Keith Woolford

For the most part, my own thoughts on the subject mirror Bonnie's. It's just interesting to note how differently people use these resources. This site is very well planned ..and timely. Congratulations on the birthday Bud and Marcelyn.

Another question would be: What is it predominately that people are looking for when they read or join a community website such as chiriqui.life or boquete.ning.?

Community Websites - Information, Communication or Amusement? Lately I've been wondering what it is exactly that the majority of people are looking for when they read or join a community website such as chiriqui.life or boquete.ning. Folks will ask for information, but don't seem to want to search for it.People will Chat back and forth in Discussion Forums, but not in provided Chat Rooms.Discussions related to current events usually get far less views than humorous ones.Is an inclination by some folks to perpetuate rumor and ignore fact sensationalist amusement?

FYI: I withdrew quietly from the boquete.ning equation on October 3rd. With more serious issues at hand, it just wasn't appropriate at that time to create another distraction by announcing it publicly. My participation has been minimal since that time, primarily just answering requests for information along with Alison, Judy Sacco, Ken & Becky and a few other long-timers who have always had a genuine interest in helping others. Obviously, I had hoped my participation in .ning would provide a positive link between the new ownership and the community but it didn't work out. Life goes on. P.S. contrary to popular belief, I did not delete Jim&Nena, Fran, Gordon, Don Ray, or any other long term member from boquete.ning

This report of a venomous Black-Speckled Palm-Pit Viper (Bothriechis nigroviridis) was posted yesterday in the Panama Birds & Wildlife Photos blog. Photographer: Rafael Gutierrez Location: Chiriqui http://panama-wildlife.blogspot.com/2015/11/black-speckled-palm-pit-viper-report.html

Dave told me today he's cutting prices on these cars and some others that he has for sale on consignment. Reduced Prices on Good Pre-Owned Vehicles @ Cowboy Cars 2012 KIA Soul EX, Automatic, 45k kms reduced to $11,500 2007 Toyota Hilux SRV, Automatic, 3.0 Diesel, 4WD, 125k kms reduced to $17,500 2010 Honda CRV Automatic, AWD, 55k kms reduced to $14,500 2010 Hyundai Tucson 5-speed, 4WD, 90k kms reduced to $9,500 2002 Toyota 4Runner 5-Speed, Diesel, 245k kms reduced to $7,800 Cowboy Dave 6571-8627 keithwoolford@gmail.com

This is a great history book in that it's not only well written, but full of adventure, heartbreak, determination and many other elements of a good novel. Since I read it, the areas around the Canal have a whole new familiarity.

11 years around here, 10 in C.R.

thanks

Actually Bonnie, I don't believe that the United States is one of the signatories of this Convention.

At least 1,300 members of the National Police, between these units of the Directorate of Judicial Investigation (DIJ), will be responsible for the security during the fiestas patrias in the district of David, with operations that covers both the residential and commercial areas. Commissioner Rene Herrera, of the Police Zone of Chiriqui, stated that has the mission of maintaining security during the journey of the parades where they will not allow the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages, in addition to avoid any conflict in the public roads. Herrera said that there will be specialized units in antipandillas, canine and DIJ. In addition, joined the units of transit, which shall ensure that the vehicular traffic will be carried out with the best effectiveness. Currently in Chiriqui a plan dvelops for the reduction and neutralization of street gangs, including the social reintegration program Barrios Seguros. http://laestrella.com.pa/panama/nacional/refuerzos-policia-para-custodiar-david/23901578

Geez Bud, you are ahead of the curve. Is that a Beta version of Windows 19?

"..that CL will reconsider it's decision" If I am reading correctly, this was not CL's decision.

It's my belief as well that the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child does not bind a nation to additional legislation. For example, in Canada the Youth Criminal Justice Act allows for the sentencing of minors as adults in certain cases. Canada Canada became a signatory to the Convention on 28 May 1990[18] and ratified in 1991.[19] Prior to ratifying the treaty, Canada's laws were either largely or entirely in conformity with the treaty. Youth criminal laws in Canada underwent major changes resulting in the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) which went into effect on 1 April 2003. The Act specifically references Canada's different commitments under the Convention. There is a good summary of Canada's youth offender act and it's amendments here. http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/cj-jp/yj-jj/tools-outils/back-hist.html This is a small excerpt dealing with adult sentencing. In 2012, Parliament removed the presumptive offence scheme from the YCJA while retaining Crown applications for adult sentences for youth. Parliament also amended the adult sentencing provisions to include the following: If a young person is 14 years of age or older and is charged with a serious violent offence, the prosecutor must consider applying to the court for an adult sentence. If the prosecutor decides not to apply for an adult sentence, the prosecutor must advise the court. A province may decide to change the age at which this obligation is triggered from 14 to 15 or 16.A court can impose an adult sentence only if (a) the prosecution rebuts the presumption that the young person has diminished moral blameworthiness or culpability and (b) a youth sentence would not be of sufficient length to hold the young person accountable.A young person under the age of 18 who receives an adult sentence is to be placed in a youth facility and may not be placed in an adult correctional facility. Once the young person turns 18, he or she may be placed in an adult facility.

..and if you think it's dangerous here. Yesterday the U.S. State Department issued an updated travel advisory for Honduras "Due to the fact that "the levels of violence and crime are critically high" in the central American country, and that criminals operate with a "high degree of impunity". ...The US embassy in Tegucigalpa has registered 42 murders of American citizens since 2010, with 10 of them since January of this year, according to the new alert. ...Although Honduras has one of the highest rates of homicide in the world, the United States recognizes that the index has fallen from 86.5 per 100 thousand inhabitants in 2011 to 66 per 100 thousand in 2014, and "the estimates published in July 2015 predict a lower rate" for this year. - See more en español at: http://www.prensa.com/mundo/Unidos-niveles-violencia-impunidad-Honduras_0_4335316617.html#sthash.seVACHEO.dpuf

Understood. The thing is that most 'real information' in Panama (stuff other than that specifically aimed at tourists or expats) is usually only found using Spanish language search terms ..and the info's going to be in Spanish. Translating and editing is time consuming and this was a 14 page document. Probably the best approach in these circumstances would be to copy and paste the section that immediately interests you and run it through a translator. I still like free translation.com

The 'Barrios Seguros' program... cont'd. The Minister asked the Assamblea for, and received, a 50% increase in the budget for 2016 for the program. Although it may not be as sophisticated as an equivalent in developed countries (with higher debt), it seems to be what Panama can afford. I think we have to remember that kids are born into the culture that surrounds them ..everywhere. If it's street gangs, they're either in, or in for a rough ride. There are a lot of films on the subject, this one has always stuck.

The 'Barrios Seguros' program represents the implementation of the ideals and policies contained in these reports. Young men are convinced to turn over a new leaf if given the opportunity to do so. To date the program has been successful in Colon and Panama East but wasn't working in the David area. The Minister came here two weeks ago to find out why and give it a kick start. In order to be effective, municipal Councils, the Church, and the business community all have to be on board. The Minister came back the other day and signed an agreement of cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce.

O.K., sorry. No more links to information in Spanish.

Juvenile Criminal Justice System in Panama - July 28th, 2014 This is an ex-oficio report which appears to have been prepared for the United Nations with data from Panama's Ministry of Security, The Public Ministry (Attorney-General), and the Judicial system. The answers to most of these questions about the system can probably be found here. https://www.unodc.org/documents/ropan/Technical_Consultative_Opinions_2014/Interagencial_-_JP_Juvenil.pdf

POBLACIÓN En Panamá existen siete centros para recluir a la población de menores infractores. El único con hacinamiento es el centro de custodia de menores Arco Iris, ubicado en Tocumen, ciudad capital. Las instalaciones se dividen en dos: Arco Iris centro de custodia 1 y centro de custodia 2. El primero tiene una capacidad para 91 jóvenes y concentra a 153. El segundo tiene capacidad para 24 jóvenes y mantiene a 32. La Residencia Femenina, ubicada detrás del Inadeh de Tocumen, tiene capacidad para 28 chicas y cobija a 11, de las cuales 5 niñas están en espera de juicio y 6 pagan su condena. El centro de cumplimiento de Pacora puede albergar a 192 menores y tiene 149 pagando sus delitos. El centro de custodia Basilio Lakas, en Colón, dividido en dos, tiene una población de 37 jóvenes infractores. De ese total, 18 están en proceso de condena y 19 pagan sus penas. La capacidad del lugar es para 45 chicos. En Herrera, hay 40 jóvenes en un centro dividido en dos: 27 menores en custodia y 13 condenados. La capacidad del lugar es para 56. En Chiriquí, el centro de cumplimiento Aurelio Granados, dividido en dos, tiene 71 chicos: 35 menores en custodia y 36 condenados. El centro tiene capacidad para 85 infractores. http://laestrella.com.pa/panama/nacional/1156-menores-recluidos-centros-carcelarios/23799861

Some fact checking is required here. Facilities for juvenile offenders do exist in Panama.

President Varela was one busy guy on this trip