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The sad story of a Colombian soldier

El Tiempo and CityTV have uncovered the story of Tito Velasquez, a soldier who was kidnapped in 1998 (toma de miraflores) and liberated along 241 others, during Pastrana's failed peace process. Tito was discharged and declared unfit to serve after 3 years of captivity. He was not given a pension or medical attention to correct a breathing problem caused while on the job ( a gas cylinder fell right on his face and he can only breathe through one nasal cavity). Today, Tito lives in squalor and makes a living as a " midnight reciclador"... he makes 8 to 10 thousand pesos per day, and has to look after his little girl and a 6 month pregnant wife who hasn't had the means to pay for a medical check-up. He lives in a rented room in the South of Bogota and all his possessions are things he has found on the street... The full videos are available at www.eltiempo.com under the video section.

Full article: http://www.eltiempo.com/colombia/bogota/2008-08-17/ARTICULO-WEB-PLANTILLA_NOTA_INTERIOR-4451581.html

As of yesterday many people contacted CityTV to offer help and someone even donated a full set of white goods.
If anyone is interested in helping contact: ospcar at citytv.com.co

By Cerealkiller on Aug 20, 2008, 23:01 in Friendly Talkzone. AddThis Social Bookmark Button


romy says on Aug 21, 2008, 05:46:

same story, different place, different time...

"Saw him sittin on a sidewalk in Fresno
Braided hair and a tye-dyed t-shirt on
Talkin to himself about Vietnam
About the tour he did and the deal he got
He said this world ain't the same if you ask me
If I could be somewhere else, I'd tell you where I'd be

I'd be rollin' on a river with Credence
Stealin' kisses from Peggy Sue
I'd be knee-deep in sand on a Panama beach
In the spring of '72
I'd be wastin' away on the dock of the bay
Watchin' the tide roll in
He said what I wouldn't give just to live those songs again"

0 funny, 0 helpful.

MaFe says on Aug 21, 2008, 09:16:

Thanks for the link CK...que tristesa...

"All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsions, habit, reason, passion, desire. "-Aristotle

0 funny, 0 helpful.

capt_j says on Aug 21, 2008, 11:51:

Do veterans represent any kind of a voting bloc in Colombia? Veterans benefits established in the US after WWII came about in part because of problems created in the Depression by angry WWI veterans.

How do veterans in Colombia typically reintegrate into society?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

MaFe says on Aug 21, 2008, 11:59:

Odd how the Colombian governement fully pays for beauty pagents but not their vets like the guy in the above article..
que tristesa...

"All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsions, habit, reason, passion, desire. "-Aristotle

0 funny, 0 helpful.

romy says on Aug 21, 2008, 15:54:

is that a criticism of the government?
oh oh you're not becoming anti-Colombia and FARC-sympathizing are you?

0 funny, 2 helpful.

MaFe says on Aug 21, 2008, 18:48:

What Romy? You must be kidding? I am PRO-Colombian....just because I don't agree with their investing money in crap like beauty pagents doesn't make me anti-Colombia nor FARC-Sympathiser....

"All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsions, habit, reason, passion, desire. "-Aristotle

0 funny, 0 helpful.

romy says on Aug 21, 2008, 20:05:

of course I'm kidding... just that a couple of people around here align you either completely with the government or else with the FARC. I'm neither, and I believe you as well...

0 funny, 0 helpful.

billyb says on Aug 21, 2008, 20:21:

jeje, romy, your little joke didn't quite hit the mark. For your future patients' sake, I hope your medical instruments are sharper than your wit ;)

0 funny, 0 helpful.

romy says on Aug 21, 2008, 20:31:

ok BB you do one and let's see it get more than 8 hits

0 funny, 0 helpful.

billyb says on Aug 21, 2008, 20:35:

You got 8 "helpfuls", not quite the same thing as "funny", but you are clever enough to know that. romy, when you have to esssplain that it is a joke, it didn't work. No need to get defensive ;)

1 funny, 0 helpful.

romy says on Aug 21, 2008, 20:40:

that's what's funny about it... people voting helpful to something that is complete rubbish. I'm laughing my ass off. I explained it to MaFe because she seems genuine and not ill-intended.

btw, I gave you your hit so you don't feel left out.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

billyb says on Aug 21, 2008, 20:44:

Ok, I'll stop. I can see i have hurt your feelings and for that I apologize.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

romy says on Aug 21, 2008, 20:52:

not at all BB, keep em coming (or start because you've been quite lame).
Why so bitter tonight anyways? ...actually I took the night off going out because I have to get some stuff done, I can't really listen to your problems, tomorrow during the day I can be all ears.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

billyb says on Aug 21, 2008, 21:02:

"I can't really listen to your problems"

Could have fooled me, you seem to take the bait every time.

BTW, i apologized for hurting your feelings, no need to keep the whining up. But i will bow out as this is a thread about the sad story of a soldier and not the sad story of romy.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

romy says on Aug 21, 2008, 21:09:

not "every time"... but ok talk away I'm here for you

0 funny, 0 helpful.

billyb says on Aug 21, 2008, 21:12:

jaja, i knew you'd make time for me, but remember, you have "stuff' to do.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Desideria (Moderator) says on Aug 21, 2008, 21:20:

"Helpful" is translating into good; "funny" into worthless comment It looks that way, anyway.

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

0 funny, 0 helpful.

billyb says on Aug 21, 2008, 21:21:

thank you for the definition.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

romy says on Aug 21, 2008, 21:42:

ok well when you're ready... hopefully I'll be able to give you the time then

0 funny, 0 helpful.

billyb says on Aug 21, 2008, 21:49:

Thanks romy, i always said you were a kind soul.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

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