Carmen Gloria Quintana and Rodrigo Rojas - ‘Los Quemados’

[cool_moose]

She was just 18. A freshman engineering student at the University of Santiago. She had met a young American/Chilean man from Washington - on a gap-year visit back to his former home in Santiago after ten years of living and growing up in the United States

Comments

[csn]

Christ, how are people so horrible.

[shofarot]

I have come to the conclusion that humans are by nature wicked. Without healthy institutions, which include a vibrant education system, independent judiciary, one man one vote, and a solid system of checks and balances, humanity descends quickly into chaos.

The tragedy of Carmen Gloria is that this continues to happen every day. In Iran and Afghanistan women are stoned, in Iraq children are used as decoys, in Rwanda people were cut up like slabs of meat on a Sunday barbeque.

Decent behaviour is not inherent or intrinsic, it is learnt.

[cool_moose]

The trick is to make sure we see the other happier side as well - and to leave a piece of ourselves where we can. 'World-travellers', like you and Nick, have already made a great start.

[colinmarshall]

A Hobbes scholar, I presume?

[peristaltor]

You've seen a lot.

Beautiful post.

[cool_moose]

I have indeed. It's been a 'great ride' ... and I'm having sufficient time (and all the fun) for gathering accounts for my kids/grandkids in a thing I call "Endgame". My mother did that for my generation.

Next month will be a great time!

[shofarot]

Happy birthday my friend! Today is the day :-)

[cool_moose]

It is indeed - I just left a telephone message about the 'gatherings' ... Tomorrow (Saturday) there's a brunch here on Quebec Street. The one "I don't know about" is late afternoon today - at Geoff's ... did Sandra contact you (I left 'hints')? If not, phone Geoff. ;-)

[shofarot]

There is a general feeling in Chile that the Bachelet Presidency has been a disaster, the greatest flop of the century - this largely due to the difficulties with Trans-Santiago. Of course the problem lies not with the Bachelet Presidency, but rather with Ricardo Lagos' failure to plan appropriately, a failure that he refuses to admit, and that Bachelet politely accepts responsibility for.

As time passes the transportation chaos will inevitably be resolved, allowing this enterprising woman to once again prove her tenacity, courage, and determination. Furthermore, Trans-Santiago will forever prevent Lagos from making a well planned second run - a good thing I believe.

[tisoi]

Happy Birthday. :-)

[cool_moose]

Thanks ... your right on time. It's today - SHIT 70!!!! ;-)

[gregoid]

Happy Birthday, Tom!

[cool_moose]

Thank you - I must catch up!! Hope all is going well ;-)