Now that the Colombian army has rescued a group of hostages, and that the Farc feel they really have to do something about putting an end to decades of non-sense, they decide they won’t negotiate with the current government. They say, and I quote, that only a new government, which is truly democratic, born from a national agreement, could retake the path of the search for a political solution.

What a bunch of crap! That is what they have been saying for the past 40 years. And they continue with their rampage of violence and abuse toward Colombians. And then they add they want to be in a meeting with Nicaragua’s president, Daniel Ortega? Give me a break!

I think we’ve had enough with the circus that Chávez and Correa have put up. One of them has come to his senses (¡Buena esa, Hugo!), and the other one is still throwing tantrums. And now the Farc want to bring another clown in? I understand they do not recognize the Colombian government, but this is not about politics anymore. They are pretty much weakened and without ideals. This is about the 42 millions of people who are claiming for peace.

I think a group that has done nothing but torture my people has no saying in how negotiations will be. They need to put an end to it NOW.

Gracias, Señor Insulza

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El Consejo Permanente de la Organización de los Estados Americanos

Declara:

1. Su felicitación al pueblo y al Gobierno de Colombia, por la exitosa operación de rescate que, respetando plenamente los derechos humanos, condujo a la libertad de 12 ciudadanos colombianos y 3 ciudadanos de Estados Unidos de América que se encontraban secuestrados por las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC), la mayoría de ellos por más de 10 años.

2. Que el secuestro es un crimen atroz y urge a las FARC y a todos los grupos al margen de la ley en Colombia a la liberación inmediata y sin condiciones, sanos y salvos, de todas las personas que mantienen secuestradas, exhortando a las FARC a renunciar a la violencia y a establecer un diálogo con las autoridades colombianas.

3. Su respaldo a los esfuerzos del Estado colombiano para el logro definitivo de la paz y la seguridad de ese país, esfuerzos que deberán realizarse con pleno respeto de los derechos humanos, el Derecho Internacional Humanitario y el Derecho Internacional”

Free Ingrid = Free Colombia

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The rescue of Ingrid Betancourt and other 14 people who were kept hostages by FARC, is not only about their freedom, but the freedom of a whole country. During decades, Colombians have been victims of a Marxist guerrilla that was never clear about its purposes. What started as a fight for the equal rights of people, became a war against people. Later, the guerrillas became part of the ugly drug market, and their signature included death, kidnappings, and other forms of violence that made Colombia well known around the world, not exactly for the coffee.

Today, the Colombian army triumphed against the rebels; a group that shows every clear sign of disintegration, thanks to a government that has shown no mercy, and to the decay of the rebel leaders whose ideals weren’t ideal. The special forces have rescued an important political leader who became the symbol of the victims of kidnapping, and who gave Colombia the chance to be heard all around the world. To hear Ingrid Betancourt tell the story of how she was chained when night fell on the jungle makes you want to cry. At the same time, seeing her alive and well after all these years gives our country a new hope, and new dreams.

To the armed forces of Colombia, my respect. To the president of Colombia, my admiration. To Ingrid Betancourt and the rescued victims, my best wishes. To my country, ALL MY LOVE.

See Yahoo! News for complete coverage.