Brazzil

In June of 2004 I wrote the following: "Every September 7 is time to commemorate Brazilian Independence Day, but most Americans never heard of José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva. He is the most important man in Brazilian history. He was responsible for Brazilian independence, and for keeping Brazil together as one country.

"He was responsible for stopping Brazil from splitting into various countries at the time of independence, as the Spanish Empire did in South America. Without José Bonifácio in Brazilian history, we would have five or six independent countries, instead of having the country Brazil as we have today.

"I am a proud descendent of José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva, and of his younger brother Martin Francisco who also played an important role in Brazilian independence.

"Every September 7, the Brazilian government has a ceremony to commemorate the Brazilian independence at the statue of my ancestor José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva. The statue is located at Bryant Park on Avenue of the Americas and 41st St. in New York City.

"Every year that event is attended by about 20 cadets of West Point who participate in the ceremony and a number of ambassadors of various countries from the Americas, and around 250 to 300 other guests. Usually the ambassadors of Uruguay, Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia and ambassadors of other countries are also present to the ceremony.

"I have been going to this ceremony for many years to represent my family. Last year besides the Brazilian Ambassador, I was the keynote speaker in that event. One thing called my attention in the last year's ceremony. Besides the usual ambassadors of South American countries, the Ambassador of Angola, and the Chinese Ambassador also were present. I know that China is becoming an important partner for Brazil, but the presence of the Chinese Ambassador to that ceremony confirmed what I already knew."

Celebration of Brazilian Independence Day
Keynote Speech by Ricardo C. Amaral
Bryant Park - September 7, 2003

Ladies and gentlemen thank you for coming to this commemoration of the Brazilian Independence Day. We are here to honor "The Greatest Man in Brazilian History." José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva was the architect of Brazilian independence; that is why he is known as "The Patriarch of Independence."

He guided Brazil through its independence process from 1821 to 1823. During this period José Bonifácio was the Prime Minister and his brother Martim Francisco was the Finance Minister of Brazil.

He is one of the greatest statesmen in world history, but he is unknown to the American public. He is the Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison and George Washington of Brazil embodied in one person. There is no other person in Brazilian history who comes close to José Bonifácio in the impact that he had on the history of the country.

The impact which José Bonifácio had as the architect of Brazilian independence did not happen by chance, but as a result of his life-long hard work and experience. He had all the credentials and knowledge which he had acquired in Europe during the thirty six years in which he lived there, before returning to Brazil in 1819 to do a masterful job in directing Brazil in its independence process.

When he arrived in Brazil in early November 1819 at age 56, he was a respected and well known scientist in the top scientific research centers of Europe of his day. He came back to Brazil to retire and to enjoy his remaining days doing scientific research and writing, hardly knowing that the biggest accomplishments of his life and what would immortalize him in world history were still ahead of him.

José Bonifácio had a clear vision, objective and realistic, of the functions of a modern State. In his writings and personal correspondence, in most documents, in government decrees, and in official and diplomatic correspondence to other governments, we can see that he understood the social and economic problems of his day. He also had a profound understanding of the political issues and of what could be realistically done.

His goal was to guide Brazil to a smoother transition than the one that he had seen in France during the French Revolution. José Bonifácio was aware of the disintegration of the Spanish empire in the Americas. Spanish America disintegrated into eight separate and independent countries during the period 1810 to 1830. He also was aware of the current anarchy present in the new nations that were getting their independence from the Spanish Empire, as was the case in Argentina.
 
To demonstrate José Bonifácio's importance to the history of Brazil, we can say that José Bonifácio was responsible for the unification of Brazil in 1822. "It was José Bonifácio's statesmanship ability that united the country which we call Brazil. The country that he united in 1822 is almost the same size as the country that we have today. Since 1822 Brazil gained just a little and lost a little territory.

There was no unity in Brazil in 1822 or before 1822. The north of Brazil had better communications with Europe than with Rio de Janeiro. He unified a very large country with his exceptional political savvy and statesmanship skills, with a small army, with a small navy and with almost no bloodshed.

We can summarize José Bonifácio's importance to Brazilian history as follows: Without José Bonifácio's influence on Brazilian history, we would have instead four or five independent countries in South America where Brazil is located, and we would not be commemorating the Brazilian Independence Day. Without José Bonifácio in its history, the country Brazil in its current form would not exist today.

The major reason to honor José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva is the fact that Brazilians owe him the country which we call Brazil today. The country itself was José Bonifácio's legacy to future Brazilian generations.

The United States had to fight an independence war in 1776 to achieve the independence of its thirteen original states. U.S. independence was achieved with bloodshed and suffering for American colonists. By contrast, Brazilian independence was achieved with very little bloodshed because of José Bonifácio's statesmanship abilities.

The Critical Period

There was a critical nine-month period from March 1822 to December 1822 in which José Bonifácio almost in a despotic fashion issued decree after decree establishing the foundations which would give the social, political and economic structure for the new nation.
 
When José Bonifácio participated in the provisory government of São Paulo, he prepared a document that was signed by the members of the provisory government on October 9, 1821 called "Lembranças e Apontamentos".

This document might be the most important document in the history of reforms in Brazil. The document provided a complete master plan for the new nation and covered in detail all the necessary building blocks of social, political and economic life.

José Bonifácio's major accomplishment in Brazil was the consolidation of independence with national sovereignty, political unity and territorial integrity.

To this day no one has accomplished so much in Brazilian history as José Bonifácio, and his accomplishments were done in a very short period of time in the three years from 1821 to 1823.

First Brazilian Constitution

José Bonifácio, and his brothers Martim Francisco, and Antonio Carlos with their leadership, also had a major impact on the Constituent Assembly, and they guided the proceedings of the process of framing the first Brazilian Constitution. That Constitution was effective December 13, 1823.

The Declaration of Independence of Brazil

Today, I also want to acknowledge the major achievement in Brazilian history of José Bonifácio's younger brother Martim Francisco Ribeiro de Andrada.

There is a sharp contrast between the United States and Brazil in the recognition that they give to the respective authors of their Declaration of Independence documents.

In the United States, Thomas Jefferson is held in the highest esteem by its citizens. However, in Brazil, Martim Francisco Ribeiro de Andrada is not as widely known by the Brazilian population as the author of the document "The Declaration of Independence of Brazil".

Today, besides honoring José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva, we also should honor Martim Francisco for the role he played on Brazilian independence.

Thank you.

You can read other articles by Ricardo C. Amaral at:
Brazzil magazine - Columnist: Ricardo C. Amaral
http://brazzilnews.blogspot.com/

Ricardo C. Amaral is a writer and economist. He can be reached at brazilamaral@yahoo.com.

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Comments (201)

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Uruguay used to be part of Brazil.
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 07, 2010

Since 1822 Brazil lost a little piece of its territory. Uruguay got its independence from Brazil in 1828. Uruguay used to be called Cisplatine Province when it was part of Brazil.

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all as one
written by Alandria Ferreira, September 07, 2010

Thanks to its ''unity'' Brazil is just as poor as most other 3rd world countries, go to Maceió, lovely beaches on one side of the highway, filthy shantitowns (favelas) on the other side of the highway, lots of garbage and unbearable stench.

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...
written by .., September 07, 2010

go to Maceió, lovely beaches on one side of the highway, filthy shantitowns (favelas) on the other side of the highway, lots of garbage and unbearable stench.

You think Collar wants to keep that city & state that way?

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...
written by .., September 07, 2010

Uruguay got its independence from Brazil in 1828.

Uruguayos can live without Brazil.

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...
written by Nicholas (us_male), September 09, 2010

ruguayos can live without Brazil.

So can the Brazilians, because economically Uruguay is more depend on Brazil than Brazil depend on Uruguay.

Brazil isn't a problem for the Uruguayans, it's the Argies.

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Reply to Alandria Ferreira
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 12, 2010

Alandria Ferreira: Thanks to its ''unity'' Brazil is just as poor as most other 3rd world countries, go to Maceió, lovely beaches on one side of the highway, filthy shantytowns (favelas) on the other side of the highway, lots of garbage and unbearable stench.


*****


Ricardo: In 1822 at the time of Brazilian independence the population in Brazil was estimated to be around 6 million people. By the year 1900 the population of Brazil had grown to 17 million people.

One hundred years later, in the year 2000, the Brazilian population had grown to around 190 million people.

There is no economic system that can provide jobs and education for that kind of population growth in any country – the result is half of the population are completely uneducated and living in filthy shantytown condition.

With that kind of population explosion, Brazil is lucky that the country has not been engulfed into a massive civil war.

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Agreement with Ricardo's point.
written by Mauricio Madrid-Mesa, September 14, 2010

I agree with ricardo's point about brazil's population growth and its direct relation to provide (or being unable to) basic utilities. So, really lucky the Big Brazil that hasn't have civil war or involved in social instability such as some of Hispanic south American countries.

Força Brasil!

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Perhaps Brazil is too big
written by jakob, September 15, 2010

"He was responsible for stopping Brazil from splitting into various countries"

Well, who says that some regions of Brazil wouldn't be better off if this had happened? Brazil as it is now, sometimes (often!) seems unwieldy and uncapable of governing itself. In fact, large parts of Brazil are even nowadays no-man's land

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The Greatest Brazilian: Dom Pedro II
written by Eu, September 17, 2010

Jose Bonifacio was a great Brazilian, however he had his problems also... We had many great men during the first years of the country, even his friends, it was not all concentrated in his hands like some are saying...His biography is not all that the author of this article claims. To me the greatest Brazilian is Dom Pedro II, he was the most honest man in Brazilian history and also the greatest. I am a historian and it seems to me that the author is pushing...

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There's no comparison who was the greatest man in Brazilian history...
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 17, 2010

Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva is 100 times more important to Brazilian history than Dom Pedro II.

By the way, Dom Pedro II got his foundations from Jose Bonifacio during the years that Jose Bonifacio was thew tutor of Dom Pedro II.

You claim that you are a historian, but on this subject you don't have a clue about what you are talking about.

Your statement shows that you don't know much about Jose Bonifacio's life.

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Amaral
written by Eu, September 18, 2010

Mr. Amaral,

Your attitude is truly arrogant, please be a gentleman, no Argumentum ad hominem. Your articles are laughable, first, you are forgetting others such as Pedro I, Feijo, Pereira de Vasconcellos, Montezuma and and many others. Sure Jose Bonifacio was important but the comment that he was the Jefferson, Washington and Franklin of Brazil all in one, is the most ridiculous thing I ever read. Adeus, não espere resposta pois não tenho tempo a perder com uma pessoa tão arrogante e um texto tão incorreto.

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...
written by .., September 18, 2010

Mr. Amaral,

Your attitude is truly arrogant, please be a gentleman, no Argumentum ad hominem.

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Reply to Ignoramus
written by Riacrdo C. Amaral, September 19, 2010

First, you post your silly comments under a screen name: Eu

Hah, hah, hah....

Second, Montezuma was not among the most important people in Brazilian history.

Montezuma was an Aztec Emperor who lived 300 years before of the independence of Brazil.

“Montezuma” was the Aztec Emperor who was defeated in 1519 by Spanish Conquistador, Hernando Cortes. And Cortes became famous as the Spanish conqueror of Mexico and the Aztec Empire.

By the way, Mexico was never part of Brazil!!!!

If you were a real historian then you would be using your real name on your postings. You are just a ball-buster, and an ignorant ball-buster at best.


*****


If you want to learn about Brazilian history, then read these articles. Dom Pedro I is also mentioned on these articles:


Brazzil Magazine - February 2005
“Brazil, the Original Leader of the Americas – Part I”
Written by Ricardo C. Amaral
http://www.brazzilmag.com/comp...art-i.html


Brazzil Magazine - February 2005
“Brazil, the Original Leader of the Americas – Part II”
Written by Ricardo C. Amaral
http://www.brazzilmag.com/comp...rt-ii.html

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Reply to Ignoramus
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 19, 2010

In case you don't grasp it:

Ignoramus: an extremely ignorant person.

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Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva - Part 1 of 2
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 19, 2010

Ricardo: A uns 3 anos atraz um primo meu que gosta muito de historia do Brasil, e ele me perguntou algumas coisas sobre a vida de Jose Bonifacio. Aqui esta uma copia do email que eu mandei para ele.


*****


Caro Luiz Roberto,

Eu sabia a bastante tempo que Jose Bonifacio tinha participado da Revolucao Francesa, pois em 1974 quando estive ai no Brasil comprei um dos meus livros favoritos sobre Jose Bonifacio chamado: :”A Revolucao Francesa e a vida de Jose Bonifacio” do autor Gondin da Fonseca, publicado pela Livraria Sao Jose – 2nd edicao 1971.

Este livro e uma fonte fabulosa de informacoes sobre Jose Bonifacio. Ele podia ter vindo para o Brazil com a familia real quando eles fugiram do exercito de Napoleao em 1807. Mas Jose Bonifacio decidiu ficar em Portugal e participar da guerra contra of Franceses.

Mais tarde quando eu estava fazendo pesquisas para o meu livro consegui confirmar com segunda fontes muitas das informacoes do livro de Gondin da Fonseca. Jose Bonifacio recebeu varias commendas em publico por seu heroismo durante as batalhas contra os Franceses. Esta tudo documentado nos papeis de documentacao do exercito Ingles. Jose Bonifacio estava lutando sobre o commando do Duke de Wellington que uns anos mais tarde venceu Napoleao na batalha de Waterloo.

Os Franceses fizeram tres invazoes a Portugal durante um period de 3 anos (Novembro 1807 – Abril 1811) e as tres vezes eles perderam as batalhas para o exercito Ingles que tambem tinham a ajuda de alguns mil Portugueses. Foi durante este period que o Duke de Wellington desenvolveu uma technica de batalha que ajudou a ele mais tarde a vencer Napoleao em Waterloo em 1815.

No meu livro eu descrevo algumas dessas batalhas das tres invasoes Francesas a Portugal em que milhares de pessoas morreram. Na terceira invasao Napoleao mandou um dos seus melhores generais e mesmo assim os franceses perderam para o exercito dos Ingleses/Portugueses.

O livro de Gondin vai a fundo sobre o involvimento de Jose Bonifacio com a Revolucao Francesa em 1790. Se voce ler o meu livro eu tambem menciono em bastante detalhe este periodo da vida de Jose Bonifacio, mas o livro de Gondin da Fonseca da um detalhe muito mais profundo.

Basicamente foi este periodo em sua vida durante a Revolucao Francesa que preparou Jose Bonifacio para fazer a indenpendencia do Brazil.

Durante os debates da convencao em que participaram todos aqueles nomes famosos da Revolucao Francesa – Jose Bonifacio estava presente aos debates da convencao e ele conhecia pessoalmente varios revolucionarios famosos incluindo Maxmillien Robespierre
- Jose Bonifacio ia sempre ao clube Jacobim que era o clube mais influencial da Revolucao Francesa e ele conhecia e participava das conversas naquele clube.

Muitas dessas informacoes Gondin da Fonseca tirou diretamente dum diario pessoal de notas que Jose Bonifacio tinha da vida diaria dele.

Aqui esta alguma informacao sobre este assunto em Ingles:

Part 1 of 2

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Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva - Part 2 of 2
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 19, 2010

Part 2 of 2


On February 18, 1790, Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva accepted an assignment from the Portuguese government, which commissioned him to go on a scientific journey throughout Europe for a period of ten years.

The first stop on his journey was Paris, France where he arrived on May 31, 1790 expecting to settle down to further his studies on chemistry and mineralogy.

Bonifacio’s closest friends in Paris included some of the intellectual elite of the French Revolution, including Chaptal, Fourcroy, Vauquelin, Abbe Sieyes, Lavoisier and Maximilien Robespierre.

Jose Bonifacio's intellectual perspective was very influenced with the teachings of Condorcet, Voltaire, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, the hailed philosophers of the French Revolution, and through Jose Bonifacio this influence had a profound effect on the formation of the future nation of Brazil.

Jose Bonifacio left France after the proclamation of the French Republic, in September 1792 to move on to the next stop of his journey. He went to Freiberg, in the Saxony Kingdom, to study at the famous Freiberg University of Mining and Technology, the world’s first mining academy. He arrived in Freiberg around October 15, 1792 and started classes at Freiberg University.

The Freiberg University had a very distinguished body of professors including Lempe, Kholler, Klotzch, Freisleben and Lampadius, but what gave Freiberg University its prestige and status was its famous Master Abraham Gottlob Werner. Werner’s fame as a great professor brought students from all over the civilized world to Freiberg. It was Werner’s reputation that built Freiberg University from a small local seminary to an important scientific center.

The 3 French invasions of Portugal

Regarding the 3 French invasions Jose Bonifacio fought very bravely during a number of years in Portugal under the command of the Duke of Wellington and they defeat the French armies on tree different French invasions of Portugal during that time.

They have all documented and it is on the record about all these battles and they have documented how Jose Bonifacio came very close from getting killed in battle – he earned many honors as a great warrior. He was always in the frontlines and was one of the first ones to charge against the enemy and he was an inspiration to his battalion.

They had 3 French invasions of Portugal the first one in November 19, 1907 by General Andouche Junot and the day before the French forces reached Lisbon, the Portuguese Royal Family with a large number of nobles left Portugal to go to Brazil.

In August 21, 1808 the Duke of Wellington’s army with on Portuguese brigade defeated the French – the French suffered over 2,000 casualties and the British about 700.

In 1809 there was a second French invasion under Marshall Nicolau Soult Duke of Dalmacia with his 70,000 men – In May 1809, the Duke of Wellington with his Portuguese allies surprised Soult and his army at Oporto. The French were sent flying out of town, abandoning guns, and supplies, as well as chests of gold. The French retreated for a second time into Spain.

In August 1810 there was a third French invasion, this time the French army was commanded by Marshall Andrea Massena, Duke of Rivoli.

Wellington thought very highly of Massena and he was considered to be one of the best French generals. Wellinton thought that only Napoleon himself was a better army commander than Massena.

Massena had 65,000 men against the British 25,000 men plus 25,000 Portuguese men. The day after the battle on September 27, 1810 they counted 4,500 casualties for the French and 1,252 casualties equally divided between the British and Portuguese.

On April 10, 1811 Wellington announced that the French army had retreated to Spain for a third time and in the process the French had suffered heavy losses of over 25,000 men.

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Jose Bonifacio and the French Revolution
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 19, 2010

José Bonifácio was the source who gave the orientation, the form, the doctrine, the guidance, the intellect, and strategy, the combination of which resulted in the liberty and unity of the new Brazilian nation. Without José Bonifácio the country Brazil in its current form would not exist today.

Through Jose Bonifacio, French culture and philosophy had a major impact in Brazilian history. The greatest French influence on Brazilian culture came as a result of the French Revolution, when José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva was studying in Paris at the Royal School of Mines in the years 1790 - 1792. During that period he was studying under many world famous scientists of the time, including Vauquelin, Antonio Lourenço Jussie, Jean-Antoine Chaptal, Antoine François Fourcroy and Antoine Laurent Lavoisier.

José Bonifácio got to know Lavoisier well because both of them were interested in geology. He also had a personal friendship with Vauquelin, Fourcroy and Chaptal and through them he met their good friend Maximilien Robespierre.

These men had one thing in common: they were members of one of the most influential political clubs of the French Revolution – the Club Breton ; later their members become known as the Jacobins. The Jacobin Club counted among its early members Mirabeau, Abbé Sieyès, Barnave, Pétion, the Duc d'Aiguillon and Robespierre. José Bonifácio had direct exposure during this period to the best intellectual minds of that time that were having a major impact on the events of the French Revolution.

He traveled a lot around Europe during 1793 - 1800, but his favorite place was Paris and he stopped in Paris every time he had the chance. This decade (1790 -1800) is the period that had the major influence on the formation of his intellectual, cultural, scientific, and political thoughts that helped him in the fulfillment of his destiny as a great statesman.

Before Jose Bonifacio arrived in Brazil in 1819 to become the architect of Brazilian independence he already had accomplished more than most people ever will accomplish on their entire lives.

He returned to Brazil in 1819 to retire at age 56. He had accomplished a lot up to that point. He was a world-class scientist recognized in all major scientific centers of Europe of the time. He had had many top positions and responsibilities in the Portuguese government in Portugal. Among his many positions, in May 1801 he was appointed General Superintendent of Mines and Metals of the Kingdom and member of the Tribunal of Mines. He was responsible for the mint of the kingdom plus the mines and forests of the Portuguese empire.

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The Brazilian Declaration of Independence - Part 1 of 2
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 19, 2010

Part 1 of 2

The Brazilian Declaration of Independence


José Bonifácio decided that it was time for Brazilian independence and he started putting his plans in motion.

"José Bonifácio had asked the Prince to go to the province of Minas Gerais in the past when they were in the state of rebellion. In the early days of August 1822 José Bonifácio asked the Prince Dom Pedro to go to the province of Säo Paulo to calm things down as he had done before in Minas Gerais.

"In a decree written by José Bonifácio dated August 13, 1822, he appointed Dona Leopoldina as the substitute of the Prince Regent during his absence. The detail of the document shows that she was authorized to call an emergency meeting of the States Advisory Council, if she had to take urgent measures for the goodwill and salvation of the State. There was one restriction, any decision required the ratification and the approval of José Bonifácio.

"It was obvious that José Bonifácio had planned in advance Dom Pedro's trip to Säo Paulo and Santos. José Bonifácio wanted the final "Cry of Independence" to happen in Säo Paulo instead of in Rio de Janeiro in front of his political enemies.

"On September 1, 1822 José Bonifácio on behalf of Dona Leopoldina called for a meeting of the Council of the Ministers and the representatives of the provinces. The meeting was presided over by Dona Leopoldina. Martim Francisco proposed that Brazil declare its independence from Portugal. This idea was defended with a lot of energy by José Bonifácio and got the support of the other Ministers. They entrusted Martim Francisco with the job of drafting and sending the document declaring the decision to the Prince.

After reviewing the detail with José Bonifácio, Martim Francisco drafted the "Declaration of Independence of Brazil" which was immediately sent to the Prince.

"José Bonifácio was not satisfied as yet. He decided to write a personal letter to the Prince and he asked Dona Leopoldina to write one as well. José Bonifácio gave suggestions to Dona Leopoldina about the content of her letter to the Prince. She followed the suggestions of her old friend José Bonifácio.

The letters of José Bonifácio and Dona Leopoldina were sent to the Prince together with the document prepared by Martim Francisco.

"On September 7, 1822 Dom Pedro and his retinue of attendants were in the outskirts of Säo Paulo by the Ipiranga River when a messenger overtook him with the dispatches and letters from José Bonifácio and Dona Leopoldina suggesting that the time was ripe for declaring the independence of Brazil.

"After reading the dispatches Dom Pedro declared the independence of Brazil - "Independence or Death".

There were other important decisions that were made by José Bonifácio during this period.

"José Bonifácio was responsible for the creation of the Brazilian army and navy. First, he hired a French general called General Pedro Labatut to head and help organize the army.

"Second, he asked the Marques de Barbacena, the Brazilian diplomatic agent in London, to hire English officers and sailors for the new Brazilian navy. Barbacena following the request hired and sent to Brazil around four hundred men. He suggested to José Bonifácio the name of Admiral Cochrane to head the navy. He was a great Admiral; greedy, audacious, loved adventure, was not afraid of taking risks; however, he was a man without scruples.

José Bonifácio learned that Lord Thomas Cochrane was very unhappy with the Chilean government which he had helped with their independence. The Chilean government owed money to Cochrane but he was having a problem receiving the money.

José Bonifácio sent a letter dated November 4, 1822 to the Brazilian consul in Buenos Aires requesting him to offer Lord Cochrane twelve thousand patacões (currency of the time) per year also as part of the deal the Brazilian government would take responsibility for the Chilean debt of sixty thousand patacões which Cochrane was having a problem collecting.

José Bonifácio knew that he needed a navy to be able to unite Brazil. He organized the Ministry of Navy after the independence on September 7, 1822. He asked Lord Cochrane to take the position of First Admiral and made an agreement in which he would stay in that position until Portugal recognized the independence of Brazil, and he would help in the defense of the new country.

Lord Cochrane brought with him some other British officers, among them, Norton, Greenfel, Crosby, Shepperd and Jewett. Some of these British officers died defending Brazil.


End of Part 1 of 2
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The Brazilian Declaration of Independence - Part 2 of 2
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 19, 2010

Part 2 of 2

José Bonifácio sent Admiral Lord Thomas Cochrane to rid the Portuguese garrisons from Maranhäo to Montevidéo. After Lord Cochrane encountered action with some Portuguese warships off Bahia the Portuguese did not threaten Brazil by sea from then on.

By February 1824, when the Portuguese government ordered its Montevidéo garrison to withdraw, the Brazilian royal authority had been established in all of the coastal cities in Brazil. This was the final step in achieving the political unity of Brazil.

The army and the navy played an important role by beating the Portuguese army and navy when they engaged in battle. There was some bloodshed but it was kept to a minimum. The situation was so explosive that any minor miscalculation at that point would have turned into a nasty civil war in Brazil from north to south. The result would have been the breakdown of the country Brazil into five or six independent new countries.

"José Bonifácio's decisions projected a firm, decisive and powerful image of his administration also in his foreign policy. In his diplomatic letter to the American Consul in Rio de Janeiro P. Sartoris in which he appointed a diplomat to represent Brazil in the US, José Bonifácio wrote " Dear Sir: Brazil is a nation and will take its place as such, without expecting or requesting its recognition by the other world powers. We will send them representatives of our nation. Those nations who receive and deal with them in that capacity will continue to be allowed to use our ports and their commerce will receive favorable status.

The nations that refuse our diplomats will excluded from our ports and commerce. This is our frank and firm politics." He also sent a similar letter to Chamberlain the English representative in Brazil.

"José Bonifácio also formulated international politics for the hemisphere with the tendency to protect other American nations which had aspirations of political emancipation. In his instructions to the Brazilian diplomat representing Brazil in Buenos Aires, José Bonifácio in his diplomatic correspondence dated May 30, 1822 wrote; "After you have skillfully persuaded that the interests of this Kingdom are the same as that of the other States of this hemisphere, and of the part that they will play in our destinies, you will promise them from our country the solemn recognition of the political independence of these Governments and you will lay out the incalculable utilities which can result from forming a Confederation or a defensive and offensive treaty with Brazil, to go against with the other Governments of the Spanish America to the extraordinary European political manipulations.

The "Andrada Doctrine" is more precise and more courageous than the well known "Monroe Doctrine" laid out by the United States President in his message to Congress in December 2, 1823.

There is a certain resemblance between both doctrines, but we have to recognize and give credit to José Bonifácio for being the first to expose his thoughts and making a policy in that regard for the hemisphere. José Bonifácio preceded the American President by more than one and a half years, and we also have to point out that he did it three months before the actual date of Brazilian independence.

"Among the most important instructions that José Bonifácio prepared were the documents to his European diplomats, especially the ones sent to London, Paris and Vienna. The documents sent to London and to Paris are considered masterpieces in diplomatic ability, because of the message that they convey regarding the outstanding maneuvering during the independence process and the negotiations related to Brazil's recognition.

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Jose Bonifacio and the new Brazilian flag
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 19, 2010

"José Bonifácio made the decision concerning the new Brazilian flag right after the Brazilian independence on September 18, 1822. The flag had a green rectangle with a yellow lozenge and in the center the symbol of the new monarchy. That Brazilian flag design lasted until November 15, 1889 when Brazil changed its form of government from a constitutional monarchy to a constitutional Republic.

When the country changed from a monarchy to a republic the basic design of the flag was kept; the green rectangle and the yellow lozenge. They replaced the symbol of the monarchy with a blue circle with a white stripe with the following words written across in green letters "Order and Progress". Inside the blue circle they inserted twenty one stars representing each State plus one extra star representing the capital of the nation.

"José Bonifácio was the first one to suggest that the capital of Brazil should be moved to a more central location (in his writings he mentioned the exact location where he thought the new capital should be located). He also was the first one to suggest the name of the new capital should be "Brasília".

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José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva's Noble Ancestry
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 19, 2010

You can read about José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva's Noble Ancestry at:

http://andradadynasty.blogspot.com/

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Andrada a Family of Revolutionaries
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 19, 2010

You can read about "Andrada a Family of Revolutionaries" at:

http://andradabrazilrevolutionaries.blogspot.com/

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...
written by A brazilian, September 19, 2010

Montezuma = visconde de Jequitinhonha

If you are writing about the history of Brazil you should know this...

Weird that you do not...

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Reply to A Brazilian - Regarding Montezuma
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 19, 2010

I was busting his balls with that comment about Montezuma.

*****


Quoting from my book (Page 68 and 69): Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva "The Greatest Man in Brazilian History.

..."On November 11, 1823 Dom Pedro sent a message to the Constituent
Assembly saying that the troops in Säo Christoväo demanded a satisfactory answer from the Constituent Assembly for the aggressions to the honor of Your Majesty.

...Antônio Carlos suggested that the Constituent Assembly declare in permanent session and to send a group to meet the government to find out the reason for the military mobilization.

...The government answered that they had a complaint against two newspapers "O Tamoio" and "A Sentinela" and also against the three Andrada brothers; editors and collaborators of both newspapers and leaders of the attacking party.

...In the morning of November 12, Antônio Carlos suggested that they bring in the Prime Minister for a meeting.

...The Minister came but the meeting did not go anywhere. After he left they made a proposal for the troops to leave town and let the Constituent Assembly go on with their business.

...As the danger increased many of the Andradas supporters started disappearing. José Bonifácio, against whom most the attacks were directed, always showed the greatest courage. Exhausted from not sleeping the prior night he decided around 10:00 A.M. to go home to take a bath and change his clothes.

...The Emperor watched the three Andrada brothers continue to dominate the situation. Finally he got his horse and, followed by a group of horseman, went to the Constituent Assembly.

...The forces surrounded the Constituent Assembly building and pointed their artillery at the door of the building, and Brigadier Moraes passed on to the Constituent Assembly the Emperors' order for their dissolution.

...Antônio Carlos, Martim Francisco, Rocha and Montezuma were held prisoners as soon as they left the building. When Antônio Carlos left the building and saw the cannons pointing at them, he took off his hat saying; " I respect your show of power".

"The Emperor's Honor Guard surrounded José Bonifácio's house, an
officer went in the house and told José Bonifácio that the Constituent Assembly had been dissolved by the Emperor. José Bonifácio was having his breakfast. He asked the officer if he had come to imprison him. The officer said he had orders to take him to the Emperor's palace of Campo de Sant'Ana. José Bonifácio then invited the officer to join him in his breakfast, but the officer declined the invitation. He gave José Bonifácio plenty of time to finish his meal.

José Bonifácio took his own carriage and when they were on their way another officer came to meet them and gave the new order for them to take José Bonifácio to the Fort of Lages where his brothers had been taken and were waiting to be sent into exile in Europe.

"On November 13, 1823 a new group started deliberating the Constitution; at that point most of the articles of the Constitution had been decided and they were in the process of being submitted to the Municipal Chambers of the States for review. Dom Pedro told them to finalize the Constitution by December 13, 1823. This Constitution was to be effective as of December 13, 1823 and the swearing ceremony would be done on March 25, 1824.

...The Rio de Janeiro Bay was closed until the José Bonifácio's group was sent into exile.

...They prepared a small old ship called "Lucônia" and gave the
command to a Portuguese man called Barbosa.

...The preparation of the ship took two weeks and during that period the port in Rio de Janeiro was closed to all traffic.

"After a few days the prisoners received from their families some
food and a bed. They were allowed to go out on a terrace to get
some fresh air, but they had no freedom of communication.

...After three days had passed José Bonifácio was transferred to
Santa Cruz to be separated from his brothers and friends. When he arrived at the arsenal of Santa Cruz he told General Moraes; "Tell the Emperor that I have a lot of pain in my heart. Not for me because I am an old man, and to die today from a bullet or tomorrow of any disease is indifferent to me.

For your innocent children I cry. He should try to save the Crown for them, because for himself the Crown is already lost. The sentence was given by the Emperor to himself, because the divine punishment can come late, but never fail.

"The port of Rio de Janeiro was reopened on November 24, 1823 as soon as the ship "Lucônia" left Brazil with the prisoners.

When José Bonifácio, Martim Francisco, Antônio Carlos and Montezuma went down in the ship, they had a nice surprise. Their families were waiting for them to go with them into exile.

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The “Andrada Dynasty” in Brazil still is alive and well.
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 19, 2010

The “Andrada Dynasty” in Brazil still is alive and well.

Ricardo C. Amaral is a member of the two most politically influential families in Brazilian history the “Andrada Family” and the “Souza Queiroz” – The “Andrada Dynasty” in Brazil still is alive and well, and in the last 200 years we had more than 50 members of our family who were Regent of Brazil, Prime Ministers, Finance Ministers, Secretary of various branches of government, state Governors, Mayors, Attorney General, various Ambassadors, and so on. And today one of the branches of the “Andrada Family” still very active and influential, and various members are from Deputado Federal, to Mayors and so on…

Regent of Brazil: Senator Nicolau Pereira de Campos Vergueiro

As I mentioned on my last posting:...Antônio Carlos, Martim Francisco, Rocha and Montezuma were held prisoners as soon as they left the building.

Senator Nicolau Pereira de Campos Vergueiro also was held prisoner as soon as he left the building. He was a representative of the State of Sao Paulo at the Constituent Assembly the same as Jose Bonifacio.

But was allowed by the Emperor to stay in Brazil after he left the prison, and he did not have to go into exile with Jose Bonifacio and his brothers.

When Dom Pedro I abdicated the Brazilian crown on April 7, 1831, in favor of his five-year old son, the future Dom Pedro II, based on the 1824 Constitution, congress had to elect three people to the provisory regency that lasted from April 1831 to September 1832 and one of the regents was Senador Nicolau Pereira de Campos Vergueiro. When congress elected the permanent regents in 1832, Senator Vergueiro asked congress to not include him as one of the regents. He still was a senator and also a Finance Minister of the empire. He was elected deputado for São Paulo in 1835, and president of the assembly of deputados (1835-1837). He was Vice-President of the São Paulo province (1835-1836).

Francisco Antonio de Souza Queiroz married Antonia Eufrosina Campos Vergueiro de Souza Queiroz, a daughter of Nicolau Pereira de Campos Vergueiro, a Senator, and D. Maria Angelica de Vasconcelos de Campos Vergueiro - (Senator Vergueiro, was one of my grandmother's great/grandfathers).

The Barao of Souza Queiroz was a senator representing the state of Sao Paulo and up to today he still is the person who was a senator for the longest time in Brazilian history – he still was a senator when he died after being a senator for 42 years.

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Andrada Family Dynasty
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 20, 2010

Andrada Family Dynasty



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Andrada Family Dynasty
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 20, 2010

Andrada Family Dynasty

https://acrobat.com/#d=kiW2lx87VsGmANWSnm7m9A

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SICK!!!! THE ANDRADA 'dynasty'
written by Yank , September 20, 2010

wow... that is sick man! So Jose Bonifacio gave his daughter to his brother, they f**** and had a bunch of kids... sick dude... INCEST always generate bad offspring. I can tell by reading Amaral.... and Jose B. is like Washington

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Reply to Yank
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 21, 2010

It was common at that time in the 18th and 19th centuries for uncles to marry their nieces. That practice it was more common in Brazil than you realized.

You are looking back from a perspective of today, and that tabu is a bigger deal today than it was at that time.

Martim Francisco Ribeiro de Andrada (Santos, 19 de abril de 1775 – Santos, 23 de feveriero de 1844), graduado em Filosofia e Matematica pela Universidade de Coimbra em 27 de julho de 1798. Retornou logo depois ao Brasil para exercer as funções de inspetor-geral das minas de São Paulo.

Do casamento com sua sobrinha Gabriela Frederica (filha de José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva), teve três filhos, José Bonifácio, o Moço, escritor e senador do Império do Brasil e ministro da Marinha do Brasil; Martim Francisco Ribeiro de Andrada, também conhecido como Martim Francisco filho ou II, deputado por São Paulo, ministro das Relações Exteriores (1866) e presidente da Câmara dos Deputados durante o Segundo Império (1882) e Antônio Carlos Ribeiro de Andrada, deputado por Minas Gerais à Câmara (1885) e senador estadual Constituinte (1891), falecido em Barbacena em 1893. Deste último descende o ramo mineiro dos Andradas.
http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/M...de_Andrada


Ministros de Estado da Fazenda
MARTIM FRANCISCO RIBEIRO DE ANDRADA
http://www.fazenda.gov.br/port...dro002.asp


"Diário de uma viagem mineralógica pela Província de S. Paulo no anno de 1805"
MARTIM FRANCISCO RIBEIRO DE ANDRADA
http://my.opera.com/perfeito/a...re=9602887


*****


Nota: Martim Francisco Ribeiro de Andrada casou com sua sobrinha (filha de Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva) em Santos, Brasil em 15 de Novembro de 1820. The wedding event happened at Martim Francisco mother's house (his mother Maria Barbara da Silva was eighty three years old at that time and she died a few months later on August 28, 1821). At the time of the wedding Martim Francisco was 45 years old, and his bride Gabriela Frederica was about 17 or 18 years old.

Jose Bonifacio had returned to Brazil at the end of 1819, after living in Europe for 36 years, and that was when Martim Francisco met his nice for the first time, and when he married her he had known her in person for less than an year.

In the early 1800's after Jose Bonifacio returned to Portugal there is some correspondence between Jose Bonifacio and his very good friend Vasconcellos de Drummond where Jose Bonifacio mentioned that his wife had a baby (Gabriela Frederica) and the baby is supposed to be 3 months old, and based on this correspondence we know that in 1820 when Gabriela Frederica married her uncle Martim Francisco she was about 18 years old.

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Copia do Testamento de Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva - Part 1 of 2
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 21, 2010

Copia do Testamento de Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva
Publicado no livro “Os Andradas” Volume 2 [vol. II, págs. 693 a 856]

Eis o seu testamento: "Em nome de Deus, Amém! Eu, José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva, estando em perfeito juízo e não sabendo o termo de minha existência, fiz este testamento como minha última vontade, e é da maneira seguinte: Sou natural da Província de S. Paulo, deste Império do Brasil, nascido e batizado na Vila de Santos, filho legítimo do coronel Bonifácio José Ribeiro de Andrada com d. Maria Bárbara da Silva, ambos ao fazer deste já falecidos. Fui casado com d. Narcisa Emília Oleary de Andrada, já falecida, de quem tive duas filhas, a saber: d. Carlota Emília de Andrada, casada com Alexandre António Vandelli. E d. Gabriela Frederica Ribeiro de Andrada, casada com o conselheiro Martim Francisco Ribeiro de Andrada. Declaro mais que tenho outra filha natural, chamada d. Narcisa Cândida de Andrada, a quem sempre reconheci e criei como minha verdadeira filha; e se acha legalmente legitimada.

"No meio, por meu testamenteiro: em primeiro lugar ao desembargador Francisco da França Miranda. Em segundo lugar a meu irmão Martim Francisco Ribeiro de Andrada. Em terceiro lugar ao reverendo Luís da Veiga Cabral, aos quais hei por abonados independentes de prestação de fiança alguma. Nomeio para tutor e curador de minha filha d. Narcisa Cândida de Andrada a meu prezado irmão Martim Francisco Ribeiro de Andrada, a quem peço que, enquanto esta minha filha não tomar estado, a não separe da companhia de sua tia d. Maria Amália Nébias, em atenção ao amor de mãe com que a tem tratado, serviços que lhe tem prestado, e confiança que nela faço.

"O meu corpo será, sem pompa, sepultado na igreja aonde ultimamente me tiver dado a rol, e o respectivo pároco dirá uma missa de corpo presente por minha alma.

"Declaro que tenho na Província de S. Paulo, distrito de Parnaíba, uma fazenda de terras para criação de gado, a qual se chama Monserrate.

Tenho mais na dita Província, distrito de Santos, uma porção de terras chamadas Outeirinhos. Tenho mais na dita Província, distrito de Piracicaba, uma parte num engenho de açúcar, com suas terras e benfeitorias, do qual meu irmão Martim Francisco Ribeiro de Andrada é diretor e administrador.

"Tenho mais no distrito do Rio de Janeiro, na ilha de Paquetá, uma pequena chácara, com casas e mais benfeitorias, em cuja casa se acha depositada a minha numerosa livraria (pouco mais ou menos seis mil volumes) afora os meus manuscritos.

"Tenho encaixotada uma considerável coleção mineralógica em casa do tenente-coronel José Joaquim dos Santos, assistente na Rua do Lavradio, e tanto nesta como em livros empreguei quase toda a minha tal ou qual fortuna. Tenho em guarda de António Luís Fernandes Pinto quatro apólices do Governo que vencem cinco por cento, a saber: três destas ações são de um conto de réis cada uma, e a quarta somente de quatrocentos mil réis. Também se acha ao fazer deste em sua guarda uma porção de dinheiro, que ao presente dele vou gastando; o que tudo melhor constará da conta que ele apresentar, pois é negociante honrado nesta praça e homem de bem.

"Ficaram de minha falecida mulher as jóias seguintes: dois fios de pérolas, a saber: um mais fino, outro mais graúdo. Uma pluma. Brincos e alfinetes de peito também ornados de pérolas. Quatro memórias de ouro com suas pedras de pouco valor. Um cordão de ouro de quatro palmos de comprido. E duas caixas de ouro para uso de rapé, a saber: uma esmaltada e outra lisa. Tenho ao fazer deste alguma prata para uso de mesa e luzes que não declaro por poder desencaminhar-se alguma peça em minha vida e será a que se achar por meu falecimento.

"Declaro que tive contas em vida do falecido António Rodrigues da Silva, natural do Rio de Janeiro, e a meu ver as julgo saldadas a meu favor, entrando nelas duzentos mil réis que dei à sua enteada para o enterro daquele, do que existe recibo. Também me são devedoras algumas pessoas, cujos nomes e créditos se acham, parte, em meu poder, e parte em mão de António Luís Fernandes Pinto, já mencionado, que ao todo andará pouco mais ou menos por um conto e seiscentos mil réis.

"Declaro que até a data de hoje, por conta que me foi remetida, devo ao sr. Luís de Menezes Vasconcellos de Drummond a quantia de quatro contos e duzentos e dezoito mil e novecentos réis, de prestações que me têm feito, entrando nelas o importe de minha passagem da França para o Brasil, e todas as despesas do funeral de minha falecida mulher.

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Copia do Testamento de Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva - Part 2 of 2
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 21, 2010

Part 2 of 2

"Declaro que tenho despendido vários dinheiros em benefício de minha filha d. Carlota Emília de Andrada e seu marido, em prejuízo dos mais herdeiros, e para desencargo de minha consciência deverá entrar em colação com as despesas que ultimamente fiz com ela e seu marido, a saber: um conto cento e setenta mil réis de sua passagem de Portugal para o Brasil. Cento e oitenta mil réis, de sua passagem para Santos. Cento e cinqüenta mil réis, dinheiro adiantado, que por ela recebeu nesta ocasião seu marido para a dita viagem. E duzentos e oitenta mil réis por uma letra de câmbio, passada em Lisboa, à ordem de João Ribeiro de Carvalho, o que tudo soma um conto setecentos e oitenta mil réis.

"Deixo à minha afilhada Carlota Emília Machado, que ao presente se acha em minha companhia, cem mil réis. Deixo a meu irmão Martim Francisco Ribeiro de Andrada todos os meus manuscritos que se acharem desencadernados. Declaro que deixo por universal herdeira de minha terça a minha filha, d. Narcisa Cândida de Andrada, em cuja terça é minha vontade entrem em colação as quatro apólices do Governo, acima mencionadas, igualmente uma criança cabrinha chamada Constança, e um preto de nação chamado Pedro.

"Deixo igualmente os meus serviços (se sua Majestade Imperial os julgar dignos de alguma remuneração) a José Maximiano Baptista Machado, na condição de se verificar o casamento com a dita minha filha d. Narcisa Cândida de Andrada, por este m'a ter pedido para sua esposa e eu o julgar muito capaz; porém, no caso que por algum incidente se não verifique com ele o dito casamento, passarão à pessoa que com ela casar com aprovação do tutor. E por esta forma dou por concluído este meu testamento, que quero que se cumpra, por ser esta a minha última vontade, e para este fim imploro a proteção das Leis; e pedi ao dito reverendo Luís da Veiga Cabral, que este por mim fizesse, o qual vai por mim assinado. Rio de Janeiro, na Ilha de Paquetá, 9 de setembro de 1834. - José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva. - Padre Luís da Veiga Cabral."

http://www.novomilenio.inf.br/...z50.htm#16

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Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva – casado com - Narcisa Emilia O’Leary
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 21, 2010

Mais ou menos 3 anos atraz minha prima Claudia, quando estavamos conversando pelo telefone ela me disse que um pesquisador de historia estava escrevendo um livro sobre a mulher de Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva – o nome dela era Narcisa Emilia O’Leary.

Ela me perguntou o que eu sabia sobre Narcisa Emilia O’Leary e eu respondi o seguinte:


*****


July 18, 2007

Querida Claudia,

A mulher de Jose Bonifacio – Narcisa Emilia O’Leary nasceu em 1770 na Irlanda. Num does livros que eu li dizia que ela era muito bonita, de olhos verdes e tinha uma voz linda de soprano.

Um alemao que era amigo de Jose Bonifacio do tempo que ele estudou na Alemanha que foi visitar Jose Bonifacio em sua casa no Brasil descreve o jantar e a noitada que passou na casa de Jose Bonifacio tambem descreve a mulher de Jose Bonifacio e tambem disse que Jose Bonifacio era um dancarino de primeira classe – que dancava muito bem – e ele tambem menciona que Jose Bonifacio bebia muito café preto – uma xicara atraz da outra.

Quando a mulher de Jose Bonifacio (JB) morreu no dia 21 de Julho de 1829 no navio voltando ao Brasil, ela tinha 59 anos de idade.

Jose Bonifacio e Narcisa Emilia se casaram no dia 31 de Janeiro de 1790 em Portugal.

Logo em seguida do casamento Jose Bonifacio foi estudar em Paris e ela ficou em Portugal.

Jose Bonifacio teve uma filha ilegitima com Madame Delanay e o nome dessa filha dele era Elisa e ela nasceu em Paris em 1793. Essa filha ilegitima era a filha mais velha de Jose Bonifacio. Parece que ele mandava um pouco de dinheiro para essa filha de vez em quando. Em 1819 antes dele voltar ao Brasil quando seu grande amigo Vasconcellos de Drummond (1794-1865) vai a Paris Jose Bonifacio pede a ele que va visitar a filha dele Elisa, e pede a seu amigo para escrever se ela e muito parecida com Jose Bonifacio. (Vasconcellos de Drummond tambem estava no navio entre o group de pessoas aliadas a Jose Bonifacio que tambem foram exiladas com os Andradas.)

Depois quando ele voltou a Portugal em 1800 depois de estar viajando pela Europa por quase 10 anos que Jose Boniffacio teve 2 filhas com a mulher dele – Carlota Emilia Ribeiro de Andrada e sua irma mais jovem Gabriela Frederica de Andrada. (A qual nos somos descendentes)

A Segunda filha ilegitima de Jose Bonifacio nasceu em Portugal em 1819 e quando Jose Bonifacio volta ao Brasil no fim de 1819 ele e a mulher chegam com esse bebe que eles adotaram em Portugal porque ela era uma filha ilegitima de JB.

Esta filha nao foi raptada, mas os historiadores nao sabem o nome da mae e a razao porque a mae dessa menina deu o bebe para Jose Bonifacio e sua mulher adotarem e criarem esta crianca.

Quando Jose Bonifacio voltou do exilio na Franca em 1829 e sua mulher morreu no navio - quando eles chegaram ao Brasil esta filha estava com 10 anos de idade.

Jose Bonifacio adorava esta filha e deu a ela toda atencao possivel sendo tutor dela nos seus estudos depois que a mulher dele faleceu em Julho de 1829.

Esta filha tambem adorava ele e foi ela que tomou conta de Jose Bonifacio nos ultimos anos da vida dele.

Existem outras informacoes sobre esta filha com quem ela se casou e detalhes da familia dela. O name dela era Narcisa Candida.

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Brazil and the United States in the early 1800's – Part 1 of 2
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 22, 2010

Part 1 of 2

Sometimes I forget that many readers don’t know as much about this period of our history as I learned along the way regarding Brazilian history around the time of the independence of Brazil. I had to do a lot of research when I was writing the biography of Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva, and I had to read a ton of material that also included the French Revolution and its main characters.

France financed the US independence war against the British. Without that French financial help we would "not" have had the independence of the United States in 1776.

That French financial help to the United States in the early 1770’s placed France in a very delicate financial position by the late 1780’s – and that major French financial crisis snowballed into one of the problems that exploded into the French Revolution in 1789.

As Napoleon Bonaparte is fighting his wars in Europe he needs some extra cash, and to raise the money fast he is forced to sell for a song the Louisiana territory to the United States.

In 1812 the US government bought the Louisiana territory from France – and that was a very large piece of land, but it was a land where most of the population were made up of native American Indians.

By 1821 the United States had added 6 more states for a total of 24 – but these 24 states still accounted for less than 1/3 of the territory that we have today in the United States.

You can see the ratification process by the states at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L..._statehood

The Thirteen English colonies that would become the original US states, were founded along the east coast beginning in 1607. The Thirteen colonies grew very rapidly, reaching about 50,000 people by 1650, and 250,000 by 1700. And as you can see the 13 original provinces finished the ratification process by 1790, and at that time they had the first census of the United States – and George Washington got very disappointed because the first census had shown that there were only 3.9 million people living in the 13 original states.

By 1810 the United States had grown by 4 new states and the United States population still around 5 million people – and the United States still was a relatively small country at that time.

By 1810 Brazil and the United States had about the same population of around 5 million people. Brazil in 1810 was about the same size of Brazil in 2010. But the United States still was just a small country comprised of 17 states.

Most people who lived up to the early 1800’s spent their entire lives never traveling farther than a 20 mile radius from the place where they were born. In other words, most people lived in a small and limited world – and over 90 percent of the population was illiterate or semi-literate.

Basically in the world of 1810 – the United States was just a new experiment with a new form of government – a republic – that was far and away from the countries of the first world of that time – meaning Europe.

Europe was the center of culture and new technology at that time – and France had been the major superpower for many decades. And the British became the new major world superpower only after the Duke of Wellington beat Napoleon Bonaparte in Waterloo in 1815 – that was one of these major turning points in world history.

When the British lost its American colonies that happened before the British became the major superpower in the world, and the British were able to keep that status for 100 years from 1815 to 1914 when WW I started, and after that the British Empire declined very quickly.

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Brazil and the United States in the early 1800's – Part 2 of 2
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 22, 2010

Part 2 of 2

Portugal had been a close ally of England for a few centuries – and Portugal was the training ground for the Duke of Wellington and the English army during the period of 1807 to 1812 when the French armies invaded Portugal 3 times and they were defeated all 3 times by the British and their Portuguese allies.

From 1808 to 1821 the Portuguese Royal Family with most of the Portuguese Court were living in Brazil. During that period all the affairs of the Portuguese Empire were being managed from Brazil – The King of Portugal was running the affairs of a well-known European country from Brazil.

Portugal was in the middle of the change of the guard in Europe from the French to the British. Portugal was not just another little country in Europe – Portugal is were the French armies were getting their ass kicked by the Duke of Wellington and other outstanding British generals and their Portuguese allies. It was during these invasions of Portugal by the French that the Duke of Wellington developed a new type of guerrilla warfare that helped him to defeat the French on the 3 invasions of Portugal, and later these new warfare tactics also helped the Duke of Wellington to defeat Napoleon Bonaparte in Waterloo.

And Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva was in the front lines and he was participating on all these battles under the command of the Duke of Wellington, and they were able to beat 3 different French armies that attacked Portugal during that 4 year period of time.

The Duke of Wellington was one of the best generals in world history, and a few weeks ago was reading an article that said that because the Duke of Wellington was the main general in Waterloo that gave the British a 70 percent advantage of the British beating Napoleons army. But if any other British general were in charge on that day that 70 percent advantage would have gone to the French and Napoleon Bonaparte whom was also an exceptional general.

The British beat Napoleon Bonaparte in Waterloo because they were under the command of the Duke of Wellington – otherwise Napoleon would have been the winner on that day. The Duke of Wellington made all the difference for that British victory.


*****


I hope the readers have a better understanding now why Brazil was more important than the United States in the world of the early 1800’s.

The two major superpowers in the world of the time – the French and the British – were fighting each other inside Portugal. The Portuguese army is fighting under the command of the British generals including the Duke of Wellington, and in the other side we had various well know French generals that were getting their ass kicked by the British and Portuguese armies.

Since many readers are learning all these facts for the first time, then let me be more precise about these facts regarding Portugal. Portugal had been ruled by Queen Maria I (1777 – 1816), and her son Joao VI (1816 – 1826) was crowned King of Portugal in Rio de Janeiro in 1816 after his mother died.

Anyway, the Queen of Portugal Maria I was living in Brazil and ruling the Portuguese Empire from Brazil, and at the same time her country was in the middle of a war between the 2 major world superpowers of the time.
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Jose Bonifacio's Stature in the Scientific World Part 1 of 2
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 22, 2010

Part 1 of 2

Quoting from the book: Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva “The Greatest Man in Brazilian History” by Ricardo C. Amaral.

José Bonifácio was fluent in six languages (he was able to write and read): Portuguese, English, French, Italian, German and Spanish. He understood 11 languages in total, and he also had complete command of Greek and Latin.

Jose Bonifacio was a scientist doing research in the leading edge of science of his time.

To help put things in the right perspective I want to make two important points. First, the journalist/historian James Burke in his television series about world history called “Connections” he gave the viewer some interesting information. In one of the episodes he mentioned that mineralogists, and geologists in the early 1800's were considered superstars of the time.

People were fascinated by their knowledge in that field. With new discoveries happening then, that field was considered to be the cutting edge or the state-of-the-art in new knowledge. Some of these scientists were invited to parties by the nobility as the guest of honor and the highlight of the evening was when they gave a little speech on the subject. Some of them even took their collections of rocks and minerals to show to a delighted audience.

It is not known if Jose Bonifacio carried around his collection of rocks and minerals as some of his peers did. He was very proud of his collection and considered it to be among the best in the world.

In the world of 1800 scientists - the mineralogists and geologists - such as Jose Bonifacio, were considered to be the superstars of their world in the same way that people like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs are the superstars of our modern technology world.

From 1790 to 1800 Jose Bonifacio traveled extensively throughout Europe and witnessed first hand how different places and different people were organized and how their society operated.

Jose Bonifacio arrived in France in 1790 to study at the Royal School of Mines in Paris with such famous professors as Antoine Laurent Lavoisier, Antoine Francois Fourcroy, Jean Antoine Chaptal, Abade Hauy, Vauquelin and Antonio Lourenco Jussieu. He studied such subjects as chemistry, botanics, and mineralogy.

When Jose Bonifacio was studying in Paris he already was frequenting the scientific circles and presenting scientific papers to them. But his scientific method of research was molded later in Freiberg.

In September 1792 Jose Bonifacio went to Freiberg, in the Saxony Kingdom, to study at the famous Freiberg University of Mining and Technology, the world's first mining academy. The Freiberg University had a very distinguished body of professors including Lempe, Kholler, Klotzch, Freisleben and Lampadius, but what gave Freiberg University its prestige and status was its famous Master Abraham Gottlob Werner. Werner's fame as a great professor brought students from all over the civilized world to Freiberg. It was Werner's reputation that built Freiberg University from a small local seminary to an important scientific center.

The Master Werner very seldom gave great reviews to his students. When Jose Bonifacio finished a course given by Werner, he received an outstanding review from Werner and that gave Jose Bonifacio immediate recognition in the scientific community. Whoever understands the organization of the German university system can appreciate the value of that document signed by Werner.

The recognition by Werner that Jose Bonifacio was profoundly knowledgeable in orictognosia and geognosia, two subjects about which Werner was an authority, and the fact that Werner had recognized the superior intellect and intelligence of Jose Bonifacio, also helped in raising Jose Bonifacio's status in the scientific community. Thanks to Werner, Jose Bonifacio's knowledge grew and took shape in the scientific sector, and Werner guided him in the direction where later he would distinguish himself.

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Jose Bonifacio's Stature in the Scientific World Part 2 of 2
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 22, 2010

Part 2 of 2

Jose Bonifacio traveled and studied the mines throughout Europe during this period (1794 to 1796). Then from 1796 to 1798 he studied the mines in the Scandinavian countries; Sweden, Norway and Denmark. During this period in the Scandinavian countries he did the original scientific research and made the discoveries which made him famous in the fields of mineralogy, metallurgy, and geology.

He discovered eight new minerals and identified for the first time four other minerals which were variations of minerals which already had been identified.

Jose Bonifacio named most of the minerals which he discovered with scientific names, with the exception of one "Wernerite" named in honor of the Master "Abraham Gottlob Werner".

When Jose Bonifacio returned to Portugal after his ten years of studies abroad, he met his two brothers in Lisbon. His two brothers Antonio Carlos and Martim Francisco had recently graduated from Coimbra University with degrees in Law and Philosophy.

In November of 1800 Jose Bonifacio and Martim Francisco made a mineralogical trip in Portugal and the results of their findings were reported to the government on a written report.

Martim Francisco returned to Brazil in 1801 and as a generalªdirector of Forest and Mines for the State of Sao Paulo he made various mineralogical trips. In 1803 he explored the Southern part of the State of Sao Paulo. In 1804 he expanded his explorations to the State of Parana all the way to Curitiba (Curitiba is the capital of the State of Parana.)

Soon after Jose Bonifacio returned to Brazil, he asked his brother Martim Francisco if he would like to go on a mineralogical expedition and research the State of Sao Paulo as they had done in the past in Portugal. Martim Francisco had a similar education, tastes, and the curiosity regarding science and mineralogy which Jose Bonifacio had. Martim Francisco and Jose Bonifacio were very close friends; Martim Francisco worshiped his older brother Jose Bonifacio and Jose Bonifacio had great admiration for his younger brother Martim Francisco. They truly enjoyed each other's company.

They left for this trip on March 23,1820 and kept a very detailed diary describing the state of agriculture, industry and a detailed description of the minerals which they found on this trip. They arrived in the city of Sao Paulo on April 30, 1820 after traveling approximately 300 miles.

Jose Bonifacio published many scientific works in Portuguese, French, German and English. His works are scattered in Europe and in Brazil. Some of his works are documented at Coimbra University; other works were presented to the various mineralogical, scientific and historic societies where he was a member in France, England, Germany, Sweden, Portugal, etc.

Many of his scientific works can be found in an English catalogue, edited by the Royal Society of London, under the name "Catalogue of Scientific Papers (1800 to 1862)". His papers are registered under the name d'Andrada in the 1867 edition.

Some of Jose Bonifacio's work can be found in the following book; "Obras Cientificas, Politicas e Sociais de Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva" a reproduction compiled by Edgard de Cerqueira Falcao (Three Volumes).

The writings of Jose Bonifacio are not limited to political, social and scientific writings. In 1825 when he was in exile in France, he published a book of poetry. This book included poetry which he had been writing over the years since the days when he was a student at Coimbra University.

Jose Bonifacio had not only vast general knowledge, but also specialized knowledge. He was outstanding regarding his culture and erudition.

This biography of Jose Bonifacio covers only his life without analyzing his works and philosophy. To cover his works and philosophy would take a collection of many volumes which is beyond the scope of this biography. There are over one hundred books written about Jose Bonifacio in Portuguese. These books cover a variety of subjects; some are favorable to Jose Bonifacio and others are critical of him for one reason or another. Two things we have to keep in mind; the period in which the particular book was written and who wrote the book.

Jose Bonifacio's position regarding; 1) Slavery, 2) the Native Brazilian Indians and 3) Agrarian Reform are well documented. These topics served over the years as a target for criticism from his enemies and other social commentators.

Jose Bonifacio was a famous European scientist in his day and was known throughout Europe. When he left Portugal in 1819 to return to Brazil he was considered the greatest and most famous scientist in Portugal. He arrived in Brazil in late 1819 with a reputation of being a famous European scientist.

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College credit?
written by Ederson, September 22, 2010

Okay, Ricky! I'm always rushed for time, but somehow I've been able to keep abreast of your blog. Interesting and very thorough. Now, as a doctor of philosophy, [or economics] are you able to bestow upon this simple peasant any degree of college credit? I've been taking a considerable number of notes on Bonifacio's life and feel I'm ready for the final exam. Indeed, I'm ready for the next, more advanced course.
If I've learned anything by reading your incredibly detailed biography of this great person, it would be that the French are very poor shoots and have been meddling in Portuguese and Brasilian affairs for far too long, so why does Brasil even entertain the thought of a being a strategic ally with the French or, heaven forbid, purchasing arms from the French?
I wonder how Jose Bonifacio would answer that question!
I will soon have to force myself to purchase your book. Very informative and an A+ for effort.

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Shots, not shoots!
written by Ederson, September 22, 2010

Sorry, Ricky, I meant that the French are probably poor shots, not shoots!

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...
written by João da Silva, September 22, 2010

Sorry, Ricky, I meant that the French are probably poor shots, not shoots!

The French may be poor "shoots" or "shots", never mind. Their bread is as good as (or better than) the ones made by Portuguese bakers. May be because of that we have so much affinity with them and are ever anxious to buy their formidable armaments to defend ourselves from the Chinese "marauders".

I cant wait for the day to look up the sky and see the screaming Rafale fighter flying low over my building and dipping its wings to salute me.

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Rafale!
written by Ederson, September 22, 2010

That day may yet happen, Joao, and when we are offered the opportunity to see a Rafale, we should consider ourselves fortunate as the price is so ridiculously high for each and every one that there will be scant few of them to see. Brasil's version of a stealth fighter! I hope not.

Again, good article, Ricky. I'm enjoying the history lesson.

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Reply to Ederson - Brazil and the French Connection
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 23, 2010

Ricardo: You came to the wrong conclusion about the French being very poor shots, and this thread about the “Napoleonic Wars” will explain to you:

Napoleonic Wars
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleonic_Wars

Quoting from the book: Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva “The Greatest Man in Brazilian History”:

"Dona Leopoldina, wife of Dom Pedro I also admired José Bonifácio and she was his very good friend.

Dona Leopoldina was Archduchess Leopoldina Josepha Carolina of Hapsburg, daughter of the Austrian Emperor, sister of Marie Louise Bonaparte, and niece of Marie Antoinette. She was kind hearted, intelligent and the Brazilians loved her.”

Empress Marie Louise Bonaparte of France, Archduchess of Austria (German: Maria Ludovica Leopoldina Francisca Theresa Josepha Lucia von Österreich 12 December 1791 – 17 December 1847), was the second wife of Emperor Napoleon I of France.

Marie Antoinette (Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna; 2 November 1755 – 16 October 1793) was an Archduchess of Austria and the Queen of France and of Navarre. She was the fifteenth and penultimate child of Empress Maria Theresa of Austria and Emperor Francis I.

At the age of fourteen, on the day of her marriage to Louis-Auguste, Dauphin of France, she became Dauphine de France. At the death of King Louis XV, in May 1774, her husband ascended the throne of France as King Louis XVI.

As you can see after reading about the “Napoleonic Wars” the French were the major superpower of the time and they were very good at the art of war.

But the French lost the 3 invasions of Portugal, and later they lost the battle of Waterloo mainly because of one man – one of the greatest generals in world history – the Duke of Wellington.

The French did try to conquer parts of Brazil on two separate occasions, and they were defeated twice. The French had a major impact on Brazilian culture, since 1555 when Villegaignon established a French colony in Brazil close to where Rio de Janeiro is located today. The first French invasion of Brazil ended in 1567 with Portuguese forces defeating the French.

The second French invasion of Brazil happened in Maranhao (North of Brazil) in 1594, with the French establishing a colony which lasted until 1615 when Portuguese forces defeated the French again.

I hope the readers have some understanding of what happened between the church and the new way of secular thinking of the leaders of the French Revolution.

The Brazilian nation has reason to be proud of its intellectual roots; since its roots are connected to the French Revolution, and its intellectual minds. France was the major superpower in the world during that period of time (1750-1815), and Paris was the major artistic, scientific, and intellectual center of that time. The French Revolution had a major impact on world history, since that was the revolution that changed the world.

On my above postings I mentioned that the French had a major influence on the formation of the intellectual, cultural, scientific, and political thoughts of Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva.

Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva used to go almost on a daily basis to see first hand the Constitutional Debate in Paris during the period 1790 – 1791 at the Constituent Assembly. And he participated of the meetings at the Jacobin Club and he became friends with the most influential thinkers of the French Revolution. He became a friends with people such as Robespierre, Condorcet, Abbe Sieyes, and the Comte de Mirabeau among others.

Jose Bonifacio knew very well and had first hand experience of the entire process and everything that was covered for the French to arrive at the final Constitution - the document that they finally adopted.

In 1823, the Andrada brothers (José Bonifácio, Martim Francisco and Antônio Carlos), with their leadership, had a major impact on the Constituent Assembly. They guided the proceedings of the process of framing the first Brazilian Constitution. This Constitution was effective December 13, 1823. They used as a model the French Constitution of 1816 which is also referred to as the "Lamartine Constitution".

Jose Bonifacio and his brothers were Masons and they believed on the separation between church and state. In May 28, 1822 they created a Masonic Lodge in Rio de Janeiro - the “Grand Orient Masonic Lodge of Brazil” and Jose Bonifacio was elected its first “Grand Master.”
The Brazilian legal and judicial system is based on Roman law, and the Napoleonic Code.

Ederson, as you can see by the above information Brazil has had a long and very complex connection with the French that goes back to the year 1555.

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Reply to Ederson - people don’t learn from prior history and they repeat the same mistakes of the past
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 23, 2010

Ederson, I posted the following on the Elite Trader Forum a little over 2 years ago. You might appreciate the ideas behind what I am implying by that post, since this is a very timely subject.


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May 6, 2008

SouthAmerica: ...Under a John McCain administration Americans will be able to accumulate another $ 5.7 trillion dollars in debt on top of the $ 10 trillion that already has been pissed away.

I just want to remind the Chinese, since they are one of the major lenders for the US government that there was another Empire that collapsed using that same strategy – In the 1700’s France was the major world power until they decided to finance the US independence war (does 1776 rings a bell?) – by 1787 – 1789 France was in the middle of a major financial crisis that ended up on the history books as “The French Revolution.”

One of the major causes for that French government financial crisis it was the money that they pissed away helping finance the American Revolution of 1776.

I wonder if China wants to follow the same path that France followed during that time.

The Chinese has accumulated so far $ 1.6 trillion dollars in US government debt, and before you know that amount it will be $ 3 trillion dollars in a fast declining currency.

The United States can count with one thing for sure – people don’t learn from prior history and they repeat the same mistakes of the past, and thanks God for all the greed suckers that it will continue financing the US government for many years to come and it will accumulated a ton of fast declining value US dollars.

Yes, the French Empire collapsed after they financed military spending and a revolutionary war in the United States.

The American Government must be happy that they found another sucker – China - to finance the US defense spending and its military adventures around the world.

For the United States it is the second time they project military power financed by another country – and the first time around the story did not ended well for the French.

But today China has not achieved the status of an Empire as yet – and they already have put in motion the strategy to create a new Chinese Revolution (Just keep in mind the major financial crisis that brought about the French Revolution).

http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/...ost1911434

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Marina Andrada - herself can be considered a family treasure - Part 1 of 2
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 23, 2010

Here is what I had posted on the Elite Trader Forum:


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June 14, 2008

SouthAmerica: In the Brazzil magazine website one of the members asked me a few questions and also if Marina Andrada wrote a book about the Revolutions of 1922 or 1964.

Here is my answer:

I believe that Marina Andrada is the one of the few great great granddaughters of Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva (The Patriarch) who still is alive – she is part of the 4th generation.

My grandmother’s grandfather Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva (O Moco - 1827 to 1886) were a brother of the grandfather of Marina Andrada – Antonio Carlos Ribeiro de Andrada (1836 to 1893).

All the politicians of the Andrada Family that have been monopolizing the political scene in the state of Minas Gerais for the last 150 years – they are all descendents of this particular grandfather of Marina Andrada.

Marina’s father had been vereador in Barbacena, then Deputado Federal representing Minas Gerais, and later he was Brazilian ambassador in various countries including the US, Argentina and France.

Because her father was ambassador Marina Andrada had the opportunity to live in many countries and meet through her father a lot of important people over the years.

Her brother also was an important figure in Brazilian politics Jose Bonifacio Lafayette de Andrada (nickname Zezinho) (1904 – 1986) – He was Deputado Federal da UDN (1945) and president of the Camara dos Deputados (196 – he was reelected in 1970 and finally gave up political life in 1979.

Today Bonifacio Jose Tamm de Andrada is serving his 12th term as Deputado Federal for the state of Minas Gerais and he is also the Reitor Unipac an important institution of higher learning in the State of Minas Gerais – this important university with 55,000 students has been created and managed with the efforts of the Andrada family.

You can read about Unipac here:
http://www.unipaclafaiete.edu....ina=bonlaf

http://www3.unipaclafaiete.edu.br/ul2/layout_01/

Bonifacio Jose Tamm de Andrada was a son of Deputado Jose Bonifacio Lafayette de Andrada – and Bonifacio Jose Tamm de Andrada has 4 sons also involved in politics in the state of Minas Gerais. And the new generation of 20-year olds, in that branch of the family, is also taking their first steps towards their new career in politics.

Going back to your question: I have only the last 2 books that Marina Andrada had published and they are great since she documents a lot of things that happened to all these politicians with pictures and letters, and copy of many documents. She did a terrific job on her books.

Over the last 60 years she accumulated a lot of material related to the Andrada Family since friends and relatives, and other people when they found letters, documents, pictures, and had interesting stories to tell her about something related to the Andradas – all these people sent her all this material that became an important repository of Brazilian history.

Since Marina Andrada lived her entire life among politicians, ambassadors, and all kinds of important people not only in Brazil, but also in other countries around the world – I can hear her tell stories for hours.

Every time we talk on the telephone we end up talking for 2 or 3 hours – she has an amazing memory she tells me stories one after another about the politics in Brazil of the 1920’s, and 1930’s in detail and she remember the dates and all the people involved in the events – she talk about events in the early 1900’s as if the events had happened yesterday – I don’t know how she manage to recall the names of so many people and all the detail of the stories from a time long gone.

I am sure that she knows very well about the revolution of 1930 when regional leaderships in several states dissatisfied with the state of São Paulo's political dominance for the last 100 years joined together in opposition and they placed Getulio Vargas in power and she also must know in detail the story of Luiz Carlos Prestes and his failed 1922 tenente rebellion against the coffee oligarchs.

The great depression also helped to create the economic environment that gave the opportunity of someone such as Getulio Vargas to rise into power.

Getulio Vargas had the right ideas and during his tenure he did a lot of good things for Brazil. I would put Getulio Vargas on the category of benevolent dictators.

My family the Souza Queiroz and the Andradas had dominated political life in the state of Sao Paulo and in Brazil for over 100 years up to the early 1930’s - Only the Minas Gerais branch of the Andrada Family still going strong to this day in Brazilian politics.

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Marina Andrada - herself can be considered a family treasure - Part 2 of 2
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 23, 2010

Part 2 of 2

November 15, 2009

There are over 100 books written about Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva and some other members of my family. The book “Os Andradas” published in 1922 has 3 volumes of about 800 pages each – “Os Andradas” was written by one of the major Brazilian historians of the early 1900’s.

If a major television network such as Globo in Brazil decided to make a television series about the “Andrada Family” and the “Souza Queiroz Family” they have enough material to make one-hour movie chapters for the a series that would last a few years.


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June 13, 2008

SouthAmerica: I just finished talking with my cousin Marina Andrada in Brazil.

She is the historian of the Andrada Family, and she has 8 published books to her credit about our family history. Tonight she is having a book-signing event in Barbacena, state of Minas Gerais and about 400 guests including many VIP’s and a large number of members of the current Andrada Dynasty in Brazil will be present at this event – the most influential people in Minas Gerais state will be attending this historic event.

Marina Andrada chose this special date for her latest book-signing event also to commemorate Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva’s birthday, since Jose Bonifacio was born on June 13, 1763.

She told me that most of the Andrada Clan will be present at this event tonight, and that the new generation of Andrada’s are looking forward to hear her book presentation since they want to learn more about this particular book; a book that covers the history of this branch of the family and its impact on the history of the state of Minas Gerais.

Marina Andrada herself can be considered a family treasure – she is 90 years old and she has the memory of someone half her age – when you speak with her she is like a live encyclopedia, since she remembers a ton of events in detail going back 100 years, with names, what happened and so on…

I had a long talk with my cousin Marina also about our family and what is in store for our family in the future.

I am sure she will have great success tonight, and Jose Bonifacio would be very proud of having among his descendents an outstanding person such as Marina Andrada.

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Bonifacio Jose Tamm de Andrada is serving his 12th term as Deputado Federal for the state of Minas Gerais
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 23, 2010

Today Bonifacio Jose Tamm de Andrada is serving his 12th term as Deputado Federal for the state of Minas Gerais and he is also the Reitor Unipac an important institution of higher learning in the State of Minas Gerais – this important university with 55,000 students has been created and managed with the efforts of the Andrada family.

You can read about Unipac here:

http://www3.unipaclafaiete.edu...unipac.php

http://www3.unipaclafaiete.edu.br/ul2/layout_01/

http://www.camara.gov.br/inter...?id=521411

http://www2.camara.gov.br/depu...a?pk=97038

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Ricky, Thanks! Give me a day.
written by Ederson, September 23, 2010

My remarks concerning the French were tongue-in-cheek. Still, despite their obvious success at the technical challenge of all things military, I would automatically look favorably to anyone challenging the martial-Gallic spirit.
I am very proud of the French for winning several wars; it's the huge number of lost wars, however, that really impresses me.
Oh, by the way, is there any country that the French have not triedto invade? Just wondering.

I'll be reading more of your blog tofay and enjoying it, I'm sure. Thamks, Ricky.

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...
written by João da Silva, September 23, 2010

it's the huge number of lost wars, however, that really impresses me.

Probably they went in themselves instead of outsourcing the task to their Légion étrangère.

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Excellent post concerning debt and China.
written by Ederson, September 23, 2010

Ricky. Associating Americas debt with China to America's debt with France is excellent and obvious. It's certainly no secret, either, but the fact that it is again happening with the Yanks must make one wonder if the Chinese have learned anything from history.

Help me if I am incorrect, but on the most basic plane, the Yanks are hoping to devalue their currency hoping eventually to make repayment easier while the Chinese are hoping to devalue their currency to receive more in return?

I'd like to think that the Yanks have thought this miracle out to their favor, but after seeing the caliber of recent Yankee politician, especially the current administration, I can't see any future for that level of thinking. Just thought I'd comment. no reply needed.

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Brasil's connection with France.
written by Ederson, September 23, 2010

Okay, Ricky, I got the message. Brasil does have a deep connection with France, as do the Yanks, but such a connection must not bind one's future, and Brasil must not feel obligated by history and tradition to ally itself with the past, nor at the same time accept the future as inevitable. Enough of China and enough of France, but I am beginning to perceive that you might be way ahead of me in understanding that.

Ricky, what is your perception? Are you pro0China or neutral? I think you are business neutral. If I knew, I might better understand your slant in the blog.

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Rick, you should be proud.
written by Ederson, September 23, 2010

Enjoyed reading more of your blog this morning, You can tell the times are changing when we no longer have the energies to care about our origins or the successes and trial of our ancestors. I know of few people that even care to know from which country their family originates. You, however, are fortunate in that you have a detailed history of who you are.
Ricky, it is a shame you are a Yank!

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Joao!
written by Ederson, September 23, 2010

The Norse attempt to save the Gallic spirit by infusing courage and beauty into the breed can only last so long. Still, France shall long have its moment as the future home of a new, secular Islamic empire, as the historical proving ground for German military weapons, and as the birthplace of the deep nasal cleanser. Thankfully, the French have a good sense of humor.

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Ricardo Amaral
written by João da Silva, September 23, 2010

Hi Ricardo,

Here is an interesting link for you to read:

http://www.estadao.com.br/esta...3986,0.php

I thought I would post it in this thread, as you have been narrating the history of José Bonifácio and the manifestation took place right where his statue is located.

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Reply to Joao da Silva
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 23, 2010

Caro Joao,

Li o artigo que voce referiu acima.

Isto tudo e parte de campanha politica feita na ultima hora para tentar influenciar o voto a presidente no proximo dia 3 de outubro.

Eles estao realmente apelando ate chegaram a comparar Lula com Benito Mussolini, ditador da Itália, e estao chamando ele de facista.

Se isto fosse verdade, invez de ser parte de campanha politica atual, dai o Lula teria se tornado ditador e nao iria sair do governo.

O meu entender nesse momento e que o Brasil vai ter eleicao presidencial em outubro de 2010 e o novo/nova presidente vai tomar posse em Janeiro de 2011.

Se o Lula fosse um ditador como o artigo esta dizendo dai ele nao iria largar do poder em Janeiro de 2011.

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Reply to Ederson
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 23, 2010

Ederson,

I have been writing about the US dollar and the “New Asian Currency” for years. And my thread on this subject at the Elite Trader Economics Forum is one of the threads with the largest number of views
- with about 60,000 views. And you can read it at:

Central Banks and the US Dollar
http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/...enumber=72


Note: If you ever take the time to read that thread it will be like reading a book on that subject.

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Ricky, and the new Asian currency.
written by Ederson, September 23, 2010

Well, Mr. Amaral, you have piqued my interest. I'd like to know more of your opinions. Let me grab something to eat, and then I'll find a comfortable chair and see what you have written on the subject. Sounds very interesting. Thanks.

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Reply to Joao da Silva
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 24, 2010

Joao Da Silva: I thought I would post it in this thread, as you have been narrating the history of José Bonifácio and the manifestation took place right where his statue is located.


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José Bonifácio, o Moço
http://contextopolitico.blogsp...rtual.html

This Jose Bonifacio that they mentioned on the article of the “O Estado de Sao Paulo” e neto de Jose Bonifacio (O Patriarca da Independencia.)

José Bonifácio, o Moço = e avo de minha avo paterna, e ele e meu tataravo.

You also can read about José Bonifácio, o Moço at:

Biography of my great/great grandfather:
Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva - (O Moço) / (The Young)
http://josebonifaciodeandradae...gspot.com/

...Jose Bonifacio accepted the task because he thought he had the responsibility to do this job. He later wrote to his friend Drummond saying: "The tutor's job will give me the opportunity to educate the young Emperor for him not to turn out as his father. He had no education and he was subject to the blowing of the wind.

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Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva - (O Moço) / (The Young) Part 1 of 3
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 24, 2010

Part 1 of 3

Biography of my great/great grandfather:
Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva - (O Moço) / (The Young)

Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva (The Young)
(Born: November 8, 1827 and Died: October 25, 1886)

Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva (The Young) was a son of Martim Francisco Ribeiro de Andrada, and a grandson of Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva (The Patriarch of Independence.) His mother Gabriela Frederica Ribeiro de Andrada was the second oldest daughter of Jose Bonifacio and she married her uncle Martim Francisco.

Jose Bonifacio (The Young) was named Jose Bonifacio in honor of his famous grandfather. He did not have the same type of arrogant temperament as his father and his grandfather.

He had all the high character qualities which his father had. He was ethical, honest, courteous, had integrity, dignity, compassion, and was an idealist and humanitarian as his grandfather had been. He was a very gentle and sensitive man. He was a gentleman. He had a very pleasant personality and everyone liked him.

When Jose Bonifacio was a young boy his father Martim Francisco after a long day in the office as a Finance Minister, spent his evenings discussing philosophy with his three sons including Jose Bonifacio. Emmanuel Kant was the predominant philosopher in the humanities field at that time and his writings were the subject of their discussions.

Jose Bonifacio (The Young) was a poet in the same manner as his grandfather had been in the past. During his law school days he already had published a number of his poetry works. He had a photographic memory and was a great public speaker. The other students used to call him the prodigy.

After graduating with his law degree with the highest honors in November 5, 1853 he went to work as an assistant professor at the University of Recife. After an outbreak of cholera in Pernambuco in 1856 he decided to return to Sao Paulo with his new bride.

After teaching for three years as a substitute teacher at the Law School in Sao Paulo in August 17, 1861 he was nominated for a full professorship position teaching civil law.

When he was a student he had already shown that he was a very good orator. As a professor he prepared his lectures very well and delivered them with outstanding eloquence and erudition. As a result his lectures stimulated great interest in the juridical circles of Sao Paulo. On a regular basis the chief judge, judges from the high court, judges from the court of appeals, lawyers and everyone involved in law attended his lectures.

He made a name for himself as a great orator. He was considered the greatest orator of his generation (for a thirty year period from 1856 through 1886).

Jose Bonifacio was elected Deputado in June 14, 1861.

Jose Bonifacio was appointed Minister of the Navy on June 29, 1862. He stayed in that position until he moved to a new Ministry that was formed by the government in May 12, 1865.

He spent another period as a government Minister before 1878. After that in December 9, 1878 he was elected Senator representing the State of Sao Paulo. When he died of a heart attack on October 25, 1886 he was still a Senator.

He was very popular and could have had any position of leadership in the government that he desired.

Because of Jose Bonifacio's high political and moral stature in Brazil, when he died there was an exceptional manifestation of sadness by the public and by the press. All over Brazil there were sad editorials lamenting the loss of this great man.

Government sources announced that approximately 20,000 people attended Jose Bonifacio's funeral. Later that figure was revised to half that number, but it still was the largest funeral attendance in Brazil up to that time.

Jose Bonifacio the poet, the great orator, the parliamentarian, reached his greatness with his great discourses on the Senate floor concerning slavery. He was a humanist and a passionate abolitionist. He is mainly known as a leader in the fight to end slavery in Brazil.

Jose Bonifacio died on October 25,1886 before the end of slavery in Brazil. The fight that his grandfather had fought so hard to end slavery in Brazil it was continued by him on the floor of the Senate until his death. It finally came to a conclusion on May 13, 1888 with a government act proclaiming the abolition of slavery in Brazil.

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Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva - (O Moço) / (The Young) Part 2 of 3
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 24, 2010

Part 2 of 3

Brazilian Academy of letters

José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva (The Young) had such a prestige in the literary cycles that critics compared him with the best writers of the time. On a letter of August 6, 1874, written by Albino Barbosa, commenting on the literary triumphs of Rui Barbosa he says that no one is his equal. But he also says: "that many other critics are saying that Rui Barbosa might be even superior to José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva. (Today Rui Barbosa is among the most famous and influential Brazilian writers of the 19th century, and he was also an excellent orator. But in 1874 the literary critics were comparing an up coming young 25-years old Rui Barbosa with José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva a leading writer of his time.)

The highest literary honor in Brazil is to become a member of the Brazilian Academy of letters. The Academy has only 40 chairs and when a member is elected to one of these chairs he holds that honor to the end of his life. Each chair has a patron and the chair is named in his honor. The patron of chair number 22 at the Brazilian Academy of Letters is my great/great grandfather: José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva (The Young).


*****


Ruy Barbosa de Oliveira (November 5, 1849 – March 1, 1923)

He was an important Brazilian writer, jurist, and politician. He ran unsuccessfully for the presidency of Brazil in 1910 and again in 1919.

Ruy Barbosa gave his first public speech for the abolition of slavery when he was 19. For the rest of his life he remained an uncompromising defender of civil liberties. Slavery in Brazil was finally abolished by the Lei Aurea "Golden Law") in 1888. Part of Barbosa's legacy to history is that he authorized, as minister of finance on December 14, 1890, the destruction of most government records relating to slavery.

The avowed reason for this destruction, which took several years to be enacted and was followed by his successors, was to erase the "stain" of slavery on Brazilian history. However, historians concur to say, today, that Barbosa aimed by this measure at impeding any possible reparation (indemnization) of the former slave-owners for the slave liberation.

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Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva - (O Moço) / (The Young) Part 3 of 3
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 24, 2010

Part 3 of 3

Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva (The Patriarch)
The Tutorship of Dom Pedro II 


Dom Pedro I had involved Brazil in a war with Argentina over the Cisplatine province in 1828. The Cisplatine province got its independence from Brazil and adopted the name of Uruguay.
 
Besides the loss of the Cisplatine province the nation's finances continued to deteriorate and Dom Pedro I was pressured to resign. Dom Pedro I was finally forced to abdicate his crown in Brazil, which he did in favor of his five-year old son on April 7, 1831.

Before Dom Pedro I abdicated his crown in Brazil he tried to convince Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva for the second time that he should become the new Emperor of Brazil. The first time Dom Pedro I tried to convince Jose Bonifacio that he should become the Emperor of Brazil was in 1821 after his father Dom Joao VI had returned to Portugal. Jose Bonifacio refused the offer to become the Emperor of Brazil on both occasions.

After Jose Bonifacio declined the offer from Dom Pedro a few times to become the new Emperor, then Dom Pedro I called Jose Bonifacio and asked him to become the tutor of his children after he left Brazil.

Jose Bonifacio first refused the offer as well, because he thought that he was too old to be the tutor of the five-year old future Emperor, and also of his two older sisters Dona Januaria and Dona Francisca Carolina.

He told Dom Pedro the job required someone with patience to deal with the children, and he was not a patient man.

Dom Pedro told Jose Bonifacio that he was the only person whom he trusted for such a job. He said "Using his right under the Constitution on chapter 5, article 130 he was appointing Jose Bonifacio as the tutor of his children.

Jose Bonifacio accepted the task because he thought he had the responsibility to do this job. He later wrote to his friend Drummond saying: "The tutor's job will give me the opportunity to educate the young Emperor for him not to turn out as his father. He had no education and he was subject to the blowing of the wind.

After Congress's approval Jose Bonifacio took an oath for the tutor's job on August 19, 1831. Two years later for political reasons Congress passed a decree on December 14, 1833 suspending Jose Bonifacio’s tutorship responsibilities.

When he was a child when he was not playing with his toys in his grandfathers little farm in Paqueta, he was playing with Dom Pedro Is’ children in the imperial palace, where his grandfather Jose Bonifacio (The Patriarch) was the tutor. He participated with the children in the lessons and teachings being thought by his grandfather.

Dom Pedro II was born December 2, 1825 and his mother the Empress Leopoldina had died a year later in December 11, 1826. And his father Dom Pedro I died in Lisbon on September 24, 1834. He was only 36-years old at the time of his death.

Jose Bonifacio (The Young) was born in November 8, 1827 in France during the exile, and his father Martim Francisco returned to Brazil in the beginning of 1828. Even though Jose Bonifacio was two years younger than Dom Pedro II, his grandfather (the tutor) used to bring him on a daily basis to play with the Emperor’s children, and also to participate of the lessons and teachings given by his grandfather. That close relationship with Dom Pedro II and the Imperial Family lasted a lifetime until Jose Bonifacio’s death in October 25, 1886.  


Source:

1) Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva 
The Greatest Man in Brazilian History
By: Ricardo C. Amaral
Published: May 2000


2) Jose Bonifacio – O Moco (The Young)
By: Julio Cezar de Farias
Published: Companhia Editora Nacional – (1944)

http://josebonifaciodeandradae...gspot.com/ 

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Information about Jose Bonifacio - Part 1 of 2
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 24, 2010

Part 1 of 2


"Since Jose Bonifacio was not sure of what he was going to do when he left the government Prime Minister position, he asked his friend Henry Chamberlain (the person responsible for England's business in Brazil) to hold for him his personal library and papers. Mr. Chamberlain agreed to this request, since he was an admirer of the “Great Man” and agreed with many of Jose Bonifacio's ideas. Jose Bonifacio's library was very valuable with over six thousand volumes. In Brazil only the National Library, of which Dom Joao VI was the founder, was larger than Jose Bonifacio's library.

When Jose Bonifacio was in exile various enemies including the Marques da Praia Grande, Visconde da Cachoeira and the Marques de Paranagua, went to see Henry Chamberlain to demand the release of Jose Bonifacio's private library and papers (scientific papers).

Chamberlain was not surprised by the request because he knew the new members of the government. He told them no to their request. Because they continued to bother him with new requests, he finally told them to stop this conspiracy against Jose Bonifacio. If they continued to bother him again, he was going to transfer the library and the papers of Jose Bonifacio to a British warship and they would take everything to Bordeaux to be delivered to the proper owner.


*****


The Andradas left Brazil for exile completely penniless. Barbacena wanted to give special credits to the Andradas, but the Andradas refused the offer. When Jose Bonifacio was imprisoned he left Brazil with thirty mil reis in his pocket.

Jose Bonifacio had in his life, first in Portugal and later in Brazil, many opportunities to enrich himself, with all the positions and responsibilities that he had. He had the chance to become very wealthy, but he did not, because he was extremely honest, and had a very high character. He did what he did because of his sense of duty to his country and community. He was an idealist. He was a man of science and letters in the pursuit of knowledge. Wealth and titles were not important for him.

To show how honest the Andradas were, Vasconcellos de Drummond the close friend of Jose Bonifacio and also of his brothers wrote in his memoirs:

"Jose Bonifacio had just received his monthly pay in bank notes in 1822 when he was Prime Minister, he put his pay inside the flap in his hat. He forgot that his money was in his hat and he went to the theater in the evening. Someone stole his hat with his money.

That left him completely broke, he had to borrow money from his nephew to pay for his daily expenses on the next day.

The Emperor heard of what had happened to Jose Bonifacio and thought that he should be compensated for his loss and sent a written order to the Finance Minister for the payment to Jose Bonifacio of his monthly salary.

Martim Francisco (the Finance Minister) did not obey the order and told to the Emperor that there is no law in the books of the State that would provide reimbursement to a State employee for his carelessness. The year has twelve months and not thirteen for the States proteges. He requested the Emperor take back his request because he could not execute it.

He told the Emperor that he Martim Francisco would split in half his own monthly salary and give the money to his brother and that both of them would have to live that month with less money. That was a better option for the country than to give a bad example of paying its Prime Minister twice for the same month.

The Emperor's order was not fulfilled because Martim Francisco did give half of his salary to Jose Bonifacio, who in the future took better care of his hat and money".

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Information about Jose Bonifacio - Part 2 of 2
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 24, 2010

Part 2 of 2

In the beginning of 1828, Martim Francisco and Antonio Carlos returned to Brazil with their families on board the French ship "Le Vaillant". They returned to defend themselves, including Jose Bonifacio, against all of the charges brought forth by the government. Jose Bonifacio stayed in France with his wife.

As soon as they arrived in Rio de Janeiro they presented themselves to the authorities who imprisoned them immediately in the prison in the "Ilha das Cobras".

They prepared their defense and they destroyed their adversaries in court. They got a unanimous absolution on September 6, 1828. Their names were cleared and vindicated.

When Martim Francisco was in prison he was invited to take a position as a government Minister. He did not accept the offer and told them that first he had to get justice and prove his innocence.

When Martim Francisco was in prison in 1828 he was elected Deputado for the Minas Gerais province. Later in 1838, Martim Francisco was elected Deputado for the Sao Paulo province.

Antonio Carlos also was elected Deputado when he returned from exile in 1828, and he resumed his political career in Brazil.

Martim Francisco was always one hundred percent behind his brother Jose Bonifacio. He was loyal to Jose Bonifacio and was also his best friend. Antonio Carlos on the other hand, because of his personal political ambitions, was not as loyal to Jose Bonifacio as Martim Francisco. He demonstrated that on more than one occasion.

After the Andradas had been vindicated in Brazil, Jose Bonifacio stayed one more year in France before he returned to Brazil. Jose Bonifacio left Bordeaux at the end of May 1829 to return to Rio de Janeiro. He arrived in Brazil on July 23, 1829.

When Jose Bonifacio was in exile, the province of Bahia elected him Deputado to represent them in Congress. Jose Bonifacio returned to Congress as a Bahia representative only on June 22, 1831.

Narcisa Emilia, Jose Bonifacio's wife, had left Bordeaux in good health and in good spirits. Narcisa Emilia died unexpectedly on board the ship on July 21, 1829. She was fifty nine years old when she died. Her death affected Jose Bonifacio profoundly. They had been basically happily married for thirty nine years.

Jose Bonifacio was able to cope with his loss with the support he received from his sister Maria Flora and his young daughter Narcisa Emilia, who took very good care of him until the day of his death. Jose Bonifacio started writing and educating his young daughter who was twelve years old.

Jose Bonifacio did not keep a grudge against the Emperor who had sent him into exile.

As soon as Dom Pedro found out that Jose Bonifacio had returned, he invited him to meet his beautiful new Empress and introduced Jose Bonifacio to her as the best friend he ever had.

Jose Bonifacio did not waste any time and started speaking in French to the new Empress. He gave her a general idea of what was going on in Brazil and concluded his conversation by asking her to help the Emperor to conciliate with the nation and the nation with the Emperor.

The following eight years after Jose Bonifacio left the government were disastrous for Dom Pedro I and for Brazil. The events that transpired during that period give us a clear picture of how important Jose Bonifacio was to Brazil, and we can see what a major mistake Dom Pedro had made when he helped force Jose Bonifacio out of power in 1823.

At the time of his abdication Dom Pedro I asked Jose Bonifacio more than once to replace him in the government, even though Jose Bonifacio was sixty eight years old. Dom Pedro I gave up that idea because of Jose Bonifacio's formal refusal. He did not want to be the head of the government under any circumstance. (Dom Pedro was offering to Jose Bonifacio the Brazilian Crown, for him to become the new Emperor of Brazil. This was the offer that Jose Bonifacio turned down more than once).

When Dom Pedro I decided to abdicate because it was the only way out, he decided that there was only one man in whom he had confidence, and who only thought of the welfare of the country instead of his personal position and rewards. This man never tried to use flattery, when dealing with him, and never told him a lie. That man was Jose Bonifacio. He was Dom Pedro's first choice to receive the governmental powers in Brazil, but since he refused that position categorically, the alternative was then to abdicate in favor of his son.

Dom Pedro I had involved Brazil in a war with Argentina over the Cisplatine province in 1828. The Cisplatine province got its independence from Brazil and adopted the name of Uruguay. Besides the loss of the Cisplatine province the nation's finances continued to deteriorate and Dom Pedro I was pressured to resign. Dom Pedro I was finally forced to abdicate his crown in Brazil, which he did in favor of his five year old son on April 7, 1831.

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Martim Francisco Ribeiro de Andrada
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 24, 2010

Martim Francisco Ribeiro de Andrada

Martim Francisco Ribeiro de Andrada married his niece, a daughter of Jose Bonifacio named Gabriela Frederica Ribeiro de Andrada in Santos, Brazil on November 15, 1820.

Martim Francisco Ribeiro de Andrada had five children with his wife Gabriela Frederica Ribeiro de Andrada as follows:

1) Martim Francisco Ribeiro de Andrada (The Second)
He was born on June 10, 1825, in France during exile. He was named in honor of his father.

2) Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva (O Moço) / (The Young)
He was born on November 8, 1827, in France during exile. He was named Jose Bonifacio in honor of his famous grandfather.

3) Antonio Carlos Ribeiro de Andrada
He was born on March 3, 1836, in Santos, Brazil after his father had returned from exile. He was named in honor of his uncle.

4) Maria Flora Ribeiro de Andrada
She was named in honor of her aunt, her father's sister. She never married and had no children.

5) Narcisa Emilia Ribeiro de Andrada
She was named in honor of her grandmother, Jose Bonifacio's wife. She also never married and had no children.


Martim Francisco Physical Descriptions

The biography of Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva (The Young) includes a reference to his father Martim Francisco, describing him as being a tall and slender man.

Martim Francisco was a good orator but his personality was a carbon copy of José Bonifácio's and he also projected that arrogant manner.


The Declaration of Independence of Brazil

A fact which many well educated Brazilians don't know is that Martim Francisco Ribeiro de Andrada was entrusted with the job of drafting the "Declaration of Independence of Brazil." After reviewing the detail of the document with José Bonifácio, the document was immediately sent to Prince Dom Pedro

In Brazil Martim Francisco Ribeiro de Andrada is the author of the document "The Declaration of Independence of Brazil."



Martim Francisco - Finance Minister

Martim Francisco was Brazil's Finance Minister in 1822, and again in 1840.

Martim Francisco Ribeiro de Andrada is considered to be the first great Brazilian financier. Martim Francisco is credited with developing and implementing the financial plan, which financed the war effort for the Brazilian independence, when he was Finance Minister in 1822.

José Bonifácio and Martim Francisco both men had a very good grasp of economics and finance, and they did not believe in borrowing money from foreign sources with strings attached. They believed in creating a domestic pool of capital to fund the development of the Brazilian economy.

After Jose Bonifacio's death in 1838 his brothers Martim Francisco and Antonio Carlos continued their political careers. The political situation was a mess in Brazil in April 1840. The "Andrada" brothers and other liberal leaders organized a secret club to promote the emancipation of Dom Pedro II.

The Andradas began to organize public demonstrations in support of the emancipation of Dom Pedro II, and engaged in debate using the press to get further public support.

Disregarding the pleas from the leader of the government for postponement, a joint session of Congress invested Dom Pedro with imperial authority on July 23, 1840. The young Prince was fourteen years old. He took the oath to uphold the Constitution and from then on he was Emperor Pedro II.

Unlike his father, Dom Pedro II had been born and educated in Brazil. His tutors, starting with Jose Bonifacio, exposed him to heavy doses of Enlightenment thought. During his later years in power some political commentators referred to Dom Pedro II's government as the best republican government in the Americas.

When the Emperor Dom Pedro II formed his first cabinet of ministers in 1840, he rewarded the Andrada brothers by appointing Antonio Carlos as the Prime Minister, and Martim Francisco as the Finance Minister.

Martim Francisco died on February 23, 1844. He was almost sixty-nine years old at the time of his death.

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Chinese currency
written by Ederson, September 24, 2010

Frankly, Mr. Amaral, I don't know what to say concerning what I have read in the Elite Trader and in your other blogs concerning the undervalued Chinese currency, other than I am disgusted with the leaders of many of the West's countries, especially the Yanks and the Brasilians.
How long will the West continue to allow itself to be pushed around by the Chinese in an attempt to be the nice guys. Unfortunately, much of what i have read over the last day or so was printed in Yankeeland, but for the sake of the Yankee spirit, they have got to get rid of Obama and get somebody with some guts to run that country before it turns completely spineless.
In addition, Brasil's leaders seem only too willing to accept a few Chinese handouts and label life as a success when they should be far more competitive concerning the travesty of Chinese trade practices, especially when they know it is happening. I am particularly disgusted that Brasil is wiling to farm itself, and its future, to others rather than invest in itself.

Ricky, do you perceive China as a threat to Brasil's future in the long term? Just curious. Sometimes, your bias is difficult to discern, but , then, again, I didn't have time for a detailed analysis. What I would really enjoy reading would be your opinion as to what you feel are Brasil's greatest threats, internal and external, business and military. You may have already written such articles, but since I'm relatively new, I'm not aware of them. If you have and could point me toward such an opinionated article, I'd appreciate it.

In my peasant view, Brasil is facing numerous threats, ill defined at the moment, but never-the-less dangerous and threats for which Brasil is not prepared. Again, just my opinion.

By the way, I still believe your comment concerning how Brasil should face the future with an increased awareness of cyberspace and intelligence was particularly noteworthy, and I agree.

Give me more time to read your additional blogs concerning Jose Bonifacio. I am particularly enjoying them.

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Ederson
written by João da Silva, September 24, 2010

In my peasant view, Brasil is facing numerous threats, ill defined at the moment, but never-the-less dangerous and threats for which Brasil is not prepared. Again, just my opinion.

You may be a simple peasant, but...but...but... unfortunately I incline to agree with you this time. Needless to say that you are more privy to such kind of information than our friend Ricardo is.

In addition, Brasil's leaders seem only too willing to accept a few Chinese handouts and label life as a success when they should be far more competitive concerning the travesty of Chinese trade practices, especially when they know it is happening. I am particularly disgusted that Brasil is wiling to farm itself, and its future, to others rather than invest in itself.

A very good point and my hats off to you.

IMHPO, the threat for us is not from the Sea, Air or Land. ie not the conventional warfare, but...but...but.. "economic warfare". Our soft underbelly can be cut wide open easily. Please do let me know if you know of any country (other than Zimbabwe) where you put your money in the savings account for a yearly interest rate of around 6% and the bankers charge you around 40% interest to lend you back.

It is disgusting to read that my savings go to create jobs in France & China and also to help finance the Portuguese and the Spaniards to buy our "strategic assets".

It is a mad, mad , mad world indeed.

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China sucks.!
written by Ederson, September 24, 2010

Am I misreading Ricky's blogs? Do I understand correctly that China has fixed its currency to that of the Yankees in a way that is detrimental to the Yanks and ruinous to Brasil?
Ricky, you are so correct about the length and depth of research required to understand the subject; this will take forever, but I don't like what I'm reading. I'm also becoming more aware, by the day, that Obama is far from a world leader and is more of a Chinese butt kisser. No wonder Yankeeland is suffering.
What is the solution? I'm beginning to understand the problem in greater detail, which I believe is for Obama to get off his royal butt and tell the Chinese to play fair or go to hell, but until the Yanks make everyone on their team play fair, smaller countries, economic-wise, will eventually be swallowed by the Chinese.
I know that's very basic, but isn't that the just of the problem. Brasil can have no independence as long as the Chinese currency is fixed to the dollar and not allowed to float?>

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Ederson
written by João da Silva, September 25, 2010

What is the solution? I'm beginning to understand the problem in greater detail, which I believe is for Obama to get off his royal butt and tell the Chinese to play fair or go to hell, but until the Yanks make everyone on their team play fair, smaller countries, economic-wise, will eventually be swallowed by the Chinese.

BUT...BUT...BUT..., Ederson, I am afraid you are trying to interfere in the internal affairs of the Yankeeland and sidetracking from the threats we are facing.

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World Markets
written by adrianerik, September 25, 2010

We shouldn't treat world markets like it is a football game. No one tells a potential market of 1 billion (potential consumers) to go to hell. As long as we are following the capitalist model then we have to respect the vanity of the beast. It must be fed. It must grow. Each country has an increasing number of workers who must find jobs and exports is an important ingredient of the job growth formula, especially in advanced economies.

China is pretend capitalism. Just as any country with uncontrolled monopolies have pretend capitalism. China just doesn't hide it. It is a communist wolf with a capitalist sheeps covering.

Most development of advanced industries start with countries protecting their home markets, developing economies of scale and working out the kinks with their own markets and then using that power to branch out and compete with the big boys.

The hell with economies of scale. China just keeps wage low (using communist initiatives), keeps their currency artificially cheap, which makes the low wages seem even lower and then competes with the big boys from other countries(now using capitalist initiatives) with cheap products that have not passed through that quality building stage of growing the business and economies of scales.

This affects everybody. Brazil is more like what Poland was to the Nazis. Not really that important, but let's pluck the bastards anyway. Brazil is barely holding on with Chinese competition because the suppression of wages that China does using communist initiatives Brasil is doing using its own version of oligarchy dominated capitalism. The question for both countries is what method they will use to suppress discontent as labor demands a fairer share of this 'bright future' both countries are promising, but not delivering upon.

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Side-rtacking? Oh-no!
written by Ederson, September 25, 2010

Joao. No, I believe I'm blaming the Yanks for some of Brasil's problems but not all, and correct me if I'm wrong or if I misunderstand, but the Yank's refusal to ensure that their trading partners play by equitable rules has ensured a surplus of dollars that are now being leveraged against other countries, such as Brasil.

The Yanks can't have it both ways. They can't ask others to accept their leadership while at the same time acting as stooges or idiots. Their initial desire to raise China into the international community of nations by initiating trade and helping China develop a manufacturing base deserved world praise, as perhaps did their willingness to forgive the fact that China had tied its currency to that of the States, but this nonsense must stop.
China must be forced to realize that they are now a member of the world and, indeed, a powerhouse of industrial might. Their currency needs to float and not be artificially rigged to that of the Yanks at a n almost guaranteed 40 percent profit.

Until it does, the surplus that the silly Yanks provide the Chinese will be spent dominating the economies of other countries such as Brasil. It is ridiculous that in Brasil, with its level of undeveloped labor, that even the most mundane articles are now being manufactured in China.

Economic and trade policies must be based on a fair and equitable basis and not linked to an artificial, crony based system where the politicians get richer and the common peasant gets poorer.

Interfering in Yankee affairs? No way, Joao, they have enough problems, but I believe, and please tell me if I'm wrong and show me why, that the Yank's failure is also hurting Brasil.
Joao, Brasil makes a number of engine items for American built aircraft engines. If you don't believe that the Yank's ridiculous trade policies aren't hurting Brasil, just wait until China's new aerospace industry starts manufacturing these very same Brasilian produced items and shipping them to the States, if the Yanks haven't already given away or sold the farm. Something else. We all champion the progress Brasil has made in the aerospace world, especially in it's trade with the States. I believe Brasil can already kiss such success goodbye. The Chinese are about ready to eat Embraer alive. Just investigate what China is doing in the mid-airliner building business. Boeing-America? Ha! You now mean, Boeing-China thanks to the suicide bent of the Yanks.

All I ask is that the world's major players trade on an even table so developing countries such as Brasil have a chance. Such foresight and sense of what is equitable will probably require new leadership in a number of countries.

Sorry if I sound as if I doubt the honesty and sense of justice of the Yanks and China leadership.


Maybe Ricky can explain why my fears are groundless and that the United States, [Yankeeland] is a cool player and that the Chinese secretly adore and love Brasil as more than a cheap breadbasket.

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Where should China go?
written by Ederson, September 25, 2010

If you can't tell China to go to hell, then where can you tell it to go? Ricky, you have gained stature in my eyes, but I'm still puzzled by the reasoning that the Yanks on down to the lowest Brasilian peasant has to kiss China's behind so that they can discover themselves. Is that what our leaders and the world's economists think of us?
Give Brasil a level playing field and an equal chance.

I'm a graduate of the Amaral school of Economics, therefore I have aright to my own crystal ball, and I guarantee you that while the West's leaders are quite happy with the whatever Chinese good news comes their way, beneficial rains also bring floods, and I feel that the new technologies that Brasil is developing are at threat if the table isn't leveled and soon.
Which leads to the next point; how long does the West have to take it; how long do the jobless in the West have to suffer before someone says the risks of dealing with China as a sub-equal are too great?

If Brasil pegged its currency on a percentage of the dollar, the Yanks would scream bloody murder and demand Brasil return to its senses.

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Labor discontent.
written by Ederson, September 25, 2010

Mr. Amaral. You are becoming very interesting, and I am beginning to at last sense how perceptive many of your articles are.

For instance,you wrote that the question facing both China and Brasil is how both countries will suppress labor's discontent as it demands a fairer portion of the "bright future" both country's leaders have promised but failed to deliver.

And I also appreciate your comment concerning "pretend capitalism?" Since becoming inspired by your blogs, I have begun reading the blogs of others concerning the subject, and there are a number of very vocal economists who are not as kind with their words as you have been, such as when you said "plucking the bastards, [Brasil] anyway. Let me congratulate you for cutting through the fog and calling attention directly to the problem. Refreshing.

I must also admit that today I had an argument with someone I really respect concerning your position. I championed you, and I believe I won the argument, but as I said, you are not alone in your opinion of China. The internet is full of writers who also champion your viewpoint. I am, again, impressed.

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Ederson
written by João da Silva, September 25, 2010

Side-rtacking? Oh-no!

Another brilliant essay from a lowly peasant like you and my sincere apologies for admonishing you earlier for your grossly interfering in the domestic affairs of the Yankeeland. For a moment I thought you were a racist because of your criticism of PBO, due to his "color". Then I recalled that you are known for your color blindness and political incorrectness.

You should know by now that I am very slow in my uptake of complex issues and hopefully you are not upset with my earlier statement.

Having said that, please permit me to respond to your question:

Maybe Ricky can explain why my fears are groundless and that the United States, [Yankeeland] is a cool player and that the Chinese secretly adore and love Brasil as more than a cheap breadbasket.

Ricky doesn't have to explain but..but..but.. another distinguished (Adrian) has already responded by commenting:

Brazil is more like what Poland was to the Nazis. Not really that important, but let's pluck the bastards anyway. Brazil is barely holding on with Chinese competition because the suppression of wages that China does using communist initiatives Brasil is doing using its own version of oligarchy dominated capitalism.

40,000 "new" companies set up during the past 5-6 years to "trade" with China? Incredible, isn't it? As our friend Dr.Cata would say, it is "Plantation Politics" all over again (cyclical, historical and repetitive).

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Joao! Apology accepted!
written by Ederson, September 25, 2010

Joao, you have described my political incorrectness perfectly. I'm absolutely blind when it comes to idiots. I am, indeed, unable to tell the difference between a white idiot and a black idiots. But it doesn't matter, for in the end, they are both idiots!
Sorry for becoming so passionate over this subject. I feel it was the Yanks who got the world into this mess, and it is they who must get us out. Modern China is their invention and spoiled child. They need to whack the bottom of their baby and straighten things out or soon even they will begin to hurt more than they already are.

Brasil's ascendancy in the field of aerospace is now at risk, and if Brasil's leaders don't see that, then they are just as dumb as the Chinese know they are. China is preparing to be world leaders in areas in which now Brasil is beginning to prosper. I feel that Chinese versions of Embraer's aircraft will be just as good but much cheaper. Mark my words.

My apologies to Adrian concerning my mistaken belief that Ricky originated the quote. It was well said and sums up the situation completely.

Ricky, what news letter should successful graduates of the Amaral School of Economics follow? Do you have a favorite? Just curious.

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Ederson
written by João da Silva, September 25, 2010

Brasil's ascendancy in the field of aerospace is now at risk, and if Brasil's leaders don't see that, then they are just as dumb as the Chinese know they are. China is preparing to be world leaders in areas in which now Brasil is beginning to prosper. I feel that Chinese versions of Embraer's aircraft will be just as good but much cheaper

Well put, my friend. Col.Ozires Silva (not related to me, though ) would be proud of you, if he is reading this blog.. This so called "ascendancy" will happen not only in the aerospace industry, but also in other strategic sectors.

Sorry for becoming so passionate over this subject. I feel it was the Yanks who got the world into this mess, and it is they who must get us out. Modern China is their invention and spoiled child. They need to whack the bottom of their baby and straighten things out or soon even they will begin to hurt more than they already are.

"Modern China" was really the invention of Dick Nickson and Henry Kissinger, wasn't it? I wouldn't put the blame on all the Yankees, though. As I have said dozens of times, the poor fellows are as gullible as we are and easily fall prey to the promises of their so called "leaders". Unfortunately, IMHO, we started copying them from 1998 and our deterioration is has been quite steadierie and faster. By 2018, we may end up renaming our country as P.R.B and sew the proverbial frog on to our flag.

and if Brasil's leaders don't see that, then they are just as dumb as the Chinese know they are.

Do you think that our "leaders" have started buying dachas in the suburbs of Beijing and Shanghai just in case.......?

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Chinese dachas?
written by Ederson, September 25, 2010

Absolutely, Joao! There is a group of impoverished god-fearing Buddhist monks in China who love giving untold thousands of dollars to liberal American presidents and vice presidents.
They don't speak any English, don't understand the political system, and live very frugal lives, but apparently, they have plenty of money for certain politicians.
They aren't the only Chinese who apparently love to give liberal presidents money, either. The same article listed many others.
Just read about their so-called gifts to theClintons and Gore in the '90's. Go figure! Yeah, I'd never believe the Chinese are sleezy when it comes to politicians. Are you aware of that incident?

Sorry, I still feel the Yanks are in up to their ears concerning China's corrupt currency practices. I think they are paying a price for it now. I just read about congressional investigations? I can't believe they haven't figured it out!
No, I don't hold all Yanks responsible, just the majority.

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California, not China!
written by Ederson, September 25, 2010

Sorry, Joao. I miss wrote. The impoverished rich monks lived in California if I remember what I read. Not China. Sorry.

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Ederson
written by João da Silva, September 25, 2010

Sorry, Joao. I miss wrote. The impoverished rich monks lived in California if I remember what I read. Not China. Sorry.

Ok. You don't have to apologize for your "miss writings". After all you are a dumb peasant, just like me.

I am very busy reading about China, India,Pakistan, ,Tibet and the USSAAB bloc. Not easy to understand the geopolitics in that part of the world, though. I need some expert help but..but..but...the hired hands are too expensive to get these days.

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NYT article on the front page.
written by Ederson, September 25, 2010

I'm closing down for the night, but I was just handed a copy of the New York Times that my wife received from visiting my daughter earlier this evening. Front page has an article concerning Obama's slithering up to the Chinese big cheese Thursday, warning him to free-float the currency or else. Too tired to read another article tonight. Not even Yankeeland;s financial crisis with China can excite me tonight.

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Reply to Ederson
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 26, 2010

Ederson: Frankly, Mr. Amaral, I don't know what to say concerning what I have read in the Elite Trader and in your other blogs concerning the undervalued Chinese currency, other than I am disgusted with the leaders of many of the West's countries, especially the Yanks and the Brasilians.


*****


Ricardo: Ederson here is what I posted on the Elite Trader Economics forum about 2 years ago that summarize in a nutshell the currency game that has been going on for many years as follows:

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Game: Brazil x China x USA
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 26, 2010

October 7, 2008

SouthAmerica: Hi Jem

How did you arrive to the conclusion that: “China screwed Brazil”?

Brazil has a great game going on its favor for many years the country that has been screwed left and right is the United States.

Besides I don’t think as you said: “the U.S. was stupid.”

The US has passed that level a long time ago. Today the US has reached the level way beyond stupid – it is reaching the point of being “Brain Dead.”

Let me clarify to you the game that has been going on for many years.

1) From Brazil’s point of view:

A) Brazil sells everything in sight to China and makes a lot of foreign currency and Brazil was able to keep increasing the prices of its goods because demand for these resources were so great during all this time.

B) Brazil pays almost all its foreign debt and reduces its domestic debt to a very low percentage of GDP - and still is able to accumulate $ 207 billion dollars in US dollar foreign exchange reserves as of Oct 2, 2008.

C) During this period the Brazilian currency gained in value against the US dollar by 50 percent (That means that everything that is priced in US dollar was becoming cheaper in Brazil in local currency.)

D) The Brazilian population starts to prosper and the domestic economy improved a lot in turn we had a period of prosperity that lifted millions of people out of complete poverty.

E) The Brazilian economy started disconnecting from the US economy - other than the hot money that is invested on the stock exchange – and Brazil diversified its economy and found new markets in Asia and the Middle East.

F) Today, the Brazilian government is in the best financial position that the country has ever been, and it looks great for the future.


2) From the United States point of view:

A) The US buys everything in sight from China on credit.

B) Then the US government mortgages the future of the country and the Chinese government is happy to become the US new master by lending hundreds of billions of US dollars to the US government.

C) As China is exporting everything in sight to the US economy – the US is exporting millions of good paying jobs to China and also to India.

D) Hundreds of ships come from Asian full of all kinds of goods, they return to Asia almost empty on the return trip – the Asians buy mostly scrap metal from the US.

E) After exporting its manufacture base to other countries the US financial sector decides to turn itself into the biggest casino in the world. And finally the casino went broke and is in the process of going out of business.

F) The US economy goes from being half capitalist to becoming the largest socialist country in the world - After Panic destroy the entire structure of the old economic system and the US government became the only player in town.

G) The United States lost its economic system, became enslaved by debt to foreign countries, ended up with a crumbling infrastructure, a complete destroyed social safety net, and a country demoralized in every way possible around the world.


3) From China’s point of view:

A) China had a great period of economic development and it was able to lift the boats for hundreds of millions of people in China.

B) Made new friends such as Brazil and developed a reliable source of commodities and foodstuff necessary for its internal growth.

C) China recycled the US dollars by the hundred of billions: (a) China sent to Brazil hundreds of billions of US dollars to pay for the goods that they bought from Brazil and in turn Brazil paid most of its outstanding foreign debt. (b) China also sent hundreds of billions of US dollars to the United States to enslave the US and the US government added these borrowed money to the growing outstanding cumulative debt of the US government that just passed the US$ 10 trillion mark. (c) In a nutshell: China helped Brazil to pay most of its outstanding debt, and at the same time China helped the United States to mortgage its soul and its future.

D) China has been giving a lesson in capitalism to the United States and the United States got so out of shape that turned itself into the largest socialist country in the world – and the United States economic system has become so chaotic that finally is collapsing into the First Great Economic Depression of the New Millennium.


Note: Since I live here in the United States I have no problem with this slow Chinese takeover of the US economy - since I love Chinese food and I also like fortune cookies.

http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/...genumber=4

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The "US Dollar carry trade" game
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 26, 2010

October 20, 2009

SouthAmerica: The Brazilian government should do everything on its powers to discourage this short-term "dollar carry trade" game, because at the end of the day this game is not good for the long-term health of the Brazilian economy.

Ben Bernanke is throwing free cash by the hundreds of billions of US dollars at obsolete too big to fail US financial institutions, and when he is forced to reverse that policy, because of a collapsing US dollar, we are going to have the biggest international monetary crisis that the world has ever seen.

We have reached the end of the line for the US dollar, but the usual suspects want to continue the same old game going that they had been playing for a long time.

And they don’t understand that “The Party is over.”

The British still are trying to hang on to the Pound Sterling to this day, and they don’t understand that the “Party has been over” for the Pound Sterling for a long time - and at that time they still had an international monetary system based on the gold standard.

In the last 37 years we have been first in the “US dollar standard” for a while then the system evolved into the current “Confetti standard” or wherever name you prefer to call the current international monetary system.

When you have an international monetary system based on Confetti – the international monetary system is ready for a massive international monetary crisis and for a Confetti meltdown.

Keep in mind that over 70 percent of the Confetti ever created by the US government is flying today around the world completely outside of the power and influence of the US government; including the US treasury and the Federal Reserve.

China's foreign exchange reserves has jumped another US$ 318 billion dollars in the last six months for a total of $ 2, 270 billion dollars.

And today it is estimated that about 70 percent of China's total foreign exchange reserves is invested in Confetti.


***


October 21, 2009

SouthAmerica: The smart money is getting out of the US dollar (ahead of the herd) and that is inflating the value of other currencies such as the euro and the real.

But when the herd realizes what is already happening then they get spooked and you have the stampede and the final US dollar meltdown.

All we have had so far is just a small decline of the US dollar - no big deal.


Here is why the world’s smart money is being invested in Brazil
http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/...ost261267
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April 7, 2010

SouthAmerica: You just don’t insult your new master, and US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner understands that fact.

The US government postponed the Department of the Treasury report due on April 15 (its bi-annual currency review) and its decision on whether to label China as a currency manipulator.

The Obama administration is facing demands from Congress to label China as a currency manipulator, but at the same time the US government is afraid of creating a confrontation with China; a country that the United States depend on its generosity to keep the US economy afloat to the tune of trillions of US dollars.

It would be a bad idea to offend the country that has your country by the balls.


*****


From Brazil’s perspective: In a way it is good for Brazil that the old currency game of the last few years will continue until the US government has the balls to do something about China and the currency issue.

http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/...genumber=3


*****


August 30, 2010

SouthAmerica: The game it has been China sell all kinds of stuff to the United States and then use the US dollars to finance the US government massive deficits – year after year.

China was just placing the rope around the neck of the United States - to hang the US economy some time on the future.


SouthAmerica: You need two to tango.

And the US Federal Reserve has been very accommodating for a long time under Greenspan, and now under Bernanke to a strategy of sending millions of job to China in return for cheap money to blow bubbles inside of the US economy, and also on the emerging countries around the world such as in Brazil.

This is a story that will have a bad end for everybody when the s**t finally hit the fan.

http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/...ost2938107

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Regarding China
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 26, 2010

Ederson: Ricky, do you perceive China as a threat to Brasil's future in the long term? Just curious. Sometimes, your bias is difficult to discern, but , then, again, I didn't have time for a detailed analysis.

What I would really enjoy reading would be your opinion as to what you feel are Brasil's greatest threats, internal and external, business and military. You may have already written such articles, but since I'm relatively new, I'm not aware of them. If you have and could point me toward such an opinionated article, I'd appreciate it.


*****


Ricardo: Ederson, I don't perceive China as a threat to Brazil.

By the way, 3 years ago I posted the following here on Brazzil magazine on the comments section:

October 5, 2007

The Chinese never conquered any other country in their over 5,000-year history.

The other people used to attack the Chinese over and over again that is why they built the Great Wall of China.

The Chinese don’t have the mindset of conquerors – they have the mindset of business people – and they are the most successful group of entrepreneurs the world ever had.

Note: The most comprehensive archaeological survey, using advanced technologies, has recently concluded that the entire Great Wall, with all of its branches, stretches for 8,851.8 km (5,500.3 mi).


*****


Ricardo: This article that I wrote about 4 years ago explain in a nutshell what has been going on in the global economy – that's the reality.

Brazzil Magazine - September 06, 2006
“While the American Dream Is Outsourced Brazil Drives the World into the Future” - Written by Ricardo C. Amaral
http://www.brazzil.com/compone.../9684.html

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Excellent , Mr. Amaral!
written by Ederson, September 26, 2010

Thank you for spending the effort to educate me, Ricky. There are a number of us thick-headed types out there, who take awhile to understand complex issues. I think you have been ignored and belittled for far too long, but in the end, I believe history and the facts are goingto prove you correct.
When you post something, rest assured that I will be reading it and recommending it to my friends. It takes, however, a day or so for me to fully read and research some of your blogs. It's funny, but I've always disliked economic subjects in the past, and now I'm faswcinated by them, partially due to your efforts!

However, I disagree with your opinion concerning China not being a threat to Brasil. Perhaps not in the military sense, but unless it floats its currency fairly, I think the inroads Embraer has made are lost. In addition, the Chinese are becoming leaders in the very aerospace technologies that Brasil is developing. Why buy Brasilian when soon you will be able to purchase Chinese cheaper?

China has never conquered another country? What?
What about Tibet?
The border attack on North Vietnam? A 100,000 civilian deaths?
The border attack on India?
The border attack on Russia?
Excursion into islands owned by the Philippines?
Talk to south Korea about the Chinese being militarily peaceful.
Angola? Didn't China openly support the civil war in Angola to the dismay and slaughter of huge numbers of innocents?
China never attacked or invaded Mongolia?
Need I go on?

I whole heartedly agree with you that China's motives are generally business related.

Mark me as a faithful Ricardo Amaral reader!

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Ederson
written by João da Silva, September 26, 2010

China has never conquered another country? What?

You are really an early bird. Must have gotten up early and posted this comment before going into the fields to till the land.

After reading your comments posted under another thread, I started doing some research about the conflicts the Chinese directly or indirectly were/are involved in. Makes fascinating reading. You are right about the Indians developing the Nuclear weapons against the Chinese and not the Pakistanis.

It is also interesting to note that the Chinese "interests" in Latin America is growing, while the Indian influence is almost non-existent. Re your comment on Chinese made Embraer aircraft, it may sound funny, but I wouldn't be surprised if it becomes a reality.

Mark me as a faithful Ricardo Amaral reader!

His articles become more interesting because of his active interaction with the readers. For this he deserves our kudos.

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China's long sword.
written by Ederson, September 26, 2010

China is peaceful? Well, perhaps. I'd just describe them as smarter than most. For instance, Pakistan is nothing more than an extension of the Chinese military in one sense. Pakistan developed the bomb by itself? Give me a break! Just look at the military support China gives Pakistan.

The current trade battle between Japan and China is being ignored by the world press. The Chinese rightly hate the Japanese, but the struggles between the two are known by very little. For instance, the Chinese are denying Japan certain high technology minerals that are mostly found, 93 percent, in China. In addition, who is the biggest threat to the Japanese? North Korea, and who is North Korea's biggest supporter? China, of course, and North Korea is a perfect pain in the side of Japan. Another example of China extending its military might by proxy.

Anyone interested in Embrarer and Brasil needs to start reading about the Chinese aerospace industry and Boeing's slow but inevitable moving of its production to China. Who does the world believe is now and will be providing much of Boeing's new engineering staff? Does anyone need to guess? It's China, of course. The same Chinese who are going to eat Embraer alive in the coming future. In addition, Brasil's progress made in the light plane market might as well kiss itself goodbye. Already, the Chinese are making huge inroads in that area, including one of the worlds, if not the first, electric airplane! It's not a dream; it's here.

My daughter couldn't read the NYT if she tried, but she knows to get her dad copies from college, and the article on the front page about China's currency rigging and Obama's continued begging them to stop is disgusting.
Apparently the Chinese Premier Wen openly treated Obama as if he were a lost neglected puppy and a looser. 2.500,000,000.00 trade deficit? Give me a break. The Yankees need to step aside and let a new world power assume leadership. I'm afraid that the new world leader, however, is going to kick everybody's butt in the process.

Yes, Joao, I also appreciate Ricky's willingness to share his knowledge. It makes him very worthwhile as a mentor. Got to run.

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Ederson
written by João da Silva, September 26, 2010

The Yankees need to step aside and let a new world power assume leadership. I'm afraid that the new world leader, however, is going to kick everybody's butt in the process.

Who, IYHPO, is to be the "New World Power" and the "New World Leader"? The Pope, Tony,the Poodle, Ban Ki Moon, Valdimiro Putin, Jintao, Lula, Cristina (or Nestor), Hugo, etc; etc;;?

Or are you proposing Dalai Lama assume the role of the "New World Leader"?

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...
written by Ederson, September 26, 2010

It's clear to me that the great motivator is economics, and apparently, the most astute players are in the Asian sphere of influence while the West wrestles with social experiments. BO is a perfect example; as America deteriorates, the Yanks have become desperate enough to try anything, and in Obama, that's what they got, anything. the poor Yanks are so confused at the moment they don't understand top from bottom, so no wonder they have the quality of leaders they currently have.
Give me a break!
The problem is that the Yanks influence so much of the world that other countries are willing to follow by mistake.The danger is that the Yanks still have the world's most powerful military and somewhere hidden deep within their downtrodden ranks are some real leaders just waiting to feed the socialists currently leadingthe country to the trashbins they belong in. So it ain't over yet.
But until that new group surfaces, and I'm not holding my breath, I tend to think that the Chinese and Premier Wen is at the helm, which is not good for Brasil.
More later. Just got a call.

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Spheres of influence
written by Ederson, September 26, 2010

Joao, okay, I'm really new to this, but I'm also beginning to see that there are distinct trading spheres, and that's part of the problem. Someone step in and correct me if I'm wrong, but in a proper world, each sphere would balance each other; the policies, though not always stated would be transparent and whatever policies were written would allow for equitable exchange, such as a free-floating currency.
When the spheres are not balanced, one sphere may try to fill the void caused by the weaker one, such as the West's developing countries now becoming involved with a different sphere of influence, such as the Chinese.
The problem is that the weaker trading partners now must play by two rules, that of the dominating economy in their influence and the invading influence. Still with me?
The developing countries are desperate for trade, even if it means sacrifices. In Brasil's case it would be the need to sell grain and basic resources, which, because of China's undervalued currency, will no longer be utilized by Brasil's work force to manufacture goods but will bring in further revenue and look great in the short term.
On the short term, this is little noticed, because the short-term balance of trade makes the entire affair appear to be for the good of Brasil.
However, the export of cheap raw materials is now returning in the form of finished goods manufactured by artificially cheap labor....
The government beats its chest and declares that operating in two spheres of influence has been a success, because Brasil is selling soybeans and receiving cheaper clothes and machine equipment in return.
In the meantime, the labor force is beginning to awaken and cry 'foul' because as Brasil's economy is exported to the second sphere, so are their jobs.
In an effort to quell the unrest, the government attempts to control or interfer with the press, who begins to understand that operating under two spheres of influences doesn't make sense.
To also quell the masses, China buys some of Embraer's wonderful short-haul airliners and the Brasilian government goes wild pointing out that Brasil is doing well in the second sphere, unaware that China is gearing itself to become the masters of the new industry and is building aircraft factories and training engineers and workers to produce the very same plane for 25 to 40 percent less.
Does this make sense? I know that many of my examples are simplistic, but those are the one with which I am the most familiar.

So am I correct? Ricky, do you know. Is part of the problem due to the fact that while China is operating only under one set of trade rules, Brasil and the West are working under two? Is this too simplistic? It also appears that to deal with China, you have to be prepared to give away portions of your industrial and manufacturing base, especially if you export raw materials and resources to China.
What gets me is the possibility that when you export raw materials and manufacturing bases, you also export jobs, so no matter how cheap the raw materials return and in whatever form, if there are no jobs and no money, who can buy the goods from either sphere.

I feel I am repeating myself, so I apologize, but I believe I'm beginning to understand the big picture, and it seems really rather easy. Especially in Brasil's case. Namely when operating in the second sphere, Brasil's mission is to sell low and buy high, and the first sphere has become somewhat irrelevant because the sphere's leaders, the Yanks, are incredibly confused as to which direction the sun rises and sets, thanks to their gloriously incompetent leaders.

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Ederson
written by João da Silva, September 26, 2010

Your last post is extremely interesting!

The problem is that the Yanks influence so much of the world that other countries are willing to follow by mistake.

"Other countries" including Brasil!! Does South Africa follow too? I don't know. Would you include SA as a Western Country?

The danger is that the Yanks still have the world's most powerful military and somewhere hidden deep within their downtrodden ranks are some real leaders just waiting to feed the socialists currently leadingthe country to the trashbins they belong in. So it ain't over yet.

Have you read Tom Clancy´s "The Bear and the Dragon" ? Let´s not forget that

both

Yanks and the Chinese have powerful military!

You are right, when the West is conducting "social experiments", the Chinese are more focused in setting up goals and accomplishing them. They do not have to conquer Brasil militarily, but conquer the "hearts and minds" of the Brasilians economically.

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South Africa!
written by Ederson, September 26, 2010

Please don't get me started on South Africa or Rhodeasia. You will only make me curse the Brits! Damn them! But I feel South Africa has, for the moment, tact; something I feel Brasil lacks with the latter's desire to emerge as a leading power of the third world. I have two manuscripts concerning South Africa which I am confused concerning what I should do with them.
Still, South Africa suffers from its proximity to Rhodesia/Zimbabwe, which has caused no end of grief, but perhaps the times are changing. We will know soon. Forthe moment, I would consider SA part of the West, but not a central player by any means. It probably depends on who will pay the most for what they have to sell.

Brasialns conquered economically? Yeah, Joao, you might have a point; take their jobs until they settle for whatever they can get. You are making me smile with your humor.

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Ederson
written by João da Silva, September 26, 2010

Please don't get me started on South Africa or Rhodeasia. You will only make me curse the Brits!

I was just trying to dig your mouth and my sincere apologies for doing so.

But I feel South Africa has, for the moment, tact

Oh yes, it does. Tact and certain charm. You could easily make it out while talking to the folks in their Consulate General in São Paulo, flying South African Airways, etc;

Still, South Africa suffers from its proximity to Rhodesia/Zimbabwe, which has caused no end of grief, but perhaps the times are changing.

The Cab drivers in Joburg think so too.

I have two manuscripts concerning South Africa which I am confused concerning what I should do with them.

You should write a book and publish it and I am serious. But...but... does it discuss about the "Apartheid"?

Yeah, Joao, you might have a point; take their jobs until they settle for whatever they can get. You are making me smile with your humor.

Sometimes I have this terrible tendency to display my "black" sense of humor. The Chinese or the French may not "take away" the jobs of highly skilled Brasilians, but will certainly turn them into lowly paid sales clerks. Just like the Yankeeland.

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Joao? Where is everyone?
written by Ederson, September 26, 2010

Have we scared everyone away while discussing regional and Brasilian economics, as well as Ricky's thoughts on all matters important? Lately, my favorite blog seems rather quiet and somewhat subdued.

There are certain hints, Joao, but the story reaches from SA, to Brasil, Australia, to Texas, Minnesota, and the gold fields of New Guinea.

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Check Out What China's Doing With Its Taxpayers' Money
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 26, 2010

A friend of mine sent me the link to the following article:

Check Out What China's Doing With Its Taxpayers' Money
Business Insider, Inc.
Sep. 26, 2010

http://www.businessinsider.com...eed-trains

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Ederson
written by João da Silva, September 26, 2010

Joao? Where is everyone?

Never mind them.They don't matter. Probably our buddy ASP is enjoying the "English weather", while his pal ch.c is in Salisbury making deals with Emperor Bob Mugabe (or selling off his properties in Bahia). Our friend Ricardo must be busy phoning his relatives in Brasil to inquire about the "elections" (or is it "selections"?).

There are certain hints, Joao, but the story reaches from SA, to Brasil, Australia, to Texas, Minnesota, and the gold fields of New Guinea.

Now I get it loud and clear when you mentioned USSAAB. New Guinea ? It becomes all the more interesting and intriguing. Is Diane involved in the story?

Changing the topic: Which country in the world has the largest English reading population in the world?

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English reading population?
written by Ederson, September 26, 2010

Joao, I'd guess India, but that would only be a guess.

Diane? I don't have a Diane in my story. You might have me confused with another novelist. My latest story, if I run with it, is about farming and ranching on the Brasil/Argentinian border. Don't ask me how I wrote SA, Australia, Texas, and New Guinea into the story, but I did.

I'm interested in seeing what Ricky has to offer for my late-evening reading. Probably very interesting.

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Ricky Amaral! Thanks!
written by Ederson, September 26, 2010

That's just one of many articles I've read lately concerning China's ascension. I was relating to Joao earlier concerning the investment that China is putting into their aerospace manufacturing, which directly relates into everything else, such as electronics, metal manufacturing, capital investment for new airports, etc.
So many have expressed the opinion before and will continue to state the obvious concerning the fact that Brasil's leaders need to start investing in Brasil and quick.
Can anyone believe that the Yanks actually subsidized the movement of many, or part, of their manufacturing giants overseas, such as to China, such as Boeing?
I have nothing but praise for the Chinese; they have a dream and the guts to make it come true. While once leading countries such as Yankeeland are concerned about increasing their national socialism programs, the Chinese are reaching for the sky and beyond.
America wants handouts, China wants jobs. Obama is concerned that no one likes him, Wen says, "Get the hell out of my way. I've got a country to lead."
The Chinese ought to consider themselves lucky to have him. The rest of the world ought to wake up. The Yanks ought to have an estate sale. The last series of Yankee presidents have been a disgrace to a once great country and to the world in general.
Brasil can't do it alone, but it needs to do something besides wait until it is devoured by the Chinese.

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Saudi Aluminum plant nuclear powered.
written by Ederson, September 26, 2010

China isn't the only one reaching for the future. Is anyone aware of the new Saudi aluminum plant to be operated with its own nuclear power station? It's really noteworthy to observe a country with a national drive. What is Brasil doing that's comparable, besides ethanol and oil? The Saudis can see beyond oil; can Brasil? With Brasil's inexpensive labor and mineral wealth, the future would seem worthy of planned investment.

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Regarding Saudi Arabia
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 27, 2010

Ricardo: Ederson, here is what I posted on the Elite Trader Economics Forum about Saudi Arabia a little over 3 years ago:

By the way, my screen name on the ET forum is: SouthAmerica.

Great Economic Opportunities in Saudi Arabia
http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/...genumber=1


*****


June 15, 2007

SouthAmerica: On Wednesday, June 13, 2007 I did spend the entire day attending a seminar in New York City regarding the current economic development that is under way in Saudi Arabia.

I attended the seminar as a guest of the Saudi government, and the seminar was about the 6 industrial cities that the government of Saudi Arabia is in the process of building right now – they are supposed to be state-of-the-art intelligent cities including the latest in all kinds of technologies.

The Saudi government is trying to diversify their economy and create new jobs for the large amount of young Saudis who will be looking for a job in the near future. (Around 50 percent of the Saudi population is under 20 years old and the unemployment rate is already very high and estimates range from 16 percent and some go as high as 25 percent based on estimates by various sources.)

The Saudis are estimating that oil prices will have a floor price in the coming years around $50.00 per barrel, and they expect to have a cash flow of at least $ 13 trillion dollars for the period 2007 to 2030.

And the estimated cash flow from oil for all the Gulf States it is estimated to be around $ 24 trillion dollars for the same time period. In another words, there will be a lot of business opportunities in that area of the world year after year.

The Saudi government has a large industrial development fund to help bring in foreign investors into Saudi Arabia particularly in the Manufacturing industry, and includes:

Exemption from customs duties on machinery and equipment for industrial use.

Soft loans from government lending agencies.

No personal income tax.

Full ownership of investment projects by foreign investors.

Indefinite carrying forward of financial loss.

20 percent ceiling of corporate income tax from the first profitable year.

Full repatriation of capital, profits and dividends by foreign investors.

And much more…..

Anyone who is interested in getting further information you can get at:
http://www.rabighcip.com/


or at

Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA)

SAGIA Unveils Vision for Saudi Arabia to Be in Top 10 Most Competitive Countries by 2010.
http://www.sagia.gov.sa/


Basically, the Saudi government is trying very hard to provide all kinds of incentives for companies to set up shop in Saudi Arabia and help them create jobs for the Saudi population. And also help them diversify their economy.

It seems to me that there are lots of opportunities for people to make money in Saudi Arabia in the coming years.


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An Important Tradition of the Andrada Family - Part 1 of 2
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 27, 2010

Part 1 of 2

Ricardo: Above I mentioned an example of honesty, high integrity and ethical standards of Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva and his brother Martim Francisco Ribeiro de Andrada.

But honesty, high integrity and ethical standards it has been a constant feature that connects the generations of the “Andrada Family.” And we have example after example of members of our family that met these very high standards.

Here is another example of another outstanding member of the “Andrada Family”


*****


Jornal da Cidade - 16/11/2007
“Sinal dos Tempos”

Na verdade não se faz mais políticos como antigamente. Claro que, no passado, haviam políticos como os de hoje, mas, minoritários, pois na sua grande maioria eram homens de bem, probos, que defendiam princípios e que buscavam o bem comum.

O jornalista Joel Silveira, recentemente falecido, tido como o maior repórter brasileiro, nos conta em um de seus livros – e são mais de 50 – a saga de alguns políticos que não mais existem, entre eles o Dr. Antonio Carlos, da terceira geração dos Andradas.

Antonio Carlos, quando deixou o Ministério da Fazenda, isso em 1918, foi à então poderosa “Sul América”, onde era segurado, fazer um empréstimo de sete contos de réis. Observe-se que ele deixava um cargo importante. Durante a Primeira Guerra Mundial, passara por suas mãos todo o dinheiro do país. Mas saiu de lá como entrara, sem recursos suficientes.

Como é que uma pessoa que durante a guerra de 1914/1918 tivera a ordem de sacar contra todos os bancos da nação, deixava assim o posto tão ambicionado, sem fortuna e necessitando urgente de sete contos de réis?

- Quero abraçar o homem que, deixando o Ministério da Fazenda, vem nos pedir sete contos de réis. Assim disse o presidente da Sul América, Moreira Magalhães.

Meses depois, Antonio Carlos passou a fazer parte do Conselho Consultivo da empresa. Em 1924, foi escolhido para ser um de seus diretores.

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An Important Tradition of the Andrada Family - Part 2 of 2
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 27, 2010

Part 2 of 2

O Dr. Antonio Carlos, aos íntimos, gostava de dizer que “os Andradas nunca se preocuparam com dinheiro” e exemplificava contando o acontecido com dois dos seus ilustres ancestrais. José Bonifácio, Chefe do Gabinete, e Martin Francisco, Ministro do Tesouro. Durante uma reunião do Ministério, José Bonifácio acabara de receber os seus vencimentos e jogara, descuidadamente, o envelope dentro da cartola. Conversações, discussões e o patriarca não se lembrava mais do dinheiro recebido. Na hora de ir embora, pegou a cartola e acomodou-a na cabeça. O envelope, com os vencimentos, permaneceu dentro da cartola. José Bonifácio só se lembrou do dinheiro em casa, tirou apressado a cartola, mas o envelope não estava mais lá. Possivelmente ele, ao cumprimentar alguém na rua, deixou o envelope cair.

Ninguém sabe como, mas o fato chegara ao conhecimento do Imperador Pedro I, que imediatamente mandou chamar Martin Francisco e ordenou-lhe que pagasse novamente os proventos do patriarca. Mas, Martin Francisco, Ministro do Tesouro, não concordou, argumentando que o Estado não poderia se responsabilizar pela distração dos seus empregados. O máximo que poderia fazer, era dividir os seus vencimentos com o irmão. E assim se fez.

Dr. Antonio Carlos fez política ao longo de 45 anos. Começou na redação do Jornal do Comércio, de Juiz de Fora, tornando-se Promotor Público aos 24 anos, depois Secretário de Estado, Prefeito de Belo Horizonte, deputado estadual, deputado federal, senador, governador de Minas Gerais e presidente da Câmara dos Deputados. Aposentou-se aos 70 anos e, como ele enfatizava: “Cuido agora de mim e dos meus interesses pessoais, minha aposentadoria não pesa sobre o Tesouro, abrindo exceção a regra geral, por ter sido concedida sem pensão”.

O patrimônio do Dr. Antonio Carlos, depois de ter passado pelos mais altos cargos de Minas e do Brasil, era uma casa em Juiz de Fora, uma outra na rua Voluntários da Pátria no Rio de Janeiro, algumas ações e a aposentadoria da Sul América.

É bom lembrar que o Dr. Antonio Carlos em 1930 era Governador de Minas Gerais e foi ele quem criou e desenvolveu a Aliança Liberal, braço político que fez a revolução de 30, fazendo Getúlio Vargas Presidente da República. Há uma frase sua que criou fama: “Pode-se saber bem, como e quando começam as revoluções, mas não se pode saber nunca, como e quando acabam. Nem, sobretudo, qual o curso que os acontecimentos lhes trarão”.

Em vez de dar-lhe fortuna, a vida pública muitas vezes prejudicou seus interesses, verdade e ele dizia: “a vida pública honesta é, em regra, incompatível com os negócios e só estes permitem a acumulação de haveres”.

Os políticos de então, entendiam que prestavam relevantes serviços as suas comunidades, seja no município, estados ou no país, cuja recompensa era o reconhecimento público. Hoje é diferente: dificilmente encontra-se um homem público que, no desempenho do cargo, não tire vantagem de qualquer espécie, ora com gordas comissões, normalmente de 10%, isto quando são parlamentares e, quando executivos, o acerto é que indica o quanto.

Possivelmente há as honrosas exceções, como, em épocas passadas, devia haver aqueles que viveriam muito bem hoje em dia, aceitando pequenos e grandes “favores”.

Mas a diferença estampa-se nos detalhes. O Dr. Antonio Carlos orgulhava-se de que sua aposentadoria não pesava aos cofres públicos. Os cofres públicos não eram sangrados todos os meses, mesmo ele tendo servido a comunidade por 40 anos.

Gonçalo Mendes

Source:
http://www.jornaldacidadeonlin...dArtigo=41


*****


You can read his entire biography at:

Biography: Antônio Carlos Ribeiro de Andrada (IV)
http://wapedia.mobi/pt/Antôni...drada_(IV)

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[b]Brazil and China – Part 1 of 2[/b]
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 27, 2010

Part 1 of 2

Ederson: Mr. Amaral. You are becoming very interesting, and I am beginning to at last sense how perceptive many of your articles are.

For instance,you wrote that the question facing both China and Brasil is how both countries will suppress labor's discontent as it demands a fairer portion of the "bright future" both country's leaders have promised but failed to deliver.


*****


Ricardo: Ederson, for you to understand how China arrived to this point on its economic development then I suggest that you read the following article, and I am repeating some information that I posted on Brazzil magazine in the last few months regarding China.

Plus the article that I wrote about Brazil and China: Brazzil Magazine – October 2007
"The Smartest Thing China Could Do Right Now: Invest US$ 200 Billion in Brazil"

Monday, 01 October 2007 - Part 1 of 4
http://www.brazzil.com/compone.../9977.html

Friday, 05 October 2007 - Part 2 of 4
http://www.brazzil.com/compone.../9979.html

Thursday, 11 October 2007 - Part 3 of 4
http://www.brazzil.com/compone.../9983.html

Tuesday, 16 October 2007 - Part 4 of 4
http://www.brazzil.com/compone.../9985.html


***


These articles also will open the door for you to understand what has been happening between Brazil and China in the last few years as follows:


Here Is Why Brazil Should Adopt the New Asian Currency
Written by Ricardo C. Amaral
Brazzil - Friday, 02 March 2007
http://www.brazzil.com/compone.../9821.html


*****


Brazil and the New economic Miracle
Written by Ricardo C. Amaral
Brazzil - Friday, 23 April 2010
http://www.brazzil.com/article...learn.html

Quoting from this article:

...China Megatrends

I am reading the latest book by John Naisbitt - "China's Megatrends: The 8 Pillars of a New Society." And I am learning new facts about what is behind China's economic development miracle in the last 30 years.

And in this book Mr. Naisbitt said: "China in 2009 is creating an entirely new social and economic system. China is creating its own new society, its own political system.

...China is like a biracial child that, after it has undergone a significant emancipation process, starts to disconnect from its parents - communism and capitalism - using the strength it gained from both sides to start walking on its own feet."

Regarding China he also said: " You cannot understand a new paradigm by using the vocabulary of the old paradigm."

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Brazil and China - Part 2 of 2
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 27, 2010

Part 2 of 2


http://www.brazzil.com/article...again.html

...Brazzil - written by Ricardo C. Amaral, April 29, 2010

Ricardo: How off the mark you are with your understanding of what has been going on in China in 2010.

Let me give you another example to see if the members of this forum can understand what I am talking about.

Let put your idea about China in another perspective.

Your idea of the China of today is in the same level as if you were using examples about the Soviet Union to explain today’s Russia. It is like your idea of that country had been frozen in time – a time long gone.

Today’s China is light-years ahead of your concept of old China. China is becoming very fast the world of the future and they have been going through a massive transformation in such a short period of time as never seen before in world history.

It is amazing to me how clueless most people are about what is going on in China.

Let me quote from John Naisbitt “China’s Megatrends” as follows:

While China’s economy is the most pronounced manifestation of the great changes in China, it is only part of the historical shift that has occurred and perhaps not even the most important part. Early on, Deng Xiaoping said: “We have to build up two civilizations: the material civilization, and the espiritual civilazation.” The artistic and intellectual excitement in China today reflects the energizing of that spiritual civilization.

When we think of the Renaissance, names of artists and intellectuals--Michelangelo, Leonardo, Tintoretto, Shakespeare, Torquato Tasso, Guttemberg—come to mind. They were precursors of a huge shift in scientific, social, and political thought. Deng Xiaoping’s visionary thinking inspired China’s economic transition. The imagination and creativity of China’s artist’s prepared the ground for creativity in other fields, Art reflects society and fortifies a country’s identity.

In the old China, obedience was of high value, and a subordinate working class served very well in China’s first stage as workshop of the world. But what will drive China into the next stage—the creation of distinctive Chinese products and design—will be the spirit of nonconforming, talented, creative artists and intellectuals.

…In the early 1980’s the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing occupied a modest plot of land near Tiananmen Square where the faculty, not long before, had rigidly taught Soviet-style realist art to only about 200 students. If you visit the school today you will see a new thirty-three-acre campus with more than 4,000 students, chosen from 60,000 applicants. Many of these students dream of following in the footsteps of alumni, some of whom today make millions in international markets.

…The new individual freedoms have resulted in an explosion of artistic expression that is now spilling over into the world, along with China’s economic assertiveness. China is moving in the direction of becoming the world leader in art, architecture, and design, just as the United States did in the twentieth century.

…The emphasis on design is affecting China’s new, big markets of tomorrow: cars, internet services, information technology, and entertainment. Another measure of “design China” is that in 2008, more than 500 design colleges were operating all across the country.”


****


The biggest socio-economic revolution that the world ever saw has been underway in China at a pace never seen before.

Unlike the European Union, Japan, and the United States that it seems unable to move forward with its socio-economic system because it seems entangled in its own ties with the past – at the same time China has not only met but exceeded all its socio-economic goals –and this new Chinese socio-economic model were able to lift about 400 million people out of poverty in the last 20 years, and with the prospect of doing even better in the future.

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All superpowers have the same life cycle including the old USA
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 27, 2010

Ederson: Spheres of influence
written by Ederson, September 26, 2010

Joao, okay, I'm really new to this, but I'm also beginning to see that there are distinct trading spheres, and that's part of the problem. Someone step in and correct me if I'm wrong, but in a proper world, each sphere would balance each other; the policies, though not always stated would be transparent and whatever policies were written would allow for equitable exchange, such as a free-floating currency.
When the spheres are not balanced, one sphere may try to fill the void caused by the weaker one, such as the West's developing countries now becoming involved with a different sphere of influence, such as the Chinese.

The problem is that the weaker trading partners now must play by two rules, that of the dominating economy in their influence and the invading influence. Still with me?

The developing countries are desperate for trade, even if it means sacrifices. In Brasil's case it would be the need to sell grain and basic resources, which, because of China's undervalued currency, will no longer be utilized by Brasil's work force to manufacture goods but will bring in further revenue and look great in the short term.


*****


Ricardo: Ederson, all superpowers have the same life cycle: birth, maturation, old age and disintegration.

...Two historians, Paul Kennedy the author of "The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers" and David Spangler, the author of "The Decline of the West" said that all superpowers go through a similar life cycle of birth, maturation, old age and disintegration.

The fall is always marked by the imperialistic stage characterized by increased wars, wealth, privilege, power, greed, hubris, corruption and chaos that causes suffering to its people and the countries it occupies.

Today the once glorious empires of Mesopotamia (Iraq), Babylon, Egypt, Greece, Rome, Aztec and Inca are historical ruins where tourist take pictures.

The twentieth century saw superpowers France, Spain, Portugal and Britain wane and the U.S. and the Soviet Union rise. After the Soviet Union collapsed in 1990 the U.S., the sole superpower, rules culturally, economically and militarily. Paradoxically, now that America is at the height of her power it is a classic sign of her decline.

In his book "The Decline of the Roman Empire" Edward Gibbons lists some of the causes of Rome’s decline. It could be a description of America today. He said Rome declined as it had a bloated and overextended military, widespread economic and political corruption, public apathy, hedonism and addiction to and dependence on foreign resources.

...Lawrence H. Summers gives another reason for America’s decline in his article titled "America Overdrawn" in the August 2004 issue of Foreign Policy. He says, "there is something odd about the world’s greatest power being the world’s greatest debtor…Much has been made of the U.S. dependence on foreign energy, but the country’s dependence of foreign cash is even more distressing. In a real sense, the countries that hold U.S. currency and securities in their banks also hold U.S. prosperity in their hands. The prospect should make Americans uncomfortable."

Robert J Lifton the author of "Superpower Syndrome" says superpowers fail because they think they have little recourse but the endless use of force and they are seen as the most dangerous of all countries. Lifton calls this endless cycle of force the Superpower Syndrome.

Because Americas 10,000 nuclear warheads and stockpiles of weapons are at the core of our superpower status we want to dominate the nuclear and military arena. Absolute security cannot be obtained via domination as absolute security for America means absolute insecurity for others.

As most historians point out since Athenian times democracies have been unable to run empires. Superpowers nurture the growth of state power, burdensome taxation, conscription, militarism and measure progress by profit.

...Chief Seattle predicted in 1855 that America would fall someday. He said, "Your time of decay may be distant but it will surely come, for even the white man, whose God walked and talked with him as friend, cannot be exempt from the common destiny."

Source:
http://www.authorsden.com/cate...7&id=18340

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“After the Empire - The Breakdown of the American Order” - By Emmanuel Todd
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 27, 2010

“After the Empire - The Breakdown of the American Order” - By Emmanuel Todd

Part 1 of 2


July 9, 2005

SouthAmerica: ...A lot of the stuff that is transpiring in the Middle East was in the process of happening with or without the US involvement. Maybe the US involvement in the Middle East did speed up the developing events.

Every American should read a book by Emmanuel Todd “The Breakdown of the American Order – After the Empire” which was a best seller in Europe, but in the United States the book sold very few copies – and I never saw Mr. Todd being interviewed by any American television show.

Most Americans never heard of Emmanuel Todd. And they don’t know what is Mr. Todd’s claim to fame.

This article was originally published in Neue Zuricher Zeitung (The New Zuricher, Sunday morning).

July 26, 2003

“The Conceited Empire”

A historian credited with predicting the downfall of the Soviet Union in the 1970s now says that the US has been on its way out for the last decade.
by Martin A. Senn and Felix Lautenschlager
translated by Andreas Artz

The power and influence of the United States is being overestimated, claims French historian and demographer Emmanuel Todd. "There will be no American Empire." "The world is too large and dynamic to be controlled by one power." According to Todd, whose 1976 book predicted the fall of the Soviet Union, there is no question: the decline of America the Superpower has already begun.

Emmanuel Todd compares the US to 16th century Spain, arguing that US economic power is being undermined by the decline of its industrial base and its increased dependence on other countries to feed its consumption. The power and influence of the United States is being overestimated, claims French historian and demographer Emmanuel Todd. "There will be no American Empire." "The world is too large and dynamic to be controlled by one power." According to Todd, whose 1976 book predicted the fall of the Soviet Union, there is no question: the decline of America the Superpower has already begun.


***** * *


Emmanuel Todd is a 52 year-old Historian and Political Scientist at the National Institute for Demographics in Paris. His research examines the rise and fall of peoples and cultures over the course of thousands of years.

His newest publication predicts the fall of the United States as the sole superpower: Aprés l'Empire: Essaie sur la décomposition du systéme Américain (available in English from Columbia University Press in February 2004).

Todd attracted attention with a similar work in 1976, when he predicted the fall of the Soviet Union based on indicators such as increasing infant mortality rates: La chute final: Essais sur la décomposition de la sphére Soviétique.

Todd studied Political Science at the Institut de Etudes Politiques in Paris and completed his Doctor Thesis in Historical Sciences at Cambridge.

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“After the Empire - The Breakdown of the American Order” - By Emmanuel Todd
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 27, 2010

“After the Empire - The Breakdown of the American Order” - By Emmanuel Todd

Part 2 of 2


This article was originally published in Neue Zuricher Zeitung (The New Zuricher, Sunday morning).

ET = Emmanuel Todd


* * *


NZZ: Mr. Todd, you write that America is economically, militarily, and ideologically too weak to actually control the world. This would gladden many anti-Americans. But how is this anything but the wishful thinking of an intellectual who is the product of the French US critical tradition?

ET: This is neither wishful thinking nor anti-Americanism. Why would I have been so prominently criticized by the left? The French career anti-American paper "Le Monde diplomatique", was the only major paper that remained conspicuously silent on my book. The over-estimation of America is fundamental to these people. It is on this topic that they agree with the American ultra-conservatives: the former to demonize, the latter to aggrandize.

NZZ: You on the other hand can be accused of underestimating the United States.

ET: On the contrary, the US is still the most powerful nation in the world today, but there are many indicators that they are about to relinquish their position as solitary superpower. In my 1976 book, La chute finale (Before the Fall: The End of Soviet Domination), I based my prediction of the fall of the Soviet Union on the relevant indicators of the time. An analysis of current demographic, cultural, military, economic, and ideological factors leads me to conclude that the remaining pole of the former bipolar world order will not remain alone in its position. The world has become too large and complex to accept the predominance of one power. There will not be an American Empire.

Nevertheless, if others are to be believed, this empire has already been long in existence. "Get Used to It" was a recent headline in the New York Times Weekend Magazine.

That is very interesting. Now that the concept no longer corresponds to reality, it becomes commonplace. While there actually was a basis in reality, there was scarcely a mention of the concept.

NZZ: Then you are of the opinion that there was an American empire at one point?

ET: The American hegemony from the end of WW II into the late 1980s in military, economic, and ideological terms definitely had imperial qualities. In 1945 fully half the manufactured goods in the world originated in the US. And although there was a Communist-bloc in Eurasia, East Germany, and North Korea, the strong American military, the navy and air force, exercised strategic control over the rest of the globe, with the support and understanding of many allies, whose common goal was the fight against communism. Although communism had some dispersed support among intellectuals, workers, and peasant groups, the power and influence of the US was by and large with the agreement of a majority throughout the world. It was a benevolent empire. The Marshall Plan was an exemplary political and economic strategy. America was, for decades, a 'good' superpower.

NZZ: And now it is a bad one?

ET: It has, above all, become a weak one. The US no longer has the might to control the large strategic players, primarily Germany and Japan. Their industrial capacity is clearly smaller than that of Europe and approximately equal to that of Japan. With twice the population, this is no great accomplishment. Their trade deficit meanwhile, is in the order of $500 billion per year. Their military potential is nevertheless still the largest by far, but is declining and consistently over estimated. The use of military bases is dependant on the good will of their allies, many of which are not as willing as before. The theatrical military activism against inconsequential rogue states that we are currently witnessing plays out against this backdrop. It is a sign of weakness, not of strength. But weakness makes for unpredictability. The US is about to become a problem for the world, where we have previously been accustomed to seeing a solution in them.

NNZ: Assuming you are right: how did this budding empire slide so quickly into decline?

Further reading:

"The Eagle Has Crash Landed", Immanuel Wallerstein's lead article in Foreign Policy a year ago, made a very similar argument: US power is in decline, but it can still do a lot of damage on its way out.

"'A Dream Only American Power Can Inspire': The Project for the New American Century’s vision of global military dominance", which appeared in issue #1 of the Dominion, examines the thinking of the neoconservatives who hope to wield US military might for a long time to come.

http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/...post786144

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"Bad Samaritans: The Myth of Free Trade and the Secret History of Capitalism" - By Ha-Joon Chang
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 27, 2010

Ricardo: Ederson, this book explains many misconceptions that people have about capitalism, economic development, IMF, World bank, free trade, and so on...


*****


Ha-Joon Chang, "Bad Samaritans: The Myth of Free Trade and the Secret History of Capitalism" (Bloomsbury Press, 2007)

Ha-Joon Chang is a Cambridge economist who specializes in the abject poverty of the Third World and its people, groups, nations, and empires, and their doctrines that are responsible for this condition. He won the Gunnar Myrdal Prize for his book "Kicking Away the Ladder: Development Strategy in Historical Perspective" (2002), and he shared the 2005 Wassily Leontief Prize for his contributions to "Rethinking Development in the 21st Century". The title of his 2002 book comes from the German political economist Friedrich List, who in 1841 criticized Britain for preaching free trade to other countries while having achieved its own economic supremacy through high tariffs and extensive subsidies. He accused the British of "kicking away the ladder" that they had climbed to reach the world's top economic position. Chang's other, more technical books include "The Political Economy of Industrial Policy" (1994) and "Reclaiming Development: An Economic Policy Handbook for Activists and Policymakers" (2004).
 
His new book is a discursive, well-written account of what he calls the "Bad Samaritan", "people in the rich countries who preach free markets and free trade to the poor countries in order to capture larger shares of the latter's markets and preempt the emergence of possible competitors. They are saying 'do as we say, not as we did' and act as Bad Samaritans, taking advantage of others who are in trouble." Bad Samaritans is intended for a literate audience of generalists and eschews the sort of exotica that peppers most economic writing these days - there is not a single simultaneous equation in the book and many of Chang's examples are taken from his own experiences as a South Korean born in 1963.

...In addition to being an economist, Ha-Joon Chang is a historian and an empiricist (as distinct from a deductive theorist working from what are stipulated to be laws of economic behavior). He notes that the histories of today's rich countries contradict virtually all the Golden Straitjacket dicta, many of which are logically a result rather than a cause of economic growth (for example, trade liberalization). His basic conclusion: "Practically all of today's developed countries, including Britain and the US, the supposed homes of the free market and free trade, have become rich on the basis of policy recipes that go against neo-liberal economics". All of today's rich countries used protection and subsidies to encourage their manufacturing industries, and they discriminated powerfully against foreign investors. All such policies are anathema in today's economic orthodoxy and are now severely restricted by multilateral treaties, like the WTO agreements, and proscribed by aid donors and international financial organizations, particularly the IMF and the World Bank.

...Chang argues that culture simply does not work as an explanation for economic success. Extremely broad categories such as "civilization", "Christian", or "Muslim" obscure more than they reveal, and the modern histories of Germany, Japan, China, and many other countries suggest that Protestant-work-ethic-type cultures are the results of economic development, not their cause.

...We live in an allegedly enlightened age of free trade. Nonetheless, European citizens support their dairy industry with subsidies and tariffs to the tune of sixteen billion pounds sterling a year. This amounts to more than one pound per cow per day, when half the world's people live on less. The pattern is repeated with regard to a vast range of agricultural commodities grown in rich, developed countries.

The US subsidizes corn and exports it to Mexico, where it is the staple diet of most of the people. These exports, however, drive small Mexican farmers into bankruptcy and encourage their illegal immigration into the United States, where a racist backlash is directed against them. In many cases, the American proponents of farm subsidies are one and the same people who stir up hatreds against Mexican farm workers.

...What's wrong with such practices? All countries have domestic political interests, and successful politicians cater to them. The problem is the hypocrisy surrounding "free trade" and the lies that distort political rhetoric in virtually all economically advanced countries.

...With "Bad Samaritans", Chang has succinctly and comprehensively exposed the chief structures of economic imperialism in the world today. What is now required is the leadership to undermine and dismantle the barriers that keep so much of the world so poor. 

http://www.rense.com/general80/trade.htm

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Mr. Amaral! Wow!
written by Ederson, September 27, 2010

It will take me a day or two to digest the information you have forwarded. I already read most of of your briefing, but the details will take more time.
I find myself in little disagreement with what you have written. however, I remain skeptical when it comes to China's relationship with Brasil. I'm not absolutely sure it is all that, in the longterm, everything many have hoped.

Your article concerning the Saudis investing in their own country was also appreciated. How I wish Brasil would reach for the future with itself in mind in all things, even militarily if it must start somewhere.

You thoughts concerning the Communist/Capitalistic system requiring its own classification was also particularly worthy. Probably because I'm not an economist, I've never considered such a additional category, as well as never heard of such a new system in school, but I'm always ready to learn and can now see its relevance.

In addition, thanks for more information concerning your family. Always pleasant reading. More later, again, thanks.

One additional note or comment. Surely the Americans must sense their confusion and decline. Are they not aware they are giving away or selling their country? It is almost as if they have resigned themselves from the future when they elect politicians with so little vision and such poor moral values and leadership skills. I t appears as though they are in a stampede to out-stupid each other.
If all societies follow an established pattern to greatness and then decline, would you wager that there is yet hope that a new leadership may yet emerge in Yankeeland? Is it too early to count them out?
The present idiot they have for a president, as well as a number of their most recent, seem clueless.

I am particularly curious because I believe their sphere of influence is wanning, and such a surrender directly relates to Brasil and its future course of action or development.
Just curious concerning your opinion.

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The China Price
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 27, 2010

Ricardo: Ederson, you might also enjoy reading a thread that I started on the Elite Trader Economics Forum in May 2005 about China. That is a very popular thread on that forum.

May 31, 2005

SouthAmerica:

"The China Price" - The best business article I have seen in years

http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/...genumber=1

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You last blog, Ricky.
written by Ederson, September 27, 2010

Your last blog concerning "Bad Samaritans" was delivered after I sent you my previous blog. Haven't read it. Looks particularly interesting. I'll read it later for sure.
Ricky, I think you are adding to my Christmas list!

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Ederson
written by João da Silva, September 27, 2010

Surely the Americans must sense their confusion and decline. Are they not aware they are giving away or selling their country? It is almost as if they have resigned themselves from the future when they elect politicians with so little vision and such poor moral values and leadership skills.

Probably a small minority is "sensing the confusion and decline". The large majority is quite happy to elect "politicians with little or no vision". Not much different from us.

Poor moral values and leadership skills?

Sorry Ederson, my English is not good enough to understand these buzz words.

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Joao.
written by Ederson, September 27, 2010

In this case, people with poor moral values are those who claim to be what they are not, namely, leaders. And poor leadership skills relates to those very same people who are unable to inspire or motivate the group that elected them to lead.
Now keep in mind, Joao, this is only the opinion of an illiterate peasant. I've had a busy day, but still breathing.

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Ricky, made it through part one.
written by Ederson, September 27, 2010

Had a busy day, Ricky, but thought often about what I had read from the information you provided earlier.
Sorry if the abbreviated questions you ask might already be answered in the remaining sections; however, I have a few questions.

If Brasil were to adopt the Chinese currency, would not Brasil's labor force discover that soon its standard of living would be lowered in general, as the Chinese labor force currently is? This is particularly confusing for me, because as it is now, Brasil's labor force, on the wide-open and fair market, offers something of an outstanding value, especially when it comes to the production of aircraft, a niche particularly well suited to Brasil's manufacturing base.

Second, if Brasil adopted the Chinese currency, would not Embrarer then be competing directly against the Chinese, plane for plane? What remaining factor would make Brasilian aircraft worthwhile purchases for foreign buyers? Besides, the economies of scale would indicate that China's own internal market would make their identical aircraft cheaper than anything Brasil could produce.
Or are you of the opinion that the Chinese will serve as benevolent lenders because of the size of Brasil's debt?

Just curious, and if you have the time to answer, you already know I will be very appreciative.
Today was not a normal day for me. Incredibly busy working on various flying machines. Please don't abandon me while I study your postings. Thanks.

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Ricky, again.
written by Ederson, September 27, 2010

My dream for Brasil would be that it continues developing its aerospace industry. Currently, Embraer is developing a solid market share as well as an excellent reputation throughout the Americas, and elsewhere, for that matter. Under your plan, would Brasil surrender that technological achievement and revert to being a breadbasket type economy based on Chinese need for grain? I know it would probably ensure certain highways were paved and no doubt a better railway structure, but what do you feel Brasil would have to give away in such a deal? Thanks again.

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...
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 28, 2010

Ederson: If Brasil were to adopt the Chinese currency,...


*****


Ricardo: Ederson, in any of my articles I ever suggested that Brazil should adopt the Chinese currency - the yuan. I have suggesting that Brazil adopts the “New Asian Currency” similar to the euro.


*****


RGE Monitor – July 9, 2009
“Brazil, China and the New Asian Currency”
Written by Ricardo C. Amaral
http://www.roubini.com/emergin...250#183003

...Basically, the International Monetary System that we have had for a few decades that revolves around the US dollar has finally reached the end of the line, and the current international monetary crisis was the last straw necessary for the world to realize that it needs a new redesigned international monetary system that would be compatible with the new realities of the 21st Century.

This article was also published on:

Brazzil magazine - July 9, 2009
“With US Capitalism’s Demise It’s High Time for Brazil to Adopt the New Asian Currency” – Written by Ricardo C. Amaral
http://www.brazzil.com/compone...l#comments

Quoting from this article:

...Here are my recommendations for a new international monetary system

1) Regarding China

It is time for China to create immediately and implement a plan for the creation of a new Asian currency similar to the euro.

In my opinion, it would be a mistake for China to try to establish the yuan as the new Asian currency to compete with the US dollar and the euro as one of the main global reserve currencies.

A new Asian currency would be a better choice in the long run not only for China, but also for the other countries that decide to adopt the new Asian currency including Japan and Brazil.

The US dollar has had a unique run as a global foreign reserve currency in the last 60 years, because of geopolitical developments such as WW II, a communist world that was isolated from global financial markets and so on.

An international monetary system based on the US dollar has had its advantages over the years for the US, but eventually it has placed the United States in a situation that the US government is no longer a master of its own destiny, since a few select countries are holding a massive amount of US government debt. A system like that is unsustainable in the long run and eventually becomes a major liability, as is the case today of the United States and its creditors.

I suggest that Brazil adopt the new Asian currency right from its inception since that strategy would help integrate the Brazilian and the Chinese economies in the years to come.

Here is why a new Asian currency similar to the euro is a better choice than the yuan for the new international monetary system.

"The Brasilians," published in November 1999 my article "How can currency stability be achieved for the Brazilian economy?" Quoting from that article I said:

"Why the euro will provide macroeconomic stability for its members?
The members of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank (ECB) are not there to represent their countries of origin. They are there to provide stability to the euro and they look at Euroland as a whole when making their policy. The euro is a monetary arrangement, and its monetary policy will be adopted independent from political control from its members.

This way of operating keeps the politicians out of the decision process and reduces the risk of them playing their political games with the country's monetary and currency systems. I am a firm believer that if the economic policies adopted by the (ECB) are good enough for such a diversified group of countries as France, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, and Italy, then such policies also will be good for Brazil. The Brazilian economy will be better off under the euro system than under the fragile and weak Brazilian currency."

That same type of logic also applies today regarding China. It will be better for China and the other countries that decide to adopt this new Asian currency; to create this new Asian currency and have a similar arrangement as the euro in Euroland. I am sure that this type of monetary arrangement will be beneficial in the long run even to the economies of countries such as Japan when Japan decides to adopt this new Asian currency. 

I don't understand why China is giving any consideration regarding the International Monetary Fund's Special Drawing Right (SDR) and even suggesting that the IMF turn the SDR's into a widely traded new reserve currency. That does not make sense to me, since for all practical purposes that system is still just a basket of few currencies representing the world of yesterday, and the US dollar is still at the center of that arrangement.
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Regarding the "New Asian Currency"
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 28, 2010

Ricardo: Ederson, I am glad you asked the question, since that gives me the opportunity to clarify many points which I already covered on my postings on the Elite Trader Economics Forum.

Here is what I posted on ET forum about this subject about one year ago:


September 18, 2009

SouthAmerica: I wonder why China and Japan can’t see the obvious: That it is time for them to launch the “New Asian Currency” – a currency similar to the euro.

The “New Asian Currency” would become almost overnight the third major option as the foreign reserve currency for central banks around the world to stockpile. Then the world would have the US dollar, the euro, and the “New Asian Currency.”

Global currency reserves as end of 2008
Currency composition of official foreign exchange reserves

US Dollar = 64.0 %

Euro = 26.5 %

Japanese Yen = 3.3 %

Pound Sterling = 4.1 %


The US dollar and the euro are by far the most used currencies in terms of global reserves, making up 90% of all reserves globally.


***


Which countries are "holding the bag" for the United States?


Country/Monetary Authority

World (sum of all countries) = $ 8.5 trillion dollars

People’s Republic of China = $ 2.1 trillion dollars (Jun 2009)
(Mainland China only)

Japan = $ 1.1 trillion dollars

Taiwan = $ 325,417 (millions of USD)

India = $ 277,649 (millions of USD)

South Korea = $ 245,460 (millions of USD)

Hong Kong = $ 223,300 (millions of USD)

Singapore = $ 173,191 (millions of USD)

Brazil = $ 222,600 (millions of USD)

Source: IMF


*****


Note: The “New Asian Currency” international currency arrangement would include countries such as China, Japan, Taiwan, India, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Brazil.

What we really need ASAP is an alternative global monetary system based on a multi-currency framework including the US dollar, the euro, and the “New Asian Currency.”

The “New Asian Currency” it would be a currency similar to the euro – and would include countries such as China, Japan, India, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, North/South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, and it would also leave the door open to such country as Brazil in case if Brazil also decides to be part of this new international monetary arrangement.

The “New Asian Currency” it would be a better choice for everyone on the long run than trying to turn the renminbi, and the yen into major reserve currencies.

The “New Asian Currency” would give more monetary stability to all the members of the new international monetary arrangement than if China and Japan went their separate ways with their marginal currencies.

The “New Asian Currency” would help the Asian economies to grow faster with more economic and financial stability and the “New Asian Currency” would gain immediate credibility and it would become a major reserve currency almost overnight.

If they decide to go the route of “SDR’s” then in reality we don’t need to change anything, and Washington just keep the current strategy of running the printing presses and keeping it working overtime and everybody it would be happy playing with more and more “Monopoly” game make believe money.


*****


Ricardo: Let clarify even further for you and for the readers here on Brazzil magazine.

The creation of the "New Asian Currency” as I have been suggesting on my articles would create a third major international reserve currency almost overnight; a real solid new currency backed by the gold reserves of these countries, their foreign currency reserves, and by the assets and economic activity generated by these countries.

That would be the new currency of half the global population, and the combined GDP of these countries would be comparable to the GDP of the United States, and Europe in no time.

By being a member country of this “New Asian Currency” that would open the doors for Brazil to the financial markets of China, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, India, and Singapore.

That would mean a low interest rate, a stable currency, and it would open the door for massive investments in Brazil for the long-term (30-year loans) for economic development, and also to develop the housing market even further in Brazil. (I mean a financial market similar to the one that we have in the US, or Germany, and people would be able to finance their 30-year mortgages at below 5 percent interest rate. And infrastructure also could be financed at very low long-term interest rate.)

That would open the door to massive of all kinds of investments in Brazil, and property values also would go up in Brazil benefiting the Brazilian population.

Brazilian businesses would be able to plan for the long-term and it would almost eliminate the currency risk, and the currency games that the big boys play all the time and affects the international monetary system.

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China's currency: the renminbi or the yuan.
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 28, 2010

Ricardo: Ederson, here is little more information about the current currency of China: the renminbi or the yuan.

By the way, the US Dollar also has a new nickname in international markets: the Confetti.


*****


“Why China's currency has two names”
By Stephen Mulvey
BBC News - 26 June 2010

Both names are perfectly good, but in slightly different ways.

"Renminbi" is the official name of the currency introduced by the Communist People's Republic of China at the time of its foundation in 1949. It means "the people's currency".

"Yuan" is the name of a unit of the renminbi currency. Something may cost one yuan or 10 yuan. It would not be correct to say that it cost 10 renminbi.

An analogy can be drawn with "pound sterling" (the official name of the British currency) and "pound" - a denomination of the pound sterling.

Something may cost £1 or £10. It would not be correct to say that it cost 10 sterling.

Nor can you talk about the number of renminbi - or the number of sterling - to the dollar.

Silver dollars

The word "yuan" goes back further than "renminbi". It is the Chinese word for dollar - the silver coin, mostly minted in the Spanish empire, used by foreign merchants in China for some four centuries.

This is the "piece of eight" (or "real de a ocho") beloved of pirates and their parrots - worth eight reales and known as a peso in Spanish and a dollar in English.

The European merchants who started arriving in the early 16th Century went to China to buy silk and porcelain. Their Chinese partners wanted silver, preferably these large European-style silver coins.

China, as a result, was the destination of much of the silver coming from the mines of Spanish-America.

The dollar of choice among Chinese businessmen was for a long time the Spanish Colonial Mexican dollar. Later it was the so-called Eagle Dollar produced by independent Mexico.

In the second half of the 19th Century major trading nations starting producing their own "trade dollars".

The UK produced a trade dollar, and so did the US, as discerning Chinese traders demanded higher-quality silver than the metal used in regular US dollars.

China's first domestically produced machine-struck dollar coin, or yuan, was minted in Guangdong province in 1890.

The Chinese phrase for the US dollar is "mei yuan", the American yuan. The Japanese and Korean names for their currencies, the yen and the won respectively, are derived from the same Chinese yuan character. The Chinese name for the Japanese yen is the "ri yuan".

In the world's high-flying financial circles, the word "renminbi" (or RMB) is often preferred to "yuan" (or CNY, short for "Chinese Yuan").

Nobel-prize-winning economist Paul Krugman, writing in the New York Times in October, noted that no-one seemed to mind if you talked about the pound's value, but talking about the yuan's value would sometimes draw disapproval.

"I sometimes think that the whole renminbi/yuan issue is a sinister plot by the Chinese designed specifically to deter people from discussing Chinese currency policy," he joked.

The plot, if it is one, goes further than this.

Jiao and mao

As it happens, Chinese people rarely talk about renminbi or yuan.
The word they use is "kuai", which literally means "piece", and is the word used historically for coins made of silver or copper.

Also common is "10 kuai qian", literally "10 pieces of money".

"Kuai" is colloquial, like "quid" in the UK and "buck" in the US, but it is the word used in everyday Mandarin, whether you are in Beijing or Taiwan - which, of course, has its own currency, the new Taiwanese dollar, also known as the yuan.

The same thing happens again when you break down your yuan into smaller units, the jiao and the fen (one yuan is equal to 10 jiao and one jiao is equal to 10 fen).

There is nothing wrong with the word jiao, it is just that most people use the word mao instead.

Anyone suspecting a link between the mao and Chinese former communist leader Mao Zedong would be mistaken.

The character is the same as Mao's surname, but the word was used long before he came to prominence.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10413076

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"BRAZIL IN GLOBAL 'CURRENCY WAR' ALERT"
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 28, 2010

September 28, 2010

Ricardo: I am not surprised by these foreign currency developments, since we are moving very fast towards an international trade war.

This article is the major front page headline on today's Financial Times - "BRAZIL IN GLOBAL 'CURRENCY WAR' ALERT"


*****


“BRAZIL IN GLOBAL CURRENCY WAR’ ALERT”
By Jonathan Wheatley
Financial Times (UK)
Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Finance minister goes public with forex fears.

An “interntaional currency war” has broken out according to Guido Mantega, Brazil’s finance minister, as governments around the world comcompete to power their exhange rates to boost competiveness. Mantega’s comments in Sao Paulo follow a series of interventions by central banks in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan in an effort to make their currencies cheaper.


*****


Central Banks and the US Dollar
http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/...ost2965962


The coming international trade war
http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/...did=185787

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Ricardo! Excellent!
written by Ederson, September 28, 2010

I've just started my morning Amaral briefing, and you have certainly clarified a few points for me.

Yes, you did not ask for Brasil to tag itself to China's currency. My fault completely. You did mention over and over an Asian currency. I feel stupid. How many of your other readers made the same mistake I did?

China and Japan working together? Interesting. The adoption of a joint currency might solve several problems. However, at the moment, Japan and China are at loggerheads. Indeed, they are quiet enemies. May I suggest that North Korea is being backed by the Chinese not as a threat to South Korea but as a threat to Japan. As a result, Japan has had to spend huge amounts of money to purchase updated weapons as it eyes North Korea.
The same with India. It would be best for India and Japan to unite with China. Pakistan is a division of the Chinese army, or a proxy as some might argue. Pakistan got the bomb from China. India and China hate each other in the same manner that Japan and China hate each other. A common currency between the three might go far to unite the factions.

Thanks for the list of Nations holding Yankee debt.

Just my morning reflections. Thank you for trying to educate your readers. Much appreciated. I'll be doing more reading today. Thanks Mr. Amaral.

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Ederson
written by João da Silva, September 28, 2010

India and China hate each other in the same manner that Japan and China hate each other. A common currency between the three might go far to unite the factions.

Excuse me, Ederson, have you gone bonkers? Or doing some high altitude flying without oxygen mask?

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Joao
written by Ederson, September 28, 2010

Yeah, Joao, I was certainly leaning a little to the left on that forecast! The last two weeks have had incidents between China and Japan that clearly show that militarily the two are still enemies!
Was it September 10 that a Chinese fishing trawler, [a.k.a. spyship] rammed a Japanese gunboat before a second gunboat intervined?
In the world of economics, anyone can be friends, but in reality, there are territorial desputes to consider.

I believe that North Korea is dying to settle an old score with Japan, and mark my words, again, China will be there to help them as they did in the '50s. Mao's son was killed helping the North Koreans in the '50s, so there is a long tradition of united struggle.
Still, the Japanese won't go down without a fight. Despite their constitution, Japan is increasing its military strength to far beyond what it needs to defend itself. It wants to reclaim lost territory, and Japan is starting to push the issue. Go figure.

While Japan would appear to be a natural for a joint Asian currency, it doesn't seem likely to me.

There used to be an old saying that if you took any German peasant, blindfolded him, spun him around three times and slapped him alongside the head with a hammer, ripped off his blindfold and handed him a Mauser, he would march willingly to France. I think the Chinese and Japanese are, in theri case, similar enemies.

Same woth Pakistan. BRIC is very confusing to me, but then again, I'm still a learner, Ricky is the master. But believe me, if China was preoccupied by Pakistan and India, and to a degree, Russia, India's ally, I think Japan would exert their considerable and growing muscle.

Just my opinon, of course.

Still enjoying Ricky's very instructive comments!

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Ederson
written by João da Silva, September 28, 2010

Yeah, Joao, I was certainly leaning a little to the left on that forecast!

Thanks for assuring us all that you are back to normal health. For a moment, I thought you were suggesting that we use our diplomatic and financial clout to bring peace & harmony among those three warring parties.

From what I researched, China has been conducting incursions into Indian territories and all is not that quiet in their bordering areas. They are indeed trade rivals competing in the "richer" Western market and I am not sure if they will adopt a common currency.

Coming back to our China trade, I was reading somewhere that ,over the past 5 years, around 40,000 new importing companies were set up and 80% of them was to import products from PRC. It is funny that last week, I saw a car imported from China displayed in a shopping mall that was priced exorbitantly and I started wondering if the manufacturing cost is really that low in PRC(If it was, even with 100% import duty, the final price tag must be lower than the locally made ones). Another question that came to my mind was: Since many other "non luxury" goods are being sold for less than the domestically manufactured counterparts, is PRC practicing "dumping" with respect to Brasil?

But, regardless of my questioning our trade policy with PRC, the fact remains that the biggest beneficiaries are the low income group of our society that can buy cheaper goods with "easy" credit made available to them by our philanthropic and charity minded bankers.

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10 Signs The U.S. Is Losing Its Influence In The Western Hemisphere
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 28, 2010

10 Signs The U.S. Is Losing Its Influence In The Western Hemisphere
By: Gus Lubin in Recession, Emerging Markets
Published by: the Business Insider
September 27, 2010

Even if the U.S. hadn't crashed into a financial crisis, there are demographic, material, and political forces that have been spreading power around the Americas for decades.

Brazil is first among the BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) -- four economies that are supposed to overtake the six largest Western economies by 2032.

Canada and Venezuela are oil powers of the distant future.

Peru and Chile are sitting on a fortune of metals and minerals.

All these countries are cranking up, while America faces plenty of fiscal and demographic problems at home.


Here are Signs the U.S. Is Losing Its Influence In Its Own Backyard:

Our most powerful regional ally--Brazil--refuses to follow our orders on Iran

Hillary Clinton went to Brazil to beg support for sanctions against Iran and came away empty handed.  Now the UN is counting on Brazil, which is friendly with America and Iran, to lead nuclear diplomacy.

The World's Richest Man is now a Mexican, not an American.

For the first time in 16 years, the World's Richest Man is not an American. Carlos Slim, worth $54 billion, is the first Latin American to hold that title and one of many emerging market billionaires to eclipse the U.S.

Three years after a US financial crisis, Latin America is again growing rapidly. The U.S.? Not so much...

Compare this to what happened during the Great Depression. Latin America was devastated when U.S. investment dried up and the export market soured in the 30s. A League of Nations report said Chile, Peru, and Bolivia suffered the world's worst depression.

Today is quite different. Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico have led a buoyant recovery from the global recession, according to Reuters. The regional economy is expected by the UN to grow 4.3 percent in 2010. If the American consumer remains weak, Latin American exports will move elsewhere.

Chile produces 300% more copper than America--the former world leader in copper production

America used to lead the world in copper production. We produced 49% of the world's copper in 1929, according to this article from the archives. Today we produced 1.2 million tonnes yearly, compared to 5.4 million tonnes in Chile.

Brazil now produces over four times as much iron ore as the U.S.. We used to lead that industry, too.

America once led the world in iron mining. In 1892 we discovered the world's largest mine at the Great Lakes Mesabi Range. It was a wellspring for America's industrial might and the foundation of the rust belt.

Now we claim reserves at 2,100 mt. Seven countries claim higher reserves, including Brazil at 8,900 mt.  We produce only 54 mt yearly, while Brazil produces 250 mt.

Canada and Venezuela will pass the U.S. in oil production in the next decade

America produces around 9 million barrels of oil a day. Venezuela and Canada each produce around 3 million.  But America's reserves are 21 billion barrels and may last less than a decade. Our oil-rich neighbors claim 99 billion bbl and 178 billion bbl, respectively, and will keep producing oil into the distant future.

Now Brazil exports over twice as much beef as we do

America used to lead the world in beef production. Although we still do, America exports only 800,000 mt of beef per year. Brazil exports 2,200,000 mt.
 
Brazil is now a critical partner for Russia, India, and China

The acronym coined by Goldman Sachs to describe the four key emerging powers has taken on a life of its own.  Brazil, Russia, India, and China have held several summits and even discussed making a supranational currency -- that would pull the rug out from the U.S. dollar.

What's important here is that global emerging powers have good relations and are inclined to work together. For instance, China just signed major contracts to build factories and a high-speed rail in Brazil.

Brazil, Canada, and Mexico all invest a greater share of GDP in clean energy

A Pew survey found that Brazil invests 0.37% of its economy in clean energy. Canada invests 0.25% and Mexico invests 0.14%.  America is eleventh in the world at 0.13%.

Hugo Chavez is still in power

The CIA has a notorious history of interventions in Latin America, supposedly targeting Jacobo Arbenz Guzmán, Fidel Castro, Manuel Noriega, Rios Montt, Che Guevara, and many others.  But they haven't stopped Hugo Chavez from railing against the United States for years.

Source:

http://www.businessinsider.com...-on-iran-1

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joao, dumping?
written by Ederson, September 28, 2010

Stranger things have happened, Joao. The Nazis were once allied to Russia. Well, that kind of makes sense, but I've always thought BRIC was a stretch. India, Russia, and Japan, certainly, but China doesn't really need anyone, except proxy members for its military.

Dumping in Brasil? I agree with the obvious, Joao. However, in the short term, the balance looks great, much as it probably did in the beginning of the Sino/Yankee relationship. Unfortunately, that didn't mature. I can't stop laughing at the Yanks! How could they have been so stupid? They actually subsidized the transer of American jobs overseas with American taxpayer money? What a deal for the Chinese! No doubt the Chinese believe in miracles.

Cheaper autos might be better for those less able to afford domestic; however, it may become a necessity to have a cheaper car while searching for the job that disappeared with the arrival of the cheaper car.

I'm not sure how coherent I am today. I was out with the field mower cleaning a ditch that particularly annoys me. If I don't keep mowing it, I'm sure something dangerous will reside in there and scare me someday.

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Ederson
written by João da Silva, September 28, 2010

I can't stop laughing at the Yanks! How could they have been so stupid? They actually subsidized the transer of American jobs overseas with American taxpayer money? What a deal for the Chinese!

They have got a better deal here, Ederson. They are very good in producing miracles.

however, it may become a necessity to have a cheaper car while searching for the job that disappeared with the arrival of the cheaper car.

Or cheaper public transport system built with Chinese "investment". Believe it or not, we have a lady senator who represents our state (but not from here) who has finished her 8 year mandate and now running for Governor´s job. She is promising to provide cheaper bicycles for the lower end of the population. Made in PRC perhaps?

I'm not sure how coherent I am today.

You got better after I threatened to ground you. Glad you took my advice seriously and got your feet on firm ground (or soggy ditch).



BTW, how is your book "How the West was LOST" coming up?

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Ummm...A bit more credibility please.
written by adrianerik, September 28, 2010

First of all, even amateur economists would look at the list posted by Gus Lubin as a crock of bull dookey.

I respect (though don't always agree) with Amaral's post. To a degree, if you ignore his fascist leanings, they are at least studied views. They can be argued and debated, though he would not like to hear that. Gus Lubin, a recent graduate from college with a degree in writing has little economic or world experiences. He is not qualified to present a studied list of 'why America is losing influence'. And believe me, not producing raw materials is not one of them. That's for third world countries to worry about. Anyone who has an economy that depends upon the production of raw material to pad up their GDP as opposed to value-added products, is really in trouble. It's moments like these when the discussion becomes petty, like the drunk Brazilians in my neighborhood in Salvador who, after dissing Bush, say "and that's NOT real football they're playing, that's wrestling."

Oh well.......

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Thanks for the 10 signs!
written by Ederson, September 28, 2010

When I visit the States, I always hear references to to America becoming a "Green"land instead of Yankeeland.
I'm not so sure becoming a "Green"land is really what the Yankees want, especially if the "Green" is moss.
Thanks for the list, ricky.

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Book recommendations, please, Mr. Amaral.
written by Ederson, September 28, 2010

Ricardo, could I ask for the title of a no-nonsense economic primer. you have increased my interest in economics to the point that I have gotten into several discussions with close friends, who are now also interested in your view points.
At the moment, I believe you are incredibly well read and able to see the overview in a manner that I struggle to decipher. an example would be your philosophy that Japan should share in an Asian currency with China. On the outside, that appears laughable, but still, if there were benefits to both countries, who knows.
I am wondering if you feel the Euro has been a success? Is it undergoing change to make it more suitable for all the countries involved, or do you see the Euro-system weaning itself of losers? That was one of the questions I heard today.
Thanks.

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adrianerik
written by Ederson, September 28, 2010

Thanks for your comment concerning the dangers of any country depending on the export of raw materials and resources rather than value-added commodities. I'm certainly not an economist, but that is so obvious to me, but why isn't it always obvious to everyone else, I'll never know.

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Mr. Amaral, again.
written by Ederson, September 28, 2010

Okay, I've finished part two, and I agree completely with you, but aren't we both dreaming? With the economic style China has adopted, which seems to put China first, what motivation would there be for China to invest through log-term low-interest loans in Brasil. Remember, I'm an outsider and not an economist, but if China's manufacturing empire can earn 25 percent through a rigged currency, why invest in Brasil and earn a much lower rate of return?

It would seem the answer would be related to a guaranteed source of grain and unprocessed resources. Doesn't that, however, put Brasil at risk, as adrianerik pointed out when he discussed the dangers of countries exporting other than value-added commodities?

That is another of my concerns; what exactly can Brasil offer China that is manufactured here? I believe it is only a matter of time before the Embraer aircraft China has purchased becomes made in China. China's internal markets are so huge for such aircraft as to preclude purchasing mid-level airliners elsewhere.

Ricardo, I'd also like to know what you would do with the money Lula want to give France for the Rafales if the deal fell through. Could I ask what your priority for Brasil would be? Thanks. Always been curious about that question.

Sorry if my questions seem slightly out of kilter. The last few days have been busy.

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Joao
written by Ederson, September 28, 2010

Strangely enough, your joke concerning getting enough oxygen is one of my nightmares. I want to earn an altitude diamond in a glider someday. I've had nightmares about my regulator failing me during such a flight.

And the West isn't entirely lost as long as I can find SA or Aus.

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“New Asian Currency” - in real life anything is possible.
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 29, 2010

Ricardo: Ederson, in the last 2 weeks I read many articles on various publications including the Financial Times, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, and the latest was on the current issue of “The Economist” talking about China efforts to turn China's currency - renminbi or the yuan – into a major international reserve currency.

As I mentioned on many of my articles, in my opinion, that is a major mistake. China should look forward into the future, and when they do that, then the best option is to create a “New Asian Currency” similar to the euro.

I never suggested on my writings that Brazil should adopt the renminbi or the yuan – and I will never suggest in the future that Brazil do that. I have been suggesting all this time that Brazil adopt the “New Asian Currency” which would include the countries that I listed above in one of my other postings.

The above article by Gus Lubin said: “The acronym coined by “Goldman Sachs the Pillage People” to describe the four key emerging powers has taken on a life of its own. Brazil, Russia, India, and China have held several summits and even discussed making a supranational currency -- that would pull the rug out from the U.S. Dollar.”

I don't agree with the creation of this supranational currency for the BRIC's for a simple reason: Russia does not belong to that group. Here is what I wrote about Russia on the following article:

Brazil, China and the New Asian Currency
http://www.roubini.com/emergin...250#183003


...2) Regarding Russia

A few years ago I thought Russia might create the new Russian Union block based on the countries that comprised the old Soviet Union.

Today I believe that there is a better economic solution for Russia regarding the future of its economy, I came to that conclusion based on the actual economic realities of the last few years. Instead of keeping the Russian Ruble or trying to create a new currency for a new Russian Union block, the best option for Russia today is to adopt immediately the euro as its new currency.

By adopting the euro as it’s new currency that would give long-term currency stability for Russia, and at the same time it would open the door to new German foreign investments in Russia, and in the process it would speed up Russia’s industrial development with German outstanding technological know-how.

Russia is already a very important customer for German goods and services, and when Russia adopts the euro then a major obstacle, the currency risk, is removed providing a new fertile ground where investment and trading can flourish between the European Union and Russia. That would also help to bring more financial stability to the Russian stock and financial market.

It is a mistake to base the future of the Russian economy on the production of oil and gas and other commodities; by adopting the euro ASAP that would eliminate the currency risk and would open the door to European long-term investments in Russia and that process would be mutually beneficial for both parties.

As I mentioned above, each country around the world will have to evaluate its economic self-interests regarding its economic future, and they will have to decide in the near future which mega currency to adopt – in my opinion, in the case of Russia the immediate adoption of the euro make sense to me.

The Russian government also needs to disconnect itself from any ties that they have today with the Russian mafia, and honor private property rights and the rule of law; otherwise, foreigners will not make new investments in that country.


*****


Ricardo: I am aware of the history between China and Japan, and the latest events about the Chinese ship. And Japan and the other countries in that area of the world.

I never said that the monetary integration of these countries that I mentioned that will be part of the “New Asian Currency” it will be an easy task.

We are talking about integrating the monetary system of countries such as China, Japan, India, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea (and very soon a merged Korea) Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brazil. (It would make sense for Australia also to adopt this new currency.)

Basically, we could have used the same arguments against the formation of the euro. Can you imagine France and Germany belonging to the same monetary arrangement and using the same currency?

That would not happen even in a million years!!!!!!!!!!!

Voila...in real life anything is possible.

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China, Japan, and Brazil - and the "New Asian Currency"
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 29, 2010

Ederson: At the moment, I believe you are incredibly well read and able to see the overview in a manner that I struggle to decipher. an example would be your philosophy that Japan should share in an Asian currency with China. On the outside, that appears laughable, but still, if there were benefits to both countries, who knows.


*****


Ricardo: Japan's economy has been getting killed by the rise of their currency in the last few years. Basically the Japanese economy is in very deep trouble in the coming years related to the amount of Japanese government debt in relation to its GDP, a deflationary spiral in the economy that is a disaster for Japan, an aging population, and so forth....

Forget about the past, Japan would need to adopt the “New Asian Currency” as a matter of economic survival. China will become more and more important market for Japanese goods, and investments.
By adopting the “New Asian Currency” that would provide better stability for the Japanese economy in many ways.

China should adopt the “New Asian Currency” because that would provide financial stability to the 80 million Network of Chinese who live outside China in countries such as Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and they help the Chinese economy to grow with their know-how and a few trillion dollars of money that they have available for investments.

By adopting the “New Asian Currency” all this countries can eliminate the currency risk for all this people including Japan, and Brazil.

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The euro is here to stay...
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 29, 2010

Ederson: I am wondering if you feel the Euro has been a success? Is it undergoing change to make it more suitable for all the countries involved, or do you see the Euro-system weaning itself of losers?


*****


Ricardo: Yes, the euro has been a great success.

The Germans will figure out a way to fix the problems inside of the euro system.

By adopting a new currency any country is not solving all its economic problems. As the case with Greece for example, just because Greece adopted the euro that does not mean that suddenly the Greek economy is going to have a similar economy such as in Germany or France. The Greeks still are going to have their old economy based on tourism, agriculture, and nothing much...

Here is what I posted on the Elite Trader Economics Forum on that subject:


May 16, 2010

SouthAmerica: Today, there are some fools who are predicting the demise of the euro.

The euro is here to stay, and will continue to be one of the major international reserve currencies. You can bet on that!!!!!!

In the last 10 years I wrote many articles and I also have been posting the same type of information here on the Elite Trader Forum – and I find fascinating how nobody is talking about this subject on the mainstream media.

Anyway, you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to figure out that if the euro system disintegrates - as some fools are predicting – the independent countries with their old currencies will be extremely vulnerable to speculative attacks from the hot money as never seen before.

It is foolish even to contemplate going back to the old currencies for the countries that makes Euroland such as France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, and so on…

With the amount of money that moves around the world at the speed of light on a daily basis, and the amount of money keeps growing year after year - the amount of daily currency transactions in the global markets is estimated to be around $ 4 trillions of dollars in 2010, and the hot money moves faster and faster all the time.

It does not matter how the current euro crisis is resolved, at the end of the day all these countries that are under the euro umbrella are better of than if these countries returned to their old currencies.

The countries that belong to the euro system have to refine and fix the problems that are coming up regarding their currency system – But there is one thing that you can bet for sure: there’s no going back to the old currency system prior to 1999.

If you think the euro monetary system is going to collapse and meltdown, then you are a fool.

I am sure that the Germans will figure out how to fix the euro monetary system – and in the coming years the euro will continue to grow as a major international reserve currency.

The problems that they are having in Euroland with Greece, Portugal, Ireland, and Spain, are nothing compared with the problems inside the US dollar currency system – California, New York, Michigan, and many other states in the USA are becoming real basket cases – and these are the main pieces of the US economy.


*********


June 10, 2006

SouthAmerica: Today we have a complete different ball game regarding international currencies. The amount of money that moves around the world at the speed of light it is mind-boggling.

There is too much hot money just moving around looking for a quick return, and this money destabilize the long term stability of many nations.

Today the amount of hot money, which the international speculators have under their management are becoming mind-boggling. The amount of daily currency transactions in the global markets is over $ 2 trillion dollars.

Countries are losing their capability of defending their weak currencies from the foreign attack of these international money speculators.

It is getting easier and easier for these international speculators to destroy the entire economy of countries such as Russia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Korea, Argentina, and Brazil, all they have to do is destroy their currency and these economies have a complete collapse. It is a form of modern economic warfare. These countries don't have the economic reserves necessary to defend their currencies from foreign speculative attacks.

http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/...ost2841681

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Just finished reading part three, Ricardo.
written by Ederson, September 29, 2010

I just finished reading part three, as well as a number of other articles you have written.
I understand your point quite well about water usage.
A Chinese investment would be secured by a stable price for grain and other food stuffs.
However, did I miss something? What if the world price rises? Are Brasilian farmers locked in at an agreed price? If they are, I can see years when there will be a bit of discontent among that group. In addition, it steers the emphasis away from value added products suitable for export. But surely something could be done to make such trade equitable for both the Chinese and Brasil.

Another thing I have just discovered is your opinion concerning the bomb.
I have friends who lived near a former missile site. When I first discovered it, I was shocked by its size and presence and spent considerable time flying over it, pondering the implications of living near a target. Imagine my surprise when I discovered a few months later that their neighborhood didn't possess only one site, but within an hour's drive, there were at least eight sites! I was shocked! How do normal people live and raise families in an area designated as a nuclear target by your enemy?

I learned later that there was a small school house about a mile away, and when the missiles were readied for practice launches, the school kids would often freak out, for they didn't know practice launches from the real thing. What a miserable life. This concerns the older Atlas missiles along the Missouri River north of Omaha. They were not kept in silos but in sheds, and were huge, liquid fuel rockets with steamy liquid propellants and all sorts of stuff. How did America have the courage to sleep with such monsters in their back yards?

I will also look forward to reading your essays on why Brasil should have the atomic bomb, Ricardo. You are proving to be an interesting and informative writer. Glad to have discovered you, and thank you again for the time you spend educating us.

Ricardo, did any of the countries you suggested should form an economic block contact you? Your ideas are certain interesting. I'd like to know what others, particularly the countries in mention thought. I've always wondered how Taiwan and China could ever reconcile. Perhaps a united currency might help.

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China buying foreign farms.
written by Ederson, September 29, 2010

Ricardo, are you familiar with this controversy? New Zealand, Australia, Yankeeland, Africa and other countries are facing this issue as we speak, and the debate is certainly interesting. It appears that in most countries, the farmers would rather own the land and sell their products to the Chinese rather than work as farm labor for the Chinese.
Was it Uzbekistan where China is offering to buy/lease millions of acres to farm? On the outside, the deal looks great as China will revitalize the economy and add infrastructure. The problem is, once again, China wants to use its own workers, approximately 3,000,000 of them. In a country that only had 7,000,000 million residents, it means that in less than 20 years, or one generation, the native population will be in the minority while the lease is in effect if the farmers have children. Many farmers are already crying foul. I wondered if you were aware of the issue.

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Ederson
written by João da Silva, September 29, 2010

I have friends who lived near a former missile site. When I first discovered it, I was shocked by its size and presence and spent considerable time flying over it, pondering the implications of living near a target

For a guy who has bravely flown over a missile site without worrying about radiation poisoning, you are unduly concerned about the Oxygen regulator failing while flying a glider.They do make good masks, regulators and other such equipment in PRC, don't you know?

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The brave Ederson!
written by Ederson, September 29, 2010

Yes, it was no trick flying over the missile site, Joao; the missiles had been removed long ago. Still, it's nice to have one's courage recognized by such a gallant spirit, such as yourself.

During my visit to the Midwest this year, I noticed quite a number of surplus Chinese military trainers flying about the local airport. From what I hear, they are inexpensive and very dependable. In addition, they are large and have the round engines with the deep, throaty sound. I kid you not, during my visit, I saw maybe one or two surplus Yankee military trainers flying about. It is my gut feeling that the Chinese are going to explode on the aerospace scene quite soon.
There is an American magazine that lists an endless number of airplanes for sale to the American sportsman. If you look under MIGs for sale, you will be surprised that the Chinese have made quite a market selling them to Americans as sport planes. I kid you not, Joao. MIG fighter planes of all kinds, jet fighters of many models. Apparently, they are rugged and dependable sport planes, too.

When I was young, I had the occasion to shoot firearms made by several different countries. Mind you, I'm not at the level of Dr. Cata, who has visited many ports and met many interesting women, but those I did shoot of Chinese manufacture, despite their crude appearance, were all quality firearms in that they always worked without fail. In fact, there is one Chinese rifle, a Russian copy, that if I was forced to have only one rifle, it would be the one I would choose if I had to depend on a rifle to save my life. It was so well built that I could have used it as a hammer or crowbar when I wasn't hunting with it.

I hope Ricky has time to address one or two of my questions.

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Advancing real.
written by Ederson, September 29, 2010

Ricardo, have you published any opinions as to how Brasil might make the real more competitive? If you have, where? I'd enjoy reading it. Are you in step with the current government policy? Thanks.

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Ederson
written by João da Silva, September 29, 2010

When I was young, I had the occasion to shoot firearms made by several different countries. Mind you, I'm not at the level of Dr. Cata, who has visited many ports and met many interesting women, but those I did shoot of Chinese manufacture, despite their crude appearance, were all quality firearms in that they always worked without fail.

I always suspected that during your youth, you were much more serious than our mutual friend Dr.Cata who gave an impression of being reckless, ruthless and irresponsible. The only common trait you both share is the leadership quality. I am quite surprised that you were able to master the art of handling the Chinese made firearms, in spite of their being bulky and cumbersome.For that you deserve an A plus for your perseverance.

I am all the more impressed that, after years of practicing violence, you finally decided to change your career and start learning basic Economics.Our friend Ricardo is the right Guru for ya.

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Practicing violence!
written by Ederson, September 29, 2010

Joao, you make me laugh, but you are right about practicing violence. When the corn borers, and their like, see me coming, they just surrender, knowing they can't outrun me!

Leadership? Not me! I've never walked point voluntarily.

Actually, the Chinese rifles I was fortunate to shoot were anything but bulky and cumbersome. Indeed, they seemed to have been built for someone smaller than my majority Scottish stock.

By accident, I took Economics 101 and 102 in college and transfered out of 103 for a course in religion. But now, after experiencing the existence of Ricardo Amaral, I fbelieve I have found a new energy for the subject. I also believe that such intense learning will help me live longer by clearing my arteries and lowering my blood pressure.

In all honesty, Joao, I enjoy Ricardo's opinions and spirited debate with his friends and associates on Elite Trader. He is certainly well read and innovative in his thinking. Even though I was born politically incorrect, I believe that Ricky is due his 15 minutes with me, and it is to my benefit that he gets it. I certainly enjoy his lessons and links.

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Paul Krugman's lecture at Ramapo College
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 29, 2010

Paul Krugman
Lecture: “The Liquidity Trap and Its Discontents”
Ramapo College of New Jersey
Sharp Theater, Angelica and Russ Berrie Center for the Performing Arts.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
http://ww2.ramapo.edu/asb/news.aspx#PaulKrugman


Ricardo: I enjoyed the lecture that Paul Krugman gave today at Ramapo College.

The actual lecture was about 1 hour, and another 15 minutes answering questions from the audience.

He painted a real bleak picture for the U.S. Job market for many years to ...come with unemployment going up from current level.

He said people ask me all the time which areas of the economy is creating jobs, and his response was nowhere, and he could not give a single industry that were creating jobs in the US economy.

At one point in the lecture Mr. Krugman was implying that the only way for the unemployment rate to go down to acceptable level would be a similar situation at the beginning of WW II.

I hope I misunderstood what he said, because I thought he was implying that the only solution to bring down the unemployment rate to acceptable levels would be to start WW III.

He gave a very gloomy picture of the US job market for many years to come to the students of Ramapo College.


*****


Paul Krugman's lecture reminded me of one scene of the movie “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps” - when Gordon Gekko is giving a lecture in some hall full of university students, then he tells his audience you are the NINJA generation - NINJA (No Income, No Job, (No) Asset).

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Ricardo Amaral
written by João da Silva, September 29, 2010

I hope I misunderstood what he said, because I thought he was implying that the only solution to bring down the unemployment rate to acceptable levels would be to start WW III.

I don't think you misunderstood him , Ricardo. Everything points out to that direction. I dunno what Ederson´s line of thoughts, but..but...but... Dr.Cata & I always said there is going to be a major event in the ME very soon. Please read Ederson´s comments about Japan, China, India & Pakistan. I am unable to figure out yet which is the flash point, ME, South East Asia or Far East.

Whether we like it or not, Brasil is going to be affected.

Am I projecting doomsday scenario ? No, I am not.

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Ricardo..
written by Ederson, September 29, 2010

I am impressed that you attended.
I was watching a television program recently that quoted your Mayor Bloomberg. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Mr. Bloomberg pointed out that at least in the '30s, the recovery programs created jobs while improving infrastructure.
In turn, today's Yankee leadership seems without direction or is misguided at best. I don't believe the Americans fully understand that much of the world still looks to them for direction. Haven't I read recently that even some of the stimulus money, borrowed from the Chinese to give Yanks jobs, went to France for green technology? Gee, I'm not an economist, but that sounds stupid, borrowing from the Chinese to give Frenchmen jobs. The Yanks have always been known for a big heart.

Ricardo, I don't believe for an instant that in your writings you have become the forecaster of doom. I think your perception is realistic and an alternative to the disastrous course the Yanks have been following for far too long.
I am particularly depressed when I think of how The Yank's failure may bring Brasil down. Indeed, I don't understand how Brasil can escape the clutches of either influential economic sphere, East or West.

Another question, Ricky. What do you think will happen to the real? I believe the Chinese are laughing at Brasil as the real goes yet higher. Just wondering.

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Where is the flash point?
written by Ederson, September 29, 2010

Good question, Joao. I won't say much about this subject as I appreciate the mostly economic bent on this blog. However, the Pakistani-China/India-Russia-Israel connection will probably be tactical when it does happen. The theater is perfect for small yield tactical nukes, and when it does happen, the relatively small damage resulting from such use may immune many to the dangers of weapons with greater yields. I have often wondered what will happen to the markets if only one small tactical bomb is used as a scare tactic. Wow, talk about market upheaval.
I don't think realistically that it is a matter of 'if'; it is more of a matter of when. Small yield nuclear war in the open reaches between Pakistan and India is survivable and might not warrant too much excitement, but once the genie is out of the bag, all this economics stuff may hold little relevance. Again, just the musings of a peasant.

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Ederson
written by João da Silva, September 29, 2010

However, the Pakistani-China/India-Russia-Israel connection will probably be tactical when it does happen. The theater is perfect for small yield tactical nukes,

My question: Do Pakistan and India possess "small yield tactical nukes"? Or do you expect them to "borrow" them from their respective "allies"?

The news from Pakistan is not very encouraging, though. I read an article in the NYtimes that says that the Generals over there are quite upset with the way the country is being run by the politicians. But..but...but.. they have assured everyone on sight that they wouldn't be interested in staging a benevolent Coup d'état.

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Smiling Buddha
written by Ederson, September 30, 2010

The smiling Buddha test of 1998 by India was around 60 kilotons. That might be considered a small bomb by many, unless it lands in the middle of a city. For instance, the bombs dropped on Japan were 15 to 20 kilotons, or perhaps less, but is in everything, it's all location, location, location, and the type of burst, ground or air.
Believe it or not, the Internet has a huge amount of detail concerning the impact of many different size bombs and their effects on different topographies.
Obviously it doesn't matter how small or big a bomb is if it hits a city; the end result is going to be catastrophic. However, many such bombs many times larger have been exploded in Nevada, so it's easy to see that a nuclear explosion isn't necessarily the end of the world. But how it would affect communications, markets, and social networks would be devastating.
Gosh, I hope it never happens, but if it does, it may very well be terrorist related, probably in relation to holiday, civic event, or something similar, and probably in a developing country third-world related that would be unable to mount a coordinated retaliation.
In a tit-for-tat scenario, Britain, France, etc., would hesitate to nuke it out with terrorist origination, other countries wouldn't have the resources or allies.
It's a scary world.

I don't think any country would loan another a bomb, but Islamic thinking is beyond the realm, so who knows. I think the Internet states Pakistan's bombs at 15 or less.

From the news today, Pakistan appears exhausted with the Taliban, Iran, NATO, India, terrorists in general, and itself. I hope Pakistan can hang together. The alternative is horrible to contemplate.

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wouldn't hesitate, not would.
written by Ederson, September 30, 2010

Sorry, Joao. I meant wouldn't, not would. I can't imagine a nuke power hesitating to use a bunker buster against a confirmed terrorist cell.

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Ederson
written by João da Silva, September 30, 2010

Sorry, Joao. I meant wouldn't, not would. I can't imagine a nuke power hesitating to use a bunker buster against a confirmed terrorist cell.

Thanks for the essay, Ederson. I read it as "wouldn´t" and really missed the "error" !! I did some research over the the "Smiling Buddha" and it was tested in 1974. India does have some impressive nuclear arsenal by now as per the following link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I...estruction

From the news today, Pakistan appears exhausted with the Taliban, Iran, NATO, India, terrorists in general, and itself. I hope Pakistan can hang together.

I wouldn't be surprised if the "prophecy" in your earlier comments come true. Sooner than expected. It would be interesting to read Ricardo´s comments on this. BTW, I wonder what our stance will be if a conflict breaks out between India and Pakistan and Pakistan gets further dismembered. It is obvious China will support its ally. Whom will we side up with ? Or will we remain neutral? Food for thoughts.

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1998?
written by Ederson, September 30, 2010

Sorry, Joao! I don't know how my fingers wrote 1998; that's off by decades, and my brain should have known better. I should never check my e-mail until well after breakfast; seems to be a disconnect between my brain and fingers at such an early hour.

What a wonderful question to be answered concerning who Brasil will ally with in such a confrontation! For too long, India has been ignored by the world, even with its huge population and democratic values, and most people couldn't find it on the map.
Currently, India faces two enimeies, Islam and China, both of which are making inroads in Brasil.
As usual, Brasil's stance will probably not be with whom is correct, but with whom can help Brasil, despite the fact that India has no grudges with Brasil in the least.
I also think people generally forget that powerful nations often fight their wars through proxies, and in China's case, that does mean Pakistan and North Korea. In addition, Pakistan can count to a degree on Arab support. If Pakistan really falls apart, however, there is no doubt that the Chinese army will move on India; it has on the past and such habits will probably continue, which might make Russia nervous, as something of a supporter of India, which acts as a potential and worthwhile ally against China. But who knows, Russia has been kind of quiet lately and seems to be operating in more of a business sense than ideological.
Still, there is the Arab factor, which may or may not be persuasive, since apparently, Islam is very factional and appears to hate itself as much as it hates the infidels.

My guess is that if Brasil should ever tout its international power and support India, it will pay dearly, and that the response from Islamic extremists will be swift and sure. It's no secret that in a sense, Brasil has become a potential target for extremist activity, who currently have cells in South America but no cause around which to rally. If the Brasilian leadership ever takes sides, I think Brasil will quickly learn how impotent it really is, and that 30 some Rafales was a waste of money.

Just an opinion, of course, and one admittedly from a peasant. But for sure, the most interesting opinion would be from someone like Mr. Amaral, who has no doubt studied Brasil's foreign policy in greater detail than most.

Interestingly enough, this entire question stems back to an earlier question relating to what and who are Brasil's greatest threats and enemies.
Does anyone really know?
Until someone who has studied the matter actually decides and states an opinion, the modernization of certain aspects of the military may be misguided, incorrect, or even a waste of money. But Ricky's assertion that it should go into cyberspace and intelligence for the immediate future is well founded. Just an opinion from a poor dirt farmer.

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...
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 30, 2010

Ricardo: Here is my reply to a member of the Elite Trader Economics Forum regarding Paul Krugman's lecture on September 29, 2010.

***

September 30, 2010

SouthAmerica: Reply to Jem

Sorry, I did not give you a more complete picture of Paul Krugman's lecture, and I mentioned only the portion of the lecture that really got my attention.

Paul Krugman emphasized most of his lecture that lack of demand, not skills, is the main jobless problem in the US labor market. This is a story of aggregate demand, not a story of skills mismatch.

Mr. Krugman spent a lot of time explaining the reason for the lack of demand with examples, and so forth.

The general business tax cuts won’t work because they do nothing to increase overall demand, only tax cuts that effectively boost demand, or fiscal policies that create or preserve jobs and their incomes, have any chance of boosting demand.

Someone in the audience asked him a question about the Bush tax cuts, and he answered that they should extend the tax cuts for the middle-class, but phase out the tax cuts for people above a certain income level. And he explained the effect that this tax cut phase out would have in the US economy.

I found impressed his candor in giving an explanation about how the US economy is going to hell in a hand basket and with very little hope for job creation for many years to come.

Jem, you can find the explanation for what is happening to the US economy in an article that I wrote 4 years ago. Please read this article and you will have a better understanding about what is affecting the performance of the US economy today.

Brazzil Magazine - September 06, 2006
“While the American Dream Is Outsourced Brazil Drives the World into the Future” Written by Ricardo C. Amaral
http://www.brazzil.com/compone.../9684.html

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Ricardo!
written by Ederson, September 30, 2010

Thanks for forwarding another pearl of wisdom! I'll be reading it this afternoon, guaranteed.
I liked the comment concerning tax breaks, etc. It boils down to the simple fact that without demand, so what! But's it's true, an economy unable to sell what it offers is still stagnant no matter the tax breaks, no matter who and where it is Why is that so hard for people to see? You can't sell for something for a dollar when your competition sells the same product for 25 percent less. The Chinese obviously understand that! That was perfect and made my day.
I share your articles with others. I hope that is okay with you.
Thanks.

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An American dream made in Brazil
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, September 30, 2010

Ricardo: Ederson, and Joao da Silva here is a very good article by Pepe Escobar about Brazil.

It's worth reading it.

"An American dream made in Brazil"
By Pepe Escobar
Asian Times – October 1st, 2010

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/LJ01Ad01.html

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63 percent of GDP?
written by Ederson, September 30, 2010

Got it Ricardo. I'm in the middle of a project and am reading your links on my breaks. Very enjoyable and I am learning!
Everyone of your links has proved interesting, if not completely fascinating. This one appears as though another winner. Thanks again.

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Ederson
written by João da Silva, September 30, 2010

Interestingly enough, this entire question stems back to an earlier question relating to what and who are Brasil's greatest threats and enemies.
Does anyone really know?

I dont know, Ederson. Ever since I heard that we are going to buy lots of defense equipment from France, I launched this question to well informed friends of mine. Nobody knows. So I conducted a poll among some ill informed serfs. Here is the result:

From the: Americans: 2%
Brits 5%
Portuguese 7%
Spaniards 9%
Chinese 11%
French 13%
From our Tax Department 53%

Is it 100% or not?

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Surprised.
written by Ederson, September 30, 2010

I'm surprised the Americans scored so low. But anymore, I'm beginning to think the only difference between us is that they're just a bit further north. The average Yank can be duped just as easily as the average Brasilian.

I think yesterday, I'm not always positive if I understand Yankee political structure, but their house passed some anti-Chinese trading legislation? I hope so. What the Americans do to throttle China would be good for Brasil. I'd like the Chinese to stay out of Brasil's markets, and I consider Yankeeland, Brasil's.

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Ederson
written by João da Silva, September 30, 2010

I'm surprised the Americans scored so low.

That´s because the "serfs" consider them to be the least threat. In spite of the tremendous "boom" in the construction and sugarcane cutting industries, they would like to move up "North".

The average Yank can be duped just as easily as the average Brasilian.

Quote of the week.Dr.Cata would be proud of you.

What the Americans do to throttle China would be good for Brasil.

I think the last "round of Doha talks" proved that the Yankees, Indians and Argentinians want to do it. Alas ( I love this word), we were lagging behind in these "talks". Too much talk and zero action.

Of course, it just the opinion of a poor peasant from Southern Brasil.

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Ricardo supplies quote of the week
written by Ederson, September 30, 2010

'General tax cuts do no good because they do nothing to increase overall demand.'
I'm glad Ricardo forwarded that. To me, that says everything. If you can't create a demand for your products, then starve. That's a warning to the Yanks and Brasil. 'If you money is overpriced in comparison to your competitor, you are in trouble. It just sucks that the real is too expensive in Brasil, as is the dollar in Yankeeland.
Kudos, Ricardo.

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Brasil ignores BRIC partner.
written by Ederson, September 30, 2010

So much for Brasil's commitment to friends and trading partners! 100 MAR-1's to Pakistan. I guess Brasil is choosing to side with the Chinese, or are we just playing French and selling to whomever will pay?
I hope this is a well thought-out sale, but I wonder. Ironic that you asked earlier who Brasil will side with! Brasil must be careful. The Indians don't have to buy another Embraer airplane.

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Ederson
written by João da Silva, September 30, 2010

The Indians don't have to buy another Embraer airplane.

You mean to say that their PM "Amigo Singh" didn't like the ride and has decided not to buy a second one? Never mind about these nasty Indians. We can sell our EMBRAER airplanes to our newly discovered Pakistani friends. They have plenty of money to spend.

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Interesting development.
written by Ederson, September 30, 2010

Hugo wants to blanket his country with the latest radar system; Brasil wants to build missiles that destroy radar systems.

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My articles and China's response
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, October 01, 2010

Ederson: just finished reading part three, as well as a number of other articles you have written.

I understand your point quite well about water usage. A Chinese investment would be secured by a stable price for grain and other food stuffs. However, did I miss something? What if the world price rises? Are Brasilian farmers locked in at an agreed price?


*****


Ricardo: The Chinese government has been paying attention to my articles and you can see when I wrote the articles, and the discussion following my article, and the actual events that followed when the Chinese government followed my suggestion to invest directly with the Brazilian government as they did in the case of lending $ 10 billion dollars to Petrobras, and being paid in oil from the developed oil fields.

We discussed that subject on my articles where I suggested that the Chinese invest $ 200 billion dollars in Brazil, and also in the article where I suggested the renationalization of Petrobras.

The Brazilian government also is paying attention to my articles, and the Brazilian government increased its ownership share of Petrobras in the IPO that they just had a few days ago. The Brazilian government increased its share to 48 percent of the voting share, but they should increase even further to at least 51 percent.

I said on my article that the Brazilian government would guarantee the supply of foodstuff to China at the prevalent market price of the time of delivery.

Remember we are heading for a world where we are going to have global shortage of foodstuff for many reasons such as global warming, severe freshwater shortage in many countries around the world, the price of commodities will go up, and up the way, as a result of the dirty games that the greedy clowns from Wall Street from companies such as “Goldman Sachs the Pillage People” play in world markets, and so on...)

You see the Brazilian government would guarantee the delivery of foodstuff supply at current market prices, but the supply would give a preference to China, before other countries could buy from Brazil.
The Brazilian government would make an agreement with the Brazilian farmers for them to give priority to China regarding their food production (the Brazilian government would get the farmers to agree with such arrangement by giving some kind of incentives for the farmers to agree).

The Chinese government liked so much my suggestion that they bought half of the state of Bahia in Brazil.

That was not what I was suggesting on my articles. I am against foreign ownership of large pieces of land in Brazil.

It will take a little time because I need to do further research first, but I already started writing a new article about the Brazilian government passing new laws restricting the ownership of farming land by foreigners, and giving them enough time for them to sell the farmland that they already own.

This is a complex subject that I need to come up with a strategy, and the solutions to achieve that goal.


*****


Ederson: In addition, it steers the emphasis away from value added products suitable for export. But surely something could be done to make such trade equitable for both the Chinese and Brasil.


*****


Ricardo: That would be part of the solution to help the Brazilian farmers to go up in the food chain and sell value added products at higher profit margins.


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Ederson: Ricardo, did any of the countries you suggested should form an economic block contact you? Your ideas are certain interesting. I'd like to know what others, particularly the countries in mention thought.


*****


Ricardo: Ederson, only the Saudi Arabia government got in direct contact with me, and you can read about it at:

Author and Columnist: Ricardo C. Amaral
http://brazzilnews.blogspot.com/


As you can see by the above information the Chinese are paying attention to my articles and they are following up with concrete actions.


*****


Ederson: I've always wondered how Taiwan and China could ever reconcile. Perhaps a united currency might help.


*****


Ricardo: Give them time and they will reconcile just like in Hong Kong.

The Financial Times had an interesting article about China, on September 30, 2010 that described the new tensions caused in that area of the world because of the last incident between China and Japan.
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American lack of foresight - Part 1 of 2
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, October 01, 2010

Part 1 of 2

Ricardo: Ederson, I spent one entire year trying to get off the ground the Brazilian Cultural Society, and during that time I sent proposals to the best sources of money in the United States to get funding for the project.

I can tell you from my own practical experience that Americans have no foresight, and I am not surprised that this country is going to hell in a hand basket, and for all practical purposes the entire economic system of the United States died a sudden death during 2008.

Here is what I posted on the Elite Trader Economics Forum over 5 years ago:


June 12, 2005

SouthAmerica: Here is the new reality in United States and Brazilian international relations. "Basically, the United States is becoming irrelevant from the Brazilian perspective." Here is my latest article regarding this subject. The article was also published on various newspapers around the world.

“While China Rises the U.S. Falls in Brazil and Latin America”
Written by: Ricardo C. Amaral
Thursday, 02 June 2005
http://www.brazzil.com/2005-ma.../9296.html

In a nutshell: The future looks great for Brazil, and the Brazilian people.

Most Americans are surprised by what I have been writing about, or by what I have to say on regular conversation, but Brazil and most of South America for that matter are disconnecting from the United States today.

China is replacing the United States as the main business partner for Brazil and most countries in South America. This transformation is happening at the speed of light, and most Americans don’t have any idea of what is going on in that part of the world; since Americans are too busy fighting in Iraq, in Afghanistan, and destroying the American economic system that we used to have in the United States.

There are many reasons why this American loss of influence is happening, and did not start with September 11, 2001. This has been going on for a number of years, since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Today, China is becoming more important to the Brazilian economy than the United States in all sorts of areas. From the Brazilian perspective the United States represents the past, and China the future. “Basically, today the United States is becoming irrelevant from the Brazilian perspective.”

Today, the United States has lost legitimacy and influence in many parts of the world, but the US is losing influence at a fast rate in most countries of South America, including in Brazil.

I can speak from personal experience regarding the US decline in terms of Brazil. In 1988 when I was a controller for a major Brazilian international trading company in New Jersey, (our office was located right next to the George Washington Bridge that connects New Jersey with New York City) our outside auditors had twenty-two other Brazilian companies as their clients in the New York metropolitan area. By the year 2000 that same auditing firm had only one Brazilian client left in the New York City Metropolitan area – a small office of Petrobras.

The Petrobras Company (a major company in Brazil) was one of their major Brazilian clients at the time in New York City. In 1986 Petrobras had over 100 people working on its office in New York City. Today they have about three people working in that office. Most of the other twenty-two Brazilian company clients of our outside auditors closed their offices in New York City, and they no longer operate in the United States.

During the years 1986 and 2000 when I was working in companies doing international trade, I saw first hand a number of Brazilian companies one by one going out of business and closing its US operations – not only international trading companies but also Brazilian banks, shipping companies and so on….

There were other factors that merged during that time that also helped explain for this amazing exodus of Brazilian companies from the US market such as: economic turmoil in Brazil, merger and acquisitions among Brazilian companies, innovation and technological advances during that time made many of these companies obsolete, and since 1991 with the fall of the Soviet Union Americans lost its interest in Brazil and Latin America in general, and American attention shifted to other parts of the world.
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American lack of foresight - Part 2 of 2
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, October 01, 2010

Part 2 of 2

Here is another example:

...Basically, the United States is becoming irrelevant from the Brazilian perspective. I know for a fact that Americans are losing their grasp on what is going in many areas around the world, but the US is especially losing very fast its influence in South America. For a number of years now, in foreign policy the US has been looking like amateurs.

Another example: I spent one year (2001-2002) trying to start a nonprofit organization called “The Brazilian Cultural Society.” - part of the project 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.)

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 the 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 directors of the Brazilian Cultural Society. Today Senator Sarney is the president of the Senate, and the most influential senator in Brazil.

When I say that the United States is losing very fast its influence in Brazil, I am not saying that just as a possible theory. It is a fact, and I have been witnessing Brazil disconnect from the United States over a period of many years. I have first hand personal experiences and have witnessed this fast moving American influence decline.

What it is amazing to me is the American lack of foresight, since Brazil is one of the new rising economic powers of the 21st century – Brazil is part of this new exclusive group of countries that also include: Russia, India, and China - (BRIC’s).

http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/...post767065

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“The Brazilian Cultural Society”
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, October 01, 2010

Ricardo: Ederson, you can read my article on this subject that was published on Brazzil magazine in September 2001. This articles gives more detail to the reader and a better idea of what I was trying to accomplish with “The Brazilian Cultural Society”, as follows:

Brazzil Magazine - September 2001
“The B-Files” - “The Brazilian Cultural Society”
Written by Ricardo C. Amaral
http://www.brazzil.com/compone.../6752.html


This is an article about an organization that I did try to take off the ground and I worked on that project for the entire year of 2001 – “The Brazilian Cultural Society”

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Brazil and the "Hot Money"
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, October 01, 2010

Part 1 of 2


Ederson: Ricardo, are you familiar with this controversy? New Zealand, Australia, Yankeeland, Africa and other countries are facing this issue as we speak, and the debate is certainly interesting. It appears that in most countries, the farmers would rather own the land and sell their products to the Chinese rather than work as farm labor for the Chinese.


*****


Ricardo: Ederson, I did explain in detail what is going on around the world regarding agricultural land on that 4-part article that you just finished reading about China.

I am against foreigners owning farmland in Brazil. It is OK if it is just a small chacara if that person intend to live in Brazil, and want a small piece of land to spend their weekends. But it is not OK for foreigners to own large pieces of land inside the Brazilian territory.


*****


Ederson: Ricardo, have you published any opinions as to how Brasil might make the real more competitive? If you have, where? I'd enjoy reading it. Are you in step with the current government policy? Thanks.


*****


Ricardo: Ederson, here is what I wrote on the Elite Trader Economics Forum that might help answer your question as follows:

By the way, about 2 months ago I connected my wall page on Facebook to George Soros. It was the real deal, because of the stuff that he was posting on Facebook regarding his businesses affairs.

Then I sent George Soros an email with the links to this information, and I also told him that I was aware that he had almost US$ 1 billion invested in Petrobras stock. I also gave him the link to my article about the renationalization of Petrobras.

He read the information, because the following day he disconnected me from his Facebook page. I thought that his overreaction it was very funny.

George Soros was one of the people that I sent a copy of the proposal requesting funding for “The Brazilian Cultural Society” and The Jose Bonifacio Center for Brazilian History and Economic Studies
at FDU.


November 15, 2009

SouthAmerica: Now going back to the subject matter of this thread…

You said: “80% is much too high - very destructive of trade and it would be an administrative nightmare.”

Keep in mind that the target here is the “Hot Money” that is the type of investment that the Brazilian government should keep away from Brazil - just like the plague.

That type of investment it does more harm than good to the long-term economy of any country.

And the new exit taxes to foreign capital would not be as hard to keep track as you think. As the “Hot Money” comes into Brazil they would come to a bank or other investment institution such as a hedge fund, or any other type of organization that handles these foreign cash inflows in Brazil. Then these institutions would be responsible from collecting the 80 percent tax on behalf of the Brazilian government, and if they don’t do their job properly then they would be responsible themselves for the amount due to the Brazilian government.

If the foreign money that came in into one of these foreign investment accounts is withdrawn before 12 months the rate is 80 percent on the profits, and after that you deduct two percentage points for each extra month that the investment stays in Brazil on a decline scale as follows:

First 12 months = 80 percent of profits

2nd year

1 = 78%
2 = 76 %
3 = 74 %
4 = 72 %
5 = 70 %
6 = 68 %
7 = 66 %
8 = 64 %
9 = 62 %
10 = 60 %
11 = 58 %
12 = 56 %

3rd year

1 = 54 %
2 = 52 %
3 = 50 %
4 = 48 %
5 = 46 %
6 = 44 %
7 = 42 %
8 = 40 %
9 = 38 %
10 = 36 %
11 = 34 %
12 = 32 %

4th year

1 = 30 %
2 = 28 %
3 = 26 %
4 = 24 %
5 = 22 %
6 = 20 %
7 = 18 %
8 = 17 %
9 = 16 %
10 = 15 %
11 = 14 %
12 = 13 %

5th year

1 = 12 %
2 = 11 %
3 = 10 %
4 = 9 %
5 = 8 %
6 = 7 %
7 = 6 %
8 = 5 %
9 = 4 %
10 = 3 %
11 = 2 %
12 = 1 %

6th year on = 0 % foreign investment exit tax.

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Brazil and the "Hot Money" - Part 2 of 2
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, October 01, 2010

Part 2 of 2


Note: When the foreign investor decides to take his money out of Brazil if they don’t have a complete history of his investment in Brazil then the 80 percent exit taxes to foreign capital applies – he has to show prove of the amount that came in and if the amount going out is 50 percent higher than his original investment in Brazil then the foreign investment exit tax applies to that amount of profit based on the above schedule of taxes.

The new foreign capital controls should be designed to discourage the “Hot Money” from being invested in Brazil and to encourage investments of more than 5 years.

We don’t want carry trade investments to be made in Brazil just to blow bubbles in the Brazilian economic system because some other country has an unsound economic system that is creating these carry trade artificial opportunities.

At the end of the day these carry trades are exporting unsound economic policies from unsound economies to other better-managed economies around the world that are following sound economic policies.


*****


SouthAmerica: I am concerned only about protecting the Brazilian economy, but if other countries decided to follow Brazil’s lead regarding the foreign capital controls to keep the “Hot Money” away from Brazil then the “Hot Money” would have to find a new way to game the international monetary system.

Today the United States government is a machine that creates cheap money by the trillions of US dollars to prevent its economic and financial system from a total meltdown. To make things worse for everybody today the international monetary system its foundations is operating on top quick sand - the US dollar as the main global reserve currency.

We have a complete disconnect between the US dollar which still is the main global reserve currency, and the soundness of the US economic and financial system in the coming years.

We have entered a new age, and for all practical purposes you can throw away your historical information regarding the economic system of the United States since the American economic system that Americans had for many decades it does not exist anymore.

What we have today is an American economic system based on US government intervention and a government that is using a machine that creates cheap money by the trillions of US dollars in a hopeless effort to prevent its economic and financial system from a total meltdown – in reality all we have in the US today is an artificial economic system that is in dying mode and a government that is trying very hard to keep its economic system from going back into intensive care.

Its banking and financial system is being kept alive by accounting gimmicks such as its Mickey Mouse accounting rules that help hide trillions of US dollars in write offs that otherwise would have been booked by its banking and financial institutions.

Even the major stock market indexes such as the Dow Jones Industrial it does not reflect the reality of what has been going on since many major corporate losers that were part of the index they have been replaced by new companies and that completely distort the value of the stock market index and it does not reflect the economic reality of the US economy.


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SouthAmerica: Anything is possible under the artificial economic and financial system of the United States that we have today.

Just God knows what is going to happen when the US government is forced to start reversing the emergency solutions that were put in place to prevent the complete meltdown of the economic and financial system of the United States.

Americans learned nothing from its massive economic and financial meltdown that happened in the last 2 years.

The old game is on as if nothing happened and this time around the US government is banking the Wall Street gambling and if anything the mess is snowballing with even great concentration of the financial institutions that got the blessing of the US government to bet the house. This time around we are trying to break the bank of the US government and end its role as the main global reserve currency.

In a Nutshell: This is the final “hurrah” of a declining former superpower.

http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/...enumber=71

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Reply to Joao da Silva
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, October 01, 2010

Joao da Silva: I don't think you misunderstood him , Ricardo. Everything points out to that direction.


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Ricardo: It is related to a Great Depression that we are slowly descending one step at the time.

The US economy is in a massive mess, the Japanese is in big trouble, the Europeans are also sinking slowly....

No wonder the United States is building seven military bases in Colombia, a country that the United States is not even at war.

You just don't build seven military bases in a country that is not at war, unless you are up to no good.

And the United states is building all these military bases in Colombia with money borrowed from China.

It seems that Americans don't have a better use for this billions that they are borrowing from China.

Easy come easy go....

To put in a nutshell: the only way out of another Great Depression will be World War III.


*****


Ederson: I am particularly depressed when I think of how The Yank's failure may bring Brasil down. Indeed, I don't understand how Brasil can escape the clutches of either influential economic sphere, East or West.

Another question, Ricky. What do you think will happen to the real? I believe the Chinese are laughing at Brasil as the real goes yet higher. Just wondering.


*****


Ricardo: I read recently various articles including in the Financial Times saying that the morons from Wall Street are going to move their flash trading to Bovespa.

There's no better way to cause a massive meltdown in the Brazilian economy. Trading in the Bovespa will be in automatic pilot, and these idiots just move faster and faster and the herd follow these clowns.

This type of trading is done blindly, it is a race to nowhere based on bulls**t. That type of trading is not done based on fundamentals, it is just in and out as fast as you can ahead of the fools that follow you on this silly race.

If Bovespa allows those fools to move from New York to the Bovespa system as the articles are claiming that they will do in the near future, then Bovespa deserves to have a massive meltdown as never seen before. And these idiots will take the rest of the Brazilian economy down in a massive banking meltdown.

If the Brazilian government want to allow the “Hot Money” to play games in Brazil, then they will need also to accept the consequences – a massive financial and economic meltdown as never seen in Brazil history.

By the way, you would also have a currency meltdown which in turn would help sink the Brazilian economy.

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Hiroshima and Nagasaki
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, October 01, 2010

Ederson: The smiling Buddha test of 1998 by India was around 60 kilotons. That might be considered a small bomb by many, unless it lands in the middle of a city. For instance, the bombs dropped on Japan were 15 to 20 kilotons, or perhaps less, but is in everything, it's all location, location, location, and the type of burst, ground or air.


*****


Ricardo: Ederson, the nuclear weapon "Little Boy" was dropped on the city of Hiroshima on Monday, August 6, 1945, followed on August 9 by the detonation of the "Fat Boy" nuclear bomb over Nagasaki. These are to date the only attacks with nuclear weapons in the history of warfare.

The bombs killed as many as 140,000 people in Hiroshima and 80,000 in Nagasaki by the end of 1945, with roughly half of those deaths occurring on the days of the bombings. Amongst these, 15–20% died from injuries or the combined effects of flash burns, trauma, and radiation burns, compounded by illness, malnutrition and radiation sickness. Since then, more have died from leukemia and solid cancers attributed to exposure to radiation released by the bombs. In both cities, most of the dead were civilians.

The Nagasaki bomb, dropped by the Boeing B-29 Bockscar was much more explosive bomb (22 kilotons of TNT as opposed to 13) than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima three days earlier, and was a plutonium bomb, whereas the Hiroshima bomb was a uranium bomb.

Basically the U.S. dropped the second atomic bomb in Japan just as a weapon test, since they were two different types of atomic bombs, then the U.S. had to drop the second bomb, because they had to test which type of bomb was a more effective weapon of mass destruction.


Hiroshima: "Little Boy" = 13 kilotons of TNT and it was a plutonium bomb = killed as many as 140,000 people


Nagasaki: "Fat Boy" = 22 kilotons of TNT and it was a uranium bomb = bomb killed as many as 80,000 people


Note: First developed by the United States in the early 1950s, the hydrogen or thermonuclear bomb is perhaps a thousand times more powerful than a uranium- or plutonium-based fission bomb, making it effectively the nuclear weapon's nuclear weapon.

Only the five permanent United Nations Security Council members — the United States, Russia, Britain, France and China — are known to possess hydrogen bombs.

The difference between a hydrogen bomb and a regular uranium or plutonium bomb is that a hydrogen bomb uses fusion instead of fission to generate the main explosion.

In a fission reaction, unstable isotopes of the heavy elements uranium and plutonium are split into smaller atoms, releasing a large amount of energy proportional to the amount of material used.

In a fusion reaction, two atoms of the lightest element, hydrogen, fuse to create one atom of helium, the next-lightest element — and release much more energy.

PS: they don’t list it, but Israel is also supposed to have hydrogen bombs.

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UN Security Council and Brazil
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, October 01, 2010

Ederson: But for sure, the most interesting opinion would be from someone like Mr. Amaral, who has no doubt studied Brasil's foreign policy in greater detail than most.


*****


Ricardo: Ederson, here is what I posted on the Elite Trader Forum on a that subject:


February 11, 2007

SouthAmerica: This is an interesting development, since I remember reading recently an article about how the UN Security Council still being represented today by what the world it did look like in 1947.

The article went on to say that the situation has changed around the world since 1947 and that today there were a few countries that should be included as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council with the power to veto – and these countries were Brazil, India, and Germany.

The article also mentioned that preliminary research had shown that in the case of Brazil there were only 3 countries members of the United Nations that were against Brazil’s inclusion into the UN Security Council as a permanent member – and these countries were Argentina, Mexico, and Pakistan.

Argentina and Mexico were against for obvious reasons since these countries are rivals of Brazil – and they wanted to be included themselves as a new permanent member on the UN Security Council.

Now - I have no idea why Pakistan is against Brazilian permanent status at the UN Security Council?

I wonder if the Brazilian government were able to secure the support of Pakistan’s government regarding the Brazilian bid to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council before the Brazilian government signed on this oil deal.


*********


“Brazil and Pakistan sign oil search deal”
The Associated Press - February 9, 2007

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - Brazil's state oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA said Friday it has signed a deal with Pakistan's state petroleum company to search for oil in the Indian Ocean.

Petrobras and Pakistan's Oil and Gas Development Company Limited will each have a 50 percent share in the offshore block covering 7,400 square kilometers (2,855 square miles), about 200 kilometers (125 miles) from Pakistan's capital of Karachi, Petrobras said in a statement.

***

The United Nations Security Council
http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/...post13578
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Brazil - the rising economic powerhouse.
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, October 01, 2010

Ederson: I share your articles with others. I hope that is okay with you.


*****


Ricardo: Ederson, the more people read these articles about China and Brazil - a better understanding they will have about this important subject.

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Reply to Joao da Silva
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, October 01, 2010

Joao da Silva: We can sell our EMBRAER airplanes to our newly discovered Pakistani friends. They have plenty of money to spend.


*****


Ricardo: Money earned from selling opium, and also the easy money that comes from the United States to Pakistan. (To their extremely corrupt government.)

Money that the United States borrowed from China, and that future generation of Americans are going to get stuck with the bill.

Easy come, easy go...

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Ricardo Amaral
written by João da Silva, October 01, 2010

Ricardo: Money earned from selling opium, and also the easy money that comes from the United States to Pakistan. (To their extremely corrupt government.)

You proved my sense of humor can be contagious, Ricardo.

On a serious note:

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - Brazil's state oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA said Friday it has signed a deal with Pakistan's state petroleum company to search for oil in the Indian Ocean.

Financed by whom? I can make an educated guess about this.

The Chinese bought half the state of Bahia? That is very interesting. Ederson and I (to certain extent) have started a nice discussion about our role in that distant part of the world.

It is related to a Great Depression that we are slowly descending one step at the time.

That is what I think too. If it does happen, we can not avoid taking sides. I always wonder what Sr.Bonifácio´s line of thoughts would be.

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Reply to Joao da Silva
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, October 01, 2010

Ricardo: Joao da Silva, here is my postings on the Elite Trader Economics Forum:

http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/...ost2948664


September 10, 2010

SouthAmerica: It looks like the Chinese have been paying close attention to my articles published on Brazzil magazine.

Here is another example:


*****


Soybean and Corn Advisor - June 29, 2010
“Foreign Ownership of Farmland in Brazil Could be Restricted “

There has been a lot written in the Brazilian press recently about potential changes in the amount of farmland a foreign individual, corporation, or government is allowed to purchase in Brazil. Recent comments by the Brazilian president and various Brazilian senators indicate that something will be done concerning this issue.

What really caught everyone's attention in Brazil was the fact that the Chinese government (through one of its holding companies) purchased several hundred thousand hectares of land in the state of Bahia. Brazilians are uneasy with the concept of foreign individuals buying up Brazilian farmland, but they are absolutely appalled when a foreign government purchases farmland in Brazil.

One of the problems is that it is difficult to determine just how much land has already been purchased by foreigners. In Brazil, if a foreigner want's to purchase land they must have a Brazilian partner who owns at least 1% of the enterprise. As a result, there are Brazilian holding companies who supply this service to foreign buyers.

Additionally, some foreign companies set up Brazilian holding companies who purchase the land legally, but in reality, the foreign company still controls the enterprise. This requirement for a Brazilian partnership can hide the true ownership of the land. No one knows for sure how much land has been purchased by foreigners and estimates vary from between 1 to 4 million hectares.

Land ownership in Brazil holds a special place in the heart's of Brazilians. Virtually everyone in Brazil would like to own a piece of land they could call their own. Almost without exception, every wealthy Brazilian owns some rural land. Large ranchers and farmers hold a very special place in Brazilian society. As a result, land being owned by foreigners is almost an affront to Brazilian's pride

It is yet to be determined what the Brazilian Congress will do about this issue, but it is virtually certainty that foreign governments will be prohibited from purchasing farmland. As far as foreign corporation or individuals are concerned, it is more complicated. Brazilians do not mind if actual foreign farmers move to Brazil to buy land and start farming, but they certainly do not like large speculators such as hedge funds, banks, or the super rich coming to Brazil to purchase land just as an investment.

The size of the property in dispute is also important. The Brazilian government might be able to stomach a foreign farmer owning a few thousand hectares on which he actually operates his farm, but I think the era of foreigners purchasing several hundred thousand hectares as an investment will come to an end.

There is also speculation that any new restriction might be made retroactive and that the titles to land already purchased could be revoked. Once again, this will depend on who the foreign owner is and the amount of land in question. It is possible that land purchased by foreign governments would be nullified, but it would be harder to do for smaller properties purchased by individual farmers.

The Brazilian government still encourages foreign investment in Brazil, but investing in farmland may become more difficult in the future.

http://www.soybeansandcorn.com...Restricted

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Reply to Joao da Silva
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, October 01, 2010

September 10, 2010

SouthAmerica: ...by 2008, 4 million hectares of land were registered under foreign ownership.


*****


"Big crackdown on foreign firms' land ownership in Brazil"
Morning Star (UK)
Wednesday 25 August 2010

A significant reduction in foreign ownership of land in Brazil was announced on Tuesday by the government.

The Solicitor General's Office confirmed that foreign or Brazilian subsidiaries of foreign companies cannot own more than 5,000 hectares and no holding can exceed 25 per cent of the total area of the municipality where the land is located.

From now on, land owned by foreigners can be used only for farming, cattle-raising or industrial activities that must be approved by the Agrarian Development Ministry.

Attorney General Luis Inacio Lucena Adams explained that the restrictions were necessary to preserve national control over land ownership.

Earlier this year the ministry confirmed that by 2008, 4 million hectares of land were registered under foreign ownership.

http://www.morningstaronline.c...full/94474
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Reply to Joao da Silva
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, October 01, 2010

Joao da Silva: The Chinese bought half the state of Bahia?


*****


Ricardo: As you can see by the above posting, I did exaggerated a little on the size of the Chinese land in Brazil.

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Our best friend, China!
written by Ederson, October 01, 2010

Let me get this straight, and correct me if I'm wrong, but wherever China goes, there goes Brasil?
They buy Brasil's farmland rather than purchase grain from Brasilian farmers.
They own a portion of Brasil's oil industry.
They destabilize and undercut Brasil's currency.
They dump their cheaply made goods in Brasil.
They are interested only in Brasil's basic mineral resources and not value-added goods.
They rob Brasil of a huge market in North America through currency rigging.
When Brasil cannot export the Tucano to Venezuela, they step in and sell Hugo the f-8.
Russia is tired of Iran and China isn't so Brasil now loves Iran as a new business partner?
They are without a doubt involved in Brasil's oil exploration in Pakistan.
And now independent and neutral Brasil is selling MAR-1s to Pakistan and paid for by whom?

I'm not making this up.
Joao, your question concerning which sphere of influence Brasil is following is quickly being answered.
And so much for Brasil staying out of trouble.
just a humble peasant's opinion, of course. I might be wrong, but I doubt it.

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Mr. Amaral!
written by Ederson, October 01, 2010

Ricky, Thanks very much for you insights and links. I've been busy this morning enjoying them. I have read to part 3 of your links and will continue with part 4 as soon as possible. Thanks again. Many thanks, indeed.
Just for your information, people that I have introduced to your blogs have e-mailed me whenever anything interesting about China or one of its proxies is on the news, so you have raised some interest.

Do you write anywhere else, besides the elite trader or here?

Would you go as far as considering Brasil a new proxy of China's, at least in the economic sense, for now?

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A tight place.
written by Ederson, October 01, 2010

Between the West and the Eastern spheres of influence, the gap seems quite narrow. I understand how difficult it is for Brasil's leadership to thread that gap. I hope they are careful.

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Ederson
written by João da Silva, October 01, 2010

Joao, your question concerning which sphere of influence Brasil is following is quickly being answered.

Thanks Ederson. You may be a humble peasant, but a well informed one. Must be aware of the world affairs by watching the "Novelas".

But..but...but... I am not sure I understand the following statement of yours:

When Brasil cannot export the Tucano to Venezuela, they step in and sell Hugo the f-8.

F-8? I thought these planes are of Yankee design. Have they outsourced the manufacturing of these fighters to the PRC? Clue me in please.

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MAR-1s
written by Ederson, October 01, 2010

I am curious as to why the MAR-1s are being shipped to Pakistan.
Number 1, that is the hot place, not the Middle-east; that'swhy Syria won't get them. It might take forever to use them, and besides, Rafael Military Industries is investing in Brasil.
The MAR-1 needs to be proven in combat before it can be sold. This maybe a business decision; Brasil needs to prove its missile can work in a combat environment. What better way is there to determine that then to put it in a combat environment such as Pakistan and India?
The Chinese will provide funding, so Brasil makes a sale.
Another thing; there are better anti-radar missiles out there. China no doubt makes several variants. Pakistan doesn't have to buy Brasilian. I'm interested that it did. There are more than the obvious reason that it did.
I can't help but think that Brasil maybe a new proxy for China. If that is true, you can kiss the Rafales goodbye. China will not allow Brasil to spend its money on such a stupid airplane.
I think Brasil's new big brother is going to become very interesting for future reading.

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Premier Kan
written by Ederson, October 01, 2010

Excuse the spelling, but Japan's leadership has had a few words with and about China today. They are warning the world about China's attempt to wrestle several oil-rich islands from Japan, and the Japanese are quite angry about it.

If anyone thinks that trade and currency will bind the hearts of nations, just remember who is Japan's number one trading partner. It is China, and apparently, such external love affairs can be broken. China would never mistreat Brasil, would they? Aren't they like Brasil's new everything?

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Ederson
written by João da Silva, October 01, 2010

I think Brasil's new big brother is going to become very interesting for future reading.

We will see if this prophecy of yours is confirmed by Midnight this Sunday.

China would never mistreat Brasil, would they?

No way.

BTW, the "attempted coup" in Ecuador was thwarted yesterday and thus democracy was "saved" in that country.

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Midnight? Oh, gosh!
written by Ederson, October 01, 2010

Midnight? What happens at midnight, Joao? Don't scare me like that!

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Ricardo!
written by Ederson, October 01, 2010

The Saudis have sought Yankee congressional approval for the purchase of 60 billion dollars of American arms! That is mind boggling. I have read that this one purchase is greater than all the conventional arms sales of 2009 across the world put together. Incredible.

Ricardo, Joao and I have been discussing the possibility that the real Middle-east conflict is not between Israel and its nearest neighbors but is between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Apparently the Saudis are concerned that something is about to happen.

I've always been interested in how economists view world events or potential events.
Do you folks receive a briefing from some outside source? Even an economist who is not well trained in matters of the military must at least pay attention to this and the message behind it. Note that 30 billion will be spent to modernize the Saudi navy. That seems to eliminate Israel as the Saudi threat and certianly indicates Iran, at least to me.

This also indicates that as irrelevant as the Yanks are in the world, their military science and credibility still is worthy of considerable respect.

Do you agree?

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Saudi arms.
written by Ederson, October 01, 2010

I see no reference to any purchases of Brasilian equipment.
Furthermore, the Saudis accepted the sale with restrictions that would not endanger Israel.
Thirdly, the equipment they purchased, land and air, would be very appropriate to fighting Shiite tribesmen in neighboring Yemen which are threatening their Sunni overlords. Extremely interesting. I believe this purchase should be front-page reading in nearly every newspaper, but I am sure few are aware of it, except the Shiites.

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Ederson
written by João da Silva, October 01, 2010

Midnight? What happens at midnight, Joao? Don't scare me like that!

Though you are a well informed peasant, sometimes you display your mule head. Before the midnight we will have a "brand new" President who has already been selected by the "Opinion Polls". Or have you forgotten that we have "electronic" ballot machines that compute the votes ASAP soon after the booths close.

What a shame...What a shame...that you don't know these facts.

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Oh, that!
written by Ederson, October 01, 2010

Oh, that! LOL! I was expecting something to happen to me, like my tractor turn into a pumpkin or something like that, or even have my Pitt's Special fly away without me. LOL! As you must know by now, I never look for the obvious! you make me laugh, Joao.

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Ederson
written by João da Silva, October 01, 2010

As you must know by now, I never look for the obvious!

Just like me. But...but..., I am involved in a serious project which was forced upon me "under duress" by the "headman" of the local chapter of the " Neo-Peasants Union". By mid next week, I expect to declare the mission "accomplished". Ole GWB would fully appreciate and approve this project, if he is reading this blog.

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The peasant's union!
written by Ederson, October 01, 2010

Joao! I thought the entire assembly was dismissed when I was forced back to work for a living! Do you mean to tell me that you carried on the proud tradition of the peasant's union by yourself?
Well, at least with only yourself in attendance, the required weekly membership mmetings were probably short in duration.
Yes, it's a shame that GWB didn't have a quick connection to the peasants union. There must be many an evening that he remains awake in bed, wondering what might have happened if only he had bothered to ask our advice before making the big decisions!
Actually, Ricardo might have had a few good ideas, too.

I wonder what your project is. Are you revamping the flag and wondering if it should be enlarged to make way for a really big frog?

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Ederson
written by João da Silva, October 02, 2010

Joao! I thought the entire assembly was dismissed when I was forced back to work for a living! Do you mean to tell me that you carried on the proud tradition of the peasant's union by yourself?

I am known for waging "One man´s crusade", Ederson.

There must be many an evening that he remains awake in bed, wondering what might have happened if only he had bothered to ask our advice before making the big decisions!

That was the reason why he was called "The Chief Crusader" in some parts of the world. The "Chief" doesn't need advice from anybody and he knows it all

I wonder what your project is. Are you revamping the flag and wondering if it should be enlarged to make way for a really big frog?

It is not my project really, but that of my best friend & Co. In their own way, they are trying to prevent the frog from getting bigger. My contribution is to help them to form new external alliances (NOT POLITICAL) using my wit and charm. Believe it or not, Ricardo and you have been wealth of information and thanks to you both.

Remember that "those walking with the masses are going in the opposite direction".

P.S: Not a farewell speech.

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Homework for Ederson
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, October 04, 2010

Ricardo: Ederson, you asked me to recommend some reading material for you. First, you can read about how I became originally interested on the subject of economics and investments on this thread:

In Memorium: John Marks Templeton
http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/...genumber=1


I read a lot of books all the time, but one book in particular caught my attention, and I read it more than once and mentioned it on my articles over the years – the book by Jeremy Rifkin “The End of Work”.

Here is what I wrote on the Elite Trader Economics Forum a little over one year ago about it:

By the way, my screen name on the ET forum is: SouthAmerica


May 17, 2009

SouthAmerica: Here are the 3 books that I recommended on the above posting:

By the way, global unemployment in 2009 got a lot worse since Rifkin published his book in 1995.

1) The End of Work: The Decline of the Global Labor Force and the Dawn of the Post-Market Era.
By Jeremy Rifkin

...In 1995, Rifkin contended that worldwide unemployment would increase as information technology eliminates tens of millions of jobs in the manufacturing, agriculture and service sectors. He traced the devastating impact of...

You can read the entire posting at:

U.S. Economy – Budget Deficits – GDP and Defense Spending
http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/...ost2429565


*****


Ederson, here is a list of books that you might enjoy reading it – you will learn about economics without getting bored by the subject matter. These books and reading materials will get you started and it will keep you busy for a while.


1) “China’s Megatrends: The 8 Pillars of a New Society”
By John Naisbitt
Published in January 2010

2) “Mind Set!” - By John Naisbitt (currently a faculty member at the Nanjing University in China)
Published in December of 2006.

3) “Revolutionary Wealth” - By Alvin Toffler
Published in 2006

4) “It Takes a Pillage” Behind the Bailouts, Bonuses, and Backroom Deals from Washington to Wall Street - By Nomi Prins
Published in October 2009.

5) "Freefall" - By Joseph Stiglitz
Published in January 2010

6) Bad Samaritans: The Myth of Free Trade and the Secret History of Capitalism - By Ha-Joon Chang.
Published in 2008 by Bloomsbury Press.

7) Capitalism 4.0 – The Birth of a New Economy in the Aftermath of Crisis - By Anatole Kaletsky
Published in August 2010.

“The European Dream – How Europe’s vision of the future is quietly eclipsing the American Dream” - By Jeremy Rifkin.
Published in September 2004.

9) “Wikinomics” – How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything.
By: Don Tapscott and Anthony D. Williams
Published: March 2007

Note: You also can read about the book Wikinomics at:
"Wiki technology" changes everything in the economy
http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/...ost1425605

10) "After the Empire - The Breakdown of the American Order" by Emmanuel Todd (Columbia University Press – Published in February 2004)

11) “The Ascent of Money” by Niall Ferguson
Published in November 2008

12) The Sovereign Individual: How to Survive and Thrive during the Collapse of the Welfare State - By James Dale Davidson, Rees Mogg, Lord William Rees-Mogg
Published: New York : Simon & Schuster in 1997.

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Thanks Ricardo.
written by Ederson, October 04, 2010

I have been very busy over the weekend. Today, I promise to finish part four and read the links you have forwarded. I promise. Indeed, I'm looking forward to it. Economics have become all the rage at my house.

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Ricardo!
written by Ederson, October 04, 2010

Excuse me for the length of my reply. I have just returned from the doctor this evening. I'm quite okay, but he ordered me to take a quick break for therest odf the day. As a result, I haven't read your links in their entirity, which I hadevery intention yo accom[plish this morning. however, what I did read concerning your views about China and the Yanks, and the idiotcy of the last few presidents is, I feel, correct.
In addition, I appreciate your reflections on your own experiences. theyt are a pleasure toi read.
It is a pleasure to see that we have a great deal in common when it comes to political views and my growing interest in economics. Not having been awate of you in the past is certainly my loss. II am enjoying your links, and many of your comments are both funny and wise. I am writing this very slowly and in something of a clumsy manner because one eye has been resting for the day after seeing the doctor. tomorrow I will continue with your links. Thanks.
By the way, the number of arguments and discussions you have inspired with friends and associates is growing. But you have given me many sound positions with which to defend my position. All in fun. Thanks.

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Ederson
written by João da Silva, October 05, 2010

I am writing this very slowly and in something of a clumsy manner because one eye has been resting for the day after seeing the doctor.

Wish you a speedy recovery. My right leg is hurting too from "running" after things.

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Recovered.
written by Ederson, October 05, 2010

Joao. Something flew into my eye yesterday. I'm just fine now, but walking around with only one eye was quite an experience.

I know the news is burdened with political topics today, but are you aware of Brasil's recent purchase of the Mi-35M helicopter? It may be Russian, but it is a fine choice for Brasil and I believe reflected a great deal of proper thinking in its selection. Kudos for the selection.
It is a strong, durable machine that, if cared for properly,should work well against the intruders in the northern areas, which I believe was why it was selected.
The only problem I see was that they are being delivered with Russian avionics, which is WRONG. Brasil's aviation assets must be compatible with Brtasilian offensive and defensive assets; therefore, the equipment should be retrofitted with Brasilian/Israeli avionics as soon as possible [today.] In addition, Brasil should contract with Israel to give the machines a makeover; leave the French or the Americans out of this. Israel is full of fantastic ideas to make a machine combat ready and add more protection for the crew.

One criticism is that the Mi-35M is not capable against a Yankee threat or NATO incursion. Brasil has to get over its EGO problem. The Yanks and Brits are not Brasil's problem and never will be. Besides, if any first-world power decided to seriously duke it out with Brasil, it won't be done with helicopters and the Brasilian air force wouldn't know what hit them. Brasil's demand that the purchase include so many spare parts and training was also excellent. I think Brasil would do well to investigate what Russia has to offer. Russian aircraft, when coupled with joint Israeli/Brasilian avionics, however, could be very lethal in almost any scenario. Kudos to Brrasil for dare stepping away from France.

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Ricardo, Elaine Chao.
written by Ederson, October 05, 2010

Thanks, Ricardo. I searched through the internet for more information concerning the former labor secretary for Bush and was decidedly unimpressed! Thanks for leading me onto this story. I can only imagine that many Yankees feel betrayed by their leaders.

Bush should have retitled her as the America's Labor Secretary for Chinese Jobs. Interesting reading, Ricky. Thanks. I had no idea.

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Ederson
written by João da Silva, October 05, 2010

I know the news is burdened with political topics today, but are you aware of Brasil's recent purchase of the Mi-35M helicopter?

Yeah, yeah, I know the news is burdened with political topics today. But..but... I know what is happening in our "defense" and "financial" fronts. You as well as I know, that during the "lame duck" government,anything can happen.

Something got into your eye and you are suffering (still keeping stiff upperlip). And me? I think the leg has to be amputated ASAP.

Cheers

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Amputated?
written by Ederson, October 05, 2010

Joao! What have you done to yourself to put your body in such pain? Actually, I'm a sissy when it comes to pain. I usually have to relax on the sofa and be served by my adoring family.

Strangely enough, after minor surgery, my left eye now has better vision then before the accident. I believe that all I need now is to catch something with the right eye, and I should be able to see in the manner of an eagle.

Hope you get to feeling better soon.

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Reply to Ederson
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, October 06, 2010

I hope your eyes will get back to normal ASAP.

By the way, Ederson I never asked you, but where do you live, and which country is your original country?

Are you an airline pilot, or are you a member of the military of some country?

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Interesting Stratfor Report about Brazil
written by Ricardo C. Amaral, October 06, 2010

Ricardo: Ederson here is an Interesting Stratfor report about Brazil, but....

I don't agree with parts of the analysis, but still makes for interesting reading material.

Stratfor Report
http://www.businessinsider.com...ns-2010-10

...Hobbled by a strong currency, non-commodity related manufacturers become less competitive in domestic and international markets, and then often look to the government for support, resulting in what is often termed the “deindustrialization” effect.

At the same time, a country with robust commodities like Brazil will attract large amounts of foreign investment. (To develop the pre-salt fields alone, Brazil is working to attract a minimum of $220 billion.) More foreign capital in a country also means more capital inflows, e.g., more dollars, causing the local currency to appreciate even further.

Brazil has a third problem: China. Brazil’s agricultural and mining export boom in large part is a product of China’s insatiable demand for commodities. The export of minerals and soybeans, for example, represents 62 percent of the total export trade from Brazil to China.

While Brazil was happy to have a large market for its commodities, Chinese exports of manufactured goods to Brazil (pegged to the U.S. dollar) rose an average of more than 50 percent annually between 2004 and 2008. Chinese imports now comprise 12.5 percent of Brazil’s total imports, but this figure is also likely a low estimate since China used a number of third party countries like Malaysia and Taiwan exempt from high tariffs. Hardest hit from this trade relationship are, again, Brazilian industrialists, who are unable to compete with cheap Chinese goods flooding the market in the face of an appreciating real. The real has gained 35 percent against the dollar — and therefore essentially against the Chinese yuan — since the beginning of 2009.

There is no easy solution to Brazil’s currency appreciation problem. As long as commodities dominate Brazil’s exports and the country remains a magnet for resource-targeted foreign investment, dollars will continue flowing, further boosting the real’s value. It is little wonder, then, that Brazilian anxiety over this issue is becoming more prominent. For example, Brazilian Foreign Minister Guido Mantega recently said Brazil is one of many players in a global currency war. The problem for Brasilia is that the Brazilian arsenal is not well-equipped for such a currency war. The country’s industry simply isn’t geared for international competition and is running out of time to catch up. State plans to devote a substantial amount of pre-salt revenues toward science and technology education are designed to develop Brazil’s non-commodity sectors and thus help maintain Brazil’s industrial competitiveness. Such long-term plans do little in the near-term to address this issue, however....

Source: STRATFOR


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The above Stratfor report also said:

Stratfor: ...Brazil could also make the politically distasteful decision to pre-empt its currency pitfalls and dollarize the economy to deter the ill effects of devaluation and inflation at the high price of conceding the country’s monetary authority to the United States. This would theoretically resolve the currency appreciation issue, facilitate investment into the oil and mineral sectors without inviting inflationary pressure, mitigate the effects of China dumping goods on the Brazilian market, and provide Brazilian industrialists with greater access to a large, stable consumer market in the United States.


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Ricardo: That option it would be like getting aboard of the Titanic.


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Stratfor: ...The political debate over the future of the Brazilian economy will thus bounce between risking political instability in allowing certain industries to fail, unwillingly encouraging economic stagnation by subsidizing those failing industries and coping with hubris in measuring the costs and merits of a more dollarized economy.

The path Brazil takes in trying to resolve this currency crisis will determine whether Brazil will be able to sustain its economic rise and whether stability at home can be channeled toward realizing Brazil’s geopolitical opportunity to dominate the southern cone.


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Ricardo: The Stratfor report never gave the obvious solution for the problem: the creation of the “New Asian Currency” and Brazil would adopt and be a member of such a new currency.

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Ricardo. Excellent.
written by Ederson, October 06, 2010

Your enclosed Stratfor briefing was excellent, as is everything you have linked to me. I very much appreciate your efforts to further my education. If I had known how interesting economics could be, I would certainly not have waited so long to delve into its mysteries nor wasted so much energy studying American English. You have helped me understand that the study of history, military history in particular, without an understanding of economics almost guarantees that you will be missing part of the story. With your help, I believe I have passed that message on to those who are most important to me.

No, I am not an airline pilot; however, I possess an unusual appreciation for beautiful airline flight attendants! And yes, I have served in the military in the most subordiante capacity. I also have a consuming interest in Southern Brasilian women, who can claim a distinguished Argentinian heritage of Old World Spanish, English, Italian, and German. That's about it for me. Other than that, I can claim a decidedly lackluster existence, but thanks to wonderful folks such as you, Simpleton, ch,c., and Joao, it is now considerably more enlightened. It appears that in the future I'll be very busy. You fine folks take care, and thanks for sharing what you know and offering your many insights and answers to my many questions. Much appreciated.

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Ederson
written by João da Silva, October 07, 2010

And yes, I have served in the military in the most subordiante capacity.

I could easily make it out that you were a lowly Private.

It appears that in the future I'll be very busy.

In spite of your one eye? But...but...but.. that doesn't prevent you from saying hello to an one legged man.

Keep in touch Private and that´s an order from your RSM.

Cheers

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