USA Here I Come

A very good morning to you.  Thanks for dropping in on the second post of the week on this Blog....and, talk about dedication, I am tapping this in the Lounge at Sao Paulo's Guaruhlos airport en route to the USA.

In a touch of whirl, so a short post....but a post nevertheless.

Cultural globalisation....good idea/bad idea?

I have just enjoyed a Grande Decaf skinny Cappuccino with an extra shot, made quite dry, and a blueberry muffin.  Yes, Starbucks has arrived at Guarulhos; opened a couple of weeks ago.  I also noted, on my last run through the airport in September, that Carl's Jnr burgers have also arrived.  I hold my hand up and admit that I was delighted to see both chains stake a claim in Sao Paulo's main international airport (not only do I thoroughly enjoy the products, but also love the service one almost always receives in a Starbucks and love much of what I hear about the company's boss)....but then, as I sat in Starbucks, I glanced around and saw Pizza Hut, McDonald's burgers, McDonald's ice cream, McDonald's McCafe, and a host of other US chains that dominate the food and drink offerings here.

While waiting in Aracaju airport around midnight last night, there were a number of fit young guys wandering round wearing ball caps, worn backwards of course, catcher style, blue jeans, Nike trainers....you know how it goes.  You know it because you have seen it in movies and, almost certainly, on the streets of your home village, town or city.  I have seen it (and the US food chains) up and down the American continent, around Europe and even in the Arab world.  I find it fascinating....but is it good, is it bad, or is it just a case of 'it is what it is' as my US mates say?

What the US cultural globalisation demonstrates is the amazing, ubiquitous power of the web, advertising, Hollywood, the media.  That so many corners of the world not only identify what is required to 'look American', but actually identify with the styles and culture and want to be a part of them is baffling to some.  In this media/communications age, there are few patches of the globe that are free from such penetration.

One might argue that if the evidence shows that this is what the people want, then it is what they should have.  Not a case of right of wrong, but simple recognition of market demand, de facto realities.

On the other hand, some bemoan the smothering of alternate cultures, of national and regional traditions as they are submerged under the tsunami of US cultural globalisation.

For my part, I love my Starbucks, I ate a Carls' Jnr chicken burger when I came through the airport in September, I wear Abercrombie and Fitch etc.  I love that I am afforded the option to indulge these choices and to have the freedom to make them.  Yet, at the same time, I adore cultural diversity and believe that it is beneficial to have people bringing different skills, traits, identities and understanding to the party of being.  I tend to the camp that celebrates diversity and difference and believes that it enhances and enriches humanity.  That said, in this age one cannot easily prohibit access to the web, to media and entertainment sources.  Rather than seeking to take such draconian action, perhaps we should focus on ensuring the attraction of alternative cultures; to cause youths to wish to identify with being Welsh or Brazilian etc.  Living in the real world, I get the sense that we also have to work on accommodation rather than exclusion.  It does seem that sections of society will take on aspects of the US cultural globalisation and, rather than risk forcing those people away, perhaps countries, regions and traditions need to examine a degree of accommodation.

Well, only thoughts, no answers.....but this is more than a little rushed, as my presence is needed at the departure gate.

Thanks for joining me and I DO apologise for the rushed, disjointed nature of the post.

I am not sure of my itinerary during my travels, but I shall hope to pit out a post on Friday; and it would be great if you would be able to drop in and read it.  Thanks for doing so this morning.

Stay safe.

Dave

World Cup Worries (Yet More!)

Hi.  I hope that you had an enjoyable weekend and I am very grateful to you for looking in on the Blog at the start of your week.

I doubt anyone would have predicted other than immense pride and unbridled joy resulting from Brazil hosting the 2014 soccer World Cup.  This soccer mad country was to stage the four yearly sports bonanza for a second time, becoming the first South American nation to host the event twice (Mexico has achieved this but is, of course, Central American) and only the fifth world wide.  All was celebration and anticipation....until last June and, since then, the problems have kept coming.

Passions previously roused and fed by soccer fanaticism for club and country were spontaneously redirected to decry and publicly protest the vast sums of public money that were purportedly being spent on the competition, while millions of Brazilians live in poverty and most struggle with very poor quality key social services such as health and education.  Potential World Cup supporters became ardent critics of the Governmental excesses and skewed priorities that they believed tournament represented.  Previously unimaginable news reports showed Brazilians openly criticising the almost sainted Pele and the modern heroes of the soccer field when they spoke in support of the competition, while other reports carried criticism of the considerable sums of money top players earn.

The Government sought to defend its plans, claiming that the majority of funding would be found from public-private partnerships (PPPs) and assuring the country that little will actually come from the public purse.  Very few appeared to be convinced and the issue is still very much alive, with the potential for disruption of World Cup preparation and even of the matches themselves.

The issues raised in June have been followed by many others, including:  doubts about the ability of the Brazilian authorities to police the tournament; concerns about whether essential infrastructure improvements will be ready on time, such as enhancements to commercial and private air travel facilities and capacity; questions about whether utilities companies will be able to handle the extra demand on their services; accusations and evidence of significant profiteering, that have resulted in a new Government group being formed to address the problem; serious concerns about anarchist groups and organised crime elements that reportedly intend to disrupt or even mount 'terror' attacks against World Cup events/locations/personnel; fears of a renewed wave of public protest against the cost of the competition and over many other public grievances....and the list could go on.

The latest issue to hit the news is a move by Federal prosecutors to seek an injunction against the use of public funds to finance temporary infrastructure work at World Cup stadiums/stadia.  The work relates to tents, cabling, communications equipment for broadcasters etc.  The prosecutors argue that the public interest is not served by spending public money on costs that will not leave any legacy for the people.  It is reported that around R$1Bn ($546million) was to be spent on temporary infrastructure.  FIFA has stated that, ''....liability related to complimentary structures were clearly stated in contracts....'', that were signed in 2007.  We await the decision of the courts.

With approximately $3.5Bn allocated to refurbish the soccer stadiums/stadia it seems that court cases against the spending are mounting up, with the Supreme Federal Tribunal still to rule on a number of them.  The move by the Federal prosecutors is just the latest to be made public.

As long as the Government is being truthful in its claim that PPPs will account for almost all the funding of the competition (and many doubt it), it would be great to see Brazil amaze the world with a hugely successful soccer celebration next year that brings large sums of foreign currency and trade to the country.  It would be good to see it, but it is by no means a sure thing at this juncture!

Lastly, just a mention of the wonderful Lou Reed who died yesterday, aged 71.  I shall probably talk a little more about him on my other Blog, tomorrow, but I grew up as one of those youngsters captivated by Perfect Day, Walk on the Wild Side, Satellite of Love etc etc.....I continue to love Transformer and can still lose myself,  completely, in Perfect Day.  You have a favourite Lou Reed track?

That's it for today and I am very grateful to you for joining me.  The next post should be Wednesday, but I am on my travels and the post will depend on web access as I move through various airports.  I shall do my best.

Stay safe.

Dave

What's Important in Brazil?

So, the week is almost run and the hedonism of a weekend lies ahead; for those who have Saturday and Sunday as their weekend.  Thanks a million fro popping in on the last day of the traditional working week.  You are most welcome.

Here we go with the impossible; and, perhaps, presumptuous.  I want to try to give you a flavour for what 'floats people's boats' here in Aracaju, NE Brazil, for the things that are important to people as, in that, you will get a little more insight into the nature of the society and culture.  I do, of course, realise that with everyone being different and individuals having conflicting likes and dislikes I shall have to roll out sweeping generalisations....but I hope you will accept that such generalisations are usually based on a fair degree of truth and that I am only speaking to what I have witnessed myself amongst friends and family and within the communities around us.

I feel it apposite to begin with the one item that I believe would be new on anyone's list of things important to Brazilians.  It joined the list in late June and is, of course, political engagement and the drive for political change.  When I say this is a newcomer to the what's important list, that is not to say that people here didn't care about quality of life issues, corruption and political reform prior to June.  They most certainly did....but, for the first six years of my time here family and friends would hold forth on such subjects, then shrug and order another beer.  Social and political change and an end to the endemic corruption, these things were someone else's responsibility, not mine and not yours and, in any case, if we tried to take action nothing would happen.  Such was the stance of everyone I met from hairdresser to doctor, flight attendant to bank manager, policeman to judge.  It was the classic, laissez fair, laid back (to the point of falling over) Brazilian approach to life....until June.  In that amazing two plus weeks one felt a sense of, and hoped for, a change in the dynamics of democracy here as ordinary people took to the streets in their hundreds of thousands, not at the behest of the trades unions or political activist groups but in a bottom up, issues driven surge of public angst.

Sadly, one also has to note that the surge tide ebbed pretty swiftly.  As we moved into July the hundreds of thousands dwindled to thousands and then hundreds.  That said, President Dilma Rousseff had moved with impressive alacrity, met with leaders of the disparate protesting elements and announced a swathe of responses to the legitimate grievances that had been raised.  As a result, if feeling generous, one could say that many had reason to think 'job done' and return home.  I did note, however, that when reports began to surface of what appeared to be deceitful, duplicitous delays and backtracking by many political leaders (from which I would exempt the President, who seemed to be wholly genuine in her desire to meet the needs expressed by the people) and Congress in particular, they were met with bursts of anger....but only as the hand was held out for that next beer and the discussion closed with 'nothing will ever happen'.  Status quo returned?  I think not, not as such.  Smaller protest action has continued, some of it quite vociferous, though now tending to be area or subject specific and, behind that, anyone who forgets June, who relegates it to a one off would be myopic.  There is still justifiable anger on the streets in relation to many issues, particularly relating to social services, quality of life and corruption and I get a sense that it would take only one catalyst issue or event to light the fire under the population again....and next year we have the eyes of the world on us with the soccer World Cup and then a general election.  Political engagement may be new on the list, but I think it is here to stay.

Next, we have to turn to soccer!  At a national level we might recall our discussions, in previous posts, about Brazil and the rest of the world.  We noted that, for many years, much of the globe saw Brazil as more or less irrelevant, saw little potential or achievement in the country.  During this time, soccer might be seen as a way in which Brazil could stick its finger up/stick up its fingers (depending on where you live) to the rest of the world and display not just competence but dominance.  Soccer was a source of pride for a population that desperately wanted to be proud of their country.  When people are disdainful toward you, when they are supercilious in their dealings with you it is worth its weight in gold to have something that allows you to throw it back in their faces.  For the man on the street in Aracaju, and across Brazil, soccer filled that role.  I might mention the importance of rugby to my nation, Wales, where it has a similar role in affording the nation real pride.

Taking it down a notch, to individual level, soccer may be seen both as a temporary escape from often very hard times and as a route to the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.  In a nation wherein tens of millions live in poverty, soccer is both something to take you out of yourself for an hour or so after work or school each day, to lose yourself in, and is also seen by many as a possible route out of the favelas and arid rural villages and into a world of wealth and fame.  One can flag up the world famous Pelé as the archetype here and follow that right through to the current darling of the national game, Neymar, who rose from humble beginnings to become the highest paid player in Brazil.  A dream, yes, but many have had them, held them tight, leaned hard on them in difficult times and always, in the back of the mind, thought......maybe?!

A great deal of Neymar´s staggering personal wealth, at the ripe old age of 21, has come from sponsorship deals and the like, with adverts fixating on his hair and his body.  If you log onto his personal web site, the first photos to greet you are of him with open shirt or stripped to the waist.  Looks are very important in Brazil and particularly so in Aracaju on the NE coast, where even in winter the temperature can hit 32C/90F and doesn´t drop below the 20sC/70sF and people, particularly the youth, are often clad in the minimum necessary to protect one's modesty.  You can find that in seaside/ocean side communities around the world,of course, but here it goes to the point of plastic surgery being almost a national passion.  We know people in their 20s who have had plastic surgery after the discovery of what they see as the first 'crow's feet' appearing from the corner of an eye; you may remember that in a previous post we discussed the fact that the population is so much more sexually aware and open here, from the very start of teenage years.  Across the country, plastic surgery is surprisingly cheap, so, combine the factors and you explain its prevalence and popularity.  As they get older, by which I mean into the 30s (!) or even 40s, we know various people who have had surgery to reduce stomach size....the problem being, in each case, that this has been seen as a solution in and of itself, with no change in lifestyle.  All of which is good news for the plastic surgeon who will see the same people banging on his door again surprisingly quickly.  I have found the passion with looks at all costs and the horror at signs of ageing, any signs of ageing to be somewhat disturbing....much as it is with many in the gay community, of course!

For women in the NE, I am told that muscular buttocks and thighs are as important as breasts may be further South in the country.  Many aspire to at least 1m girth around the buttocks, leading down to strong thighs.  I know that men, whether gay or str8, are attracted to different body types/shapes but, in the NE, a set of muscular buttocks and powerful thighs frantically shaking out a samba or forro seem to be a guaranteed route to happiness for str8 guys and girls.  This might, of course, seem a trivial observation, were it not for the importance of dance and of sexual attraction here.  When it comes to the bodies of lads and men, I see much the same as I am used to elsewhere but also note a greater desire to develop buttocks and legs; indeed, the London type gym bunny with powerful arms, ripped pecs and a defined six pack will still elicit laughter from a Brazilian man from the NE if he removes his trousers to display sparrow type legs.

Freedom.  At least in the NE there is a craving to be free of obligations, work or social, of all commitments.  The reason for existing is to enjoy oneself, just have fun.  It does mark out the NE as being different from much of the rest of the country, so I am told, and the Region takes a good deal of stick as a result of it.  The society is noticeably more easy, chilled and hedonistic than one finds in most European or N American areas and, as a result, times, dates, details for meetings mean much less. You may see this as maddening, or quite liberating; and it reminds me of parts of Ireland and many parts of the Arab world - thought from different origins, I would contend.  I have to balanced, however, and note that in this burgeoning City things are changing and we boast tens of millionaires and, apparently, a couple of billionaires.  Wealth is breaking out in parts of the City and within certain social groups and, therein, hedonism gives way to, or at least shares front row with money making.

Toys.  Toys are very important here; by which I mean the so called big boys toys, but extending that concept across both sexes.  The latest cell phone, a smart, pimped out car, a shiny new watch, the newest laptop or even the most recent Nike training shoes (very expensive here).  Possessions, things are important here in a way which is slightly different from that which I have seen in most other places.  We all like to own 'nice things' and all like to look good; before I met my husband all my jeans were Evisu and T shirts were Armani, Ted Baker, D & G, A & F etc topped with a Versace jean jacket.  But here in Aracaju, I think one sees an importance over and above the standard meaning of looks.  This Region has been and, outside Aracaju, still is poor.  It seems that this results in a need to counter that reality, to prove the lie to it by displaying possessions, ´bling´.  We know many friends who will rather own a 'hot' car and the other items above than invest in their own home; not just young guys but across the ages.  You can see new, four wheel drive SUV vehicles parked outside the sometimes very poor housing in which their owners live.  The car and other accessories are seen by many more people, of course, so have greater utility in conveying pretended wealth; particularly as your social group is likely to be built upon your place of work or your sports club etc and not your area of residence, as we have discussed previously.  It is an element of looks, you could say, but not so much to say 'I look good' as it to say I have good things, I am not poor. That seems to be very important here and I dare say can be seen in areas with similar socio-economic profiles around the world.

I could go on and on, listing observations about what is important to people here....but am sure you would rather I didn't.  At this point I shall close the rather eclectic, top of head collection of things that are important to people here.  I often precis such assessments down to soccer, sex, sun, sand and beer....the order changing depending on who is playing, who/what's on offer and how much you've drunk.

The next post will be on Monday.  I am most grateful to you for looking in on this one and I do hope you have a great weekend.

Stay safe.

Dave

Schedule for Blog Posts

Hi.  Just a short note about a change in my schedule for Blog posts on this Blog.

Other issues are demanding a touch more of my time and, as a result, I am changing the form for both my Blogs.

The schedule for posts on this Inside Brazil Blog will be one each day on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  The posts will continue to be a mix of observation and comment on the news and discussion about cultural issues and the life experience of living here, in Aracaju, NE Brazil.

I DO HOPE you will continue to support me and drop in on the Blog regularly.

Thanks so much, Dave.

(NB the schedule for my other Blog, Gay Issues and Life Experiences, will be one a day on Tuesday and Thursday and one over the weekend - sobriety allowing, in the case of the latter!)

Pouring Oil on Politics....and More Policing Problems

A very good morning to you and my thanks for looking in.

One thinks of auctions as being competitive affairs, with the prize going to the highest bidder.....but not so in Brazil's auction of the Libra oil field rights, where victory went not to the highest bidder but to the bidder!  Having had only eleven potential bidders pay the millions of dollars necessary to register for the auction, well below the expected number of forty four, only one group actually tabled a bid.

The 'winning' consortium comprises the Brazil owned Petrobras (40%), Shell and Total (20% each) and the Chinese CNPC and CNOOC (10% each).  With the North American majors having decided not to bid, the involvement of Shell and Total may be seen as important not just in terms or resources but in bringing some gravitas to the group.

The bid was at the lowest possible numbers to meet the requirements for it to be accepted.  The consortium will pay R$15Bn (about $7Bn) to the Government up front and then follow that with 41.65% of profits.  President Dilma Rousseff expressed her happiness with the result, pointing out that with the profit share that Petrobras will earn, ''....85% of the profits generated in Libra will stay in Brazil and Petrobras....''.  There had been anger in some quarters about auctioning the Brazilian natural resource to foreign concerns but the 85% figure and 40% Petrobras stake may assuage such concerns; though Senator Agripino Maia said of  Monday's event, ''....this is the auction of a country's dreams, in regard to health and education....''.  Others have countered by pointing out that Petrobras may well have been incapable of developing the field on its own.

The Senator's comments, above, sought to play on the legitimate concerns about the state of crucial social services in Brazil, particularly the national health service (yes, Brazil believes in access to health care, free at the point of delivery being a right in a civilised liberal democracy, unlike states such as the USA) and public education system.  Whereas this South American power has shown itself to be far more socially advanced than many older, more established liberal democracies such as the USA in some areas (with its national health service, marriage equality etc) practice has often failed to live up to the theory.  Health and education services are underfunded and in a woeful state, requiring huge investment to improve the quality of product delivered to the people and better match Brazil to its growing role in the developed world.  Such legitimate concerns were aired in the amazing country wide protests of last June and, in swift response, President Dilma announced that the majority of oil profits would be allocated to these key public services.

The Libra field is expected to realise tens of billions, some even say trillions of dollars for Brazil and one imagines that, as long as those sums are properly managed they will, indeed, sustain immense improvements in the fields of health, education and other social policy/social services areas.  That said, it is widely reported that the Government hoped that the cut and thrust of competition at the auction would result in it being offered a higher percentage of Libra's profits by the winning bidder.  As we noted above, that was not to be!

Auction over, the real work begins.  The development of the pre-sal field will be a gargantuan challenge costing billions of dollars.  On top of that, there were real concerns about Petrobras' ability to claw together the liquidity to float the 30% of the costs that Brazilian law required to fall to the national giant....but, in the wining bid, the company takes up 40% of the requirement.  This may further fuel worries about the ability of Petrobras to progress other crucial domestic exploration and development projects, such as the Forfan 1 field off our cost, here in Aracaju.  Some fear that other projects may have to be postponed or cancelled in order to redirect all funds to Libra (see also the post, Libra - Balance and Partnership on 18 Oct).

Oil is big politics in Brazil and the success of Libra's development, the management of the resultant profits that accrue to the Government and the ability turn them into quality of life improvements for Brazilians may determine the shape of the county's short to mid term political future.  The ability to deliver on promises made in the wake of June's protests will impact on the potential for civil protest and unrest when the eyes of the world are upon us next year and on the voting intentions of the electorate; 2014 being soccer World Cup year and election year (see also the posts, Fears for the World Cup, 14 Oct, and More World Cup Worries, 16 Oct).  It is interesting to see former President Lula da Silva raising his profile currently.  The almost sainted political leader is becoming more publicly engaged in electioneering, one year out from the vote, recently criticising potential presidential candidate Aecio Neves and supporting the record of his successor, President Dilma Rousseff.  It might be expected and logical to find a popular statesman stand up and speak for his party and its leader in the run up to an election but, despite President Dilma leading her nearest rival by 35 points, President Lula's increased profile has again given rise to speculation about him stepping in and taking the candidacy if his successor is not looking good early next year; though he has constantly denied any such thoughts and any one imagines the move would be fraught with risks of all sorts.  No doubt it will be down to the economy, as ever, and the way that Libra's initial earnings will be spent.

Lastly, today, further news relating to the police in Rio de Janeiro that different commentators are reading in different ways.  You will recall our discussion about Rocinha favela and its new Police Pacification Unit (UPP) commander in the post, Cometh the Hour, Cometh the Man and Woman, 22 October.  In that post I highlighted the recent arrest and charging of ten Rocinha UPP police officers in relation to the alleged torture and murder of 42 year old construction worker and Rocinha resident, Amarildo de Souza, who has been missing since being arrested on 14 July.  We are now told that a further fifteen officers have been charged in relation to Amarildo's disappearance and alleged murder.  On the one hand, it is shocking to find that twenty five police officers may somehow have been complicit in the alleged events.  It is totemic of the serious concerns so many communities have in relation to policing and the judicial process and underscores the need for radical reform of policing in many parts of Brazil....while, on the other hand, the fact that these officers have been charged and will be brought before the law is flagged up by some as indicating that fundamental changes are already afoot in policing.  We shall return to policing and the judicial system as a separate post.

That's all for today and I am so very grateful to you for dropping in....and would be delighted if you felt so moved as to leave a comment on any of the above.

The next post for this Blog will be FRIDAY; I shall put a note out shortly explaining a change in the schedule for posts.

Until next time, stay safe.

Dave

Cometh the Hour, Cometh the Man and Woman?

Hi and welcome back to the Blog after the weekend's quiet time....or just welcome, if it's your first visit.  Whether an old friend of the Blog or a new one, I am grateful to you for looking in and I trust that you enjoyed a fun filled weekend.

Apologies for the absence of a post yesterday.  First day I have failed, but I was stranded away from web access due to circumstances beyond my control!

Having previously lambasted Brazil's politicians and flagged up major issues in relation to the judicial system and police services, I want to balance the equation a little and point out that there are, indeed, people to whom we can look in this country for honest, impartial, professional leadership in the courageous service they give to the Brazilian people.  An essential function of a liberal democracy is to afford its citizens effective policing and judicial process.  Those charged with delivering such crucial service, within the judiciary and the police services/forces, are often the targets for harsh criticism here and, I fear, such attacks are merited.

In this post, however, I want to briefly look at two dedicated public servants I have mentioned, en passant, in previous posts, each playing major parts in sustaining the rule of law.

Major Pricilla de Oliveira Azevedo is 35 years old and, after 15 years in the Policia Militar, she has been dropped into what some regard as one of the most difficult jobs in Brazilian policing.  After various arrests and charges, sackings and sideways moves amongst the UPP (Favela Polic Pacification Units) in Rio de Janeiro, apparently resulting from investigations into serious allegations of wrong doing and illegality, Major Pricilla (as she is widely known) has been appointed Commanding Officer of the Rocinha UPP.  She, and the 700 officers that work under her are now responsible for policing the Rocinha favela/slum, home to around 100,000 people.  The UPPs were tasked with evicting the drugs gangs and restoring law and order to the sprawling favelas of Rio in a program that began five years ago and, while official crime numbers have gone down and violent drugs gangs have been expelled from their home turf, locals communities and human rights groups have accused the police of widespread serious misconduct and criminality.  Ten officers from the Rocinha UPP have just been charged in relation to the alleged torture and murder of Amarildo da Souza, a local resident who was arrested in early July and never seen again.  The task of upholding the rule of law on the deprived and dangerous streets of Rocinha would be a challenge in itself but, arguably, an even more daunting task for Major Pricilla will be winning the trust and respect of the local population and seeking to police by consent; as well as restoring confidence and pride amongst her officers.

''We have to show the community that life is better without the traffickers,'' she says.

This impressive military police officer led the 'pacification' of the Santa Marta favela and seems well matched to the huge task ahead of her now.  She also earned praise from all quarters when, having been the victim of a 'flash kidnapping' herself in 2007, at the hands of seven men who bound her, kicked and beat her, she managed to escape after several hours and despite needing hospital treatment returned to work the very next day to lead the hunt for her attackers.  A number of them were caught and convicted.  The Major says that residents from Santa Marta still call her to ask for advice or simply just to catch up, a relationship of which many forces around the world would be jealous but, when the calls come from some of the most disadvantaged and dangerous communities in Brazil, it is truly impressive.

In recognition of her personal bravery and the steadfast service she delivered to those for whom she was responsible, she was presented an International Woman of Courage award by the USA, taking the stage with Michelle Obama and Hilary Clinton.

In a country that is led by a female President, whose Cabinet boasts over a quarter of its membership being female, and where one finds women on company boards or actually running companies in numbers that should embarrass the USA and others states, it is interesting to see Major Pricilla appointed to such a key post at such a demanding time; both in terms of the policing challenge and in relation to the political spotlight that will glare down on her and her officers.  Her record suggests she has a real chance of achieving success in Rocihna as she has done elsewhere.

Next, I want to look further along the legal process, turning to the courts, and focus on a mountain of a man who is something of a folk hero, here.  He is Chief Justice Joaquim Barbosa.

Joaquim Barbosa became the first ever black Chief Justice, President of the Supreme Federal Tribunal (Brazil´s equivalent of the Supreme Court) in 2012.  From modest roots, as one of his bricklayer father´s eight children, he has risen to one of the highest public offices and earned the respect and admiration of a huge number of Brazilians.  In fact, it is reported that the most popular Carnaval mask for people to sport earlier this year was that of Chief Justice Barbosa; Carnaval masks being worn as a sign of respect and, more often than not, the most popular ones will be of soccer players not judges!

This impressive man, who took various jobs to pay his own way through university ended up with degrees from the University of Brasilia and the Sorbonne, in Paris.  He was appointed to the Supreme Federal Tribunal by President Lula da Silva in 2003 and thence to the position of President of the Tribunal by Pres Lula's successor in 2012....though he has shown himself anything but beholden to his political bosses from the Workers' Party and has championed an anti-corruption drive that included overseeing the trial of senior Party figures in a vote buying scandal.  He is not cowed by the political establishment but retains tight focus on the law and the constitution and, if someone falls foul of that, there is no favouritism.  It is the law, pure and simple, for the Chief Justice.  As a result, he is famous for shaking up the political and judicial establishments and has led the way in handing down a number of bold, liberalising judgements including:  upholding the University of Brasilia´s admissions policies designed to increase the number of black and indigenous students, setting one of the most sweeping affirmative action laws for higher education in the Western Hemisphere; effectively legalising same sex marriage in this country dominated by Roman Catholics and Evangelicals; championing various anti-bribery and corruption moves and delivering other socially advanced, civilising decisions.

Chief Justice/President of the Court Joaquim Barbosa has proved that he has his finger right on the pulse of the real people of Brazil. His energetic pursuit of an end to political corruption and his belief in and work towards a more equal/fair society have chimed exactly with the issues that a majority of protesters articulated in the events of June.  In a country where it is difficult to find anyone outside committed party members who is able to hold up a politician as a role model, an example of a man/woman of integrity who truly serves the people this legal virtuoso, a veritable gladiator in the arena of the court seems to fit the bill very well; hence, one assumes, his first place in the Carnaval mask stakes earlier this year, a true test of the opinion of us ordinary folk.

Indeed, some recent polls have suggested that if the election was to be held now, only the Chief justice could win in the first ballot.  That said, he has stressed, repeatedly, that he has no desire to stand and no intention of standing.  He has made it clear that he is in his right place with much work to be done.

For my part, I think it a positive sign if people are able to point to those in the highest echelons of public service and believe them to be role models, to be what they ought to be.  I am from the UK, so we are used to our share of political scandal, of self seeking politicians who thrive on and seem to live for power but, nevertheless, we can normally put aside party allegiances and identify a few who rise above the melee, above the brouhaha and demonstrate integrity, sincerity and service; service to the people without servility to the establishment and power brokers.  It surprised and disturbed me, therefore, to find that that was not the case here, beyond the almost sainted President Lula.  To find politics and the law constantly used in the same sentences as self serving, corrupt, disdainful and much worse reflected very badly on the Brazil of today.  Even if one struggles to find politicians of integrity and sincerity, at least you should be able to look to the police and judiciary to fill such slots....but not so here, I found.

It is reassuring, therefore, to find the likes of Major Pricilla and Chief Justice Joaquim Barbosa who appear dedicated to serving the community with integrity and impartiality and who seek to ensure that all people are equal under the law and equally subject to it....as well as deserving of its protection.  More power to their elbows.  They seem to be fine examples of what can be done in modern Brazil and of what public servants should be.

Enough for now.  Sorry again about missing yesterday!  Next post should be tomorrow morning, my time.

Thanks so much for dropping in and I trust you will return in the days ahead.

Until then, stay safe.

Dave

Libra - Partnership and Balance?

A very happy Friday to you.  For many, the weekend starts tonight and I hope you have a fun filled one.  Thanks very much indeed for dropping in on the Blog before you dash off and dive head long into whatever frivolities you have planned.

First, a follow up to our examination of apparent profiteering in the setting of prices for various goods and services over the World Cup period.  You may recall that we examined the reported huge price hike in the cost of flights with TAM Airlines over the soccer championship period and other studies have found hotels that are carried by the FIFA travel site have inflated prices by as much as 500%.  I closed one piece, in an earlier post, by saying we would have to look to the Government and others to control the situation and, low and behold, the President has announced that a new Government Committee has been set up to do just that!  I am sure it was down to the Blog and your support for it.

Moving on.  Monday will see the auction of the Libra pre-sal oil field.  In astrology, Libra is the first of the six signs that focus on an individual's contact/relationship with others.  Various astrologers call Libra the sign of partnership and of balance, hence the scales....but some industry commentators appear to be suggesting that the Libra oil field may push the Brazilian oil industry and the national oil company Petrobras out of balance and force Petrobras into a legally required partnership to exploit Libra that the company cannot afford.  (I recommend an article by Jeb Blount for Reuters on the subject).

Libra was intended to be more a Taurus for Brazil, with the Taureans' life pursuit of financial security and of seeking to safeguard tomorrow today.  With an estimated recoverable yield of 8-12 billion barrels the Government was looking to the field to earn it around $400billion over a 30 year lifespan.  The income stream was to lay the foundation for Brazil's economic re-launch and future stability and the national oil company Petrobras will spearhead the advance, irrespective of who wins the auction, as legislation requires that the company will lead development of the field and must fund 30% of costs.

Since such plans were hatched, however, various factors have emerged that question the ability of Libra to meet the lofty expectations.  In the mid term, with countries like the USA either engaged in or pondering large scale exploitation of shale gas deposits by hydraulic fracturing (fracking) the revenue numbers that Libra returns may be significantly reduced.  Added to that, various requirements about the involvement of Brazilian domestic industries, government levies and  considerable concern for the cost of exploitation of this deep pre-sal (sub-salt) field have scared away many of the expected leading bidders.  Only eleven out of the expected forty companies registered for the auction and many key players from the political west will be absent.  While appearing to be bad news to the ill-informed, like myself, some have opined that the absence of the usual suspects, the USA and European giants, may actually bring some benefit in freeing Brazil from the conventional oil industry links and potentially allowing closer ties with Asian oil interests.

On top of all that, some oil industry workers have gone on strike in protest against the auction and there are concerns for attempts to disrupt it, in what some are calling an act of resource nationalism.  Some anti-globalisation and eco groups have made similar murmurings.  As a result, the Government felt it necessary to announce that Army elements will be responsible for the security of the auction on Monday.

Pile all the above together and you have something of a mountain for the winner's of Monday's auction to climb....but, even having done so, it may prove that the Libra mountain was still presenting a false summit as arguably the greatest problems are found with the part Petrobras is required to play, by law.  The company is currently cash poor, but will be required to pay 30% of what are expected to be huge development costs; tens of billions of dollars, with $7Bn required up front.  The Brazilian national oil concern is currently selling off assets in its international interests but still may not accrue the necessary liquidity.  Its next step is expected to be to postpone or abandon other projects in Brazil.  The example many flag up is the Farfan1 field off our coast, here in Aracaju.  Farfan 1 is about 104Km (about 64.5 miles) off shore at a depth of 2,476m (8,123ft) and is reportedly much more accessible than Libra, with development costs being significantly less.  Some say Farfan 1 could be pumping within four years.  The suggestion that such projects may have to be abandoned in order to divert funds to Libra would be a huge blow to Sergipe State and the NE, a very poor Region that was looking to the exploitation of offshore oil as something of a saviour....maybe not!

The exploitation of natural resources was meant to be the launch pad for Brazil's economic second wind.  The ability to deliver much that was promised in response to the nation wide protests of June was predicated on expectations of huge future oil income and the jewel in that crown was to be Libra.  Librans are meant to be in love with love and to fall in love easily....so let's hope we may yet be able to fall in love with the Libra oil field.

Well, that has rather depressed me, so I shall stop.  The next post will be Monday.  I hope you have a great weekend and would love to think that I would see you back on the Blog next week.

Until then, stay safe.

Dave

Notice - Comments

Hi.  Just a short notice about leaving comments on the Blog.....

A great supporter of mine recently pointed out that he had been unable to leave comments, despite trying on a few occasions.

I have reconfigured the way comments can be left and all now works fine.

If you have tried and failed I am really sorry, but you will be able to do so now.

Thanks.

Dave

Religion(s) in Brazil - True Survivors?

The afternoon is transitioning into evening and I am very grateful to you for taking the time to drop in on my Blog for today's second post.

Even before moving here, when I was but a very rare English speaking visitor to Aracaju, one aspect of NE Brazil that struck me as fascinating was the religious life of the region.  Brazil is constantly afforded the title of largest RC population in the world.  It is true....but what is also true is that that number is falling in absolute terms and as a percentage of the population, while those identifying themselves as Protestant, members of 'other religions' (including Candomblé and Umbanda) or as members of no religion have all increased .  The PEW Research Centre has produce detailed work on this that shows:

-- RC numbers = 125 million in 2000, falling to 123 million in 2010 (74% to 65%).
-- Prot numbers = 26 million in 2000 rising to 42 million in 2010 (15% to 22%).
-- Other Rel numbers = 2 million in 1970, rising to 6 million in 2000 and to 10 million in 2010.
-- No Rel numbers = 1 million in 1970, rising to 12 million in 2000 and to 15 million in 2010.

It is also of note, in the PEW Research figures, that those of the Roman Catholic faith tend to be older and living in rural areas; it is the reverse for each of the other categories.  One might expect that such surveys would have been on the mind of the Pope during his visit to Brazil in July, for the Roman Catholic Youth Day Celebrations, and his words and the whole tenor of his journey may have been intended to arrest the decline, re-packaging Roman Catholicism in a way better matched to today's Brazil,to  today's youth and and in rather similar garb, message and conduct, to that we see amongst the Evangelists.

In the NE, I have found people either to be religious or to have cautious respect for the religious beliefs of others.  Christianity is one of the two dominant religion strains in our Region, of course, and it is in its relationship with the other that I find the major cultural contrast with what I have experienced previously in my life.  The other religious strand comprises what are variously termed voodoo and spiritualism, as practised through Candomblé, Umbanda and other sects in our area.

Candomblé as a mixture of Yoruba, Fon and Bantu beliefs which many term voodoo and originate from different areas of Africa, brought to Brasil by those enslaved to work the land here.   At the outset, therefore, one can already see it as a syncretic religion, combining elements of others and, in that, you see the nature of so many religions wherein they will adapt and accommodate aspects of existing beliefs and traditions to enable them to be accepted, to grow and expand their influence.  Indeed, the broad strain of belief that includes Candomblé has not stood still from those early days and groups have incorporated elements of Roman Catholicism over time.  I shall offer some observations on that process, and the relationship which has developed between the two belief groups which allows them to co-exist and blur their differences, or more, in order to survive and sustain influence within the community.  

Various wise folk have coined phrases such as 'adapt or die' (and doesn't the USMC say adapt, overcome, improvise), and in many religions we see that ably demonstrated.  If my grey (gray) matter can reach back as far as school, I recall Christianity assimilating key feast dates and a number of traditions from existing European religions as it sought achieve acceptance and increase its membership and influence.  One can think of:  the Yule log, purportedly from Germanic feast days; the use of lights and greenery at Christmas time, from the Roman new year; the whole idea of making merry and giving gifts at Christmas time, from the Roman Saturnalia and the very use of the word Yule, which was an existing Pagan Scandinavian winter festival.

Christianity has shown similar accommodation with West African voodoo beliefs in Brasil, and vice-versa.  

Salvador, capital of the State of Bahia to our immediate South, is generally accepted as the home of Candomblé in Brasil.  Its followers believe in one, all powerful God, Oludumare, below whom there are other deities, the Orixas, and chief amongst them (for most worshippers) is Iemanja/Yamaja (many spellings), the 'mother of mankind'; there is even one deemed to be the Orixa for gay people, Oxumare/Oshumare, the rainbow deity who is also of special relevance to protecting children.  Iemanja has a role which one could roughly align with that of Mary in the Roman church and some followers see them as the same entity, manifest in different times.  The Orixas watch over and can guide and protect human kind; with some believing each person has his/her designated Orixa to whom to appeal for help in life.

Music and dance is central to Candomblé.  Specific pieces may be played and dances danced to draw the Orixas to occupy/possess the performer....see below for what happens thereafter.  It has an oral tradition, with no sacred texts.

While not so widely written about, there are different brands/sects of West African voodoo with a major division being between the so called 'white' or 'black' strains.  I have only third party knowledge of the black side, but it is true to say that it is key in the lives of a number of followers in the NE.  You hear tales of all sorts of things being asked of the Orixas, for them to make this or that happen to a third party and, without going into the darkest recesses of such practices, I have met many 'normal' people who have sought potions and incantations to make someone fall in love with them or make something good befall them; or ill.

On the so called white side you have sects such as Umbanda that I have personally encountered and, in these, you again seem to find elements of the survival instinct where elements of Catholicism and West African voodoo are combined in spiritualist worship.  Attending a service one evening, I entered the temple/chapel and there, on the wall facing us all at the front of the room, was a large wooden cross.  Above it was a depiction of a aged, bearded male who I took to be God/Oludumare.  Below the cross were statues of Roman Catholic saints (I recall St Francis and St George, who are both believed to be powerful in Brazil) AND statues of the Orixas.  The key element of the ensuing service saw those who 'had the gift' dance around in front of the seats we occupied until some of the Orixas would occupy their minds and bodies.  After that, the congregation would be called up, one at a time, to sit with these human forms that were now this or that Orixa and talk with them.  People would thank them for things or, perhaps, ask how to deal with a vexing issue etc.  They would be given the advice of the deity and, perhaps, be required to pour certain liquids over themselves prior to showering in the morning and evening for a while etc.  This sect has drawn together elements of the Roman Catholic beliefs, the broad church of spiritualism and traditional Candomblé style West African traits.

Lastly, some brief tales which I hope provide further example of the survival tendency of some religions, as shown through Christianity and voodoo/Candomblé....  

We bumped into an RC priest, a few years ago in Salvador de Bahia.  It transpired that he was on his way to visit a Candomblé practitioner (maé de santo or pai de santo).  I assumed that he was on his way to berate him/her and either call for the person to change her/his ways and be saved or warn that they would burn in hell....but no.  It turned out that while he knew that his God listened to him and his flock and would, indeed, help them when implored to do so, God´s help could be slow in coming.  If the priest needed something to help one of his parishioners swiftly, he would seek the ministrations of a Candomblé practitioner.  Fascinating.  I would also note that many of the key dates in the Umbanda and Candomblé diaries, such as Iemanja´s Day, have also been selected as days for feast and festival by the local Christian churches, citing minor saints of whom I had never previously heard as the reason for celebration....but, perhaps, one can see another justification for allowing the flock a reason to celebrate on that day and avoid them taking their souls elsewhere?  I am not qualified to say.  Final example.  If an Umbanda style exorcism is carried out on a person or place and the evil or errant spirit/presence captured (I have attended one - fascinating), the materials used to capture the lost soul (perhaps soils, sands, natural grown food stuffs) will often be left on the steps of a Christian church.....''why'', I asked....to be told that the priest would 'know what to do' to help guide the soul back to the light.  Again, fascinating.

Well, that exhausts me on such religious topics for today.  My thanks to you for joining me and I do hope you will consider doing so again.

Just one post tomorrow, picking up on something from the overnight news; as the afternoon will see my tapping away on posts for my gay issues Blog.

Stay safe, until next time.

Dave

Politics not Principles?

The end of the week is almost upon us!  Many thanks to you for taking the trouble to look in, as the standard working week moves toward its conclusion.  You are most welcome and I am most grateful.

One item in the news of last couple days left Dave a touch befuddled and bemused.  A new Datafolha poll has been released that examines political principles and voting patterns and it seems that, in Brazil, one does not necessarily grow from the other!

The poll suggests that 49% of the population hold 'right wing' principles, with 30% ascribing to those of 'the left'.  If one thinks of the vast tracts of country that are punctuated by relatively small, traditional rural communities and also bears in mind the grip on the population that is held by more conservative Christian creeds, the numbers may make sense.  In addition to that, when previously discussing politics and political corruption I have mooted that Brazil seems only now to be awakening from an almost feudal cultural norm wherein those in positions of power (what elsewhere might be described as positions of service to the community) are ascribed status and privilege that sets them aside from the common herd and has, until only this year, seemed to set them even above the law.  People were meant to know their place, accept it and suffer in silence when necessary or risk being aggressively put back in their box by the military police if they sought to express concerns publicly....until the amazing, if short lived events of last June.  At the same time as it presents as a hedonistic country, it also has very conservative roots.

With 49% of the electorate purportedly being right wing , my bemusement and befuddlement resulted from the fact that the country has been led by the 'left wing' Workers' Party (Partido dos Trabalhadores - PT) since 2003; under President Lula da Silva for two Administrations and then the current President Dilma Rousseff.

Datafolha's numbers suggest that 96% of voters fit into the categories right wing, centre right and centre left; leaving a perhaps surprisingly small number in the left wing for a country that suffered under military dictatorship from 1964 to 1985.   Yet across the three dominant categories, the poll suggests that President Dilma Rousseff draws almost the same positive voting intention numbers of 42%.  Puzzled?  You are not alone!

I am no political scientist, but shall venture thoughts on the conundrum; while rather fearing that they will be naive and shallow.

In the first place, I might seek to draw a distinction between social conservatism and right wing conservatism.  Without knowing the specific questions put to the sample of the electorate by Datafolha, I might well imagine people holding to social conservatism appearing to be conventionally right wing when the individual's true position combined his or her stance on social issues with political and even economic aspirations that would comfortably rest in the PT manifesto.  One might have right wing views on abortion and homosexuality while also believing in a more equal distribution of wealth, in this country that many see as the most unequal of the developed/developing nations, and believing in policies to facilitate social mobility and the 'elevation' of the poor.  I am not impugning the professionalism of the way in which the poll was framed, but suggesting that the nature of Brazil's society and history might allow someone to be a social conservative while still able support the PT.

One might identify the strong Evangelical Christian strain in Brazilian politics as an example of the above, of stringent social conservatism while still seeking the 'liberation' of the poor and enhancing of social policy programs.  The power of Evangelicals on the political stage here is significant.  Potential Presidential election rival Marina Silva, running nearest to President Dilma in recent polls, is an ardent Evangelical and, having failed to secure a first round victory in 2010 election, Dilma Rousseff felt constrained to moderate some of her socially liberal positions in order to make her more acceptable to Evangelicals and others as she sought support for the second ballot. (....and I think I may ponder issues relating to religion in Brazil in today's second post, late this afternoon/early evening, my time).

Lastly, in my amateurish offerings to explain the findings of the Datafolha poll, I flag up the nature of coalition government here.  In the wake of two decades of military dictatorship the Brazilian constitution was written to advantage coalition politics, avoiding single party control.  While other nations may run from the idea, believing that coalition government leads to indecision and gridlock (as the USA is reputed to believe....because their style of democracy obviously facilitates strong, stable government that is free from indecision and gridlock....!!!!), in Brazil, I believe the bias toward it grows out of the 1964-85 experience.  President Dilma currently governs the country at the head of a large coalition.  There were seven parties in her first cabinet and the ideological spread of the parties that back her and sustain her in power compasses the far right to far left.  Recognising the Brazilian tradition for coalition all contenders for power tend to shape their message and manifesto to achieve 'the double' of appealing to their own party's support base while not closing the door on the aspirations of other parties that may be needed in both the pre and post election horse trading.  The President's PT party is the embodiment of adaptation in search of electability, transforming itself from its initial, almost Cuban'esque position to one better characterised as centre left democrat.

Well, with other things claiming my time, I shall close.  I did warn you that Dave is but an interested observer when it comes to matters of political science and that my take on explaining the results of the Datafolha poll would be amateurish.  I hope it was not too painful a read and would delight in more learned opinion being offered in comments on this post.  Do educate me.

I intend to publish a second post today, if I can, either late afternoon or early evening my time and, as I mentioned above, I think I shall ponder the realm of religion in Brazil.

My thanks to you for joining me.  Most grateful.  I hope you will look in again.

Until then, stay safe.

Dave

More World Cup Security Worries and More Protests

Hi there.  A very good morning to you and my thanks to you for dropping in on the Blog once more....or for the first time, if new.  Either way, you are most welcome and I hope you will consider looking in again in the future.

In yesterday's first post we spoke about the Black Boc 'anarchist' group and their apparent intent to disrupt next year's soccer World Cup.  Well, it seems they may have to get in line!

Media reports from various outlets today warn of concerns that the prison based PCC group (Primeiro Comando da Capital) may seek to mount 'terror' attacks during the World Cup.  The PCC was formed in 1993 to run a protection racket to secure better conditions and privileges in Sao Paulo prisons, but has grown into a major drugs/crime cartel.  The majority of its leadership is reported to be in Sao Paulo jails, where it is thought they number 6,000 members behind bars with 1,600 operating on the streets of the City.  Elsewhere in Brazil, it is believed they claim about 3,500 additional members.  The group's primary role is now said to be drugs trafficking, earning an estimated R$8million a month from that source with around R$2million from other activities.  An estimated monthly income of around R$10million (over $4.5million a month).

The group is said to have ordered 'terror attacks' to be mounted against the World Cup in 2014 in response to moves by the authorities to move PCC leaders to 'harder' jails.  The information is reported to have come from monitoring the leaders' cell phones as part of a three year enquiry into the group and its alleged association with police and other officials, conducted by a specialist Federal law enforcement agency.  The Rio Times reports that the enquiry may result in 175 people being accused of collusion with the group.

The PCC's bloody history suggests that the threats against the World Cup should not be taken lightly.  A police crack down on drugs in 2012 is alleged to have resulted in the prison based leadership ordering retaliation in which 154 people were murdered in Sao Paulo, between 24 October and November 12.  Most of those killed were police officers and officials.  Prior to that, in response to a 2006 dispute with authorities, media organisations claim that between 200 and 500 people were murdered by the group in Sao Paulo alone.  In retaliation for a relative of his being shot while resisting arrest in Sao Paulo, one of the PCC's leaders is alleged to have ordered the killing of police officers and family members.  News reports claim 104 were murdered at his order and the leader has since been moved to a prison in the Amazon region.  The PCC appears to be capable, calculating, connected and ruthless.

The only positive news is that Federal Authorities seem to have accessed the group's plans relatively early and, one assumes, know a great deal about them than they are making public.  We shall have to hope that the specialist law enforcement elements in Brazil will be able to deter or disrupt any planned attacks.

Striking teachers took to the streets again in support of their long running fight for better pay and working conditions in both Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, last night.  Teachers have been on strike in Rio since 08 August.  Thousands turned out in the two cities and, as was the case last Tuesday, the official demonstrations and marches passed off peacefully....then other elements appeared to move in, take over and vandalism and clashes with police followed.  The latter action is being put at the door of the Black Bloc group, about whom we spoke yesterday.  In Rio, shops were ransacked, petrol bombs were thrown at police, a police car was set on fire and there was minor damage to the USA's Consulate with 'down with the dictatorship' being spray painted on its walls (in Portuguese).  In Sao Paulo, seven banks were vandalised.  The events underlined the concerns relating to the Black Bloc's apparent intent to disrupt the World Cup, about which we spoke yesterday.  The Bloc's Facebook page is reported to have over 50,000 'likes' and one teacher who was interviewed yesterday said that, while he didn't agree with their actions, he was pleased to see the Bloc turn out in support of the teachers as it drew attention and added weight to their protests.

Such examples of at least tacit approval of elements such as Black Bloc should concern the Government as it looks to next year, with the World Cup and the general election.  It has to ensure that it minimises the risk of any widespread public protests in support of the grievances aired in last June's awakening.  Broad based civil demonstrations or civil disorder will afford groups like the Black Bloc the ideal spring board, and they would claim justification, for violence and disruption as well as sending the worst possible message to the rest of the world; it's one thing if disruption results from a small group of violent anarchists, but quite another if such disruption is seems as resulting from the legitimate concerns of the general population.  Policing such situations is always complex and demanding but, in light of the PCC's threat, it may also have to be conducted under threat of 'terror' attacks from the.  Worrying times.

Well, that's it for today and I am most grateful to you for joining me.  I do hope I shall see you again.

Until then, stay safe.

Dave

(Note - the schedule for posts on this Blog will be a daily review of items from the news Mon - Fri, to hit the screen late morning/early afternoon Brazil time, and second posts on Tue and Thu late afternoons/early evenings that will address 'softer' issues of Brazilian life and culture and the life experience of living here....my other Blog will take up my afternoons on Mon, Wed and Fri)

Brazil and the World

Hi again.  True to my word, I am posting a second post today and am so very grateful to you for taking the trouble to drop in and read it.

The pattern for this Blog will now be the daily review of one or two news items, Monday to Friday, released late morning and then second posts addressing aspects of Brazilian culture/society on Tuesday and Thursday late afternoons/early evenings; it will dove tail with my other Blog, which will take up Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons.

Our recent discussions about the alleged spying activities of the USA and Canada and about comparative prices between Brazil and elsewhere led me to ponder the question of Brazil and its place in the world....what the world thinks of it and it the rest of the world.

To commence, one cameo of how the rest of the world sees (or saw) Brazil and then an observation of how Brazil views the concerns of the rest of the world.......

About ten years ago, in conversation with my husband, on first meeting him, a quite lovely Welsh lady asked him a cascade of questions but two, in particular, stood out, ''....do you have farms in Brazil....", and, ''....do you have coal in Brazil....''.

This was an educated lady, a retire teacher, but she knew nothing of this huge country in South America.  Into her seventies, it had not been deemed necessary to instruct her on Brazil when she had been a student and she had not deemed it necessary to instruct her students on it during her teaching career....she did, however, know a lot about Brazilian soccer, loved its style and panache and loved Pelé.

Now an observation from the other direction.  On arriving in Brazil, I found that the whole 'war on terror' in which the political West and others were engaged was a matter of complete indifference to almost everyone I met, other than that they would flag up the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq as examples of US imperialism and desire for world domination; I paraphrase, but their meaning was quite clear.  Those to whom I spoke were also largely uninformed about what I would call the two world wars 1914-18 and 1940-45.  In fact, in many ways I met the same insular stance that I have experienced in a number of parts of the USA.  In Brazil's case, I shall venture what I think are quite understandable reasons for it and for Brazil's place in the world; as seen by both sides.

Experience of many aspects of Brazil's foreign policy shows us that it has a reciprocal policy in its dealings with others.  When the USA brought in a visa requirement for Brazilians to visit the USA, Brazil responded in kind.  When Spain refused entry to a plane full of Brazilians, including the son a quite senior political figure, Brazil reciprocated in kind.  There are many other examples and, at the risk of over simplifying today´s thoughts, until relatively recently the world seemed to care little for or about Brazil and it responded in kind.  The world felt that it did not need the South American giant as an economic partner or a political ally and Brazil was clear that it didn't need the rest of the world's involvement in its affairs.  International  politics is determined by national interest and few saw much to be gained from close engagement with Brazil, a view largely mirrored by Brazil.  Indeed, while you would find that Brazilians, as individuals, would aspire to visit Europe (usually the UK) and the USA and would (grudgingly) have comparisons with both as the ultimate measures of style and class, as the Brazilian people they would be highly critical and disparaging of the UK and US, pouring scorn on their attempts to engage with and influence other world actors; at least, up here in the NE.

Brazil is a young nation and very young democracy.  As a result, it s national identity is worn o its sleeve, is very 'in your face', as is common with young nations, such as the USA, and with nations whose place in the world is ambiguous or contested; as we find in my nation, Wales, and Scotland.  In fact, one might also venture parallels between Brazil and Wales, or Scotland in what I suggest is another factor that contributed to the previously insular stance of Brazil and the sometimes palpable animosity one can still find expressed toward the USA by people on the streets.  For Wales, England is the 'big dog' on the block....and one that sought to deny Wales the right to exist in the Act of Union and Annexation in 1536 (when I was but young).  In Brazil's case, the USA is the big dog on the American block and a dog which until very recently appeared to give not a damn for their large South American cousin; as seen by the people here.  Brazil does not readily forgive or forget a slight and does not like pomposity or arrogance.  Many of its people place all such charges at the door of the USA, primarily, and most of the 'old powers' of Europe.  There is a certain resentment borne by some toward them, particularly the USA.  As a result, the country was able to tell itself that it was perfectly happy to exist in something of its own vacuum until this millennium.

Now, of course, things have already changed at the international economic level and the rest may follow.  Brazil is one of the BRIC states, is (or was until very recently) a booming and still growing economy offering new markets, new deposits of natural resources and new wealth opportunities.  Suddenly, there was national interest to be served by developing closer ties with Brazil....and the USA and UK were quick off the mark.  Inward investment projects increased in number from 165 in 2007 to 507 in 2011 and in value from $19Bn in 2007 to $63Bn in 2011.  Of those who seemed to be clamouring to get firm footholds in the new Brazil, and keep others out, the USA led the way with projects worth $12.4Bn and the UK next in line with a value of $12.2Bn.  [note, all preceding investment figures from Ernst and Young].  Having moved here in 2007, I also noted an indicator of sorts during the ensuing years in the fact that flights between Brazil and the USA initially had plenty of space in Business Class but would be pretty full in Economy, whereas by about 2011 it was Business and First Class that would fill up long before Economy; reflecting the changed nature of North/South, South/North traveller and relations.  We should also note that the USA and Canada see Brazil as sufficiently relevant to their national interests to undertake significant electronic gathering against them, spying; and, as I mentioned in previous posts, there is actually a back handed compliment in such nefarious undertakings as it means those engaged in the spying actually care about what the target is thinking and doing.

With economic relevance and economic muscle, of course, came the potential for increasing political influence.  In the latter years of President Lula da Silva's administrations and during the current administration of President Dilma Rousseff we have seen Brazil being looked to to take a position on this issue or that and, indeed, itself seeking to engage in major international issues; though with by no means universal support at home for this changing world role.  We also have the soccer World Cup in Brazil next year and the Olympics two years thereafter; the first time a South American venue has hosted the Games.  The world is changing the way it sees Brazil and Brazil has changed the way it views the rest of the world....though there is a lag in that being evident in the perceptions of individuals up here in the NE.  That said, PLEASE don´t think that anyone is less than cordially received here.  The perceptions of individuals and feelings of resentment etc, where they exist, are borne toward the USA as a country and not against individual Americans (I found the same when I visited Australia in 1982, where people were often quite anti the UK but just loved to receive visiting Brits, or POMs).

So, sufficient for today and thanks a million to you for bothering to drop in and join the conversation.  I am most grateful.

The usual late morning post tomorrow (my time) touching on one or two news items.  I hope you will consider dropping in to catch it.

Stay safe.

Dave

High Pricing and Profiteering Culture?

The week is well underway....Tuesday already and thanks for looking in on the Blog.  I am so grateful to you for your support.

Well, it may early days in this new week, but Dave is angry!

The story that provoked the anger actually broke at the end of last week, but I was fixated on other issues for the Blog.  Now, having read about the problem again, I wanted to ponder it with you.

You may recall that the money being spent on preparation for the soccer World Cup was one of the issues that sparked the protests of last June.  Strange, you might think, in a country wherein soccer is all but a religion and pride in the national team is a hot passion rather than a pastime.  It was, indeed, surprising to many but we have to note that large sections of society, here, are suffering woeful standards in public services, key public/social services such as health and education and that, as a result, the money reportedly being spent from their own 'national pocket' on a sports competition which most will be unable to afford to go to hurt and angered; though, for the sake of balance, we should note that the Government insists that almost all money spent will be covered by public/private partnerships and other funding initiatives.

Media reports now underline the fact that so many ordinary Brazilians will unable to afford to visit the various stadia (or stadiums, if you prefer) to watch matches live.  It is not just that the ticket prices are beyond the reach of so many, but the extraneous costs that will prohibit enjoyment of the live events.  We are told that domestic air tickets between match cities on game days are already up to ten times more expensive than the standard price.  Ten times!  The Rio de Janeiro to Sao Paulo ticket for June 12 with TAM Airlines is said to be R$2,393 ($1,096) if bought now, about seven months before the journey date, for flight that takes less than one hour.  The normal price for the trip, as at last Thu, was $160.  The less than one hour flight will cost you more than flying to Curacao, in the Caribbean and only a touch more than a return trip to New York City.

This kind of profiteering incenses me.  If you cast your mind back a few days on the Blog, you will recall that:  the Economist found burgers in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo amongst the most expensive in the world; Reuters reported that a Jeep Grand Cherokee that cost around $28,000 in the USA cost around $89,500 in Brazil; that a new survey, from last week, highlighted Brazil as having the most expensive cell/mobile phone bills in the world and that a Tripadviser survey survey found hotels in Rio and Sao Paulo to be more expensive than in London or Zurich and that prices in the shops were similarly punishing.  All this, and many more examples besides, in a country with an average monthly wage of about $600-$700.

I cannot help but feel that if the apparent profiteering in World Cup airline ticket costs, above, is followed by other commercial groups this will further play into the hands of potentially disruptive elements such as the anarchist Black Bloc; about whom we spoke yesterday.  To be honest, one almost finds oneself saying, '...and who would blame them....'!  Many of the visiting supporters may be able to afford being financially raped during their one off visit to Brazil, but ordinary people will also need to fly during that time for business, family and other reasons and will require to purchase other goods that may be subject to blatant profiteering....ordinary people who have trouble affording the usual high prices from which we all suffer here.

Many factors play into pricing in Brazil that result in levels often being two or three times what you might pay for the similar article in the USA:  sub-standard road and rail infrastructure results in very high transport costs; a complex and multi-layered tax system, federal, state and city combine to hike prices - the tax burden aggregates to 36% of GDP, compared to 21% in most middle income countries; import duties on many items are exceptionally severe; very high power costs and fuel costs - Brazil is an oil producer but has not yet sufficient refining capacity and has to import the refined fuel products; the residue effect of previous rampant inflation, with prices staying at given numbers when inflation was brought under control, which equals an effective price rise and what seems to be a national trait, here, to drive for maximum profit in the shortest time.

I have found the drive to benefit oneself in monetary terms, even at the cost of friends or family, to be very strong here; even amongst people who are otherwise generous of time and in giving favours etc.  You might hear that a friend or family member is looking for an item, but can only find it for R$100, which is above what they can afford to pay.  On your travels, you find the said item on sale for R$70 and buy it.  My experience of friend and family social circles from elsewhere is that you would then sell it to the individual for that same price of R$70....but not here.  Here, you might sell it to them for R$80, arguing that they benefit by still saving R$20 on the best price they had been able to find and you benefit by making R$10 on the deal.  Often the amount seems irrelevant to the people with whom I have been discussing this, it is more the apparent cultural imperative, the principle of making something whenever you can.  We have to remember this is still an emerging country and a very poor one in may areas and within the lower socio-economic groups.

Irrespective of any perceived profit or profiteering culture, we must look to Government, FIFA and other authorities to try to impact on the race for exceptional, unreasonable monetary gain during the World Cup that is likely to hurt those least able to bear the pain....and risk fuelling the fire within groups such as the Black Bloc and within the population as a whole, as we discussed in yesterday's post.

Right, that concludes the first post ans I shall intend to get out a 'social/cultural' post this afternoon/evening.  In an attempt to rationalise effort with my other Blog, I shall plan to put out the usual morning posts, Monday - Friday, an add a second post on Tuesdays and Thursdays; as my other Blog posts take up the afternoons/evenings on Mon/Wed and Fridays.

Thanks very much indeed for dropping in and sharing my thoughts.  Do feel free to comment if you feel so moved and join the conversation.

Stay safe.

Dave

Fears for 2014

A very happy start to the week to you and thanks for being so kind as to drop in on the Blog on a Monday.  I trust you passed a fun weekend.

In a report that raises concern for 2014, we hear that a member of the so called anarchist group Black Bloc has claimed that the group will set out to disrupt the 2014 soccer World Cup in Brazil.

The Black Bloc, which appears to have its origins in the self proclaimed anarchist groups in Europe, has come to prominence since the mass protests around Brazil in June of this year.  The events of June would have been astonishing anywhere but, in Brazil, they were almost beyond belief.  In the six and a half years I have been living here, many family members and friends have talked with me about their anger at the state of governance of the country, the failing social services, high prices, high taxes, endemic corruption, the cost of soccer World Cup and Olympics preparation, police excesses and abuses and, most frustrating of all, the apparent disinterest of a corrupt, supercilious, elitist political class that saw itself as above the law, divorced from the people and free from any sense of accountability.  People were only too well aware of such aberrations....but, in that very Brazilian way, did not see it as their responsibility to do anything about it and were sure nothing would result even if they did.  Then June happened.

Erupting out of protests that initially targeted increases in bus fares, the sleeping giant was awakened.  The Brazilian people took to the streets in their hundreds of thousands to protest all the issues above, and more.  The awakening was not initially driven by right or left, not led by trades unions and had no organising committees at its start, it was genuinely spontaneous, bottom up and broad based; with different issues taking prominence in different areas but generally protesting what was seen as poor governance, corruption and failings in the policing and judicial systems.  For me, it was the very lack of coherence, structure and organised driving force that afforded the demonstrations their greatest power....this was 'the people' standing up and demanding change, long overdue change in their quality of life; albeit their exuberance and newly mobilised sense of political engagement and responsibility fell away quite swiftly.

Everyone was caught off guard by the first such national unrest for decades....not least, the more radical and potentially disruptive elements that might have sought to capitalise on and exploit the events.  I fear that that is no longer the case, however, and groups like the Black Bloc appear to be poised to piggy back on any resurgence of public disquiet and spring board off it in pursuit of their own agendas; in addition to posing the threat of independent action targeted against the World Cup.  Those agendas, in as far as they are articulated, do mirror the concerns of the wider population in many ways but the methodology for advancing them is more violent, confrontational and potentially disruptive.  While the vast majority of the Brazilian people do not support groups such as Black Bloc, the depth of dissatisfaction and despair in the face of government failures is found in the fact that they are, nevertheless, prepared to explain or 'excuse' their actions.  If the legitimate grievances of the population are not answered before the World Cup and the national elections next year, there is real potential for a return to widespread protest and potential civil unrest, with the danger of escalation at the hands of the more militant elements.

In the wake of June's events, a chastened President Dilma Rousseff appeared genuinely motivated to meet with and respond to the protesters and there were, indeed, some surprising and even impressive results delivered with astonishing dispatch:  bus fare increases were dropped; the PEC 37 legislation that would have restricted the freedoms of Federal Prosecutors to investigate political corruption was thrown out; corruption was formally declared an heinous crime, requiring stiffer punishment; the move, by Christian legislators, to legalise the 'treatment' of homosexuality as a pathology was dropped; oil profits were to be tied to the funding of health care and education and thousands of doctors were to be engaged, from outside Brazil, to fill gaps in medical provision in the poorest areas and there was to be a plebiscite on political reform.  All looked impressive, with some measures that had been blocked in Congress for years having new life breathed into them and passed into law in the blink of an eye.  But then it began to appear that the self serving political elite had sought to flatter to deceive.

The prevarication, back sliding and u-turns began once cynical politicians realised that the steam had apparently gone out of the protest movement:  some bus fares increase were reintroduced; Congress voted to allow the first sitting member to be jailed since 1985, Natan Donadson, to keep his seat despite having been convicted and jailed for serious corruption - a vote later annulled by the Supreme Federal Tribunal; by a 6:5 vote, many of the senior politicians convicted of serious corruption in 2012, convictions upheld by the highest appeal courts in the land, were allowed to mount new appeals; various moves promised in the wake of June were slowed and then stymied in Congress and Congress refused the President's call for the plebiscite on political reform.  The latter was to have been key in any serious attempt to right wrongs and promise hope of real change for the future.  President Dilma wanted the plebiscite in October this year, with the resulting recommendations enacted before the general election in October 2014....but Congress decided there could be no vote until well into next year, a vote restricted to questions that it will frame, and with no resulting recommendations actioned until 2016 at the very earliest.

If the potential for a resurgence of widespread civil disquiet and potential disorder is to be avoided, with the attendant risk of exploitation and escalation at the hands of militant elements, the Government has got to deliver on the post June promises....and major reform of policing and the judicial system must be undertaken, about which we shall talk in a later post.

The eyes of the world will be on Brazil next year during the World Cup and the event will offer groups like Black Bloc the opportunity to make their voices heard on the international stage....but the impact will all the more damaging if any disruption of the Cup is seen as resulting not from 'anarchist militants' but from the genuine protests of the people of Brazil for nothing more than decent, sound, liberal democratic governance.

Well, that's it for today.  I shall intend to put out another commentary on items of news tomorrow morning and then, all being well, something addressing lighter, cultural and life experience issues in the afternoon.

Thanks very much, indeed, for joining me and I hope you will be dropping in regularly in the days ahead.

Stay safe.

Dave

Children's Day - Young and Old in Brazil

Last day of the traditional working week, where we are, and I thank you for choosing to look in on the Blog before erupting into what I hope is a fun filled weekend.

Our street, here in Aracaju, was flooded yesterday evening along with much of the City.  Looking through the window as I type, I can see that it will be much the same today.  Nature is slapping us with a late dose of winter (ie temp still in 70sF/low 20sC, but HEAVY rain) after a few weeks of apparently early summer.  The still warm temps and heavy rain means that the day's activities will be punctuated by swatting mosquitoes and hoping that one of them is not a Dengue mosquito carrying the fever.

I am rather going to skip over the daily news review, as there's nothing that can't be caught up on on Monday, and talk about what some rather ungallantly call the book ends of life.

Where ever one lives, childhood and old age can be challenging times.  In Brazil, however, both are afforded special significance.

An example of this is found in Children´s Day, which is tomorrow.  I was fascinated to find that, in addition to Christmas and birthdays, children here also celebrate Children´s Day.  On 12 October, kids (from families that can afford it!!) are showered with gifts and the day is given over to fun.  As it falls on a Saturday, this year, fun will indeed be the order of the day.  When it falls on a week day, however, schools still hold to the ethos and often run their own parties or arrange fun school trips for their students.  Whereas 12 October is the actual day of celebrations, shops, restaurants etc often play up to the theme throughout the preceding week with employees dressed in clowns clothes or in highly colourful attire with flashing head adornments and other festive garb.  In Aracaju, the two lanes of the main beach road on the ocean side are usually closed off, when the event falls on a weekend, and a ´fun day´ is laid on for all comers (but specifically for kids from less wealthy families who cannot afford to make a splash at home) with clowns, games, activities etc.  Parents usually take their children out to eat at lunch time or in the evening and venues often put up decorations akin to Christmas or Sao Joao.  Toys are hugely expensive, here (along with just about everything else!), and even allowing for currency exchange may cost two or three times as much as in the USA, but that does not stop parents making Children´s Day into almost the same bonanza as Christmas and birthdays tend to be here.

Parents spend a lot on their next generation in Aracaju, much more than I am used to seeing in similar socio-economic groups in parts of Europe and North America.  External appearance is very important in Brazil, or in our City, as we shall discuss in a later post and, perhaps, one can find the root of the spending on toys and gifts for offspring in this....as kids talk to each other about what they were given for Christmas, birthday, Children's Day and invite friends to play with their toys.

Most of the above description of Children's Day assumes that you parents can afford to splash out and to drive you to this event of that restaurant.  All the major present buying events are torture for those parents who are unable to fund such celebrations and, in Brazil, with tens of millions classified as living in poverty or extreme poverty and even those who are in what Brazil defines as the middle class (see yesterday's post) having to struggle against exceptionally nigh prices for gifts many kids, and parents, probably find events such as Children's Day times of sadness and reflection.  One feels for them and hopes that this country, which has so much potential, can resolve its economic ills and once more grow national and individual wealth, raising more of its people out poverty....but for that to mean what it should, they also need to address the exceptionally high prices of goods and services.

Turning to the other end of the human lifespan, the elderly are afforded a special place in the community and, in 2003, the Elderly Statute was passed by the country´s politicians.  Law 10,741 enshrines in law very broad based protection and rights for those over 60; men and women.  Amongst the many benefits afforded to its senior citizens, Brazilian government offices, banks, shops etc will have separate queues and waiting lists for the elderly to ensure they are dealt with more speedily than the remainder of the population; there will be at least one special lane for them at supermarket check outs, for example.  If a shop does not have a special line for them, older customers are instructed to queue jump.  They also travel for free on public transport.  For those who still pay tax at that age, they are exempt various taxes and have priority for income tax refunds.  Medication for chronic illnesses that often dog old age, such as heart disease and blood pressure problems, is either free or enjoys considerable subsidy from the Government; and that pertains to all ages of patients for many chronic illnesses!  The Statute also makes any kind of discrimination on the grounds of age illegal and a serious crime.

More than that, I have often felt that the senior citizens in Brazilian society enjoy a position of greater respect than in some areas of Europe or North America.  Perhaps this grows from what I explained about the nature of the family in an earlier post this week, at least here in the NE where families are large; both in terms of numbers of children and in terms of what each member recognises as being his or her family, very much larger than the classic nuclear definition.  Grandmothers and Grandfathers are very much heads of the family, the matriarch or patriarch, and respected as such....younger people listen to and learn from their older relatives, who are acknowledged as having experienced more of life and having life lessons to impart.  You may recall I likened some aspects of NE Brazilian social circles to the Arab characteristic of wasta and, here too, one perhaps sees the place of the elderly in Brazilian life being more akin to that which one finds in most Arab societies.

The recognition of the special place for the older members of the community also goes beyond and the law and the family role.  We had only been here a year or so and my husband and I went to a public pre-Carnaval party in the grounds of a gorgeous old building owned by the City authority.  Along with the drink and dancing, a centre piece of the event was a beauty contest with young ladies walking a raised catwalk in the centre of the grounds to be judged by a celebrity panel.  Earlier in the day, there had been a contest for under 15 year olds because, as we discussed earlier in the week, girls/ladies are encouraged to chase the Holy Grail of magazine driven beauty standards from the youngest age.  During the night time competition, when the last of the young ladies had wound their seductive way along the catwalk and back there was thunderous applause, lights dimmed and I expected the audience to return to their own amusements....but no.  Everyone remained clustered around the catwalk and, some minutes later, the lights were turned up again, a spotlight hit the start of the catwalk and a lady who I would think was well into her 70s, dressed in her finest, began her proud perambulation.  We were watching the start of the beauty contest for the Third Age or Third Generation, as they call it here.  The senior generation is not hidden away during such festivals, nor do they feel that they are confined to the role of spectators.  No.  Having clearly taken every bit as much care and time in preparing themselves for their public, ladies from 60 years old to one who was just over 80 took to the catwalk.  There was no sense of this being tongue in cheek humour, not at all, the audience was fully engaged and far more vocal in support and in what I felt was genuine admiration for the Third Age/Generation competitors.  What could easily have appeared as in bad taste turned out to be the genuine highlight of the evening for people who were delighted to see ladies showing that the spark of life is not snuffed out at 60+.  The winner, in her 70s, drew the loudest cheer of the night and I was conscious of the fact that the senior age competition had raised spirits amongst the whole crowd and launched us on a hugely fun night.

So, ending the week on a different note, they were just a few observations of life in Aracaju for those at the opposite ends of our span on this earth.

I am confining the Blog posts to the 'working' week, so my next post will be on Monday with the usual daily review of Brazilian news each day of the week and a smattering of second posts looking at Brazil in the round and the NE in particular, the people, the place, the culture and the life experience of living here.

Thanks a million for joining me....no point in it all without you.

Stay safe.

Dave