letters

Many letters on many subjects this time

What's the scoop on immunizations?

I have been trying to find an answer as to when and what is required. I am traveling to Panama in a few weeks (July). What shots do I need? And when will this go into affect?

We have contacted the airlines, travel agency and Panama consulate, all seem to have no knowledge if this issue.

Dean

Editor's note: Panama has signed an international treaty to prevent the international spread of epidemics, and eventually this will mean that anyone traveling nearly anywhere in the world will have to carry an immunization card as well as a passport. But at this issue was uploaded the legislation to implement this treaty, and the regulations to implement the legislation, had not been put into their final forms. There will probably be no change by July.

This agreement was prompted by the SARS outbreak, and to be truly effective against a new flu strain or some other emerging communicable disease the provisions about international travelers being immunized will depend on the implementation of plans to greatly expand the world's vaccine development and production capacities.

Collaboration between someone at the airport and robbers

This happens way too often for it to be just coincidental. SOMEBODY at the airport is fingering tourists with money, but the police just can’t seem to figure this out.... DUH????

name withheld

Editor's note: Attached to this email was a story from La Critica about a Mexican man who came in through Tocumen Airport, whose car was forced off the Corredor Sur, whereupon he was robbed of $9,000, stripped nude and left by the side of the road. Note that the last batch of alleged robbers who use this method of operation included a former cop who happened to be the son of a PRD politician. This criminal enterprise, however, is not new with this administration. Customs, immigration and airport officials of this and previous administrations have systematically denied that it's possible that anybody working at the airport is involved in this type of crime. They lie.

A snowbird's take

My plans to stay in Panama in fall and spring periods of from six to eight weeks are now seriously affected in terms of my current plans for buying a place there to use for these two times beyond 30 days.You're correct to mention Canadian snowbirds travel plans to Panama.

Dumb-dumb-dumb to make it apply to everybody --- when Colombians are the problem.

Allan

Canada

Editor's note: Under the new tourist visa law, you can get an extension to 90 days. The big problem will be for folks from the snowy north who like to spend all or most of the cold months here, in excess of 90 days. Some of the regulars will surely deal with this by getting pensionado visas, but Panama is sure to lose some business over the shortening of tourist visa stays.

Instituto Nacional grad appalled

As an egresado of Instituto Nacional de Panama, it is very hurtful to read in the news and see photos of THUGS with their hoods, bandanas and gang attitudes disrespecting and vandalizing this important and historic institution. Especially when you are from the last graduating class of 1973, the Ultima Generacion. Students that went from the 7th grade thru the 12th grade, before it was changed to 3 year secondary institution, After the Liceo de Señoritas and the Instituto Nacional where merged into a coed institution. We fought for so many years, to have this institution and its buildings declared "Monumento Historico."

To those students who allow thugs to infiltrate your student groups and associations to vandalize and disrespect my alma mater. I say to you "shame on you." Rather than uphold the honor, respect and the history of this institution, you are destroying its legacy. As the famous quote goes "Things that matter most should not be at the mercy of things that matter least" (Johann Van Goethe.)

Mario Smith

Georgia, USA

Class of 1973 Instituto Nacional de Panama

"Monumento Historico"

Glad he wasn't in the water that day

Keep up the good work. I took this picture from a cruise ship in Jan 2007 just north of Gatun Locks. This massive beast was sunning itself on the west bank not far from where my boat swamped in one of the cayuco races in the early 1960's. He must have been a wee one way back then. Hard to estimate the size, but this is with a zoom lens from near the east bank 14 decks up from the water line. Glad I wasn't in the water that day.

Bill Fall

BHS '65

Democracy is not for China

Out from China comes the repeated argument that it can handle its own internal affairs without meddling advice from foreigners about democratization. True, China will likely evolve a unique mode of government that fits its needs and aspirations. But, to the extent those aspirations include global leadership, that government better be a democracy.

This is because of the kind of exceptional individuals China will need, not just in politics, but in all areas, if it sets out on this course.

As regards exceptional individuals, we turn naturally to the work of psychologist Abraham H. Maslow, who made a study of these, and who believed that to those nations most successful in producing them belongs the future.

Maslow tells us that the fullest development of human potential requires a good society, which he defines as one that is anti-authoritarian and anti-controlling. It places a greater stress on spontaneity and autonomy than on stability and external control. Healthy and superior people, Maslow found, do not like to be controlled. They can make their own choices and need to be free to do so in order to bring out their full potential.

For China to be global leader it must lead the way in solving some tough problems that face all nations --- the erosion of human trust, the destruction of the environment, the persistence of poverty, exploitation, and inequality of opportunity. Problems of such magnitude only stand a chance of being solved to the extent we mobilize all of our individual and collective inner resources, and bring out in our societies, our communities, our families, our individuals --- and our approach to problems --- more of the whole human capability that we all have within as a latent potential. These farther reaches of our human nature await the right environment to emerge and to express themselves. That environment is an open and free democratic society; where corruption, mismanagement, greed, and waste can be challenged; and where ordinary people can organize in ways of their own choosing and disseminate whatever ideas they want.

Democracy is not for China. It's not for the Chinese. It's for every country, every people. To lead, China will have to become its champion because democracy is more urgently needed at this time in history than ever --- not for outer reasons, but for inner ones: to call up the human intelligence, creativeness and sensitivity required to solve the really big problems ahead.

William R. Stimson

Taiwan

Unhappy with missed penalty shot

Gentlemen, it's necessary for us to tell the coach of the Panamanian soccer team to teach the players of our tema how to make a penalty kick --- how is it possible that last year we lost the Gold Cup by not knowing how to make a penalty kick, and our team while it's winning gets lax and does it again, and blows it --- "vuelven una cagada," as the Mexicans put it.

I expect to see them more aggressive when they play Mexico, and I hope they receive a flood of emails expressing this feeling from the Panamanian people.

Marcello Isaac Sr.

California

Editor's note: Despite the missed penalty kick that would have given the team a victory instead of a tie against Cuba and a subsequent loss to Mexico, Panama did get to the quarter-finals, where they scored on the USA but in the end lost 2-1. 

Wonder Dog likes Diego Santiago's poetry

The Season for the Tickletoe Bugs by Diego Santiago is a delight! Pat really enjoyed it. It made her smile!

the Spark

Dr. Sparkus T. Mutt, Canine Therapist

(alias Sparky the Wonder Dog)

India under legal obligation towards Tibetans, China & UN

This refers to controversy reported in Indian media about visit of Dalai Lama to Australia where China objected Dalai Lama's meeting with head and ministers of government and other political leaders of visiting country.

But India's silence on this issue is deafening and India's behavior violates the tenets of International law as given below especially in view of the fact that as per information available on the website http://www.tibet.com ("Dalai Lama is running Tibetan Government in exile on the soil of India at Dharamsala"):

(i)- When India has already accepted Tibet as apart of China and when the Dalai Lama himself does not seek Tibet's independence then how can India allow Tibetan Government in exile on its soil?

(ii)- Moreover, is the example of Pakistan Administered Kashmir not enough (where possession of territory by Pakistan for the last 60 years is practically irreversible) to enlighten India that similar long possession of Tibet by China is also irreversible?

(ii)- When the Dalai Lama himself is reportedly seeking merely 'autonomy' (whatever it may mean to him) where Tibetan culture, language, environment, economical interests etc. shall be preserved then-

(A)- Why is India allowing the Dalai Lama to talk about anything beyond this which impinges on China's territorial integrity?

(B)- Why is India not facilitating this 'autonomy' to Tibetans especially when these rights are already enshrined in UN International Covenants on civil, political, economical, social, cultural rights (ICCPR, ICESCR)?

(iii)- Why is India not taking worthwhile interest in rehabilitating ousted Tibetans in their homeland?

Hence in view of the asylum / refuge provided to the Dalai Lama and his millions of Tibetan people for the last almost half century (which puts India under legal obligation towards Tibetans, China and the UN), the government of India ought to take the initiative and proactive action for the formation of "Indian Forum for Human Rights and Rehabilitation of Tibetans" (IFHRRT) as given below:

(1)- In this IFHRRT not only persons from India and some Tibetans but eminent Human Right activists from other countries and some eminent persons from

(2)- Without allowing any prejudice against china (by the back drop of 1962 Indo-China war and China's consistent support to Pakistan on Kashmir), India ought to insist on UN that China, being its permanent member, is under legal obligation (more than any other ordinary member of UN) to not only honor ICCPR and ICESCR but also the optional protocols ICCPR-OP1 and OP-CAT which entitles UN to intervene in case China violates these rights and resort to Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment to Tibetans (this will fortunately constrain India also to sign ICCPR-OP1)

(3)- India ought to approach UN / OHCHR:-

(i)- For creating a special cell to monitor the progress of human rights and rehabilitation of Tibetans (UNCHRRT)

(ii)- For granting recognition to this IFHRRT so that under superintendence of UNCHRRT it can visit Chinese territories / Tibet in order to facilitate the human rights and rehabilitation of Tibetans.

(4)- Meanwhile India ought to immediately approach China to allow and facilitate socio-religio-cultural organizations of Tibetans from both sides to visit India and China across the border for organizing and conducting religious functions, festivals and cultural programs of Tibetans.

Hem Raj Jain

New Delhi

Thanks

Thank you for your profound editorials.

 Aurora E. Hunter

Abortion, contraception and promiscuity aren't freedom

Regarding supermodel Giselle Bundchen's attack last week against the Roman Catholic church's opposition to condoms and abortion:

It is sad that there are some like supermodel Gisele Bundchen who choose to support a sexually permissive lifestyle and promote the murder of innocent children through abortion.

All unnatural means of contraception are evil because they thwart the natural generation of life. They open up a wide and easy road towards conjugal infidelity and cause a general lowering of morality. Contrary to Bundchen, it is not the Catholic Church’s teachings but people who are responsible for the AIDS pandemic Everyone knows that the only foolproof and legitimate solution to preventing AIDS is abstinence. A little shot of virtue never hurt anyone.

While the term "choice" may sound democratic the person who opts for abortion is neglecting to consider the fundamental right to life of the mother’s unborn fetus.

The respect for every human life is an essential condition if a societal life worthy of the name is to be possible. When man’s conscience loses respect for life as something sacred, he inevitably ends by losing his own identity.

To claim the right to abortion and to recognize that right in law, means to attribute to human freedom a perverse and evil significance: that of an absolute power over others and against others. This is the death of true freedom.

Paul Kokoski

Hamilton, Ontario

Canada

Obnoxious US visa policy

Once again it depends on who you know. Last summer I tried for the second time to bring my mother-in-law up to the states for two weeks to visit her daughter (my wife) and her two grandchildren. Once again she was turned down. I'd like to compare her to on Luis Posada Carriles.

Let's see: Posada is wanted for blowing up an airliner and was arrested in Panama for a plot to blow up Castro at the University of Panama (while my wife was attending classes there).

My mother-in-law is a law-abiding citizen of Panama.

Posada snuck into the USA illegally.

My mother endured five years of humiliation at the US Consulate (the interviewer wouldn't even use the privacy phone at the window so everyone in the room could hear her being turned down.)

Posada seems to me to fit the description of the terrorists we're supposed to be fighting.

My mother-in-law had a letter from my congressman explaining that I was retired from the US Air Force, currently employed by the FAA, and that he believed my mother-in-law would actually use the round trip tickets I bought and return to Panama in two weeks.

The consulate told my mother-in-law and congressman that they really don't care who I am.

The government told Posada "Welcome to the USA."

Posada's crimes: most likely, murder and terrorist acts.

My mother-in-law's crimes: she's poor.

William DuHame

Oklahoma City

Needs photos of the other Panama

On recent trip returning to US after last afternoon in a taxi, I knew I made a mistake.

I chose not to risk picture taking in the tough part of town. Belonging to some fraternal organizations which I would like to persuade to help, I really need some pictures of the impoverished street community in the bombed-out part of the old town.

All the web pictures I could find make it all look very pretty. That was not what we saw.

Is there any chance you can point me to some photos, I might use without infringing on anyone's ownership. Not publish a book but I want to put together a short presentation showing the radical contrasts between beautiful Panamá we see today and the bombed-out parts we do not.

Seems like a worthwhile project.

Will appreciate any help you can offer.

V/R Everett F. Batey (sm) - efb@cotdazr.org

 CA 805 340-6471 / VA 703 879-6471 / PA +507 6766-8244

Editor's note: To the extent that it helps, Mr. Batey is welcome to use photos from the archives of The Panama News for this specific non-profit purpose. It would be polite to give credit. I think that some of the other readers might have some better pictures of this sort, which is why I put this request in the letters section.