<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=2 FAMILY="SCRIPT" FACE="Comic Sans MS" LANG="0">Hi friends, <BR>
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It seems to me that throughout history there have been countless world powers, like Spain and the US, that, claiming to be fighting for God, civilization, justice, et al, have conquered lands and peoples, paying heavy prices, while, at the same time, have wanted to be loved. I believe that in most cases, the one has proved to be temporarily or permanently irreconciliable with the other. <BR>
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We've discussed the pros/cons of our own past/current, US history, via different media, I believe that I have nothing to add. And for some reason I feel that I have to say that I am an independent voter, don't particularly care for this administration and am not for "this" war. <BR>
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Also, and this is important to me, I am a Hispanic North American, proud of both heritages.<BR>
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We're setting out to cross "el charco," to a well loved, controversial land, where many (Europeans) who have been raising their finger(s) at us (this is not the first time), need to be reminded of a few things, if not, patiently, given a few history lessons. <BR>
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We need to document ourselves though, before we embark, about European history, particularly Spain's. This may lead to patient, peaceful, pro-active dialogues, as we may get involved in distasteful situations over there. Last year I took an excellent course at U-Santiago where we discussed Spanish history from the point of view of the Camino through the ages. It was excellent. <BR>
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To the point: <BR>
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I find it extremely interesting that no one in this or any other forum that I know of, has made any cross cultural comments &/or comparisons re: the brutalities (for lack of a better term) that in the name of God and civilization, Spaniards, Portuguese, British, Dutch, French, etc., (dupicated in Africa) made when this Hemisphere was encountered by the Old World, some more than others. After all, they were/are, in different degrees, responsible for decimating the entire indigenous population in the Caribbean and other areas, imposing their religions, languages, customs, values, and traditions in the Americas. Huge profits were exported to their own countries, at the expense of Amerindians, one of the most massive, coercive, movements of peoples in the history of the world from one continent to another, hired hands, and migrations from places as far as India and China. <BR>
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Now, it may be argued that this took place 500+ years ago, it is irrelevant, has nothing to do with the present, the end product was worth it, etc. <BR>
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Hmm... OK. <BR>
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But, hey...today Spain is doing big business with Cuba's hotel industries in building and co-managing hotels for tourists only, where native Cubans, even having the means, are not allowed to go into (remember the days of S. African Apartheid?). <BR>
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Also, guys, you have no idea of the huge investments Spain has been making in the Americas, for some time now, including media assets in South America. <BR>
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Last year, for example, Spain was largely responsible for getting Uruguayans out of their economic slump (nice for the uruguayanos) because otherwise their own investments would have gone down the drain. <BR>
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Los conquistadores are at it again, only using updated resources. Just another form of good, old, capitalism, which am sure our potential scoulders may not know the dynamics going on, in this respect.<BR>
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These and other such arguments have been, are, and will probably be discussed by historians, sociologists and other academics, per secula seculorum. <BR>
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While this is being done about all them saints/sinners!, and to wrap this up, somebody please tell me, who is to throw the first, or any, stones?<BR>
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Xosé Manuel<BR>
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