Welcome to the democracy planet

Today the Portuguese newspapers have reported a Russian demonstration against Putin.
Accordingly to it, the people would like to "get divorced from Putin" (on an obvious reference to his divorce from his wife).
The thing is none of us likes authoritarian governments, and none of us expects to be kept from speaking our minds on any part of our lives when we vote, (including our political opinions).
I've already written here that I don't think Russia is much of a democracy so it comes with no surprise to see that the Russian people is getting fed up with it and are now demanding the political prisoners' release.
Obviously Putin is not alone on his firm purpose to force his will on his people, Erdogan  is another one who is not willing to accept the meaning of democracy.
You could say Russia is not a democracy as we know it. You would be right, there is no such thing as a sort of democracy, either you are one or you aren't, and just because a country is now more open to the west it doesn't make it a democracy, especially if on its core things remained as before.
 Neither giving the right to vote to the people will be the only definition of what democracy is.
For democracy is about freedom.
Yes, freedom to choose who will represent us in parliament.
But also freedom to speak our own minds about every aspect of our society without having to be constantly looking over our shoulders for fear of being arrested or killed because of it.
 Represent us well and we will love you for it.
That love will lighten the burden of our duties  (for a democratic state is not all about rights).
However if you don't represent us at all we'll reserve ourselves the right to fight you for it.
And that's what men like Erdogan and Putin have chosen to close their eyes to.
The sad thing is that there will be always people like them reaching a powerful position.
The bright side is that there will always be someone amongst us to fight them back.
Welcome to the democracy planet.

No comments...

Sometimes images are worth more than words...

Think this is one of those occasions.

The clever ones

Guys since I couldn't get a ticket to Imagine Dragons tonight because it was sold out on the regular places and I refuse paying a ridiculous amount of money online for any kind of show (even found someone selling it for €200 when the normal prices were between €22 and €30!) I am going to wait for their return.
Unfortunately this happens because there are people who gives a lot of profit to these guys.
To all the clever ones... maybe you get rich soon...
I prefer not to give my contribution for that to happen as I believe that the only ones who deserve to be paid for their work are the artists.
Meanwhile I'll continue to enjoy their music.

"Maquina de fogo" de Antonio Gedeão

UAU,
Adoro este poema do António Gedeão!
Pode ser pequeno, mas é belo, tal como os corações deste mundo deviam ser.
Bom fim-de-semana para todos.

"Meu coração é máquina de fogo

luz de magnésio, floresta incendiada.

Combustar-se é o seu próprio desafogo.

Arde por tudo, inlama-se por nada."



Health 5 stars in Portugal

Not all is bad in Portugal.
Several foreigner come to Portugal to take care of their health.
According to the clinic clients, is cheaper, and the care is exceptional here.
Here's the TV program for you to watch.

Respect

This week there were three very serious crimes in two schools around Lisbon.
One was a rape attempt from three boys between eleven and twelve years old (the victims were a girl and a boy with the same age).
The other was a gang fight which ended with a twenty years old being stabbed and his consequent death.
These crimes happened on an area with social economical problems very near Lisbon.
Violence has been escalating these last few years in my country and although my Brazilian friends say this is nothing comparing to their country, one can't help but think what will happen in a few years time, when we have eleven and twelve years old already involved in such crimes.
In my point of view, the problem is the lack of civil education, both at home from their parents and at school from their teachers.
You may say that people's economical problems and environment are the most determinant factor for their behaviour.
However in my opinion, it might have some weight, yet it is not the principal.
Coming from a poor family where one of my parents didn't even know how to write, and the other has only learnt it at the age of forty,  I have a little resistance to accept that being born inside a humble family is the principal agent to turn you into heartless creatures.
If you treat your children with respect and teach them they should do the same for their fellow citizens they will grow caring about those who surround them.
I'm going to finish this message with my mother's words.
"Threat others like you would like to be treated"
An old value, but true.     

Os perigos da net

Hoje, um amigo meu avisou-me para ter cuidado com o que escrevo na net pois nunca se sabe o dia de amanhã e a liberdade que temos hoje pode deixar de existir.
Acho que o meu amigo tem razão ao dizer que os tempos mudam e que expressar opiniões que irão perdurar pode sim trazer-me problemas em tempos vindouros.
No entanto ter consciência disto não me faz mudar o que penso, nem me faz deixar de querer mudar mentalidades, tenho demaseado respeito pelo ser humano e pela liberdade para fechar os olhos quando vejo algo que a na minha opinião é errado.
Deixar de o fazer seria como negar quem sou.
Ora eu nunca fui capaz de viver de acordo com o que outros esperam de mim.
Para o bem e para o mal vivo a vida tal como a quero viver.
Comportar-me como se não tivesse cerebro com medo do que pode ou não acontecer no futuro, seria como deixar de viver.
Isso é algo que não está nos meus planos.