Jorge Ramos is, in our opinion, the best news anchor on US television today. He’s asking the tough questions and kicking *ss.
And with Brazil 2014, he’s just given us his views in an op-ed on Fusion.
On the bureaucracy:
I have tickets for the final round of the tournament, so several weeks ago, I went to the consulate to apply for a visa for my son, who will accompany me to the matches. I arrived a little after 9 a.m. and waited more than three hours to speak to one of only two available bad-tempered officials. They do not take credit cards, nor do they answer the phone. The process is so frustrating that I saw two adults leave the consulate in tears.
On social justice:
Questions about whether the stadiums in the various cities will be completed on time are not the only concerns being raised in the media these days. Police officers are pushing deeper into Rio de Janeiro’s favelas to quell increasing violence, and in Sao Paulo and other cities, authorities are facing off against protesters who are demanding to know why the country is spending $11 billion on the World Cup rather than on new schools and hospitals.
And, finally, the bottom line:
If the national team wins the World Cup for a sixth time, all the chaos and last-minute rushing will be worth it. I am sure that even the protesters will put aside their grievances to cheer their team on in the final.
So yes, Brazil is not ready, but it doesn’t matter. All that matters is sport. All that matters is soccer.
Good luck, Brasil!!