Speed seems to be the operative word. At 60 kilometers an hour I was passed by cars, buses, and trucks.

Fall Guys. The bigger they are the harder they fall, at least in the US. Scam artist Bernard Madoff is heading off to jail for the rest of his life, and the state is busy rounding up his, and his wife’s assets, none of which will help those, including many in Panama who were bilked of all, or part of their life’s savings.

When was the last time a high ranking Panamanian caught with his hands in the public, or private purse, headed to jail?

Stormy weather When the freak windstorm hit the city on Sunday, the joys of living high above the ground became a little muted. Numerous reports came in of newly constructed door and window frames shaking violently, and in some cases broken. Roof tops were torn, and trees tumbled. If the projected climate changing patterns brought on by global warming come true. look out for more of the same, and pray that our concrete superstructures are not gerry built.

Tuning out. There was a time when research showed that cell phones cost lives. Not from electronic or magnetic waves, but from crazy those who use them while driving. In spite of the introduction of laws making it illegal to use them while behind the wheel, the chattering masses appear unfazed. In Panama they are often safe from detection as they hide behind their blacked out windows, while discussing last nigh’s baseball or soccer game, the latest in lingerie or who‘s being unfaithful to who.

But, hard to believe, an even worse potential killer is on the market.. The Blackberry and it’s rivals. This came clearly to mind yesterday, while driving along Via Espana when I narrowly missed a user who blithely stepped into the oncoming traffic while busy texting a message, that truly became a matter of life and death as I and others braked to avoid him.

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