Brazil was gripped by violence in the past few days. Everyone is talking about it but few are discussing its reasons. This is because we witnessed scenes we are unaccustomed to seeing. But we have become accustomed to the omission that, throughout the centuries, has been producing the current violence.
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The origin is not poverty. This is a disservice to poor people the world over who do not become criminals. The origin is found on your roads. Nobody obeys traffic laws, they do not respect each other, they risk the safety of themselves and everyone else on the road, and will always try to get away with whatever they can get away with and do not care what the consequences are, even if it hurts or kills others. It is that kind of thinking, which you will find everywhere, that is the origin of the problem. And much much harder to deal with than simply pointing a finger at poverty. Both individual and society have to change from within, fundamentally and profoundly - they need to become the good people they pretend to be. Can Brazil and Brazilians do it?
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Both are wrong written by Guest,
May 24, 2006
The origin of this problem is not poverty, and it is not the roads. The origin is Samba music. The incessant beating of those drums have brainwashed the Brazilian people and it makes them behave like lunatics. The neverending beats are actually subliminal messages that the Brazilian government is using to program its citizens. How else can you explain how the women can move their hips like that?? It is being programmed into their brains. It is mind control, pure and simple. And it has to stop!!
Or it could be the UFOs, I'm not really sure.
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People the world over ???? written by Guest,
May 24, 2006
Dorry....but no country is as violent as Brazil ! Simple as that !
therefore dont compare people of the world and your society ! - SP is the city with the highest kidnaping rate...in the world ! - SP has the highest Nbr of helicopters in the world for the security of business people !
Brazil is a not a country managed by laws, but only with corruptions and impunity at ALL levels !
So one must then understand that poor people are using the same tricks....whatever the cost will be ! They have nothing to loose anyway. They just copy what they see !! But differently...with their own possibilities !
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LULA LÁ written by Guest,
May 24, 2006
LULA LÁ LULA LÁ LULA LÁ LULA LÁ LULA LÁ LULA LÁ LULA LÁ LULA LÁ LULA LÁ
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Brazilian police ! written by Guest,
May 24, 2006
Brazilian police has killed thousands and thousands of innocents citizens !
So, at times it is their turn, to be killed !
Just look at the bloodshed of around a year ago, when your police killed 29 innocents in 1 night near RJ, as revenge...of nothing ! They did the same a few months later, killing 12 citizens...without ANY REASON. No citizen was armed. There was no threat, no verbal or physical fight !
Police came...and killed....simply !
But of course none these policemen are in jail by now. They await their trials. Trials that will last decades, until forgotten by the justice and the population ! Your police dept is as criminal as the criminals. But worse : Your police dept is very much corrupted just as all your government officials is ! They even have their protection...., judges, and archaïc laws that make them innocent 99,5 % of the time !
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Good Article written by Guest,
May 24, 2006
It is the reallity Mr.Cristovam. We need to change our attitude, how we do not know.
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RE: People the world over???? written by Guest,
May 24, 2006
Cut & Pasted:
International Comparisons of Homicide Rates Males, 15-24 years of age 1988 - 1991 Homicides per 100,000 population
Sources: National Center for Health Statistics, Vital Statistics, 1991; World Statistics Annuals, 1991 and 1992, Geneva: World Health Organization
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37.2 deaths per 100,000? written by Guest,
May 24, 2006
Why, then, does so many want to go to America? Is it the cheap food, a chance to own a car, less crime and corruption, a chance to have a future? Sounds horrible! America is destroying its youth.
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... written by Guest,
May 24, 2006
Quote:
"Why, then, does so many want to go to America? Is it the cheap food, a chance to own a car, less crime and corruption, a chance to have a future? Sounds horrible! America is destroying its youth."
Reply:
I'm the one that posted those stats. The US is violent, not the most violent country, but it's fairly up there, certainly for all the "first world" countries it's quite violent.
But the United States still affords enough economic freedom - along with the fact its economy is so large - that one can advance up the economic ladder *if they know or are taught how to do so.* At one time in the US you could be plume stupid and make good money as long as you were willing to work hard with your back. Those days ended in the 1970's for the most part. Now most entry level work are dead end jobs.
But the potential to make decent money, is currently better in the US than in Brazil. The United States also has a better history in "clean government" than Brazil.
But that dies not mean Brazil can't get better or the US can't get worse. Empires, nations, go up and down all the time throughout human history.
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Excellent article written by Guest,
May 25, 2006
Since I started reading this site, this is the most intelligent article I have come across. It is very insightful, and goes to the core of Brazillian problems. Until the government provides for the poor, Brazillian society will continue to experience these spasms of violence. Today, the police may have the upper hand, but a day will come when policemen will shed their uniforms and flee in the face of a brutal onslaught from the youth of the favelas. This happened during the Los Angeles riots in Los Angeles, it is only a question of time before it begins in Brazil. Additionally, imagine what will happen in Rio, and all the tourist spots if the violence in Sao Paolo visits Rio.Just some food for thought
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... written by Guest,
May 25, 2006
It already has visited Rio. There was a similar spurt of violence during the 2003 Carnaval, although to a much lesser degree than what happened in São Paulo recently. Buses were burned, shops were forced to close, there was violence ... and the military was called in. But Carnaval still went ahead, and eventually shopkeepers reopened their stores despite the threat of reprisal from criminal gangs.
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RE Both are wrong written by Guest,
May 25, 2006
You started saying the right thing and then decided to joke.
The assumption that poverty causes crime is not corroborated by facts. There are many poor individuals who choose to follow a clean path and there are rich individuals who choose to follow the path of crime.
Take for example our politicians. Are they poor? Well, you may argue that they are poor of spirit. I will not dispute that.
Take the middle class boys that are involved in drug abuse and violence. The cause: spoiled brats, indolence, bad parenting, etc.
Another poster blames our roads. That is another joke, right?
The first poster said it more wisely: “The origin is not poverty. This is a disservice to poor people the world over who do not become criminals”
The solution is more jobs, more schools, more education available for the poor, quality education, less bureaucracy, and so forth in that line.
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Disgraceful article written by Guest,
May 25, 2006
Since I started reading this site, this is the most stupid article I have come across. It is very poor and doesn't go to the core of Brazilian problems.
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Mr. Cristovam I sold my house because of written by Guest,
May 25, 2006
If you have a problem with a drug addict in your neighbour, it is better to leave the area.
I had a problem with a teenager that was saying that will kill me because I came to live in my house and he was taking free electricity from the house and I cut the service.
I called the police many times to this guy. He bugged me so many nights. Nothing worked out. I left.
Today, I think that we must do justice with our own hands. Next time, I will not call the police anymore. I am learning each day that we need to organize ourself in groups and take the law on our hands.
f**k human rights.
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... written by Guest,
May 25, 2006
human rights? Some people here need to learn exactly what human rights are.
It's not someones human right to steal....period.
It's also not someones human right to live in whatever country they choose.
As far as those murder statistics I see there nearly 15 years old. The U.S. is a violent country, I don't think I've ever seen anyone deny that. But please, don't try and compare it to brazil, one would be comparing apples to oranges. And without question the american police don't have "death squads".
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... written by Guest,
May 25, 2006
Quote:
"As far as those murder statistics I see there nearly 15 years old. The U.S. is a violent country, I don't think I've ever seen anyone deny that. But please, don't try and compare it to brazil, one would be comparing apples to oranges. And without question the american police don't have "death squads"."
Reply:
They may be 15 years old but there is no astonishing change in US murder rate as far as I'm aware, nor was I comparing the US murder rate to Brazil's, nor did I imply so. I was responding to someone who claimed due to Brazil's highe murder rate, *Brazilians should not compare themselves to the rest of the world.* Hence what'd "good for the goose is good for the gander," so I showed some states that placed the US homicide rate up against that of numerous countries in Western Europe, Canada in North America, and various countries other regions. The result being not to flattering for the US.
So perhaps the United States should not compare itself to other nations seemingly more peaceful and "civilized"? That's the point - if going by that other posters standard.
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Murders in America written by Guest,
May 25, 2006
Is it possible that the killing in America is not all over the country, and like Brasil, America has good places and bad places? What I read here is not always fitting my image of America.
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... written by Guest,
May 25, 2006
Quote:
"Is it possible that the killing in America is not all over the country, and like Brasil, America has good places and bad places? What I read here is not always fitting my image of America."
Reply:
Of course.
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Re: The origin is not poverty written by Guest,
May 25, 2006
Then what is the origin? Seeds are planted in an environment to produce a certain type of crop.
The seeds of slavery were planted in the environment called Brasil, and produced a slave based society.
Nothing short of an acknowledgement of this fact with the accompanying POLITICAL WILL to change this will solve Brasil's endemic problems!
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Re: America is destroying its youth written by Guest,
May 25, 2006
And importing Illegals to replace them!
Don't forget about the 50 Million Abortions which if added to the 37.2 would change that statistic to 537.2 per 100,000 population!
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Re: fairly up there written by Guest,
May 25, 2006
Fairly up there? I would say more like leading the pack by a wide margin.
Where are Brasils statistics?
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Re:Excellent article written by Guest,
May 25, 2006
It also happened in Detroit 1967 when the brutal White Police ran into Blacks who said Enough! Don't come down here anymore with your racist s**t! They came down--and were ran out--which was the beginning of the end for these racist cops.
I agree with you--one day the Favela dwellers will rise up, and I suspect with their firepower will take the country of Brasil over for good.
This will be very interesting to watch!
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... written by Guest,
May 25, 2006
These Brasilians should make sure they have an answer for the Military when it gets called in!
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Re: written by Guest,
May 25, 2006
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Re:poor of spirit written by Guest,
May 25, 2006
Let's just call politicians what they really are--CROOKS!
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... written by Guest,
May 25, 2006
LET'S STOP REFERRING TO THEM AS POLITICIANS--AND START CALLING THEM CROOKS!
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Re: I sold my house because written by Guest,
May 25, 2006
Looks like you had a problem with a low life freeloader! Once he threatened your life--it was on!
You were right to assume that he would carry out his threat.
You were faced with a classic dilemma--and there are three ways to solve this dilemma.
1. Sidestep the dilemma. 2. Setup a counter dilemma. 3. Take the bull by the horns.
You sidestepped the dilemma by moving. You could have set up a counter dilemma by bringing in so very bad people to threaten him with death. Or you could have taken the Bull by the horns by knocking this fool out the moment he threatened you--as well as pistol whipping his ass right on the spot, with a warning that if you ever catch sight of him he is a dead man!
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... written by Guest,
May 25, 2006
But you did the right thing by moving. However it is good to know you have alternatives.
I probably would have did the same thing myself!
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Re: America has good places written by Guest,
May 25, 2006
It is from the so called good places where the schemes and plans that create the seeds for this violence are hatched.
Think of America as a spider web that does not lokk like a spider web. It looks beautiful because of the media propaganda--but once you step into America, YOU ARE CAPTURED IN THE WEB, AND YOUR LIFES ENERGY IS SUCKED RIGHT OUT YOU!
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... written by Guest,
May 25, 2006
"Think of America as a spider web that does not lokk like a spider web. It looks beautiful because of the media propaganda--but once you step into America, YOU ARE CAPTURED IN THE WEB, AND YOUR LIFES ENERGY IS SUCKED RIGHT OUT YOU!"
Yikes. This guy's been reading too many comic books.
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RE:LULA LA & BRAZILIAN POLICE written by Guest,
May 25, 2006
To the clown that wrote LULA LA: If you do not have anything intelligent to say you moron...spare us of your stupidity. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> And to whoever wrote "Brazilian police has killed thousands and thousands of innocents citizens !"
You shoul inform yourself better before you talk about things that you do not know about. It was not thousands you moron and try and be a policeman in Brazil you sack of dung then you will understand. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Lula & his crooks use the poverty excuse for their incompetence and disregard for the common people of the country that work hard and pay taxes that no other country in the world would dare to charge their citizens with the level of services that the Brazilian government delivers.
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USA 3rd World written by Guest,
May 25, 2006
USA First World Country? My ass, a*****e, i bet you've never been to an educated country then. Go to Denmark or Switzerland and try to compare it to your s**tty country.
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... written by Guest,
May 25, 2006
Quote:
"Fairly up there? I would say more like leading the pack by a wide margin.
Where are Brasils statistics?"
Reply:
I was refering to the world not just those few countries given.
As for Brazil, it has a higher homicide rate than the United States. Not sure what it is but I've seen it before and it was much higher than the US. But I recall, if memory serves me correct, that places like Nigeria and South Africa are suppose to have a higher homicide rate than the US.
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RE: 50 Million Abortions written by Guest,
May 25, 2006
How else are we supposed to keep the population down? Too many guys won’t wear a condom and the rhythm method rarely works. Don’t know exactly how it is Brasil. But in US there are plenty of woman living in poverty with 3 or more kids. Many with more than one baby’s daddies and many dad’s with more than one baby’s mothers. Come on guys put a rubber on. Do you really need to breed that much? This goes for white’s, black’s, and brown’s. In my building alone there are four women in this situation. I’m sure this contributes to the violence in the worlds communities just as much as drugs and mistrust of authority. By the way this is not meant to be a racist statement, just what I see around the communities. I’m of mixed race, black Latin American father and white Jewish mother. Both told me early on to keep it in my pants or wear protection. Stop Violence! Stop Overpopulation!
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WHAT A SHAME !!!! written by Guest,
May 25, 2006
The bastard who took the 1991 statitics of violent deaths !!!!
1) We are in 2006, if you dont know it yet . 2) the list you provided is only for DEVELOPED countries, NOT DEVELOPING COUNTRIES !
3) Instead of looking in an old statistic that dont even concern DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, Why dont you simply scroll down the regular news on this same site ?
Very recently (1-3 weeks) there was an article saying that in 10/15 years or so, Brazil Almost doubled its rate of violent deaths for 15-25 age youths.
BRAZIL NUMBER JUMPED FROM 35 to 55 !!!!
And it is an accurate stat !
You are really an a*****e, that cannot even read properly a statistic !
In view of your rating, THE USA IS A PEACFUL COUNTRY, because it is well known that their number came down during the last 15 years.
This just shows how non educated you are and how you are unable to understand the meaning of what you read with a lot of difficulty !
Nothing to be proud of !
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From the moron ! written by Guest,
May 25, 2006
Why dont you read the articles on this subject that appeared on the regular news in this same site not later than yesterday ????
That would be good for your education ! Because you dont know what you are talking about !
Stop watching your TV soap operaSSSSS all day long. Get educated....FINALLY ! Just read the news on this same site.....DAILY !
And if you disagree with reports published by recognized International Agencies, in which Brazil belongs, why dont you tell them what you told....in writing !
Lozeida knows EVERYTHING and all statistics published by International agencies or by Brazilian agencies are WRONG !
Please acknowledge that you are the only who knows !!!!
What a clown this Lozeida who cant read articles published just 2 days ago !
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THE WEB ! written by Guest,
May 25, 2006
YOU TOO, you better read more news on this same site !
Several articles from Brazilian sources, in this same site, said that BRAZILIANS are the ones who spend the most time in the WEB.
Please also educate yourself first by reading ALL the news on this same site.
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Peace Frog written by Guest,
May 25, 2006
Blood on the streets in the town of Sao Paulo.
Blood stains the roots and the palm trees of Rio.
Blood in my love of the terrible city.
Bloody red sun of fantastic Brazil.
Ain't gonna be any change. Human nature will continue this course. Give power to the meek and they'll in turn abuse it on someone else. People will always look for coniving shortcuts are cut the throats of the fellow man to better themselves. One could go on and on trying to burp out further "blah, blah, blerk" about attacking the problems at their roots. But that's all most people do- they talk and talk about what could be done without gettting off their asses and executing. The when someone finally does have the balls to get hands-on and try to put out a particular social fire, another simultaneously erupts. I say sit back and try to enjoy the fireworks. Then die.
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... written by Guest,
May 25, 2006
Quote:
"The bastard who took the 1991 statitics of violent deaths !!!!
1) We are in 2006, if you dont know it yet . 2) the list you provided is only for DEVELOPED countries, NOT DEVELOPING COUNTRIES !
3) Instead of looking in an old statistic that dont even concern DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, Why dont you simply scroll down the regular news on this same site ?
Very recently (1-3 weeks) there was an article saying that in 10/15 years or so, Brazil Almost doubled its rate of violent deaths for 15-25 age youths.
BRAZIL NUMBER JUMPED FROM 35 to 55 !!!!
And it is an accurate stat !
You are really an a*****e, that cannot even read properly a statistic !
In view of your rating, THE USA IS A PEACFUL COUNTRY, because it is well known that their number came down during the last 15 years.
This just shows how non educated you are and how you are unable to understand the meaning of what you read with a lot of difficulty !
Nothing to be proud of !"
Reply:
Translation in essence: "I'm a mad gringo that hates Brazil because some nice apple butt Brasiliera would not give me any a$$ even though I kept fluanting my 'American' status in front of her."
Move on pass Brazil because Brazil has moved on passed you. The nation of Brazil does not hold you in its memory nor have a website to discuss you. But, that you can't let Brazil out of your mind, and that your compulsion is to read on this site and post on here, means *you are owned by Brazil.* Brazil forever lives in your head. Tormenting your every thought and your soul.
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So why.... written by Guest,
May 25, 2006
...do you provide old and inacurate stats?
Are they the only one you have ?
Not very clever for someone who pretends to be educated !!!!!
And Brazil has not passed the USA ! Sorry ! We are their largest buyer, and it is with the USA they make the largest trade surplus !
I doubt that you are a gringo ! You probably are a Brailian illegally in the USA !
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... written by Guest,
May 25, 2006
Quote:
"I doubt that you are a gringo ! You probably are a Brailian illegally in the USA ! "
Reply:
You're way off. I am a Scottish transvestite/homosexual who moved from the USA to Brazil. I find people more accepting of my lifestyle here, whereas in the snobby states of America people look down upon you just because you prefer to dress differently, or prefer different behavior. I'll never forget the dirty looks and hushed mumbles I used to get just for walking down the street wearing fishnet stockings and a leopard print g-string. And it's supposed to be free country!
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RE: I am a Scottish transvestite/homosex written by Guest,
May 25, 2006
You are embarrasing John Fitzpatrick, another Scottish living in Brazil.
What happened to the BraveHeart?
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... written by Guest,
May 26, 2006
quote:
"They may be 15 years old but there is no astonishing change in US murder rate as far as I'm aware, nor was I comparing the US murder rate to Brazil's, nor did I imply so. I was responding to someone who claimed due to Brazil's highe murder rate, *Brazilians should not compare themselves to the rest of the world.* Hence what'd "good for the goose is good for the gander," so I showed some states that placed the US homicide rate up against that of numerous countries in Western Europe, Canada in North America, and various countries other regions. The result being not to flattering for the US."
Seems like most here are wanting to make comparisons with Brazil and the U.S., whether it be about the economy, corruption, slave labor, crime, etc.
Anyone that wants to try and equivilate the U.S. and brazil either doesn't know one of those two places, or both!
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... written by Guest,
May 26, 2006
quote:
"USA First World Country? My ass, a*****e, i bet you've never been to an educated country then. Go to Denmark or Switzerland and try to compare it to your s**tty country."
LMAO!! Denmark and Switzerland??? They don't even have the population of a medium-sized american city!!!
What an idiot!
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... written by Guest,
May 26, 2006
Quote:
"...do you provide old and inacurate stats?
Are they the only one you have ?
Not very clever for someone who pretends to be educated !!!!!
And Brazil has not passed the USA ! Sorry ! We are their largest buyer, and it is with the USA they make the largest trade surplus !
I doubt that you are a gringo ! You probably are a Brailian illegally in the USA !"
Reply:
Here's a challenge for you provide stats of the murder rate for the US in comparison of other first world nations for 2005. Lets see if the US homicide rates remains much higher then those other nations.
Nothing you say changes the fact that US maintained a third world murder rate in the early 1990's. Unless the US homicide rate has droped below 10 per 100,000 people for the year of 2005, I remain unmoved.
Just for a recap of 1991:
International Comparisons of Homicide Rates Males, 15-24 years of age 1988 - 1991 Homicides per 100,000 population
Sources: National Center for Health Statistics, Vital Statistics, 1991; World Statistics Annuals, 1991 and 1992, Geneva: World Health Organization
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Peace to all written by Guest,
May 26, 2006
When posting stats of any type / value it is best to post the opposing ones as well, is it not? Where is the comparison of murder rates against that countries suicide rates? One countries cultural influences cannot be pitted against others, makes no valid argument nor solutions. Look at Japan's murder rate, verses their suicide rate if you want to learn something new or different. Some take their aggression out on others, and some take their aggression out on themselves.
“From childhood's hour I have not been As others were; I have not seen As others saw; I could not bring My passions from a common spring.”
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... written by Guest,
May 26, 2006
Here's comparing the US to 25 other first world nations. Full article to be found at:
"Of the homicides, 1464 (73%) occurred among U.S. children. The homicide rate for children in the United States was five times higher than that for children in the other 25 countries combined."
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... written by Guest,
May 26, 2006
Here is the Center for Disease Control and Prevention on Brazilian homicide trend for the years 1980 to 2002. Brazil had a national homicide rate of 28.4 per 100,000 people in 2002. In comparison the United States had a homicide rate of 37.2 in 1991. And while Brazil might have (or might not have) had a homicide rate in 1991 higher than the United States, it nonetheless keep the issue of US "civility" over Brazil in proportion.
The CDC is one of the most respected institutions on earth. So take the stat issue of Brazil up with them.
www.cdc.gov
Excerpt.
"During 1980--2002, the homicide rate in Brazil more than doubled, from 11.4 per 100,000 population to 28.4. In São Paulo city, the rate more than tripled, from 17.5 in 1980 to 53.9 in 2002 (Figure 1). In 2002, a total of 49,570 homicides were documented in Brazil. Firearms and sharp objects were the weapons used in 34,085 (68.8%) and 6,728 (13.6%) of all incidents, respectively. In 2002, the homicide rate was 53.1 among males and 4.3 among females, and adolescent (aged 15--19 years) and young adult (aged 20--29 years) males accounted for 52.2% of homicide victims. By age group, the homicide rate was highest among young adult males (121.0).
In 2002, a total of 5,719 homicides occurred in São Paulo city. Firearms and sharp objects were used in 62.0% and 4.7% of all incidents, respectively. The homicide rate for males (105.1 per 100,000 population) was nearly 15 times that for females (7.2). Adolescent and young adult males accounted for the largest proportion (59.8%) of homicide victims, and age-specific homicide rates were highest among males aged 20--29 years (227.4) (Figure 2). The risk for homicide varied substantially by city district. In 2002, crude homicide rates ranged from 1.2 in the Jardim Paulista District to 115.8 in the Guaianazes District. In some districts, homicide rates for males aged 15--29 years were >400. A negative correlation was observed between the average monthly income of heads of households and homicide rates in these districts (Pearson correlation coefficient = -0.58; p
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RE: Peace to all written by Guest,
May 26, 2006
This is from the same findarticles.com artcle and link I just previously provided. You can go to that link in my previous post to view the entire article.
For suicides it says:
"Suicide accounted for the deaths of 599 children, including 431 (72%) in boys and 168 (28%) in girls. Of the suicides, 321 (54%) occurred among U.S. children. The suicide rate for children in the United States was two times higher than that in the other 25 countries combined (0.55 compared with 0.27) (Table 1). No suicides were reported among children aged [is less than]5 years."
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... written by Guest,
May 26, 2006
ya know, many of you people need to go to www.amerikka.com. This site inevitably turns into a brazil/usa pissing match.
Look at the title of this article....lol. This article was all about what happened in sao paulo a week or so ago and saying next they'll turn their anger on those truly responsible for the miserable conditions that exist in huge percentages of populations here in brazil.
It's quite funny how one can always find in-depth and updated statistics about the U.S., and many other countries. But they're certainly not easily found in regards to brazil, and the numbers are always greatly questionable.
A month or two ago I found an ngo that did an international murder statistic study, and I remember that the U.S., in the entire U.S., had 11 per 100,000, and this was a study from 2002 if I'm not mistaken, brazil was in the high 30's.
When I have more time, I'll find those stats, and post the url and the results.
Any person who tries to say that there are more murders in the U.S. than in brazil every year, once again, plain and simply showing their ignorance of the reality that exists in both places.
But once again, many brazilians, and brazil-lovers, just have to attempt and drag others down in their gutter in an attempt to justify the reality that exists here, in brazil.
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... written by Guest,
May 26, 2006
International Homicide Rate Table (Death rates are per 100,000)
Colombian homicide rates from Colombian Police, National Crime Report: 2005.
Number of homicides: Ministry of Interior, National Police Administration (link not always active), Taiwan. Population: As of April 1999, Government Information Office, Taiwan.
Gun Homicides: Central News Agency, Taipei, November 23, 1997.
Total homicide rate and firearm homicide rates are from FBI Uniform Crime Report(1999).
The United Nations International Study on Firearm Regulation reports Finland's gun ownership rate at 50% of households.
Total homicides and gun homicides: Criminal Statistics, England and Wales, 1997. Population: 52.2 million in mid-1997, Office for National Statistics Monitor, press release.
Percent households with guns includes all army personnel.
Percent households with guns excludes East Germany. Sources:
Homicide data for the Philippines and South Africa are from the United Nations International Study on Firearm Regulation .
Population figures for Colombia, Philippines, and South Africa are estimates based on UN data.
Data for the remainder of the countries, except as noted above: International Journal of Epidemiology 1998:27:216.
Column "% Households With Firearms": Can Med Assoc J, Killias, M (1993), except United States (Gallup [2000] and Harris [2001] polls.)
Note: Argentina, Brazil, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Mexico, Mauritius, Slovenia, Portugal, and South Korea are classified as upper-middle-income countries by the World Bank. GunCite does not know the classification for Colombia, South Africa and the Philippines. The remainder are considered high-income countries.
Additonal International Homicide Tables and Information
International comparisons of criminal justice statistics 2000 - see Table 1.1 for homicide rates (average per years 1998-2000) in 39 countries including all European Union Member States. (Table 1.2 compares homicide in selected cities.)
International comparisons of criminal justice statistics 1999 - see Table 1.1 for homicide rates for the period 1995 - 1999 on crimes recorded by the police in 32 countries including all European Union Member States. (Table B compares homicide in selected cities.)
America: The Most Violent Nation? - see Table 1, which contains homicide and suicide rates for 86 nations. Excerpt: America is often said to have the highest homicide rate of any "civilized," "Western," "industrialized," or "advanced" nation. Do those who make such claims believe that Mexico is uncivilized, Brazil is not in the Western Hemisphere, Russia is not industrialized, or Ukraine is retarded?. . .Perhaps the more we resemble Colombia with its drug wars, and Eastern Europe with its ethnic strife, the more our homicide rate will rise.
Inequality and Violent Crime - A paper from the Journal of Law and Econmics (April 2002) concluding that income inequality has a significant and positive effect on the incidence of crime.
Violence, Guns, and Drugs: A Cross-Country Analysis - Another paper from the Journal of Law and Econmics (October 2002) concluding that "results suggest a role for drug prohibition enforcement in explaining cross-country differences in violence, and they provide an alternative explanation for some of the apparent effects of gun control/availability on violence rates."
http://www.guncite.com/gun_control_gcgvinco.html
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... written by Guest,
May 26, 2006
Quote:
"A month or two ago I found an ngo that did an international murder statistic study, and I remember that the U.S., in the entire U.S., had 11 per 100,000, and this was a study from 2002 if I'm not mistaken, brazil was in the high 30's.
When I have more time, I'll find those stats, and post the url and the results.
Any person who tries to say that there are more murders in the U.S. than in brazil every year, once again, plain and simply showing their ignorance of the reality that exists in both places."
Reply:
No one ever argued there are more murders in the US than Brazil every year. Go read my statements. I stated that the US had a higher homicide rate in 1991 than the Brazilian homicide rate of 2002. The reason I pointed out, is because if Brazil of 2002 is imagined by the gringo as a place of astonishing murder rate - then what must that infer about US society in 1991? My point is, it is easy for people from the US to imagine every Brazilians life in stereotypical image of violent brutality at the core of every Latin American. Yet that same US person may be blind to his own nations reality.
And my stats on Brazil for 2002 came from the *CDC* which is a US orginization and perhaps the single most respected institution of its kind in the world. The CDC word carries international weight. She is asked - and does often - intervene in health epidemics all over the world.
Quote:
"But once again, many brazilians, and brazil-lovers, just have to attempt and drag others down in their gutter in an attempt to justify the reality that exists here, in brazil."
Reply:
I find it interesting you and so many other gringos traveled to Brazil and lived to tell the tale. I personally have several friends that have died by homicide. All at various ages, from roughly 16 years of age (back when I was a teen), to their 20's, to their early 30's. They were all murdered here in the US, here in my city. Evidently for them living here in the US proved more fatal than for you and many other gringos travel and carousel to Brazil.
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Look how civilized Germany\'s is! written by Guest,
May 26, 2006
Germany a very civilized country. Unfortunately, it has been responsible for tens millions of death since world warII. Theese stats are interesting.
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... written by Guest,
May 26, 2006
Poster Posted These Stats:
International Homicide Rate Table (Death rates are per 100,000)
So the stats you provide list 38 countries for homicide rate comparison. Out of those 38 nations the United States rank #9. That is 5 nations below Brazil.
However what is obscured is the fact that the Brazil stats are dated for the year 1993, and compared against the the stats of the US which are dated the year of 1999. The US murder rate was higher in 1993 than it was in 1999 I recall, and the Brazilian murder rate was lower in 1999 than it was in 1993 if memory serves me correct from the graph the CDC (Center for Disease Control) provided on Brazil on its site?
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CDC site on Brazil written by Guest,
May 26, 2006
This is the CDC link to info on Brazilian homicide trend. Scroll towards the bottom and a line graph is shown. You'll see that Sao Paulo always has a way larger murder rate than the Brazilian nations murder rate as a whole. In 1993 the CDC marked Brazil's homicide rate at rougly 20 per 100,000. In 1999 it was higher but *under 30* per 100,000.
www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5308a1.htm
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... written by Guest,
May 26, 2006
Quote:
"Here is the Center for Disease Control and Prevention on Brazilian homicide trend for the years 1980 to 2002. Brazil had a national homicide rate of 28.4 per 100,000 people in 2002. In comparison the United States had a homicide rate of 37.2 in 1991. "
Reply:
I stand corrected. I just realize I was reading the stats wrong regarding 37.2 per 100,000 in 1991 for the US. That was 37.2 *only for for males 15 to 24* in the US. Hence the US actual murder rate is much lower. Consequently the gap between the US and Brazilian murder rate much more dramatic. So I was wrong.
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Robbery in US vs Brazil written by Guest,
May 26, 2006
Quote from the INternational Crie Bureau's website:
"In 2004 the USA led all other countries with a robbery rate of 26.8 incidents per every 50,000 people. "
and further down:
"Despite being viewed by some as a violent country, Brazil’s robbery rate was rather low compared to other developing countries, with a rate of just 14.2 incidents per average capita of 50,000 citizens."
And there you have it. Now everyone can shut up. Despite being weathier, people in the USA like to steal more. Too bad. TOo bad.
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Brazilians die from crime... written by Guest,
May 26, 2006
Americans die from their 1000 wars all over & all the time!
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I am Canadian.. written by Guest,
May 26, 2006
I don't know why this would turn into a Brazil versus America slug-fest. I do think that there is one obvious similarity between the two countries: both had economies at one time that were largely dependent on black slaves brought over from Africa. Both are still suffering the hang-over effects, centuries later. We need to stop this blame game of socio-economic victimhood. Black culture in America, and I suspect in Brazil as well, promotes violence and sex, as well as blaming the white man for everything. Brazil is such a beautiful country. My partner is Brazilian, having grown up in a poor family of 9 in Bezzerios. Nobody resorted to crime. Family values and solid family support, even though the father left the family. I believe, too, that television is creating problems. Historically, poor families could not get glimpses into how the "other half" lives. Now, it is brought into their living rooms every day. This can lead to envy and jealousy. Simplistic, perhaps, but Toronto is also beginning to experience rising crime and the gun culture is to blame. Of the 20 "most wanted" criminals on the Toronto hit list, 17 of them are either black or South Asian. Why is that?
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America has the most prisons. written by Guest,
May 26, 2006
Maybe America has the most robberies because they take crime so seriously, and their police enforce the laws and report their actions. Could be. Maybe other countries accept as normal things Americans won't. Who knows.
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The gun culture is to blame in Canada? written by Guest,
May 26, 2006
Probably true. Without guns, people would probably not want to steal and murder.
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Sick, just Sick written by Guest,
May 26, 2006
>>>>>>> "I dont condone voilence towards anyone going about their normal routine in life, and not hurting anyone else. The Gay, Lesbian, Homosexual, Faggot, Bull-dyke, Transgender, sub-species of humanity are a virus, that if left untreated WILL INFECT weak-minded men and women, as well as children developing their sense of sexuality. If these groups, (GAYS, FEMINISTS),are serious about their life choices, then they should all get together and pool their resources and buy some land where they can practice their lifestyles and philosophy at a distance from people who do not want to have anything to do with this contagion. For years we have been fed a steady diet of tolerance and rights, only to see 100s of millons of abortions, health plagues like AIDS, all as a result of a sub-groups insistence that they are normal, just like everyone else. I dont want these groups teaching or influencing my children in any way, shape, or form! I believe I have the "God given right" to pass my philosophy, and values on to my children! To have mutated sub-species tribes such as Gays, Lesbians, Transgenders, Faggots flying around with airborne contagions infecting the young and weak of our societies has got to stop!" >>>>>>>>
How can anyone think like that?
I saw this post commenting on an article back in 24 June 2005. Just think if you live in a favela, ghetto, or just have less money/material consumer goods. Someone in too big of a house or high rise apartment, too many cars, someone with a meaningless title to their job, thinks this about you too. It does not matter if you’re straight or gay this is what they think of you. This is what has become of our society. Hatred, violence, and poverty in all forms. This is a sorry state of affairs for all humanity. For those of us who choose to fight these circumstances were just buying time till the earth decides it’s had enough.
The Hatred, Violence, and Poverty Must Stop!!
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RE: I am Canadian written by Guest,
May 26, 2006
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... written by Guest,
May 26, 2006
quote:
"And my stats on Brazil for 2002 came from the *CDC* which is a US orginization and perhaps the single most respected institution of its kind in the world. The CDC word carries international weight. She is asked - and does often - intervene in health epidemics all over the world."
Yeah, I'm familiar with the CDC, matter of fact, they used to be my clients while I lived in Atlanta Georgia for 7.5 years. And the CDC is of course, the Centers for Disease Control, they principally do research, about DISEASES....not social issues!
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... written by Guest,
May 26, 2006
quote:
"Despite being viewed by some as a violent country, Brazil’s robbery rate was rather low compared to other developing countries, with a rate of just 14.2 incidents per average capita of 50,000 citizens."
LMAO...and you really believe that huh??
Listen, brazil and its "statistics" concerning crime, murder, etc. are laughable at best. They have just RECENTLY been trying to attempt and collect REAL numbers. Firstly, reporting a robbery in brazil is a JOKE...not to mention, MANY don't even report robberies in brazil....do you know why?? Because a LARGE percentage of the time the police are IN ON IT!!
All in all, statistics that are "unflattering" to brazil and the brazilian government, there's not a big issue of making certain these numbers are correct....and naturally the errors always occur in favor of making brazil appear to be a "nicer, friendlier" place to visit.
Kind of like when you get the bill in a restaurant in brazil....people don't even look at it in the U.S....no one would ever dream someone was trying to steal a few dollars by charging you for a steak when you ordered a hamburger, but here in brazil, it happens ALL the time, and EVERYONE here checks their bills when they arrive at the table, and coincidentally, in my 8 years here, with all the errors that have been made on MY bills, NONE have ever been in my favor....wonder why that is if its a mistake??
Rio and Sao Paulo certainly don't advertise...."Come to Rio de Janeiro, the home of Caipoera, Pão de Açucar, and MURDER!!"
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RE: I am Canadian written by Guest,
May 26, 2006
Quote:
"I don't know why this would turn into a Brazil versus America slug-fest. I do think that there is one obvious similarity between the two countries: both had economies at one time that were largely dependent on black slaves brought over from Africa. Both are still suffering the hang-over effects, centuries later. We need to stop this blame game of socio-economic victimhood. Black culture in America, and I suspect in Brazil as well, promotes violence and sex, as well as blaming the white man for everything. Brazil is such a beautiful country. My partner is Brazilian, having grown up in a poor family of 9 in Bezzerios. Nobody resorted to crime. Family values and solid family support, even though the father left the family. I believe, too, that television is creating problems. Historically, poor families could not get glimpses into how the "other half" lives. Now, it is brought into their living rooms every day. This can lead to envy and jealousy. Simplistic, perhaps, but Toronto is also beginning to experience rising crime and the gun culture is to blame. Of the 20 "most wanted" criminals on the Toronto hit list, 17 of them are either black or South Asian. Why is that?"
Reply:
Actually I think I agree with you on all accounts. For the most part at least. I'm quite sure for some Brazilians starving or potentially starving, something such as gangs or robbery is real way to adress their immediate suffering and not an excuse. However I'm sure for many more Brazilians and for most Americans, violence and the way of the gun is just glamorized, considered an *extreme good*, and has become conditioned in the person. From my exprience one starts to be conditioned respond violently and consider it normal way of life, from a fairly early age.
Another problem is when people live in violent areas, they by force of life, *have to become* violent just to avoid becoming victimized. So it becomes a viscious cycle. In the end one just comes to accept the "climate" of life they live in [shrug]. I know for me I just accept that one day I may be murdered or that the potential of prison exists. (for instance if someone harms my nephews seriously, I will kill them. And then I'll just do the f**kin time in jail. Yawn)
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These post are so sad! written by Guest,
May 26, 2006
Brasil needs another focus! Maybe we should build up our submarine force by buying more submarines from the French like the France president and Lula want and attack Bolivia or something. Get our minds off what and who we are.
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... written by Guest,
May 27, 2006
Quote:
"Yeah, I'm familiar with the CDC, matter of fact, they used to be my clients while I lived in Atlanta Georgia for 7.5 years. And the CDC is of course, the Centers for Disease Control, they principally do research, about DISEASES....not social issues"
Reply:
Yeah but it is growing trend for the health field to view various social issues that impacts one's health (such as murder or hospitalized victims of firearms shooting) as a matter of *public health.* The CDC for example has done extensive work in post communist Russia with the high social problem of alcoholism - which is often listed as a "man-made disease."
But the CDC's own study into homicide rates speaks more to their professional opinion of it being a public health issue and not just a social issue, than my opinion and commentary as to whether it is or isn't a public health issue.
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RE:These post are so sad! written by Guest,
May 27, 2006
It would be hard to attack Bolivia with submarines but it worth trying just for fun.
Just kidding!
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re;brazilians die from crime written by Guest,
May 27, 2006
yes, brazilians die from crime, murder, lack of access to suitable drinking water, malnutrition, unsuitable or dangerous working conditions, one of the world leaders in deaths in car accidents, etc. These types of deaths in significant numbers are all typical of third-world countries.
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No Problemo written by Guest,
May 28, 2006
It is easy to blame, poverty, or guns, or discrimination or even police brutality for violence by people who are havenots. However there were times that people were poorer than even today, police were more brutal, even than today, guns were everywhere, much more so than today, people lived in slums, yet they were not so violent as today.
Look at South Africa under the Afrikaaners the violence was less yet now with freedom violence much worse and this after Mandela passed the gun control laws.
England virtually banned the guns and saw more violence with guns. Young people have not had the older teach them as in years past and the Church has instead of saving the souls been busy with the social justice.
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Yeah, sorry about the submarine comment. written by Guest,
May 28, 2006
I wasn't really hoping our future new and improved submarine fleet was going to attack land-locked Bolivia. I was just upset after reading telling the government thinks it needs more submarines. What exactly is this threat, and couldn't the resources be better spend on things more important to Brasil? And if Brasil even needs submarines, can't Brasil build them?
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Bad food deaths? written by Guest,
May 28, 2006
It would be interesting to know how many Brazilians die from poor nutrition, bad water, and substandard health care. Maybe that would help us establish priorities.
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... written by Guest,
May 28, 2006
yes, it would be. But you can rest assured of one thing, you're not going to find too many statistics about misdiagnosis here in brazil, and I for one can tell you from experience, it happens ALL the time, especially in the smaller towns and villages.
My fiancés 5 year old niece just died last week due to a misdiagnosis. She had an anurism in her mouth, it was swollen tremendously, the doctor gave her medication for the swelling to go down saying it was nothing serious, two days later she suffered a stroke which killed her.
My ex-father in law 5 years ago started complaining of headaches, one side of his body wasn't responding and was difficult to move, he was having trouble talking, walking, and moving his left arm, took him to the hospital, a neurologist checked him out, said it was nothing, gave him some medicine and sent him home. My grandfather for the last 24 years of his life lived with the effects of a massive stroke, it appeared to me that my ex-father-in-law was trying to have a stroke, or already did, I told the neurologist what I thought....sent him home, 8 hours later, he had a stroke.
My 4 year old daughter, when she was 6 months old, had what appeared to be a terrible chest cold or even pneumonia, took her to the hospital, they said she had a virus in her heart, and told us this was not a big deal, that she could overcome it with medicine. Thank god my ex-wife has a cousin that is a doctor at Albert Einstein in Sao Paulo, her husband is a pulmonologist at Instititute do Coração in Sao Paulo. After my ex's cousin spoke with the cardiologist here in our city, in the northeast, she told us to bring her to sao paulo immediately. We did. They discovered what was wrong with her in the first 15 minutes of their examination. Her aorta was practically 100% closed, they did emergency surgery and saved her life. Later they told us that if we hadn't got there when we did, she had another couple days left until she would die. They also told us that if she had a virus in her heart that the only cure for that was a heart transplant!!!
There is a joke in my city amongst the locals....."there are three good hospitals here....Vasp, Varig, and Tam!!!"
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... written by Guest,
May 28, 2006
also, as far as my daughter was concerned, do you know how they found out what her real problem was???
TOOK HER BLOOD PRESSURE!!!
They didn't even take her blood pressure here in my city....something that is the most basic thing that any doctor should do even if you only have a migrane headache!
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... written by Guest,
May 28, 2006
quote:
"It would be interesting to know how many Brazilians die from poor nutrition, bad water, and substandard health care. Maybe that would help us establish priorities."
As far as "bad" water, I do know that people do die from even drinking tap water here, but its certainly not common. Everyone I know in brazil, the brazilians, take a medicine to kill worms and omebas once a year, even though they only drink mineral water. The last time I went to the GI doctor here in brazil he told me that you even have to be careful to dry thoroughly your dishes, cups, etc. after washing them in tap water as you can even pick up a worm or omeba this way.
I think most people that die here from dehydration is because they don't have proper access to suitable drinking water.
As far as malnutition, sure you could find some stats, but none of these type of statistics are very flattering for whatever country, and here in brazil I've found that these types of numbers are difficult to come by and not very accurate at best.
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You daughter and you have my sympathy. written by Guest,
May 29, 2006
I have read about misdiagnosis in America. They have the guts to admit they make lots of mistakes. My wife's favorite uncle started to get pains and couldn't bend over. My mother in law started researching it for him. she knew nothing about medicine. She decided it was pancreatic cancer. Unfortunately, it was and he died. I would like to know regional statistics for Brasil. I am going to start researching.
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... written by Guest,
May 29, 2006
You can be misdiagnosed anywhere in the world - that’s why you should always seek a second or third opinion. If you don’t, well then who’s the bigger fool? That said, I do agree that the medical training in Brazil is somewhat lacking. I personally know 4 doctors and wouldn’t let them ANYWHERE near me. Great folks to share a beer with, but other than that I’d be hesitant to let them treat a vira lata let alone a family member or myself. Thankfully, after close to a decade here I have found a couple of Docs that I do trust – but I looked far and wide, and pay dearly for their consults.
Back to the subject: what happened in Sao Paulo already seems like yesterdays news, and that is the fate of Brazil (everyone has the attention span of puppy)– let´s get out our Brazilian flags and cheer the world cup, because there isn´t much more to cheer here these days. Pass me another pinga, and a travel brochure. I think the time has come to search for new and safer digs.
I always hoped the best for Brazil, but as each year passes I’m left further and further disillusioned. Seeing the streets of the world’s third largest city completely barren for two days sent a crystal clear message to the thugs in Brazil:
THEY ARE IN CHARGE.
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I am flabberagsted. written by Guest,
May 29, 2006
I could understand Brasil's situation if it was being attacked from the outside. But it is not. Brasil's problems are coming from its stomach. We are always blaming the Americans, but I hear 95 percent couldn't find Brazil on a map, and the rest think Brasil the gateway to Argentina, or good for only cheap sex and drugs. It will improve someday. Please don't give up too quickly.
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... written by Guest,
May 29, 2006
Brazil’s fate is already sealed. I think we can expect more of these events, although to say more, given currents levels throughout the entire country, gives me chills and a deep feeling of dread. It is already one of the world’s leaders in terms of violence, and will no doubt be number one in the not so distant future.
So far, all politicians are in “it’s not my fault” mode (a typical Brazilian reaction to just about everything) so everyone will pass the buck and the Marcolas of this large landmass of corruption, greed, violence and impunity will carry on business as usual. The media will blame a politician, that politician with go on a hunger-strike in reaction, and another citizen will be killed with little to no fanfare, and a thug will continue to wander free – that’s the cycle.
But not all the blame lies with the politically inept and corrupt. The hug a thug sociologists and anthropologists and their legions of “it takes a village to raise a village idiot” crusaders are equally at fault. They usually stand in the way of any concrete ideas or measures brought to the table. They obfuscate statistics, demand “fairer” treatment of those the world would be better off without, and spend too much time verbally bullying and blaming the police, the media and middle and upper classes. They also unwittingly blame the poor for the violence (it is always a question of wealth distribution that contributes to violence in their books– good grief), whereas, in reality, it is NOT the poor that are violent and it’s NOT the haves to blame.
It’s the segment of society that has no qualms in taking a life, and no worries for being caught. Marcola is an avid reader, and was not raised in abject poverty. There are hundreds of thousands of Marcolas throughout Brazil, and throwing a food voucher or a new community center at them will not change their ways. They must be met with the same force and aggression that they use to hold this country hostage. THEN, just maybe, we´ll see some changes. However, those politically correct Phds our universities pop out ad nausea will have puppies over the idea (they contribute little else other than socially correct bafflegab), and do their best to make sure the criminal element in society maintains greater rights than those of us who just try to eek out a peaceful existence and contribute to a lawful society.
Ignore the whining pundits, give the police the money, training and support they need, bring in the army (which is doing sweet-f**k-all at the moment) and take on, and TAKE OUT these groups. Yes, there will be blood, but much less than what the future holds for this country if nothing is done.
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I am saving that last post! written by Guest,
May 29, 2006
I wish those my words! To the point! Well said! Hug-a-thug! That was great!
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... written by Guest,
May 29, 2006
quote:
"You can be misdiagnosed anywhere in the world - that’s why you should always seek a second or third opinion. If you don’t, well then who’s the bigger fool?"
Hey jackass, we're not talking about symptomatic problems here...I was talking about obvious emergency situations...and the cardiologist, and neurologist, who treated my daughter and ex-father-in-law respectively are known as the BEST in my city....and I live in a CAPITOL of a state in brazil!
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... written by Guest,
May 29, 2006
quote:
"We are always blaming the Americans"
You're RIGHT! There is a large population here that always blames the americans for whatever woes brazil has....and they couldn't be more wrong!!!
BRAZILIANS ARE f**kING BRAZILIANS....DAY IN-DAY OUT!
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... written by Guest,
May 29, 2006
Calm down Ralphy-poo AKA "Ya Bud LOL". You seem to get your panties twisted into a knot at just about anything these days. Take a deep breathe, have a cheap beer, look to the ocean and say "it´s not all that bad".
If that doesn´t work, just swim out as far as you can into that ocean and don´t look back. Because it won´t EVER be worth it for you.
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... written by Guest,
May 30, 2006
Quote:
"We are always blaming the Americans, but I hear 95 percent couldn't find Brazil on a map, and the rest think Brasil the gateway to Argentina, or good for only cheap sex and drugs. It will improve someday. Please don't give up too quickly."
Reply:
Keep in mind many Americans can't find most the sates of the US on the map let alone countries in Europe or Latin America.
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... written by Guest,
May 30, 2006
Quote:
"Marcola is an avid reader, and was not raised in abject poverty."
Reply:
Hmm interesting. Is Marcola from one of the favelas or did he come from a higher income area?
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... written by Guest,
May 30, 2006
Hmm interesting. Is Marcola from one of the favelas or did he come from a higher income area?
Read last week's Veja - there is a whole history about his upbringing and career in killing.
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... written by Guest,
May 31, 2006
I thought this black woman expressed some universal feelings perhaps, to those trapped in high crime and violence areas.
Though her world is quite separted from those in the world of the favelas on many different levels, I suspect they also cross on a number of levels too. Her last sentence in the excerpt I provide I think is most succinct.
"Milwaukee - A tale of two cities When will blacks stop tolerating the intolerable? By BELINDA LATHAN Posted: May 29, 2006
I awoke to the sounds of gunfire on the side of my home at 2 a.m. This has become a regular occurrence. Six quick shots, followed by voices of challenge and defiance: "What now (expletive)? Say somethin' now." Screeching tires and blaring music from a car badly in need of a new muffler and then silence. Silence for five minutes or so and then the sound I have become far too familiar with: a police siren. Advertisement
I live in what is arguably the worst neighborhood in Milwaukee. People are shot and killed within a block of my home an average of once a month. From a teenager being beaten to death at a bus stop to young men who confuse what being a man is with the ability to threaten and then follow through with gunfire against their rivals. Gone are the days of fistfights; now it's easier and faster to "pop a cap in someone," as they say.
I have been harassed while walking down the street. Men who are so intoxicated they can barely string together a coherent sentence have literally chased me, mumbling the countless, obscene things they want to do to me.
I have seen illegal drugs sold over the counter at neighborhood groceries and one too many girls of middle-school age walk past my home bulging from pregnancies that should not have happened.
When I was 13, the thought of having sex with a boy was unheard of; only the "easy" girls did that kind of thing. Now in my community, a woman can literally become a grandmother by age 35.
What is so poignant about my current living situation is that Milwaukee truly is a tale of two cities: the haves vs. the have-nots. Affluent (or pretending to be) against the poorest of the poor. Black against white. And both sides are completely unaware of how the other truly lives.
For 19 years, I lived on the east side, right off Lake Michigan, in a clean, well-managed apartment building with manicured lawns - quiet surroundings and most definitely safe.
It's a far cry from what I find myself in the midst of now on the north side. It struck me recently as I arrived home after a long day at the office how much my life has changed. I arrived to find my block cordoned off with yellow police tape and detectives and police officers in great numbers.
Someone was shot again. How many young men have to kill one another before it stops?
My alderman does nothing to ease the problem. He caters to the very element that put him in office, the same young men who are doing all the killings. Clergy can't help; how do you speak to people who will not hear you? Family and friends can't help because they too are caught up in the misguided notion that this is all life has to offer, that they are not deserving of anything more than what is given to them or taken by force.
Yet with all this said, there are sections of Milwaukee, even Wisconsin as a whole, that would be appalled if they had someone selling illegal drugs from a neighborhood store, gunshots in the night, vandalism and roaming gangs of youths looking to create havoc out of their boredom. For me, it is now second nature. I am becoming immune to it, numb. Which is why it is time for me to move."
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... written by Guest,
May 31, 2006
Quote:
"Her last sentence in the excerpt I provide I think is most succinct. "
Reply:
Correction, I meant last *3* sentences.
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Re: Stupid article written by Guest,
May 31, 2006
Everybody knows these scum-bag, evil-doers should be taken out by the police and security forces as soon as possible. They have all the info on the major drug-dealers etc. they need for a 'night of the long knives' to eliminate them, their friends, and supporters. The problem, it seems to me, is the lack of political will to let the police (or other designated agencies) do their job. This was clear in Northern Ireland from the late 70's onwards with the IRA. The army and intelligence services knew exactly who these terrorist leaders were, where to find them, and who their henchmen were. The army, however, was actively prevented from dealing with them (remember the scandal over the 'shoot to kill' policy?). I'm sure the same situation pertains in SP, and this is one reason the State government is reluctant to seek federal help. In my opinion it should, as it has a duty to its populace to keep the streets free from this type of outrage.
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America . . F*** Yeah! written by Guest,
May 31, 2006
The last thing we ever want to do is take responsbiility for our own actions. So blame the state, the police, multinationals, Oprah, the TeleTubbies -- whatever is convenient. And of course, the US is always the easiest punching bag.
As an American, here's my points:
1. No matter where you get your news, you are blowing out of proportion a small set of incidents that has been sensationalized into whatever dogma you wish it to be. Then it becomes frenzy. Blogs and the internet are nastiest of offenders. If it bleeds it leads, and the vast majority of good, normal US and Brazilian folks are ignored by all media, because we love the drama of a small number of bad people. We love Cops. We love hyper-real propaganda like the movie "Crash" The myth of excessive violence and racism in the US is sold to you and you are buying it hook line and sinker. Hell, our best commodities for such fiction are Hip Hop and Hollywood. Brazil has violence, like we do, but how many million people are there in Brazil who dont kidnap or kill each other?
2. We still have a signficant gun problem in the US to address, yes, and gun culture yes. But A. It's extraordinarily over sensationalized by both the left and right media, hollywood etc, B. we have 300 M people, so if you do the math, gun violence is not something you have to worry about in the US on a daily basis (unless you live in the few higher risk areas), C. HipHop and Hispanic street culture are steeped in a history of mythologizing gun violence, which is not coincidental that these two populations are responsible for the majority of gun crimes in the US. Its not poverty or lack of opportunity. There's plenty of other ethnicities in the States that live on poverty's fringes, and they arent shooting each other on a daily basis. They're working, toiling sweating for something better. Go see the lazy bastards in our penitentiaries.
3. Corporate and Global Capitalism has lots of ugly side effects, . But you love to have a choice of toothpaste, a choice of coffee, you love your car and your bike, you love your jeans. You love to puruse a career that can make you rich and powerful. So, admit that capitalism is good, foreign investment creates jobs and jobs are the best way to peace and prosperity. Sure there are many snakes who exploit it, but there are far more people who just earn a living and get the best out of the system.
4. Are we still blaming history for our troubles? (yawn) Are the Japanese here boohooing because we interned their grandmothers in the War. No, they're working, educating themselves, getting off their lazy asses. They have pride. Are the Vietnamese crying? - no their working and owning their own businesses. They have pride and are not afraid to do anything to improve their lot. Chinese, same, Pakis, same, Russians, Ukrainianans --- the list goes on. They're workign on now and the future. And of course many African Americans and Latinos are too. Media forgets to tell you that part. That doesnt sell.
5. You cant compare the US to your country. Sorry, we have a volume of diversity incomparable to any other country. Given that fact, it's absolutely extraordinary how we all get along reasonably well. To state that the US is infected with racism is way off base. Sure we see ourselves as different than each other, and maybe we dont even like our neighbor's culture, but so what, that's normal human behavior. I dont like Lebanese music, is that a crime to have an opinion? It doesnt mean I hate my Lebanese neighbors. Again, the media naturally ignores the vast majority of ordinary people who share these sentiment, and instead sells you melodrama of a few bad people.
We all get along simply because of one answer - People here pledge allegiance to opportunity. opportunity to acquire wealth, knowledge, self-improvement, liberty. It's certainly not a melting pot, but I and the dozen other ethnicities living in my building all share one love - opportunity. That's our mission statement. That's what Brazil needs. And it starts with the people, not the government.
6. Do brazil et al a favor and kick your recreational drug habit. That will help them But if you like the narcs, then stop boohooing about the people dying to manufacture/transport them. Same goes with your Nikes.
7. Free Will doesnt come for free. But it's the ultimate expression of human potential that demands constant labor to maintain. In contrast, it's easy to blame everyone else for your problems. Stop bellyaching, and start improving your lot. Then go out and volunteer to make a difference. Quit being lazy, and appeal to your common sense and free will. Those belong solely to you.
That's why people come to the US. That's why Brazilians come to the US. That's what Brazilians need to find in themselves. There's a rag to riches story born in every corner of the world every minute of the day
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Right on! written by Guest,
May 31, 2006
Well said! Losers are losers!
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... written by Guest,
May 31, 2006
As an American, here's my points:
We really don´t care Jethrow.
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... written by Guest,
May 31, 2006
With the petty bitching and moaning we are now all losers
Life sucks
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Hey, Hey !!! written by Guest,
June 01, 2006
Where is the article about the Brazilian army being ready to defend the Amazon region from invaders?? It was right here in Brazzil yesterday 05/31, but now it HAS JUST VANISHED.
Didn´t my comments on endagered American forests please Brazz´s staff??? Isn´t this a free serious magazine ???
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And that was such a lovely article! written by Guest,
June 01, 2006
Yeah, there's no fantasy in Brazil! I showed that one to all of my friends. Some peoples don't embarass easily.
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RE: Hey, Hey !!! written by Guest,
June 06, 2006
The article that you are refering to is in the same place as the article about how Brazil is going to be the world's biggest energy exporter (i.e, the "bitbucket").
Brazil was gripped by violence in the past few days. Everyone is talking about it but few are discussing its reasons. This is because we witnessed scenes we are unaccustomed to seeing. But we have become accustomed to the omission that, throughout the centuries, has been producing the current violence.
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Keep in mind many Americans can't find most the sates of the US on the map let alone countries in Europe or Latin America.
