Manu's family's facilities were robbed?

[hendrix]

GrandeDavid you argue that skewed income is a cause for crime in developing countries particularly south america, yet the US is right there in the top 10. why isn't that a cause of crime in the US?

Poverty? Crime? In the almighty USA?

I do think it is true however, that if you are kidnapped in the states, it is probably a sociopath intent on killing you, whereas if you are kidnapped in South America, it is probably a professional criminal intent on collecting the ransom. there is a significant difference

finally, i feel that most places on earth are pretty safe, but the media and politicians need issues and stories and what better than crime stories. I was living in SF when that woman got killed by her neighbors dogs, and for the next year the media had you convinced that drug dealing white supremacists had attack dogs waiting to eat you at every corner. much the same has happened with the kidnapping phenomenon in South America- yes, it happens, but it is not nearly as widespread as the media would have you believe.

Excelent dude. I liked your post.

[ALVAREZ6]

I think it was Arcos + Echeverria. The supermarket across the street I think is called Disco.

ah I think there is an empanadas place in that corner or close by. They were soooo good. try 'em when ure there.

oh ok, I know where that is, real close to where some relatives live...they normally buy their food at Disco.

[GrandeDavid]

Can you please directly quote the post that pissed you off? I'm curious to know which post you were offended by, cause I don't remember reading such post. thanks

No, I will not go back a few pages and look it up because this issue has been beaten to a pulp. I feel you mean well, nkdlunch, but this issue is done as far as I'm concerned. It was somebody, their first post ever here, with Manu in the username. I did not take lightly some references to threats of terrorism in the U.S. and so on. My interpretation of their tone was that they were exaggerating the threat of terrorism and other stuff. The error I commited was not reading every preceding post. For example, I read where AggieHoopsFan had compared security in Argentina to that in Bagdad. Alright, when such comments are flying around here, I can see people getting pissed off. So all in we need to take this with a grain of salt.

But that's enough on this issue in this thread from GrandeDavid unless somebody would like to discuss it in a battle blog or something.

Truth be told I'm just playing devil's advocate to test my battle skills.

[GrandeDavid]

GrandeDavid you argue that skewed income is a cause for crime in developing countries particularly south america, yet the US is right there in the top 10. why isn't that a cause of crime in the US?

Um...excuse me? What does my argument about the effects of skewed income in developing countries' crime rates have to do with crime rates in the U.S.? Please clarify because I would like to give you a straight answer.

Let me ramble on, if I may...

Crime exists everywhere, but in developing countries many crimes are of necessity, perhaps the result of a lack of employment opportunity, perhaps malnutrition, poor education. There could be many reasons. My personal belief is that many crimes in the U.S. are drug related or are the result of an ultra-compe ive culture. Related to this thread, kidnapping is on the rise throughout South America. That is a fact. Its growing because law enforcement is slow to respond, probably due to infrastructural and training issues etc.

Crime sucks, its everywhere, but different types of crimes are commited moreso in some countries than other. That's just my opinion, which was formed through experience, study and listening to people in the field, both down here and up there.

But please clarify what you'd like to know.

[Shelly]

Tpark who????

[GrandeDavid]

Okay, I'm leaving my office now and heading to my club to go for a 15K run. Tomorrow I'm away on business in Sao Paulo, the largest city in the greatest nation in South America, for a few days. I promise to check back by the weekend. Meantime, have fun!

Btw, lighten up, people! And, Argentina & bdklunch, I was only joshing about Brazil being "the greatest nation in South America".

[GrandeDavid]

Did I ever tell you guys that I find South American women, meaning from all countries across the continent, to be very sexy and downright smoking hot? Not to mention super sweet, friendly and warm?

How's that for changing the trajectory of this discourse?