Santa Casa

What is happening in Portugal's Santa Casa is a show of bad governance and a stark reminder of the importance of meritocracy and why public (and semi-public) top executives should be appointed through clear and transparent processes.

Proud

Looking at images from the 25th April Walk in Avenida da Liberdade in Lisbon. I am really proud at the turnout and the atmosphere. And I feel a bit jealous for not being there.

On civility

By Bill Clinton.

Democracy only works if we treat each other with respect and decency. On the anniversary of the Oklahoma City Bombing, President Clinton reflects on the importance of civility in our politics. pic.twitter.com/tYshAtjj5J

— attn (@attn) April 19, 2024

Round tables

Some round tables are rounder than others. Some might even be a bit squarer. And others seem to have been designed with obstacles, to guide the conversations.

Look at a typical American panel or round table. There are conversations flowing, opinions, everybody talks to everyone, polite disagreement.

Look at a Portuguese panel in a conference. Everyone sits on their chairs, well-behaved. There are questions from the anchor. There are answers from the panelists. Sequencially, from the left panelist to the right one. No panelist talks directly to another one, God forbids! And, of course, everyone is in agreement.

Dislike

A sentence I truly dislike - "The EU gives funds". The European Union doesn't "give", it lends, and only with enough assurances that the money will be paid back. So each and every cent should be carefully invested.

Today is a special day

It is the day to vote and choose a Government.

Why reading matters so much to freedom

Read this text from José Pacheco Pereira (in Portuguese). Is worth your time, believe me.

https://www.publico.pt/2024/03/09/opiniao/opiniao/ler-conta-liberdade-2083066