Ask a Brazilian

[Hammartroll]

Well in a way it IS as bas as it seams. It does not require outside help no, but in Rio it is a state of internal war. It only needs polical measures to contain the situation, and remedy the causes. They already contained much of it. All Favelas are under secure State control now (was quite a show) but truly remeding the causes... That would be expeting too much from our representatives.

Walls are put every day, sort to speak. In Rio Favelas are side to side to the most expensive square meters in the city. It's how the city is growing among other things. Understanding the favelas would take a profund study of our national History, going back a few hundred years. Thats a persception most brasilians don't even have.

But real Berlin Walls... Nah, not going to happen.

Important note: Favelas are composed of 99,99% Hard-as-hell working people, who have nothing to do with organised crime. Of course seince it seats at the edge of formal society it is used as a hiding place for criminal elements.

Sadly I don't have a solution.

Interesting, so the federal troops just walked in subdued the gangs? I guess as long as the normal rights of the law obeying citizens aren't impeded by the government's presence, what ever works works. Good for you guys.
I understand that the Brazilian government's working on drilling the oil dicovered just off the coast, maybe they could use their oil money to improve the conditions in the slums.

 

[Me55enger]

Would you mind wandering to the Argentinian border and waving two fingers at them while promptly reminding them that the Falklands are still ours?

Love, The British.

Or, if you're feeling less inclined. Do you realise that without trees, you can only call it a "rain..."?

 

[Solon_Mega]

Ask away. What do you want to know?

Is there a general sense of optimism among Brazilians about the future of your country? Are you on the up?

Yes and No.

People here are VERY conformed as to how things work. Its how they've always worked. But our last president managed something unseen until recently: to leave power with high ratings. Even tough he pulled some stunts to do it (some ok, some moraly questionable) this has lead to a situation where most people feel some kind of gratefullness for his figure. A kind of loyalty really. That feeling is being carryed over to his sucessor (President Dilma, our first female president, take that Hillary, haha). A side-effect is that people are confident that Dilma is going to maintain those politics. She is not. She cannot.

We are starting to feel the "hangover" from Lulas politics. Such changes cannot go without paying. Its up to her to pay the costs and maintain stability.

Myself I tend to get myself a more distanced perception. To look things more "from the outside" as possible. i tend to get a more clear vidion from where I stand. No Crazy nationalism for me.

 

[Solon_Mega]

Interesting, so the federal troops just walked in subdued the gangs? I guess as long as the normal rights of the law obeying citizens aren't impeded by the government's presence, what ever works works. Good for you guys.

Well like I said, it was quite a show. But not a pretty one. It was a war scenario, not a police raid. Like in all war scenarios things go wrong. But given the amount of stuff that as SUPOSED to go wrong and did not, I was very impressed by the effectveness of our Special Forces.

There were no federal troops, but a battalion of Specialy trained State policemen. Kinda like a SWAT, only a bit more baddass (not an exageration, google BOPE)

Here the police is dual: There is a civilian police, mainly for investigation duty, and a Military Police, mainly for repression. BOPE is a battalion of Sapecial corps of Military Police.

Military police is an inheritance from the times of Military Dictatorship in Brazil. It lasted long enouth, and with so many people that we could get rid of the dictators, but could not get rid of them.

There is corruption in all levels in both of them. but most of these are honest folk trying to do their jobs agains all the odds. These are as heroes to us as the japanese firefighters.

I understand that the Brazilian government's working on drilling the oil dicovered just off the coast, maybe they could use their oil money to improve the conditions in the slums.

Over here that is a very commom joke. Although only some people laugh at it.

 

[Solon_Mega]

Would you mind wandering to the Argentinian border and waving two fingers at them while promptly reminding them that the Falklands are still ours?

Love, The British.

Or, if you're feeling less inclined. Do you realise that without trees, you can only call it a "rain..."?

Haha you guys still into that? Come on... Well most Brazilians are more than inclined to give them a finger or two. Me? I prefer to Ignore them.

They are OUR CANADA.

 

[Solon_Mega]

How do literate Brazilians feel about the "BR" scum who infest every free online game known to man?

*Sigh*

Ok I knew this was coming sometime or another.

There is something here called "Digital Inclusion". Its a political situation where more and more people are getting access to the internet. Of course that access is instantanious as learning some proper ettiquete can take some time. (A lot of time to some).

And of course there are those that seek entertainment online (Damn that Zinga).

Just give it some time. They will learn.

This of course is not a rule, and someone should not be considered "Scumy" just for being brazilian... But You know the drill...

oh, I dont consider Brazilians to be scum. Just people who reference themselves with "BR". Everyone Brazilian I've met who takes the time to spell out their country name have been quite decent people, its the people who are "BR BR BR HUEHUEHUEHUEHUEHUE" Who are scum.

Its all very sad really. I blame FarmVille.

 

[Solon_Mega]

Interesting, so the federal troops just walked in subdued the gangs? I guess as long as the normal rights of the law obeying citizens aren't impeded by the government's presence, what ever works works. Good for you guys.
I understand that the Brazilian government's working on drilling the oil dicovered just off the coast, maybe they could use their oil money to improve the conditions in the slums.

Also: there were no "gangs" but Huge criminal organizations controling Prisions, favelas, part of the police, part of the government. In some ways they were the "government" in a place where the real government forgot to maintain its influence and duty.

 

[Solon_Mega]

Well this was fun. Thaks to all who asked. I actually managed t learn a lot more than I managed to explain. Hope it was the same to all.

By the way Obama has just left Brazil. Good thing no WMD was found. *relief*, haha.

Solon out