Two handed cell phone users

There are over three million cell phone users in Panama. Leaving out very young children, and those so poor they have never even touched let alone used. one, that means that a vast number of people have TWO cells.

Watching a diner in Café Balboa one morning I fell to wondering why anyone would want two. All sorts of intriguing possibilities surfaced. Maybe so the user could hold one to each ear when driving, and demonstrate that he or she could drive with no hands.

It is of course illegal to use even one phone while driving.

The second thought was that maybe the two-phone user has something to hide. One phone for regular use, another for illegal activities either criminal or outside the usual familial orbit.

A third possibility could be that having two cells would be keeping ahead of the Joneses. The user at Café Balboa seemed to fit into that class, with two ultra expensive cells sitting next to his Mont Blanc pen, while he took his morning coffee, breaking off occasionally to stroll around the room having a VIC (Very Important Conversation).

Of course there could be a more mundane reason. Thousands of incorruptible users separating their business calls from personal calls. There I go, dreaming again, like expecting the next government to dispense with botellas.

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT. If the blaring of sacred music in stores, with the implicit message, “buy,buy,buy” gets to you, thank your stars you haven’t faced the recent in-store Christmas violence, In the United States, (Long Island no less) shoppers were trampled a Walmart store employee to death in their rush to get Black Friday discounts. A black day indeed. On the same day, in far away California two wives got into an argument and a hair tearing fight. Their husbands drew guns, and blasted away, not at the wives, but each other. One was killed.

Presidential candidate Balbina Herrera and running mate Juan Carlos Navarro, might take the latter into consideration in their tough on crime approach. The United States has one of the highest per capitaprison communities in the civilized world and tough on crime is a mantra with some politicians. California has the notorious “three srikes and your out” (or rather in for a long time) law. It’s not working. Prevention and education work better.

CORRUPTION PUNISHED. On the other hand how about our Presidential hopefuls from all camps taking a lead from China in their attitude to official corruption. China recently meted out punishments for officials who overspent on a government funded business tour.

The reasons for the trip? Everything from "An Overview of American History" to "Honest and Clean Government Management."

Any chance of similar punishments in Panama? Don’t hold your breath. Who is going to risk telling the party faithful that they have to behave like ordinary folks and live within their means, including the top rass? As for lifting immunity for legislators, I’m dreaming again. (See above).

A KOALA OR A KID?

They're cute, they're cuddly and, in these times of financial woe, they make an affordable festive gift that's also good for the soul -- adopt a rescued koala is the mantra coming out of Australia

The "Adopt a Wild Koala Program" has been in operation for 15 years and is a major source of funding for The Koala Hospital, the world's only medical facility dedicated to the care and preservation of the animals.

The annual cost of adopting a koala is A$40 (US$26) within Australia and A$50 (US$32) from overseas, which the hospital said goes toward the rescue and treatment of sick and injured koalas, the release of treated animals back into the wild, as well as the preservation and expansion of their habitat.

Adopters receive a certificate, a photograph of the animal, the story of how it ended up in the hospital as well as stickers and booklets about koalas and the hospital.

"It's an ideal gift, and particularly these days when kids have everything," a volunteer at the hospital said.

It’s a nice thought. But there are kids in Panama who don’t have everything. This Christmas try “adopting” one of those. Or, maybe both, Caroline will provide a list later this week.