Definitely not surprised ______

 On October 14th Spain’s Supreme Court sentenced nine politicians and activists to up to 13 years in jail over their role in Catalonia's failed 2017 independence bid.  You knew this was coming:
 Hundreds of thousands of pro-independence supporters from across Spain’s northeastern region of #Catalonia are expected to pour into #Barcelona today October 18th.
Will Spain's answer again be to seize control of the Catalan administration?

Oct 20: 

#BillMaher plea for Trump to go : "Just take my check for $1 million,"..... "Mr. President, it is really very simple. You love money. We hate you."  Hey Bill, Trump is having too much fun.

Oct 25

 #SnoopDogg  will promote Seedo’s small refrigerator-like machine that grows plants with the help of artificial intelligence.

oct 27

Fundraising slows down so Biden softens opposition to super PAC money

Nov 11

I'm not surprised #evomorales described a civic coup as the reason for his resignation as the President of #Bolivia . Don't forget that a few years ago he had the courts  overturn a two-term Presidential limit by arguing that it was a violation of his human rights

 November 12

 #Vox , which advocates tough stances against immigration and for the independence drive in the Catalonia region, increased its seats from 24 to 52. That's a mild surprise, but it's worth noting that Vox only received 0.2% of the vote in Spain  three years ago.

nov 28

  "The Dreadful Eight" , a report issued by Bellingcat and its' partners  Der Spiegel and The Insider, made the claim that eight Russian intelligence agents traveled to Bulgaria in 2015 and poisoned arms dealer #EmilianGebrev .

Dec 4

I'm not surprised that Iran's rulers are blaming us for it's internal problems, but am surprised  Iran’s President Rouhani called for the release of any unarmed and innocent people who were detained during protests.

dec 7

 #JohnKerry , the former US secretary of state and 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, is endorsing  Biden in 2020.  This should warms the hearts of the AOC wing of the Democrat party.

dec 13

 Former Bolivian Pres #EvoMorales  was granted political asylum by Argentina. Mexico was just too far away from Bolivia.

dec17

 Results of President #Obrador of Mexico "give peace a chance"  plan for dealing with cartels : 12 cops killed in one week in #Guanajuato

dec 19

  EU court ruled #Junqueras,  a jailed Catalan secessionist leader, has political immunity which is a huge victory for secessionist movement.

dec 30

  Traditional rivals,Greece and Turkey, are using Libya as diplomatic front in a battle over  Mediterranean maritime rights and energy exploration.

jan 2, 2020

Spain continues to step into messes.  Bolivia  expelled Mexico's ambassador and two Spanish diplomats, alleging they were part of a plot to aid the escape of former Interior Minister Juan Ramón Quintana, the most-wanted man in the country.

jan 4

While Ergodan has Turkey pursuing Libya's oil,  the top court in Turkey ruled that #wikipedia  be made available to Turkish users again. We'll see if Ergodan obeys the Constitutional Court. I doubt it.

jan 7

 35 mourners killed and 48 other others injured in stampede in Kerman, Iran,during #Soleimani 's burial ceremonies.

jan 12

I'm surprised Iran admitted to shooting down the Ukranian passenger  plane, but not surprised at how they've exacerbated the situation.  Iranian police used tear gas to disperse vigil attendees who were chanting against Khameini and arrested the British ambassador to Iran, #RobMacaire , who claims he went to honor the British victims and left when the chanting started.

Jan 13

I wonder if Argentina is glad they gave #evomorales political asylum. He confirmed his was the voice in a recording played on Bolivian radio calling for creation of armed militias “as in Venezuela”.

Jan 28

Is this quid pro quo?  #Cyprus is blocking EU sanctions against several officials from Russia-annexed Crimea in a bid to secure EU backing for tougher action against Turkey in a separate issue over drilling for hydrocarbons in or near Cyprus territorial waters.

Jan 30

I'm not surprised  that the Turkish Foreign Ministry  criticized a court decision in Belgium, which has blocked the prosecution of 36 suspects linked to the Kurdish #PKK , and doesn't want to understand that the Belgium Judiciary is independent of the Belgian Executive Branch which still lists PKK as a terrorist group.

Feb 3

Is Ergodan on a Crusade? Greece has boosted its troop level at the Greek/Turkish border, and the Turks shelled Syrian troops in Idlib, Syria, yesterday.

feb 11

 Baghdad woke up to snow for first time since 2008 but will it chill the protests.

feb 14

 #JoeManchin, who voted to oust Trump,  may endorse his re-election

feb 25

News that makes me feel old:  The Brazilian Football Confederation unveiled a statue of #Pele at its headquarters  to commemorate June’s 50th anniversary of the team’s third World Cup triumph in 1970. The 79 year-old Pele has difficulty walking  and did not attend  the ceremony.

feb 26

  Professional baseball teams in Japan will hold games without spectators until March 15 due to concerns over #coronavirus.

march 2

 I'm not surprised at the Left's growing intolerance for free speech. #AmyKlobuchar canceled a rally in her home state yesterday after protesters took over the stage shouting for her to drop out of the presidential race over the Myon Burrell case she prosecuted in 2002.

march 8

Will #ergodan's errors in Libya, Syria, and now the Greek border catch up with him domestically. Yesterday, he shut down social media access again. The EU is telling him we gave you $$$ to deal with the migrant problem so deal with it.

March 10

Meanwhile armed Greek civilians have begun patrolling the Greek-Turkish border region and claim they are keeping villages safe.

March 11

 'My kids exhaust me more than COVID-19,' #JonathanPeterschmitt, a French doctor in  self-imposed quarantine with his family.

March 30

I'm not surprised missiles are still flying in the Middle East . Saudi forces intercepted ballistic missiles  over the capital Riyadh and the southern city of Jazan. The Iran-backed  Houthi rebels of Yemen are the likely suspect.

April 5

I'm not surprised that Peru has a lockdown by gender. Men can go out: MWF, Women: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. No one on Sunday. I guess they missed the memo about the other 100 genders

April 7

Twists and turns: The Sindh government in Pakistan used the Maintenance of Public Order law to keep Omar Saeed Sheikh and three others behind bars for another 90 days while prosecutors appeal the court ruling to release those involved in Daniel Pearl's death on 2002.

april 12, 2020

Documents from the Iran Nuclear Archive that were seized by Israel two years ago state that Iran created the Shahid Mahallati Uranium Metals Workshop, near Tehran, to research and develop uranium metallurgy related to building nuclear weapons. Meanwhile Congresswoman #Omar thinks the USA shouldn't block an IMF plan to give Iran Coronavirus aid. Here's a novel idea: Iran shifts money from its nuclear arms plan to fighting the virus. 

april 23

Haircuts  are all the rage among younger folks in Denmark as lockdown eases. Old folks aren't so enthused.

May 5

This is not a multi gender story:  "trans-Tasman bubble", quarantine free travel between Australia and New Zealand freely, is a hot topic of discussion

May 18

I guess there was enough social distancing.  Stolt Apal, a UK flagged tanker, repulsed  an attack by six armed pirates  in two speedboats 75 nautical miles off Yemen’s coast in the Gulf of Aden.

May 19

  FC Seoul, a South Korean soccer team, apologized Sunday after fans watching a televised game noticed the "mannequins" in the stands.  It appears to be  harmless even amusing, but some have alleged these  are sex dolls.

May 26

Michigan Gov. #Whitmer acknowledged  that her husband dropped her name while requesting to get their boat in the water ahead of the Memorial Day weekend, but claimed her husband’s comments were a “failed attempt at humor.” The acknowledgement arrives after she got Michigan GOP state Sen. Tom Barrett  to take down  an FB post about her hubby by insisting the story was untrue.  Now for something sadder. Red Wings didn't quality for the 24 team NHL playoffs.

May 29, 2020

No surprise that folks in Hong Kong are lining up to exit. An agency that facilitates emigration from Hong Kong to Taiwan received over 200 requests last weekend. Canada and Australia are other destinations drawing interest.

June 3, 2020

Some well preserved cannabis, including its psychoactive compound THC was found in a 2,700-year-old temple in Tel Arad , about 59 miles south of Tel Aviv. The remains of burnt offerings were preserved on top of  altars.

June 10, 2020

Judge #Cavedo temporarily blocked a plan by Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam's administration to remove a Confederate statue of General Robert E Lee from a local monument for 10 days. Unless this has changed in VA code section 15.2: Confederate or Union monuments or memorials of the War Between the States (1861-1865) are protected.  Maybe Northam needs new legislation , maybe not.

June 12, 2020

 Peru claims exports of ginger have nearly tripled during the  pandemic because the root is seen as a natural immune system booster. Spain, the Netherlands, and the United States were the biggest recipients of the exports.

June 15, 2020

Pastors dressed as waiters and carried Bibles on trays to bar tables set up inside the Comunidad Redentor church in San Lorenzo, Argentina protesting Gov.Perotti's ban on church gatherings of 10 people or more. Whatever it takes!

June 16, 2020

 #ergodan will be whining shortly. Greek PM Mitsotakis said the Greek-Israeli-Cypriot energy explorations arrangement “is not directed against nor exclusive of anyone”, but accused Turkey of  being a bully in the region. France claimed Turkey's violation of an arms embargo was thwarting efforts to secure a ceasefire in Libya.

June 19, 2020

 Judge #Cavedo extends injunction preventing removal of Lee statue, and Virginia has put up concrete barriers around it. It appears Northam's pen isn't as strong as he thinks, for now.

June 20, 2020

More statue news: MLPD(Marxist-Leninist Party of Germany) chairwoman Gabi Fechtner on the unveiling of a statue of Lenin in the western German city of Gelsenkirchen.

"Lenin was an ahead-of-his-time thinker of world-historical importance, an early fighter for freedom and democracy"

June 23, 2020

#Bolton wrote in his book that he relayed Trump’s request to a senior Japanese government official for more money to host USA troops. Japan's Defense Minister Taro Kono said he hasn't received that request. The current troop agreement expires in March , 2021.

July 4

Mildly surprised that Macron replaced Philippe with #Castex , a right-leaning politician, as Prime Minister of France, but he may have calculated that there would be little to gain from trying to appease his leftist detractors. Who knows, maybe this is a lesson for some GOP members of the USA Senate. etc?

July 10

It's about the number of guests : "Big fat British Asian weddings' forced to slim down"

July 20 , 2020

I ain't surprised that Iran launched missiles at a mock-up of a US aircraft carrier in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. And you'll love the name for the drills, Prophet Mohammed 14th.

Aug, 8, 2020

Not surprised Macron is offering French assistance to Lebanon since France's ties with Lebanon go back to a League of Nations mandate to administer the infrastructure of Lebanon. My first reaction was to ponder a line from John Cale's song 'Russian Roulette': "The French are dizzy from turning their back on everyone."

Aug 15, 2020

A history lesson on politicians: Since it was losing two-thirds of its territory with more than 3 million Hungarians , Hungary sent politicians with no future ambitions to sign the treaty that ended WW1.

Sept 9, 2020

Ain't surprised: Red hats outnumbered masks 100-to-1 at Trump rally in Winston-Salem, NC.

oct 17

Sadly, I'm not surprised that some folks don't appreciate freedom. An 18-year-old of Chechen origin was shot dead by the French police after he murdered 47-year-old history teacher Samuel Paty, who earlier this month shown his pupils cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad in a civics class on freedom of expression.

oct 27

Iranian FM #Zarif tweeted that insulting Muslims is an “opportunistic abuse of freedom of speech. It only fuels extremism.” Typical BS response to images being displayed in France of prophet Mohammad, which some Muslims consider blasphemous.

Nov 13, 2020

 I ain't surprised that #Duerte, the Philippines President, has decided to postpone the termination the VFA with the USA, since tensions with mainland China remain unresolved in the South China Sea.

Nov 25, 2020

Hunter Thompson would've loved this story.  Eastern European authorities have arrested two New Zealanders in Romania accused for involvement in a global Hells Angels cocaine and methamphetamine drug trafficking ring. They also arrested the  leader of the Hells Angels Bucharest motorcycle club after raids on eight properties last week.

Nov 27

Same old Cuba: The headquarters of  San Isidro Movement , a group comprised of artists, musicians, journalists and academics who oppose the oppressive measures used by Cuba's communist government, was raided yesterday by Cuban officials under the pretext of Covid violations. The Cuban government  temporarily shut down social media to stop images of the raid being shared online.

dec 4

I'm no longer surprised at how much Macron is going after the Muslims. Man has he shifted gears . 76 of about 2,600 Muslim places of worship in France will be inspected for links to Islamist extremism.

Jan 1, 2021

Yep, not surprised by this: Banned from setting off fireworks in much of their city, some Berliners launched them from their homes on New Year’s Eve which led to dozens of fires across the German capital.

Jan 2, 2021

More than 2,500 break virus restrictions at illegal rave in #Lieuron near Rennes in Brittany. I ain't surprised and sense the level of frustration across the political spectrum against clampdowns will grow.

Jan 10, 2021

 No surprise here: WHO team probing pandemic's origins blocked from entering China

Feb 4, 2021

I knew the Burma military would find a sketchy reason for putting #SuuKyi under house arrest. Here's what the coup boys found: Illegally Imported Walkie Talkies

Feb 12, 2020

It's going to get uglier in Myanmar: Protesters returned to the streets  Despite Gunshots and Water Cannons. The coup, military chief Min Aung Hlaing, made hollow promises to build a “genuine and disciplined democratic system.” 

Feb 21, 2020

It took a few years, but I'm not surprised that Pope Francis removed Robert Sarah, a conservative African Cardinal, from his Vatican post. You can safely bet Sarah's 2015 statement was one of many reasons.

“What Nazi-fascism and communism were in the 20th century, Western homosexual and abortion ideologies and Islamic fanaticism are today,” 

Feb 28, 2021

While I'm not surprised that military junta in Burma is getting nastier in its crackdown of the pro-Kyi protesters, I'm surprised at the protesters staying power. Will government workers  continue to not work? That remains an interesting factor in this brutal power play.

March 7, 2021

I'm not surprised that #FaniWillis , the Fulton County DA, is preparing subpoenas for evidence on whether Trump and his allies broke the law in their campaign to pressure state officials to reverse his Georgia election loss, but she may be surprised  if it starts appearing that voter fraud occurred in Georgia against Trump.  This could be like dancing on hot coals.

March 16, 2021

 Myanmar’s first satellite was built by Japan’s Hokkaido University in a joint project with Myanmar’s government-funded(MAEU),  and it's being held on board the International Space Station following the Myanmar coup, while Japan’s space agency and a Japanese university decide what to do with it. I don't know if Japan will use its influence to keep the Junta from using satellite data for military goals.

May 7, 2021

Aung Zay Ya, a sergeant who left the military to joint the opposition Civil Disobedience Movement in Myanmar, said about 80 air force officers have defected in protest since the military coup Feb. 1,  Is the a sign the Junta is getting weaker?

June 16, 2021

I'm not surprised that Israel carried through on its promise to hit Hamas whenever they  launch incendiary balloons, which ignited 20 wildfires in southern Israel yesterday.  It's an early test for new Israeli PM Naftali Bennett .

July 21, 2021

I'm definitely not surprised that the Biden administration is telling the Ukraine to not criticize the Russian pipeline publicly.

Sept 7, 2021

I'm not surprised that the Czech Republic has become the first EU member state to contribute funds for Lithuania to build a barrier along its border with Belarus because of  a migration surge. 

Nov 28, 2022

I ain't surprised Ghislaine Maxwell's ex-husband refuses to help her pay $1 Million in legal fees for her conviction appeal.

Jan 19, 2023

I'm not surprised that Ardern is stepping down as PM in New Zealand. The Covid clampdown queen was facing tough re-election prospects. 

March 16, 2023

"Nobody can ignore us any longer," BBB leader Caroline van der Plas on her party's scoring a big election win and shaking up the Dutch Senate which may slow down drastic cuts to nitrogen "pollution" on farms.

Aug 30, 2023

I guess Pelosi is advising Pope Francis, who calls the US Catholic Church reactionary, backward, etc.

 

 

.

Blue tape /death squads/crabs

While prepping walls for painting, I consider  the similarities to writing.

Taping  woodwork  and ceilings is similar to structuring chapters.


My writing method is to hurl the words at the paper and edit the splatter later. The cleanup is easier with words than paint. Hence, I never run out of blue tape.

All the activity in the world and I just don't feel like commenting on scandals and wars.

Lyrics and words attract my attention but I'm stuck in neutral.

My interrest in detective stories has found me  returning to book about South America. I'm reading  Ernest Mallo's  Needle in a haystack,  a  book about Inspector Lascano's attempts   to do solid investigations while Argentian death squads prevail in the late 1970's.

9/19/13

Blue theme continues. Last night someone  threw a blue crab on the ice during the Caps NHL exhibition game at Baltimore arena. In the ealy 1970's we  were an AHL affiliate of the Red Wings, the home of squid tossing.

9/29/13

Parker Bilal's series on PI Makana's work solving crimes in the repressive military early 2000's Egypt is interesting. Add to the mix that he's of Sudanese descent  and you're in for a treat. I'll try to get back with more on Dogstar Rising, the second book of the Makana series.

10/1/13

No shutdown blues here. Gridlock works

11/20/13

The level of poverty  and child prostitution in Brazil  is overwhelming.  I shuddered a few times while reading  two detective Silva novels, Dying Gasp & Perfect Hatred by  the late Leighton Gage. Snuff movies, etc.

1/22/14

Will Venezuela need to use death squads, the  country is a mess.

4/26/14

Gage's books  gave me a better view of  Brazil and now  we're seeing  daily the results of the pre- World Cup crackdown. 

6/4/14

Brazilians beware: your President has spoken

Ms Rousseff, who faces the possibility of fresh anti-government protests, said they would not be allowed to disrupt the tournament.

6/9/14

Tear gassin in Brazil http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-27761723  apparently they didn't TCOB before the World Cup.

If the strike runs on until Thursday, it could affect the opening match between hosts Brazil and Croatia.

6/11/14

BRAZIL is a night/day mare waiting to happen and I always chuckle when leaders say this: President Rousseff:

"Rest assured of this, the World Cup accounts are being meticulously scrutinised by the country's auditing institutions," she said.

6/18/14

Caramel spread from Uruguay- that's what bothers Brazils these days.
link

8/19/14

Argentinians don't want to go home  after the World Cup and they don't need a Visa to be there. A Govt Id is good enough. West Ghanans applied for asylum. Open door policies can put a strain on public coffers.

8/25/14

It appears decapitation is a  trend. Brazil prisoners decapitated in Cascavel jail riot.  link

10/06/14

Is the World Cup good for your country? Many folks are discussing FIFA corruption and the prohibitive costs of hosting WC.  link

 Brazil's presidential race will go to a second round after incumbent Dilma Rousseff fell short of an outright victory in Sunday's election.....But the past 18 months have been marred by recession and corruption scandals, and protests over poor public services and the World Cup costs.

The same arguments against hosting the Olympics exist.

1/21/15

Pedro Garcia Arredondo, ex police chief in Guatemala in 1980,  was found guilty of ordering officers to keep anyone from leaving the building as it burned. Crazy , crazy story

link

1/30/15

I need to learn more about how releasing de Kock in South Africa help nation building. South African apartheid-era death squad commander Eugene de Kock has been granted parole Original sentence two life terms + 212 years) after 20 years in jail.  link

4/25/15

Ghost Runner #3 in the Makana series by Bilal was a riveting read. The  desert town of Siwa was  bizarre, and the idea that a town like Koloshna, a meeting place for mercenaries and intellegence operative, exists  give one pause.. Even though you could see where the Serafina story was going it was still interesting.

5/11/15

So Libya won't address  the reasons people are fleeeing its shores. Instead it wants the EU to shoulder the burden. libya

Libya has criticised EU proposals to authorise the use of force against people smugglers taking migrants across the Mediterranean to Europe.

5/12/15

Libya attacks Turkish ship

A Turkish dry cargo ship’s third officer was killed and several other crew members were wounded after the ship was shelled off the Libyan coast and attacked from the air

5/18/15

The Burning Gates, #4 in the Makana series,  is a solid book. Bilal manages to  wrap up a tale involving Saddam bad boys, American mercenaries,  etc w/o being too preachy and w/o a happy ending. The running side story of Makana  thinking  his dead daughter may be alive is growing.

8/3/15

While Brazil decides whether it should clean its water prior to  hosting the 2016 Olympics, the IOC recognized Ultimate Frisbee.

8/14/15

I'm not the biggest tree hugger, but what's with the IOC  mediocre response to the dirty water in Brazil. link. If I were an Olympic sailer or rower, I'd be worried.

The AP viral testing, which will continue through the Aug. 5-21, 2016, games, found not one water venue safe for swimming or boating,

8/17/15

Obviously , it's not dirty water but dirty politicians . link

Overwhelmingly white and middle class, the protesters in Sao Paulo were having none of that argument. In generally jovial mood, they condemned the ruling Workers Party for its role in the corruption scandal surrounding Petrobras.

9/24/15

Perhaps, Pope Francis should direct his "non-political" enviromental speeches at those in charge of Brazil's water venues?

2/2/16

Zika outbreak, dirty water for the Olympic swimmers, but Rio Olympics is still a "go" ??????.
Police state  growing.  rio

2/15/16

It could be time to take the2016 Olympics away from Brazil.

3/23/16

Suddenly no news on the dirty water in Brazil and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has said impeachment proceedings launched against her in Congress amount to a coup attempt. Yes, that where we need the Olympics.

3/29/16

Bad water, shaky government: welcome to the 2016 Olympics in Brazil. impeachment

The PMDB, the largest party in Brazil's ruling coalition, has voted for an "immediate exit" from President Dilma Rousseff's government. The move could hasten impeachment proceedings against President Rousseff, correspondents say.

4/6/16

Getting worse: Brazil may also impeach Vice-President Michel Temer

4/12/16

If impeachment vote goes to the Senate and Ms Rousseff is suspended, Vice-President Michel Temer, from the opposition PMDB party, would take over temporarily.

4/18/16

House votes to impeach Roussef- now up to Senate

5/13/16

Where are all the really  serious enviromentalists  and health care advocates who appear to pick and choose their targets. At least Prof Attaran remains consistent while the  IOC and WHO say don't worry we got this. Attaran

"If the IOC and the World Health Organisation (WHO) do not have the generosity of heart to delay the games to prevent children being born and disabled their whole lives, then they're among the cruellest institutions in the world,'' Prof Attaran said in a telephone interview with the Associated Press news agency.

6/22/16

and a golfer alerts the world. Rory McIlroy opts out of the Olympics in Brazil over Zika concerns.

8/14/16

Argentine President Mauricio Macri has asked Brazilian and Argentine fans at the #RioOlympics to cease their hostile chants and name-calling.  Could this escalate into violence or is it similar to Redskins(NFL) fans who don't like the Dallas Cowboys (NFL) rooting for any team that plays against them?

10/27/16

It turns out that #rorymcilroy may have used  the existence of the #zika virus to  avoid following through on his decision to play for #TeamIreland. He could've played for TeamGreatBritain.

11/8/16

#RioOlympics weren't much help. The Brazilian government has frozen the bank accounts of Rio de Janeiro state, ordering it to pay millions of dollars in overdue debt.

11/9/16

#Rio gets worse. The demonstrators, mostly firefighters, police and prison officers, spent three hours inside the Rio assembly chamber,  and some wrecked windows, doors and offices.

11/17/16

Brazil is in such bad shape that  protesters demanding a military coup  forced their way into Brazil's lower chamber of Congress in the capital, #Brasilia. Be careful what you wish for!

1/26/17

2016 Olympics - #Zika  health issues

2017:   largest outbreak of #yellowfever #Brazil since 2000.

3/22/17

Yes, #Brazil is a nightmare. Waldomiro Costa #Pereira, a land rights activist was killed by five gunmen at a hospital in Brazil where he was recovering from a previous assassination attempt. His guards were surrounded and there's no report on whether they let it occur or were shot.

5/30/17

#zika hasn't gone away. It's spreading and now #india is trying to cover up it's appearance.It was first identified in monkeys in Uganda in 1947.

6/23/17

#OperationWeakFlesh, NOT a sex worker sting or minister's sermon. United States suspends all Brazilian meat imports

7/13/17

Rough times in #brazil : 

Ex-Brazil President #Lula sentenced to nearly 10 years for corruption

Sugar and oil prices decline

Sanitation issues not being addressed.

8/7/17

Looking for water in #Brazil near #Rio don't stray or you'll be shot at by Terceiro Comando Puro gang.The mother, who was with her family, was hit twice in the abdomen.

8/8/17

#IOC chairman #thomasbach is far too kind in giving #Brazil more time to deliver infrastructure promised as its Rio Olympics legacy, Bad aftertaste lingers.

9/11/17

#Batista 's lawyers  accidentally sent a tape to the prosecutor's office incriminating Mr Batista. This not an Onion report on #Brazil

10/25/17

Brazil's President #MichelTemer secured enough votes in the lower house of Congress to avoid facing trial on corruption charges,  and investigations can't resume until he steps down at the end of 2018. Again not an Onion report

10/28/17

When Hollywood folks preach, I go deaf. A photo of #madonna, the rebel with w/o a clue,  dressed in army camouflage fatigues with military police in Rio de Janeiro has gone viral including  a post on the official military police account of Rio de Janeiro. Now that's rich.

11/30/17

#sidewalkgentrification of wealthy #Rio neighborhoods is a new trend.The Homeless, now called rough sleepers, feel insulted. These days everyone's feelings are hurt 24/7.

2/20/18

Brazil: Federal police intervention in #rio ,  soccer riots, prison riots, and the army is moving to protect its  border with #venezuela.

4/10/18

Could Brazil be shifting to the right? Are #brazilians , particularly the young, so frustrated that they'll vote for #Bolsonaro who is second in the presidential polls after former President Lula, who may not be eligible to run because of his corruption conviction.

5/26/18

#Abcam  backs down on trucker strikes after Pres Temer threatens to use the army in Brazil
On Thursday they rejected a deal to scrap fuel taxes and maintain a 10% reduction in pump prices for a month in return for the protests being suspended for 15 days.

7/23/18

#Bolsonaro is only allowed 10 seconds of free television time but leads by 10 points Brazil's Presidential polls. He vows to loosen gun controls to fight crime.

8/15/18

#Bolsonaro has the bullet and bibles crowd behind him and is scaring the he!! out of the mainstream press in Brazil. Pundits say no- Business groups say yes. We'll see!

9/1/18

Brazil's electoral court has voted to bar ex-president Lula da Silva, the front-runner, despite currently serving a 12-year prison sentence for fraud, from running in October's election. His Workers Party has 10 days to swap the candidate names on the ticket.

9/4/18

 Two hydrants closest to the #Brazil National Museum were not working and  water had to be brought from a nearby lake to fight the fire .

9/6/18

Lula banned!  Jair #Bolsonaro jumps to top of the presidential polls in #Brazil with 22 percent of the vote.  Is another right-leaning populist going to win a Presidency?

9/30/18

The Left has the same playbook everywhere: Under the banner "Not him," protesters came out in dozens of cities including Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro to voice opposition to #Bolsonaro who they view as racist, homophobic and misogynist.

10/10/18

#Bolsonaro  didnt make it 50% to win the Brazilian presidency so he ll face Haddad on Oct 28 in round 2. His PSL party did well and this slogan has helped:  "prosperity, liberty, family, on God's side" or the path of Venezuela."

10/16/18

Will the conservative governments of #Macri in Argentina, #Pinera in Chile,  #Duque in Colombia and likely #Bolsonaro in Brazil start to  sway countries such as Venezuela to move to to right?

10/29/18

#Bolsonaro won 55.2% of the vote against 44.8% for Fernando Haddad of the left-wing Workers' Party. I thought the margin of victory would be narrower ,and  he needs to find some buddies because his PSI party is a not the largest among 30 parts in the Brazilian Congress.

1/6/19

 One of the triggers for  the wave of violence in #Brazil is gangs are retaliating for government plans to impose tighter controls in the prisons: blocks on mobile phone signals and an end to a policy of separating prisoners according to gang membership.

3/16/19

USA will strengthen military ties with Brazil to a level usually reserved for NATO allies during #Bolsonaro’s visit to DC Tuesday. This may involve talks on Brazil hosting a USA military base.

3/23/19

Unasur, started by the late Hugo Chavez of Venezuela is defunct. It's replacement #Prosur includes Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Guyana.  Bolivia and Uruguay sent representatives to the meeting in Santiago, Chhile, but did not join the bloc. Venezuela was not invited to the bloc because it's not interested in a full validity of democracy.

4/4/19

#Bolsonaro  is in Israel  to sign agreements on science and technology, trade, defense, agriculture and other areas. It's noteworthy to see the triangle  of Trump/Bolsonaro / Netanyahu.

 5/8/19

  #Bolsonaro loosened restrictions on gun imports to #Brazil and allows people to carry more ammunition. "Public security starts inside your home" is his slogan.

5/31/19

Some soccer news:  FIFA’s appeal committee  rejected an appeal by former Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) president Marco Polo Del Nero against his life ban from the sport for violating ethics rules on bribery, offering and accepting gifts, etc .

7/19/19

 #bolsonaro is becoming a solid ally. Two Iranian ships have been stranded for weeks at Brazilian ports, unable to head back to Iran due to lack of fuel, which  #Petrobras refuses to sell them due to sanctions imposed by the USA.

7/30/19

 I bet #Bolsanoro  uses the military for a long time to handle the prison nightmare.  57 people were killed, including 16 who were decapitated, during a gang battle that erupted in a prison in northern Brazil.

8/2/19

 #Trump designated Brazil as a major non-NATO ally which makes it easier for the country to purchase U.S. weapons and defense equipment.

11/27/19

I wonder how this is going to shake out. Brazilian police arrested four volunteer firefighters for intentionally setting fires in the #Amazon rain forest.The police alleged the four had privileged information and photos of the fire and used them to raise money from donors.

12/11/19

 Brazilian President #JairBolsonaro referring to Greta Thunberg:  "It's impressive that the press is giving space to a brat like that"

April 21, 2020

Gilberto Aparecido dos Santos, AKA #Fuminho,  the fugitive leader of  PCC, one of Brazil's most powerful gangs, was arrested in Mozambique's capital, #Maputo. He had been on the lam for twenty years. Has Sean Penn been consulted- I'm kidding!