Comic Relief and Cash

[ionnsaigh]

Simplistic gobbledegook couched in language so far up its own rhetoric that it's lost all touch with reality.

Anyways, back to Africa. Apparently an average 24,000 people die of hunger every single day in the continent. Couldn't find the figures for drug addiction, alcohol abuse or obesity.

Well perhaps we can attempt to apply the law to this thread - and identify the contradiction - what do you say shall we give it a try... hugh?
24,000 people dying of hunger every day is testimony, that those that control things are guilty of the greatest contempt for life and humans. It's time for change - to a world without hunger disease and war - that's all I'm looking for.
Who stole your biscuit - lighten up man, for frick sake.

[£3.73]

Ionns ... here's to a world without hunger, disease & war.

However, it should be pointed out, that "we" (all of us) in the 1st world benefit (directly or indirectly) from the 3rd world's plight.

YES, WE could ease economic sanctions, trade embargos etc. But at what cost to our own interests ?

YES, WE could put an end to tinpot dictatorships & dodgy government. But WE support whatever government best suits our interests at any given time.

YES, WE could help erradicate disease. But cheap generic versions of drugs are frowned upon by the drug companies.(who have huge government lobby groups). For those areas unfortunate enough to be riddled with AIDS & also Catholic, condoms are not an option, either as birth control or disease transmission.

YES, WE could remarkably reduce the amount of wars going on. But the arms industry is one of the largest industries there is (and again has super-powerful government lobby groups)

YES, WE could do something about hunger. It galls me to hear about "food mountains", ""surplus" & "overproduction" while a large percentage of the world starves.

NO, WE (you, I & everyone else) seem to sleep soundly enough every night ..... problem, what problem ???

Point being, nations aren't going to do anything that goes against there own interests, and individuals certainly aren't going to give up their way of life. Corporate players though have no qualms, and they will gladly set up shop anywhere & exploit the natives. (either this makes you happy as a consumer or irate because you've lost your job)

[EMDEE]

However, it should be pointed out, that "we" (all of us) in the 1st world benefit (directly or indirectly) from the 3rd world's plight.

This is probably the biggest stumbling block in the way of eradicating third world poverty. The world is run principally by economic forces, and a lot of the world's resources are controlled by the countries which historically, managed to grab what they could get. Is anyone willing to accept a substantial drop in their standard of living to help out the plight of third world countries? Any money given to these countries through appeals like this is like giving someone a sticking plaster for a broken leg.

It would be impossible for the whole world population to have the current lifestyle of the developed world, there are simply not enough resources, and for the reasons given by 3.73, things are not going to be changing as long as it suits the developed world.

[ionnsaigh]

It would be impossible for the whole world population to have the current lifestyle of the developed world, there are simply not enough resources, and for the reasons given by 3.73, things are not going to be changing as long as it suits the developed world.

This point of view has a certain logic, the pot only hold so much - complicated by fluctuation - of the spoon holders
( population ) The current trend is growing - however we can observe self regulation of numbers - in many areas of the animal and plant worlds. Some creatures give birth to hundreds of offspring - two or three times a year - and others one every six years or so. Adaptation or death from a changing environment - is the harsh reality of life. I suppose you could reasonably argue that resources have a limited quantitative nature to them - remember coal in this country - our dependency on the stuff has shrunk considerably. Wind farming may not be as practically efficient ( in terms of immediacy ) as throwing a lump of coal on a fire - however it's certainly more sustainable.
However back to the point. The developed world I find it difficult to accept such a sweeping generalisation. It infers equal benefit and responsibility for those fortunate enough to be born in a land of plenty. Whereas both you and I know that consumption of these resources is unequal. Some have bigger spoons than others - so much so - that logic dictates that those with the smallest spoons - have less to lose. It's from these numbers that dissatisfaction will undoubtedly grow, this will bring change to a world - badly ruled by a few greedy multinationals. Hope springs eternal - from wan auld wind bag - tae anither.

[bill]

Some have bigger spoons than others - so much so - that logic dictates that those with the smallest spoons - have less to lose.

Disagree with you there Ionns.Those with "smaller spoons" as you put it have a lot more to lose.The bigger the spoon means the more you have, and therefore you can lose some without missing it.If you only have a small spoonfull to start with then you can not afford to lose any.

However back to the point. The developed world I find it difficult to accept such a sweeping generalisation. It infers equal benefit and responsibility for those fortunate enough to be born in a land of plenty.

The developed world,if you are refering to the USA and the UK,then then there is equal benefit for those willing to get up of their erse and work.

Hasn't a descendant of a goat herder just become President of the US of A ?

Isn't a boy born in Govan Prime Minister of our country?

[petewick]

Why not give it all to Jade Goody's family?

[ionnsaigh]

Disagree with you there Ionns.Those with "smaller spoons" as you put it have a lot more to lose.The bigger the spoon means the more you have, and therefore you can lose some without missing it.If you only have a small spoonfull to start with then you can not afford to lose any.

Hence the contradiction - my spoons where abject - yours relative Got you.

Hasn't a descendant of a goat herder just become President of the US of A ?

That maybe - however when do you ever hear of a descendant of the President of the USA become a goat herder? It's clearly a one way street.

Isn't a boy born in Govan Prime Minister of our country?

Alex Salmond born in Govan - you've lived in that foreign country to long now - time for you - and Govan, tae come hame and build the new Scotland.

[hugh]

Sixty-six million bucks so far...not bad for a bunch of comedians. I know it won't change the world, but it'll make it a better place for a lot of people in no position to help themselves. And that's a bigger priority than helping those who can help themselves.

Any information on the whereabouts of my biscuit would be most welcome.

[ionnsaigh]

And that's a bigger priority than helping those who can help themselves.

I suffered a bad accident as a result of an explosion - my clothes and hair where on fire - I told myself - get down on the floor and get the flames out - by rolling about. I looked down at my arms to see the skin fall and sizzle like bacon. I ran about what was left of the room telling myself to get down . Truly a headless chicken ( awe this talk about food is making me hungry, and me a vegan ). One effect of poverty is truly insidious - it appears to the observer that the sufferer is lazy - my contention is that the sufferer might know how to ease - although not entirely cure the effects of poverty - however is traumatised to such an extent - that they are unable to get themselves down on the floor. The lazy lot attitude, only serves to reinforce the trauma.

Sixty-six million bucks so far...not bad for a bunch of comedians.

That's wonderful - did the public contribute anything ? Sixty Six trombones led the big parade so lets all have a great time and raise money for the poor - perhaps it's just me that can't quite get my head around - a starving dying Mother and child , and having a good time to help them - I find it morally defunct. Don't get me wrong , I know it helps in a temporary number of ways - however they will roll out the clowns again next year - and the year after that. See the ones they help this year - will they be back next - or will it be a new bunch?

Any information on the whereabouts of my biscuit would be most welcome.

I could stab a guess as to what type of biscuits you like. I would say a Cream Cracker Man at night - perhaps a Chocolate Penguin in the afternoon ( They are very sweet ) and you rise to an organic Oatcake in the mornings
Kid on mate - kid on - nae hard feelings.

[hugh]

Yes, they'll be back. And whatever they achieve will never be enough. In the meantime the basic law of materialist dialectics will achieve what it's always achieved. The square root of sod all.

Wagon wheels. Down to my last three, but I'm still rollin' along.

[ionnsaigh]

Wagon wheels. Down to my last three, but I'm still rollin' along.

That boy's own spirit of adventure heading out across the cactus peppered prairie - in search of a new land and better life.
" It was quiet at his home. The children were asleep. The sky, washed by recent rain, was studded with stars. The night seemed to be waiting for something. The wet pines stood motionless, and the houses merged together in the stillness and bluish darkness. In only one of them shone a yellow rectangle of light...
"Am I happy to be setting off on a cosmic flight?" said Yuri Gagarin in an interview before the start. "Of course. In all ages and epochs people have experienced the greatest happiness in embarking upon new voyages of discovery... I want to dedicate this first cosmic flight to the people of communism-the society which the Soviet people are now already entering upon... I say 'until we meet again' to you , dear friends, as we always say to each other when setting off on a long journey. How I should like to embrace you all-my friends and those with whom I am not acquainted, strangers and the people nearest and dearest to me!"

However back to the subject matter - starvation and comedy relief are incompatible. No doubt having a laugh is good for you, and if it raises money for a ( good ?) cause - then fair enough. People who are starving to death and dying through preventable disease - are not in the same league as Save the Whale - a good cause.