Random Wiki - La Catedral

La Catedral prison

This season on HBO's hit series Entourage, the main character Vince films the movie Medellin about the life of Pablo Escobar. After watching this episode a few weeks ago my curiosity kicked in and I wanted to know about the man who Forbes magazine listed as the 7th richest person in the world in 1989. Below is the excerpt I found most interesting.

In 1991, after declaring an end to a series of previous violent or terrorist acts meant to pressure authorities and public opinion, Escobar turned himself in to the Colombian government in order to avoid extradition to the United States or assassination by a rival cartel. Escobar was confined in what became his own luxurious private prison, La Catedral, which he was allowed to build for his confinement in return for turning himself in. He negotiated an agreement with the Colombian government whereby he would be jailed for a mandatory five-year sentence and guaranteed no extradition to the United States, if he stopped any further drug trafficking activities. Before Escobar gave himself up, the extradition of Colombian citizens had been prohibited by the newly approved Colombian Constitution of 1991.

However, La Catedral prison was actually more of a country-club fortress, and he showed little regard for the sanctity of his sentence there. There have been allegations, many of them unconfirmed, that he was often seen outside of the jail: shopping in Medellín or at parties, soccer games, and other public places.^{[citation needed]} After an account appeared in the local media showing photos of his lavish jail/residence and claiming that he had murdered several business associates (the Moncada brothers) when they came to meet him at La Catedral, public opinion forced the government to act. When the government attempted to move Escobar to another jail on July 22, 1992, he escaped, fearing that he could be extradited to the United States.

So the moral of the story is if you have to go to prison just cut a deal with your government that allows you to build your own prison.

Below is the link to Pablo Escobars Wiki page.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pablo_Escobar

Jacco Macacco Celebrated Monkey Gladiator

I spend alot of time wandering around on Wikipedia. Why you ask? For a combination of reasons. A mild case of ADD combined with a curious mind that absorbs useless knowledge like a sponge. But most importantly because I have an unsatisfying desk job. So today I bring your my first post of The Random Power Of Wiki.

Jacco Macacco Celebrated Monkey Gladiator.

The English were always keen for something new to challenge their dog fighting breeds. This resulted in rather strange fights, in part with completely surprising outcomes. 'Dog versus Monkey' was shown to be such a match-up.

The monkey proved to be a formidable opponent for the canine warrior; owners and handlers of fighting dogs frequently underestimated the monkey's abilities. The monkey's intelligence, dexterity, unorthodox fighting style and gameness proved to be overwhelming for many canine opponents.

His mode of attack or rather of defence was to present his back or neck to the dog and to shift or tumble about until he could lay hold on the arm or chest, when he ascended to the windpipe, clawing and biting away, which usually occupied him about one-and-one-half minutes and if his antagonist was not speedily withdrawn, his death was certain. After the bait the monkey exhibited a frightful appearance, being deluged with blood. The toughness and flexibility of his own skin rendered him impervious to the teeth of the dog. After fighting several battles in this manner, Jacko, improving his style from experience, changed his system of tactics and adopted the plan of jumping upon his adversary's neck, where with greater security and perfectly at his ease, he dispatched his opponent in normally three minutes.

I think we can all agree that Jacco is not only a hero to all Monkeys but to all of England. I believe to be fact that if Jacco were to have fought Maximus in the move Gladiator he would have destroyed him with the stick he was provided. This brave Gladiator should have been Knighted long ago. So today we salute you Jacco Macacco.

Here is the link to the Wiki page. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkey-baiting