www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I've spent today (while pretending to work) watching the online streaming of CNN's coverage of 9/11/01.

It's been very sobering to see things as they developed only 5 years ago.

I don't want to get political but I believe in the afterglow of a great CRT Anniversary weekend we should all take a moment to be thankful for the freedoms we enjoy.

The world is a very dangerous place. There are some very bad people out there. Never drop your guard and watch out for one another.

Keep on traveling and having fun.

Peace, brothers.
Wit

Amen

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A Costa Rica Toast:
Here's to Looking like Movie Stars, Partying like Rock Stars and phucking like PORN STARS!

YO Wit:
Nice post. I concur with you 100%.....and it's not political to remember history. Unfortunately in this land of plenty many Americans are somewhat spoiled and have short memories. The large majority have no clue as to the danger that lurks out there thanks to Islamic radicals.....they will continue their terror and I'm afraid that one nuclear hollicost is not far into the future......especially if this country drops it's guard.

I wish the networks would play repeatedly the horrific scenes of innocent victums jumping out of the towers to their deaths along with the planes crashing into the towers but this political correct and scared media are too self absorbing to do it.

Every much a reminder as Pearl harbor except that this enemy lives all over the world and has no respect for human life period. This is not a law and order problem.....it's a war.

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Damn if I'm going to repeat this shit again. I need a drink.
I've been drinking vodka every day for 45 years and I have certainly never found it to be habit forming.

Wit,

Nice post & Circus well said. I couldn't agree more.
I would have said very spoiled & have very short memories !

If you don't face it now there will just be that many more dead later . Remember our recent history. Hitler could have been stopped early but everyone just appeased him & in the end 60,000,000 lay dead & no telling how many were left living but really dead inside. Hate is a horrible thing & these radicals appear to be full of it & brain washed to no end.

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"Run silent, run deep"
Spunk glazed Chicas are the building blocks of the universe!

Wit - Circus great posts

I will not get political. It just one more reason to retire in Costa Rica

You guys are absolutely right. And as for our memories, its sad to see our fellow neighbors forget things so quickly.

I recall after 9/11, most cars and houses flew the american flag. Today I see almost none of that, and mostly just bumper stickers criticzing our goverment as if that individual could do a better job. Short lived patriotism

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Caribbean Hotel Guide

I love this country, but sometimes I wish I was from iceland or some small carribbean island so I didn't care so much when others judge the USA.

While in CR, I really make an effort not to watch anything USA (no CNN), because no matter the distance, it is my country and so I care about what is happening. I want to relax and distance myself from serious news (especially for-profit sensationalized USA based news).

As long as you are an American citizen, as long as you are able to hear the news, moving won't distance you from how you "feel" about what goes on in the USA and what people say about the USA. Ask any immigrant in the USA how they feel about their country and none will say "I don't care" or "I haven't a clue what is happening there these days."

Moving to CR won't take the "American" out of you.

I've talked to ex-pats in CR or overheard them talking to others about current affairs and politics in the USA and their conversations are as passionate as if they still lived in the USA.

CR is no escape for how you "feel" about what is happening here, but more an escape for a different way of life. You can't escape being American.

*

While I can not speak on behalf of the expatriate community in Costa Rica I can express my feelings and what I perceive to be the feelings of other expats I know.

We did not move to Costa Rica to "escape being an American".
We all are very proud of our citizenship.
We are grateful that we had the good fortune to be blessed with having lived in the greatest country in the world.
We served in the armed forces to protect that country.
We pay taxes to help keep the country strong.
We debate the policies of the country and agree and disagree with them as is our right as citizens of a democracy.

In short WE ARE AMERICANS. Living in a foreign country has not and never will change that.

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

YO Irish:

Nice post. Ditto to all your points. Could not have said it better.

Well, I don't have a car or a bumper sticker, but yes, I COULD do a better job. Not because I am such a genius, just that the bar is set so low it would be hard to do worse.

In a democracy, criticizing the government when it's wrong is not just a right, it is a DUTY. End of my sermon.

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"The only normal people are those you don't know very well." Joe Ancis

Yep that is why in the states we have fair weather patriotism! I wonder what will happen when the next big event happens will those people put their flags back up?

I am a service man and have been for over 20 years now. I have served all over the world and at many major events, Panama, Gulf war I, bosnia, and now. I am just sorry that some U.S people will never understand what they have and some day might will have another event like 911.

I remember one time after 1995 coming back from the middle east I was on a family trip to disny land. I was in the middle of one of the theam parks. I thought to myself, how easy it would be for a terroist to put somthing in the middle of the park and change the life of the U.S. No body would understand what, why or who because we are so shelterd in the U.S. belive me they are trying and will do it again! We will let our gaurd down and that is when they will sucker punch us. You can already see it with the actions of the people.

Wit - Thanx for being thoughtful

Circus - wisdom beyond your trailer park

Ticoyo1965 - don't forget that it was a small percentage of American colonists that started, fought and finished a Revolution against the largest-ever colonial empire (ok, i didn't look it up for total fact....wait, I just did....true statement) and won(!) If people wouldn't fight or stand for America then, how can we expect our Guvamint Skoold citizens to be any better. Thank you (and others on this board) for your service and patriotism

PS - My favorite t-shirt from the Cold War "Kill 'em All, Let God Sort 'em Out" I wonder if the terrorist t-shirt says "Behead all Infidels, if Allah wills"

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Create a Caribbean Cruise Travelogue

oy vay, and I'm not even Jewish.

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"The only normal people are those you don't know very well." Joe Ancis

Bilko,

I understand what you are saying, but I disagree. To criticize is one thing, but I find here sadly in the USA, a frankly down right disgracefull attitude towards the goverment at times. Especially from morons in holywood. You may laught at that statement, but the majority of americans actually listen to stupid holywood stars.

It is one thing to criticize the governemnt in a effort to embetter the whole, it is another matter to disgrace it in public and empower the opinion of such countries as france, germany etc. We need to show a unity of respect and support behind our goverment. The time to disagree is once election time is near and that is where we make our voices heard.

As for the oy vay. I think people are missing the boat on this terrorist item. Notice sadly the last war my homeland was in. While decidedly it was a victory in that there was no chance for the enemy to stop us from moving forward, the tenacity and level of weaponry used against us was disconcerting. Further disconcerting was the similiar tactic that Israel used that has proven both in Vietnam, Iraq and Afgahnistan to be self defeating. Its called limited engagment. There should be no such thing. If my land, my people, my wife and K*ds are threatened, I MUST AND WILL DO ANYTHING TO PROTECT THEM FIRST. There should be no we will only go so far and use so much. You are already claiming defeat. You have to show strength beyond comprehension and a unity and tenacity for the country.

I am curious to see how the next administration will handle this problem in 2008. I have a feeling that sooner or later we will not be the #1 power in the world but rather China or the EU. I find that disconcerting to me. Even though I am Israeli born, I love and respect the freedoms and life that USA has given me. I do not take it lightly at all.

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Caribbean Hotel Guide

A long honored american tradition has been to be critical and question our government. Our country was founded based on those principals. Alas in the present atmosphere of intolerance and fear mongering this tradition is being stifled for political reasons. Many of our most cherished freedoms and values are being lost, one by one with barely a whimper of protest. What have we become as a nation because of 9/11?

The hollywood stars have every right as americans to express their views whether you like it or not. That is america.