TODAY’S PHOTO : Thanks to Vic … A new ugly construction in Caniço de Baixo. The contagious high rise concrete eyesore disease has arrived from west Funchal, the Ajuda area (aka Chocabloca)
Front Page News : source : Diário de Notícias 18/8/2008
It’s recycled news I know, but Machico beach will be ready for use next month, probably the middle. The work is in an ‘advanced state’, and 24,000 tons of yellow sand are awaited from Morocco. €3 million will have been spent on the work. Lifeguards and free access are “guaranteed”.
Porto Santo Island has almost run out of petrol, leaving tourists with problems as taxis and tour operators are affected. With over 20,000 tourists on the island at the moment, it couldn’t have happened at a worse time. By 11am on Sunday morning only 1,500 litres were left and that was being rationed to buses, taxis and tourist transport. There could be worse places for a petrol shortage, as I think you can walk to almost any place on the island in around 2 hours.
A Madeiran man of 44 years and with 3 children, who came from Estreito was shot and killed by two men in Venezuela last week, after he had just left a bank.
The other main story was a bit technical to translate for a novice like me, but the gist of it is that the company ‘Ports of Madeira’ has gone bust after losses of €15 million. Starting yesterday the new Council of Administration for the ‘Administration of Ports of the Region Autónoma of Madeira (APRAM)’ took charge of affairs.
Other news :
Nacional beat Trofense 2 – 0 in the first round of the league cup. Marítimo get a bye because they finished in the top 6 of the league, and don’t play until January I believe.
A 16 year old boy died in hospital on Sunday afternoon, after being found motionless in the bottom of a swimming pool in Câmara de Lobos. An autopsy is to be held to determine the circumstances of the tragic event.
2 of the top 15 richest people in Portugal are Madeirans according to a published list. Joe Berardo has a fortune of €882 million (4th), and Dionísio Pestana (hotels, beer etc.) has €407 million. I just checked my wallet and I have €13 and a bit of change, I wonder where that ranks me in the list?
By the way, I have put that link about workers rights on the website under ‘working’ in the ‘Resources and Information’ section, so you don’t need to remember how to find it. I was surprised to find anything in English, though for sure it was a Portuguese initiative and not Madeiran. Thanks Elaine. Here is an extract which will immediately give you confidence that you will be considered equally alongside Madeirans for work:
Equality at work : Employers may not exercise any kind of discrimination based on background, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, family situation, genetic heritage, impaired working ability, disability or chronic disease, country of origin, ethnicity, religion, political or ideological beliefs and trade union affiliation – (LC Article 23; LCR, Article 32). There , I feel reassured already.
Aside from your valued blog responses (you can reply direct using the form at the bottom of each blog comments page), please send any unreported Madeira news, photos, events information, or snippets for the madeira4u blog to blog@madeira4u.com – anyone can join in! Thank you!
Oh how i recognise those flats – looks suspiciously like the big block next to the german sausage restaurant or further down the road towards the beach – their income should improve. At least they will have a relatively nice view compared to the blocks that overlook the motorway!!
–Pirex
To all the uneducated, stupid voters on Madeira.
Why oh why do you keep voting PSD?
For 30 years the majority of you foolishly vote for Jardim and his cronies. Can’t you see he is raping you of everything. You naive lot. Can’t you read the papers that print the stuff Der translates? Can’t you watch the news? Are you all deaf, dumb and blind?
In the end it takes a foreigner to tell it like it is. Well peopele of Madeira you are all idiots as Der has indicated on this blog many times. You have all been put to shame as Der exposes the PSD for what it really is. You silly bunch. Have you no brain cells? Jardim is a fraud. A lier. The PSD is riddled with corruption. People of Madeira hang your heads in shame for letting this beast rule over you for 30 years. The future is bright but it is not orange. And if you vote for PSD again you will have to answer to the wrath of Der. So be afraid because he is pals with the one known as ‘Rabbit’.
But fear not my Madeiran friends. To save you from a life of PSD hell and further Der bashing here is the secret to changing your government.
In the future to make it very simple and easy for the slightly backward voter here is a step by step guide:
DON’T VOTE FOR PSD. (that’s the orange one with an arrow pointing up)
DO VOTE FOR THE POLITICIAN THAT NEVER LIES
DO VOTE FOR THE PARTY WITH NO CORRUPTION
DO VOTE FOR THE PARTY WITHOUT SCANDAL
See it’s easy. Well for the well educated foreign folk anyway. Good luck with that.
And thanks Der for changing the face of Madeiran politics forever. The peoples champion!
GOOD DAY,Prime Minister José Sócrates
I SEE YOU ARE OFF YOUR MEDICATION AGAIN.
YOU SAY DO VOTE FOR THE POLITICIAN THAT NEVER LIES!!!!!
WE HAVE A SAYING HERE AT THE CENTER OF THE WORLD QUESTION:"HOW CAN YOU TELL WHEN A POLITICIAN IS A LIAR ANSWER HIS LIPS ARE MOVING. WE ARE ALL CORRUPT IT IS JUST WE ARE MORE CORRUPT.
MR DER YOU HAVE MADE THE LITTLE MISTAKE THAT YOU MISS THAT I WII BE OPENING Machico beach.
President Jardim
Sorry President Jardim. The above does not meet with the required Der standards! We operate a zero corruption policy.
When are the next elections?
Put myself forward and stand as a candidate.
What's the portuguese for "Democratic Raving Loony Party"?
–Wally Duckett iv.
Sorry Wally but these stupid Madeirans already vote for them!
No we need something original. Remember the majority of voters here are as thick as two short planks!
Hi folks,
Are you responsible for the government of the UK? Are you proud of its achievements? To call the whole population of Madeira stupid, our host country is not in good taste.
Cheers
Alan f
Hi folks,
Are you responsible for the government of the UK? Are you proud of its achievements? To call the whole population of Madeira stupid, our host country is not in good taste.
Cheers
Alan f
Alan. No no. Myself and Der just think that anyone who has voted PSD in the past must be a few sandwiches short of a picnic which just happens to be the majority of Madeirans.
So now we are looking for a party with a zero corruption/scandal record and a politiion that never lies.
After that we will turn our attention to the UK and kick Brown into touch too.
The mighty will fall one by one.
We are the revolutionaries!
Alan. No no. Myself and Der just think that anyone who has voted PSD in the past must be a few sandwiches short of a picnic which just happens to be the majority of Madeirans.
So now we are looking for a party with a zero corruption/scandal record and a politiion that never lies.
After that we will turn our attention to the UK and kick Brown into touch too.
The mighty will fall one by one.
We are the revolutionaries!
Having been out since mid day, I am a little surprised to say the least that the blog today has had so much interest and so many responses.
I always sit on the fence on such matters, but allow free speech, but please don't post anonomously … but use a pseudonym if you wish.
On specific points made :
DO VOTE FOR THE POLITICIAN THAT NEVER LIES – a rare beast
DO VOTE FOR THE PARTY WITH NO CORRUPTION – the sister of a rare beast
DO VOTE FOR THE PARTY WITHOUT SCANDAL – the wife of an uncle of a rare beast
In other words we are looking for a very rare beast.
Aside from being an idiot I have no grudge against Jardim, after all I am just a foreigner and guest on this island and my taxes count, but not my opinion.
Thanks for all the flattery Anon, but I am not the revolutionary you are looking for. Democracy rules, and if the people vote for Jardim then that is what we are stuck with … no complaints.
–Der
PS
1. I have never accused the people of Madeira as being idiots, and I certainly don't think that, and you are bang out of order … as I said democracy rules.
2. The man known as 'Rabbit' is probably on his way out of this world, but will have my respect for raising some touchy issues. I have never actually met the guy though.
3. "The future is bright but it is not orange." Are you a Brit by any chance … Carlos is that you reformed?
4. Re Machico beach .. glad to hear you will be opening it … how will I know you from the other hammer head sharks along that coast?
5. Wally Duckett iv. thanks for you intriguing question .. what was it again?
6. Coral is the best beer on Madeira, I have been out researching it again this afternoon
–Der
Oh and finally .. thanks Pirex for being so sensible and constructive … I hope you have not been put off by todays sillyness
–Der
I love the people of this island, you and I know that they would NEVER say such things about as a Brit with a government that is no better. Please put UK in order first. I respectfully ask you to respect your host more. I would be ashamed if one of my neighbors read some of these comments
Cheers
Alan F
I agree completely with Alan F, I too would be very upset if my neighbours read this rubbish, I am beginning to think that these blogs attract complete nutters who just like their few minutes of fame. I for one will now stop reading this childish nonsense
–Jen
ditto
Perhaps a joke TOO far
–Don
To Jen, Don and everyone else. Don't leave, stay and make your voice heard Cheers
Alan