Moron Lawmaker Trying To Ban Halloween in Panama
#Panama - Because the bill to regulate the celebration of Halloween in private and public schools in the country has not yet been discussed in the second debate in the National Assembly, deputy Alcibiades Vasquez Velasquez will fight for passage. This project may not be approved prior to October 31 because it was moved down on the agenda of the agenda in the National Assembly. Vasquez Velasquez told La Prensa the project received expedited approval in the first debate, but for the second debate it was placed as the fifth item on the agenda. But suddenly this was changed, "so I think it will be difficult to be approved before October 31" the day the session ends.
This bill was presented to the National Assembly a year ago. Vasquez Velasquez said he does not want to ban the celebration of Halloween in the country, the aim is to regulate it in schools, so that it is not celebrated like a formal party. Because this celebration "is gaining more force than the patriotic celebrations," in schools costume competitions are held and murals are made. Whoever wants to celebrate Halloween on the street or in their building is free to do so because "what I advocate is freedom of expression," said the deputy. (Prensa)
Editor's Comment: What an idiot. This issue comes back up every year at this time like a bad burrito. This morning I dropped by daughter off at school dressed like a Princess. They have a costume party every year, and the kids love it - it allows them one day to "play dress up" and to a four year old - she turns into a Princess for a day. The bill presented by Deputy Alcibiades Vasquez in the National Assembly calling for a ban on Halloween celebrations isn't going anywhere for two reasons. The first reason is that he's from the Panameñista political party, and he's using this issue to crowbar his name into the papers, at least once a year. The second reason is there's probably little or no support for his personal agenda - driven by his extreme Catholic religious convictions (who see Halloween as "evil" or the "work of the devil"). His extreme beliefs are not shared by the majority of his colleagues in the National Assembly. And only a professional politician can push a measure that restricts free speech and places limitations on how children who attend a private school can or cannot celebrate a costume party, while at the same time saying he supports freedom of expression. At the school there was a little two year old kid dressed up like a pumpkin. Evil, pure evil. The devil made him do it (in his diaper).
There's a carnival road show that comes to Panama City every summer. This group starts out in Panama in December and January and then spends the year working their way north through Central America as far as southern Mexico. Towards the end of the year they work their way back home to Panama. They are currently finishing up their gig in Panama City and moving to Colon, where they will be for a couple of weeks. Then, they start to head north. The carnival itself is pretty small, dived about half and half of rides for big kids and adults and kiddie rides. There are just a few Midway booths where you can throw a dart at a balloon or a softball through a toilet seat. And of course there's food. In any case it's a fun way to spend an afternoon. I suspect they will be up around Boquete as their next stop. Salud. 
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Everything is ready for the big "Christmas in the City" parade that will be held tomorrow, Sunday, the 10th of December 2006. The parade will consist of 31 floats and 31 marching bands. There will be 12,000 children who are being taken to the city from the interior of the country at the invitation of Panama's Mayor Juan Carlos Navarro. The parade will start at 3:30 pm in Bella Vista at 44th street and Balboa Avenue which is the assembly point for the participating units, bands, and floats. From there they will march down Balboa Avenue and will turn left on to Avenida Aquilino de la Guardia (which runs past the Banco General building). At Calle 50 they will turn right and will continue to the end of the parade route at Vía Cincuentenario. The length of the parade route is 5.6 kilometers. The parade route will be closed to vehicle traffic starting at 10:00 am and will remain closed until the parade finishes. Only official, police, and security vehicles will be allowed. One half of Balboa Avenue will be closed as well. 
Panama, Aug 2 (Prensa Latina) Panama is currently hosting the eighth Central American and Caribbean Mathematics Olympics, with participation of 36 youth from 12 countries, organizers report. Sponsored by the University of Panama and the Education Ministry, the contest seeks to encourage interest in mathematics among children and youth. The competition also has the objective of boosting development of their ability to solve math problems and encourage data and experience exchange among students, teachers, and researchers. The event, which will conclude on Friday, is attended by contestants from Panama, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Cuba, Honduras, Mexico, El Salvador, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic.
In the middle of Panama City there is a large oasis of shade, trees, open space, and fresh air. The Omar Torrijos Recreational Park is located next to Via Brazil in San Francisco. It's a very large park with lots of areas for all kinds of sports; soccer, baseball, bike riding, walking or running, and tennis. There are several large playgrounds with cool things for kids to climb on, and there's a very nice large swimming pool to cool off after you're done exercising or playing. I ran into several groups using the park to practice martial arts, sports teams working out with their coach, a summer company picnic, and a church group playing a pick-up softball game. There are stages for musical events and presentations, and a library. The park is a nice place to spend the day, whatever you like to do. 
