Thu Dec 15, 2005 7:03 pm
Even though I boycott wristbands, I did sign up and buy two the other night at the DMB concert.
Thu Dec 15, 2005 8:11 pm
signed it
Thu Dec 15, 2005 9:12 pm
I have a Unites States Humane Society wristband. I've also ordered a Save Darfur one.
Thu Dec 15, 2005 10:36 pm
some times some of you yank have some good ideas.
Fri Dec 16, 2005 12:10 am
What is "fair" trade? What developing nations need is "free" trade, free of agricultural subsidies for farmers in the US and Europe.
That, and we need to stop giving aid such as food and clothing. Our free imports put local producers out of business. Medical aid, perhaps.
I'd bet if we left the developing world alone for a change they'd do a lot better than with all our meddling. Trade with them, invest where it's worthwile, but for pete's sake, stop the handouts, the loans, the support for corrupt regimes, and the NGO advisors.
*Rant over*
If you want to help, donate to an organization that isn't just "raising awareness," and organizing protests to get politicians to give more taxpayer money. How about Living Water (http://www.living-water.org/main.aspx) an organization that works to provide small communities with access to good drinking water. There are many organizations which are making small, real contributions. Decide for yourself what is needed and where your money should go. Talk is cheap.
That, and we need to stop giving aid such as food and clothing. Our free imports put local producers out of business. Medical aid, perhaps.
I'd bet if we left the developing world alone for a change they'd do a lot better than with all our meddling. Trade with them, invest where it's worthwile, but for pete's sake, stop the handouts, the loans, the support for corrupt regimes, and the NGO advisors.
*Rant over*
If you want to help, donate to an organization that isn't just "raising awareness," and organizing protests to get politicians to give more taxpayer money. How about Living Water (http://www.living-water.org/main.aspx) an organization that works to provide small communities with access to good drinking water. There are many organizations which are making small, real contributions. Decide for yourself what is needed and where your money should go. Talk is cheap.
Fri Dec 16, 2005 12:23 am
Want to help Africa? stop buying diamonds. Diamonds cause so much misery in Africa. Warlords corrupt govts are able to make enough money from diamonds to keep themselves happy, and to maintain big enough armies to keep the population at bay. No need to develop any other form of economic growth. Stop buying diamonds, dry up the money supply to these people. Then maybe consider having the UN put up or shut up, and take massive steps to stop all the wars. For some reason it seems like no one addresses the constant warfare as one of primary sources of suffering in Africa. First it was Cold War proxy fighting, and now it's just crazy small time warlords. All the different factions fighting for power just intercept any aid you can send to these countries, because controlling the food and medicine is itself a source of power. It's amazing the natural resources Africa has, and in spite of it is just a continent of misery and suffering.
Fri Dec 16, 2005 12:33 am
Originally posted by cavalierlwt
Want to help Africa? stop buying diamonds.
Tell that to Slaughter2's wife.
Fri Dec 16, 2005 12:51 am
Ouch. I hate to hop on the soap box, but it's true. Oil causes misery, but at least it plays an important part of our lives. Industrial uses aside, diamonds are nothing more than shiny things that women put an insanely high artificial value on. You can't eat them, they won't provide warmth, they don't even entertain, amuse or pass the time. With the naked eye, all but the tiniest fraction of the population can't tell the difference between diamonds and glass or other substances. So they don't even really posess an unique asthetic value. They are nothing more than a way for (mostly) women to say 'Look how much money I can wear on my body'
Criminals, terrorists, druglords, warlords, despots all use them for currency.
http://web.amnesty.org/pages/ec_kimberley_process
http://www.amnestyusa.org/amnestynow/diamonds.html
http://www.un.org/peace/africa/Diamond.html
http://www.alertnet.org/thefacts/reliefresources/231295.htm
Criminals, terrorists, druglords, warlords, despots all use them for currency.
http://web.amnesty.org/pages/ec_kimberley_process
http://www.amnestyusa.org/amnestynow/diamonds.html
http://www.un.org/peace/africa/Diamond.html
http://www.alertnet.org/thefacts/reliefresources/231295.htm
Fri Dec 16, 2005 1:01 am
Originally posted by cavalierlwt
Ouch. I hate to hop on the soap box, but it's true. Oil causes misery, but at least it plays an important part of our lives. Industrial uses aside, diamonds are nothing more than shiny things that women put an insanely high artificial value on. You can't eat them, they won't provide warmth, they don't even entertain, amuse or pass the time. With the naked eye, all but the tiniest fraction of the population can't tell the difference between diamonds and glass or other substances. So they don't even really posess an unique asthetic value. They are nothing more than a way for (mostly) women to say 'Look how much money I can wear on my body'
Criminals, terrorists, druglords, warlords, despots all use them for currency.
http://web.amnesty.org/pages/ec_kimberley_process
http://www.amnestyusa.org/amnestynow/diamonds.html
http://www.un.org/peace/africa/Diamond.html
http://www.alertnet.org/thefacts/reliefresources/231295.htm
There you go, making sense AGAIN!
Fri Dec 16, 2005 1:16 am
Originally posted by cavalierlwt
stop buying diamonds.
Dont get married and let the women deal with spending "two months salary" on shit they don't really need.
See what i mean?
Oh yeah, and tell rappers that Ice isn't cool anymore
Fri Dec 16, 2005 1:45 am
Saphhires too? That's my favorite gem. 