A bit of OT ,this can be published in our press also :
A call for unity
Lotte Lewei of Zelenka
opinion@prensa.com
I am a lady, nationalized Panama, 87 years old. Living in Panama since 1938. This is my home.
I was born in Germany and was fortunate to escape from there in 1938, with only 15 years old with my mother, father and brother. We managed to avoid the worst of the Holocaust, one of the worst and most gruesome moments in human history. Many of my family was exterminated in concentration camps.
As we embark on the town of Hamburg in 1938, our destination was the Republic of Panama. There lived a great aunt, Zelia Toledano. Panama welcomed us with open arms and the humility of a great nation.
I love Panama. I consider myself part of its people, customs, manners and I admire the love that shows respect for foreigners and the variety of races that comprise it.
We geographical landscapes with beautiful beaches, rivers, mountains, beautiful forests and nature rich variety of animals and plants. There are modern cities and picturesque villages. There are great universities and a healthy economy. The progress seems to us blessed. There is much hope for the country and its needy.
I am writing this because I am worried about my country and the damage that irresponsible media are doing to our wealth.
I see every day when I get the paper, a different reality to the beauty that I have described above. I see and read about hate and more hate, murder and alleged corruption, rights violations and more.
Justice does not seem to now be in the courts, but in newspapers and television. The media seem to encourage disrespect for the institutions, call the disorder, public lynching without respecting the principle of presumption of innocence.
Our politicians, elected leaders, opposition and community leaders seem to spend all the time fighting and accusing each other of wrongdoing, and society is drawn into this trouble.
What happened to mental health, spiritual and emotional? "They forgot the blessing of the beautiful country we live? Where are the good manners to applaud the good things, the work done and finished? Where we speak of good plans for the future? Did not the media understand that our leaders are people like everyone and need to be encouraged and supported? The newspapers always seem negative and sad.
I learned from hard experience the value of freedom and the blessing of living in a country without major natural disasters or wars. So we are fortunate in Panama.
We have politicians and leaders educated in good schools, children of good parents and caring of many religions.
They should use their knowledge, wisdom and good manners, not to destroy each other, but to help improve the situation of the country.
I called to assist the country with one or two good deeds a day. Granite granite contributions, we built a great country.
Think I'm old. Listen to me. I say this with all the force of my 87 years: Do not despise the power of smiles, good morning, the please, respect and good listening, be generous and give the hand to the needy.
Do not underestimate our potential to serve the world and show that we are a good country. Cultivate our fortune.
No tarnished our image and our good energy. Be healthy example for our children and the world. So we will live better. I guarantee it.