Why Not

Posted: December 30th, 2002 | Author: Bea | Filed under: Weblog | 9 Comments »

For people who have read this blog for a while, it is not a mistery that I tend to discuss politics, rant about Bush and his war on terror and basically express my concern about anything nuclear-related. But these days I’m trying to make myself quiet simply because of the intolerance of some people, and I have to admit that I have learned that I really don’t like to be attacked or made fun of for my views. But since I’m a Colombian living in Canada I don’t discuss these countries politics either.

- I don’t want to discuss US foreign policies anymore because I understand some Americans will get offended and because I really don’t have a good knowledge of all the political machine in the country down there. I don’t like to discuss US foreign policies because I cannot stand people who have to insult Canadians who have a point of view regarding the whole situation with the war on terrorism, no matter how simple their views are. Don’t get me started with the fact that sometimes we are treated as ignorants, when we’re really more informed than them.

- I don’t discuss Colombian politics because no one really gives a damn about my country if I post about it here (who can tell me what’s the capital of Colombia or what’s the name of our president?). And we DO know what war, terror, lack of freedom, death, violence, you name it, is. I’m tired of telling people that I’m not Canadian, yet they keep assuming I am. It drives me nuts when the ask me “What would you do if your country got hit by terrorism?”. For God’s sake! And well, I do have a Latin American point of view… Believe me, what we’re taught about the US interventions and the failure to actually help our countries is not nice.

- I don’t discuss Canadian politics because this country is simply very simple and doesn’t mess up around with anyone else, so nothing really important happens here. Plus, I haven’t studied the booklet for my Citizenship exam yet. I only know Mr. Chrétien’s name. Honestly.

So basically, it’s tiring. First because I had to adopt two nationalities and because it is not easy to discuss the affairs of a world power that happens to be just downstairs, and that we’ve been told to accept as the mothership. I refuse to do that, so it makes it offensive and complicated.

9 Comments on “Why Not”

  1. 1 Shawn said at 1:17 pm on December 30th, 2002:

    Bogota’s the capital, isn’t it? :smile:

  2. 2 Bea said at 1:26 pm on December 30th, 2002:

    :thumb: Yes, that’s our capital!

  3. 3 Maggie said at 3:18 pm on December 30th, 2002:

    Would the president be Alvaro Uribe Perez?

  4. 4 Bea said at 3:21 pm on December 30th, 2002:

    Vélez :smile: Alvaro Uribe Vélez. I know Spanish names can be confusing, bu you got it right, Maggie!

  5. 5 Erica said at 3:32 pm on December 30th, 2002:

    :wave:
    Hi Bea, Ive been reading your blog for awhile and I just wanted to tell you that I enjoyed reading your views about Bush and US foreign policy. I agree with you. :thumb:

  6. 6 jaya said at 6:46 pm on December 30th, 2002:

    Hey Bea… you have every right to say what you want. And if it upsets people, then so be it. You pay for this space, and ought to be able to use it as you wish. If others don’t like it, then they can just not read.

  7. 7 liz said at 6:51 pm on December 30th, 2002:

    It’s OK to be contoversial, and it’s OK to state an opinion. But I don’t think it’s reasonable to state opinions and not expect to get both positive and negative responses. The fact that it’s an opinion means that not everyone will agree. For my part I never mind reading other people’s opinions, even when they disagree with my own. What I do mind is when people make statements they can’t back up, or make blanket statements about a particular country/people/religion/etc.

    I think that you are very well-informed. I’m sorry that you feel like you can’t really express your thoughts here, because I think that you have good things to say. I don’t always agree with you, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want you to be able to speak freely. (I never write political commentary in my journal. You’re a braver woman that I am. :wink:)

    The flowers are beautiful, BTW.

  8. 8 Kim said at 8:47 pm on December 30th, 2002:

    Bea, it’s a shame that you feel you have to supress how you feel but at the same time I understand. I have very strong feelings concerning policies, war and freedoms. I don’t voice this too often because I don’t have fact to back it up (many people expect this). I base my thoughts, opinions and feelings based upon my heart and my emotions. Too me, that is good enought but to most it isn’t, that’s why I stay semi quiet LOL :wink:

  9. 9 The other Sherry said at 1:22 pm on December 31st, 2002:

    Capital of Colombia: Bogota (and I know how to pronounce it properly too! :wink: )

    President: Uribe

    I can only imagine how frustrating it must be for you when people ask you things like how you would feel if your country was under terrorist attack. I’m sure you know exactly how you would feel considering you’ve lived through it.

    Bea one day I have to stop being so shy and get together with you or invite you over for tea or coffee or something. It’s ridiculous that we communicate online and live ten minutes apart yet never got together to meet up. You can unleash all your opinions on me and I won’t judge you. :laugh:

    I hope that you won’t always feel like you have to restrict what you express here. I love reading your opinions. I regularly read a girl that I like very much and she’s extremely pro-Bush yet although I don’t understand her political views I get along with her. I hope that people can do the same for you.

    Wow, I wrote a book! Happy new year! :party: