Brazzil

Since 1989 trying to understand Brazil

Search

Custom Search

Cheap Mobile Phones
---------------
Members : 2163
Content : 3341
Content View Hits : 20440751

Who's Online

We have 231 guests and 1 member online

Login Form



Pingo
Breaking News from Brazil
From Brazzil Mag news team
Brazzil Magazine


Obama's New Brazil and LatAm Policy: Too Close to Bush for Comfort PDF Print E-mail
Written by Tom Barry   
Thursday, 04 September 2008 21:42

Barack Obama To frame his proposed Latin America policy, Barack Obama is using the "Four Freedoms" vision of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, which Obama referred to in his "Renewing U.S. Leadership in the Americas" speech to the Cuban American National Foundation in Miami on May 23, 2008.

As World War II overtook Europe and was about to engulf the United States, President Roosevelt delivered a speech on January 6, 1941m that envisioned a post-war world "founded upon four essential freedoms" - political freedom, religious freedom, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.

Obama's reference to FDR is a welcome way to begin revamping Latin American-U.S. relations. Under FDR's leadership, hemispheric relations improved considerably in the 1930s as the United States brought to a close an era characterized since the 1890s by direct military intervention and occupation in Caribbean Basin nations.

Obama chose to highlight an FDR speech delivered on the eve of U.S. entrance into World War II, but a more appropriate and helpful reference might have been FDR's 1933 inaugural speech when he launched his good neighbor policy. The good neighbor principles of "mutual respect," "a spirit of cooperation," and "self-determination" would offer a much-needed antidote to the Bush foreign policy of arrogance and power. These principles are especially relevant to U.S. relations with Latin America.

To a large extent, the responsibility for ensuring the four freedoms in Latin America falls not on the United States but on Latin American and Caribbean countries themselves. Too often in the past, U.S. promises of supporting "freedom" and development in the region have proved self-serving and have obstructed the region's own development.

There's no doubt that there were major shortcomings and inconsistencies in FDR's good neighbor policy. But the ethics that defined the policy - respecting one's neighbor and oneself, cooperating to solve common problems, and letting neighbors determine their own development - should once again be embraced by the U.S. government. A renewed and updated good neighbor policy would go a long way toward fostering political and economic development in the region.

In its founding document, Progressives for Obama stated: "We need to return to the Good Neighbor policies of Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930s, which rejected Yankee military intervention and accepted Mexico's right to nationalize its oil in the face of industry opposition."

Obama certainly recognizes the need for a dramatic change in U.S. policy in Latin America. "It's time for a new alliance of the Americas," he said. "After eight years of the failed policies of the past, we need new leadership for the future. After decades pressing for top-down reform, we need an agenda that advances democracy, security, and opportunity from the bottom up. So my policy toward the Americas will be guided by the simple principle that what's good for the people of the Americas is good for the United States."

While talk of alliances and "bottom-up" politics is certainly welcome, it falls short of a commitment to self-determination and mutual respect. At the same time that Obama was promoting an alliance and partnership, he signaled that the alliance would likely be only with some countries - including Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil - while other nations that have embraced left-center politics - including Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, Bolivia, and Ecuador - would probably not be members of his "new alliance of the Americas."

Commenting on Obama's foreign policy vision for Latin America, Forrest Hylton, who has written books on Bolivia and Colombia, said, "If ever there was a moment to rethink U.S. policy toward Latin America before it's too late, so to speak, it would be now. Now would be the time to introduce something like a revamped version of the good neighbor policy.

But instead, when Obama all but explicitly poses the question of who lost Latin America, he answers his question with a series of right-wing positions that are, let's say, more conservative than the Council on Foreign Relations, which represents establishment thinking on U.S. foreign policy."

Clearly Obama is still learning about Latin America, a region to which he has never traveled. He has labeled his Latin America policy "A New Partnership for the Americas." While this certainly represents a rhetorical break with the long tradition of hegemonic politics, Obama faces many challenges if the United States is to win respect as a regional partner.

As president, Obama wouldn't be expected to praise or support governments and people's movements with which the U.S. government has major differences, but he will need to treat them as sovereign nations that have the right to set their own course.

His attempt to win political points in his speech to the Cuban American National Foundation in Miami with his critiques of Venezuela and Cuba wasn't an auspicious start to his plan to establish a new regional alliance or partnership.

The speech's ideological focus on "libertad" or freedom echoed the Bush administration's own highly charged rhetoric about political freedom and did little to distinguish Obama's case for "new leadership." A commitment to mutual respect, self-determination, and cooperation would take Obama much further in forging an Americas partnership.

Tom Barry directs the TransBorder Project of the Americas Policy Program (www.americaspolicy.org) at the Center for International Policy in Washington, DC.

Comments (190)Add Comment
"There's no doubt that there were major shortcomings and inconsistencies in FDR's good neighbor policy"
written by ch.c., September 04, 2008
In my opinion the biggest shortcoming is now RECIPROCITY !

Emerging nations are far more closed than developing nations, but they expect developed nations to be more open that they already are.

Emerging nations all want to export to developed nations, but are unwilling to even develop their own relations.
Simple examples :
- Chinese goods are more restricted in Russia, India, Brazil, Mexico than Chinese goods sold in developed nations.
Yesssssss white Chinese goods (appliances) and textiles are more expensive and restricted in the counbtries stated above than in developed countries.
- China, Russia, India, Brazil, Mexico, Thailand, Taiwan all have huge
trade surplus with developed nations but are unwilling to open more to developed nations goods such as cars/trucks. Because to sell cars in these countries they must be locally produced by foreign companies or subject to HEAVY import taxes !

Using this not so clever reasoning, developed nations should therefore tell Brazil (for example)should you wish to sell ethanol in developed nations, the ethanol mills should be built in developed nations using your money not ours.
And you are free to produce sugarcane where you want, in Brazil or not, since sugarcane production will also to be financed by your money....not ours.

If you dont like the ethanol example, then you should understand we dont like either your worthless and baseless theories.

Another simple example is the Rolex/BMW/Mercedes HUGHE imports taxes.
YOUR theory says normal because it is a tax on luxury goods.
No problem but only as long as your luxury condos and mansaos costing many times the prices of Rolex/BMW/Mercedes are taxed the same as your luxury imports.
And why are your semi-precious stones, some costing more than foreign luxury goods, not taxed the same as your imported luxury goods costing less ??????

Wellll cheaters and liars always cheat and lie !
And the BRIC nations excel at this game.
Therefore dont be surprised that you are shooting at your own goals one way or the other. Developed nations will even help you in doing so.
Idiots dont even understand the game of clever people.
That is the reason why an idiot cant see the obvious.
As I said once ; just ask a Brazilian idiot how equals 2 PLUS 2 !
He will answer 5 and says .......every idiot in Brazil knows this !!!!!
Even Lula and his gangs....Alencar/Mantega/Amorim/Minc/Dirceu and 100 % of your politicians are sure of their basic maths.
Except that they are hurting you the most because when you ask them how much equals 70 % of US$ 300 billion, all will come up with 180 billion and tell you "just look at our federal annual budget, this is how we handle our expertise in maths and economic finances !!!!!"





smilies/cheesy.gif smilies/grin.gif smilies/cheesy.gif smilies/grin.gif smilies/cheesy.gif smilies/grin.gif smilies/cheesy.gif smilies/grin.gif smilies/cheesy.gif smilies/grin.gif
Once Again
written by Ric, September 04, 2008
A couple of off-handed references to Bush foreign policy in this article don´t seem to justify the title.

Obviously the comfort zone referred to in the title is that of the author.

However it´s wonderful to read stuff to the left of even Obama. Especially when "achando ruim" is an indication that the writer knows that things may not, almost certainly will not, go his way. Toma ti.
We Should be taslking about the US foreign policy of a John McCain administration.
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 05, 2008
Since Barack Obama is going to lose the presidential election in November 2008 it would be more interesting to discuss what is going to be the US foreign policy of a John McCain administration regarding South America.

Talking about a Barack Obama policy it would be a waste of time.

.
...
written by Ric, September 05, 2008
It certainly looks like you are correct.

Don Imus also believes that McCain will win.

A look at Michelle´s face during her husband´s acceptance speech also gives me the impression that the Obamas know it. She is an accomplished person but not a pro politician nor a poker player. The expressions were a definite tell.
one to think about
written by Forrest Allen Brown, September 05, 2008
when Mc wins
1 year later he dies .

that would put a lady in the P slot
and would not the speaker of the house
be her VP

what a cat fight that would be
where would we put the litter box
...
written by Ric, September 05, 2008
Not sure that Pelosi would be the VP, only the next in line until the VP spot was filled by the president and confirmed by congress.
RIC
written by Forrest Allen Brown, September 05, 2008
yea but would that not be a fight
to remember

i would go for paul that would piss them all off

pelosi and boxer , clinton all dems demanding that she chose one of them

just something to think about after all
he is 26.280 days old
that is 37.843.2 munits
acoriding to brazilian standardes he should have died

8.456 days ago
Explanation requested..
written by dnbaiacu, September 05, 2008
Since Barack Obama is going to lose the presidential election in November 2008 it would be more interesting to discuss what is going to be the US foreign policy of a John McCain administration regarding South America.


I would LOVE a decent scenario of how McCain has even a remote chance of winning. It could happen . But the sense it would make could only be to cause civil unrest and divide the country. Unless that is the TRUE intent.
Just about EVERYTHING is being STAGED in favor of Obama through the media. And have we not forgotten that the media is corporate controlled with strong government connections.
McCain winning would be the absolute worse waste money all of this time. And who is REALLY pulling the strings is not THAT stupid.
...
written by observer, September 05, 2008
Ralph Nader could sneak up the middle and win smilies/cheesy.gif smilies/cheesy.gif
Hmmm....
written by Thaddeus Blanchette, September 06, 2008
At this point, I'd say it's too close to call.

I think a lot hinges on McCain's Veep pick. He just clearly singled to everyone that he thinks the far-right agenda is indeed sacrosanct and a women's issue, to boot. I think a lot of democrat Hilary voters who might of been seduced by McCain are now not going to be. In fact, given his Veep, they're now going to see him as the anti-christ.

I think the REAL deal-maker on this election is not the American people, but that segment of the American uber-bourgeoisie that I like to think of as "the intelligent imperialists". These folks gave the unilateralists their shot and saw it blow up in their faces. The big question now is, do they feel like risking the rebirth of Rooseveltian liberalism, or do they think it's better to go into the forseeable future with a party that firmly believes The Final Days are just around the corner and want to turn the country into an evangelical Christian version of Iran?

One of the factors that's going to weigh heavy on their minds is the fact that the Republican social policy and war on terrorism is increasingly creating large contradictions in the American economy and - what's worse - in the ability of the States to reproduce its hegemony over the long term. Fanatical anti-immigrationism means no more brain drain in the States' favor. Promoting 19th century family structures as viable for today's day and age creates an ever-more stressed out working class. Transforming the U.S. volunteer military, designed for rapid, low cost conflicts, into a permanent colonial peace force strains the country's international relations and will ultimately (as in almosy all conflicts of this source) begin to destroy it as a viable figting machine. Acceptance of torture and its integration as a permanent part of the U.S. international strategy makes the country look like fools (as everyone knows that torture is a piss-poor way of getting info) and utterly ruins its moral ground.

In other words, the current Republican strategy for dealing with the 21st century is piling up contradictions at a rate quicker than at any point in American history. Things only look good to the average Republican man in the street because the U.S. has a huge accumulation of social, political and economic capital and even the worst series of presidents in the world would take several decades of f**king things up before Americans were really looking at a big, black hole in their future. But I think that there's a goodly slice of the American bourgeoisie that realizes that a more "light" form of empire would probably gain better results and make the whole thing more viable, longer.

I think, perhaps, maybe, that the Republicans may just have boxed themselves in on this one - something that has happened quite alot in the history of the U.S. whenever a party's radicals outstrips public opinion.

Of course, the Bush clique could just go ahead and steal the damned election anyhow. Lord knows they'll try. But if the smart imperialists come down on Obama's side, I think that such a tactic might actually backfire on the G.O.P. this time.

These GOP boys and girls have been listening to themselves for too long and they've begun to believe their own propaganda. But as one of the founders of their party once said: "You can fool some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all the people all of the time".

Come November, we'll see just how many Americans are fooled.
BTW...
written by Thaddeus Blanchette, September 06, 2008
This is why I think the author's take on things is utopian. Neither of the two parties sees Latin America as anything but the U.S.' backyard.

My wife and I were talking the other day about this and we actually think McCain might be better for Brazil. Historically, Brazil has always done very well when the world's hegemonic powers are distracted elsewhere and these last 8 years bear that tendency out. A McCain presidency will be increasingly concerned with the Middle East bear trap and will probably result in Brazil getting much more wiggle room than normal. An Obama presidency will be more of a return to business as usual, velvet glove, iron hand style.

One thing I see weighing in favor of an Obama victory: the dollar is beginning to go up. I don't think the world's biggest capitalists would be so sanguine about the U.S. economy if they felt that they were looking at 4-8 more years if the same stuff they've seen under Bush. And where the big money goes, the little peoples' votes usually follow.
...
written by dnbaiacu, September 06, 2008
I care not what puppet is placed on the throne of england to rule the empire. The man who controls britain's money supply controls the British Empire and I control the British money supply" Nathan Mayer Rothschild 1777 1836


Same rules apply. This is no real election with the people having a real choice
Of course, the Bush clique could just go ahead and steal the damned election anyhow.


In the end this can and will be done. But the American public at large is being seduced enough for the "powers that be" to not have to go through such lengths.
Is there a real choice when Clinton , McCain and Obama are all CFR members????
Again, civil unrest in the U.S and possibly abroad if Obama DOESN"T win. Now if everything behind the Democratic show and the media is banking on that scenario,,that would be interesting. But these people aren't that stupid with their MONEY smilies/smiley.gif
dnbaiacu
written by João da Silva, September 06, 2008
I really did not want to comment, but unfortunately I have to, after reading the comments of Thaddeus and you. You both seem to agree on YOUR earlier advice to follow the "money".

What want to say is that Brazil is no different from the U.S. I got a big kick out of the Republican Convention, where the "cabo eleitoral" of McCain was none other than Joe Lieberman, who as you may recall, was Al Gore´s running mate in 2000. He reminds me of José Sarney, our ex-president and currently a senator from Amapa (though he is from Maranhão). Sarney was always in cahoots with our military "Government", belonged to Arena (later turned into PDS). I can not help laughing out loud, when I see Sarney talking about "Ditadura Militar" and I am sure he is getting a fat pension for fighting "the dictatorship".

We call people like Obama as "Laranjas" and he is going to do (as you rightly put it) what others tell him to do. Whether McCain or Obama, it is not going to affect the destiny of our country. Because we have plenty of "Laranjas" here too.

Anyway, it is my line of thoughts and hope Lord Augustus nor you take umbrage to my outspoken views.btw, my political views are more towards that of Forrest and Ch.c. smilies/grin.gif

Thanks for listening to my rants. smilies/smiley.gif
Joao
written by dnbaiacu, September 07, 2008
We call people like Obama as "Laranjas" and he is going to do (as you rightly put it) what others tell him to do.


It IS really that simple. I think that many want to complicate it more because it makes them feel like the "people" are really involved.

Your "rants" are always welcome smilies/smiley.gif
dnbaiacu
written by João da Silva, September 07, 2008
It IS really that simple. I think that many want to complicate it more because it makes them feel like the "people" are really involved.


You are absolutely right.I think that you were a tiny toddler to remember about Lech Walesa of Poland or the rise of his counterpart in Brasil. But, I bet you have read the history!!

Your "rants" are always welcome


Thanks. But still I insist you are right (and so am I) smilies/grin.gif
...
written by Ric, September 07, 2008
One reason that McCain-Palin will win is that the gut-wrenching hatred that the leftist media feels for the GOP candidates will continue to find its way into what they write. They have deadlines and have to write about something, they will vent that rage and go over the top no matter how it hurts BHO and no matter how much he warns them against it.

They can´t help themselves. And therefore they can´t help Obama. They are helping McCain-Palin.
The Real Issue
written by FogoBrasileiro, September 08, 2008
The real issue is not the media's viceral hate for GP, because 1) FOX News in the US is king for many and 2) ABC, CBS and many major network newsies are not shy to critique Obama & even put words in his mouth and Biden's - They leave McCain alone more than not. Still, they do help McCain by bashing Palin. Although she is inept, many may see her as the "common woman".

But even so, the Hillary supporters are clearly offended so any he hoped to gain by picking Palin are moving back to Obama. Palin just further solidifies neo-conservatives and people who had no intention of voting Obama in the first place.

Also, as the economy is tanking and regardless of Iraq surge talk - many still see both as Republican scams & failtures now. As the GOP only relies on hollow speech and polarizing, that crucial independent electorate is seeing McCain as wind and Obama as giving more solid answers by many for the first time.

The real call will be with the Youth vote too - all those people who never cared to vote are spurred to do so by Obama - also in his favor is his town to town strategy he has always run by. This will be a wire thin margin win and there may even be contests to challenge the election especially if Obama wins.

I also have to say as an independent thinker and voter, Obama seems to push what he wants in the face of any party or group, regardless of popularity i.e. Iraq and Gay rights acknowlegdment in more ethic conservative communities. We shall see what prevails. I didn't think he'd beat HIllary and although I like her - McCain is now referencing her playbook from when her campaign was looking bleek. We shall see if he meets his demise by thinking Americans ... smilies/tongue.gif
For all practical purposes Barack Obama is history
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 08, 2008
Reply to Dnbaiacu


You asked me for an explanation, but you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure this one out.

I posted the following information that I had prepared on the Elite Traders website on May 12, 2008 – Since then both political parties had their conventions and announced their running mates – Joe Biden for the Democrats and Sarah Polin (She is a hot Babe) for the Republicans.

As of today the latest poling numbers shows that John McCain is ahead of Barack Obama by about 2 points.

For all practical purposes Barack Obama is history.

Here is what I wrote and posted on ET Forum 4 months ago.


May 12, 2008

SouthAmerica: The November 2008 presidential election it will become a case study for future generations to see how a dumb political party lost an election that it was supposed to win.

After such a major loss only idiots would continue as a member of such Pathetic political party.


Registered voters in the United States as of January 2004:

Democratic Party = 72 million people

Republican Party = 55 million people

Independents = 42 million people.

Total registered voters = 169 million people.


*****


Black population on the United States

Black population both sexes total 18 years old and over = 24.9 million

Registered voter = 16.0 million
Not Registered = 8.9 million

Voted in 2004 presidential election = 14.0 million
Did not vote in 2004 presidential election = 10.9 million

Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Current Population Survey – November 2004
Data released May 25, 2005


*****


In 2000 presidential election 13 million blacks voted on that election.

In 2004 presidential election 14 million blacks voted on that election.

In 2008 maybe 16 million blacks might vote on this particular election because of Barack Obama.


*****


Official results of the 2004 Presidential election:

George W. Bush (Republican Party) = 62,040,610 people.

John Kerry (Democratic Party) = 59,028,444 people.


In the presidential election of 2004 about 121 million people voted out of 169 million total registered voters = 71 percent of registered voters participated on that election.


*****


The United States probably will have 175 million registered voters for the presidential election of 2008. If about 75 percent of these people participate on that election then about 131 million people are going to vote.


The winner of the 2008 presidential election will need about 66 million votes to win in November 2008.

If 100 percent of black voters vote for Barack Obama = 16 million people.
He still will need another 50 million votes from the white folks to complete the 66 million votes necessary to win in November 2008.

Things to keep in mind about the 2008 presidential election:

Ralph Nader will take a few million voters from the Democratic Party.

Lou Dobbs probably convinced a few million people to switch political party and become an independent.

In 2008 we might have 50 million independent registered voters.


*****


Conclusion:

There is no way in hell that Barack Obama can win the general election in November 2008.

If Al Gore is the Democratic Party nominee he can pick up most of Ralph Nader’s supporters plus millions of independent voters.

Al Gore would win the November 2008 election in a landslide.

If Barack Obama is the Democratic Party nominee then the election would be given on a silver plate to John McCain and the Republican Party would win in November 2008.

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure that one out.

At the end of the day the only history that the Democratic Party is making in November 2008 – Those Dumb Democrats they can’t win a presidential election even when everything is going on their favor.

.
Reply to Dnbaiacu
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 08, 2008
By the way, they reinstated my account at Elite Trader.

My screen name on that forum is SouthAmerica.

I had a thread on that Forum for the last 2 years about Al Gore for president in 2008. And there are over 800 comments on that thread.

The above information you can find under the date May 12, 2008.

Al Gore is out of the picture now.

.


Regarding the Democratic Party...
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 08, 2008

The Democratic Party has become a political party expert in losing elections that were almost impossible to lose.

The Democratic Party is managing to lose an election during a period that the US economy is going down the toilet. – The US is almost in an economic depression and the Democrats are so dumb that they are in the process of losing another election.

Today the people who run the Democratic Party here in the United States is so incompetent that they probably would manage to lose even a "rigged" election in Zimbabwe if they were running an election in that country.

.
Reply to Ricardo...
written by dnbaiacu, September 08, 2008
We will just have to see won't we? I have stated my case. So I won't go any further into that. Just simply "FOLLOW THE MONEY".

You bring out all these stats on the "black vote" as if the black vote carries the Democratic Party. That is a myth, no one happens to believe or even considered.
If that WERE even remotely true why did the GOP have to steal the election in Florida to get Bush in? The MAJORITY didn't want Bush. Not just blacks.
The MEDIA who presently appears to be Left at this time ,at that time swept all of that under the rug real quick. What was the "force" behind that? A "RIGHT" controlled media?

The MEDIA is CORPORATE controlled. Again you can just follow the paper trail to see who will ultimately influence things.On the USA Today comments board on McCains poll upset, by 9am eastern time there were 4,200 posters and counting. All this poll stuff is about getting people excited. The electoral college will determine the ultimate outcome. And if that doesn't work ,the election will be "stolen again" . And I believe by the hidden Obama camp. (Although they are not good at hiding)
The WORLD is involved in the results of this election. This is not an isolated American issue. The world at large is not buying the Right side of politics. The Right is not the future. Think "globally"! The U.S cannot afford to isolate itself any longer than necessary with a "Right sided political agenda. The MONEY knows this. Obama is being set up to be a Cheerleader for the UNITED NATIONS.(it's mostly Left) Use your imagination. This is why Obama has been ALLOWED/PUSHED to come as far as he has , I might add, "with no experience".. DUH?
To believe that McCain will really win is to believe that the system really works the way it is supposed to "appear" to.. NOT! It is not about numbers. It is about SEDUCTION. A McCain win strictly by the numbers would imply that there are "smart" voters that can see through all of this charade.. NOT! Again. People are basically emotional and prideful at the end of the day. And the "belly" rules. Many who would rather pick a candidate that LOOKS like them , would settle for a candidate that would appear to insure food in the refrigerator , no matter what color he is. And I am only saying this because you delivered more of a race conscious result to the elections. A party dependent on the black vote ,to dumb , so to speak , to win the election they should have in the bag.
Again, blacks voting or not, will have nothing to do with Obama winning.
The ONLY BLACK factor in this is that Obama will have a job none of his old white peers want. Justlike they have Condaleeza running around with her no account job. At the end of the day, it is PRIDE and the BELLY. NOTHING has changed.And VANITY is what has the likes of Obama and Rice taking these ridiculous no account positions. They are both "puppets'. And believe it or not, MOST black people know this. House Negroes turned plantation overseers!
Think out of the box. Think GLOBAL. It's a Left, corporate controlled world now. On an individual basis rich Republicans won't be hurting anyway. This is their shot at Hollywood right now.It doesn't matter if they don't win. And they KNOW THIS! If people haven't figured out that MONEY RULES they are sleeping.
Forget the polls.Foget about the Black vote. Just follow the money.

By the way , I support neither McCain or Obama. I CONSCIENTIOUSLY DON'T VOTE. The system is rigged smilies/wink.gif
Fannie And Freddie bailout equals......
written by dnbaiacu, September 08, 2008
Pseudo government takeover.

Real Federal Reserve Bank takeover.

Government controlled housing under the guise of homeownership.

People control.

Socialism
Pleased with Senator Obama’s intended Foreign Policy // Editorial reflects Extreme Liberal Views
written by AUGUSTUS, September 08, 2008
Pleasantly surprised with Senator Obama’s intended Foreign Policy, I immediately identified Tom Barry – the author if this Editorial – as a typical representative of the “Far Left Wing” component of the Democratic Party, whose members, when in cabinet positions, are generally responsible for reckless, foolish and immature policies and often inaction, based on unbelievable gestures of naïveté regarding matters involving Foreign Policy.

For those who are already familiar with the main reason underlying my unwavering support for the Candidacy of Senator Obama’s quest for the presidency of the United States are likely to be aware that such support is based upon an uncompromising position against the Republican right-wing position on Social Issues, primarily focused on Abortion, Health Care, Religious Extremism and intolerance for “alternative life-styles”. Indeed, regardless of the Republican candidate for any post at any level, anywhere in the country, he/she may count with my total support for whoever his/her opponent may be (in spite of qualifications and questionable associations), for my abhorrence for social conservatism overrides any other issue without any reservation…

Because of this unfortunate limitation, resulting from the extremely restricted nature of the American dual-party restrictions, I am generally compelled to tolerate the Democratic candidate proclivity for dangerously weak views and positions in Foreign Affairs, lame approach towards the Military, and inadequately open-handed views on the Economy, generally supplemented with never ending waves of rules and regulations limiting business activities. In essence, because of the extreme stance on liberal Social related issues, I generally must suffer (if not despair) for with the resulting inadequacy in all other crucial issues of Foreign Affairs (including international conflicts) and the Global economy which, for a Nation with the stature of the USA, may have potentially disastrous (perhaps even catastrophic) impact upon the entire planet!

Yet, in light of eight interminable years of the unprecedented incompetence of George Bush, unmatched blunders from the Vice President, unparalleled ineptitude of his entire cabinet (with the sole possible exception of Ms. Rice), the United States of America obtained a tarnished image among its allies in Europe, lost the crucial hemispherical support from Latin America (except Colombia), and nearly entered into an Economic Depression comparable to the 1930’s (due to extremely relaxed regulations).

Consequently, upon reading Tom Barry’s editorial, where I found that Obama’s Foreign Policy will focus on Support of Mexico, Colombia and Brazil (the only country missing was Chile), while maintaining unwavering commitment to Freedom (liberdade / liberte / liberdad) – which is essential to contain and revert the Dark Shadow of Totalitarianism clearly - which Hugo Chavez’ Bolivarian Red League clearly exemplifies… If Mr. Obama were to utilize the extreme liberal rhetoric advocated by the Far Left, the gates would be opened for the many implacable tyrannies and Populist authoritarian nations ranging not only from Belarus to North Korea and Iran, but also from Venezuela to Bolivia, Cuba, Nicaragua and Ecuador. There can be no further dialogue with Tyrants (unless security from Nuclear threats is involved), there can be no concessions for cheap, revolutionary Caudillos waiving red banners, as there cannot be conciliation with absurdly intolerant Islamist governments wherever they may exist.

Indeed, wherever and whenever concessions and cooperation occurs with systems and regimes bearing views and policies which are invariably incompatible with the most basic ideals cherished in the civilized Western World, the very fabric of its civilization are threatened by oppression, intolerance and restriction. There should never – EVER - be compromise with principles involving Freedom and Liberty, as it affects not only the Citizens of the United States, but also the entire Western Hemisphere, the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea, which unquestionably represent the Bastions of Civilization, Liberty and Enlightenment.
dnbaiacu
written by João da Silva, September 08, 2008
Hi,

We will just have to see won't we? I have stated my case. So I won't go any further into that. Just simply "FOLLOW THE MONEY".


Your comments make lot of sense and if I recall correctly, you had predicted the victory of Obama over Hillary in the primaries. The Brazilian scenario for 2010 is no different either. Yesterday, Lula gave an interview to an Argentine Newspaper predicting that the next President will be a Lady, without specifically mentioning her name. Any body who reads the Brazilian national newspapers knows her name as well as to listen to your repeated advice to "follow the money"!

I CONSCIENTIOUSLY DON'T VOTE.


At least, you have that luxury of opting not to go to the polling stations. Here we don't have that choice. smilies/sad.gif
Joao - which Lady?
written by AUGUSTUS, September 08, 2008
I have not yet read the other entries - only the main editorial and your reply to Dnb - are you referring to Martha Supplecy?????
Ricardo Amaral
written by Thaddeus Blanchette, September 08, 2008
Ricardo, I've been looking into a lot of your writings lately, both here and elsewhere and I have two questions to ask:

Do you ever write anything that's not pure hyperbole?

Do you really think that taking the most radical position possible on every single issue is a good way to bring people around to your point of view?

And then there's the fact that you LIVE in the States, like to think of yourself as a well-informed, sober political and economic commentator and yet you don't seem to grasp how national electoral politics run in the U.S., even at the most basic level. It's not about the popular vote: Gore WON the popular vote back in 2000, remember?

It's all about electoral college votes.

Given this, your national population analysis means less than nothing and is particularly silly in light of the fact that the supposedly "loser" Democratic Party that you characterize as being unable to muster a plurality of voters actually did precisely this in 2000 - and STILL lost the election.

What we really need to look at are several key swing states that have a history of going back and forth between red and blue. Wisconsin, for one. Ohio, Oregon... Pennsylvannia, perhaps. Florida and Texas are probably tied up for the Reps, given the Bush family's control of the state machinery there.

And guess what, Ricardo: at the state electoral college level, graft, corruption, pork-barreling, dirty tricks and local issues mean a hell of a lot more than any of that macronumeric analysis you just gave us.

So I'm going to go with the opinion that it's far too early to say who's going to win yet. This election is probably going to go down to the wire. I think Obama is SLIGHTLY favored, but that's all I'll say.

I hope no one pays you to give your "elite trading" analysis and that you're writing there, as you are here, simply in an attempt to make a name for yourself. Because really, Ricardo, if anyone's putting down money for your thoughts on this matter, they are really tossing cash into the wind. Instead of sober analysis, they are getting the prejudiced rantings of a guy who thinks that just because he WANTS something to happen, it must happen.
One more thing...
written by Thaddeus Blanchette, September 08, 2008
Oh, and btw, Ricardo...

You REALLY wasted virtual spit discussing whether or not Al Gore was a viable candidate in 2008?

Why, might I ask?
THE FOUR FREEDOMS WE LONG FOR
written by Ric, September 08, 2008
Freedom from Barack Obama. Freedom from Joe Biden. Freedom from Zbignew Brezinsi. Freedom from George Soros.

Personlly, the only one of the above that I really dislike and that makes me want to puke is Joe Biden.
Augustus
written by João da Silva, September 08, 2008
Since you have mentioned many times that you still understand Portuguese in spite of being away from home for decades, I am posting the following link:

http://vejaonline.abril.com.br...esentation

Enjoy reading. smilies/wink.gif
Are Russians Smart?
written by Ric, September 08, 2008
Oh, you bet they are. Don´t they know that staging war games in the Caribbean or even talking about same helps McCain against Obama? Sure they do. So why the activity at this point in time? Dunno.

Are they as afraid of what Obama might turn into if elected as we? Maybe.
Augustus
written by João da Silva, September 08, 2008
Joao // Dnb - Absence of actual choices - Automatically Anti-Republican
written by AUGUSTUS, September 08, 2008
Joao... Since I DO have the choice (that is - theoretically), I shall ensure that my vote against the Republican Party is duly counted. Yet, in light of the nature of the American electoral system whereby the “Winner takes the all the electoral votes for any State" I suppose that EVEN if I were NOT to cast my vote, such negligence would not necessarily have impacted the results I expect for New York state, which has been historically consistently a “Blue State” (Democrat).

As for the topic of “real choice” in American elections (either presidential or local ballots), despite the right to vote acquired with my citizenship, I dare say that for individuals sharing my strong social liberalism, there will never be actual options available for as long as this country remains restricted to a two-party system (a regrettable limitation)… As such, considering my previously mentioned uncompromising stance on social issues (see former entry under this thread), I am sentenced to the doomed situation of automatically casting ballots for whichever Democratic candidates running for whichever role; this represents a rather uncomfortable state-of affairs which will always preclude me from actual, meaningful choices; yet, my conscience shall never permit me to hypothetically consider any candidate bearing even a remote association to the hypocritical, moralistic, obsessive religious Republican Party!
Joao - Brief remark on editorial from VEJA (your link)
written by AUGUSTUS, September 08, 2008
Many thanks for remembering (and honoring) your former promise to keep me informed about Brazilian politics.

Yet I must confess that, while I started reading the article with a heart full of joy, by the time I concluded the last paragraph I had to refrain from vomiting in light of my never ending astonishment by the ridiculous incompetent moron which Brazilians elected (twice) for their president.

In addition to the customary absurdly moronic comments, I was particularly taken by one statement: "“Com muita humildade, digo que vou eleger meu sucessor" (translating for the English speakers "With great humility, I assert that I SHALL elect my successor) Have you ever read anything more absurd and self delusional?

I presume the Lady you referred earlier appeared in the picture next to the Idiot wearing the equally ridiculous presidential SACHE' (which South American leaders wear with great pride, displaying a banal, uninspired sense of honor “sans gout”). I also suppose the Lady's name to be Dilma Rousseff... Undoubtedly a member of Labor Party (which I despise almost as much as the Republicans - but for different reasons), the editorial implies she is a mayor of some town... Could you clarify?
Bloomberg clip for JOAO / Dnb
written by AUGUSTUS, September 08, 2008
Joao / Dnb - check this out
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/...n_america

At least the article "appears" to indicate the right approach for income emanating from the Pre-Salt Fields... The issue is beliving on its contents...
Augustus
written by João da Silva, September 08, 2008
Could you clarify


Yes, with pleasure. She is the First Lady of our Great Republic. smilies/grin.gif

Shall post you the picture of our "Future" President when I come across one. smilies/cheesy.gif smilies/grin.gif
Not so fast, Gussie
written by Ric, September 08, 2008
Lula can´t be a moron. He came up from the poor northeast to become president. It is not possible that he is a moron, nor incompetent.

It would not be easy for any moron to become president, but possible for a well-connected and well-born son of privilege. The kind for whom everything comes easy, and easily to hand. Aí, sim. Matuto ou filho de matuto, não. Tem de ser muito esperto.
Ricardo Amaral
written by João da Silva, September 08, 2008
I would be delighted to hear your reply to the comments of Dnb and Thaddeus Blanchette. Though I am not a U.S. citizen like you and the outcome of the Presidential elections does not make any difference to me, it would still be interesting to hear why you are against Obama.
...
written by A Brazilian, September 08, 2008
Lula can´t be a moron. He came up from the poor northeast to become president. It is not possible that he is a moron, nor incompetent.


He has the "Brazilian intelligence", i.e., malandragem. He can't build anything, he can't speak any other language (or even portuguese). And he had the opportunity to study after grown up, but didn't want to. Studying is not one of his hobbies.

It's mistake to say he is intelligent the way you did, because someone that doesn't know Brazil will think he is actually someone that made himself by working or studying. The guy has no ethics, no character, he lies, cheats and will do anything, legal or not, to achieve his goals. If that's "intelligence", then it can only be "malandragem".

It would not be easy for any moron to become president, but possible for a well-connected and well-born son of privilege.


It is easy enough for populist creeps distributing money in places full of poverty. Morales, Chavez, Lula, Latin America is full of moron presidents.
Augustus
written by João da Silva, September 08, 2008
Have you ever read anything more absurd and self delusional?


Yes. Everyday. smilies/cheesy.gif
Sem(eye) Democracy
written by Simpleton, September 08, 2008
DoneByIowaCu, don't think people really understand just how clearly and accurately you pegando'd tudo on the bailouts. Dems or Re-pubics are fine - doesn't really matter either way and some can be clearly observed to go both ways. Socialism on the other hand is dangerous indeed.
Who are we talking about here?
written by Thaddeus Blanchette, September 08, 2008
He can't build anything, he can't speak any other language (or even portuguese). And he had the opportunity to study after grown up, but didn't want to. Studying is not one of his hobbies.


Errrr... that would be George W. Bush then, right? Noted scholar, linguist and a president renowned for his competent management of his nation's affairs?

What I can't figure is why people hate Lula so much for being an ignorant, populist screw-head when Bush is easily just as bad.
Reply to Dnbaiacu - Race vs. Gender
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 09, 2008
.
At the end of the day this election has been defined for a long time as being about race and gender.

If wasn’t because of his race Barack Obama would not have got so much publicity as a presidential candidate. That’s why the other candidates dropped out of the race so soon – the mainstream media had defined the race between race (Obama) and gender (Hillary). This presidential race has been just an experiment run by the Democratic Party and in the process they did split the party along these lines.

Hillary would be the current Democratic Party nominee if the Democratic Party were playing games about honoring the primaries in states such as Florida and Michigan.

If they had honored the results of the primaries on these states then the tide of the following primaries would have gone Hillary’s way and she would be the Democratic Party nominee today.

Now that John McCain picked a woman to be his running mate also is going to help get some of the vote of Hillary’s supporters.

Hillary won the primary by 20 points in swing states such as Pennsylvania because Barack Obama pissed the blue-collar workers of that state. (These blue-collar workers are going to vote for Sarah Palin)

Based on the state of the US economy, basically we have a collapsing economy here in the United States and we just have bad news and it does not matter where you look at most of the US population is hurting and things are getting worse by the day for most of the people around the country.

This is the worse economic situation we have had here in the United States since the last Great Depression and with all that going in favor of the Democratic Party (at this point Barack Obama was supposed to be ahead by 20 points) in the latest polls shows that John McCain is ahead of Barack Obama for the first time – and right now John McCain is ahead in the average by 2 points.

John McCain is gaining momentum and he is going to win the election in November 2008.

In today’s world it is not politically correct to say that, but on Election Day more people than you can ever imagine is going to vote for the candidate of their own race.

It is natural for people to vote for their own kind.

At the end of the day a lot of things regarding the United States it is about image and many people are having second thoughts about having a black president which most likely is going to surround himself with a circle of black advisors. (Every time a black man is elected to office for Mayor, governor and so on here in the United States – he associate himself with a circle of people of his own race.)

I am writing about this subject to explain to the readers the impact that the election of Barack Obama is going to have on the image of the United States around the world.

The United States right now has a image of a country that is in complete economic and prestige free fall and the election of a black man as president is going just to reinforce the idea that the United States is really sinking like the Titanic.

If people like it or not the image that black leaders have around the world is not good and it does not matter how you look at their past record.

Let me clarify the perception that the world has about black leaders. About 10 years ago Time magazine had a cover article about Africa. In the cover of the magazine they had the map of the African Continent and inside the map they had a picture of a very skinny African boy.

It was a special article about Africa, but I never forgot one piece of information that they had on that article, because that summarized on a nutshell the kind of leadership Africa project to the rest of the world. The article said: “ the Sub-Sahara Africa had at that time a population larger than 600 million people and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of all these countries combined was lower than the GDP of Belgium with a population of 10 million people at that time.

I asked a few very intelligent and well-educated friends of mine to give me the name of one black leader that did a good job running a country – any country, anywhere.

After thinking for a while all of them came up with only one name – Nelson Mandela.

Then I told them Nelson Mandela’s claim to fame is based on the fact that he was in prison for 27 years and not because he had made his name as a superb leader of a country such as South Africa - Nelson Mandela was a revolutionary.

Mandela became president of South Africa, but today the economy of South Africa still is nothing to write home about for most of their population.

For a country obsessed with image the election of Barack Obama as its new president would project an image of economic decline to the rest of the world since the rest of the world associate the African Continent with the image of economic failure.

.

Reply to Thaddeus Blanchette
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 09, 2008

.
Thaddeus Blanchette is a 41-year old North American immigrant to Brazil, with doctorate degree in Social Anthropology from the National Museum, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.


******


September 9, 2008

Ricardo: Here is some hyperbole for you.

I am afraid that we are slowly collapsing into the first Great Depression of the new millennium and you can read what I wrote about that subject just following George W. Bush’s reelection in November 2004. The article was published on “The Brazilians” in December 2004 and on Brazzil Magazine in February 2005.

That article is interesting because I wrote it from the point of view of October 2008 just a week before the election and I look back to what happened the last 4 years.

It’s 2008. The US Has Dragged the World into a Depression.
By Ricardo C. Amaral
http://www.brazzilmag.com/content/view/1424/


I said the following in that article: “Today, wealthy Brazilians still have billions of dollars invested here in the United States. Most of these investors probably will lose a large part of their investments in the coming years, because they will not take their money out of the US, and they refuse to believe in the coming melting down of the US dollar and US economy.”

When my article was first published in December 2004 on “The Brasilians” the exchange rate between the Brazilian Real to the US dollar was 2.7 real to US$ 1.

On September 1, 2008 the exchange rate between the Brazilian Real and the US dollar was 1.64 real to US$ 1.

In currency translation alone the Brazilians lost 40 percent of the value of their investment in US dollars during the period December 2004 to September 2008.
Brazilians had invested in US dollars at that time over $ 100 billion dollars.

.
Reply to Dnbaiacu
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 09, 2008
On the above posting I did not mention also the votes that Ralph Nader is going to take away from the Democratic Party candidate.

Ralph Nader is going to become another factor from now on regarding the outcome of the presidential election of November 2008. Only now the candidates have reached the stretch and they are going to start the final dash to the finish line.

With all the hurricanes that we are having and all the damage that we are going to watch on television in the coming months - don't forget Ralph Nader has been an environment advocate for a long time.

The environment is one of the babies of Ralph Nader and he will have a lot to say about it during this presidential campaign.

Ralph Nader is better organized this time around and even better than in 2000 and he will be a factor in the outcome of this election.

By the way, Ralph Nader is the best candidate of this bunch by a mile.

Ralph Nader = represents Substance, outstanding.

John McCain = represents Mediocrity, second rate.

Barack Obama = represents Mediocrity, second rate.

.
.

Outstanding...And, They Are Mild
written by Ric, September 09, 2008
Go Nader. Hope he gets his highest number of votes this time around.

Let bygones be bygones, but some of us resent the fact that his book finally succeeded in gettting the Corvair cancelled in 1969...after all the problems had been corrected, the swing axles redesigned, safety concerns addressed, but it was Too Late. We were saving a pristine 1969 coupe with low mileage, but sold it a few years ago.
Represents Substance
written by Ric, September 09, 2008
May not be the best choice of words in view of the widely used phrase, Substance Abuse, and the title of Nader´s book, Unsafe at Any Speed.....
Nader
written by Ric, September 09, 2008
The Gadfly in the General Motors ointment. What I like about him includes the fact that he still denies having cost Gore the election. You couldn´t make this guy up.
Race vs. Gender comment
written by Ric, September 09, 2008
What political correctness has succeeded in doing is not changing people´s minds about the world they live in and their neighbors in that world. What it has done is to internalize their feelings, cause them to keep their mouths shut, and lie to pollsters.

Not really what the left had in mind.
independent candidates - my view
written by AUGUSTUS, September 09, 2008
While I would be delighted with the existence of alternative parties in the United States, which had candidates capable of realistically being elected for the presidency, because my vote is primarily intended to ensure that a Republican is NOT elected, I could not possibly take a chance to take away my single vote from the only realistic opponent - namely the democratic candidate...
...
written by Ric, September 09, 2008
What continues to amaze politicians about Nader after all these years is that he is truly uncorruptable, wants nothing for himself.
Nader Counts
written by Ric, September 09, 2008
According to Rasmussen, he polls 2% in Florida, while Obama and McCain are tied there. He gets 1% in Ohio, which shows Mac leading Barry by 51 to 44.

Don´t waste your vote on a loser. Vote for Ralph and you will feel better about yourself. You need the karma, Gussie.

The differences between Ralph and Barry could not be more accentuated. Barry smokes cigarettes even though he told his wife he would quit. Whereas Ralph is a consistent environmentalist.
Ricardo,, You are missing the point
written by dnbaiacu, September 09, 2008
At the end of the day this election has been defined for a long time as being about race and gender.

This is called DISTRACTION.
The problem is you can't accept being duped .
It is natural for people to vote for their own kind.

You are insulting the intelligence of your own people (assuming you are caucasian)
Those that know better ,KNOW Obamas race doesn't matter. That is why this race is appearing to be so close.
And again , you are still going on a Popular Vote premise, in which case your little scenario may have credence in the end. BUT it is about ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTES. And MONEY is behind that.. BIG MONEY that has already been spent.
At the end of the day a lot of things regarding the United States it is about image and many people are having second thoughts about having a black president which most likely is going to surround himself with a circle of black advisors. (Every time a black man is elected to office for Mayor, governor and so on here in the United States – he associate himself with a circle of people of his own race.)

If you really believe that is going to happen , you are in your own little world. First of all, where its "really going to count", most of the Supreme Court Justices have life appts by Bush. So that area is sewed up.
Secondly, with Obamas "all inclusive" platform there is no way he can defy that and surround himself with in your words, "his own kind". He is not trying to polarize the system.
MONEY knows no color. And if you want to get very basic,,, WHO has the money????? If you deduce this whole election to a race and gender issue you are the easiest bait these manipulators are successfully fooling. And that puts you in the category of no account "trash". You are insulting a lot of peoples intelligence and causing many to question your own.
The United States right now has a image of a country that is in complete economic and prestige free fall and the election of a black man as president is going just to reinforce the idea that the United States is really sinking like the Titanic.

NOW, you MAY have a point! smilies/wink.gifThis is just the desired after effect. (that's a whole different book)
But YOUR particular reason for making that statement just proves Blanchettes point.
they are getting the prejudiced rantings of a guy who thinks that just because he WANTS something to happen, it must happen.


You SO NOT want a black man to represent the country that it simply JUST CAN"T HAPPEN.
If this will make you feel better.."IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT COLOR THE PRESIDENT IS."
The informed and intelligent and usually, well strapped,, understand that.
You don't understand or want to accept that you are being DUPED. I suggest you take a more GEO POLITIC approach to your political science.
Dude! Ths KKK preferred OBAMA any day over Hillary! Google it!And get over it.
For a country obsessed with image the election of Barack Obama as its new president would project an image of economic decline to the rest of the world since the rest of the world associate the African Continent with the image of economic failure.

Everything you said above this quote of yours, shows you went to a U.S public school or never paid attention in whatever school you went to. We all know that Africas "leaders" are pawns of the colonizers. Africa was raped long ago. And still has her legs spread apart. Very poor analogy on your part.
As for AMERICAS image.... News flash!
THIS IS PRECISELY WHAT THE GLOBAL CAPITALISTS WANT
We are in a New World Ricardo Amaral. And you should try to catch up smilies/wink.gif
You are probably asking yourself WHY? smilies/cry.gif smilies/cry.gif smilies/cry.gif smilies/cry.gif Boo Hoo.. Why are they doing this to us?
Pick up a dollar bill, (while they are stil around smilies/wink.gif smilies/wink.gif smilies/wink.gif
Study the symbols
Now that was pretty deep.....
written by dnbaiacu, September 09, 2008
What political correctness has succeeded in doing is not changing people´s minds about the world they live in and their neighbors in that world. What it has done is to internalize their feelings, cause them to keep their mouths shut, and lie to pollsters.

And would probably end up effecting the final election outcome if it weren' for ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTES AND DELEGATES AND SUPER DELEGATES
Comments like this just further proves that NOTHING has changed or should be expected to.
Insecurity still prevails smilies/wink.gif
the above comment wasn't directed to the poster
written by dnbaiacu, September 09, 2008
just a generalization of the reality he spoke of
Ricardo Amaral...
written by dnbaiacu, September 09, 2008
I just thought of something....
If you aren't a U.S native,, that would explain how you don't get it. You are so pro-McCain I mistakenly stereotyped you. I could be wrong.
At any rate..
Think GLOBAL
Think International Capitalists
Think Federal Reserve Bank is not part of the Federal Government
Think Communism synchronized with Democracy is a Socialism of sorts.
This is the Global future
Everyone has got to jump on the bandwagon to survive.
dnbaiacu
written by João da Silva, September 09, 2008
You SO NOT want a black man to represent the country that it simply JUST CAN"T HAPPEN.
If this will make you feel better.."IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT COLOR THE PRESIDENT IS."
The informed and intelligent and usually, well strapped,, understand that.
You don't understand or want to accept that you are being DUPED. I suggest you take a more GEO POLITIC approach to your political science.


A friend of mine said a long time ago that the "Plastic Credit Cards" are of different colors! An interesting essay, Dnb. It is all about GEOPOLITICS (and GLOBALIZED economy) and fight for scarce resources.

When we elected a machinist who did not even complete his Primary School as President twice (and probably again in 2014) with the blessings of OUR "Establishment", you guys can elect a Black guy (who was the Editor of HLR)as your President, at least for one term. smilies/grin.gif
Dnb - interesting your comment about BEING ON A NEW WORLD
written by AUGUSTUS, September 09, 2008
OF course I agree with you and the issues you have addressed
Yet, although you know we are in a NEW world, YOU swill access your scriptures of the OLD ONE smilies/wink.gif - You're contradicting your actions
(NO QUOTES FROM THE MEANINLESS DOCUMENT PLEASE!!!!)
For every quote from your document, i will tying to find links extra terrestrias (WHICH I DO BELIEVE BY THE WAY)
Augustus
written by dnbaiacu, September 09, 2008
You are funny smilies/cheesy.gif
The popular book transcends time. And accurately "predicts" world empires coming and going.
I won't quote smilies/smiley.gif But a 7th King that presently dominates will cheerlead the rest of the world governments to give up their sovereignties to and 8th and final king.
On this premise alone it is so EASY to see what is happening. Their is nothing "Old World" about this information.
It is good you believe in extra terrestials. To not do so would be ignorant. People get "possessed" all the time the world over. And modern day science purports to know so much, yet they can't explain the pyramids and where the knowledge came from to build them in that era or even IF human beings built some of them. And what about "crop circles" found around the world? All ambiguous explanations. And Ouja boards? Yes ET's exist. And don't think they aren't manipulating human affairs. Where does the word "incubus" come from? Yes, they like sexing women too.
The "old popular book" explains the orgin and intent of these ET's.
The New World is going to be VERY LEFT. And you should be happy. No one is trying to hear about restricting abortions. Hollywood is saturated with gay propaganda and nothing is going to stop that machine,the money is on their side. And people are tired of tired religious leaders meddling in politics. Something JESUS never did. So they go on the news each and every time making fools of themselves with some of the craziest things they come up with.
So I think a McCain win is a fantasy that those that haven't figured out the "establishment" is a new and hidden beast. Not rich, white, conservative, mostly racists Republicans "having a form of godly devotion but proving false to its power". And again not that I personally support Democrats or any party. The world isn't hearing John McCain.
At some point the U.S will be successfully polarized anyway. It doesn't matter who wins the election. The scheme is divide and conquer.The U.S HAS to weaken for the U.N. to make a coup. Voila'! New World Order. Many here cringe at the thought. And that is why the North American Union is such a hush hush topic here. It isn't politically correct to discuss it. And hardly NO ONE ever does. Yet what do we in todays news about doing away with the dollar in Argentinan and Brazilian commerce. And the advent of on currency for Mercosul.
CHANGE IS on the horizon.
On a lighter note , I am glad the dollar is experiencing a rally. I can't buy reais quick enough. smilies/smiley.gif
Augustus..
written by dnbaiacu, September 09, 2008
Also you may be interested in knowing that attempting to debunk the "meaningless" book is "predicted' to be the order of the day. On a MUCH greater scale than is already happening.You should love the up and coming moment in history. Religion WILL be the focus. But people HATING it. This topic will be unavoidable.
They keep mentioning that if American pull out of Iraq and Afghanastan sectarian violence and division will escalate.That will leave the problem , not to the U.S , but to the whole world. Everyone thinks inflation is an issue now? Ha Ha! We haven't seen anything yet.
What's so interesting is that there is STILL a good amount of time before the election for ANYTHING to happen. This is what makes it so exciting. Who is going to pull what before November 5th?
But I think we were meant to see this show of an election to the end. So much money has been invested. Obamas' got the ET's(the bad ones) on his side. I can tell based on one word alone HOPE being a part of his campaign.
Can the "movers and shakers" deliver that? Or is that the business of a major ET?
dnb - recomendations
written by AUGUSTUS, September 09, 2008
Young man... smilies/wink.gif
Would you do US a favor and rent the following movie? "Jerome's Byxby's MAN FROM EARTH". The premise of the fiction is cute but a bit silly... Yet, it includes the most amazing discussions, among several highly educated individuals of various religious persuasions and varied academic training...

On a cold night in a remote cabin, a "certain professor" garhters his most trusted colleagues for an extraordinary announcement: he is IMMORTAL and 14,000 years old... It's fabulous. Some of the issues discussed (not the immortal claim) are prety close to what I believe...

Other than that, please refer to your public library, and please read the "Origins of the Species" by Sir Charles Darwin, will you? Otherwise, plese access - natgeotv.com

WATCH THE MOVIE!!!!
Augustus
written by dnbaiacu, September 10, 2008
Ok I will rent "Man From Earth" if I can find it at Block Busters.
Of course I have already read Darwins , "Orgins of the Species" .It's required reading in the academic curriculum I was groomed in. In my opinion you have to have just as much "faith" to believe in evolution as you would in Intelligent Design. Actually even more. The theory has too many holes in it. With no hope or purpose for the homosapien experience. I prefer to believe I was designed with a purpose to fullfill. Life beautifully makes more sense that way. And I DO feel more comfortable, less anxious, when I can make SENSE of things. There is a certain "harmony" that goes with that. Evolution tends to sponsor chaos as the order of the day. And since the theory is so popular and accepted as fact by the "movers and shakers" of the world , is it any wonder the world is in the shape it is today.
When you want to believe there is nothing "divine" about yourself, you can't help BUT behave like animals.
smilies/wink.gif
dnb
written by AUGUSTUS, September 10, 2008
the holes have been closing since 1859
most have closed... besides... even if it were ALL Holes, i WOULD STILL prefer that your absurd version - sorry... I try not to feel disappointed with those I like who believe in CREATION, cause in my opinion only the idiots and uneducated are forgiven.... It' UNCONCEIVABLE FOR ME....
actually anything on it - appears absurd to me... not just emaculate conception , but to have the audacity to think the earth is just 10,000 years old - is beyond ridiculous _ no quotes - I do not read them.... sorry
Deteriorating situation in Bolivia
written by João da Silva, September 10, 2008
Keeping a close watch on the drama unfolding in our neighboring country. I suggest you all do too.
first of all
written by Forrest Allen Brown, September 10, 2008
one must belive in ones self .

be self aware.
be self confident in your thoughts and actions

not only have a dream but be enough to live that dream

my place is on the ocean in the middle kill the motors and drift all night long with nothing but the waves on the hull , and the l