Who here supports the Portugese People?

[Chris]

Portugal is a wonderful country with kind, generous and intelligent people living there. I think the portugese should view the Mc Cann case as a chance to tighten up their forensic procedures in order to enhance their own legal system.The way the case has been handled did nothing for the country's reputation but the appointment of the new police officer in charge gives the chance to conduct the investigation in the professional manner in which it should have been carried out. Hopefully this will start by no briefings to the press (as portugese law demands).
I wish the police success and hopefully we all can support them and anyone who is innocent until proven guilty.

[Kanga]

Chris wrote:

Portugal is a wonderful country with kind, generous and intelligent people living there. I think the portugese should view the Mc Cann case as a chance to tighten up their forensic procedures in order to enhance their own legal system.The way the case has been handled did nothing for the country's reputation but the appointment of the new police officer in charge gives the chance to conduct the investigation in the professional manner in which it should have been carried out. Hopefully this will start by no briefings to the press (as portugese law demands).
I wish the police success and hopefully we all can support them and anyone who is innocent until proven guilty.

I'm sure that the police force is no different to any other police force any where else in the world. There are many cases unsolved in the rest of the world. Britain,United States included. That shouldn't reflect on the country. The police work with facts only and what information comes forth. Basically if their isn't any facts they don't solve the case. These criminals are too cunning for all of us. There are too many scenarios and everyone wants a quick fix to satisfy the community. But knowone wants people sacked in the police force or people who are innocent sent to jail. This helps no-one.

[Joao - Portugal]

Regarding police neglect, that's probabily true. Regarding an opaque justice system, probabily the most opaque in Western Europe, that is absolutely true. The rest is just bulshit coming out of Britain. I read today in the Portuguese press that the British police issued a report in which says that the Portuguese police is right in pointing the McCanns as suspects and saying why.
Now, is the Portuguese press making up news? I don't know...

[JoaoP]

Check out the what Wikipedia has to say about Lusophobia, i. e. xenophobic anti-Portuguese feelings:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lusophobia

[Mexican Hillbilly]

Wow! My first couple of months in Portugal I would see utility vehicles on the side of the road with workers standing close by with reflective garb, a sign in their hand, and wearing big boots. I believed these guys were very thoughtful pointing out potholes in the road. My friend said"you dumba$$! "That's the GNR!" " The Police!" Portugal needs to find some other type of dress. I later asked what GNR stood for. I was told, "Grande Ninho de Ratos!"

[JoaoP]

Mexican Hillbilly wrote:

Wow! My first couple of months in Portugal I would see utility vehicles on the side of the road with workers standing close by with reflective garb, a sign in their hand, and wearing big boots. I believed these guys were very thoughtful pointing out potholes in the road. My friend said"you dumba$$! "That's the GNR!" " The Police!" Portugal needs to find some other type of dress. I later asked what GNR stood for. I was told, "Grande Ninho de Ratos!"

he he he

[Mexican Hillbilly]

I am not sad that Portugal has lost out so much in the European Union. Businesses have moved out, people now work in Luxemborg, France, and Switzerland cleaning hotels and receiving the same pay as a Portuguese engineer.
Portugal is staying traditional Portugal. I would hate to see progress enter the country. Every street and alley way looks as if it came out of a painting in a museum. The quality of food and drink is unsurpassed. I don't want it to change. My wife is a Serrana. Totally opposite of my ex-American wife.

[JoaoP]

Mexican Hillbilly wrote:

I am not sad that Portugal has lost out so much in the European Union. Businesses have moved out, people now work in Luxemborg, France, and Switzerland cleaning hotels and receiving the same pay as a Portuguese engineer.
Portugal is staying traditional Portugal. I would hate to see progress enter the country. Every street and alley way looks as if it came out of a painting in a museum. The quality of food and drink is unsurpassed. I don't want it to change. My wife is a Serrana. Totally opposite of my ex-American wife.

You're showing your personal interest. In the land of the blind, a one eyed man is king.
Anyway, there are many ways of combining culture and tradition with modernity. All the European countries do that in different degrees.
But many necessary reforms are not done because the Portuguese political class gets paid for denying that.

[Mexican Hillbilly]

I almost named my newborn Joao Paulo Roberto. Try to get an American to pronounce Joao, minha, feira, bacalhau, conhecer, etc. I live outside Oliveira de Azemeis on Serra Freita. I can see the ocean on a good day. The morning view of the leiras cut into my mountainside with the old Roman bridges and golden dew covered sheaves is Heaven to my eyes. There is always a friendly smile and a wave from the villagers. when I first arrived I noticed all women wore black. I asked my girlfriend why they all wear black garb and you don't. She said they are all viuvas but the day is young.

[JoaoP]

The black widow.... brrr....
Joao is unpronounceable in English. Something like Djaw. People are friendly in the north, but some female tourists, specially from Anglo-Saxon countries complain that "men look somber. They stare to them in disbelief" - one English tourist said once. Maybe it's true, don't know.

[Mexican Hillbilly]

I learned Portuguese while living in Brasil. When I arrived in Porto I couldn't even order a beer. Now when I listen to someone from Brasil I detect a strong accent. I thought everyone in Portugal talked like they were drunk slurring words together. Now the brasileiros sound like they are singing. I used to use the "Bom Jia" and adding an "EE" at the end of a hard consonant. I had always used "Voce" and never "se faz favor". I believe Brasilian Portuguese shows respect as much as southern English in the U.S.. Not like us damn Yankees.
Obrigado

[a voice from Portugal]

Good friends: It's great to learn Portuguese are living in those parts of the world and writing such varied things about their home land. Did you know that a major Portuguese industrial investment was agreed upon last month to take place at Effingham Industrial Park (near Rincon)GA, to create many hundreds of well paid jobs within 18 months' time in such area? the Portuguese firm is called EFACEC... a firm located in Porto, Portugal!

[Mexican Hillbilly]

I live somewhat close to Porto. Where is this place?

[Mexican Hillbilly]

Wow I just looked it up. Biomass generated and windpower generated energy. My English speaking Portuguese friends always call me when they arrive in Atlanta Hartsfield Airport and ask:"What language do they speak here?!"

[urban drum]

I'm half Portuguese and had the opportunity to live in Vila Nova do Familiçao...what a great place the people are warm and compassionate...don't get me wrong Portugal is not perfect at one point my grand father had to chin check a fool talking shit to me in one of the back alleys near the coach museum in Lisboa, but aside from those local loosers...portugal is awesome..!

[Mexican Hillbilly]

I met my first Portuguese person from Lisboa last week. She spoke so clear. She said your wife is the first Portuguesa comigo quando dentro das estados unidos!
Where are Franceszinhas, broas, aguardente, vinho do Porto, Feijoada? Nos nao temos dentro nos estados unidos!