31
May 09
It would be hard to determine what are the reasons –should one call the issues instead- that have led the second most powerful political force of 2006 into something of a popularity warp zone. The PAC´s convention held last Sunday was for sure material of great scrutiny by the media, but due to it´s membership dispositions one of relative poor attendance by the electorate, and this wouldn´t be the only one factor in a list of several unsatisfying vectors.
A new party known as PAP or AP (Party of the Patriotic Alliance) led by Mariano Figueres –brother of the ex president of the same family branch- and disenfranchised liberacionista Rolando Araya Monge rises now claiming to truly convey the message of the national movement clearly identified with the opposition to the free trade treaty with the USA. The PAC thus rely now on its party´s overstated appeal and that of his newly appointed 2 times presidential candidate Otton Solis. The struggle that crippled the shine of the same cannot be traced only to the split between Solis and Campbell but much longer ago to the mishandled rejection to the results of the election to which Arias made the presidency by the grip of mere numeric luck.
Even if Solis carries with him the ideals that make the backbone of the Social Action Party, the arguments as to the permanence of a brotherly and agreeable bond between its members could be as easily dismissed as Epsy´s “caucasianness”.
Most recently Campbell argued the Convention would not only prove unsatisfactory in demographic scale alone –due to their obsecate setting which rules out the admittance of any vote from any other citizens rather than those coming from those who did inscribe themselves in a somewhat obscure and ultimately ineffective process- but also in equal opportunities as the very electoral sheets did not regard the input of their visually impaired. A recourse presented before election day to impede the vote reception due to arguable result issuance was dismissed on early as well.
Cambell´s and Macaya´s (who was he anyways?) fore-sung defeat did not necessarily point out the party´s general immaturity as a political massive force but in fact the relative easiness with which it appears to deal with it´s internal problems, dismissing the small problems in direct forfeiture of their supposed principles, and the arrogant posture of it´s politically engorged personas. Cradles of mud don´t seem to live up to their messiah promises as often as it becomes involved with politics.
30
May 09
Laura Chincilla may be as clueless about the factors that seem to make her less agreeable before the local gay community as probably Ricky Martin is about his sexuality –no statements made-. However, the reality of the matter points to the following: as far a fandom amongst the homosexuals in Costa Rica, Johnny Araya and Otton Solis get all the smileys.
Before a set of questioning presented to all pre-candidates to the future 2010 elections, Chinchilla appears to have answered in the most “inconclusive and evasive manner”, or so claims Aberlardo Araya, leader of the local group called Movimiento Diversidad.
Chinchiclla expressed herself to be greatly at odds with the repercussions of her words in regards to the “gay marriage issue”, -“I do not understand, my position has been the same of always and does not set itself different from those of other candidates¨- said she, ever so… clearly.
And however right she might have been in declaring that Movimiento Diversidad does not represent the majority of the costa rican gay community, the matter remains, while failing to address their utter disposition or opposition to the reform to the constitution which would allow gay men and women to marry –and/or also to the simple amendment that would entitle homosexuals to the same rights as regular heterosexual couples in regards to loans and rights over death or disease- their preference can be gained all all-together lost, which explains why the fine threading on the theme.
29
May 09
Lula, he may resemble Santa Claus more than Chavez or Arias do, and maybe because of that he is generally well liked everywhere he wishes go. He symbolizes the might of the Southern Cone and makes up for the Argentinian political fiascoes, the general irrelevance of Paraguay and in his association with Chaves, even passes on some of his political moderation on. And on occasion of his friend Mauricio Funes assuming the presidency of El Salvador Lula has designed something of a Central American tour, passing by Costa Rica before heading back south.
As member of the so-called BRIC, Lula posses great chance of political and economic alliance for Arias, who has wished to strengthen his bonds with Asia, specially China. The once factory worker also poses great promises of direct exchange of ideas and goods with Costa Rica, for which the circumstances of Etanol would suit fine to national policies.
Arias had already paid a visit to Lula during 2008 and now his brazilian counterpart will be arrive not short from the emotional atmosphere of the PLN convention. His visit will be regarded in all official manner and several activities have been planned in San Jose for the occasion.
28
May 09
Minor de Jesus Calvo Aguilar, better known as Padre Minor will be released from jail this coming Monday, this due to a special recourse granted by the Criminology Institute of the Justice Ministry.
The once poster-boy of the costa rican catholic counter-reformation of the mid and late 90´s had his public image greatly damaged by a series of scandals that ranged from factual accusations of mishandling of funds –very thing which ultimately led him to spend time in San Sebastian prison center- as well as allegations of sexual misconduct with an under aged boy in the politically incorrect park of La Sabana.
The special provision with which Calvo was gifted is a special form of “probation” that determines the inmate to be allowed to spend 5 days-a-week sleeping at home while he needs present himself at the premises of the Adaptación Social building in Guadalupe and spend the night for the two other days. If this was to be violated in any way –expressed the judge- he would be returned to the conditions of his penance for the remainder of his 8 year sentence for fraud.
In the meantime, Minor Calvo will spend his regular labour hours in the Ecclesiastic Archives of the Catholic Church, same entity that has wished not comment on the case except to declare their desire to help in the atonement process of their fallen star.
27
May 09
The Tribunal Ambiental, entity focused on supervising and denouncing the proper use and/or damage inflicted upon our natural resources and protected parks has forced the government to make amends for the damages caused to the Palo Verde Park when the IDA (Institute of Agricultural Development) flooded a sector of the protected area while working on the construction of canals to irrigate nearby rice and sugarcane plantations.
The issue had been denounced since early in 2000, when park authorities complained to other gubernamental agencies of the severe damage inflicted upon a “Pochote” forest. By 2007, official research concluded that the areas of la Bocana, Nicaragua, Corralillo y Quebrada la Mula –all within the protected area and nearing 3,000 acres in size- had been affected by the industrial flooding.
Just one year time is the actual frame designed by the Tribunal to have the responsible agencies do damage control. Such plans include the construction of a 6 kilometer long canal that will allow for the expulsion of the waters from the reservoir.
The Palo Verde protected area has been regarded by international agencies as a site of great environmental value and primordial wetland asset.
26
May 09
Oscar Arias joins the ranks of several Noble Peace Prize winners in their struggle to impede the trial of fellow laureate Aung San Suu Kyi before the Burmese justice system. The 1991 Peace Prize winner is now threatened with imprisonment over an alleged violation of the home condition forced on her since 2003. Costa Rica has released a statement which denounces the trial as “a mockery of law”.
The list of Noble Awardees includes Desmond Tutu, Jody Williams,Wangari Mathaai, Shirin Ebadi, Mairead Corrigan Maguire, Rigoberta Menchú and a few more. The group wrote a letter to the UN and to the Association of Nation of South-East Asia claiming for intervention on behalf of Suu Kyi and pointing out the absurdity of the case as Burma lacks a proper judicial system.
Concerns have also been raised in regards to Suu Kyi´s health. According to international news agencies, her doctor as well as two other women who looked after her were imprisoned also . Risks of low blood pressure and dehydration are the most stressful and principal arguments presented by Human Rights organizations demanding the release of the Peace Prize winner.
Suu Kyi had received international acclaim for her work in denouncing and fighting the injustices committed in Burma throughout years of political instability and violation of human rights.
24
May 09
The reach of the power of the executive branch of our government falls painfully short as the conglomerate of institutions invested with the care taking of project development fight each other for the paying of responsibility dues in the over-stretched course of preparations for the Free Trade Treaty charter.
The office created specially for the overseeing and regularization of all aspects of the soon to explode offer of private-funded telecommunication companies is even unable to pay the salaries of it´s employees. The SUTEL –initials in spanish for the Regulating Superintendency of Telecommunications- has contested the refusal expressed by the ICE to release about 450 million colones meant for the financing of operations of the recently created and fundamental institution.
ICE’s authorities claim they will not approve the outing of the aforementioned figure as –according to them- the new law that allowed for the existence of SUTEL also failed to properly assign a recipient for the funds intended to finance the regulations of such services. In short, technicalities which stiffen the already paralyzed process much needed to permit Costa Rica to adequate to the fearsome competition challenges.
The long-standing reluctance shown by the ICE to accept the irrevocable fact of private competition to their once holy monopoly market of local telecommunications once contested fiercely the mere likeness of a trade agreement´s existence with the US moving its massive bulk of Union leadership and labour force to the streets of San Jose with failing final electoral results. Notwithstanding, the lingering agenda of obstacles to the full execution of the treaty´s measures makes their resolve not just obvious but some might even quarrel if obnoxious.
23
May 09
However delayed, the train route destined to relieve the over-congested and wanting Heredia-San Jose access line will begin operation during the second half of May –thus having changed the preset date of which we had informed of before. The discordance now appears to root in the lack of proper agreement between Incofer –the Costa Rican Railway Agency- and the Bus Companies that also provide transportation between the capital city and “city of flowers”.
The precise point of divergence being that of the pricing for the new train service, which would come to directly compete with the tolls applies to the existent bus lines. While the price set for the Heredia-San Jose train ticket would be of 355 colones, the majority of companies dealing in the bus service charge an approximate of $320, and if one is to consider the time efficiency offered by the train service´s premise –running to a maximum speed of 25 kph yet spared of traffic disturbances- the threat posed to the financial position of the pre-established services is more than evident.
The ARESEP (literally: Regulating Authority of Public Services) is now evaluating the setting of the starting ticket price for the train service while considering some aspects that were somewhat neglected in the current 355 C. calculation. The offered pricing for example does not consider the investment made in the purchase of the spanish train cars nor other financial technicalities. With the likeness of and adjustment performed to the Heredia Train line the ARESEP is actively attempting to prevent an en economic war between the parties involved in the daily movement of over 50,000 peoples between two of Costa Rica´s largest urbanized zones.
Without further adieu, and in view of the general readiness of our new transportation means we hope to find the service available soon enough, and if any further issues appear we´ll surely inform on them.
23
May 09
While some bus companies had begun using the electronic ID check devise to replace the transportation cost for the aged citizens it had not become fully a reality just until now. The CCSS has stopped the issuing of tickets and discounts destined to the elderly in view of complications the process raises in administration burdens and as it extends over an area of responsibilities which by law do not pertain to the institution.
The application of the special law for the elder person now sees fulfilled one of its most pressing goals: guaranteeing free public transportation to all citizens over the age of 65. As it is disposed, the one thing required from them would be to hand their identification cards to the bus driver so they can swipe it through an electronic device cancelling thus the previous and ancient requirement of an specific toll.
While many companies still have not adhered to the new normative, the CCSS and the National Chamber of Transportation are eyeing possibilities to safeguard and maintain the right of the elderly to travel freely, among them is the chance of actually exercising the usage of over 250,000 tickers that had been issued already for the same means. Other options are also being considered without much detail on them having been released to the press.
The application of this law has been received joyfully by most of the regular users over 65, declaring the sparing of transportation costs does little to alter the difficult financial situation that affects many of them, however dignifies their position as appreciated group within our society. Remains to be seen if similar measures will be taken for the protection of the physically challenged.
22
May 09
The diligence with which the Catholic Church continues to render its influence over social aspects of the national way of life fickles little even when the count of its adherents diminishes with every year that passes to other religious flocks and Atheism. Birth control and the sexual over-exposure of teenagers are not however the only topics over which Monsignor Barrantes daily rules upon but as the trend has demanded also: the crisis is in vogue!.
And precisely on this particular some tension had been raised in past days between President Arias and the local Catholic “high command”: The Church had declared the measures of Plan Escudo wanting and failing to aid in the daily struggles of our people to deal and overcome the crisis –perhaps the one fitting deed the enclave of Saint Peter has committed itself into if not also the only respectable social endeavor in my own personal view-, however paradoxically Barrantes claimed the government had failed to come up with a plan that would successfully stand for the interests of all different groups in Costa Rica. ?
Oh my!, but if ever I saw the Church wishing defend the rights of all members of the flock and not just of its own. President Arias however did not fail to respond at the precise moment with something of a sharp quasi-classical remark: “I´d like to know how much money is the Church spending in helping the poor”. Touché.
In spite of all respectable subjects of discussion raised hereby, the always reliable and ever-watchful eye of Mayi Antillon´s Ministry of State Information has somewhat reshaped and toned down the character with which the President had so “rudely” addressed the situation. Now, they wish only underline the comparable work of both the government and religious entities to halt the recession and aid the community during these so perilous times. Don´t we all wish sometimes real life politics resembled more a Reality TV? (unless one thinks of course of the laughable scenarios of say, the Nigaragua Parliament?).