Brazzil

We understand, Cristaldo hates Lula. But why misrepresent the truth? Did Lula say that journalists should report ONLY the good things about Brazil? NO. And in light of Lula's history and his politics, is there some doubt that he wants to find solutions to the problems of Brazil? He's certainly done more for change than The Great Cristaldo. This article supports my opinion that Cristaldo is the kind of man who would sell his mother's bones to buy flowers for a harlot.

To those of you who twist every word GW Bush says: How do you like it when it happens to "your guy"? Is that last sentence above the best insult you can come up with? Do you pull them out of a deck of index cards?

You self-absorbed ninny…What does Bush have to do with this article? Can't North Americans see past the US from time to time? Get over yourselves! And who said Lula is "my guy"? I just can't stand the dishonesty of Cristaldo. He sounds like a jilted lover or an old cranky queen when it comes to Lula.

Is that your defense of the Great Obfuscator? People do it to Bush so nya-nya? Great. Have any other non sequiturs?

It's the same thing all over the world...journalist tend to write about the bads news...It's a shame, because most of the things happening in the world are positive...in the entire world I would bet only 10% of the population are doing negatives things...but yet, they are featured in 85% of the news stories...in my heart I believe in the goodness of mankind...but I'm not naive enough to know evil doesn't happen, because you can't have one without the other...but think about a world with 85% of the people doing the wrong thing...how frighting is that!!

Balance is the key.... this is what Lula is wanting to project about Brazil. The sensationalism that dogs the business of journalism is a sham and a crime onto itself! Say the words with me...Brasil is Beautiful!! - again Brasil is Beautiful, have you not heard the expression " even when i lie - i tell the truth" balance yourselves and shout Brasil is Beautiful, with all the respect it deserves!.

That's what journalists do!! If you want feel good stories about Brazil read travel brochures!

Do you think Lula would be sending extra Police to Rio, or would have taken a personal interest in Pará if both those recent stories were glazed over? A lot of bad news is generated in Brazil because, duh, there are a lot of outrageous things happening there.

It's the media’s role to keep everyone on their toes (the fourth estate). That said; there has sadly been a steady growth of sensationalism over the last 2 decades - so then, choose your sources of news wisely. It’s not all crap.

From my perspective, I actually think the news about Brazil is often very balanced. Showing, MOST of the time, the great strides Brazil is making economically, highlighting Lula´s hunger programmes, advancements in AIDs research, and praising her growth and maturity in the international arena.

I tend to agree at times with Janer (although I don’t think Lula is the supreme ignoramus), but the President does have a habit of trying to muzzle the press if he feels the news doesn’t fit into the image he wants to sell. He damned near kicked out a foreign journalist for writing basically what the national press had been writing for over a year; then he wanted to create the Federal Council of Journalists; earlier he begs Advertising agencies to create a series of feel good adds for TV “Sou Brasiliero e nao desisto nunca”. These are not the duties of a democratically elected president.

Forget about the media Lula, do your job. If you feel the news is full of doom and gloom, then attack the root causes and the issues and leave those reporting the issues alone. If you feel the public is too pessimistic about Brazil, then try to understand why, don’t try to manipulate them into thinking all is rosy by indoctrinating them with feel good propaganda. If you don't like what you are reading in the papers, maybe you should start to read comic books...

I agree that the press should be critical and should report important, albeit unpleasant, news. No argument there. I also agree that Lula was dead wrong to threaten the NYT journalist with expulsion. Lula's efforts, if any, to "muzzle" the press are validly criticized. The merits of any proposal to regulate the press should be subject to strong debate. But Cristaldo is simply a Lula-basher and will distort and say anything to do so. His representation of Mrl de Silva in this article is a lie. Everything I've read indicates that he is unprincipled in his criticism and disrespect for Mr. de Silva. His hatred of Lula is pathological.

When Brazilian Staffs abroad working in Brazilian Consulates and Embassies and they start to shout and mistreat the nationals which work for them. Special in front of other nationals. They are already showing what is about Brazil. The best marketing is done with the mouth to mouth.

Lula has been a disaster for brazil. he boom in exports is a result of past policies which he is benefiting from and not improving on. He bloats the state, tries to raise taxes and almost got away with his last attempt of robery ( mp 232). Lula should thank god that he had to cater to other parties to get elected and was forced to make some rational choices in ministry posts ( Rodrigues for agriculture and Furlan). These are the guys that are trying to keep the government out of the way of industry and agriculture so we can prosper and these are the kind of people that should represent us in the presidency and in congress. But class warfare goes a long way in brazil. It is of no use pointing out that a wealthy man can create more prosperity than any government could dream of doing itself so they just push the class warfare button and label people. labels such as rich farmer= evil land owner, rich industrialist= enemy of his employees. All this to market their " solutions" and make us pay taxes to implement them. In the end the " evil farmer" the " rich industrialist" the " poor and helpless workers" all get screwed with higher taxes while some ignoramus burrocrata is having a caipirinha in a beach somewhere while he is attending some convention which aims to improve public service. It is a f**king joke, and the joke is on us. Yet don´t mind me, go on and say something bad about George Bush, this way you don´t have to realize that you are being exploited by the state, this way you can continue to fool yourself away from the awful truth.

For this reason I do not work then people can not call me labour (slaver or slavo) and I do not become rich, then they can not call me evil land owner or enemy of his employees.

"Lula has been a disaster for brazil." The economy is booming in Brazil…what a disaster! HA-HA. Corruption is for the first time being rooted out in Brazil…something his predecessors were unwilling to do. You're really full of it, guy. Face the facts.

Speaking of facing facts, much of the advancements Brasil is making today can be linked with Cardoso’s economic programmes - Lula has done little more than ride his predecessors coat tails (on this particular matter). I don’t think he’s a disaster, but I don’t think he has really made any great difference in Brasil either. I think he’s a bit of a lame duck waddling through the right pond at the right time.

Re: corruption. Sure, some of it is being rooted out – but not to any significant level. It’s not just under-the-table corruption that bothers me, it blatant brazen in-your-face political thievery that angsts me most. Like Good Ole Calvacanti:

"O presidente da Câmara Federal, o Dep**ado SEVERINO, quer todos os
parlamentares, assessores e funcionários da casa de sapatos reluzentes.
Acaba de abrir uma licitação para contratar serviços de engraxataria no
prédio, num total de R$3.135 milhões por 12 meses, o que dá R$261 mil por
mês ou ainda, R$ 8,7 mil por dia . O valor diário equivale à alimentação de
174 famílias num mês, pelas normas do FOME ZERO! "

A CUSTOS DA INICIATIVA PRIVADA, SÃO MAIS DE 3.500 PARES DE SAPATOS
ENGRAXADOS DIÁRIAMENTE. PODE?

É pessoal, os palhaços somos nós... Temos que pagar o projeto FOME ZERO e
com os sapatos desengraxados, ou pior, sujos com toda essa lama, na qual se
mistura os dirigentes desta pobre nação.

You think the changes needed in Brazil can happen overnight? With one president? If you do, you're dreaming. Brazil has a long history and culture of courruption and economic problems. You can't fix that overnight.

Fools all of you!!! Lighten up and start feeling the sunshine.... yes, we all understand the hard realities that face Brasil!!! Everyday is a reality for evryone...cultures and systems do not change overnight but you know what - enjoy the mulatta and the Brazilian flowers. Hypocrites I say, bloody hypocrites you!!!!.... ask yourselves when you see a glass half full....... do YOU see it half full or hail empty. Once you answer that.....! repeat after me Brasil is Beautiful!.... again, Brasil is Beautiful! Enjoy the Mulatta and smell the Beautiful Brasilian Flowers, and for all those who see grey and dread - f**k you! Life does not work the way you think.

:zzz