Originally posted by wjwoodward Nikki, I'm sure the residents of all of the pacified favelas are quite happy with the results. I would be too if I lived there. It is nothing more than the "Not in MY backyard" attitude. They will continue to be happy so long as the druglords are operating somewhere else and the government is making superficial attempts to appear to be doing something in terms of social problems (Something they should have done decades ago). The sad truth is NOW THE DRUGLORDS ARE OPERATING IN SOMEBODY ELSE'S BACK YARD AND THE GOVERNMENT AT ALL LEVELS JUST DOESN'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT IT, THEY'RE TOO BUSY PATTING THEMSELVES ON THE BACK.

Occupying the favelas is totally necessary. Zona Sul is occupied. A police presence is expected when things get rough in any neighborhood.

How and why occupation happens is the question. There are a few possible reasons the police didn't capture fleeing criminals. A few of those reasons are corrupt.

Of course the city cannot be retaken or occupied all at once due to a lack of resources. A more cynical viewpoint is that they are strategically occupying areas that are near tourist destinations and that they will never follow through and occupy other areas where the criminals have now fled to. We can't know until it happens (or doesn't).

The really amazing thing to me is just how divided this place is, and how little most of those at the top care about those at the bottom.

Public servants earning 5-20K a month with 100% security, money for private school, safer neighborhoods, etc.

How many of them are out in the street protesting for equality in education, for police transparency, for equality in public services for the favelas, etc? As far as I can see, almost nobody does that.

But I do see the rich building larger and more secluded buildings with high-tech fences! I see execs flying around in helicopters.

It's not the state of things that is disgusting. It's the attitude.

Bless this big ol corrupt society and its ignorant, selfish elite with their empty leftist ideals and overly emotional, hypocritical politics!

Um país para todos....os ricos, os corruptos, os violentos!



Edited by expt2233 - 18 January 2012 at 19:16

Originally posted by IrishNatal You also mentioned Bonsucesso, again my wife has family there, this year was the first I ever met them. Until the pacification it would have been unthinkable for me to be there. Now, I must say I never felt anything but comfortable in my 2 visits this year!

Which side of the tracks (closer to Brazil or closer to the morro)?

I have always liked the closer to Brasil side of Bonsucesso.  It reminds me of Centro with all the cheap shopping, cheap chopp and a few decent places to eat, but with a third of the commotion/crowds

Since the pacificacao, I have gotten to enjoy some of the evening spots around there (there is amazing churrascaria not far from the Praca das Nacoes that even serves carne de capivara).  I wouldn't have done that before.

I still don't feel 100% comfortable on the otherside of the tracks there, even after pacificao.   Too close to manguinhos for me (the place scares me more than I can put into words).  Since the pacification I would prefer to spend my time in Vila Cruzeiro, Nova Brasilia and even  the morro do alemao than the asfalto on the morro side of Bonsucesso/Ramos (almost until Cacique de Ramos).

I'm glad that you are enjoying your time in Leopoldina. I'm glad we all can now.

Originally posted by nikkij12185 Drug users are what cause people to sell drugs, not a lack of policing.