...doesn’t mean he didn’t really steal the cattle
In the early days of the American West it was common to hang cattle rustlers and horse thieves on the spot when caught or simply suspected. It was also common for a judge to sometimes ask defendants if they had anything to say in their defense before he sentenced them to be hanged.
The recent tribulations of former President Lula with regard to a triplex apartment in the beach town of Guarujá and a large country estate in the town of Atibaia have led members of the PT to declare that Lula is being morally and politically “lynched”.
Lynching in politics is as common today as it was in the Old West. It comes with the territory and it’s usually the fate of the careless or the arrogant. Experienced cattle rustlers and horse thieves knew the fate that awaited them if they got caught.
Nevertheless, the PT has decided to once again “rally the troops” to take to the streets in protest. There are two problems: 1) many of those who supported Lula are now seriously disenchanted with the circumstantial evidence thus far presented regarding the ownership of the two properties in question, and 2) Lula is hardly being “lynched”. The Federal Police and the Public Prosecutor have been very cautious about risking an indictment on the basis of the evidence thus far obtained.
If Lula is notindicted he will emerge much stronger politically.
Consequently, the Federal Police and Public Prosecutor are carefully assembling their case(s). You can be sure that nerves are on edge.
Meanwhile, things have hardly improved for President Dilma. Today’s press published an interview with PMDB Senator Romero Jucá who in the past had worked with both former President Fernando Henrique Cardoso and former President Lula. (A strong public suggestion of “neutrality” and “objectivity”) Jucá stated that Dilma’s impeachment is far from being on the back burner. Moreover she has only a few days before she has to present her defense to the Superior Electoral Court on the issue of campaign contributions alleged to have been financed by funds from the Petrrobrás fraud scandal. If she doesn't beat that rap, the 2014 election could be rendered null and void and she will have to pack her bags.
I cannot imagine that Dilma is necessarily comfortable in her corner.
Finally, Brazilians love a party and this year’s Carnaval has resurrected the old tradition of “street Carnaval” with literally millions taking to the street to dance, drink, and jump around. The turnout is much larger than in recent years. And the bleachers for the São Paulo Samba School competition were less full, presumably due to the relatively high entrance fee and the current recession. Some commentators have suggested that the current frenzy is a “blow out” of major proportions before getting back to pending issues and seriously “kicking ass”. My experience over many years in Brazil suggests that this could well be the case.
The same enthusiasm that marked the street celebrations could transfer to the alleged “lynching” of the “usual suspects”.
Be prepared for a “busy time” next week and beyond.
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