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Michael Royster

The Curmudgeon moved to Rio over forty years ago, and remained there until late 2018. He's been writing political commentary for The Rio Times for nine years. He once referred to himself as a WASP (look it up) but doesn't any more because it embarrasses him.

The Curmudeon on UNASUR

Opinion, by Michael Royster RIO DE JANEIRO - As this is written, Presidents Lula and Obama are to sign a framework agreement on military defense...

On Sean Goldman and Grandmother

Opinion, by Michael Royster RIO DE JANEIRO - About a year ago, the Curmudgeon in another publication compared the case of Sean Goldman to that...

Offshore Riches – Part 2

Opinion, by Michael Royster The Curmudgeon has never quite believed the “sky is falling” rhetoric of Rio de Janeiro politicos over the Ibsen Amendment. After...

Lula’s Reward

Opinion, by Michael Royster RIO DE JANEIRO - The Curmudgeon, having noted Lula’s visit to the Middle East, wondered what he was doing. The...

Offshore Riches

Opinion, by Michael Royster RIO DE JANEIRO - As this Article is being published, the State of Rio de Janeiro government is fomenting a protest...

Hunger Strikes

Opinion, by Michael Royster RIO DE JANEIRO - Last week came news was that Orlando Zapata, a Cuban dissident, committed the undiplomatic gaffe of dying...

Jogo Do Bicho, Rio’s Numbers Game

Opinion, by Michael Royster RIO DE JANEIRO - In 1884, Mr. Drummond, a local merchant, bought the Fazenda dos Macacos (the Monkey Farm). He...

The Politics of Carnival

Opinion, by Michael Royster RIO DE JANEIRO - Here it is. The world-famous, five-day blowout of overindulgent, extravagant fun, featuring thousands of beautiful bodies, some...

Cultural Imperialism Not Limited to U.S.

Opinion, by Michael Royster The week of Groundhog Day, where life repeats itself ad nauseam, the international press carry reports of ten Idaho residents, allegedly...

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