Brazzil

Here she goes again. Great, Clara I'm thrilled to get so much wonderful news about Brazil, one of my favorite countries, the country of joy.

Like it or not, the US anti-aids program has been successfully adopted in countries which have accepted it.

The refusal to embrace it, as well as the generous offering from the US government, is another demonstration of the imbecility which reigns absolute in the Brazilian public life.

Pedro Chequer, you are not just an Anti-American sexually-perverted fundamentalist. You are also a murderer.

Your disastrous policies in relation to AIDS will condemn to DEATH thousands of Brazilians.

Thanks but no thanks...by the way, stick it where the sun never shines, cowboy!

"Imposed conditions: Prevent prostitutes from participating in the program."

Another white christian far right scheme...The further away from the US (parasite sucking blood), the better off any nation will be.

Good day.

Brazil's anti-AIDS program is considered among the best in the world. It's exemplary. And it reaches all, including prostitutes, a high risk part of the population. Brazilian government was right to refuse the money because it would put a risk thousands of people, not only prostitutes. And the money only meant 3% to be givenin installments through 2008. It would have been stupid to take it. Besides, the condition makes no sense, it only shows the religious fanatism behind the US present administration, which is a pity.

"Another white christian far right scheme...The further away from the US (parasite sucking blood), the better off any nation will be."

Why white? If you are allowed to use generalizations about race, then can I?

Brazi'ls AIDS programs have been praised all over by people who really know what they are talking about, including President Clinton. Discriminating against prostitutes is one thing, but discriminating on a health issue as important as anti-AIDS programs is unacceptable. They should be ashamed of imposing such a codition. Brazil did the right thing. And this only shows us what this fundamentalist administration is capable of.
And yes, we can change things. We can vote these people out.

I had a wonderful time reading this page. The author picks different themes and gives us an idea of what is going on in different areas of Brazil, economy, politics, arts.
As for the AIDS issue, the idea of 'take the money only if you are willing to let prostitutes die" is hard to believe. How dare they? Brazil did the right thing.

You're good, Clara. This is great. Like everything else by you I've read here.

It's good to read about good things happening in Brazil. The columnist picks diversified subjects, which gives us a good update on what is going on in Brazil. Thanks

You must be dislexic.
Bush administration stated that "we will only give you this money if you let prostitutes rot and die with AIDS" (because the bible says so) and Brazil refused. Which government are you calling murderous??
And a tip to you: the word "fundamentalist" is used to describe those who act according to blind faith or inherited morals, "tradition", and not those who make decisions based on reason and consideration for human rights. Were you on acid when you posted your comment?
Also, if there is one thing in Brazil that is praised world-wide and considered a model even for rich countries, it is its anti-AIDS program. You don't read much, do you?!

Of course he doesn't read. I even doubt he has brains. Muderous government, idiot, is the one that says that prostitutes should die of aids. For sinning. God bless us all.
Brazil's Aids Program is among the best in the world, if not number 1 and the numbers show that. Anyone who knows what's going on knows that.

Can't you hold a thought? You jump all over the place. On and on, congratulations to anyone that actually read all of this article.

I did. And it is not an article. It's more like a column, with several notes on different subjects. Easy to read and it fills you in with different aspects of Brazil. Very nice, as a matter of fact.

All this is propaganda from the rich to the rich. When most of the population in Brazil makes less then US$5.000.00 a year who cares about an instrument from a musician. This N.Y reporter ( ex-brasilean) should return to Brazil and see how the people/children are suffering and lacking opportunities to better their lives. What a piece propaganda, she should be working for Extra,Extra.

All this is propaganda from the rich to the rich. When most of the population in Brazil makes less then US$5.000.00 a year who cares about an instrument from a musician. This N.Y reporter ( ex-brasilean) should return to Brazil and see how the people/children are suffering and lacking opportunities to better their lives. What a piece propaganda, she should be working for Extra,Extra.

That’s a First. Is that a mixture of "brasilian with chilean?"

New York reporter....Hmmmmm, you must write for tabloids with that kind of spelling!

keol

Clara Angelica Porto is a great propagandist. While the US should reconsider some of the conditions imposed on the money, there are alot of non-prostitutes who have aids who could have benefited. The extremism comes from both sides with ordinary people paying with their lives.

To call Brazil's position "extreme" is absurd. We all know that the conditions imposed by the US represent fundamental Christian extremism. Who’s the propagandist here? You're an apologist for US extremeism and attempts to dictate the morality of others by masquerading it as humanitarian aid. How cruel and wrong.

Moreover, the entire part of the piece that dealt with the AIDs funding consisted of mere factual reporting. It reads:

"Brazil rejected 48 million dollars from the US to use in AIDS programs. The reason was the condition imposed. In order to take the money, Brazilian government would have to make a public statement against prostitution and prevent prostitutes from participating in the program.

"Aids Federal Program Director Pedro Chequer refused the money remarking that 'fundamentalism and Manichaeism do not control Aids.'

"The money, which was supposed to be paid in installments until 2008 to cover around 3% of the total cost of the program, will be replaced by the Brazilian government and other friendly countries."

How you can call that propaganda is beyond me. Your spinning of the facts however is much closer to it. Physician, heal thyself.

Excellent write up. Bottom line is that the U.S. Government has no right to attach any type of strings to provision of Aid. If it intends to provide the money, there should be no strings attached. Afterall, hookers are human beings too.

Right on. Ms. Porto doesn't even make any comments, she just write the facts. The propaganda is coming from the not so generous offer of money, with an inhuman condition to discriminate prostitues who are human beings and exposed to sexual diseases, thus they should be priority in any anti-AIDS programs. Brazil did the right thing and it is not causing the death of anyone, because the money only meant 3% of the total cost which is being covered. Did anyone ever tell you that if you bend over too much you'll show your tush? Did you know that Brazil has one of the best anti-AIDS programs in the world, officially recognized? Do you know what you're talking about?
As for instruments, if rich Brazilians can buy instruments from famous people for the money to go for social causes, this is a good thing. Where is the propaganda?
I don't see any anti-American propaganda here. I see a good and diversified column telling people about things that go on in Brazil.

Jerks like you are the ones who are ànti-American. You are an embarassment for us, citizens with awareness.

Above should read 'a reporter with a vision'

If Brazil had taken the money and prevented prostitutes from being included in the program it could have possibly caused the Brazilian goverment to spend more money in the long run on the increased cost of treatment of prostitutes and thier Johns who contracted AIDS for lack of access to prevention menthods that are currently available through goverrnment programs. And all for 48 million bucks. It is pure stupidity and ignorance on the part of the Bush administration to think they could influence a change in Brazilian AIDS prevention policy by contributing a measly 3% of the Brazilian AIDS budget. After all that is much less that the PT had to use to bribe other parties to change policy. On another note, to the comment titled "Mr. Bush...", why did you have to make race an issue? It is not because they are white that they are far right, not all far right people are white, and not all white people are far right. As you are probably a self hating white person from australia or england yourself and dont know much about america nor brazil except what you read on this site and have seen in the movies, you probably didn't realize that this was a majority far right government proposing a policy to a majority white far left government. Both governments and are run by a majority of white people, making race a non-factor, so your comment on whiteness was uneeded.

The issue is obvious. Intrusion. I'll give you money if you do it my way. A way that even the Bush administration can't do it easily in this country. Can anyone imagine our President going on public television to make a statement that prostitutes will no longer be entitled to anti-Aids programs? Can you imagine the reactions from the press, and civil rights groups? This still is a democratic land and it is unaceptable that they try to get other countries to make such inhuman statements. Is this help? No, it is pure intrusion, it is going to someone's home and telling them how to run it. Good for Brazil, a third world country that responded with dignity.

Well put.

"Can anyone imagine our President going on public television to make a statement that prostitutes will no longer be entitled to anti-Aids programs?"

Sure would make a lot of deputies nervous. Maybe the Mensalao can be cut up a bit to ensure condoms for all?

I know, corruption sucks, and it's all over, not just in the US and Brazil. Politicians suck. But the Brazilian government was right to refuse US''help'

This is great. All these notes on so many different subjects. Great to find out what's going on in Brazil. As for the polemic, Brazil did the right thing, the US government would not dare to impose this condition within the US, with our own anti-Aids programs. WHy would they do it to other countries? So third world prostitutes should all go to hell? God bless!

Whom is prostitute in Brazil? Everybody knows that Brazilian make a lot money under the sheets.

Don't be cheap! This is serious. And learn how to write the ENglish language, that'll do you some good. And there are prostitutes all over the world. What's wrong with you? Offending Brazilian women like this, you are probably a poor soul lost in your own hate.

I think the brazilian guys are pissed because all their sluts prefer white meat from europe than those little pin dicks brazilian men try to pass off as manhood.

America thinks that it can throw money at anyone and they will dance to the USA's tune.

Good show Brazilians! Tell them to take their money and "shovel it!"
(first heard in the movie Demolition Man by Sandra Bullock)

Probably the only notable thing ever uttered by her.

Requiring a statement from the government against prostitution is one thing. Requiring that prostitutes ( a signifigant source ofAIDs transmission ) not participate, is beyond lunacy. It's sheer madness.

I know. And requiring the country to get the money to do what not even the US would dare doing, is beyond madness. Can you imagine Bush telling Americans that? How could they think the Brazilian President would? What world is this we live in?

Everyone seems to be bitching and complaining about Bush and his policies. And I agree. This guy and his administration has the worst policies. They are truly not what most Americans want. Unfortunately, we have to live with him being our president for the next 3 plus years. It is mind blowing to have to live with the fact that he was actually re-elected. I aplaud Brazil's decision not to take the money. But please do no associate Bush's policies and ideas with what all Americans stand for. We do not all agree with him and most of us are ashamed with how he is staining the image of our nation.

If anyone thinks when Bush departs ( yes on that day I will have a little party ), things will somehow change overnight is fooling themselves. Sure a Democrat MIGHT get elected ( the party has no soul, and no brains, so it's a long shot at best ). Odd's are another Republican gets in, who will be beholden to the fringe right, and with a "mandate" to push any crap he wants. With basicly the same group of cronies in the new administration, and Republican control of congress ( most likely ), an even more reactionary Supreme court( yes Sandra Day O'Connor will look like a moderate compared to Bush's pick get's rammed in), please tell what will change exactly?

If everyone felt the way that you do well maybe we should all start a dooms day pack...

This country knows that we are headed in the wrong direction but some how, some way it is going to turn around. The last thing we need is a pessimist like you. Either you want to see us go down in flames based on your jealousy of the USA or you are an extremely negitive person who thrives on what the media is saying on the news. Right now its a bad time. But lets not forget all of the other bad time that this world has been through. Some how we will get to a point where everything will work out.

Lets not forget about all of the other nations mishaps. Lets name a few.

Englands and France's Colonialism Quest
Brazils human right offenses (the police murdering little children)
Germanys Nazi Party
Japan actions during WW2
Turkeys Genocide of Armenian people in 1915

Plus a whole lot more....

Give me a break.

your examples are quite amusing. all are from history except the Brasil example which is ongoing

The discussion here is about the US giving out money to help anti-AIDS programs and telling third world countries (they wouldn't do it with a first world country), in this case Brazil, that they can only have the money if they make an official statement against prostitution and leave prostitutes out of the program, isolated and endangered. Brazil didn't accept it and it so happens that it has one of the best anti-AIDS programs in the world. It was a good decision. Brazil has lots of problems and is going through a very bad political/corruption crisis. The US has lots of problems and so do most countries in today's world. How about Africa, with the majority of its countries among the poorest and their children dying of hunger? The world is a mess, I'm sorry to say.

RIght, it sure is. Good to know about good things happening, contained in this column by Ms. Porto. Thank you.

So Brazil is in. Or so is the feeling one gets after reading Ms. Porto's news. Too bad the present political crisis might affect what this government has been doing for the image of this growing country. A pretty good job, I might say.

This just shows the lack of foresight Bush has for the future. Setting standard upon standard for financial backing of programs to help people. People!! Mr. Bush, that’s what it’s all about!! HELPING PEOPLE!! NOT PLEASAING YOUR GOD!! To the rest of the world your not alone. He does the same thing here. He just does it with a smaller profile, but it still affects a lot of people. Not every person from the US plays follow the leader. Peace be with you and love to all!

Brazil won't support the US, then it shouldn't be offered a DIME of money taken from the paychecks of hard working Americans.

Hey, pal, Bush is taking your hard earned cash and giving the rich a free ride on your backs! He's borrowing money from China to finance billions in profligate spending on an illegal and immoral war, that was started on a pack of lies and that is lining the pockets of, yes, rich people again. Wake up and smell the coffee! Brazil's not your enemy. It's your own goddamn president!

Bravo to Brazil for not accepting this money. Please know that many Americans are horrified at the actions and attitudes of President Bush. How a man that touts himself as such a superb Christian can make such an offer, with strings attached, is beyond belief. Then again, it is an example of the type of "bully pulpit" politics we witness here each and ever day this lunatic is in office. One thing he has certainly done a great job of is dividing the US, and causing a lot of anger abroad as well. Humanitarian is not a word in Bush's vocabularly. Hopefully we will wake up before the next election, and work towards improving relations with our allies, such as Brazil!

Well said, Bravo, Brazil.

Three words......Bush has balls!....
Leaders = enemies.....followers = pussies......
go buy your own country and live a utopian sociaty if you hate the politics of this f*cked up world....

Following pussies is not such a bad idea!

Bush put strings on the aid at the request of all the Feminists who see that American Men are passing them over, and going to Brazil to "get their groove back," with the brasilieras.

The American Feminist went to Bush and pleaded, "if we could just stop these American Men from going outside of the country (sex tourism) to get pussy, then we can have complete control of them (American Men). But don't put any resrictions on the countries where we go(Feminists) to get our groove on like Europe!

The heat will turn up on you Liberals for the next 40 years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All of your "feel good" laaaaaawssssss will be repealed!!!

Roe Vs Wade will be overturned and your "Ritual Abortion Child Sacrifice Cult" will be chopped down!

People will then have to actually "find a Job," and stop looking for a Government Cronie Handout!

f**k you so called American that is "ashamed" of Bush. You should be ashamed of yourself, sitting behind your keyboard licking the ass of these brasilians with your phony empathy. Be proud of america and everything she stands for. You pussy liberals can't stand it that your limp dick John Kerry is just another in a long line of losers.

Ashamed of Bush? Just like the Brazilian woman I know. Who comes to the US and receives a college education from one of the better schools. Single mom striping and on welfare in spite of her education. Ashamed of US President Bush. Yes. Ashamed of her being a single mom. No. Ashamed of her for striping and being on welfare. No. Ashamed that people have to do this. Yes. Ashamed of religious a*****es. Yes. Ashamed that people of the world can’t get along. Yes. Look at yourselves people. As long as you continue to fight. As long as you continue to believe your religion/government/country/men/women/possessions are better then others. There will always be diseases/viruses/natural disasters and the like. She is getting very angry people. Her name is Mother Earth. There is no God. There is no one supreme being. There are People, Earth, and all the other creatures living here. Be careful people she will wipe us all out and won’t look back. Why does it take a non religious American mixed person to see the future is beginning to look a lot like the past? You know what? I give up. Your all on your own.