Roger, I am a little confused here. I remember the other night you got pretty upset over some people disrespecting the STF Justices by saying they are being paid off by the Lin E Silva family. The way I look at it being paid in exchange for special treatment is no different than recieving it because you are in the same "good ol' boys club". They are both unethical and in no way deserving of any respect from us.
I also think it is unethical in democratic countries, but I'm in the minority in Brazil. Go ask most Brazilians if they think this is unethical and you'll hear a big no.
The definition of corruption in this country involves paying people with actual money. If you ask or return favors or just work your connections, this is not even remotely considered as corruption by the vast majority of Brazilians. Influence peddling happens day in and day out, but that's just the way it is. You have to be caught paying people with actual money to (maybe) get in trouble with the law.
I don't want to sound too dramatic, but working your connections is standard operating procedure throughout Brazilian society, in all walks of life, professions, and social stratus.
Life in this country is not democratic: whoever say it is is just naive or lying in self-interest. Either you have connections or you are likely to end up nowhere.
Having said that, I don't think STF Justices receive money and I don't think they are even offered money. But I do think their friends have a better chance of being heard. And I also this is also valid for all other higher courts in the country made up of political appointees.
It is not a surprise that the most comprehensive, sound, and fair ruling in this case came from a federal lower-court judge. Usually these guys are young (in their 20's or 30's) and have the independence and freshness that their older peers have already lost.
