Massive Protests In Brazil Over 2014 World Cup

Massive amounts of protesters came out across Brazil last night  in protest of government spending and taxation linked to the 2014 World Cup that is being held in Brazil.

via BBC.uk

The protests, which remained mostly peaceful throughout, included the cities of Rio deJaneiro, Sao Paulo, Salvador, Curitiba, Belem and Brasilia, per The New York Times‘ Simon Romero.

Truly massive protest in Rio against fare hikes, service cuts, austerity and other forms of corruption: https://t.co/KQkiyCqJ26 @thenation

— John Nichols (@NicholsUprising) June 17, 2013

According to Reuters, over 200,000 citizens took to the streets throughout Brazil, voicing their displeasure with government spending. Currently playing host to the Confederations Cup, Brazil is in heavy preparation for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics as well. Brazil is currently in the process of renovating and constructing soccer stadiums throughout the country, many of which are now running over projected costs, and some say the total prep cost for the 2014 World Cup, could be 3 times as much as South Africa spent in 2010. To help fund the shortfall, the Brazilian government recently announced increased rates on metro and bus fares of about 10 cents.

Frustrated by the government hikes, which began on June 1, demonstrations began being organized throughout the country.

Via @USDayofRage

Police had to fire tear gas and rubber bullets into a protesting crowd in Sao Paulo last week, as a peaceful protest quickly turned violent. More than 100 people were injured, and 120 were arrested in the violent clashes. Though the demonstrations remained mostly subdued on Monday night, though there were some citizens who threw rocks at police, set fire to a car and vandalized the state assembly building in Rio.

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-Gonzo

111-Year Old Yankees Fan, Bernando LaPallo

The news has been running rampant with this whole feel good news story this past weekend. Supposedly, Bernando LaPallo here, a lifetime New York Yankees fan, is claiming to be 111 years old.

New York Daily News

I called bullshit, from the instant I saw this. There is not a chance in Hell that he is 111. In fact, in my honest blogger opinion, he is not a day older than 83. Like who is he trying to kid here, seriously? My grandfather, who is only 85, looks more frail and decrepit than Mr. LaPallo here. I know age is different, blah, blah blah, genes, blah blah blah and all this other scientific bullshit. Listen, I am not age expert, I will admit that, but I can guarantee that he is not 111 years old. 100% positive.

Today, we got more info on Bernando LaPallo and we now have some conflicting information regarding his true age. Yup, you heard right:

The Arizona resident has no way to prove his age and a consultant with Guiness World Records tells the Associated Press that verified age claim records show LaPollo was born in 1910, not 1901. That would make him 102 or 103.

So there you have it! It’s a damn hoax. Sure it’s only a 9 years difference, but 9 years when you are already knocking on Heaven’s door, is a huge difference. I see you Bernando, I see you. You can’t lie, when Gonzo the Watchdog is around.

Apparently, he claims to have met Babe Ruth, before the legend’s major league debut and that he attended Yankees games when they were known as the Highlanders and played at Hilltop Park.

^^Probably also a lie, with a little Wikipedia research, I could have made a statement like that.

Mr. LaPallo also said this about the age allegations:

LaPallo told the AP on Sunday that many people doubt him because he’s in such good condition.

“It is hard to believe,” he said by telephone. “And because I can pass for 65 or 70, people say it’s impossible.”

LaPallo’s granddaughter said his birthdate was incorrectly written down as 1910 instead of 1901 at a Social Security office in Florida during the mid-1930s. Ekayani Chamberlin, who runs a fitness Web site with her grandfather and promotes his lectures on aging, says the family doesn’t have an official record of his birth in Brazil.

Leave it up to Florida, to fuck up the birth certificate. I hate my state. So incompetent when it matters the most.

You know what! I figured it out! This is not Bernando LaPallo, nope it’s not. This is actually Al Roker. Or Al Roker’s dad. Only solution that makes a lick if sense. Mystery Solved!

Bernando LaPallo aka Al Roker

Al Roker aka Bernando LaPallo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am having some issues with the actual name of Bernando LaPallo too, specifically his last name. Yahoo news had it at “LaPollo”, which is straight batshit crazy, because The Chicken, makes zero sense for a last name. So I think I am right with “LaPallo”, plus other more credible news agencies back my claim.

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-Gonzo