Columbia @ MindSay

The monograph examines contemporary populism and neopopulism, 21st century socialism, and a nonstate actor (al-Qaeda) seeking regional and global hegemony. They are: first, paramilitary gang permutations in Colombia that are contributing significantly to the erosion of the Colombian state and its democratic institutions, and implementing the anti-system objectives of their elite neo-populist sponsors; second, Hugo Chavez’s use of the New Socialism and popular militias to facilitate his populist Bolivarian dream of creating a mega-state in Latin America; and, third, al-Qaeda’s strategic and hegemonic use of political-criminal gangs to coerce substantive change in Spanish and other Western European foreign and defense policy and governance. Lessons derived from these cases demonstrate how gangs might fit into a holistic effort to force radical political-social-economic change, and illustrate how traditional political-military objectives may be achieved indirectly, rather than directly.

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http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pubs/display.cfm?PubID=876

American Forces Press Service

 

July 7, 2008 - American contractors Marc Gonsalves, Thomas Howes and Keith Stansell, who'd been among 15 hostages held for more than five years in Colombia by leftist rebels until their July 2 rescue by the Colombian military, released the following public statement on July 4 through U.S. Army South, as provided by the unit's commander, Army Maj. Gen. Keith M. Huber:  "First, we want to assure everyone that we're all doing fine. Words alone can never possibly express the thrill and excitement we feel to be back home in the United States of America with our families at our side.

 

"There are obviously many people we want to thank. Most of all, we want to thank our families: for their patience, for their love and for their support. For five and a half long years, we all hoped and prayed this day would come. Now that it has, we're just overwhelmed with emotion. The love and the joy we're all experiencing is beyond description.

 

"Next, we want to offer our heartfelt thanks to the government and the Armed Forces of Colombia. The operation they conducted to rescue us was one for the history books—something we will never forget for the rest of our lives.

 

"Colombia is a great nation with a great people, and the struggle they have endured with the FARC for more than 40 years is a shining testament to their great spirit: like the loved ones here with us now, they never gave up in the belief that human kindness and decency would ultimately prevail. To all those still held in captivity, our prayers and our thoughts are with you and your loved ones. We haven't forgotten you, and we never will.

 

"To our employer, Northrop Grumman, our sincere appreciation for your dedication and consistent support to our precious families throughout this ordeal.

 

"Finally, we want to recognize our own United States Government who never forgot us, as evidenced by the tireless efforts of the superb team of men and women in the United States Embassy, Bogotá, Colombia. Specifically, here at Fort Sam Houston, we want to thank General Huber of United States Army South, General Gilman of the Brooke Army Medical Center, Col. Martinson of Garrison, Fort Sam Houston, and their staffs, for the warm hospitality they've provided us and our families. The personal and professional concern they have taken in our well-being is deeply touching, and the reintegration process they are conducting on our behalf is worthwhile and important. We are all obviously eager to return home, but first we want to complete this entire process so we can return to our lives in the best physical and emotional shape possible.

 

"We understand that a lot of people are eager to see and hear from us, and they will. But right now, more than anything, we just want to be with our loved ones. We ask that the media respect our privacy as we reunite with our families. Rest assured, we will respond to your questions in the near future.

 

"Today, in the United States of America, it is the Fourth of July: the day when Americans everywhere celebrate our independence. We can't think of a better time to thank our fellow citizens for never giving up on us, for never forgetting us, for always believing that we would, one day, return home to the country we love.

 

"From the three of us and from our families, Happy Fourth of July."

We recently picked up a load in Columbia, PA which is where the pen is pointing on the map.

We saw this mural in the middle of the town.

It's a little hard to tell from the picture but the mural is painted on the side of a 2 story building. We took the picture out of the side window of the truck.

 

The Columbia military entered Ecuador and killed a high echelon leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia (Hispanic anagram: FARC).

 

FARC is a Communist terrorist group whose political goal is to bring repressive Communism to Columbia; however its operations are drug trafficking, kidnapping for ransom, extortion and the general use of terrorist tactics to control the local people FARC has infiltrated and to strike fear in the people of Columbian controlled areas.

 

Ecuador has cajones in allowing FARC to hide within their national borders. If Columbia has the power to back up threats to their National Security, they have every right to chase terrorists across foreign borders. Ecuador should be condemned for harboring FARC. Indeed harboring FARC could be almost considered an act of war against Columbia.

 

Venezuela’s reaction was hostile to Columbia. Chavez the President of Venezuela has slowly eroded Democratic institutions since coming to power as an overt Communist striking up an anti-American friendship with Cuba.

 

Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa describes himself as Socialist and a Roman Catholic and a personal friend of Communist Hugo Chavez.

 

Thus when Columbia decided to take action against FARC on Ecuadorean soil, it is not surprising that both Venezuela and Ecuador mobilized there military to their borders with Columbia.

 

This mobilization of military elements in essence validates the Venezuelan and Ecuadorean governments’ support of drug dealing terrorists that operate under the umbrella of Communism.

 

If Venezuela and Ecuador actually do more than rattle their sabers at Columbia, America should support the Columbian government with a military strike that reminds Chavez and Correa that they can still be spanked even without an American invasion.

 

JRH

 

 

 

 

Well ... we have returned from our wonderful trip to Charleston/ Columbia SC.  phsbum has successfully completed Army basic training, and has now moved to AIT (Advanced Individual training) also on Ft Jackson.  We had a lovely 4 day visit thanks to the holiday. 

 

The two pics are our soldier just after the graduation ceremony on Weds 21 November (about 78º), and her older sister on Folly Beach, Monday 19 November!  Beautiful 76º.  We had lovely weather which was nice because the ceremony was outside, but also because we had to commute daily between Charleston and Columbia (about 110 miles one way) because we were staying with my dearest friends in Charleston. 

 

We had a blessed ... REALLY blessed Thanksgiving with close friends and our new soldier ... Many pics to follow ...!  For now ... I am just thanksful for our time with her.  We will get to have her home with us for Christmas, too ... I can't wait!  :)

 

~ B