Letters from Readers
The people's voice is an important part of strengthening our democracy and contributing to the public debate on important matters. A.M. Costa Rica encourages readers to send letters to the editor and comment on relevant topics of the day. Writers should include their full name and address. We do not allow vulgarities to appear in letters. No defamatory pieces will be accepted. We reserve the right to publish. Send your opinion to: news@amcostarica.com
My opinion is that Facebook or Twitter are not able to fuel a revolution
Dear A.M. Costa Rica readers:
Facebook and Twitter are only a means of communication. Are they being used to fuel revolution? Thomas Paine's pamphlet "Common Sense" fueled the American Revolution. It's reasonable to assume that Facebook and Twitter are a MEANS of fueling revolutions but in themselves, they are not responsible for fueling revolutions, no more than the printing press was responsible for fueling the American Revolution.
I do not believe Facebook and Twitter should be censored for any reason, not even for so-called "hate speech", no more than books should be burned. The greatest atrocities in human history were committed by groups that censored free speech.
Regards,
Ron Ristad
San Isidro, Heredia
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Rafting Tragedy
Dear A.M. Costa Rica readers:
As a river rafting guide of many years on all the major rivers of the western USA (with the exception of the Colorado/Grand Canyon), and a citizen and resident of Costa Rica, I believe there are a number of issues that need to be addressed regarding this tragedy.
First, of course, is the near-total lack of meaningful oversight of tourism outdoor activities incorporating an element of danger. Are vehicles used to transport tourists inspected and maintained and operated by individuals licensed and experienced in their operation? Are mechanical devices such as zip line cables and their anchor points and the provided gear (in the case of water sports, life vests, vessels and so on) given similar attention? Are operators given background checks for drunk driving or other criminal or negligent behavior? Is there insurance of any kind?
Specific to the rafting excursion under discussion, one of the survivors said that "the raft folded in half" or words to that effect. There are two ways that can be done: from bow to stern (front to back) or from side to side. The former is less likely due to physical factors involving the construction of the raft. I am speaking here of an un-reinforced, inflatable raft with no rigid sole (floorboard) or rowing frame or rigid frame of any kind, which is what the company in question provided. What I surmise happened was that the rafts immediately became oriented side-to the current, impacted rocks, became trapped by the current against the rocks, lifting the upstream side while simultaneously dumping the downstream passengers and folding the raft, dumping the upstream passengers as well. The incorporation of any one of the above-mentioned devices would have made nearly impossible the folding of the raft.
Having seen brief video footage of the water that day and time (presumably) this was class III to IV water in the footage. No large waves, no long drops, and so on. An experienced oarsman in a framed raft could have relatively easily navigated water, but in a small, unreinforced raft, with passengers paddling in a most likely unorganized and ineffective way - is a recipe for disaster. Of course, the option to wait for lower water should always be exercised under any doubtful condition.
The answer to all the questions posed above is in my experience, "no". My heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the lost.
Harv Brinson,
San Ramon, Alajuela
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Support for the Costa Rica Judicial System
Dear A.M. Costa Rica readers:
As we know, bad news travels many times faster than good. At this point in time, the topic of corruption and these "Untouchable Oligarchs" is at unprecedented volumes. The recent assertion that 46% of taxes go to support luxury pensions only serve to fan the flames of disgust. Recently we heard that Panama's judiciary set free Martinelli the once Panamanian president despite strong evidence of corruption. The Costa Rican judicial system has also come under criticism with allegations of malfeasance, self-interest, and corruption. Despite having been stuck in the judicial system for far too long I would like to comment. We have finally actually won the two cases, (and reported exclusively by A.M. Costa Rica), brought against us by these oligarchs relating to our now infamous land dispute. This demonstrates that despite everything, there does exist honesty and integrity within the system.
That the process should take so long is unfortunate and something these land exploiters know and misuse. I happen to despite this length of time, believe in the innate goodness of the people of Costa Rica and the judicial process. However, the book of Ecclesiastes (8:11) states that "When a sentence against a crime isn’t carried out quickly, people are encouraged to commit crimes." Human nature being what it gives a sense of protection to these abusers of the system because they know they have years of enjoyment - and even profit while the judicial process inches along for years. This is terribly wrong and encourages white-collar criminals to prosper because for them "tomorrow never comes."
History teaches us, an unhappy and disgruntled people can be easily led astray by charismatic opportunists.
All we have to do is look at Nicaragua and Venezuela so let us give our strong support to Attorney General Emilia Navas, and the honest folk in the judiciary and help them to restore faith and integrity in the system which is increasingly falling under suspicion.
We must all remember the adage "Justice delayed - is justice denied" Please let us support a strong and honest judiciary - the bigger picture and the alternative is grim.
Sheldon Haseltine,
San Josė downtown, San José
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My opinion on Caja strike
Dear A.M. Costa Rica readers:
The problem of tens of thousands of people not being able to get to their medical appointments, even surgeries, is not the fault of the strikers.
It is the fault of the Costa Rican government for allowing this!
These kinds of strikes where health is at stake, should not be permitted. And strikes where traffic is detained also should not be permitted by the
government or police!
It is fine if people strike, with signs, along the side of the road or other public places, and try to get the people in support of their cause.
But holding up traffic, stopping education or stopping medical treatment are forms of terrorism and should not be allowed.
My Tico friend Roberto says "But there is nothing we can do about it. If you put people in jail, the strikers will just cause even more trouble!"
I say, "Well, let's find out. Let's put thousands of the strikers in jail each time they strike, and see if the strikes do not stop."
I believe they will.
Gary Stevenson,
Puriscal, San José
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Racism against Hispanic Immigrants- Myth, not fact
Dear A.M. Costa Rica readers:
As any informed and aware person has seen for almost three years, the mainstream media has committed non-stop attacks against President Trump.
Despite his having no history of racism in his life, and despite his actions as President of the USA that has resulted in record-low minority unemployment, and tremendous gains by minorities in the housing and educational arenas. The Democrats have no real platform to present with any logical or remotely possible means of providing things they promise such as forgiveness of student loans, free college, free health care, and on and on, which would be impossible to pay for even if they took all money from the wealthiest Americans.
Their environmental policies would destroy large segments and destroy the business sector from being competitive in the world market. And the most ignorant thing the Democrats propose is open borders. They apparently don't think the USA should have secure borders, and that somehow we could afford to pay for millions of immigrants who for the most part have no education, skills or assets to contribute to the country, and would immediately be on the unsustainable welfare dose, not to mention the national security implications. All one has to do is look to Europe to realize these open border policies have been a disaster to European countries. Wanting secure borders, or calling out insane ideas by the group now referred to "The Squad", calling for enforcement of secure borders, or calling out a black congressman because his district is in a shambles and has been for decades under his watch is not racist, it's a statement against conditions that should not exist.
Time for the Democrats to join in with rational ideas for their platform, and stop trying to bankrupt the USA, whose national debt is already at a staggering 22.2 trillion dollars.
It is also about time the liberal media tell the truth, not fiction or slanted and distorted information to suit their anti-Trump hate, and give some credit for the fine work Trump has done on modernizing and supporting our military, adding millions of jobs, eliminating needless and job-killing regulations, and creating an environment for business to expand, and for gains for investment and pension funds that have been at record high's. The hate has essentially been on the Democratic side since the 2016 elections, they just cannot get over losing the election.
The hundreds of millions they have spent on a witch hunt regarding Trump colluding with Russia has only resulted in finding the vast amount of illegal acts done by their own party, including false statements and corrupt acts by Obama himself, and his and Hillary's supporters at the highest levels of the government, including the FBI and judicial arm of government to by any means, try to get Trump removed from office. The Democratic party has proved they are the party of hate and lies with their false accusations, and vile actions.
Jim Day,
Playa del Coco, Guanacaste
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Jay Brodell's editorial on government spending
Dear A.M. Costa Rica readers:
In the unlabeled editorial on July 2nd, “New tax rewards government for excessive spending” Jay Brodell mistakenly associates government spending with capital gains and the new tax on those gains. He asserts that what he characterizes as excessive government spending on niceties like education, health care, roads, security, and more somehow increases the value of real estate between the time when it is purchased and when it is sold. A much simpler explanation applies.
The gain in value between the time of acquisition of any real estate and the time of its sale is entirely dependent upon market conditions and the state of the economy. In brief, the value of any real estate parcel depends exclusively upon the price a willing seller will accept and the price a willing buyer will pay. A needy seller may be willing to accept less and an affluent buyer may be willing to pay more, but none of that is dependent upon government spending. As the demand for property (and there's only so much) increases, sellers can hold out for more than they paid and buyers will be prepared to pay more. That alone explains the capital gain; government spending plays no part in it.
David C. Murray,
Grecia, Alajuela
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Crooked Taxi Drivers
Dear A.M. Costa Rica readers:
We have met a lot of nice people in Costa Rica. But yesterday we had a terrible experience and don't know what if anything we can do about it.
We came back from a bus trip to the beach. At the Atlantic zone bus station in San Jose, a taxi driver walked up and asked if we needed a taxi. I said yes.
When we saw the taxi it was a red taxi and looked like it had been in a horrible wreck. We should have never gotten in but the driver already had our luggage.
I asked him how much it would be and he said the taxi had a meter. I assumed that would be a fair price if he had a meter. But when he started driving suddenly the meter jumped from 290 CRC to 11900 CRC when we got to the house, only a 7 km trip the meter said 18,900.
I had no choice but to pay him although I know he ripped us off. That is over $33 USD.
I am elderly and retired and that is a huge amount for me.
The driver did not even get out of the car to help with the luggage. He drove off in a hurry.
All fellow cab riders please beware! If you see this guy be careful. It is a younger guy with tattoos on his right arm. The red taxi has been wrecked.
Bob Fowler,
Sabanilla, San Jose
Editor’s note: If a taxi drivers charge illegal expensive rates, you have the right to open a complaint at the Consumer Protection office, line 800-266-7866. You also may take note of the license plate number, the name of the taxi company, and report the driver directly to the taxi company. Red taxi companies, or cooperatives, display at the taxi door, office phone number for receiving a complaint.
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The views or opinions expressed by the authors are the sole and exclusive responsibility of the senders and do not necessarily represent the opinion of A.M. Costa Rica. Therefore, the newspaper does not accept liability for the reader's opinion letter content.
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