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To: Proud Deplorable who wrote (30694)	9/11/2004 4:22:38 AM
From: loantech	Respond to of 39344

RE you may have missed your calling as a writer. Great post.

To: Proud Deplorable who wrote (30694)	9/11/2004 7:39:13 AM
From: Sawdusty	Respond to of 39344

OT: Good morning Ralph. There are well meaning people on both sides of the discussion, everyone has a position, usually a very strong one. I can't remember ever seeing such raw emotion expressed, on these threads, the boob tube, and on the street. Family members disagree, so it shouldn't be a surprise when we do here. Just came across this: Message 20512069 Unfortunately, the discussion will not end for a long time yet. Cheers,

To: Proud Deplorable who wrote (30694)	9/11/2004 12:28:31 PM
From: Stephen O	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 39344

Ralph The reason I did not respond about Costa Rica is that I was living a life away from the computer yesterday afternoon and evening. The following is an excerpt from the Lonely Planet Guide about Costa Rica. A bizarre turn of events in 1856 provided one of the first important landmarks in the nation's history and served to unify the people. During the term of coffee-grower-turned-president Juan Rafael Mora, a period remembered for the country's economic and cultural growth, Costa Rica was invaded by US military adventurer William Walker and his army of recently captured Nicaraguan slaves. Mora organized an army of 9000 civilians that, against all odds, succeeded in forcing Walker & Co to flee. The ensuing years of the 19th century saw power struggles among members of the coffee-growing elite and the institution of the first democratic elections which has since been a hallmark of Costa Rican politics. Civil war, however, did raise its ugly head in the 1940s when ex-president Calderón and his successor, Picado, lined up against the recent ballot-winner Ulate (whose election win was not recognized by Picado's government) and José Figueres. After several weeks of warfare Figueres emerged victorious, formed an interim government and handed the presidency to Ulate. The constitution of 1949 finally gave women and blacks the vote and, controversially, dismantled the country's armed forces - giving Costa Rica the sobriquet of 'the only country which doesn't have an army.' President Oscar Arias received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for his attempts to spread Costa Rica's example of peace to the rest of Central America. The reason that Costa Rica closed down it's army was to avoid future civil wars, not for Ralph's reason that they don't feel threatened by the neighbouring countries. Of course if Costa Rica was threatened by another country you can be assured the USA would be there to help. It's only a 4 hour flight from Houston. It is amazing the presumptions people make, that I know nothing about Costa Rica. I spent 4 nights in San Jose in January, saw among other things the statue commemorating the defeat of William Walker and his band of mercenaries. I assume your use of Stephan and not Stephen is a sly attempt to make me out as a brownshirted German as did your photo of Hitler at the end. Of course you also recommended that Canada doesn't need an army. Where would Canada be without our armed forces in WW2 defeating the forces of evil of fascism. Sprechen sie Deutsch mein Herr.