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[matelot]

1 hour ago, the village idiot said:

This is a horrible sentiment Matelot.

 

I genuinely feel sorry for you and the way that your brain works. You may experience a temporary thrill from broadasting these narrow minded views, but ultimately they are going to make you unhappy.

 

Try and extend the boarders of your compassion a little bit. You may well be pleasantly surprised at the results.

OK, charities like Oxfam have poured billions into Africa. Do you really think that money has made the world a better place? Could you give some examples of places where Oxfam has made a long term difference?

 

The problem with the likes of Oxfam is that they pour food into areas affected by famine and then the locals have another ten kids so that means when the next drought hits there are ten times as many people to feed. All the while the increased African population puts yet more pressure on the natural environment. Are you really happy that natural forests are cut down so that Ahmed and his 15 kids can cook their evening meal?

 

Yeah, compassion is an awesome thing. However compassion is a lot more effective when you mix it in with some cold hearted reasoning. 

 

 

[Gary Prentice]

I think that the situation is a bit more complex than just throwing money, in the form of aid, at the problem and expecting everything to change. 

 

But, do you just say it’s your fault because you’re not controlling your population and let them get on with it?

[matelot]

23 minutes ago, Gary Prentice said:

 

But, do you just say it’s your fault because you’re not controlling your population and let them get on with it?

What else can we do? Just keep on giving food aid to Africa and watch the population rise until they destroy their environment?

 

Africans told the European powers to leave Africa as they wanted to run their own countries. We left. It's hardly our responsibility to look after them if they have too many kids to feed.

 

[the village idiot]

59 minutes ago, matelot said:

Could you give some examples of places where Oxfam has made a long term difference?

How long a list do you want?

 

You need to do some research into all that Oxfam actually does.

 

59 minutes ago, matelot said:

compassion is a lot more effective when you mix it in with some cold hearted reasoning. 

 

Your solution to the population issues is to let people die of starvation. This is obscene.

 

There are many ways we can help solve these problems. Reasoning needs to be cool headed, not cold hearted.

Edited February 13, 2018 by the village idiot

[matelot]

12 minutes ago, the village idiot said:

Your solution to the population issues is to let people die of starvation. This is obscene.

So what is the African solution to starvation? Have 10 kids each and expect white people to rescue them?

 

Dont get me wrong. We should help countries that have had bad luck. However modern charity is largely about people making bad decisions and do gooders stepping in so that the people that make atrocious decisions don't suffer from them.

 

Bob Geldoff and Live Aid happened thirty years ago. Do you really think Geldoff made Africa a better place? 

 

On a related topic. Anyone else see Cape Town is going to run out of water? Anyone else see South African President Zuma doesn't want to give up his Presidency? But yeah, the end of white apertheid has been so good for South Africa and Africans.

[Mark Bolam]

Buy a man a fish and he can eat for a day.

 

Buy him a fishing rod and he can get away from his family for a whole weekend.

[Mesterh]

1 hour ago, matelot said:

OK, charities like Oxfam have poured billions into Africa. Do you really think that money has made the world a better place? Could you give some examples of places where Oxfam has made a long term difference?

 

The problem with the likes of Oxfam is that they pour food into areas affected by famine and then the locals have another ten kids so that means when the next drought hits there are ten times as many people to feed. All the while the increased African population puts yet more pressure on the natural environment. Are you really happy that natural forests are cut down so that Ahmed and his 15 kids can cook their evening meal?

 

Yeah, compassion is an awesome thing. However compassion is a lot more effective when you mix it in with some cold hearted reasoning. 

 

 

Why worry, get upset, angry and hate others, it is not your money they are spending?

 

No one forces you to give to Oxfam.

 

Maybe if you have a great plan to help people out you can start putting it into place.

[felixthelogchopper]

7 minutes ago, Mesterh said:

Why worry, get upset, angry and hate others, it is not your money they are spending?

 

No one forces you to give to Oxfam.

 

Maybe if you have a great plan to help people out you can start putting it into place.

Are you suggesting that he is not a major contributor to overseas aid?

[Mesterh]

I'll take a wild stab in the dark but I bet he burns his old cloths rather than putting them in an Oxfam bag. I don't understand why people complain about charities. Just don't give to them and get of your arse and start a better one.

[Richard 1234]

Oxfam receive huge amounts of public money, so they should be accountable.
https://www.oxfam.org.uk/~/media/Files/OGB/What%20we%20do/About%20us/Plans%20reports%20and%20policies/6651Annual_Report_201415WEB.ashxf