Brazil - A Place Where the Solution is the Problem

The title of this post may sound a bit contradictory, but it's the sad reality of my birth country.  Many of my Brazilian friends and family don't even need to read too much into this to know what I am talking about.  For all that don't though...for those that have known what a working government with laws that make sense and are enforced...here is a little insight into what made many immigrants leave Brazil.

What inspired me to write this is something that happened this past Sunday at a soccer match in the state of Santa Catarina where Vasco da Gama (VAS) and Atletico Paranaense (CAP) played the last game of the season.  Long story short a brawl between the supporters of each team broke out...a tragedy that repeats itself year after year.  Not going to get into details about it, other than some that were involved got what they deserved and went after...a beat down.  The bigger question is why did it happen?

copied from Da Redação com BandNews FM

Well, there were only 3 security guards to control each group of supporters...so 6 security guards to control a crowd of thousands.  I don't care if it was a crowd of 50, 3 security guards aren't going to control it.  The police, following orders from the city or state (not sure), were outside the stadium because it was considered a private event, which delayed them from getting involved.  It seems like the solution is simple: put the police in the stadium, right?

copied from www.gremista-sangueazul.com

Wrong!!!!  There have been numerous cases this year where the police acted with excessive force and innocent people were harmed.  In a match in Porto Alegre, RS a fan was taken from the stands by the police and beaten while they were escorting him out the gate.  The fan did not show any aggression whatsoever, and as if a beating wasn't enough, the police than proceeded to drag him out the stadium.  All this because he had a crutch, which according to the police, isn't allowed and could be used as a weapon!!!!

copied from zerohora.clicrbs.com.br

In yet another incident in Porto Alegre, the police shot rubber bullets to disperse a crowd that was gathering before a game.  One of their well-aimed shots, hit a man that was walking with his son in the eye.  Doctors said he was at risk of losing eye sight in both his eyes.  Well, good news!!!!  He only lost sight in one of his eyes.  Guess it wasn't that bad right.  That must be what the police must think because the policeman responsible has gone unpunished to this day!!! 

So what exactly is the solution to the problem of fights in the stadium?  Security instead of police?  Police instead of security?  Neither, the laws allow for this to continue unpunished from both unruly fans and from police offers that abuse their power.  One of the fans that's in custody from the fight between supporters of VAS and CAP was already involved in the death of a fan at another game. 

I am bringing up this issue at the stadiums, but anyone will tell you it repeats itself in every aspect of Brazil.  The politicians, the businesses, the drug dealers, the police, the lawyers, the schools, the doctors, the hospitals...the list goes on and on.  Try to find a solution to any of these and you'll find that the solution will also be a problem.

As I've said many times, "O gigante acordou, foi no banheiro...e voltou pra cama."  The giant woke up, used the bathroom, and went back to bed.

Do Contra