Posted on 01/04/2005 4:40:20 AM PST by Jakarta ex-pat
Irish rock star and campaigner Bob Geldof, a driving force behind the 1985 Live Aid appeal for Ethiopia, urged Tuesday that Africa's debt problems stay a priority despite the Asian tsunami disaster. "The tsunami must be dealt with, it is an act of God, an act of nature," he told BBC radio, voicing concern the disaster would sideline chronic issues elsewhere.
"Africa's an act of man. Millions die each year completely unnecessarily and that can be adjusted ... The issue is one of poverty and debt and it need not be," Geldof added.
He said the government should seize the chance to put Africa top of the world agenda with its presidencies this year of the Group of Eight rich nations' club and of the European Union.
The world's strongest earthquake in 40 years sent giant waves swamping the Indian Ocean rim nine days ago, killing more than 94,000 in Indonesia alone and thousands more in Sri Lanka, India and Thailand.
The former Boomtown Rats singer was speaking after a BBC program audience nominated him as candidate for a "people's peer" in the House of Lords, Britain's upper chamber.
The British death toll from the tsunami is expected to hit nearly 200, though only 40 have been confirmed dead so far.
Britons have so far outstripped official government aid donations, pledging $145.8 million by Tuesday in a response stoking memories of the Live Aid appeal.
Thousands of listeners took part in the radio poll, awarding 36 percent of the votes to Geldof and putting Sikh Messenger editor Inderjit Singh in second.
I heard about this.
The problem is that Tony Blair wants to replace the House of Lords with a Supreme full of his Cronies so it is unlikely many new lords will be made until he forces through his own plans for his Socialist Utopia.
The way I see it England has had this system for centuries and if we a re to change it then we should do it with a Prime Minister that people actually trust and we should have a referendum to decide.
Mostly self-inflicted - see Zimbabwe, Angola, Rwanda, etc.
There is a story about the "Mighty Congo" floating about the net, and man-made is right.
It is a combination of things.
Harsh Geography
Corrupt Leaders
The legacy of Colonialism
Corrupt Western States more interested in their companies profiting then actual improving the countries they deal with. We give them aid then sell them weapons.
As compared to what? Sweden? Alaska? Utah?
Corrupt Leaders
Socialist murderous tyrants does not even begin to describe them.
The legacy of Colonialism
Yeah damn those white people for bringing roads, electricity, medicine, engineering, the rule of law etc. Things got alot better when they were all kick out or murdered out...
Corrupt Western States more interested in their companies profiting then actual improving the countries they deal with. We give them aid then sell them weapons.
As compared to any other country in the world? Hate to tell you this but capitalism actually improves countries, socialism destroys them...
Give the African citizen two things - free enterprise and private property. Give them that and poverty will start to go away. There are millions who want to be entrepreneurs, gain self-sufficiency and make money.
In the summer of 2002, eco-fascists met in South Africa to push the UN’s “Sustainable Development,” more commonly known as global property theft. While eating imported bacon and eggs, steak, lobster and champagne in front of starving African children, Third World citizens had an Alka Seltzer moment.
Third World citizens pounded the table and issued their Declaration of Independence. The first sentence is: “We are people, too.” They demanded self-determination, free enterprise, clean drinking water and plentiful food that American ideas and technology can give them.
Harsh Geography
Africa is known for its harsh geography.
You have jungle, desert etc etc, you also have elephants, lions, poisonous snakes etc etc. Men without cars or guns are not at the top of the food chain.
While the Colonial cbuild orads and other infrastructure they did not dshare the wealth they exploited form the country with the indigens, so they remained poor and uneducated.
Capitalism can improve countries but only if the money is not spirited straight out of the country into someone elses pockets.
Free Trade anyone?
Why do you think most Western Countries still use protectionism?
Who can forget about Africa exspecially at this time of year. They are holding the Dakar Rally, and Robby Gordon is the current leader after 4 stages, with 2 stage wins!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1313069/posts
Exactly, I hate to say it like this but untill Africa straightens out its own messes we can do little to really help.
Harsh geography? They have some of the most fertile and crop friendly climate in the world - why do you think they have such lush jungles? Africa is one of the most mineral and resource rich land masses in the world.
Colonialism? There hasn't been a real colony in Africa for well over 50 years. As for exploiting and expropriating 'riches' there have been repeated studies that show the maintenacne of colonies were a net loss for the colonialists. Several African countries were left operating very well when the colonialists left (South Africa, anyone?) - corruption along with socialist and communist governments drove out anyone who stayed to try and help in a transition and the continent is a basket case again. As for the 'artificially' imposed boundaries between tribes that hate each other - nothing stopped the natives from re-arranging the boundaries OR GETTING ALONG with each other. However, it is far easier to continue to hate, murder and kill each other and then blame Westerners as economic exploiters and claim reparations!
Finally, misdirected and open-handed 'aid' to Africa mitigates against the development of any indigenous 'industry' free clothing donations decimate local economics for raising and processing cotton into clothing. Free food - frustrates incentives for a farming economy.
My arguement is that is combination of things.
Something that happens 50 years ago can very much affect the way the world works.
In my opinion there are 4 factors:
Harsh Geography - Having been to Afirca I can tell you I would rather set up a country anywherer but there. It is rife with disease. This is the place that Ebola and Aids came from! Malaria and Typhoid are rampant.
Corrupt Leaders - This is a given.
The legacy of Colonialism - They were ruled for centuries then all of sudden left to their own devices - BAD IDEA!
Western States either profitting or ineptly helping.
Companies support corrupt leaders. Look at Nigeria. They make Billions a year in bribes alone and not one penny goes to the public, and I eman literally not one penny.
Comapnies support the leaders, the leaders support the companies.
You also cannot compare a Virginian and a Marylander to a Hutu and a Tutu. The former had shared ideals, people who mostly identify themselves to place and less to "tribe". The Hutu and Tutu have had a blood feud that extends back to the age of Rome. It would be analogous to having an Indian nation with Sioux and Apaches and expect them to get along, they never did, so why would they now?
I am not saying that they are not their own worst enemy, they are, but I still think some of the current issues lie at the feet of France, Belgium, and Germany. Notice I did not include Great Britain, that is because they looked at their colonies as children that needed to have education, industry, and an educated middle class, sound familiar?
Also absent from Africa has been a George Washington, or Simon Bolivar. There has never been anyone that have been able to rally the various peoples to identify with country over tribe. This has meant that despot after despot have ruled many of these nations, and whenever there is a civil war to remove the current tyrant, it is only to replace him with another one.
I cannot see any easy solutions to Africa's problems. The idiocy of Geldof and his lot is that they do not see famine for what it is, a political tool used by authoritarian governments to eliminate enemies. To simply send money and food that will only go to feed the armies of these countries will do nothing to solve the continent's woes.
They are dying from debt???
I think this reflects the inherent racism of the left. They act as though the poor African were a pet, something less than human and therefore incapable of property ownership, entrepreneurship and, least of all, being free. It's kind of like the Democrat attitude toward America's inner-city dwellers. Gotta keep 'em dependent on government, whether the U.S. Congress or the U.N.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
