Lots of letters about lots of subjects this time

I have never met Steven Hunt, but I feel sorry for him. His verbal violence, jingoism, ignorance and lack of knowledge about Colombia or even who I am are typical of why Americans don't understand this war.

How he has the clarvoyance to know what I am writing about is astounding. Unfortunately he is wrong. He also seems to be completely ignorant about my work, has never read my books nor has he noticed the significant effort by the Panamanian government to provide security to the Kuna along the border. I have been with all sides in the war in Colombia and a first hand witness of everything from the war on drugs to extrajudicial killings. Being held by the ACCU is irrelevant in my opinion compared to the violence done to the Kuna in Paya and Pucuro.

In any case my books, television shows and articles reflect my experiences truthfully and with eye to better understanding of each position... and suggesting that people learn first hand before forming an opinion.

Might I suggest that make sure that you encourage your readers to provide facts, gather first hand experience and focus on positive activities that would benefit real people rather than providing more hot air. I don't understand why you bother publishing unfounded, mean spirited polemics from people who communicate nothing but hate. If he is that concerned with ending hatred and war perhaps Scott should look in the mirror and start with himself.

The most dangerous thing on earth is ignorance.

RYP

Despite the David bus station's problems...

I read your paper on Internet and noticed your mention of losing your cellphone in David. I have been to Panama four times and I am going again. The only problem was at the David bus station a small male adult shut the steel rest room door and demanded money. I reached in my pocket and made a gesture to hand him some change, grabbed the door and walked out in the crowd. He did not follow. I am 6' 2" and about 280 pounds.

However this has been my only problem. Panama is a place that I like a lot so much that obtained pensioner indefinite visa and plan to spend more time in Panama.

Again, I enjoy your paper.

Thanks,
Clifton Brown

Chiriqui's pros and cons

Your dedication to Panama and its future are always a refreshing breeze regarding the future of this beautiful land.

Just saw your journey to David-Boquete, and was a bit suprised how much your meal cost at the Mexican food place. I live here in Arizona --- along the Colorado River, and can eat to my heart's delight for $5.95 plus a one dollar tip. We have the casinos to thank for the cheap and excellent food fare. If one does not gamble then it appears a meal where I live is beating out Boquete? at least Pamananians will know where to go... in the USA for a comparable meal+fun... chuckle.

Getting to the point: I had felt Volcan was a good place to escape the American scene, and was dissapointed to see you get pick-pocketed in David.

Thinking back, I remember living in Hawaii for several years, and easily compared your estimate of petty crime in Panama with Hawaii. It sounds almost identical (Hawaii-Panama) and I wanted to comfort you... and say Panama probably isn't any better or worse. But Prez Moscosco should take note!

My friend recently visited David-Volcan-Boquete, and he came away liking Volcan for buying property. I also agree with him, but am wondering if David police will crack down on petty crime in the future? It behooves them to get tough, if they do not want to spoil the attraction for real estate investment in the surrounding area. My words to David would be: let crime continue to run rampant and it could cost DEARLY in jobs/revenue, driving away future residents, who are VERY concerned --- as THEY were moving to the David area to ESCAPE... corruption!

Regards,
Dawk

An encouraging word about the last issue

Despite the lack of technical help, I think the issue looks very good. As usual, the content is VERY informative and thought-provoking. Keep up the good work.

Dennis H.

Run, West Indian, run?

Mark Twain can be used in a positive manner. Field a presidential candidate a la Sharpton in 2004 with the name of Brown, Thomas, Brathwaith, Jones, etc., as a tribute to the persons (our parents) who made Panama what it is today. Even if they lose it will go down that a Panamanian of WI origin took a shot during the 100-year history.

Stop complaining. Panama needs help from any source. Take it with dignity and respect. English is the universal language.

LaBocaGrant

Likes The Panama News, with a grain of salt

I enjoy your outspoken, if not always totally accurate opinions. If you don't have a copy of my publication on the spillover of Colombia's conflicts (with a large section on Panama) you can download it from the U of Miami's North South Center website under AgendaPapers. Your comments would be most welcome.

Richard Millett

Merci pour tout

We were in Panama for one week (week of 3rd of February) from Canada. We stayed at the Royal Decameron. We just want to say thanks to everyone in Panama for the warm welcome and Hélena for a very nice visit to the "Eco-Canal."

I will recommend to all my friends to visit your country

François Lemay
Montreal, Quebec Canada

Looking for her brother

I'm writing this e-mail in hopes of finding my brother whom I've never seen before. You see my father was in the service in Panama in the 60s. I heard my father talk of a town Colon, but I'm not sure if this is where my brother's relatives live or not. If you write back to me I will give you all the information my father gave me.

It is very important I find this brother --- we plan to have a Charles Flintroy (Carlso) children's reunion soon and he is the only missing piece. My email address is: vhill@pacific-associates.com. Please use as a subject Flintroy Reunion.

Thanks,
Veronica

Looking for his daughter

My name is Sgt Arthur C. Lloyd. I am in the United States Army, Ft. Campbell, KY.

The reason I am writing this letter to your office; I am requesting your help in locating my soon to be 12-year-old daughter. She is an American citizen. She is somewhere in Panama City, Republic of Panama, supposedly living with her mother or grandmother. In 1994 the U.S. Army PCS me back to the states, that was the last time I seen my child. The last time I spoke to her was September 1999. Since the military (Army) deactivated from Panama I basically lost contact with the mother. She worked on Ft. Clayton Bldg. # 19 G-3, I had permission to send the child support payments and other goods to my child through the ACS office at Bldg. # 19.

What I am requesting from you is just a little help in tracking my daughter's whereabouts and passing information on to the mother of my child. My daughter's name is Christina Elaine Lloyd (Birth name) she was born on 14 September 1992 in the City of Colon at the hospital. The mothers name is Mariana Rosilinda Escobar-Crossdale. My spelling may not be correct for the mother but its really close. The grandmother first name is Natasha she is in and out of the hospitals a lot. They are believed to be living in Panama City, Balboa area above the bus station. Please contact me in regards to this request at the following address and phone numbers:

Arthur C. Lloyd
1740 E. 7th St.
Hopkinsville, KY. 42240
HM: 270.881.1090
BUS: 931.561.0124
CELL: 270.348.2214
E-MAIL: psyops992000@yahoo.com or
Acev1950@bellsouth.net

If you need old addresses old telephone numbers pictures old letters I will gladly fax or E-mail them to you. Thank you for your time.

Truly,
Arthur C. Lloyd

Are mass murder and ethnic cleansing acceptable in certain parts of the world?

In 1969 the UN organized and sanctioned a fraudulent unrepresentative "Act of Free Choice" in West Papua legitimizing the Indonesian invasion and takeover of it. Since then many, many thousands of West Papuans have been killed as result of Indonesian military, police and paramilitary action. For reasons of political convenience, indifference and cowardice this mass murder and ethnic cleansing has been ignored, countenanced and/or hushed up by the rest of the world particularly --- ASEAN, US, EU, China, Japan, Australia, Papua New Guinea and, of course, the UN itself. The murder and oppression of West Papuans continues right now. Unquestionably the UN should be taking an active lead in rectifying this situation which it itself arranged and legitimized.

Does the UN have any institutional independence, responsibility and accountability, or is it merely a tool to be used for the political and economic purposes and convenience of the powerful nations? The world needs an independent, responsible and accountable UN, and a forgotten, ignored, slaughtered and subjugated people needs help urgently.

John Finch
Australia

It's about crime

When the general looked at the dead men on the battlefield, he noticed that many dead bodies together indicated an artillery shell, and individual bodies spaced somewhat apart, were the result of rifle fire. From this information he deduced where the enemy's artillery was located, and where there was infantry skirmishes.

When we look out at history's different problems, we can deduce the forces that undermine ethical structures. Murder and robbery are the result of an individual's lack of ethical structure, but when thousands of people are killed, it is the result of a government's, or religion's, lack of ethical structure.

The state of Illinois in the United States of America is a good example. The last two governors of one party were put in jail for taking bribes. Now for twenty years the government has been run by the other party. No one takes bribes because campaign contributions are a part of the representative's legitimate income.

This, to some extent, is the way it is around the world.

Corruption is deep in the system. Perhaps, we can look at the world like a doctor looks at a sick patient. If the corruption in the body is incompatible with life, the body will die. An international ethical structure might determine if the corruption in a particular nation is incompatible with the survival of the earth, and if so, take measures to correct it. At present we have Iraq, North Korea, and the United States of America. Do any of these countries exhibit corruption that is incompatible with the survival of the earth?

Robert W. Carlson
Elgin, Il

Not voting for Dennis the Menace

Excuse me, but Dennis Kucinich as a presidential hopeful?

How outrageous a notion. This is the man, the mayor, who brought Cleveland to its knees financially. Under his "leadership," the city went into default. We were broke by the time George Voinovich took over.

Voinovich brought the city back by working with corporate CEOs and visionaries in a consortium that helped bring renewed vibrancy to the city in terms of companies investing in real-estate development and manufacturing, revitalizing downtown after years of decline under Kucinich.

I can't believe Kucinich's constituents have been so gullible as to elect him for four terms as a congressman. What has he done for them --- in Congress or as mayor?

Think back. The city had no money. Standard & Poors downgraded Cleveland's bond rating during Kucinich's outgoing year.

This man is to be considered to lead our great country? Get a grip, all you blue-collar workers and voters who cling to the hope that Kucinich is the answer. Forget it. He doesn't know how to lead or to bolster an economy.

Laura Carrabine
Cleveland, Ohio