Brazil: More sympathy for David Goldman?
The tide of public opinion in the Sean Goldman custody battle may be shifting.
Facebook
Reddit
StumbleUpon
Newsvine
Print Version
By Seth Kugel - GlobalPost
Published: December 18, 2009 20:02 ET in The Americas
Published: December 18, 2009 20:02 ET in The Americas
David Goldman leaves a news conference in Rio de Janeiro Dec. 18, 2009. (Bruno Domingos/Reuters) 
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil — The tide of public opinion may be shifting in Brazil, which remains as riveted as ever by the drawn-out custody battle over 9-year-old Sean Goldman, a Brazilian-American boy born in New Jersey.
As reporters and others waited outside the Marriott Hotel across from Copacabana beach for Sean's father, David Goldman, to come out and discuss new developments in the case, a man named Nilton Silva came out of nowhere and introduced himself to U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), who has been helping Goldman with his legal battle.
“Sir,” said Silva, a silver-haired 55-year-old man, “I’m Brazilian and I’m totally in favor that he take his son back to America.”
Silva stuck around as Goldman, of Tinton Falls, N.J., came out and joined the press scrum, pushing in like a veteran to reiterate for Goldman what he had told Smith. Silva is one of the more passionate of an increasing number of Brazilians who seem to be taking the father’s side in the five-year battle over who Sean will live with.
The details are by now familiar: In 2004, Goldman’s ex-wife Bruna Bianchi took Sean on vacation to her native Brazil, did not return, remarried into a wealthy, powerful family of lawyers and eventually died shortly after giving birth to Sean’s half-sister last year.
That’s when the story started grabbing headlines both here and in the United States. Americans seemed united behind Goldman, but Brazilians were split over whether Sean should stay with his stepfather, Joao Paulo Lins e Silva, his half-sister Chiara and maternal grandparents in Rio de Janeiro, or be returned to his father in New Jersey. Some felt that that the paternal blood ties should be supreme; others that the child was better off with the family he knew in Brazil. Few took the American view that Brazil was harboring kidnappers.
But when the case made news again this week — first, a 3-0 decision by a federal appeals court to send Sean to New Jersey, then a controversial stay of the order by a Supreme Court justice — things seemed to have shifted.
The shift in public opinion in Brazil is perhaps most noticeable in the online comments people are leaving in Portuguese on sites like that of Rio’s principal newspaper, O Globo. Of thousands of comments, a large majority seem in favor of Goldman, but the odd thing is that they are not so anti-Lins e Silva as they are anti-Brazil.
“What the Federal Supreme Court is doing to that child and his father is an embarrassment … Brazil is sponsoring international kidnapping and should be ashamed.!!” – silviakersh
“Mr. Goldman, we ask forgiveness for our justice system, our government, our country. Here is Brazil, it doesn’t matter who is right, what matters is whom you know.” — Bebeto23
“This decision means just one thing = dictatorship and corruption … that’s it, Brazil is showing its face for the world to see.” — Vida Bela.
Post new comment
Dispatches: Brazil
-
Volunteer programs often offer little social value — instead they're a form of poverty voyeurism.
-
Brazil's "cheesy techno" music industry makes millions without selling a single CD.
-
Federal blocks on "racist" state hailed by Mexicans of all stations.
-
A Brazilian goalkeeper isn't the first professional athlete suspected in a murder.
-
Whole world watches final, including many US viewers, which bodes well for the sport.
GlobalBlogs: Brazil
-
“People are dancing in the streets this weekend to celebrate Brazilian independence in Midtown’s Little Brazil. Brazil Day commemorates...Eyes on Brazil | GlobalBlogger
-
More Info Article – Boston.com MyspaceEyes on Brazil | GlobalBlogger
-
“On July 27th, José Luiz Datena, a famous Brazilian TV host who runs a show called Brasil Urgente on national television, “delivered a speech...Eyes on Brazil | GlobalBlogger
-
(Example from Band TV-Rio during today’s programming) You’ve heard of the ‘cloud-computing’ trend? Well, I think we’ve...Eyes on Brazil | GlobalBlogger
-
Tropical Biodiv... | GlobalBlogger
Watch GlobalPost videos:
Featured: Special Projects
Swiss Secrets:
Blowing the whistle on Swiss banking
Seven Circles of Juarez:
Inside the hell of Mexico's drug war
Africa's Middle Class:
Striving to develop a continent
Silicon Sweatshops:
An investigation of the world's supply chains
Guatemala:
Unearthing a massacre
After the Fall:
20 years since the Berlin Wall came down
Backpacking to Babylon:
In the footsteps of Alexander the Great
Life, Death and the Taliban:
Understanding the Taliban — a multimedia report
I am brazilian and I also
I am brazilian and I also support mr. David Goldman
I wrote this song to him: www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFDm9RZLWjg
Unfortuynately americans are
Unfortuynately americans are not impartial in this case. They just want Sean back because it will represent a victory of the USA as a nation over other people. Thay are far from a victory like that, sice WTC event in 2001, the Iraq Gulf War and other international disputes like Korea, etc, that they are fighting till now.
I am also Dave Goldman supporter. To be more accurate, indeed, I support SEAN, independent of hes father or grandmother have the guard of him.
American people must learn to respect other countries.
Smith congressman? Who can deny that he is not taking profit of the case Sean to be reelected next election?
For SEAN, wherever he is!
It is absurd that the
It is absurd that the American press continues to filter out the true facts about this gentleman. This man completely neglected and ignored his son while his mom was alive, and for 5 long years, he NEVER went to visit him, inspite of the fact that the brazilian family had sent him plane tickets for him to fly over. This guy must be joking to go on TV now and try to portray himself as a nice Dad who cares for his kid. This is ridiculous, and if he thinks he is fooling anyone, he is wrong. It's quite clear that his true interest is in the inheritance that this child is entitled to. Just like he had no objections to acccepting US$ 150.000.00 as a settlement for divorce and then NEVER visited his kid for 5 long years. This child is extremely happy in Brazil, as a matter of fact, Brazil is one of the best places for anyone to spend childhood. Brazilians are the most child-friendly people in the World, and this is why they are not going to let the pretender take the kid. The Brazilian system is very protective of children and they know what they are doing. God Bless.
Get REAL Realist. David has
Get REAL Realist. David has been to Brazil 15 times. You must be the step father!
Are you serious? You really
Are you serious? You really have to be joking here. You should be embarrassed by your comments. Your Country is allowing international child abduction. Obviously, you are in support of that.
you must have a loose screw,
you must have a loose screw, Mr Goldman has every right to have his child.You proably don't know all the facts!!! Even if he accepted the money he deserved it, for the simple fact the childs mother took his child from him, and if you've ever been away from you children you should know how painful it is.If the Brazilian system knows what it's doing they know the place for the child is with his real dad.I pray Mr Goldman gets his child back soon,may God bless you even though you are wrong in your thinking.
Get ALL the facts before you
Get ALL the facts before you comment, Realist. Goldman went to Brazil several times during those 5 years (the visits were documented on several news sites) only to be met with lies and denial by the mother's family. They claim he could visit any time he wanted and then denied him visitation when he arrived. The step father worked the corrupt system in Brazil to his advantage. Brazil may be a "child friendly" place for children, but that doesn't mean Sean belongs there.
BOYCOTT 2016 OLYMPICS IF HIS
BOYCOTT 2016 OLYMPICS IF HIS SON IS NOT RETURNED BY THE END OF 2009!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rich, my dear, hang yourself
Rich, my dear, hang yourself in an onion plant!
If the USA does not come to the 2016 OLYMPICS Games, it will be a problem of yours because probably China or Russia will overpass the numbers of meddals that today is of the USA.
I am a Brazilian, all my
I am a Brazilian, all my friends and I think that Sean should be living with his real father David Goldman here in NJ.
Unfortunately, Brazil is a country that doesn't matter who is right, what matter is how much money you pay to get what you want.
The USA should do an investigation to find out how much money are the corrupt Judges getting to keep Sean Goldman away from his father.
I feel really sorry for David Goldman because of the Brazilian corruption.
There is one easy way to David Goldman get his Son from Brazil: Pay more more for the Corrupts Judges than they are getting from Sean's step-father.
Another day I read on the internet that David Goldman believed in the justice from Brazil. Don't believe David Goldman, unless you pay a lot money for them, you are not getting your son.
So, what the supposed
So, what the supposed "Realist" is saying is that the Grandmother and the Stepfather are keeping the boy so they can have his inheritance. How remarkably kind and loving of those kidnappers!
I am not Brizialian or
I am not Brizialian or American. From what I can see failing to follow the court decision will lead to the imposition of sanctions and damage the reputation of Brazil before the international community.
It's already starting to happened, US Senator Frank Lautenberg placed a bill renewing a trade deal on hold. Brazil would have received about $2.75 billion in benefits.
I think this is pretty silly if this is what the the Brizialian government wants.
Any posts of David Goldman
Any posts of David Goldman not trying despertley to get his some back is absolutley shameful. He has repeatedley flown down, fought in court, went to visit his own son and the step father has used his corrupt power to injure this man's relationship with his son. This is his son and the man using this boy as a weapon against David Goldman should be arrested. It is called child abuse and for the Brazilian Govt not to do more to get this boy back with his father is appauling.
It's obvious to me that by
It's obvious to me that by the comments made from Brasilian's on here that money comes before blood and family. The fact here is that this child was abducted and kidnapped and you are showing your support in this situation. All of you should be ashamed. I just wonder how you would be feeling if the situation was reversed involving you trying to get your child back? This situation is apalling.
I have been suffering and
I have been suffering and watching David and Sean Goldman case and praying for the justice in Brazil doesn't bring shame to us, Brazilian. I don't have idea if I would be alive during this battle and I know that all the strengths is coming from God.
Brazilian are join David and amazingly more and more people showing their opinion.
I try in all the ways show my sympathy and I am completely in Goldman side because:
He is the father and by low he is the truly father and never gave up on his beloved son Sean;
He has been fighting and I am very sure that God Almithy is working in this process for his glory and shame on you Joao Lins e Silva ( why you don't go to the orphanate to adopt one of the Brazilian child instead to abduct Sean?);
Sean Goldman as his name says has a father: David Goldman, given by God . Children are gifts from God;
How the stupid Brazilian justice, has been so unfair? It's because the supreme court in Brazil members are chosen by their relationship with the president and tthey don't need to be "master" in justice. They are pointed and they are not doing unjustice only in this case but in many other cases, unfortunately, the lows in Brazil alow unjustice, delays, and is good for the attorney (if they have influence , money, experience is worse, because they know how to make the process get very slow and then , in this case is not supreme court fault).
We are all for you, David, because we still believe that justice will be done, God is with you, it's decent, moral, fair decision.
The justice is blind sometimes but even late may come and we are going to celebrate.
I wish I were there in Brazil and offer all my support, but I know God is for you.
Excuse me!!! but, this
Excuse me!!! but, this realist has a loose screw. Mr Goldman has every right to have custody of his son!!! Sean's mother was in the wrong for takling the child so far away from his dad, she should have been honest and let his father know what she was going to do. Apparently she saw the grass greener on the other side. (no disrespect ment toward this woman.) Good luck Mr Goldman and my God bless you and your son, and I pray you get your son back soon.
Sean will be so surprised
Sean will be so surprised when he finally sees all the efforts his father and others have made for his rightful return home. Brazil is corrupt, the stepfather is criminally responsible for all Sean's and David's pain and suffering, and no amount of money paid to their government officials (can't really call them people/humans) will break the father/son tie that they have. I only hope Sean has not been permanently damaged by all of this and grows up to be the fine man that his father is. How David has been, through all the processes of trying to work within a system that is so corrupt, has been extra-ordinary, above and beyond what any other individual would/could have put up with.
They will not defeat David and he will have his son back.
BTW - where are the Navy Seals when you need them? Why put up with all this when you REALLY don't have to??? Good luck to David and Sean...and Brazil/linsesilva "What goes around...comes around"!
Absolutely--the boy was
Absolutely--the boy was abducted--his father wants him--end of story!! I don't care who those people are in Brazil--he belongs with his FATHER!!!
Sean Goldman should be
Sean Goldman should be returned from the kidnappers,to his biological father,as my Girlfriend Isabeli,said!You should be HUMANS and give custody over to his rightful father and the one whom really loves him!Why be a tyranny there,in Brazil?Signed 4Jim
Now! What we should do as
Now! What we should do as Americans... Make our government to bring the kidnappers to the USA and put them in jail for a long time. Yes, Bring all the kidnappers and about the mother is already in hell... she can stay there! Let's bring them to justice or bye bye Brazil with our $$$$.
You can stay with you evil
You can stay with you evil dollars.
Next time also stay with the polution and the CO2 you emiss to the planet atmosphere.
Feel you free to come to Brazil and I am sure you will be respected, thing that you in the USA does not do to anyone that arrives there!
What a F** Brazil, my dear,
What a F** Brazil, my dear, you are a bigott!
This is ridiculous, I wonder
This is ridiculous, I wonder if the Brazilian family offer David US$ 1M, what would be his position? It is very nebulous this story, lots of facts that are not very clear. What David does? What is his profession? How much money he makes to ensure the same standard the boy would have in BRazil with this healthy family?
This case is not about money!
This case is not about money! This case is about a boy that was kidnapped to a country that many believe that 9/11 was good thing. Read the Portuguese posts and you will find many Brazilians that believe in terror. Thanks to the US for making that evil country return the kid to his dad. I have been in Brasil... Many don't believe that snow is real... Now you figure!
We are not eveil country, as
We are not eveil country, as you say!
You must agree that our supreme court was that give to David the guard of his son. Without that, the USA will remain here and there looking for a resource, boycoting countries as it makes with Cuba, making movies about the boy, so, making money and sell movies and books about the case, ask for money in paypal, to get money with publicity!
That is all that america made for sean!
Not a concrete position, unless congressman Smith, that comes here also to get publicity and become famous, planning to be popular and be reelected in the next election!
A Sean suporter, independent where he is!
He makes money asking for
He makes money asking for donations at PayPal.
That is not illegal, since he lost abou 400,000 USD, according to the news, to come to Brazil during the time Sean was here.
Indeed, it seems that David was not a good husband to keep alive the marriage, the mom, by her side, was not a good wife and married other time!
A Sean supporter, wherever he is!
Mr. Wagner...obviously you
Mr. Wagner...obviously you have sided on behalf of the twisted Brazilian lawyers that represented Sean's Brazilian family. What gives you the right to post that Mr. Goldman was not a good husband? Don't you think that if Mr. Goldman was a deadbeat dad, horrible husband, or just plain "loser" that it would have been made public by the Brazilian Press...US Press....give me a break. Mr. Goldman is nothing but a loving and doting father and the court records obviously show the same. I'm happy to see the comments from the more educated Brazilians (and Americans) on this post that are overjoyed that Mr. Goldman's has his son back. Sean is loved by not only his father, but the American people. He will be fine, loved, taken are of, and best of all, in the arms of his father. If you really want to know how Sean is doing, then follow along with the rest of the American people. Ggoogle "NBC News" and review the clips of his homecoming. A two hour special airs on January 1, 2010. Why don't you take some time to watch the special. You might just learn the truth about Mr. Goldman.
Sean is home in NJ and is
Sean is home in NJ and is very happy to be with his dad and has now called him dad. Even with this happy news finally, I am still boycotting Brazil, the Olympic games. The judicial system in Brazil makes me sick.