Rio de Janeiro: Worst Rates Than Palestine/Israel

[ethics]

The WP visits the notorious Rocinha favela in Rio de Janeiro for a front-page feature (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/15/AR2007041501085.html?hpid=artslot) and describes the heavy violence involving minors there. The story offers these figures: "From 2002 through 2006, 729 Israeli and Palestinian minors were killed as a result of the violence in Israel and the occupied territories. … During the same period in Rio de Janeiro, 1,857 minors were reported murdered."

I can't wrap my mind around that one. That's inside Israel and ALL territories with Palestinians. Sure, it's only one place IN RDJ but still... I had a friend who went there for vacation and he came out alive but he did mention that there are some awesome spots and some spots where you should never even look upon.

[tke711]

I've never been, but from stories my Dad's come back with, I don't think I plan on going anytime soon.

Very beautiful, but very dangerous town.

[Swamp Fox]

I seem to remember the horrifying story that the murders were due to death squads hired by businesspeople to get the vagrants off the streets - and that included killing homeless children.

[Kangaroo]

I saw a very interesting movie based upon the street children in Rio. Gangs used them as soldiers because they were basically fodder.

Kind of reminded one of Bean in Ender's Shadow.

[ethics]

Kind of reminded one of Bean in Ender's Shadow.

Wow, excellent comparison!!!

[Swamp Fox]

Not quite - the children in Ender's Shadow were well fed and looked after.

[ethics]

Uhm, I think you have the wrong book there, spunky.

[Swamp Fox]

Uhm, I think you have the wrong book there, spunky.

You're right - I was thinking of Ender's Game. ;)

Spunky??? :haha: