Comments for Top 9 Most Influential Foreigners in Panama at http://www.thepanamareport.com , comment 1 to 26 out of 20 comments http://www.thepanamareport.com Mon, 20 May 2013 14:27:01 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.thepanamareport.com/culture/people/top-9-most-influential-foreigners-in-panama.html#comment-2735 I won't say any of these people aren't good businessmen or influential in some right.. but to call them the most influential foreigners in Panama is an embarassment. These are the results of a high school-ish popularity contest. Most of these people haven't even been in the country for 10 years! If we want foreigners/gringos with real influence, couldn't we mention the director of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute? The head of the American Chamber of Commerce in Panama? The General Manager of the Colon Free Zone (well, he's a gringo but from here..)? There are literally hundreds of better candidates for this list. - Tall Toad Fri, 26 Apr 2013 09:53:59 +0100 http://www.thepanamareport.com/culture/people/top-9-most-influential-foreigners-in-panama.html#comment-2672 but I half to agree with Kimberly Hall as one of the influential. - susan Sun, 06 Jan 2013 16:03:24 +0100 http://www.thepanamareport.com/culture/people/top-9-most-influential-foreigners-in-panama.html#comment-2663 For all the things she has done for Panama, I think Kimberly Hall is the most influential foreigner in all Panama. - ofertas de trabajo en panama Wed, 14 Nov 2012 14:00:07 +0100 http://www.thepanamareport.com/culture/people/top-9-most-influential-foreigners-in-panama.html#comment-2640 I hope the people nominated in this article believe everybit that is said about them. Whoever wrote this obviously ignores the contributions of generations of foreigners and Panamanians in the sectors such as arts, tourism, real estate development crediting their success or impulse to this relatively unknown group of recent arrivals. They as many others have merely built upon the work of generations of people who have toiled to make Panama the success story it has become. From a Panamanian point of view this article is a bit demeaning for the resons mentioned above as it perpetuates a quasi-colonialist mindset among foreigners settling in Panama mistakenly thinking they are making a huge new contribution to their host country when in fact they are just adding a brick to the edifice that is Panama. Therefore, more care is needed before making such wide-brushing statements. A more scientific and criticl approach, with a propper survey would have better served the purpose of this piece. Anyways I'm just whining as it is usual in this society. - Carlos Solis-Tejada Tue, 11 Sep 2012 11:02:48 +0100 http://www.thepanamareport.com/culture/people/top-9-most-influential-foreigners-in-panama.html#comment-2596 You are smoking something, 8 of the 9 don't even have jobs. Hey, working on the internet is another way of saying that my wife supports me. What is the social , economical and political impact of these clowns - nada! What do they contribute to anything? What a joke! - Roberto Cruz Tue, 26 Jun 2012 09:45:45 +0100 http://www.thepanamareport.com/culture/people/top-9-most-influential-foreigners-in-panama.html#comment-2591 Patty, I think it has more to do with the title of the article than anything else, 9 MOST INFLUENTIAL FOREIGNERS IN PANAMA? That is where the problem lies, other than that there is no hate. Yes they are great people, yes they are doing good things, keep up the good work! - Naji Wed, 20 Jun 2012 18:14:07 +0100 http://www.thepanamareport.com/culture/people/top-9-most-influential-foreigners-in-panama.html#comment-2590 When it comes to Boquete I think Sam Taliaferro covers all nominees, but that's just one man's humble opinion. - Naji Wed, 20 Jun 2012 18:08:52 +0100 http://www.thepanamareport.com/culture/people/top-9-most-influential-foreigners-in-panama.html#comment-2589 Surprised that Don Ray of Chriqui Chqtter is not mentioned? His blog is far more interesting/informative than Boquete-Guide? Plus, he serves as an invaluable US Embassy warden for his district. - Samuel Wed, 20 Jun 2012 13:57:10 +0100 http://www.thepanamareport.com/culture/people/top-9-most-influential-foreigners-in-panama.html#comment-2588 I liked this list and am impressed by all the great accomplishments by the foreigners in this growing society. I specifically know Daniel Saxe and Daniel Smetana and can vouch for their hardwork and intelligence. To those who are submitting their friends or even themselves to the list, just remember: "True Greatness Needs No Recognition." Give credit where credit is due. And if you are really doing great things, you do not need to wail that you should be on this list because you are better than that. - Pobre cito Wed, 20 Jun 2012 13:08:17 +0100 http://www.thepanamareport.com/culture/people/top-9-most-influential-foreigners-in-panama.html#comment-2587 Matt; A good article, but I must say that Kathleen Peddicord belongs on this list right along side her husband and co-owner Lief Simon. Kathie was the one who started Live and Invest Overseas in 2008! - Cecilia Frederick Wed, 20 Jun 2012 13:02:38 +0100 http://www.thepanamareport.com/culture/people/top-9-most-influential-foreigners-in-panama.html#comment-2585 Good one, Matt! Enjoyed reading all these profiles! Cheers! Jessica Ramesch Panama editor International Living - Jessica Ramesch Wed, 20 Jun 2012 09:22:31 +0100 http://www.thepanamareport.com/culture/people/top-9-most-influential-foreigners-in-panama.html#comment-2584 Excellent article and list Matt! When will we see you again on Taboga island at Cerrito Tropical? Lots of news happening on the island! Keep up the great work, Cynthia - Cynthia Mulder Wed, 20 Jun 2012 06:42:54 +0100 http://www.thepanamareport.com/culture/people/top-9-most-influential-foreigners-in-panama.html#comment-2582 Good article but it should be called "Top 8 Most Influential Gringos and 1 French in Panama". You are missing the Venezuelans, Colombians, Spaniards, Italians, Greeks, Arabs, Indians, Germans or Chinese among others. - Reverse Tue, 19 Jun 2012 20:00:18 +0100 http://www.thepanamareport.com/culture/people/top-9-most-influential-foreigners-in-panama.html#comment-2578 Where is Mr Evan Forbes on this list? While the rest of the profiled expats may arguably represent a the A list of the Isthmusian movers and shakers, Mr Forbes' towering persona and list of herculean achievements stand as a monument at which the others can only stare in stupefied awe. This glaring omission brings into sharp relief the credibility and dare I saw very journalistic probity of this piece, leading one to wonder if it could have been penned remotely from the gilded towers of the world's Windy City. - Dexter Tue, 19 Jun 2012 16:29:20 +0100 http://www.thepanamareport.com/culture/people/top-9-most-influential-foreigners-in-panama.html#comment-2577 I don't understand whassup with all the haters!? These people are doing great, inspirational, successful things while I am sitting here at my desk in New York. To those who are complaining, maybe you're just jealous you were not nominated ;) - Patty Tue, 19 Jun 2012 14:43:09 +0100 http://www.thepanamareport.com/culture/people/top-9-most-influential-foreigners-in-panama.html#comment-2576 By the way, people on the list are as a whole somewhat minor players when it comes to "real" investment and influence in the country...needless to say that there are bigger fish out there, I guess my argument was mostly headed to them and not the people in this list...my bad. - Mauricio Tue, 19 Jun 2012 10:20:11 +0100 http://www.thepanamareport.com/culture/people/top-9-most-influential-foreigners-in-panama.html#comment-2575 The willingness of Panamanians is an odd thing. It takes a while to make us get involved behind anything but is mainly because of a lack of unity. Today is a clear example of it. As individuals is a whole different but also complicated story. Unfortunately, the article under discussion is not about the top 9 influential Panamanians or about the willingness of the host country to be influential, but if there was an article I would be more than glad to comment on it. Your argument about the different levels of involvement is completely accurate and I agree with it because of the obvious reasons that not everyone have the same level of time, money or interest to invest on a cause. Then again I'm force to re-take my first original questions and ask what level of involvement are we really looking for because it seem to me that this list is 90% capitalistic, which once again I'm not against of, but they are definitely not influential to me, or at least 90% of the population of PANAMA which is the word used in the title. Maybe Matt is right, maybe the title should be different. The top 9 most influential North Americans in Panama for other foreigners and readers of the Panama Report. And yes, we all benefit from all these capitalistic investments, directly, indirectly...no matter who they are, but is it all well balance...are the benefits right with the losts which there are many? Foreign investment create jobs, but takes away land in one way or another. Foreign investment boost the economy but if it doesn't work out "it" just simply pack up its bags and leave. If there is a level of involvement that would make foreigners really feel committed not only to there business but there new nation, or a level of commitment that would make them feel not responsible but accountable for there actions, then there's influence, then there's involvement and then you have a list. - Mauricio Tue, 19 Jun 2012 10:11:55 +0100 http://www.thepanamareport.com/culture/people/top-9-most-influential-foreigners-in-panama.html#comment-2574 To all readers, I have received an inordinate amount of emails from this article so thank you all for the kind words (and not kind words). They're all fair and I read them all with great pleasure. There are, however, two things I should clarify: 1. The individuals on this list were 9 (of over 45) submitted and then voted upon by 500+ subscribers to my newsletter. Which is to say, I didn't just pick them out of my hat. 2. All the "winners" (those with the most votes) that made the list are North Americans and for this reason, the article should have probably been titled "Top 9 Most Influential Gringos" or "Top 9 Most Influential Whities." In the end, there are hundreds of foreigners in Panama doing great things. Was this list a narrow sliver of them? Maybe. Are the subscribers to my site biased towards North Americans? Probably. But as I state in the introduction, these folks are only a sampling of the many nationalities influencing Panama's diverse social landscape. And from the discussions going on above, it looks like there are way more qualified people out there than Matt to spearhead the debate :) - Matt Landau Tue, 19 Jun 2012 09:33:24 +0100 http://www.thepanamareport.com/culture/people/top-9-most-influential-foreigners-in-panama.html#comment-2573 Mauricio, you have won me over with your comment. We agree 90%. I agree that foreigners should always get involved in Panama. THat is part of the territory for moving to a new place that is a developing country. But I think it is easy to expect foreigner businesses to be 'hand-me-outs' to Panamanian locals. Foreigner business men and women play by the rules (they have to hire Panamanians). To some, substaining the families of your employees is considered 'getting involved.' To others, like your example of the girl in Solo y Portobelo, getting involved means dedicating all your time to a cause like Mother Teresa. The fact is, we will always have a mixture of involvement. PS. YOU can admit that most Panamanians are not willing (or maybe capacity) to do a lot of these accomplishments and that is why Martinelli opened up labor laws? - Tejas2 Tue, 19 Jun 2012 09:24:44 +0100 http://www.thepanamareport.com/culture/people/top-9-most-influential-foreigners-in-panama.html#comment-2566 Marco, I'am a typical Panamanian, Mom is from Los Santos and my dad is Colombian but I'm not expecting anything, or at least from no one. I work hard for it, in Panama, in Brazil, in the U.S...I get involve. Is not about entitlement is about involvement. Believe me, I like a lot of the people that are on this list, some are friends and I even work for a foreigner that is just as successful but is not in this list and I understand and accept Capitalism as part of the real world that we live in, but you are right, I cannot have the best of both world, and thats why I choose the best of the world that I want while you choose the best of what you want which seems like very capitalistic. I'm not complaining about people not been like Mother Teresa (By the way, you lost the maturity of your argument the moment you use that comparison...) I'm just hoping some of this people are in the Asamblea right now also involving in the issues of this country now that they are living in it. I know that I did when I was living in half-yours. Again, do whatever you want, capitalistic or not, but get involved, really involved, and then you get the right of been call Influential. By the way, big fan of Kelly, No. 5. Cheers. - Mauricio Tue, 19 Jun 2012 09:02:05 +0100