Free Republic

Brazilian ambassador in Chile described as mere “fantasy” alleged statements by President Lula da Silva particularly offensive towards Chile, Argentine president Nestor Kirchner and former Uruguayan president Jorge Batlle. “I can assure you it is all mere fantasy”, said Ambassador Mario Vilalva in Santiago adding that “I can back my words because I happened to be at the official dinner at the Brazilian Embassy in Tokyo”, when the alleged incident took place. In a book released this week titled “Travels with the President” two Brazilian journalists, Eduardo Scolese and Leonencio Nossa wrote that President Lula in the Embassy in Tokyo...

SAN ANGELO, Texas -- I am in the grips of major culture shock. I am not just talking about being unable to get the New York Times delivered each morning on my front stoop. For the last eight years, until now, I had awakened each weekday morning with the assurance that I would enter the St. Petersburg Times building, hash out the day's issues with my Editorial Board colleagues, work on my column and go home. I was responsible to Bill Maxwell. My day was done. Now, suddenly, I have 16 students in my Opinion Writing class and 26 in...