Brazzil

Thanks for this Beautiful article!
Thanks http://coha.org If was powered by coha why Live link?
Oh You cn tell me At http://social.pi.edu

Yesssss...but...Uruguay got a better investment grade rating than...BRAZIL !!!!
Other countries in South America also have a better rating than....BRAZIL !!!!

Furthermore "using locally abundant organic materials such as corn to build walls"....is already WIDELY USED IN OTHERS SOUTH AMERICANS COUNTRIES !
Nothing new ! Sorry !

Not over " The Brazilian Court of Accounts (TCU) reported that the government completed only 12% of the projects initiated in 2007, whereas the Headquarters of the Office of the President contends that 80% have been completed"

Well that is typically Robin the Crook : cheating...lying and hiding the truth !!!!
The same happened with HIS promise for 400'000 MST re-settlements.
He sweared..........he delivered, and INCRA chief even said their numbers are...IRREFUTABLE ! !

Whoahhhhhh !

While I bear no justifiable credentials to adequately criticize the current Brazilian administration (in general) and the lofty goals behind PAC (in particular), I will solely question the integrity of those responsible for this noble project’s implementation, along with the absence of the necessary pre-conditions for the its successful completion.

Although I must concede that the underlying objectives behind the conception of PAC may have been based on honest, heart-felt recognition of the undeniable (shameful) plight and discrimination suffered by some of Brazil’s most vulnerable citizens, there are well known concealed factors which are bound to contribute to the project’s demise. If one takes into account the inherent corruption and ineptitude which generally abounds within Brazilian Federal & State administrations, I have no alternative but to question the likelihood of honest disbursement of funds, effective & timely management of a realistic project plan, and the necessary independence from any political agenda, during the crucial period of implementation... I simply cannot foresee even a modest, partial accomplishment some of PAC’s basic points (sanitation, water, sewage, and electricity, and construction of “acceptable” housing) without the aggressive supervision which the editorial presumes to exist (as it advocates for “maintenance”).

In addition, even if PAC implementation were to proceed relatively free of fraud and incompetence, there remains a even more significant impediment, likely to preclude the existence of healthy social and economic conditions required for any project designed to benefit Slum Dwellers: security and the rule of law! It does not appear that this crucial factor was even seriously taken into account, in light of the increasing crime rates currently plaguing Brazilian metropolitan areas, triggered by powerful Drug lords (allegedly financing & supported by FARC) whose headquarters are located at the very sites of PAC “ground zero” – the urban slums. Without disposing of the criminal vermin plaguing the unfortunate inhabitants of Brazilian Favelas (with fear, harassment and intimidation), I fail to envision even a remote possibility of marginal success.

Dunno, around here the marginals seem quite successful.

1)What about the vote buying scandal in 2005........in general as you said ? And in particular......the pardonning of the guilty people by their peers as much guilty as the ones they pardoned. Of course all this done in....SECRETS VOTES ! So that no one in the public knows WHO voted in favor of the pardon !

2)What about the corruption practices of this administration.....in particular..... as you said ??????

You want one particular example ? Here it is, on the subject of the ambulances scandal in 2006 for which well over 50 Deputies were found guilty and still not punished for their proven corruption. Better yet most are still Deputies in action. By in action (not inaction).... I mean.....continuing their job & corruption practices with total IMPUNITY !!! :

"Another mega scandal: the "sanguesugas" (leechers)
Another mega-scandal involving Brazilian politicians is in the news.
This time, the case involves ambulances, the federal budget, and corruption.

The problem derives from the way that Budget is voted and executed in Brazil. Every year, the budget is first drafted by the Federal Administration; then it goes to Parliament, where Deputies and Senators propose amendments; however, even if the amendments are passed into law, the Treasury is not obliged to actually release the funds to cover the amendment; the actual release of funds depends, theoretically, on the convenience and importance of the amendment, but, in practice, it depends much more on "political factors".

In this case of Sanguesugas, the scheme was:
a) the owner of an ambulance maker approached Deputies and Senators;
b) the Deputy proposes an amendment, requesting funds for ambulances at his hometown;
c) the owner employed illegal means to: get the funds released (by bribing key people in the Ministries) and sell ambulances by a price way above the market (by defrauding bidding processes);
d) part of the profits was shared with the Deputy who proposed the amendment.

The amount of fraud is into the hundreds of millions of reais.

The Federal Police investigated the case in silent, and last month arrested several people, including the chief of the scheme (the ambulance maker). A Probing Comission was created in the Congress. Investigations (the main accused are collaborating with the Police) indicated that as many as 100 Deputies were involved.

Yesterday, the Supreme Court declared that the name of 56 Federal Deputies and one Senator should be made public. These people are formally indicted of several crimes connected with the scheme. This is the biggest criminal case involving members of Parliament in the History of Brazil.

The only Senator indicted so far is Ney Suassuna, from Paraiba.

These are the 56 Federal Deputies indicted:
1. Paulo Feijó (PSDB-RJ)
2. Paulo Baltazar (PSB-RJ)
3. João Caldas (PL-AL)
4. Cabo Júlio (PMDB-MG)
5. Pedro Henry (PP-MT)
6. Vanderval Santos (PL-SP)
7. Iris Simões (PTB-PR)
8. Benedito Dias (PP-AP)
9. Lino Rossi (PP-MT)
10. Edir de Oliveira (PTB-RS)
11. Tetê Bezerra (PMDB-MT)
12. Fernando Gonçalves (PTB-RJ)
13. Almeida de Jesus (PL-CE)
14. Pastor Amarildo (PSC-TO)
15. Milton Capixaba (PTB-RO)
16. Almir Moura (PL-RJ)
17. Reinaldo Betão (PL-RJ)
18. Isaías Silvestre (PSB-MG)
19. José Militão (PTB-MG)
20. Welington Fagundes (PL-MT)
21. Mário Negromonte (PP-BA)
22. Laura Carneiro (PFL-RJ)
23. Zelinda Novaes (PFL-BA)
24. Vieira Reis (PRB-RJ)
25. Junior Betão (PL-AC)
26. Ribamar Alves (PSB-MA)
27. Eduardo Gomes (PSDB-TO)
28. Eduardo Seabra (PTB-AP)
29. Osmânio Pereira (PTB-MG)
30. Jefferson Campos (PTB-SP)
31. João Batista (PP-SP)
32. Vanderley Assis (PP-SP)
33. João Mendes de Jesus (PSB-RJ)
34. Dr. Heleno (PSC-RJ)
35. Reinaldo Gripp (PL-RJ)
36. José Divino (PRB-RJ)
37. Alceste Almeida (PTB-RR)
38. Marcos Abramo (PP-SP)
39. Nélio Dias (PP-RN)
40. Ricarte de Freitas (PTB-MT)
41. Cleonâncio Fonseca (PP-SE)
42. Benedito de Lira (PP-AL)
43. Reginaldo Germano (PP-BA)
44. Ricardo Estima (PPS-SP)
45. Neuton Lima (PTB-SP)
46. João Corrêa (PMDB-AC)
47. Amauri Gasques (PL-SP)
48. Maurício Rabelo (PL-TO)
49. Coriolano Sales (PFL-BA)
50. Marcelino Fraga (PMDB-ES)
51. Raimundo Santos (PL-PA)
52. Edna Macedo (PTB-SP)
53. Irapuan Teixeira (PP-SP)
54. Itamar Serpa (PSDB-RJ)
55. Enivaldo Ribeiro (PP-PB)
56. Elaine Costa (PTB-RJ)""""""""


Where does the Brazilian Justice stands in 2008 about this one "particular" case, part of hundreds of others !

Still "Noooooooo justifiable credentials to adequately criticize the current Brazilian administration EITHER (in general) OR (in particuar).... Augustus the Genius ?
And what about the other 46 Deputies or so not published then in the above list.

And what about the money smuggling operations that took place between 1998 and 2002 for around 15O billion Reais ? Sure it was not during this administration you may answer, but it was during THIS administration, on December 2004 the Deputies voted NOT to open an official investigation because in the report made by a Brazilian rapporteur 90 names of Deputies were...SPELLED OUT !!!!

Do you have the same memory as Robin the Crook.....knowing nothing of what went wrong or who did wrong ???????? And silence with the blessings of Bin the Crook and from the World Reknown Supreme Court of the Brazilian INjustice as much as from the many various Courts of INJustices (not Supreme) ?

Hmmmmmmm you should continue writing in proses but in appropriate and adequate medias ! Otherwise you are NIL !

Maybe he is indeed a Nihlist. Writes as if he were. Kant be sure, tho.

He shares your discomfiture with Lula. Does that mean he gets a pass?

Hmmmmmmm you should continue writing in proses but in appropriate and adequate medias !

Excellent "New Product" idea which can be developed further!

The shocking (but not surprised) extensive data provided by CH.C - the brillant (some times nasty) Swiss Blogger Python - clearly confirms the points I attempted to make earlier.

Quoting my OWN WORDS: "If one takes into account the inherent corruption and ineptitude which generally abounds within Brazilian Federal & State administrations, I have no alternative but to question the likelihood of honest disbursement of funds, effective & timely management of a realistic project plan, and the necessary independence from any political agenda, during the crucial period of implementation...”

The example provided by the shameful ambulance scandal, where 56 FEDERAL DEPUTIES from EVERY state of the nation, from literally EVERY political party demonstrate that:
1)Brazilians cannot trust their elected officials (in fact never could have – in fact, as bad as things are now…. I have the feeling they were probably FAR WORSE in the past – when there was much less transparency)
2)Corruption is endemic and paramount… I used to believe (based on articles I used read from the distance – comfortably insulated in New York) that there had been hopeful signs of improvement and that there were less levels of corruption). But I was WRONG!!! In addition to the terrible pain of recognition of this persistent disease in Brazilian public life, worse yet is the realization that there is very little one can do about the issue.
3)As bad as the behavior found by American Politicians in Washington DC, where some corruption also exists, mostly done thorough more discrete arrangements with lobbyists – the significantly worse corruption in Brasilia makes the Washington Click look like a picnic in the park during a sunny day… To think that 56 – FIFTY SIX!!!! – FEDERAL DEPUTIES (just imagine) clicked to together to milk funds from AMBULANCES, how can the Brazilian people expect any better behavior when a project is intended for the helpless Favelados, with no fortune and no political power? When the project fails and several FAT federal deputies are even richer - along with whoever is (most certainly) plotting with them right now to deviate public funds from PAC – it’s going to be relatively easy to point fingers back to the poor intended beneficiaries… They are likely to accuse the FAVELADOS who were (miraculously) employed to work in the project, using as evidence their exposure to the criminals in the area
4)Perhaps PAC will after all finance a lot of construction, BUT BUT BUT (paraphrasing CH.C) such construction will NOT be for the poor in the favelas, but most certainly for big mansions by a lake in Brasilia, or Jardim Europa in Sao Paulo, as well as Beach front Condos in Avenida Vieira Sotto in Ipanema (RIO)

While writing my earlier mini-essay, part of my heart was hoping that someone would miraculously be in a position to prove me wrong… Yet, hard reality brought me a Brilliant economist and statistical specialist from Geneva to provide substantial evidence in support of my claims and suspicions… I can only hope that there will be some other Brazilians, in position of influence who could initiate a meaningful project / product (whatever one wishes to name it) – just SOMETHING to start changing the political culture of the Brazilian people! Clearly it must start with education and security – as the bases for the change, but the immensity of the project is indescribable right now, and very hard to define… Yet, I assure all of you, without such change, more uneducated, populist leaders and officials will continue to be sent to Brasilia, and the nation will continue being robbed by their collective lack of scruples and basic human decency…
Once again, I rest my case!!!!
(Forgive any “mistakes” above, for I’m just too upset right now)

you have to be extremely rich. Or such minimalist that you are content with just having a good meal everyday. Otherwise the corruption and inflation will drive you crazy

" I can only hope that there will be some other Brazilians, in position of influence who could initiate a meaningful project / product (whatever one wishes to name it) – just SOMETHING to start changing the political culture of the Brazilian people! Clearly it must start with education and security – as the bases for the change, but the immensity of the project is indescribable right now, and very hard to define…" is somewhat hopefull but not coming from from Brazilians.

What do you suppose the money lent by the World Bank, IMF and the foreign NGOs who have given time and money...over the decades, were supposed to do ?
Simply what you described !
Were have gone these tens and tens of billions US$ ?
In Infrastructure ? In schools ? In education ? In healthcare ?
Poverty Reduction ? In vocational training ? For family farmers ?
In subsidized housing ?

Of course NOT ! Just look at the actual reality !
Money went for the benefit of the minority elite.

And your " Yet, I assure all of you, without such change, more uneducated, populist leaders and officials will continue to be sent to Brasilia, and the nation will continue being robbed by their collective lack of scruples and basic human decency… "
- Why do you suppose my loud and non diplomatic critics have been made for ?

To have the Brazilians wake up and shake their ass against these bunches of crooks who, sorry for the term, have commited a slow genocide, having killed millions of innocents either through murders,slavery, lack of healthcare,and hunger...over the past century !
They even developed a system to have part of the society destroy the other part !
Yesssssss......the vast majority of youths dying between the age 15-24 is not from accidents or health problems but by VIOLENT HOMICIDES !!!

When I say Brazil is a shame to humanity, you have proven it all the time in your past and present !

Be upset as you are ! But stop defending these crooks at the helm of your country instead of accusing me !
Its only through precise, loud and harsh critics that tomorrow could eventually be better.
And not writing in proses !
I am definitely diplomatically incorrect, but not politically. I dont do politics.
I dont care if a President is from the left, the center or the right !
I am always in the opposition.
I am always in favor of the counter power !

Or such minimalist that you are content with just having a good meal everyday.

Addendum: "Or such minimalist that you are content with just having a REASONABLY good meal and a FLAT SCREEN TV (bought in 12 prestações) to watch your favorite "Novelas".

Sorry for correcting you.

Be upset as you are ! But stop defending these crooks at the helm of your country instead of accusing me !

He never accused you. So stop imagining things.

I am always in favor of the counter power !

A brilliant statement. You must be a Scorpio.

To mention that I would discontinue "writing in prose" altogether would represent a deception; as such, I could not in good faith make such an assurance, thereby precluding me from making such an assertion; thus implying that you will stumble upon these type of contraptions in some threads going forward; yet, when describing this development simply from a pure psychological prism, it such “prose” could be perceived as a required tool I access in order to maintain a level of sanity, to tolerate a world turned upside down, where the “flowery language” and “its gallant descriptions” represent mere subterfuges & momentary distractions... Under the circumstances, you may perceive it as “self-therapy … “Missing Links” which enable me temporary connections to an allusive, loving “past” – long gone & lost forever!

HOWEVER “prose” and “flowery language” will NOT be the only type of text I intend to compose! In fact I’ve already started, relatively recently, as you may have noticed.

While there may be times when I may elect to indulge myself (or others) with amusing distractions; there must always be OTHER, MORE SIGNFICANT moments, when the prose ought to be dropped, insults must be issued; and YELLING and SCREAMING (even if less direct as yours) must be employed, as a requirement to express complete outrage to "obvious LIES" frequently boasted by amazing colorful editorial euphemisms and metaphors designed to depict a FAKE reality…

As you know the Brazzil.com / magg so-called “perspectives” have the proclivity to pursue this misleading approach; some of which are exceedingly well written and easily deceptive. With time, reason and reflection (encouraged and enticed by Joao) allowed me to comprehend the enormous value of your methods which, albeit often rude, trigger the necessary anger in Brazilians, which may – in time - compel further reflection… If divorced from successful brain-washing propaganda methods to which they are exposed on a daily basis, some educated individuals may awaken to further deliberation; learning to question taboo and deeply ingrained presumptions. Partly due to decades of exposure to other cultures, party thanks to your brusque approach to which I’ve been recently expose, partly as a result to direct crash with hard-headed individuals who absolutely refuse to see further than a couple of inches ahead of their noses… (Such as those who absolutely refuse to see racism in Brazil today despite the clear evidence screaming at their faces – every day!)

Consequently, I finally understand and approve your unique, extremely effective approach (which a mere week ago might have been considered unconceivable). If fact, whenever possible (and certainly whenever necessary) I shall join your voice – perhaps using different words, much less data, and slightly assuaged screams (after all… I am still “good old Auggie” – as Ric calls me = LOL). Hopefully, others will eventually see the light and… who knows? Since nothing is impossible (except impossibility itself), in the end of the “day” (or two, or 757,958…) there could be a trend, which might trigger the necessary momentum to bring about REAL CHANGE…

The feeling of enlightening “clarity” is indescribable…

It´s all about You, isn´t it, Gussie?

mini ME???
Nothing about me, nothint at all !!!
I guees the name you have labelled me with is "Gussie" not Auggie" lol

Wel,, I counted 14 uses of "I", "me", "myself" in your above post.

"and a FLAT SCREEN TV (bought in 12 prestações)"

Doubtful with the Bolsa Familia if you have "only" 4 children !
It wont even be enough for the .......53 % interests alone !!!

and then.....no 3 decent meals as Lula is so proud.
Just pasture.
Pasture ? and for the MST ? Bagasse !
yesss the MST will be packed in feedlots !
Next Lula Project !

During the day, I could not access the region
Now, that it's accessible, all the previous "comments" are no longer available (at least to me) and no space for writing comments.

In addition, since last night I have to enter a "security image"... 5 characters (not easy to dicern)... Is everyone experiencing the same event?

Anyone writing large texts is bout to use "I" or "me" refering to experiences... If you think it's a case of self-centered attitude... It's your prehogative...
Yet, it's quesitonable you will have more that one 1st person pronoun in light of the size of your entries...
You used to pick on Costinha... Now that he disappared, it appears you selected poor Gussie... (perhaps if one lived in Niteroi, it would have been ok...)

prerogative instead of prehogative - Ric is beggining to bug me!
(as well as being forced by Brazzil.com to pass a security check EACH time I submit an entry.... It appears there must be a conspiracy...
(I wonder if Ric is involved)

There is very limited information about Bolivia - there is nothing (I've seen) in the American media (just Palin vs. obama / the new swiss project - CERN, and Taliban)... the Only entries about Bolivia - in the internet - indicated that 5 entry points into Brazil had been blocked and that the Indian idiot was mobilizing his Army to address the issue... It sounds serious, and the worlds does not appear to care... Any Brazilian link you may provide?

What do you make of the surprising events with LEHMAN?
Today's reports (especiallby by BBC America) about the prospects of the US economy are gloomy... Could you provide some assessement of what is happening? Any revised estimates for the US Economy?

There is very limited information about Bolivia

Much info here, Old Chap. They blew up some Natural Gas Lines to stop furnishing Gas to the state of SP and Argentina. I couldn't care less, because I don't live in SP or Argentina (Fortunately).Here is the link:

http://www.estadao.com.br/inte...9392,0.htm

I am also happy to inform you that we have hit another oil well. You can read it in the following link:

http://www.estadao.com.br/inte...9392,0.htm

We are getting lots of positive news lately and I am sure you appreciate it.

Pasture ? and for the MST ? Bagasse !

A minor correction. It is "Bagaço". I hope Lord Augustus (aka Genius) gives us the prim and proper translation for this word in his impeccable Queen´s English.

yeah, bolivia is going nuts...

that is what happens when these marxist leaders throw down sweeping mandates that are only ideological and not practical

did you see the documentary about morales's social system where beautiful old indian women get into line to get their socialist cards and then are sent out to the street to move huge boulders...with no gloves ? pathetic

stop teasing - I'm not genious!!!

Ever since the Bolivian people shocked the world by electing Evo Morales as their leader, PETROBRAS and the Brazilian government have been struggling against the wave of nationalizations and property seizures which significantly impacted existing contracts among various international companies, including Brazilian; thus generating excessive controversy within the Brazilian polity in light of substantial investments by PETROBRAS, while at the same time conveniently forgetting that the previous Brazilian administrations had taken nearly identical steps - decades ago – when the famous national slogan “o petroleo e’ nosso” was created and publicized (as a clear tool of the Military Dictatorship’s Propaganda). As such, while one may understand international objections to nationalist seizures and disruptions when emanating from Western Countries with standard, traditional free/capitalist economies, one can hardly accept the same type of reaction & objection from Brazil – as it represents sheer hypocrisy!

In connection with the recent developments in Bolivia regarding disruptions in gas supply to Brazil and Argentina, one might at first sight make the presumption that the Bolivian “rulers” should manage this issue with due diligence – in other words with military coercion – against the provincial protesters in Santa Cruz against the very same government Brazil criticized during the nationalization period – I dare say, again, that I perceive such inconsistent approach as sheer hypocrisy!

Indeed, Bolivia's state energy company announced on Wednesday (yesterday) that it had to reduce natural gas exports to neighboring Brazil by about 10 percent due to pipeline damage caused by anti-government protesters…
From a NON-Bolivian perspective, it might have appeared that crucial gas is being kept from being delivered to meet contractual obligations with Brasilia and Buenos Aires simply because of terrorist disruptions (attacking some pipelines), and that the Bolivian authorities should take the necessary steps to remedy the situation.

Yet before announcing any criticism for an oppressed Bolivian opposition (which is taking desperate measures against an inept tyrant who is controlled by foreign “interests”), one should attempt to examine the causes and origins for the dangerous protests, explosions and disruptions impacting one of Brazil’s key neighboring countries. In essence, one should bear in mind the actual source of all problems in the area: Venezuela. Indeed, Hugo Chavez should be viewed questionably as the ultimate party responsible for the ills affecting Bolivian society, along with the natural historical lack of natural cohesion of the cultures and peoples who currently reside in the area which, stretching form the Andes to the Paraguay valley, remained historically a region of peoples ‘ without a Nation…
Because of their inherent quickness, and lack of cohesion, since the election of Hugo Morales, the region has fallen indirectly under Venezuela’s strong influence (if not control), thus becoming Hugo Chavez’s main tool to achieve its plan to drive South America towards the dangerous, failed path of Marxism under the modified slogans of Bolivarian Justice.

Consequently, I would strongly advise the Brazilian people to bite the bullet and lend its FULL support against the rebels of Santa Cruz, whose interests, in the end, would coincide with those of most Brazilians, Argentineans, and even the rest of Bolivia’s immediate neighbors… In fact, I would dare say that full independence of Santa Cruz Province from the shackles of an incompetent government (guided by Caracas) is an issue that should not be dismissed! Going further, I will have the courage (and audacity) to question the very viability of a continued “weak & inconsistent” Bolivian state, which lacks common identity as well as a common purpose! I truly wonder whther the residents of the region might not be “better served” in the event the “factious nation of Bolivia” were to be dismembered and, having its original territory inevitably re-distributed to Chile, Peru, Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil (following a Regional Conference on the Matter to establish full details of Bolivian re-distribution and incorporation)…

Prior to triggering any controversy on this matter, I would simply like to state that this represents solely a (daring, politically incorrect) exercise… Some “political thoughts” for further contemplation…