Moderator_02

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/pacific-coast-5-day-high-tide-alert

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/54-inch-idaan-water-line-back-in-operation

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/water-authority-owed-millions-as-consumers-over-use

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/547-europe-bound-drug-packs-seized-in-colon-2

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/bail-upped-for-failed-brokerage-suspects

Moderator comment: I believe this is where this news article should be posted. If you think otherwise, please advise. http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/russian-ambassador-quashes-flag-fake-news

Agree that a general discussion topic about blood banks in Panama would not be appropriate in this topic about a specific need. However, anyone is free to start such a topic, and we believe it would be of benefit, if only to raise awareness of the status of blood banks in Panama. Who knows, perhaps some action toward improvements in blood banks could result from such a discussion.

http://www.newsroompanama.com/business/panama-4/panama-geisha-coffee-growers-targeting-china

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/red-flag-for-architects-after-parking-lot-deaths

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/opinion-panamas-feudal-legislators-reach-new-depths

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/assembly-a-platform-for-mud-slinging

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/first-45000-vehicles-heading-to-interior

Background: I have been surprised at how strong the negative reaction has been about online privacy issues based on recent disclosures of “nefarious deeds” by social media platforms, e.g., Twitter, Instagram, and especially Facebook, etc. Because we administer a website that is a social media platform (CL) some people have asked me about my opinion on these disclosures, many have expressed their opinions (thank you), and some have asked me how to protect themselves or how to withdraw so as to have their private information less exposed, etc. A few have talked about this with me because they view me as an expert. For the record, I am not an expert, but rather just someone wishing to help our community be a better place through the sharing of (hopefully accurate, timely, and non-confrontational) information. Neither Marcelyn nor I are users of most of the large social media platforms, with a few exceptions. For instance, I only recently opened a Twitter account, more out of curiosity, but was surprised to find that there is some good information about what is happening in this geographic area. I have posted less than ten Tweets, and most of those were testing the waters as to how things work on that platform. Facebook is another social medium that has been a big disappointment to us. We tested Facebook about the same time that we brought CL online (late 2015) thinking it might help promote awareness of CL. That was a mistake even though we engaged some high quality (read expensive) professional resources to guide us.. To us, Facebook is basically a dart board where people toss tidbits of “stuff” without any structure that could help organize and facilitate future access/research. I am not saying there is no value in Facebook. A platform with literally a billion plus users is doing something right and that is viewed as valuable. I am only saying that Facebook doesn’t help us in our journey. The issue that caused this topic: Some people have told me that they tried to disengage from Facebook and they are finding it impossible. A few people have said they now feel like a victim. They tried various things, including shutting down their Facebook account, only to find a few days later that it was reactivated through no action on their part. Marcelyn and I have long maintained that once something is on the Internet that such information is there forever, maybe not easily accessible, but always there to come back and bite you in the rear (hackers and hacking). But not being able to close an account. Wow. I then set out on a mission to help one person in particular. The result of several days of research was a YouTube video clip by a Canadian gent. The bottom line here is if you really want to shutdown your Facebook account, including removing/deleting as much personal information as is currently possible, then you may wish to view the following video clip. Plan on about two weeks worth of work. Sidebar Comment About YouTube: I find a lot of valuable and well done instructional and informational videos on YouTube. The best part is that it is free. Some of the YouTube instructional and informational content is questionable. Be critical in your review and use of that material. Also, be advised that YouTube is itself another social medium with hooks into your life as well, collecting personal information about you. Unexpected Results of this Mini-Project: An interesting outcome of my research to help that one person surprised me. I think I always knew this but not to the extent that I previously thought I did. All of the billions of members of the vast majority of social media platforms are not their customers, but rather their chattel that is the source of their huge revenue streams. The real customers are the mega-corporations and organizations that pay big bucks to the social media platforms to harvest your private information that you so freely give away. I guess that awareness makes us as the owners/administrators of CL a kind of dinosaur because we don’t sell information about you, our CL members, that is collected through your use of CL. We won’t be changing our mindset about how we choose to operate. But if you ever see us being chauffeured around town in a luxury vehicle (hopefully not a hearse ), then that would be a good time to start inquiring about our selling of private information. Apparently the harvesting of private information from online systems is outrageously lucrative, and powerful and beneficial on the part of the power brokers. P.S., Please do not impute any recommendation as to dumping or keeping any of your social media accounts from this posting. That is a personal decision on your part. Comments? Questions? Marcelyn and Bud

https://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/More_Chinese_Air_Conditioning_Equipment

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/brokerage-scandal-link-man-exits-jail

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/fuel-prices-jump-in-time-for-easter

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/highway-lane-reversals-for-easter-weekend-exodus

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/3-dead-one-critically-hurt-as-car-falls-from-parking-lot

Tai Chi Chiriqui is excited to announce that as of April 2nd all classes will now be held at The Haven Spa. Mondays 9-10 advanced and Thurs 9-10 beginners. 24 posture Yang form, $ 6.00 per class A future date to be announced when there will be a dedicated 10 week beginning course of the form beginning to end. Weather permitting there is a wonderful outside space and inside there is nice open space with a half wall of mirrors, socks or bare feet are only allowed in the indoor space. The owner has asked that we park along the road or there are several spaces going up the entrance before the Spa area. There is no class this Thursday, we begin again on the 2nd, Happy Holidays to all Art Singer questions please email me @ abbasingha@aol.com

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/crisis-deepens-in-panama-national-assembly

Yes, Pat, Facebook has been taking some heavy hits lately, along with some of the content of questionable value, i.e., the so-called fake news. However, let's not cause this topic to go off-topic and cause me extra work, please.

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/man-detained-for-suspected-rape-of-child-under-11

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/timing-first-lady-lauds-education-teachers-plan-protest