Oliver Stone Leaves No Terrorist Stone Unturned

According to both Reuters and Associated Press, Colombia's newest guest is director Oliver Stone, who was invited by the socialist President Chavez, whom he met for the first time in Caracas some two weeks earlier.

He will join a mission led by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Friday, to rescue three long time hostages who are being held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC.)

Stone, age sixty one, arrived in the humid city of Villavicencio, a city in Colombia at the foot of the Andes mountains on Friday.

Sadly, Colombia is in its fifth decade of civil war.

When interviewed by Associated Press a few days ago, he said: "I have no illusions about the FARC, but it looks like they are a peasant army fighting for a decent living."

Stone, who is known for such works as; Platoon; Salvador; Born on the Fourth of July and JFK will be in his element. Stone joined the army in 1967 at the height of the Vietnam war.

Born to wealthy parents; a Catholic mother and Jewish father, today he claims himself to be an atheist. His father found it difficult to be monogamous, having many affairs both with single women and married women - no doubt it was the reason for his parents divorce.

Stone will be taken into Colombia's eastern jungles, which is the size of a small country itself. At this time, (Dec. 30, 2007) the rebels still have not disclosed a point of release for the hostages.

I feel two ways about Mr. Stone's visit. He is obviously putting himself in danger, which means that those who are designated to protect him, are in additional danger.

On the other hand, Stone might actually be able to see and understand what's happening there and transfer his knowledge to film, for which he is widely known.

The hostages are former congresswoman Consuelo Gonzalez, Clara Rojas and her son, Emmanuel, which astonishingly was fathered by one of her captives. It's unknown whether or not she was raped or romantically involved with one of the terrorists.