Ortega? Sure… Pffft!
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
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
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.
Headlines without the news
Yes, according to the KC Star, American Idol auditions will come to KC this summer. That's the headline and the news. Who's going? :-P
Language and Attitude
Read on Yahoo! News:
People who are bicultural and speak two languages may unconsciously change their personality when they switch languages, according to a U.S. study.
[...] They found significant changes in self perception or "frame-shifting" in bicultural participants -- women who participate in both Latino and Anglo culture.
Tell me about it... I'm a Colombian who lived 7 years in French Canada. Now I'm in the U.S. making use of my English skills. And while the study suggests the change of attitude is authomatic when switching languages, I wonder if the attitudes remain and become personality traits. Sometimes I'm looked at as a foreigner by people who have known me all my life. One of my college friends stopped talking to me because, according to her, I have changed to the point where she does not even recognize me.
Is this the result of a change in my perception of the world? Am I too Americanized now? According to the study, that seems to be the case. My guess is that speaking another language makes us less spontaneous because we're still using a part of our brain we don't when speaking the mother language.
Now that I think about it, my husband asked me if I have multiple personalities. I guess he is right...
