![](\"http:\/\/cyber.law.harvard.edu\/blogs\/static\/dowbrigade\/statuelong.jpg\")
Although we are ostensibly on vacation, the mind never takes a vacation,
\n or rather the mind takes its vacations when distracted by sex or powerful
\n psychotropic substances, from whence it sends back no post cards. But
\n up here at altitude, we have always found that the mind operates with
\n remarkable
\n clarity. Perhaps a combination of the clean air, physical exercise and
\n cool temperatures. In fact, when we go back down to sea level, as we inevitably
\n do, we feel ourselves being enfolded in layers of mental guaze, as if
\n part of our mind is going back to sleep.<\/p>\n
At any rate, in our conversations with people down here we have become
\n aware of two stories which, were we a real journalists, and not on vacation,
\n we would dearly love to investigate and document. As it is, we will make
\n a typically slapdash bloggers effort to see firsthand, get some photos
\n or video, and some first-hand commentary. As a card carrying member of
\n the Pajamahadin, we can do no less.<\/p>\n
The first story has to do with global warming, not that we would presume
\n to tackle such a transcendant topic in a comprehensive manner. But
\n here near the visible line between earth and ice, there is clear physical
\n evidence that the environment is changing.<\/p>\n
22 years ago the Dowbrigade visited the Pastorrouri Glacier, a 4-hour
\n trip overland from Carhuaz, our current location. We went in a
\n pickup truck, which we parked in a frigid recreation area with a few
\n sorry soda pop stands and Indian women selling knitted hats, mittens
\n and scarves. From
\n there it was an easy 15 minute walk to the snowline.<\/p>\n
We climbed up on the glacer, and threw snowballs at each other. We slid
\n down an icy incline on green plastic garnage bags. Our son Joey, who
\n was 4 at the time, almost fell through a tiny crack in the glacier, ending
\n up wedged in and supported by his outstretched elbows. We got him out post
\n haste and retreated into the most incredible ice caverns we have seen
\n in our life – translucent, ethereal, magical – a natural fortress of solitude.<\/p>\n
Joey is now 25 and owns the hotel where we are staying. He tells
\n us that the ice caverns are all gone now, melted away, and that it is
\n too dangerous to let tourists just wander on the ice; too many holes, crevices
\n and soft spots. The glacier has receeded so much that it now takes
\n an hour to walk from the parking place to the snowline. We are trying to
\n figure out how to get up there in the four days we have left, and if we
\n do, we will post our report.<\/p>\n
The other story has to do with the war in Iraq. Isn’t it icredible Now, in Peru we are hearing the same stories. Young men from many backgrounds What happens to these people after they fall into the maw of the American Next week, the Dowbrigade is heading to the scene of the crime, so to Although we are ostensibly on vacation, the mind never takes a vacation, or rather the mind takes its vacations when distracted by sex or powerful psychotropic substances, from whence it sends back no post cards. But up here at altitude, … Continue reading
\n how the most momentous news stories have repercussions on the local level
\n almost
\n everywhere in the world? It is a developing story<\/a> we first reported almost
\n a year ago, involving allegedly CIA-affiliated private companies recruiting
\n Colombian gunmen to act as mercenary muscle in Iraq.<\/p>\n![](\"http:\/\/cyber.law.harvard.edu\/blogs\/static\/dowbrigade\/mujeryungy.jpg\")
Since the initial reports there has been continuing confirmation in
\n the local press in Colombia and Ecuador, where the operation is supposedly
\n being coordinated at the Manta Airbase US Military Forward Operating Location.
\n "Rented" on a 99-year lease from the Ecuadorian government, this airbase
\n has basically taken over the logistics, surveilance and electronics roles
\n of the US Souther Command after they were kicked out of Panama with the
\n transfer of the canal. Reports from Ecuador suggested that thousands
\n of young males, many with military experience but also some ex-guerillas
\n and drug cartel enforcers, were being signed up and shipped out.<\/p>\n
\n but who know how to handle weapons, are being offered $2,000 a month
\n to work security details in the Middle East. $2,000 is more than a doctor
\n or a lawyer makes down here, There are plenty of takers.<\/p>\n
\n war machine? What do they actually do over there? So far, we have seen
\n no first-hand reports or interviews. This recruiting has been going
\n on for over a year, at least in Colombia, but as far as we know none of
\n them have come home again to tell the tale. What exactly is going on here?<\/p>\n
\n speak, Manta, Ecuador, the center of the conspiracy. We’ll see if we can
\n get any of the troops at the FOL to go on record, or even just gossip,
\n about
\n the
\n Secret
\n Legions<\/a> of Latin Fighters in Iraq.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"