Collective Madness?

     Ash Wednesday is the second saddest day in the Christian calendar after Good Friday, for which it is a prelude. In churches like St. Patrick's, New York, sad faithful lined up while a priest marked with ashes a cross on their foreheads.
     And Ash Wednesday in Brazil? It was just the culmination of carnival. Crowds went wilder than usual as the queens and other winners were announced. Dancing like tropical Salomes down to the last veil, writhing women sang "Ave Maria", while in Bahia some dedicated their dances to Nossa Senhora do Bomfim--Our Lady of the Good Death.
     Meanwhile the Council of Bishops meeting in Brasilia discussed the poverty and misery which afflict the Brazilian people. They complained about the misuse of money. No, not a word about the expensive colorful attires worn by the dancers for a week during which work stopped. The assembled bishops had a simple solution. They demanded that the government renege on its foreign debt, a popular solution.
     At the same time former Stanford economics professor Paul Krugman was arguing with the government about an article he wrote on Brazil's financial crisis. Thr government was caught between God and the deep blue sea of economics. What the bishops thought of Paul Krugman was not reported.
     Under the influence of Hollywood, the Rio carnival featured a big replica of "The Titanic," with dancers jumping around on the deck. There was no mention of the iceberg which would put an end to the fun. Or will?

Ronald Hilton - 02/18/99