Brazil is officially the dumbest country in the world, you guys.

"BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion" (pbs) 09/21/2013 at 21:44 • Filed to: None

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/rant. Short, but a rant.

After banning the commerce and possession of actual firearms nationwide several years ago, the Brazilian government passed a ban on all toy guns, including Nerf and Supersoaker type guns because, according to specialists, they make kids violent and prone to a life of crime. Yeah, that's gonna solve our crime problem, for sure.

So, how did that ban on firearms work out? Let me just say that more people are murdered in metropolitan Porto Alegre every year than in several countries at war combined, that's how much these measure are working.

Anyways, according to the same specialists, Hot Wheels cars are next, for making people drive like maniacs, and then they'll go after Lego bricks because they hurt people's feet. Whatever, stop this ride, because I want to get out.

Anon > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion 09/21/2013 at 21:50

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Come to America! Our food is awesome!

dieselwagon > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion 09/21/2013 at 21:51

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A weak legislative attempt at a solution for economic and cultural problems. This, I assume is more public relations stunt, probably for a global audience than an actual attempt to curtail the serious economic issues in Brazil which cause gun crime to thrive.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion 09/21/2013 at 21:51

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Every country seems to want to legislate away basic human stupidity.

Which in itself is stupid, as we've been doing to same dumb shit since the day we set foot on this rock (however long ago you choose believe that was is irrelevant).

People are idiots. Always have been. Always will be.

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > Anon 09/21/2013 at 21:52

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I wish I could. At least the government over there only looks over your shoulder, doesn't keep telling how much you have to pay to not be able to do whatever.

Not so sure about the food, though, Gaścho food is awesome!

Tom McParland > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion 09/21/2013 at 21:53

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The next step is banning books and newspapers because if people read too much they will realize how stupid and ineffective their government is.

RotaryLover > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion 09/21/2013 at 21:53

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Don't listen to Alex. Come to Canada, we are nice.

Blondude > RotaryLover 09/21/2013 at 21:57

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And apologetic.

/CanadianStereotypes

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 09/21/2013 at 21:58

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I guess, but if the BR Government is really keen on curbing down violence, how about they, oh, I dunno, actually arrest criminals and keep them in jail? Or increase the punishments for crimes like murder, rape, kidnapping and all that shit? Pulling toy guns from the market is about as useful as politely asking criminals not to commit crimes.

It's sad, really, but whenever I weigh risks and rewards, I find it surprisingly hard not to knife people on the street over a wallet and a two bits cell phone.

Anon > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion 09/21/2013 at 21:59

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My friend come to New Orleans and try the gumbo, the boudin, the ettuffe, and the awesomeness that is Jumbalya!

RotaryLover > Blondude 09/21/2013 at 21:59

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This sums it up.

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > RotaryLover 09/21/2013 at 22:02

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My grandfather actually lived for a short time in Canada, I think in the late 40's or 50's, close to the American border. I'll have to ask my old man to tell me the story again, but, IIRC, correctly, they either met or worked for Wernher Von Braun for a while and that's how my dad got his name.

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > dieselwagon 09/21/2013 at 22:06

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Pretty much, though I'm worried they'll treat this as the final solution, as Brazil is keen on doing:

The education system is not good enough? Let's put some racial quotas on universities, as opposed to, you know, investing in education;

Crime Rates too high? let's recommend people to keep an extra 50 bucks on them at all times so robbers will be pleased! Who needs law and order anyways?

Hospitals are broken down and unable to supply the demand? Let's buy some cuban medics into slavery to help our good friends, the Castros!

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Anon 09/21/2013 at 22:07

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If it weren't for the humidity and heat and yearly hurricanes, I'd probably move there myself. That food is unreal!

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > Anon 09/21/2013 at 22:08

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Oh yeah, sometimes I forget that you can find pretty much anything from anywhere in the world, or its influences in America.

If I ever do manage to go north, don't expect me to come back. Ever.

scoob > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion 09/21/2013 at 22:09

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The air is bad... cars keep polluting! Are they going to ban you from breathing?!?!

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > scoob 09/21/2013 at 22:10

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Yeah, and when are they gonna do something about this asshole Oxygen? It's about time they banned it for oxydating and rusting everything!

RotaryLover > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion 09/21/2013 at 22:10

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I think we need to hear that one in details

scoob > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion 09/21/2013 at 22:11

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Nighttime is bad for driving! Nighttime shall be banned!

dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion 09/22/2013 at 00:49

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I think you underestimate the stupidity of the rest of the world. But yeah, that's pretty f***in stupid. Something similar at my elementary school. Nothing that looked like a weapon. Don't make your tinfoil into a pretend sword. Don't make your hand into a pretend gun.

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion 09/22/2013 at 05:22

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I feel dumber for knowing that.

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > Tom McParland 09/22/2013 at 05:24

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That is actually a common procedure on, erm, "democracies".

Mikeado > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion 09/22/2013 at 06:38

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Come to Britain! We have cool cars (yes, yes, and the parts to keep them going...) and the best comedy. And nearly all the F1 teams! And all that other stuff that was on TopGear!

And TopGear!!

dieselwagon > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion 09/22/2013 at 09:12

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The notable thing about the initiatives you mentioned, they don't actually cost real money or effort to implement, theres no infrastructure required they're just government sanctioned platitudes.

I am certainly no fan of the Castro's, even if i do agree with the ideals of the Cuban revolution, if not the end result. However, the Caribbean at least has a lot of thank Cuba for. In my experience, there would be no actual health care across most of the Caribbean, and the state of affairs would be notably worse in parts of South America. The Cuban health care system is the de facto health care system for a lot of the Caribbean, providing services and skills to to nations in that geographic are that are unavailable otherwise. There's not enough (or any) profit in it for the western medical industry to even look into it.

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. 09/22/2013 at 12:13

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Don't sound so bad, my town is a mosquitto rodden flooded swamp half the year, only the hurricanes would be new to me. Plus if there are less rats over there, it'd be totally worth it

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > RotaryLover 09/22/2013 at 12:18

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Absolutely, I'll ask my old man next time he's in town. My grandfather passed away several years ago, but I think my dad knows all the cooler details.
That's also how I came to possess a small collection of american and canadian coins from the 20's~50's...

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > dieselwagon 09/22/2013 at 12:35

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I can see where you're coming from, but it's worth noting in this case that Brazil doesn't lack medics or the resources to train them, what Brazil lacks as usual, is proper distribution of said resources. The government calls medics greedy as they gravitate around state capitals and large cities because, supppsedly, pay is better, but they fail to realize that large cities are the only ones that possess a minimum of the infrastructure required for medics to actually practice their trade.

The government's main reason for buying these medics is because they won't be allowed to leave the areas they were designated, but that doesn't change the fact that these regions still don't have hospitals, or health stations or easy access to transfer patients. This program is analogous to hiring more cooks to reduce starvation but failing to provide them kitchens and food to cook.

dieselwagon > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion 09/22/2013 at 13:58

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I don't disagree. Brazil is clearly a very different case, as it's South Americas economic powerhouse, so has no reason to rely on Cuba for health care. So it is just another example of promises on paper but no real action is being taken to resolve the underlying issues.

My limited experience of health care in the developing world is quite horrifying, and I can understand why the medics gravitate toward the cities, without the tools needed you can't really do anything but put band-aids over wounds, literally.

At a state hospital, a woman with ants crawling through a large open wound, because of the unsanitary/open conditions in the hospital. The solution to this was to spray the wound with very strong, commercial grade bug spray (stuff that's banned in the EU for being too toxic). This was probably the most advanced medical procedure completed on island that day. There's a recurring theme of odd pieces of advanced(relatively) medical equipment on the island, but no one with the training to actually use it (this applies across all sectors, not just health). Or if there is someone, it's one person to cover the whole country, to do what any nurse in the UK would be able to do. It was like being in a hospital that's a set for a WWII era film.

I digress, the Brazillian government seems to be taking lessons from the west in regards to empty platitudes that sound good in press releases and speeches. One assumes this is done while they feather their own nests and the middle class gets wealthier and even more removed culturally and economically from the rural areas and the favela's.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion 09/22/2013 at 14:57

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Ask him his feelings about the nutria they have down there.

Buick Mackane > RotaryLover 09/22/2013 at 17:07

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What about the food? Is there such a thing as "Canadian food?". Besides back bacon and Poutine?

Blondude > Buick Mackane 09/22/2013 at 17:09

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Maple syrup and bacon is all you need.

Buick Mackane > Mikeado 09/22/2013 at 17:12

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But what about the food in Britain? Do you have any awesome British food? Besides Bangers, black pudding, fish and chips and Scottish meat pies?

Buick Mackane > Blondude 09/22/2013 at 17:13

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Ok, I agree.

Mikeado > Buick Mackane 09/22/2013 at 17:54

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Well, I like the food here.