Jim Tosch

China is moving rapidly to establish a powerful presence in Central and South America. It doesn't have to make total economic sense for them to support the concept. 

55 minutes ago, TwoSailors said:

Panama is lucky that China is ready and able to help them move forward. They would be holding their breath waiting for any assistance from the US. Except for drug intervention money!

Just now, Jim Tosch said:

 

The Chinese are doing the feasibility study. The Chinese are likely to get the contract to build the train. Does anyone really doubt the study will approve the concept?  As to how long it will take, the Chinese government is short of cash, you could get surprised!

2 hours ago, TwoSailors said:

We spent the day Monday getting the paperwork for our E Cedula in PC with our attorneys representative. We asked him what the Panamanians thought of this new train?

He expressed that if you ask the majority of average Panamanians they will say what is the purpose of this train? For more tourist? He said many people of Panama are tired of all the corruption, lack of improved schools for better education, overcrowded Medical Facilities. Those issues are more important to them than a train to Costa Rica.

They have some transportation issues but try to open at noon. They are still getting adjusted but Hell, with cold beer for a dollar, the rest is just petty details.

Lot of raw nerves out there.

Boycott Super 99. Simple, effective, a message to the party going on in Miami. It's time for the people to show their power and their opinion.

Bonnie,

i have been to Medellin frequently. If you will call me at 67425204 I will share what I know. It will be much easier than e mail. 

Jim Tosch

depends on how fast you were going and who you are. I got stopped by a motorcycle for going twelve kph too fast. I got out of the car and asked him how much it would cost. He said over 100, maybe 150 he responded while writing the ticket. About then my wife got out of the car. She is Panamanian. They talked for a few minutes, he smiled, completed the ticket and said it would cost me $20 in the Chiriqui Mall. And that is what I paid the next week.

I am flabbergasted. We live in a global economy. People and corporations are moving all over the world. Are they all hurting the locals or is it improving lives all over the world? More Mexicans are returning to Mexico than immigrating to the US. Think people. There were very few car sales here before and who is repairing those cars now?

I took a copy of the news story to the Municipio and discussed it with the Representante for Alto Boquete and urged them to make the Policlinica available for the Tech University that has bought land in Alto and to try to take advantage of the Skypower opportunity.

I don't think even now the magnitude of this project has sunk in. This very large company is capable of and intends to make some part of Panama the "Silcon Valley" of renewable energy. If this were in the US there would delegations from hundreds of cities begging and bribing Skypower to pick them.

just keep this in mind. Politics rules. The power in David is downtown. Why did Campeon open downtown. We expats better sit back and watch. Where are the government offices. Stay tuned.

Marcelyn, am so pleased that someone, you, have reacted. This is culture changing for Panama. Smart young people will see a new world. Please keep me posted about new info you gather. I wish it could be near Boquete but I can't seem to get anybody moving. David will need the energy and  Boquete is a perfect college town. Good luck!

Marcelyn, This is really interesting stuff. It is all about solar power and other renewable energy. If you will Google Skypower Energy Panama I think you will be amazed. A Canadian Company has big and much needed plans for the youth of Panama.

there is no rational for what happens down here. They build airports and roads to nowhere and finish them years later. They just decide to build with no budget for completion. But, one day you drive by and it's open. The market in Boquete received a large grant from a foreign country to be completed. Meanwhile the gov bought boats and radar systems that would not function. There is one new airport that has no scheduled flights. The Ruta Del sur has had a road but no bridge for years but now they are discussing it. It is a combination of mañana, juega vivo , and election results to mention a few. After awhile you just have to shake your head and laugh.

it's joking and playing. Lighten up.

Panama is not suffering other than some money nobody seems to be able to account for. If I were going to recommend care for Canadians it would be psychiatric. If you think the Panamanian's need a better health care system, you might also look at their education system and their infrastructure, but it is not because they lack money

I will never claim to understand what the US gov does or does not do. Also I should leave out the word gov. Because much of the money comes from the private sector. But next year it is Canada's turn with the commitment to build a fifty million dollar university somewhere in Panama. Maybe Panama should give Canadians free health care.

I don't think many countries ever give aid except to further their own agenda. However self-serving aid is still aid. The fact that the US invests in keeping the canal safe is critically important to Panama. Ironically, the main threat to the canal is the fact that it is so important to the US.. 

Keith, do you really want to make me go to work? I am going to take the easy way out. Take a look at the defense system In Panama. It is completely covered by satellite and marine defense. Last year the Us gave 300 million to Panama, Confession time, much of this is for the stupid drug regime imposed by the US. But, all considered, the US is the most important source of income that PAnama has,

I find irony funny. Reversing hundreds of thousands of years of evolution by means of stupid laws is a laughing matter to me. The fact that our prisons cannot execute criminals without screwing it up with Doctors in charge is beyond belief. A large percentage of people cannot get suicide right which is strong evidence that suicide may be their best choice.

and one more, everyone wants to go to heaven but they will spend hundreds of thousands of dollars and suffer through horrible medical care to keep from going there.

I find irony funny. Reversing hundreds of thousands of years of evolution by means of stupid laws is a laughing matter to me. The fact that our prisons cannot execute criminals without screwing it up with Doctors in charge is beyond belief. A large percentage of people cannot get suicide right which is strong evidence that suicide may be their best choice.

Judy S 

i am getting a good laugh out of the assisted suicide question. It would be reverse evolution. The capable people would die while the idiots would fail. I had an emergency room nurse tell me that I would be shocked how many people blow the whole front of their face off by aiming the gun straight up instead of back into their brain. Women fail more often than men because they use prescription drugs and wake up with a bad hangover a few days later. I think suicide should be easily available for anyone who wants it and it is in one Euro country. But, it is more difficult than you would suspect.

there are never solutions for all problems. But, before feeling sorry for the Panamanian gov remember there are over a hundred thousand Panamanian's in the US, the US gov gives hundreds of millions in aid to Panama every year. Question why Medicaid doesn't cover expats out of the US where care is much cheaper thus saving the US millions. Why do people have to be terminally ill to receive assisted suicide. Why is suicide illegal in the first place. The Panamanian gov has financial problems because Martinelli spent like a drunken sailor not because of expats receiving a very cheap level of care in regional hospitals. Would a solution be a good thing? Yes, so why don't the two govs initiate a health care treaty.