Last Monday, I was very happy to learn that the IOC had awarded Rio de Janeiro the right to host the Olympic games in 2016. When I first heard the news, I just thought that it was about time. After all, several South American cities had submitted proposals over the years (including Rio, which I believe had tried at least a couple of times before) only to be rejected in favor of North American or European towns.
Granted, giving the Olympics to South America is not an easy choice: after all, the continent has a long history of corruption and crime that would make Chicago look like a piece of paradise (considering its own bad reputation). However, much has changed - specially in Brazil - in the last decade, and it's due time to recognize those achievements.
My wife and I visited Rio de Janeiro earlier this year, and was delighted by what we saw. Their subway (the Metro-Rio) is very reliable and clean even though it doesn't run 24/7 like their NYC counterpart does.
The bus system, with all its flaws, got us to where we wanted to go without much delay, and I was also impressed by how bilingual the city is - most places had information in English and Portuguese, and quite a few people we ran into could communicate in a foreign language.
Of course that wasn't exactly true in less tourist-focused cities like say, Fortaleza, but I believe a monolingual American would not have a hard time there.
Now right-wing pundits here in the US have used Chicago's defeat against President Obama, who made his eleventh-hour pitch in Copenhagen earlier this week. I personally think that would be unfair, and do not hold it against him, even though I think he joined the effort a little too late.
His Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva did quite the opposite, traveling around the world to reinforce his country's pitch and actually staying in Denmark during the entire time (instead of Obama, who stayed a mere five hours there).
President Lula also got the backing of heavyweights like bestselling author Paulo Coelho and immortal soccer superstar Pelé, who all joined him at the IOC. Finally, Brazil's presentation was not only perfect, it was also quite emotional - denying it would have reeked of bigotry.
I recognize there is much to be done in the next seven years - for instance, extending the Metro to the upscale neighborhood of Barra da Tijuca (it only reaches the famous beach of Copacabana today) is a must, and easier airport-city connections are also a must.
Lodging might be a problem, as I don't think that the city's hotels can presently handle a huge wave of visitors in what is already a busy time of year for the city (sun-seekers usually flood the city during the months of June and July).
And there is also the issue of security - not all tourists have the 'radar' for avoiding trouble that I developed in my many years in Brazil.
In spite of all these concerns, I do give Rio a vote of confidence that it will be able to solve these issues at least to an acceptable level. I also believe that after the World Cup and the Olympic Games, the world will be able to see Brazil in a new light.
Ernest Barteldes is a freelance writer based on Staten Island, New York. He can be reached at ebarteldes@yahoo.com.
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Ernest Barteldes needs to spend more time in the dirt written by Forrest Allen Brown,
October 08, 2009
will brazil fine reporters that print a bad storie about brazil
will they deport them if they refuse to stop writing stories about drugs , prostiution ,
will brazil keep the press or other people from the lower class of brazil .
will brazil make the beaches safe for toutrist .
how about the fisherman on the hill will it be safe to move about him
yes it could be an eye operner for the brazilian people if they cant keep the ruel of law and keep it fair not the courts of injustice they have now on the gringoes now
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To the author Ernest Barteldes written by ch.c.,
October 08, 2009
Your statement "Rio, which I believe had tried at least a couple of times before) only to be rejected in favor of North American or European towns."
Stupid question :
Were the Summer Games not in 1956 Melbourne - Australia 1964 Tokyo - Japan 1968 Mexico - Mexico 1980 Moscou - Russia 1988 Seoul - South Korea 2000 Sydney - Australia 2008 Beijing - China
????????
Glad to hear these countries are in North America or Europe !!!!!
Proof that you are an IDIOT ! And quite normal that you are unemployed - thus a free lancer as you call yourself ! Quite normal that Nooooo one wants to hire you, even for US$ 50.- monthly !
Are you looking for a job ? I may eventually have one for you : SUGARCANE CUTTER IN BRAZIL....or worker in their charcoal industry ! As a newbie your starting salary will be half theirs for the first 5 years !
Ohhh and there is now 205 National Committees. HARD to please them all in the next 100 years even if including the Winter Games !
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ch.c written by João da Silva,
October 08, 2009
Glad to hear these countries are in North America or Europe !!!!!
That was a knock out punch, Komrade.
Cheers
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Lets double the knock out punch ! written by ch.c.,
October 10, 2009
The idiot statement on corruptions and crimes "However, much has changed - specially in Brazil - in the last decade, and it's due time to recognize those achievements."
Somewhat funny because even as per an article written here by Fitzpatrick or Buarque it said that the crime rate in Brazil nearly doubled in the last 20 years or so !!!!
Who is right ? The one who pretends that the Summers Games happened thus far only in North American or Europeans countries I listed above ?
Hmmmmmm !
This guy remembers me a President who insisted, with satelites pictures as proofs, that Iraq had many many WMD ! Not found yet after having spent 6 years and $ 500 billion or so
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Sun-seekers in Rio written by jakob,
October 10, 2009
sun-seekers usually flood the city during the months of June and July
Aren't the months of December, January and February that see most tourists in Rio?
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Good For Rio and I Congratulate the Brazilians written by e harmony,
October 10, 2009
The sore losers abound on this forum. Reminds me of spoil brats that drive cars, jealous, and infuriated at the poor kid overjoyed in his new coat given to him as a gift - or purchased with his earnings.
The Brazilians deserve their win. I'm happy for them, and I was very moved by the tears shed by her President and female athlete representing both the Marvelous City, and the people of God, known as Brazilians.
Chicago is also a city, and not a continent. If the history of the continent of South America (really the Americas are one continent, just as Europe is part of the Asian continent) is long, then so is Chicago's. Chicago's history of crime and corruption did not begin in the 1970's. I think the author, whilst his heart being in the right place, is drawing assumptions.
Chicago's organized crime assassinated politicians. That's the inspiration of the modern "bullet proof" vest. It was a Catholic priest in Chicago that invented the first bullet resistant vest, after the mayor of Chicago was gunned down to his death by organized crime members.
Chicago was a place where crime and corruption reigned into the 1920's with almost an unstoppable and irresistible force. Only the U.S. Federal Government could bring down Al Capone. The man controlled who gained what office in Chicago. And Italian mobsters routinely intimidated and beat people who did not support their candidates with their votes. Is that democracy?
If Chicago could be corrupt and have the World Fair in the 1800's (which had a serial killer running around murdering female tourists during the World Fair, in a specialized area of his building he designed just for his murders) then Rio can have the Olympics in the 21st century.
Chicago was also one of the ground points of housing scandals in the United States that created a global recession recently, sending millions around the world into malnutrition. What kind of housing scandal am I talking about? For one: The Black Disciples street gang profiting millions, with Government funded dollars, purchasing apartment buildings, where they literally regulated by armed centuries, who could enter and exist the building. With literal snipers placed on the roofs of the towers, they protected their drug sells in these apartments. When tenants could not make their payments, they evicted them, and sent Black Disciples soldiers to do the evictions.
Chicago is no Mary Poppins. Nor did it spawn the corn ball gangs created in New York. Chicago did not have the Crips entering their city by ways of the third world nation of Belize, like New York did. And the Chicago mob would blow buildings up if they did not get their way. Actor Gene Auetry took his a$$ back to California after Outfitters walked into his restaurant club, he had not received their permission and blessing to open, told the guests to vacate, blew the place up with bombs.
Chicago is one city. Not a continent.
And Rio is but one city in the 21st century, with all its murders, crimes, poverty, heartache, or wealth and joys... but a home to millions that just as well quantify as the "people of God." (all people on earth)
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... written by João da Silva,
October 10, 2009
Not found yet after having spent 6 years and $ 500 billion or so
BUT...BUT... you said in another thread that it was 1 Trillion and now you are saying it is just half the amount. You must have conducted an audit and found out that the Americans are Liars,Cheaters and Hiders, just like their Brasilian counterparts.
Cheers
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harmony written by ch.c.,
October 10, 2009
Me jealous ? Ohhhhh yeahhhhhhhh of course ! Is that all you have for an argument ? You are a cheap harmon.idiot.cum !
What about the as nice kids elsewhere..... as the ones in Rio ? I just used your own arguments.
And are you talking about Rio the Marvelous with its 1001 FAVELAS, or a Rio city that exists only in your mind ?
Hopefully for you that you reside in ome of heir 1001 Marvelous areas.
Harmon.idiot.cum why dont you ask those REALLY residing in these 1001 Marvelous areas if they really LOVE IT ?
Dont take your words for reality.....until you can prove them !
Stop flying high, stop sniffing and drinking your daily barrel of ethanol !
And re-read what I stated in another thread, namely - Congrats Brazil, better than nothing. - Summers Games are even better after, because built but unused and empty sports areas will still have DEBTS to be repaid for yearsssssss. And glad that it will be the Rio children of today that will be grown for after the games who will be in charge of paying the bills ! And glad for them that they wont have another hospital taking better care of them. Who needs hospitals in Brazil and better education ? NO ONE - NO ONE The Summers Games lasting about 2 weeks are so much better, as per your own conclusion !
Enjoy queuing the Rio hospitals in their next Dengue fever....waiting endless hours ! Ohhhhh I just remind you that Dengue fever tends to develop in dirty non clean areas ! Such as in Rio....the Marvelous City as you stated ! So Marvelous City that Mosquitos are by the trillions ! A Real Paradise for these trillions of Mosquitos.
Enjoy !
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CH.C written by Forrest Allen Brown,
October 11, 2009
Just read the full text of the banking laws that your banks did with pbo goverment. looks like you guys gave up all the info on any one that has a US account or has a adress in the states so much for hiding money in the alps never more
I guess pbo needs the tax cash to try to shove down the tolit to make the US a 3 world country ,
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Forrest written by João da Silva,
October 11, 2009
I guess pbo needs the tax cash to try to shove down the tolit to make the US a 3 world country ,
What do you think is happening here? L doesn't have enough cash to pay the Income Tax Returns and his poodle Guido has to give some sort of explanation, which is not too convincing (at least to me).
Of course, it doesn't affect the "povão" that are applauding and cheering the excellent "medidas", taken by the government.
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HAY JOAO written by Forrest Allen Brown,
October 11, 2009
if brazil could come up with the money to build the pan am games , world coop, and now the O games .
than why cant it find the money to dummp in education of the masses. bulid and maintain sewers , water , roads & highways , bridges , support the military ????
or does it fall back to the Me me me .firts the instance self gradufaction deal .
Party now some will pay later like pbo is doing to the US now
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... written by e harmony,
October 11, 2009
Me jealous ? Ohhhhh yeahhhhhhhh of course ! Is that all you have for an argument ? You are a cheap harmon.idiot.cum !
It was not an argument. It was an observation.
The rest of your post is neither here nor there pertaining to Brazil and its hosting of the Olympics. (1) Debt is now a part of life and (2) the notion that the Olympics may produce a rightward shift, temporarily, in the economy of Rio de Janeiro and her near, surrounding suburbs, is a very capitalist notion.
Your insinuations, that development in Rio de Janeiro should come primarily through Government funded projects is more a socialist than capitalist perspective.
You don't have to tell me about sports arenas, debt, and public tax dollars. The Milwaukee area has been paying for the Brewers stadium (and its retractable roof that does not work) for a long time.
The favelas do not bother me so much as, the trajectory of a city economically. It is perhaps telling Cleveland for example, would not have been considered for the Olympics. The economic trajectory of Rio and Cleveland are heading in two different directions.
But while the Olympics may not solve Rio's problems, what it does do is give a morale boost to both the citizens of Rio de Janeiro, and the citizens of Brazil.
Now, if you'd kindly bite my a$$.
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e harmony written by João da Silva,
October 11, 2009
But while the Olympics may not solve Rio's problems, what it does do is give a morale boost to both the citizens of Rio de Janeiro, and the citizens of Brazil.
It may give a morale boost to the citizens of Rio, but not to the "citizens of Brasil" who would certainly be asked to foot the bill.Why should they do it?
BTW, how many times have you visited Rio in your lifetime?
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... written by e harmony,
October 11, 2009
It may give a morale boost to the citizens of Rio, but not to the "citizens of Brasil" who would certainly be asked to foot the bill.Why should they do it?
BTW, how many times have you visited Rio in your lifetime?
Oh go kick rocks. Brazilians wanted the Olympics. As though your singular dumbass opinion constitutes a majority position in Brazil.
Why should the federally collected tax dollars go to preparing Rio for the Olympics? Well... I don't know? Why should federal tax dollars have went to Detroit to plow it's winter streets years ago? But it happened.
Governments spend money on all kinds on things, allotting them to states. I've never seen a f*ckin Al Qaida in my life, but I see jeeps in Milwaukee painted "Home Land Security." Of course that didn't stop the mayor of Milwaukee getting the hell beat out of him and ending up in the hospital undergoing surgery, with a scared face, missing teeth, and a hand that will never be able to close into a fist again. But hey! the invisible Boogy Man called Al Qaida is out there.
Brazil got the Olympics. Many in Brazil were happy to receive the rights to host the Olympics. And you don't have to visit Brazil to no that, nor what a rightward shift in an economy mean (local or national). Now kiss my a$$.
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... written by João da Silva,
October 11, 2009
Of course that didn't stop the mayor of Milwaukee getting the hell beat out of him and ending up in the hospital undergoing surgery, with a scared face, missing teeth, and a hand that will never be able to close into a fist again. But hey! the invisible Boogy Man called Al Qaida is out there.
Probably your Mayor is a child m******r like you and he refused to confess unlike you.
Now kiss my a$$.
Negativo, teu viado e fdp
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... written by e harmony,
October 12, 2009
Probably your Mayor is a child m******r like you and he refused to confess unlike you.
Your momma has hair on hair nipples.
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... written by João da Silva,
October 12, 2009
Your momma has hair on hair nipples.
Viadão,it should read "Your momma has hair on her nipples". The whole state of Wisconsin must be proud of your writing skill.You probably hold doctoral degrees from the U of Wisconsin in English literature,Economics, Geopolitics, Geography, etc; .
With scholars like you and your Mayor, may the God have mercy for America (and especially for WI)!!
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... written by e harmony,
October 13, 2009
Viadão,it should read "Your momma has hair on her nipples". The whole state of Wisconsin must be proud of your writing skill.You probably hold doctoral degrees from the U of Wisconsin in English literature,Economics, Geopolitics, Geography, etc; . smilies/wink.gif
With scholars like you and your Mayor, may the God have mercy for America (and especially for WI)!!
Yo momma wears combat boots.
(We have the Tomahawks to prove it)
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Forrest "Just read the full text of the banking laws that your banks did with pbo goverment." written by ch.c.,
October 13, 2009
Wellll you should read completely and not partially only.
U.S. citizens have a right to oppose and go to our Justice. It will be on a case by case basis, not bulk.
And if you would pay even more attention there is a clause...totally undisclosed....curiously ! It may happen to clients with X capital tax evaded. X being not disclosed specifically.
In my humble view, I cant stop LAUGHING ! Ohhhhlala just expect (with success thus far) to oblige U.S. citizens themselves to reveal how guilty they are/were. This is why they can fill new tax forms and the deadline has aalready been extended. This is why U.S. accountants and lawyers are WORK OVERLAODED ...these days.
In my humble view, Ohhhhlala, just like everything else he did/said so far...has been a total failure. A lot of noise for just about nothing. This guy change his mind just as he changes his socks. And HIS currency has shown how good/bad he is. He is just a A SHOW MAN ! And americans looooove big shows !
I would have soooo much more to add......but it would be wayyyy to long !
Time will tell !
From our (my) side.....lets make sure that HE WON. Lets make sure that he HAD HIT US HARD !!!!!
BUT IT WONT ! Just look at our currency strength !!!!!
A year or so ago.....many many articles and "experts" stated that Switzerland is the next Iceland ! Do you remember ?
Wellll....still waiting !!!!!
Ohhhh and since the world crisis started...my country has seized Noooo Bank. The Fed has already seized 100 and keep counting ! And mega mergers to avoid bankruptcies were forced in the USA, none here ! UK has seized 4 banks and very large ones !
and despite there is a European, UK, USA, Eastern Europe, Russia REAL ESTATE MELTDOWN....our own real estate is basically flat to minus 5 % from its high ! And this when measured in local currency obviously. Meaning OUR real estate prices BOOMED for foreigners having the BP, US$ or whatever currency base ! Yessss in British Pound THE SWISS real estate prices went UP by 50 % (yesss)IN 2 YEARS. But THEIR real estate prices went DOWN BY 50 % (yesss) with the Swiss Francs...IN 2 YEARS !!!!
And for Swiss some U.S. real estate prices went down by as much as 60-65 % such as in Florida, Arkansas, California, and Las Vegas. Because down about 50 % PLUS a weakening american currency.
Forrest and to all....DONT WORRY FOR SWITZERLAND ! We will keep shining SILENTLY AND DISCREETLY. This is what irritates our immediate and over the pond neighbours.
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And to all brazilians.....so happy for the poor brazilians kids...for the 2016 Summer Games ! written by ch.c.,
October 13, 2009
1) Who is idiot enough to believe ONE SECOND that the entry ticket prices of these games will be for POOR PARENTS ?????
Fact will be that these poor kids will see the games....in their TV if TV they have ! But not the Live Games ! Just as they watched the games while games were in China in 2008.
2) And what are their happiness until 2016, in your fu.king view ? 3) And what will be their happiness AFTER these 2 weeks in 2016, in your fu.king view ?
4) You care about their happiness for only 2 weeks (7 years in the future) in 2016,and what about until then ? And after ? Are you giving some of your money to them TODAY ? Or are you just....TALKING TALKING TALKING....AS USUAL ? I just remind you that Brazil, not a poor country on a GDP per capita basis, has a higher poverty rate than many many poorer countries ! What is Brazil and brazilians doing AGAINST THIS UN-JUSTICE ? NOTHING AT ALL AND THEY KEEP SINGING HOW GOOD THE 2016 SUMMER GAMES WILL BE FOR THESE POOR KIDS WHO ARE GOING TO ANYWAY WATCH THE GAMES IN THEIR TV AND NOT LIVE !
Come on.....PRO PROVERTY society ! Come on.....PRO CORRUPTION society ! Come on.....PRO INJUSTICE society !
Stop hiding your real face via charitable & justice words but nooooo charitable and more just actions ! You are the ones who must take care of your under priviledged little sisters and brothers ! What have you done until now ? What are you doing now ? What will you do in the future ?
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And to Joao...and Iraq written by ch.c.,
October 13, 2009
Be it $ 500 billion or 1 trillion who cares, except the currency decline of the United States of America ?
Outside of this, I just remind you that for 2009 alone and Iraq alone, the USA will spend US$ 143 billion as per Ohhhhlala budget !
and for Afghanistan it is US$ 64 billion in 2009 !
and still Nooooo Bin Laden and not ONE gram of WMD found in Iraq !
Whoaaaaaaa ! Viva America ! Viva Ohhhhlala !
They are just HUMILIATED AND HUMILIATED ! And since they HATE to lose face, they are going to spend several hundreds billions more to try to save face. Somewhat funny that Ohhhhlala won the PEACE Nobel Prize while at the same time is asking for 40'000 more troops in Afghanistan !
Russia lost face in Afghanistan, so will America. But Russia did not spend as much as America. And America will lose face even if they will spend another decade and another 2 trillion dollars. They are just trying to get out of the mess they created, whatever addtional hundreds of billions dollars necessary, just to lose THE LEAST FACE POSSIBLE ! In my view, should Ohhhhhhlala read this comment, I bet you would not see his piano white teeth on his face !
And my answer to him would be : SO WHAT ? REALITY IS REALITY...UNTIL PROVEN OTHERWISE, WETHER YOU LIKE OR NOT !
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ch.c written by João da Silva,
October 13, 2009
And to Joao...and Iraq
I heard that the Iraqi reporter (Zaidi) who hurled shoes at GWB is in Geneve. Are you going to hire him?
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ch cy, ch ccy, baby, you sound so much like ricardo amoral.... written by asp,
October 13, 2009
i love obama...did you know they just had one of those polls you would quote in a minute if switzwerland was number one on , and america was voted the place most desired to go to in the world....and it was because of obama, because the states was down in the poll during the bush years...
the guy is incredible...michele went to a school in england and there were kids from every race and religion, notably islamic girls also who were absolutly enchanted to be there with michele...the world loves obama and you and some squeaky wheels on here dont...bl ahhhhhhahahahah
i mean of course the dollar is a peice of s**t, i agree, but, this load of crap was handed to obama by bush and his boys and their genius. they left obama very little room but to print up money to bail the country out. the country will take a long time to recover, and who knows if it will ever gain back its status again.
and americans are dumb about currency, even krugman is saying the low dollar is all ritght, and the only thing i dont like about this administration is they are saying oh yeah its good for exports, the same thing the republicans said..of course its bulls**t...low dollar is direct meaning of weakness and a bad omen of what can happen...
but, like i said, obama doesnt have much choice right now and americans just dont know about it , they dont talk about it...it will bite them in the ass...
but man, your forein pólicy description is frought with swiss cheese holes.
its not humiliating to fight the talaban. who knows what will happen and that is what i say to amoral also. but, the usa cant be the policeman of the world,that is the problem. the usa could be somewhere 15 years and then leave and of course the faction they fought will come in and prevail and people will say the usa lost and is humiliated...but they are not...
do you see what the talaban is doing in pakistan ? just today, another report of bombing more muslim families in the market...they anialate thier own people, sharia law is scum cave man law, despicable, pathetic, yes, who knows what will happen, but fighting the talaban is not humiliating...its valiant no matter what happens in the end.
the people of afghanistan make the choice if they want sharia law or not...and if they want it, they will hide the taliban and let them win...i wont feel humiliated...
somalia ? great movie , right, blackhawk down...because that is where you got your thesis...why did they give back the american helocopter pilot after loosing thousands of their solders in battle to so few american fighters? you call that humiliation...i say the usa used restraint ,thank god and didnt get embroiled in a long drawn out involvent...that isnt humiliating...
but , what about nato, ch cy, what is your take on that?
but, i love obama, he isnt going to invade another country for nothing , or blow a national disastor, and i beleive his people arnt going to let the economic ship sink like bush did and let the irregulation and greed go wild...i love the guy, and, man, in spite of your never ending laughter, at obama and lula, looks like they are going down in history as great men....obama would have to step on his dick to not be remembered forever as the first black president with great affection...except by the punk bitch rush limbaugh brigade and the ku klux klan...and if lula doesnt trip up in the next few months, he is going down as the greatest brazil has had....i can hear your laughter now...
and, sorry bra, rio wipes out geneva...yes yes, the olympics in rio and the world cup also...they are getting my business travel dollars in the next 7 years, not geneva...i cant wait to hit rio again, i was planning to anyway, these good notices just make me want to go more, even with your cackling laughter in the background ....just tell all the drug dealers and asaultantes and prostitutes and sensual women and passistas and bateria and rio musicians to get ready because i am coming...
Last Monday, I was very happy to learn that the IOC had awarded Rio de Janeiro the right to host the Olympic games in 2016. When I first heard the news, I just thought that it was about time. After all, several South American cities had submitted proposals over the years (including Rio, which I believe had tried at least a couple of times before) only to be rejected in favor of North American or European towns. 
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will they deport them if they refuse to stop writing stories about drugs , prostiution ,
will brazil keep the press or other people from the lower class of brazil .
will brazil make the beaches safe for toutrist .
how about the fisherman on the hill will it be safe to move about him
yes it could be an eye operner for the brazilian people if they cant keep the ruel of law and keep it fair not the courts of injustice they have now on the gringoes now