On Saturday 9, I had this conversation with a person who sells imported boooks and magazines:
- The Economist has been blocked ("barrada"). They told me to hide this here (showing me the display with the name of the magazine)
- What you are saying!...
- It's all there in the customs. Nothing arrived here. They have already done this before, when Brazil was depicted at the edge of a cliff (referring to the cover of this other blocked edition).
- I remember, yes, this edition.
- So, then they also halt the magazine, kept holding it until they finally released it!
- jesus... (almost whispering) They - who are they?
The person does not answer promptly now. Seems to be distant thinking Afte
r a while says:
- Censhorship. the word is censorship.
Then looks at me in the eyes and says.
- Need to drink some water.
Shortly after, Saturday evening, I posted the text denouncing the boycott. YesterdayI reviewed it.
Today, reader, you can buy The Economist... the Holiday double issue (Dec 19-Jan1).
For more than a decade I had the print edition of The Economist double issue by my side, during the Christmas week. I also lived then at the same city I live now.
"The guys from distribution (logistics) are now returning from vacation", an employee at Livraria Cultura declared today. Another added, "The issue about Brazil will be here next Monday".
So, dear reader, take your pick, choose the version of the story.
I had had many conversations with the person I talked to about The Economist on Saturday. An emotionally intelligent person, smart above average, nice to talk to, and who renders any person a good service, free from prejudice and open minded.
You, dear reader, may prefer, prefer to believe The Economist is late three weeks because the dealers (who distributes) were on vacation since before Christmas until... Saturday, when I released my post. So long vacation for the first time in more than a decade. Nothing is wrong with the democracy in Brazil, except for the more than 12 bombs the police just cast on protesters, "Just" means around three hours ago. I was there. I could not imagine it was so traumatic.
Who buys an issue of a weekly magazine so late?
We are not a Spotlight here, but we are pretty lucky and as much hardworking. Lucky, of course! What are the chances of getting a person to tell us certain things spantaneously, at just the right timing?
