www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Muy Tico, no? I guess all the helicopters are busy, looking for illegal prostitutes. It says a little about the state of world affairs and the economy. Now that CR has jilted Taiwan in favor of (don't call them Communist) China, it needs to bow down and hope the new massa is generous enough to throw some crumbs its way.

I think they are missing an opportunity here, though. I mean, if the Chinese president had to sit in traffic, maybe they'd send a crew over here and build a decent road or two, out of the goodness of their hearts (or just pity).

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"The only normal people are those you don't know very well." Joe Ancis

"...(don't call them Communist China)...".Exactly right, because in the last 20 or so years, they have done a 180--the closest analogue we have is "Nazi China". As authoritarian but it's capitalism run wild with the State only exerting political control, the PLA running major businesses notwithstanding.

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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

Claro

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"The only normal people are those you don't know very well." Joe Ancis

They long ago ceased to follow communist and Maoist ideology.

In the late 1980s, a fledgling American professor was visiting the Shanghai School of Economics at the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics. The American professor explained to his Chinese counterpart that each night when the American study group returned to their hotel, they noticed that the six lane highway in front of the hotel had been turned into something akin to a giant outdoor swap meet.

“During the day,” the American said, “the streets are empty because all the people are working in government factories. But at night they are filled with people buying, selling and bartering. That is pure capitalism in the form of a free market.” He went on to note that “China has a long history of international trade.”

The American observed that the populace wanted capitalism inasmuch as they were practicing it. He then asked why the ruling elite of the CP did not want a market economy inasmuch as the communist based economy had been such a cruel failure.

The Chinese professor explained that the American had it only half right. “It is true, the people want a market economy and that is why we (the CP) allow them to use the streets to buy and sell. But it is not the ruling elite of the Communist Party who suppress the move to a market economy. It is the powerful middle class of bureaucrats who have so much to lose. As we shift to a market economy they are trying to stop it because they will lose much of their power, prestige and perks. It is not the top, it is the thick middle layer of deeply entrenched bureaucracy.”

It is revolting to watch the current Administration fall over themselves like a dog sniffing the tail of the only bitch in town which is in heat.

I left CR yesterday afternoon less than 2 hours before the pres of China was due to arrive. Just in time I think. I imagine all other air traffic came to halt shortly before for his arrival.

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Women are like beers. I've never had one that I didn't like. Just some that I like more than others! --Western

How long is the president of mainland China going to be in CR?

I think I read he's already on his way to Cuba. Too bad, hardly enough time for a half hour session at the Dungeon.

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"The only normal people are those you don't know very well." Joe Ancis

Brother Bilko--I'd think he'd have visited one of the AMP's that we can't seem to find.

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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

Yeah, he was probably disappointed, having come here for Asian girls.

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"The only normal people are those you don't know very well." Joe Ancis

Now that's funny.

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Living Life To the Fullest {Pura Vida}

There are 23 countries in the world which recognize the Republic of China (ROC on Taiwan) as an independent nation. The rest of the world recognizes the Peoples Republic of China (PRC on mainland). Of those which recognize the Republic of China (on Taiwan) half are in Latin America.

The PRC is often called communist China but it is not communist. It is a totalitarian state, an oligarchy - for sure, but not communist.
The PRC has longed believed that the ROC is not a separate nation but a province of the PRC which is temporarily not under the PRC’s control, in other words, the ROC is a breakaway or renegade province.

The PRC’s goal is bring the ROC under control of PRC. To do that the PRC is systematically destroying the ROC’s status as an independent nation by out bidding the ROC with gifts and financial inducement, to convince nations which currently recognize the ROC to terminate diplomatic relations with the ROC and establish diplomatic relations with the PRC. While the ROC will maintain relations with a nation which also recognizes the PRC, the PRC will not establish relations with a nation until the nation breaks diplomatic relations with the ROC.

Costa Rica broke its ties with ROC last year (2007) in what some observers saw as a sordid and deceitful act of betrayal inasmuch as Costa Rica had been a regular and continual recipient of significant aid from the ROC. Even today, one can see white Nissan Frontier police pick-up trucks sporting Costa Rican and ROC flag decals on the right rear. That gift was received just months before the Arias Administration surprised the world with it termination of relations with its long time friend ROC and establishment of relations with Beijing.

Why did the Arias Administration break its 63 year relationship with the ROC?

President Arias said the changing of alliance was "an act of elemental realism.” Clearly, Costa Rica realizes that PRC has more money and can give Costa Rica more things, for example a new national stadium. Obviously to the Casa Presidencial it was all about money. "It is my responsibility,” Arias told the press, “to recognize a global player as important as the People's Republic of China."

But the International Business Times reported that Arias thought Taiwan was “stingy.” They quoted Arias who admitted he was frequently “critical of the Taiwanese,” telling his island allies that, “If you want to have friends in the world, you (ROC) should be more generous.”

The best love money can buy.

It appears that mongers have a lot in common with the People’s Republic of Chinas. Just as mongers buy love in Costa Rica so have the Chinese; we buy it from individuals, they buy it from the government.

And Don Oscar has a lot in common with the girls inside the Del Rey. Except they provide a useful service.

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"The only normal people are those you don't know very well." Joe Ancis

He has really been a disappointment.