Brazzil

Ernest,you have one trip to Fortaleza and you're an expert on Brazilian culture? Love the part about (corrupt union-busting corporations" in the US. Gives the readers a hint at your leftist perspective. And the part about the "caste" system; wow, you took a class that covered India. I'm an American/Brazilian who live here in Brazil and have been coming here all my life; nothing has changed with regards to the classes since I knew what classes were. Never will. Stay in the States and marvel at the progress of the "African American" race.

I've read two of your posts now about Fortaleza, which to me are quite one-sided in their perspective. I'm an American working in Fortaleza, and happy to be here. Sure wages are still low for some, but tremendous strides have been made, with the middle class now 51% of the population, up from 37% a decade ago. Brazil is model other countries should follow; it is actually using economic growth to better the condition of the average citizen.

And as far as this classism issue, I know plenty of upper class Brazilians who are simply happy to see their country succeeding, including the advancement of those in the lower economic strata. Personally I think it's great if you just stay in the US with your trite generalizations (business owners are "inherently dishonest", etc). So what if you heard some lady making a comment. The next time I'm in the US I'm sure I'll hear somebody make an obnoxious statement as well. That doesn't mean I'll write an article casting aspersions on the entire country as a result.

If you're going to write social commentary, I suggest you support your points with something more substantial than your own jaded opinions.

This article, if I might call it that, was a pathetic attempt at social commentary. This guy needs to visit Compton (it's in LA Ernest) and talk about culture.

Crap, you could make a college class out of this mindless writing of Ernest.

Fortaleza to Rio, by bus, is maybe US$50. Not $700!

"The government has worked hard to eradicate poverty"? How.

The upper class are very uncomfortable? What, the maids will go away? Where will they go? My maid loves her job.

Gonna tell us all next that the coffee sucks, the beer is warm, and the women are ugly. Stay In Minnesota dude.

I lived in Brazil for two decades before I relocated to the US, and my postings reflect my opinion from what I have seen over numerous trips back there over the years. It is, as you have pointed out, my POV over the situation there now... it is not intended as a full-on report looking at all sides of the issues. Do not confuse an opinion piece with journalistic reporting

But you have the naivete of some midwesterner, masking the NY mentality.
You don't therefore have to go to Compton; any one of your boroughs will work to show you human pollution. At least Brasilians are happy.

Struck a nerve there Luigi. That's the point my chamber maid makes every time I'm not there to keep her bills paid and she's struggling along and coming up short of the mark she needs. Says I'm jealous and it's a fact that I am.

Luigi....I work with the Domestic Worker's union in Brazil. The two term president is a good friend of mine.

They are happy? Content? You are the typical classist a*****e who can live with eyes quite blind to the misery around you. And I can also detect your veiled racism. Very easy to see. In America, those African Americans that you try to spit upon...what is called "poverty" in the African American community would be called "middle class" in Brazil. A poor street in Compton has cars in the garage and large screen televisions in the houses. In fact, what distinguishes the two life styles is that the fact that you, and other Brazilians can so easily take advantage of having poor Brazilians wait upon you hand and foot because they are being paid virtually nothing. A maid in America is paid $80 a day in America...at least, and they are not made up of a large percentage of young girls (many of whom are sexually harrassed and too afraid to file charges...THIS I KNOW).

Few of the "Brazilian Apologists" understand jack s**t about the supposed "brazilian economic success story." Brazil has a growing Gross National Product which means little when measured the against the per capita income of the country which is among the lowest of so-called developing countries.

This means that so-called Brazilian "growth" is in particular economic areas and does NOT trickle down to its lower incomes. The big sham in Brazil is that access to credit has been loosened in Brazil allowing the poor to become more indebted with an increasing default rate as they buy cheap, overpriced goods at ridiculous interest rates, further enriching the upper classes.

I understand why so many of you are touchy at the article when so many of you participate closed mouth in this continual injustice in Brazi's social system.

"The big sham in Brazil is that access to credit"

The big sham is your mama and your brain that's empty.
Fact is, access to credit in Brazil is still difficult, for a good reason and the number of people using/access to credit card is rising but NOTHING compare to the so called advanced economies.

As for mr Ernest, he knows nothing about Brazil as a whole, but only somewhat about Fortaleza-Ceara. Mr Ernest, travel more around Brazil and I mean around the whole nation, before you call yourself an expert, because you're a joke, a typical foreigner, similar like that other idiot RioGringa (my god, another airhead who was for 2 years in Rio de Janeiro and claims to be an expert on Brazil) who takes a snapshot of a region/city and paints it as the whole nation. You clowns up north never learn. Fact about the US is, it's sinking in front of your eyes while you keep telling yourself "should I stay or should I go".

With an average per capita income of ~ U$12.000, Brasil is classified as an 'upper middle income' country.

In some regions - the south, south east, center west, etc. percapita incomes are similar or higher to Korea, Taiwan, etc. with extremely high HDI.

The US does not even have the luxury of a 'Domestic Workers Union'.......

BTW, many favela inhabitants also have cars, TVs, refrigerators & computers!

Vincent...add some info and don't waste time saying "no it ain't like that." That is typical Brazilian yin-yang.

Don't compare advanced economies use of credit to brazil unless you can compare their per capita incomes.

Is that difficult for you to understand. Most Brazilians, who THINK they know their country have not traveled around their OWN cities, let alone their own country. Have they...Vinny? But, like some ninny infant, you can only shake your head and say "uh uhhhhh".

Listen, tolo, more credit for housing in Brazil is a good thing...in some cases, but not all, especially in heavily speculated areas. That's another story...probably too deep for you to understand.

But the profileration of personal credit cards has families who are not on the same social context as advanced societies, filling their houses with junk at three to 5 times the price, and then going into default on the payments that their 1 and 2 minimum wage salaries cannot handle.

Let me tell you, your kids, grandkids and great grandkids will be watching the U.S. sink. And, given a choice, will choose to watch the sinking from the ship itself rather than from the "safe" shores of Brazil. I know your pride cannot handle this and you'd rather grin at building fiascos such as the grossly mismanaged world cup and olympics preparations but truth can set you free, buddy. Try it sometimes.

I agree the grossly mismanaged world cup and olympics preparations are white elephants that will come back to haunt.

Also agree with the obscene cost of Credit & overpriced products (across the board) for both
rich & poor.......

Based on anecdotal evidence I am observing that the poor are very slowly starting to catch on to the Credit ponzi scheme........

You can selectively compare small regions of any despotic country in the world and find pockets of influence that equal developed nations. The very definition of a a high GDP and very low Per Capita Income is that the success of a country is spread unevenly. It's not just income but pricing index. Brazil as a country is in categories where the pricing of foods and other durable goods are based upon third world pricing, not American and European prices. Brazilians with cars pay more per gallon of gas (4 liters = about $11 reais about 6 -7 dollars per gallon) than the U.S. Chicken in Brazil is about twice the price of chicken in Brazil and don't talk about the quality. In Brazil, frozen chicken is allowed to be up to 23% water and ice. When you consider that the head, legs and neck are included you are getting prime cut chicken parts for probably 3 times the price that of other countries. So, the Per Capita is the symptoms of greater issues affecting a society.

There is no set standard for what is a "favela". It is more of a stereotype word than a clearly defined area. There are folks in favelas who are not "low income". Yet they are still excluded from leaving to find housing better than they find in favelas. I don't have the time to explain the black market tactics to bring, let's say internet to the favelas. Yes, they exist. But, in typical "low-income" areas you walk in the streets, unlike any American "ghetto". Because the first thing that strikes you is the lack of cars in the streets. I took pictures of the worst areas I could find in Philly to show some friends in Brazil and I could not find one that was not jammed with parked cars. Yes, they were mostly used cars but a 2002 SUV in America is less than R$4000 (about 2000 dollars). In Brazil a 1996 VW Gol is about 9000 reais.

That should read "Brazil is NOT in those categories of countries whose pricing is based upon third world prices."

Thanks Ernest for this article and don't pay attention to those foolish comments.

Brazil is a fantastic country but it has its bad points too, which a lot of people wouldn't be able to face.

Hearing only public propaganda about Brazil progress is just useless, whereas having some critical point of view is just priceless.

Begging your pardon to butt into your lively debate :

I work with the Domestic Worker's union in Brazil.

You never fail to surprise me.

If they have a website, pass along the address, Doc.

That's interesting, Joao. My friend and colleague is the president of the FENATRAD, Creuza Maria Oliveira and at this very moment, she is still taking supplemental "high school" classes with the hopes of studying law. My work with them is exactly on that level, publicizing abuse against domestic workers, providing legal representation and encouraging them to file charges against those who hire them. Because Creuza lives here in Bahia, in Salvador and even though she is National President of FENATRAD (but is considering running for political office...which I personally discourage), our focus is Bahia and Sergipe. In our office in Baixa dos Sapoteiros in Salvador, there are an abundance of folks (for whom we develop classes in spanish and english) who don't have a clue how to use a computer.

To my knowledge FENATRAD does not have their own site. At least, that's not how we communicate in Bahia. A lot of that is done through CUTs and the site of the Secretary For Racial Equality. The Domestic Workers are still somewhat stepchildren to some of the main thrusts of CUTS. If you have any interest in contacting Creuza directly, let me know. We get together at least once a week with MSTB. (No, asp! That is not MST. MSTB is the homeless movement in Bahia - "Movimento Sem Teto da Bahia")

You are a refreshing surprise, Adrianerik. I'm glad you are willing to share your experiences and opinions. I'm paying attention.

should brazilian nationals in the united states return to brazil?...answer: YES !!!!!...Because the overwhelming majority of brazilian nationals in the united states are ILLEGAL ALIENS !!!!!!...leave go back to brazil before your arrested put in handcuffs loaded on a plane and deported .permanently..

the answer to the authors question is a resounding YES!!!!...GO BACK TO BRAZIL !!!!!...And don,t ever come back to the usa with your counterfeit documents and long expired tourist visas....

As our respected fellow blogger Herr.Dott would say, "Danke" for the reply.

My friend and colleague is the president of the FENATRAD, Creuza Maria Oliveira and at this very moment, she is still taking supplemental "high school" classes with the hopes of studying law.

For the moment, the names you have provided are sufficient and I shall pass them on to the appropriate "non-authorities". The "Domésticas" in the South are no different from the ones in BA/SE. They have the aspirations for themselves and for their kids. Creusa wants to do law, while ours (lets call her "J") wants to do Nursing (to take care of elderly people). I give "advice" to the members of "Povão", when they ask me, in short sentences without giving big speeches.

Because Creuza lives here in Bahia, in Salvador and even though she is National President of FENATRAD (but is considering running for political office...which I personally discourage)

Dª.Creuza running for political office (which you personally discourage?-So do I- unless she wants to go on a head-on collision with eminent and ardent "defenders" of the labor such as Marta. ).

The Domestic Workers are still somewhat stepchildren to some of the main thrusts of CUTS.

Does Lupi belong to CUT?

(No, asp! That is not MST. MSTB is the homeless movement in Bahia - "Movimento Sem Teto da Bahia")

Must protest. Our eminent, respectable and erudite fellow blogger ASP must know the difference between MST & MSTB, after his 3 decades of living in Brasil.Of course, he is a modest person and would never ever admit.

Seconding Joao's thoughts
written by Ederson, November 16, 2011
You are a refreshing surprise, Adrianerik. I'm glad you are willing to share your experiences and opinions. I'm paying attention.

Ederson is paying close attention? You better take him seriously, Doc. He takes no prisoners.

Cheers

Seconding Joao's thoughts

Indirectly hinting to ASP it's Tea & Crumpets time, Col?

Cheers

Maybe Clam Chowder (New England style) and Saltine Crackers (with peanut butter if you insist) are in order. It's too late in the day for Tea & Crumpets.

Nothing veiled about it. Walk through Compton and tell us where the racism is. Yes, every driveway has a low rider in it. The big-screens are all stolen.

yes, adrian, as joao points out,i do know the differance. let me just say, what i object the most about mst , is there monotone, marxist dribble, with a penchant for the threat of violence , sometimes real on occasion. for me , protest is fine,even confrontation, but, threats of violence and marxist dribble, can hurt a cause.mst could be immensly succesful if they dropped their marxist monotone,and threats of violence .they get plenty of government money , no matter what

and, like joao, im always amazed that you are really involved with front line action to help people of brazil that really need it.kudos to you

and i can attest to testimonies of women who worked as maids as young girls and were sexualy harrased . its like one of the regular haphazards of the job.

i love brazil, i cant see leaving anytime soon, but, i would love to be in south beach in june, and, manhattan in september...

but, i wonder at how the regular people here (and me for that matter) are coping with horrible price gouging , the real inflation that is back but not as bad as it once was,and, where i live, rising violence that wasnt so bad 10 years ago, mostly directly related to the cocaine traficing.

im alway rooting for the people of brazil to have oportunities to move forward. the thing a person can gain from living in brazil , is something that you calculate more in your soul than some standard of living index, and, at the same time, people here deserve to move up with the standard of living index

inflation above and beyond any reasonable index or logical happenstance showing just cause for it, ... "protest is fine,even confrontation, but, threats of violence and marxist" (or substitute: facist, socialist, imperialist, communist, capitalist, chauvenist, racist, feminist, . . .) "dribble, can hurt a cause"

Go ahead and fight the good fight as you see it if, where, and when you can, root for YOUR team but understand that prey are prey, predators are predators, being human is something none of us will ever grow out of.

Speaking of inflation, I can't even afford to buy and build on the tehenna my dear friend bought for 469,000 cruzeiros way back when. (BTW the females out number the males 13 to 1 in that area, hence you know why it is highly desireable even if the beach is 20 minutes away.)

let me just say, what i object the most about mst , is there monotone, marxist dribble, with a penchant for the threat of violence , sometimes real on occasion

What do you expect when its "Head persons" are half arsed "intellectual" college professors who shed alligator tears for the "underprivileged" and send them to the "front line", while they are sipping the wine and singing the glories of France?

Some more tea?

sure its dog eat dog

i just think, unless the majority of people are ready to get behind a movement, using violence can totaly backfire and bring severe long term consequences ( i said it can, which means that maybe there are situations that violence aceived its goals without a majority)

i guess you can see various examples of violence working and not working in the mideast right now

but , for example, take the occupy wall street movement, i like what is going on, but, if it goes off on a more violent track, there could be some very bad results. unless they can get 500,000 thousand people to march and ready to riot, in all those cities,some kind of ratched up random violence is going to make them look bad and lose a lot of ground

i just think, unless the majority of people are ready to get behind a movement, using violence can totaly backfire and bring severe long term consequences

Good point there, ASP! If I recall correctly, Occupy Wall Street movement started at about the same time as our "Ant-Corruption" did. Ours fizzled out (the news disappeared from the MSM), though there was no violence from the demonstrators nor any so called "police brutality" against them. The organizers had a specific goal: To get the message to all the elected and selected officials in the government that the public at large will not tolerate corruption.

From what I have been reading in the newspapers that the "Occupy" movement started without any specific goals, has been confronting the police, but....but...but.. is still growing.

So ASP, I am unable to understand why in America (the land of milk and honey) "The Protest" is growing in spite of the "oppressive measures", while in Brasil it is "receding". May be you have some brilliant explanations for this.

i was going to ask you the same question, joao....

i was going to ask you the same question, joao....

Threw the ball right into my court, Old Chap. Probably you don't want to displease your Brasilian friends and relatives, with your outspoken views.

I cant say much about this "Occupy" protests in your country. But...but...but... I think the Anti Corruption movement here lacks real firebrand leaders with impeccable international credentials like our good friends Ricky and Augustus. Someone has to lead the masses and sadly we lack charismatic figures.

May be the uncharismatic figures who started protests against "Corruption Practises" got government jobs and hence turned into "followers".

forget the majority, i would like to get behind you and create much movement.

When somenone puts the finger where it really hurts and the truth hurts, us Brazilian start having a fit?

I wish the real Brazilians could read this or take part on this debate and they would say the article has only told half their story.

Who is REALLY moving on up in Brazil if not the usual suspects?

when you put the finger where it hurts, some of us get fit to be tied.

forget the majority, i would like to get behind you and create much movement.

Herr.Wisemann, I seriously doubt our distinguished bloggers ASP, Simpleton and Ederson would find that very appealing.

But...but...but...you may have found a willing new friend in Mack and an audience in US Observer.

Reasonably respected "..",

Herr.Wisemann, I seriously doubt our distinguished bloggers ASP, Simpleton and Ederson would find that very appealing.

May I ask you why my name was not included in the list of distinguished bloggers? You have some sort of grudge against the Silva clan?

you know me so well joão. i do love an audience watching...unless they are jews.

Senhora Wiseman, we have no interest in watching much less putting our finger where it hurts and then tying you up although we do understand you would like that very much. Why do you insist the jews be only participants in your stage antics / not want them to just sit back and be audience members? Kibuttzing would be just like you now wouldn't it?

Senhora Wiseman, we have no interest in watching much less putting our finger where it hurts and then tying you up although we do understand you would like that very much.

Herr.Wisemann, you have managed to draw the ire of our usually unflappable and most erudite blogger Simpleton.

But...but...but...if you can find it your heart to consider everyone to observe your stage antics, perhaps Simpleton will invite you over for tea and crumpets with myself, ASP and Col.Eddie.

you know me so well joão.

I thought I knew you well Herr.Wisemann. But lately you have been behaving very strange. I understand people do change over a period of time. However in your case the transformation was quite sudden and quick. I've been noticing it for the past few weeks, but was hesitant to point out. Simpleton was too slow to catch on, in spite of his being the most erudite and unflappable, though I think his outburst was unnecessary and pointless.

But...but...but...if you can find it your heart to consider everyone to observe your stage antics, perhaps Simpleton will invite you over for tea and crumpets with myself, ASP and Col.Eddie.

If at all Simpleton extends an invitation to the Tea & Crumpets party proposed by ".." along with ASP & the good Col, I think you should accept his offer. Just make sure you behave yourself, because those folks are very respectable and outstanding citizens in their respective communities.

Let me tell you, your kids, grandkids and great grandkids will be watching the U.S. sink.

Yes, it's happening and idiots like usobeserver haven't realized that yet and blowhards like Ernest who thinks he knows the whole nation, are thinking like..hh my god, my paradise is collapsing..ohh my god, that's not suppose to happen because i've been taught the US is a superpower and it's something like this is impossible...ohhhh ohhh. Even morons like you (yeah you adriandickhead) think like that..


And, given a choice, will choose...bla bla bla bla bla to watch the sinking from the ship itself rather than from the "safe" shores of Brazil. I know your pride cannot handle this and you'd rather grin at building fiascos such as the grossly mismanaged world cup and olympics preparations but truth can set you free, buddy. Try it sometimes.

Haha adriandickhead,

Read this, I know that most Brazilians haven't traveled around their own country (or yet), but hey do you hear them bragging about how well they know the US if they only went their let say for 2 weeks? I haven't and on average Brazilians aren't blowhards like the people in the US.

I did not compare numbers between Brazil and the US, you fool. Read again and you will will that I typed that it's still difficult to have access to credit in Brazil compare to the US and for a good reason. Having access to credit is good, but that's not the point, but if you relax it just like what those chumps here in the US did, you will sink like them (US) in the long term. It seems that Brazil is learning again and good for them. Something you just can't stand.

"grossly mismanaged world cup and olympics preparations"

You and your mother are wishing that it goes wrong. But hey, buddy BOY, it looks like they will still get it done even on the last minute, typical Brazilian...so buddy boy, think about your own nation that is fading away, slowly...thanks to their own stupidity.

"Simpleton was too slow to catch on" - Sorry but you seem to be showing evidence of memory problems there OM. I pointed out in a previous thread that the recent wiseacre was clearly not the wiseman of times past / apparently just an imposter but I've not noticed the original offering the valued comments we so liked. (BTW being necessarily pointless is sometimes called for but for the moment I have somehow forgotten when and why.)

My speculation that the Brasileiros were just going to wait to the last moment and just seal off Rochina as the measure of last resort in preparation for Copa didn't pan out. I'm proud of ya'll. Maybe we should petition for another article to let someone toot Brasil's horn (no vuvuzelas please!!!) - something with title like "Just shut up and DO".

"Simpleton was too slow to catch on" - Sorry but you seem to be showing evidence of memory problems there OM.

Knowing me, you shouldn't be surprised, Simpleton. I have conveyed my concerns to the other distinguished bloggers regarding your past unnecessary and pointless responses.

"Simpleton was too slow to catch on" - Sorry but you seem to be showing evidence of memory problems there OM.

But...but...but...it was you "OM" who confused ".." with me on previous posts. My memory is quite clear on that.

I'm proud of ya'll.

I will assume then that you will continue extending me an invitation to the Tea & Crumpets party.

Knowing me, you shouldn't be surprised, Simpleton. I have conveyed my concerns to the other distinguished bloggers regarding your past unnecessary and pointless responses.

Knowing you, I ain't surprised either for your disseminating information, disinformation and counter information.Both le Carré & Ian Fleming would be proud of ya.

Knowing you, I ain't surprised either for your disseminating information, disinformation and counter information.Both le Carré & Ian Fleming would be proud of ya.

Knowing me is knowing you, and everyone knows how well you know yourself.

But...but...but...with the lack of quality writing these recent days, talking to yourself has proved to be quite interesting.

.., .., .. - Correct me if I am wrong but I believe the other Joao would have stated that "talking to yourslf has proven to be quite interesting" not withstanding the fact that neither english nor portuguese were his native language. I was taken aback by his use of "ain't" without at least some type of a jovial comment regarding my somewhat gratuitous use of Forrestlandianese "ya'll". I was sure such subtlety would have at least raised a smirk. He's very astute and pays attention to small details you know.

Correct me if I am wrong but I believe the other Joao would have stated that "talking to yourslf has proven to be quite interesting" not withstanding the fact that neither english nor portuguese were his native language.

That was not exactly a definitive statement, was it our Forrestlandian scholar? (BTW...you spelled "yourself" incorrectly)

But...but...but...your belief on what I would have stated clearly displays your desire to pick up my slack.

I salute ya.

that I have critics regardless of they being superflous. Being unadept at copy and paste operations like our esteemed Ricardo et. al. and having severe visual impairments due to the medications, I think I should be deserving of some type of slack buddy - to top that up I couldn't feel the "e" key not being pressed due to the underlying cause for treatment, that's entirely different than simply misspelling things as I often do, like using their in place of thier (or is it vice versa?) or doubling up on consonants. Anyway, don't us slackers suck big time regarding keeping the peanut gallery entertained? If our favorite heshe Costinha were to chime in, I think heshe would say something like: ".." although you clearly are more inteligent and verbose than a clam, you lack that level of common sense - now go put your foot back in your mouth and clam up!

Yappy Tanksgiveing everyone - vive o peru!

He's very astute and pays attention to small details you know.

Thanks. I am honored to be positively evaluated by a peer.

I was taken aback by his use of "ain't" without at least some type of a jovial comment regarding my somewhat gratuitous use of Forrestlandianese "ya'll".

I didn't make any "jovial" comment, because I was busy talking to myself and getting to know me better.

I think ".." is a great fella, because he gently corrected your spelling error.

"proven" or "proved"? "spelled or spelt" ? It always helps to be "astute" and pay attention to "small" details.

I salute ya.

Our vanished redneck friend "Double-Dot" would have said:

Ah salute y'all. God bless America.

Your post was a few minutes earlier than mine!

Being unadept at copy and paste operations like our esteemed Ricardo et. al.

You challenging our esteemed Ricardo for a duel?

and having severe visual impairments due to the medications,

You don't have any severe "visual impairments", but...but...but.... just playing "coitadinho". But...but...but...., the "medications" you are taking may impair judgement, especially when you are driving your SUV or flying a plane (Learjet).

Yappy Tanksgiveing everyone - vive o peru!

Tanks for the Tanksgiving wishes. To ya too.

Being unadept at copy and paste operations like our esteemed Ricardo et. al.

"unadept" or "inept"? It always helps to be "astute" and pay attention to "small" details.

Anyway, don't us slackers suck big time regarding keeping the peanut gallery entertained?

We slackers in Southern Brasil also use spelt in cattle feed

I think I'm a great fella, because I gently corrected your spelling error.

But...but...but...I also want to extend Tanks for the Tanksgiving wishes to ya too.

Just opened a delightful bottle of red wine from Flores da Cunha (in the Serra Gaucha region). It didn't yet seem mature. It was only six possibly seven years old. I think I could get used to southern Brasil.

Funny .., for a few hours around this time of the night my blurred vision goes away for the most part (and I am finding myself constantly having to check and recheck whether it's you or Joao posting) - even though it's greyed out I caught your misquote above - you're pretty high on yourself, are you sure you haven't been helping asp fumigate his cabana? When did Brasil start cultivating spelt for cattle feed use? Do the Europeans know about that?

Funny .., for a few hours around this time of the night my blurred vision goes away for the most part

That is because you are taking the right kind of "medication", Simp. Didn't you say you opened a delightful bottle of red wine from Serra Gaucha. That region produces good wine as well as fine women.

Do the Europeans know about that?

We are keeping the European Turkeys under suspense.

Now you've done it Joao. You've brought things around to addressing the article's title and left me with little choice but to take action to take care of my health in the best way possible. Forget the quirky pharmaceuticals and their negative side effects, leave the SUV to those who will otherwise be snowbound here and go enjoy fine wine and fine women - Porto Seguro here I come!

Funny .., for a few hours around this time of the night my blurred vision goes away for the most part (and I am finding myself constantly having to check and recheck whether it's you or Joao posting)

It is my hope, Simp, that you always have clear vision and feeling well.

But...but...but...I wonder if you realize that you just paid me a very high compliment.

you're pretty high on yourself, are you sure you haven't been helping asp fumigate his cabana?

Just doing my part to ensure a successful Tea & Crumpets party.

Do the Europeans know about that?

The Europeans have too much to worry about these days. At least they are astute enough to visit Brasil.

Esteemed and now respectable ".."

It is my hope, Simp, that you always have clear vision and feeling well.

Well put.

Simp almost all the time has clear vision of the past, present and the future. But...but...but... he vision gets blurred by the company he keeps (read "female company") when he visits Brasil. We cant change him, but can only give him some friendly advice like you just did. I do appreciate your fine gesture and hope Simp does too.

Changing the topic: I am slightly (but...but... not overly) worried about our buddy Ricardo warning us about the security agencies of all the country members of the U.N. monitoring this blog. I have a strong suspicion that you are the Headman of the Mongolian Secret Service, spying on the unsuspecting Brasilan bloggers. Please confirm/deny my charges, A.S.A.P (not ASP).

yes go back to brazil ....just get on a plane and go back and while your at it invite all the other brazilians in the usa to go with you especially the illegal ones .

(not to be confused with Pantanal), sorry to disappoint border patrol, I know only one Brasilian that will be going back and that just for a visit til after New Year. No, he is not an illegal one. If it helps, I do however know of a group of Mexican housekeepers / toilet cleaners that might not be staying around long. They thought they could make a show of force against their employer / start effectively a small informal localized union and lay down some demands via a strike. Now that their chubby little arses are back out on the street and their work visas are in the process of being canceled they'll probably think twice about trying that again if they should happen to be allowed to stay for even less pay.

Joao, I'm not certain I've ever been given a Brasilian blurry, is that anything like an oriental foamy? I hear it is a great way to get totally clean and completely relaxed.

Yes .., you will find you get it from me both ways (figuratively speaking of course - I'm not judging whether your snake eyes moniker denotes gender.) Being deemed "now respectable" by Joao still doesn't get you an invite to Tea & Crumpets (unless of course it's his turn to host).

До U.S. Observer/U.S.Super Power/Border Patrol

Мовчи, сер. Ви робите дупу себе в цьому форумі.

(not to be confused with Pantanal), sorry to disappoint border patrol, I know only one Brasilian that will be going back and that just for a visit til after New Year.

Well... well....well, what do y'all have here? u.s. observer, u.s. superpower,a Border patrol officer(from AZ?) & a "Soviet Observer" who wrote something in Cyrillic script which I am unable to decode. I am wondering if you can translate what exactly the FSS agent wrote.

Ricardo is right. This blog is infested with spy agencies from all over the world and they are indeed monitoring our conversations.

Lemme tell ya something, Simp. If these spooks come after me, I intend seeking asylum in ASP´s comfortable cabana. I'm sure he would oblige me for old times sake.

IF they come looking for you Joao, just put on your fedora and walk non-chalantly away with your back facing the direction of travel (i.e. walk backwards). These gooneys are so gullible they'll just think that you are just another one of them heading to the scene of your crime. Decoding the message of our dear soviet friend was not so hard but translating exactly what he wrote is beyond my skills, I don't speak redneck.

hey vinnie ,,,,that rimes with guinea as in pig .perhaps your a f-ing pig a dirty stinkin f-ing pig ... your anger disdain vitriol and pig s**t talk is pathetic and hilarious ...what the f**k is a brazil ?..listen guinea vinnie the united states of america is the largest richest economy in the world and (just to bust your pig nuts guinea vinnie) it has the most powerfull military in the world ....now before you start squealing like a stinkin lousy south american marxist pig with a inferiority complex i want you to google it and get your pig s**t stained arse in order and learn the facts ...you sound like a punk arse college freshman know nothing with a leftist fag for a teacher.

Decoding the message of our dear soviet friend was not so hard but translating exactly what he wrote is beyond my skills, I don't speak redneck.

I am working hard at it, Simp. Did I ever tell ya that I was in the original group of cyber clerks that broke the Enigma Code during the WW2? That was back in the 40´s and since then the world has changed quite a bit, but....but....but...my brain still remains sharp.Eventually, I 'll translate what our Soviet friend said.

BTW, did you buy your Tanksgiving Turkey in the grocery store or wait under the power lines for it to get electrocuted , barbecued and fall right into your plate? I'm sure our esteemed and half respected fellow blogger ".." is interested in knowing.

The web of overhead power lines prone to electrocuting things are a bit sparse here as compared to in my favorite favelas and the wild flock of turkeys (which is quite large this year and will be needed over the winter) passed through the quintal a week too early. Being without refrigeration capacity (although the temps will be falling soon) we opted to trust on our insider connection and arrived at the soup kitchen line right when the first bird was coming off the grill. We were concerned about the hordes we had been warned about but everything turned out just fine, they didn't show up and the rest of the crowd had not yet come out of their stupor from being overly festive the night before.

Our soviet friend apparently defected by way of Turkey while the cold war winds were blowing steadily from north to south across the black sea. Is that cryptic enough for you Joao?

I'm Brazilian and agree that Brasil has got a long way to achieve what we could call a "good place to live". The poor has no chances. Public school sucks. Public health idem. Salaries are low. Enterpreuners pay a high amoung in tax. Corruption has never been so high. Prices are increasing to a point that we don't know where we are going to stop. The government is paternalist with its "Brasil Carinhoso" programs of giving money to keep poor children on school. People leave school bareling knowing how to write and read well. The poor does not want to work, since he's got this money from the govern.Brasil's Real currency does not have much value.People just want to celebrate football, it's amazing how they can make such a movement to celebrate football but not against corruption. We know word cup will be a big catastrofe. Criminals from Rio and SP are runing away from it's "pacifying" programs in slums, to other capitals like Belo Horizonte and Brasilia. Yes, travelling is very expensive. So many bad stuff, that is really hard to believe we are the 6th economy. Brasil is a mess. Goddam fun, but really messy. And the worts is the general thought that PT has done what anyone has never done. It would be nice if FHC returned, after all, he's the only one we say is clean in PSDB.