Comments on: The Noriegaville News Is Closed

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 01:31:24 +0000

Couldn’t stand Okke myself. That said, I’m sorry to see Noriegaville News leave. Eric and I don’t exactly see eye-to-eye on most things either (he’s a hardcore liberal and boarderline communist, and I’m not), but I’ll be sending him some money soon to help his cause.

By: Don Ray

Don Ray — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 23:05:59 +0000

Stranger things have happened.

By: Panama Pete

Panama Pete — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 21:44:24 +0000

I’m really sad to see that Noriegaville is no more.

Whilst I can accept that Okke’s style of “in your face journalism” wasn’t to everyone’s liking he at least did a lot of good work and help identify quite a few crooked scams and dodgy individuals.

Maybe one day we will see him back again. Who knows.

By: Max

Max — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 20:14:35 +0000

Hi Don, thanks for the list, if there are further reasons I would be interested in learning about them too, thank you.

By: Don Ray

Don Ray — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 12:27:34 +0000

Hi Max. You are going to find people that will tell you that both are better than the other.

I can only tell you what people I respect say and I will add my own reasons. Some of my friends lived in CR first and have moved to Panama. I have other friends that were born in CR, have family in CR and chose to live in Panama.

Here are some of the reasons.
1. Crime is said to be much worse in CR.
2. It is very expensive for everything in CR, The exception is electricity.
3. Panama uses the US $ and there is no fluctuation and you don’t have to exchange currency.
4. Incentives for pensionados is better in Panama.
5. Highway conditions are better in Panama.

By: Max

Max — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 03:35:16 +0000

Hi Don Ray, can you please give me tips on all the reasons why you would rather live in Panama then in Costa Rica?, I am having a hard time finding a good country for me and at this moment I can’t afford to be going to research the differences so all your list of differences in your opinion would help advise me.

Thank you.

By: Don Ray

Don Ray — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 21:34:31 +0000

Actually if you read what was written and read between the lines and also Don Winner bragging about it, I think it is clear that the feud with Don is the cause of it.

Not as you portray. Certainly, I would rather live in Panama than in Costa Rica.

By: KK

KK — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 21:30:24 +0000

Always a baaaaaaaaaaaaaaad sign when journalism & journalists are brought to the mat. Why would this EVER happen in a ‘free’ country? Can’t imagine! Don’t think outside the box! Don’t rock the boat! Don’t buck the trend! Ignorance is strength!!

The truth hurts and if you ever wanted a real education, read what censored journalists write not the fluff that everybody believes. Okke’s prose contributed greatly to our decision to leave Panama before laying down money on real estate in that country. No place is perfect but there must be some metal to the stories that forced the (voluntary?) shut down of Noriegaville News.

If you live in Panama or are considering doing so. Watch out. The thought police live there too..

By: Don Ray

Don Ray — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 19:53:39 +0000

Hi Andre. You are correct. Eric’s site is a great site. Thanks for taking the time to leave your comment.

By: Andre

Andre — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 14:54:03 +0000

I would like to point out that another important website, the Panama News, is also endangered, and need more support from the expat community if you don’t want to see is close also. Eric jackson wrote me that the panama news is maintained at the expense of his time, his finances and his health. Although Noriegaville was more provocative, journalists like Eric jackson or Okke Ornstein are struggling for the freedom of speech in Panama and they deserve more support and recognition.