Brazil elects first female president

KINGVictor

Dilma Rousseff has officially being announced as the winner of the Brazilian presidential elections, she officially takes over from the well-liked Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Source:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11662623

She is the first woman to lead Brazil, a country that seems to be getting it's act right in terms of developmental goals.

It is refreshing to see that some parts of the world are breaking the glass-ceiling that act as constraints for particular segments of the society.

I am not particularly familiar with her background and the political intricasies surrounding her election, but I think it is welcome news nonetheless...

squod

I heard it was a close shave.

starbelgrade

I wonder if she has a brazilian?

ejmaztec

Nuts.

pickarooney

KINGVictor wrote: »

It is refreshing to see that some parts of the world are breaking the glass-ceiling that act as constraints for particular segments of the society.

A few South American countries have had female leaders or opposition leaders - the glass ceiling is more of social/ethnic one there.

Liveit

I don't know why, but when I read brazilian I thought she was going to be hot

pickarooney

I don't know why but when I read the title I thought the thread would be full of brain-dead comments about her appearance.

DOC09UNAM

Who gives a fúck, we have a female president and the country is in shít.

Superbus

Weird that she used to be a violent Marxist. Whatever works for Brazil I guess.

Jumpy

Superbus wrote: »

Weird that she used to be a violent Marxist. Whatever works for Brazil I guess.

Is that where someone puts on a fake nose, mustache and glasses and beats the **** outta people?

mikom

KINGVictor wrote: »

It is refreshing to see that some parts of the world are breaking the glass-ceiling.

Heard she had to squat on it to get the job.

Superbus

Jumpy wrote: »

Is that where someone puts on a fake nose, mustache and glasses and beats the **** outta people?

Unfortunately no. The October Revolution would have been a lot more hilarious if so.

FruitLover

pickarooney wrote: »

I don't know why but when I read the title I thought the thread would be full of brain-dead comments about her appearance.

Brain-dead comments?

On After Hours???

What has the world come to!! :eek: :eek:

squod

Liveit wrote: »

I don't know why, but when I read brazilian I thought she was going to be hot

.I..

Sisko

Its 2010 I didn't really think a women getting elected president of a country to be shocking enough to make a thread about, there's been many female leaders


I almost see it as a little insulting to her and her country that someone would think that the fact she was a women and still won to be something to make a thread about.

Although I know you mean well op.

Princess Peach

Sisko wrote: »

Its 2010 I didn't really think a women getting elected president of a country to be shocking enough to make a thread about, there's been many female leaders


I almost see it as a little insulting to her and her country that someone would think that the fact she was a women and still won to be something to make a thread about.

Although I know you mean well op.

There really aren't that many female leaders! Name one very famous female leader of a country? All the powerful countries still have male leaders and many never had female leaders. Sharing this information is a good thing, the fact that a woman was elected president is a rare news item and deserves a thread I feel. We need some female empowerment around here

Sisko

The most powerful country in Europe says hello.

Mrmoe

Princess Peach wrote: »

There really aren't that many female leaders! Name one very famous female leader of a country? All the powerful countries still have male leaders and many never had female leaders. Sharing this information is a good thing, the fact that a woman was elected president is a rare news item and deserves a thread I feel. We need some female empowerment around here

Merkel
Thatcher
Bhutto
Cristina Fernández de Kirchner
Hillary Clinton

There are many more as well.

MagicMarker

Mrmoe wrote: »

Merkel
Thatcher
Bhutto
Cristina Fernández de Kirchner
Hillary Clinton

There are many more as well.

Yes but they didn't have lovely bottoms!

southsiderosie

Princess Peach wrote: »

There really aren't that many female leaders! Name one very famous female leader of a country? All the powerful countries still have male leaders and many never had female leaders. Sharing this information is a good thing, the fact that a woman was elected president is a rare news item and deserves a thread I feel. We need some female empowerment around here

Thatcher and Merkel would be the most famous, I suppose. Technically Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state, but I'm assuming you mean elected/parliamentary leaders.

There have been many in Latin America: Violette Chamorro (Nicaragua), Michele Bachelet (Chile), Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner (Argentina), Laura Chinchilla (Costa Rica), and of course, Eva Peron.

Personally, I am a bit skeptical about the new president in Brazil. She has never actually held elected office; she is just Lula's "chosen one" and riding the coattails of his popularity. This isn't to say that presidents don't help shape who follows them, but at least the Green Party candidate Marina Silva had a long history as a political activist.

I also don't think woman = great leader, Thatcher being a prime example...

Sisko

Wow someones very tuned in^



Fair play

pickarooney

Mrmoe wrote: »

Merkel
Thatcher
Bhutto
Cristina Fernández de Kirchner
Hillary Clinton

There are many more as well.

Did I miss something?

Indira Gandhi or Golda Meir maybe?

Although, to her credit, Rousseff doesn't seem to have gained office via nepotism, unlike many of the above.

Princess Peach

Sisko wrote: »

The most powerful country in Europe says hello.

Must have missed that thread! I like it

southsiderosie

Sisko wrote: »

Its 2010 I didn't really think a women getting elected president of a country to be shocking enough to make a thread about, there's been many female leaders

I almost see it as a little insulting to her and her country that someone would think that the fact she was a women and still won to be something to make a thread about.

Although I know you mean well op.

To be fair, it is still pretty rare. And Brazil is a huge country that is finally starting to live up to its economic potential. So it is a pretty big deal.

What I find problematic is the attitude that women political leaders will somehow make things "better" in a way than male leaders can't or won't. Sarah Palin and her pack of "momma grizzlies" are a nightmare (although the witch lady is funny). I would rather another century of all male leadership in the White House than 4 years of Sarah Palin as president.

Mrmoe

pickarooney wrote: »

Did I miss something?

Indira Gandhi or Golda Meir maybe?

Although, to her credit, Rousseff doesn't seem to have gained office via nepotism, unlike many of the above.

Probably the next US vice president and has a shot at the big seat 4 years after. You also have Nancy Pelosi and Sarah Palin. All 3 might not have the official titles but they are definitely senior leaders in their respective parties.

southsiderosie

pickarooney wrote: »

Did I miss something?

Indira Gandhi or Golda Meir maybe?

Although, to her credit, Rousseff doesn't seem to have gained office via nepotism, unlike many of the above.

Nepotism is pretty common in politics in general, regardless of gender. Certainly Irish history bears this out: how many Brutons, Lenihans and Quinns are running around?

Even if I disagree with their politics I will admit to having more respect for those leaders who really did make it on their own like Meir, Bachelet, Merkel and Thatcher. By the same token, that's always something I've liked about Bill Clinton and Lyndon Johnson: they were poor Southern good ol' boys who were very smart and worked really really hard to get to the Oval Office.

Liveit

pickarooney wrote: »

I don't know why but when I read the title I thought the thread would be full of brain-dead comments about her appearance.

I never actually said anything about HER appearance specifically :P.. just pointing out the stereotype that is in my brain

Princess Peach

southsiderosie wrote: »

To be fair, it is still pretty rare. And Brazil is a huge country that is finally starting to live up to its economic potential. So it is a pretty big deal.

What I find problematic is the attitude that women political leaders will somehow make things "better" in a way than male leaders can't or won't. Sarah Palin and her pack of "momma grizzlies" are a nightmare (although the witch lady is funny). I would rather another century of all male leadership in the White House than 4 years of Sarah Palin as president.

Absolutely whether they are a man or a woman doesn't effect how well they will run the country, depends on the person. I feel Sarah Palin was only chosen because she was a woman, and whatshisface thought it would help him get elected.

But I like to see equality in the world

I'll stop talking like I actually know a thing about politics now

southsiderosie

Mrmoe wrote: »

You also have Nancy Pelosi and Sarah Palin. All 3 might not have the official titles but they are definitely senior leaders in their respective parties.

God help us all.

pickarooney

Equality will be when we remark on what colour hat the new president of Kiribati is wearing.

amacachi

Princess Peach wrote: »

Absolutely whether they are a man or a woman doesn't effect how well they will run the country, depends on the person. I feel Sarah Palin was only chosen because she was a woman, and whatshisface thought it would help him get elected.

McCain was hugely against having Palin as his running mate but the party talked him into it as it happens.

Nevyn

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

There are currently 15 heads of state who happen to be female.

KnifeWRENCH

Sisko wrote: »

The most powerful country in Europe says hello.

Just read her Wikipedia article and found out that she studied Physics in college. I didn't realise until now that she was cool. :cool: Maybe when I get my degree I should head into politics instead of science...

Princess Peach

amacachi wrote: »

McCain was hugely against having Palin as his running mate but the party talked him into it as it happens.

McCain! That was it

pickarooney

China, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Philippines, Brazil... a lot of countries with huge populations and varying degrees of womens' rights have had female leaders, which really only goes to show how far removed politics is from real life.

KINGVictor

pickarooney wrote: »

A few South American countries have had female leaders or opposition leaders - the glass ceiling is more of social/ethnic one there.

Never said otherwise, the most recent as far as I am aware was the Argentinian female leader taking over from her "Husband"...

I did not start the thread to glorify the fact that women are able to get into leadership positions in 2010!!!....far from it.

The point is that some countries are electing leaders based on their suitability for the post rather than on trivial basis such as sex, religion, sexuality , race etc.

KnifeWRENCH

Thaedydal wrote: »

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

There are currently 15 heads of state who happen to be female.

And on top of that you have heads of government, who often have more power than the Head of State does. Off the top of my head, I know that Australia, Slovakia and Iceland all have female prime ministers (and of course Germany has a female Chancellor). Ukraine and New Zealand did until recently. I'm sure there are a lot more out there.

pickarooney

KINGVictor wrote: »

Never said otherwise, the most recent as far as I am aware was the Argentinian female leader taking over from her "Husband"...

I did not start the thread to glorify the fact that women are able to get into leadership positions in 2010!!!....far from it.

The point is that some countries are electing leaders based on their suitability for the post rather than on trivial basis such as sex, religion, sexuality , race etc.

Surely you would have titled the thread "Brazil elects first really suitable candidate" in that case?

(And if I was being disingenuous I'd wonder why you didn't start a thread on Alan Garcia or Nicolas Sarkozy)

KINGVictor

pickarooney wrote: »

Equality will be when we remark on what colour hat the new president of Kiribati is wearing.

Like some posters have rightly pointed out, there have been female presidents/Pms all over the world....which is admirable

but out of curiousity, will you vote for a female who is muslim ( Irish citizen) that you know is well qualified and capable of running the country (Ireland) over a native that you know will do a less satisfactory job??...honest answer

southsiderosie

Thaedydal wrote: »

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

There are currently 15 heads of state who happen to be female.

Thanks for posting that - the Swiss case is interesting, given how long it took women to get the vote there.

policarp

Port O Gees...

pickarooney

KINGVictor wrote: »

Like some posters have rightly pointed out, there have been female presidents/Pms all over the world....which is admirable

but out of curiousity, will you vote for a female who is muslim ( Irish citizen) that you know is well qualified and capable of running the country (Ireland) over a native that you know will do a less satisfactory job??...honest answer

Really honest answer - I can't vote in Ireland as a non-resident.
Hypothetically honest answer, given that I've never actually voted in an Irish election - definitely, if I believed she was capable of running the country.

southsiderosie

KINGVictor wrote: »

The point is that some countries are electing leaders based on their suitability for the post rather than on trivial basis such as sex, religion, sexuality , race etc.

Why do you think she is "suitable" though? She got elected because of Lula, not because of anything spectacular that she did.

I think Evo Morales' election was a much bigger breakthrough than this one, and that's largely because of his ethnicity.

pickarooney

southsiderosie wrote: »

Thanks for posting that - the Swiss case is interesting, given how long it took women to get the vote there.

Sometimes I think Switzerland is the North Korea of Europe.

I think Evo Morales' election was a much bigger breakthrough than this one, and that's largely because of his ethnicity.

He's been in power four full years - that's about 6 times the average for that job.

OK, I've just finished off a second bottle of rosé, so this will probably make no sense to anyone else, but I reckon both proponents and opponents of Evo could use the same slogan for the next election, with a comma the only extra expense.

MAS, no más
MAS no más

There's a sort of socio-economico-politico-linguistic pun in there but don't ask me to explain it.

southsiderosie

pickarooney wrote: »

He's been in power four full years - that's about 6 times the average for that job.

LOL, poor Bolivia. They've had something like a dozen presidents and four coups in the last 30 years. They had five from 2001-2006. Bolivia is part of the reason why I can't take anything that Jeffrey Sachs says seriously.

You aren't a masista?

KINGVictor

southsiderosie wrote: »

Why do you think she is "suitable" though? She got elected because of Lula, not because of anything spectacular that she did.

I think Evo Morales' election was a much bigger breakthrough than this one, and that's largely because of his ethnicity.

In the same vien, I will ask you why you think she was voted because of Lula....thats your perception which you are entitled to.

Alternatively, you can consider the fact that she was instrumental in Lula's success as president or the fact that she is an economist and was a capable chief of staff, endured years of incaseration to fight injustice, was secretary of the treasury and energy.
Its all about perception....

K-9

DOC09UNAM wrote: »

Who gives a fúck, we have a female president and the country is in shít.

Ah now, hardly comparable now.

That's like blaming the Queen in Britain for the crap they are in!

Can't think of any female politician who'd inspire me with confidence atm, though that applies to males as well!

Lucinda Creighton looks well, but that is style over substance, very quiet lately. Olwyn Enright has bowed out too.

There seems to be a lack of political talent at a younger age in this country, so it isn't a sex thing.

Stinicker

She's no Cristina Kirchner thats for sure! (Argentina's yummy el Presidente)

pickarooney

southsiderosie wrote: »

LOL, poor Bolivia. They've had something like a dozen presidents and four coups in the last 30 years. They had five from 2001-2006. Bolivia is part of the reason why I can't take anything that Jeffrey Sachs says seriously.

You aren't a masista?

I'm a masista as much as I am a River Plate fan - 2 hours of active support and a lifetime of occasional result-checking.

Ian Brown once wrote a soothsaying couplet about Bolivia's next female prez:

The Stone Roses wrote:

I have a dream, I've seen the light
Don't put it out, say she's alright, yeah, she's masista

southsiderosie

KINGVictor wrote: »

In the same vien, I will ask you why you think she was voted because of Lula....thats your perception which you are entitled to.

Alternatively, you can consider the fact that she was instrumental in Lula's success as president or the fact that she is an economist and was a capable chief of staff, endured years of incaseration to fight injustice, was secretary of the treasury and energy.
Its all about perception....

But half of the leadership of the WP spent time in jail, and there are many people who worked hard behind the scenes. There are also many who have some experience in elected office. It is a big leap from being the trusted, capable staffer of the President to the office of the Presidency of a country with the eight-largest economy in the world.

Frankly I don't think there is anything that particular about this woman - as long as they didn't have a corruption conviction behind them, I think anyone Lula put on the ballot would have won the election. He is that popular, and their economy is booming.

southsiderosie

Stinicker wrote: »

She's no Cristina Kirchner thats for sure! (Argentina's yummy el Presidente)

Ahem.

La Presidenta.

pickarooney wrote: »

I'm a masista as much as I am a River Plate fan - 2 hours of active support and a lifetime of occasional result-checking.

Ian Brown once wrote a soothsaying couplet about Bolivia's next female prez:

Step away from the rose.