BLOGUISTAN

Welcome to Failtugal

2010-03-05T12:23:00.001Z

Large-bottomed Thief Caught with His Pants Down - Funny bloopers are a click away

In CM Newspaper February 12, 2010 - 00h30

"Almancil: Burglar stuck in hole in supermarket

He became known as the 'stuck thief ', after having been stuck in the wall of a supermarket in Almancil, when he tried to get in through a narrow window, three months ago. The owner has not filed a complaint against him. Now, the burglar made a complaint against the trader, saying that he was attacked while he was stuck in the hole in the wall.

The 22 year-old, a Romanian national and suspect of belonging to a gang who targets establishments and homes, was eight hours stuck half inside and half outside the supermarket. When the GNR (Police) arrived he had his pants down to the knees.

The immigrant, heard in court and released, alleges that someone took off his pants and assaulted him before the arrival of the authorities. Although he did not see who was the alleged perpetrator of the assault - because he had his head inside the hole of the Supermarket Alisuper - the burglar accused the owner.

The merchant, Antonio Oliveira, thinks the "situation is hilarious" and assured CM to have a "clear conscience". Recalls that when he discovered the situation, "the boy had his trousers down and was without shoes." He called the GNR "immediately".

The complaint of the burglar was sent to the prosecutor, who will accept it or not."

Never a dull moment in the Algarve.
Some people lose a daughter, others lose their pants. What they have in common, besides losing something personal under the blue sky of Algarve? They blame and sue others for their actions.
But then again, this is a country where a Prime Minister riddled with cases where he's under suspicion gets re-elected...

Cojones, Señor?

2010-02-28T22:24:00.002Z

Some fine, informed people have the cojones to speak FREELY about Madeleine McCann.
It was about time someone debated the case, in public, openly, frankly and FREELY!
One Portuguese - Dr. Paulo Sargento and an informed Spanish panel are a breath of fresh air, after the usual torrent of fluff and McPropaganda coming out of the spineless British and Portuguese media.

The McCx Files

2010-02-20T18:46:00.000Z

The Madeleine McCann mystery and the struggle between those who want to find out and reveal the truth and those who are doing everything to stop them. The truth is out there, and here: http://twitter.com/JondiPaolo and here: http://goncaloamaraltruthofthelie.blogspot.com/ and in many places more. See for yourself - don't let anyone tell you what to believe.

Welcome to the Twilight Zone

2010-02-19T17:19:00.012Z

Once again, I have to offer appologies for another embarassing cock-up performed by the Portuguese...
Last time was the re-election of 'Socrates-gate' - the number one 'suspect' in Portugal of interfering with Madeleine McCann's investigation (among other suspicions); this time, yesterdays' ignoranous decision by a Judge to uphold the BAN on Gonçalo Amaral's book and his DVD... and if that wasn't already too much, he is FORBIDDEN of EXPRESSING his views on the subject of Madeleine McCann...

How to explain that? Well, anyone who can find a good reason to ban books and stifle someone, isn't really a friend of Democracy and Free Speech, if you ask me; but nowadays, not many people give a flying-fudge about these things. Some even don't call this censorship... How to explain this?...

Anyway, the Judge based her decision NOT on what was shown in court, but on what wasn't shown... confused? Well, there you go. When you don't have a solid fundament to justify your decision, make one up!
The Judge was quoted by the Press and by the McCann's Lawyer, stating that she has read the files of the case, in full, as presented by the M.P.; and she found that G.Amaral's defense only called witneses who shared his theory... still confused?

Well, seems like this is the first case in the world where you're supposed to call witnesses that actually will not help you or even support the other contender.
Nevermind what the witnesses you called said; what the Judge cares is what the others you din't call have to say... get it now?

Not only that but the Judge also issued her own opinion, stating that as an ex-cop, G.Amaral should have kept some 'reserve' about what happened during the investigation that he was leading in 2007...
I don't think ex-cops are bound by trade-secrecy... that would also defeit the purpose of his book, which was to clear his name and provide his side of the story, because as we know, his supperiors were to 'reserved' to do so...

Did you get it now? Well, if not, take comfort that this is not a permanent ban - that will come later (just kidding but it could become dead serious if the McCanns win their coming Law Suit against G.Amaral).

While the Portuguese watch every day on the news their Prime Minister claiming his innocense and reporters complaining of herassment and pressures, they just shrug their shoulders and eat another sardine.
Over to you again, UK - the ball is on your field... hope you can do better than us...

Part IV - The I.D. Show

2010-02-16T23:42:00.003Z

Isabel Duarte puts on a display of her own to divert attentions from what really is going on - the McCanns have no case and they know it.
See you in court on the 18th, for the verdict - I'm not the betting type, but I bet it's going to be a fine victory for G. Amaral, Justice and Free Expression!

Part III - Reporter Wiped Smirk Off of G's Face

2010-02-14T12:19:00.003Z

Watch the video and you can see the change in the McCanns - in the beginning, arrogant; at the end, rattled and pissed off... and it was about friggin' time.

McCanns outside Lisbon Court, 10th Feb (II)

2010-02-13T11:52:00.001Z

McCanns outside the Lisbon Court, 10th Feb.:
Probably the words so many have been waiting ti hear from the McCanns: "'We are more than happy' to re-open the case" and "do a reconstruction". Of course, these are just words, like so many others uttered in vain by these two and their associates.
It is up to the public opinion now to make sure they keep their word.
This is the best service anyone can do to help Madeleine.

McCanns v Amaral Final Hearng 10.02.'10 (I)

2010-02-13T11:18:00.001Z

Contrasting moods outside the Lisbon Court where the final allegations took place, seem to indicate the direction the verdict is going...

1000 Days McBash

2010-02-06T11:32:00.000Z

They finally made it.
It's about time they get propper recognition for their performances.

The Good, The Bad and the Will it Ever End...

2010-01-27T18:20:00.013Z

Sergio Leone's 'Western Spaghetti' classics have a new, much more lame, sequel - the 'Western Sardine' Trilogy... Warning: This vid is PG Rated - Parental Guidance recommended and TALAWFPRMC - Think And Let Authorities Work Freely, Re-open Madeleine's Case.

My way of marking the 1000 days Madeleine has been missing... and the show must go on...

Amaral:"McCanns Are Getting Desperate."

2010-01-15T00:25:00.008Z

Google Trans from Original.

The former coordinator of the Judicial Police, Gonçalo Amaral, responsible for investigating the disappearance of Maddie says "McCanns are getting desperate." Amaral therefore responds to accusations that the couple today said he would bring a criminal action against the former leader of the Criminal Investigation Department of the PJ in Portimão for alleged breach of confidentiality of the reproduction of material research in the book "Maddie - The Truth of lie "before the decision to file. Isabel Duarte, a lawyer for McCanns, said Friday that the action of Kate and Gerry McCann will be on "next week" after extraction of the certificate of the trial to ban the book by former Inspector of Judicial Police (PJ), taking place at Justice Palace, in Lisbon. "The McCanns are ill advised by lawyers, things are going the worst possible in court, the very British press has begun to review its position on the Maddie case and now the tactic is that of despair, forging ahead another complaint against Gonçalo Amaral to see if the girl is found " joked the former coordinator surprised by the news of a new complaint. The couple's lawyer reminded it was established at its meeting on Wednesday that the book, which it is claimed the McCanns of involvement in daughter's disappearance on 3 May 2007 in Praia da Luz, Algarve, was completed on 24 July 2008 at the publishing War and Peace, also referred to this process as well as the TVI.

Moita Flores: "Gonçalo Amaral is being soiled"

2010-01-13T22:57:00.007Z

Google Trans from original.

The former PJ inspector Moita Flores said today that the trial of Gonçalo Amaral's book "Maddie - The Truth Lies", which reproduces the argument of the McCanns involvement in daughter's death, "is an attack on freedom" .

Moita Flores, heard in video conferencing as a defense witness by Gonçalo Amaral, who noted the theory of the child's death appears in the police investigation and rejected the arguments of the McCanns that dissemination of the thesis affect the investigation into the whereabouts of the child.

Stressing that "the constitutional rights can not be attacked," the former member of the Judicial Police (PJ) considered "pathetic the idea to spread the notion" may affect the establishment of facts and expressed anger "as a citizen by trying to restrict freedom of expression. "

"This is absurd and Gonçalo Amaral is being soiled. Why not just write about a case that is closed? There are so many cases like this, as the Ballet Rose or the assassination of John Kennedy, and much has been written," said the Mayor of Santarém.

Moita Flores stressed that "nobody can be prevented from thinking, regardless of whether a court order to close a case."

He added that a decision to file "is a value-judgment that a prosecutor is on a particular case" and, referring to this decision to the accused Kate and Gerry McCann, produced in mid-2008, noted that "two other judges could have reached two different conclusions. "

Asked by Isabel Duarte, a lawyer for McCanns, in this trial, Moita Flores also denied that the book of Gonçalo Amaral, the prohibition of the sale was ordered temporarily to 09 September 2009, affecting "the good name and dignity" of the English family .

"The book is a thesis. The real truth is owned by nobody," said Moita Flores, the only witness heard in the morning session on the second trial, taking place in the Courthouse in Lisbon, where the McCann family claimed the main action to protect rights, freedoms and guarantees.

In the afternoon, will be heard three defense witnesses who did not seek another: the criminologist José Manuel Anes, former official of the War & Peace Mário Lopes Sena and Tania Raposo, responsible for publishing.

In addition to Gonçalo Amaral, are covered in this case the publisher "War & Peace, TVI, which showed documentary based on the book, and the producer Valentim de Carvalho, the marketing of video-based television show.

The book "Maddie - The Truth Lies" was published in 2008 and cast the suspicion that the parents have participated in the English hiding the corpse.

The British child Madeleine McCann the disappeared on 03 May 2007 of the bedroom of an apartment in a tourist resort in Praia da Luz in the Algarve, where he was vacationing with her parents and two brothers.

As coordinator of the Criminal Investigation Department of the PJ of Portimão, Gonçalo Amaral joined the team of researchers tried to find out what happened to Madeleine.

Kerry and Kate McCann, who always maintained the position that Maddie was abducted, were made defendants in September 2007 but were eventually acquitted in July 2008 for lack of evidence to support the hypothesis advanced by the investigation of accidental death of the girl.

The prosecutor dropped the case, which can always be reopened if new consistent data about the disappearance of the child is found.

The History of a Lie

2010-01-07T23:40:00.003Z

I’ve been meaning to write this post for a long time. It’s probably my last post about this unfortunate case and I was hoping it would coincide with the end of it, but we haven’t heard the last of it yet, am afraid.

However, there is a general feeling in the air that we will see some closure to it soon. “Some” closure, because we may never really find out what really happened to Madeleine, but at least, some closure to the nonsense that surrounds it.

For now, the case is where it's supposed to be - in the hands of justice. Let's hope it serves its purpose and re-open the investigation as well.

As I promised on my last post in 2009, I will try to explain what I meant by “The Portuguese Republic is 99 years old. The Portuguese nation is nearly 900 years old”.

At first, History may not seem important to this case, or any other; but this is not your run-of-the-mill case.

Perhaps without noticing it, you have been learning more about Portuguese History you ever imagined or even wanted to.

Just think of the Carnation Revolution, invoked by G. Amaral and the freedom of expression supporters; or the exact opposite - the former dictatorship and their secret police, exhumed in 2007 by those who wanted to cast suspicion and discredit the PJ.

So History has been used, by both sides.

I do not whish to bore anyone with lengthy explanations about what happened 100 years ago; I just would like to help people understand how we come to this point, where so many people – not just the Portuguese anymore – wonder what is going on with the Portuguese judicial system (and in no smaller part, with the Portuguese State).

The reality is that we have to look back 100 years, to fully understand why the dictatorship and then the Carnation Revolution were necessary, and why everything else is what it is now.

This year, the Portuguese State is getting ready to celebrate 100 years of the Portuguese Republic. From a historical, economical, democratic and social perspective, most of it is really, really bad. Not Soviet Union bad, but close. I wonder what Russia will do when they come to the 100th Anniversary of the Soviet Revolution. At least they've reinstated the memory of the Czar and their original national flag...
But I digress.

To make a long story short, to pave the way for the republic, the nearly 800 year-old institution of the monarchy had to be removed, which the radicals did, by assassinating the King and the Crown Prince in 1908. Two years later, just when the investigation conclusions were finally about to be made public, an armed coup imposed the Republic, with Britain's blessing. And with it, came a new (dis)order, as History shows.

The files – several copies of them – all vanished within years. The last known copy was stolen from the home of the king, during his exile in Twickenham. Obviously, the case was dismissed and there were no convictions nor other responsible for the regicide, except two of the murderers, also killed at the scene of the crime.

That was the beginning of the now long tradition of "archiving" high-profile judicial cases.

The Carnation Revolution in 1974 didn’t change that, alas.

So, in this last 100 years, Portugal has lost its moral and traditional reference, and has been adrift.

It has taken on board oligarquies that use the power to protect their own. They all have an appetite for the control of information. But this could be said of many other countries…

In our defence, we could say that the Portuguese had their History re-written and decades of censorship dulled their spirit a bit; but, if anything good has come out of this Britain vs Portugal parody, it’s the many individuals who have shown the world that free speech, justice, truth and other principles, have no nationality.

My wish for this year of 2010 is that people finally wake up and remember where they come from - not 100 years ago, but much further back - and celebrate truth and justice.

Forecast: You will Freeze Your Nipples Off

2009-12-30T19:33:00.002Z

It was a cold December. Especially for the poor chap with frost-bit fingers who entered the remarcable temperature of: -129 ºC on the left.

Far from 'global warming'...

Have yourself a great start to 2010!

May the temperature be cosy.

Carnation Generation

2009-12-17T17:04:00.000Z

Second part of the McCanns/Amarals' Court Hearing events.

After the embarrassing PR man the McCanns hired in Portugal, time for a genuine representative of the Portuguese people and their opinion – certainly more than 90%, as the McCanns’ lawyer, Isabel Duarte, admitted.

Some of the freedom-of-expression supporters shied away from the cameras but not my new heroine, Maria Augusta.

She grabbed the bull by its horns and put the record straight.

Embodying the spirit of justice and the courage of our old navigators and warriors of the glorious past, she defended country, people, the institution of the Judiciary Police and Gonçalo Amaral.

She showed the world that, at least for her and others like http://pjga.blogspot.com/, the Portuguese will not be gagged.

Another McCanns' PR Disaster

2009-12-13T20:49:00.007Z

Breaking News: The long-herald "embarrassment for Portugal" is finally upon us... PR, slash, Bouncer, slash, Jackass, proves that nothing good comes out from under every rock the McCanns (un)turn.

In contrast, Gonçalo Amaral was composed and relaxed.
And Martin Brunt's a true gentleman. Just like PJGA's spokesperson, Luis Arriaga.
Even the lady in the hat comes out looking good, next to that brute PR man.
And she was making more sense too.

Who Let the Dogs Out?

2009-12-10T11:59:00.000Z

It's staggering to think all of this started with a little girl going missing...
It seems nothing is sacred.
Jill's mother, trust, responsibility... and so many other things that are supposed to be worth something...

Everybody needs to take a step back and think.
Who is really profiting from all of this? Many people, including the media. This sorry-ass affair has become a reality show; one of the worst kind.
Just say "In the name of Maddie" and you have carte-blanch for anything apparently.

When will people wake up and realize that there is just too much noise, too much cacophony going on in public, because there is a defening silence on the only stage where this case should be unfolding: the legal, official investigation, which must be allowed to continue, independent and unpolluted?

I am new at this but still can see my reflection in the mirror.
I know when to back off.
I suggest others do the same.
Peace on Earth to men of good will.

12 Reasons To Re-open Madeleine's Case

2009-12-04T19:28:00.000Z

To Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Bloguistan

2009-11-27T14:50:00.008Z

Because there is nothing to hide the Justice & Truth website is now open to everyone who is for justice and thruth.

Members and non-members can read the information available on most of the website.

Any person interested in defending the values of justice and truth is free to join the network.

All views and opinions are welcome and respected.

http://justiceandtruth.ning.com/

10 Reasons WHY the Case Should be Re-opened

2009-11-26T18:05:00.004Z

Original here

It's:

1 - free.

2 - the only professional, responsible, publicly scrutinised way of looking for missing persons.

3 - the only LEGAL way in Portugal.

4- the only way to find out what really happened to Madeleine, and validate it in court.

5 – the only way to definitely clear the McCanns and their friends of any suspicion.

6 – the best chance Madeleine has of being found.

7 – the McCanns private investigation has led nowhere and has no credibility or legal authority

8 – the McCanns ex-P.I.'s are being investigated themselves

9 - the only way to prove (or disprove) that Gonçalo Amaral, Eddie and Keela are right.

10 – it’s a moral and civic duty, the only way to do Justice.

The Shroud of Silence - Are you asking WHY?

2009-11-24T19:50:00.009Z

Original here.

It’s ironic that in the ‘age of information” people are being kept in the dark more than ever. And we’re not talking of Iran or China and their undemocratic control of the press, the media and the internet. Western societies are taking for grated its renowned freedom of expression.

Money and power are the Iran and China of Europe.

If you have one or both, then nothing is sacred or impossible. Even because indifference is rife.

Here’s a screaming example of control of information, apathy and even censorship:

In 2007, a 3 year-old British girl – Madeleine McCann - goes missing in a holiday resort in Southern Portugal. I’m not even going into it – there has been enough talk about the details of the case.

What should have been just another missing person’s case, became not only an international media frenzy but also a political case – almost a political incident, between Portugal and the UK.

The question “why” is certainly pertinent in the aftermath, but nearly 3 years later, not only there’s no answer to that question and others; there isn’t even a scenario where questions can be put.

We are at a stage where posing questions equals “libelling”; where inconvenient questions are quickly met with law suits, and thus, questions are quickly silenced.

Maybe that explains another “whys”:

- Why have the media, namely the British, removed many inconvenient articles for the McCann from the cyberspace?

- Why have the British press suddenly become an “official” organ of propaganda for the McCann?

- Why are the McCann, unlike other parents in a similar situation, treated as starlets and spared “tough”, reasonable questions?

- Why is this preference being given to this couple?

- Why are books, DVDs, TV programs all over Europe being suppressed by the McCanns’ lawyers?

- Why they have so much power?

- Why are they allowed to get away with all this?

- Why has a judicial case been allowed to go out of the judicial sphere?

- Why is this couple and their Tapas friends refusing to go back for a reconstruction to answer the inconsistencies in their depositions?

- Why is this couple apparently above the law?

- Why have they step up a Fund so fast but are unconcerned that no police force is looking for their daughter?

- Why aren’t people outraged that this is happening?

- Why aren’t people reacting to the clear infringement of their right to unbiased information?

- Why aren’t the parents and the people demanding the re-opening of the case, in accordance with the “leaving no stone unturned” mantra?

These are just a few questions off the top of my head. Many more could and should be posed by a responsible society, to a couple who has used the media and the public attention as they pleased.

I hope we will have answers to these and other questions, soon. With your help, we will. Remember the CEOP message: "If you stay silent, you are just as bad".

Please add your "whys" to these in the comments or write your own manifest.

Tags:

VIRAL VIDEO THIS, CEOP

2009-11-20T23:44:00.002Z

Welcome to "Casa McCann" in PDL, just before they hotfooted back to England, after being made 'Arguidos'.
The Portuguese and British Police were gobsmacked by some of the things they found inside...really revealing stuff, see for yourself - nothing seems to be ordinary when it comes to these two...
Time to re-open the case.

Who Will Have The Last Word?

2009-11-19T18:58:00.009Z

A half-Portuguese, half-English writer, generally known as MEC, once said that the Portuguese hate the past because it's gone and the present because it's not the past.
I don't know which of his halves said that, but they're both right.
Portugal has indeed a glorious past but those glory days of being a major world player are over.

The nearest thing we can expect to achieve currently, is winning a major football competition. At least, that's what every Portuguese thinks is the greatest thing that could happen to this country.
So what if Portugal is again the poor man of Western Europe?
We could turn around and show those snotty neighbors our wonderful, gilded trophy.

The fact is that the Portuguese have a hard time accepting that we are just over 10 million, roughly the population of many big cities, like London.
We still believe we can rub shoulders with the front-runners - and in many fields, we actually do.
However, sometimes we live between a certain schizo-megalomania "of being the best in the world" quickly followed by "we're the pit of the word"...

This schizophrenia is, IMO, the product of many years of political abuse. On one hand we have the government and the politicians sucking up to our deluded side of grandeur, promising us a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow; on the other hand, these same people who are suppose to represent the people and the country to the best of our interest, end up selling us out and leave us fetching sticks for our European "masters".

That has been the case in the Madeleine McCann case.
What other country would take all that abuse, all that defamation, all that xenophobic character assassination?
I hate to say it, but I don't think any other European country would!

Being made look like we couldn't tie our own shoes without our "colonial" superiors' aid, was, I think, the worst insult of all. A deliberate one, no doubt, to thwart the course of the investigation. One that shouldn't be allowed at any cost.

There was a reaction from some outraged individuals in the internet, but the silent majority was too much busy getting on with their lives, making a living on the lowest salaries in the EU. People expected the government to handle it, and they were quite right in expecting that they take care of their responsibilities.

So what about the government? The government caved to foreign pressure once again and turns out, people were quite wrong to trust their own government. No wonder Portugal is the European country with lower self-esteem, according to recent studies.

Not only the government let down one of its own, not to mention the entire national institution of justice and the authority of the Police, they let down the victim of an uncertain fate, Madeleine; the country, and the world.

But they are not alone in their ignominy.
The people who contributed to these pressures and to the incident that victimized Madeleine are also to blame, although they all remain pretty satisfied with themselves.
But while there is still people, albeit anonymous, who can see them for what they are and not let these events slip into oblivion, they will never have a moment of peace.

Madeleine McCann's Youtube Poll

2009-11-13T18:16:00.000Z

VOTE!

Don't Get Mad - Get Active

2009-11-10T17:22:00.008Z

The proof that this country, to some extent, doesn't deserve the slime-balls representatives it has, is in little-big gestures such as this ones:

- It all started with a comment left on a news website, where someone basically said:
"I'm done with words - if someone wants to DO something about this, here's my email address".
That message generated hundreds, later thousands of emails.
Did it sort out the problem, correct the situation? So far, no it didn't. To decide what's best for a young girl incomprehensibly uprooted from everything she knew, it's out of their hands. But they did contribute to keep the story alive and help fund a more than likely return of Alexandra.

- Just a few days ago, as I reported here, a hand-full of individuals started a movement to help and deffend Gonçalo Amaral's civic rights, against the powerful forces that have launched an unprecedented attack on our freedom of expression. As the CEOP video states, "if you stay quiet, you are just as bad as them".
Let's make some noise then. For Gonçalo, for justice and for the truth. Follow the example.

You're NO Sherlock...

2009-11-08T12:41:00.005Z

The following are quotes from a new SE article:

“It is astonishing and disgraceful that the Portuguese have not assigned a specific team to scrutinise leads which could provide a breakthrough in the world’s biggest child abduction case.

“It is frankly outrageous that the parents of this poor child should be hiring private detectives to conduct an investigation which should have been taken on by the Yard in the first place."

Who else thinks this dude has a bug up his arse?

If this news are true (coming from such "reliable" source as James Murray, "Investigations Editor") =)) then Dai Davies needs to be informed that it's up to the McCann to ask the re-opening of the case; spending money on PI's has nothing to do with the PJ and quite frankly, he sounds like an idiot.

What kind of cop he is/was, if he doesn't even have a clue of what he's going on about?

As a man he can't be much as well, given the disrespectful way he addresses foreign colleagues.

He's got to be a disgruntled Everton fan (lost to Benfica 7-NILL on aggregate) :))

The only bit I agree, is that the Investigation should and must be re-opened.

Doggy Style McCann No Likey?

2009-11-07T22:30:00.001Z

Gerry is ok with reporters asking the dogs' opinion about a question he does not want to answer... seems to me the dogs are not the ones unreliable in this story.

They may sniff crotches but they surely don't lie.

ALL FOR AMARAL

2009-11-06T22:39:00.002Z

It's time we lend a hand to Gonçalo Amaral, in his fight for justice and against censorship .
He is target nr.1 for "Mctermination".
He has given up many things but he hasn't given up principles and values, that we, as a society, only pretend to hold sacred.
Let's follow this great man's example.
Sign the Petition (Portuguese)/(English) against censorship and for the respect of Gonçalo Amaral's civic rights.

Deutschland Uber Alles - Just for Germany :D

2009-11-06T00:01:00.002Z

Das ist Spot the Differences - Erkenne die Unterschiede

Find more videos like this on Justice and Truth

Blocked in Youtube, frei im Bloguistan fur Germany :D

Blitz This

2009-11-04T23:11:00.000Z

Amazing how little you need to say the truth.
Some paper, a pen, and to have nothing to hide.

Not the Bloody McCanns on the Telly Again

2009-11-03T01:03:00.004Z

Ye, but this time has a "happy ending"... the problem with lying is that sometimes the truth slips out....
Spot the Differences - will you go with the "if we say it many times, then has to be true", or with the "highly specialized trained dogs that are worth more than your friggin flat screen TV"?
Undecided? Let the professionals decdide for you the - make the McCanns re-open the Investigation like it's their right and obligation!

Happy Horrid Halloween - Warning! This May Traumatise You!

2009-10-31T19:59:00.002Z

Two of my favourite worse things put together - crappy food and crappy people.

Just awful.

Have you ever seen 'grieving victims' so happy-go-meal?

No wonder so many people still gobble up their baloney - people stuff theemselves with crappy food all the time! But it's not alaways peoples's fault; that's what they are fed by the media and by the best advertising money can buy...

This must be two-for-one night. Two tasteless big macs for the price one. But you know that's money wasted - that's not real food, you'll be better off with a nice curry.

Adding Insult to Injury

2009-10-30T11:23:00.006Z

Shameless cnts! This is bleeding outrageous!

Just stop being obnoxious - if you don't want to come clean, at least have the decency to shut the f. up!

REAL concerned parents cooperate with the Police!

If my dog, my wallet, my friggin favourite t-shirt was missing, I'd want all the plods in the world on the case, and all the CSIs as well!

I'd gladly do a reconstruction and would make anyone else involved do it as well, at gunpoint if I had to!

Just re-open the investigation once and for all and cut the bull! See my poll on top, the people have spoken!

I do agree with one thing though - "If you stay quiet you are as guilty as those who took her". - Thanks to the Smith family, we know who took her, Gerry; and we won't stay quiet. Rest on that.

The Satanic Book 2

2009-10-27T18:58:00.005Z

Faked Abduction by Brian Johnson/Stevo

"Containing many details from the comprehensive police files, the book highlights the inconsistencies in the various alibis, the ever-changing witness accounts and the lack of police cooperation from the McCanns and their friends, the so-called Tapas 7.

The McCanns have tried to gag people from publishing the truth about the case. In 2007, despite making several public assurances to donors to their “Madeleine Fund” that they would not spend any money on lawyers, they have employed some of the most expensive law firms in Britain to intimidate and suppress those who publicly doubt their abduction story.

While researching the book, the McCanns have declined to answer important questions relating to the disappearance of their daughter.

After reading the book, decide for yourself if this was a Faked Abduction."

I can't wait to see the movie.

The Satanic Book

2009-10-25T20:17:00.010Z

"Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

George Santayana had one of those "stating the obvious" moments when he engraved this famous sentence for posterity.
The problem with the obvious is that it's so on your face, that we miss it completely.

Let me refresh your memory. A few decades ago, Salman Rushdie, a rather unknown British-Indian writer, wrote a book that incensed the Islamic world. It wasn't a great book, but that's not why so many Muslims were angered by it; the book, suggestively called the Satanic Verses, offended the exacerbated sensibility of the Muslims, or so it was claimed.

To make a long story short, there was such a fury over Salman's book, that a Fatwa (sort of a summary death sentence decreed by an Islamic religious authority) was declared on him.

From that moment on, wherever he was, his life was in danger.
Since Salman Rushdy was a British citizen, and in view of the Freedom of Expression right, a value that the then British government held in the highest regard (or maybe for some other more prosaic reason), Her Majesty's Governmeny offered unconditional protection to Salmon Rushdy, exposing itself to the anger of the fundamentalists. However, the British Gov. did not bow down to the pressure, and rightly so.

Many years passed, we have the negative of that picture.
A foreign author is being demonised by some British fundamentalists, and no government is lifting a finger to uphold the once so dear Freedom of Expression... Why?...

In Portugal, just a few days ago, one respected and well-known Poet/Politician, Manuel Alegre - who had been arrested by the Political Police in his youth, during the old regime, and later forced into exile - came out to speak in defence of Portuguese Nobel Prize Winner, Jose Saramago, whom, on his recent book "Cain", calls the Bible a "book of mischief" and God a "son-of-a-bitch"; fair enough - there was of course some controversy (he should try that with Islam), but nothing comparable to that hot Summer of 2007... and do you think Manuel Alegre or anyone else defended Gonçalo Amaral and his right of free expression? Obviously not. Why not?!

Could it be that these two governments have made a pact to perpetuate a convinient lie?
A lie to hide something that is more dangerous for them than an angry mob shouting "Death to the West", on every street, from Honslow to Islamabad? Maybe one day we'll find out.

Speaking of which, more fluff back in the news. Now we are hearing from the underworld of crime - not so much the Merseyside Sopranos, more of a Desperate Housewives of Liverpool - gangstas...

Right. It would be great to see the rat-pack direct their attentions to Morrocco again, or even better, to Algeria - maybe they will get on someone's nerves down there as well, step on a few toes, insult Islam, and a Fatwa is cast on them... inchAlá! ;D

Uncle Am. Needs You!

2009-10-24T17:19:00.019+01:00

As Obama says, "the time for words/games has passed".

Things are getting tough for Gonçalo Amaral, and when things get tough, the tough get going.

It's time citizens do their part and tell the powers that be, that we the people, demand a fair representation of the facts about the Madeleine disappearance, and we will stand up for our civic rights, such as free expression!

We all know that this stopped being about Madeleine, the minute her parents began marketing her missing daughter as a brand. Recent events are the living prove that this is a Marketing campaign that involves lots of money and is being anchored on the media.

Most of the success they have enjoyed so far, comes from the fact that they have been portrayed has victims, while the few brave ones, mediatic enough to stand in their way, have been singled out and labeled as "loonies", "twisted", "heartless", "disgraced", etc. the list goes on forever...

What I believe is that we need to show our strength in numbers; that we want a fair representations of the facts and we are standing up for our civic rights. If they can come up with strategies to play the media game, well, two can play that game, right?
Who's crazy enough to be with me? Join us!
You may email me with confidentiality here, as well.

J' accuse! NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW

2009-10-22T17:32:00.008+01:00

Speaking of money, those greedy, selfish, money-grabbing pillocks who are attempting to sue Gonçalo Amaral and render him penniless and silent, can SUE ME as well.
G.A. is not - but I am publicly accusing them of being LIERS and FRAUDSTERS - probably the most contemptible in History!!! The only search they're doing is for MONEY!!!

I am also straightforwardly accusing the McCanns of being responsible of whatever happened to Madeleine! This is no speculation; they have left 3 very small and defenceless children completely alone!!!

They lied to the Police; they lied to the press; they lied and continue to lie to the public!
They lie shamelessly on camera, for goodness sake, and they keep getting away with it!
"There are no evidences that Madeleine is dead, or that we are, in anyway involved in her death". LIES!

People who have gone back on their word "We will stay in Portugal until Maddeleine is found" and "will fully cooperate with the Police", contradicted themselves "Krugel, of the University of Bloemfontein,...spent four days in Praia da Luz following a request for assistance from Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry McCann.

'He clearly identified an area of the beach where Madeleine may have passed through or was buried,' a close friend of the McCanns said yesterday.
Krugel's report of his findings to Portuguese detectives eventually led to British officers being asked to bring in sniffer dogs to supplement the search for Madeleine. The subsequent reaction of the dogs to Kate's clothing - the so-called scent of death - led to the couple being declared formal suspects over the death of their daughter." - people who have not a shred of evidence to support an abduction whatsoever but insist on that point like there's no tomorrow... well, what credibility this sort of people have?
Why should we take their word without questioning?
Why shouldn't we trust the official report and its conclusions, gathered after months of diligences by the police and forensic forces of Britain and Portugal?
Why not re-open the investigation instead?

Isn't that what the Police is for?

I swear - If Gonçalo Amaral is forced to pay a cent to those suspects, that will be day of total discredit for Portugal. I will leave the country and move to Spain.

Ps - SLB has given a good-old drumming to Everton. The toffees proved to be too sweet for the Luz red-devils... 5 - Nill was the hefty result that put to shame the indecent marketing of Madeleine's disapearence.
Evertonians drinking in Lisbon, wearing a few t-shirts with an outdated photo, is NOT the way to move forward. There is only one way - make the McCanns re-open the Investigation.

Offer and Demand vs Small minded, Jealous People

2009-10-19T16:44:00.005+01:00

I can understand harworking-people's reactions at the obscene amount of money being thrown at Ronaldo, but it's not really fair to hate the lad for it.

We do live in a system that is many times obscene, but people hardly make a fuss unless "ronaldo" comes up next to the trail of zeros.
Would this people prefer a communist system instead?

People saying that this money should go to the poor people in Africa, should be glad - this is the perfect fairy tale: boy is born poor (not that far from Africa) - boy works hard - boy gets rich. The part where everybody hates the boy, apparently never gets told...

Personaly, I'm not offended by the amount of money going to Ronaldo's pockets - just as long the pockets are not on those awful pink shorts and chav hats he tends to wear... that's a big hint when someone has wayyy too much money... but is it really their fault?

If there are some loaded oil-magnates tired of camels and dunes, who don't mind splashing the money they make from selling you petrol at inflated prices, why should you blame Ronaldo?

What would you do?

I happen to know about a lot of people who Ronaldo has helped selflessly, through the years, in Portugal and beyond.

So, like the saying goes in my country, "obscene? obscene is to steal".

Discover the Discovery of the Discoverer

2009-10-18T21:00:00.005+01:00

Gonçalo Amaral is not the only Portuguese who is having trouble publishing his book in English - yet for diferent reasons.

A man who has dedicated 18 years of his own private time and funds, to the study of one of the most famous but yet less well known man in history, has been trying for over 3 years to publish an English version of his now two books.

Without giving out too much information that could spoil your pleasure of discovery, the books are about the Discoverer of the New World - the man known as Cristopher Colombus.

The author's name is Manuel Rosa, he was born in the Azores but has been living in the States since he was 12.
His first book, in Portuguese, was a success and is currently sold out. His second book is going to have a Spanish edition, but he's still to find a publisher willing to do an English edition.

So what's the beef?
Well, his is not a conventional history of the famous navigator that re-discovered America in 1492. His findings are actually threatning to shake the foundations of American History and everything we thought we knew about the Age of Discoveries.

Well, not everybody was that surprised - some people in Portugal had an idea of the truth - and not only scholars. Oral tradition has kept the story of the Navigator alive, around the place of his alleged birth.

The real shock, however, is reserved for the Americans, and the Italians, in lesser degree.
After all, they've been celebrating a lie and an erroneus version of the events for over 500 years...

Some times the truth, can be inconvinent and hard to handle...

Watch a presentation here, while we wait for the book.

Read Mour's Lips - Stick your tongue out to Censorship

2009-10-17T19:42:00.006+01:00

Talk is cheap, but it's also a dear right and a sacred one, to most of us.

Someone had the excellent idea of starting a Petition to support Freedom of Expression.
This is the same as to say, Ruck you, censorship!

I think picking a photo of Gonçalo Amaral for the cover of the petition was a nice touch!

Please sign!
Recent events have demonstrated that we cannot take freedom of speech and freedom of press for granted!
Support the fundamental right to open your mouth, and roll your tongue inside, freely.
Thank you!

"Is it because I is black?"

2009-10-13T17:27:00.021+01:00

The world certainly is a strange place.

When things don't go your way naturally, there seems to be unnatural ways to achieve what you want.
One of the oldest strategies in history, is still pretty much alive and kicking... with a modern twist:

A man in Spain, said he's been paid a nice sum of money to cripple Ronaldo. Well, maybe not cripple, but get him seriously injured; injured enough for him to spend more time recovering than playing.

Well, nothing new there, one may think - after all, there are many rival players keen to send CR to the infirmary, if they get the chance. However, this man is not a footballer. He is not even going near a Stadium. He also does not intend on running him over or whacking Ron on the kneecaps with a baseball bat - no, not this man.

This man is a warlock, or so he claims. Thus, according to this Spanish video, he will be using a much more horrifying weapon against the Real Madrid start and current best football player in the world - a black DILDO...

I guess that's why they call it "black-magic". I'm not sure which part of Ronaldo's body his voodoo is aiming at but this is no laughing matter - Ronaldo has been injured for a couple of weeks, played last week for 25 minutes and is out again for about 3 to 4 weeks. It seems to be working. If only the sdark sorcerer could take care of the mccs too...

UPDATE 21.10.'09

According to this, Xamans in Peru are fighting back the black magic from the Spanish warlock, with their best xamanic magic - a few photos, candels, pan-flutes, and lots os cheering for Ronaldo and jeering for the man-witch...

Who Ya Gonna Call?

2009-10-13T17:16:00.043+01:00

If there's something strange

in your neighborhood

Who ya gonna call?

SKY NEWS

If there's something weird

and it don't look good

Who ya gonna call?

CLARENCE MITCHELL

I ain't afraid of no McCANN
I ain't afraid of no McCANN

If you're seeing things

running through your head

Who can ya call?

CARTER RUCK

McBusters make me feel good.

फुक्क यू

Mourinter's Haka

2009-10-07T20:37:00.002+01:00

Gotta love the special one!

The world Deserves an Apology

2009-09-28T15:59:00.007+01:00

Socrates and his Socialist Party have won another term - 4 more years of sham and interference in the judiciary.

Socas, as he is known, is a douche, but so is the leading opposition - therefore, it's Portugal's loss, yet again.

This is bad news for Sr. Amaral and those in general that would like to see Justice done in the Maddie case, specifically.

Nothing will change, as the socialist grip over the judiciary will continue, albeit the douche bag minister may be, hopefully, replaced.

So how could the people of Portugal re-elect a man that is under suspicion of corruption (Freeport case) and persecuting the journalists that aren't "nice" to him and his Party? A man that has bowed down to Gordon Brown and allowed foreign interference in the Madeleine case? A man that has spent more time dealing with scandals and incidents than caring for the country, which is in disarray even after he enjoyed a parlimentary majority during his 4 years of undisputed rule?

Well, the problem is that many of the Portuguese voters can't even pronounce the PM's name (Socrates); Manuela F. Leite, the leader of the largest opposition Party is something akin to John Kerry (even physically) and the Head of State is just as inept - so how can we expect people to vote for things to change?

I tell you who I would vote for, without hesitation: Goncalo Amaral.
I for one, would love to see G.Amaral run for mayor as an independent, since his Party let him down; I think he could win, but am not sure how would he balance his job with his activism in fighting for justice for Madeleine...

You Shuttapa Your Face!!!

2009-09-25T14:06:00.006+01:00

WTF is going on? No bloody way some stuck up foreigners will tell me what I can or not say, read, etc. and whatnot!!!

I actually think Mark Hollingsworth can stick his opinion of the Portuguese Police up his arse, but fair enough, it's his opinion and he's entitled to it! So, if anyone has a problem with this article, take it up with Mark Hollingsworth and stick your gag up yours too!!!

NO TO CENSORSHIP!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mark Hollingsworth Investigates The McCann Files

Disillusioned with the Portuguese police, Gerry and Kate McCann turned to private detectives to find their missing daughter. Instead the efforts of the private eyes served only to scare off witnesses, waste funds and raise false hopes. Mark Hollingsworth investigates the investigators.

by Mark Hollingsworth*

It was billed as a ‘significant development’ in the exhaustive search for Madeleine McCann. At a recent dramatic press conference in London, the lead private investigator David Edgar, a retired Cheshire detective inspector, brandished an E-FIT image of an Australian woman, described her as ‘a bit of a Victoria Beckham lookalike’, and appealed for help in tracing her. The woman was seen ‘looking agitated’ outside a restaurant in Barcelona three days after Madeleine’s disappearance. ‘It is a strong lead’, said Edgar, wearing a pin-stripe suit in front of a bank of cameras and microphones. ‘Madeleine could have been in Barcelona by that point. The fact the conversation took place near the marina could be significant.’

But within days reporters discovered that the private detectives had failed to make the most basic enquiries before announcing their potential breakthrough. Members of Edgar’s team who visited Barcelona had failed to speak to anyone working at the restaurant near where the agitated woman was seen that night, neglected to ask if the mystery woman had been filmed on CCTV cameras and knew nothing about the arrival of an Australian luxury yacht just after Madeleine vanished.

The apparent flaws in this latest development were another salutary lesson for Kate and Gerry McCann, who have relied on private investigators after the Portuguese police spent more time falsely suspecting the parents than searching for their daughter. For their relations with private detectives have been frustrating, unhappy and controversial ever since their daughter’s disappearance in May 2007.

The search has been overseen by the millionaire business Brian Kennedy, 49, who set up Madeleine’s Fund: Leaving No Stone Unturned, which aimed ‘to procure that Madeleine’s abduction is thoroughly investigated’. A straight-talking, tough, burly self-made entrepreneur and rugby fanatic, he grew up in a council flat near Tynecastle in Scotland and was brought up as a Jehovah’s Witness. He started his working life as a window cleaner and by 2007 had acquired a £350 million fortune from double-glazing and home-improvement ventures. Kennedy was outraged by the police insinuations against the McCanns and, though a stranger, worked tirelessly on their behalf. ‘His motivation was sincere,’ said someone who worked closely with him. ‘He was appalled by the Portuguese police, but he also had visions of flying in by helicopter to rescue Madeleine.’

Kennedy commissioned private detectives to conduct an investigation parallel to the one run by the Portuguese police. But his choice showed how dangerous it is when powerful and wealthy businessmen try to play detective. In September 2007, he hired Metodo 3, an agency based in Barcelona, on a six-month contract and paid it an estimated £50,000 a month. Metodo 3 was hired because of Spain’s ‘language and cultural connection’ with Portugal. ‘If we’d had big-booted Brits or, heaven forbid, Americans, we would have had doors slammed in our faces’ said Clarence Mitchell, spokesperson for the McCann’s at the time. ‘And it’s quite likely that we could have been charged with hindering the investigation as technically it’s illegal in Portugal to undertake a secondary investigation.

The agency had 35 investigators working on the case in Britain, France, Spain, Portugal and Morocco. A hotline was set up for the public to report sightings and suspicions, and the search focussed on Morocco. But the investigation was dogged by over-confidence and braggadocio. ‘We know who took Madeleine and hope she will be home by Christmas,’ boasted Metodo 3’s flamboyant boss Francisco Marco. But no Madeleine materialised and their contract was not renewed.

Until now, few details have emerged about the private investigation during those crucial early months, but an investigation by ES shows that key mistakes were made, which in turn made later enquiries far more challenging.

ES has spoken to several sources close to the private investigations that took place in the first year and discovered that:

•The involvement of Brian Kennedy and his son Patrick in the operation was counter-productive, notably when they were questioned by the local police for acting suspiciously while attempting a 24-hour ‘stake out’.

•The relationship between Metodo 3 and the Portuguese police had completely broken down.

•Key witnesses were questioned far too aggressively, so much so that some of them later refused to talk to the police.

•Many of the investigators had little experience of the required painstaking forensic detective work.

By April 2008, nearing the first anniversary of the disappearance, Kennedy and the McCanns were desperate. And so when Henri Exton, a former undercover police officer who worked on M15 operations, and Kevin Halligen, a smooth-talking Irishman who claimed to have worked for covert British government intelligence agency GCHQ, walked through the door, their timing was perfect. Their sales pitch was classic James Bond spook-talk: everything had to be ‘top secret’ and ‘on a need to know basis’. The operation would involve 24-hour alert systems, undercover units, satellite imagery and round-the-clock surveillance teams that would fly in at short notice. This sounded very exiting but, as one source close to the investigation told ES, it was also very expensive and ultimately unsuccessful. ‘The real job at hand was old-fashioned, tedious, forensic police work rather than these boy’s own, glory boy antic,’ he said.

But Kennedy was impressed by the license-to-spy presentation and Exton and Halligen were hire for a fee of £100,000 per month plus expenses. Ostensibly, the contract was with Halligen’s UK security company, Red Defence International Ltd, and an office was set up in Jermyn Street, in St James’s. Only a tiny group of employees did the painstaking investigative work of dealing with thousands of emails and phone calls. Instead, resources were channelled into undercover operations in paedophile rings and among gypsies throughout Europe, encouraged by Kennedy. A five-man surveillance team was dispatched in Portugal, overseen by the experienced Exton, for six weeks.

Born in Belgium in 1951, Exton had been a highly effective undercover officer for the Manchester police. A maverick and dynamic figure, he successfully infiltrated gangs of football hooligans in the 1980’s. While not popular among his colleagues, in 1991 he was seconded to work on MI5 undercover operations against drug dealers, gangsters and terrorists, and was later awarded the Queen’s Police Medal for ‘outstanding bravery’. By all accounts, the charismatic Exton was a dedicated officer. But in November 2002, the stress appeared to have overcome his judgement when he was arrested for shoplifting.

While working on an MI5 surveillance, Exton was caught leaving a tax-free shopping area at Manchester airport with a bottle of perfume he had not paid for. The police were called and he was given the option of the offence being dealt with under caution or to face prosecution. He chose a police caution and so in effect admitted his guilt. Exton was sacked, but was furious about the way he had been treated and threatened to sue MI5. He later set up his own consulting company and moved to Bury in Lancashire.

While Exton, however flawed, was the genuine article as an investigator, Halligen was a very different character. Born in Dublin in 1961, he has been described as a ‘Walter Mitty figure’. He used false names to collect prospective clients at airports in order to preserve secrecy, and he called himself ‘Kevin’ or ‘Richard’ or ‘Patrick’ at different times to describe himself to business contacts. There appears to be no reason for all this subterfuge except that he thought this was what agents did. A conspiracy theorist and lover of the secret world, he is obsessed by surveillance gadgets and even installed a covert camera to spy on his own employees. He claimed to have worked for GCHQ, but in fact he was employed by the Atomic Energy Authority (AEA) as head of defence systems in the rather less glamorous field of new information technology, researching the use of ‘special batteries’. He told former colleagues and potential girlfriends that he used to work for MI5, MI6 and the CIA. He also claimed that he was nearly kidnapped by the IRA, was involved in the first Gulf War and had been a freefall parachutist.

Very little of this is true. What is true is that Halligen has a degree in electronics, worked on the fringes of the intelligence community while at AEA and does understand government communications. He could also be an astonishingly persuasive, engaging and charming individual. Strikingly self-confident and articulate, he could be generous and clubbable. ‘He was very good company but only when it suited him’ says one friend. He kept people in compartments.’

After leaving the AEA, Halligen set up Red Defence International Ltd as an international security and political risk company, advising clients on the risks involved in investing and doing business in unstable, war-torn and corrupt countries. He worked closely with political risk companies and was a persuasive advocate of IT security. In 2006, he struck gold when hired by Trafigura, the Dutch commodities trading company. Executives were imprisoned in the Ivory Coast after toxic waste was dumped in landfills near its biggest city Abidjan. Trafigura was blamed and hired Red Defence International at vast expense to help with the negotiations to release its executives. A Falcon business jet was rented for several months during the operation and it was Halligen’s first taste of the good life. The case only ended when Trafigura paid $197 million to the government of the Ivory Coast to secure the release of the prisoners.

Halligen made a fortune from Trafigura and was suddenly flying everywhere first-class, staying at the Lansborough and Stafford hotels in London and The Willard hotel in Washington DC for months at a time. In 2007 he set up Oakley International Group and registered at the offices of the prestigious law firm Patton Boggs, in Washington DC, as an international security company. He was now strutting the stage as a self-proclaimed international spy expert and joined the Special Forces Club in Knightsbridge, where he met Exton.

During the Madeleine investigation, Halligen spent vast amounts of time in the HeyJo bar in the basement of the Abracadabra Club near his Jermyn Street office. Armed with a clutch of unregistered mobile phones and a Blackberry, the bar was in effect his office. ‘He was there virtually the whole day,’ a former colleague told ES. ‘He had an amazing tolerance for alcohol and a prodigious memory and so occasionally he would have amazing bursts of intelligence, lucidity and insights. They were very rare but they did happen.’

When not imbibing in St James’s, Halligen was in the United States, trying to drum up investors for Oakley International. On 15 August 2008, at the height of the McCann investigation crisis, he persuaded Andre Hollis, a former US Drug enforcement agency official, to write out an $80.000 cheque to Oakley in return for a ten per cent share-holding. The money was then transferred into the private accounts of Halligen and his girlfriend Shirin Trachiotis to finance a holiday in Italy, according to Hollis. In a $6 million lawsuit filed in Fairfax County, Virginia, Hollis alleges that Halligen ‘received monies for Oakley’s services rendered and deposited the same into his personal accounts’ and ‘repeatedly and systematically depleted funds from Oakley’s bank accounts for inappropriate personal expenses’.

Hollis was not the only victim. Mark Aspinall, a respected lawyer who worked closely with Halligen, invested £500,000 in Oakley and lost the lot. Earlier this year he filed a lawsuit in Washington DC against Halligen claiming $1.4 million in damages. The finances of Oakley International are in chaos and numerous employees, specialist consultants and contractors have not been paid. Some of them now face financial ruin.

Meanwhile, Exton was running the surveillance teams in Portugal and often paying his operatives upfront, so would occasionally be out-of-pocket because Halligen had not transferred funds. Exton genuinely believed that progress was being made and substantial and credible reports on child trafficking were submitted. But by mid-August 2008, Kennedy and Gerry McCann were increasingly concerned by an absence of details of how the money was being spent. At one meeting, Halligen was asked how many men constituted a surveillance team and he produced a piece of paper on which he wrote ‘between one and ten’. But he then refused to say how many were working and how much they were being paid.

While Kennedy and Gerry McCann accepted that the mission was extremely difficult and some secrecy was necessary, Halligen was charging very high rates and expenses. And eyebrows were raised when all the money was paid to Oakley International, solely owned and managed by Halligen. One invoice, seen by ES, shows that for ‘accrued expenses to May 5, 2008’ (just one month into the contract), Oakley charged $74,155. The ‘point of contact’ was Halligen who provided a UK mobile telephone number.

While Kennedy was ready to accept Halligen at face value, Gerry McCann – sharp, focused and intelligent – was more sceptical. The contract with Oakley International and Halligen was terminated by the end of September 2008, after £500,000-plus expenses had been spent.

For the McCanns it was a bitter experience, Exton has returned to Cheshire and, like so many people, is owed money by Halligen. As for Halligen, he has gone into hiding, leaving a trail of debt and numerous former business associates and creditors looking for him. He was last seen in January of this year in Rome, drinking and spending prodigiously at the Hilton Cavalieri and Excelsior hotels. He is now believed by private investigators, who have been searching for him to serve papers on behalf of creditors, to be in the UK and watching his back. Meanwhile, in the eye of the storm, the McCanns continue the search for their lost daughter.

in ES Magazine (London Evening Standard)– Paper edition only, 28 August 2009

*Mark Hollingsworth is best known for his investigations into Mark Thatcher and also MI5. He worked for Granada TV’s ‘World In Action’ programme for five years. He is the author of nine books, notably ‘Thatcher’s Fortunes: The Life and Times of Mark Thatcher’, ‘Defending the Realm: MI5 and International Terrorism’ and ‘Saudi Babylon: Torture, Corruption and Cover-Up Inside the House of Saud’. His new book, ‘Londongrad: From Russia with Cash, The Inside Story of the Oligarchs’, will be published in July 2009. He also contributes regularly to the London Evening Standard and most national newspapers.

Portuguese lessons for the McCann-impaired

2009-09-23T17:25:00.009+01:00

So, Gonçalo Amaral is to defy the gagging order and publish a new book in October 3rd - what massive balls this great man has!
It does compensate a bit for the complete lack, from our government. If we had more people like him, the sackless bastards that head this country would not extent their stay; but hélas, looks like they're staying at least two more friggin' years...

PORTUGAL'S REPLY TO GAGGING

2009-09-13T17:51:00.003+01:00

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/please-re-open-madeleine-mccanns-case

Not OK In My Book, Mate

2009-09-10T18:45:00.015+01:00

Gerry McCann suggested that "Portuguese people are not looking for Madeleine" because of Gonçalo Amaral's book and documentary.

Here's my reply in an open letter to the McCann.

I don't need to be told what to think. I was lucky to get to read the book, but that, Mr. McCann, did not influence me at all, because I had already made up my mind just by following the case and using common sense. I am ashamed of my country for having twice betrayed Mr. Amaral and the search for the truth. I don't need a book to see that you and your wife seem to be unquestionable and are more concerned with yourselves than with Madeleine.

What I need is to see YOUR evidence that there was an abduction. All your efforts to prove that there was an abduction are more than vague... they are contradictory and not credible - not grounded on any evidence whatsoever.

As for the evidence that Madeleine is dead - it may be insufficient to prosecute you, but it is certainly there - under "Eddie and Keela mark spots where body was" - on the case files, which are public - and that you cannot deny.

How would I feel, if I was a father of a missing child, some misinformed people always ask.

I and anyone I know, would fully cooperate with the Police Investigation and answer all their questions and do the reconstruction so vital for finding out what happened. What I would not do, is hire some rent-a-cops and harass people who happen to think differently.

I would definitely ask the re-opening of the official investigation.

I think all those police books you've been reading while you were in Praia da Luz, messed up your head.

But it's still not too late to do the right thing.

Re-open the Investigation.

HAVE WE HIT THE BOTTOM?

2009-09-09T19:24:00.012+01:00

Or have the ludicrous McCann?

What do you expect from a country that as a long tradition of "archiving" high-profile judicial cases?

It started in 1908 when the King and the Crown Prince were assassinated in public, right before a crowd; everybody knew who was behind the crime, who ordered it, who paid for it, etc.

And what happened to them? They became the government, after they overturned a wounded Monarchy to impose a Freemason Republic.

What happened to the judicial process? All copies disappeared after the Republican "revolution", which took polace just days from the revelation of the Investigation findings.

The last known copy was stolen from deposed King Manuel’s home, in his exile in Twikenham. A rather unusual commodity for a thief, or a rather peculiar thief. They are still around, believe it or not.

It’s up to the people to do something and put a stop to this vile people working in the background. We need to make ourselves heard loud and clear.

But first, let’s get the football out of the way.

Allies in Shame

2009-08-25T12:30:00.002+01:00

All we are saaaaaying, is, give TRUTH a chance;
All we are saaaaaying, is, give the INVESTIGATION a chance!
Sing along folks... http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/please-re-open-madeleine-mccanns-case
Maybe one day we will know why politicians interfered with an investigation.
Maybe one day we can all sing "Arguidos Para Sempre"...

Flag This

2009-08-16T21:15:00.009+01:00

A few nights ago, two ballsy lads took a leader across downtown Lisbon, and climbed onto the balcony of the Town Hall.

Wearing Darth Vader masks, they went on to substitute the Municipal flag with the old Portuguese flag up until 1910, when a bunch of republicans, carrying the red and green flag of the Republican Party, proclaimed the Republic from the same balcony.

These lads made a video of it and post it on the web. It was meant as a joke - a publicity stunt, to call attention to a number of issues. An obvious one, was the lack of security which allowed them to succeed on their peaceful plan.

There were other issues. One probably not on their list was to embellish the Town Hall, but they made that happen as well. :D

There was the issue of lack of discussion on the Portuguese society about the coming celebrations of the 100 years of the Republic, where the State is ready to spend a bundle; the lack of democratic legitimacy of the said Republic which subverted a Lawful State, not to mention the assassination of the Head of State and his oldest son...

Anyways, this kind of public protest in a humoristic way, is not really common is Portugal - a Country that takes it self too seriously.

Taking that in consideration, there was a surprisingly positive reaction from many people, even some who aren't monarchists; but eventually, we had those, who don't bat an eye-lid when reminded of the bloody days of the Republic, foaming at the cheek of those boys.

In a perfect example of how this incipient democracy works - guess what - the authorities didn't like it one bit, and when one of the "Dart Vaders" went voluntarily to return the flag, he was taken by the cops, questioned and made an Arguido - a term you may recall from the McCann case.

Like the Police has no real criminals to chase and nothing better to do...

I don't think this was what George Lucas had in mind when in Star Wars they say "use the force" or "may the force be with you"...

Anyhow, it was the most fun this country had in years!
Just to think of those old republican farts foaming in disbelief, ranting like mad ayatollahs, yes, it was totally worth it!
Obrigado Darth Vaders do 31 da Armada!

To show my solidarity with those brave boys, I am raising the most beautiful flag, here on Bloguistan!

Blunder from Downunder

2009-08-08T16:45:00.020+01:00

There has been more fluff on the media about a possible suspect in yet again the Madeleine McCann case.

I have read many things, including G.Amaral's book; all things considered, I believe the forensic evidence recovered in PDL is enough to state beyond doubt, as much as it pains me to say it, that Madeleine died that night.

Weather you accept it or not, there is no evidence of abduction; just of a cover up.

1- There is forensic evidence (haematic and corpse scent) related to a member of the Mccann clan.

2 - Credible witnesses that saw Gerry carrying Madeleine towards the beach that night.

3 - Contradictions and lack of cooperance from the parents & friends.

4 - Inadmissible political and media pressure over the investigation.

5 - A neverending list of suspects that lead nowhere but to a wild goose chase to keep the public opinion misinformed and the money running to their pockets.

6 - They are NOT the only parents to loose a child, but they are probably the only who's acctions contributed to that end.

7 - They are all about themselves. The only person going to the end of the world for Madeleine, is G.Amaral.

8- Just this week the Police released the figures of the expenses on this case - they are the lawful channel to conduct an investigation. The Mccanns can ask them to re-open the case - it's the only way they can clear themselves of any suspicion.

9 - The Mccans created a media monster that had a negative impact on the investigation; but this monster is getting out of their control and will end up devouring them.

10 - Stop discrediting the PJ. Innocent people have been sent to jail by UK's finest with less or no evidence.

As a matter of a fact, one of the English Police agents that took part in the investigation said that he had sent people to prison in the UK with less. So to claim that Amaral somehow "framed" the parents is acctually claiming that the Scotland Yard is an accessory to Mr. Amaral - a man, btw, that contrary to the Mccann, had nothing to lose; and rather than conceal is "trick", he writes a book about it...

That's why people resent the McCann. We want justice for Madeleine.

Recently I have seen something that added another piece to the puzzle.

Why did Gordon Brown get involved in this case? Why did others, not pertaining to the investigation?

I found a reference to the Masonry that could in fact explain a lot.

A secret society where men dress in aprons and get together to do anything but cooking, is always going to smell fishy to me.

Being Portuguese, I know very well how subversive they can be, as they were responsible for the Regicide in 1908 and the subsequent overturn of the Monarchy.

However, I believe not in a larger conspiracy re the Mccann affair, but more in fashion with what is suggested on the Handbook of Masonry, page 183, which I take the liberty to replicate: "You must conceal all crimes of your brother Masons...and should you be summoned as a witness against a brother Mason be always sure to shield him...It may be perjury to do this, it is true, but you're keeping your obligations."

Does it sound crazy? Well, I've seen more crazy stuff coming out with the McCann’s blessing. Why isn't the world press questioning and discrediting the Mccanns stategy of shooting in all directions, but actually getting nowhere? Their smokescreen tactics will have to backfire one day...

The difference between the so called "Team McCann" and the rest of the world (let's call it Team Justice for Madeleine), is someting akin to the difference between the middle-ages and the Renaissance. I did a little experiment, aimed at finding out why some people blindly stick with the McCann version of the story; the results are not groundbreaking, rather very much the expected - their opinions are based on the supernatural - love the one that links the desapearence of Maddie with the Apochalipse - tarot, faith, hope, and lots of misinformation.
Ultimatelly, the difference between "Team McCann" and "Team Justice for Madeleine", will be defined by the outcome of this story (if ever) - if they are right and Madeleine is alive and well (little chance), Team Justice for Madeleine will be happy for her; if Team McCann is wrong, they will have nothing to be happy about...

UPDATE 16.08.2009

Seems like the leaflets with 10 reasons suggesting Madeleine was not abducted, may have been inspired by this post ;D

I hope the McCs won't call the coppers on me too. After all, last time they seemed to be running from them...

BARACK OBOOTY CALL

2009-07-11T21:59:00.015+01:00

President Barack Obama has told African leaders it is time to stop blaming colonialism and "Western oppression" for the continent's manifold problems.

Wow.
The world was still wondering if the presidential eyes were set on a Brasilian booty, when this other shocker hit them - Obama, having in part African heritage, pointed out that Africans are responsible for their own destinies now, so they should drop colonial excuses and say "yes we can".

Well, that's what I've been saying to Brazilians for a long time. It's quite effective as Brazilian girls immediatetly turn around and walk off, giving me the chance to check out their booty. (I can totally understand Obama and Sarkozy - you gotta keep your eyes on the booty as the face is not the best feature...)

Thanks to ABC Network, we can all see that Obama, if he looked at the girl at all, it was more of a sly fox look, masterly done; Sarkozy, as a good Frenchman, had the "horny dog" look, also known in Europe as the "Berlusconi look".

Speaking of looks, a quick look to History reveals that Obama is completely right.
Everyone, at one time or another has been someone else's b*tch - all civilizations on Earth have had its rise and falls.
Old Egypt, Rome, Bantu etc...
Rome colonized most of Europe, many Europeans were enslaved, Romans brought many advances to these societies as well.
Later on, Europeans would use their advances to do the same on other parts of the globe. When they left, someone else took their place.
Bottom line - if it hadn't been the Romans, it would have been the Arabs, or the Chinese, or the Africans; it's basically just a question of who does what and when.
In some cases, what people really can't get over is the racial factor - it's ok that some Africans were colonising other Africans and were also involved in the slave commerce; but how dare the Europeans?
That's what Obama - a "black" man (mainly for white people), was saying.
Stop being losers, get over excuses and get your act together - this goes to many Brazilians as well.

Who cares?

2009-07-10T17:55:00.010+01:00

In this day and age, there are still people who actually believe that there is a God and people that don't believe that "He" exists.
Fine. Like people discussing which religion is "better" wasn't enough...

What do I believe? I believe you people need to get a girl/boyfriend.

Personally, I think atheism and religion are basically two sides of the same coin - philosophies pretending to know what happens after one dies.

I belong to a third category - those who don't care about flipping the coin; I respect your views, whatever they are, and I guess we will find out who's right pretty soon...

RON9MANIA

2009-07-07T17:45:00.007+01:00

He's been the talk of the Summer and nearly an obsession of the press all over the world and even here in Bloguistan.

Shorten to just Ronaldo, CR's name is finally on the back of Real Madrid's shirts, right over his new number, a big (9) nine.

That number, once raised to mythical proportions by R.M.'s Di Stefano - one of the greatest of all time - is said to be cursed.

It hasn't bring luck nor success to any player that used it since the other Ronaldo, the Brazilian, aka "the phenomenon", or simply "the fat", wore it in the then team known as the "Galaticos".

The Brazilian sunked to a new low when was caught in some Hotel with a tranny. He later said he was not aware of the fact "she" was a he.

But fear not, CR's fans! The Portuguese stud will not fall victim to silly superstitions... also, his reputation was never that good. If he has survived Paris Hilton, than he can only go up, from there.

Yesterday, C. Ronaldo generated the kind of mania that only Superstars like the late King of Pop or Madonna use to get. Over 80 thousand screaming fans took every seat available at the Bernabeu, leaving many fans outside that couldn't get in, while others were watching his first day at Real Madrid live on TV. And it was just C. Ronaldo in RM's colours; no big game, no UEFA final, not even the team's warm up - they all wanted to see just one man in his new shorts and jersey - Cristiano Ronaldo.

This is why some people are wrong to say that R. Madrid went insane over C. Ronaldo; the world has gone insane over other people less talented before, it's all a question of marketing. Yesterday it was proven that there is a huge market out there hungry for CR9...

Most people who spoke against the biggest deal of this Summer (and ever), saying no football player was worth that amount that RM was ready to offer for CR, overlooked the fact that Ronaldo is more than a Footy player - he is a brand name and just as valuable, or more, outside the pitch as he his when he's playing.

Real Madrid started paying him off as soon as the deal was announced. In a few years, they will have a profit, regardless of the sport results they'll get.

Seems to me they made a mistake, though. They are selling a shirt that is exactly the same name and number as the one the Brazilian Ronaldo had; so, why should people bother to get one when all they have to do is get their old one from the wardrobe... unless the mophs got to them first.

Oléeee - New Campaign?

2009-07-04T14:49:00.010+01:00

After ALLGARVE and WEST COAST of EUROPE, the now ex-minister of Economy of Portugal has invested on another Portuguese ancient tradition - just not sure if he meant Cuckolding or Bullfighting.

Before PETA hacks Bloguistan, let me state here and clear that I do not support Bullfighting nor the suffering of any animal.
Except some politicians.

Now, at least bulls have PETA, cuckolds have nothing but endless shame.

Portugal has long banned the killing of the bull in the arena, with only a local exception.
The killing of the trust between a couple, however, starts with opening an exception.

We don't know for sure what Mr. Pinho had in mind, besides his two index-fingers; but it was clearly a bad idea.

The 1st Portuguese

2009-06-27T13:25:00.008+01:00

This is another no-budget big production, brought to you by Bloguistan to honor the 1st King of Portugal - King Alphonse I - the man who dreamed to start his own country and actually achieved that, within his lifetime, with flying colors. This is his epic, true story.

Born in the early years of the 12th century, his father was a French nobleman and his mother the youngest daughter of the King of Castile (Spain). His parents were the administrators of the Portucale County, edged between the Atlantic and the Kingdom of Leon, it was basically the current North of Portugal down to the town of Coimbra.
To the South layed the Moors.

Much of what happened back in the day is hazy as the chronicles are scarce and mixed with legend.
There is still much debate about King Alphonse’s birth place, his early years and his physical constitution - some sources say he was born frail and sickly, others that he was a “giant”, others that he was in fact puny but was either replaced in childhood by another boy or simply was a late bloomer and also thanks to a divine intervention got stronger as he grew up – well it’s a matter for debate even today, because his tomb was never opened. Almost happened once, but some bureaucratic/political/stupid decision prevented the studying of the remains, at the last minute…

Legendary is also the fierce independence feeling that was apparently passed through the generations in the area. It had been the centre of a short-lived Germanic (some people say Slavic) kingdom, ruled by the Suevi (probably from Swabia other people say from the word Slavic).

What is certain is that Count Henri, his father, was already involved in the separation of his county from the northern county of Galicia. Young Alphonse continued his work but took it to the next level.

Galicia, once in the periphery, was now concentrating the political and religious centres. Things got to the point where the Galicians came to Braga, the once capital of the Suevi Kingdom and highest priory, and they translated the holy relics of the saints buried in Braga to Santiago…
The Portucalensis barons and clergy decided they had enough of it and would not become second-best.

Young Alphonse couldn’t read nor write but he was from start a shrewd man. He had it all, basically. He was so full of courage and confidence and defiance that he armed himself a knight at age 14. Then he entitled himself Prince. From there it was a straight arrow to leading armies against his Christian “oppressors” and the Moors alike.

He succeeded in liberating many important towns like Lisbon, and doubled the size of the county he received from his father, in little more than 20m years, making it a Kingdom – and thus, Portugal was born. Without King Alphonse, there wouldn’t have been the age of discoveries (at least when and as it happened); there wouldn’t be a Brazil, so the world and football would be very different than it is… :D

The King of Pop

2009-06-26T23:35:00.012+01:00

My first music album was Thriller.
It was well before my teens but I was really impressed.
An older cousin of mine had Thriller and he made me terribly jelouse - he had that slick album that not only had great music even a kid could like, it had lyrics printed on it too!
Next day I asked my mom to buy it for me. I still have it today. I started learning English from it and it has been the soundtrack of my Summer holidays in the 80's till I discovered Scorpians and Dire Straights (yeah, my Summers were quite drepressing).

Anyway, I was not Michael's most die-hard fun but I didn't en joy see him called "Wacko Jacko".
As I grew older he grew wearder, but what was worse, in my view, was that his last great album was "Bad" - I was 16 if I'm not mistaken.
After that, Michael Jackson became kind of a footnote for me. I would hear about him in the news but didn't really pay a lot of attention.

Yeah, he was a guy that wasn't easy to understand but we weren't really trying as well.
When that documentary came out and Michael was taken to Court, I was acctually sorry for him. I can't say he was inocent or not ; but I do believe he was inocent at heart. Only someone so completely "inocent", naive like only children can be, could actually turn to the interviewer and say with upmost honesty that he slept with children on his bed and add something like: "wouldn't you?" like it was the most natural thing in the world to do.

In his world of Neverland it was. He may not be Peter Pan but he probably was like little King Arthur (only the pure at heart could lift the sword from the anvil)...
In our devious, dishonest adult world, no, it's not natural and cannot be tolerated; but in his "neverland" world, in his lost childhood, it may be possible that a unique person, an artist, a dreamer, a child trapped in a grown up's body, could acctually see no harm in sharing a bed with another child.
Just because we are tainted doesn't mean that everybody's like that. A burp after a good meal, is considered rude in most places; in China is expected, and rude is the guest who doesn't rip one out.

I know that Michael settled out of the Court, but probably most famous people would be advised by the lawyers to do that just to avoid the media circus.

I don't acctually know how to explain his most bizarre choices and actions. Even Bubbles probably acted more wisely than his master...
I mean, we all understand that he had a "tough" upbringing and felt lonely and misundertood, but so did thousands of people in this planet and they don't end up looking like Skeletor...

Nevertheless, he hadn't turn stiff for long and people were coldly insinuating that he did this and was that... well, this kind of malice, I don't think Michael had. But, at the end of the day, what really matters is that he will be remembered for his talent, his music , and above all, his moonwalk...
Michael Jackson, the uncontested King of Pop, has joined the other king, Elvis Presley. They have left the building but live on in their artistic legacy. RIP.

Welcome back, Conando! :D

2009-06-11T19:10:00.008+01:00

“In the year 3000, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook will merge into one super time-wasting Web site called YouTwitFace.” -Conan O’Brien, The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien

ALGARVE by Lift and Escalators

2009-06-10T15:30:00.014+01:00

Albufeira (Ar. "Castle of the Sea")

Albufeira, in central Algarve, is a great place for holidaymakers that fit the following profile:

- any basically breathing, warm or cold blooded creatures, especially those that like basking in the sun on the beach during the day and tour the bars and clubs at night.

But this is not your run of the mill holiday location... this one is so unique that, until proven differently, it's the only place in the world one can actually take either a lift or the softly rolling escalators down to the lavishly clear sands of the beach and the inviting greenish-blue waters...

It can't be a coincidence that the word "lazy" in English and "lazer" (leisure) in Portuguese are similar...so no excuses not to leave the old wheel chair behind and go have a swim.

The worst thing about Albufeira old town (centre), is really the "waiters" (now I know why they're called that) acctually waiting outside the Restaurants and soliciting passers-by to go into their Restaurants quite vehemently...

If you aren't into that at all and care for a more relaxed, posh holiday site, then you can still go to Albufeira but stay in the outskirts. There are many clear-sand, greenish-blue water washed beaches nearby.
One of them is Vilamoura. Famouse for its Marina, it's a delight to go down the boardwalk, day or night.

I went in April, which, on one hand is good because there are no crowds at all, but on the other hand, the weather is a gamble - one week can be just like summer, another week windy with springtime showers. Nothing a heated swimming-pool and some great warm food can't cure, though.

In the stomach department I do have to recommend "O PESCADOR" (The Fisherman) in Vila Real de Santo António - a bit out of the way but well worth if you have a car. It's right near the border, in front of the river, overlooking Spain.

Obviously I suggest the fish - any of the day's specials; but if you like seafood and are not squeamish about what that animal on your plate looks like, then ask for "Arroz de Lingueirão" ( Rizzotto with a narrow-shelled Mollusk, picture in the video).

Have a great summer!

Madeleine McCann - Gonçalo Amaral's censored documentary in UK (1of 6)

2009-05-22T12:16:00.007+01:00

"What Lies Beneath the Truth"/A Verdade da Mentira (The Truth of the Lie)
Something's rotten in the kingdom of Great-Bloguistan...

C Ronaldo's Island of Madeira

2009-03-15T23:30:00.011Z

Most comments about Ronaldo's recent transfer to Real Madrid surely depict one very English, self-centered point of view....
I’m not even a big fan of Ronaldo but the seemingly majority of Man. Utd. supporters ungratefulness is beyond words.
They should try unstick their heads out of their backsides and wake up to the reality that Ronaldo is not English, and before he left M.U. F.C. he has a very young lad from Madeira Island, kissed his parents good-bye at 11 y.o. and moved out, facing the unknown for a dream and working his butt off to get where he is now.

He is thankful for everything people did for him in the UK - that includes the shameful campaign against him after the World Cup in 2006, for it only made him stronger; but understand, he OWS M.U. F.C. nothing - he repaid M.U. fully and with interest.
He surely won the right to be proud of his work and who are we to judge him... that yes, it's arrogance, very John Bull...

This story has been gold for press as well, always eager to capitalise on CR's fame...
Well, good for him. He seems to bring out the worse in people in the UK for some reason, but Ronaldo is stronger than anything you can throw at him. After all, he's living the DREAM.
From his poor background in Madeira to Madrid... and Paris...;D
A fairy-tale really, but he's work hard for it and he deserves it.

Ronaldo will probably face a bigger challenge in Spain than in the P.L. but then again he thrives on challenges and he doesn’t give a rat's ass about what jealous people say about him.
Yeah, he's laughing all the way to the bank - that's the best "in your face" to all those that diss him.

Sure it's a huge sum of money but Real Madrid will double it in earnings "Real" soon... just the hype around his transfer is worth a fortune in free publicity, plus Ronaldo will captivate the booming Asian market that R.M. is after...
So, it's a win-win situation, although Ronaldo's many detractors will be waiting, watching every step-over, waiting for a slip...

I wouldn't bet in M. Utd next season nor in the P.L. to continue being what it is... looks like the best players are heading south now... Premier League will be Derrier League, am afraid...

One thing though - Ronny, you can do better than Paris Hilton... watch out, don't go and catch something that can hinder your step-overs... ;D

ARE YOU NUTS? YOU'RE HIRED.

2009-02-26T20:50:00.013Z

No use applying for the job, you nutters, the ad is from last century... 1999 - nothing like old fashioned crazy...

I definitely fit the profile. I wonder if they pay in bananas...

OSCAR RASCALS

2009-02-21T19:20:00.005Z

Bloguistan's opinion matters as much to Hollywood as Hollywood's award-decisions to Bloguistan, therefore, without further adoo, here is Bloguistan's official-and-not-getting-paid-to-say-this list of the best films (ripped) in 2008, IMO:

1 Changeling (also Best Actress -Angelina Jolie - best director obviously Clint Eastwood)
2 Burn After Reading (best original screenplay)
3 Blindness

Animation
...really thorn between E-Wall and Kung Fu Panda... so they both win, like in the Olympics.

Other films may win the night of the Oscars but the number of ilegal downloads it's what really counts. Millions of people all over the planet can't be wrong.

There. Whatever you say its wrong and you have terrible breath. And stinky feet. Haha.

Setubal

2009-02-20T19:33:00.014Z

UPDATE 13.03.'09

J. Mourinho accused of punching a Man. U. supporter after the C.L. tie at Old Trafford this week.

Well, it's not nice but I wouldn't blame him for teaching someone some manners.

Doesn't seem that man was waiting for Mourinho to ask for an autograph, instead seems like he was asking for trouble; and if anything did happen, he's totally responsible for it, as it was public that Mour would be having wine with Alex Fergunson, so...

After the way José Mourinho defended his dog, (same doggedly way he defends his teams), people should know better...

One thing is clear - Mourinho is special. The media frenzy around him proves it. His frustrated, jealous detractors, jumping at every (rare) defeat, like it's a biblical disaster, proves it. The unheard uproar after he left Chelsea and the title-draught and manager serial-sacking that followed his departure from FC Porto and Chelsea proves it. The number of titles already under his belt proves it. Not having lost a single match in domestic competitions for over two tears on home-turf proves it.

Italians are showing to be such a bunch of whining little girls because all their teams have been sent home by English teams. You can make MOURINHO (copy-paste, am tired of seeing his name misspelled) the scapegoat and bad-mouth him all you want, but he's bound to win the Serie A, in his first year again. He's working miracles with that average team out of the once-mighty Italian league, so shuttupa your face.

Like it or not, J. Mourinho is SPECIAL. And he's just starting.

Mour of the Same

2009-02-11T19:31:00.009Z

In spite of the Credit Crunch, some people are faring rather well. Namely those that were wise enough to put money on Scolari not winning anything at Chelsea and being fired before the end of the season - I salute those who won the bet. I outta have placed a bet myself - it was money in the bank. Literally.

But Scolari himself is laughing all the way to the bank. And if he's smart, to a golden retirement. No one needs another proof that Scolari is largely overrated.

I have a new bet, though - I BET they miss the Special One, Mourinho, at Stanford Bridge...

RON - NIKE LOV7 / HA7E

2009-01-13T12:05:00.007Z

"Your love makes me stronger. Your hate makes me unstopable."

Also, "Your money makes me richer and your gals make me horny".

Ron Survives Ferrari Crash

2009-01-08T16:45:00.011Z

The year here at Bloguitan is beginning as it ended - with Ronaldo.
This time the Portuguese Stallion is in the news for smashing his Italian Stallion Ferrari.
The lad escaped without a scratch but the car, which he apparently had recently imported from Portugal, is scrap.

That won't dent Ron's budget but will hardly better his latest record of performances...

On the other hand, this is great for Ferrari - not that they ever needed endorsement - but we're talking of the best free publicity Ferrari could ask for on the safety of their cars!

We should all be so lucky as to drive a Ferrari!

Anyway, after racing a Bugati sometime ago, Ronaldo does another stunt, this time for Ferrari. At least Ron is still doing well in his advertising careear... who knows, perhaps this will mark the turning point in his season. Focus, dude!

Ride Bull Gives You Wings

2008-12-30T21:05:00.008Z

Say "Olé" to 2009 (will be the year of the Ox, according to the Chinese horoscope) and "good-fly" to 2008!

Have an oxellent 2009!

SHOE-TING THE PRESIDENT

2008-12-21T22:30:00.012Z

Recently this year, we had Golden Boy Cristiano Ronaldo winning a golden boot - that was certainly noteworthy and something few people expected; but now we have something that tops that by a shoe heal. Actually two.

This is something that kicks the socks out of Ron's story, because this is about the pair of shoes size 42 that were swang at George W. Bush's head in Iraq and went around the world!

The Iraqui jornalist deserves kudos for the brave move and the excellent pitch that nearly got the retiring President right between the eyes - that was a heck of a shot and any baseball fan will admit that, but W. still got some cool moves of his own and ducked the passing shoe-t... great stuff and highly entertaining. We really have to offer kudos to W. for taking the incident with humor. Shoes were not his size, lol!

There was no real danger for W., since the shoes were not loaded, but the U.S. president could have had a taste of the deadly mass destruction gas his administration were looking for after 9/11, had the jornalist managed to toss at him his stinky socks...

Golden Boy's 2008 Other Awards

2008-12-07T15:10:00.017Z

I bring you now, first-hand, other awards that C. Ronaldo has won this year, in addition to the Ballon d'Or:

- Le Tete de Ballon (The baloon head)
- Metrosexual of the Year
- The Award for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd least humble footballer
- The Toddler's Vocabulary Award (much disputed and coveted in the football world)
- The IDIOTTO (I've done inough olready; taking time off)*

* hopefully, to improve his spelling and diction.

Feel free to add others. After all, if he wouldn't be special, the world wouldn't waste so much time paying attention to Ron...

Snap Out of It Ron

2008-12-06T13:32:00.013Z

This is not about Ron winning yet another award, albeit this one is the European Footballer of the Year; this is about a puny kid who grew up playing football on the streets tourists don’t visit, in Funchal, Island of Madeira.

From a young age, he looked promising, so he was brought to Lisbon aged 11 to be schooled with other kids like him and to develop his football skills. He achieved the second goal with distinction. The first goal, not so much. But who needs that when you have the respect and admiration of everybody around you for what you can do with your feet…
Doors were opening wide for the lad and he was barely 18. His dad, however, would not live to see “the boy wonder” turn into a global phenomenon, and too often, a prima-dona…

His father-figure has since become Alex Fergunson, his manager at ManU. But it is a tough job to baby-sit a young lad (23 y.o) that had a meteoric rise to fame and stardom. Especially if his humble beginnings were in a country that has once gain a position of prominence by craft and hard-work but then tossed it away due to self-indulgence.
C. Ronaldo is a tragic reflection of Portugal.

Portugal is a little Napolean - small, provincial, full of complexes; but sees itself as a giant and tries to measure up with the large countries of Europe. This often leads to frustration, followed shortly by poor self-esteem.
However, once and again, someone breaks away from this pattern and actually becomes one of the best in its trade. Voilá, presto, an instant big-headed Portuguese is made for the world to gasp upon, to love or to hate, whatever you fancy.

There are exceptions, of course. Say Figo, for instance. So there is no excuse for Ron to be an arrogant di**. Or dumb. But he can't be bothered and isn't the least worried, just as long he has people backing him and excusing his tantrums.

Quite frankly,C. Ronaldo and Mourinho, they both seem immune to negative feedback. They just believe in themselves too much to care what half of the world thinks (tinks, as they say) about them.
It is also true that some people are just plain jealous, but more and more people who closed an eye to Ron’s controversial behaviour in face of his football merits, are beginning to get fed up with his attitude as he’s not performing anymore and is letting us all down. However, I believe Ron will bounce back as he’s overdue to mature any day now..

Please forgive some duplication, as I already posted about this subject before.

Ps – Players of all nationalities dive, feign injuries, and use a all range of unsportsmanlike tactics to get leverage - let’s not get cocky and xenophobe about it, as I am tired of seeing that sort of fabrications being attributed merely to Southern-Europeans.
The difference is others may get away with it, because they are not Ron.

He still needs to man-up when things are not coming out right.
If he’s the best, then he has to step up and act like he’s the best.
So far, he’s not even on the same level as Figo used to be.

Peep Show

2008-11-08T11:10:00.009Z

For those unlucky enough to be unfamiliar with the brilliant Channel 4's comedy, the show it's about two brits with bad teeth who share an apartment, and their relationship with other brits with bad dental care.

As peep show viewers, we have access to their inner thoughts and the hilarious situations they get into.

A must see, a million-laughs TV comedy and a loud cry for an orthodontist!

Go-bama

2008-11-03T23:34:00.011Z

There hasn’t been many times in my short life that I felt like history was in the making, right before our lives. There has been a few isolated events but nothing of this sort. There has been few men in history that have brought such a stir and such a seemingly unstoppable wave of worldwide support and expectation, with so little. Such man is a mere candidate running for the presidency of the good old U.S. of A. That man has been liked to John F. Kennedy, the first and last American President to move the world opinion and being herald to the level of pop star.Such man is Obama. Barack Obama. 'Nough said.

If this man was running for the hypothetical role of World Chairman instead of President of the USA, he would win by a landslide, no doubt about it.Being the US, he still has to run against prejudice and some darn stale pilgrims, as well.

Nevertheless, he seems to be winning.This is already a major victory for the US, and if Obama does win, then it will be a major victory not only for him and America, but for the all world, for it will mean that humanity is slowly but steadily advancing towards its adulthood...That's why I'm not concerned if Obama-president will not fulfil all the (high) expectations, as change does not happen overnight.

What I'm concerned about is that like Kennedy, Obama may find a premature end...However, if Barack Obama stands for something, he stands for HOPE - the kind of hope that brings people together and a better world. Thus, I would like to say: "Ich bin ein Barack Obama supporter"!
Go Obama! Win it for us!

It's time. See you in the Oval office.

Algarve is All This & Much More

2008-11-01T15:33:00.005Z

Spoiler: Left out the sunny beaches and the gastronomy, and other typical sights such as lobster-red boozy tourists and girls in thongs...

The Real Mcolon

2008-10-10T21:35:00.008+01:00

Soon to be released in all major European languages, a new book aiming at casting more light over the 500 year-old myth surrounding Christopher Colom(bus).

Including the latest DNA tests, The Portuguese who discovered America will allow you to discover the real identity of the man famous for re-discovering America.

Ps - It will also reveal embarassing to Americans, hehe. But not to worry, Australians also had to re-write their History on account of the always-there-first Portuguese...

Dude, Where's My Flag?

2008-07-26T18:40:00.008+01:00

Red, Green and Yellow are usually colors that you find mostly on African flags.

Portugal got its current flag in1911, when most of the best colors and patterns had already been taken, but that's not why Portugal has such a tasteless flag.

In 1910, a coup d'etat was enforced by the republicans who eventually overthrown the monarchy and decided to get a new flag.
Normally, in such situations, the national colors are kept and only the symbols of the deposed regime are eliminated, eg. a star or a crown.

However this was not a overwhelming popular movement but a minority-led "revolution", hence the traditional national colors that had nothing to do with the monarchy but with the country's history (white and blue - the former represented the parliamentary constitution), were replaced by the colors of the republican party's flag. (Something similar happened in Russia, during the Soviet Union years, but even there normality has been restored, ultimately...)

What is worst, this has been covered up and the green has been camouflaged under the false allegation that "the green represented the fields of Portugal (mostly brown) and the red was the blood shed for the country"...
And by the way, the royal symbol, the crown, was replaced by a Masonic symbol, a globe or armillary sphere, that in spite of being a symbol of the Portuguese discoveries, its current meaning is actually related to the secret societies that conspired to bring down the monarchy and are responsible for bombings, and for murdering the lawful head of state and his son in 1908.

The sad part is, this fallacy is still being fed to people today, taught in schools and perpetuated shamelessly...
That's Portugal for you... a schizophrenic country under sedation, looking for its long lost identity...

The Game in Spain

2008-07-05T15:55:00.012+01:00

Congrats to Spain, for the brilliant victory on the Euro 2008 cup - they were outstanding and didn't leave any doubt of the fairness of their success, unlike Greece for years ago...

Just went to show what an opportunity Portugal squandred at home, in 2004... and it won't be easy to have another shot at playing a final again, let alone winning it...

Anyway, Spain did show the way. They have given a master class in how to deffend and attack, all wrapped in class and humble work...
The "Spanish carrossel" (the way they passed the ball around) reminded me of the Portugal's style of the early 2000's - the team had players like Rui Costa, Figo, Joao Pinto, Sergio Conceicao, Pauleta... in their prime.

I guess it was proven that a good team needs to have a good goal-keeper, as well... one that is not only good on penalties, taken by English players, that is.

The Final Countdown

2008-06-28T16:25:00.006+01:00

So, Germany vs Spain it is...
The red and yellow altfit have been looking impressive from the get-go, managing to beak the quarter-finals' curse that had been hoding them back for so long...

The white and ballack team have been exactly what everybody expected from them, except in the game against Croatia, but that was merit of the boys in checkers.
They wil have to play better than their topless team though...

So, may the best team (stil standing) win the final of Euro 2008 tomorrow.

Ps - It may go either way, but I still think Germany will take the title, which is probably for the best, because who needs the cocky spanish even more cocky than they already are? :P

It's 11 Agaist 10 Then Germany Wins

2008-06-22T15:40:00.008+01:00

I wasn't that wrong in my early predictions - Portugal was not a leading favourite and the tournment surprise is coming from the East: Russia - I ventured Poland, didn't miss by much.
As for Portugal, had me going there in the first two matches, but it was too good to be true; the team showed it's true collors and was punished severelly by Germany, that didn't even need to push the envelope to beat an amatourish deffense and a blundering goal-keeper that only looks good against England...

It was a well deserved defeat, made even more pitifull by the lacluster display of Ronaldo, who was virtually absent from much of the Euro... probably because his feet were still in Manchester while is head was already in Madrid.

Dear Mr. Abramovitch, if you are reading this, it's still not too late - buy Scolari a one-way ticket to Siberia...
Who knows, maybe Guus Hiddink will trade the Russian national team for a russian-owned team...

Turkey and Russia are indeed the most surprising and thrilling sides of the Tournement, the first with the 3 consecutive come-backs (against Switzerland, Czech Republic and Croatia), although I do not believe the die-hard turks wil do it again vs Germany; but the Russians take the cake, with the most entertaining and exciting football so far, trashing the allmighty Dutch on all counts!

It's easy to say so now, but I had the secret whish and a certain belief that they would do go through as they did, and I would love to see them win the final, now that Portugal is out... but my money is either on Germany or Italy, am affraid...

Oh well, at least we were the virtual champions of the Euro...

The Hills Are Alive With the Sound of Goaaallll!!!

2008-06-15T12:15:00.005+01:00

...And of the news of Scolari leaving after the tournment, which is all the press is on and on about.
Damn Scolari and Chelsea, who cares, only the Brits who have nothing better to live for as, and this is always good to remind, they did not get their ticket for the Euro 2008!

Anyways, re Scolari, I won't miss him at all, and the team will get over him as well, although can't see yet who can replace him, as all Portuguese first choice managers are busy already, but we'll worry about that later - that's just why this was not the best time to bring this subject up.
Enough about that, then.

Portugal just got its odds upgraded, but I don't change a thing to what I said previously - Portugal is NOT the prime candidate to win the tournement yet, although it's now in the front 4 candidates.
They do need to improve their deffending and scoring to live up to their full potential, but like Obama says "Yes, we CAN"!!!

In Style

2008-06-08T15:50:00.007+01:00

Could have been 5, but 2 goals were more than enough to secure a solid win and a great exhibition from the team!

The lads put our minds at ease, they performed as a team, not as “stars”, so we may go all the way indeed and do the final waltz in Vienna, if they keep it up! And they proved in the opening game they sure can dance...

The Czecs will need more than luck in their next game...

Força Portugaaal!!!

Euro We Go Again

2008-06-07T14:55:00.009+01:00

A few hours away from the initial whistle that will kick-off Euro2008 and Portugal's first game, the general expectations are mildly optimistic. Portugal has a few good players, including the more than likely next best world payer, C. Ronaldo, but they are a very young team and one that doesn't function so well as a group, so they are not very high on the favorites list.

Teams like Germany, France and Italy are in much better place and are the chronic candidates to final victory, although The Netherlands and Spain are quite formidable contenders, with a realistic chance to lift the Cup. I'd say Portugal comes next in line, along with perhaps Croatia.

Nevertheless, we never know with Euros won already by "outsiders" such as Denmark and Greece... so who knows, maybe this year it's Poland's turn...

Whatever happens in the end, Portugal is already the champion in the league of supporters, as the squad is always surrounded by scores of excited fans, like no other team.
Let's hope the players know how to return the same commitment and we may have a real team instead of stuck up primadonas.

PORTUGOIL RIP OFF

2008-05-24T16:35:00.003+01:00

Is it me or the oil prices, more than high-octane, are just highly insane at the moment...

Even if you use the scant ecological alternatives, engines that run on water, frying oil or the crappy public transport service, the galloping fuel prices are still affecting the price of other stuff, food and whatnot!
This is just pure speculation, there is no real cause for the constant rise, there has been already 20 increases in Portugal since the beginning of the year! This is just another example of how Portugal is a rotten republic - in Spain the fuel costs less 10, 20 and even 30 cents p/liter! That's mainly because 60% of the petrol price is taxes going to the Portuguese government bottomless pocket!!! Scandal!!!

On the other hand, near the border, Spanish petrol stations are having a ball and Portuguese motorists are queuing and queuing to fill up, while many stations in Portugal are closing down, adding to the unemployment rate...
Furthermore, truck companies and other businesses are relocating to Spain, taking their taxes to our neighbors, while Portugal goes broke and trails behind the other European states... but who cares - football is neigh!... we worry tomorrow, let the matches begin!...

Lost in Carnation

2008-04-25T22:10:00.009+01:00

Today, it's officially "the day we celebrate freedom", in Portugal. Also called "the carnation revolution", because instead of bullets there were red carnations coming out of the soldiers rifles on that day, 25.05.1974, when democracy and full civil rights were restored in Portugal.
Actually, this holiday is much like Christmas, only without the presents and the comforting food.

On yet another anniversary, grown-ups speak drearly about fraternity and liberty and listen to the traditional carols of the date.
Then, all is put away until next year, for another feel-good get together of the "fighters for democracy and freedom".

That is all very nice, and we are thankful, but the truth is, this velvety carnation revolution was only necessary because the tender first steps of baby democracy and freedom were smothered in the cradle, with the 1908 assassination of the king and royal prince, and then the deposition of the monarchy in 1910.

Since then and until 1974, Portugal hasn’t been Portugal and to this day, although more in tune with the rest of the western world, is still trying to find itself.

Bad Case of Identity Crisis

2008-04-05T15:55:00.017+01:00

One of our most singular traits is our appreciation for foreigners. All Portuguese love foreigners (and not just in a sexual way) and will spare no efforts to serve them.

This is tightly connected to one other trait, which is the fact that most Portuguese have very low self-esteem, so in general they tend to self-depreciate the country they have, and to sublimate what is foreign.

Much of this "embarrassment" has roots in the 19th century, when Portugal arrived late to the Industrial Revolution age, much because after the Napoleonic invasions the country never had time to recover, because a civil war and the loss of Brazil followed suit.

Political stability was hard to come and economical growth was difficult in a country that had a long tradition of living off the colonial trade, which paid for the import of nearly all of the goods the country needed - "why produce them when we could buy them already made? (at highly inflated prices)", seemed to be the motto for too long, but the empire tap was not flowing anymore; if anything, it was costing more money to keep than the revenue it was providing ...

Culturally and scientifically, the country had been legging behind as well.
Religious control by the Inquisition was responsible for the stagnation of the arts, learning and thinking.
The downfall of an empire is always a hard blow to its people, but how to explain that a once vigorous people is so demoralized, it's not itself anymore?
Other nations of the world went through the same rise and fall, but many seemed to recover more easily than us.

For instance, the Spanish went trough similar convulsions as we did, however they got over it much better than us.
They have flare, we have nostalgia.
They have Flamenco, we have "fado" (fate).
They are cocky, we are apologetic.

For instance, they have bullfights, because that's who they are, and they don't care what others think or say about it. That's also why they have such thick accents when they speak other languages, as they don't care if you understand them or not, they believe everybody should speak their language. On the other hand, the Portuguese are renowned for being able to speak proficiently foreign languages, sometimes 3 or 4 different idioms with prestine accents.

Don't get me wrong, the Spanish are not better than us, just currently more successful, thus more proud. But they still suck when they try to compare their stuff to ours. That's why they try to take all the good things we have.
They can't cook as good as we do; they come furtively to fish in our waters; our wine, olive oil, and even Algarve are "cloned" on the other side of the border, etc - but all their attempts amount only to 2nd best...

The heaviest blow, in my opinion, has been the loss of identity that happened in the beginning of the 20th century in Portugal.
The transition from a 7 century old Monarchy to a incipient and hasty republic was bloody and criminal. The people who represented the nation, the stability, the centre, the tradition and the national values, the royals, were murdered or forced to exhile. Not for nothing, the last king of Portugal was called "The Patriot"...
Even the national colors, blue and white, were dropped for the red and green of a meer party, a faction, that has been as one sided as one can be... thus, how can a people that has lost memory of itself, of what it used to be, be proud again?

The only thing that makes a common Portuguese proud nowadays is success in Sport.
And that means Football, basically.
Mourinho, Figo and C. Ronaldo are the role models that the "new" Portuguese want to follow, in the hope we may achieve the greatness of yore.
These figures have done a good job, no doubt, making the Portuguese more proud (although Ronaldo and Mourinho sometimes have their peculiar moments and can be a bit uncool). But, a nation who has been great before, shouldn't need "pop" stars to be reminded of all its qualities.
The glorious past should be more than enough. If we can't respect ourselves, no one will.

The Portuguese Way

2008-03-30T18:00:00.009+01:00

Think of France, for instance, and dozens of images come to mind: the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the baguette, moldy cheeses, hairy arm-pits, voilá etc.

The same, if we think of other European countries, we always associate something to the specific culture, even if it's an erroneous stereotype.

But, what about Portugal? Stereotyped images made of the Portuguese are more close to the Mexicans of old westerns than to reality. In general, the Portuguese are portrayed like the Italian or the Spanish, but what are the distinct traces that make the Portuguese, er, Portuguese?
Sex was a good way to start, but we should have more to show for, when, for instance, a loaded bus of elderly Japanese tourists comes to town? Or when we need to milk our counterparts of the E.U. for more communitary funds?

So, what is the Portuguese way?
I C 1 way to go back to be what we used to be, what do you see?
Please submit your theories, if you have any.
I will get back to you soon.

"SEX SED LEX"

2008-01-19T12:19:00.002Z

The people have spoken and what the people have in their mouth is "SEX".
Not fish, not food, not memories of sea-conquering navigations, what the Portuguese people are famous for, according to our recent poll, is their sex skills. Not their cooking, but their "coking".
Not codfish nor sardines, but the "tender loins". Not abridging the world by sailing the foamy waves, but by rocking the boat to the shores of Paradise.
So be it.
(...) to be continued, that is, if I see that sex is selling the blog to a bigger audience, not counting the usual pervs that flock here...

REGICIDE: 2008 CENTENARY EVENTS

2008-01-05T17:05:00.001Z

TERREIRO DO PAÇO HOMMAGE 2008 05:00PM

S. VICENTE DE FORA CHURCH SOLEMN REQUIEM 2008 07:00PM

1st February 2008: Portuguese Monarchists and all other citizens who strongly disapprove violence as a means to enforce political ideas, assemble in Terreiro do Paço Square at 05:00PM. All Portuguese monarchists in Portugal as well as living abroad are invited to take part in the hommage in Lisbon to mark the occasion of the Centenary of the Regicide.

07:00PM: São Vicente de Fora Basilica, Lisbon. Solemn Requiem High Mass (Roman Catholic Rite) "In Memoriam".

Ceremonies to be presided by His Eminence the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon, will include the deposition of flower wreaths and hommage to the tombs of His Majesty King Carlos I of Portugal and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Luis Filipe. Start time is 07:00PM sharp. PMIA-Portuguese Monarchist International Alliance recommends an arrival time at the Basilica, at 06:30PM. Cerimonies are organised by RAL-Royal Association of Lisbon.

AIMP-Aliança Internacional Monárquica Portuguesa
Nonprofit Organisation

2007: Final Count Down

2007-12-23T17:30:00.002Z

Following the worldwide success of this blog’s polls, we have decided to have the customary election of the figures and facts of the year that now closes.

Rather than trust in some stranger’s doubtful judgment, I will elect the personalities and events that for their relevancy in 2007 deserve a honourable mention in Bloguistan.

So without further ado, here are the nominees/awardees:

Music: For his anti-star, no-frills-no-bullshit attitude, rejecting any sort of claim to fame other than his band’s music, the award goes to Bruce Springsteen. He is the living proof that one does not need to give interviews or wear a tie to be someone, especially someone cool.

Movies: The film of the year has to be Walt Disney’s Ratatouille. To take a rat and make him a gourmand it’s just brilliant. There may be some hope for English cooking after all.

TV: I find this one the really hard one. There were really great series this year, Dexter being probably the best of the newcomers, in my opinion; however, it’s mandatory that the award goes to The Soprano’s final season. They have been faithful to themselves all the way, have not sold out and have kept us guessing what would happen next to the very end. A master-piece. It is also reassuring to see that Silvio did make it after all, and is touring with Springsteen and Max Weinberg.

Sport: This one is a no-brainer: the moment of the year has to be

England

loosing to Croatia at home, and missing out on EURO2008. This is the shit dreams are made of, dude! Ha, ha, ha!

Man of the Year: José Mourinho. Jobless, he has finally proved he is indeed the Special One. Only the greatest of the unemployed managers could snub the salary that comes with the

England

job.

Woman of the Year: Please enter your number here. If you’re hot I’ll call you back.

The boring stuff: condensing politics and science, the award goes to Al Gore for his continued public voicing of the environmental questions that so urgently deserve world attention. Many things can be said of him and of his alleged self-promotion, but at the end of the day he has done more for the world than if he had been in the Oval office, has he should.

Have yourself a merry Xmas and a happy new year!

CROATIA CHECKMATED ENGLAND

2007-11-21T22:00:00.000Z

The lads in checkered shirts showed England who's their daddy! Sorry, couldn't let this golden opportunity to scorn go by... :D
No teams from across the channel to yodel next summer in the Alps of European football... and as England supporters leave the stadium, the hills are alive with the sound of Mourinho's name... but the Portugueezer will not play to that tune, am afraid.
Bye, bye Mourinho? Bye, bye England. You won't be missed.

EURO2004 the "vilain" was Ricardo

WC2006 Ronaldo was Public Enemy Nr.1

EURO2008 Qualifier disgrace and shame escape-goat is Steve McClaren - just face it, you lot just ran out of excuses.

On the brightside, the usual binge drinking and bottle throwing will stay where it belongs, inside the pubs, and the Euro cup showing live, on the telly…

BTW, Portugal sucked as well, but they are in the finals. Shame about Scotland, though.

Wonder #7 Up for Grabs

2007-11-04T18:24:00.001Z

There's so many competition for the last available wonder that more than 7 wonders would be necessary to honor all of them. Alas, it's not possible. I make the rules here and I say they are just 7 wonders, so that's what it is. Not because we can't trivialize these things, but because I feel like it. Read Mour's lips.

So, last but not least, the 7th and final wonder will be submitted to voting among the 2 or 3 lonesome visitors that crowd this insignificant blog.
If anyone is reading this, you can find the poll to the right of it. Take your pick - remember, you could influence or even decide which shall be the 7th wonder of Bloguistan!
Do your civic duty. The nominees are (you may add your own in the commentary box):

1. Portuguese Wine
2. Portuguese tradicional Cusine (from bread to desserts)
3. Portuguese Guitar
4. Portuguese History
5. Portuguese do it better

BTW, if you are not Portuguese, what do you associate the country with? (first thing that comes to your mind?)
I tried to find something from Portugal recognizable in the all wide world, but in my quick survey I came to the conclusion that it all comes down to the 2 F's: football and food. I'd say the most famous Portuguese personality in the world is either Mourinho (not surprisingly, the face behind a Portuguese cork campaign) or Ronaldo, followed at some distance by Vasco da Gama.
Very little, for a country with such a decisive roll in the world history... I blame the dismal Republic for that.

Wonder #6 - Olive Oil

2007-10-20T15:30:00.001+01:00

According to Dr. Luciano da Silva, MD, and also the innumerable medals won by Portuguese Olive oil at different international competitions (1st medal going back to the 1889 Paris Wolrd Exhibit), the Portuguese golden grease is the best in the world.

The explanation is simple – olives in the trees are exposed to more sunlight in Portugal than in most other places in the olive-growing world. Same with the wine and other products, although here soils and other factors may also have a say in their quality.

I confess I didn’t like olive oil when I first tried it. The acidity or eventual heartburn usually puts people off. As with many people, this is a taste you acquire, just like with beer or whisky. Only Olive oil is much healthier, being quite beneficial in unclogging your "pipes", as this is one of the few "fats" that is actually good for you.

Now I can’t live without it. In fact, I like my food swimming in it.

Hard to believe that something that grows on such a raquitic looking tree, can be so good and useful...you can also use it to cook, deep fry, as an unguent, a snack, an aphrodisiac, or as fuel for a torch, if you run out of electricity… amazing fruit!

GUIDE TO PORTUGAL III & Wonder #5

2007-10-14T15:10:00.001+01:00

Recently, someone from The Netherlands asked me for a suggestion, as where she could go to spend a week in Portugal, alone, and not necessarily near the beach, as she's taking her holiday in March.
She also wanted to know what is the best time for Sardinhas, the famous mouthwhatering Portuguese grilled Sardines. A wonder in its own, in the line of Portugal's 7 Wonders.

Well, it is possible that many other people - unfortunate to have never snifed a sardine and who are eager to pay the exhorbitant prices charged in some restaurants - may share the same query and appetite; so, in that case, keep reading.

That time of the year, Sintra is a sure bet. Not far from Lisbon, it has many interesting natural and cultural places to visit, since that time of the year the weather may not be good enough for the beach. Then there is always the local food... don't forget to take some treats of the local pastry with you, to make the Sintra experience last!

As for Sardines, the best time of the year is from May to July, according to experts, but you may enjoy them till August just as well. "Any month without "r", as we say here. :D

There is much much more than just the Algarve. Here are other sugestions:

http://www.portugalvirtual.pt/tours/ptindex.html
http://www.acores.com/english.html
http://www.madeiraislands.trav.....mp;p_sub=1

I am sure you will find Portuguese people to be quite friendly and welcoming (not insolent, like in Bloguistan).
Enjoy your stay!

Mourinho For President

2007-09-20T15:50:00.000+01:00

After putting up with Abramovich's interference way too long, Mour is free and up for grabs.

I bet right now many top managers are feeling less comfortable in their shoes, thinking that if they slip up a bit, the Club's owner is going to be dialing Mour's number... and they're all hitching to...

Let's see how many trophies Ab. will win, now that he can have it is way.
One thing is certain, the Russian has been quite ungrateful to the man who has won for Chelsea one of every trophy there was to win in England, in 4 years; the man who has made Chelsea a winning machine for nearly three years in a row, something that Chelsea, and many others teams, can't find in their past pedigree... and it's unlikely they will repeat that in the future...

The players, the fans and even the press will miss him. Only the adversaries will be glad to see him go.
I for one, and I think I speak for at least 50% of the Portuguese population, we wish him all the best, and best for us would be to see him managing the Portugal national team.
If only Ab. had asked to swap Mour for Scolari...

CALLING ALL UNITS...

2007-09-15T13:55:00.000+01:00

I never though I would have to defend and praise the "pigs" (not that I'm a con, just don't like to get tickets or driving related fines)... but recently I have had to come to the rescue of a much vilified police force, that has nothing to do with parking tickets or clamping cars.

The PJ really are the good guys in the story. They are the ones we turn to, when no one else can help.

They are fallible, they are less than perfect, they have fewer resources to work than other police forces in Europe, and they probably have some bad seeds in the core. "Toss the proverbial stone".

Having said that, Portugal is one of Western Europe's safest countries and the Portuguese police has a good reputation among their European counterparts. All this can be checked. Please do.

We are used to do a lot with very few, as our former global empire attests.

Eventually, all came to nothing; we have but memories of the times of yore - however! one thing all Portuguese did not loose is their PRIDE, and no way you can't take that away from us. Ask C Ronaldo. He may be booed and jeered, but you can't break him and in the end he comes on top.

All the unfair accusations against the PJ are coming from people leaning towards the "suspects", dishonestly ignoring the joint investigation with the Scotland Yard, the tests done in the Birmingham labs, the dogs and whatnot.

These critics are the same people who excommunicate others for jumping ahead to conclusions and who scream out loud "the parents are presumed innocent". Well, the same goes for the Police. And the Portuguese law system, that is indeed, quite foreign to you.

Get this once and for all - if the PJ has or not concrete evidence, they would never come out and say it before the investigation is through! I have my theories as why this case is "leaking" more than usual, but I will not speculate about it.

I know it's hard, many people are sharpening their knives already, but wait for the end of the investigation to see which you can lynch: the Police or the culprits (if any).

One thing, is certain though - don't think that you, no matter who you are, don't think you have the exclusive of feeling for Madeleine, because we all do, including the men and women, parents or not, that are part of the Anglo-Portuguese Police. And anyone who truly wants to find the truth about Madeleine, has to side with the investigation and support it to the end. We are all suspects; no one is above suspicion, in the eays of the law.

The amount of pressure, criticism, speculation and media hype would probably be almost unbearable for one of us. Imagine having a constant shrill over your head all the time, people knocking your work constantly without having even the faintest idea of who you are or what you are doing… and still, you are there to help...

So, to cut short what could be a longer post, stand in equity and support the official investigation, because those professionals, always under fire, have shown to have huge,

massive B A L L S, taking the investigation where the evidence was leading them, no matter what the pressure and backlash might have been.

I hope they will be given some leeway, for the sake of the investigation.

Ludicrous McCann Media

2007-09-07T19:00:00.001+01:00

Here we go again. Infamous accusations, smear, slurs and even insults, all served in a big bowl of speculation a la SKY NEWS...
This people have no code of conduct to go by at all? What has happened to impartiality, unbiased and rigorous information, etc?

Blind faith is quite medieval, so is the British media approach to this case. Why people choose sides when what is in question is evidence submitted to a Brit Lab, which seems to point to Madeleine being dead?
It is perhaps the harsh reality. Denial is understandable from the family, but the biased, deliberate smear campaign of the Brit media against the PJ, is what is Ludicrous. If the PJ are to be proven right, I'm sure then kudos and the glory of solving the case will go to the British cops present in the Algarve, that only take the scene when something positive occurs.

The public opinion is being manipulated. There is a lot of misinformation.
One clear example is the supposed "deal" offered by the PJ to Kate. Forget what you saw in the movies or TV - under Portuguese law, the police has no power to offer any deals, so it's highly unlikely that they would even go there. One word of advice: try to get as much independent information from reliable foreign press agencies, because you can't get that from the likes of Skate&Gerry News, the public family TV.
As someone watching from abroad, it seems like I am hearing about two different cases, so different is the coverage from Sky News, compared to Spanish or Portuguese TV...

Of course, the usual resistance to learn other languages may be a hindrance to understand what really is going on. There seems to be only one side of the story being released in the UK media, and that is the emotional quasi-hysterical nationalist one.
The PJ is not answering the provocations from the relatives and the media, but if this keeps up like until now, I hope they sue.

Yes, the word is "Ludicrous" indeed. Furthermore, it's absolutely sickening to see how people in the UK, including the media, find it easier to come to terms with "a cover up or planted evidence" by the naughty Portuguese Police, than to understand that speculation aside, the couple is being questioned, as they should, after the forensic evidence has been return from the UK LABS... immagine what it would be like, if the results had come back from Portuguese labs... it isn't that we do not have capable forensic labs in the country as suggested; it was actually a very wise move, to publicly further the involvment of British elements in the investigations. Now mine the credibility of that...

Will the same Brits that question every little move by the Police, with the same mistrust they would only have against foreigners, be that strange looking food, or driving on the right side of the road, will the same people question the results out of the British Labs? If the results say it's Madeleine’s blood and that she is dead, then is it ludicrous to suspect of anyone that has been around the misfortunate little girl, at the time?

Ludicrous is the way some people and the British media has been questioning everything as this SOBERAN COUNTRY is nothing more than a colony... Talk about slurs and campaigns... the British tabloids have the mint of all that rubbish, bordering defamation on a number of occasions and I hope they will soon be prosecuted.

You may not like how the results of the investigation, but the McCann have created a Media monster, and it's not fair to press for the "results" you'd like, if they may point in a different direction. Sooner or later, people may have to face the harsh reality that the little girl is dead... and we all feel for her.

Finally, there seems to be some people more eager to believe in conspiracy theories such as "PJ cover up and planted evidence to frame the McCann", than in what seems to be the body of evidence collected by the Brit and Portuguese agents investigating the case together.
For those who seem to be fond of conspiracy theories, get a load of this one:
Gerry McCann's brother and Gordon Brown, good old Scottish lads, seem to have been buddies in school...
Imagine what being friends with the prime minister could do for your family...
Anyone believes what they want... or in other words, people believe more easily that which meets their inclination and expectations.

UPDATE Saturday 8, 14.15h

I salute the change of tone in some Sky News reporters, that just now admited they should pay more attention to what they'd been calling a "smear campaign" by the Portuguese press, was in fact "a reflection of the Police investigations" - funny enough, that's almost the exact words I used a few weeks ago, here (under nnrico) - here's the quote:

" The Portuguese press merely reflected the change of course in the investigations, puting aside the victimization of the parents, whom, like it or not, are partly responsible for what happened." End quote.

#4 "Wolves"

2007-09-03T16:00:00.000+01:00

The wolf is a wonderful animal, a survivor, and one of the few species that mate for life; but this is not about the endangered kind, but about another frail group of mammals - the Portuguese Rugby team.

For the first time, a Portuguese national side will be present in a rugby World Cup event, in the finals, as one of the contenders - although they have NO chance at all... simply because they are the ONLY semi-professional rugby team to make it to the competition, ever!

Yes, that's right, they are not professional rugby players, their lives are not just about rugby - yet, they qualified and they are going to go versus the likes of Scotland, Italy or, get this, New Zealand's All Blacks...
Of course, they have no hopes of winning a match. It would be like Luxembourg or San Marino, with due respect, after qualifying to the FIFA World Cup, to beat Italy or Brazil.

These "wolves" as their fondly known in Portugal, due to their relentless spirit and courage, will attempt to score as many points as possible against the "giants" of the sport, while trying not to loose for more than a two-digit score...
However, they are ambitious enough to try a victory against the more accessible team of Romania, although even this will be unlikely... but small numbers of Portuguese men have already proven to be able to surpass bigger odds - after all, a fistful of Portuguese soldiers and sailors established one of the more extensive and durable empires of the world.

Whatever happens next to the "wolves", they will not be crying but howling of joy at the moon in France's Rugby World Cup 2007...

"Hysteria Lane" is nothing compared to this...

2007-08-25T15:45:00.000+01:00

Wait and see what happens, just like people normally do, in other cases.

I guess that's pretty much the view of people around the world; only in the UK people seem to be taking it so personally, and the media are definately responsible for the hysteria, no doubt about that.

According to English tabloids, the Portuguese press "smears" and print "unfounded claims"; while the brilliant UK media is the paladin of truth and wholesome journalism, as we can see by their own dodgy style... pitiful and biased. The Portuguese press claim they have an inside "source" - they may have or not, butat least they try to do their own investigation, and no one is pressuring them nor throwing money at them, to side with one side of the story...

Discounted the obvious bias and the intentional MCs campaign to discredit the police work and the investigation, what is more revolting is that the UK media has been acting as the main vehicle for all the slurs, the pressure and the persecution, which borders xenophobia...It's unheard of, I think the word is acctually "LUDICROUS"!

All the fuss surrounding this case is indeed adding insult to injury in respect to parents of other missing children...

On the upside, though, all the fuss and hatred about the PJ work in Praia da Luz is not hurting the Tourism as it's claimed by the PJ detractors, but is in fact helping -Let me put it this way: "There's no such thing as bad publicity"...

Praia da Luz is now world famous, and even after the McCann left, many people still flock there in a sort of "macabre" peregrination to see the church, the resort, etc where everything took place...

The news teams alone sold out every room available in and about the area...

Besides, Portugal is much more than just Algarve, and thanks to all the publicity, even Americans now know that Portugal is not a Hispanic country in South America...

Also, many people have pledge to come next year to Portugal, on account of the beautiful scenery divulged on Tv and as a reaction to the vicious attacks the country unfairly received from the UK media and MCs supporters. After all, to believe in the parents own version, it could have happened anywhere in the world, since they stated the 3 very small children were left alone, to chance, and the door opened...

Anyway, the more the spin, the more people cry "wolf", the worst it looks for the MCs; it's quite sad when people resort to insults instead of arguments. Innocent or not, they are fast becoming the least favorite couple of the year. And how they are helping...

The Media that Bit the McCann

2007-08-08T15:18:00.000+01:00

It is sadly interesting to see how too much speculation has led people to such misinformation...
To suggest that the McCanns have suffered any type of "aggression" by the Portuguese media or the general public, is a clear evidence that the tabloids have done their job "right"; and to find people that actually believe such bull, it's not only pitiful, but revolting....

The McCanns have been having nothing but public displays of sympathy from the Portuguese people since their ordeal started. The Portuguese press does NOT have a campaign against the couple, unlike the british media - bordering defamation - against the Police, and previously against C.Ronaldo, in what seems to be the "silly season's Portuguese bashing open season"...

The Portuguese press merely reflected the change of course in the investigations, puting aside the victimization of the parents, whom, like it or not, are partly responsible for what happened. For the UK tabloids, it's just more easy to find escaping-goats that are foreign - provided they’re not Iranian, as we had the chance to see recently, and you don't want to aggravate this people...

Claims that the UK Police would have opened and closed the case in a snap, are just hilarious and refuted by blunders like Jean C. de Menezes and many, many other cases that fortunately Portugal does not have to deal with.
By the way, the British Police is involved in the McCann investigations as well... but once again, it's more easy to blame foreigners...
Who has ever heard of a "public investigation"? I don't se how all the fuss can help the little girl...

Lastly, if this had happened in the UK to Portuguese "McCannos", you can bet your cuppa of tea they would not have any special attention from the police, the media or anyone else, nor the chance to be ungrateful and say people were turning on them - because the media would not focus on some foreign-speaking couple staying in a country were crimes like this happen quite frequently.
Some Brtis are even of the opinion that people in Britan would instead start screaming about how much the investigation is costing the state, how neglectful this couple was and how arrogant they were, bla, bla, bla...
Let's leave it alone, leave it with the police, and wait for the outcome of the investigation, before we start assigning blame or shame.