Why is it that in countries like Mexico or Brazil you are constantly bombarded by ads that promote government initiatives whereas in other places such as Finland or Belgium that is a completely alien concept?
Why can't the government focus on doing its job instead of just shouting around and wasting money on that?
Andrés Oppenheimer otra vez saca un libro sobre actualidad latinoamericana altamente recomendable. Aunque en algunas cosas se nota un poco que fue escrito hace ya dos años, en general se trata de un libro que nos muestra qué es lo que han hecho los países que sí se han subido al tren de la globalización y el desarrollo y por qué Latinoamérica aún no ha hecho lo propio, con resultados mediocres.
Me quedo con tres reflexiones:
-Países como México o Argentina harían bien con seguir el ejemplo de Corea del Sur, que con un consenso político ha alcanzado niveles de desarrollo que ya quisiéramos nosotros con una tamaño de población similar.
-Sabía que Brasil se trata de posicionar como el líder de la región, pero no estaba enterado que por eso han empezado a referirse a la integración de Sudamérica en lugar de Latinoamérica (que incluiría a México, el único país que tal vez le haría sombra). Obviamente, las políticas de Tlatelolco tampoco han ayudado mucho en contrarrestar esta jugada de Itamaratí.
-El crecimiento actual de las economías argentina y brasileña, dependiente de los precios elevados de las materias primas, no es sustentable al largo plazo a menos a que decidan invertir esas ganancias en otros negocios. Si no, pregúntenle a México cuando iba a “administrar la abundancia” bajo la presidencia de López Portillo.
During the past 18 years, the Norteña music genre has expanded from its homeland in the north of Mexico to the rest of the country. Even in places in the south of the country like Acapulco where so-called “Tropical” music such as salsa and cumbia still predominates you can find radio stations devoted to norteñas.
I’ve heard that it has even become popular in some parts of Brazil (could somebody confirm if that’s true?).
The organisation of the World Cup has been awarded to Brazil for the event in 2014. Furthermore, they have submitted a bid to organise the Olympics in Rio in 2016.
With this, Brazil would become the second Latin American country that organises the Olympics (after Mexico 68), and the second that organises the World Cup for the second time (after Mexico as well, who did so in 1970 & 1984, while the World Cup was in Brazil in 1950).
I definitely think the Brazilians will put a great show, but the country has to be sure that they will be able to cover the expenses involved. These events become bigger and more expensive every time, and as such they are a drain on public resources.
I'm deeply touched by the Brazilian airport accident that happened yesterday. Not only for the dead count (which is unfortunately quite high) but also because my family used this airport (and airline) frequently, and I have been also a passenger myself.
Given that the situation at Congonhas is very similar to what is found at Benito Juárez International, I can't help but wonder if we would see something like that in Mexico City next. I really hope not.
Now that the Copa América finished with Brasil winning 3-0 over Argentina, we can safely say that effectivity won over beauty. The Argentines had an excellent semi-finals game against Mexico, who had come from thrashing Paraguay 6-0, and had beaten Brazil and Ecuador and tied with Chile in the first round.
In the U-20's WC, the kids lost also against Argentina, this time in quarters. Furthermore, in the Pan-American games, the women also lost against the albiceleste, this time in the group stage. So, if you bet in a Mexico-Argentina game, don't say you don't have enough background =(.
A good summary can be found here, where they basically say what I was going to write about: Mexican football has grown and most probably the third place won against Uruguay reflects its status in the continent, but is still missing the leap in quality that will let it win when it matters against the top teams.
You may have read that previously I was not very convinced about Hugo Sánchez’s handling of the Mexican National Team. My suspicions were confirmed last Sunday when Mexico lost the final of the Gold Cup against the States (their second goal looks just like that Maxi Rodríguez goal from last summer). Since the Copa América was just around the corner, the panorama couldn’t be bleaker, since Mexico had to play against Brazil and 5 starters were out: 3 because of fatigue, 2 by injury.
You can imagine my surprise this morning when I read that Mexico beat Brazil 2-0, even though more than half of the team was composed of usually bench players. Nice performance. =D
The only sad thing to read is that some sectors of the press say that the performance was better since those who were more identified with the previous Mexico coach and bitter Hugo Sánchez enemy Ricardo Lavolpe were not included in the squad. I really hope that’s not the case.
If you’re in Brussels between now and 29.4.2007, you should really check out this exhibition at the Royal Museums of Art and History.
The Jansen collection has objects from all over the Americas, from Alaska to Patagonia, under the same roof. It is amazing to see the similarities and differences between these cultures. I had only been exposed to Mesoamerican art before, and the introduction of Central and South American objects from before the arrival of the Spaniards was quite a threat.
A very funny moment was when I noticed that an Aztec stone eagle on show looks just like the “Made in Mexico” logo. Of course it should.
Go, go, go! You won’t regret it.
