So long // M.

//M.

Many of the solutions on the problem presented on the Wsf for example merely includes the capitalistic model as we know it when discussing and solving the environmental problems related to the Amazon. In the documentary we get to see entrepreneurs and visionaries whom believes and actually make a living out of preserving rainforest and selling the emission rights to companies. Critics often claim that emission rights only serves as a boost when profiling a company as environmentally concerned and that there´s no true gain in the long run. I find it peculiar as the criticism often comes from spokespersons of NGOs which in my opinion is used in the very same sense. In this case as presented by the documentary the question of guilt is erased and the preservation of the rainforest evolved into the very product which excludes by definition the pure cosmetique way of handling business – such as being wreckless, as seen in the case of Cargill – and opens for future with the capitalistic model and sustainable situation in the Amazon.

I find it to be an interesting documentary and truly recommend you to watch it. It enlightens one with new solutions has some interesting interviews. It´s not top notch when it comes to editing or the footage used but as a source of information it serves its purpose.

Take care and check www.lavaland.se for articles written by me in swedish.

//M.

As seen in the documentary Manda Bala I mentioned the other day Jader Barbalho, a without doubt case of corrupted politician, owns the local tv, radio and newspapers. Without research this appears to me as a hen or egg situation; who was first to do this in full-effect? Silvio Berlusconi or brazilian politicians? Probably none, but they´re in this very moment representing a scary elite getting away with god knows what as private persons or in their “investments” while as politicians they run their own arrends.

The last man accused for taking part in the above described behaviour does it and truly takes it to another level. Wallace Souza is his name and he´s been accused of murder with the motive to increase viewers stats on his tv-show. It´s not a sick joke and yes, besides running what seems to be Brazils or the amazons counterpart to “Cops“, he´s a politician. And he´s allegedly a coke dealer as well. You can find more info on this case here (in english) or here (portugese).

I wouldn´t (dare) calling it a circus yet since I find a circus amusing, colored and with only one part left for the fat old men – clown! This is not the scenario today but will hopefully be it tomorrow.

//M.

Anyway, I´ll keep posting links to brazilian issues I find funny, or as I´ve been doing for a while: posting links to what ever

Here comes some techno brega with Banda Ravelly for you heads out there!

//M.

The documentary gives a lot of useful information about the brazilian society but the subjects treated are left quite un-investigated and leaves the viewers with an urge of knowing more – which is good. The film works well as an introduction to many of the problems the brazilian society faces every day. There´s not really anything new for a person familiar with the brazilian society and the mechanisms running it except for new faces in case one had missed the allegations on Jader Barbalho.

Either google your way to it or go see the documentary here (with swedish subtitles).

This is the true backlash to the techno brega industry; the songs I´ve heard from this band so far are classical hits in Pará by now as performed by Vivianne Batidão and many more. Piracy is all good with when still respecting the artists – giving them the proper cred, and if possible money – here these copycats apparently just broke the code and takes the debate to a whole new level.

Unfortunenatly I can´t find any of the original track on either youtube or by googling but I can assure you, Banda Djavu are not the real McCoy.

How ever what I find more interesting is the fact that ongoing attempt on a debate is started by the NGO Ofog which haven´t recieved proper attention to their arguments. Martin Smedjeback in court concludes that this is a self-defense reaction to a unbearable situation (referring to the swedish arms export to countries as South Africa and the ongoing negotiations with India) for the people who either gets killed directly by the sold arms or, more important, the ones who indirectly dies due to lack of tax-money to fight poverty.

The argumentation is interesting as he do find support in the swedish law for his actions and I remain stunned that only a few have raised their voice on the topic in our neutral, peace hugging, country Sweden. Silence is certainly not a way of handling these issues and we have our history to look back upon. Or are we actually proud of the expression, coined during the WWII, “En svensk tiger*” (A swede remains silent).

*It´s actually a game of words implying that a swedish person is a tiger by remaining mute, or at least playing with the thought.

How ever, besides the obvious – techno brega is a unique and some what creative music style – the economics behind the boom is quite not what we´re used to. I just found a great article giving a good view of how it works and why ditching copyright laws actually can be a solution to the ongoing piracy debate. Check it out here.

Ps. Swedish readers check Åsa da Silva Vegheds radio program on brazilian music (Sundays p2 14:00).