Brazzil - News from Brazil - Letters to the Editor - November 2002
 

Brazzil
November 2002
Letters

Poor Brazil

It's a shame. My girlfriend and future wife is a Paulista, having been born and spent her entire life in São Paulo. I've visited Brazil many times, most of it in São Paulo. Brazil is a beautiful country with vast natural resources. However, it's as corrupt a land as I've ever seen. Crime is not a problem—it's the country's number one cultural distraction. Everyone is a thief—even the police.

The sad part is Brazil doesn't believe in punishing those responsible. Rather, it looks the other way. Until that country can clean up the trash that preys on innocent victims, it will always wallow in the brackish backwaters of civilization. How can a country look beyond its borders and offer sympathy, when most Brazilians are more worried about being murdered by their neighbors, clergymen, policemen, teachers and politicians?

Now they've elected Lula. Lula couldn't hold a job at a gas station in the US, but in Brazil he's the president. What a shame. The best thing Brazil could do is open its borders and invite major exploitation from the US and Europe. That way, these criminals might choose a legitimate career path—and one day Brazil can actually be a world player. Expect the exchange rate 4/1 US dollar, to jump to 20/1. Thank God for Carnaval, so Lula can have some distraction to the mess he's sure to cause.

Robert Thomas
Chicago, Illinois

Comparing Brazil to US

Jennifer Grant did an excellent job on her research for the article titled "Here and There - Contrasting How the United States and Brazil Deal with Domestic Violence Against Women" - www.brazzil.com/p29oct02.htm

One factor to consider for the discrepancy of the rate of US and Brazil in women's violence is family values. The US has great family values, but the country is becoming more and more conformed to the "everything is acceptable" concept. Another factor is the fact that many kids are raised with a very low expectation of maturity until they reach the college stage, when they are then, thrown out to survive on their own, which leads to the next factor: drugs and alcohol.

I would be interested in seeing a similar comparison research done for drugs. I believe we will find a similar result. Americans may think that because Brazil is a South American country, drugs may be more evidenced there, but it's easier for one to get into this addiction here than in Brazil.

Another idea for a research is a comparison of Brazilian teens and young adults raised in Brazil vs. Brazilian ones raised in the US. Parents many times don't know their kids once they become involved with the American culture. Not to criticize the American culture, which is very valuable, but to educate the Brazilian population to the differences, so they can raise their children without forcing them to be a different thing from what they see everyday, yet, know how to conserve their traditions in a different culture.

I work with Brazilian teens here in Houston, Texas and would be willing to contribute in any way you think might help, if you think that's a good idea. Thanks for sending me good literature.

Neize Ferreira
Houston, Texas

Let's Share the Blame

Dear, Carolina, read your article "The War Within" - www.brazzil.com/p06oct02.htm. Very good story. I am an American Law Enforcement Officer. I have worked with the Polícia Federal and Civil in Rio and Brasília. You make many good points. The problem starts with the politicos and filters down to the police. Many Latin and Central American blame the police, but the police are a microcosm of the government and culture. Corruption and greed are intricately related. Eu amo e tenho saudade do Brasil.

Stuart
Via Internet

Military Fears

The October issue of Brazzil had an article by Carolina Berard regarding an incident that was widely covered by the world press. How can any nation, Brazil included, allow a criminal element to rule the nation? Tourists, who had little desire to travel to Brazil, now have even less. When a civilian government allows the criminals to take over, the people will eventually rise as they have in the past, and demand the return of the military, apparently the only ones with the testosterone to put down the mob.

The sad thing, as it happened before, Machiavelli was right, "absolute power corrupts absolutely". I cry about what has happened to my native city, a paradise in the 1920's and 1930's. Today the "Cidade Maravilhosa" is no longer "Maravilhosa" "Deus é grande mas Ela não é mais brasileira." (God is great, but She is not Brazilian anymore.)

George Pichel
Dana Point, California

Reason for Cheering

I would like to comment on your piece "Follow the Leader" - www.brazzil.com/p23nov02.htm. As a Brazilian living in Europe since many years and thus having experienced routinely the reality of the perception gap between northerners and southerners, I felt compelled to express how impressed I have been by this analysis (what I rarely do).

In these times of intoxication and confusion, it is refreshing to read sensible lines that, through the well-known complexity of Brazil and inter-American relations, don't forget the relative simplicity (and communality) of our thoughts, feelings and ideals and the basics of our national identities.

Miguel Brossolette Branco
Via Internet

Correction

I want to say that Lula is NOT the Brazilian's president. The Brazilian's president is Fernando Henrique Cardoso! You say that Lula is a good person, but Lula is NOT a good person. Lula is communist! He is not the best alternative to Brazil. The best choice you can do is José Serra. José Serra alone can guarantee the right way to Brazil.

Matheus Silva
Brazil

Funk Intelligence

I am a student, in Stockholm; Sweden, currently writing a special project term paper about Brazilian 'Funk Balls'. I have collected several news articles and journal articles from the Net, where I came across your website and the article "Pregnancy Train" by Rodolfo Espinoza - www.brazzil.com/p06apr01.htm, and I was wondering if you had any other information concerning these clubs, that could be useful for my project. The first time I read about these clubs, which was just under a year ago, I did not see how extreme were the conditions kids in the favelas are in. I am very devoted to my work, and the cause, and would appreciate any kind of information.

Saskia Neuman
saskia_neuman@everyday.com

Hoping for the Best

Bom dia, Mr. Amaral,

Just read your "Countdown to Armageddon" article in Brazzil - http://www.brazzil.com/p25sep02.htm - for about the third time; and concluded it was time to send you an e-mail. My wife is a Brazilian, as well as an American citizen, having grown up in Brazil.

She spent most of her adult years here though, going to school and working in the U.S. Aerospace industry, (along with me). Our children (youngest is 20), still have Brazilian, as well as American status. Since we recently took early retirement from aerospace, and have property and other assets in Brazil, your points on economy are well taken.

I'm sure you might suggest that your comments regarding: "deixa pra lá, meu" or "a gente sempre dá um jeitinho," might also apply to the American people—how quickly we forgot the lessons of history.

It looks like Brazil is in for a second round of voting, and that Lula is in an excellent position. I'm not sure what that means in terms of Brazil's economy or future, but I hope the results will be positive.

As for our future here in the United States, obviously we have no "crystal ball," but I personally am watching economic and political "indicators" very closely. I would like to see the U.S. focus more on our own economy, and to concentrate on strengthening, developing, and improving ties with Central and South America; areas that I think have been sadly ignored to a great extent in U.S. foreign policy.

The fight against terrorism is an important area of concern, but we must focus on specifics—your comments on the present and planned U.S. military budgets for military expenditures should be a red flag for us all. Keep up the good work, and as a "baby boomer," I hope "muita gente" read your article and heed the reference to "Armageddon". Thanks for the interesting comments,

Dennis Sauers
Via Internet

Let's Overhaul the IMF

Dear Mr. Amaral, I read your article "Countdown to Armageddon" in the September issue of Brazzil with interest. While I agree with most of your points, I would like to present some slightly different points of view on some of your analysis.

First, I believe the demise of the former Soviet Union can be directly attributed to the inability of the communist system to compete with the world's largest free-market economy. The US took advantage of its economic strength and outspent the Soviets militarily over the long haul. Their economy couldn't compete and simply collapsed from the strain. It was inevitable and predictable. I give you credit because, in spite of what I believed to be an obvious outcome, many people, such as the man you referred to in your article, refused to acknowledge that eventuality. What surprised even me most was the speed of their collapse.

I believe that the current IMF economic model is flawed. I think many people both inside and outside of the IMF recognize that fact. I think Mr. Soros recognizes this fact as well. And I don't think that Mr. Fraga is in a position to be manipulated, especially given the limited array of options the Brazilian Central Bank now has at its disposal. The IMF plan for Third World countries needs to be overhauled before it does more damage, particularly now, with existing economic conditions.

Having said that, I am not advocating that Brazil abandon the aid that an institution like the IMF can provide. Rather, Brazil needs to work within the present IMF framework to devise a realistic and sustainable financial program. This won't be achieved without some give and take on both sides.

The most important thing a revised model can do for Brazil would be to require foreign investors to be committed to a long-term presence. By that, I mean supporting or contributing to major multi-year programs that will contribute directly or indirectly to development of capital-intensive sectors such as physical infrastructure (roads, water, electricity, etc.) education at all levels and health care—to create a solid framework which will attract sustainable growth. To accomplish that, the days of foreign corporations taking their short-term profits and leaving the country must end.

At the same time, Brazil must exhibit the political will and determination to ensure that progress on major projects is sustained, well-managed and that in process adjustments can be made as needed to keep them economically viable—this means the money must be well spent. This will boost investor confidence, creating more of the same. Internationally, barriers to trade, which is one of the current IMF model's biggest problems, must come down. This must occur particularly in the US but elsewhere as well.

Lula, now one of the two remaining candidates, is not ideologically suited for this task. Serra, while not a man that inspires the most visceral confidence has the benefit of inheriting some investor confidence as well as possessing an up and running governmental apparatus that is and has been trying to do the right things, economically speaking. The current administration can't be faulted for present world economic conditions.

While many counties economies are suffering, it is simply a fact of life that a country such as Brazil will feel the magnified effects of the current slump, particularly since a major contributor to the world economic slowdown/contraction is the US. I would not be in a hurry to abandon free enterprise. The business cycle is real, however, socialism has not demonstrated that it holds the answer. History has shown us that.

I agree with you that government has a role—that being to keep the players honest and the playing field level. A necessary function in order to keep people in the market.

Now that the field of candidates here in Brazil has been reduced to a field of two, it will be much easier to see, through the final debates, that Lula clearly lacks the experience and understanding for the job. Could he learn? Probably, but Brazil doesn't have the luxury of allowing him the time. The problems faced here are upon us now.

They demand that the right decisions be made without hesitation, equivocation or vacillation. That is why I believe Mr. Serra is better suited to hit the ground running.

As for the upcoming war with Iraq, the actual fighting is likely to last no more than three weeks. There will be an interruption in oil production, but it will be restored and the under-supply can be partially compensated through increased production in other oil producing countries and the use in the US of their strategic oil reserves (that's why they exist in the first place). Brazil can partially offset a spike in oil prices through futures options (not as much of a gamble since most people by now can see that 'regime change' is inevitable). Most likely military action will take place no later than the first of the year (based on current military planning).

I like your idea of substituting the Euro for the Real. However, I don't necessarily agree with your assessment of the dollar as being less of a viable alternative. In my opinion, your scenario, given the current economic/demographic picture, is correct, however, this picture is and will be changing in the out years. For the better in the US and for the worse in Europe. Like it or not the US is experiencing a lot of unplanned population growth as the result of massive illegal immigration. In the next twenty to thirty years this will have a profound but positive effect on the age distribution in the US. Conversely, the opposite is occurring in Europe.

Taxes and a heavy order of social programs will stunt Europe's growth, military spending or no. Their population will be much older than in US. The real tax rate in many European countries has been projected to exceed 80 percent by 2030, with nothing even on the horizon to alter this point of view. The US, by contrast, will have a much younger, more productive population meaning more taxpayers and proportionately less annuitants. I'd much rather put my money in dollars.

I am not an economist and don't pretend to be. I am just an American who lives and works in Brazil for a Brazilian company. I have enjoyed your articles in the past and have found them to be very thought provoking. I look forward to reading more of them in the future.

Dr. Robert R. Crispin
Senior Investigador de Segurança de Vôo
Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronáutica S/A
São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brasil

Paralamas Rocks

I just read your piece "He Made It," about Herbert Vianna in Brazzil - www.brazzil.com/mussep02.htm - and want to congratulate you. It's just wonderful. I'm a Paralamas fan who got to meet Herbert, Barone and Bi after talking to them on the phone while they were on a radio program. I also asked Lucy to deliver them a present in the last show I saw.

I've already gone to six shows... and I was always sure there would be a 7th... By the way, there are rumors that Herbert is playing with Gilberto Gil, in São Paulo, today and tomorrow, as he did in the Rio show... (I'm going to see him today!) The new album is already available. Paralamas is back, surelly. Thanks from a Brazilian Paralamas fan.

Juliana
Brazil, Via Internet

Board for Yemanjá Equity

Thank you for the excellent resource of Brazzil which I have just discovered on line this weekend and will run to the consulate Monday for a copy. I am writing a book targeted to international pop culture on the Goddess Yemanja. Would like to find an upscale family in Bahia that could offer room/board for six months in exchange for equity participation in the book. Any suggested resources would be greatly appreciated.

Suzanne McIntosh
San Francisco California
sm2star@aol.com

Volunteers for the Taking

Would you like some British volunteers for a year? Project Trust is a UK-based, British Council-endorsed educational exchange charity. We have been sending volunteers abroad since 1967, and are currently sending 200 18 year olds abroad for twelve months each year. Volunteers spend their year working on one project, which can be teaching, orphanage work or conservation work. One of the main aims of our programme is to promote cross-cultural understanding.

We are now looking for new institutions in Brazil which would be happy to host our volunteers. If you have any thoughts or contacts that you feel might be useful I would be very grateful. Equally, do get in touch for more details! There is more information about the kind of volunteering opportunities that we offer at www.projecttrust.org.uk

Simon Charters
Brazil Desk Officer
Project Trust
www.projecttrust.org.uk

Heard a Good One?

I am looking for CD's or tapes etc of Repentistas (singing poets of the Nordeste). I heard them years ago while in the Peace Corps in Ceará and am told there are recordings available. Perhaps you know of some folkloricist or collector that may help me. Any ideas will be appreciated. Muito obrigado.

Tomas Belsky
Hilo, Hawaii

Changing the Subject

Now that the election is over I wonder if there is not any other new news to enter on your magazine.

Wallace Johnson Jr Cpa
Forrest City, Arkansas

I Beg to Disagree

I am writing about an article by Peter Castles published in Brazzil in September 2002 - www.brazzil.com/p18sep02.htm - claiming that the analysis by Constantine C. Menges of the Brazilian presidential candidate Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was "abhorrent" and that includes some very annoying and unprofessional emails he sent the professor.

First of all, I would like to say that I am Brazilian and that I have lived in this country for 30 years of my life, not the three that Peter Castles boasts as having enabled him to know "what a typical Brazilian thinks".

The truth is that the analysis by Mr. Menges, although instantly and heavily criticized by the usual left-wing individuals in Brazil (such as Mr. Castles' wife Leila), is not considered absurd at all by large and relevant segments of our society, including, of course, myself. Opinions which are very similar in content to those expressed by Mr. Menges are not at all uncommon here, although sadly they are sometimes met not by serious political debate, but by name calling, intimidation and sometimes even lawsuits(!) from Lula's allies, which (to me, at least) reveals how much some of them really care for democracy.

In fact, in a rather successful Brazilian site for which I occasionally write, and which often publishes political and economical analyses of the Brazilian conjuncture, there are several articles this week containing opinions which completely coincide with the one by Mr. Menges. ( For those who can read Portuguese, the site is http://www.oindividuo.com )

The alliances that Lula has made and the groups that he and his party support, both internationally and nationally, are already a strong sign of what kind of ideology he is prepared to enforce when president. For those who don't follow Brazilian politics closely, I recommend reading, for example, the English translation of a very recent text on the subject at http://www.olavodecarvalho.org/traducoes/harvest%20time.htm 

Leila writes in the article that "Brazilians love their happy-go-lucky lifestyle too much to jeopardize it by engaging in war games. Therefore, rest assured that Brazilians will NEVER be indoctrinated to become terrorists, as you state in your article."

Well, the fact is that some Brazilians have ALREADY been indoctrinated to become terrorists; this is a very touchy subject here, but a group known as the MST (which stands for "Movimento dos Sem Terra" or "Landless People Movement"), and which incidentally is supported by Mr. Lula's political party, have taken into their own hands to "distribute" the land among the poor, by force if necessary. They attack rural property and terrorize their owners by killing cattle, destroying crops and vandalizing equipment until the owners (usually just common farmers) eventually flee in fear. Then, they occupy the land. They have also in more than one instance directly attacked people (even the police) who resisted them, seized public buildings, blocked roads, and openly disregarded laws and judicial orders.

They are not a political party, they are not a pacific civil organization, they are not just desperate poor people who inva de land for lack of an option. They are an organized political movement who seeks to change the economical foundations of our society through the use of force and terrorism. Unfortunately, they have gained national importance and their actions can be observed throughout the country.

The phenomenon is not even new in Brazil. In the past, we did have guerrillas here, and the most dangerous ones were organized by communist movements. They disappeared as armed groups because of the violent repression they suffered during the military regime. However, their heirs are political parties such as the "PC do B" (literally, Communist Party of Brazil) who support—guess who?—Lula for our next president.

It is just regrettable that people such as Peter and Leila show such arrogance and contempt when faced with political views that do not conform to their own as to not even admitting that they do exist and are important here in Brazil (they chose to "inform" their readers instead that anyone who claims that they do exist must be misinformed, lunatic or simply "bozos"). Luckily, they are wrong. Not everyone here thinks like them.

Mr. Castles's wife, Leila, states in the article that "The PT has even deleted the word 'socialism' from their programs and principles statements."

Well, this is simply not true. The worker's party statute, which is available online at www.pt.org.br, has the following text for its very first article :

"Art. 1º: O Partido dos Trabalhadores (PT) é uma associação voluntária de cidadãs e cidadãos que se propõem a lutar por democracia, pluralidade, solidariedade, transformações políticas, sociais, institucionais, econômicas, jurídicas e culturais, destinadas a eliminar a exploração, a dominação, a opressão, a desigualdade, a injustiça e a miséria, com o objetivo de construir o socialismo democrático."

This translates as :

"First Article : The Workers' Party (WP) is a voluntary association of citizens which intend to fight for democracy, plurality, solidarity and for political, social, institutional, economic, juridical and cultural changes designed to eliminate the exploration, the domination, the oppression, the unequalness, the injustice and the misery, with the purpose of building the democratic socialism."

I don't know if Leila even consulted this text (which in fact states clearly that this is indeed a socialist party) before arrogantly accusing Mr. Menges of not knowing what he is talking about, but either it is she who doesn't know what she's talking about or (much more probable in my opinion) she is so pro-Lula that she wants to disguise his socialist project to make it seem more acceptable.

The truth is that before leaving Brazil, Leila was a journalist here and for several years before finally moving to the USA she worked for a big labor union (the most important one in the oil industry in Brazil) taking care of their press releases, press clippings, internal bulletins and so on. This labor union supports and is supported by the Workers' Party; they are closely related. The party itself emerged from labor unions such as this and Lula himself is a former labor union leader. She worked for them. So, she is definitely not the "typical Brazilian" her husband claims to know so well.

Recently, PT has indeed changed its propaganda tactics and aimed for a "lighter" message to the general public because they concluded that Lula might just never get elected if they didn't do it. He has already run for president in the last three elections and received a very important share of the votes, but not enough to win. So they suddenly started to say, "See, we're not so socialist anymore". And that's what they have to stick to if they are going to win this one. And that's exactly what they are doing.

It's a completely fabricated position, because it's contrary to all their previous discourse and also to their attitudes when they effectively have power in their hands (such as in local governments and in the congress). Unfortunately, lots of people are so dissatisfied with the current government that they are letting themselves fall for that.

Sergio Biasi
Brazil

Brazil's Role

I have just read your article "The Invisible Brazilians" - http://www.brazzil.com/p25nov99.htm - in Brazzil and found it very interesting. I am studying Brazilian Portuguese and am currently on a intermediate level. I respect your culture very much and I feel that if we Latinos (I am from Puerto Rican heritage) are ever to gain a respectful role in this world, your country has to play a major role, due to its large size both geographically and economically.

Anyway, the reason that I write to you is that I was wondering if maybe you can give me the location of any newsstand or store in the New York area where I can find Brazilian newspapers. I've been looking around and I can't find any. I would appreciate any information. Take care and God bless. Muito obrigado.

Julio A. Lopez
New York, New York

That Would Be Lição de Amor

I viewed many films at your Cinema Novo retrospective at the MoMA several years ago. For years, I have had films in my head that I really enjoyed, but I could not remember the titles until I happened to find your website today. What a relief!

There was one film in particular, however, that I remember fondly that I did not see on your description. The basic plot is that a young German girl is hired by a rich man under the auspices of tutoring his son in German, when in reality it is an arranged seduction so that the boy learns a lesson not to have relationships with women below his social standing. Could you please tell me the title of this film?

When I saw the films in your retrospective, I knew little about Brazilian culture or language. I would really like to view these films again, but Bye Bye Brazil and Dona Flor seem to be the only two titles commonly available. Do you have any information regarding the availability of these films on VHS or DVD? (I do have a multi-region DVD player if there is a site where they are available for order from Brazil.)

Thank you for your help and for putting together the fine film retrospective.

Gwyneth Kozbial
Via Internet

A Hug for the Best

She is the best singer I have heard in a very long time. I am a huge fan. Please give Marisa a very big hug for me.

David Fisher
B.C., Canada

Talent Offered

I'm a Canadian freelance journalist who is planning to travel to Brazil. I'd like to contact English language publications based in Brazil and in the Brazilian Diaspora, to offer my services for reporting, editing, graphic design and illustration. Any contacts or feedback you could give me on this would be greatly appreciated.

I have written feature articles for London-based Ad Age Magazine and Prague-based Think Magazine, done editing for the Vietnam Investment Review, and done design for Vietnam News and Business in Vancouver Magazine. I've also created cover illustrations and cartoons for the Montreal Mirror and Think Magazine.

Mick Lennea
mick_luna@yahoo.ca 

Rich Soap

Bravo to Globo TV. Terra Nostra is beautiful and a big hit in Israel. In this novela you gave a big 'lesson' to all other countries in South America. Viva Brazzil. P.S.: Where can I find more details about the actors?

Esther
Israel

Memory Search

My name is Mie Nakao/Ms, singer from Japan, who participated in the Brazilian Music Festival (FIC II) in 1967 held in Rio de Janeiro. I'm planning to produce a TV program about my professional history and my music footprints include the 1967 International Song Festival.

It is almost impossible to gather historical data here in Japan about the festival and I do appreciate if you (or any party) have any information from the 1967 Brazil Music Festival.

One of my memory still remains: the award was presented by Mr. Quincy Jones. Also, Mr. Robert Wagner was one of the participants as judge. I appreciate your help on this matter.

Mie Nakao
Tokyo Japan
miemania@aol.com

TV Time

I'm a French reporter living in Martinique in the Caribbean and working for the French TV. We would like to make a report on the preparation of the Carnaval of Brazil in Rio. Can you give me some mail contacts of Brazilian reporters that can give us some information about this?

Marc Balsa
RFO Tv Martinique
marcus972@wanadoo.fr

Good Shots

I read your piece on São Luis do Maranhão, "The Doors of Enchantment" - http://www.brazzil.com/p39dec00.htm. I am planning to visit Brazil in January. I want to photograph the Lavagem do Bonfim and Festa de Iemanjá in Salvador. I have visited Salvador twice before, and I want to visit a few other cities in the Northeast. I want to visit Recife, Fortaleza and São Luis during my visit. I wanted to ask if you feel 2 or 3 days is a good amount of time to spend in Recife.

Is the same amount of time sufficient for Fortaleza (Is Jericoacoara worth the hike/long drive)? And in São Luis would 2 days suffice? From your article ... it doesn't seem like São Luis would be the kind of place where I would want to spend 5 days. Any advice would be appreciated. I am working on my photography ... and I think some of these cities would be great places to take some shots of the architecture and people.

Julia Stone
Via Internet

Feijoada Recipe

Dear Mr. de Hilster, I just read your article "Samba in the Kitchen" in Brazzil magazine about Remi - http://www.brazzil.com/p44sep02.htm. It was an excellent article. Can you tell me if she has a cookbook in print. Your article listed her ingredients for feijoada, but it didn't indicate how much of each and cooking time - or if there are additional ingredients. I would like to try the recipe. She sounds like a wonderful lady who has made a lot of people happy with her good food. The world needs more people like her. Thanks for the great story.

D. Jenkins
Via Internet

Deportation Woes

My husband is a Brazilian citizen and is a legal resident alien in the US. He committed a felony in the year of 1992. He has lived here for over 30 years. We have been legally married by the Catholic Church for 5 years. We have two American citizen children. He has two other children from a previous relationship and he pays child support too.

He may have to undergo being deported due to his conviction. He has no communication with any one in Brazil. He only speaks a little of the language. His mother and adoptive father live in the United States. I am trying to find resources to help our case. He has finished school here in the US and has a good job. I feel my children are better off in the us education wise. Please help

Debbie Bains
debbie_bains@twc.state.tx.us

Where Is Garcia-Roza?

Procurando informação sobre o autor Luiz Garcia-Roza é que cheguei na sua página. Sou professora de português na Argentina e estamos trabalhando um livro dele (O Silêncio da Chuva). Necessito de maneira urgente dados biográficos dele além de algum comentário relacionado com esse trabalho, já que foi impossível encontrá-los na rede. Agradeceria imenso a ajuda que pudessem me dar.

Paula Cardoso
Argentina
paulacardoso@data54.com

Plagiarism Machine

Tenho recebido e-mails de pessoas criticando e acusando outros de plágio. Hipócritas que eles são, pois, seus jornais e seus chamados "jornalistas" cometem o mesmo plágio todas as semanas. Muitos artigos publicados nos jornais brasileiros no sul da Flórida são cópias dos jornais lá no Brasil e de seus sites na Internet. Os chamados "jornalistas" são muitos deles plagiadores e invejosos. Os pobres coitados nunca freqüentaram um curso de jornalismo, porém, saem por aí gritando que são profissionais do jornalismo.

Que hipocrisia acusar outros de plágio, e, ao mesmo tempo viver plagiando em seus textos e jornais. Certas pessoas que se consideram "jornalistas" e colaboram com jornais nos Estados Unidos deveriam pensar muito antes de acusar outros de plágio. Tenho certeza que essa carapuça vai servir para muitos "vigaristas" da chamada mídia brasileira nos Estados Unidos. É fácil sentar em cima do próprio rabo e falar do rabo do outro.

A Hammad Rocha
Miami, Florida
amazoniaBR2000@yahoo.com  

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