My beloved brother, as we agreed,the following answers need your attention.
I´ve already started reading Oliver Twist, we can talk about it this afternoon.
Pg 13 - Use of english: key word transformations (part4)
1. I don´t know who has won the competition.
2. I´m afraid I haven´t found the tickets.
3. The flowers she planted in the garden are dead now.
4. I have been talking to her mother.
5. I have been working here for three years.
6. Miranda have never been to Scotland before.
7. I haven´t seen him over a year.
8. They haven´t found what the problem is.
9. She has run out of money.
10. She has given birth her first child.
Vocabulary 2: Word formation
1. shocking (adj) / different (adj) / flattered (adj)
2. competition (noun) / performer(noun)/ determination (noun) / contestant (noun)
3. regularly(adverb) / generally (adv)
2. All the following words come in this sequence: Noun/Verb/Adjective/Adverb. I put in dark those I wrote.
Confusion/Confuse/Confusing, confused/confusingly
Performance/Perform/performing/xxx
Original/Originate/Original/Originally
Flattery/Flatter/Flattering, flattered/Flattery
Wonder/Wonder/Wonderful/xxx
Choice/Choose/Chosen/xxx
Use/Use/Used/xxx
3.1 enjoying
3.2 performance
3.3 disappointment
3.4 preparing
3.5 explanation
3.6 surviving
3.7 donation
3.8 finances
Page 14 - Vocabulary 3
1.1 part/theater
1.2 reports
1.3 auditory/applaused
1.4 opera/performance
1.5 concert/symphony/composer/sold off
1.6 conduct/orchestra/instruments/musicians
1.7 pop music/singers/???
1.8 night clubs/dinner
2 - in order:
4/1
5/3
7/2
6
Yours,
Doug
sábado, 6 de junho de 2009
sábado, 30 de maio de 2009
Charles Dickens´ Hard Times
Hard Times is a novel by Charles Dickens, first published in 1854. The book is a condition-of-England novel, which aimed to highlight the social and economic pressures that some people were experiencing. Unlike other such writings at the time, the novel is unusual in that it is not set in London (as was also Dickens' usual wont), but in the fictitious Victorian industrialist Coketown, a generic Northern English mill-town partially based upon 19th-century Preston.
It has received a mixed response from a diverse range of critics, such as F.R. Leavis, George Bernard Shaw, and Thomas Macaulay, mainly focusing on Dickens' treatment of trade unions and his post-Industrial Revolution pessimism regarding the divide between capitalistic mill owners and undervalued workers during the Victorian era of Britain.
Dickens' reasons for writing Hard Times were monetary, educational and critical. Sales of his weekly pulp fiction periodical, Household Words, were low, and he hoped the inclusion of this novel in instalments would increase sales.
Gaskell's North and South published a year later, was another state-of-the-nation novel to first appear in Household Words.
Dickens wished to satirize radical Utilitarians whom he described in a letter to Charles Knight as "see[ing] figures and averages, and nothing else." He also wished to campaign for reform of working conditions. Dickens had visited factories in Manchester as early as 1839, and was appalled by the environment in which workers toiled. Drawing upon his own childhood experiences, Dickens resolved to "strike the heaviest blow in my power" for those who laboured in horrific conditions.
It has received a mixed response from a diverse range of critics, such as F.R. Leavis, George Bernard Shaw, and Thomas Macaulay, mainly focusing on Dickens' treatment of trade unions and his post-Industrial Revolution pessimism regarding the divide between capitalistic mill owners and undervalued workers during the Victorian era of Britain.
Dickens' reasons for writing Hard Times were monetary, educational and critical. Sales of his weekly pulp fiction periodical, Household Words, were low, and he hoped the inclusion of this novel in instalments would increase sales.
Gaskell's North and South published a year later, was another state-of-the-nation novel to first appear in Household Words.
Dickens wished to satirize radical Utilitarians whom he described in a letter to Charles Knight as "see[ing] figures and averages, and nothing else." He also wished to campaign for reform of working conditions. Dickens had visited factories in Manchester as early as 1839, and was appalled by the environment in which workers toiled. Drawing upon his own childhood experiences, Dickens resolved to "strike the heaviest blow in my power" for those who laboured in horrific conditions.
Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens was born on 7 February 1812, in Landport, Portsmouth, in Hampshire, the second of eight children. When he was five, the family moved to Chatham, Kent. In 1822, when he was ten, the family relocated to 16 Bayham Street, Camden Town, in London.
Although his early years seem to have been an idyllic time, he thought himself then as a "very small and not-over-particularly-taken-care-of boy". He spent time outdoors, but also read voraciously. He talked, later in life, of his extremely poignant memories of childhood, and of his continuing photographic memory of the people and events that helped to bring his fiction to life. His family's early, moderate wealth provided the boy Dickens with some private education at William Giles' school, in Chatham. This time of prosperity came to an abrupt end, however, when his father, after having spent beyond his means in entertaining, and in retaining his social position, was imprisoned at Marshalsea debtor's prison. Shortly afterwards, the rest of his family (except for Charles, who boarded in Camden Town at the house of family friend Elizabeth Roylance), realizing no other option, joined him in residence at Marshalsea.
Just before his father's arrest, the 12-year-old Dickens had begun working ten-hour days at Warren's Blacking Warehouse, on Hungerford Stairs, near the present Charing Cross railway station. He earned six shillings a week pasting labels on jars of thick shoe polish. This money paid for his lodgings with Mrs Roylance and helped support his family. Mrs. Roylance, Dickens later wrote, was "a reduced old lady, long known to our family". The mostly unregulated, strenuous—and often cruel—work conditions of the factory employees (especially children), made a deep impression on Dickens. His experiences served to influence later fiction and essays, and were the foundation of his interest in the reform of socioeconomic and labour conditions, the rigors of which he believed were unfairly borne by the poor, in pre-Industrial-Revolution England.
Oliver Twist is the first novel in the English language to centre throughout on a child protagonist and is also notable for Dickens' unromantic portrayal of criminals and their sordid lives.
An early example of the social novel, the book calls the public's attention to various contemporary social evils, including the Poor Law that states that poor people should work in workhouses, child labour and the recruitment of children as criminals. Dickens mocks the hypocrisies of the time by surrounding the novel's serious themes with sarcasm and dark humour.
Although his early years seem to have been an idyllic time, he thought himself then as a "very small and not-over-particularly-taken-care-of boy". He spent time outdoors, but also read voraciously. He talked, later in life, of his extremely poignant memories of childhood, and of his continuing photographic memory of the people and events that helped to bring his fiction to life. His family's early, moderate wealth provided the boy Dickens with some private education at William Giles' school, in Chatham. This time of prosperity came to an abrupt end, however, when his father, after having spent beyond his means in entertaining, and in retaining his social position, was imprisoned at Marshalsea debtor's prison. Shortly afterwards, the rest of his family (except for Charles, who boarded in Camden Town at the house of family friend Elizabeth Roylance), realizing no other option, joined him in residence at Marshalsea.
Just before his father's arrest, the 12-year-old Dickens had begun working ten-hour days at Warren's Blacking Warehouse, on Hungerford Stairs, near the present Charing Cross railway station. He earned six shillings a week pasting labels on jars of thick shoe polish. This money paid for his lodgings with Mrs Roylance and helped support his family. Mrs. Roylance, Dickens later wrote, was "a reduced old lady, long known to our family". The mostly unregulated, strenuous—and often cruel—work conditions of the factory employees (especially children), made a deep impression on Dickens. His experiences served to influence later fiction and essays, and were the foundation of his interest in the reform of socioeconomic and labour conditions, the rigors of which he believed were unfairly borne by the poor, in pre-Industrial-Revolution England.
Oliver Twist is the first novel in the English language to centre throughout on a child protagonist and is also notable for Dickens' unromantic portrayal of criminals and their sordid lives.
An early example of the social novel, the book calls the public's attention to various contemporary social evils, including the Poor Law that states that poor people should work in workhouses, child labour and the recruitment of children as criminals. Dickens mocks the hypocrisies of the time by surrounding the novel's serious themes with sarcasm and dark humour.
sábado, 16 de maio de 2009
New words
Oh Capitain! my capitain! poem
weather’d -
prize - prêmio
sought - procurava
keel - quilha
vessel - barco
grim - desagradável
daring - audacioso
bugle – trompa, corneta
trills – trilar, gorjear
ribbon’d – (ribbon – fita)
wreaths - coroas
a-crowding – (crowding – apinhar-se em)
swaying – balançando, oscilando
eager - ávido
pale - pálido
anchor´d – (anchor – âncora)
mournful – desolado, triste
tread – passo, pisada
weather’d -
prize - prêmio
sought - procurava
keel - quilha
vessel - barco
grim - desagradável
daring - audacioso
bugle – trompa, corneta
trills – trilar, gorjear
ribbon’d – (ribbon – fita)
wreaths - coroas
a-crowding – (crowding – apinhar-se em)
swaying – balançando, oscilando
eager - ávido
pale - pálido
anchor´d – (anchor – âncora)
mournful – desolado, triste
tread – passo, pisada
Comparisons exercises
Well, Bud, as we agreed, here are the first exercises about comparison, from the FCE book.
Page 22
1.1 – Life in country is not busier than life in the city.
1.2 – Transport is easier for people who live in cities.
1.3 - There are more people living in the world today than ever before.
1.4 - Teachers today are less stricter than they were in the past.
1.5 - Antartica is the least populated continent in the world.
1.6 - I think windsurfing is more exciting than sailing.
1.7 - I am better st sport than my brother.
1.8 - I would rather travel by car to train.
2.1 – e
2.2 – d
2.3 – b
2.4 – c
2.5 – a
Second part of 2nd exercise (I did not figure that out very well)
alot/more/much
rather
a bit/slightly
no
as
almost/not quite
(not) realy
3.1 This is the most amazing show that I´ve ever seen.
3.2 Chloe is a lot braver than Sam.
3.3 Last year the show was a bit less expensive than this year.
3.4 I think it´s far more easy to play tennis than golf.
3.5 I´d rather sightseeing to lying on the beach.
Page 22
1.1 – Life in country is not busier than life in the city.
1.2 – Transport is easier for people who live in cities.
1.3 - There are more people living in the world today than ever before.
1.4 - Teachers today are less stricter than they were in the past.
1.5 - Antartica is the least populated continent in the world.
1.6 - I think windsurfing is more exciting than sailing.
1.7 - I am better st sport than my brother.
1.8 - I would rather travel by car to train.
2.1 – e
2.2 – d
2.3 – b
2.4 – c
2.5 – a
Second part of 2nd exercise (I did not figure that out very well)
alot/more/much
rather
a bit/slightly
no
as
almost/not quite
(not) realy
3.1 This is the most amazing show that I´ve ever seen.
3.2 Chloe is a lot braver than Sam.
3.3 Last year the show was a bit less expensive than this year.
3.4 I think it´s far more easy to play tennis than golf.
3.5 I´d rather sightseeing to lying on the beach.
domingo, 26 de abril de 2009
My dear brother, I've posted this poem for us to discuss a little bit about American History.
Walter Whitman (May 31, 1819 – March 26, 1892) was an American poet, essayist, journalist, and humanist. He was a part of the transition between Transcendentalism and realism, incorporating both views in his works. Whitman is among the most influential poets in the American canon, often called the father of free verse. His work was very controversial in its time, particularly his poetry collection Leaves of Grass, which was described as obscene for its overt sexuality.
Born on Long Island, Whitman worked as a journalist, a teacher, a government clerk, and a volunteer nurse during the American Civil War in addition to publishing his poetry. Early in his career, he also produced a temperance novel, Franklin Evans (1842). Whitman's major work, Leaves of Grass, was first published in 1855 with his own money. The work was an attempt at reaching out to the common person with an American epic. He continued expanding and revising it until his death in 1892. After a stroke towards the end of his life, he moved to Camden, New Jersey where his health further declined. He died at age 72 and his funeral became a public spectacle.
Whitman's sexuality is often discussed alongside his poetry. Though he is usually labeled as either homosexual or bisexual, it is unclear if Whitman ever had a sexual relationship with another man[5] and biographers continue to debate his sexuality. Whitman was concerned with politics throughout his life. He supported the Wilmot Proviso and opposed the extension of slavery generally, but did not believe in the abolitionist movement.
1
O CAPTAIN! my Captain! our fearful trip is done;
The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won;
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring:
But O heart! heart! heart! 5
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
2
O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up—for you the flag is flung—for you the bugle trills; 10
For you bouquets and ribbon’d wreaths—for you the shores a-crowding;
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;
Here Captain! dear father!
This arm beneath your head;
It is some dream that on the deck, 15
You’ve fallen cold and dead.
3
My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still;
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will;
The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done;
From fearful trip, the victor ship, comes in with object won; 20
Exult, O shores, and ring, O bells!
But I, with mournful tread,
Walk the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
Walter Whitman (May 31, 1819 – March 26, 1892) was an American poet, essayist, journalist, and humanist. He was a part of the transition between Transcendentalism and realism, incorporating both views in his works. Whitman is among the most influential poets in the American canon, often called the father of free verse. His work was very controversial in its time, particularly his poetry collection Leaves of Grass, which was described as obscene for its overt sexuality.
Born on Long Island, Whitman worked as a journalist, a teacher, a government clerk, and a volunteer nurse during the American Civil War in addition to publishing his poetry. Early in his career, he also produced a temperance novel, Franklin Evans (1842). Whitman's major work, Leaves of Grass, was first published in 1855 with his own money. The work was an attempt at reaching out to the common person with an American epic. He continued expanding and revising it until his death in 1892. After a stroke towards the end of his life, he moved to Camden, New Jersey where his health further declined. He died at age 72 and his funeral became a public spectacle.
Whitman's sexuality is often discussed alongside his poetry. Though he is usually labeled as either homosexual or bisexual, it is unclear if Whitman ever had a sexual relationship with another man[5] and biographers continue to debate his sexuality. Whitman was concerned with politics throughout his life. He supported the Wilmot Proviso and opposed the extension of slavery generally, but did not believe in the abolitionist movement.
1
O CAPTAIN! my Captain! our fearful trip is done;
The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won;
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring:
But O heart! heart! heart! 5
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
2
O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up—for you the flag is flung—for you the bugle trills; 10
For you bouquets and ribbon’d wreaths—for you the shores a-crowding;
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;
Here Captain! dear father!
This arm beneath your head;
It is some dream that on the deck, 15
You’ve fallen cold and dead.
3
My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still;
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will;
The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done;
From fearful trip, the victor ship, comes in with object won; 20
Exult, O shores, and ring, O bells!
But I, with mournful tread,
Walk the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
sábado, 25 de abril de 2009
FCE Coursebook
Text reproduction exercise - page 12.
Text reproduction exercise - page 12.
Last month, actress Stella Glass (picture) gave birth to her second child - yet now she is back on screen and looks more attractive than ever. Many people have been wondering about her secret and how she has got back her near perfect figure so quickly. She claims that the secret is a mixture of diet and exercise. 'I have never been smoking and I have been going to the gym regularly for years. To loose weight I have been having five portions os fresh fruit and vegetables every day and I have been eating popcorn as it is low in calories. Recently I have also been drinking a lot of mineral water. My appearance has always been important to me - I have always wanted to look my best.
sábado, 11 de abril de 2009
Present Perfect simple vs. Present Perfect Progressive
Present perfect simple - Something happened in the past, but you don't know exactly when (it doesn't matter!!)
Present perfect progressive / continuous - Something started in the past and is still happening or you can see the effects.
YOUR DOUBT
IT = empty subject.
Ex. It is raining today.
It is six o'clock.
have been wondering
has got back
have never smoked
have been going to the gym
have been having AND have been eating
have also been drinking
have always wanted
STATIVE VERBS - NOT "ING"
EX. WANT, LIKE, HATE, ENJOY ETC.
KNOW
SENSES - SEE, TOUCH, LISTEN, SMELL
Present perfect progressive / continuous - Something started in the past and is still happening or you can see the effects.
YOUR DOUBT
IT = empty subject.
Ex. It is raining today.
It is six o'clock.
have been wondering
has got back
have never smoked
have been going to the gym
have been having AND have been eating
have also been drinking
have always wanted
STATIVE VERBS - NOT "ING"
EX. WANT, LIKE, HATE, ENJOY ETC.
KNOW
SENSES - SEE, TOUCH, LISTEN, SMELL
sexta-feira, 13 de março de 2009
'Ditablanda'
I have heard about the power of internet community since the nineties, when I first connected. However, last month I testified a demonstration of maturity from its users. On February 17th, Folha de São Paulo, the most important and biggest Brazilian newspaper, published editorial criticizing Venezuela popular verdict which gave to their governesses indeterminate reelection time. To the newspaper, this change on Venezuelan constitution is a way of dictatorship performance, although a democratic process was used to get to it.
At that context, the author tried to make a counterpoint with Brazilian ‘dark-year’ period, covered by the interval between 1964 to 1985, using a polemic and controversial term: ‘ditabranda’, a Portuguese relative to Spanish ‘ditablanda’, something like a ‘soft dictatorship’, originally coined in popular form in 1930, when General Damaso Berenguer replaced General Primo de Rivera on Spanish government. He governed by decrees and tried to calm down social spirits after crack of 1929 stock-market. Paradoxically, denominated ‘ditablanda’ executed more death sentences then the dictatorship it replaced.
A day after publication, the newspaper received thousands of e-mails protesting against mention, detaching the letters from jurist Fábio Konder Comparato and professor Maria Victória Benevides, well-known intellectuals raped and tortured by Brazilian dictatorship, published and ridiculed by Folha de São Paulo, its second mistake. These slips produced a reaction certainly not predicted. A petition was organized, catching more than ten thousand signatures; about two thousand readers canceled their subscriptions; famous bloggers, writers, journalists and intellectuals repudiated the declaration; about four hundred people protested in front of the journal office, in São Paulo, on march 7th, some of them coming from cities fourteen hours far from that capital. And all these actions were organized by web.
Without a choice, Otavio Frias Filho, the journal CEO, wrote a note recognizing its mistake. “It was an unhappy quotation”, he declared.
I have already saw some demonstrations of internet power of social mobilization, wether the claiming about bad services and expensive products, but for the first time I testified an act of protest occurring in Brazil, where society do not have this culture.
segunda-feira, 9 de março de 2009
FCE Coursebook
Unit 1, pages 8 and 9.
Ex1 - I agree with the 3rd an 4th statements only.
Ex2 - On spidergram:
"People" line - actor, stunt, director, assistant;
"story" line - climax, plot, happy ending;
"parts of cinema" line - row, screen, box office;
"film making" line - acting, close-up shots, flashback, special effects, scene.
Ex3, topic 2.
a) line point number 3;
b) l.p.n. 1 (this one was already done);
c) l.p.n. 4;
d) l.p.n. 2.
Ex3, topic 4.
1. I liked very much the way of recording vocabulary shown on this unit. I will try to use it as often as it is possible, at least with those words I have more dificulty to record. Nevertheless, I used to write the words I think most important to my vocabulary, and try to use them imediately on a description, or maybe on a clause, because in my oppinion, understanding a new word in a context is more important than kowing its literaly translation.
2. I think I can´t answer this question now. I mean, I don´t have an oppinion now, because I have always been using only one way of recording words. Maybe later...
Grammar 1
Item 1 (green mark)
Ex1:
1. Wrong. I met carrie fifteen years ago.
2. Correct.
3. Wrong. I belonged to this club from 01 to 03.
4. Correct.
5. Wrong. He goes to the cinema at least twice every weekend. I don´t understand how he can do that!
6. Wrong. I have seen the video...
7. Correct.
8. Correct.
9. Wrong. When I was young, I used to see my grandmother nearly every day.
10. Correct.
Ex2:
Present simple - usually, every
Present perfect - for, ever, from, yet, already
Past simple - ago, was, so
Item 2
1.a) ago
1.b) since
2.a) since
2.b) when
3.a) for
3.b) ago
4.a) ever
4.b) never
5.a) for
5.b) when
6.a) before
6.b) ever
Item 3
Actor Kevin Spacey has just become the new director of London´s famous Old Vic theatre. He promised to appear on stage himself and bring in big-name talent in his new role. "I love making movies, but I have always loved the stage as well. This job is something that I thought a lot and I am looking foward to the challenge", he said.
Spacey, who won Oscars for the Usual Suspects and American Beauty, fell in love with the Old Vic after visiting it as a child.
Actress Hale Berry has become the first black woman to win an Oscar for her part in the film Monster´s Ball. She made an emotional speech when she accepted the award at yesterday´s Oscar ceremony in Hollywood. Berry has also appeared in the popular James Bond movie, Die Another Day. Another black actor, Denzel Washington, has also won the Oscar for best male actor for his role in Training Day.
Item 4
1. How many times has Brad Pitt been married?
2. Who directed Titanic?
3.Which football team has won the World Cup five times?
4. In which country was Lord of The Rings filmed?
5. Has Mel Gibson ever won an Oscar?
6. Can you name any musicals which have won Oscars the last ten years?
7. Which famous English footballer was called Romeo as a child?
8. Who usually presents evening news tv programmes in your country?
Ok, Bud. That is it by now.
See you. Doug, 9/3/09.
Ex1 - I agree with the 3rd an 4th statements only.
Ex2 - On spidergram:
"People" line - actor, stunt, director, assistant;
"story" line - climax, plot, happy ending;
"parts of cinema" line - row, screen, box office;
"film making" line - acting, close-up shots, flashback, special effects, scene.
Ex3, topic 2.
a) line point number 3;
b) l.p.n. 1 (this one was already done);
c) l.p.n. 4;
d) l.p.n. 2.
Ex3, topic 4.
1. I liked very much the way of recording vocabulary shown on this unit. I will try to use it as often as it is possible, at least with those words I have more dificulty to record. Nevertheless, I used to write the words I think most important to my vocabulary, and try to use them imediately on a description, or maybe on a clause, because in my oppinion, understanding a new word in a context is more important than kowing its literaly translation.
2. I think I can´t answer this question now. I mean, I don´t have an oppinion now, because I have always been using only one way of recording words. Maybe later...
Grammar 1
Item 1 (green mark)
Ex1:
1. Wrong. I met carrie fifteen years ago.
2. Correct.
3. Wrong. I belonged to this club from 01 to 03.
4. Correct.
5. Wrong. He goes to the cinema at least twice every weekend. I don´t understand how he can do that!
6. Wrong. I have seen the video...
7. Correct.
8. Correct.
9. Wrong. When I was young, I used to see my grandmother nearly every day.
10. Correct.
Ex2:
Present simple - usually, every
Present perfect - for, ever, from, yet, already
Past simple - ago, was, so
Item 2
1.a) ago
1.b) since
2.a) since
2.b) when
3.a) for
3.b) ago
4.a) ever
4.b) never
5.a) for
5.b) when
6.a) before
6.b) ever
Item 3
Actor Kevin Spacey has just become the new director of London´s famous Old Vic theatre. He promised to appear on stage himself and bring in big-name talent in his new role. "I love making movies, but I have always loved the stage as well. This job is something that I thought a lot and I am looking foward to the challenge", he said.
Spacey, who won Oscars for the Usual Suspects and American Beauty, fell in love with the Old Vic after visiting it as a child.
Actress Hale Berry has become the first black woman to win an Oscar for her part in the film Monster´s Ball. She made an emotional speech when she accepted the award at yesterday´s Oscar ceremony in Hollywood. Berry has also appeared in the popular James Bond movie, Die Another Day. Another black actor, Denzel Washington, has also won the Oscar for best male actor for his role in Training Day.
Item 4
1. How many times has Brad Pitt been married?
2. Who directed Titanic?
3.Which football team has won the World Cup five times?
4. In which country was Lord of The Rings filmed?
5. Has Mel Gibson ever won an Oscar?
6. Can you name any musicals which have won Oscars the last ten years?
7. Which famous English footballer was called Romeo as a child?
8. Who usually presents evening news tv programmes in your country?
Ok, Bud. That is it by now.
See you. Doug, 9/3/09.
sábado, 7 de fevereiro de 2009
Correcting - Political refugee
The recent events involving Cesare Battisti, Italian activist who had granted status of political refugee in Brazil, has been source of diplomatic misunderstanding between those countries. Born 18 December 1954, Cesare Battisti “is an Italian writer and a former member of the Armed Proletarians for Communism, a far left group which supported violent revolution during Italy’s period of terrorist attacks”*, in the seventies.
The effective protection to international refugees was implemented by the League of Nations in 1919, also its birth date, although refugees are as ancient as the mankind. However, as we can see when we look back in our political history, a treaty does not mean always real attitude in part of the governments. Anyway, together with the end of World War I, several countries had to deal with hundreds of thousands of refugees who came from Europe, a problem which kernel was, overall, the fear of persecution and prejudice suffered by those foreign people.
At that time, the international community had to determine the juridical condition of refugees, organize settlements and repatriations around the world. With the World War II, this situation took a huge proportion, and in 1947 the United Nations created the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), a body which helped, since its birth, around fifty million people to restart their lives. The first establishment for UNHCR was adapting the ancient refugees’ protection treaty, which, receiving the attention deserved and after several changes became an instrument of hope for those who had to start from scratch and action from the UN countries supporters´ leaders.
Nowadays, the world has seen refugees coming, most of all, from African countries and, sometimes, we meet cases like Cesare Battisti, who accuses his origin country of disrespecting human rights during his judgment. Brazilian Justice Ministry Tarso Genro did welcome his presentation and gave shelter to him as a political refugee. Until then, he was living in France, protected from extradition by a law decreed by President François Mitterrand. The French Parliament brought it down and Battisti escaped to Brazil. The Brazilian polemical decision has surrounded through political, diplomatical, historical and several spheres. He denies and rebounds all accusations against him, affirming that he is pursued now because he is an historical archive. The whole world is looking upon us now, waiting for the next round.
*www.wikipedia.org.
The effective protection to international refugees was implemented by the League of Nations in 1919, also its birth date, although refugees are as ancient as the mankind. However, as we can see when we look back in our political history, a treaty does not mean always real attitude in part of the governments. Anyway, together with the end of World War I, several countries had to deal with hundreds of thousands of refugees who came from Europe, a problem which kernel was, overall, the fear of persecution and prejudice suffered by those foreign people.
At that time, the international community had to determine the juridical condition of refugees, organize settlements and repatriations around the world. With the World War II, this situation took a huge proportion, and in 1947 the United Nations created the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), a body which helped, since its birth, around fifty million people to restart their lives. The first establishment for UNHCR was adapting the ancient refugees’ protection treaty, which, receiving the attention deserved and after several changes became an instrument of hope for those who had to start from scratch and action from the UN countries supporters´ leaders.
Nowadays, the world has seen refugees coming, most of all, from African countries and, sometimes, we meet cases like Cesare Battisti, who accuses his origin country of disrespecting human rights during his judgment. Brazilian Justice Ministry Tarso Genro did welcome his presentation and gave shelter to him as a political refugee. Until then, he was living in France, protected from extradition by a law decreed by President François Mitterrand. The French Parliament brought it down and Battisti escaped to Brazil. The Brazilian polemical decision has surrounded through political, diplomatical, historical and several spheres. He denies and rebounds all accusations against him, affirming that he is pursued now because he is an historical archive. The whole world is looking upon us now, waiting for the next round.
*www.wikipedia.org.
You've done great!
Douglas, my dear brother, I can't say how proud I am of your hard work and dedication. I'm sure the knowledge you have acquired during the past few months will make a lot of difference in your life from now on.
It's really good to have an older brother like you... Someone I can look up to!
Best Regards...
Maurício.
Political refugee
The recent events involving Cesare Battisti, Italian activist who had granted status of political refugee in Brazil, has been source of diplomatic misunderstanding between those countries. Born 18 December 1954, Cesare Battisti “is an Italian writer and a former member of the Armed Proletarians for Communism, a far left group which supported violent revolution during Italy’s period of terrorist attacks”* , in the seventies.
The effective protection to international refugees was implemented by the League of Nations in 1919, also its birth date, although refugees are as ancient as the mankind. Wherever, as we can see when we look back in our political history, a treaty does not mean always real attitude in part of the governments. Anyway, together with the end of First World War, several countries had to deal with hundreds of thousands of refugees who came from Europe, a problem which kernel was, overall, the fear of persecution and prejudice suffered for those foreign people.
At that time, the international community had to determine the juridical condition of refugees, organize settlements and repatriations around the world. With the Second World War, this situation took a huge proportion, and in 1947 the United Nations Organization created the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), a body who helped, since your birth, around fifty millions of people to restart their lives. The first establishment for UNHCR was adapting the ancient refugees’ protection treaty, which, receiving the attention deserved and after several changes became an instrument of hope for those who had to start from the scratch and action from the UN countries supporters´ leaders.
Nowadays, the world see refugees coming, most of all, from African countries and, sometimes, we meet cases like Cesare Battisti, who accuses his origin country of disrespecting human rights during his judgment. Brazilian Justice Ministry Tarso Genro did welcome his presentation and gave shelter to him as a political refugee. Until then, he was living in France, protected from extradition by a law decreed by President François Mitterrand. The French Parliament brought it down and Battisti escaped to Brazil. The Brazilian polemical decision has surrounded through political, diplomatical, historical and several spheres. He denies and rebounds all accusations against him, affirming that he is persecute now because he is an historical archive. The hole world is looking upon us now, waiting for the next round.
*www.wikipedia.org
The effective protection to international refugees was implemented by the League of Nations in 1919, also its birth date, although refugees are as ancient as the mankind. Wherever, as we can see when we look back in our political history, a treaty does not mean always real attitude in part of the governments. Anyway, together with the end of First World War, several countries had to deal with hundreds of thousands of refugees who came from Europe, a problem which kernel was, overall, the fear of persecution and prejudice suffered for those foreign people.
At that time, the international community had to determine the juridical condition of refugees, organize settlements and repatriations around the world. With the Second World War, this situation took a huge proportion, and in 1947 the United Nations Organization created the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), a body who helped, since your birth, around fifty millions of people to restart their lives. The first establishment for UNHCR was adapting the ancient refugees’ protection treaty, which, receiving the attention deserved and after several changes became an instrument of hope for those who had to start from the scratch and action from the UN countries supporters´ leaders.
Nowadays, the world see refugees coming, most of all, from African countries and, sometimes, we meet cases like Cesare Battisti, who accuses his origin country of disrespecting human rights during his judgment. Brazilian Justice Ministry Tarso Genro did welcome his presentation and gave shelter to him as a political refugee. Until then, he was living in France, protected from extradition by a law decreed by President François Mitterrand. The French Parliament brought it down and Battisti escaped to Brazil. The Brazilian polemical decision has surrounded through political, diplomatical, historical and several spheres. He denies and rebounds all accusations against him, affirming that he is persecute now because he is an historical archive. The hole world is looking upon us now, waiting for the next round.
*www.wikipedia.org
sexta-feira, 30 de janeiro de 2009
From Minister Celso Amorim to Secretary Hillary Clinton
Message from Minister Celso Amorim to the Secretary of State of the United States of America, Hillary Clinton
Minister Celso Amorim sent, on January 21, the following message of congratulations to the Secretary of State of the United States of America, Hillary Clinton:
“Her Excellency
Mrs. Hillary Clinton
Secretary of State of the United States of America
I am most pleased to congratulate you upon taking office as Secretary of State, while offering my warm wishes for your success at this juncture when the profound transformations in the international system make diplomacy and dialogue even more crucial.
I share the confidence that you have demonstrated, time and time again, in strengthening multilateralism and building consensus, both of which are essential tools for achieving the goal of establishing an international order that is more balanced, inclusive and fair.
You take office at a particularly auspicious time in the relationship between Brazil and the United States. I am certain that we will work together to create new opportunities for bilateral partnership and for strengthening the friendship that unites our two peoples.
I reiterate my wish to have an early opportunity to congratulate you in person and to begin our joint endeavors at a mutually convenient date.
Warm regards,
Celso Amorim
Minister of Foreign Relations.”
From the Brazilian Ministry of External Relations site.
Minister Celso Amorim sent, on January 21, the following message of congratulations to the Secretary of State of the United States of America, Hillary Clinton:
“Her Excellency
Mrs. Hillary Clinton
Secretary of State of the United States of America
I am most pleased to congratulate you upon taking office as Secretary of State, while offering my warm wishes for your success at this juncture when the profound transformations in the international system make diplomacy and dialogue even more crucial.
I share the confidence that you have demonstrated, time and time again, in strengthening multilateralism and building consensus, both of which are essential tools for achieving the goal of establishing an international order that is more balanced, inclusive and fair.
You take office at a particularly auspicious time in the relationship between Brazil and the United States. I am certain that we will work together to create new opportunities for bilateral partnership and for strengthening the friendship that unites our two peoples.
I reiterate my wish to have an early opportunity to congratulate you in person and to begin our joint endeavors at a mutually convenient date.
Warm regards,
Celso Amorim
Minister of Foreign Relations.”
From the Brazilian Ministry of External Relations site.
terça-feira, 27 de janeiro de 2009
The Gaza strip conflict
My beloved teacher, we are going to talk about this text tonight. By now, I tried to correct your appointments. Thank you in advance.
The conflict we are testifying, between the State of Palestine and Israel has its origin at the banishment of Jews from Judea (It would be called Palestine only on 19th century) by the Roman Empire on 135 A.D. This fact gave rise to Zionism, doctrine whose core is the reestablishment of the Israeli State and the largest concentration possible of Jews in an anonymous national unity, situated in the ancient Judea.
In 1897, the first Zionist World Congress created the Zionist World Organization, with purpose of raising funds to the Jewish National Fund, which would buy proprieties in Palestine. From that beginning, the immigration to that area increased potentially, and in 1947 there were more than six hundred thousand Jewish people living there.
This immigration was broaden by the Nazism persecution, when more than six million Jews were sacrificed, creating thus an exodus of this population to Palestine. On May 14th, 1948, the State of Israel declared its independence, not accepted by the Arab community, represented by Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and The Emirate of Transjordan, that invaded the new nation a day after it was born.
In spite of being a newborn nation, Israel was victorious on its first campaign, conquering an eight thousand squared kilometers territory, including Nazareth and the western side of Jerusalem. Cisjordan and Gaza strip were refuge for more than five hundred thousand Arabs.
Since then, Israel got in three more belligerent events. The most significant was six-day war, from June 5th to 10th, in 1967, with the Israeli occupation of Sinai, Jerusalem and Cisjordan, redrawing the Middle East map.
Nowadays, only in Gaza strip, there are more than one million and five hundred thousand Arabs living in destitution and poverty. Because of this historical situation, Israel and those communities which support them have been targets of terrorist groups’ attacks.
Some analysts say there is only one alternative to this conflict: the 'one-state' solution, where Palestinian and Israeli population would share the territory from the Mediterranean coast to Jordanian border. As the world has seen, missing diplomatic relations do not aim to a peaceful solution in a medium term.
quinta-feira, 22 de janeiro de 2009
The Gaza Strip Conflict
The Zionism and the Palestinian people.
The conflict we are testimony, between the State of Palestine and Israel has its birthplace at the banishment of the Jews from Judea by the Roman Empire on 135 A .D. This fact origineted the Zionism, doctrine which core is the reestablishment of the Israeli State and the concentration of the larger number of Jews as possible on an anonymous national unity, situated in Palestine .On 1897, the first Zionist World Congress created the Zionist World Organization, with the purpose of raising funds to the Jewish National Fund, which would buy proprieties on Palestine . From that beginning, the immigration to Palestine increased potentially, and in 1947 there were more than 600 thousand Jewish people in Palestine .This immigration were broaden by the Nazism persecution, when more than 6 million Jews were sacrificed, creating thus an exodus of this population to Palestine . On may 14th of 1948, the State of Israel declared its independence, not accepted by the Arab community, represented by Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and the Emirate of Transjordan, that invaded the new nation at the day after it was born. Despite of being a newborn nation, Israel was victorious on its first campaign, conquering an 8 thousand km2 territory, including Nazareth and the western side of Jerusalem . Cisjordan and Gaza strip were the refuge for more than 500 thousand Arabs. Israel got in three more belligerent events after 1949. The most significant were the six-days war, from June 5th to 10th, in 1967, with the Israeli occupation of Sinai, Jerusalem and Cisjordan, redrawing the Middle East map.
Nowadays, only in Gaza strip there are more than 1.5 million of Arabs living in destitution and poverty. Because of this historical situation, Israel and those communities which supports them, has been targets of terrorist groups attacks.
The conflict we are testimony, between the State of Palestine and Israel has its birthplace at the banishment of the Jews from Judea by the Roman Empire on 135 A .D. This fact origineted the Zionism, doctrine which core is the reestablishment of the Israeli State and the concentration of the larger number of Jews as possible on an anonymous national unity, situated in Palestine .On 1897, the first Zionist World Congress created the Zionist World Organization, with the purpose of raising funds to the Jewish National Fund, which would buy proprieties on Palestine . From that beginning, the immigration to Palestine increased potentially, and in 1947 there were more than 600 thousand Jewish people in Palestine .This immigration were broaden by the Nazism persecution, when more than 6 million Jews were sacrificed, creating thus an exodus of this population to Palestine . On may 14th of 1948, the State of Israel declared its independence, not accepted by the Arab community, represented by Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and the Emirate of Transjordan, that invaded the new nation at the day after it was born. Despite of being a newborn nation, Israel was victorious on its first campaign, conquering an 8 thousand km2 territory, including Nazareth and the western side of Jerusalem . Cisjordan and Gaza strip were the refuge for more than 500 thousand Arabs. Israel got in three more belligerent events after 1949. The most significant were the six-days war, from June 5th to 10th, in 1967, with the Israeli occupation of Sinai, Jerusalem and Cisjordan, redrawing the Middle East map.
Nowadays, only in Gaza strip there are more than 1.5 million of Arabs living in destitution and poverty. Because of this historical situation, Israel and those communities which supports them, has been targets of terrorist groups attacks.
sábado, 10 de janeiro de 2009
Time Pink Floyd
Time Pink Floyd
Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day
You fritter and waste the hours in an off hand way
Kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town
Waiting for someone or something to show you the way
Tired of lying in the sunshine staying home to watch the rain
You are young and life is long and there is time to kill today
And then one day you find ten years have got behind you
No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun
And you run and you run to catch up with the sun, but its sinking
And racing around to come up behind you again
The sun is the same in the relative way, but youre older
Shorter of breath and one day closer to death
Every year is getting shorter, never seem to find the time
Plans that either come to naught or half a page of scribbled lines
Hanging on in quiet desperation is the english way
The time is gone, the song is over, thought Id something more to say
Home, home again
I like to be here when I can
And when I come home cold and tired
Its good to warm my bones beside the fire
Far away across the field
The tolling of the iron bell
Calls the faithful to their knees
To hear the softly spoken magic spells.
Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day
You fritter and waste the hours in an off hand way
Kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town
Waiting for someone or something to show you the way
Tired of lying in the sunshine staying home to watch the rain
You are young and life is long and there is time to kill today
And then one day you find ten years have got behind you
No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun
And you run and you run to catch up with the sun, but its sinking
And racing around to come up behind you again
The sun is the same in the relative way, but youre older
Shorter of breath and one day closer to death
Every year is getting shorter, never seem to find the time
Plans that either come to naught or half a page of scribbled lines
Hanging on in quiet desperation is the english way
The time is gone, the song is over, thought Id something more to say
Home, home again
I like to be here when I can
And when I come home cold and tired
Its good to warm my bones beside the fire
Far away across the field
The tolling of the iron bell
Calls the faithful to their knees
To hear the softly spoken magic spells.
Is it any wonder
Is it any wonder?
KEANE
I.. I always thought that I knew
I'd always have the right to
be living in the kingdom of the good and true and so on
But now I think I was wrong
and you were laughing along
And now I look a fool for thinking you were on...
My side,
Is it any wonder I'm tired?
Is it any wonder that I feel uptight?
Is it any wonder I don't know what's right?
Sometimes it's hard to know where I stand,
it's hard to know where I am,
Well maybe it's a puzzle I don't understand.
Sometimes I get the feeling that I'm
stranded in the wrong time
where love is just a lyric in a children's rhyme, a soundbite
Is it any wonder I'm tired?
Is it any wonder that I feel uptight?
Is it any wonder I don't know what's right?
Oh, these days, after all the misery you made,
Is it any wonder that I feel afraid?
Is it any wonder that I feel betrayed?
Nothing left inside this bold cathedral,
just the sad, lonely spires,
How do you make it right?
Oh, but you try,
Is it any wonder I'm tired?
Is it any wonder that I feel uptight?
Is it any wonder I don't know what's right?
Oh, these days, after all the misery you made,
Is it any wonder that I feel afraid?
Is it any wonder that I feel betrayed?
KEANE
I.. I always thought that I knew
I'd always have the right to
be living in the kingdom of the good and true and so on
But now I think I was wrong
and you were laughing along
And now I look a fool for thinking you were on...
My side,
Is it any wonder I'm tired?
Is it any wonder that I feel uptight?
Is it any wonder I don't know what's right?
Sometimes it's hard to know where I stand,
it's hard to know where I am,
Well maybe it's a puzzle I don't understand.
Sometimes I get the feeling that I'm
stranded in the wrong time
where love is just a lyric in a children's rhyme, a soundbite
Is it any wonder I'm tired?
Is it any wonder that I feel uptight?
Is it any wonder I don't know what's right?
Oh, these days, after all the misery you made,
Is it any wonder that I feel afraid?
Is it any wonder that I feel betrayed?
Nothing left inside this bold cathedral,
just the sad, lonely spires,
How do you make it right?
Oh, but you try,
Is it any wonder I'm tired?
Is it any wonder that I feel uptight?
Is it any wonder I don't know what's right?
Oh, these days, after all the misery you made,
Is it any wonder that I feel afraid?
Is it any wonder that I feel betrayed?
First Entry
Today we're talking about go and been to.
Mr. Freitas is not here. He went to a meeting.
Have you ever been to Mexico? (once in your lifetime).
Direct Speech
"How IS my accomodation going to be?"
Indirect Speech
Tell me how my accomodation IS going to be.
Mr. Freitas is not here. He went to a meeting.
Have you ever been to Mexico? (once in your lifetime).
Direct Speech
"How IS my accomodation going to be?"
Indirect Speech
Tell me how my accomodation IS going to be.
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