Politics in the Dominican Republic

[QUOTE=Alex Deuce; 1150985]I have been to Santo Domingo over the last 10 years and yet to have any major issues with the Police of any branch. I have been pulled over for Random Traffic Stops in a brand new Range Rover and a 87 Dotson with no lights. I have yet to receive a request for Propina / Bribe by both Federals in Trucks by they Bridge and locals on Bikes. I don't run from police in America and I damn sure am not going to run from police in a Foreign country. I do as I do here. I pull over in a lighted highly visible area.

I have had instances on the street, Hotels and Apartments where I was dead ass wrong for my actions and had the attending officer act utterly professional. However, I can say that when a situation has arisen from my own making or other Monger Hazards. 1,500 DOP is always the least I tip the Jefe for Disposal of after party remnants. Lot of you on here try to buck the service charge for cleaning up your messes. Generally, the Jefe is the one with the 45 in the front of the Bullet proof, the ones holding the mossberg Riot Pump and AR's are his subordinates The Captain and lieutenant bars helps. If you have mongered on Pastuer you know the young Tourist Police Captain and squad I'm referring to. If your getting harassed by him your a complete assholes.

As I have stated several times, I have yet to see locals (Aside for the Robbers, who will jack anyone) go out of their way to treat tourist bad. In fact, it is the opposite. What I have seen are tourist who try to take advantage of the locals and the home network takes care of them from all fascists of the society. You think your actions both good and bad do not get around? [/QUOTE]I've been pulled over many times and the only the polica national have asked for me to pay my multa right there and then. The PN before the toll on the road to Bani do not give some sort of BS excuse because the see me all the time, they come right out and just ask for a little help, rather than ask if I have fire arms, drugs etc. I give them a buck or 2 occasionally.

The one and only time I paid a bribe was when I was pulled over for running a red light when there wasn't any electricity. He asked for 6k, when I gave him 100 pesos he replied how am I supposed to eat with this and started talking about taking me in to the station. I gave him 20US he let me go.

I have received 5 tickets from AMET for various offenses, no seat belt, talking on cell. Etc. Once I made an illegal uturn right in front of one and I always play dumb first pretending not to speak spanish, then I realized this is an AMET officer and the worst they've ever done to me is write me a ticket, I immediately asked him in spanish to give me my ticket I needed to go, he was shocked that I spoke spanish he laughed and told me he didn't have his ticket book with him and I could go.

I tried that with a pretty AMET officer and she actually spoke english and told me that in the united states I can't use my cell phone and drive, got a ticket and her phone number.

With the national police I use business cards that I got from the Dominican Consulate in NYC, I have a bunch in my wallet. I tell them I don't have any cash just Credit Cards, I give them my paperwork with one of the business cards and tell them my uncle works in the consulate. I've gotten off everytime with that.

I take it easy with the National Police, recently 2 were arrested for being paid for killing a fruit vendor that was disturbing some old man. The old man paid the police who beat the crap out of this kid and then killed him. It was all over the news down there.

The National Police are very corrupt. My car rental battery was stolen and they wanted to be paid to fill out the report. I needed it for my insurance but the just stood around saying wow that's really bad. Luckily the replacement and installation was only $75.

I've seen some very nasty shit with the National Police, I've seen them shoot someone they had in custody, handcuffed on the ground. Granted the guy just robbed 2 girls of jewelry and their bags, but to shoot the guy in the back?

I never play the ugly american anywhere and I travel all over the world, but I get nervous about those guys. The politur and AMET are ok (although the AMET have killed a few domincans recently) but the National Police are bad news. The guys in the local towns are pretty good, because everyone knows each other. But the ones in the capital are always looking for something.

[url]http://www.vicinigroup.com/[/url]

"The Price of Sugar is a 2007 documentary by Bill Haney about exploitation of Haitian immigrants in the Dominican Republic involved with production of sugar, and the efforts of Spanish priest Father Christopher Hartley to ameliorate their situation. It is narrated by actor Paul Newman. The documentary shows the poor working conditions in the sugar cane plantations, and political control exerted by the Vicini family to stifle efforts to change the situation. The movie has resulted in several lawsuits from the Vicini family."

[QUOTE=Frannie;1285016]You could get a job as a pollster for Obama and interview every single person who lives in the US to find out how they plan to vote, and then there will be no need for elections.[/QUOTE]Obama is a great man and I will do all that I can, to help him get re-elected (for excellent polling analysis you can read Nate Silver at 538).

[QUOTE=Frannie;1287156]Thank God Jaosousa doesn't read the Sosua forum, or you would be in for a lecture about how you need to put on a full hazmat suit before approaching a Haitiana.[/QUOTE]Please post the location or the post where, anything written by me referred to Haitianas as having some deadly contagion that would require a hazmat suit to be near them.

In the past I offered to meet you in person in Sosua or Santo Domingo and you did not accept. I could invite you to New York City, where I can introduce you to the Haitians who have been my friends for over 20 years.

I have posted the link for this video several times, Dekole J Perry [Official Video-HD] feat Shabba & Izolan; [url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4hx-EFvZN8[/url] The song in this video is about Haitian Pride and Self-Reliance.

I will re-post some of the photos I have previously posted here on the Dominican Republic thread of the ISG (photos regarding Haiti).

My next trip to the Dominican Republic, I will try to travel to Haiti and spend money there. The Haitian economy could use tourism dollars.

PS: Why did you delete the user thread you started named "Quick?"? (You deleted that thread after I posted there saying I would do all I can to help re-elect Obama because he is a great man).

With the recent changes in the Dominican Republic, they will now see what there actions in Sosua and other parts of the DR will cause. The opening of Cuba puts a hurt on travel to the DR with shorter travel time from destinations in the US. And knowing that your dollar will go further. Those cruise ships they where counting on now has another option. Now instead of closing down the business of Sosua and other regions. The DR needs to re-evaluate their recent decisions before we all find this new location a better buy. Look I am already packed, tell me what airlines I need to used to get to Cuba. I was planning my last trip to the DR in March. That might be on hold right now. I do love the DR, but the winds of change are in place and I will always love a new adventure. So I will see you there brothers.

Jaosousa, Nice post, nice photos.

[QUOTE=Osanhopps;1657762]With the recent changes in the Dominican Republic, they will now see what there actions in Sosua and other parts of the DR will cause. The opening of Cuba puts a hurt on travel to the DR with shorter travel time from destinations in the US. And knowing that your dollar will go further. Those cruise ships they where counting on now has another option. Now instead of closing down the business of Sosua and other regions. The DR needs to re-evaluate their recent decisions before we all find this new location a better buy. Look I am already packed, tell me what airlines I need to used to get to Cuba. I was planning my last trip to the DR in March. That might be on hold right now. I do love the DR, but the winds of change are in place and I will always love a new adventure. So I will see you there brothers.[/QUOTE]Yes sirrrr.

[QUOTE=Osanhopps;1657762]With the recent changes in the Dominican Republic, they will now see what there actions in Sosua and other parts of the DR will cause. The opening of Cuba puts a hurt on travel to the DR with shorter travel time from destinations in the US. And knowing that your dollar will go further. Those cruise ships they where counting on now has another option. Now instead of closing down the business of Sosua and other regions. The DR needs to re-evaluate their recent decisions before we all find this new location a better buy. Look I am already packed, tell me what airlines I need to used to get to Cuba. I was planning my last trip to the DR in March. That might be on hold right now. I do love the DR, but the winds of change are in place and I will always love a new adventure. So I will see you there brothers.[/QUOTE]Cuba is NOT being open up to USA Citizens for tourism.

[QUOTE=Manizales911;1657790]Cuba is NOT being open up to USA Citizens for tourism.[/QUOTE]Mani, I am curious as to why you have this belief. I mean, why would they go through all of this and still have the travel restriction in place? That makes no sense at all and completely goes against the whole "normalizing relations" effort. That's like the US saying to Cuba: "We are friends, but I still don't trust you." We have no other restriction like this one in the entire world. Not even with Venezuela.

Cuba stands to make a killing on US tourist coming there. We are only 90 miles from the island. There is no way that lifting the travel restriction is not part of the current discussion between our country and theirs. The travel ban was put in place way back when to punish Castro and his Communist regime by keeping US tourism dollars from propping up their economy. If we are now about to normalize relations with a still Communist regime, then what need will there be for a travel ban to still be in place?


[b]It's About To Get A Whole Lot Easier For Americans To Travel To Cuba[/b]

JENNIFER POLLAND

DEC. 17, 2014, 12:18 PM

The US just announced major policy changes in its relationship with Cuba and the two countries are working towards normalized diplomatic relations.

This means that soon it's likely going to get much easier for Americans to travel to Cuba.

It's worth noting that travel to Cuba is already booming; In 2012 and 2013, more than 90,000 Americans legally visited Cuba, according to the New York Times and there's a good chance many more have visited illegally.

But it's complicated to travel there: Travelers currently need special visas or are required to travel with set tour groups, and there are no direct commercial flights between the US and Cuba.

All of that will likely change soon.

Senior Obama administration officials announced in a press conference call with reporters on Wednesday plans to lift many of its existing travel restrictions. While all of the details have not yet been made clear, an official said the change will include a "number of steps to significantly increase travel, commerce, and the flow of information to and from Cuba." Officials also noted that the eased travel restrictions would allow more Americans who qualify under the current license program to visit Cuba.

While it's not technically illegal for US citizens to travel to Cuba, most are prohibited from spending any money there. These new measures would allow visitors to be able to purchase "$400 of general goods and up to $100 of alcohol and tobacco products that can include cigars" while in Cuba.

We're still waiting for more information on the ease of these travel restrictions, but it's clear that more Americans will be traveling to Cuba very soon.

[URL]http://www.businessinsider.com/us-will-ease-cuba-travel-restrictions-2014-12[/URL]

To be picky, it's only Key West that is 90 miles from Cuba.

[QUOTE=SavePros321;1657814]Mani, I am curious as to why you have this belief.[/QUOTE]You are both right.

Manizales in writing in the present tense and accurately reflecting what your President has so far said (some of which Congress has to, and may not, approve).

You are writing about sometime in the future. Remember both houses are controlled by the GOP and you may have a Republican President in two years, so things may move a lot slower than you assume.

If so, I don't think that is a bad thing. When the communist regime collapsed in Russia everything changed too quickly, resulting in a mess which is still giving major headaches today. I think if Cuba has a decade or more to adjust to changes it will be better for everyone. Just so long as there is a marked year-on year improvement.

[QUOTE=SavePros321;1657814]Mani, I am curious as to why you have this belief.

[/QUOTE]SavePros321,I meant to say that it is currently not being opened up to tourism, sorry for my poor use of words. A lot of guys think that they will immediately be able to jump on a plane and head to Cuba just like they do the DR and that is not the case. Eventually yes, but it will take some time.

The general election is today. A informal poll of my girls (harem and bootycall) indicated that everyone that could vote was planning to. And overwhelming support was with the current president.

They have the technology for machine scanned vote count. But there will be a full manual vote count and if there is a discrepancy the manual count will prevail.

The US wanted to have monitors in the count room. After those mother fuckers cheated on a presidencial election I understand why officials of the Dominican Republic didn't want that to happen. After the election fiasco in the US they have no moral standing to comment on the elections (or corruption for that matter) of any other country in the world.

From DR1:

"Sigma Dos poll: Medina 64.6%, Abinader 30.8%.

Sigma Dos poll forecast yesterday, Wednesday 11 May 2016 that President Danilo Medina will be re-elected with a vote of 64.6% to 30.8% for Luis Abinader of the PRM. A poll carried out from 7-9 May 2016 shows that Medina will receive 56% of votes cast for the PLD and another 8. 7% from allies. Meanwhile, Abinader would receive 24.6% for the PRM and 6. 2% from allies. For the poll, 1,200 eligible voters were surveyed. Maijo Gutierrez, director of the Spanish polling company in the country, said that 78% of those polled expressed satisfaction with the Medina government. ".

Actual results:

"According to the first bulletin issued by the Central Electoral Board (JCE) at 12:10 am this morning, Monday 16 May 2016, President Danilo Medina has succeeded in his bid for a second term. The third bulletin from the JCE issued at 7 am today gives Medina 62% compared to 35.13% for Luis Abinader of the PRM. Political analysts attribute the win to the strong Danilo brand. Media commentators point out that Medina could win with the highest percentage ever achieved by any Dominican presidential candidate. ".

All of my girls were happy with the results except for one. The one exception said her position was that the longer politicians are in office here the more opportunity for corruption they have. She believed they should be turned out every election. I thought that was an interesting take on the political situation in her country. She was doing her physics homework while we were watching the elections results together.

Help me out here if I'm wrong, but I don't think any of you out there are having that kind of conversation, or experience for that matter, with your working girls (Mr. Parkinsons, please correct me if I'm wrong.). This is simply illustrative of the "qualitative difference" that I have mentioned before which seems to go over the head of some people. It appears to me that many are posting their opinions about an entire country based on the happiness of their dick. If that is the case, I completely understand why their insight might be somewhat lacking.

Help me out here if I'm wrong, but I don't think any of you out there are having that kind of conversation, or experience for that matter, with your working girls (Mr. Parkinsons, please correct me if I'm wrong.). This is simply illustrative of the "qualitative difference" that I have mentioned before which seems to go over the head of some people. It appears to me that many are posting their opinions about an entire country based on the happiness of their dick. If that is the case, I completely understand why their insight might be somewhat lacking.

You never seem to miss an opportunity to promote the wonder and beauty that is you.

You presume that no one the board who speaks Spanish, other than yourself, has ever had a conversation about politics.

Checking the six months you have been posting, totalling just over 100 posts, most of those have been arguments and ego inflation exercises.

There are few major posters on the boards you have not argued with. Frannie, Tempoecorto, even those you have kissed and made up with, like Mr Gogo and GrownMan1. You have wasted no time in lecturing people with close to 1000,2000, or even 3000 posts.

It could be that most of the other posters on the board have an inflated self image, an ego that can't abide correction, and a confrontational style that always demeans others, but its more likely its you, amigo.

GrownMan1 in a post to you.

To be honest at 11:27 Feb the 16 Mr. G whatsapp me about your Blog and said he was going to give you his take and help support you in your new Blog. I replied at the same time SubCmdr opened a new blog. He must be tired of taking to the man in the mirror and needs an audience. I'm trying to like him but I see our characters collide. Before I comment or support, I am going to chill because you have a history of taking an offense to peoples comments who are not try to offend you.

He pegged you pretty well.

Seriously, Try to avoid this habit of demeaning all others while inflating your ego. You sound like Donald Trump. I AM THE GREATEST -BLANK. I HAVE THE GREATEST BLANK.

There are others on the boards who also live in the DR, most longer than you, yet somehow, they manage to avoid the constant sarcasm, offensive manner, and constant self-love.

As evidenced by the recent exchange you had with Parkinson, people tire of hearing about your perfection. There are too many examples of this in your six month board presence for the space allowed. (And I could list the examples for you. Its a long list, my friend). One gets the impression that if you had the flexibility, you would fellate yourself.

As a resident, you can certainly provide your insights, but don't presume you are unique. That is arrogance.