Blog: LASJ

The Protests in Colombia, September 2020

There've been protests in Bogota in the streets over the last couple of days. We've had them in Medellin also, and it's taking place in other cities too. There was a group of around 100 or 200 on Oriental in San Antonio, which is right by the police headquarters. Yesterday afternoon when I walked past there. Their signs had to do with police brutality and deaths.

It's like 7pm and a group around the same size was walking and running in the streets about a block away. No police presense I could see from up in my apartment, but the smell of whatever they're burning in the streets. The traffic rerouted itself away from there since it couldn't pass. Horns from all corners. Also the intermittent report of some kind of explosions. I'm guessing firecrackers.

I was curious enough to look up the story. It's about what headlines call a lawyer, because reportedly he was studying for a law degree. He was in his 40s, a taxi driver by trade, drinking with a couple other men a few nights ago, and when he or they went out of the house for something, something happened and he was killed by police. No other details, so no way to know what the facts are.

The protests are effective. I'm sure anyone who wasn't already aware of the story, now seeing the crowd making their way through the streets, yelling sometimes, running, lighting things on fire, will be curious enough to take interest and search what is happening. What would be more effective would be to have published some message first, or at least a description of what actually took place with that man who died, so that when people searched they would find something. Besides drawing attention to their issue, the protests put a bit of fear into government, police, and everyone else, that they will act if offended, and that they're dangerous if they go out of control.

The city doesn't seem to be cracking down. Even staying away from it on purpose. Since no one is getting hurt and no destruction to property or looting is happening, they can allow the protesters to cause a bit of disturbance and express themselves, and avoid the basically inevitable injuries and possible deaths which confrontation would cause. Also the increased opposition and antagonism both sides would feel from a confrontation. Apparently in the protests in Bogota a few people have died and a few dozen police injuries in the clashes. I saw a bit of footage. A few dozen protesters in one place, and nearby a line of police with plastic riot shields, and a handful of young men attacking them with sticks and batons and whatever, seeing they aren't being attacked back by the police. Other scenes of trains on fire.

I searched out the video. Disgusting use of force by two police and later a third against the man they had pinned to the ground. There isn't video of what started it all it seems. They tazed the fuck out of him for a couple minutes. I can see how everyone is outraged. Who wants to be treated like that? He was walking when they took him away. It looked like in the video they took two people away. So he must have died later on.

An hour later and the things burning on the street below are still burning. Flashing blue and reds about a block further away. Occasionally a massive uproar of shouts and voices somewhere blocks away. Whistles from distant corners blowing hard. A night where later the young people in the protests will be still together silent not knowing exactly what to say. Pulling down their black jeans, and off their black t's, and fucking.

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Slower World

i dont know if its just today, or just my mood based on the phase of life and location im in, but today it seems like the world is slowed down a bit. the way sad people are. or sad times are. when people get more into and actually also feel more the beautiful and valuable things in the world. take more time looking at them. think about them a little more. photos of the various places in the world: a rhinoceros in a jungle in sumatra. a dry orange desert of craggy rocks projecting upwards, the way people used to think about africa with what was for europeans sexuality and simple life. old websites written in 1995 or 1997. the kind of days you just spend time all day maybe looking at photos and blogging about things. not blogging for fastpaced business. blogging about things you see and think are whatever and feel. the world maybe has been going a bit over speed recently. and thinking over speed. looking over speed. so its been shallow and unproductive. the social media thing. online business. we have a lot we could spend time on.

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Ptolemy

Would Ptolemy be as famous as Alexander and Ceasar if he had wanted to dare to be?

He lived a decently long life, around 85 years, and passed on opportunities to attempt to succeed Alexander in all his conquered territories, maintaining his property of Egypt and securing it's orbit, Greek coastal towns, and then Corinth (later lost) and a few others. His Egypt was considered well-ordered, and his way with his own men (Macedonians and other Greeks) won him favor among them, and he wasn't unpopular with the natives either for his treatment of them. He founded the Library of Alexandria. After his death, his line ruled Egypt of almost 300 years until Roman's took control with the death of the final Ptolemaic ruler, Cleopatra VII in 30 BC.

When in 321 Perdiccas made an attempt on Egypt and was defeated (and killed by his own men). When the reputedly good-natured and well-liked Ptolemy crossed the Nile to deliver supplies to the invading army, they offered him Perdiccas' regency, but Ptolemy declined.

Had Ptolemy extended himself to his full and just came up against his limits of resources and ability? or did he hold back where others would have dared, and perhaps secured himself a place much larger in history, alongside Alexander and Ceasar?

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The transit system here is better than in my country

In this city theres a train line that services the city north-south. For paying for fares there are two options: one is buying a card that has four rides worth of value on it. The other (for citizens) is to buy a card you can recharge). You buy these at booths from people inside the station building/area. The four-rides option is a plastic credit-card style card.

To enter the train terminal, there are turnstyles with card readers. You place your card against the reader. A screen beside it displays how much value you are charged and how much remains. If it is the last of four rides, it tells you to insert the card (instead of keeping it in your hand as you enter). Then the turnstyle is unlocked and you pass through. There are transit workers here which can see no one is jumping over the turnstyle.

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Now you ride the train as much as you want until you exit a turnstyle at any station. There is a flat rate for taking the train anywhere and for any amount of time. You do not scan your card when you exit. You just exit. Therefore if you lost your ticket on the train you wont have a problem exiting.

The security workers for the train are therefore not tasked with 'policing' or 'checking tickets.' There is no uncomfortable and irritating ticket checks. There are no fines or the cost of processing fines. The workers who would be checking tickets and 'policing' in my country are here allowed to service the customers ie offer information and directions when asked and ensure physical safety and security.

The experience is easier and more comfortable and less aggravating. The cost of running this type of system appears to be much less because it involves less problems to have to deal with and perhaps less workers - in any case, the workers appeared to me of more value than the 'ticket checkers' etc in my country's city trains.

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Man in Dress Pants 1

Approaching the bench I've been sitting at
In dress clothes, an older man
Like an older man, the white collared shirt perhaps died slightly by a wash with something red,
The grey loose dress pants actually patterned if you look close,
The simple black polished dress shoes and short white grey hair
Slightly hidetan coloured face, slightly hawkish, slightly serious or stern,
A newspaper in his hand
I've been reading a novel and am still drinking the paper cup of tea from the breakfast I just ate here
Hes also going to read I take it 
He comes to the bench
Puts the paper down flattens it out on the bench wood, and sits on it
Is the news that bad today, senior?
That you have to read it with your ass?
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