Thank y’all for the mail!

As a Southerner born and bred, I’d like to set the record straight on “y’all” and “all y’all.” “Y’all” is NOT singular. It denotes a number of persons greater than one. “All y’all” means everybody in the room (or wherever). Bonnie Williams

Ignorant, naive or both?

In response to my request for prayers to correct the horrible injustice visited on Brandon Hein . . . life in prison without possibility of parole . . . I received the following:

Your blog entry doesn’t give all of the facts, and its incompleteness serves to blunt the truth. I read the trial documents and the appeal documents, and I don’t agree.

This couldn’t happen to me because I pay attention to what my kids are doing, who they are with and where they are. I am instilling values in my children – that’s MY job, not someone else’s or the government’s. MY kids won’t be out looking for pot, or getting in fights, whether it is to buy it or to steal it.

I too wrote a letter to Gov Schwartzeneggar , but asking him to ignore this appeal. Karl

Karl, I’m going to try to be nice here, not that you necessarily deserve it IMHO. You certainly have a right to your opinion, but . . .

You “read the trial documents and the appeal documents” – I congratulate you, since the trail took 10 weeks and the court record for the trial alone is over 40 volumes, over 10,000 pages. And that’s just the trail, and you read all the appeal documents too! Wow! Who is watching over your kids while you are doing all this reading?

You state, “I too wrote a letter to Gov Schwartzeneggar , but asking him to ignore this appeal.” Thank you and I’m sure the Governor’s staff will give it full consideration, especially since the “appeal” is with the US Circuit Court of Appeals 9th District . . . which is something quite different than the Governor’s office. And it is a federal court, not a state court. And by the way, his name is Schwarzenegger, but not to worry, I’m sure he is used to a zillion variations . . . “If I am not me, who da hell am I?” –["Total Recall"]

Lastly, about your kids . . . I certainly hope you are right! But I suspect you are a pretty young parent with a whole lot to learn about raising kids, and life, for that matter. ALL of these parents . . . the parents of the murdered boy, the parents of the drug dealer, the parents of the boys, now men, in prison . . . ALL of these parents tried to do what was best for their kids! They ALL could have said, just as you say now, “This couldn’t happen to me because I pay attention to what my kids are doing, who they are with and where they are. I am instilling values in my children – that’s MY job, not someone else’s or the government’s. MY kids won’t be out looking for pot, or getting in fights, whether it is to buy it or to steal it.” But guess what, Karl . . . shit happens! You can’t be with your kids 24 hours a day! When your kids get into their teens you just got to pray a lot, listen a lot and hold on tight and hope they live through adolescence! These were all goodkids, who just got tragically lost and all ended up at the wrong place at the wrong time. The cop and his wife were secure knowing that their son was hanging out with his childhood friend . . . never knowing. The drug dealer’s mother was a teacher, busy molding kids and grading papers . . . no idea. All of these parents were bush wacked! So you’d better get a grip now, Karl, and wise up or you are going to be the one facing tragedy. For the sake of your kids, don’t be naive and stupid. Your kids and any other kids out there can find themselves at the wrong place at the wrong time.

I’ve been amazed through the 14 years I’ve been friends with Brandon, associated with this case and his Web site, and reading comments from around the world. A lot of comments have come from kids who knew and went to school with these guys in Agoura Hills, and were into the same stupid teenage shit . . . and who managed not to be caught at the wrong place at the wrong time . . . and are now parents themselves (who hopefully won’t forget what it was like when their own kids become teens), are professionals, active and engaged citizens contributing to the world.

These guys were at the wrong place at the wrong time and singled out by the rage of folks like you.

Karl, I was trying to be nice . . . that was the “nice” me response to your comment. Not being the President, I can’t invite you to the White House for a beer . . . but we obviously see the world from two very different viewpoints.

To the rest of you . . . thank you!

I feel that nobody should have to be put through this even if they commit the crime or not its wrong and the court is wrong. Even though Jimmy’s dad is a police he should of known what his son was doing and not so much of judgin other people of their kids. Its was wrong what happen to his son but his son was no angel – he wasn’t perfect because everybody is not, but you can’t be like that. Everybody is entitled to speak the truth and to be able to be free to speak without nobody callin them a liar, but to tell the truth because the truth will sent you free . Angelique Holman

Thank you Richard for bringing this injustice to thousands of people. I wrote to the Governor of California and forwarded the information about his case to all my California friends. Brandon is in my hopes and prayers. ” As long as hope remains, only the coward will despair.”—Bertrand Russell Teresa

I have prayed and will continue to lift this young man up to the Lord. Dinah

Coming to Boquete . . .

Hi Richard, Is it easy to “Rent by Owner” for a couple of months in Boquete or would Isle Verde be the way to go? My husband & I would love to visit Boquete for the months of Jan. & Feb. in 2011. I used to live in Panama City in the 70’s and Boquete was my favourite get-away. The Panamonte was the only hotel at that time and I loved it. My husband has never been to Central America so I would love to share this with him. I would also like to take a Spanish course at the Boquete Language School. I find your Blog so interesting – thank you so much! Margot Williston

Hi Margot! Welcome back! There are lots of rentals that might be available for two months . . . some folks have casitas on their property that they rent for short periods and there are some nice apartment rentals as well. Isla Verde has the advantage that it is within walking distance of “downtown” Boquete. Check out www.boquete.org  where there are frequently postings by folks who have places for rent.

Church . . .

Does Boquete have a center of activities for Christians? Wendy

Wendy, I assume you’re referring to services in English? For locals and Spanish-speaking there is a very active Roman Catholic church, a large Assemblies of God church that is affiliated with the mega-church Hossana (Panama City – over 25,000 members), and smaller Baptist, Seventh Day Adventist, Mormon and a number of other independents. There is no English church per se, but there are several groups . . . There is a large mission effort out of the US working with Gnobe Bugle in Volcancito, and they have a Sunday evening service in English. There is a missionary-type family affiliated with Trinity Broadcasting that also has a service in English in their home. And a new “home church” has started meeting Sunday mornings in the Fundadores Hotel. I know of at least one women’s Bible study, and I’m sure there are other things as well. So you will find lots from which to choose.

Thank you!

So glad I stumbled into your website. Its 7:30 pm Sunday in San Francisco Peninsula town of Redwood City, cA – am trying hard to find interesting tours for my husband Bob & I on our 1st Panama Canal cruise on Princess departing Oct 31st. Kept reading about Embera Village in Tripadvisor.com – will contact Ann as you suggest then read your fascinating blogs! Love what I’ve seen so far…. best wishes from California. Pamela Ezra

REALLY enjoyed your site! I was stationed in Panama (at Ft. Clayton and Amador) in 1988 and 1989. Reading your page was like reading a science fiction novel. Its amazing how the country has rebounded in 20 years. I loved the people and the culture and have been contemplating going back for a visit. I would like to show my wife the “real” Panama, and not the made-up touristy places. Thanks for the information and the entertainment! Casey Duncan