Prof. Alckmin: “I Am Not Responsible”

The Harvard Yard domino theory of good governance: “Technically speaking, I am not responsible.”

Alckmin volta a dar aulas em São José dos Campos: former São Paulo governor and presidential candidate Geraldo Alckmin embraces the academic life.

SÃO JOSÉ DOS CAMPOS – O ex-governador de São Paulo Geraldo Alckmin (PSDB) retomou na noite desta segunda-feira à carreira de professor com uma aula inaugural na Faap (Fundação Armando Álvares Penteado) em São José dos Campos, Vale do Paraíba. Alckmin foi contratado pela faculdade para ministrar aulas, a partir do segundo semestre, no curso de Gerente de Cidade, criado há dez anos pela instituição.

Former governor Geraldo Alckmin (PSDB) returned to his academic career [on Jan. 21] with an inaugural lectore at the Armando Álvares Penteado Foundation in São José dos Campos in the Vale do Paraíba.

Antes de assumir o cargo, onde vai dar aulas nas unidades de São José dos Campos e São Paulo, o ex-candidato a presidente viaja para os Estados Unidos, onde vai estudar na Universidade de Harvard até o final de junho. “Ir para Harvard é uma grande oportunidade de estudar temas de políticas públicas e depois o magistério, que eu adoro. Gerência de cidades é um tema apaixonante”, disse, pouco antes da palestra, para 140 pessoas, no auditório da Faap.

Before assuming the post, in which he will teach classes on the São José and São Paulo campuses, the former president candidate will travel to the United States where he will study at Harvard until the end of June. “Going to Harvard is a great opportunity to study public policy, and then later the judiciary, topics I love to study. Urban management is something I am passionate about,” he said, shortly before the lecture, attended by 140 persons, in the Faap auditorium.

Alckmin’s brother is a former Supreme Court justice and federal elections magistrate (TSE), and continues to represent Alckmin’s “Coalition for a Decent Brazil” in matters still pending before the TSE. Peculiar matters, I have to tell you. But more on that in a bit.

Alckmin is also listed as an alumnus of the Opus Dei-run Master’s in Journalism program here in São Paulo, whose director is also Alckmin’s OD spirtual adviser, according to an interview the fellow gave to IstoÉ magazine last year.

“Vou falar sobre administração pública e mostrar as vantagens do contrato de gestão”. A oportunidade de ser professor, para Alckmin, não significa abandonar a carreira política. “Eu não tenho aposentadoria, não tenho patrimônio e preciso manter minha família, por isso, vou dar aula. Quanto à vida pública, continuo nela. Acabo de chegar do Acre onde fui agradecer os votos que recebi”.

“I am going to talk about public administration and demostrate the advantages of the management contract.” But the chance to teach, says Alckmin, does not mean he is abandoning politics. “I have no pension, I have no personal wealth, and I have to sustain my family, so that is why I am teaching clases.”

Somewhere on my half-tera platinum brick of data storeage I have a massive photo gallery of Alckmin — who made a point of criticizing the expense of maintaining a Boeing 707 as Brazil’s executive Air Force One-equivalent during the campaign — hitching rides on private jets.

Alckmin’s daughter reportedly makes her own money as a buyer for Daslu, last we heard.

Assim que voltar dos Estados Unidos, além de assumir as aulas, Alckmin planeja percorrer alguns lugares do país onde teve votações expressivas. “Quero percorrer o país para agradecer os votos”.

As soon as he returns from the U.S., besides taking up his teaching duties, Alckmin plans to travel to parts of the country where he obtained substantial of support from the voters. “I want to travel around and thank people for voting for me.”

Alagoas, curiously, was not one of those places.

Em uma coletiva rápida, o ex-governador criticou o lançamento do PAC (Programa de Aceleração de Crescimento) feito pelo presidente Lula. “Se gerar emprego, é bem-vindo, é necessário. Mas não é suficiente para o crescimento. Falta reforma tributária, fiscal e política. O governo não tem nem ministério”.

In a quick press conference, the former governor criticized the launch of the Growth Acceleration Program (PAC) by President Lula. “If it generates jobs, it is welcome, it is necessary. But it is not sufficient for growth. Tax reform, fiscal reform and political reform are needed. The government does not even have a ministry.”

A tax reform measure returns to the floor of the lower house this week.

Alckmin preferiu não falar muito a respeito das causas da tragédia na construção da linha 4 do Metrô de São Paulo. “O momento é de solidariedade às famílias. É prematuro criticar, falar sobre as causas. Quantas coisas estão sendo faladas de forma incorreta e nesta hora o melhor é falar pouco”.

Alckmin preferred not to comment much on the causes of the tragedy at the construction site on Line 4 of the São Paulo subway. “This is the time for standing with the families. It would be premature to criticize, discuss the causes. So many things are being said, in an incorrect way, that the best thing now is to say little on the subject.”

See also World Bank “Belies” Alckmin: Less than a week later, Alckmin apparently put his foot firmly in mouth with highly public remarks on the subject.

E também rebateu as críticas de que o método de escavação e detonação de rochas usado na obra do Metrô não tenha sido o adequado. “Ali não poderia ter sido tatuzão”. Para o ex-governador a obra teria que ser fiscalizada todos os dias. “Não sou responsável. Deixei de ser governador há quase um ano e esta obra tem que ser fiscalizada todo dia”.

He also rebutted criticisms that faulted the methods of excavation and the detonation of rock used in the project. “It could not have been the “big armadillo” [a heavy excavating tool].” The ex-governor said the work should be monitored on a daily basis: “I am not responsible. I stopped being governor almost a year ago, and that work has to be monitored every day.”

“I am not responsible.”

“I am not responsible.”

This was also Alckmin’s response to an Australian journalist’s request for comments on the May 2006 urban apocalypse, when police reprisals for attacks by the PCC killed dozens of “suspects.” See also “Resistance Followed by Death.”

Can you tell I do not care much for this fellow?

I admit this freely.

Observing the man in action has led me to conceive an implacable bias against him, and to harbor deep suspicions about his integrity and competence.

I would like to know who is paying that “scholarship” to Harvard, too.

I do pay taxes both in this town and in the U.S., after all. I have a right to know what my money is being spent on. Goddamnit.