The Brazilian Politics Thread

I agree with all of that, you are just like me. I think it's just the fact that I haven't gone to any manifestations yet, and I think I'll end up not going that makes me want to help them somehow. Thinking of ways to protect oneself and talking about it are all I have right now.

Here is a resource for you guys to use and share with your mates. It's a page of non-violent protest techniques. If you use any of it, please pay esp. attention to this page "Nonviolent response to personal violence".

This protest did show some really hilarious stuff going on.

On the first few days the police apparently forgot that nowadays everyone has a camera equipped cellphone... and they started damaging their own cars and tools in order to make an excuse to lash against the pacific protesters. Obviously, it was recorded.

The ABIN (the Brazilian FBI) failed at doing something as simple as following protest plans on social media. The government then asked the army to do that. What.

Some political parties noticed the general approval the protest has got and tried to associate themselves with the movement. Of course they were scorned away, since one of the things the people are protesting against is on how we have too many political parties with no practical differences and only care about to expand themselves inside the congress and other state organs.

ABIN is more akin to the brazilian CIA than the Brazilian FBI, though.

"All you Fascists bound to lose."

Well, the CIA is technically forbidden to carry out operations within the US. Maybe they are closer to the NSA or Homeland Security?

edited 21st Jun '13 1:42:49 PM by Rationalinsanity

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.

The NSA just collects data — no such thing as an "NSA Field Agent".

Keep Rolling On

That does seem a closer match, as ABIN has no authority to arrest or pursue suspects, they simply collect information through varied methods and coordinate intelligence.

"All you Fascists bound to lose."

Any thoughts about Dilma's speech today?

I can't say I'm surprised that she only covered the most basic/easily recognizable issues addressed by the protesters. Some of her propositions do sound interesting (such as the 100% redirection of petrol royalties to education). Of course, she wouldn't name anyone specific, but it does frustrate me that every politician and the media fail to address the issue of Renan Calheiros. It's as if they're deathly afraid to mention him.

"You cannot judge a system if your judgement is determined by the system."

Agree with you. I also criticize her hoice of bringing doctor from abroad to work in the SUS, I mean, why doesn't she invest in our own doctors? Why not put all medicine college degrees into good use? Also she didn't say a word about PEC 37.

I went to the protest against the "gay cure" today. I'm very pleased to say that it went very pacific and little to no theme derails ocurred during the walk. Perhaps it was one if the most organized protests I've seen so far this latter days.

Concerning what kind of preparation should be done for possible trouble in the protests, let me share the experience I have. I suppose most of you know these things, but better safe than sorry: First and most basic, try to calmly step away from the fight zone. If the cops use tear gas, DO NOT PANIC. Running and panicking will just make you breathe heavier and faster, allowing the gas to make effect faster. Cover your mouth and nose with your shirt for some protection (the surgeon mask + vinegar combo works a lot more as it neutralizes the gas for some time) and clear out of the area or reach higher ground.

Swimming goggles do work because they protect your eyes from entering in contact with the gas. Speaking of eye protection, do not wear contact lens. They can get impregnated with the gas, and since they can't be washed, they will stay that way. Also, be sure to carry spare clothing, because the ones you're wearing also can get impregnated with the gas. If this happens, get a way to change your clothes and put the contaminated one in a plastic bag.

As for the rubber-bullets, I don't know if a pan can provide a good cover. What you need to have in mind is that while they are not lethal, they can still do nasty damage, specially if they score a critical hit. Protect your head and any other fragile points you have, stay out of cross-fire and get out as fast as you can.

An estrategy to avoid becoming a target is to everyone sit down when someone is vandalising. This way cops can quickly tell the vandals apart from the peaceful protesters. We did that today and the man quickly left in fear.

edited 21st Jun '13 9:20:15 PM by NightChaos

"......Huh?" Myself, 2014.

Indeed, this bothered me too. It's really no use bringing foreign doctors if the quality of the equipment of the public health system is abysmal. If the conditions of public hospitals were acceptable, there wouldn't be so many of our good doctors working on private clinics and hospitals. And not mentioning PEC 37 is probably due to her attempting to avoid conflict with other powers, I'd guess.

What annoys me the most is how much responsibility people attribute to her. They talk about impeachment as if she somehow had absolute power over every aspect of brazilian politics and simply chooses not to do anything. The ignorance of the population just baffles me.

"You cannot judge a system if your judgement is determined by the system."

What frustrated more about Dilma's speech is the complete lack of mention to the abuses from the police. She, along with the mass media, are acting as if all the acts of violences were started by the protesters themselves, which is far from the truth.

There was more protests "today"*

, naturally. And it is rather telling that the one that happened in the South Zone, a richer region of my city, ended pacifically. Sure, it was a rather small one, but that never stopped the confusion before. The original protests were similarly small and always ended up in confront. But, this time, nothing happened. Certainly because the police was ordered to not start anything where the rich/middle-class live.

That said, Dilma's speech was not all that terrible, that aside.

That doesn't help all that much if the police is not interested in differentiating one from another. I've seem and heard of aggressions against people who were obviously not protesters, never mind violent protesters. That said, if the confusion did not started yet, it does make harder for the police to start anything to the peaceful people. And, if it fails, the recorded images are more iconic. Harder to say the police made a mere mistake if they are going against people on the ground.

edited 21st Jun '13 11:14:37 PM by Heatth

I recieved some interesting news today.

For those who don't understand Portuguese, it seems that some extreme-right miltants were actually trying to put an end to the marchs by spreading chaos and vandalising. They even recived money and help from some policemen and some political parties to organize themselves. Not only that, they tried to banish any left political parties from the protests (hence the attacks against the Workers Party). This guy seems to regreet his actions, and now is turning on all his friends and their plans to the authorities.

Looks like some conspiracy theories weren't just theories after all...

edited 24th Jun '13 6:54:51 PM by NightChaos

"......Huh?" Myself, 2014.

And, just to be clear, by "extreme-right" he meant "integralism", which is almost the same thing as the fascism. The inspiration of Italian and German fascism is obvious.

PS:Reading the comments on this news is really saddening. So much ignorance it makes one astonished.

edited 24th Jun '13 9:31:55 PM by Heatth

So some of your cops are not only intentionally provoking protestors and using excessive force, they are teaming up with fascists to discredit the entire movement? Any chance that heads will roll over this revelation?

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.

Considering the level of impunity in our country...

"You cannot judge a system if your judgement is determined by the system."

Not only the police, but some influent right wing parties as well. For example, the governor of São Paulo is from one of the parties (PSDB) accused from aiding said fascists. Which, of course, makes investigating them much harder.

But, now we are armed with such information, we need to fight to disseminate it. Make sure the most of people possible knows what is going on, to make people aware of those who wants to sabotage the protests and to discredits such corrupt parties.

PS:The profile of Marcio Hiroshi, the ex-integralist who made the denounce, is apparently not on Facebook anymore. I don't know the reason, but this makes the information lose much credibility, sadly. =/ It was deleted this Monday, I am sure, as I saw his profile there earlier.

I do have a .zip file with his confessions, accusations and photos (it was posted on facebook, so it is not hard to find). Not entirely sure what to do with them, but I guess I will try to get it to as many people as possible.

edited 24th Jun '13 11:24:01 PM by Heatth

(*racks brain trying to remember S4 Modern Studies module on Brazil)

I thought that the current Brazilian administration was a left-wing one? And that Dilma Rousseff succeeded Lula, who, again, I thought people liked. Or are the protests directed at corruption in general?

Also, are the landless movements like MST playing any role in this?

Schild und Schwert der Partei

Dilma is quite popular among the general public, especially poor people, though better-informed groups have lost some faith in her. Still, corruption is one of the main concerns of the protests and anyone with half a brain knows she can't just magically rid the country of it, regardless of her competence and intentions.

If the MST are involved, it would be more due to opportunistic behavior than anything else. I don't doubt that some of them have participated in the protests, but I didn't hear much about them lately.

"You cannot judge a system if your judgement is determined by the system."

Thanks for answering the question. At school we studied Brazil as an example of a rapidly emerging nation. We did a big module on MST. I wondered if they would be involved. Are they still chipping away with the land occupations. And how are they perceived in Brazil?

Schild und Schwert der Partei

They are perceived as a group who cause trouble for people who have nothing to do with their troubles. But I confess I'm not as educated in the legitimacy of their causes as I should be.

"You cannot judge a system if your judgement is determined by the system."

Should Brazilians protest the World Cup? What demands could they make of FIFA, esp. considering the controversial construction activities that went on to build and rebuild some stadiums?

One of the first claims was that the cup expenses were absurdly and unnecessarily high, so people demanded investigations to check the legitimacy of those claims.

edited 25th Jun '13 7:05:56 PM by Teraus

"You cannot judge a system if your judgement is determined by the system."

About the MST, the people I know recognize their cause to be a just one and they do have the right to fight. However, they some times may take things too far.

As Teraus, I am not terribly familiar to them, though.

Thanks for answering.

As for FIFA: FIFA are a bunch of authoritarian wankers. Seriously, the bring in a whole bunch of press restrictions every time they host a World Cup, including one about how you "may not bring FIFA into disrepute" - though they already do that themselves, being a bunch of patently corrupt hucksters, cf. England's 2018 world cup bid.

Schild und Schwert der Partei

Weren't the Protests also about the cost of the 2016 Summer Olympics?

Keep Rolling On