Originally posted by Serial_Apologist
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Got mine 2 days ago and had a similar experience. Only those intending to drive were advised to stay the 15 minutes. Glad to report the only 'side effects', so far, have been minor soreness at both the Comirnaty and flu jab sites. -
Sadly not a very convincing victory in percentage terms, and (as the article points out) there might be a Trumpian reaction:
Outside Bolsonaro’s home in west Rio there was dejection and anger as the news sunk in. “I’m angry,” said Monique Almeido, a 36-year-old beautician. “I don’t even know what to say.”
João Reis, a 50-year-old electrician, said he was convinced the vote had been rigged.
“It’s fraud without a doubt, they manipulated the count. The armed forces must intervene,” he demanded.
And if they didn’t? “The population must take to the streets to demand military intervention so that we don’t hand power over to the communists.”Comment
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Yes, the threat of a coup sprung to my mind too. Hopefully it can be avoided as in Venezuela... one would hope that the number of leftist governments in South America would make a coup less likely.Originally posted by Pulcinella View PostComment
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Never mind Brexit what about the 2019 General Election? At least the Brazil result* was on the majority side, even if only by a fraction of a percentage point...Originally posted by cloughie View Post
*Whether it is a good thing or not is another discussion and one I have no views about as I don't know enough to commentComment
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I don't really see how the defeat of a far-right demagogue who has encouraged the destruction of some of the most environmentally crucial forest in the world, and presided over one of the most avoidably disastrous Covid-19 responses in the world, not to mention the corruption, undermining of the justice system, homophobia, misogyny, militarism, oppression of indigenous populations, and much more that it's really not difficult to inform oneself about, can be anything but good news.
No doubt the closeness of the result has a great deal to do with Bolsonaro's unscrupulous use of lying propaganda and other dictatorial methods, but it's better than nothing, hopefully Brazil (and the world in general) can now begin to recover from his reign, catastrophic as it was in many ways but especially, as concerns the future of the planet, in the destruction of vast amounts of Amazon rainforest to enrich wealthy landowners.Comment
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Well put indeed; his time in office was not merely a disaster for Brazil but for the world. That said, the fact that he has yet to concede seems to imply that the risk of the aforementioned Trumpian reaction is far from small...Originally posted by Joseph K View PostComment
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It's the main focus of today's Guardian newsletter, with Latin America correspondent Tom Phillips. He outlines the likely/hoped for benefts of a Lula presidency (Democracy, Environment, Economy, Civil Rights) but also assesses the risk of the "Trumpian reaction".Originally posted by ahinton View Post
The good news (as this is what the thread is about):
Brazil is the latest Latin American country to elect a left-wing president, joining Chile, Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Honduras and Argentina who have all favoured progressive parties over the political right. Leaders from around the world were quick to congratulate Lula on his victory, showing global solidarity and support following Bolsonaro’s past claims that the election could be rigged.
Will there be a coup? is also assessed, but perhaps not appropriate for this discussion.It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.Comment
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I had my booster last week. I'm pleased to say my arm was swabbed before the injection and a small plaster was applied to the area afterwards, so at least some centres are still maintaining standards.Originally posted by Bryn View Post
I was told that there was no need to stay for 15 minutes any longer. However, if I started to have difficulties breathing and/or my tongue started to swell within 15 minutes of leaving I should ring 999 (I was also told such symptoms were very rare).
Thankfully all was well, as I wouldn't have fancied waiting for several hours for an ambulance to turn up if I had started to experience any side effects."I do not approve of anything that tampers with natural ignorance. Ignorance is like a delicate exotic fruit; touch it and the bloom is gone. The whole theory of modern education is radically unsound. Fortunately in England, at any rate, education produces no effect whatsoever. If it did, it would prove a serious danger to the upper classes, and probably lead to acts of violence in Grosvenor Square."
Lady Bracknell The importance of Being EarnestComment
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I suspect the closeness of the result might also relate to a degree of discontent that Lula's last term as President ended with multiple corruption charges both against him and his ministers. Many Brazilians would have preferred someone with a better record to represent them against Bolsonaro's far right extremists. However, I agree that seeing the end of Bolsonaro's Presidency can only be very good news for Brazil and for the rest of the World.Originally posted by RichardB View Post"I do not approve of anything that tampers with natural ignorance. Ignorance is like a delicate exotic fruit; touch it and the bloom is gone. The whole theory of modern education is radically unsound. Fortunately in England, at any rate, education produces no effect whatsoever. If it did, it would prove a serious danger to the upper classes, and probably lead to acts of violence in Grosvenor Square."
Lady Bracknell The importance of Being EarnestComment
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One problem here, though, is perhaps illustrated by the series that began to air on BBC R4 this afternoon - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001dmz1 - which, although entitled The threat to American democracy, might as well be about the threat - or at least one such - to international democracy - or at least to the practicality of its continuation given its dependency on reliable voting systems and their reliable and trustworthy operation. Whilst of course I have no brief for Trump, the principles of his brayings about electoral fraud are to be ignored at our peril; hacking of relevant systems can act against any side in an election, so effectively Clinton was as vulnerable to them as Trump in 2016, just was Biden and indeed is anyone else. Whilst accusations of Russian interference in the 2016 UK/EU referendum remain unproven (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia...xit_referendum ), it seems unlikely that a company such as Good Law Project would interest itself in its investigation were they no more than the outcome of conspiracy theorism. I have heard no such accusations about the 2019 UK General Election but who can say with certainty?Originally posted by french frank View PostComment
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Well, almost as good as Lula's election in Brazil, I have at last received the £150 govt fuel rebate that should have come in March. The lassie at the end of the Council queries line did say they'd arrange it, provided I transferred to payment by DD!Comment
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