October 5, the founding of a Repubic and what has become of her.. (pela Republica, um Requiem, 5 de Outrubro)

"During the economic crisis, in 1836, in which I was forced to make budget cuts of all kinds I raised as far as I could the funding for Public Education." (translated words of Passos Manuel in Parliament, May 21st - 1856)

"Em momento de crise, em 1836, em que fiz todas as economias, eu aumentei quando pude a despeza da instrucção pública" - Discurso de Passos Manuel, Sessão da Câmara dos Deputados, 21 de Maio de 1856.


(Passos Manuel or Manuel Passos - b. 1801 | d. 1862)



Today being a national holiday in Portugal commemorating the founding of the Republic and the end of monarchy in the land, I leave you with an exquisite Requiem written to pay homage to statesman Passos Manuel - a celebrated 19th century 'Minister for the Kingdom' and noted 'Constitutionalist' Liberal (Left-Wing).
Please bear in mind that the century before the onset of the Republic was one of Civil Wars in the country, and other than being a monarchist, this brilliant politician nevertheless embraced what some could deem to be or label as being Left ideals  (please see *note: at the bottom of the 'blog post')




I quote the man bilingually once again:

The Queen rules the entire country and before my being leftist I already was 'for the country'. My country is my 'political party'.

"A Rainha é o chefe da nação toda. E antes de eu ser de esquerda já era da Pátria. A Pátria é a minha política."


I now leave a Requiem masterfully written in 2004 by a talented Eurico Carrapatoso.
The first public hearing of the piece was two years afterward and by 2008 finally a recording was made.  In my opinion 2008 being a turning point in the world crisis, the "bursting of the bubble" so to speak, I find it rather ironic that this requiem in a "cd" format finally reach daylight.



(I also re-post a painting placed in this blog at the beginning of the
year - link to ORIGINAL POST)
© de Guida Almeida, c. 2002 (fotografia de Sandra Ramos)


Happy October 5.

















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*Note:


( labels are always a subjective thing though their purpose may be objective, so their worth is a two sided street - that of who pins the label - and that of whom or what is labeled. NO, I'm wrong.  Actually, it's more of a three way street, depending on who reads the label is no less significant. Sometimes labels can be quite confounding - such as ''progressive'' and ''conservative'' - as can be and the grouping of both as one, but I suppose context can help in such cases. If we look at the root or core meaning in words, words such as ''Liberal, ''Conservative, ''Social, ''Progressive, ''Constitutional, ''New'', or any other - notice that other than being adjectives they may have a historic placing, in certain societies along with their respective ''time-set''. Take for instance a political party's name - New Democratic Party. I am at ease to mention this example, because I am not affiliated with it, though it is one that I value and has sometimes gained my vote - when it made sense to vote in elections where that party exists. Let us look at its two adjectives: New, and Democratic, and not look South to a neighbouring country that is not a constitutional monarchy.  Also, let us look at another example: The Liberal-Conservative Party. This one is interesting, no? Why am I using these examples? That is easier for me to answer. Both are or were parties in the land where, as a citizen, I began to vote, albeit when I had finally achieved an age when I could vote, and do so in conscience, and, when any of the contenders could convince me to do so.   Not being a ''dictatorship'', I was thus free to vote or to not vote according to my own conscience. If a party could ''win'' my vote, they would be receive it, but they had to ''win'' it. I despise laying guilt trips (and the laying of guilt trips) upon those who vote or do not vote.

Now this has to do with both countries [that of Manuel de Passos, and that of John A Macdonald] where I can place my vote ''in conscience'' when asked to do so, and when it makes sense for me to do so. (Depending on where I live, when doing so, has weight in the matter to be better equipped to do so in an  ''informed'' manner, for instance. But I shall not side-track myself.., and shall proceed). 
When or if promises are broken, when or if things are ''corrupted'' or twisted, who's fault is it? 
Is it of the person who voted or didn't trust any with their vote or for one reason or another didn't feel fit to do so in ''full conscience'' - ? Is democracy only dependent on there being ''elections'', from time to time? Or is it more than that? ).




Once again, wishing whomsoever reads this 'blog-post', a happy Oct.
(no - I'm not thinking of the ''October Crisis'' - or rather - the one called ''October Crisis'' [used to be called, if I recall correctly '' the FLQ crisis,  Ooof, whatever..] , please indulge me, I need some humour from time to time ..)

 💓