Noblat defines Dirceu as "the fool"

247 – Journalist Ricardo Noblat, a columnist for Globo, published a harsh article against former minister José Dirceu, in which he labels him as “reckless, insolent, rash, demented, precipitate, disrespectful, petulant, unwise, incautious, arrogant, deranged, impulsive, impetuous, and senseless.” Read:

José Dirceu, the fool, by Ricardo Noblat

If it depends on José Dirceu, former Chief of Staff during part of Lula's first government, things will get heated before, during, and, if necessary, after the Supreme Federal Court's (STF) trial of the mensalão scandal.

Never before in the country's recent history have the people been called upon to put pressure on a court. Well, Dirceu has begun to do so.

Bold guy!

It would be more accurate to call him reckless, imprudent, dangerous, audacious, insolent, rash, demented, impulsive, outrageous, petulant, unwise, incautious, arrogant, deranged, impulsive, impetuous, senseless – and what else? Think about it. And add to that.

Those who call themselves democrats respect the independence of the branches of government. Can they disagree with judicial decisions? Of course they can. And even criticize them with indignation.

But in the end, all that's left for him is to accept them. Tell me: what true democrat incites the people to force the Justice system to decide as he wishes?

While passing through Brasília, in a conversation with a friend a month ago, Dirceu seemed dejected and certain that he will be convicted of leading "a sophisticated criminal organization" that attempted to seize a share of the state apparatus, according to a complaint filed by the Attorney General of the Republic and accepted by the Supreme Federal Court.

He did not reveal to his friend that he had considered going into exile in Cuba or Venezuela. Once convicted, he would travel around denouncing the injustice he had suffered.

He shelved the idea. He concluded that it would be difficult to convince listeners that he was a political refugee in a country governed by his own party for almost ten years.

But he surprised his friend by revealing that the so-called "social movements" would not stand idly by in the face of his eventual conviction. He claims to have been informed that they would react through street protests.

He did not rule out the possibility that such demonstrations might happen sooner. Everything would depend on the date of the trial.

The Supreme Federal Court (STF) has scheduled the trial for next August and September.

Last Saturday afternoon, Dirceu took advantage of the 16th National Congress of the Union of Socialist Youth (UJS), linked to the PCdoB, in Rio and asked students to take to the streets in his defense. "It will be the final battle," he proclaimed gravely.

"Everyone knows this trial is a political battle. And this battle must be fought in the streets as well, because otherwise we'll only hear one voice, the voice calling for conviction, even without evidence. It's the voice of the media monopoly. I need your support," he pleaded.

The Attorney General's Office believes there is sufficient evidence to convict the 38 defendants in the Mensalão scandal. The Supreme Court agreed with this conclusion when it accepted the charges.

There are 11 judges. Lawyers with free access to the Supreme Court are betting on Dirceu's conviction by a margin of two to three votes.

Do you know who will be one of the voters in favor of acquittal? Are you sitting down? Minister Gilmar Mendes.

Why all the surprise?

If the PT were less ungrateful, they would revere Gilmar whenever he was mentioned. And they wouldn't value his temper tantrums in the slightest.

Who prevented former minister Luiz Gushiken from being included on the list of those involved in the Mensalão scandal? Gilmar.

Who sat for over a year on the process that would have prevented Aloizio Mercadante from running for Senate due to his involvement with the "crazy ones," responsible in 2006 for the false dossier against PSDB candidates? Gilmar.

Who saved former minister Antonio Palocci from conviction, despite him being accused of ordering the breach of bank secrecy of Francenildo dos Santos, the caretaker and eyewitness to his comings and goings at the affluent mansion in Lago Sul, Brasília, a haven of love and business dealings?

Oh, Gilmar. Always him.

Palocci was acquitted by a single vote.

Dirceu knows this. Just as he knows that the power of the media is declining, if we are to believe what Lula proclaims.

How do you know there is proof that the mensalão scandal existed?

Incidentally, he once remarked in an interview with Folha de S. Paulo: "I told them not to do it."

Who was he talking to? Delúbio Soares, the PT treasurer?

For José Genoino, president of the PT?

For Lula, who always swore he knew nothing?

Incidentally, Lula went on television, said he felt betrayed, and apologized to Brazilians for an episode he now calls a "farce."

He never revealed who betrayed him.

It would make no sense to apologize for a farce.

You'll see that back then he believed the mensalão scandal actually existed. Today, he doesn't believe it anymore.

"We cannot allow this process to become the judgment of our generation. Do not allow judgments outside the official record," Dirceu appealed.

The defendants in the Mensalão scandal are from several generations.

The students who listened to Dirceu are not from his generation.

Furthermore, spreading the serious suspicion that the Supreme Court might rule without considering the case files will be of no help to Dirceu.

Fernando Collor asked the people to take to the streets to defend him from the threat of impeachment.

The people took to the streets to demand impeachment.

Lula told the opposition that he would seek help from the people if they tried to remove him from power.

Timid and with a weak popular base, the opposition preferred not to take the risk.

The best thing that can happen to Dirceu is that his appeal falls on deaf ears and is quickly forgotten.