Um Governo Digital

O governo de Sergipe nas Redes Sociais - Uma idéia positiva.

Diversos Amigos, Professores, Profissionais de Comunicação, Jornalistas. Uma gente informada e "nerd". Ta bom, nem todos, mas quando se junta publico, Internet e redes sociais já dá pra perceber o quanto essas pessoas passam horas a fio na frente de um monitor. Esse público bem "uptime" estava presente hoje no Seminário soobre Mídias Digitais e Transformações sociais, um evento desenvolvido pelo Governo de Sergipe, através do Núcleo de Cultura Digital da Secretaria de Estado da Comunicação.

Um governo imerso nas redes sociais que existem hoje na Internet na certa pode soar como propaganda partidária e defesa ideológica. Não é o caso aqui, a proposta e ser uma outra voz frente as fontes oficiais de informação. O que é uma iniciativa não só corajosa mas principalmente inovadora entre as principais entidades públicas não só do Estado de Sergipe mas também do Brasil. O ambiente digital proporciona uma cadeia de relacionamentos que ultrapassa o corpo-a-corpo comum durante a campanha e torna a sociedade mais próxima das ações do governo.

Ponto para iniciativa, quando se está inserido nessas redes, o governo é torpedeado por críticas, sugestões e elogios. Algo que o serviço oficial de notícia não possibilita mas que o blog, o faz e muito bem. A linguagem de novos meios através da convergência é o que torna expressivo a sua necessidade pois o ambiente de interação se torna cada vez mais embricado. Aparece aí, as figuras de proximidade e afetividade das pessoas que vão sempre dentro do blog ou dos perfis em sites como twitter, facebook e myspace, dando aquele vínculo de "estou próximo do governo".

Dando a percepção de união e de que fazem parte. Ainda que o trabalho não seja lá só um mar de rosas. Também é preciso atender as demandas urgentes e pelas intempéries as quais toda esfera governamental passa. Como resolver problemas na rua tal, concurso para provimento de cargo X, sanemanto no bairro tal, etc.. As vezes, a máquina pública não tem condição e, nem logística para atender essas demandas. Nesse momento as ações do governo através do perfil nas redes sociais, tenta minimizar proporcionando um feedback muito mais amplo.

Na noite de hoje, a primeira a palestrar foi Maíra Ezequiel, atual coordenadora do Núcleo de Culturas Digitais. Por coincidência, fora minha professora ainda na graduação e quem conhece a moça, sabe da competência dela, embora ela mesma dizia em aula sofrer de transtornos de bipolaridade, se saiu muito bem na condução da exposição do Case do E-Sergipe, explicando até que o projeto nao tem nem um ano de implementação mas que atingiu resultados bem satisfatórios, o que é relevante visto que a presença governamental nas redes sociais ainda é mínima.

A segunda palestra foi da Ms Soad Sommereyns, esta, funcionária do departamento de Informações Públicas da ONU, eixbiu com profundiade imagens e experiências do uso da internet para promover mudanças dentro da esfera social. Soad é uma das mais importantes profissionais no setor de divisão de notícias, além de ser uma oportunidade única de se conhecer o trabalho desenvolvido por um dos mais importantes órgãos mundiais, foi positiva a troca de experiências e a contribuição que a web vem trazendo para a sociedade neste novo Milênio e que essas iniciativas não podem parar.

Apesar de todas as coisas boas, houve somente um pequeno problema, mas não para àqueles que estavam no seminário e sim, para os que assistiram via web: "O streaming deixou a desejar, ficando aquém da qualidade gráfica mostrada no projeto gráfico e da proposta do tema e o audio esteve baixo durante a fala da palestrante". Afirmou George Lemos, que tentou acompanhar a palestra pela internet. Mas segundo ele, problemas pontuais que não tiraram o valor do seminário.

Agora fica a espera para amanhã com o debate sobre uma das mais quentes discussões no ambiente digital do momento, a web 3.0 e como ela afetará a nossa relação com a internet a partir de então Mas por enquanto,fica o encerramento deste post, parabenizando a iniciativa e fico até com uma sugestão. O evento poderia se extender em uma edição anual e contar com a participação ainda mais de novos atores sociais, estudantes e profissionais, apresentando pesquisas e desenvolvendo conteudo e conhecimento acerca das iniciativas governamentais interferindo no relacioanmento com o cidadão nas novas redes.

Enfim, é só uma idéia.

Cordialmente
Rafael Gomes

Foreign Affairs - Brazil & Turkey Agreement

Iran and the old Odyssey

Although being a believer that Iran government has absolutely opposite strategies when it comes to say of Nuclear Energy. I can't deny the great efforts made by Turkey and Brazil to solve this question. With a great deal solution however, once again, it seems that for most part of world leaders it is better to dump efforts and act strongly instead of doing properly a new diplomatic-treatment.

I'm not giving points to the Brazilian and Turkish Administration by achieving this agreement, but more than that. they really fought roughly a batle that other nations were incapable to get. the UN Security Council still seems to apply sanctions rather than expose new international actors that could gamble a new deal, just like Brasil and Turkish did.

This article from the NY times try to explain what it's going on behind the scenes. I strongly recommend all of you readers to take look.

Cordially
Rafael Gomes

Nota Explicativa

Por motivos de força maior, retirei o texto entitulado: Prêmio Carequinha, o Crack e o Governo de Sergipe deste blog, já que o mesmo causou descontentamento entre as partes envolvidas e visto que não foram devidamente informadas e nem cederam direitos para a veiculação apropriada.

O texto apresentado expressava minha opinião em relação ao tratamento do artista circense. Em nenhum momento foi consultado ambos os grupos citados no texto sobre as informações. Foi exatamente por este motivo e por entender que a atitude feria o princípio do contraditório envolvendo as partes citadas na matéria que resolvi excluí-la e interromper a série de divergências que dela poderiam ser causadas.

Todavia, reafirmo a posição de que, este blog tem o compromisso de expressar a opinião do proprietário sendo que este tem liberdade garantida e assegurada pelos principais corolários jurídicos do qual pertencemos. Ainda que a matéria tenha expressado tal opinião, esta causou certo mal estar dentro da secretariado e da gestão atual.

Meu compromisso não é de atacar a atual gestão contudo, este sim, de expor deslizes que podem viciar a informação veiculadas nos meios oficiais. Nem tudo são flores como da mesma forma, nem tudo sao espinhos. Há sempre duas versões para cada fato. E não imaginava que o espaço adquirido por este blog causaria esse desconforto.

Peço desculpas aos Grupos citados na matéria e também ao Governo que fora criticado pela matéria sem que houvesse sido dado o direito de resposta devido, muito embora este espaço sempre esteve e estará disponível à todos que quiserem manifestar sua opinião, controvérsia e acordo com as idéias aqui transcritas.

Saudações
Rafael Gomes

Usina Nuclear em Sergipe

Por que devemos tê-la?

O assunto entre os principais portais online e folhetins do Estado de SE no momento é quanto a questão de se adotar uma usina nuclear em Sergipe. Embora muitos defensores do meio ambiente comecem a atirar paus e pedras sob minha pessoa, me mantenho favorável em situá-la no estado, mesmo que saibamos que não há bônus sem que haja ônus e, nesse caso, ele poderia ser catastrófica vide exemplos que ocorreram em alguns países do Leste Europeu em idos do final da década de 80 do século passado.

Mas vamos à algumas razões importantes. Em primeiro lugar. O País precisa prever a demanda de crescimento que ele pode comportar nos próximos anos.Dinamizar o consumo energético e variar as fontes de Energia não é só uma necessidade ambiental é principalmente econômica e social. Quanto à Energia Eólica e Solar, são exemplos de energia limpa 100%. Nao despejam nenhum tipo de resíduo no meio ambiente e alguns países desenvolvidos já adotam como é o caso da Holanda e da Alemanha

A Alemanha é um caso bem particular no investimento em fontes renováveis de Energia. Isso já ocorrer por lá com grande presença desde a década de 90 do século passado. Praticamente metade do país consome energias renováveis, até mesmo com estímulo ao consumo desse tipo de energia e rateio de custos, como explica este site. Alias essa seria uma iniciativa vindoura ao Brasil se fosse aplicada.

Mas tanto a Energia Eólica quanto a Solar também apresentam certas falhas. Uma das principais é que elas ainda precisam conviver com outras fontes de energia (termoelétrica, hidroelétrica ou Nuclear) pois armazenam energia (no caso da solar) e precisam recarregar suas baterias. Em um país com dimensões pequenas, sua aplicabilidade seria muito maior.

Quanto à energia Nuclear, vejamos no caso do Brasil. O Brasil possui a 6ª maior reserva de Urânio do Mundo. É um potencial energético enorme que deve ser aproveitado não só dentro da capacidade energética mais para outros fins científicos (não-militares). É perceptível o risco de se construir, fiscalizar e manter uma Usina Nuclear, primeiro porque a mesma leva muito tempo para ser construída (média de 10 anos), segundo pelos rigorosos sistemas de construção armazenamento do material radioativo e obediência das normas internacionais de segurança.

Estima-se que o investimento no Estado seria na ordem de U$ 4 Bilhões, contudo esse valor seria para a instalação, equipamentos, só que com a usina, devem ser encaminhados investimentos em infra-estrutura, local, da região, treinamento entre as cidades circunvizinhas, capacitação pessoal, a nível internacional, nacional e local, o que ultrapassa o valor citado para próximo de U$ 10 bilhões.

Comparativamente com a Energia Hidroelétrica, os defensores afirmam sobre o impacto da energia nuclear no meio ambiente local. Definitivamente eu tenho sérias ressalvas quanto à isso. A região de Belo Monte hoje no Pará corre sério risco de se ver inundada, populações indígenas desalojadas e um potencial imenso de pesquisa em plantas que poderão ser perdidos com as barragens. A degradação do meio ambiente com a construção de uma Usina Hidroelétrica é, ao meu modo, tão danoso ao ambiente quanto a Energia Nuclear. Senão vejamos o caso por ex, da Construção de Itaipu, hoje a nova geração talvez não saiba, mas a região abrigava as sete quedas.

As 7 quedas (Garganta do Diabo).

Lógico, a fiscalização precisa ser redobrada com a construção da Usina, mas a atenção deva ser maior quanto ao rateio e pagamento de royalties quanto ao excedente energético, A Usina não beneficiaria o Estado de Sergipe, seria vendida para os estados vizinhos. Daí também a necessidade dos futuros governos investirem, caso seja definida a Usina no Estado, em trazer Indústrias de ponta tecnológicas para a região (semicondutores seria um ótimo exemplo).

No mais, um profundo artifício de fiscalização de verba. É fato que, se o Estado conseguir, a quantia é absurda que o Estado irá receber, quase 1/4 do PIB Sergipano (que é algo próximo de R$ 13..5 bilhões) em um só investimento, o que é de encher os olhos de boa parte do centro político do Estado, será inevitável que parte deles não utilize a usina como espólio eleitoral para os próximos anos, o alerta fica para que este não beneficie somente esta parcela de pessoas.

E você? É favorável?

Saudações
Rafael Gomes

Chuvas e a Calamidade Pública

As imagens que nos chegam pela televisão nos entorpecem. Casas, barrancos, imóveis, vidas que são perdidas pela força de uma chuva. Catástrofe que nós, enquanto seres humanos não predispormos de maneiras suficientes para, na medida do possível ou no limiar do perigo, evitá-las, porém há conhecimento suficiente para senão evitá-las, preveni-las.

Não há aqui porquê sentir remorso pelos meus comentários. A tragédia que assola parte do Rio de Janeiro e de diversas outras cidades do país tem raízes profundas no modo de distribuição de renda que não fica nem um pouco distante dos modelos de especulação imobiliária, danosos tanto no passado quanto no presente. A distribuição populacional da cidade do rio de janeiro e de muitas outras obedeceram a esses critérios de relevância, no modelo habitacional das comunidades carentes em questão.

Conforme a cidade vai expandindo-se para outros locais, as construtoras seguem um cronograma de posse e arrendamento dos terrenos. Ao passo que cria incontáveis conjuntos residências obriga antigos moradores a se afastarem ou a levantar suas residências em barrancos, encostas e locais que apresentam perigo à vida deles e das moradores desses conjuntos habitacionais.

Aqueles moradores oriundos dessas localidades nao tinham como angariar condições suficientes para morar em locais seguros, habitaram as encostas por serem de acesso muitas vezes mais fácil para os seus locais de trabalho pois quanto mais distantes maiores as dificuldades para esses moradores. Dessa forma se estende por longos anos e o crescimento populacional obriga as prefeituras e o governo a realizar benfeitorias a fim de oferecer o mínimo de dignidade para essas pessoas.

Sem que essas realizações não venham com outros ônus. É mais viável (não sei porquê) para as prefeituras, gastar vultosas quantias de dinheiro, pavimentando, colocando energia "criando" esgoto, para se cobrar o IPTU do que gastar um pouco menos em programas de arrendamento social e financiamento habitacional para essas famílias. Verdade seja dita que na atual gestão houve um incentivo maior para que famílias de baixa renda pudessem adquirir o próprio imóvel, mas essa realidade ainda não bate a porta do grosso populacional.

O gozo de programas como o "minha casa" acabam atingindo em maior quantidade as famílias com formação recente. As antigas famílias, moradoras dessas regiões, continuam a erguer suas casas nesses locais. Sem a menor garantia do governo e do município de que ao saírem, terão suas vidas re-estabelecidas em outro lugar.

O problema é grave, há conhecimento, há como se resolver, o que não há é vontade política e gestora para se fazê-lo.

Cordialmente
Rafael Gomes

Doloroso Despertar?

Quanto vale o investimento na educação superior?!

Alguém é capaz de calcular materialmente esse valor? Afinal se existem faculdades particulares é porque há um preço para tal. Mas, ainda assim, este preço tangencia o valor, moral e ético de seus anos dentro da academia?! Acredito que não, mas é exatamente por isso que vemos à quantas andam o descaso, com a ensino superior.

Falar em descaso em meio há políticas de ampliação de vagas e ensino dentro das universidades federais, financiamentos estudantis, pró-unis e tantos incentivos para que o brasileiro possa adentra o ensino superior chega a ser até heresia. Mas o descaso se constitui quando vemos à medida que essas políticas são aplicadas buscando ajudar àqueles que almejam o ensino superior e, em conseqüência, uma profissão.

Poderei aqui tecer comentários sobre as políticas afirmativas e ficar como muitos pais de família de classe média em geral que são contrários às medidas. Não, sou a favor delas, mas tão mais a favor que às cotas é necessário se buscar uma profunda reforma no sistema de ensino de base no país, este, atingirá muito mais profundamente a vida de todos os brasileiros e influenciando inclusive às graduações de letras que se multiplicam pelo país.

Isso já não é novidade. Alias, insistir na tecla de mudança profunda na educação de base desse país é algo discutido em livros de diversos escritores nesse país, vide exemplo Roberto Freire e tantos outros. Mas e para àqueles que já saíram das academias e se encontram com o mercado, é possível fracionar seu valor enquanto profissional?

Cada profissão possui seu grau de importância, as ciências em cada uma delas são necessárias pelo serviço público que estas nos proporcionam enquanto integrantes de uma sociedade. Mas ainda assim, individualmente chegaríamos à valores que satisfariam unicamente às nossas necessidades, não as necessidades reais.

Contudo não há como ficar incólume à diversas tentativas de ludibriar o cidadão que com esforço se forma nesse país. Vejamos o exemplo da prefeitura municipal de Cadebelo, na região metropolitana da Paraíba. Pois bem, a referida prefeitura realiza um concurso público no qual pretende contratar, profissionais como jornalistas, programados, publicitários, com apenas o 2° grau ganhando a bagatela de R$ 510,00 de vencimentos.

Isso não é tudo, os advogados e engenheiros, (estes com necessidade do diploma) levariam de vencimento R$ 617,00. É só uma amostra de como e até quando pode vir o descaso com o ensino superior e a determinada importância a formação profissional que muitos municípios e Estados Brasileiros procuram obter no seu quadro de funcionários.

Como jornalista, formado e diplomado, acredito que durante 4 anos dentro da academia a lição de vida que se aprende supera e muito apenas a práxis e a tecnicidade do saber jornalístico, propriamente dito. Sai da academia sendo um comunicólogo, capaz de atuar em diversos pólos da comunicação, e essa formação teórica, prática e humana, mão pode ser medida com salários, Mas, pode-se ver claramente que com os valores supracitados é cuspir na cara daqueles que esforçaram para desempenhar um trabalho de qualidade, com probidade e respeito em suas funções.

Fiquemos sempre de olho, nós enquanto profissionais (seja comunicação ou engenharia, ou medicina, ou jurídica) merecemos um respeito muito maior pelas instâncias públicas e privadas nesse país. Se a propaganda institucional invoca a necessidade de melhor instrução, que sejam dadas condições para que esse tipo de trabalho possa florescer, contribuindo para o crescimento profissional de cada um e de nossa nação.

Terrível, mas, vamos sobreviver

Saudações
Rafael Gomes

Quando a democracia aperta...

Até quando a liberdade de expressão nos meios digitais realmente causa impacto à ponto de nos tirar a paz e o sossego? Será quando sem querer (ou querendo) damos a entender que pontos de vista divergentes quando a atuação do governo se mostra muito mais escancarada do que a propaganda institucional enseja?

Senao vejamos. Qual seria o "louco" de malograr o Bolsa Família em tempos de eleição?? Na certa é um pró-pesedebista afim de ganhar uns pontos com a direita chamando de leviano o "pelego" de 4 dedos. Ou então o ultra-nacionalista querendo a proteção estatal a ponto de tirar-nos o direito da livre escolha (tem gente dentro do governo de situação com esse pensamento e nao me digam que não).

Mas pior seria esse que tem coragem de estampar aos olhos de todos que existem muito mais falhas do que acertos ou aquele que preferem persuadir a população mostrando que as benesses sempre são maiores que as consequências? Fica muito mais fácil mostrar as partes boas quando se tem um mundo de coisas ruins, não? Ajudar os Haitianos nos parece agora muito mais propício já que todos os Brasileiros estão erradicados da pobreza, analfabetismo e miséria plena.

A situação que se espelha dentro da União Federal se assemelha muito quando se compara a realidade dentro dos Estados. Vamos por a realidade aqui de Sergipe. Por ora, a impressão de quem chega é que a isonomia impera entre as opiniões quanto a postura política do atual governo e de seus aliados e oposição.

E não está enganado quem pensar dessa forma. Hoje a imagem do governo de Sergipe é mascarada pelos interesses dos grupos políticos vigentes, não há mais esquerda. Ela foi sucumbida pelos interesses individuais e coletivos sempre dos grandes conglomerados (e no caso de Sergipe, das grandes famílias que nao precisam sequer serem ditas nessa "humilde" postagem).

O equivoco é que se posicionar de maneira contrária pode causar em revelia reações com impactos cirúrgicos com a idéia de minar as diversas opiñões conflitantes que existem dentro da sociedade Sergipana e estão a baila de serem efetivamente libertadas. É preciso mostrar muito mais empenho em se expor as verdades em detrimento às falácias. A idéia de "pára-estatal", de locupletar o senso comum pondo em vistas uma realidade produzida dentro de agências de comunicação institucionais em nada exime a realidade convivida pelos cidadãos que procuram saude dentro dos postos de saude, ou matriculando-se nas escolas, ou tendo que pagar uma das tarifas mais caras de ônibus do nordeste.

Abrir o olho nunca é demais.

Cordialmente
Rafael Gomes

Foggy Future?

Brazil Prepares to welcome Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

It is expected to next monday, nov. 23rd, the president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to visit Brazil for the very fist time. A visit that has been announced since early year and obviuslly will take most parte of nightly news throughout the week. Ahmadinejad is now coming to Brazil after an invitation made by President Lulla in 2008 to increase the relationship between both countries.

Brazilian foreign policy is building a real wide road into the international world. by picking assorted kinds of market that includes, African countries, Asian and east Europe, with a very logycal goal - To decrease the level of dependency from the richest countries seeking for other places and tradding with them have oppened a giant universe of possibilities, not only for traddings but international policy as well.

By taking some actions in Haiti, or claimming constantly a chair at the Security council at UN, or being a "star" at the reunion of the richest countries. it is no longer to see Brazilian presency inside of most part of gathering worlwide. what is really necessary to know is if this kind of "behavior" could qualify it to be an important actor in the whole new scenario, besides the advances made in different kinds of sectos in Brazil.

Technology for example and bringing this issue to the visit of Ahmadinejad. Iran is totally away more advanced in techonology (missile specially) than Brazilian. But that's not the main issue to be treated in this visit. Beyond than that. and that's not just pure coincidence to welcome both prime minister from Isreael and the palestine in the same month. it is just a demonstration to try to balance the forces between the american administration and Europe to put some new answers at the question.

Dealing straightly to the peace treatment at middle east and being an important piece trying to solve the iran issues with nuclear weapons could definatly guide Brazil to be one of the big listed countries in the matter of foreign policy. The problem is. Would Brazil be ready for this responsabiity?

Time will tell
by now, let's just see the Persians

Cordially
Rafael Gomes

A Grisly Genocide

What's on denying important facts of history?

May sounds an stupid thing to say, but normaly, it would be considered an insanity to deny great chapters of history that much, that if we all keep with our mouth shutted or even dare to say something about the holocaust or slavery, could seems to be an heresy. I'm not trying to be the devil facing the reality of these facts but, why we all keep closing our minds instead of accepting controversing opinions? wether living in a democratic country must we all be free and express our point of view?

Regarding the situation which I have been a witness about 7 years ago. A teacher was obviusly denying both slavery and abolition here in Brazil. As an Impact I stay on my own, figuring out why of that. Even for me, being a brazilian and with traces of being from a black and white family, it was such an impressive thing to say, not only because it was a teacher, but it was from a law school, which, supposed to teach us better manners to treat others and get rid of old-habbits. (prejudice mostly)

Brazilian History has such important gaps, Firstly with the idea of the “discovery of Brazil” something that keeps being taugh all around Brazil and it is absolutely untruth. For those who doesn’t know, a settelment made by Portugal and Spain government stabilished limits of possession of Lands for both countries. At the time, It had been known that there wasn’t a hill far away at the sunset. So, in 1500 the Portuguese Crown was in a recognizing mission just to point its mark on the land and leave in a route to India. I wonder at the time in school if it was so.. “amazing” the discovery of Brazil but no teacher could ever answered me why they leave the country an throw it away for almost 50 years.

Another importat figure of Brazils history, “Tiradentes” considered as a hero becuase he had his body ripped up and exposed in a Square in 1791, After the crown pledged payment for sort of tax such as “derrama”. Those who were disapointed with the regime, get together and tried to defeat themselves from the crown. Tiradentes was not the leader of the group not even one of those who leadered some riots at the time. But still, I was just able to figure out that while in college because in school, never heard about it.

Just a couple months a father from the Catholic Church was obligated to apologize for his speeches of denying the holocaust. As I said in the beginning of the text, Im not denying as well. But my question is: Why we shouldn’t say no and not agree, without consider everything as a worldwide true. Controversy is necessary to build strong arguments, When we all accept what it is spreaded all over as the truth, we may get cheated for the little lines..

We must accept history facts, but not agree with all of them.

Cordially
Rafael Gomes

Nature and Enviroment

Are these two so tied up?

Have you ever noticed how delined most part of speeches concerned about enviroment issues are all so connected? Sometimes I get myself wondering wether it all of this come from. Kindness and sorrow for destroying and killing forest, waters drooling out from hoses, and some group of funky-trend-people, (a few of them are just worried about preserving but don't even know what the differences between nature or enviroment). Even scientist well-schooled, still faces some hardness trying to define it.

Just a couple weeks ago I was reading an article in a journal. An alert about the whole trend adopted by some countries, just to sparkle (and I mean that) in front of others abour their actions in a way to perserve it. As a matter of fact not even those well-intentioned guys are completely right at all. Hearing out some big shot, from a counrty saying that to save our enviroment is a better way to future generations find a place to live, it's not even slighly a real truth

Example: change car for a bicycle, or green energy, sustainable sources, acting like that instead of doing what you and I regularly do, or randomly, would probably better our way of living. Behind of that, there are too much that it meets the eye, and just like others who I keep talking about that it is a better way to renew the capitalism, find some better way to sell a product with a respectfull dutty to our enviroment.

And what kind of enviroment we are all trying to save it? Forest? Jungles, Green, Water, Air? is that all? and what about cities?! to perserve out there just show us how distant we are all from. Even the word Nature, defending for all us with a pure and romantic vision of fields, waterfalls and birds flying around and a blue sky. why facing that we still idealize How we want the nature to be, but we aren't nearly close to face the reality.

That's why I'm still worried about the whole discussion about saving our planet. How do we save what we idealize? I think that if we don't get back to our origins, to rescue a past that are still in all of us, specially us from Brazil, at the same time, blessed ofr all the resources we have but also doomed by a colonization interested to take it out. We've herded but can't even give a damn deal. Children, youngers, olders... have the enviroment as a worry but, a big number of that, can't do anything to really save, including me.

I guess it is time to do something or I'll just agree and become a passive outline of a greenpeacer.

Cordially
Rafael Gomes

Diplomacy

A matter of Conscience

After logging myself with books, surrounded by famous names from Henry Kissinger to others of Brazilian literacture as much as Machado de Assis or even Boris Fausto and Roberto da Matta. I could noticed how important our history is delegated to some straps of history and the model of education still applied on our schools are vintage. Pure elements of an olf-fashioned way of filling minds of childrens with tales of glory and heroism. However, Brazilian history could be traced by unlucky citzens whom wished much more than the truth, unfolding what should ever be hidden.

That's not a peculiar thing happened in our lands. I supposed that every trace left behind for some historical facts or most part of them are filled with misunderstoods.and due to those who win their lives, living the present figuring out what happend on the past, it is possible to visualize that what could be mantained as some universal true, could be questioned. What will books tell us within a hundred years about the holocaust or, the cold war, and so many other events of our present day.

What all of that has to do with diplomacy? absolutely everything. From pointing our portuguese lessons to calculate tax of investments or the new global movement after the crisis, or the political issues envolving global warming, alternative fuels,an ordinary day-by-day circle of people talking about economics or soccer or tradings and marketing. in some of their ways, there is something of diplomacy nearly the surface.

Betting with me that I couldn't mend the whole time losted by studios of my college. I could see how hard it its to pass in one of the most hardest contest of Brazil But I think I can get over that. As much as what diplomacy was made by: to overcome what seems to be impossible. To unite what was aparted.Althought sometimes still keeps away better to stay apart than get together. it is a challenge to be in contact to other countries with so many different peoples ina constant exchange, delivering and receiving culture in any way os aspects.

Praising the day when I can get pass the contest which, I hope that can't take that longer, I must keep roughling a battle with my own throubles with studios, college, and work. A carreer that still drive a lot of people because of its charming and high salaries is not all that glamour after all. working more thatn 10 ours a day, travelling throughout the day, weeks, in countries states. repairing possible damages done by brazilians (as much as the Brazilian case in Switzerland) or First scale authorities that mess up a great deal.

There are surely uncountable obstacles, But I feel totally ready to break all of them. Just wish It couldn't be that hard!

Cordially
Rafael Gomes

A Traditional Value?

Shopping Malls: An American Affair that will not fade away

If you ever had any thought about the american people. Shopping would be easily pointed as, probably, the very first thing that comes up to the mind of everybody else in the rest of the world. Worldwide known as a compulsive shoppers, it's not any surprise to see assorted kinds of trademarks and stores selling whatever thinkable - From eletronic gadgets, high tech stuffs or even, pure air.

In times of crisis, saving money seems to be one of the hardest thing to do, specially when you have a country which offers you credit cards with thousands of dollars limit, and a culture that motivates you to keep changing anything you got to something higher and better. no matter if you buy the last model of your GM today, you would be introduced to another model n the next day and stimulating the desire of getting something better, usually takes most part of the americans on a hole.

As I keep constantly saying here over and over, that is pretty much the main reason of why the american economy are melting out. Desire and possibility. Sometimes it looks like impossible to concieve that the whole world is now dragged to the edge because of the expenses provided by the market of good and Benefits of the US.

It's getting annoying to hear everytime on the news. That "X" Company fired thousands of workers or "B" bank declared bankruptcy. The way which most part of the news are stamped the situation, you start thinking that all the country is now lead to a time of darkness and people will be driven to fight with rocks to keep alive

Well, The landscape is not that bad after all (at least, so far), Shopping centers are still rising up. Indeed, there are a lot of malls that are closing their doors, or now becoming offices of companies. Besides all of that, they seems to be unstopable. There are nearly 1500 shopping malls working in US offering as I mentioned on the title, all kinds of service.

The new one? Marriage.. Odd?? Totally, but in some cities, you can get your marriage as quick as you get your meal at McDonalds. Who is the Blame? Capitalism or the church? One thing noone can deny. You will only find this in the US. A wishfull thinking for those whom are now getting married and also, enjoying some retails.

Cordially
Rafael Gomes

Adorable Cruzade

An everlasting agony through a single night

Christmas and the holidays time off, usually concentrates families inside of their homes, sharing gifts and say words of wishfull thinking for the year to come.A tradition that keeps being renovated as soon as the new generations are introduced to the old man with a red outfit who spread values of joy and gifts to all the children across the world in a rush which envy most of the cab drivers.

It's so beautiful to see a kid praying at night, being quiet and having a good behavior in an year just to one night be awarded by Santa with something that they want at most. I remember when I was a kid the happiness when I got those "LEGO" toys and I played all along, thinking that life just coudn't get any better than that. but as time goes by, fortunately you start realizing the real value of Christmas and the New Years celebration.

Religion explains that we just should focus the celebration as the birth of Christ. These values are now little by little melting apart. While younger, I used to see churches filled up, all the streets used to be empty and stores remained closed till dawn of the next day. In just a short time, the needs that people used to have 20, 30 years ago are just not the same as we find right now, for a good reason: The city can't stop as much as the progress

However, the Christmas still is a party for the family. but the celebration of the New Years motivates millions all over the world. and even different cultures celebrates the date. People from China or Jewish sparkling fires at the sky at night Helding their hearts with hope for the new year and, hopefully that it can be better than the one that was left behind.

I own a vote for those whom keeps working hard at the night while billions are celebrating. Journalist, artists, Medics, Fireman, Police and others that turn possible at least that we can party peacefully. Expectations we all have, what still is hard to predict is what it's gonna happen after!

Tiddings of confort and joy to everybody
and Happy Holidays

Cordially
Rafael Gomes

Money: Weapon of choice?

Chasing profits, trading spaces, selling or buying whatever possible. It seems almost unthinkable that most part of the human beings already lived their lives without having the company of a currency that guide our lives in modern ages. What becomes the main reason for attack the capitalism and the evolution of thinking the way we treat the currency and how wonderful would be our life living in a place where a piece of paper woudn't worth anything at all.

Science such as Anthropology and Sociology try to explain that what did motivate the people to trade their things would answer precisely some main goals. The need of living together and build a social structure that at the same time could protect them form attacks of other humans or animals and also, find a way that could maintain substancially the life in a primitive society. the model looks very simple, but it helps to understand what lead the human society to loose their minds, specially if you live in a country where consumption is law.

The recent events throughout the world share the same view for those who barely can't figure out what to do..The financial crisis have spreaded all around and affects our lives differently. A homeless or an unemployer that can afford to pay the bill of its mortgage in US don't have the same feeling that a normal unemployer from Brazil. A global society at the same time, share the worries but even so, some delays of their effects, thankfully, can be healed as soon as the symptoms come clear.

Still we haven't left the word money out of our day. I'm not praying a speech that go straight ahead againts the principles of capitalism or the life in a a society such as what I and we all live. But it is time to use the money in a veyr intelligent way that can help brilliant minds to prevent or even stop problems in all other societies and in the meantime, build a self-sustainable economy capable to find other alternatives to live, without getting ourselves so connected to some straps of paper.

Meanwhile, people from other poor countries, in Central America and in Africa, still can't achieve a dollar to survive another day. Authorities and Personalities keep doing their talk of saving the poors buy minimizing the problem, with food or money. At once, being questioned if only money would help to vanish the porverty in Africa, an important CEO of a company said. "would only turn some dictators evn richier". And He's got the point.

Karl Marx and the whole fetishism about the capital and how to obtain it, can explain why these straps of paper move our lives in a way that just couldn't stop thinking of it. The more you have, the more you want it. I guess that if we drag our desires to some necessary things, like health or education.. we would still think about money. but would definately stop thinking about living life because of money.

Cordially
Rafael Gomes

The more wise, worse!

Why both candidates of US Presidency still act like others?

The race is coming to an end, within less than 20 days, America and abroad would finally know who is going to be the next one to live at Pensylvania Avenue, n. 1600. Not too long ago, it would be considered as the guy who would have the key to controll the world. But, just like I keep writting here over and over. These days are no longer exist. Well, even if both candidates could do some kind of miracle which, is pretty impossible

Barack Obama is a wise guy, has a very great appeal and know how to speech. he drives thousands of people crazy by saying words of activism and the need of rebuild the confidence. The reason for being an American. Somebody who were trained to implant this idea on everybody's mind. During all the debates, Mr Obama shown a great capacity of building itself and creating a tatic of being defensive and accompling his contender to someone who was not giving "shit" on the last debate.

What really comes up to our eyes is his wife. Michelle Obama seems to be someone that keeps their feet underground. A charming lady with very strong positions. She definately doesn't seem that she would be the ordinary first Lady. A lawyer that took most part of her carreer doing social services for the hopeless and.a very determinated woman. At least these are mine impressions about her

Couldn't say that much to his vice-president, Joe Biden. Although most part of the democrats say that he is a very talented guy, He hasn't shown at least, so far that he can really be a smart choice for Obamas government. However He got skills to develop if they get the elections.

Otherwise, John Mcain counts on his history to enforce its position. With the speech of being the most prepared to be the next president or calling the americans to see his past and took their on conclusions to expect what would be the future with him as the next president. John Mcain maybe, is one of the most liberals of the republicans.Tradicionally, the candidates of the party are all believers.. people with a strong faith.

The background that might be force to John is Mr Bush, But, having the economy colapsing and with the retrospect of doing abusive mistakes, like Iraqs war or alot of others. Won't help a lot to bring some voters for him. Reason that could be a great advantage for Obama. His candidate for the vice-president is Sarah Pallin and she calls much more atention. Known for saying things with absolutely no sense at all. Most part of the "Big Shots" don't give total credit to her. Wait and See!

Attacking a candidate for not being very experienced for the job, or looking for some dirty stamps on others shirt always were their ways to win the battle.Wether is right or wrong,It's away beyond for me to analyse it.

The pools show that Obama is leading the race but it is hard predict who's gonna be. Americans used to be very conservative but the enviroment claims for a change, as quick as possilbe. Whoever gets the presidency will face a real different world.

Cordially
Rafael Gomes

Melting Markets can restore the faith of the Investors?

To Overcome old habbits would be guarantee of better solution to chill the markets?

Surprisingly, most part of the defensors of liberalism are not coming out in public to defend the state to not interveine on the market.what it begun with a result of easy money drooling out of banks and landing in the hands of the consumers in US. Possibly they wouldn't ever imagine that the headquarters of liberalism could pass through a situation once more, where its own values are now put into the test

The buzz are not hard news at all. Actually, the signs of that were pretty much clear. when you got a current deficit that are not reduced, tax cuts implement by the actual government, competition with products from all over the world, inflation and huge investments on war supplies, together they combined int a disaster for the real economy, not only for the US but for all over the world.

And What us, poor Brazilians located on the middle of the edge of south america, should I be worried with this?! In a short time period? No, even so because for the very first time in a while, we are not really influenced by their decisions, The central Bank of Brazil has done its dutty pretty well. from moratory to be creditor in less than 5 years. That's really something if you compare our reality to other countries, like Argentina

In a Long term period, I wouldn't say so. Just like the US, Brazil has implanted a measure to easily access the real state to most part of brazilians. It's easy to see right now most part of people with a very low budget to buy its own house. The thing is, capitalism is cyclical and it wouldn't take too much time to a real crisis install in Brazilian soil and really put its fundaments on the line.

Structural reforms such as previdency and too many others are now stucked at the congress and the public spends are still rising up. It's not a healthy reality if you realy want to prevent crisis to arrive down here. When a government spends too much what it collects could be damaging and our neighbour below are now paying a very high price.

Easy credit is investment, it is helpfull and change the whole scenario of the country. As most part of you people could see, it seems like Brazil is rebuilding itself with constructions everywhere around. When easy credit is given with long terms to pay. It shows not only that the bank is completely confident on its buyer. but confident on the mood of the economy as well. If something else goes really bad, everything colapses.

When you see constructions for housing costing a too much higher prices, get smart because the especulation was the cause of 1929 crisis. So far, Brazils price of real state are below of the international market. The point is - If this price are high enough for our reality.

Too hard to gamble the fate of our country, that's why the elections could help us out to make a good decision.

Cordially!
Rafael Gomes

An Awful Remedy

Why the new global situation can be the main excuse for military actions.

Despite most part of the experts constantly have said, the 21st century would be a marc of the human glory (politicaly and economicaly). The century has come with challenges that still would be easely found two, three hundred years ago. like, eliminate the poverty, fight against plagues and deseases that still keeps spreading all over the world, like aids. and , Fighting for lands, which seems to be the reason for a running to get fully armed.

In fact, to fight for lands use to walk on side by side with the human evolution since the very beginning. Thousand years ago, civilizations such as Romans and Persians abandoned their regions and leave, searching for lands (and taxes) creating an efficient enviroment of sustainability of its regime. And it worked, but, only before they use their legions to slaughter another thousands for its own good.

What there is behind all of this? Nicolas Machiavel, (The Princip) an important figure of the renaissance guide us through a cruel and dfinitive reality of the man while he is on the power. That the fight for power is the main "colera" that bring down kingdons and states. Evil and Kindness is just a point of view to prevent the result that most part of humans, want in its subconscious. Indeed, that would be reasonable if you relate this psychological phrase to what happened on differente countries nowadays.

The first years of the 20th century were important to the configuration of the contemporary world. the years that preceded the first world war were generaly good economicaly. But the production was filling up the storages, there was no market enough to sell their products at the edge, countries like England and Germany went out for a running, seeking for countries, elsewhere, Africa an Asia was at the sight. Realizing that, other countries would easily take away countries that would be consumer of their products, The murdered of Archduke Ferdinand was just the drop on the ocean, to start the war.

As much as what happened on the world war I, the world war II, the seeking for market was melting up former relations between countries. Quckly, Nazism and Fascism were spreading their values through the countries and the mind of people. People who were totally confident on their actions. Big Constructions could build up their countries, places where inflation and production were bringing down their economy and their faith.

In History, moments of total desperation use to be those moments where the military actions appear, then privations of liberty and expression followed by death and silence. an enviroment that the whole south america had to deal with between the 60's to the 80's. Althought having military components can seems to be a chaos for the democracy, in south America the 70's would be remembered as the decade of the miracle. The economy had an impulse and countries such as Brazil and Chile had a grown of 10% an year.

That is an Awful medication, but, Would the Military Forces capable enough to implant peace and stablish a good enviroment for the development? The 90's and the beginning of the 21st century has come with a challenge. To overcome old values that are still considered good to pacify danger places and also, deal with the new global reality. To Face and unkown enimy and be smart enought to always be ahead of it.

Cordially
Rafael Gomes

The Menace to our Green

How Brazil should accept help from other countries without let them take a piece of the Amazon.


It's now often to see some "big shot" or a great authority discussing about saving the amazon, or to preserve the most important green area that still exist on the world, or even that it's a huge area and the Brazilian government hasn't shown efficiency to stop the level of the deforestation, or to stop the smuggle of wood out of borders of the country. The accusation of acting too late after the things happen is right now spreading all around the great countries and considering the amazon as a matter of international policy.

The amazon is a huge area and the good thing about is - not well explored, which is not a bad thing after all, there are a lot of species overthere with no contact to human kind. Discoveries are made little by little, pretty much because of the access dificulty, the forest and the whole animals for some part of scientist must stay right there, respecting their evolutions and the right time to be revealed. Others pledging for help to discover as many as it can, because the progress won't be patient enough to let them evolute.

Just a few days ago, pictures made by a Brazilian agency shown a group of native indians who haven't any kind of contact with the modern world. The indians with the body painted with collors extracted by specific trees threating the chopper with narrows, almost like they were scared with what they've seen for the very first time. The images captured right now in every country of the world, explains how unexplored the region is and how diligent must the Brazilian government act in the defense of their own interest and from other countries as well.

The candidate for the democrat party, Barack Obama declared in a local jornal that: "Amazon is a global patrimony". Most part of the Brazilian government and the most nationalist understood that the statement was a possible intervention of the US policy on Brazilian homeland issues. It's not what it seems. After that, Obama explained how important the Amazon is to the world and that must be on the agenda of any government that cares with the enviroment.

Well, It's not that much as well, to buy a huge area of the amazon is quite easy, and some billionaires have done, not a long time ago, a sweeden entrepeneur was considered guilty for Brazilian authorities to acquire a huge area and implant a program of saving plants and reforestation. The officials said that he hasn't been doing any of this for a while and will pay millions to repair the damages.

The former secretary for enviroment issues, Marina Silva asked to leave the government because she felt she wasn't good enough to implant her actions to fight againts the smuggle or the burn of huge areas for farming or the increase of the growing of cities at the region. The government choosed to put a name that will work in favor of the agenda and. So far, there are no expectations of reducing or the stop the smuggle or the deforestation, it's a shame but right now, not only the government bur the Brazilian people have to understand that the Amazon is an international matters and a local respect.

Cordially!
Rafael Gomes

When our Striving Values are Mistreated

Overwhelming issues use to appear when we face moments of absolutely incapacity. While you feel no motivation at all for continuing what you do, specially whether you are doing a work that you’ve struggled a lot to get. It's a cruel reality, However shouldn't be considered as a big loss. Perhaps because in everyone's path, the journey that we all have to trial will constantly bring ourselves down, somehow.

Kinda morbid way to see the things lately, but it seems to smash right up on our heads the frustration of most part of population that can't stand living their lives without getting an oportunity to show what they can do. People pacing up and down into the stores, all alone, running out back and forth, with no direction silencing their desires in favor of getting anything that will give its sustent for about a month or else.

Brazilians are all familiar with such scenario...Every day, as soon as the radio and tv are turned on, Countless lines are formed outside big stores and factories, selecting people for internshift that filled up the schedule of most part of youngers who are tyring to get their first chance in a job. Or even those who were just dropped out of the college, well-prepared but without any instruction that might apply them on the market.

Worldwide the situation is not as different as it is in Brazil or other developing countries, the big mass of labors that are starting their career combined to the number of unemployees might lead the world to another crisis. Previously, those who lived on the countries of the Third World and had the grave of completing the college, would have to improve their knlowledgment by apllying into masterdegrees and PHD courses to achieve better positions in companies.

Today even the ones who were borned on North America or Europe are having to do all of this to get a real good life and, in spite of it's being good that they are dealing the same problems as we all do. The gap between who are well-prepared and who aren't are widding up.

Capitalism is cyclical, and what can appear to be a disaster will be the chance of other generations to build up another sustainable oportunities. Human beings are inventive enough to scale new priorities that, in the future, can become new jobs and add the huge level of labors that are still filling out the lines, seeking for a decent living.

Cordially!

Rafael Gomes

Emotional Rollercoaster

How to get efficient measures to be protected against Americas down under path

It's just like an easy riding around the park with you puppy at 8 o clock am when absolutely for almost no reasonyou find yourself fighting for nothing because someone have dumped you, or somebody have told you something untruth.that's so much like what the world have been going through lately since the american standard way of living was pretty much declining now, what started with a buzz, the sparkle seemed do cause a big boom.

And much part of that because, of the american way of living, when you got a population vivid to get their times spending cashes with no controllthis could be the worst scenario for any kind of economist. if we realize that the result could be even nastier that's because we all depend on them, without its "support". Could we barely walk on our feet? (not in the past) but the situation just got better with an eye blink.

For so much long time the level of interest rates in US have really prompted all other economies to fix a wide gap on their budgets to fill in with money (dollars mostly) and be able to act without IMF's presency nearby. Generaly, it just worked out, a lot of other countries who couldn't spend an year without having to get some active action from the organization on its economy.The level of assistancy made by IMF has droped on the last five years, a lot of people believe that the prosperity of US was finally spreading up all over the world.

It's not that wrong after all, if they're buying our products, that means that we have earned some funds. In fact, I believe that the international enviroment of the past 5, 6 years was good enough to fill some pockets of politicians and of some countries as well, as much as India, Brazil or China. In 2007 for the very first time a measure taken by the Chinese government was able to burn some companies of Uncle Sam's country. and it ain't seems that the thing will not easily get over.

The old-school lessons taken by all the countries financed by IMF's have helped most part of developing countries to rail their path, that's because Brazil, India or China will not suffer as much as they were in the past. They got a very well rounded budget to cover any casualties that might appear around. However, we still can not predict the future and it seems that it's not gonna be shinning as a sunny day, good to take your dog out for a walk.

Cordially!

Rafael Gomes