Comments for The Time Has Come to End Lula's Monarchy in Brazil at http://brazzil.com , comment 1 to 25 out of 20 comments http://brazzil.com Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:21:01 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/210-november-2009/10288-the-time-has-come-to-end-lulas-monarchy-in-brazil.html#comment-42155 i agree the telecom issue was botched. telefonica, io, america movil (carlos slim s/b carlos fat), tim, etc. are making a killing! the only way to fix this now is to create/sell additional spectrum in the hope that it will bring in more competitors. - sage Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:32:10 +0100 http://brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/210-november-2009/10288-the-time-has-come-to-end-lulas-monarchy-in-brazil.html#comment-42151 A decisão solitária do líder Fernando Henrique Cardoso, 78 anos, ex-presidente da República (1994 a 2002). Está à frente do Instituto Fernando Henrique Cardoso "Ao contrário do que muita gente pensa, minha decisão mais difícil no governo não foi a de deixar flutuar o real. Até porque aquilo não foi propriamente uma decisão, mas uma imposição do mercado. Minha decisão mais difícil ocorreu em 1994, quando eu ainda era ministro da Fazenda do presidente Itamar Franco. E foi justamente a de fazer o Plano Real. Havia muita dúvida sobre o sucesso do plano, muitos interesses contrariados e eu poderia ter agido como meus antecessores, que foram acomodando a situação. Houve momentos difíceis, de quase desistência. Mas, nessa hora, por mais que você consulte seus assessores, a decisão do líder é sempre solitária. É ele quem será julgado pela história. Depois disso, os momentos mais complicados foram as demissões de ministros e auxiliares - alguns amigos de várias décadas. Mas, nessas horas, é preciso saber separar a ética pessoal da ética pública." Source: This week's "Isto E" magazine. Sorry it is in Portuguese. Thanks FHC, you gave us something that should never be forgotten. You ended decades of agony and uncertainty when we would sleep with one monetary currency and wake up with another or even worse with no money in our savings account. Unfortunately, and hope this will end soon, is this idea that education is an intellectual thing, an elite thing. I am sensing this through the media, formal and informal conversations with Brasilians. It is sad. They say FHC was an intellectual and did nothing, did not solve the Brasilian problems, as if it is easy to do it, they think it happens overnight. FHC and his admireable late wife (best first Lady we had) indeed did something, they started the social programs Lula brags about it now. The thing is they were not charismatic as Lula is. But what do you prefer? Someone that does not talk but does the walk or someone that talks, talks, talks, and talks. In his talks and manipulations he gives hope and amuzement to the masses but not concrete actions. Lula is very eloquent, especially in a way that influences people, and he discovered he can do that abroad just as good. I only hope that we won't see in the future a political witch-hunt against people who has knowledge, intellect, education, and who speaks more than one language as a result of have lived abroad. Cheers! - Adriana A. Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:31:59 +0100 http://brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/210-november-2009/10288-the-time-has-come-to-end-lulas-monarchy-in-brazil.html#comment-42139 [quote]today brazil is the only major country w/o a domestic telecoms champion - especially considering that next year it is projected to be the world's 3rd largest market for computers & phones[/quote] That was precisely the reason why FHC sold the state owned companies in 1998 and his successor didn't do anything to reverse the trend. Instead, he opted to create a "domestic champion" by changing the original laws, thus killing the competition.But I don't think that Telefônica and TIM would care, because during the past 11 years they have managed to make enormous amount of profit, by cheating their customers and I am sure they would be happy to return the companies for a very high price, all financed by BNDES. ;) :D Just look at the evolution of the Telephone tariff rates from 1998 to present date to understand what I am trying to say. Also ask an older Brasilian if he has observed any change in the Pay Phones since 1998, except for more frequent paint jobs and logo changes. ;) :D - João da Silva Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:01:46 +0100 http://brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/210-november-2009/10288-the-time-has-come-to-end-lulas-monarchy-in-brazil.html#comment-42136 i believe that both dilma & serra (i think the election w/ come down to these 2) are competent & dedicated. serra did an excellent job as health minister & dilma is tough wicked smart technocrat (she makes angela merkel look like a wallflower). however, neither has the charisma & common citizen touch that lula has. there's an old saying about different ways to skin a cat. in the end it's farina do mesmo sacco. in the end, neither will divert the progress of the brasilian ship of state. the big question is who has a better shot at passing some tough fiscal & tax reform to unlock the country's 6% - 7% growth potential vs the 3.5% to 5% current #s. i agree with ricardo, fhc did an excellent job w/ the real plan, but goofed by selling the patrimonio for a song to predatory global corporate interests. today brazil is the only major country w/o a domestic telecoms champion - especially considering that next year it is projected to be the world's 3rd largest market for computers & phones (after china & the us). - sage Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:24:14 +0100 http://brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/210-november-2009/10288-the-time-has-come-to-end-lulas-monarchy-in-brazil.html#comment-42126 My 2 cents worth comments on your latest entry, Ricardo! [quote]Regarding President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva the history books are going to be very kind to him and historians are going to classify him as an excellent president[/quote] I tend to agree with you for 3 reasons: 1) While he may not have [b][i]benefited[/i][/b] the middle class and small businesses, he did not [b][i]harm[/i][/b] them like his [i][b]two[/b][/i] predecessors did. You forgot to cite Collar. 2) He is a great salesman that uses [i][b]simple[/b][/i] language to sell his proposals to the mass, unlike his predecessors who used to treat their fellow citizens with disdain and contempt. Many still remember FHC calling all the Government employees a bunch of "vagabundos". 3)Unquestionably, he has promoted a positive image of Brasil in the international arena. Now that he has just one more year to go, it would be interesting to observe the succession "battle". As you know, he is the founding father of PT that was built from scratch and so far we have not seen a similar charismatic figure from that party to succeed him. Even Dilma, his preferred one, was originally from PDT. So the next 12 months will be crucial for Brasil to further consolidate its position as the largest democracy in South America. - João da Silva Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:27:36 +0100 http://brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/210-november-2009/10288-the-time-has-come-to-end-lulas-monarchy-in-brazil.html#comment-42125 Ricardo: I give credit to former President Cardoso regarding the success of the Plan Real. But on the other hand regarding his privatization program of Brazilian government assets he gave the store away for nickels and dimes. Regarding President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva the history books are going to be very kind to him and historians are going to classify him as an excellent president – a president that when he left office he left Brazil in much better shape economically, and socially than the country that he had inherited from the prior administration. Today almost at the end of the Lula administration Brazil is a country with great prospects for the future – the future looks amazing for Brazil and the Brazilian people. What makes his story even more unbelievable is that this man came from total poverty and very limited schooling, but that did not stop him from becoming one of the most admired world leaders of his day. Maybe what Brazil needed to turn the corner and achieve its great potential was the leadership of a simple, and charismatic man such as President Lula. Anyway, I wonder why some people can't grasp the obvious facts? . - Ricardo C. Amaral Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:15:43 +0100 http://brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/210-november-2009/10288-the-time-has-come-to-end-lulas-monarchy-in-brazil.html#comment-42121 It was A FEMALE professor "conterranea" from Rio. She lived in New York and married to another professor (an American). It was a long time ago, during "Collor de Mellor" years, whom both of us objected. Jupiter only knows where she may be at this point... Probably still lecturing there :D - Augustus A. Severus Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:27:24 +0100 http://brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/210-november-2009/10288-the-time-has-come-to-end-lulas-monarchy-in-brazil.html#comment-42117 [quote]Today in London, last week in Caracas, then in Buenos Aires,Kopenhangen, Luanda, Beijing, Teheran, Lisbon - JUST IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS!!![/quote] Dont be so rude towards him. HE does visit our state frequently to see his family, in spite of his busy schedule overseas. :D ;D - João da Silva Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:55:26 +0100 http://brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/210-november-2009/10288-the-time-has-come-to-end-lulas-monarchy-in-brazil.html#comment-42116 [quote]Well... to be honest... the particular professor was actually Brazilian[/quote] Name that fella and I shall send an e-mail protesting against his attempts to brainwash the young Brasilian students! Is he still there or back in Brasil to continue promoting his fascist views among our children. Of course, our distinguished and erudite fellow blogger ASP would have used stronger terms to describe this fella. BUT...BUT... I refrain from doing so. :) ;) :D Cheers - João da Silva Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:32:38 +0100 http://brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/210-november-2009/10288-the-time-has-come-to-end-lulas-monarchy-in-brazil.html#comment-42115 Well... to be honest... the particular professor was actually Brazilian ;D ;D ;D As for the idiotic, moronic, LOW-CLAS, near-illiterate, RIDICULE, highly embarassing incompentent SUCCESSOR, while he may have been in Brzil, buying up votes, kissing "people's behind", and lying to be elected, he MORE THAN MADE UP NOW... considering the is NEVER IN BRASILIA, constantly somewhere BUT the capital... Today in London, last week in Caracas, then in Buenos Aires,Kopenhangen, Luanda, Beijing, Teheran, Lisbon - JUST IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS!!! - Augustus A. Severus Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:55:00 +0100 http://brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/210-november-2009/10288-the-time-has-come-to-end-lulas-monarchy-in-brazil.html#comment-42114 [quote]Yet, I will concur that I have overlooked President Figueiredo in my previous consideration - He was indeed EVEN greater! [/quote] I am glad you remembered him as the father of "Abertura". I am disappointed that you failed to pay homage to President Geisel, who was the father of our Ethanol program. When these two great men were tirelessly, but quietly working for the better future of our country and laying foundation for a fair democracy, your idol FHC was making cacophonous noises from France, to the thunderous applause of all the half assed intellectuals. At least his successor whom he has criticized so much in this article was organizing the labor unions and other less informed Brasilians to help the two great leaders to bring back the democracy without any bloodshed. I am shocked to read that while in the college in the U.S., you were [i][b]forced[/b][/i] to read the biased writings of FHC. :o ;) :D ;D - João da Silva Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:37:11 +0100 http://brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/210-november-2009/10288-the-time-has-come-to-end-lulas-monarchy-in-brazil.html#comment-42108 Firstly, during Mr. Cardoso presidency, I had not yet felt re-connected to Brazil, and was not paying the same type of attention I currently do (for the past 2-3 years). Secondly, I'm fully aware that Mr. Cardoso and his Ministro da Fazenda) were responsible for the PLANO REAL. Finally, while attending college in New York, in some classes I was exposed to his writings (as formal part of my courses in Modern International Affairs as well Latin American Poltical Theory, Modern Imperialism and Dependency Theory - which represents one of the three branches of International Policial theory). Consequently, my admiration for Mr. Cardoso is boundless. Yet, I will concur that I have overlooked President Figueiredo in my previous consideration - He was indeed EVEN greater! - Augustus A. Severus Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:19:23 +0100 http://brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/210-november-2009/10288-the-time-has-come-to-end-lulas-monarchy-in-brazil.html#comment-42101 [quote]F.H.C. The only decent president Brazil has ever had![/quote] Your sense of humor these days is devastating! ;) :D [quote]The greatest intellectual (alive) in Brazil [/quote] What about you, Costinha, Ricardo and me? Just because we didn't go to Sorbonne?? >:( [quote]The greatest (and SOLE corruption-free) former poltitian [/quote] Am I dreaming? Say it again. 8) [quote]The wisest, most decent, and effective Head of State which the Brazilian Republic has ever had... [/quote] What about Prez Geisel and Prez Figueiredo? You do have short memory, don't ya? :D ;D :P :'( For all I care, the "Wisest,most decent (?) and effective (??) Head of state can go back to Sorbonne and remain there for ever. He can take Zé Serra, Marta, Eduardo,Mercadente, Ideli, etc; also along with him. Brasil lived without FHC for almost 20 years and it can do without him for another 20. Anyway, thanks for the comments that really cheered me up!!!!!!! - João da Silva Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:31:53 +0100 http://brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/210-november-2009/10288-the-time-has-come-to-end-lulas-monarchy-in-brazil.html#comment-42099 My compliments to Mr. Cardoso The greatest intellectual (alive) in Brazil The greatest (and SOLE corruption-free) former poltitian The wisest, most decent, and effective Head of State which the Brazilian Republic has ever had... As stated elsewhere, several times, if we were to have a monarchy again, we should have the Imperial Family duly restored under a Constitutional Monarchy - surely NOT imposed by a corrupt, low life populist man who is barely literate, such as (spit) Lula (a.k.a.LULU, the potential Venezuelan puppet) - Augustus A. Severus Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:09:01 +0100 http://brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/210-november-2009/10288-the-time-has-come-to-end-lulas-monarchy-in-brazil.html#comment-42093 no adriana, the latin american 'expertise' is to breed people w/ your type of simplistic mentality. brazil is not 'latin american' a nebulous term dreamed up by simplistic anglo americans & hoisted onto simplistic latin americans (spanish speakers), who define their identity as such! brazil is an afro/euro, tropical civilization, geographically occupying most of the south american continent. - sage Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:11:47 +0100 http://brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/210-november-2009/10288-the-time-has-come-to-end-lulas-monarchy-in-brazil.html#comment-42075 No goverment is perfect, but yours came close. I miss you. I grew up seeing different Brazilian currencies, and when "Real" came was a turning point. It was a defining moment in the Brasilian History. Lula and Dilma when they go abroad, they realize that FACT -because they know the foreign Press is not dumb-, but when they are in Brasil, speaking to the masses, haha, they say the economy is good because of Lula, when we all know are due to a combination of factors. Factors that were layed in the FHC's years, and even before him. But, alas, what can we do? He is a politician right? But FHC is right, if PT wins election next year, we will become like Venezuela, Cuba, Bolivia, China...a dictatorship. After all, that's a Latin American expertise. Cheers! - Adriana A. Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:28:04 +0100 http://brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/210-november-2009/10288-the-time-has-come-to-end-lulas-monarchy-in-brazil.html#comment-42073 Poor ex-president, he is so jealous of Lula. He knows that he is going to fade into oblivion, while Lula has already made his place in Brazil's history. Lula's "Monarchy"? Really, it is with that kind of childish argument that he tries to criticize Lula? He, the same one who got himself another mandate by opportunistically changing the constitution? The real outrage of his commentary is the fact that he writes as if he has been a mere observer all this time, atop the Olympus. As if he had never been president, with power to push for the changes to the same "politics as usual" that he now berates Lula for. - Armin Filho Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:05:53 +0100 http://brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/210-november-2009/10288-the-time-has-come-to-end-lulas-monarchy-in-brazil.html#comment-42053 Here's the mentioned link: http://coisasbobas.blogspot.com/search?q=lula x fhc Enjoy. - Gualter Aquino Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:44:40 +0100 http://brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/210-november-2009/10288-the-time-has-come-to-end-lulas-monarchy-in-brazil.html#comment-42052 Does FHC really has the guts to come to public criticize the current government, when his was so much worse? Honestly, mister, you had your shot and didn't follow through with your promises. Just as a curiosity, this link has a comparison between Lula x FHC. The one that draws my attention the hardest was the number of prisons carried out by the federal police and the number of people accused of corruption. Does it mean that people are more corrupt now? Or is it that the previous government was more complacent with such people? - Gualter Aquino Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:43:32 +0100 http://brazzil.com/home-mainmenu-1/210-november-2009/10288-the-time-has-come-to-end-lulas-monarchy-in-brazil.html#comment-42050 I wonder what the esteemed Prof.Ted Goertzel has got to say about the comments made by four Brasilians. As far as I know, none of the four is a sociologist. ;) :D ;D - João da Silva Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:36:40 +0100