As far as I can remember, no leader of any nation in the world has ever taken such a naive and irresponsible step before. BRASÍLIA, Jan. 3 — Brazil's new leftist government today suspended a $760 million purchase of a dozen new jet fighter planes for its air force, saying the money could be better used to relieve hunger.

"The announcement was made after President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, a former factory worker and labor union leader who took office on Wednesday, met officially with his cabinet for the first time. (Full text here – free registration required (http://www.nytimes.com/2003/01/04/international/americas/04BRAZ.html))Doesn't Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva realize that his country is surrounded by the menacing hordes of Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guyana? All the United States has to worry about is Mexico and Canada, and gee whiz, look how terrified we are.

:m: Peace.

Makes you think how much it would help our country if we didn't buy any new vehicles or weapons for our military for just one year. As long as we had the money to maintain what we already have, I think we could do it.

Reminds me of Costa Rica.

Is that a good thing or a bad thing, Adam?

no....i think hes quite right using the money for other things, not every penny that any country has has to be put towards war, i know its how you americans like to think, but in reality it only makes stuff worse, countrys start getting agitated, and boom another war. im starting to think you guys like a good old fight.
i mean why does brazill want any more planes, they only have 4 large citys to defend, the rest is just rain forest.

You're right, Maveric. We should only use our military as a deterrent.

Problem is, our government thinks we should be deterring everyone, everywhere in the world.

We can only hope that we get a sensible person in office sometime soon. I think a female would do a good job. She probably wouldn't want as much war, and would focus on domestic issues.

Ages ago the new government in Costa Rica decided to stop spending money on guns and bombs, and put that money instead into compulsory education and national health services. Cost Rica is sailing along quite nicely.

The USA, however, can't really afford to do this because it has pissed off too many people.

Originally posted by goofyfish
As far as I can remember, no leader of any nation in the world has ever taken such a naive and irresponsible step before. Some one is to prove that the government should take the people’s basic
needs as “the” priority. Once that is accomplished, they can think what to
do with the extra cash.
…..unfortunately, his own life will be in danger.


US will just have to miss military exports to Brazil! What the heck, we have Iraq and another dozen places.

Originally posted by Adam
Ages ago the new government in Costa Rica decided to stop spending money on guns and bombs, and put that money instead into compulsory education and national health services. Cost Rica is sailing along quite nicely.

The USA, however, can't really afford to do this because it has pissed off too many people.

true.....its little things like pestering korea about its nuclear activity, it doesnt do any favours for america, but maybe with a new governmet things could improve.....pitty is you dont have a new government.

This is BAD news indeed, how is Bush going to pay his tax cuts if Brazil doesn't come through? Selling iraqs oil wells will only pay for the crusade. Does the insane brazile leftist not understand that some us top executives want to buy a third mansion??? How dare he even consider the homeless people in his own country, with such a friendly climate you don't need a roof!

Originally posted by Vortexx
This is BAD news indeed, how is Bush going to pay his tax cuts if Brazil doesn't come through? Selling iraqs oil wells will only pay for the crusade. Does the insane brazile leftist not understand that some us top executives want to buy a third mansion??? How dare he even consider the homeless people in his own country, with such a friendly climate you don't need a roof!
...Your sarcasm is medicine to the soul! :o

This is a dangerous action for Lula, but not because he should be worried about invasion from Brazil's neighbors. Leftist presidents in general, but especially in S. America have a tendency to be overthrown or assasinated when they cost the United States money....