I. “The rest of Columbia’s (sp) social classes are not interested.” (Evie)
Not at this juncture 50+ years later, but that may have something to do with nearly 30 years of state-sponsored Military/Paramilitary terror throughout the countryside as counter-insurgent opposition which began eliminating FARC supporters by the thousands. Who in their right mind is going to actively back a movement that could realistically result in death for themselves and their family, perhaps their entire community? History has demonstrated that FARC sympathizers are short-lived. Then consider decades of propaganda influence by the plutocratic press which has single-handedly isolated the FARC as the “bad guys” and you have a reality that is extremely difficult to discern. Being honest in Colombia is risky business, something to take into consideration when attempting to validate who does and doesn’t support the group’s ideology, even if it has faltered over time in response to an aggressively metastasized state apparatus with access to billions in US funding.

II. “What is FARC resisting in Columbia (sp)?” (Evie)
That’s almost a comical question, but the answer is the same thing they’ve been resisting and attempting to abolish since Gaitan’s assassination in 1948; an oligarchic stranglehold which has oppressed the people (except for those with money) since the Independence Wars against Spain in 1854. Economic inequality, unionization, agrarian and educational system reform are just a few of the social topics for which they have stood while adopting the principles of Gaitanism. Granted, non-violent protest would be preferred, but it was concluded long ago in Colombia that these means only resulted in human loss for the protesters. The FARC has simply implemented their revolutionary right to overthrow a corrupt governing system (Lincoln 1861) that caters to the wealthy while exploiting the working poor.

III. Sorry Evie, but the government of Colombia is anything but legitimate, even less so than Uncle Sam’s land. In the elections of 2002, the one is which Ingrid was running prior to her stubbornness that resulted in her being kidnapped, Uribe won with 53% of the vote. However, only 46% of eligible voters turned out to vote for the plutocratic ex-Governor of Antioquia whose family is known to be one of the wealthiest land owners in that department. In his election victory of 2006, he had a fairly uncontested win with 62% of the vote but only 45% of those eligible turned out to participate. This last election equates to 28% of the eligible voting population casting Uribe on their ballots. This is not a legitimate victory by any means. In fact, although he won by what appears to be a large margin, the dearth of voters who did not participate only indicates a sense of apathy among the citizens who know the system is flawed and caters to the wealthy. Who were the 28% who voted for Uribe? That would be the upper echelon of the population with money who wants to continue experiencing the benefits of multi-national infiltration. What appears to be democracy on the surface is nothing more than the entrenched plutocratic system which has been consuming the economic and natural resources off the exploited backs of the uneducated impoverished portion of the population since Spain maintained its hegemony. The end of Spanish reign in Colombia merely transferred power to the hands of wealthy business and land owners who had ties to the crown. The government today is no more legitimate than it was 200 years ago.

IV. As for the “Rescue Mission”, in the face of international condemnation, the Uribe government will do whatever it can to improve its image around the world. No doubt the FARC was willing to give up Ingrid as she was becoming a huge liability to them, especially at a fair price if not for free just to rinse their hands clean of the bad press. By interfering with what was likely a peacefully negotiated release, Uribe and his government killed two birds with one stone. Initially, they came out looking like humanitarian heroes, while jeopardizing the image of humanitarian workers and journalists who are doing what they can to shine light on the truth of Colombian reality; i.e. a corrupt government that hasn’t played by the rules since, well, never. Humanitarian workers and journalists are now at greater risk than ever before in Colombia, which equates to less meddling and interference with Uribe’s agenda to regain complete hegemony over the country as the government had things prior to Gaitan. Uribe is propagating the same reckless and irresponsible pattern as his predecessors have done.

V. Let’s not resort to name calling, people. This is a forum for rational debate and intelligent issue analysis. While we may not agree with each other, insults will get us nowhere.

VI. The FARC will willingly lay down their arms and end their revolutionary movement once the government begins to allow voiced opposition from the left in the country’s political arena. Their last attempt to legitimately enter politics with the UP in the 1980′s resulted in thousands of their political members’ murders. Union leaders, journalists, politicians from the left, teachers and lawyers have all been victims of the government’s hegemony. If it’s one thing the wealthy controlling class will not allow, that is a level playing field where all voices and ideologies are embraced. This is what groups like the FARC, ELN and M-19 have attempted to achieve over the years, but still the government adopts a zero tolerance policy to opposition. As long as the aristocrats continue to monopolize their power, conflict will be a deadly reality in Colombia, and understandably so.

ROTFL – Free Speech TV – lol. Oh yes, that’s not funded by any foundations or individuals with an agenda. LOL.

I agree – “dumbness, stupidity and ignorance” are a real threat to the world.

But then TS there is nothing else for her to do. I’m not sure what more can be expected of an apologist for the status quo who’s so threadbare that she doesn’t bother to offer even token justifications for the bestial fascists she supports apparently by way of reflex.

Getting back to electoral issues. What authority you have to label Hugo Chavez as dishonest? What proof do you have to claim that Hugo Chavez won all his elections and referendums by vote-fraud?

Now, there is plenty of evidence, that ALL US ELECTIONS ARE RIGGED AND WON BY VOTE-FRAUD !! But the same cannot be claimed of Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez and Venezuela’s electoral system which is one of the best of this world.

Now getting back to an armed-rebellious group option and electoral option, you said that FARC is not good because FARC is not supported by majority. But that argument is illogical and irrational, it is a clientelist, populist capitalist argument specially in capitalist elec toral systems.

You see in capitalist electoral systems, the capitalists have more chance and more popularity than socialist candidates and socialist movements, because of media and press in capitalist systems are owned by capitalists, and capitalist parties have more money for propaganda than socialist movements.

So use your mind, and realize that of course that in Colombia capitalist parties have a lot more propaganda power to propagate their fascist right-wing political ideology than socialist parties and movements.

The same happens in USA. in USA the capitalist parties (Democrats and Republicans) have all the millions of dollars of this world, to propagate their ideology of capitalism every 4 years. Socialist parties have no money to propagate their ideology of socialism, so it is logical and rational to assume that capitalist parties will beat in an election and in polls socialist parties and movements, because the ignorant masses are very vulnerable to mainstream media political adds of democrats and republicans.

So use your common sense and LEARN and REALIZE that if majority supports capitalist parties a lot more it is not because people love capitalism more than socialism. But because people are dumb and fooled by propaganda.

So it is dumbness, stupidity and ignorance really which is the real threat of this world.

And please don’t accuse Chavez and FARC without proofs.

And stop watching capitalist TV channels. Watch Free Speech TV instead !!

You’re talking 2 separate groups.

Conditions in the US are such that most willingly gave up unions b/c Reagan told them to, corrupt unions you know. And “dissent” goes no further than holding candles and posterboard. Guess Americans have it good after all.

As far as my resistance goes, it stands to reason that since conditions in the US have not (yet) reached the level of Colombia in which state-backed death squads run rampant, torturing and killing union organizers, political dissidents, etc, my level of resistance cannot and should not compare to those who are literally fighting for their lives. I just assumed this was obvious. Forgive me.

I’ve always registered as an independent and voted as such in a few presidential elections and local.

Although weary of existing government – I have yet to see any other I’d want to emulate.

Do you really think Chavez rode into town on an honest and moral election? That Venezuelans suddenly developed an open and honest system that swept Hugo into power? Hehehehe. Some like that term “overwhelming majority” – as in Reagan in 1980 and 1984. And fools in America made Reagan an icon.

I said personally I believe all governments are illegitimate – namely b/c honest, decent folks do not enter politics, or leave soon after if they do.

It is not a theory – the majority do not support FARC b/c FARC tactics are no better than the system they claim to fight.

If you think “rebels” like FARC are the solution – start your own here in the US. Oh, but wait, doesn’t the “left” believe in nonviolent movements? And that if anyone goads you into violence they are working for the government?

There’s a lot of hot air blowing from armchairs all across the US.

You are truely a passive-nihilist, and pessimist anarchist, you are contradictory, and you generalize.

You just said that all governments are illegitimate. Not Hugo Chavez government who was elected and supported with overwhelming majority. And Venezuela’s elections are by far more honest and moral than all US elections together which are rigged by the way, and even the so called caucauses are not popular but party capitalist functionaries.

But getting back to the issue of FARC. The only atlernative of fascist systems are groups like FARC. Because of the fact that alternative movements and parties have no way chance to seize power electorally. So the only solutions for systems like Colombia and USA is to rise up and bear arms.

Even Lincoln said it:

“This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it.
Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it or their revolutionary right to dismember it or overthrow it.” — Abraham Lincoln, 4 April 1861

I prefer FARC rebellious group here in America than Demo-rats and republic-rats.

I think that Demo-rats and republic-rats are crueler and have killed more people than FARC and all the rebel armed groups of this world labeled “terrorists” by the Terrorists political parties of Washington, DC (Demo-rats, and republic-rats)

What leads you to believe that an “overwhelming majority” of Colombia’s population are with FARC? The country’s pop. is 45,000,000 with 40% in poverty – but I seriously doubt the “overwhelming” majority of them are in the armed resistance or even sympathetic.

At 12,000 FARC members (“left” estimates) that’s aprx. 0.025% of the population. It’s the reason FARC hasn’t won shit for the people in 40 years of jungle hegemony – they do not have popular support.

Uribe was “elected”, as was Bush. Personally I believe all governments are illegitimate, but what’s the alternative?

Yes.

Furthermore, your implication that my government, in fact a plutocracy, is equally illegitimate is also dead on. Now, what exactly have you proven?

Again I put the question to you, why should the overwhelming majority of Columbia’s population (its poor) NOT resist, violently if necessary (and it is necessary) a thoroughly illegitimate and criminal regime? By what “right” does the Uribe government exist?

Thirty percent of FARC members are under age 18 and many under 15. Child soldiering anyone? Could they be birthing their own troops?

The American “left” – always advocating non-violent movements at home yet praise and pay homage to violent rebellion abroad, although at home and abroad many on the “left” are fighting the same enemy, are they not? US government policy?

Tell me, what is FARC resisting in Columbia? Also tell me, if poor Americans were to resist their “government” with kidnappings, rape, murder and purchase their arms with drug running and ransom how far would you defend America’s poor?

I stopped supporting FARC 2 decades ago. As for the government of Columbia it is as legitimate as your own government. Are you resisting your government?

Farc is finished as a “rebel group” deserving sympathy and support.

Get over it.