MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Pele admits tourists are cancelling trips to Brazil because of protests and delays
Protests in Brazil and delays in building stadiums are putting the World Cup next month at risk and prompting tourists to stay away, soccer great Pele said on Monday. Brazil's tournament organizers have faced headwinds since the country was tapped to host the World Cup in 2007. Read full article
Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesWise words from Pele.
May 20th, 2014 - 09:13 am - Link - Report abuse 0We hear the constant cry from individuals on here that they don't need foreigners and to stay away. As Pele says, they were hoping the tournaments would attract foreign money, investment and tourism. They need it. They needed to showcase the country and they are failing miserably. 25% cancellations is high.
That said, when the tournament starts I think the focus will be on the games and the unfinished stadia, muggings and protests will be confined to the news bulletins.
Don't forget people, don't fight, argue or object. Just give them all you have. Official advice from the Brazilian government for attending the World Cup. Also, get down on your knees, bend over and suck whilst getting shafted. Who else wants to go to Brazil?
May 20th, 2014 - 10:35 am - Link - Report abuse 0'Who else wants to go to Brazil?' Conq.
May 20th, 2014 - 12:44 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Me. Back to Salvador with all my old friends. We take care and avoid risk as much as possible. I planned to enjoy the game and then head for Villas do Atlantico for fun times on the beach. I'm going to miss both the spectacle and my friends ... but I will be watching from the Canaries.
Popcorn anyone?
May 20th, 2014 - 01:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0TV and sofa in your own country?
Sadly necessary.
Aye, I'll be arriving just before the first match.
May 20th, 2014 - 01:38 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Can't be bothered going to any games though.
Wish it was the Rugby World Cup !!
I always like watching the World Cup, but this year it sounds like it will come with added entertainment. I do hope they don't have anything similar to those silly things they swing around and made that daft noise in South Africa, they were bloody annoying!
May 20th, 2014 - 07:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 025% cancellations that's incredibly high and I would consider it catastrophic.
May 20th, 2014 - 07:31 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Let's see how it goes. All they need is for Brazil to lose and the power to go out right afterwards.
Then we'll see some fun.
Pelé's opinion that “People should have demonstrated when Brazil was chosen to organize the World Cup, and not now that the World Cup is very soon,” is a load of crap. When Lula the megalomaniac managed to get Brazil to host the World Cup, he, in his own recent words on TV last week, said “when I was trying to get the World Cup for Brazil, I wasn't thinking of the cost, all I thought of was the greatness it would bring to Brazil”......What he really meant was “ who gives a damn about the cost, screw the people, and it's a good opportunity to steal a lot more, and if Brazil wins the Cup, I'll go down in Brazilian history as the greatest president ever”......it's the same old thing as the old Roman emperor, who was dying, said to his son Tito , in 79 AD....“son, to be a great emperor, all you have to do is provide stadiums for the people - they would rather place their backsides on a seat in a stadium, than on a crapper, or to sit in a classroom....give them bread and a circus, and they'll be happy”.....Nearly 2000 years later it still rings true.
May 20th, 2014 - 09:33 pm - Link - Report abuse 0As to Pelé, in his high-profile position, he should think more of the long term nefarious effects this uncontrolled spending will have on the people, instead of lamenting about the timing of the protests. In 2007, the people did not protest because they had no idea what it was going to cost, but even then, the more enlightened people already knew it had been a big mistake...it was all about politics and the personal cult to Lula that mattered, and screw the rest.
“Bread and circuses”
May 21st, 2014 - 12:12 am - Link - Report abuse 0Very astute comment Jack B.
let's just hope there is enough bread, the circus opens on time and the police do not go on strike. ....
when you put it like that, not only is the Brazilian Government behind on schedule for the World Cup, they also seem to be about 2000 years behind modern political thinking.
This is frightening.
Well I'm still going. Can't wait!!
May 21st, 2014 - 06:38 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Good Luck Andy!
May 21st, 2014 - 09:15 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Stay safe and have a blast!
@9 Ilsen, am glad you enjoyed the “bread & circus”, but I cannot take credit for it....the phrase “panem et circenses” belongs the Roman emperor I mentioned, whose name was Titus Flavius Vespasianus (9AD -79AD), and spoken to his son Titus, just before the former pipped it.
May 24th, 2014 - 03:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0When it comes down to politics, not much changes over the centuries, as neither can human nature. The only thing that can force a change, is an educated population, not inclined to put up with the usual BS.
@12 Jack
May 25th, 2014 - 02:34 am - Link - Report abuse 0re: “bread and circuses” specifically, not the bit about stadiums/ stadia.
I didn't think for a moment you coined it, erudite as you are. I was merely expressing my enjoyment of the fact you employed it so well!
I am aware of the origin of the phrase (Roman), however I was under the impression it was from the actual phrase is 'Give them bread and circuses and they will never revolt' . Originally by the Roman poet Juvenal in the first Century in his Satires lamenting the continuing slide of his former Roman Republic into dictatorship.
Then employed by your Titus Flavius Vespasianus in a broader sense.
Like all modern day politicians, picking and chosing from those who have gone before in order to suit their rhetorical needs.
pedantically yours,
Ilsen Conabilis
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