www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Costa Rican President O. Arias in the last days of his administration has come out very strongly supporting the acceptance of homosexuallity. He asked all sovereign nations to disband their military, and his own officially Catholic state to adopt legal measures in favor of homosexual unions. He is quoted as saying; "One does not choose sexual orientation. This is given by nature or GOD. One does not choose neither men nor women."

It is too late for him to get anything done thru the current legislative session. And it is highly unlikely that president elect Laura Chinchilla will be waving the "rainbow banner". The question being asked is "Why would he come out so strongly on this issue the week after Semana Santa and at the very end of his administration"????

Too bad he did not come out that strongly in favor of more rights for the poor chicas working in prostitution

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Old and retired but still bang, and bang, and bang!!!

It's been said that his son is gay...however I don't know for sure

Politically speaking it is the ideal time. It is going to be very controversial and no politician want to get his agenda and support bogged down in such a controversy in the beginning or middle of his term. He also had to wait until after the election so as not to hurt his party in the voting. I would assume he fully expects heavy opposition from the church on this issue so it would not make sense to announce it before or during the Semana Santa period when many citizens are paying more attention to the words spoken from the pulpit then would at this time.

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

I believe this question is being asked by the media in a very sarcastic manor. Everything you just said is obviously very true and I think most know this. The other thing that I heard (priviately, not publicly) is that his son is totally pissed at him for not trying to do more during his term as president and this is his "small" way of trying to appease his son.

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Old and retired but still bang, and bang, and bang!!!

Just to give some context, Arias has publicly spoken out in the past about making changes in the Costa Rican Constitution that would eliminate the Catholic Church as the officially recognized state religion. In fact, he made statements to this effect during the election period; and then subsequently softened them, probably having realized that it would not help Chinchilla.

Meanwhile, gay and lesbian groups have submitted a petition for a referendum on gay marriage. The TSE has rejected the petition as not having enough signatures. It is in this context that the question was asked of Arias.

Lastly, Chinchilla has begun steps to formalize and strengthen the relationship with the Church with an eye toward a formal treaty between CR and the Vatican. One of the issues being discussed in the context of the treaty is gay marriage.

There have been no media reports, that I'm aware of, regarding their discussing topics more dear to the heart of CRT.

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It's faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, and more money--Tom T. Hall
No man is a failure who is enjoying life--William Faulkner

BB, to add to your post:

1) Oscar Arias' brother (Rodrigo Arias, Ministro de la Presidencia) said he was against his brother's plan to legalize homosexual marriage. Rodrigo said that Oscar "gave a personal opinion."

2) Oscar Arias also said today that "sexual relations are a necessity, just like eating and sleeping, therefore it's against human nature to ask priests to be celibate"

http://www2.prensalibre.cr/pl/nacional/ ... ormir.html

The Catholic Church being strongly against homosexuality--Now that's phucking rich. Anybody read the news lately (by "lately" I mean the last 20 years)? Is there a diocese in the US that has not been bankrupted by successful civil actions against it for covering up the maledictions of its clergy? Name one. Boston, KC. LA, Portland--the list goes on and on. It all started with that soldier-turned-militant St. Paul--he may have changed one master for another but never changed his essential character. And somebody called me a misogynist--check THIS guy out.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

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If you let the devil ride, he's gonna want to drive

+100

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In honor of Jimmy V week, "Don't give up, don't ever give up!"

And the more time that passes, more and more violations are uncovered. It is despicable.

Brother Boynton is correct--Saul of Tarsus was a Pharisee and high up in the hierarchy before his metanoia took place. I stand by my remarks about his misogyny and his political skills however.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

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If you let the devil ride, he's gonna want to drive