Brazzil

Debate Goes On
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If you prick us do we not bleed? If you tickle us do we not laugh? If you poison us do we not die? And if you wrong us shall we not revenge?
Shylock, in William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice (act 3, sc. 1) Unfriendly Indeed

Thank you for the articles about the Brazilian attitude toward the terrorist attacks on the US, especially the hateful essay by Dione Rocha. We may as well know who our friends are—and are not. I am disappointed that a nation which I have loved so much, and where I once lived and worked, could respond in this way. But I believe this may, indeed, be the general feeling in Brazil; not one of my Brazilian friends has sent me any kind of message since the attacks.

The timing of Morrison's article on bringing tourists to Brazil couldn't have been worse. I've spent the past few years convincing Americans that Brazil is the most fabulous and beautiful country in the world and sending them to some of my favorite places, but in light of these cruel remarks, perhaps we should keep our dollar in the US at this time; go to Hawaii or DisneyWorld! If there are any Brazilian out there who disagree with Rocha, this is the time to speak up; we don't need anymore fair-weather friends, like Mexico has proven to be, and we will long remember our true friends, such as Britain and Germany.

By the way, Rocha and Betto, if the attacks had taken place in Brazil, you know darn well Americans would be sending tons of aid and even their blood plasma, rather than telling you that you deserved what you got. Diana Ashley, Ph.D.
Ojai, California What Brazil Taught Me

Hi John Fitzpatrick, I want to thank you for your article "Do Brazilians Care?" in Brazzil magazine. I went to great private, expensive schools, and history and science books only taught me one version of the truth. That all of Brazil's problems were and are caused by the Portuguese and by the USA. By the Portuguese because they exploited our land, our native people, and enslaved the country with dictatorships. By the US because of our famous foreign policy.

The truth is, Brazil has always taught me that I am not responsible for my own actions. That I might as well steal a little over here, take advantage of anyone as soon as I get a chance, and never trust your own blood. It's quite hard getting into the American set of mind when all you've learned is how to be corrupt.

I thought that maybe things would've changed when Collor was impeached. I went to many of the student movements around the country protesting against our President. I thought we were fighting for a better country. But those movements were nothing more than an excuse for students in the country to skip class, drink and smoke. I then thought that maybe we would learn the idea of patriotism when Senna died, but the country proved me wrong again.

The jokes were out split seconds after his car started spinning on the pavement. It was quite sickening. After living in a place like Brazil for such a long time I went numb. You see kids on the streets, the poverty, the bureaucracy, the corruption, you just go numb. Your eyes refuse to see it.

Anyways, thanks for the article. I completely agree with you. Not necessarily based on the facts you bring up, but mostly because of how I have learned the other version of history and science. Marianna O'Carroll
Los Angeles, CA Long Live Opposition

Dear John Fitzpatrick, I too am a non-American citizen living in Brazil and thank God that Brazil has taken a muted stance regarding the terrorist attacks. It proves that maybe Brazilians are beginning to remember the past. This forgetfulness has always been an obstacle, especially in the political arena, and I, for one, welcome any form of recollection regarding any political action.

Now, I know that you weren't here during the military regime, but most history books (with any credibility) will show you that this regime was supported and funded by the US government. Although incomparable to Chile, many people suffered here. I am talking about rape, torture and murder, besides other indescribable acts. Once again, backed and supported by the US government. Furthermore, the education system was decentralized and conservative attitudes were taken to oppressing students and any form of rational thinking during this period.

This has had unfathomable repercussions on the development of the population and the country as a whole. All this funded and backed by the US government. Now, I know that the US has not thrown any bombs on Brazilian territory, but I find your accusation that the Brazilian population is ignorant quite offensive. I believe it is about time that Brazilians begin to take a political position. Why does that position have to be an alliance to the US? Just because they are a superpower?

Well, that's a good start to a dictatorship like form of "globalization" if you ask me. The US' actions are more than questionable and I think that questioning such actions is a light at the end of a very dark tunnel that Brazilians have been "rustled into". The media has taken a pro-American stand point (just look at the last two shameless editions of Veja magazine), but that doesn't mean the population feels the same way. Let there be political awareness. Let there be questioning of actions. Let there be an opposition. The US is not always right; they are just bigger. Tony Rosenberg
Brazil Brazilian Paradox

Dear John, I share your opinion in an article titled "Do Brazilians Care?" and published in the October issue of Brazzil magazine. The reaction of Brazilians to the attack on the United States by Muslim terrorists portrays the dubious nature of human mind. United States is the country that the government and people of Brazil try to imitate as much as they possibly can, not to mention the ever-present long lines of Brazilians waiting to obtain their travel visas at American Embassies and Consulates all over the country.

If the people of the United States and their government are such bad people that deserve to be slaughtered as on September 11, 2001, I wonder why anybody would want to visit the country. I don't see the same long lines of Brazilians in Iraqi, Iranian, Libyan, and Saudi Arabian embassies waiting for visas to travel to those countries.

My theory regarding the reactions of Brazilians and, in fact, of people in many other third world countries is that those reactions are a mixture of envy and frustration. These are countries that have failed to move forward in economic development. Even though Americans are always the first to arrive with help at a scene of disaster anywhere in the world, that is not what people think about when they think of the United States.

They just want to live the way Americans live without realizing that Americans worked hard to get to where they are, and still work hard, and do things the right way to stay there. The dubious nature of human mind makes these people feel good when the so-called mighty is brought down because they somehow irrationally believe that that would make everyone equal.

What they don't realize is that if a country like the United States succumbs to terrorist threats, then no other country can stand in their way. What's more, the Muslim terrorists are not likely to use their newly acquired "world power" the way the United States uses its power. Although it is far fetched, but I can't see Brazilians surviving and thriving under a Muslim rule such as it exists in Afghanistan today under the Taliban.

I am a frequent visitor to Brazil, I like the people, and speak their language, but as a black man, I found a lot of contradictions in the Brazilian mentality. For example, Brazil is a country where a great deal of miscegenation has taken place. However, a very pervasive type of discrimination against black people exists in Brazil, yet Brazilians would comment with a great appearance of disgust, whenever a racial incident in the United States is reported in their news media.

A Brazilian girl would take the worst men a country like Argentina could offer before she could consider a black American. She is much more concerned with skin color than the way a white American girl would look at it, if she were to date a black man. A white American girl would not concern herself with what her neighbors think about who she is dating because she has a sense of personal independence.

Brazilians like to criticize their country without thinking about what they, as individuals, are doing wrong. They hire those poorer than they are and treat them with very little respect. They are not even bothered that the young girls they hire to baby-sit, cook, and clean for them should be in school instead of working for a few reals. Those who own cars drive them on the streets without regard to pedestrians. On the other hand, everybody in America, no matter what their status in life, crosses the street knowing that he has the right to do so, and those driving cars know that the pedestrians have as much right as those in their cars. I enjoyed reading your article and just wanted you to know that you hit the nail on the head. Thanks for the thoughtful opinion. Paul Betterman
Los Angeles, California Let's All Die for the USA

Dear John Fitzpatrick, my work led me onto the Brazzil website where I stumbled onto your article. I'm Brazilian but have grown up in loads of places around the world, mainly in the US and England. It should have made me a little more tolerant and understanding of the general Anglo-Saxon self-righteousness... but, alas, here I am writing to you.

Seeing as you've lived in Brazil for the past.... what? Six years? I would've expected some of the brasileiridade to have seeped into your system, but here you are, disappointed and depressed at Brazilians' reaction to the September 11 attack.

Look around you. People aren't celebrating because that would be a tad inappropriate. After all, only the evil wish ill to fellow innocent human beings. But, take a private poll and see how many really think the planes should've all hit the White House, specifically George Bush himself. As you pointed out, the majority is too ignorant to connect their miserable lives to US policies and will just classify it as "Deus me livre" and will side with the US thanks to Rede Globo.

This, of course, means nothing, because, as you pointed out as well, they've already got enough to worry about. Who's gonna really feel for people dying 10,000 miles away, when 300 are murdered every month nas favelas e periferias de São Paulo?

The smugness of the educated minority, as you defined it, comes from the feeling of justice having been done. American arrogance got slapped in the face. 5000 people died? What a shame! We had that many killed during years of a dictatorship the US funded and promoted. I'm sure you've heard all these arguments before and consider the issue to be much more of a humanitarian one.

Fine. What should we do? Help the hand that slaps us? Let's all rush over and get killed in Afghanistan, so the US can regain its economical stability and pride (really needs it since Vietnam, don't they?) and continue to bully us around. Doesn't the US have enough military power to blow the world over as many times as it wants? Leave us alone! They brought this on themselves and they've got a lot of nerve asking everyone to join in.

Divide o prejuízo mas administra o lucro. Depois fala que brasileiro que é malandro...

The only reason the attacks didn't come from Brazil is that we still have Carnaval and soccer (more or less). Sad, but true. But the whole concept of being Brazilian stems from these simple facts. You hate it sometimes and sometimes you love it. That's it. Trying to make sense of it, especially through an Anglo-Saxon point of view, is useless and void; which brings us to my final point.

What kind of a magazine is Brazzil? A mag that writes about Brazil in English? Who reads you guys? Probably gringos that wanna come over and visit... watch a bullfight in our capital Buenos Aires and meet the typical Baiana that wears a fruit bowl on her head.

What's your next article gonna be about? How we should internationalize the Amazon to keep it safe? "Brazilians just aren't reliable enough to take care of it..." Dude, get a life... Maurício Buchler
Via Internet In Tune

Mr. Fitzpatrick, I agree 100% with your views as expressed in the October edition of Brazzil magazine. Arsenio Fornaro
Newark, New Jersey Not At All

We do care. Brazilians DO CARE. I disagree 100 percent with the editorial of Mr. Fitzpatrick. He is wrong...and unrealistic. Sorry. Denise Hoare
Via Internet We Do It All

Dear Mr. Fitzpatrick, Brazilians are friendly and helpful. We invest a lot in learning your language and getting to know more and more about your country and people. We do our best to "sound" American and adopt English words in our daily vocabulary—hot dog, networking, benchmark, etc, etc. We know that New York is a melting pot and New Yorkers love capuccino in the Fall. We know that the capital of this beloved country is Washington. We buy dollars, we spend dollars, we trade dollars, we "speak" dollars. WE DO CARE. Priscila Catta Preta Ribeiro
English teacher and translator US Can Do It Alone

In the article "Brazilians Don't Seem to Care" the author seems to expect

Brazilians to be outraged about the NYC attacks. The author also expects military support for the US. As an American I don't feel that it is right for the US to bully countries such as Brazil into joining us on military missions. Our problems are not necessarily Brazil's problems.

President Bush wrongly states that countries must be with or against us. The US is constantly invading countries. From Vietnam to Panama to Somalia. How can we expect Brazil to be there every time when we are not there to help Brazil? Yes, I know Britain is always there with us. However Brazil is not Britain and doesn't want to be! As an ex-military person I can tell you that the US can handle things by themselves. However the US will continue to lobby for political and moral support from other countries.... Brian C
Via Internet The Fine Point of It

I want to comment on "Brazilians Don't Seem to Care." For me this article shows exactly the opposite and that Brazilians are finally getting more aware of international affairs and that they also are more careful about making judgments or undertaking actions without considering the national interests. Therefore I do not agree with this gentleman's statements. Furthermore, I am sure Brazilians felt sad and sorrow for the victims in New York and if he thinks Brazilian people are ignorant and so badly educated I wonder what is he doing living in Brazil. Johanna
Via Internet Devil's Advocate

Dear John, you do not seem to understand Brazilian elites' attitude towards the USA. Many members of the current Brazilian government coalition were tortured by Fort Benning graduates. Others became exiles, escaping from torture by the military thugs. Among the ones who became exiles, President Cardoso, Health Minister Serra and Education Minister Paulo Renato were all in Chile during the Pinochet massacre and all lost friends after the CIA organized coup. And that is the political elite in Brazil

The Brazilian economic elite does not trust Americans for their own reasons too. For decades, the USA has preached free trade, while raising tariffs and non-tariff barriers on Brazil's main exports (orange juice, steel, beef). The adversarial attitude on trade dates back to the sixties with the soluble coffee crisis.

Of course, I am painting a devil's advocate picture and there are many reasons why Brazilians should sympathize with Americans, perhaps none more markedly than the large Brazilian population in the USA, but ignoring the reasons why Brazilians or anyone else might feel be distant is not exactly the best policy in the lights of the recent events.

Regards, I. C.
Brazil Peace Through Music

Read your article about Brazil not displaying caring about America. I was unaware of the extent of the compassion in the rest of the world and that was helpful to hear of... Thanks. Your article came to me through a bookseller in Canada... I'm looking for charts for Jobim tunes....ah, the Internet!

Anyway, I went to hear Gal Costa and Dori Caymmi last week at Berklee (in Boston). She of course is incredible, such confidence and humility. Just extraordinary. And towards the end, they did the most beautiful rendition of "America the Beautiful" I have ever heard... It felt completely 'apolitical'... just filled with compassion and empathy and immense sorrow. And also immense hopefulness. I can't tell you how much it meant to me.

First, that they would continue with the concert as scheduled, coming all the way from Brazil when many are afraid to leave the house) and, second, that they would acknowledge what happened. That even if it is 'true' that we brought this misery on ourselves, that someone would still realize that it's a huge amount of pain. It was courageous to acknowledge Americans, especially given that the audience seemed to be 95 percent Portuguese speaking.

Sometimes, a show of compassion and empathy can allow the 'victim' to more quickly come to realize their role in the victimization. And can help the situation improve for everyone. I wish I could get a letter to her to let her know how listening to her Jobim album, and seeing her in performance has brought joy and peace to me. I don't read/write Portuguese, (so don't understand what info I found on the Net) and if you happen to know the best way to mail her, I'd appreciate the info. Thanks for your help.

I've memorized about 10 tunes, though I'm specifically clueless about what I'm singing about. I thought "A Felicidade" was a 'happy' tune and that "Falando de Amor" was a 'sad' tune. Maureen Meinert
Via Internet Brazil, Get an Education

Thank you for your excellent article in the October issue of Brazzil. I have dual nationality, a Brazilian mother and American father and I fought in the US army in Europe in WWII. I have received e-mails from many friends and relatives in Brazil who have suggested that they wished the United States would not retaliate. I have tried to tell them that if we didn't retaliate we would invite every kook in the world to attack us.

I even believe that if the President refused to retaliate he would be impeached. One of my relatives is from Salvador, Bahia, where the police went on strike and the thugs ran rampant in the streets. Should they turn the other cheek?

The Brazilians who are here and are frightened, I urge them to go back home. They obviously won't pay the price of freedom and we don't ask it of them.

We can't explain Americans to the world but I have traveled the world and these are pretty decent people who mostly want to be left alone to enjoy their freedoms; but, having said that no one should mistake that for weakness. We will fight with everything we have got, alone if we must but fight we will.

Keep up the good work, someone who is articulate must educate the Brazilians of the facts of life. George Pichel
Via Internet From a Former Soldier

I am afraid that your article in October's Brazzil oversimplified a complex problem. You have not suffered and have not bled, you are hardily in a position to write for those that have. What sacrifices have you made for your liberty? There is a price to be paid for liberty. As I told my relatives in Salvador: "Why not let the police stay out on strike and let the malandros take over.

Fifty eight years ago I volunteered and fought in the US Infantry in Europe. I could have asked for repatriation to Brazil, but at 18 I believed that liberty was a cause to fight for. I am one of those people with two countries and love them both. I would happily fight for either one except I am too old.

Why did you not explain to your readers that the US has spent more money feeding the Afghan than any other nation in the world? How much food has Brazil sent? On tonight's TV there are pictures of the Taliban stealing American donated food from their own people.

I have traveled the world in my lifetime and probably know Brazil better than you do. We geologists work in the interiors not in the comfort of cities. The US with all its faults is a great country that desires no land from anyone else. We want a good life for all of our citizens and this is the reason one million Brazilians have come here. George (Georginho) Pichel
Via Internet We Will Bleed for You

You couldn't be more wrong about President Bush. There are some people that in a crisis rises to the occasion, others falter and fall. George Bush has risen to the occasion. Over 250 million think so and I will take their word before yours any day. I am a Brazilian veteran who fought with the Americans in WWII. I was willing to pay the price for the freedom I enjoyed and so that my parents back in Brazil could live lives sossegadas.

If you are going to write articles about this war I suggest you read about the Reformation going on in the Islamic Faith. One element, the one the Taliban and Osama Bin Laden are pushing, envisions one great Islamic nation. A nation ruled by religious leaders. From this base they would expand until Islam rules the world for Allah. Brazil is easy once the superpowers are out of the way.

We don't ask you to bleed and shed tears over us, just go back to your cafezinho and we will do the bleeding for you. Brazil is a rich country in mineral resources and arable land to grow food. It could be just as rich as the US and offer its people the same opportunities as the US.

The problem reminds me of a joke about the people who asked God why he was so good to Brazil, no earthquakes, hurricanes or typhoons. His reply was classic: "Just wait until you see the people I put there". And I say that with love which I have for my fellow countryman. George Pichel
Via Internet Don't Cry for US

Dione Rocha, I read your article ("No-Win Game", Brazzil, October 2001) in utter disbelief. You are a spoiled, childish woman. Have you ever suffered or bled for anything? You forget that when any nation anywhere in the world needs help the US is the first to come up with aid. We have given more food for Afghans than any other nation, how much have you given?

As soon as I was 18, after Pearl Harbor, I volunteered to serve in the US Infantry. I could have asked for repatriation to Brazil but chose to do what I could. There is a price that many have paid with their lives to permit you to write snide articles with perfect impunity. I hope that none of my friends or relatives in Brazil, or you ever have to pay the price many of my friends paid. We don't ask you to cry for us—go home and stay there. Learn Arabic and you will be prepared for any eventuality. George Pichel
Via Internet Plain Dumb

Probably one of the most thoroughly uninformed, hateful and frankly, stupid articles I have ever read in your publication was the article by Dione Rocha titled "No-Win Game." I am compelled to respond it by addressing the various points Ms. Rocha brings up.

"To show America's power through an armed conflict is a childish and not very intelligent reaction, and makes no sense for a number of reasons."

So the USA is not allowed to defend itself, its citizens, and residents (many of whom are your countrymen). What do you propose we do? Invite bin Laden and Mullah Omar over to sambar um pouquinho? Of course not! The Taliban doesn't allow music in Afghanistan, so they surely wouldn't enjoy that.

"One is that most of Afghanistan's population know nothing but hunger and misery caused by two decades of war. They do not have a clue as to what "The Taliban" or "New York" is, so remote are they from what we call "civilization"."

Regarding New York, while you may be correct, if you think that the average Afghani doesn't have "a clue as to what 'The Taliban'" is, it is you who are clueless, Sra. Rocha. Do you believe that women in Taliban controlled Afghanistan wear burkas as a fashion statement or are denied medical care or the right to work for no reason after years of freedom under prior governments, some of which included women in government ministry positions? Do you think that men who never had any desire to grow beards who are now forced to grow them do not know who made them grow them? You are beyond clueless; you are badly uninformed.

"Second is that whoever is responsible for the attacks, is ready to respond to retaliation with even bigger and unexpected force."

Do you know this for a fact? If so you should inform the authorities. Failing to do so would make you an accomplice. If not, then don't present your speculation as fact. That certainly seems to be a persistent problem that permeates this diatribe of yours.

"No one is going to tease a giant and not expect a reaction."

It depends upon what the reaction may be. Experts on terrorism believe that bin Laden may be fomenting a popular uprising against governments in the Middle East and other predominantly Muslim countries (e.g. Indonesia and Malaysia) to lead to civil wars against more moderate leaders in order to install his brand of Muslim fanaticism.

"Further yet, knowing that the giant will react, any being with a minimum of intelligence would have an even bigger (and worse) surprise for later."

More than ten years after the Gulf War another giant teaser (Saddam Hussein) still hasn't launched his surprise. Your statement is your opinion and is not based on any facts in evidence. It is presumptuous and I'll excuse it because of your youth.

"Responding violently to the attacks will just generate an endless chain of violence that will result in loss for humanity as a whole."

A fair concern, what is your proposal for self-defense? Do nothing? Bomb bin Laden and the Taliban with hugs and kisses?

"Also, we have to consider every face of the subject. No American has ever cried over the millions of people who die every day in Third World Countries, victims (directly or indirectly) of American foreign policies designed to keep America on top. The average American is not able to see that. They are not supposed to see that link. That is why they think they are poor victims who have been attacked for no reason and that is why they have been asking so insistently for retaliation."

This is probably the most thoroughly stupid portion of your article. Have you met all 260+ million of us? Do you think that we all move in lockstep, that none of us have ever been to the Third World and have never worked on behalf of human rights issues in the Third World? Did you know that the US section of Amnesty International is the largest section in the world? Do you think that we all agree with every statement and action our government conducts?

Nothing could be further from the truth. For the record, I responded to you personally on this point and you have yet to afford me the courtesy of a response. That merely leads me to believe that you either lack the courage of your convictions or lack the strength of character to acknowledge the error of your sweeping and uninformed generalizations. As far as "asking insistently for retaliation," if you legitimize terrorism as a form of political expression as this statement clearly does, then be prepared for the Pandora's Box that you are opening.

How about the residents of Rocinha getting their hands on some artillery and firing shells into the rich residences of São Conrado and Leblon. Indeed, what would stop the entire Zona Norte from attacking the Zona Sul in Rio de Janeiro? What would you think of poorer residents of São Paulo firing stinger missiles at the helicopters of rich businessmen going from their homes in Morumbi to their offices on Avenida Paulista? Would you accept the Xingu and Xavante Indians blowing up the Itaipu dam? Could you accept the Pataxó Indians retaking Porto Seguro?

"The attack upon a member of the United Nations should be considered as an attack upon all. Who guarantees that if Brazil had been attacked, the States would give us their support?"

It's called the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance, more commonly known as the Rio Treaty. If you want to actually acquaint yourself with a fact for a change, you can find the text at http://www.oas.org.

"They want us to stop polluting, but they keep on polluting in order to maintain the growth of their economy."

I think that is a fair criticism, but again, it is a generalization. Many of us do our part: recycling, driving more fuel-efficient cars and using public transportation.

"They give us the hypocritical speech of tolerance, but when they are asked to do the same, the president leaves an International Conference Against Racism."

Another fair criticism, but only to a point. When I visit Brazil and see supposedly educated white people refer to Afro-Brazilians as "crioulos" and call their servants "neguinha" to their face, I cannot help but think how I would be ostracized socially if I were to do that here, not that I ever would say such things. I'm glad to see that they are finally considering affirmative action programs in Brazil. I just wonder why a country that has portrayed itself as a "racial paradise" would ever have to do so.

"Before World War II, Europe was what America is now. The parents of my generation studied French at school. In a couple of decades, America may no longer be what it is. And the same way I had to learn how to speak English in order to achieve better positions in an 'Americanized' world, who knows what language my children will have to learn at school?"

Oh, coitada! You "had" to learn English! Que pena! Did someone force you at gunpoint to learn English? I learned German, Spanish and Portuguese because I wanted to, just as I'm sure you learned English because you wanted to learn it. Grow up and accept responsibility for your actions. There are probably millions of Brazilians who would love to learn English, but lack the financial means to do so. How sad for you that your family had the means to do so.

"And one day, tired of suffering under the feet of a ruling country, America may be seen as terrorist, and they will want their reasons to be heard."

Well, we certainly won't be inclined to fly planes into office buildings to make our point. We will do so on the currency of our ideas and the wisdom of our leaders, present leaders excepted. Randy Paul
Jackson Heights, NY Power Hunger

I concur that America will go to great ends to secure its own interests ... as has most if not all governments in recorded history. The US has, I know, a unique brand of one sided logic on many fronts, which displays itself internally even more than abroad. We are now the most punitive nation in the world, with a greater percentage of our population in steel cages than any other nation in the world, In fact, one of every 147 adults in the US is in a prison this hour! All a great result of the "war on drugs" and before that the "war on crime." In many ways America is caught in a backlash from the late 1960's—constantly seeking ever increasing levels of power and control ... over its own people and the world.

But I must tell you that it is not the general populous that does all this—the average person doesn't know or care. Their real crime is surrendering their freedom to the almighty dollar and anyone who will promise to keep them FAT... in so doing, we have raped and pillaged the greatest single store of natural resources in the world in a mere 200 years of pure greed.

Frankly, we poor, misunderstood American criminals appreciate the fact that someone else is under the spotlight of US war making!! As one of 37 million "felons of record" who is a life long outcast from my own culture, I should send the terrorists a thank you card! Don't you think so??? Be well and keep writing, Ned" Ned Rollo
Via Internet The Do-Nothings

This is a direct response to Dione Rocha's shallow and uninformative piece in the October issue. You cannot be serious: "No American has ever cried over the millions of people who die every day in Third World Countries"? What a ridiculous and intellectually infantile generalization. I realize you are very young and in the initial stages of your lifelong learning process, but you should still know better than to make such a blanket statement. No one will take your views seriously! In any case, you should know that there are literally millions of people in the US who are sick of the misguided and short-sighted foreign policies of our government. But just like in Brazil (and countless other developed and developing countries), the powerful rich have maintained their control over all aspects of policy. It's always about political elites making decisions that benefit themselves, not the people they are supposed to represent.

When I lived in Rio, I couldn't believe the attitudes of the general public—didn't they want to change things? Why did they continue to accept the incredible corruption and stupidity of their leaders? When I came back to the US and watched as George W. Bush was elected, I found myself asking the same questions! Perhaps people are not so different, no matter where you go in this world. There are always many working for positive causes, but so many more that simply do nothing or too little to make a difference (sadly, I often ask myself if I am one of those people).

And while our brainwashed media is certainly obsessed with the flag-waving patriotism that denies rigorous analysis of why these attacks happened, I don't know many people who think we are "poor victims who have been attacked for no reason." Even the most apathetic Americans know this is really about such basic issues as oil, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, etc. And many are beginning to whisper that it's time for a change. Let's hope one comes.

You say that one day "America may be seen as terrorist (but aren't you saying we are already seen that way?), and they will want their reasons to be heard." Okay, Muslim militants may want their reasons to be heard—but who is going to listen with any sympathy when they perform such cowardly and murderous acts on thousands of civilian? Was the American government heard when they killed Vietnamese civilians during that worthless conflict? No, it just made the world (and millions of American citizens) angry and hateful toward the US.

Yes, there are many valid reasons that America is being attacked, but one thing everyone should remember is that this particular group of "Muslims" is totally dedicated to bringing their perverted form of "Islam" to the ENTIRE world, and they will destroy anyone who opposes them or gets in their way, including you.

I know the world is sick of American hegemony and manipulation, but would you prefer to have Bin Laden and his gang as the next imperial enemy? As for your prediction that America may no longer be what it is in a couple of decades and that it will one day suffer under the feet of a ruling country, I can only say that, yes, anything is possible, but if and when that becomes a reality, you and I will have been nothing but dust in our graves long beforehand. P. Castles
Sacramento, California Talk about Hypocrisy

This is my first comment ever to any magazine with political or any other kind of views, but this time, I have to answer to Dione Rocha. Hopefully it will be short and to the point. She talks about American being hypocritical but at the same time she talks about learning English to achieve a better position in an "Americanized" world. This to me sound even more hypocritical that anything. What did you do? Did you go to England to learn English because you do not like Americans? Did your rich parents pay your private school so you could learn a language that you do not like but have to learn because you want to belong?

You talk about America, but I think you mean our government. America is not a government! It is composed of people of all nations and races and yes, we do cry as individuals for the different tragedies around the world. What it affects me, it does not affect you, so I won't lie to you and tell you that every time that somebody dies in a foreign country I cry, however, because I'm Hispanic, I'm more prompt to react to news from Hispanic countries. I believe is the same thing with you. You will devour any news from your country in contrast from one from Africa. Does this make you and me bad people? I do not think so, because is just the reality.

When the towers in NYC and the Pentagon were hit on 11 September, many innocent people died. Are you saying that it was our turn to suffer? Are you saying that we deserve it because we do not care about nobody else? How can you talk so openly and irresponsibly?

You talked about America killing people directly or indirectly with its foreign policies "designed to keep America on top." Are you saying that your country want to be in the bottom on purpose because in that way nobody gets hurt? All governments want to be or have some kind of power, especially global power, so please do not be so naïve. I do not say it is right, but it is reality.

You are right, violence brings violence, but as President Bush said, "We didn't ask for it." But according to you, we did ASK FOR IT with our attitude. Therefore, your answer is do nothing because they will hit us again. We did not hit them before and they did hit us hard, so what make you think that they will not do it again, just because we do not want conflict. You have to understand that we cannot wait still until they decide to do it again. We have to act, the American people need to see that their President does not seat still letting his people be killed just because the enemy may get upset and try again.

Once again you are right, more people will die, but what is your warranty that if we do nothing, nobody else will. J.C. Navarro
Guam The Forgotten Ones

Our condolences go out to the people that will be killed in Afghanistan by US bombing and soldiers. Somebody has to be concerned for them! Nubian Network
Via Internet Spreading the News

Dionne, appreciated your editorial and your concern about "social issues." Wouldn't you like to have this published in an American newspaper? To have your views known in the United States? Why don't you send it to the New York Times, for starters. There are people who would be interested in what you have to say. Mark Sannino
Via Internet In Bad Taste

While I am a fervent defender of the right to free expression, I am nevertheless shocked that Brazzil would publish the tasteless and offensive article by Dione Rocha in its first issue after the murderous acts of terror in America. While Ms. Rocha has the right to her morally bankrupt opinions, Brazzil has no obligation to publish them in its magazine. The fact that Brazzil chose to do so betrays a severe lack of editorial discretion. Or should we assume that Brazzil considers Ms. Rocha's views within the bounds of civilized discourse?

It may seem unnecessary to even dignify her rationalization of terrorism with a response, but some of her assertions demand a thorough repudiation.

First, how can she have the audacity to posit that last month's terrorist attacks and America's response are somehow morally equivalent? On 9-11, terrorists murdered thousands of innocent civilians. The World Trade Center was a peaceful center of commerce. The people there were merely working for a living. America, in its response to the Taliban's harboring of the evildoers, is focusing on military targets.

America is making every effort to avoid the loss of civilian life in Afghanistan. America is even giving food and humanitarian supplies to Afghans. Ms. Rocha should remember that no one suffers more under Taliban rule than Afghans themselves. This is especially true for Afghan women, who are deprived of even the most fundamental personal or economic freedoms.

Ms. Rocha's second point reveals a total ignorance of the lessons of history. If this were pre-war England, I suppose that with Neville Chamberlain she would be declaring "peace for our time." As Hitler taught us, appeasement is no way to deal with a monster on the international scene. Ms. Rocha would have us cowering in fear in the face of any threat. There comes a time, Ms. Rocha, when evil must be stood up to. Evil doesn't respect weakness. It only seeks to exploit weakness for its own purposes. That was the whole point of the 9-11 attacks: to terrorize the American people into paralysis. The terrorists severely miscalculated the spirit and will of the American people. America is more united, and more resolute than it has ever been. As it should be.

Her third point is perhaps the most offensive (and the most untrue). What is so offensive is her implication that America somehow "deserved" these acts of terrorism, as punishment for its sins. The moral refutation of her attitude speaks for itself. Her argument is flawed on factual grounds as well. To say that Americans have no compassion for suffering in underdeveloped nations is ludicrous.

What nation donates more to charities whose sole purpose is to relieve suffering and promote development in poor countries? What nation invests more in the economies of developing nations? The cause of poverty in certain parts of the world is not American foreign policy, or a lack of compassion on the part of the American people. The cause of poverty is wrong-headed economic policies. If other nations were to emulate the United States, and adopt democratic capitalism as their political-economic system, they too would prosper.

It is sad and disheartening to see Ms. Rocha proceed with her worn-out leftist tirade, as if the issues she raises have ANYTHING to do with terrorism. I'm sorry, Ms. Rocha, the attacks on America have NOTHING to do with pollution, international conferences on racism, or what have you. I could defend America's environmental record, or point to what a colossal, ill-conceived SHAM the U.N. conference on racism was.

But that would miss the point. Even if America was on the wrong side of those issues (which it most definitely was not) that would in no way alter the fact that what happened on 9-11 was pure EVIL.

Finally, Ms. Rocha concludes her article by looking forward to the day when America is no longer the world's superpower. Well, Ms. Rocha, I'm sorry to disappoint you (and the terrorists), but America doesn't intend to roll over and play dead anytime soon. Nathan Brinkman
Via Internet Unbalanced Balance Someone posted Dione Rocha's piece "Americans? They are no victims" in a news forum: The forum was set up on the New York Times website as a venue for individuals to share their feelings on the attack on America and subsequent retaliation aimed at the Taliban and Osama bin Laden. It is open to anyone—in any country—who has Internet access. Mz. Rocha's feelings are shared by millions around the globe, and they are by no means the most anti-American I have heard and read. What is frightening to me is that she speaks as someone who listens to and considers the viewpoints of all parties, yet her own judgments on every single American display in her the same hypocrisies she is so enraged about.

Saying that no American has ever shed a tear over the plights of people in other countries is a flagrant and hurtful misrepresentation. As the son of Peace Corps veterans, with my application in the mail, I feel as if Mz. Rocha has slapped me directly in the face. Does she think that I want to volunteer abroad for my own personal interests—that all I care about is money and power? Contrary to Mz. Rocha's statements, Americans do have hearts, we do feel: we are not demons. When I lived in Botswana and my friend's sister died of AIDS, you better believe I cried with her sisters and brothers. When my roommate learned that a Nepali village he had stayed in was destroyed in a mudslide, he mourned for weeks.

I would hope that if Mz. Rocha visited New York City; saw the destruction; smelled the hair and flesh still burning under the rubble; read the posters on the street poles with notes like, "have you seen my daddy?" from 10,000 children now missing one or both parents; I WOULD HOPE, Mz. Rocha would feel a lump in her throat in a twinge of sadness.

I would ask Mz. Rocha a few questions. When there is starvation or catastrophe in the world, where do the first planes of food and supplies come from? I would argue that more often or not, the plane says something like Lutheran World Relief, or even US Air Force. The food may have come from my cupboard, a blanket made by my mother's church group, volunteers flying in to help distribute aid from my community. No, Americans are not perfect, but we do have hearts and souls.

I would also like to examine her statements on how America has "turned its back" on countries in need while protecting its own interests. In her opening paragraph, Mz. Rocha brings the entire topic up with what concerns Brazilians most: their own country. "The non-American view of that fact leads us to the effects that the attacks themselves and possible retaliation may have on Brazil (and other countries, of course). That's why I decided to write the article below." So as she chastises the US for not taking up every fight and choosing to protect some of its own interests, she hints at the center of her own motivation—the economy of Brasil. Is there not a conflict of ideology here?

Besides her chafing on the spirit of America and the insensitivity of the individuals that live here (Arabs and Muslims among the millions from nearly every country on earth), her argument is ultimately flawed. I do not personally agree whole-heartedly with the American Government's actions in Afghanistan. And indeed, I am pained in the knowledge that people are being accidentally killed in an effort to rid the world of hateful terrorists. But as for the need to dismantle terrorist networks like Osama bin Laden's, I do agree.

What Mz. Rocha ignores is the fact that OBL has vowed to continue terrorizing not just the United States, but the entire western world (that includes UN member Brazil). Whether the American military (and/or the entire UN) retaliated or not, attempts to target innocent civilians would not cease. The only option is to stop the terrorist networks first, and then reassess American foreign policy.

Lastly, in regard to her argument of the hunger and desolation of the people of Afghanistan: Who was trying to alleviate that suffering even under the rule of the Taliban? The Red Cross, USAID, and other organizations were handing out wheat to women forced to wear the Burka covering them from head to toe so they can barely see, to adolescents whose arms were cut off because they were addicted to drugs, to men threatened with beatings if their beards were not long enough.

The war is not against the people of Afghanistan; it is directed at Osama bin Laden and his terrorists, and the rulers who sheltered him. Now that the Taliban have stopped hiding amongst innocent people, the civilian casualties will stop. The military can now focus on targeting terrorists and rebuilding the lives of those in Afghanistan.

I felt the need to respond to Mz. Rocha because I believe she means well. There are problems with much of American foreign policy, and they need to be addressed. But slandering the people of America and spitting on the graves of our dead will not evoke change; it will only incite more hatred and point to the ignorance of statements like "America? They are no victims." As Mz. Rocha admits—by learning English, by participating in "Americanized Economy", through her motivations in writing—we are all after similar things: prosperity, happiness, equality, and freedom.

In today's world the closest example of that goal lies in America. This is why Mr. Cardoso keeps shaping Brazil in the mold of America; and therein lies the power of America. It is not our military, it is in the envy of those who wish they had the same...grabbing for the benefits while simultaneously lashing at the faults inextricably tied to the burden of being the one looked to every time there is suffering, war, or the need of an economic bailout. America is already the most harshly-judged country in the world. Mz. Rocha: please don't add to the hate in the world.

LeRoy Danielson
Providence, RI USA Recipe for Prosperity

I live in the United States for 13 years. I was born in São José dos Campos and I moved to the United States when I was four years old. I recently read your article on a Brazilian's reaction to terrorism. Well, I have decided to give you my response which I hope you to take into consideration.

You call America's military attack a childish response. First of all, America must respond by destroying the evil terrorists who are hiding in Afghanistan. Let me tell you why. It is very important they do use military force because these terrorists are serious murderers. In 1998 they destroyed embassies in Kenya and Tanzania and the United States did not use any military force to go after Osama Bin Laden. He killed over 300 Africans and 12 Americans. Then he blew a USS ship killing 20 more people and then they killed another 5,000 people in September 11th and you expect the United States to stand by and do nothing.

The problem I have with the way you think is that you offered no solution to the problem. America can not stand by while terrorists continue to destroy all the freedom and democracy the United States has constructed. Yes, some lives are lost in Afghanistan, but this is an occurring pattern throughout history. The United States had to use force against the Yugoslavian government for killing ethnic Muslims, innocent lives were lost but the key point is that we saved lives. When the US destroyed Hitler, innocent lives were lost but it was for the better good of humanity and for the world.

You go on to attack the US for the killing of Third World people who live in poverty. Well, I can easily respond to that statement, it has nothing to do with the US. It has been proven that capitalism brings people out of poverty when economic growth is achieved. Let's look at Ireland, let's look at Taiwan, lets look at South Korea. What about China, which has generated great economic growth, which has cut poverty in half?

Look, your idea of American dominance is incorrect because many poor countries still have not strived to open their economies and reform their old ways and that's the reason they are in poverty. I want you to give me another economic method (like capitalism, or communism) which actually works. I pointed out Ireland, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Germany, US, France, Italy, Canada, China, and even now Russia who have improved the lives of their people through capitalism. Communism, and socialism have failed! Failed in Russia, failed in China, failed in North Korea, failed in Vietnam. So, why are you against capitalism? Too much success?

I cannot believe you would say America has in the past turned its back to humanity for its own interest. First, they risked their own men and women to save Europe from Germany and WWI. Then, they went and saved Europe and the Jews from Hitler in WWII. They did this because they knew it was the right thing to do. Now, I get mad when people criticize the United States for acting out and doing things positive, but at the same time people attack the US for doing too much. That is unfair and I believe many of my fellow Brazilians have a negative view of what the United States and capitalism truly have to offer.

Brazil my home country suffers from a lack of capitalism. Mario Covas the greatest leader could have led our country to its true rich form, but he is no longer with us. He was the best! Well I hope Fernando Henrique Cardoso's policies continue and hopefully somebody will realize what I have realized at the age of 17 and fight for more capitalism in Brazilian society. Before fast economic growth with low inflation can occur Brazil needs a strong development of a justice system, along with education. Education is essential to improving society. Justice is needed to enforce the laws of the land, and so it takes growth, education, justice to make Brazil a better place for all Brazilians. Daniel
Via Internet Far from True

The reported lack of sympathy for victims of the recent catastrophic terrorist crimes in the U.S. in your October issue surprised and saddened me. It also didn't seem to correlate with what my Brazilian friends were saying to me by e-mail and phone.

What really hurt was writer, Dione Rocha's statement that "No American has ever cried over the millions who die everyday in Third World Countries." That just is not true. I have seen people cry, not over millions, but over only one person's story they've heard. Americans are just like any other people, sympathetic to suffering.

Why do you think millions of US dollars are given to private foreign charities every year? Why do you think Americans go to other countries to adopt homeless children? What human with imagination does not grieve over horrible suffering of others when they know their stories? Dione must be very young, and she must not be well acquainted with ordinary Americans. People are people. Only the very hard-hearted or those with no imagination don't want to help people who are suffering.

Her statement is ridiculous. If we hadn't been sympathetic, our country would never have supported Israel after WWII; we would never have implemented the Marshall Plan that helped the countries of our enemies in that war. We, too, sorrow for the innocent civilians in Afghanistan who are caught in a battle zone that they had nothing to do with. That's why our soldiers do not target civilians, unlike our criminal enemies, the fundamentalist Moslem cult.

Those criminals who destroyed four planes full of people, a section of the Pentagon, the twin towers of the World Trade Center, and killed more than 5,000 civilians, attacked not just the United States on September 11th, they attacked Western Civilization that Brazil is a part of. I hope Brazil will support the anti-terrorist effort as their political leaders have stated they will.

It's been a shock to us here, but almost all Americans (even those, like me, who did not vote for Bush and even those, like me, who strongly opposed the Vietnam War) support our government's effort to stop this terrorism as best we can. For that we need all civilized countries' help, especially Brazil's, as it, too, is a nation with many immigrants, and thus many hiding places for criminals. Jo Curtis
Wisconsin, USA Look at Your Yard

Dione Rocha, I just read your article in Brazzil and am sure that you'll be surprised to learn that I, an American, agree with your premise that America's foreign policies played a huge part in precipitating the WTC attacks. However, it is clear that your article was written solely from your impressions and isn't supported with facts. I especially would like to focus on one thing you mentioned.

"No American has ever cried over the millions of people who die every day in Third World Countries, victims (directly or indirectly) of American foreign policies designed to keep America on top. The average American is not able to see that. They are not supposed to see that link. That is why they think they are poor victims who have been attacked for no reason and that is why they have been asking so insistently for retaliation."

Tell that to my friend Roz, who for several years has been actively involved in the movement to restore women's rights in Afghanistan. She has been crying herself to sleep nearly every night with the thought that her friends at RAWA (Revolutionary Association of Women of Afghanistan), who are already risking their lives in order to achieve a better life, will become victims of bombs that don't differentiate between Taliban and non-Taliban.

Of course that is just one person. But, you may be surprised to learn that many Americans are calling for restraint in our attacks. Many Americans, (but not the majority in this case) understand that violence only perpetuates violence. We are afraid that World War III is on our doorstep, and no one wins in that situation. I would also like to mention that you seem to neglect that the US is also dropping food to the refugees...sure, the food isn't enough and is a case of too little, too late (I mean, America armed and fed the Taliban, but now we've decided to start feeding the people who really need it? I think that we should always spend more on feeding than on bombing)

But, consider this: The American people (not the government) give billions of dollars of aid to charities and organizations worldwide in order to hopefully save some of those millions of people that you say we don't cry over. For you to say that "No American has ever cried' over the problems of the world is a gross generalization that any credible writer would have avoided. I ask you this: How many Brazilian reals are given out to charities worldwide? How many American dollars does the Brazilian government take each year? I'm sure that you'll find that, per capita, the Americans donate far more money to your poor than you do.

Yes, the American government's foreign policies leave much to be desired, but take into consideration that many American people do not actively support everything the government did or does. (In fact, no President of this century has been elected with 50 percent or more of the votes...in other words, more people DO NOT vote for the winner than vote for him)

To say that we all think alike is the same as suggesting that every Brazilian supported the torture and killing of the millions of people who disappeared during the Brazilian government's decades of military rule. Or to say that all Brazilians support the random killing of street people in São Paulo.

On a recent trip to Brazil, I was amazed by the number of times I saw people begging on the streets who were forcibly removed from the premises and beaten in the process. Am I to assume that no Brazilian cries over this? I don't assume that. Compassionate people exist in every part of the world. People lacking compassion exist in every part of the world and, often, they are part of the government.

For you to say that America's foreign policies are part of the problem is correct. For you to say that the average American is ignorant of what is going on in the rest of the world is somewhat true. For you to assume that ALL Americans are one way is wholly incorrect. It is the same as saying that a rich São Paulo businessman thinks and acts exactly the same as a favela dweller in Manaus. It's just not true.

Furthermore, whether the US would respond if Brazil were attacked, I cannot say. But, we haven't asked Brazil or the UN to join with us, but our NATO partners did come to our aid. Brazil is not part of NATO, so your point is moot.

However, the billions of dollars of financial support that the IMF (headed by America) has given to the Brazilian government are testament that someone in Brazil is benefiting from America's foreign policy, but you can bet that it isn't the average citizen.

It might give you comfort to blame America, while your rich get richer and your poor get poorer, but perhaps you should look at the problems in your own backyard before you blame one country for all your woes. Brazil has all the resources it needs to become a world power, yet it falters in that respect. What assumption can one make from that?

In response to another point you make, yes, Europe used to be the superpower, now America is. American dominance will fade, just as the Greek, Roman, Spanish, French, British, et al empires faded. But, will a more compassionate world order take over or will the new superpowers be just like all the rest and try to maintain themselves on top regardless of how their actions affect other people's? I think you know the answer.

I respect your opinion and your right to have that opinion. That is (in theory) one of the hallmarks of the American concept of democracy. I am not attempting to say that America does not contribute to or commit atrocities, but the Average American does not openly condone such actions. Many are largely ignorant of them, unfortunately. This is a problem, but that doesn't mean that these same people deserve to die.

In fact, in my version of the perfect world, everyone deserves to have adequate food, health care and education. Including those who don't think as I do. Rob Aikins
Via Internet In Tune

I emphatically agree with much of what you have expressed in your article on Americans not being victims. In response to your concluding thoughts in this article, I ask, has not America historically engaged in terrorist acts to serve its own interests? Does this not make America terrorists? Wishing you love and peace. An American
Dtpeace@aol.comGreetings

 Where's CNN?

Please keep in mind when you make sweeping statements about "Americans" that there are millions of oppressed people in Amerikkka! Do not believe the propaganda machines, thousands of people here are protesting like crazy in the streets, you will never see that on CNN! And let me remind you how Mr. Bush came to be president, by disenfranchising minority voters. afrikadzatazi@webtv.net War, War Go Away

Dione, first of all, your point regarding the continuation of violence is essentially correct. Ordinary Afghans will suffer worst of all. They are poor enough already, and it is just going to get worse for them, at least in the short term. And retaliation will begat more violence inside the US. I personally believe that Bin Laden and his group have the people and assets already positioned inside the US for their next attack, and that these assets were here before September 11th. The violence is going to increase greatly before this whole thing is over. Most people are kind of hoping it all just goes away, but they know in their hearts it will not.

As Americans, however, we cannot stand idly by and let this act go unpunished. We are going to have to hunt these people down, and probably kill them. And it will be bloody and painful and the whole world will suffer. But to let them go free and unfettered will simply embolden those not strong enough to do something like this before the 11th. Where it will all end I do not know. It may end very badly. But it will surely end badly if Al-Qaeda and the organizations like it are left alone. The only reason they did not use a nuclear bomb, I believe, is because they don't have one in the US. Yet.

I know how you feel because the possibilities of this thing running its course are too horrible to contemplate. But we can't put the genie back in the bottle. We cannot go back to the way things were. Graeme Jack
Via Internet Tribal Ritual

Dione, you seem like an angry young woman, and I like that... I smell the fires of the pyre we call ground zero and dream of a girl like you. We don't know the meaning of "Taliban" or "New York", we speak in Quechwa and Ainu, the languages of our children. We conquer our fears and build our hopes on the backs of holy martyrs as we ritually re-enact their final preparations of clean socks and strippers from Miami. We sip from the cup of righteousness of those who tickle giants and tilt at windmills, stuffed with our wisdom. We have cried for the millions so that others need not. Can you not feel the love? John DuQuette
Manhattan Sheer Conceit

As a long-time subscriber, I have seen several anti-American articles printed in your magazine, and many of them have valid points, especially regarding things in an economic sphere. However, I can honestly say that this one particular article was one of the ugliest I have seen, period, in any magazine. Dione Rocha may be entitled to her own opinion, but to add insult to a national tragedy is beyond comprehension. Excuse me, but over 4000 people perished at one time, some of whom were her own fellow Brazilians! What incredible arrogance and haughtiness she projects!

One truly wonders what she would say and feel if it was Brazil who was attacked and not the U.S. If she is here in America, she should leave, the sooner the better, if that is how she feels, and, by all means, discontinue her usage of the English language, maybe she would feel more comfortable being the second or third wife of a Taliban mullah. Steve Burkhardt
San Rafael, CA Dione Responds

I have received a number of reactions to my piece published on the last issue of Brazzil. As I wouldn't be able to respond to all of them, I wrote this short note in response:

I received many very well structured arguments, but I cannot say that of every response I got. A lot of information was given to me, and I am grateful to all of those people. A lot of what was exposed to me about the kindness of American people I already knew from personal experiences. The predominance of one same point being refuted caused me to see the reason for the great majority of reactions I received.

The statement that have made people feel strongly about the article was: "No American has ever cried over the pain of the Third World...". I recognize that particular statement was not carefully written, once I was not meaning to generalize. Notice that in other sentences I used expressions such as "the average American", and for those my points make sense. I would like to apologize for the generalization I ended up making. I have some knowledge of the world, enough to let me know that generalizations shouldn't be made. Dione Rocha,
Brazil Mere Pawns

Greetings Friar Betto ("It Serves US Right", Brazzil, October 2001), you're talking of morality to demons. Your writing is eloquent and also very true, unfortunately, you are preaching to the choir, these people have no moral conscience, for them "might makes right" and we are all just collateral damage, or pawns in the game. Also, I think the problem is not with Uncle Sam, it's with the robber barons of the "Illuminatti." The presidents of this country are now and always have been just front men, no less puppets than Museveni, etc, just on a different level. Peace & Blessings. We certainly are in need of them both. From one born in the belly of the beast Afrikadzatasi
Via Internet War Is Hell

The good Friar (Frei Betto) should make no mistake: this is a war, a world war! When a country and a people are attacked it is an act of war. It is the responsibility of a government to protect its people. You may call it vengeance if you like. You may make be critical of previous policies (with some merit). But no government will remain viable for long if it cannot protect its people. Those who cry for peace in the face of an attack live in a world of philosophy that exists only in the mind.

Reality is the unfortunate domain of those who attacked us and to our government in its response. Innocents will die, they already have. But the attacks are against Islamist not the Islamic faith. The Friar should visit the real world and learn the difference. James Stolarczyk
Via Internet Right On!

I agree with Friar Betto's point!!!!

And I am from the US. Via Internet No Comparison

This is in response to "It Serves US Right." How can you compare the two: Just as the victims of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon did not deserve the tragedy that they suffered, so the people of Nagasaki and Hiroshima should not have been exterminated with two atomic bombs. In the case of the atomic bomb...let us recall: Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on a Sunday morning. The US responded by declaring war on Japan and then bombing Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Japan could easily have averted the bombings by surrendering.

The WTC victims did not have this chance. Terrorists do not declare war. They are too cowardly to face their enemy and announce their intentions. I think it is ridiculous to try and compare these two acts and to do so shows how poorly thought out this report is.

And I love how you people state the obvious: "In Arns' words, terrorists should be punished for the horrible crimes that they committed but innocent populations should not suffer."

But...can you give us an answer on how to do this? It is not easy to bring criminals to trial when they hide amongst the civilians. You would never see Bush hidden around civilians. Our government leaders are not cowards. He moves from one military base to another, but not in peoples houses like the Taliban. Randy Parman
Senior Consultant
Via Internet Can't Do Right

Maybe Friar Betto should read American newspaper accounts regarding President Bush's statements on Islam. We are not chasing a religion! We are chasing criminals! We are criticized when we do something and when we don't! So, if you Brazilians can do better, be my guest! Talk is cheap, let's see some action from you, but you pay for it. So don't send us the bill!! William J. Crane
Via Internet Superpower Headaches

As a New Yorker I found Friar Betto's article ("It Serves US Right") to be well intentioned but seriously lacking in logical conclusions. I am also offended at his implication that the attack was deserved. Regarding Hiroshima and Nagasaki, these were horrendous actions, I agree, but must be seen in the mindset of the times. Japan and the US had been at war for some time. There were atrocities committed on both sides and the war was started by an aggressive attack by the Japanese. As a man of the cloth, Betto must know that equating one immoral act with another does not absolve anything but only obfuscates reality.

This is 2001 and not 1940. As to the great accomplishments in the world of Islam, this is irrelevant. Nazi Germany had a long list of major cultural and scientific achievements in its history. The accomplishments of a society do not justify the kind of despicable act like the attack on the Twin Towers. What is totally lacking in the modern world of Islam is any real condemnation of the acts of the terrorists. Many

Muslims are still supporting beliefs created in their medieval period.

Trying to equate things in terms of good vs. evil is too difficult as nothing is that clear cut. Nothing, that is, with the exception of the attack on the Towers, which, historically, will be used as the premier example of as close to evil as possible. The US has its faults, as does any society. Being a superpower, anything the US does is double sided. When you support one side or cause, you automatically create enemies on another front. No matter how benevolent a super power attempts to be, any actions will, by necessity, create hostility.

Using Betto's logic, if the US sided with the Palestinians, that would give Israel the right to crash planes into the Towers. Since being sent to Viet Nam against my will, I was vehemently against all US foreign policy and considered myself radical left. Since this attack, I have realized that my country, with all its faults, has done much and sacrificed many people, to protect the right of Friar Betto to have his say. I far prefer this to living in a Muslim society where women are treated like dogs, all sensual pleasures are outlawed and Friar Betto himself would probably be executed for his beliefs.

Friar Betto, come out from the monastery and your ivory tower and see what is going on in the world. In the worst case scenario, in the not too distant future, it may be my countrymen who will give up their lives to protect you from the terrorist acts which, at this point, seem to be justified by most of the Islamic world. John Breski
San Francisco, California Brazil, the Sideliner

This is a response to your cover story "Feeling the Pain," I would like to comment first on the editorial in the Folha de São Paulo that states in the author's opinion that "The United States has not contributed to the reduction of the level of world tension." My response is that the United States has done more than any other country in the world for the welfare of the human race. Because the United States can somehow take care of all of its own people and at the same time take in people of all origins in staggering quantity and provide for them as well, all the while being the world's policeman, nuclear caretaker, and lone superpower (which I might add we have not exploited but shared) it makes it incumbent upon us to do the most. It is a responsibility America takes seriously.

The author of this selfish comment has no understanding of these kinds of responsibility, nor does Brazil. It is no surprise that he could be so narrow-minded. Here is an oxy-moron for you: Brazilian foreign policy. The United States has made mistakes in its efforts to "reduce the level of tension" but not contributed? Come on. The United States chooses to do its BEST for the most and then stays the course. Brazil? On the sidelines as usual. I find it shocking that the main complaint in all of the remarks you printed about Brazilian experiences in the tragedy focus on how it ruined "their dreams" and how they had to go home and that what America somehow owed them was torn from their grasp.

Shouldn't the focus be on the real victims? Maybe Brazil will benefit from all of these people coming home. They bring with them the best of American spirit and attitudes toward justice and freedom and opportunity, things they may not have left with. Everyday I read the life stories and personal tragedies of the people who died, not just Americans, people of all nationalities, and until their stories are heard and taken into consideration, let's not glorify a tiny number of unfortunate occurrences.

The final numbers on the opinions concerning a military response were amusingly predictable. 74 percent think we should get the terrorists, 79 percent think just not where they live. 78 percent think Brazil should do nothing. I have news, you are already doing nothing! Maybe you should join the Mideast peace process. And in the final numbers, 51 percent think Brazil will get screwed and 29 percent think it will be a hassle.

This is the only article I have read about Brazilian responses to the tragedy, but the author of this amalgamation of selfishness is shameful. Nowhere did he publish comments on what America had done FOR these immigrants, only what they couldn't have anymore. The author should go to Ground Zero and then reread what he published and then write a truly thoughtful article about what it really is, a senseless human tragedy for all of us. And then talk about what Brazil should do, which is get involved. Brent
Via Internet Brazilians, Go Home!

Who in the educated and informed world wrote and I quote from your magazine, "One cannot ignore that the United States has not contributed to the reduction of the level of world tension." As if to imply that we called this on ourselves or in some way deserved this. That my short little brown friend is absolutely ludicrous.

Please wake up from whatever little 2nd or 3rd world fantasy land you are living in and open your eyes and you will see that America has helped so very many people in this world..... Is your country sending food for the innocent peasants in Afghanistan???? Hell no!!! What has Brazil EVER done to relieve world tension, BITCH????????

I have the feeling that if your wonderful little impoverished country had been attacked and continuously threatened and the general public (the vast many of whom cannot read or write) were in a general state of panic you would be singing a different tune, bitch.

I personally invite you to visit me at my home or office or in the street or any parking lot or any place at all for that matter and I will fix your little red wagon. All you need to do is bring your big ass mouth and I'll take care of the rest... and until you have experienced terror please do not pretend that you understand you foul little brown fag. ERIC S. HATCH 4151 S.W. Freeway suite 512... HOUSTON TEXAS USA FOREVER.......

I will visit you if you cannot come to me because you will need to understand what you are talking about and learn to have respect for the USA. I do not care if all you little brown bastards go home because if you are only here for the taking of the GOOD life and not to give anything back then you do not belong here... If you do not love America do not come here to take from its generous peoples, you little FUCK... You should go back to where that is all the people do..... take and take and take and never give back. I am waiting..... Are you a man or a mouth? Is there really any true MEN in BRAZIL??????

You have a whole country of little brown faggots who are AIDS infested. Uneducated starving bastards, what have you done to erase terrorism??? Oh, I forgot, it is not YOUR problem right, bitch????? Eric
Houston, Texas Cowards, Go Home!

I offer my opinion about Ms. Dalevi views ("Feeling the Pain," Brazzil, October 2001) on the Brazilian immigrants who want to leave the US because of the tragic terrorist attacks of Sept. 11:

They should go back to Brazil. Spineless individuals won't be missed here. Lots of people who really want to be here are waiting for the chance! Ms. Dalevi and all Brazilians who think it is unsafe here should remember that in Brazil, the equivalent of two Vietnam Wars die victims of violent crimes every year! In the city of São Paulo alone, more people died from generalized violence than the Israel/Palestine conflict this year alone! To a lot of us, that's just another kind of terrorism. Who's kidding who? Just go! We'll find a way to help this great Nation! Arsenio Fornaro
Newark, New Jersey Tomorrow Will Be Better

I read with great interest the article titled "Feeling the Pain". One thing that is difficult for people to understand is the powerful role that the media is playing during and after those attacks. The media is certainly to blame for the anti-foreigner sentiment that is growing. All of this talk about "God Bless America" also is not helping. Shouldn't we really be saying "God bless everybody?"

As an American I feel that my country is going backwards. Ever since the people were denied their voting rights in the last presidential election, things have been eroding here. Now we face economic recession and war. Therefore I am not surprised that Brazilians are no longer eager to come here. Unfortunately we Americans have to weather the bad times. Good times will return, right after the next election... Brian C
Via Internet Double Standard

I hope terrorism doesn't come to your country. Please do not contact me again with your newsletter. Just as your people call on the US not to harm the innocent civilians of Afghanistan they applaud the deaths of US civilians, what hypocrisy. Brent Curry
Via Internet Time to Give Back

I think the Brazilian attitude stinks and it shows a lot of ignorance in their part. It's time to stop and think to see what's going to happen when Brazil cries for help from the USA next time. I am Brazilian and I feel that Brazil should offer help to the Americans. So far, all we did was to take. I think it's time to give some help back. Olga Didenko
Via Internet You Won't Be Missed

It is very obvious that the central purpose of all of those Brazilians who wrote in have no allegiance to the United States. They are here for a short time to reap as many monetary rewards as possible, and return to their homeland at the slightest hardship. The United States was not, and is not built of citizens and immigrants of this low a quality of opportunistic people. Please, go in peace. We will not miss you. Michael R. Feldman
Saint Louis, Missouri Let's Not Fight

It is such a shame that so many Brazilians feel that way about Americans as a whole. When I watched the news and saw the Afghan people cheering that 5000 Americans were dead, it broke my heart that people could be so cruel. But after hearing all the facts, I realized that way of thinking is only held by a select minority. This is the same for the people who think all Islamic people are terrorist and retaliate on these people because of their race.

It is sad that even one innocent person is hurt by this type of vigilante justice, but this world is not perfect nor should we expect that it be perfect. I think that I represent the majority way of thinking in that what makes a person cruel is in their heart and not by the color of their skin or by what country they are from. We, as Americans, are not perfect. But before you degrade the Americans for this tragedy and the fact that we want to send a message that terrorism will have a zero tolerance, then perhaps you and everyone should remember how many people we help. We even help your country.

I hope that perhaps Brazilians will become more informed about what our country stands for and continue to come to the USA. We are a wonderful people and there are some not so wonderful people. Just as this is true in your country. We must not let terrorism frighten us or turn one against another. For a nation divided is a nation destroyed. I welcome the Brazilian people to our country. I have met some great Brazilian people and I believe the people that I met know that America as a whole is a good people. Michelle Chorn
Service Dept. Not the World's Keepers

It aggravated me to read that Brazilians think that the US, because it is the richest country in the world, should be responsible for taking care of all the poor countries of the world, and their problems. Who takes care of us when we have a problem? It's just like you said in your magazine, Brazil doesn't care about the tragic event that happened to us on Sept. 11, and now "we" should be picking up the pieces for their country, that cannot advance because it's so corrupted by the government?

Brasil is poor because of the way their government is run, so there is nothing the US can do for them. If they want their situation to get better, they need to open their mouth and speak up about it. Brazilians themselves don't try to improve their situation, so why should we do all the work?

People are so lazy. All Brazilians ever talk about is that their government is so corrupt. So why are we going to send them money? So the government can get richer? The poor people would never see a penny of it. Brazil's problem is not our problem and it's far too deep for any country to pull them out of. And I'm glad Brazilians amongst other foreigners are getting scared and going back to their country.

They should open their eyes, like your article said, and see that they are not going to become millionaires the second they step foot of the plane. I travel to Brazil several times a year and have even lived there for a period of time, have been all over the country and everyone has the same ignorant idea that they can come here, do nothing, and money is going to fall from the sky.

Besides, if that 23 year old kid Netinho went back to his country for getting a broken nose, then he is weak and shouldn't have been here in the first place. Americans get slapped in the face all the time, physically and mentally and they keep going. The bottom line is, when you're number 1, everybody is jealous and talks down about you.

Many countries are jealous of the US and it's a fact. That's what it boils down to. Brazil should take responsibility for their actions, and if they want to complain to someone, they should complain to their own government who is stealing all of their money, not the US.

I don't understand why foreigners just live to complain and think that the whole world owes them something. Snap out of it. I wish my letter would get printed in the same newspaper in Brazil that wrote about the US not helping poor countries. That was about the most asinine statement I've heard in a long time. Cindy
Via Internet How Dare You?

I am Brazilian and I live in Germany. I am deeply ashamed that any Brazilian would take the cold and hateful position that most have taken concerning the bombings in New York and DC. Brazil is poor, ignorant, disease-filled and needs help from other countries, so how dare you say anything negative against the USA? The tourist industry will feel the sting of the Brazilian response to the US, you can believe this! By doing this, you have made Brazil look very bad.

We must be honest with ourselves. Look at Brazil: there is NO political power, a disgraceful and severely-lacking educational system, racism to dark skin Brazilians and Indians...Brazil does NOTHING to even help its own poor and illiterate adults and children! They have to prostitute themselves and steal to even live! Shameful!

Brazilians need to be helpful in a time of crisis and not part of the problem. Are we not a Christian country? Do you not see the arms of Christ open as a symbol of how loving we should be to others? I am shocked and hurt that any Brazilian would think to rejoice at this sad time. Brazil cannot even compete with the US or Europe because it is so far behind, so please do not make all decent Brazilians look as ignorant as the ones who celebrated the painful bombings in the US. Ana
Germany

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