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Gil DePaula
History tells us that the great American general George Marshall had a long-standing rivalry with General Douglas MacArthur, an equally iconic but controversial figure, known for his inflated ego and often defiant public statements.
During World War II and the Korean War, MacArthur had several disputes with the U.S. government and other military leaders, including President Harry Truman. MacArthur was famous for his harsh criticism and, on many occasions, expressed disdain for Marshall.
After the war, in a meeting with reporters, Marshall was asked about MacArthur. Many expected him to criticize the general, especially given the tensions that had occurred between them. However, Marshall surprised everyone with his response: “MacArthur is one of the greatest soldiers this country has ever produced.”
This response demonstrated Marshall’s greatness of character. Instead of resorting to personal attacks, he acknowledged the value of his adversary, showing that truly great leaders do not hold grudges or act out of revenge.
Expecting little men to have grand attitudes, however, may be asking too much. This reality is unequivocally evidenced by Minister Alexandre de Moraes, who, under the pretext of defending democracy, defies the Constitution, the other constituted powers, and, bordering on insanity, investigates, judges, punishes, and imprisons anyone he considers a threat to the rule of law—a concept he himself distorts. Businesspeople, journalists, congressmen, elderly people, women, young people, or military personnel: merely expressing opinions contrary to what he deems correct is enough to make them a target of his actions. Moraes is widely applauded by the left, which sees him as an effective instrument against the right.
In his crusade for the “defense of democracy,” Moraes has discarded freedom of expression and revived censorship, which everyone had hoped had been permanently buried after the military period. His censorial zeal knows no bounds, increasingly becoming a threat to the very democracy he claims to protect.
One of the main criticisms concerns the censorship measures imposed by Moraes. In April 2024, he ordered the inclusion of Elon Musk, owner of the platform X (formerly Twitter), as a target in the inquiry into digital militias after Musk criticized his decisions. Musk stated that Moraes’ actions violated Brazilian law.
Moraes has been a leading figure in the fake news inquiry, which investigates the spread of false news and attacks on democratic institutions. Legal experts argue that his measures—such as search and seizure operations and social media account suspensions—lack solid legal grounding and constitute an abuse of power. Senator Esperidião Amin, for example, stated that such actions reveal the minister’s bias.
Moraes’ decisions have also sparked debates about the separation of powers. In 2022, he was involved in a crisis between the Judiciary and the Legislative when he took measures against then-Federal Deputy Daniel Silveira, generating discussions about possible excesses and undue interference among the branches of government.
Moraes’ actions have not gone unnoticed internationally. Committees in the United States have accused the minister of censoring opposition to the Brazilian government, highlighting concerns about freedom of expression and civil rights in the country.
The measures adopted by Alexandre de Moraes have sparked a significant debate about the limits of judicial power in Brazil. The lack of oversight over his decisions, combined with the unconditional support he receives from certain political sectors, creates a worrying scenario for the future of Brazilian democracy.
We should not expect Moraes to show any empathy or moral greatness. He treats arising issues as if they were personal problems, conducting his actions in a vengeful and arbitrary manner. His attachment to power and obsession with institutional control show that he is already reveling in power for power’s sake.
From little men, we should not expect virtues they have never possessed.
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Books By Gil DePaula
www.clubedeautores.com.br — www.editoraviseu.com.br — gildepaulla@gmail.com
Lands of the Lost Men – Gil DePaula (2017)
Lands of Lost Men, by Gil DePaula, is a historical fiction that explores the founding of Brasilia and the impact of the construction of the new capital on the lives of ordinary Brazilians. The narrative is set between 1939 and 1960 and follows the drama of Maria Odete, a strong and resilient woman, who recalls her past of challenges and disappointments while facing the pains of childbirth. Her story is intertwined with that of two rival and proud farmers, both called Antônio, who fight for power amid a web of revenge, betrayal and personal tragedies.
The book highlights the scenery of the Brazilian countryside and the saga of the workers who built Brasilia with sweat and sacrifice. Gil DePaula uses his detailed style to paint a portrait of the complex human and social interactions of the time, where passions and rivalries shape the destiny of his characters and reflect the transformations of a nation. The work combines realism with an intensely emotionally charged narrative, capturing both the grandeur of the capital’s construction and the small personal tragedies that marked its foundation.
To find out more about the book or buy a copy, you can find it on websites such as Clube de Autores or by emailing us:
gildepaulla@gmail.com
The Chest of Unusual Stories
Clique aqui
https://clubedeautores.com.br/livro/o-bau-das-historias-inusitadas-2
