What is the Real US Connection with FARC Rebels?

A few days ago I listened to an interview posted on the Corbett Report website, with “Nico” from the GeoPoliticalMonitor.com. The posted interview starts off with, “Okay, what can you tell us about the South American situation with Venezuela, Columbia and Ecuador?”

This first question catches my attention of course, because on January 11, 2008, I published article titled, Two Female Hostages Freed by Colombian FARC Rebels. This was, about the release of lawyer, Clara Rojas and political aide Consuelo Gonzalez, who had been FARC hostages for several years. Rojas, had even given birth to a son while captive.

According to Nico, the Venezuelan government is a bit sympathetic to the FARC rebels as Venezuela and Ecuador haven’t been as strict concerning FARC members crossing their borders. He also stated that Hugo Chavez and the Venezuelan government is in opposition to US interests; and that Columbia is allied with the US as it fuels the US economy with the trafficking of cocaine. And when Columbia invaded Ecuador to assassinate the head of FARC; Nicaragua, Brazil, and Chile got involved against Columbia for violating Ecuador and Ecuador and Venezuela sanctioned Columbia.

Nico reveals that fighting the FARC is pushing the US agenda, because the feud is latently between Venezuela and the US. He goes on say that the US has also threatened to place Venezuela on the terrorist black list for funding 300 million dollars to FARC. Nico points out that the laptop seized by the Columbian military that was supposed to provide proof of this transaction, found nothing. He believes it to be simply trumped up charges by the US in order to justify threats made against Venezuela. Though he didn’t feel it was impossible, he believed that any eminent war or sanctions against Venezuela were improbable.

Interviewer, James Corbett, from which the Corbett Report is named after, brought up a 1999 Reuters report that former head of the New York Stock Exchange, Richard Grasso, went to the FARC rebels to encourage them to invest their money in the US Stock Exchange, however, the rebels declined, wanting to keep their money in local governments, which spawned the resentment of US. According to Nico, because of the liquidity of drug trade, as most of the money goes to the US Stock Exchange, if all drug production were to cease, the US economy would collapse.

It is no secret that the CIA brought crack cocaine into the country, but how deep have we looked at the US’s continuous involvement with drug trade? The interview is sprouting legs in my mind, which means, it’s time for further investigation.

Name Changing: For Silly Mothers, Sketchy Men and My Safety

A couple of days ago, I received a quick
email from one of my good friends I used to date
some time ago.  We'll call him Frank.  Apparently,
Frank had read one of my articles that mentioned the
eminent release of my new book, Raise the Red Teddy: A
single Mother's Guide to Dating and was commenting on
the article.  He wanted to know if I had changed the
names to protect the "innocent."

I didn't respond to him right away, because the plan
was to give him a very thoughtful and thorough answer,
but being sensitive about the possible anxiety I've
created by possibly being named in my book, I returned
his succinct question with one of my own, letting him
know that I did change the names of the players in my
book, but it was out of concern for my own safety.

No, of course I would not be so crass as to blurt out
the names of my ex's or the names of single mothers
who's mistakes I boldly point out.  That would make me
a jerk, and no one would want to be associated with me
because they'd be afraid of being blasted in my next
book.  No matter what people tell you, rest assured
that I do have a conscience and I do follow the famous
golden rule.

Initially, I had planned on using a pen name to
promote the book because in Raise the Red Teddy, I
named quite a few people who have committed evil acts
against children, who still have not been apprehended.
My concern was, that if I used my real name and their
real names, eventually one (or more) of them may come
after me.  After agonizing over it for months, in the
end, I opted to use my real name and change all of
theirs because my goal over all was not to round up an
angry mob to try to capture these specific people, but
to warn mothers that people like this are out there -
so keep careful watch on the children - and the men
brought around them.

I have a feeling that those who are mentioned in the
book, whose names I've changed, will instantly
recognize themselves should they chance upon it,
however, I doubt they will ever read it, which is
really a shame for both them and their children,
because both would benefit from it greatly.  As the
old saying goes, you can lead a horse to water, but
you can't force it to drink.

So my friend Frank may be sleeping a little better now
that he knows no one can possibly think I'm talking
about him behind his back.  In fact, I don't think
he's even mentioned at all. If he is, no one will ever know.

Single Mother: How Thorough Do You Investigate?

Perhaps it’s because in college, I worked for some time in a group home for children, learning the countless stories of abuse; perhaps it’s because I’ve observed so many single mothers around me chasing love at any and every cost- throwing caution to the wind; but I’ve personally fallen into the habit of putting every man I date under my microscope. Of course I’m not so overt about it that it makes them squirm under the bright light of my interrogation, but if they have any compassion for children and my situation, they will understand how imperative it is for me to know them – in and out. The two of us are not the only ones affected by our relationship, and eventually, if he’s to stick around for the long haul, they will develop a relationship as well. As a steward of my child, it is my duty to ensure it is a healthy one.

You’ve heard the saying before, “children don’t come with manuals.” Well, maybe we don’t hear it as often anymore, since there are a zillion books that would lead you to believe that they’re each the ultimate guide in child-rearing. In the same vein, there are no hard answers to dating with children either. After I, a single mother, stumbled through the dark, knocking over things, and bumping my head against things, I’ve found my system, I’ve gotten a hold of my groove, and I’ve learned how to be a lot more thorough in my research of the men I have my sights on.

In my soon to be released book, Raise the Red Teddy: A Single Mother’s Guide to Dating, I list a few questions for single mother’s to ponder and investigate, encouraging women to hold their love interest’s answers in their minds; not only hearing his words, but also using her eyes and ears to read in between the lines of his response.

What are his long-term goals?

This is a common question any woman should find out. The single mother’s interest in the question is a little different though. For example, if the man she’s with (or wants to be with) wants to have more children, it may be more important for her to know his timeline, because she already has children, and if her child is 15, she has to debate whether or not she is willing to have her children’s ages that far apart – where potentially there isn’t much interaction between the two of them as it’s harder for them to relate to each other.

What type of relationship does he have with his mother?

Though it is not always the case, I have found, that men who have strained relationships with their mothers, tend to be less respectful to women and their feelings. On the other hand, men who are extremely close with their mothers have to be observed further, because in the end, you don’t want to be with anyone who allows his mother to dictate the relationship. If his mother is too involved in his life, it should raise a flag.

What does he like most about you?

If his main attraction to you is your body or your looks, it’s a superficial thrill, which can be just dandy if you’re only looking for something quick and hot, but when you have children it should never be enough if you’re looking for something substantial. If he can’t tell you what it is, that should raise another flag, either he’s a poor communicator; or he’s too ashamed to say; or he’s retarded.

Is he a spiritual person?

I’m not talking about religious - as in going to church everyday. I’m talking about, is he is in tune to his soul? Does he have a conscience? Is the spirit he possesses a good one? Of course, this question will take more investigation on the single mother’s part than just the actual response he gives to it. Though it will not be a light one, it should at least be an interesting conversation.

His words may be sweet and his smile may be mesmerizing, but it’s important for you, the single mother, to know where his head is. Even more importantly, during your investigation, it’s important to know where your head is. I know, it is so hard to be objective when it comes to romance because your heart wants to run the show, however, your self-esteem should high enough that the desire for love and acceptance from a man does not trump the love you have for your children and the desire to raise them in a happy and healthy environment.

Pop quiz:

Should he get his feathers all crumpled about you asking such things from him… it should do what?

Answer:

Raise another flag!

Click on the link for your copy of:

Raise the Red Teddy: A Single Mother's Guide to Dating