Larry's Central American Travels

Panama and Politics

Food For Thought from A Latino Perspective

I recently read 'Ariel', a lengthy essay (actually near book-length) written by a Uruguayan philosopher,  José Enrique Rodo.   Rodo's writings are well known to students of Latin American literature.  He was one of the 'first pillars of Latino thought' to reflect on the relationship of the U.S. with its Latin American neighbors.  The major ideas posed by Rodo I found to be particularly relevant to current Latin American affairs.

Rodo insists than U.S. efforts to export democracy, while a noble necessity approaching a moral imperative, will produce frustrating results particularly in Latin America. He postulates that exporting the democratic form of government is a simple task compared to passing on the concept of a Republic.  What makes the U.S. form of government successful and enduring is that it is a Republic. (Yes, I admit I missed that day in Civics class.  Benjamin Franklin was asked as he left the convention hall, "What form of government did the convention give us?"  He replied, "A Republic, if you can keep it!" )  The major difference between the two?  In a Republic the elected majority has the responsibility, both morally and legally ( see The Bill of Rights), to protect the rights of all the people, including the minorities.

In Ariel, Rodo notes James Madison's comments in the Federalist Papers, " ... in a pure democracy .. there is nothing to check the inducements to sacrifice the weaker party or an obnoxious individual.  Hence it is that such democracies .. have in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths .."

Rodo makes the point that while citizens of the U.S. are steeped in these 'rights and freedom values' from birth,  the mind set of the populations of Latin America are, for the most part, steeped in centuries of Spanish Colonialist rule. Thus, Rodo speculates that the history of democracy in Latin America will always be turbulent at best.

Note that Rodo published 'Ariel' in 1911!  And, just to highlight two examples, today we view the fiasco in Bolivia where the incoming president submits a new constitution to congress that, among other things, decrees that the indigenous tribes (which are a majority) will operate outside (and above) the legal system of the nation.  And, although Chavez's attempt to become 'President for Life' was rejected by the Venezuelan electorate, you can bet that that is not the end of that subject.

Class dismissed!

Panama's First Lady Holds A Meeting

Panama's First Lady, Vivian Fernandez de Torrijos, chaired a conference this last week in Panama City that has triggered a big bruha.  Nine Latin American countries sent their first ladies as representatives to the five day event.  The cost of the government funded conference was what set off the fireworks.  According to the daily newspaper, La Prensa, the estimated total cost was $ 700,000. Yes, dollars!  How can that be?  Well, $200k for the caterer and the rent of the meeting rooms at the Sheraton, just for starters. Then $55k for rooms for the visiting first ladies and their entourages. And, $35k for invitation cards/badges and $5k for flowers. Then of course their is ground transportation - $10k for luxury sedan rental cars and $4k for two 24-passenger buses. And, the gala dinner on Thursday night was held at the Playa Bonita hotel (not included in the $200k at the Sheraton) so that was an additional $11k.  Plus at a gala you have to have entertainment = $ 4,500.  Oh, and speaking of fireworks, add a $3k fireworks display.  And the first ladies can not go home empty handed, so add $15k for designer handbags and $3,500 for designer pearl necklaces and earrings.  Phew!  Adds up fast.

Vice President Samuel Navarro reacted angrily to the La Prensa story.  He did not dispute the facts as printed, but insisted that, ".. the story was printed for political reasons and to harm the first lady."  He also objected to the comparison of this event to a summit organized by former President Mosoco in 2000, for which the government purchased 13 Cadillacs. "We did not even buy any automobiles," he huffed.  Navarro also insisted that there was insufficient time to do competitive contracts for all these items as required by Panamanian law. Note that the conference was scheduled and announcements sent to the first ladies 13 months ago.

Oh, did I mention that the purpose of the conference was to focus on the "drastic underfunding of special education in the region." 

Political Campaigns Panama Style

Last month marked the official start of the election campaign season for the National Assembly.  The start date is mandated by law to help provide stability to the legislative process.  The theory is that once campaigning starts nothing happens in the legislature, which turns out to be true.  Last year, not a single bill was acted on during the election campaign season.  However, the real problem is that the elections are not held until next May.

The real problem from a personal standpoint is that the Panamanians approach political campaigning much like they do festivals - everything is noisy and over-the-top. 

These people showed up park-side about 1PM  Saturday and started handing out leaflets, buttons, etc. as you can see they are blocking traffic, so according to local custom every car in this picture (and a few more not in the picture) is honking his horn. Even worse, the van had a sound system in it that was blaring music so unbearably loud that it was actually rattling the door to my room.  And, yes they were still there at 8:30PM.  God, ten more months of this?

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My Videos

I was recently using a computer that used a dial-up internet connection.  It was the first time I had realized that imbedding my latest YouTube videos in the blog posting caused the blog to be extremely slow in loading, especially for those of you on dial up.  Oops, sorry about that.  In the future when I post a new video I´ll just let you know and put a link to it on my YouTube space.  For now, below is a link to my video´s directory on YouTube for those of you who are interested.

Click Here to View Videos

Identity Theft

A reminder for those of you who haven´t done it yet.  Below is the link to my Identity Theft web site.  On the front page is the link to my free report on things you should know, and some things you can do today to protect yourself.  Don´t let this happen to you.  I can tell you from first hand experience, it is a lot easier to avoid identity theft than it is to try and fix the problems after you are victimized!

Click Here to Visit The Web Site

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Go Figure

Yes, that is a fully-robed priest standing in the back of the roadster???

The magazine hombre broadens his product line.

I figured it out.  You can tell about what time things will start based on where the chairs are set up.  Think ´shade paterns of huge tree´.  Clever, huh?

Food For Thought or Words To Live By?

An interesting and thought provoking excerpt from Rodo's Ariel:

" I exhort you to to defend yourself, to be militant in preventing your spirit from being mutilated by the tyranny of people, groups or organizations with self-interest objectives. Never devote more than a part of yourself to any goal or passion.  Your inner self, the self of reason, morals and sentiment must remain unencumbered. Do not then be lulled to use the excuse of commitment, or responsibilities to others to justify their enslavement of your spirit.   You should not suddenly discover yourself to have been trained to respond to others stimuli. Allowing outside forces to redefine your substance nullifies millinea of  evolutionary gains by the species."

Till next time. Pura Vida

More Musing From Panama

Reflections On My Video Last Week

I have a couple of observations to make after reflecting on my recent experiences here, as dramatized by my video posting last week. (If you have not had a chance to view that video you may want to take a couple of minutes, scroll down the page to last Sunday's posting [7/13]and watch it.  Otherwise this may not make much sense.) My experiences surrounding the death of that sweet little girl is like a mirror on the paradox that is Panama.

On the one hand, after doing some research, I find that a number of international aid organizations have Panama on 'priority watch' lists.  Panama is highlighted because, in the provinces (outside the major cities) the infant mortality rate is estimated to be upwards to 50%  to the age of five years old - 50%!  In this modern country of skyscrapers, and freeways, and automated infrastructure, and satellite telecommunications, and transportation systems, and modern supermarkets, and food stands lining the streets, and ...., and..... - a 50% infant mortality rate!  And, the aid organizations go on to say that the major factors in this staggering statistic are mostly nutrition related, both pre-natal and infant nutrition.

On the other hand, this mother makes a special trip by the hotel to bring some things to comfort me, just days after the death of her daughter.  I have seen this woman probably three times a week in the eight months I have been in this hotel.  About half those times is when she has come to clean my room, while I sit on the balcony drinking my morning coffee and reading the newspaper. She speaks no English, so our conversations have been limited to the obligatory Spanish 'stock' greetings and departure salutations. I am really embarrassed to say, I do not even know the woman's name.  But, in my limited experience, this incident is merely representative of the Panamanian 'national personality', the sweetness of the Panamanian people.

My Latest Video

I put this latest video together for a specific reason, for my wife Lisa. Seems I'm history.  But, you romantics (come on, admit it) will appreciate the video, and many will probably identify with it.  So turn your sound on and enjoy my catharsis.

The Las Tablas Festival

One of Panama's biggest festivals is this weekend (July 18-21) in the town of Las Tablas, the folklore capital of the Azuero Peninsula. Like most Panamanian festivals, the basis for the celebration is a religious celebration, a homage to Santa Librada the most revered patron saint in Panama.  However, the events that attract 30,000+ visitors to this small town are not religion based.  The weekend will see parades (plural), street dances (nightly), and midnight serenades in the town center park. 

A large number of contests are on the agenda as well. There will be judged contests for hand-made drums (tambores), small guitars (mejoranas) and violins. Violinists will compete for the coveted Climaco Batista music award.  All kinds of '4-H - type' competitions draw contestants from all over the country. And on Monday the men will compete for who has the best camisilla, the traditonal white embroidered shirt, followed by a similar contest for handmade Panama hats (sombrero pintado).

The climatic event, and what this festival is really famous for, is the National Pollera Contest (see the dresses in the pictures).  The name 'pollera' specifically refers to the dress, however the entire 'costume' is what is being judged (sort of like wearing a tuxedo properly involves more than just a jacket and pants).  Here is how the newspaper El Visitante described this contest. "The winners of this contest are revered throughout the nation, where the dress, the gold jewelery and pearl head pieces cost a fortune."  They go on to add that the winning designer/tailor is "financially set for years to come."  Incidentally, the young lady who is this year's Pollera Queen, the official hostess of the festival, is the fifth member of her family to have had this honor.  Talk about tradition.

A Real Classic

In case you haven't seen this, click on the thumbnail and check this out.  A real hoot!

Too real!

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The Gas Thing - Again!

The question of the day is, "What does oil independence mean?"  I'm not sure what the technical definition is (probably runs several pages), but, do you want an example?   'The experts' say that Presidente Chavez is really screwing things up in Venezuela since nationalizing their oil industry.  He's not investing in the maintenance of refining facilities and equipment, shorting funds on additional exploration, blah, blah ...  And, he is subsidizing his leftist crony nations throughout the region, including propping up Fidel's Cuba.  Well, guess what?  Today the cost of gas in a service station in Caracas is 3 cents!  That is 3 cents per liter!  For those of you that are metric-challenged (like me), that is about 3/4 a cent per gallon!  Obviously the guy with the oil makes the rules.

Did you know that the untapped U.S. oil reserves are estimated to be in excess of those of Saudia Arabia?  By several fold - varying by which special interest is telling the story. Of course, the Saudi monarchy is probably not all that concerned with snail darters, and polar bear reproduction cycles.  And Chavez doesn't have to listen to Ted Kennedy's objections about off-shore drilling that might impact his family's Hyannis Port compound. All the while, other countries do drill offshore for oil - off our shores, in international waters. Hmm.  Maybe it is just easier to move to Caracas while the experts debate all this for the next 30 years.

A Zoo in Golfito?

I visited my friends in Golfito, Costa Rica a couple of weeks ago. 

My friend Mattie has a parrot.

Mattie also has a kitten. 

The kitten is not too bright. 

Twice a day, once in the morning and then again in the afternoon, the kitten has to learn (re-learn?) that the parrot will take a chunk out of a kitten´s head if it messes with the parrot.  Duh!

Till Next Time!  Pura Vida!

This is not a hotel, it is a house on a lake near Las Tablas.

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Bumps in The Roads in Panama

This is a special posting.  You will understand when you see the video - it is self explanatory.  Turn your sound on.

Till next time. Pura Vida!

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GREETINGS FROM PANAMA

The Boquette Flower Festival

May in Panama brings on the annual flower festival.  Boquette is about 25 kilometers and 1,500 feet in altitude up the road from David.  Beautiful place.

How Did I Get In This Mess

I had mentioned previously that I visit (irregularly) some of the schools in the area to provide the students studying English a chance to converse with an English speaker.  It is fun for me and the kids of all ages really enjoy it. However, I recently had an experience that has created a problem for me - well, sort of.

Click on the photo thumbnail and meet Sonja (front) and Alexi (peeking out from behind).  After I took this picture, Alexi was continuing to do her 'peak-a-boo' look around Sonja, so I crouched down and ask her a question every time she peered around.  It was a simple conversation (remember my Spanish), name, age, etc.  Each of her responses was barely audible and very tentative. When she finally came out of hiding, she walked over and held up her arms, so, of course, I picked her up.  We stepped over to a poster-board display of kids drawings on the cafeteria wall.  No doubt about what the assignment was for the drawings, so and I started telling Alexi the English names for all the animals displayed, and she would then tell me the Spanish names and giggle. After a few minutes of 'name the animals' the teacher walks in and immediately goes nuts! This teacher speaks about as much English as I do Spanish, so we had carried on some rather basic conversations in the past, but I didn't have a clue what she was so stirred up about (she wasn't even attempting English).  As she said something else I didn't understand over her shoulder, she went scurrying out of the room. All the kids in the area were chattering, and I am going "Que? Que?" (what). The teacher is back in a minute with the school nurse who is obviously as stirred up as the teacher, and she starts asking me questions.  I am about to have a heart attack just visualizing the newspaper headlines itemizing  the sins that I had committed, when I realize she is not asking me what I had done, but rather what had I said to Alexi. (Whew, guess that is not AS bad, huh?).

Well, here is the story (the short version).  A couple of years ago Alexi's entire family (parents and three siblings) were killed in a car accident.  Alexi ended up for the next 1 1/2 years in the care of an uncle and his 20-something year old son. When the uncle and his son went to prison together (Don't ask, I don't know why), Alexi ended up somehow a ward of the school which also has some orphanage function (I don't understand that either).  So Alexi showed up at the school/orphanage about six months ago with serious problems.  Scars on her body and evidence of multiple broken bones (from xrays taken) indicate a history of significant physical abuse. And for the first couple of months she was at the school they thought that she couldn't talk, turns out she just chose not to.   The nurse has finally gotten Alexi to the point that she will respond to her, but only when necessary and when pressed by the nurse. And, Alexi will have nothing to do with a male, even her little boy classmates.  An adult male in the her vicinity causes her to go into a panic to the point of literally trembling.  And here is the kicker, in the entire time six months she has been at the school, no one has ever seen Alexi smile - ever. Jeez.

So what is going on here?  Do you have a clue? I don't!  For the next hour, that little girl talked to me just like I spoke Spanish, and clung to me like I was a life raft. And  - AND - teared up big time when I left.   Now noone ever accused me of being all that emotionally stable to start with,  I do not need this!   Two days later I went back to deliver the rest of the books (we were finishing up a book drive), and when I got out of the cab I heard the kids in the school yard saying, "Papi aqui, Papi aqui". (Papi is here.  First time in my life, I think, that I have had a nickname that wasn't derogatory or obscene). And, guess who is making a beeline across the courtyard.  I had my hands full so Alexi just grabbed a handful of pant leg and hung on.  And, this time when I left she didn't just tear-up.  Broke my heart.

Anyway, to the point - why I told you this story!  The nurse tells me Alexi asks every morning if I am coming today, and the nurse ducks the question.  First time she told her no Alexi did not take it well and went back in her shell for a couple of days.  The school teacher says frequent visits would be good for Alexi. My problem is the question, "Yeah, but what about me?"  I completed my graduate work in Guidance and Counseling over 30 years ago and there are two guiding principles that I still remember well.  The two unbending rules of counseling = 1.) Learn to recognize those problems that you are not professionally qualified to handle and pass them on to someone who is, and 2.) Always keep it clear in your mind who has the problem - never assume the clients problem as your own!  Why do I hear warning bells on both counts.  So suggestions anyone?  Anybody been there, done that?

My Latest Video

Guess this should be dedicated to little Alexi.  Turn your volume on and push the "GO" arrow. Enjoy!

You Can't Make These Up!

This one comes from my son in Charlotte, N.C.  One of the flourishing sections of the Charlotte is along a major suburban thoroughfare, Cox Boulevard.  Locally, even though there is technically no township or city, that entire section of town is referred to merely as Cox.  In April there was a day-light armed robbery at one of the  restaurants in the area.  One of the local TV news crews was soon on-scene and this was the reporter's cryptic on-air story lead-in.  "Good Evening. --- Judy Engel reporting.------  I-Hop on Cox. ------  Details at 6."  Nuff said?  (The video is no longer on YouTube)

A Disconnect In The Education System?

In October 2007 the federal government of Panama commissioned a group of education experts to study an overhaul of the country's public school system. A draft report was given to the Ministerio de Educacion last week.  Predictably the report recommends increasing the emphasis on science and math-related subjects, while downsizing the curriculum in humanities and civics. The study also recommended increased emphasis on language arts including Spanish.  Spanish fluency is an area that graduates do not test well in.  This study was triggered back in 2007 when more than half the country's recent high school graduates failed the entrance exams to the Universidad de Panama.

The teachers union has already attacked the report claiming that, ".. drastic changes to the curriculum will result in a shortage of qualified teachers in some subject areas while causing other teachers to lose their jobs."

Speaking of Things That Make No Sense - The Oil Crises

I won't pretend to know the answer(s) to the present oil/gas problem.  And, I am beginning to think maybe no one else has the answer(s) either. All the consumer's suffer while all the major 'oil forces' say, "We are not the culprit."  The Saudi's say, "It ain't us!  It is a demand problem." (They aren't making zillions more now that the price of a barrel of crude has doubled in the last year?)  The oil companies, while reporting record profits, say it isn't us, it is a speculator problem.  The speculators don't say anything because no one knows who they are, or are really sure just what a speculator is (or does).

However, what I do knows is:  1.) In the early '70s we were sitting in long gas lines in Hawaii just to purchase a half tank of gas, a situation that was much worse than back on the mainland U.S.  For a couple of years after that the Federal politicians talked incessantly about all the steps that were going to be taken to insure that the U.S. became independent from foreign oil.  None of those initiatives ever met the light of reality!   2.) In the early '80s I had occasion to buy a tank of gas in Lakenheath, England.  I was stunned by the nearly $4 a gallon price tag.  A gallon of gas was about a $1 in the U.S. at the time   3.) When I came to Costa Rica in February 2007, the people in Golfito were driving down to the border to buy gas at the Panamanian stations, which was about $4 a gallon.  Today the gas in Panama is still about $4 a gallon,  4.)  Mobil Oil Corporation recently decided to sell off the last 200 corporate-owned filling stations they had. There were no bidders - they couldn't give them away.  Why?  The Mobil Station franchise owners report that their profit on a gallon of gas has dropped from 13 cents to 3 cents as gas prices rose in the last year.

A pundit in a recent addition of the London Times observed (I think only slightly tongue-in-cheek) that many Americans were having a real crises with $4 a gallon petrol.  Gas prices made it more costly to drive to the grocery store and buy $13 a gallon bottled water. (Which, he noted has proven to have no health or sanitation advantage over tap water.)  But, thank goodness there is a Starbucks on every corner thus insuring that gas prices did not have that big an impact on their $43 a gallon coffee. Ouch!

Till Next Time!  Pura Vida!

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