Brazzil Thanks for the article "Brazil and the Bully," in the August issue of
Brazzil - www.brazzil.com/p25aug02.htm. I'm afraid that my illegally elected president will do any
damn thing he pleases, including interfering in your election, if he wants to. Remember the C.I.A., Chile and Allende. That was no accident as is any other actions he's told to take.
Since the 2000 election was fixed and the 2004 election is already fixed, many North Americans do not feel like they have any say whatsoever. It WAS a coup
d'état. And many North Americans are much more afraid of Bush than any of the other terrorists.
I can assure you that North Americans are not letting the U.S. become totalitarian; we lack the ability and unity to combat it. This is partly due to the fact that most of
our press is censored and many U.S. citizens do not know just how the 2000 election was fixed and the planning for it started in 1998.
Many suspect but have not read Greg Palast's book
The Best Democracy Money Can Buy, which presents the information with excellent documentation. That
information has been blacked out by the mainstream press. However the book is apparently becoming a best seller.
Others desperately need to believe what Bush says because they are suffering from arrested development when it comes to politics. That is a part of every country
but it is the part that is allowing this to happen with their blessing because they cannot and must not know what is, really going on. It's not any different than abused children
who constantly tell you how wonderful their parents were.
Also remember that we cannot resort to domestic warfare because Bush has all the weapons. Another problem is that, like other countries, we are scrambling to get
or keep a job because there's a lot more people than jobs. And those jobs often don't pay enough to live on. It is very hard to be politically active when you're just trying to survive.
Thanks and keep telling the truth.
I've just read your article entitled "Rio's Flip Side" -
www.brazzil.com/p27aug02.htm I am Brazilian originally from Rio de Janeiro.
While I was waiting for a friend in a Copacabana hotel, I saw for the first time a flyer about this tour to the slum Rocinha in Rio. In view of what they were offering to
the tourists in the flyer... and now this article by Jennifer Grant... I cannot avoid to compare this tour to a visit to the zoo to throw popcorn into the monkeys' cave. "Look how
they live! Poor monkeys, but let's take our picture anyway".
I've been in South Africa where they offer the same service to tourists. Visiting the black township seems mandatory in the guide book. I don't know... But this kind of
tourism looks a little bit sick to me, a little arrogant.
Can you imagine the same service in the black neighborhoods of US? I've been in the States once and I cannot recall seeing this kind of tour in my guidebook. The
closest was a jazz pub in New Orleans. What about in Ireland? Or a suburb of Argentina?
I cannot agree pacifically that the poverty and misery of a country now becomes a route of tourists with a few coins in the pocket, a roll of film and a sack of popcorn
to distribute.
I believe that there are other ways to get to know a
favela from inside without putting people in a display window. There are non-governmental organizations
whose purpose is to facilitate this kind of approach to locals and non-locals. Christian missionary evangelism is also a good way.
I wish to thank all the Brazzil readers who responded to my story "Flip Side of Rio" saying that they cared about the
favela residents and would like to pray or help.
I am trying to obtain information on organizations, which are making a difference in the
favelas—who they are, what they are doing, how outsiders can be involved, and
how to contact them, for a follow-up article. If you have such information on a program or organization, please forward details to me at
sjennig@yahoo.com. Also, if your
information involves a website, please make sure it functions in the United States. If it is in Portuguese that is fine as I can translate.
Mrs. David, I have been reading the brazzil.com articles for the past months (I have become "infatuated" with Portuguese and I think the articles give great
cultural synopsis) Anyway, I am an 18-year-old student at the University of Central Florida (actually I begin my sophomore term tomorrow and I will be taking Portuguese.)
Recently I read your piece on Roberto Drummond—"The Scent Of God" -
www.brazzil.com/p40aug02.htm - and I was really touched by your words.
Your letter to your dead friend was especially sweet. Anyway, my main reason for writing to you is to inform you that
Hilda Furacão has been released on DVD in
Brazil and you can order it if you like here:
http://somlivre.globo.com/ProdutoDVD.asp?ProductID=074070 The DVD is all region too, so it will work on the US players. When the
show aired (in Spanish) on Telemundo, a few months back, I really didn't take too much interest in it (I was/am addicted to
El Clon) but now I wish I had, even if I could not
understand the subtle nuances that maybe only
Mineiros can.
You have a partial or blind vision of our country. This is a beautiful land with gentle and serious people. Maybe, because you can't understand the language and
the codes of this country, you have a deformed concept. Every people in this world have the same amount of sexual impulse and you can't write this exaggerated opinion
about our country in the Internet. You're stupid.
Learn our idiom and codes before your write such an idiot text. I think you have some sexual disturbance and through your sick mind start to write this bullshit.
Who told you everything you see you can touch? Idiot. Come here and try to touch a girlfriend os someone and you'll return to your country without your balls (if you still have them).
In reference to your article "Race and Fantasy," -
www.brazzil.com/blajan99.htm - how would you compare Brazilian racism to that of the USA? In what ways is
the situation, better, worse or just different when contrasting the two countries? How are race relations in the country and is the divide as widespread through all social
classes as it is in the USA? In other words, do poor Portu-Brazilians and poor Afro-Brazilians have the same level of animosity as do poor Anglo-Americans and Afro-Americans?
Since early childhood, when Astrud Gilberto collaborated with the inimitable Stan Getz, my life was transformed forever. A fire ignited within and I could not
extinguish it. I keep a list of Afro-Brazilian dance classes on my desk, and I'm deciding how far I'm willing to drive to satisfy my craving.
Last Christmas Eve, one of the dance teachers threw a party. With enough drummers to launch hips into outer space, we danced into states of ecstasy. I was
probably the only gringo to celebrate Brazil's World Cup soccer victory.
I so hope to visit—or even live—in Brazil one day. Despite the stories of crime, I don't have any fear. While in a café overlooking the Pacific in Santa Cruz, I joined
several musicians and sang Astrud's rendition of "The Girl from Ipanema." I know it may sound hokey, but it was an experience I will never forget. I'm in love with the music and people that celebrate life with rhythms of sensuality. Unlike Americans, who—in my opinion—are the most insipid people on earth, I
love to celebrate life through music and dance...not by reading Martha Stewart columns in the newspaper. I'd love nothing more than to escape America and land in Bahia...
I'm crazy about Djavan. There is also a well known Brazilian guitarist in the local town of Fairfax...his name is José Neto.
Perhaps I've said enough....I just have to decide where to take my Afro-Brazilian dance class.
Samba on and samba smooth,
I just recently read the August issue of
Brazzil from cover to cover. As always, I enjoy the "anúncios para matar saudades" (it is too bad there are no Brazilian
restaurants close to Dana Point).
The article on Nossa Senhora da Boa Morte -
www.brazzil.com/p33aug02.htm - was interesting and informative. Having lived in Bahia for a short while and working
in the interior of the state as a geologist I had never heard of the organization and will ask my local relatives about it.
The article about Roberto Drummond -
www.brazzil.com/p40aug02.htm - by Adelaide Davis was excellent and made me want to read the author. On the negative
side your series of articles on the Brazilian economy and politics was disappointing because the authors are unwilling to face up to the real problems of the country and
prefer to blame some external influence, especially the United States.
Brazil has been living beyond its means for a long time, just read the article by Ted Goertzel -
www.brazzil.com/blaaug02.htm - in the same issue for confirmation.
What most Brazilians do not know is that 90 percent of Americans (do Norte) do not know who Soros or Lula are and that Brazil is about to have an election and what's more
don't care. They might if they knew some of their tax money was going to help pay for the extravagances of Brazil, which they themselves don't have.
Brazil must solve its own problems. I am pessimistic that it will happen anytime soon. Cardoso tried, but in a democracy he can't go around Congress. Brazilians
years ago were disappointed when they elected Getúlio Vargas to discover that as president he couldn't do things by decree.
Several of the articles were very negative about the military dictatorship; but forget in the first few years they did very well, but as Machiavellian said absolute
power corrupts absolutely.
Brazil is a rich country in natural resources and this will keep it from ever collapsing but its true potential can only come when the
povo demand honest politicians and force them to remain honest. I have faith.
Dana Point, California
Mr. Norman Madarasz, I have just read your article in the recent issue of
Brazzil ("Casino Real" - www.brazzil.com/cvraug02.htm - and can't decide if you are trying
to explain the economy of Brazil or making a diatribe against the United States and capitalism. It reminded me somewhat of a lecture given by a graduate student in front of
his professors. He used a lot of words that most of us geologists in the audience knew but never used—he thought he was impressing his professors and he may have, but
no one else.
"American neo-liberal capitalism" whatever that means. It is interesting how you try to attribute all of Brazil's problems to the United States. If the United States
ceased to exist, Brazil would still have the same problems. You keep referring to the North American (that is, United States) tourists. These tourists are not going to Brazil or to
much of Latin America because they don't want to pay five-star prices for three-star hotels and to get robbed everywhere they go. I just got back from Provence (France), full of
North American tourists, and to my knowledge no one got robbed.
Every friend and relative I have in Rio, and there are many (I am a Brazilian) has been
assaltado at least once. Last year I was robbed on Ipanema Beach as I
watched the kid grab my shirt as I came out of the water. I yelled, the beach was full, but no one would help.
Brazil is a country blessed in natural resources, abundance of water and land that can be cultivated, it can be a great nation; but it must solve its own problems. An
old Brazilian joke ends with St. Peter saying, "but wait till you see the people I'll put there."
If Brazil wants to borrow my money, the United States money, or the IMF's money, it must abide by their rules. If you don't like our rules go elsewhere. Brazil is
number one in futebol and women. Until it cleans its own house it will be a second class nation.
I support a charity called Esperança, started by an American-Irish missionary, that gets North American doctors and nurses to give up their vacation time and go to
the Amazon to do free surgery on the poor. I have several doctors in my Brazilian family, they go to Paris and Rome on their vacations.
What Mr. O'Neill and Mr. Soros say, in the long run will not have much impact on Brazil. It is what the Brazilians do that will determine the future of the country. I have
faith that someday Brazil will be a great country, but it won't be in this generation. The children must grow up opposed to corruption and elect honest men and women, they
have to be out there somewhere.
Dana Point, California
Thank you for reading my article "Casino Real", and especially for your heartfelt comment.
I realize that theoretical terminology might send one back to university days, but that's more a testimony to what one reads—or doesn't—, than what really happens
in grad schools on the artier side of the liberal arts (for I assume that geology is still a liberal art). "Market liberalism" is surely trendier in the jargon the Financial Times
uses, but the whole point to writing articles in the vein I've attempted is to introduce different vocabulary and economic indicators to those carpeting the establishment press.
My other objective is to make the economic analysis I chose to develop as politically transparent as possible.
That said, I don't at all feel that my article was meant to put the blame on the good old U.S. of A. Surely, the U.S. is responsible for enough already without having to
pin an extra piece of litigation onto their forever untarnished ethics. I am North American myself (i.e. Canadian, by which I have the right to request an apology from you:
North American does not only mean American, which is why I chose to use the term in the first place).
Perhaps due to being married to a Carioca, I can't help but feel that you've integrated some of the dubious aspects of living in the rich land above, one of which is
the impossibility of identifying what roles are played by the world's only superpower in international economics.
Americans have a long way to go before living up to their edict of thinking "freely" if they keep retracting in self-defensive shock at the term "capitalism"
whenever someone's referring to their economic system. And this has, on this you would agree, much more to do with failing to think through effective categories and theoretical
models, than for an author to play the very game that keeps those models imprisoned behind the walls of grad school.
Brazil is without a doubt a most beautiful and powerful land. But with over 50 percent of the population living in poverty, the theft and urban violence we all suffer in
Rio and São Paulo is really not very surprising. That it has not developed into anything further is what should stun us. After all, NYC was not all that different in the 1970s
and 1980s, nor is New Orleans and South Central today.
But such stunning sunshine, not to mention the very low level of education to which the oligarchs have constrained their population, does make people oblivious of
the collective effort required to usher in social change. Admittedly, that seems to be a rather redundantly repeated line by those who have access to broadcast what the
population really wants, or to choose to discredit it.
There is no criticism of North America, which can change the reason for this state of things. I could not agree with you more: it is up to Brazilians to make the move.
But making the move Brazil needs is going to annoy a lot of people. And on that point, if we can afford to look into the future to speculate on when conditions might take an
upward turn, then we also owe it to ourselves, and our analyses, to look to the past and notice the obstacles that our most humble Northern (native) lands have helped to build.
As for the tourist beat: Recently the Toronto Globe and Mail reported that a growing number of Canadians have experienced some type of violence while
traveling abroad since 9/11, and this despite the dwindling numbers of those who actually still do. The country in which they were most victimized? Not Brazil, nor South Africa, but
the U.S. You might object that the former two receive less Canadian tourists, but it doesn't change the persistence of the latter fact. Sincerely yours,
What on earth is Norman Madarasz talking about? ("Casino Real") His sympathies for the PT betray his understanding of what market analysts have
consistently requested from Lula, Ciro and even Serra: consistency.
Dr. Madarasz speaks of Lula's program as though it were a coherent document which could work in practice. This is clearly not the case. Given the current
weakness in Brazilian fundamentals, a return to growth of 5 percent (Lula originally said 7 percent), the elimination of hunger, the increase in civil construction, investment
in infrastructure, incentives for exports and for import substitutes and lowering interest rates to `civilized' rates while also maintaining price stability and a primary surplus
of 3.75 percent seems fantastic. I, for one, would be curious to see Lula do this. I believe the entire profession of economics would be. Additionally, José Dirceu claims that the PT will implement a
tax reform and within six months it will reform social security, something Cardoso could not do in 8 years. First, this is unlikely. Second the PT fought against these reforms
for 8 years.
The problem with the PT program is not that people are not reading it, or that the Northern market dominated media is misrepresenting it. The problem is that
people are reading it and it does not make sense.
I am working on a project in which I am examining how the elections have increased country risk in Brazil. Like it or not, Lula has played a significant role in the
increase in country risk.
Additionally, I do not see why the fact that Fraga worked for Soros should have anything to do with the comments that Soros has made about Brazil. Arminio Fraga
is among the most respected Central Bankers in the world. The comment seems spurious and ideologically inspired, rather than having any base in reality.
Dr. Tony Spanakos,
Before responding to the specific points you raised, two things ought to be said about the "profession of economics", as you put it, and the nature of economic debate.
1) There is no ideologically-neutral approach to economics. In the piece I contributed to
Counterpunch/Brazzil, I wore my "ideology" on my sleeve, as it were. On
the other hand, by exposing the political convictions behind my economic analysis, I tried consistently to keep the debate free from dogmatic affiliation. Such transparency is
only the nature of my own profession: applied (philosophical) dialectics.
2) Given that economics is not ideologically-neutral, it stands to reason that economic data may be organized to reach the argumentative stakes presupposed by
the analysis. Instead of painting economic debate as the dogmatic science it is often claimed to be, this point should stress the idea that an economic position claiming
ideological neutrality consistently begs the question of its objectivity. Economics is primarily a surface science. Ferreting out what blocks the road to implementing different programs
and/or reform often requires intervention of other sciences. So, to avoid redundantly begging the question, it is always useful to ask it at the outset: economic analysis in
favor of whom and with what ends to reach?
Taking these two points together, your response to my analysis is bent on telling me that the PT project is economically doomed due to its self-contradictory
objectives, and that we should not let ourselves be swayed by the hope invested in the party possibly being elected this fall. That the PT does have a team of
university-accredited economists forging its policy platforms, instead of a rag-tag team of private consultants, doesn't seem to impress you.
The fact of the matter is that arguments similar to yours continually tread water by pleading that the PT has never governed at the national level. On that point
there's no debate. On the other hand, given the seriousness of its proposals, and the utter difference in orientation its cadres are seeking, it is high time their opponents draw
back and accept the popular will, which may very well be to see the party govern under Lula's leadership. Given this will, it should only follow that opponents to the PT abide
by the parliamentary system and stop undermining the party as unviable.
As to the offense you take at my recalling the Soros/Fraga relationship, in my article I merely reminded the reader of who Arminio Fraga is, and why he was named
head of the Central Bank. I clearly stated, without the slightest intimation, that his ties with Soros were professionally severed following his appointment. Admittedly, there is
some debate to the legitimacy of Soros' comment on the presidential elections (see the interesting article in this month's issue), which I'm willing to take with a grain of salt.
Certainly after the article he published in the Financial Times, I'd let the issue rest. But I would like to make a point. High competence does in no way create a
necessary tie to conducting state finances in the interest of all. It may be a sufficient reason to believe so, but by no means is it a necessary one. The Brazilian context does not
allow an independent central bank, namely due to the debt problem _ or more specifically due to the looming possibility of defaulting on it. This risk has been the case of
Cardoso's own government, even primarily so, due to having overextended the Plano Real peg.
Though you do correctly raise doubts as to the maneuvering space the PT will have if elected _ or most likely will not have _, what growth can become remains
the condition sine qua non to fulfilling the party's policy programs. Furthermore, you do not sufficiently emphasize what in fact the Embi+ index (and other bond rating
meters) measures. Clearly, there are growth factors to consider before committing oneself any further to executing an economic program right off the bat, just as there are
the conditions and constraints issued from accepting the IMF loan.
On the other hand, it is obvious to anyone listening to the arguments put forth by bond risk agency spokespersons that their evaluation is subjective, indeed
arbitrary. It's a question of confidence, a matter of mood. And given that there are no left-leaning progressive economists allowed to even loosely partake in the directive agendas
of those agencies, can it be at all surprising that their stance is utterly dubious regarding the PT? I would think not.
In the article, I did not address the key question of what would happen were the PT elected. In a commentary I wrote to an article that The Nation published
- www.counterpunch.com/madarasz0805.html - I expressed my concern that Brazil will most likely experience instability were a PT government to come to power. As
opposed to what will most likely happen if Ciro is elected, the instability would probably come from without, buoyed up by a staunch attack on the PT by international and,
especially, national banks.
In the case of Ciro, it'll come as his reliance on the PFL, i.e. ACM, the Sarneys, Collor's people, and the rest of the Northern oligarchy becomes explicit. Worse still,
if the current pattern continues, in being elected Lula might find himself granted with a poisoned pill: defaulting in a way FHC continually squeezed out of.
The PT will undoubtedly not bring stability to Brazil in its early days, though this may be little of its own doing. If it is allowed to gain investor confidence regarding
debt servicing, and if the legislative elections give the executive a more lenient congress, Brazil might be able to see social reform. As you yourself have pointed out, this is
not an easy target to reach. And there is certainly no guarantee for it to succeed. But without it, we may rest assured that Brazil's future will benefit only from what the
unwillingness of engaging in a visionary political project brings. And in terms of social reform, lack of trying brings nothing. As for foreign interference, can any self-confident people
accept to vote in fear over what the reaction of the powerful might be? Ultimately, I think this is the bottom line.
A final reaction on the surprise you express about how the PT has chosen to vote in congress. An opposition has a role to play as opposition. It is one of the
principles of the parliamentary system, and surely when the opposition is not the party you would want to see governing, then isn't it a democratic double-cross to also criticize
them for opposing the government? There's no single, satisfactory explanation for the PT's tactics: but that's the nature of politics. After all, when a governing party wants to
co-opt the opposition's platform, it is not unusual in the dirty world of power politics to prevent from doing so no matter the social costs. I claim that the PT is perhaps the most
honest party configuration, and stress that they have a reputation to live up to; I never suggested they were saints or were deprived of the hunger for power.
I remain available for further discussion.
Yours sincerely,
Dear Dr. Madarasz,
I appreciate your comments and, in advance, apologize for not giving them the attention they deserve.
It is true that economics is not nearly as scientific as it would like to be and that financial markets are far less scientific. That said, there is very broad consensus
about many things. The most important is the issue of confidence, a fuzzy indicator at best, but one which any economic agent needs. This is especially true in emerging
markets where history has increased the scarcity of confidence.
My comments to you were that the PT has engaged in significant double-talk and this leads to increased doubts about its capacity to govern and, more honestly,
what sort of policies it would maintain. A quick example, Lula pledged support for the IMF agreement. When Cardoso invited Lula to speak about the meeting (this Monday),
José Dirceu said that regardless of the meeting, the PT would not alter its economic policies. The IMF agreement sets out primary surplus targets for the first three years of the
next government. So, does Lula support having economic policy targets supported for the next three years or will he shift direction since the PT does not accept the
government's economic policies—particularly when they are imposed upon it?
I do not doubt that Lula could be a good president and that a PT government could be important, not only for the Brazilian economy but also for democratization. I
make this argument in an essay I wrote for InfoBrazil
a couple of months ago (it is also available on my website,
www.spanakos.org). I think Brazil needs to have a government
on the Left in order to consolidate its reform agenda.
I am more worried about the group of qualified academic economists that you refer to as the core of the PT's economic policy. It is not really clear what they want. Of
course, growth is important—for society, the EMBI, etc—but how will growth occur. In truth, many of the PT's policy goals are not too different from that of José Serra. Even the
titles of the programs of the two parties ("A Brazil for Everyone" and "Work and Progress for Everyone") are remarkably similar. My question is more of administrative capacity
and commitment to the policies that are now being proposed. Given the nature of the PT's recent conversion (and the fact that much of its base support opposes such changes), it is hard to accept the commitment to the policies
and this is something that will have to be earned over time (as was the case with the Cardoso government). In terms of administrative capacity, it is very important that the PT
has not governed on a national level. This does not mean that they will be worse than a party with federal experience, but it certainly means there will be more uncertainty.
Anyway, I cannot respond to everything that you have said, but I think it is important to emphasize that in a situation where the market plays a vital role, it is
important to consider forces that drive down market confidence: namely uncertainty. Lula is not the only candidate to have contributed to the decline in policy credibility this year.
Ciro and Serra have also. What all of the candidates need to do is to be more upfront and consistent and detailed about the policies they plan to pursue. This would reduce
the level of uncertainty in the market, even if the market did not look favorably on the policy proposals.
Thank you again for your response.
I performed in your country in 1976 with the World Wheelers (Basketball on Unicycles) as part of a double presentation with the Harlem Wizards. I am writing to
request a copy of any of the performances on tape. This request is very important for the group. The World Wheelers now have a chance to enter the Basketball Hall of Fame. I
feel that the best shows were filmed by Globo TV and we need copies to show the Hall of Fame. Please help us in this quest to enter the Hall of Fame so that the group can
take their place in history as the innovators of basketball. We are not performing now, as you know with all entertainers it must come to an end, but we want to be
remembered and keep the spirit alive. Thank you very much and hope to hear from you. If there is a charge for the tapes we are willing to pay. Again I thank you and I must say I was
thrilled to have traveled and performed in your beautiful country
I am a librarian at Cornwall Public Library, NY, United States. I am trying to find
Estação Carandiru written in English. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
I enjoyed your article concerning the consensus—especially the different colors that a person can be. I suppose it is possible that the low wages are for real (the
vast number of people making at/below 2x minimum wage of $80US dollar). However, it sounds too low to be plausible. I.e., food is not that much cheaper in Brazil than it is
in the US. If the average income were that, people would have money only to feed themselves half the time, and starve the other half—have no $ for shelter or clothes.
I wonder if the average income is artificially lowered by the many Brazilians who are engaged in agriculture and may receive housing/food free. Also economic
inactivity or low activity is common...for example, many young women have jobs that are part-time. I personally know many Brazilian men who are trying to go as many months as
possible without working, living with parents, or girlfriends of parents, etc. This has been a widespread tendency.
If you take a "normal" person, trying to support him/herself, and perhaps one dependent, it would seem they need more than $160 a month. And when you visit
Brazil, it appears they do make more than $160 a month.
In any case, it seems a hike in minimum wage is in order. The extra $6.00 that would be paid out to workers (if they had American minimums), but in reality,
collectively, it will buy one additional shopping spree for the wives of the elite yet again...which is where that
additional $6.00/hr is going (pretty sad actually).
Alternatively, it would be nice to see employers voluntarily show pride and appreciation in the employees that helped build their wealth. Deep down, those guys
may know it's probably something that requires more integrity, though. It may require them telling their wife, "No you can't buy another ugly painting this weekend."
Dear Bruce,
Your interview with Jaques Morelenbaum -
www.brazzil.com/musjul00.htm - in
Brazzil magazine, is fascinating. I am a songwriter, primarily a lyricist, who first
traveled through Brazil with my late partner, Billie Hughes. Brazilian life and music was a great inspiration to us.
I was first asked to write English lyrics for Brazilian songs by EMI Brasil, and those I have done are most well-known in Portuguese through their recordings by
Simone. "Raios de Luz" by Abel Silva & Cristóvão Bastos, was recorded in 1999 by Barbra Streisand, with a magnificent arrangement by Jorge Calandrelli.
It was a bonus CD single in a limited edition of her
A Love Like Ours album and a bonus track on the international CD single release of her duet with Vince Gill.
I had the good fortune of an invitation to the premiere of
Behind the Sun, where I had the pleasure of meeting Walter Salles, whose films I admire greatly and so am
familiar with Antonio Pinto's musical scores. I've also written a lyric for and recorded by Chet Baker for a composition by a Brazilian composer/pianist whom I met in Brazil
playing keyboard for Djavan.
Jaques Morelenbaum's upcoming concert with Ryuichi Sakamoto is one I'm very excited to attend and in that I've been doing my own work in the international
areas somewhat in isolation here in Los Angeles, I noticed that your studies have been at California Institute of the Arts and you might be located locally and so am writing.
If you would be interested in being more familiar with my work, please visit my Web site where you will find an audioclip of the Barbra Streisand recording, an audio
and video clip of the Chet Baker recording as it also appears in "Let's Get Lost", and more understanding.
I would be very glad to make your acquaintance.
Mr. Gilman, I just had the pleasure of reading your article "Unerring Light" -
http://www.brazzil.com/musapr02.htm - about samba rock, in
Brazzil. I really enjoyed the history lesson, having just been introduced to the Trio Mocotó band in the course of the last four or five weeks. Thank you for the translations you provided in the article.
I greatly appreciate your interview with Joao Parahyba. In addition to all of the history firsthand, the explanation of the timba-kit answered a lot of questions I've had. I
am enthralled with the Samba Rock sound, a welcome alternative in the current American music scene.
Brazilians who live in the U.S. often end up working alongside Spanish speakers and many of them learn enough Spanish to be able to communicate with their
Hispanic coworkers. Or they end up mixing the languages together into a curious blend. But Brazilians who can get by in "Portuñol" (a curious blend of Spanish and
Portuguese) should not be expected to defend themselves in Spanish in the U.S. legal system. But I have heard of a few instances where a Brazilian (Portuguese-speaking)
defendant (or witness) was obliged to make do with a Spanish-speaking interpreter because the court was unable to find a Portuguese-speaking interpreter (like myself).
There is no U.S. state other than New Mexico where non-English-speakers are allowed to do jury duty (Puerto Rico is not a state). But for how long will this
continue? Must Spanish-speakers and speakers of Portuguese (who are not fluent in English) always be excluded from jury duty? What about when both the defendant and the
plaintiff speak Spanish or Portuguese? Can they get a fair trial in an English-speaking courtroom?
Until now, almost all counties in Colorado and New Mexico have automatically excluded non-English-speakers from jury duty; few have offered
interpreter/translators, but have instead excused anyone who wanted to be excluded on the basis of language. So far, only a tiny handful of non-English-speaking jurors actually have served
in New Mexico, and none at all here in Colorado. Court administrators in New Mexico had to wait for a ruling by the state Supreme Court there to see if they would have to
change their procedures. Should Spanish-speaking judges, county attorneys, district attorneys, and public defenders be trained or hired? What about those who speak Portuguese?
With few legal precedents, prosecutors and judges in heavily Hispanic counties in Colorado, Arizona, California and New Mexico are struggling to answer
these questions and others, like: Should non-English-speaking jurors be allowed to serve with an interpreter? Are interpreters even allowed into jury deliberations? Usually,
they are not. English still reigns in the legal system. Illegal immigrants are never called upon to do jury duty. Do those defendants who are illegal immigrants really have a
realistic option of a fair trial by a jury of his or her peers who speak the same language? If none of the jurors can speak the language of the defendant, can that defendant get a
fair trial? One tricky question that courts may have to answer is whether routinely excusing prospective jurors due to the language barrier amounts to an infringement of
their civil rights. problems are bound to arise if (non-English speaking) prospective jurors who may be called for jury duty start asking for interpreters and being allowed to
serve on juries in that manner. For one thing, there aren't enough court-certified interpreters to serve all who would then qualify for jury duty. Many skilled interpreters would
be barred because they have not taken certification exams. Interpreting for just one witness, or just one defendant requires far less skill and aptitude than interpreting for
the entire courtroom full of people.
Then there is the expense. Court-certified Spanish or Portuguese interpreters are paid between $35 and $60 an hour in Colorado, and more than that in
California. There are only a handful of Portuguese interpreters in Denver, and none of them are court-certified to my knowledge. I have done court and medical interpreting
and translation in both languages here in Colorado. The only time I got a little bit confused was when I was asked to interpret in Spanish for one person and in Portuguese
for another person, both at the same time in the same clinic. That twisted my poor polyglot brain in knots!
Should one translator work for both the defendant and the witnesses or the plaintiff, in the same trial? I have done so as court interpreter. But some courts claim
that this might lead to a conflict of interests, and they insist on having TWO interpreters at any jury trial where each side has Spanish-speaking witnesses or defendants.
Feel free to contact me by email if you would like to discuss these issues or other language and translated-related topics. My Medical Dictionaries & Glossaries web
page now lists 1,090 free medical web sites, glossaries & medical info sites in seventeen languages. LINKS to medical information online in English, Spanish, Portuguese,
French & thirteen other languages.
Of the medical sites & glossaries listed, 514 are in English, 211 are in Spanish, 54 in Portuguese, 142 in French, 48 in German, 45 in Dutch, 16 in
Scandinavian languages, and 73 in other languages or trilingual. Links to all of these online medical glossaries/sites are found at
http://www.interfold.com/translator/medsites.htm
We are opening a Brazilian Churrascaria for one of our hotels in Koh Samui later this year and are looking for someone who would be interested to work with us
as a consultant. This professional is required to assist us for approximately two months (perhaps November/ December 2002).
We would require an experienced F&B service professional, with experience in this style of restaurant operation who can advise us on the correct service style
& procedures of the above mentioned restaurant.
Naturally, we would cover the costs of the candidate's round-trip economy airfare, accommodation and meals. There will be a nominal `consultancy' fee
payable although we are hoping to find someone that would like to accept this challenge for the experience working in Thailand and opening an exciting new restaurant.
We are also seeking to bring in some suitable Brazilian musical entertainment for the launch of this restaurant (for the first 3- 4 Month at least). We are looking for
an experienced set of strolling entertainers/musicians. Would you be able to put us in contact with someone suitable?
I am producing an event on the Warner Brothers lot that has a Brazilian theme, and I am hoping you might be able to help me find two specific things.
I am looking for:
1. Stilt creatures/masquerade performance artists on stilts who are elegant and sophisticated and would be able to mingle with the guests as they arrive from the
red carpet; and
2. Conga Players, approximately five or six of them, who look and sound terrific.
The event is the 2002-03 Warner Brothers Television Season Launch Party and the guests are very high end: all of the writers, directors, producers, talent, their
agents and all studio executives who work with or on every television show produced by Warner Brothers. I would have contacted you further, but just discovered you!
Please contact me at: 818/954.2652 or at currican@aol.com Obrigada; Thanks for your help. Keep well.
Para mim, Wilson Simonal - www.brazzil.com/p07jul00.htm - será sempre uma belíssima voz que fez e fará parte da trilha sonora da minha vida. Ainda hoje,
quando ouço "Sá Marina," me lembro das praias que frenqüentava em Salvador, onde minha tia morava e ia de veraneio, nas férias, e ainda me emociono com a canção e o
calor daquela voz que por razões que desconheço foi calada. Ele me deu alegria, e esperança com sua voz e suas canções.
Eu era bem jovem, mas ainda me lembro muito bem pois acabei de comprar um CD.... Uma pena e uma vergonha, ao me dar conta que sempre arrasamos os
talentos que temos nessa nossa terra. Não vivo mais no Brasil há muitos anos, e morro de saudades, e me dou conta do quão mesquinho e pobre de espírito podemos ser.
Só damos valor às coisas e pessoas que tenham algum reconhecimento fora deste país. Que desperdício! Após haver vivido em muitos países, ainda sei e creio
que temos umas das culturas mais criativas que existem, além de uma língua riquíssima, que todos teimam em nivelar por baixo.
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.
September 2002
Letters
US, a Democracy?
Armand Caputi
Via Internet
How About a Bronx Tour?
Marcos Borges
Copacabana, Rio, Brazil
The Author Talks
Jennifer Grant
Moved by You
Moving Piece
Via Internet
Orlando, Florida
Don't Touch My Girl
Paulo Mota
Porto Alegre, Brazil
The Tone of Racism
J. A. Pretell
Via Internet
Bonkers for Brazil
Joan Andrews
Via Internet
Pot Pourri
Blame It on the USA
The Author Responds
Norman Madarasz
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
PT Program Makes No Sense
Tony Spanakos
Fulbright Fellow
Departamento de Ciência Política
Universidade de Brasília
The Author Replies
Norman Madarasz
Lack of Experience = Uncertainty
Tony Spanakos
Fulbright Fellow
Departamento de Ciência Política
Universidade de Brasília
Those Tapes
WilliamVargas
New York, New York
USA Moonxtc@aol.com
Carandiru Search
Sally Gillich
DonandSall@aol.com
Not Another Ugly Painting
S Owens
Torrance, California
Brazil Inspired
Roxanne Seeman
Noa Noa Music
Santa Monica, California
www.noanoamusic.com
Enlightening Piece
Matthew "Bing" Cockrum
Fresno, California
Of Portuguese and Justice
André Fairchild
translator & interpreter in English, Spanish, Portuguese & French
Denver, Colorado USA
email: translator@interfold.com
Thailand Anyone?
Winfried Hancke
winchef@loxinfo.co.th
F&B Operations Manager
Central Hotels & Resorts
Party Time
Amy Kiehl
Producer
We Can Be Petty
Adriana Werneck de Aguiar
Via Internet
I copy, you copy
A. Hammad Rocha
Miami, Florida
