MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Brazil ready for an 'open arms' welcome like Christ the Redeemer statue pledges Rousseff
President Dilma Rousseff said Tuesday her country was ready to host the World Cup in two days, rejecting criticism of delays, overspending and chaos in the tournament's preparations. However organizing the cup was tough, but she insisted that the 12 stadiums were ready and told foreign fans that Brazil would welcome them with “open arms” like Rio's Christ the Redeemer statue. Read full article
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Disclaimer & comment rulesrejecting criticism of delays????
Jun 11th, 2014 - 10:07 am - Link - Report abuse 0In a couple of days, we will all find out.
I translate that as :
Jun 11th, 2014 - 11:31 am - Link - Report abuse 0“Slum-ridden crimehole ready for ”give me your wallet“ welcome like the pope on the vatican's balcony”, Rousseff wants more Lemon Pledge.
66 million Brazilians travel in tourism in Brazil every year. We have not had problems with infrastructure, airports, theft or anything else.
Jun 11th, 2014 - 11:46 am - Link - Report abuse 0How many foreigners are? 600,000?
This is a storm in a teacup!
@3
Jun 11th, 2014 - 12:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Scare stories happen before every WC/Olympics. For instance, London had too few security guards in the run-up to 2012 and with nothing else to write about the journalists went on about it, but everything got sorted and the whole thing went well. That said, we didn't have a monorail collapse a few days before the start. Plus all the stadia had been completed long before the Olympics allowing for test events and safety rehearsals. When things go wrong inside football grounds they can go very badly wrong indeed as we know in Britain to our cost. Just bear in mind that only a handful of those 600,000 visitors need to experience serious problems and the journalists will quickly revert to writing news stories again. Are you confident Brasileiro that the local police and emergency services have had a chance to test their tactics in and around the grounds?
“In May, the State Department noted that Rio has been rated “critical” for crime for the past 25 years, adding that statistics “reflect continued critically high and rising levels of crimes in the categories of robbery, rape, fraud, and residential thefts.” The report went on to say that street robberies continue at a high rate even in affluent neighborhoods, with cell phones and electronic items specifically targeted.”
Jun 11th, 2014 - 12:19 pm - Link - Report abuse 0All perfectly well planned here. I do not believe we have any nasty surprises.
Jun 11th, 2014 - 12:21 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The only surprise is the excessive cold that foreign tourists will find in the South and Southeast of Brazil.
Sod it!
Jun 11th, 2014 - 03:44 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The majority of Brailians will enjoy this.
Good luck to them.
What a coincidence I'm listening to “Hold me in your arms” by Rick Ashley On an Argentine Radio station.......
Jun 11th, 2014 - 03:54 pm - Link - Report abuse 0100,000 police!
Jun 11th, 2014 - 04:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Aren't they as bad as the drug dealers, armed gangs, etc.?
Ever seen the fantastic film “City Of God”? Based on a true story of a young boy from the favelas of Rio, deep in gang culture, who wants to be a photographer and what it costs him emotionally.
Terrific shots of Rio and the beaches and the real story of the Police and crime.
Do yourself a favour and try to see it: you won’t be disappointed.
Arriving in GRU tomorrow, then a connecting domestic flight.
Jun 11th, 2014 - 05:05 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I'll post if anythings changed regarding my travel experiance in general.
Ola Chris-
Jun 11th, 2014 - 07:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You might try the film “ Tropa da Elite, ” based on the book Elite da Tropa by sociologist Luiz Eduardo Soares and two former BOPE captains, André Batista and Rodrigo Pimentel.
Please remember that the film above, and “ Cidade de Deus ” that you mention are movies, not documentaries, and no more an actual reality than “ Deus É Brasileiro ” or “ God is Brasilian. ”
It is as stating that “ The Krays, ” “ or ” Dr. Who “ is an actual picture of the UK, when everyone knows that ” Wilt - Griff Rhys Jones / Mel Smith ” is a true and accurate illustration of Great Britain.
Oi BOTINHO,
Jun 11th, 2014 - 09:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I do my his words. (Faço minhas suas palavras).
Hugs my brother.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx4bUBL76SA
Why is Mercopress NOT reporting on the chaos in Venezuela?
Jun 11th, 2014 - 09:46 pm - Link - Report abuse 0People are dying.
The Government is massively corrupt.
There is critical insecurity and constant danger in the streets.
A critical lack of medicine.
The World’s highest Inflation Rate.
A critical lack of basic goods and services.
An ideological take-over leading to a Vene-Cuban form of enforced indentured state-dependency.
Widespread media censorship.
Constant repression of political opposition.
THOUSANDS illegally jailed without trial.
Daily torture and abuse of the Human Rights of the population.
Why is Latin America silent on this?
Why is Mercopress NOT reporting on the chaos in Venezuela?
@ 11 BOTINHO
Jun 11th, 2014 - 09:57 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Thanks for that but now I am frustrated!
Languages (on different Studio DVDs): Portuguese / Italian / Castilian / Polish
Portuguese / English subtitles, out of stock.
But I have a cunning plan: just need to see if I can get away with it.
Yes, I know City Of God was “semi-fictional, but I checked the photographer out and he did come good and was still working in the field two years ago.
But given the number of extra-judicial murders there has to be problems with the police.
I remember that in the nineteenth century and beginning of the twentieth century the United States had the highest homicide rate in the world.
Jun 11th, 2014 - 11:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The bandits were killed hundreds, thousands.
Bank robbers, psychotic murderers, rapists, embezzlers ...
Just add traffickers ...
We are solving a social problem left by the government of the PSDB, when 56% of children not in school in 2000.
The thugs of today are children disinherited by the Cardoso government.
Today, 98% of children attend school.
You draw your own conclusions!
We wait with bated breath on the outcome of Brazilian preparations.
Jun 11th, 2014 - 11:05 pm - Link - Report abuse 0In the words of the almighty The Clash.
The nervous fans will be asking “Should I stay or should I go now?”
Chris R,
Jun 11th, 2014 - 11:54 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Have you checked out the recent sequel “City of Men” also set in the Rio favellas?
Hola ilsen-
Jun 12th, 2014 - 01:16 am - Link - Report abuse 0“ Baited breath ” ?
I make a good version of Thunfisch mit Pizza now and then, and experience that problem. A toothbrush helps with a little toothpaste helps, followed by an effective mouthwash.
A jokes aside we are off to the opener tomorrow. We will be there rain, shine, crowds, or demonstrations, and will keep you posted.
# 3 6 & 12 - yes you Brasileiro - your President and party is looking more and more like they will lose the election in October. All politicians suck but these PT ones are probably persona non grate come October, bring on a better party and one that thinks about a better model for a future Brazil to grow into.
Jun 12th, 2014 - 06:10 am - Link - Report abuse 0Bom Dia -
Jun 12th, 2014 - 07:15 am - Link - Report abuse 0Today is a good day: The first opener.
In Rio, more piglets in the trough went on strike at the last moment. This time it is the baggage handlers at both Galeão and Santos Dumont airports demanding more pay, or all arriving planes will be unloaded very slowly.
The Rio Labor Court is involved and states that 80 % of the staff needs to be operating.
Botinho. Haha.
Jun 12th, 2014 - 07:52 am - Link - Report abuse 0Looking forward to your reports.
All the best!
@ Chris R. Can you access BBC programmes? There have been some really good documentaries on the run up to the WCFs. One series of three was particularly good, filmed in the favelas, narrated by Brazilians and it told their story in a very sympathetic way. The first was from the point of view of the police working in the favelas - one policeman featured was shot dead shortly after the end of filming. The second told the story of the people living there and their dealings with both the police and drug dealers. The police shot nine people dead for protesting against the money spent on the WCFs. The last one told the story of one family. It was particularly touching and warm. The family lived by picking through rubbish at the largest dump outside Rio. It had been closed because of the WCFs and the family showed how they adapted to survive by starting their own recycling business. It was incredibly hand-to-mouth and they lived in abject poverty BUT the sense of community was the highlight of the story. The family of nine lived in a leaky shack but somehow the mother had scrapped together money to start building a small house. The programme ended with the community coming together to put a concrete roof on it so her children were not soaked through every time it rained. Desperately poor but proud people. You can't fail to like them.
Jun 12th, 2014 - 11:33 am - Link - Report abuse 0ElaineB
Jun 12th, 2014 - 12:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Those were great documentaries. Highly recommended!
I imagine they are available online now.
@ 22 ElaineB
Jun 12th, 2014 - 12:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“Can you access BBC programmes?”
Yes, I can but I cannot tell you how! :o)
I’ll get the wife to look those up for me as long as they are still within the number of days allowed.
Thank you for that it sounds fascinating.
@24 I don't need to know how. :)
Jun 12th, 2014 - 03:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The series was called 'Welcome to Rio'. The last one only aired a day or two ago so you should find them.
@ 17 Bongo
Jun 12th, 2014 - 03:54 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“Have you checked out the recent sequel “City of Men” also set in the Rio favellas?”
Yes, I have. It is one of those I am trying to get done on DVD, but thank you very much for letting me know.
@ 25 ElaineB
YES! The wife found them for me so I have 5 days to get through them.
Now I have just got to get the VPN off her! :o)
So, the riots have started in Sao Paulo.
Jun 12th, 2014 - 04:01 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@23 Yes, they were excellent.
@26 They are well worth the time.
“”The pessimists... have been defeated by the hard work and determination of the Brazilian people, who never give up,” Dilma added, saying the tournament would leave a lasting legacy of infrastructure.“”“
Jun 12th, 2014 - 05:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Lasting legacy...of infrastructure ?? I think not, far more a legacy of run-down hospitals, lack of schools, lousy federally-run highways, lack of public security...but if Brazil wins the Cup, a lot of people will forget the excessive government spending and corruption for awhile....it's easy to fool and manipulate the masses.
Brasileiro@3...”66 million Brazilians travel in tourism in Brazil every year. We have not had problems with infrastructure, airports, theft or anything else“””.........
The definitive proof that Brazzo does not read the paper - instead he uses it to wipe his backside. I'm not sure about the figure of 66 million national tourists (per year), but to allege that “”We have not had problems with infrastructure, airports, theft or anything else“”“ is a sign of total ignorance. Anyone with even half-a-brain can see that nothing works as it should, and NO THEFT ??? where does this asshole live ??
Brazzo, it's no use lying anymore - everyone is sick and tired of seeing the ”real” Brazil in magazines and on the news, in real time, so stop bullshitting.
I always said that once the tournament starts the locals will get caught up in the excitement. If they win it - and they are favourites - that goodwill will probably last until the end of the year. The problem is that they then have the huge expense of the Olympics and the majority of people will further resent that their lives are not improving.
Jun 12th, 2014 - 05:50 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I shall be tuning in to the first match and keeping my fingers crossed that the temporary stands that have NOT been tested hold up. They were still working on them a few hours ago.
Here's hoping for some great footie over the next few weeks.
Am watching the opening ceremony. The sound is out of sync with the visuals but otherwise it looks a lot of fun! Kick Off soon!
Jun 12th, 2014 - 07:22 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Getting excited. Love the World Cup!
The only documentary about the slums that I found on the web was this...
Jun 12th, 2014 - 08:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 0https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAWjB_JjDaY&list=FLmXPTu1f8AdGlizWNiASx2A&index=2
I never click on your links Brasileiro but I guess it is more propaganda about an UNTESTED, UNPROVEN military?
Jun 12th, 2014 - 09:05 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Good Luck with the football.
I only like little football. I prefer volleyball and judo.
Jun 12th, 2014 - 09:39 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Brazil is gaining 2 x 1.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC3kUEKpaJQ&list=FLmXPTu1f8AdGlizWNiASx2A&index=7
@11 BOTINHO:
Jun 12th, 2014 - 10:12 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Tropa da Elite, is fantastic.
There is a great documentary about a frustrated man holding some bus passengers hostage, can't remember what it was called though, but worth a look if you can find it.
City of Men, the film and TV series was very entertaining, but of course fictional.
The recent BBC documentaries 'Welcome to Rio' is fascinating, I feel it paints a true picture of Rio. (That is a bit of an assumption, as I've never been!!)
What ever major city you visit, you'll find poverty, it's just in such a stark contrast in Rio.
All in all, I'm sure Brazil will be fantastic hosts, and put on a fantastic tournament. The same shit was spouted about the S.African world cup, but it turned out to be an amazing event.
Good result for Brazil tonight though!
Look, I'm sorry for all of you. But I would love you all to stay away from my homeland. We're not friends, but we need not be enemies.
Jun 12th, 2014 - 10:57 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I support Argentina and I use the google translator and linked to a Brazilian university startup to be able to understand the English language and be able to write in English.
Mercopress is only an instrument to accomplish what I want.
My interests do not pass the English domain.
Brazzo @35, save your apologies for the Brazilians, who are getting shafted and don't even know it. One thing you got right though, we are definitely not your friend.
Jun 12th, 2014 - 11:38 pm - Link - Report abuse 0That you support Argentina is no surprise.... losers usually stick together.
So, you've finally admitted that you have no clue about English. About time...
Yr#31, if that's all you found regarding slums, you obviously didn't look out your window....65 million Brazilians live in subhuman conditions, but you still think the government is doing a good job at stamping out misery....what an asshole !!
Yr#33, you may not like football, but you probably love the changing rooms right after the game, for the same reason that you like judo, where you can come in bodily contact with some sweaty bruiser....Go Brasileiro !!!
Class A = 26 million people
Jun 12th, 2014 - 11:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Class B = 54 million people
Class C = 104 million people
Class D and E = 18 million people
Where are 65 million...
You are a stupid, idiot and facist gringo!
BURRO!
35 Brassiere
Jun 13th, 2014 - 12:21 am - Link - Report abuse 0“I support Argentina and I use the google translator and linked to a Brazilian university startup to be able to understand the English language and be able to write in English.”
Oh you're do full of bullshit !!
One of your “operators” using the Brazzo identity is an uneducated blundering half-wit, who obviously doesn't know much English, or anything else for that matter.
You appear to be quite fluent and educated, but NOT Brazilian. You're nothing more than an Argentine propagandist posing as a Brazilian individual to spread misinformation.
Correct though, certainly no friend.
Mr. Troll,
Jun 13th, 2014 - 12:33 am - Link - Report abuse 0For now I do not wanna make love to you!
http://en.mercopress.com/2014/06/11/brazil-ready-for-an-open-arms-welcome-like-christ-the-redeemer-statue-pledges-rousseff#comment331706: The answer to your question is that 'Mercopress' is not a news organization reporting on Mercosul. It is a British run propaganda site devoted to attempting to maintain the occupation of the Malvinas. I don't usually read much on this site (because its rubbish) but I did happen to come across this article the other day:
Jun 13th, 2014 - 01:52 am - Link - Report abuse 0http://en.mercopress.com/2014/06/11/brazil-ready-for-an-open-arms-welcome-like-christ-the-redeemer-statue-pledges-rousseff#comment331706:
I challenge you; have you seen such an example of fawning propaganda since the days of the Soviet Union and Pravda? In the same way that you would not expect news to have appeared in Pravda you cannot expect it to appear in Mercopress either.
This site is all about the British, the 'Falklands' and Argentina. This is why you can see articles here about the nasty Spanish claim to Gibraltar - which is the central issue within Mecrosul - not! If you want to see stories about Venezuela you need to support a military operation by that country against the Malvinas occupation. This will result in endless stories about how nasty Venezuela is.
You know, despite the best efforts of Pravda the Soviet Union did collapse. Likewise, despite the best efforts of Mercopress the UK will return the Malvinas within the next 25 years.
@40 Wrong again!
Jun 13th, 2014 - 03:12 am - Link - Report abuse 0“This site is all about the British, the 'Falklands' and Argentina.”
MercoPress is an independent news agency started in 1993 which focuses on delivering news related to the Mercosur trade and political bloc, and member countries, covering an area of influence which includes South America, the South Atlantic and insular territories.
And
“The most popular Brazilian magazine compared Cristina with Stalin”
http://www.cronista.com/economiapolitica/La-revista-mas-popular-de-Brasil-comparo-a-Cristina-con-Stalin-20140611-0124.html
@38 TT
Jun 13th, 2014 - 06:11 am - Link - Report abuse 0You are correct.
The name for starters was always trying to be something it was/is not.
It (the profile known as brasileiro) pisses me off particularly, as I'm very closely connected with the real Brasil, and real Brasilians.
The real Brasilians I am close to are totally unlike what the the troll in question would like to have people believe.
Brasileiro is a good example of being brainwashed by socialism (probably cooks Dilma's feijoada) not seeing the forest through the trees, they cannot reason replying with silly links and off topic conversations, maybe it's a lack of education thing (although they do know how to use google translate - wow). They defend Brazil but Brazil needs to get rid of this backward indoctrinated thinking, bring on a purge of all these idiots.
Jun 13th, 2014 - 02:15 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@37, “seu” Puto Brasileiro...you've may have learned to use the Google translator, but you still haven't the faintest idea how to do research in the internet....If you didn't have a siflitic brain, you would realize that the 65 million brazilians who live in really shitty conditions are in the C,D and E classes, which by your own count , come to 122 million people....and a bit more than 50% of them are those that live in subhuman conditions.....
Jun 13th, 2014 - 04:38 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Troy@38...take care ....the Brazzo has declared himself (see his #39), confirming he is a transvestite , and obviously a rabid 'petista'.....do not know which is worse...
Tik Tok @ 43...I don't think the Brasileiro “traveco” cooks Dilma's feijoada, he more likely swills out her crapper....can well imagine the mess after her stomach ache yesterday, during the Brazil x Croatia game, where a sizeable portion of the fans were shouting in chorus “Dilma, vai tomar no cú” (freely translated, “Dilma, go f*ck yourself”).
The Brazilian papers were full of the unwelcome Dilma received. It is almost encouraging that the Brazilians are not letting this event blind them to the reality of their situation.
Jun 13th, 2014 - 05:42 pm - Link - Report abuse 0There are several people using the Brazileiro log in. I doubt any of them are Brazilian.
@ 45 ElaineB
Jun 13th, 2014 - 07:59 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Managed to watch all three programmes now.
Lots of food for thought and what a great people, the poor ones that is. ;o)
@45 ElaineB, despite the fact that a good number of Brazilians are pissed-off with the excessive government spending for the World Cup, they are most likely supporting Brazil's team. I believe, that even if Brazil does win the Cup, which will no doubt be capitalized on by Dilma and her gang , I don't think that the people will keep quiet ....there are too many things wrong in Brazil, regarding which the Federal Government has either not adddressed at all, or has tried to pull wool over everyone's eyes.
Jun 13th, 2014 - 09:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0As to identifying the one and only, original Brazzo asshole, it is easy to recognize him...even if he has now discovered Google translator, his halfwit brain will carry on with its stupid remarks, most of them totally unrelated to the subject being debated.
@35, I really hope the rest of your country men are a little more welcoming, you're right we're not allies or enemies, but you don't need to be a dick about it! Tourism is rather important to your country, so let's hope the majority of the population are as welcoming to the rest of the world as London was during the Olympics.
Jun 13th, 2014 - 09:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 047 Jack
Jun 13th, 2014 - 10:07 pm - Link - Report abuse 0There is more than one “Brazzo”
No amount of Google Translate Software is yet capable of transforming the jumbled Pidgin English of Brazzo Original, to the carefully executed propaganda-English fluency of Argentine Brazzo Mk 2, 3, or ...
In GRU SaoPaolo just now.
Jun 13th, 2014 - 11:07 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Its fukcin chaos .
Got pished with a couple of scousers on the plane.
Had a wee exchange if words with a twat from the midlands somehere with three lions on his shirt.
(And no, he did not understand my Doric)
All Englishmen are Acutely donkeys, without exception. Included Scotish!
Jun 14th, 2014 - 12:35 am - Link - Report abuse 0https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9nFiNKl3L4&index=1&list=FLmXPTu1f8AdGlizWNiASx2A
http://en.mercopress.com/2014/06/11/brazil-ready-for-an-open-arms-welcome-like-christ-the-redeemer-statue-pledges-rousseff#comment331882: Yes, Veja, the journal of Brazil's oligarchy.
Jun 14th, 2014 - 03:19 am - Link - Report abuse 0So what's your point? Is it that Veja is Brazil's Pravda?
@46 Glad you enjoyed them. I thought they were very well done. They didn't hide the abject poverty or mortal danger the people in the favelas endure daily but they did capture the spirit of Brazilian people with their eternal optimism and huge sense of community responsibility.
Jun 14th, 2014 - 01:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@47 I don't think they will allow the WCFs to distract from their displeasure either. The fact that they were still protesting during the Brazil game and giving Dilma stick it testament to that.
@48 10,000 English supporters attending the WCFs apart from the usual number of tourists. I can remember a news item where some Brazilians were decorating their bars to bring in the English supporters. They know they spend money.
@50 Enjoy!
@51
Jun 14th, 2014 - 03:05 pm - Link - Report abuse 0There's two 't's' in Scottish, ya Argentinian cnut.
Troy@49...I think you might be right...then, there's the original Brazzo, whose English is barely comprehensible at it's best, and the impersonating one, who seems to have learned how to use the Google translator, which isn't really all that great, as even monkeys have been taught to do more difficult things ; the first is a transvestite, but what they both have in common, besides their hatred of foreigners, is their distorted perception of reality and their radically non-sensical ideas.
Jun 14th, 2014 - 04:17 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I'd say that the Brazzo @51, is the original....how abt you ??
55
Jun 14th, 2014 - 05:50 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You could be right, Jack.
Same attitude, but you are right, the only time he was comprehensible was through imperfect use of Google Translate.
This is similar, but now I am so suspicious of the many operators and their many levels of competency, I think it may be one of the higher functioning Brazzo-trolls dissembling. They have done that before .
All too transparent, and amusing because of it!!
LOL !!!
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