Bolsonaro takes office :/

[Pensador]

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/12/31/a_disaster_for_brazil_noam_chomsky

 

[London2Baires]

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/12/31/a_disaster_for_brazil_noam_chomsky

Some good analysis from Chomsky , as per usual. The right pretend the issue of opening up the Amazon is about freedom to use the nation's resources ; "ohh protect our national independence, it's the outsiders who tell us to protect the planet when they used up their forests, what a hypocritical attack on our sovereignty" you hear them say. As if they care from a deep , rational, nay moral, ideological perspective. Sounds plausible , and indeed most propaganda is couched in some truth. But as Chomsky points out, the reality its about the money, and the power plays behind the scenes, as usual.

It won't be the people in the great nation of Brazil who benefit from the Chicago Boys' same old economic-imperialist policies. Well, some of the elites will do very nicely out if this, but the majority will be ruined.

Not to.mention the poor Amazonian tribes, who will just be steamrollered for Bolsonaro's corporate and international backers.

Anyway, for anyone who still cares,watch the link.

Thanks for sharing #Pensador

;-)

 

[Rich One]

Chomsky is a respected anti-establishment Economist, however he favors the former Castro's Cuban Communist Dictatorship and Chavista rule read Maduro Venezuela, etc. He should move there! I respect that some leftist Thinkers follow his theories....!

Always Remember: The Private Sector is the Only segment of the Economy that generates genuine Employment.. Government employment is a fiction...

 

[Ries]

not sure why Chomsky is so scary to the right wing, but he has consistently, for a long long time, criticized Castro, Venezuela, and other leftist south american governments on many fronts. He is definitely a social democrat, but hardly a communist, and a big critic of the way "left" south american governments coast on commodity income, rather than educate and develop sustainable industries.

 

[camberiu]

Noam Chomsky on Venezuela

 

[PoorSoul]

The right pretend the issue of opening up the Amazon is about freedom to use the nation's resources ; "ohh protect our national independence, it's the outsiders who tell us to protect the planet when they used up their forests, what a hypocritical attack on our sovereignty" you hear them say.

That is the issue. There is no pretending about it. A country is free to use their resources as they see fit.

It won't be the people in the great nation of Brazil who benefit from the Chicago Boys' same old economic-imperialist policies. Well, some of the elites will do very nicely out if this, but the majority will be ruined.

Maybe or maybe not. As to whether it will benefit the majority or not is something we will have to see. Certainly, the majority benefitted in many countries that exploited their resources. Europe and the US are decent examples. Norway is another. There are many variables that will determine this and it is not a right / left issue. You seem to have some kind of emotional hatred of the right as if you are someone rooting for or against a football team. The actual problems are far more nuanced than my team is better or worse than yours. And, when you dig into it, about any ideology can be corrupted and harm people.

I will say optimal solution is Brazil's resources are ruthlessly exploited and the profits are put in a fund for the benefit of Brazil similar to what Norway did. Bolsonaro probably will not do that. He has one-half of the equation correct, but misses the other. Hopefully the next leader will get that 2nd half correct. But who knows, maybe Bolsonar will surprise us.

I am not even sure what you refer to as imperialist economic policies? Can you expound on that? I assume you think this is masterminded by global companies probably US companies who are going to exploit those resources, pay no taxes to brazil, and leave the country ravaged.

 

[camberiu]

Brazil military uneasy with Bolsonaro's openness to U.S. base: source

"Uneasy" is the understatement of the year. To even ponder such a possibility is viewed as a sacrilege by most of the armed forces, who for decades saw the presence of any and all foreign powers in South America with suspicion and hostility. Hell, it is the same military that during the 1982 Falkland/Malvinas conflict, warned the UK that they could as they pleased to deal with the Argentines on the islands, but that any attack on the continent would be viewed as act of war and Brazil would have no choice but join on the side of Argentina.
The anti-colonialism feeling runs deep on the Brazilian military. I cannot think of anything that would rattle the Brazilian military more than him inviting the US to open a base in Brazil. That might cause a military coup (against him).
And then, some of forum members who know nothing about the Brazilian political landscape insist on talking about the country they know very little about with an incredible sense of authority and knowledge when they suggest that Brazil would attack Venezuela/Argentina or that the military would back him on a coup attempt.
As I have explained before, the Brazilian military is not aligned with Bolsonaro. He is considered by most of the top brass as a dim witted outsider, a troublemaker and a petulant mediocre ex-officer who got lucky. He is tolerated by the military at best and his views are not widely accepted or endorsed.

Also, Bolsonaro does not have the authority to allow for foreign bases in Brazilian territory. Only Congress can approve that.

Art. 49. It is the exclusive competence of the National Congress:

I - resolve definitively on treaties, agreements or international acts that entail burdensome charges or commitments to the national patrimony;

II - to authorize the President of the Republic to declare war, to celebrate peace, to allow foreign forces to transit through the national territory or to remain temporarily there





Considering that he does not have a controlling majority in either the House or the Senate, and the armed forces hate the idea, this is rather unlikely.

 

[Rich One]

not sure why Chomsky is so scary to the right wing, but he has consistently, for a long long time, criticized Castro, Venezuela, and other leftist south american governments on many fronts. He is definitely a social democrat, but hardly a communist, and a big critic of the way "left" south american governments coast on commodity income, rather than educate and develop sustainable industries.

Make sure you watch Stoessel video on Chomsky's views on Venezuela..! Where do you get your info? The Worldwide Failure of Socialism.!

 

[London2Baires]

Noam Chomsky on Venezuela

So, you use a right wing libertarian Koch brothers funded media outfit as evidence.

Reason.com and their related companies do at least usually use facts (unlike many of the right wing propaganda outlets such as Britebart and fox etc). They spin them to their own ends, but at least usually don't outright lie.

This piece takes OLD quotes and footage from Chomsky talking about Venezuela during Chavez's term, where many of the social programs etc actually were very beneficial to the poor. Then gives the impression that this is what he thinks about the CURRENT situation In Venezuela.

Just the same intellectually dishonest approach we see often in the right wing media. Half truths and slide of hand. Smoke and mirrors.

Why not see what he actually thinks now? Oh, that would go against your characterization so let's ignore it.

Here is some descent recent info, contra.

https://www.realclearpolitics.com/v...ve_failed_to_build_sustainable_economies.html

 

[Stantucker]

I think the real issue for many of us with Chomsky, and what makes him less credible in our eyes, almost regardless of the issue, is that he really believes in that type of govt. While he criticizes them for not diversifying the economy and for corruption, he basically thinks they were on the right course otherwise. By that comment you are going to brand me a ultraright winger, but on most issues I am a centrist.

Also, before you get all sanctimonious about the right wing media and their intellectual dishonesty, have you read Página 12 or seen C5N recently?