Brazzil

When back in September 2003, the Getúlio Vargas Foundation shocked Brazil by placing Maranhão in the Brazilian Northeast as Brazil's poorest state, no one could believe it. As astonishing as it could have seemed, the Foundation revealed that an incredible 68,42% of the state population was living in misery, making less than 80 Reais (US$ 40) per month.

Following the alarming data Maranhão was on the news, prompting several conferences on how to combat poverty within the region, including a seminar held in São Luis, Maranhão's state capital, promoted by the United Nations in 2004.

The situation was so bewildering at the time, that the Secretary of Strategic Planning for Cities, José Cursino Moreira Raposo, affirmed: "The causes for the poverty in Maranhão are the improper usage of land, and political practices benefiting allies." The declaration was published November 17, 2006 on the daily newspaper O Imparcial.

Six years later, the latest report by the United Nations on March 30 2009 reflected very little change. The document reveals that 58% of Brazilian cities will not be able to decrease poverty in 50% by 2015 as planned, and Maranhão still remains in critical condition.

As the state still struggles with poverty, more news about mismanagement in Maranhão is coming down the pipeline as headlines reveal the latest corruption stories involving that northeastern region.

The Sarneys, a family that has controlled the state for decades, are once again in the center of the political turmoil. The most recent episode published by daily O Estado de S. Paulo, July 16, involves business entrepreneur Fernando Sarney, Brazil Senate President José Sarney's son. He is being accused of misrepresentation, and illegal business practices favoring commercial deals with state-run enterprises.

The younger Sarney is the object of an investigation called Boi Barrica, a legendary creature of Maranhão's Folklore. The Federal Police committee created in 2006 investigates cases of irregularities within financial institutions, money laundry schemes, and use of slush fund for electoral purposes, including Roseanne Sarney (Sarney's daughter) funding during her governor campaign.

According to Agência Estado, the police has obtained documents and recorded conversation linking Fernando Sarney with a criminal organization, which had the intent of "bleeding" public coffers.

The organization apparently utilizes Sarney's family name in order to have access to important information from the Ministry of Mines and Energy and state-run hydroelectric companies. Another company was also mentioned Valec - a state run company - responsible for the construction of the polemic North-South railway connecting Brazil Northeast to the Southeast region.

Despite the Senate crisis, where there is a movement to oust the senior Sarney, who was President of Brazil from 1985 to 1990, and despite allegations of corruption within his state, the old senator remains, at least publicly, stoic: "The challenges, the workload, the insults, the threats, have never frightened me and they never will . We are building a new Senate, this I am certain of".

Agência Estado informs that Fernando Sarney is pleading innocent to all the accusations. The Brasília Federal police are still tracking financial transactions done on behalf of Fernando Sarney.

According to the FENAPEP website ( Federação Nacional dos Policiais Federais - Federal Police National Federation), five lines of investigation were conducted, in order to verify any scheme of illegal transfer of funds to offshore accounts, including the amount of US$ 1 million to a bank in China . The transactions also include banks in the Bahamas, United States, British Virgin Islands and fiscal paradises.

The Federal Police have reported that Fernando Sarney has exerted improper influence within the Ministry of Mines and Energy, and that he has strong connections with Edison Lobão from the PMDB party. Lobão is Minister of Mines and Energy and is a close ally of Senator José Sarney .

The scandals involving the Sarney family are strengthening the movement Fora Sarney (Out Sarney). Senate chamber has prohibited public manifestations following a student protest, where 10 teenagers appeared in T-shirts painted with letters that shown together spelled "Out Sarney."

Edison Bernardo DeSouza is a journalist, having graduated in Social Communication Studies at Pontifical Catholic University in São Paulo, Brazil. He lived in the US and Canada for close to 10 years and participated in volunteering activities in social works agencies. DeSouza currently lives in São Paulo where he teaches English as a Second Language for both private English Language Institute and Private High-School. He has already participated as an actor in three English plays in Brazil and is pursuing further advancements in his career. He is particularly interested in economics, history, politics and human rights articles.

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Here is an example of how your enemies go at any lengths...
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, July 17, 2009

When you are the most powerful politician in Brazil, a former president of Brazil, and a number of times president of the senate – you make a lot of enemies along the way; people who would go at any lengths to discredit your name, your character, and even attack the members of your family, and all that for political gain.

No wonder that today many respectable people stay away from politics in Brazil.

The Senator Jose Sarney that I know is a man of character, and integrity and not the corrupt man that the above article is trying to paint.
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Ricardo Amaral
written by João da Silva, July 18, 2009

Ricardo, which year did you leave Brasil?

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Reply to Joao da Silva
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, July 18, 2009

The Generals were in charge of the Brazilian government at that time.

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Ricardo Amaral
written by João da Silva, July 18, 2009

The Generals were in charge of the Brazilian government at that time.

That is the problem with my good friends like you and Lord Augustus. Everyone left Brasil scared s**tless of the good Generals and not many know or are willing to acknowledge the spectacular results the glorious revolution of 1964 produced, thanks to the top leadership and hard working technocrats. People like your friend "Sir Ney" were only interested in the welfare of themselves and their families. That is the real story.

In case you are not aware, the last Military President refused to pass the presidential "Faixa" to your friend "Sir Ney". So please stop singing his glories.

But, I got a bigger laugh when I read Cris Buarque comparing Sir Ney with Nelson Mandela!!

No wonder that today many respectable people stay away from politics in Brazil.

The Senator Jose Sarney that I know is a man of character, and integrity and not the corrupt man that the above article is trying to paint.

This statement of yours is very contradictory, Ricardo. If many respectable people stay from politics" and if "Senator José Sarney that you know is a man of character.....etc; etc; ", why is he still insisting in being the President of the senate or the Senator from AP?

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Reply to Joao da Silva
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, July 18, 2009

You said: “Everyone left Brasil scared s**tless of the good Generals and not many know or are willing to acknowledge the spectacular results the glorious revolution of 1964 produced, thanks to the top leadership and hard working technocrats.”

My family leaving Brazil had nothing to do with being scared of the generals.

My mother had traveled a few times over the years to the United States starting in 1955, and she decided that was time for our family to move out of Sao Paulo, and at that point my stepfather was considering to buy an accounting school in the interior of Sao Paulo, or move to the United States.

My mother already liked the United States a lot, and after returning to Brazil from a trip to New York City they decided that it would be fun, and interesting to live in the United States – that was when our family moved to the US – and had nothing to do about being scared of any general.

You also said: “People like your friend "Sir Ney" were only interested in the welfare of themselves and their families. That is the real story.”

That is not the experience that I have had regarding my friend former president Sarney, since when I first met him in New York City in 1986, when he was President of Brazil.

Over the years I have met former president Sarney a number of times here in New York City, and attended a number of events that he gave speeches. All I can say is that former president Sarney is an asset for Brazil and represent Brazil well at any international event.

I spent one year (May 2001 – April 2002) trying to start a nonprofit organization called “The Brazilian Cultural Society.” - part of a project that also included a center for Brazilian history and economic studies. I had a half dozen meeting with senior management of Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, and that university was very interested in helping me get the project off the ground.

The center was to be located at the university campus in Teaneck NJ. I had many meetings with senior management of FDU University in Teaneck, NJ, but even with the help of the university's vice president of fund-raising we were not able to find anyone willing to fund that project. We almost got the project off the ground, but then came the September 11 attack, and that created a major problem for us, since all sources of funding did dry up for a long time. (I also did send proposals to a large number of other potential funding sources in the United States, and in Brazil.)

Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) was an ideal place for this Center of Brazilian History and Economic Studies, since I graduated with a B.A. in Economics and MBA in Finance from FDU, and I am an alumni of that University. There were other reasons also to locate the new center at the FDU campus. FDU's new president, J. Michael Adams, understands the importance of learning about other cultures, and he is a heavy supporter of FDU's strong international programs. He believes each student should have an international experience. There's been an acknowledgment at FDU that the University has a responsibility to prepare the students with a global outlook.

In the meantime, I was able to put together a powerful group of people who had accepted to be members of the board of trustees of the new organization, including:

1) Nélida Pinõn. She is a world-renowned Brazilian intellectual and one of Brazil's most important contemporary novelists. She also has been a former president of the Brazilian Academy of Letters.

2) Professor Gregory Rabassa. American translator who was largely responsible for bringing the fiction of contemporary Latin America to the English-speaking world. Of his more than 30 translations from Spanish and Portuguese, perhaps the best known is Gabriel Garcia Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude (1970).

3) Professor Carlos Guilherme Mota. One of the most important Brazilian historians today. He is a prolific writer and has published a long list of history books.

4) Former President of Brazil Senator José Sarney was the latest person to accept an invitation to become a member of the board of trustees of the Brazilian Cultural Society.

And it was an honor to our organization to have such an illustrious man as a founding board member.

Mr. Sarney's long career in public life started as a Dep**ado Federal (1956- 1966), then governor of the state of Maranhão (1965-1970), then Senador representing the state of Maranhão (1970-1986) and the President of Brazil (1985-1990). After ending his presidential mandate he returned to political life after being elected Senator. Currently, José Sarney is a Senator representing the State of Amapá. Mr. Sarney is a member of the Brazilian Academy of Letters, and he has been a prolific writer and has a long list of published books. He also contributes to major Brazilian newspapers, and he writes articles for such newspapers as O Globo.
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Reply to Joao da Silva
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, July 18, 2009

You can read about the “Brazilian Cultural Society” project at:

Brazzil Magazine – September 2001 – “The B-Files” “The Brazilian Cultural Society” - Written by Ricardo C. Amaral

http://www.brazzil.com/compone.../6752.html

Note: I was trying to take that project off the ground with Domicio Coutinho – I was going to be the Chairman of that organization and Domicio was going to be its president.

But the story did not end in March 2002, when I decided to give up on that project.

After working on that project for a year, and almost being able to get the project of the ground, but the resulting economic situation following 9/11 became an obstacle impossible to overcome at that time.

After I quitted the project Domicio Coutinho continued with the project, and finally he incorporated it as a non-profit organization, because it was a dream of his to establish a Brazilian library in New York City where Brazilianists could go and do research and find books about Brazil.

He finally opened the “Brazilian Library and Brazilian Cultural Society” in New York City in December 2006. And the Brazilian Cultural Society has been a great success and they have been promoting various types of Brazilian arts – from shows to promote Brazilian painters, and arts plastics, from photography, to organizing theater events with Brazilian stories and Brazilian cast.

Twice a month it is movie night at the Brazilian Cultural Society and they show Brazilian movies, from historic movies, to just regular movies, and the Brazilian Library also brings many people to give lecturers about various subjects related to Brazil – from the Brazilian great writers such as Machado de Assis to other themes.

In March of 2007 the Brazilian Cultural Society had an event to honor former Brazilian president Jose Sarney – and at that time he gave a great lecture about Brazil – and I was impressed with him since President Sarney gave a great speaker, and he had no notes to read from.

The Brazilian Library also is connected with UBENY (Uniao Brasileira de Escritores NY), and Domicio Coutinho is the president of UBENY – Mr. Coutinho is also a renowned Brazilian writer and has various published books that were published in Portuguese, English and Spanish.

The UBENY chapter in New York City is the only chapter they have outside Brazil. And we used to meet once a month at the Brazilian Consulate in New York. UBENY has many types of people who became member over the years including authors, magazine and newspaper writers, screenwriters and people involved with theater, and the movies.

Brazilians should be proud of the extraordinary job being done by Domicio Coutinho and his organization at the Brazilian Cultural Society in New York – they are doing a great job in promoting Brazil and its’ culture here in the New York Metropolitan area.

The prospects for further success is immense for the Brazilian Cultural Society as they become better known through the word of mouth, and the mainstream media starts writing about that organization and its very interesting events.

Since the “Brazilian Library and Brazilian Cultural Society” opened in New York City in 2006, former president Jose Sarney has been giving important moral support to this organization with his appearances to the “Brazilian Library and Brazilian Cultural Society” events, and also with his efforts in supplying books of Brazilian literature for this Brazilian Library located in New York City.

Most Brazilians are ignorant of the outstanding work that is been done here in the United States by Domicio Coutinho regarding the “Brazilian Library and Brazilian Cultural Society” and its constant promotion of Brazilian Culture at all levels – including the arts, literature, cinema, theater, history and social issues regarding Brazil.
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Reply to Joao da Silva
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, July 18, 2009

Regarding former president Jose Sarney

I did attend both book signing events that former president Jose Sarney had in New York City.

The first book-signing event was at the “Bildner Center” on October 6, 2005. And the second book-signing event was at “Americas Society” on November 29, 2007.

Here is how the “America Society” promotional material for that event described former president Jose Sarney’s literary accomplishments:

On November 29, 2007, José Sarney will release the American edition of his novel “Saraminda”. The book release will take place at the Americas Society in New York, starting at 6:30 p.m. Sarney comes from the time when Latin America had the tradition of having in power men who came from the literary world, as was the case of Rómulo Gallegos in Venezuela. In addition to an intense political activity, Sarney has been federal representative, governor, vice-president and president of Brazil. Today, Mr. Sarney is a senator, having been president of Congress twice.

This intense political activity did not succeed in forcing him to give up literature, which was always a part of his life, with 87 titles published – novels, short stories, poetry, essays, political studies, conferences, literary criticism. Eight volumes of his articles were published over 20 years in Brazil’s largest newspaper, Folha de São Paulo, in an important journalistic activity focusing on contemporary Brazilian history. Among these works, 17 have been translated to foreign languages, including 3 into English: one in the United Kingdom, “Tales of Rain and Sunlight” (short stories) and two in the United States which were translated by Gregory Rabassa and published by Aliform Publishing. “Master of the Sea”, published in the U.S., is a novel with three editions in France, hailed by Claude Lévi-Strauss – one of the greatest names in world literature – as “a monumental book”. Its American edition received the bronze medal of the 2005 Book of the Year Award by Foreword Magazine.

Now Mr. Sarney releases his novel “Saraminda” in the U.S., considered a masterpiece of its genre and also translated into English by Gregory Rabassa. Saraminda has been translated into Spanish, Romanian, Hungarian and French and was listed as a best seller for many weeks in Brazil.

In 2005, Saraminda was included in the famous Folio collection of French publishing house Gallimard. Sarney is the second Brazilian author to appear in that collection, beside Jorge Amado.

Last September, Sarney took the Brazilian publishing market by surprise with the appearance of his new novel, “A Duquesa Vale uma Missa” (Portuguese for “The Duchess is Worth a Mass”), telling the story of a young man’s passion for a famous painting depicting the Duchess of Villars, French King Henry IV’s lover. In March 2008 this new novel will be released in France.

José Sarney says that politics was a destiny for him, and that literature is a calling, one to which he devotes himself every single day. He is the dean of the Brazilian Academy of Letters, of which he has been a member for almost 30 years. He is also a member of the Lisbon Science Academy and has a busy schedule of conferences in many universities and congresses all over the world. Octavio Paz, Nobel laureate in literature, once said that “José Sarney [is a] poet and defender of freedom”.
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In Brazil, the Sarneys Are Synonym with Mismanagement and Corruption !!!!
written by ch.c., July 18, 2009

Welllll....but...but...this is exactly why Brazilians elected them !
So that they too could eventually become a...BENEFICIARY....one way or the other...regardeless at the expense of who !
Even the Emperor of the Crooks, Robbing Hook, is taking the side of one of Sarney,his accomplice ...so that filthy legislations can be passed as Robbing Hook will decide !

And stupid question to all Brazilians :

What about the synonym of the AMARAL dynasty, the one Ricardo is so proud to be a member of ??????

Hmmmmmm


LAUGHS....LAUGHS...LAUGHS...LAUGHS...LAUGHS !!!!!!!!

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And to the junkie, crook and idiot Ricardo Amaral :
written by ch.c., July 18, 2009

Glad that you put all the Sarney titles !
Feel free to add as many as you wish.
But...but...but....that still makes him a CORRUPTED TO THE ROOTS POLITICIAN.....JUST AS ALL MEMBERS OF THE AMARAL DYNASTY !
You included...RICARDO !
You Ricardo Amaral is just part of that same crap, regardless of your clubs memberships !

Viva Lula gangs.....the Sarney,Amaral,ACM...etc etc the list is way too long !
One dynasty protects the other anyway !

The Amaral dynasty, and yourself are part of the rotten, rusted, stinky, filthy minority elite that pillage(d) your country for centuries !

No doubt that you too, or at least your family, has large land tracks using slaves workers..by the hundreds...or the thousands !
But impunity will prevail......dont worry ! brazilians filthy people are making sure that nothing can be done against them since they are the ones deciding of the laws !
And even when against the laws, dont worry, you will help the judge handling your case...for having him a better career....but more importantly take him in your gangs..to defend your interests !

And so is Brazil !

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Crossing (not shared) Pathways
written by Augustus, July 18, 2009

Although I might not be of quite the same age of our prominent compatriot, interestingly our pathways appear to have taken relatively paralled routes, since I have also left Brasil (Rio instead of Sao Paulo) at the closing days of the orlerly, progressive period of the last military government; likewise, we both appear to have settled around the same region of North America: the New York City metropolitan area.

Yet, whereas Mr. Amaral seems to entertain untoward views regarding the merits of the previous Military rule, unlike him - as one may already have reckoned - I've always rather admired its far more beneficial aspects (among which, peace, security and growth). Furthermore, whereas Mr. Amaral seems to have lingered in the outer New Jersey surrounding area, I remained strickly confined to Manhattan proper. In addition, the Andrada gentleman clearly stayed in touched - actually involved - with Brazilian culture to the point of being directly associated with some foundations, I clearly took a distinct route; while Mr. Amaral maintained ties with prominent Brazilian political figures, until fairly recently I have deliberately shunned away anything Brazilian, leading a strictly anglified life style. Finally, Mr. Amaral's evident inclination towards East Asian potentates, stands in sharp contrasts to my ardent admiration towards the British Empire and its glorioius legacy upon the World at large.

As a result, I must relunctantly admonish our esteemed Joao DaSilva for presuming awareness of the underlying reason for our decision to emigrate along with extrapolating a shared outlook (or Weltanschauung)vis-a-vis the former Military regime, which, once again, I deeply respect and greatly admire.

That is the problem with my good friends like you and Lord Augustus. Everyone left Brasil scared s**tless of the good Generals and not many know or are willing to acknowledge the spectacular results the glorious revolution of 1964 produced, thanks to the top leadership and hard working technocrats. People like your friend "Sir Ney" were only interested in the welfare of themselves and their families. That is the real story

Not quite, I daresay, esteemed milord...

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My early (fortunate) social & cultural experiences/associations
written by Augustus, July 18, 2009

Nearly upon arrival in New York city, I became a very junior associate with the Tutankhamun exhibit at the Metropolitan musium in New York city, and later, during a fabulous brief period in the United Kingdom, I endeavored to acquire enhanced cultural exposure by actively participating in a flury of London cultural events, most notably at the British Museum.

By virtue of a brief, unforgettable association & comradship with the fourth son of the Duke of Northumberland, I benefited to a limited exposure to the British aristocracy, and only regret having missed the opportunity of being introduced to Lady Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales, and for lacking sufficient credentials for being formally introduced to her Majesty, Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, during a special event being held at the Buckingham Palace.

Finally, thanks to family ties with the seniormost representative of "Cafe Cacique" (during that particular time) in Wall Street, I was finally persuaded to remain in Manhattan, where I have led a rather vibrant and colorful life style until fairly recently.

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Reply to Augustus
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, July 18, 2009

I know that many members of this forum were against the military government that we had in Brazil for over 20 years, and over the years I have written in a positive way the and that the Generals had the correct vision regarding the economic development of Brazil.

I don’t care about anyone says, but we would not have the prosperity in Brazil in the last 24 years if the Generals had not planted the foundations for the country that we have today.

The Generals designed and implemented the plan regarding ethanol that made Brazil basically free from global oil shocks – and what happened in the last year is a great example of that strategy – Brazil did not suffered the economic consequences of exploding oil prices as most other economies from around the world.

Yes, I think the Generals did a great job in Brazil regarding economic development during the years that they were in power, and they laid the foundations for future prosperity of the country.
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Reply to Augustus
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, July 18, 2009

Corrections to my last posting:

I know that many members of this forum were against the military government that we had in Brazil for over 20 years, and over the years I have written in a positive way about the performance of the Generals, and that the Generals had the correct vision regarding the future economic development of Brazil.

I don’t care about what anyone says, but we would not have the prosperity in Brazil that we have had in the last 24 years if the Generals had not planted the seeds and built the foundations for that to happen in our country.

The Generals designed and implemented the plan regarding ethanol that made Brazil basically free from global oil shocks – and what happened in the last year is a great example of that strategy – Brazil did not suffered the economic consequences of exploding oil prices as most other economies from around the world.

Yes, I think the Generals did a great job in Brazil regarding the economic development of our country, during the years that they were in power, and they laid the foundations for future prosperity of the country that we enjoy today.
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the Foundation revealed that an incredible 68,42% of the state population was living in misery, making less than 80 Reais (US$ 40) per month.
written by ch.c., July 19, 2009

But...but...your minimum wages made in your law is at about 500 Reais !

And Robbing Hook stand by his filthy promises that HIS laws are respected over the country by his gangs members !
Isnt HE ?
And he is proud of his kind generosity with his Bolsa Familia !
How many times havent we read that Brazil is now a middle income country.
Strange that a middle income country has so many hundreds and hundreds of favelas in its wealthiests cities such as SP and Rio.
Because it means there are even far more favelas and poverty in the....not as wealthy.....states/municipalities !


Viva the Sarney,Amaral, ACM dynasties.
Viva the Da Silva () Dynasties !

Disinformation, cheating, lying and hiding the truth is the Brazilian way of life !

Sad reality...unfortunately...for the majority of Brazilians !
Everything for a few, the residues for the majority, remains rule number ONE in you verbal but unwritten constitution. Because such rule cant be written, but you make sure it is applied generation after generation !
And the Sarney, Amaral, ACM and... Da Silva () are the guarantors of that Brazilian law Nbr ONE !

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Ricardo Amaral
written by João da Silva, July 19, 2009

Hi Ricardo,

If you had not replied:

The Generals were in charge of the Brazilian government at that time.

I wouldn't have been nasty towards you nor Augustus (though, I am very much aware that Lord Augustus left for different reasons just like yours). My apologies for offending your sentiments.

Thanks for narrating the biography of your friend Sarney and I am quite familiar with most of the things. However, I still cant understand how you could support a personality who runs a personal fiefdom in that part of the country (as well as the Senate).

Yes, I think the Generals did a great job in Brazil regarding economic development during the years that they were in power

I am glad that you agree with the prevailing sentiments in the country. But lets not forget the other Officers below the ranks of the Generals, NCOs and the enlisted men who deserve fitting tribute too.

and they laid the foundations for future prosperity of the country

Please add "which were squandered away by the unscrupulous politicians subsequently"

BTW, Ricardo, I suggest that we post our further comments about this issue under Augustus´s article. Though he is too radical towards China and I do not agree with him all the time, he does have an astute vision of the world. I wish he would write in plain English, though!!!

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Reply to ch.c - and the Swiss military mighty
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, July 19, 2009

As usual, you never have a single good word about anything related to Brazil.

Let’s talk about some of the major military accomplishments of your country: Switzerland.

It must be a real reason for Swiss pride that the Swiss Guard is there in the Vatican to protect the Pope.

In my opinion, they look more a bunch of guys dressed up in year 1200 costumes that got lost on their way to a Halloween ball

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_Guard

And the Swiss Guard is usually armed with a pole weapon – a long spear.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pole_weapon

I wonder who the Swiss Guard thinks is going to attack the Vatican?

It seems to me that the Swiss Guard is prepared to protect the Vatican, if a Zulu tribe of Africa, armed with long spears decides to attack the Vatican.

There’s a group of the Swiss Guard that also like to wear skirts – probably the guys who like to be in touch with their feminine side.

We are living in the 21st century, and I wonder what those clown wearing Halloween costumes still are doing in the Vatican instead of going back to Switzerland to defend their country with their spears?
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I still cant understand how you could support a personality who runs a personal fiefdom in that part of the country (as well as the Senate).
written by ch.c., July 19, 2009

Because one crook defend the other crooks.
Because one dynasty of crooks defends the other dynasties of crooks !

Just ask a serial killer if he really thinks he did something wrong !
And just ask to a serial killer if he would send to jail for life...another serial killer. Of course not. The two serial killers would send to jail for life...those that did much worse than they did...such as those children who stole candies or a tube of butter.
They would even agree that deaths squads arfe right to kill these petty robbers !

Outside of this, I find extremely disturbing Ricardo answers on his foundation !
Of course this foundation had not the Brazilians poors as a target !
Just arts, libraries...but in the USA.... and certainly not school books for a society the Amaral Dynasty never cared of outside of pillaging it for generationsssssssss !

Then sure...with truckload of money stolen...one way or the other...they suddenly leave the country.....as per Ricardo version....full of lies !
Better yet...they still give advices to those they stole money... on what they should do !
Well to defend their own interest still remaining in Brazil....of course !

And it is somewhat curious that the Brazilian society, decided not necessarily to elect, but certainly to RE-ELECT Lula after the 2005 vote buying scandal.
Which is also a proof that the whole society mentality is pro corruption. Because as I stated each of you expect that your vote will give you the right to become a direct beneficiary of your filthy system of corruptions at all levels !

The problem in all corrupted systems is that every voter expect to become a direct beneficiary, but the reality is that only a minority
CAN & WILL become a direct beneficiary. Otherwise it would not be worth of being corrupted...since the rewards will have to be shared by all the winning voters !

Which ends up as.....the voters shoot in their own rear by voting for corrupted people they perfectly know are corrupted to the roots !

And then like innocents....you criticize the people You have elected if you were not a direct beneficiary, but applaude and re-elect the same crooks because they made new promises they will never ever deliver anyway !

That is populism at its best !

Viva Robbing Hook, the only Rob-in that steals to the poors and give to the minority elite !
And the Brazilian society in its whole...is dreaming of more...of the same !
And this despite it has been proven that Brazil growth rate since 2003 was due to the external demand not internal demand first.
Thus no special..MY HAT...to anyone in particular in Brazil. And certainly not to Robbing Hook !
And also proven that Brazil...despite it change of methodology to improve previous stats....still had the lowest economic growth rate of all the BRIC member, of all the Mercosur members, and nearly of all the South American countries !
And even below most African countries.

And then there is a site shown in this site that says.....
Brazil = the World Strongest Emerging Country - BRIC Group !!!

Are Brazilians so Para-noïacs ????
We already all knew you were Megalo-maniacs !

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Only two exceptions
written by Augustus, July 19, 2009

For the periods when Brazil was not ruled by the military, I can only identify two presidents who were not completely corrupt, and who benefited the country: Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca, the nation’s first President, and the scholar Fernando Henrique Cardoso, the previous, honorable president of the Republic.

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Human Hypocrisy
written by Augustus, July 19, 2009

ALL HUMANITY is by nature corrupt, selfish and self-delusional...

Unfortunately, mankind is incapable of admiting its degrading, sordid nature, which remains deeply concealed within one's inner selves, whenever co-existing within a societal context - and merely due to rules and regulations stipulated by the particular civilization in which they subsist. Nevertheless, Humanity's bestial proclivities are such that even the very laws & decrees it manages to put in place - in order to provide a semblance of cilized behavior conducive to progress - are not sufficient to keep the animal, instinct-driven self-interest genie locked within a bottle... That's precisely when corruption plays so significant a role within most societies, particularly those containing more limited resources, less efficient economies, and neo-Feudal characteristics.

Consequently, everyone must recognize common shared traits which impact everyone; for Human Beings are, by definition, intrinsicly and potentially liars and thieves, nefarious attributes driven by survival instincts... What vary among the various nations are simply the levels of tolerability one's society may reach, following decades if not centuries of formalized acceptance thereof.

AS a result, theft and corrupted deeds which happened far too long ago are bound to whither away, thereby enabling some citizens of so-called "advanced nations" who are comfortably placed upon their noble high (moral) horses to arbitrarily acknowledge and castigate the corrupt, violent, and criminal ways of other "inferior, evil groupings", ignoring the very brutal and inhuman fashion by which their respective “civilized nations” historically emerged and managed to became so wealthy today... Yet, I daresay it simply represents yet another human dreadful defect: HYPOCRISY...

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Hmmmmm !
written by ch.c., July 19, 2009

Ricardo Amaral, member of a Dynasty..of crooks :
1) Concerning your reference to the Vatican guards, why in your opinion have they not chosen Brazilians...in your views ? Hmmmm
As to their uniform, sorry but it is the Vatican who chose the uniform of their guards, not the guards !
2) How could I say something positive about the way Brazil was/is managed ? Dont you have one of the World Worst Social & Wealth Inequality ? Was/Is this not due, at least partially, due to your Dynasty that your a so proud of ? Please could you just for once answer..SPECIFICALLY to my questions....one by one.... ?
3) Also could you answer as to your apparent economic prowess of being as shown in this site.....with an ad....having the national colors of yellow and green....
Brazil = The World Strongest Emerging Country - BRIC group
When in reality you had the weakest growth of the group since Robbing Hook was initially elected even if smoothed over the years since 2003...and even earlier if you really look closer ! And also the weakest of most groups as I stated in my above threads !

Who Lie ? Me or the Megalo-maniacs and Para-noïacs Brazilians !

Lord Augustus
You are somewhat right. No one is perfect for sure. Not even Switzerland and myself even less. Still some are worth less than others. We are not paradise either...because here we all work, and in paradise no one works. With smiles.
This said we are certainly closer to paradise than the 70-80 % of real poor brazilians.
Here we leave no one on the side of the street....contrary to the Brazilian society ! And believe it or not.....not even illegals. We provide them with free healthcare when we the legals have to pay for it...if we can afford ! The legal residents, Swiss OR NOT, who cant afford will have the states help and subsidies !
Last but not least : if you wish that I criticize my country, I could for pagessssssss and hoursssssssss...but only if I dont compare with another country, developed or not.
Facts are that as soon that I (may be you too - if cartesian you also are) compare Switzerland with another country...my cartesian analysis.... and not my nationalism because I dont have a particular one...will give even higher notes to my country. If and when on a comparison basis....my country is really even closer to paradise than others, including against the other developed nations ! And this by using many comparative metrics !

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Furthermore
written by ch.c., July 19, 2009

And to Ricardo, Joao and Augustus :

Sorry sorry but it is by accusing time and again what is going wrong that there is a better hope for tomorrow ! Not the other way around as Ricardo constantly hides himself and defend not only HIS Dynasty of crooks but also defends the Corrupted to the roots Dynasties of Sarney, ACM, etc.... and the Da Silva (Iniacio not Joao) ()

- Why has Ricardo AMARAL.... NEVER EVER PUBLICLY harshly criticized the corruptions levels in Brazil....in your views ! Hmmmmmm
- Why has Ricardo AMARAL.... NEVER EVER PUBLICLY harshly criticized the Brazilians Deaths Squads...in your views ? Hmmmmm
- Why has Ricardo AMARAL.... NEVER EVER PUBLICLY harshly criticized the slaves workers pratices so common still today in Brazil....in your views ? Hmmmm
- Why has Ricardo AMARAL.... NEVER EVER PUBLICLY harshly critized the
Brazilian Social & Wealth Inequality....in your views ? Hmmmm
- Same question for....Good Education Rights, lack of infrastructures despite your GDP per capita not that low, UNjustice, IMpunity, just to name a few others !

the answer is quite simple : because he has a direct interest that nothing change for the better today or tomorrow.
He has proven with his own words : he preferred to have established a charity for a library of Brazilian historical books in the USA....instead of giving part of his enormous wealth, stolen by his Dynasty...back to the poors of his own country !

And guess why he established such a charity ! He has not said it clearly and opennly : because this is tax deductible in the USA !
Thus in reality he would have given nothing anyway ! And certainly not to the poors of his own citizens that HIS Dynasty has pillaged for generations before going away..... to the USA...with truckloads of money !!!!!!

Wellll.... I also understand why HE says that Brazil is a Paradise.... after having emptied it !

How could I therefore say something positive about Brazil ? About the Brazilians minority elite ? About the Sarney, Amaral, ACM and all these gangs, including of course the Da Silva (Iniacio) who just perpetrates what others have done before him ??????

I can only defend the underpriviledged and destituted Brazilians poors ! Not those minorities who control the country...and dont stop caressing very proudly their navel many times daily...on their apparent prowess that.... Brazil = The World Strongest Emerging Country - BRIC group !
None of the other BRIC members have such an addiction of navel caressing as Brazilians have....and this despite they easily easily easily beat Brazil on their economic growth rate !
And as usual I challenge anyone of you to prove me wrong...with comparative stats !

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Futthermore on the Brazilian corruptions way of life...
written by ch.c., July 19, 2009

"Senate chamber has prohibited public manifestations following a student protest, where 10 teenagers "

Yessss in a country with a 200 millions population, 10 teenagers manifesting against corruption is NOT ACCEPTED IN YOUR SOCIETY WHERE YOUR VOTES ARE DIRECTED TO HOPEFULLY SOMEONE THAT WILL ACCEPT YOU AS ONE OF THEIR GANG MEMBERS AND BECOMING A DIRECT BENEFICIARY OF THE FILTHY SYSTEM !


There was a clear similarity in the 2005 vote buying scandal !
Few of you...apparently were in favor of impunity....but only once there were 10'000 people demonstrating in Brasilia !
Yesss 10'000 people in a country of 200 millions.
In reality there was also a "silent march" in SP that took place with
100'000 participaants....in a 20 millions or so population.
Fact was this march was done on a holiday day !
But millions and millions of workers wont hesitate to strike YEARLY to get a better pay during working days...but do nothing on working days or holiday days... to show how displeased they are against...CORRUPTION !

Which is a clear proof that the Brazilian society IS PRO CORRUPTION AND DIRECT ITS VOTES as I stated more than once.
You are pro corruption if you could become a beneficiary of it one way or the other.
You are against corruption if you dont get benefit of it !

And no one cares at whose expenses of your society it will be..as long as it is not yourself...ss your dream is to become one of their gangs members !

A typical Brazilian way of life...that few of you will even admit and acknowledge...because too shameful !

Sad truth ! Sad reality !

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Clarifying previous point... There is NO question of European relatively recent advances and civilized polities...
written by Augustus, July 19, 2009

With the Exception of bellicose periods - most notably the Nazi years in Central Europe (1933-1945) - most of Old Continent (from Barcelona to Helsinki) has been enjoying signficantly superior life conditions, relatively corruption free political systems, and by far wealthier economies than most other regions of Earth during the past four centuries (give & take 50 years depending on specific locations).

YET, this was clearly not ALWAYS the case, and represents particularly the point I attempted to make at my previous entry. As you know, whereas most Europeans barely survived signficant abuse, brutal servitude, and remained in a nearly cultureless, dogmatic quagmire of serfdom, warfare of pestilence for several centuries fallowing the fall of the Roman Empire; whereas the Islamic world, most portions of which today are plagued by many of these very afflictions, enjoyed an extremely tolerant, wealthy & stabe life style filled with hope, culture, and fairness - They represented advanced societies with relatively moderate monarchs, tolerant clerics, all of whom were bound by the rule of law, while Europe stagnated... Yet, look at them now...

Nothing is permanent... Everything is relative... Most circumstances are cyclical...
Does anybody nowadays - outside a History classroom - actually discusses the brutal, injust, corrupt ways prevalent in London, Paris, Milan, Madrid and Vienna say... in 1379 or even 1609? Hardly!

Yet the current European citizens (or subjects), who currently benefit from the relative success of their relatively recent ancestors, today criticize the same horrors & corruption which they overcame following great efforts over a long period of time, and which may now exist in Tegucigalpa, Brasilia, Lagos and Hanoi.

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...
written by João da Silva, July 19, 2009

I can only defend the underpriviledged and destituted Brazilians poors !

You seem to do it with a missionary zeal. BUT...BUT, why just the Brasilian poor and the destitute?

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Reply to ch,c
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, July 20, 2009

You said: “Ricardo Amaral, member of a Dynasty..of crooks :

…Was/Is this not due, at least partially, due to your Dynasty that your a so proud of ? Please could you just for once answer..SPECIFICALLY to my questions....one by one...?


*****


Ricardo: All your statements show your complete ignorance of Brazilian history – in every way.

Why should I waste my time trying to educate an idiot like you?

Your only purpose in participating on the discussions on Brazzil magazine is to bash everything about my country and its citizens.

Based on all the stuff that you have wrote on Brazzil over the years the only conclusion that I can arrive is that you are a “Moron.”


*****


You said: “1) Concerning your reference to the Vatican guards, why in your opinion have they not chosen Brazilians...in your views? Hmmmm”

Because Brazilians are not foolish enough to accept playing that part and keep a straight face.

I understand the Vatican’s mentality still are stuck in Medieval Times in many things – and it seems that the Swiss is also part of that world.


*****


You said: “Why has Ricardo AMARAL.... NEVER EVER PUBLICLY harshly critized the Brazilian Social & Wealth Inequality....in your views ? Hmmmm”


Ricardo: Because I don’t have time to waste, since I understand what is at the root of all these problems. And I have written articles in the past about it, and got a lot of letters to the editor, and direct emails to me regarding that these subjects.

Brazzil Magazine - July 2000 - “Overpopulated” - Written by Ricardo C. Amaral
http://www.brazzil.com/compone.../6963.html

Quoting from the article: “…Today, Brazil might have twice the population which could be considered an optimum and desirable number of people for the country based on its natural resources, size, location, type of economy, etc.

Population explosion is, in my opinion, the most important problem in Brazil. It is the cause of all other problems in Brazil today, including poverty and destitution for a large segment of the population, drugs, crime, corruption, etc.”

.

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Reply to Augustus and Joao da Silva
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, July 20, 2009

Ch.c’s above commentaries shows that he has no understanding of what explosive population growth does to any country including Brazil.

In the case of Brazil the population increased from 17 million people in 1900 to about 185 million in 2000 – and astronomic population growth rate by any standards.

It does not matter what kind of economic system a country has, it is impossible for the economy to keep up with the population exponential or geometric growth rate – the population is growing at a geometric progression – it is impossible to keep up with all the needs of the country for education, social safety nets, infrastructure and so on…

On the other hand the economy does not grow in the same exponential growth model that population does – because the economy encounters many obstacles along the way such as recessions, great depressions, world wars, weather related catastrophes such as – droughts, heavy rains-flooding, massive hurricanes, and so on – plus the economic miscalculations that the government and the private sector companies inflict into the economic system.

The result is that population explosion increase faster than what the economic system can provide to support the country resulting in a system of haves and have-nots.

If you understand what is at the root of the problem then you would not waste your time whining about most of the issues that ch.c whines about all the time.

If you read most my articles it is about how to improve the Brazilian economy in the coming years to be able to lift as many boats as possible for the future.

My articles are about building the economic foundations for Brazil to be able to increase its middle-class and leapfrog its economy to be relevant in the 21st century.

I don’t know why a lot of people can’t realize that we can’t fix the past, and that all we can hope for is to create a better future?

.

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...
written by Stalin, July 21, 2009

Senate chamber has prohibited public manifestations following a student protest, where 10 teenagers appeared in T-shirts painted with letters that shown together spelled "Out Sarney."

Freedom of speech and asembly, the right to peacefully protest, anyone?

Incredible.

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In defense of former president Jose Sarney.
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, July 25, 2009

Regarding the current crisis on the Brazilian senate that the mainstream media is fueling the fires with all kinds of accusations against the president of that institution – former president Jose Sarney.

We need to put all this mess in the proper perspective. We know that part of what is happening is related to the advanced power grab related to the presidential election in Brazil of 2010.


*****


Here is some basic information to be taken in consideration when comparing the State of Maranhão with the rest of the states in Brazil.


Demographics:

According to the IBGE of 2007, there were 6,199,000 people residing in the state.

Urbanization: 68.1% (2004)

Population growth: 1.5% (1991-2000)

Houses: 1,442,500 (2005)

The last PNAD (National Research for Sample of Domiciles) census revealed the following numbers: 4,060,345 Pardo (Brown) people (65.5%), 1,549,750 White people (25.0%), 539,000 Black people (8.7%), and 49,000 Asian people (0.8%).


Economy:

GDP: R$ 29 billion (2006) – about US$ 15 billion do
llars

The service sector is the largest component of GDP at 54.5%, followed by the industrial sector at 25.4%. Agriculture represents 20.1%, of GDP (2004). Maranhão exports: aluminum 50%, iron 23.7%, and soybean 13.1% (2002).

Share of the total Brazilian economy: 0.9% (2004).

Note: When anyone is considering making a new investment to start a business in Brazil there are many better options to locate that business in many states of Brazil, and many reasons to invest in states such as Sao Paulo, Parana, Minas Gerais and so on, before someone would consider investing in the State of Maranhão despite who’s the governor in charge of that state; including the members of the Family Sarney.


*****


Mr. Sarney's long career in public life started as a Dep**ado Federal (1956- 1966), then governor of the state of Maranhão (1965-1970), then Senador representing the state of Maranhão (1970-1986) and then President of Brazil (1985-1990). After ending his presidential mandate he returned to political life after being elected Senator. Currently, José Sarney is a Senator representing the State of Amapá and he is also the president of the senate.

That means that former president Sarney’ political career has lasted up to this point for over 53 years. And along the way Senator Sarney met a lot of influential people during this long political career.

The reality of life is that most people not only in Brazil find jobs through their personal network of friends, and relatives. It is whom you know that helps you move along on your professional career.

I don’t see anything wrong in former president Sarney help members of his family to secure any type of job in Brazil – mainly when we have had one of the worst job-market since the great depression.

The mainstream media and former president Sarney’s political opposition are playing a political game more than anything else. It is pure dirty politics and hardball to discredit the current president of the Brazilian senate.

This entire crisis is happening because Senator Sarney’s political opposition want to push him out of power and replace him as the president of the senate with one of their pals.

The truth is if former president Sarney were not the current president of the senate, then any of this political witch hunting would be happening today.

.

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...
written by e harmony, July 27, 2009

Under the military dictatorship, for roughly 5 years entering into the early 1970's, the Brazilian economy grew at 10% a year.

The military regime also planted the seeds for Brazil's biofuel program.

So, the military dictatorship provided some good for Brazil.

Just as F.H.C. and the Lula administration have helped the trajectory of Brazil economically.



Some of you don't need books or an extended vocabulary. You need a foot up your a$$. Of course, given the amount of people not employed in the legit, taxed markets of Brazil, as well as the violence and corruption, I can't blame any Brazilian for being frustrated and jaded. Not to be might be a sign of insanity. Either that, or your Buddhist.

Oh, and Europe can jerk me off. It's not because of "culture" that France and the U.S. have material quality of lives above the world mean (average), and the decedents of their Vietminh/Vietcong foes don't. Why Europe and Japan are the way they are has a lot to do with the ending of WWII. Jack sh*t to do with "high culture" and producing pianists. There ain't no corruption on earth like the G8. And contemporary Brazil is no where near as corrupt as the former British empire. But I doubt some of you knuckle heads know what I'm talking about. Maybe I should be like the U.S. extending business in Iraq and Afghanistan and put my foot up your a$$.

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