By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Following a 27-year sentence for attempting to undermine Brazil’s democracy, former president Jair Bolsonaro is expected to be incarcerated imminently. Speculation surrounds his potential placement in the notorious Papuda maximum security prison, prompting concern from his allies who are reportedly attempting to influence the decision. While some fear the conditions at Papuda, others maintain that his imprisonment is a necessary affirmation of the country’s laws. Despite his previous stance on prison conditions, Bolsonaro’s allies now express concern over his well-being, while political opponents argue for dignified treatment within the confines of his sentence.
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Jailhouse shock: Brazil coup monger Bolsonaro finally faces life behind bars. Wow, isn’t it something when a country, especially one you might not automatically associate with strict rule of law, actually holds someone accountable for attempting to overthrow its government? It’s a remarkable example of democracy at work, a stark contrast to how things are playing out in other parts of the world, shall we say. You know, you can’t help but feel a certain sense of respect. And, interestingly, it seems to have triggered some serious soul-searching on the right wing about prison conditions, which is… unexpected. Perhaps this whole situation could act as a catalyst. This is the way it’s supposed to work; this is democracy.
This is a testament to the rule of law. It’s justice served, plain and simple. It makes you wonder why other countries, particularly the one across the pond, aren’t taking similar steps. You know, the one where a certain former leader keeps making unbelievable comebacks after accusations of very similar behavior. It’s frustrating to watch, isn’t it? But seeing Brazil act decisively is a breath of fresh air. It’s a step in the right direction, a moment you wish could be replayed on a loop.
The former paratrooper, during his long political career, never seemed to have much sympathy for those in the Brazilian prison system, did he? He famously quipped about “dirtbags” deserving a hard time and even proclaimed that avoiding jail was as simple as not committing serious crimes. Now, life in prison is exactly what this treasonous individual deserves. It’s hard to imagine, but it seems there are real consequences to actions like attempting a coup, even if that seems obvious.
And it does seem obvious: if you don’t want to go to prison, don’t try to steal your country’s democracy. The fact that the accusation is attempted coup and treason is no small thing. It’s a crime of epic proportions. It’s a bit jarring to see some of the headlines, though. It’s a bit tabloid, and feels like it undermines the serious nature of the situation. It’s hard to forget seeing him walking around Mar-a-Lago not so long ago.
Imagine another similar figure facing the same fate. And the process itself has been the subject of debate, with some pointing out that it might have not been entirely impartial. And this is interesting, because while some in the US are talking about how “fair” a process is, it appears that the US is still grappling with the issue of holding its own leaders accountable. The hypocrisy is hard to ignore. The fact that Trump was able to run for office and win after Jan 6th is shocking and beyond disappointing. The fact that even large numbers of Republicans basically said that was fucked up an unacceptable and talked as if Trump was definitely done, but then over time they just got back on board.
There’s talk of politics and score-settling, that makes one pause. One can’t help but wonder if this is the reality, given that the current President was previously in prison. Is this justice? Or is it a political exercise? If it’s the latter, then it’s a dangerous path to walk.
However, the counter argument remains, that the judiciary is independent, and the court ruled accordingly. It’s worth remembering, too, that the former president himself was previously imprisoned, and that those charges were eventually annulled due to the presence of questionable legal practices, conflicts of interest and corruption in the trials. The argument is that this is so much more than settling scores. The evidence of a failed coup attempt and plots to harm other political figures are there. The judicial branch of Brazil is independent, that is why Lula as well as Bolsonaro have been in jail.
The transparent process that led to the sentence should be seen for what it is. The evidence is out there, for anyone to examine. The notion of impartiality is always at stake. In other countries, those involved directly in a case would be expected to step aside to avoid conflicts of interest, and allow a different judge to make the ruling. And, of course, the fact that he ran for office and won against AFTER Jan 6th is shocking and beyond disappointing. It’s just a *little* bit of fascism/authoritarianism guys, how bad could it possibly be?