Monthly Archives: December 2011
Psychotics United
A year ago, the Supreme Court declared, in Citizens United vs Federal Election Commission, that corporations are people, with first amendment rights. The founding fathers must have turned over in their graves. Fortunately, some of our legislators disagree. Altogether, five … Continue reading
Why the Bacon Brothers should friend me
A few months ago, I landed on the Bacon Brothers’ facebook page and sent a friend request. They have almost five thousand friends, I reasoned. They can’t know them all. Why did I want to be friends with the Bacon … Continue reading
What’s that smell?
One day last week, I got a whiff of something noxious nearby. The smell was not unlike ones I’ve sniffed driving through Pennsylvania farming country— fertilizer, maybe. A bitter, acrid smell invaded my senses. I felt it in my nose, … Continue reading
Crossing the border
For the myriad expats who have to cross the border every ninety days, here are several ways to get to Nicaragua from San Jose. Those who can afford the price may fly, at a cost of over five hundred dollars. … Continue reading
A world without lies?
I’ve been thinking about lies and liars since reading an article in the New York Times, about software scientists are working on to detect lying in speech. Though I abhor a liar, I have to admit to having lied in … Continue reading
Incursions into the bureaucracy
Like most other incursions into the bureaucracy here, acquiring a driver’s license in Costa Rica can be an adventure. My first encounter with the Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes, (MOPT), was not horrible, if you don’t count getting lost … Continue reading
