dik.n.ur.ear Posted May 11, 2003 Share Posted May 11, 2003 this is really the most amazing sounding political figure i have read about in quite some time...i apologize if someone has already posted this, but i think this type of thought should be viewed as much as possible. Jan 31, 2003 Los Angeles Weekly Dissonance - The Real Thing By Marc Cooper LA Weekly Writer PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil — It’s hard not to be moved — deeply moved — when you hear Brazil’s new president speak. And even harder not to be downright jarred by the realization — by comparison — of how very hollow, how very dead-ended, our own national politics have become. I can’t think of two countries today more politically divergent than the U.S. and Brazil, or two presidents who reveal more startlingly opposite political possibilities than George W. Bush and the newly inaugurated Luis Ignacio “Lula” da Silva. I stood last Friday afternoon, along with 75,000 others, surrounded by a sea of flapping flags, in the riverside Por do Sol amphitheater to hear President Lula speak to the third annual World Social Forum, the “people’s alternative” to the elite World Economic Forum (news - web sites) in Davos, Switzerland. This year’s international powwow of the anti-globalization movement drew more than 100,000 participants to 1,500 panels and seminars, featuring A-list lefties ranging from Noam Chomsky to Danielle Mitterand to Arundhati Roy to Che Guevara’s daughter to Danny Glover. But it was Lula who towered above all. There he stood diminutively on the stage, short and pudgy, 57 years old, and bearded. He spoke softly and calmly, with a conversational tone, and with none of the rehearsed trademark theatrics of a trained pol. As the man who now presides over this country of 175 million, with the eighth biggest economy in the world, but with wealth so radically ill-distributed that as many as 30 million live at sub-Saharan levels of poverty, Lula focused his talk on the injustices of the global economy. “There are those who eat five times a day,” he said. “And those who eat maybe once in five days.” And then, his soft voice hesitating and catching with emotion, Lula continued, “African babies have the same right to eat as a blond, blue-eyed baby born in Scandinavia.” When Bush utters similar phrases about “leaving no child behind,” you can as much as see the smirk behind it all, the cold political calculations of his chuckling speechwriters and pollsters. With Lula, you feel the resonance deep in your gut. His sincerity is undoubted because you know his own personal story is so real. Born to an impoverished farm family, Lula dropped out of school at age 12 and moved to the city. Carving out a meager existence on the mean streets of São Paulo (where today the murder rate is five times that of Washington, D.C.), Lula worked as a bootblack. He never returned to school, and during the 21 years of Brazilian military dictatorship, Lula toiled as a metalworker. He courageously defied the regime and helped rebuild a powerful national trade-union movement. Since 1980 he has been leading another of his creations, the idiosyncratic Workers Party, an amalgam of Marxists, liberals and Christians. After three earlier failed attempts, Lula swept to a 61 percent landslide presidential victory, propelled by an electorate fed up with the “Washington consensus” — the dogmatic and disastrous application of free-market recipes that in this country has led to mounting unemployment and inflation, a consuming debt and shaky currency. And now Brazil calls on a metalworker and his party to solve the crisis. Yet we’re told by imbecilic pundits that Bush, son of a former CIA director, vice president and president, a lazy layabout admitted into Yale on the “legacy” affirmative-action program, with his Texas twang and scrambled syntax, should be venerated as a Regular Guy. Or that Bill Clinton’s Cabinet “looked like America” because it vaguely conformed to the politically correct racial quotas of some university administrator’s spreadsheet. Compare all of that with Lula’s Cabinet: seven trade unionists, a former rubber cutter and maid as environmental minister, a black shantytown dweller and feminist as social-welfare minister, a Green Party activist and popular musician as cultural minister, and a chief of staff who spent 10 years in hiding for his armed resistance to the former dictatorship. Bush barreled into office rewarding the wealthiest elite with a double serving of juicy and fattening tax cuts. Lula’s first acts were to fire the gourmet chef from the presidential staff and then to cancel the $700 million purchase of 12 new air-force fighter jets, redirecting the funding to his new “Zero Hunger” program. Most of the trips taken by Bush’s Cabinet members have been to high-ticket fund-raisers or — frankly — to their brokers, to check on their tenuous multimillion-dollar portfolios. Two weeks ago, Lula took his entire Cabinet to the drought-stricken Northeast for a two-day “reality tour,” tramping them through and bunking them down into the slums of Recife. Imagine the political theater — if you can — of Don Rumsfeld and CSX CEO–turned–Treasury Secretary John Snow spending a cozy weekend with immigrant janitors, say, in downtown Chula Vista, California. I can just hear Snow, whose CSX received $167 million in tax rebates, lecturing poor Jose and Guadalupe over an albondigas-soup dinner to start being more self-reliant and to stop expecting so much from government. Which takes us to the nub of this meditation — our expectations. One adviser to Lula joked to me this week, if you will excuse the crudeness, that “Lula is like a Tampax. He’s in the best place at the worst time.” These are certainly the worst economic times for Brazil. Its debt accounts for 80 percent of its GDP (compared to 52 percent for Argentina, which has already collapsed). The gnomes at the International Monetary Fund have imposed a fiscal straitjacket putting crucial social spending at risk. But it is precisely now that Lula, and Brazil, have chosen to respond by acting on their dreams, not their fears. Yes, they say, to eliminating hunger. Yes, to doubling the minimum wage. Yes, to expanding health care. Yes, to more schools. And yes, to a more equitable trading position with the richer countries of the world. And what do we hear? We who live in the richest corner of the Earth, after a decade of the richest times? Only a thundering cascade of no, no, no. No tax relief for the poor — for that would be “class warfare.” No new money for public schools, for that would be “throwing good money after bad.” No rise in the minimum wage because that would be unfair to business. No national solution to the crisis of 50 million without health care because that would be “like going to the post office to see a doctor.” Brazilians live precariously with the greatest of hopes. And we live with fabulous potential that is the legitimate envy of the globe, and we have, seemingly, no hope. Or at least none that we are willing to seriously fight for. For in all this, George W. Bush carries no blame. He is merely the product of our congealed aspirations — or lack of them. Just as in Brazil Lula is but a symbol of something much larger. “I wasn’t elected by a TV commercial, or by a collection of powerful interests,” he said humbly to the crowd in front of him. “Nor was I elected because of my intelligence or personality. I was elected by the intelligence and political consciousness of the Brazilian people, who have fought for 40 years for what they have wanted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KaBar Posted May 12, 2003 Share Posted May 12, 2003 He sounds very interesting If he doesn't get assassinated within the month, and the people are really behind him, maybe he will get a chance to demonstrate whether or not his ideas have any currency. If I were him, the first thing I would do is arm every man, woman and child in the country, and flood the Brazilian armed forces and police with hundreds of thousands of young volunteers from the trade unions. And for Christ's sake, wear body armor in public. Brazil is a wild place. Biggest country in South America. I guess we will see what is what as time goes on. It's hard for me to imagine a guy like this being able to survive in Brazil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
l0rdka0s Posted May 12, 2003 Share Posted May 12, 2003 somewhat reminds me of the spoken word piece on that boysetsfire album but less anger involved. I would ahve to agree though, we have potential as a nation but brazilians have fine women and beautiful beaches, and a society that is really based around true community. Amerikkka lacks that and all the hospitality cause we are the refuge of the worlds outcasts. big deal, you cant change the world but you can change yourself. LK says so, actullay his mom says that i say life is ill fated and humans are transparent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seeking Posted May 12, 2003 Share Posted May 12, 2003 thats not political genius, its common sense, selfless action and moral integrity. dude's not in danger. he was elected by the majority of his country in a fair election and he's a 'common' man, in a country of 'common' men. to kill him would be to make a martyr of him, which would only strengthen his party and his following. his opposition wont come force, it'll come from economic warfare. i think i'll have to do a 'lula' freight tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poop Man Bob Posted May 12, 2003 Share Posted May 12, 2003 KaBar .. Originally posted by KaBar If I were him, the first thing I would do is arm every man, woman and child in the country... Please explain to me how spending ungodly sums of money arming every citizen is the wisest move for that country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dik.n.ur.ear Posted May 12, 2003 Author Share Posted May 12, 2003 Originally posted by seeking thats not political genius, its common sense, selfless action and moral integrity. well, i suppose i haven't been around for that long, but i have never read about someone with such stances becoming president of anything ever, i was just impressed to the point where when i named my thread, i chose those words. edit it moderator. make it say common sense, selfless action and moral integrity. that would fit wouldnt it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BROWNer Posted May 12, 2003 Share Posted May 12, 2003 boimp^ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BROWNer Posted May 12, 2003 Share Posted May 12, 2003 real people in political positions, it would be nice wouldn't it? i hereby file my official prediction for the american 2004 presidential elections..... george w. bush takes it and within' the first year launches the 3rd war of his presidency. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
some pittsburgh flavor Posted May 12, 2003 Share Posted May 12, 2003 Re: He sounds very interesting Originally posted by KaBar If I were him, the first thing I would do is arm every man, woman and child in the country, and flood the Brazilian armed forces and police with hundreds of thousands of young volunteers from the trade unions. well, kabar, maybe this is exactly why you aren't president of brazil. guns will feed your kids, huh. because that's what he's going for isn't it. he wants to make brazil some pseudo-militaristic police state, doesn't he. let go of your "shoot him before he shoots you" mentality and acknowledge that this guy knows what he's doing, and it's a hell of a lot better than giving every seven-year-old an M-16 to play with. i thought he wanted less crime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seeking Posted May 12, 2003 Share Posted May 12, 2003 scallywag, i was just pointing out what dude himself would point out. its not that his ideas are revolutionary, or that he came up with a new way of doing things, he just got the opportunity to do it. in any case, genius or not, i share your enthusiasm and awe at the situation. honestly, ive thought about this several times a day since reading it... it's given me a bit of hope in the face of our jingoist retardation. thanks for posting it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T.T Boy Posted May 12, 2003 Share Posted May 12, 2003 damn, i had no idea brazilian children could eat guns. must have a good dental plan down there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RumPuncher Posted May 12, 2003 Share Posted May 12, 2003 Originally posted by T.T Boy damn, i had no idea brazilian children could eat guns. must have a good dental plan down there. http://www.007bond.de/personal/hench/images/jaws.jpg'> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kr430n5_666 Posted May 12, 2003 Share Posted May 12, 2003 http://www.stonehengeusa.com/images/celts_discoveries.jpg'> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smart Posted May 12, 2003 Share Posted May 12, 2003 Originally posted by T.T Boy dental plan... Lisa needs braces... dental plan... Lisa needs braces... dental plan... Lisa needs braces... dental plan... Lisa needs braces... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poop Man Bob Posted May 12, 2003 Share Posted May 12, 2003 KaBar .. Originally posted by Poop Man Bob Please explain to me how spending ungodly sums of money arming every citizen is the wisest move for that country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sickboy Posted May 12, 2003 Share Posted May 12, 2003 Wow, I like this guy. Time for me to indulge in some research. How do you purnounce his name? "Luis Ignacio “Lula” da Silva" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nomadawhat Posted May 12, 2003 Share Posted May 12, 2003 Originally posted by one adviser “Lula is like a Tampax. He’s in the best place at the worst time.” -ha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest willy.wonka Posted May 12, 2003 Share Posted May 12, 2003 war Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
l0rdka0s Posted May 12, 2003 Share Posted May 12, 2003 scallawag isa nice guy and im surprised to hear of his new found inspiration with brazils new president. but ummmmmmm that dude really hasnt made any sort of promises that havent been stated before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poop Man Bob Posted May 13, 2003 Share Posted May 13, 2003 Bump. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esai Posted May 13, 2003 Share Posted May 13, 2003 Props to the Brazilian voters, I wonder what his opponents were. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dik.n.ur.ear Posted May 13, 2003 Author Share Posted May 13, 2003 Originally posted by seeking in any case, genius or not, i share your enthusiasm and awe at the situation. honestly, ive thought about this several times a day since reading it... it's given me a bit of hope in the face of our jingoist retardation. thanks for posting it. agreed. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
effyoo Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 Re: He sounds very interesting Originally posted by KaBar If I were him, the first thing I would do is arm every man, woman and child in the country, . Originally posted by Poop Man Bob Please explain to me how spending ungodly sums of money arming every citizen is the wisest move for that country. What I think he means by this, and whether I agree or not is of no consequence, is that if the people are able to protect themselves (even better if its by the hand of the popularly elected leader) they will be less likely to fall back into a way of life that will be like the current 90-10 poverty to wealth ratio that Brazil currently 'enjoys'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BROWNer Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 your explanation for guns is leaving me parched. introducing lethal weapons to the largest class of people(the poor) in brazil as an answer to their economic woes is not a good idea. to introduce guns as a political ploy so people will champion you and your policies isn't much better. but.... maybe in some round about manner guns for everyman could curb the ridiculous murder rate, but i doubt it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poop Man Bob Posted May 17, 2003 Share Posted May 17, 2003 Bump again for a KaBar response. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOUM Posted May 31, 2003 Share Posted May 31, 2003 Originally posted by seeking thats not political genius, its common sense, selfless action and moral integrity. dude's not in danger. he was elected by the majority of his country in a fair election and he's a 'common' man, in a country of 'common' men. to kill him would be to make a martyr of him, which would only strengthen his party and his following. his opposition wont come force, it'll come from economic warfare. i think i'll have to do a 'lula' freight tomorrow. i definetly agree with seeking..it's doesnt really take a genius..plain facts..plain action..enough said Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weapon X Posted May 31, 2003 Share Posted May 31, 2003 ~! I thought this thread was gonna be about that stormin' republican, Karl C. Rove. http://discussion.nfscheats.com/images/smiles/classic/icon_bucktooth.gif'> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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