some "bad apples," in order to look as if they're really getting things shipshape, in order to get that FTA from our more moral Democratic Congress, a Congress which is blocking it, due to Colombia's grotesque human rights record.
Sorta like the Biblical story of Jonah being thrown overboard by a ship's sailors as an offering to god during a storm at sea, in hope god would be appeased and call off the storm.
From the Reuters (Rotters) article:
~snip~
The cases have stiffened opposition in the U.S. Congress to a proposed trade deal. President-elect Barack Obama, set to take office in January, says he opposes the pact based on Colombia's human rights record.
Obama and Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill want Uribe to do more to protect Colombian labor leaders from attacks by far-right paramilitaries before the trade deal is approved.
People outside Colombia have known about their dirty habits regarding killing civilians and pretending they were killing off Colombians they consider enemies. Known about this for YEARS. OUTSIDE COLOMBIA. For them to pretend this is something they are just finding out about these events, is a spectacular charade.