天美麻豆

Brazil has experienced several months of violent public protests the likes of which haven't been seen here in decades.

This begs the question, "Has the government completely lost control and has the country slipped into anarchy?"

It seems now that absolutely every perceived wrong, whether it is based in fact or not, is the justification for yet another violent protest, confrontations between protesters and police, mass acts of vandalism and destruction.

It is beginning to appear that the government has completely lost control and is no longer capable of ensuring public safety. The rule of law has fallen into absolute chaos, laws are being ignored and in most cases not even being enforced. Brazilians have the strangest way of protesting that I've ever seen in my entire life. It's like watching someone shoot themselves in the foot most of the time. They destroy public and private property, that they themselves depend on and use, with absolutely no rhyme or reason.

Vandalizing banks, burning much needed buses, burning private passenger cars serves what logical purpose? If there is one I certainly can't figure it out. None of these have any link with the situation they're supposedly protesting against. It's as if the whole country has slipped into a state of collective insanity and simply can't control their own actions.

They certainly can't seem to think for themselves anymore. There's a group mentality that is being fed by accusations and rumors spread on the internet, which have been the cause of protests even in the complete absence of proof that a problem even exists. A prime example of this is the invasion of a laboratory, the theft of 178 beagles (supposedly a "rescue"), destruction of the facility's equipment all because of the rumored mistreatment of the animals used in pharmaceutical lab testing. Even the photos that they themselves took during the so-called "rescue" clearly show healthy animals that are undoubtedly well fed, tails wagging, bright coats and a gleam in their eyes. It sure doesn't look like animal abuse to me; and I'm against that as much as anyone. Even the government watchdog agency responsible has clearly stated that no abusive practices have been taking place. The protest's organizer said that things somehow just got out of control, the group was infiltrated by vandals calling themselves the "Black Block" and that the protesters weren't responsible for what transpired. What the heck did she expect was going to happen? Sorry, "It's not my fault" just doesn't cut it... she should be personally held criminally and civilly responsible for everything to my way of thinking.

Now another protest is set to cause mass disruption in Rio de Janeiro because of the government's plan to auction off the Libra deep-sea oil reserve. The plan is to allow a private petroleum company or group of companies do the work, extract the oil and gas and share it with the Brazilian government. In other words, the government would be laying it's hands on vast amounts of gas and oil without doing any work at all. All sounds pretty reasonable to me, but not to Brazilians obviously.

I am beginning to think that Brazil is on the very brink of complete social collapse. Government seems impotent, anarchy seems to be spreading like wildfire and all powers of reason has seemingly gone into a deep state of hibernation. Looks like we're all in for a very rough roller coaster ride that will last for quite some time.

A warning to all expats, no matter where you may be in Brazil. It is clear that the Brazilian government is incapable of ensuring OUR safety, so we must take all reasonable measures to protect ourselves. Stay away from any areas where there may be demonstrations or even the threat of one. Be extra vigilant in everything you do. You have nobody to count on but yourself.

  Cheers, 
  William James Woodward 聳 Brazil Animator, Expat-blog Team