World Cup host Brazil worth a closer look

For an ongoing and deadly serious news story, the Edward Snowden/US intelligence leaks saga often seems loaded with slapstick comedy.

For example, Snowden’s revelations that the US has spied on Germany, Mexico and Brazil seem to have come as an appalling shock to our national news media, not to mention Brazilian president Dilma Rouseff, who last month canceled a trip to the US as proof of her nation’s displeasure.

The US ambassador to Mexico was summoned to explain and/or apologize. Brazil’s foreign minister called it “an inadmissible and unacceptable violation of Brazilian sovereignty.”

And so it seemed we were all supposed to be distressed and astonished to learn that we have been spying on those countries. After all, what have Germany, Mexico and Brazil ever done to threaten our security? Hmm. Forgiv eme, but I saw it the other way. I’d have been far more distressed and astonished to learn that we weren’t spying on those countries.

And with Brazil hosting both next year’s soccer World Cup — for which the US team has qualified—and the 2016 Summer Olympics (already the target of murderous terrorists), I can’t think of a better country to which the CIA could turn its preemptive attention, especially given that money-spending North Americans are most welcome to attend.

But not once have I heard a TV news panel of experts discuss Snowden’s security breaches on espionage framed as a “So what?” or a “Well, I hope so,” or mocked as a “No kidding!”

The US spies on countries friendly, hostile and in between?Who knew?

During World War I — but before the US’s entry—President Woodrow Wilson, to prove America’s neutrality, allowed the German embassy full access to cable lines in and out of this country. On America’s behalf, Wilson pursued the high moral ground.

Germany used those lines to transmit the infamous “Zimmerman Note,” promising Mexico the return of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona if its armies invaded the US. Hate when that happens!

As a kid, I recall the 1960 U2 spy plane episode, when a US surveillance jet, piloted by Francis Gary Powers, was shot down over the Soviet Union.

The Eisenhower White House at first denied all Soviet claims that it was a spy plane, which then—and today — seemed ridiculous. We were caught—caught doing the prudent thing.

It would have been far more scandalous if the US wasn’t aggressively spying on the USSR—and vice versa. Why play stupid?

President Eisenhower might’ve saved more face had he said, “Of course we spy on the Soviet Union, and, of course, the Soviet Union spies on us. We know it, they know it; the world knows it! This time we got caught. Let Powers go, and we’ll owe ya one.”

And, in time — 19 months later — that’s what happened; Powers was swapped for Soviet intelligence officer Rudolf Abel.

But the common sense of matters rarely seems to break through when left to those who provide sage opinions in roundtable or panel discussions while attached to microphones and surrounded by TV cameras.

“Snowden Leaks Reveal US Spied On Mexico, Brazil, Germany!” Yeah? So what?

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WNBC-Ch. 4 News has broken deeper ground in the shameless attachment of news to network prime-time promotion.

Last month, during both Ch. 4’s 5 and 6 p.m. reports, weatherman Steve Villanueva provided the forecast while in a remote — standing on the set of “Million Second Quiz,” which, as was made repeatedly clear, would appear that night on NBC.

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Our new favorite TV ad: The Senior Life Insurance Co. is advertising funeral insurance — “We’ll pay up to $30,000 for funeral and other final expenses”—but the offer is age-restrictive. The ad begins with, “If you are age 85 or younger . . . ”

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What's Your Take?

Ana N.
Ana N.

Forgive me, but this article completely lacks insight. Firstly, you cannot compare US and Brazil to US and USSR. There are few clashing ideologies and politics, no war, no arms race, no strong resentment on either side. The US does not see a Catholic South American democracy-embracing nation as a threat, and Brazil's culture just doesn't host that kind of resentment. Secondly, the playing field is uneven. In the 1960s, US technology was limited. It could only monitor suspect individuals and organizations, which is pretty much not up for dispute. It could not collect data on everyone like the NSA can today and did. Thirdly, we have friendly relations with Brazil, and it is in US interest to preserve it. If you spy on the USSR in the 60s, no one cares only because you're not friends to begin with. Fourthly, there are always security measures at the World Cup and you should take the appropriate measures...but citizens? Petrobras? Seriously? And again, forgive me, but this piece has an egocentric air to it. The WC is not about US vs the world, and certainly not about US vs Brazil. If anyone wants the WC (and the Olympics) to go well, it's Brazil. It's everyone who has citizens going there. An attack (or whatever you're thinking of) at such an event is an attack on the whole world. 

Lucas Monteiro
Lucas Monteiro

Of course. The US was spying on the Brazilian Oil Company to protect US citizens that will come to the World Cup.

James Allen
James Allen

Of course it's age restrictive, it's life insurance. What's your point?

Ana N.
Ana N.

I think the best way for the US to patch up relations is to offer resources so that Brazil may provide the best security at the WC. Brazil has a pretty big problem with poverty, and I promise you there will be plenty of non-politically-motivated crime, and you won't be able to monitor it through the Internet. Personally, I would be very happy to see this happen.

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