Brazzil

While the comparison to 9-11 is pretty far fetched and confusing. This is another good and realistic posting on a site that continues to post the reality in the neighborhoods of Rio and other large Brazilian cities. You sure won't see these types of articles in Globo or Veja. While the elite of Rio stay locked up in their condos afraid to venture out and their kids smoke enough dope on the beach to keep the favela drug lords in new Audi's and AR15's, they remain oblivious to what is going on around them. Elite Carioca's are afraid to open their eyes and really see the nightmare that is happening all around them...until they find a gun at their heads or their snot nosed, spoiled kids are kidnapped and killed. Still, Dr. Addison has picked the best place possible for his retirement!

well, it is a look at one of the realities in brazil, and its not only in rio de janeiro. Talking about the conditions of hospitals and healthcare, I would venture to say that the northeast of brazil is much worse than Rio in that respect....I've seen it first hand throughout the interiors of bahia, sergipe, alagoas, pernambuco.

As far as the above posters last statement, I will agree that Rio must be one of the most beautiful places on earth, and I personally really like Rio, thank god I've never been assaulted there. But I don't think I would want to live there, as it would more than likely only be a matter of time. Rio is one of the most violent cities in the world.

Every Brazilian should look for a chance to go elsewhere and NEVER come back.

Every Brazilian should try to go elsewhere and NEVER come back.

What's new? The problem in Rio is the close proximaty of the favelas to Zona Sul and other affluent areas. Favelas run by drug dealers who bribe cops who make $300US a month, they are the true power in Rio. How can you keep kids from becoming criminals when they view such wealth everyday, with absolutley no chance of achieving it, do you really wonder why 6 and 7 year olds are sticking guns in peoples faces, sometimes dopped up enough to pull the trigger. Wonder why cops kill kids? Because these same kids are often carrying better weapons than they are, drugs buy good guns, and Brasil is a leading manufacturer of handguns. This is not a justification, just the facts. People should view Rio police as not having a crime problem, but fighting a war. And in war, well, sometimes...s**t happens. But really to blame are the rich, powerful and educated, the Carioca elite simply are some of the most racist and selfish people on the planet. Exploiting the poor by having them clean their apartments, cook their dinners, and yes even raise their kids for just over $300US a month...and they like it that way, the first ones to complain when the "minimum wage" goes up are the richest. How many empregadas considered by Carioca's as "part of our family" work 7 days a week, 14 hours a day and are then raped by the "man of the house"? It's a brutal life in Rio for the poor, no education or healthcare and a corrupt governement ensure those born poor will die poor, who cares if it's from malnutrition, a drug dealers execution, or a policeman's bullet. The author is right, I would probably pick up a gun too.

Pure Communist thought sucks. Pure Socialist thought sucks. Pure Capitalist though sucks. But combined we just might get something done right. It is war in Rio and in many other parts of Brazil as well. Sao Paulo, was just the 1st but this is going to explode into something that is going to blow the world view of "democracy" out of the water. Condi Rice is puppet without stings so one should just ignore her and perhaps one she will go away. George Bush, he didn't even know there were Blacks in Brazil.

Voting is great idea but, if you never saw a light at the end of the tunnel and you didn't even know you were in a tunnel how would you know to go towards the light? Brazil is a stick of dynamite with a short fuse. I don't think 9/11 is far fetched at all in describing the situation. On a personal level what is going on would be your own personal 9/11 think of it that way. Unfortunately, you don't have to go to hell to die you could just hang out in the favelas.

The only thing that will change Brazil will be investment in Brazil and that can not come from idiots like the Bush Administration. When at best he can managed to say is "Wow look at all the pretty girls." Outside investment to create jobs is a great option if they can manage to weed through the corrupt government to get something started.

quote:

"The only thing that will change Brazil will be investment in Brazil and that can not come from idiots like the Bush Administration."

Well, I believe that the only thing that will change brazil is education, as well as legislation that makes it mandatory that all children 16 years of age and younger must attend, and naturally that legislation to be enforced.

Investment from outside will help, but only if brazilian politicians truly decide to invest in brazil itself and set their own personal interests behind those of the brazilian population.

Why dont Americans stay in the USA and point out problems with our system instead on going to other countries and complaining about their system??
Yank go home and stay there

Why are Brasil's problems everyone elses fault? I wish Geroge Bush was never born, but the rant about Brasil's problems being caused by Bush and Rice are typical and ignorant. Read the papers, there are many things going on in this world that are much more important than Brasil. For once take responsbility for your own problems and find solutions instead of looking for the rest of the world to bail you out. It is being done in Venezuela, Bolivia, Peru and Chile...get off your asses and get something done. The whining really is pathetic.

Why don't you Brazilians stay put instead of pouring over our borders and complaining about how much they miss Brazil. w*****ks go back home to Brazil and stay.

So you like it the way it is there eh Roberrt? You like having to keep your windows in your car shut and the doors locked, looking over your shoulder to see who is approaching you? You like being in constant fear of being mugged or killed? I'm sure that many areas of Brasil are much safer than what we read, but unless you want all of Brasil to be like this, problems need to be addressed. People will do what they have to do to survive, and a more equal distribution of wealth among your people would improve your life also.

Do you honestly believe that someone is not manipulating the strings on Condi's arms, and legs? Who's moving her mouth? Us foreign policy towards Brazil is: "Do As We Say." Brazil is doing just that!
Brazilians are caught in a giant cage where crumbs are being thrown from above as the the dispensers of these crumbs watch from above in amusement as Brazilians dash and scurry around like Rats and Roaches for the deliberate scarce crumbs that those in power toss to Brazilians from their safe purches above the cages that everyday Brazilians exist in!

The main problem w/every country in LAT america is corruption and to blame it soley on the rich is ridiculous, Lulas administration was chock full of "men of the people' and look whats happened.The history of latin america is full of examples of peasant revolts that became just as corrupt as the regime preceding it.
I'm beginning to think that all Latins are incapapable of self govt. Lok at the evidence, the govt of france is a joke, as is that of belgium, italy exists in a virtual state of constant,corrupt near anarchy, spain and portugal are taking the 1st small steps of self governance after a combined 150+ yrs of dictatorship(jury is still out on these 2)
Not only are they corrupt, but almost EVERY country that they colonized has followed the same path, from vietnam laos and cambodia to macao mozambique, bzazil, to paraguay the phillipines, and argentina, you name the latin country and i'll show you wholesale corruption.
Its a pretty damning collection of facts but they are facts

The main problem w/every country in LAT america is corruption and to blame it soley on the rich is ridiculous, Lulas administration was chock full of "men of the people' and look whats happened.The history of latin america is full of examples of peasant revolts that became just as corrupt as the regime preceding it.
I'm beginning to think that all Latins are incapapable of self govt. Lok at the evidence, the govt of france is a joke, as is that of belgium, italy exists in a virtual state of constant,corrupt near anarchy, spain and portugal are taking the 1st small steps of self governance after a combined 150+ yrs of dictatorship(jury is still out on these 2)
Not only are they corrupt, but almost EVERY country that they colonized has followed the same path, from vietnam laos and cambodia to macao mozambique, bzazil, to paraguay the phillipines, and argentina, you name the latin country and i'll show you wholesale corruption.
Its a pretty damning collection of facts but they are facts

I generally avoid these discussions, but it seems to me that I read some time ago where if it wasn't for the IMF, then Brasil could spend all this money on education and other necessary programs. This (by some people on here) was all supposedly caused by the US. Well correct me, but didn't Brasil pay off the IMF early? It sounds like the only cages on brasilian society is created by Brasil. Sure, the US corporations try to manipulate Brasil - they are greedy and want more money, but the direction that Brasil goes is up to Brasil. Remember, you have more (or at least as much) natural resources as the US. What you do with it is up to you. There is unbelievable wealth in your people, but as with anything else, there must be investment in order to have return on investment. Yes the US corporations are greedy, but greed doesn't stop at our borders.

Why is everyone always blaming America for all their problems cant they think for themselves where they have their own country's interest at heart?

I am not an advocate of American idology as such but in Americas defence they do do some some good even if it benefits them in the process.'Thats Life' isn't it!

Brazil has huge natural resources as is other Latin American countries. But because of corruption, chronic mismanagement and unfair distributions of this wealth, the masses of people are starving and are in destitute, whilst these rich elite gloat at their expense. My God, what kind of mentality is that?

This selfishness has left a kind of thinking where everyone will mercilessly prey on everyone else resulting in NO TRUST in anyone. Where is this all leading to, does anyone really care?

It is a crying shame and a sin that Brazil could be in such a state because of these unfavourable vices, and I am beginning to question what it is that Brazil really has to boast about as there appears to be no clear reasoning at all.

If Brazil is continuing to go down this unknowing road ahead where this country appears to be turning into a War Zone day by day and its people are becoming even more angrier. Then, when Brazils own 9/11 emerges I hope it doesn't have the cheek or audacity to expect sympathy from the World.

quote:

"I generally avoid these discussions, but it seems to me that I read some time ago where if it wasn't for the IMF..."

I know, most people heard that...it's a crock of s**t. They did reduce their debt significantly with the IMF but they still have foreign debt, there is no mistake about that. But worse yet the external debt that was relieved was replaced with internal debt....which is even worse seeing that brazil has the highest interest rates in the world.

The banks in brazil are more insidious than in any other country on earth. And the excuse that it costs brazil more to loan money, or they pay more to borrow money, meaning the banks pay more, is an absolute untruth as well. There is no bigger "spread" (the difference in cost to acquire money to be loaned with the % in which it is loaned out) on the planet than with brazilian banks. Matter of fact Lula just TODAY asked the banks in brazil to extend more credit to consumers and at LOWER interest rates.

quote:

"Yank go home and stay there..."

LOL...bud, I feel quite sure that the handful of americans living in brazil, and LEGALLY by the way, would be more than glad to accomodate if you could get the roughly ONE MILLION ILLEGAL brazilians out of the U.S.

No one is responsible for what is happening in a country, except those who govern that country !
Thus brazil cannot dcontinually find excuse that their problems come from elsewhere !

Does France, Belgium or any country says that their problems are due to Brazil ????

Not to my knoweldge !

If Brazil decide, on purpose, to allocate only a small percent of their budget for education , it has nothiong to do with the IMF. The IMF is lending US$. But to pay teachers and build schools their is no need of US$ or of imported building material. You have that locally and payment is made is local currency, not in US$ !

Brazil has been mismanged for centuries by those who governed the country. For a while the country belonged to Portugal. By now the country belongs to their descendants who are Brazilians and residing in Brazil.

The whole country is their farm and you are their workers !

Slavery has just been disguised in a more modern way. They created Laws to punish the population when you do irregula things and they have created Laws that protect them when They have done irregular things....that are not totally so illegal....in view of the léaws they created.

The government budget is mainly spent for their own benefits by paying good salaries and high pensions to the civil servantgs working for them.
Part of the budget is stolen with all the corruption at every level of your society. They even borrow heavily locally and internationally to keep their standing.
But the budgets for education, infrastructures, healthcare, low cost housing, social inclusion etc etc....are either very little or non existant because only very little is left after the governments have taken care of....themselves....FIRST !

Just look at your stats : Many Latam countries poorer than Brazil in GDP per capita have a higher and better education.
Same for infrastructure, healthcare, social inclsuion and low cost housing !

You just get the rest of the cake, mostly eaten first by them !

And as long as you say and do nothing why does anyone expect a change for the better ??????

For them (the government and those controlling the country) they say : why should we educate our society when we will find jobs for them as sugar can cutters or similar jobs l
Do you know that 40 % of your sugar cane plantations are harested....MANUALLY ??????
Thus your decision to increase your ethanol production will create the need for more sugar cane cutters.....by simple definition and common sense !
the same could be said for the millions of factory workers : no need to spend too much money on their education !!!!
Same again for agricultural workers. The list is endless !

The only war is the class war.
Black and whtie unite
Christian,muslim, hindu unite
Kill the rich

Yeah, one big difference between Americans and Brazilians with guns. The Americans with guns who use them in defense of life and liberty, know how to use them! The use of their gun was not a temporary ploy to impress friends, relatives, and neighbors.
If you want a gun, learn how and when to use it.

To the second post above:

These statistics are really shocking and unbelievable and has left me speechless. If all what you have written is true, then what is Brazil boasting about? It seems like a lot of hot air. Why does all this sound so tedious, juvenile and pathetic?

Brazil is always comparing itself with America and there is no comparisson whatsoever. Sure Brazil has imitated certain developments etc, and has made great advances in technology but, what have they thought of themselves?

The government, rich elite and their cronies are destroying this country and they don't seem to care or even realise. When will these people wake up and smell the coffee or the S...T?

This blatant arrogance and widespread impunity is affecting this country adversely and is NOT helping to develop this country constructively. So if Brazil wants to sort this mess up once and for all.... it had better GROW UP.

Btw, why is Brazil locked in this COLOUR THING with its own inhabitants? Are these people only good for being relegated to the level of a mere SEX TOOL?

This is sooooo disrespectful and sinful and should be stopped immediately.

I am sorry Brazil, but all this does not appear to be assisting to promote this country in a positive manner, or does it?

Error, to the third post above:

I thought American kept guns cos it helped them get a hard on, shoot there buddies when hunting, for their kids to go on massacres at high schoo, go n****r hunting and to protect themselves if the English ever try to retake the country...

maybe I am wrong, but does PUBLIC healthcare even exists in US?? Or is Hollywood lying to the world?
Like in that Denzel Washington movie where his kid needs a heart transplant but he has not money to pay for one.

No really... what is the healthcare situation in US for people with no money at all?

"While the comparison to 9-11 is pretty far fetched and confusing. This is another good and realistic posting on a site that continues to post the reality in the neighborhoods of Rio and other large Brazilian cities. You sure won't see these types of articles in Globo or Veja"

Unfortunately I have to state that what this gentleman says here is not true, everything that the author wrote here can be found in Brazilian media. Everybody on the ground knows these facts. By the way how does he know all these information?Why do you people like to be portrayed as the only ones who knows the truth history etc? I do wonder. . .

Then I like to say that yes these horrible facts happen once in a while in Brazil, like every year a terribly unfair tragedy like that takes place and poverty is sad at any form is takes. That said state that this is what happens at every corner is exaggeration and Dr. Addison Jump former U.S. Department of Defense employee could enlighten us with the care he has shown and tell us what is the reason. Can you present us with your thoughts about the reality of the American aligned country Israel? It seems that on site about Brazil made by Americans with American audience is like David and Golias. Many of you guys don’t live in Brazil such a terrible reality and still you condemn us with your coldness and arrogance. You wouldn’t make great buddies. Then like to say that yes Brazil is the reason to its reality as well as US is the reason and not any arab terrorist country. You guys read some articles and feel ready to judge a whole society. Yes great very sound of you. Do any of these readings make you ask important questions about the state of things for humans? No Roberrt do not like to live hidden. The people who live these lands are untrustful unhappy and you are right, if that is all that you can see when you think of a human being in such condition I am not telling you any different, just live them alone if no contribution can be given besides your bashing. Tell me Brazil is nobody’s fault but the Brazilians, how about the Palestinian people or the African countries and Iraq?

The first to determine goal of national economical results, the USA lives with a deficit around 4% of its gigantic national total production. They are the country that most owes money (internally and externally) around the planet.
The most debtor country do not submit to the control of any entity, do not follow inflation goal or economic purposes and much less charges its citizens with extortive taxes.
Cheered with the enormous flow of capital from all over the world, such as Brazil and Mexico, flow that attain up to U$$ 2 billion per day, the whole world finances the north American economy: a situation every time more artificial and parasitic. We are the eternal debtors to the giant yank, we subsidize their enormous expenses.

Maybe you should move, no?

I find the thesis tie of Dr. Addison Jump, of Democracy implicity correspinding to economic and material prosperity rather ridculous. Democracy can simply be translated as majority rule over the state by vote. That in itself does not necessitate material prosperity, which ironically should be self evident to Dr. Addison Jump when looking at the historiography of Amerindians in the United States. Many of which lived in literal "Thrid World" conditions on U.S. reservations until recently. The Alcoholism, domestic violence, and despair which permeated much of reservation life was second to none - and surely holding no braging rights over the favelas of Brazil.

It was largely access to capital through legalized monopolization of gaming (casinos etc.) that, in the later part of the 20th century turned a number of Amerindian reservations in the U.S. into wealthy societies. However let it be pointed out corruption has not escaped the Amerindians in the U.S. and many Indian reservations are still poor areas.

Of course in the U.S. probably the greater bulk of Amerindians are actually mixed race peoples, consequently those working for the U.S. Federal Government or in high academic positions often look as White as any of the White members of the German side of my family (I'm mulatto). I'm not sure I have ever seen a dark skin Amerindian in any "professional" field in my life. Certainly they are under represented in U.S. Government.

It should be pointed out that Democracy does not equal material prosperity for all citizens of a nation state. The nation state of Kuwait should be proof to that. Kuwait I believe is governed by "Absolute Monarchy" yet her citizens pay no taxes, go to college for free, and medical students drive around in BMW's. Contrast that to the United States, a democracy with the largest GDP in the world. Contrast Cuba to the Hatian Demoracy, which is the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere.

Poor people roaming through trash is a common thing in my neighborhood, as well as theft of the smallest things such as water hoses. Most things have to be chained down - if possible - if you don't want it stolen. Even some homes in the neighborhood have had the lower half of the sidinging on abandoned homes torn off by drug addicts who will go and sell the material at recycling dumps for money. One could literally write a weekly article on the ills of communities in the United States urban centres on a theoritical "UnitedStates.Com" site. But those articles would not reflect all the stories or narratives of the United States.

In reference to 9/11 that was meant to imply that Brazils social situation is getting out of hand and will explode someday.

Weren't there riots in Brazil recently where over 100 people were killed.

What I meant was a social 9/11 NOT as in what took place in America... honestly.

quote:How many empregadas considered by Carioca's as "part of our family" work 7 days a week, 14 hours a day and are then raped by the "man of the house"?

I think this poster is confusing times with colony and slavery period.

"Well, I believe that the only thing that will change brazil is education"

And i think that the only thing that will change the world is education.

Mr Addison all this bashing has the intention to mantain Brazil, since it is already included, within the countries that compond the so called Evil Axis? That story of including Brazil among the countries who possess nuclear programs with intentions to trade nuclear weapons to Arab and Asian countries are of interest of financial institutions? Where else on the planet stocks and loans produces the highest interests and profit?

As an aside, I thought the writing in this article was quite good. The description of the scene with the dead mother waiting at the clinic was particularly powerful. A well-written piece, Mr. Addison.

Thank you for all your comments, they help me improve my writing. I am tempted to reply to all of them. I do not because it would weaken the focus I want to make on a few essential points.

Rio is a wonderful city and I retired here because I didn’t know of any other place so interesting. But I did not feel right enjoying it without recognizing that some of the people who make it possible – the working poor – cannot enjoy the city as I do. I honor the man who goes through trash to make a living when he could be dealing drugs or robbing me.

Yet it appears that police may enter the home of such a man and kill him for no reason. I fully agree that this kind of thing happens in much of the rest of the world, and indeed US troops may be committing such outrages in Iraq. If I lived in any of those other places I could hardly stand by and do nothing. I was in jail for crossing a police line when the bombs began to fall on Iraq and my job with the Defense Department was imperiled.

I have four questions. The first is for favela residents and those who may know about favelas. If, for example, the police act improperly in your favela, is there an elected representative you can complain to? Communities sometime burn tires or even buses in anger. Why not go to a representative? Why not refuse to vote for a representative who does not represent you?

The next two questions could be most easily answered by police or those knowledgeable about their work.

First, why are officers suspected of serious crimes not suspended from the force until cleared of the charges?

Second, is there a climate of hatred between favela communities and police? If so, is this inevitable? There can never be a friendly relationship between lawbreakers and police, but the honest cops and honest residents could help one another out. Here I think close personal acquaintance is essential. You trust not the police but the individual policeman, who also trusts you personally.

Finally, those who know about the technicalities of administration may be able to answer this one. Why, for example, is the subway system in Rio excellent while the postal system is intolerable? If I could, I would vote for a candidate who promised that my mail would actually be delivered.

First of all, how long have you been living in brazil Addison?

Just curious because some of your questions, such as why don't favela residents complain to their representatives, sounds a little naive. In case you're not too familiar with the brazilian political system and even its "justice system", you pretty much have to have "conhecimento" to achieve many things. Being poor in brazil certainly doesn't mean equal representation...unfortunately.

As far as police and favela residents hating each other I would defintely say its not a relationship based in trust. The residents of favelas in brazil have seen their fair share of innocents being murdered, death-squad style executions, and favelas are the prime locations for drug traffickers in which many of the policemen participate in corruption alongside the traffickers, so it's always a potentially explosive situation.

As far as the mail, lol, good luck with that one. My only advice there is don't send money or checks in the mail under any circumstances, and also don't have people outside of brazil send anything to you in excess of a value of $50, unless you're prepared to pay up to 100% import tax on the value of the package.

This Brasil is a third world country. No doubt about it. Getting out of that category is near impossible due to the depths of corruption. Corruption is embedded here. It came with the Portuguese from Portugal. That country is just a "dirty" as this one. They (Portuguese) taught the Brasilians well. As for the poor population of this country, well, no education means a meager life. There is no need for the US to step in and help Brasil. America (it's government) has never provided any country aid, when it has stepped in to assist. The most recent is the States "governing" Iraq.

quote:

"There is no need for the US to step in and help Brasil."

How can the U.S. or any country for that matter help brazil? By your own admission, and an accurate one, the main problem in brazil is the systematic plauge like corruption, how can the U.S. or any country change that? That can only be done by the citizens of said country, they have to say "enough is enough"....not sure that will ever happen though.

As far as american providing "country aid", they do provide aid to brazil, every year. How? Well, only USAID gives brazil around 12 million dollars a year. The U.S. is also Brazil's largest customer and doesn't impose ridiculously high import taxes on their products, matter of fact, some of brazils imports to the U.S. are "tax free".

That's a helluva lot more than brazil can say they do for other countries.

I dont understand way you guys (americans) keep bashing brasil about being a corrupted nation, when you damn well that america is just as corrpted.. But you american dont want to FACE THE FACTS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In Brasil funding for education is low, when in america most kids drop-out ?!?!?! Americans are lazy, when brazilians want to work..Americans are greedy from the president, to mayor, ALL THEY WANT IS POWER, they dont care about you or you stupids kids education...all they want is you taxes... The health care system is corrupted as well.... and before you say it isnt, let me tell you a litte story... Okay how come when my freinds sister in law went to apply for food stamps, they told her she couldn't, JUST because she make 100.00 to much and she has just one kid !!!!!!.. But yet here is an illegal with a fake social card, and 5 kids, and she gets food stamps!!!!! DONT TELL ME THAT CORRUPTIONS!!!!!! Okay how come when I go to schoool, I cant get free or reduced lunch, because BOTH my parents have jobs, but yet an illegal rollin' up in an BMW, and the dad sell drugs and the mother cleans house, their kids can still get free or reduced lunch.... Americans are greedy, case in point !!!! you want to tell other people how run themselves when yet you have proverty, drugs, and curruption.... I dont understand that !!!!! My belif is the media... You guys want to make other parts of the world look bad, while you say good thing about youselves...when you got bad things going on... Atleast in brazil they know they have a problem with proverty.. in america, there is also proverty... FACE IT.....Dont turn your back on your own people... People die in america because of bad drugs deals...Kids bring guns to school, along with drugs...it is just never reported..... I hate how you guys always say one thing about other places, but ingore what is going inside your own country.. How many more illegal are going to have to come in before they come in? Deport ALL ILLEGALS, and there LEGAL CHILDREN AS WELL... I DONT CARE.. my parents worked to come here, my mom is brazilian and my dad is mexican both very hard working people, but yet we get turned away to buy a real nice house in a real nice n'hood because, they ASSUME that we are illegal......when illegals are getting into college, taking my place in school... KICK ALL ILLEGALS OUT AND THEIR KIDS!!!!!!! AMERICA WAKE UP BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE BUSH G'MENT IS SLOW IN EVERYTHING, they sa they want to change, but nothing has, illegals are still coming in...... QUITING BITCHIN' and start a revalution, I know i am right now, by speaking agaisnt the g'ment and not voting...... HAVE A GOOD NIGTE

quote:

"People die in america because of bad drugs deals...Kids bring guns to school, along with drugs...it is just never reported."

LOL....what a rant! One of the BIG differences in country's like the U.S. and brazil is that in the U.S. one sees EVERYTHING in the news, in brazil one is only shown what GLOBO and the judiciary branch of gov't. decides to be shown.

Would you like to see the reports on censurship and outright murder and intimidation that brazilian journalists face when reporting on corruption and drugs?

Why don't you study a little, look at reports from NGO's, the United Nations, and the brazilian gov't. itself?

While corruption exists in all countries, it certainly isn't common to exist in the quantity it does in brazil. Recently a BRAZILIAN gov't. federal agency that does accounting and has access to financial records of all municipalities in brazil concluded that corruption exists in 77% of ALL municipalities throughout brazil!!!

And there were 8 states where every single municipality had irregularities, or was corrupt.

Must be frustrating for people like you that deny the realities that exist in brazil. You certainly shouldn't be comparing these things in your country with the united states, as in many areas, such as corruption, poverty in respect to wealth, unequal distribution of income, and crime and murder, by reports done by NGO's and the United Nations brazil ranks among the worst in the world, and "the" worst in some of these categories. You're much better off comparing brazil in some respects to Africa, you would be more precise anyhow.

To the poster who is concluding that Latins cannot govern:

Thank God you had the common sense to post those remarks. I was begging to think I was the only person who could see this! Thanks.

Are you drunk or something? If you don't like the States, bugger off somewhere else. The reason you can't buy a house where you claim, is because the neighbours don't want a load of whinging Latinos like you near them.

The first is for favela residents and those who may know about favelas. If, for example, the police act improperly in your favela, is there an elected representative you can complain to? Communities sometime burn tires or even buses in anger. Why not go to a representative? Why not refuse to vote for a representative who does not represent you?

What the hell? Representative? How naive can someone be? Addison its mostly because people that live in favelas are dumb and cant even realise they should go for the representative. If they were smart they wouldnt live in a favela in the first place.

In response to Guest from July 18, 2006, 12:43 pm
"people that live in favelas are dumb and cant even realise they should go for the representative. If they were smart they wouldnt live in a favela in the first place." That's not true at all. People live in favelas first b/c they are poor. With a corruptive goverment comes a controlling government. They keep information from citizens in order to have control over them and thus keep them at a poverty level. They want poor citizns becuase it makes them richer. And it's not like being poor or homeless in the states. In 2005, the minimum wage was approx. 300 reais per month. Forget converting - it does nothing to help understand. Imagine that 300 reais is like earning 300 USD per month - you'd be living in a slum and eating grains every night too. And don't think this is a wage that a teenager earns working after school part time. This is what a lot of hardworking laborers earn - fathers with families to support. Men and women who risk their lives working on construciton sites with no life insurance if something were to happen. To get out of poverty in Brazil is a lot harder then it sounds.
Second reason why people live in the favelas is for security. Thinking of poverty is not real nice. But now think about what a poor person might do when they are awoken in the middle of the night because their baby has a tremendous fever and the parents have not a single cent to go buy medicine or see a doctor. I'll tell you what the mother living in a favela will do. She will seek help from the people at the top of the favela. Those people have the resources to get her baby the help it needs. If that mother were to leave the favela and try to somehow get out of poverty on the outside, she wouldn't have the backbone like the one I menitoned. The favela is a slum, but it is also a community.
I hope this clears up some opinions about the favela.