Run for president of the republic Mr. Pineda... that would solve the problem!

I can relate to the frustration. As one of the 50% plus who voted for him, he let me down. Appointing known thieves and slime in this administration...Underdog where are uuu?

Has there ever been a Dominican president that wasn't accused of stealing?

The man in the picture, Juan Bosch, headed a government that was never accused of stealing....

Short, well said and right to the point.

If I were Dominican I would be embarrassed by the transparent corruption also.

I lost all respect for LF with the pardons. Pathetic to think the hungry poor can spends years in jail for stealing a chicken but someone who has everything goes free after stealing million.

Amen Jorge. Be strong and stick to your guns (figure of speech). You are correct in your statements. I too became fed up with the DR's political and judicial system, and as a former Dominican permanent resident, I move out. After 20 year of living in the DR, I am back in the USA. I have become jaded to the crap the Dominicans takes and continue to take from this Administration. I believe Civil Demonstrations are in order, but unfortunately as a foreigner I have no say in the matter. Good luck to you and your family/friends. God Bless.

I am with you. I so longed for this government to clean up the political arena, but instead if feel like its the jackass hipo thats still in power. I campaigned for Leonel, sad to say we had no better option. Now we are embarrased and disgraced by whats going on. Curruption, those disgusting pardons, apointing the likes of PenaGuaba and our new form of terror of police led executions to keep the population in check. SHAME ON YOU LEONEL FERNANDEZ...But also shame on all the other politicians that didn't offer us anything better to vote for.

Keep up the great work jorge!!!!!!

It Took a lot o courage to write this, we are talking baout country that gave One year in jail to a CPL. of the military, fund guilty of Killing a journalist.

Chillaxin:
What ever made you reveal your identity?
You surprised the heck out of me. That goes to show you never know who is who behind a keyboard. Aliases are the norm, and most people are shady that's why they hide behind handles.

Anyway, if your true identity is Jorge Pineda, I applaud your courage! You are the man!
I hope you understand that your statements will probably not achieve anything. I have observed DR politics since before Trujillo's execution, and I've noticed in this "short" period that the looting never stops; One thief is replaced by another, or by an inept administrator that allows all types of corruption. The powers that be in DR, and in the world at large are all corrupt. Don't put your trust in men; Rather, rely on God, He'll never lie to you or deceive you.

Quisqueyanos valientes, alcemos

Nuestro canto con viva emoción,

Y del mundo a la faz ostentemos

Nuestro invicto glorioso pendón.

Jorge thank you for speaking your mind it is greatly appreciated by those of us who treasure freedom of speech...this would be a great shame if you were punished for editorializing about anything

Sr. Pineda,

Simplemente, usted es un hombre con los patalones bien puestos!

Jorge:
Those of us that know you personally can only say, we are with you all the way, my friend.
If you go down we all go down with you.
What is this? a G.d Da,n dictatorship like Trujillo brewing up?
No, no más, BASTA YA!
Enough is enough, we have been mocked and made fun of and worst of all disregarded as
decent law abiding citizens. The corrupt, interest groups and card carrying felons and criminals are running the country.
Just keep the faucet of free speech flowing, we need you to stay put and keep on the struggle.
The light IS showing at the end of the tunnel, Dominicans are finally waking up and seeing the light that gets bigger and bigger as every day passes.

It is time for all of us to stand up for the Republic along with Mr. Pineda, before it is too late!

Remember these chilling words:

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out--
because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out--
because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out--
because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out--
because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me--
and there was no one left to speak out for me.

Martin Niemoeller

All very true. Plesae be aware, Only Dominicans can change this corrupt foolishness (Extranjeros need not apply, but can only comment). At present LF and his cronies "DO NOT FEAR ANYONE". This needs to change and with that, they will begin to respect others and change accordingly, if not, they will be ousted by force. History has a way of repeating itself. BTW, in an act of self-preservation, LF will outlaw all firearms, only the Military and PN will have them.

josean that is old but like your mouth we still use it

Your just jealous because I posted it first. Not to mention that you were wrong about Lie-onel and I was right.

Dear Mr. Pineda,

Lets recall this president fist yr. in power around 1996. Then, his actions should gave enough "Signs" to your countrymen what he is about.

The same will happen here eventually at my Homeland, "Pure dissapointment".

I do compare my new president with yours, individuals who gained power using "populist methods", at the end of the day, they gave the people an empty Tray.

Keep Dreaming !!!

No truer statement.

"Please be aware, Only Dominicans can change this corrupt foolishness."

How much more embarrassment can you take?

Impeach this clown. Show him how it should be done.

Juango
Dream on that only military and police will have weapons. The loyal military to the PLD will have weapons but ammo will be severely restricted, just like under Trujillo.
Civilians will have to get by with sling shots, knives and machetes.
Only the criminals and PLD cronies will have weapons.
That is the plan.

LF as a politician attempts to play his cards right and some how tries to find a middle ground in which to govern the country. But in order to achieve that he sold himself, his word and dignity over to political interests. He appointed many of these crooks as a result of behind close door deals , to enable his continuity and longevity in power. Unfortunately, by doing so he also sells the soul of our country to the devil. The dangerous consequences is that it creates a most fertile conditon for the likes of a Chavez, Castro, Evo Morales, Daniel Ortega and similar leaders to germinate and propagate and eventually take over. The reality is that In the very end it will back fire. To abandon the the PLD values and the principles established by Juan Bosch himself, means LF and the PLD party will lose everything for which they thought would guarantee their stay in power.

Jorge, thank you for using your pulpit to address this bum who we as a people had so much misplaced hope on. Hopefully the corwardly repercussions so typical in Dominican society against those who speak truth to power will not have any bearing on you. My family's prayers are with you and I commend your integrity and valor.

De un Baitoero a otro:
Juan F. German Valerio

Only the criminals and PLD cronies will have weapons.

Isn't that redundant, professor?

Jorge;

Congratulations, my friend, for your brave and stimulating message to your readers.
You know I am with you and su0pport your stance 100% since we have spoken on this very subject many times in the past, and hopefully will continue to do so in the future.
Since I am a foreigner in your beloved country, I can only speak to the observations I have made about the Dominican psyche. in that light, I firmly believe that at some point in the future there will be another "Hero of the People" who will eliminate the cancer that is slowly eating away at the moral fiber of this nation. How that will come about, I don't know, but it will happen, of that I am certain.
A nation of people can only accept so much downtreading before they rise up andstomp the former stompers out of power.
It is the aftermath of such an action that will dictate the future. Will a better and more altruistic system take the place of that which was eliminated?
Let us hope so.

TexasBill

around "Armageddon".

Chillaxin:
What ever made you reveal your identity?
You surprised the heck out of me. That goes to show you never know who is who behind a keyboard. Aliases are the norm, and most people are shady that's why they hide behind handles.

I did not write this , But i said it does take courage for him to write this

More words Lie-onel doesn't want you to hear!

http://www.diarioadiario.com/?mod....mp;story_id=17405&format=html

Jorge,
I applaud your comments and I am certain you speak for many. I hope you continue your quest to seek justice for the many Dominicans that deserve so much better. The pen in mightier than the sword and with your words perhaps you can move people for change. Good luck and God Bless.

There has not been any honest Dominican government since the fall of Trujillo. Some have been more corrupted than other. I understand the present President of D.R., ever since his first election and first termed, when he issued a raised in paid to everyone and a with the understanding that it was to illiminate to a great extent the corruption and the stealing. The opposite took place and instead it open the doors to more greed and greater corruption and stealing while making it harder for anyone to be proven of stealing. At the same time, there are more millionaire today in the D.R. than at any other time in its history. They all love Mr. President Leonel F. and those who pick up the left-over are also happy with him -- thats the Dominican way -- as long as others are eating even if just a little. D.R. does not belong to Dominicans, it is owned by an outside Power.

Dios te bendiga Juan Pineda! I pity the fool who would dare to kick u out of Dominican today, just because u have decide to speak out! As far as i know we live in a democratic country (sometimes i doubt it) but well done nonetheless. I's so friggn tired og the BS this president is doing. He and all his cronies stealing money to make the dama's lilttle fashion show around christmas while the pueblos falls deeper into the abyss. Also did u saw Nuria? it is incredible how much dough the new memebers of the camara de cuentas earn and the christmas bonuses?? forget it it is around the millions, and wat for? for doing anything!!! it is sad what those poor people that participated in la guerrra de la restauracion had to do to get a few centavitos as their pension, and yet these porqueria de funcionarios get millions without serving their country!

Dominican Republic is a “Monkey see, Monkey do" "Quitate tu para ponerme Yo" society.
The only way out of this cycle is to teach young pupils "Moral y Civica", philosophy, and religion in our schools. It seems all Dominican politicians become very unethical.
Maybe a new branch of schooling could be formed where selected kids could go at an early age to become a politician. Part of their training before graduation would consist of working and living with the neediest of society, only then they can become involved in politics. Just an idea.
Maybe he was forced to pardon all these thieves. There are lots of sharks surrounding him.

Unfortunately, at this point in time education in the Domincian Rep is not a priortiy and it is the least of their worries. Keep the people ignorant, stupid and in the dark, the dummer they are the easier it is to rule and control them. It is no coincidence that the gov't has repeatedly allotted a minimum amount of money in the national budget for education. We have seen this method used throughout history and all over the world. Let's use that money instead so we can ride the subway.

i havent been to the dominican republic so please tell me what corruption is going on there

dominiCapo809

Corruption is everywhere and always will be! Aka: Bernie Made off with the cash
Did you see the SCC getting chewed out today?

There's an old saying that goes: "Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely". Regarding Juan Bosch it can be said that he never had a chance to become currupted, considering his short-lived presidency. I'm sure that if he had governed his complete constitutional term of four years, and then reelected for another four year term, we would have another judgement on his honesty.

Mirador
Don't be "too sure" of your statements. You obviously did not know Don Juan
personally. He could have had many faults, but money and pleasures outside of his reading, writing and politics were of no interest to him.
He had many chances for corruption and passed on them, inclusive he refused his state pension as president for many years and after a while when he did accept it he used the money to purchase the house where the present PLD headquarters stand.
So when you make an unqualified statement like the above....do some research first before sticking your foot in your mouth.

Mirador de La Lomas,

A apparently the high altitude has affected your raisin due to lack of OXYGEN!

Nope, Don Juan definitely wasn't perfect, he was just right.

Jorge, you have a lot of courage to publish this short article. Many of us we share the same negative feelings about Leonel’s government, but we can not lose our hope, and dreams. We have to be strong, and stay together in order to make changes in the Dominican Republic. Remember, we are in a process, and it takes time to reach the dream of Juan Pablo Duarte.

Jose Luis Corona

Looking back to history and analyzing what happened in Chile in 1973 with the assignation of president Allende, and many other crimes committed against our countries in Latin America. I believe we have accomplished so much in the last few years that I could not believe it. Cuba was the first country in the American continent to reveals to the injustices of the imperialism. Now we have Venezuela, Ecuador, and Brazil that are taking similar actions, and are making great social changes in their society. Indeed, Cuba has become the perfect model to those countries even though Cuba did not go through the democratic process as Venezuela, Ecuador and Brazil. As I said, we can transform the Dominican Republic, but we need to work hard, and put our ambitions to the side, and keep the ideas of Juan Pablo Duarte in our minds.


Jose Luis Corona

Generoso, Josean, and Cacique

If you pondered more what I wrote, you would have noticed that my statement was not directed against Juan Bosch, but at the concept of reelection, which happened to be the platform of the party Juan Bosch initially founded in Cuba, the Dominican Revolutionary Party. Its our penchant for personalism that has been our political undoing since independence and nationhood. As a matter of fact, I knew Juan Bosch personally, including as a child (you can ask his widow, doña Carmen, and children Patricio and Barbara), of which I have myriad fotos, and my mother served as his personal secretary during his short lived presidency.

mirador,

I don't care if Don Juan baptized you! You are a FRESCO for even suggesting such a scenario!

Judas Iscariot was also close to Jesus Christ and he betrayed him, you TRAITOR!

We must always honor our dead and hold them to the highest esteem, particularly when we know the person is unable to react, respond or defend himself from even the slightest inference, no matter how minor it may appear or think it may be.

The people are not only our most precious recourse, but also a means of enrichment.
(Proverb of the PRD party)

Josean,

I recommend you read Juan Bosch's "Judas, el Calumniado". It's obvious you don't have the least idea who was Juan Bosch. I have very fond memories of him, as a person, with his virtues and foibles. All you have of Juan Bosch is an icon, created to promote a political agenda, which is far from his own.

I guess corruption in its different forms is common everywhere.
http://aangirfan.blogspot.com/2005/05/uk-labour-party-corruption.html
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hqXvnkNZPsEMboKHt9kASddvcixw
S.

what the DR needs is someone like Maggie Thatcher to get rid of all these thieves and loafers

Mirador,

Enjoy your government issued jeepeta and the thirty pieces of silver!

Maggie Thatcher was a thief as well-The Malvinas?

The people are the most important . it's time someone worked for them and not to line their own pockets, an unheard of idea here yet to be tested.

So that is what a true leader with a set of brass ones would look like instead of these sell out butt puppets .. Congratulations sir ! atleast your sleep will be sweet even if your wallet is empty !