Brazzil

The problem is not with General Heleno's leadership, but the fact that we should never have sent troops to Haiti in the first place. By compromising our pacifist and nutreal history, President Lula has placed Brasil in a quagmire. It amazes me that more is not made of this mistake in our political arena, I guess we have too many other problems to worry about at home. By looking at the Haitian history, what has happened and is happening is exactly as should have been expected. The mess in Haiti is a creation of decades of failed policy and half-assed attempts by the US to resolve the issue, perhaps if Haiti was a nation of white Europeans, more of an effort would have been made. I am however, weary of the "pro-Aristide" stance of this website. While Latortues recent gang of rapists and thugs are no better. Insinuating that Aristide, and Aristide supporters are any better is desingenous at best. Aristide is a criminal with the blood of his countrymen on his hands. Any attempt to bring him back to power would ensure that Haiti remains what it is and always will be...Haiti.

Brasil can't even take care of the problems in their country much less in Haiti. Brasil should get out of Haiti while they can. The only thing the Brasilean arm forces are very good at is killing innocent people. Just read their history, they're not peace keepers, they are didtators from the old regime, afterall, they shoot first, ask question never.

The deployment to Haiti was beyond foolish. Brasil is not trained in missions of these types, in fact, barely trained at all. President Lula's goal was to throw the US a bone for their support for Brasil's effort to become a member of the UN Security Counsel. So what will we earn for our efforts, a meaningless position at the UN, which perhaps we can leverage into some advantage when dealing with trade issues with the US, but even more important, we have earned a no-win, long lasting, stay in Haiti. Now that we are committed, there is no way out, we muct save face. Because of our past, the military has been forced into a position of "no-teeth" and they are poorly equipped and trained to do any other than direct traffic. I think most Brasilians would prefer to see them trained to tackle the problems here at home. There is one thing though, if the author is right, and our General really did say, " We must kill the bandits, but only the bandits, not everyone" then please remove him from duty in Haiti...and send him to Rio!

Great response!!

Uma das poucas coisas que entendi em um desses textos acima disse que nossos (da nação brasileira) soldados não estão bem treinados para uma missão de paz no Haiti . Só que o que esse ou esses senhores que escreveu ou escreveram o texto acima não sabem , é da nossa (dos brasileiros) capacidade de improviso , a gente dá o nosso jeito . E não estou nem um pouco interessado em aprender inglês direito , é só mais uma língua .

E verdade que Brasileros e fazer muito bom improviso (jeito), mas em uma missao exercito, improviso e morte. Os soldados o Brasil e nao qualificado para completar nessa missao em Haiti.

The Americans Lies,

One more time America is trying to degenerate the image of Brazil, by speculating about things that they don’t seen to have a clue what they are talking about. Let’s just say that in Brazil the racial social acceptance is much greater then in USA.

We Brazilians don’t have the greatest military in the world. That’s is because we can manage to stay in peace and we don’t always jump in the American wagon to support cause that are not always for the world peace but for political or economics reasons.

Americans shouldn’t really talk about right or wrong. Why? Because they are involve in wars that killed thousand of innocent people (Vietnam, Cambodia, Iraq, and others.)

I personally have meet people from Cambodia that told me how Americas left them behind or in Training camps after to use they support to launch attacks in Vietnam.

How about all the abuse and Humiliations in the Iraq? It’s like that how the “ Greatest Military in the world” suppose to behave?

The Americans are getting beat every day by a bunch of people that don’t have military training, decent equipment, that’s because American government are arrogant and don’t respect others equally. Underestimating is Americas biggest flaw in all wars. Look what happens to Pearl Harbor, Vietnam and now Iraq.

I agree that Brazil shouldn’t be in the Haiti, because we have serious social problems that need full attention of the new administration. But just makes me sick to see Americans lying about Brazilians intentions in Haiti. There is nothing in that country that would be interesting to Brazil economically or political.


Beiker M Dasilva
An Brazilian

If what Sr. da Silva says is true. Then why just exactly did Brasil take the mission in the first place. In other words, what was the gain for Brasil? I disagree with his final statement. The reason President Lula deployed under trained Brasilian troops to Haiti, is to leverage this into some type of chip to play in trade negotiations and to gain some unnecessary "prestige". thus gain economicaly, which is laughable. But also another chance to show case Brasil's latest president as the "LastReal Leftest" increasing his regional popularity, and popularity for the next election for which he is already campaining for two years away,instead of working hard to right Brasil's economic social ills. The current MST massacres by land owners is case in point. I agree that America has made horrible mistakes that have cost countless lives, and that President Bush is ignorant of history, and perhaps broken the law...but Brasil in Haiti? Why? Why does Brasil have the highest murder rate in the modern world, and America one of the the lowest? Because Brasil still lacks the courage to deal with lawlessness that plagues it's people. These are not American lies, these are Brasilian facts.

You have to be kidding, take a walk through any favela. See lots of faces of color on the beaches of Ipanema or Leblon, how about Sao Paulo. Why is the elite fighting so hard against affirmative action from students at the Federal University's. How many people of color on Mr. Lula's political team? Can you really compare the US's racial and social policy to Brasil's, America is decades ahead. It's why so many Brasilians of color risk their lives to free themselves of the oppression in Brasil and immigrate to the US. I don't mind a good argument, but the ideology must be sound. It's comparing apples to oranges.

Those in the Aristide government - including Aristide himself - who murdered Jean Dominique, Pere Ti Jean Pierre Louis, Yvon Toussaint, Brignol Lindor and so many countless others; who turned Haiti into a narco-state and impoverished tens of thousands of poor Haitians with their pyramid “cooperative” scheme; who tried to kill the independent peasant movements and sold the country’s best farmland to the Dominican sweatshop owners Grupo M, they all must be judged and made to answer for their crimes against the Haitian people. And not just them, but the “blan” lackeys like Ira Kurzban, who grew rich while the Haitian people starved, as well. If the Brazilian military are allowed to act by their political bosses in the UN to disarm the gangs of killers that Aristide put in poor Haitian neighborhoods with weapons in their hands, perhaps we will get closer to the day the former Haitian leader will have to answer for his crimes.

Why Brazilians come to America?


There is many reasons for Brazilians migrate to USA, but none or very small percentage have come to America because any oppression. So why do we come? That can be only explaining by the wrong imaging that US sends throughout world about real opportunities in the United States. Truth about Brazilians in the America is that of every 10 Brazilians that come to US, at least 7 wants to go back. Because we love our culture and we appreciate our families values Brazil. The US is just place to come and make some money and that’s all. I wish that people really get to know the facts before they judge Brazil in any aspect. The real problem in the Brazil is not with social acceptance; the Black culture in Brazil is way more truthful then in the US. I hate to be the one to break this down for y’all Americas but I personally think black people in the US are the ones living under oppression. In 2003 there was 680 murders in Chicago alone. (The majority were black people) black people in the America does not have a clue about they own history and traditions. The real issue in the Brazil the politicians that have corrupted our system and our people. My whole life I was against the President Lula, never voted for him. But I must say that I’m impressed with his accomplishments, he has generate jobs and are working to get our pride back. Our works in Haiti is part of this project that teaches us help others and build a strong sense of leadership.


Beiker Dasilva
An Brazilian

Give me a break!!! 48,000 Brazilians were killed with handguns in 2003. And thats just handguns dumbass!!! You have alot of nerve to talk about coming to my country and stealing our dish washing jobs and then disrespecting USA. f**k you!!! Go back to Brazil if you want or stay in USA, but stop spewing out meaningless murder figures for crack smoking n****rs in Chicago!! Those murders were not of innocent people driving in their cars or walking down the street. They are gang war murders. Your dumb Brazilian ass has probably heard about Gang wars I am sure. You want to help others? Stop being a pussy and stand up against your corrupt government and stop complaining about USA!! USA is what it is cause the people have nuts and Brazilians are so afraid of being tortured or killed for speaking out about how your getting screwed daily by your leaders. Stand up you little woosy!!

Haiti is easy to solve. Act like a peace keeping force instead of some kind of pussy azz troops. Establish law and order in both camps, and call that little bit Latortue,or Latorture, and tell him who is in charge. I almost agree with the last writer that if we want to run with the big dogs we better start acting like one. USA didn't put a gun to Lula's head to go there, and countries like USA, Britain didn't get there by behaving like sweet little ladies. As for the training get these troops some OJT (on job training) and stop crying for wifes back in brazil all the time. Haitians call the brasilian troops, "as brasileiras" and the more i read the more i agree. Maybe being in the USA for almost 30 years have hardened my fibers, thank God,
otherwise i would be crying and behaving like the Terceiro Mundistas in here and blaming uncle sam for everything.

It’s funny to see how some Americans are so naïve thinking that such things like corruption, monopole, and violence do not occur in the US. Maybe you should stop reading the SPORTS PAGE every day and educate your self about your own country.

It’s so typical of American get mad when someone comes out to show them that they don’t leave in the perfect society. I admire the pride of Americans, but there is a very thin line draw between Pride and Arrogance and unfortunally American don’t always know in witch side to stand. About the dish washer Job’s, well you can keep it, I have been in US for only 5 years and I work Trading Stocks Online, I work 5 hours a day and make more money that your stupid ass all week. By the way the people that are dying in the US are not just Black people the crime rate has sky rocked last 03 years in all major cities. Maybe all that US have to do is to pull the troops out of Iraq and put them on the streets of South LA, Atlanta, and St Louis and Florida where over 25.000 firearms crimes were committed last year. But you probably don’t know that because Red necks like you just care about yourselves. Once again I’m sorry for hurting some Americans feelings but if you people think that can go around saying whatever you want about Brazilians roles in the occupation of Haiti you guys must first work your issues out.

And don’t worry about Brazilians we don’t torture and humiliate people like US did in Iraq last year witch was show on the news all over the world. But I guess you missed that right? Because you probably busy watching ESPN.


A Brazilian,

Beiker Dasilva

After graduation from Pontifícia Universida de Católica de Campinas, I left Brazil in 1993 to study for a graduate degree in the US. When I left Brazil I was earning the equivalent of 133 US dollars per week as an English teacher. Contrast that with a US minimum wage job that pays about $225 for a 40-hour week to a high school drop out who is flipping burgers. While economics may initially be the main attraction for Brazilians migrating to the US, it is not what is keeping them here.

I have met many Brazilian expatriates since arriving in the US. Only one ever expressed any desire to return to Brazil (seems she couldn’t live without her mommy). Any aspect of life you would like to name is better here. Sorry if the truth hurts, but after 30 years as a Brazilian growing up and working in Rio and São Paulo I speak from experience. I still have a scar on my face from flying glass after an armed robber fired his gun through the windshield of my car. My sister’s boyfriend was shot and killed in front of his house as he was arriving home after school. I could go on but anyone who has spent time in Brazil can attest to the fact that events such as this are more the rule than the exception and are certainly not confined to the favelas.

I am now a public school teacher, which while being considered a bottom rung position here in the US, still gives me opportunities teachers in Brazil would never imagine. I have been able to buy a house, a new car, a computer – all things that were well beyond my reach in Brazil. Cultural institutions are nearby and enjoy significant public financial support. Access to higher education is available to nearly anyone who has the dedication and aspires to learn.

Many of the comments I have read on the Brazzil website written by Brazilians are simply sour grapes and jealousy concerning the US. I know. I heard and naively believed a lot of the crap that is still being espoused by the ignorant America-bashers of Brazil. Those views lasted until I was able to see for myself what life in the US was really like.

Do I miss Brazil? Well, yes, if you miss being extorted for money by police, paid starvation wages after preparing myself academically for a professional career, living in a house surrounded by walls and locked gates, fearing to go out at night because of violent crime, and finally the overt racism that exists everywhere in Brazil. The US isn’t perfect but it is light years ahead of Brazil virtually any facet of life. Brazilians simply have no experience living in a country in which the government actually provides services and responds to public needs and are too eager to blame others for their own shortcomings.

Well I’m very happy for you miss schoolteacher, but remember Columbine School shooting was just few years ago, the horror is near by, you just don’t realize. Maybe I should tell you about Fabio de Souza, a 21-year man that has just arrived in US for one week in Nashua – NH place that for two years was once considered the best place to live in the US. This poor guy died stab by a 17 years old drug addict. That is the type of the news that nobody reads, but that is realty. If you want to compare wages Brazil x USA, of course the US is the best when comes to make money they are absolutely the best and I love then for that. We Brazilians shouldn’t kid ourselves. The majority people that have come to US, in someway failure in achieve their goals as individuals and for that matter is very easy and comfortable for us to just blame the government isn’t there? You probably know people that have succeed in life with hard work in Brazil. People that have created wealth with or with out any education or government help. Let’s not forget that what is important in life: Be happy being that you are! I’m glade to be in the US, but I’ll not sell my soul to uncle Sam over an opportunity and I’ll not go around and spiting in our flag like some half way Brazilians that write to this news paper. And believe me you live in a society that everyday reject you more and more. And here is an advice! If you think that by kissing ass in the US you will earn respect, think again because in the America respect must be taken.

NEWS for miss schoolteacher, Brazil is a republic and you are entailed the right to vote, the reason the services and assistance is poor in the Brazil is our fault as citizens. That made poor choices along the years. People are not just born bad or good they become that.

Well, Acceptance of Failure, your comments are a pretty good example of sour grapes and sweet lemons. Columbine? Compare the statistics on crime even with under reporting in Brazil the differences are like night and day. How many houses do you see in the US surrounded by walls with locked gates? I can walk my dog or go shopping at night without inordinate fear. My car has never been burglarized here. My house has never been broken into. I have never been robbed on the street. I was involved in a minor traffic accident after I first arrived and the police were on the scene within 5 minutes. The accident report that was subsequently issued was complete and correct. In Brazil I was shot at through the side window while I was stopped in my car (I still have a scar on my face from a shard of glass). I got absolutely no help from the police who didn't even want to make a report. My sister's boyfriend was murdered in front of his house after coming home from school one evening. So you see your Columbine reference to an extreme example is just sour grapes. I don't recall the police here shooting homeless children at the request of business owner. Would you like to compare that to columbine? Nobody reads about crime here? Events such as you have described involving a stabbing death are read about even more here because in most places it is an aberration.
Success is possible in Brazil as it is in almost any country, however, success is relative to the overall state of the country. You could be a very successful farmer in Ethiopia if you were not only able to grow enough food to feed your family but have enough extra to sell and buy a television. Brazil is not Ethiopia of course but neither is Brazil the US. Most of illegal immigrants here (and the government estimates that there are nearly 8 million) came for economic reasons. Those are the ones who fit you definition of being failures in their home countries. They were desperate enough to be willing to take the tremendous risk of entering the country illegally. Incidentally, Brazilians are the second largest group entering the US illegally.
As far as spitting on the Brazilian flag is concerned, that myth is perpetuated by foreigners looking for an excuse to slam the US. The staff in the school in which I teach go out of their way to recognize the counties of origin for immigrant children. This goes a long way towards building their self esteem and making them feel accepted.
I have seen more rejection of Brazilians by other Brazilians than I have ever seen here. Americans are not nearly as status and class conscious as middle and upper class Brazilians. The problem you mentions is self imposed. Too many Brazilians impose second class status on themselves simply because they are from Brazil. While a few Americans may look down their noses at foreigners, the vast majority don't. Certainly not my friends and colleagues.
You are correct about voter patterns in Brazil and I agree with your assessment that voters have no one to blame but themselves. The problem is that very few feel any sense of responsibility for attempting to change the system through the political system.

cool

As a North-American from Massachusetts who has lived in Brazil. studied at PUC-RJ, married a Haitian woman, traveled extensively in Haiti and own properties there, I believe that Seth Delong's article is basically a dishonest appraisal of the situation in Haiti as regards Brazil's peacekeepers. I was in Haiti during the first Aristide administration, and again during the governance of General Raul Cedras, and several times during the second Aristide spell, the U.S. having restored the venal little would-be Pol-Pot to power. As the U.S. discovered, invading Haiti is not a high-risk or heavy hardship duty as invading a hostile country would be. The only three casualties in the initial US invasion were three love-sick US troops that turned their weapons on themselves and comitted suicide, if memory serves. There were also some chemical burn injuries sustained by US troops when they applied "Deep Woods Off", an insect repellant, to their own genitals, and to the vaginas of some of the local girls in the naive belief that that would provide prophilactic protection against AIDS. As for the U.N. peacekeepers, all I ever saw of them was when they drove around Port-au-Prince in air-conditioned land cruisers, peering goggle-eyed out of the tinted windows, looking like scared graduate students too afraid even to walk amongst the populace. I've felt nothing but scorn for the U.N. ever since.
Now you might suppose that Brazilian troops would be better suited to the hardship duty of banging black chicks and going to the beach than our own proud U.S. & U.N. contingent, and indeed they proved to be much more proficient in those duties. Unfortunately, the current mission would involve real exposure to risk of injury, so the Brazilians and Argentinians have opted to do very little peacekeeping, alolowing pro-Aristide Lavalas thugs and "chimeres" to invade working class neigborhoods, such as Nazon, where my house is being built, and kidnap, murder, and extort with impunity. Now I'm not going to sit here and characterize the Brazilians as cowardly, but they have the legitimate U.N. mandate to keep peace and they are simply not doing the job. The U.S, is so bogged down in the Iraq quagmire (my brother is attached to a Michigan National Guard unit serving outside Fallujah up-armoring vehicles, and no, he's not happy to be serving the idiot Bush any more than you or I would be), that they are ignoring the mess in Haiti altogether. Let's make no mistake, anyone who supports Arisitide is either woefully ignorant of the man's criminal past while in office, or is in denial to an almost impossible to contemplate degree. Aristide is the most dangerous kind of monster because foremost he is a coward. He sends gangs of thugs to murder, rape, kidnap and steal, and continues to threaten Haiti's stability even while in exile. Eu te prometo uma coisa: quem da ajuda a esse filho de uma p**a, esse escrotinho covarde criminoso Aristide, merece mesmo um pagamento brutal. Historicamente, o brasileiro lutava CONTRA os criminosos. Quantos brasileiros morreram lutando contra Hitler, na invasao de Anzio, na Segunda Guerra Mundial? Pelo amor de deus, vamos prender Aristide, e os gangues que o da apoio, e jogar esse turma na cana para eles nunca sair mais. Abraco geral, J.P.

that's better : )