| SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (UPI) -- Laura Chinchilla has become Costa Rica's first woman president after a festive weekend election, observers said Monday.
Analysts said Sunday's vote, which featured a series of flag-waving nationwide festivities, represented a major victory for the incumbent party of President Oscar Arias, the centrist National Liberation Party, or PLN, the Tico Times reported.
The newspaper said Chinchilla, 50, had won nearly 47 percent of the vote with nearly 70 percent of the totals counted, contradicting a Unimer survey published last week in the daily newspaper La Nacion in which she had sank to 41.9 percent.
The Tico Times said Chinchilla scored victories in all of Costa Rica's seven provinces -- the first time in 25 years that has happened.
"Wives and working women continue overcoming barriers to make a greater Costa Rica," Chinchilla said in her acceptance speech. "All the women and also the men who have accompanied us have made it possible that a daughter of this country can today be president."
The second-place candidate, Otton Solis of the Citizen's Action Party, had 23.3 percent of the vote and conceded defeat, CNN reported.
Copyright 2010 by United Press International
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| Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar Dear Readers: Happy Valentine's Day to one and all, and special good wishes to our veterans in VA hospitals around the country. And for those readers who have taken the time to send valentines and visit the vets, bless each and every one of you.
Dear Annie: My wife and I are friends with "Terri," who has a 13-year-old daughter, "Kendra." The dad has never been in the picture. Since Kendra was a toddler, her next-door neighbor has tried to be a father to her. Terri didn't mind, since she needed all the help she could get.
This neighbor is at Terri's house all the time. While he has been great about helping with Kendra's homework, he also scolds her for minor infractions. What's begun to worry us, however, is that he has started staring at her developing body.
Terri has never had a romantic relationship with this neighbor. In fact, he hasn't had a physical relationship with anyone since she has known him. My wife thinks this is OK, but I think it is highly abnormal for a single male adult to develop a close relationship with a young girl. He has no children of his own. This seems way out of line to me. What do you think? -- Worried Friend
Dear Worried: We think it bears watching. It's possible this neighbor has simply taken a fatherly interest in helping to raise the girl next door. But he could be a sexual abuser who thinks he's found the perfect victim. He also could have started with good intentions and later became inappropriately interested in Kendra. Terri trusts him because he's been around a long time and seems harmless, so we strongly urge you to wake her up. It is her responsibility to protect her daughter. If you and your wife are close to Kendra, you might also let her know she can confide in either of you at any time.
Dear Annie: I am 18 and have been with my boyfriend for a year. I am certain he is "the one."
The problem is, I am a virgin and he has been with two other girls. I want to save sex for marriage, but I don't think he deserves my virginity, and it makes me resent him. Please help me get over these past hookups. -- Jealous in Ohio
Dear Ohio: This kind of resentment can build over time. If you cannot convince yourself that it truly doesn't matter, the relationship will not last. You also might keep in mind that as you get older, the odds of finding a man who hasn't had prior experience decrease. This does not mean you should lower your standards. Rather, you should expect to confront this same issue in the future, so it makes sense to thoroughly examine your feelings on the subject now.
Dear Annie: "Not a Fan of Ghouls in Canada" said her husband encourages their four young children to watch scary movies and play violent video games. My son likes to watch violent shows on TV and play violent games when his young son is present. I wrote him this letter, hoping it would help:
Dear Son: I think you're a swell dad, and I know you love your child. Your son hasn't the ability to distinguish between what's happening in his environment and what's on TV. Studies show that children who see violence on TV behave in violent ways. He has already started hitting, slapping, yelling and throwing things at people.
Your son has no control over his environment. He depends on you to provide what is best for him, including what he sees and hears. I think you should be very careful about what he's exposed to. You could play those games or watch those TV shows when he's asleep.
Since I love my grandson, I want him to have the most wonderful, stable, secure childhood possible. I know you do, too. -- Love M.O.M.
Annie's Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to anniesmailbox@comcast.net, or write to: Annie's Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. To find out more about Annie's Mailbox and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.
Copyright 2010 Creators Syndicate Inc.
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| Whether you're spending today with your family, your friends, or that special someone, ArcaMax wishes you a very happy Valentine's Day. Check out the special Valentine's Day feature one more time before the weekend is over for trivia, last-minute gift ideas, and free books to read online!
-- From the ArcaMax editors |
