Lula, Loved and Hated

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What a new president in Brazil could mean for science

I cannot tell you why Lula is loved and hated without some history ... His name is Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, or simply Lula. He was born in 1945, the seventh or eight children to poor farmers. His first jobs were as a street vender, shoe shiner and later a factory worker. This is where he became interested in the union. He had little education but moved up the ranks of the Worker's Party. In 1986 elected Federal Deputy of Sao Paulo and eventually in 1989 he ran for the Presidential election of Brazil, he lost. And again in 1994 and lost, and in 1998 and lost again. But, in 2002 he ran and was elected President. This is a man who does not give up ! His reforms were Zero Hunger, health care expansion, family allowance, wage increases. Lula played a prominent role in foreign policy globally. His presidency began well, with wonderful reforms that lifted millions from poverty. But there were scandals of parliamentary vote buying, and money laundering where he would conceal the origin of money, there were some very shady activities in Lula's world. He was given the name of "nine finger Lula." Never mind, he was re-elected in 2006 till 2010 when he was defeated. He had become the most loved president by the people ever ! He remained politically active, though he was charged with crimes of corruption. He tried for the 2018 Presidency but was disqualified. In this campaign his car was shot at and he was shot, rocks were also thrown. He was sentenced to nine and a half years in jail but his appeal was successful and he was set free. There was a demonstrations while he was in jail by supporters shouting 'free Lula'. He must have had some good lawyers. He does have powerful friends watching his back for sure ! In 2020 he ran for the Presidency again, winning and was sworn in on January 1, 2023. However, his term is plagued with corruption and scandal so numerous I do not have room here for each offense. Accused of lucrative deals with construction companies and oil companies, giving favors and inflated contracts, also influence peddling, bribes. Now, there are Pro and Anti Lula groups demonstrating. Not as loved . . . ______________________ April 25, 2023 Poetry/Verse/Lula, Loved and Hated Copyright Protected, ID 04-1542-698-25 All Rights Reserved, 2023, Constance La France Written for the Standard contest, They Say He's A Loser sponsor, Joe Maverick, Judged 05/23/2023 First Place

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