Comments for ME

Comment on Colombia is Passion (passion for what?) by Sam

Sam — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 23:12:25 +0000

why is it wrong to advertise a countries good points? ive lived in london all my life and know far too well that it is one of the highest countries with cocaine abuse. does this mean that london shouldnt advertise itself as a tourist hot spot as well? i believe that all countries have its bad points and good points except with colombia poeple love to stick to ignorant views about places they may not now much of; you can not generalise a country just by looking at statistics either. you cant deny that colombia has many beautifull places to visit. the same with other countries such as jamaica – you dont necessarily need to go to kingston but there are other gorgeous beaches to visit which are perfectly safe. from experience i regard colombia as a very safe place – children can walk and play around freely without the danger of sick minded poeple kidnapping them unlike in this country where you cant take your eyes of your kids. at this day and age you would think people could start seeing the real colombia; where everyone is not involved in drugs, shootings and kidnappings. i wonder if america, england etc would not have bought so much cocaine off colombia if it would still be one of its trade?? it just goes to show that all countries are as bad as eachother… if there was no demand for it there would be no trade. simple!

Comment on Colombia is Passion (passion for what?) by Daniel

Daniel — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:41:06 +0000

Pedro, I think this kind of article is SO necessary for colombians to read (i.e. write spanish version). The idea that a lot of our people really could believe that they can possibly consider themselves “among the happiest under the sun” scares me. However, I strongly disagree with your phrase “If Colombians have a passion for something it’s a passion for killing their brothers”. Such a radical generalization can take away from the articule a lot of credibility. I like to think about colombians (not only the victims but guerrilleros, narcodealers, paramilitares, common smuglers and a loong etc.) as victims of the atrocious and extremely unequal social situation of the country and blame the selfishnes and insensibility of our leaders. I also think we have the right to tell the story of those who are not involved in the violence and drugs, but the cheap propaganda used by the goverment is certainly not something I agree with.

Comment on Colombia is Passion (passion for what?) by Colombiana

Colombiana — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:42:31 +0000

As I quote you on “If Colombians have a passion for something it’s a passion for killing their brothers” I feel sick.
Yes, we have many things to work on. Would you rather strip a poor people from their hope than let them dream of a better future? This campaign might not be perfect but it has succeeded by bringing FDI and tourist at increasing rates since it was launched.
At the end of the day noone is forced to come visit or invest their money.
And, I kindly offer you my advice: Stick to music because this type of amateur journalism will not take you anywhere.

Comment on Colombia is Passion (passion for what?) by Aldo

Aldo — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 14:09:16 +0000

thanks a lot for your text. the replies against your text are reinforce your points. I´m colombian and i have to lead everyday with this lie, writed in the deepest of the colombian mind, is very idiosincrathic , defines us very clear. the most important thing is “seem” not “be” :the truth is not an option, the only way is hide. For me this is the key of all our problems. excuse me for my poor english

Comment on Colombia is Passion (passion for what?) by carlos

carlos — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:03:10 +0000

Colombia is passion is having the same effect of what G Orwell write in his book 1984. ”war is peace” and ”Peace is war”, it is the same sh…t
Never in the history of this country has been so many corruption scandals, we have a new one every week, the only numbers that are growing in colombia are the number OF internal refugees (4 million), the Number of people without jobs (between 8 and 10) , the killings of young people that are shown as terrorists by the army, but nobody seems to care about all this reality, because Colombia is a big brother society where a propaganda machine has been created ans is so powerful that the Colombian people, even the poorest and defranchised support this sate of affairs without even knowing that are supporting his oppressor.
This neo-con, corporate, re branding of a society is a new step in the propaganda and psychological war that colombia is having against his own people and the rest o Latin America. Period.

Comment on Colombia is Passion (passion for what?) by Oscar Santos

Oscar Santos — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:41:40 +0000

Thanks Pedro for your text, and I disagree with the way that Juan insults you. I agree with you about the impact of the video “Somos Pasión”, in a congress in Colombia, I suggested the term “new nationalism” linked with Colombia is Passion and new ways to abord nationalist feeling. The Tropipop as new point of reference about patriotic music, and all the myths of colombian life showed in video.This new nationalism is (apart of false) agressive and macarthist, and very related with free trade and a depurated images about ways (even clasist) to live Colombia.

Comment on Colombia is Passion (passion for what?) by ENA

ENA — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:11:05 +0000

Interesting post but I am going to have to disagree with you on many aspects. Having lived in Colombia for over 15 years I can tell that Colombia is full of wonderful and hardworking citizens, unfortunately it has an internal war that has been going on for over 50 years which got worse because of drug traffic.
Now this country has over 47 million people and less than 7 million can be linked to terrorism or drugs. So what about the other $40 miliion? Is it crime for them to try and improve the image the world has about them and their country? I know for a fact colombians are well aware of the problems they have, they live it everyday and it’s a truth no one can hide. I also know that what the video says is true, the country is beautiful, the people are kind and generous and the current governement has done everything possible to fight the internal war with the FARC, ELN, AUC and drugs.
Unfortunately 50 years of delinquency, terror, blood and drugs cannot be vanished in one day. You may be correct on one thing, drug money has made its way in to the economy and many years will pass until this changes. Why? Well as long as the US and Europe continue to consume I’m pretty sure there will always be someone willing to grow, produce and traffic cocaine, thus laundering money back in to the country. It’s the law of the land my friend supply -vs- demand.
I don’t think the country should be stigmatized for it’s problems, no country should. You’re practically stating that the mistakes of a few citizens are enough to attack the country and its people, not giving them a chance to prove who they really are. Give the country a chance to prove to the world there is more to it than drugs, besides you will not have a true opinion until you’ve had the experience to visit and enjoy the beauty of its people and the diversity of its cultures. I’ve met many Americans, Canadians and Europeans that have been to Colombia and when they return they all tell me how wrong they were in their assumptions.
Let Colombians improve the image the world has of them, we Americans do it all the time, we will ot tolerate anyone attacking our home in any way; we love our country, we’d die for it if necessary. Every country in the world should have the same commitment and love the Colombians are now manifesting for their nation. Wouldn’t you do anything at your reach for the good of your country?

Comment on Colombia is Passion (passion for what?) by Tulio

Tulio — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:43:06 +0000

Well Is December, Six months after your Fight.. I personally believe the logo “Colombia is Passion” is making the opposite effect.. For example: “We are not drug dealers”..Indirectly you are remembering all the people about Colombian Drugs.. “Our country is safe” Same effect here, We are telling the world that check the current country stats and Human rights Report, before you go to Colombia… I totally hate this logo, now if you turn this logo 180 degress it will become an ass throwing “Crap”.. probably in this way will make more sense.

PS: All my apologies for my average english.. I’m currenty an ESL student and I found in this log a good way to practice…

Comment on Where does advertising stop and deceiving begin? by felipev84

felipev84 — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:36:13 +0000

Pedro, interesting reflection. Another dark side related to the Colombia is Passion campaign is related to sexual tourism and child exploitation in Colombia. Passion, especially in Spain and in other European countries, is linked to sexual pleasure. In that sense, the campaign does little to dissociate Colombia’s booming sexual tourism in places like Cartagena with the official promotion message of the government. This is also in view of the government’s recent decision not to allow the distribution of pamphlets alerting tourists about the crime of sexual exploitation.

Comment on Where does advertising stop and deceiving begin? by admin

admin — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 04:56:49 +0000

Thank you all for your comments.

I apologize because I had mistakenly said that 50% percent of the letters received by the “Luis Angel Arango” echoed the words of the Colombia is Passion advertising. The actual figure is 10%. The article has been corrected.

Here is the link to the webpage in Spanish of “Letters of Persistence” from the public library Luis Ángel Arango.