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A.M. Costa Rica
Your daily English-language news source Monday through Friday |
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| A.M. Costa Rica's Second news page | |||||||||
| San José, Costa Rica, Monday, April 9, 2012, Vol. 12, No. 70 | |||||||||
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Our
readers' opinions
Happiness
index appearsto be seriously flawed Dear A.M. Costa Rica: Interesting article on Page 3 on Thursday, April 5, 2012, regarding the Gallup organization’s attempt to measure happiness levels in various countries. I am an American retired and living in Costa Rica. I travel to the States periodically to see family, and I communicate with friends and family in the States daily. I read both Costa Rican and American news media daily. I have regular visitors from the States in my home. As a caveat, I am neither a statistician nor an expert on survey methodology. But you don’t have to be an expert to see that any survey instrument that ranks Costa Rica behind the U.S. in happiness is seriously flawed and not to be believed. All you have to do is observe people in both countries to see that, these days, the U.S. is a very unhappy place — even for the Americans who have much more money to spend than the population here. Rob
Rowntree
Quepos That stress is in your head, not in your coffee cup Dear A.M. Costa Rica: Hari Singh Khalsa of Cóbano put down the studies regarding the benefits of coffee. He still holds on to old studies about stress and says that it is a proven fact that caffeine is a major cause of stress and that stress causes heart disease as well as cancer and other diseases. He is right about stress causing a number of diseases. I would like to clarify that research and results continually change. Scientific study is all about new findings and changes of old ideas. It is not proven that caffeine is a major cause of stress as Singh stated. The major cause of stress is just thought. It is your thoughts that cause stress not caffeine. Caffeine may be a stimulant, which it is, but it depends on what your thoughts do with that stimulant. Most people are not addicted to coffee and don't need to go through caffeine detox because they don't consume that much caffeine daily. A.M. Costa Rica was just reporting on a very thorough new report about the benefits of coffee. Other researchers have come up with the same results as well. Just because it was reported to be bad in the past doesn't mean that would always remain true. Keep doing your yoga and you won't have to worry about an overload of stress. I do yoga as well as Tai Chi every morning. After I finish, I have two delicious cups of coffee while reading A.M. Costa Rica. I haven't been sick in many years nor seen a doctor in years as well. Stress is in all in your mind not in the coffee. Henry Kantrowitz
Punta Leona Postage stamps sought Dear A.M. Costa Rica: Can you help? I need used postage stamps for philately promotion to kids (stamp collecting offers a world of interest). From Costa Rica I need all kinds, in duplicates, on paper, but other countries are welcome. This is a permanent appeal, so stamps can be sent at any time of the year. Perhaps you are able to support my project, so please ask my gift-offer or visit my Web site. Thank you. Roberto
Bortolotto
casella postale aperta, 35043 Monselice (pd), Italia
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| What we published this week: | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Earlier |
| The contents of this page and this Web site are copyrighted by Consultantes Río Colorado 2012 and may not be reproduced anywhere without permission. Abstracts and fair use are permitted. Check HERE for details | ||||||
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| A.M. Costa Rica Third
News Page |
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| San José, Costa Rica, Monday, April 9, 2012, Vol. 12, No. 70 | |
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| Burning Judas night sees more fires but
less property damage |
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By
the A.M. Costa Rica staff
The Easter weekend saw an 81 percent increase in set fires as youngsters and adults participated in the quema de Judas Saturday night. Still the Fuerza Pública said it has reduced the violence by planned programs in Santa Ana and Santa Bárbara de Heredia. Typically youngsters and some adults blockade roads and eventually burn an effigy of the apostle blamed with turning in Jesus Christ with a kiss. But the violence started Friday. That was when neighbors in Libertad 1 in Pavas were participating in throwing water on passing cars. This appears to be a local annual celebration. A vehicle containing four men shopped short after being doused with water. Two men got out the rear doors and fired four times on the assembled crowd. A 7-year-old girl took a bullet in the back, said the Judicial Investigating Organization. The child was hospitalized. Fuerza Pública officers had to fire smoke grenades at a crowd of youths in San Rafael de Heredia Saturday night after they began throwing rocks at police. There were arrests reported Saturday night, but probably not as many as last year when there were 86. |
The Cuerpo de Bomberos said
that there were 29 blazes that required
intervention by fire fighters Saturday night and early Sunday. The fuel for the set fires was mostly garbage, said the fire agency, although one firemen was reported injured by a thrown rock in San Rafael. The greatest number of fires was in Heredia with 14. There were five fires in Belén, the fire agency said. In 2011 there were just 16 blazes that required the attention of fire fighters. There were no structure fires. In 2009 Judas participants burned down a furniture store in San Rafael. Two years earlier youths there torched a vehicle. Each year the Fuerza Pública sets up programs to reduce the violence. In Lindora de Santa Ana again this year there were sports competitions and bicycle races. There also was a downpour Saturday night that cooled Judas night participation. In Piedades de Santa Ana there was a celebration with masked figures. The goal was to occupy the youngsters and distract them from the fires and road blockades. |
Juan José Andrade Morales, director general of the Fuerza Pública, and Mario Zamora Cordero, security minister, inspect yet another load of drugs flown into Juan Santamaría airport after being confiscated at the Peñas Blancas border crossing where the packages were found hidden in a tractor trailer. |
 Ministerio
de Gobernación, Policía y Seguridad Pública
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| Yet another trucker is believed to be
smuggling cocaine north |
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By
the A.M. Costa Rica staff
The seizure of drugs at the Peñas Blancas border station is becoming routine. Yet another tractor trailer carried packages of cocaine, this time inside the tires, said the Policía de Control de Drogas. The 256 kilos, some 563 pounds, were found Friday in a vehicle registered in El Salvador. That is where the driver was headed, according to the anti-drug police. He was identified only by the last name of Parada. Police said he was 31. The Ministerio de Gobernación, Policía y Seguridad Pública said that a bit more than four tons of cocaine have been confiscated at the same border crossing so far this year. |
Costa Rica is generally recognized
as a transit country for cocaine
from the south. Although smugglers use water routes as well as
submersible vessels, hemisphere drug experts estimated that 80 percent
of the cocaine moved at least part of the way on land. The ministry's Servicio de Vigilancia Aérea moved the drug packages from Liberia by air. This is routine procedure now after robbers and insiders took about 320 kilos of drugs from the prosecutor's office in Golfito early March 26, 2009. The packages found Friday were embossed into the cocaine with an impression of an eagle. Mario Zamora Cordero, the security minister, and Mauricio Borachi, the nation's anti-drug commissioner, gave a press conference at the airport Sunday after the drugs arrived. |
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| You need to see Costa Rican tourism information HERE! |
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| What we published this week: | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Earlier |
| The contents of this page and this Web site are copyrighted by Consultantes Río Colorado 2012 and may not be reproduced anywhere without permission. Abstracts and fair use are permitted. Check HERE for details | ||||||
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| A.M. Costa Rica's Fourth News page | |||||
| San José, Costa Rica, Monday, April 9, 2012, Vol. 12, No. 70 | |||||
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| Amid ethics scandal, Mike Wallace managed
to prevent fist fight |
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By
Jay Brodell
editor of A.M. Costa Rica and wire service reports Mike Wallace generally came across as somewhat of a pitbull. But Wallace, known for his hard-hitting television interviews, was not one to fly off the handle. His producer did just that one
Although the segment eventually aired, one of its reporters, Lowell Bergman, quit over the delay and was involved in making the movie. Then at the Waldorf Astoria 12 years ago Bergman confronted Hewitt from the audience at the end of his talk. The discussion flamed anew in the corridor as Hewitt rushed at Bergman, a man many years his junior. The men would have begun a brawl if Wallace did not intervene and grab the diminutive Hewitt in a bear hug. But angry words continued to fly. Wallace also had been critical of the movie. He was really protecting the 77-year-old Hewitt. Wallace was 82 himself at the time, Bergman was just 54. The incident made the newswires. The key point of the television news segment and of the movie was that tobacco company researcher Jeffrey Wigand had evidence that executives knew for years that nicotine was addictive even though they had denied that to Congress. Bergman was played by Al Pacino in the movie. Subsequent commentators agree that the movie gave the CBS reporter a stronger role in disclosing the truth than had really happened. The major ethical issue was if Hewitt stalled airing the tobacco segment for fear of a major lawsuit or if he did so because CBS |
was about to be merged with
Westinghouse and a lawsuit would kill the
deal. Published reports after the 1995 incident disclosed that the
family of Lawrence Tisch, then chairman of CBS, was buying six
cigarette brands from Brown & Williamson. So clearly Tisch
had a
reason to sit on the segment that portrayed the tobacco industry in a
negative light. The tobacco controversy was one of many that involved Wallace during his nearly 40 years at “60 minutes.” He was 93 when he died Saturday. Wallace was an entertainer in the early days of television and then rose to become one of America's best known broadcast journalists. In a statement Sunday, the CBS network said Wallace died Saturday at an extended care facility in Connecticut after a long illness. Wallace spent nearly 40 years on the ground-breaking CBS news magazine “60 Minutes.” There, he interviewed hundreds of the world's most prominent public figures, from U.S. presidents, generals, artists and athletes to international dignitaries, writers, playwrights and Hollywood stars. He also interviewed scores of lesser-known figures, including suspected cheats, fraudsters, and many others alleged to have used dubious means to achieve wealth and fame. CBS on Sunday cited Wallace's “extraordinary contribution as a broadcaster,” calling him “a force within the television industry throughout its existence.” Wallace's relentless style drew millions of viewers and fans to Sunday night television, where “60 Minutes” has been a mainstay since its first broadcast segment in 1968. But that style also drew criticism and a highly publicized lawsuit stemming from the Vietnam War. That suit, brought by army Gen. William C. Westmoreland — the commander of U.S. forces in Vietnam — sought $120 million in damages for a Wallace-anchored “60 Minutes” report alleging the general deceived the American public by under-counting the enemy in Vietnam. The case went to trial in 1984, and months later Westmoreland withdrew the suit. Wallace later revealed in an interview with colleague Morley Safer that he had attempted suicide during the lawsuit crisis. He later spoke repeatedly about his recovery from depression and said the years after the attempt were some of the most productive of his long life. Hewitt died in 1999. Bergman is now with The New York Times and also the Public Broadcasting series “Frontline.” He also is a journalism professor in California. |
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| Diplomatic
shuffle, political strategy put new man in Panamá |
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By
Eric Jackson
editor, The Panamá News In the benighted world of Washington's foreign policy toward the Americas, astute observations made in private can get sewn onto a diplomat as the red letter for apostasy if ever they get published. WikiLeaks published a number of cables that Jonathan D. Farrar sent back to Foggy Bottom as chief of the
And so it was that Farrar's next appointment, as U.S. ambassador to Nicaragua, met with loud opposition from the Miami Cuban exile leadership, and as a consequence that move was blocked in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. It wouldn't do to have somebody who's "soft on communism" dealing with Danny Ortega. But it also won't do for Republicans to destroy the career of a respected Mexican-American diplomat over Cuban-American dogma and still expect to carry much of the Hispanic vote in several southwestern states where's it's an important and growing factor. And while polls indicate that Florida's Cuban voters will by and large remain in the GOP column — with |
some slippage among the younger ones
—
the Republicans have trouble with the state's non-Cuban Hispanic
voters, who substantially outnumber the Cuban-Americans and by most
learned estimates Florida remains in play for the November election.
There is talk about Mitt
Romney nominating Cuban-American Sen. Marco Rubio as his runningmate
both to incorporate some of his party's farther-right and to avoid a
Democratic blowout among "the Hispanic vote." It might be erroneous
math based on faulty assumptions, but calculations of this sort
probably do affect what Republican senators do these days. President Obama reacted to the Republican block on Farrar's nomination to serve in Managua by appointing the U.S. ambassador in Panamá, Phyllis Powers, to go to Nicaragua instead, and appointing Farrar to take her place in Panamá. There was a delay, but when Farrar testified before the committee the two Cuban-Americans on the panel, Rubio and Democrat Robert Menendez of New Jersey, spoke in his favor. Rubio did put in a jab or two about Cuba, but echoed the fears of many libertarian Republicans that Ricardo Martinelli is making a petty tyrant of himself and expressed confidence that Farrar would stay on top of that situation. For his part, Farrar mostly talked about topics that are considered "safe" in the Senate — pursuing the "War on Drugs," helping U.S. corporations benefit from "free trade" with Panamá and such. After another delay, the entire Senate approved both Farrar's and Powers's appointments without objection on March 29. Farrar should be here shortly. The policies that he upholds should not be any surprise, but his personality and relationships with the press and the American community here remain to be seen. Farrar, a Los Angeles native, is a graduate of Cal Poly Pomona, Claremont Graduate School and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He has served in Cuba, Uruguay, Mexico, Belize, and Paraguay. He has served with the State Department's International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Bureau and its Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. In Washington he was deputy director of the Office of Andean Affairs, among his other assignments there. Copyright 2012 The Panamá News. Used with permission. |
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Jo
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| What we published this week: | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Earlier |
| The contents of this page and this Web site are copyrighted by Consultantes Río Colorado 2012 and may not be reproduced anywhere without permission. Abstracts and fair use are permitted. Check HERE for details | ||||||
| A.M.
Costa Rica's Fifth news page |
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| San José, Costa Rica, Monday, April 9, 2012, Vol. 12, No. 70 | |||||||||
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| Brazil's
President Rousseff plans to see Obama today By
the A.M. Costa Rica wire services
President Barack Obama is scheduled to meet with Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff at the White House today, several days before both leaders go to Colombia for the Summit of the Americas. The White House meeting will be between the leaders of the world’s largest economy and one of the fastest growing economies. Brazil has the world’s sixth-largest economy, a large and growing middle class and an expanding leadership role in world affairs. Analysts say a likely goal for President Rousseff, on her first official visit to Washington, is to make the most of her country’s international standing. Another likely priority is to further strengthen Brazil’s relationship with the United States, which Eric Farnsworth, vice president of the Council of the Americas, says is already strong, healthy and diverse. “I think what you are going to see on April 9 with President Obama and President Rousseff is going to be two leaders of the two largest democratic countries in the Western Hemisphere embracing, perhaps literally, but certainly figuratively, and looking for ways to continue to build out a common agenda," he said. That agenda is expected to include economic issues, such as trade. A free trade agreement between the two countries has stalled, with some analysts in Washington accusing Brazil of protectionism. President Obama’s visit to Brazil last year produced new economic and commercial agreements, which might lead to more cooperation on international issues. Brazil is seeking U.S. support in its bid for a seat on the U. N. Security Council. Washington has backed India’s quest for a seat, but has not done so with Brazil. Meanwhile, Obama might ask Ms. Rousseff to support tougher sanctions against Iran and Syria. Nonetheless, Eric Farnsworth says the two countries are in agreement on most issues. “The areas of disagreement, for example, Iran’s nuclear program or some trade disputes or what have you, are always going to capture people’s attention and news reports, et cetera. But the reality is the fabric of cooperation the United States has with Brazil is very deep. It is very strong. And I do not anticipate that this meeting is going to do anything except strengthen that," he said. Energy is one of the main areas of expected cooperation between the two countries. Brazil has some of the world’s largest oil reserves, and it has made wide use of biofuels and other alternative forms of energy, an area of interest to President Obama. Other possible agenda items include education, Brazil’s work with other Andean nations to fight the illegal drug trade and cooperation on rebuilding Haiti. Brazil is also in the process of deciding whether to buy $30 billion worth of jet fighters from France or the United States. Rebels in Colombia kill six government soldiers By
the A.M. Costa Rica wire services
Colombia's military says rebels from the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia — FARC — have ambushed a military unit and killed six soldiers. A military spokesman says three rebels were killed in the return fire Saturday about 400 kilometers northwest of the capital, Bogota. That is about 250 miles. Last month, the Colombian government says it killed more than 30 rebels in a bombing raid. The rebels has been at war with the Colombian government since the 1960s. Their numbers have dwindled over the years, but some analysts estimate the group has as many as 9,000 fighters. The rebels have been designated as a terrorist organization by Colombia, the United States and the European Union. Chávez asks God to help him remain president By
the A.M. Costa Rica wire services
Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez became emotional during a Mass held in his home state of Barinas Thursday. Flanked by family members, Chávez asked God: "Please don't take me yet." In a breaking voice, he said he still has "things to do for my people and my country." Little is known about the 57-year-old socialist leader’s condition, including what type of cancer he has. Chávez has undergone three operations in less than a year, and received two sessions of radiation treatment. He says the latest surgery was successful, and that he will be fit to win a new six-year term in October. Chávez underwent an operation in February in Cuba to remove a tumor from his pelvic region. A tumor was extracted from the same area last year. He has also undergone two rounds of radiation therapy. |
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| What we published this week: | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Earlier |
| The contents of this page and this Web site are copyrighted by Consultantes Río Colorado 2012 and may not be reproduced anywhere without permission. Abstracts and fair use are permitted. Check HERE for details | ||||||
| A.M.
Costa
Rica's sixth news page |
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| San
José,
Costa Rica, Monday, April 9, 2012, Vol. 12, No. 70 |
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Latin America news |
Fewer fatalities reported
Central Pacific getsfor Semana Santa this year By
the A.M. Costa Rica staff
Although all the numbers are not yet in, Semana Santa appears to have cost fewer lives this year than last. The Cruz Roja said that only 21 violent deaths were reported by Sunday night, 19 less than the 40 for the same period in 2011. The principal cause of death was water accidents, the rescue agency said. It attributed eight deaths to drowning. Only two persons died from knife or gun wounds this weekend, compared to seven last year. And the number of persons killed in vehicle crashes was just two compared to the seven the year before. Of course the Cruz Roja only lists injuries and deaths when it is called upon to respond. Not all cases require the agency. For example, the Judicial Investigating Organization found the body of a man buried in the yard where he lived. He was identified by the last name of Fernández. He had been dead more than two weeks, so the Cruz Roja was not called. The man's 37-year-old housemate was detained. Fernández was 58 and appears to have died from a stab wound, the judicial agency said. The home is near Golfito. There were more injuries this year. The Cruz Roja said it transported 71 persons to hospitals That compares to 57 last year. Not included in the total is anyone who died at the hospital because the Cruz Roja just reports fatalities at the scene. Among those who did not make the list is Óscar López, the politician and former legislative deputy. He was rescued after he was caught in the surf at Playa Espadillas in Manuel Antonio. three quakes Saturday By
the A.M. Costa Rica staff
Saturday was a big day for quakes on the Pacific coast. A 3.3 magnitude quake took place at 9:43 a.m. 10.7 kilometers (6.6 miles) east of Quepos, according to the Laboratorio de Ingeniería Sísmica at the Universidad de Costa Rica. That was followed at 12:05 with a 2.9 shaker in the mountains 16.5 kilometers (10 miles) northeast of Dominical. Then at 8:03 a third quake, this one of 3.4 magnitude, took place 24 kilometers (15 miles) west of Dominical in the Pacific Ocean. |
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James
DeRoy
