G8 Summit

wanboll Banned

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#1

While all these political discussions are up and everyones debating can i just get everyones views on this.

What do you all think about the G8 Summit and all thats involved with it? Do you think its right the 8 richest countrys in the world meet up spending a lot of taxpayers money in the process? Do you think the people who went to protest are doing totaly the wrong thing and do you also think there wasting there time.? Or do you support the protesters and think that direct action like this is what we need for people to take notice.

All opinions welcome

wanboll, Aug 30, 2005 IP

digimania Peon

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#2

Reactions will always be relative. It depends on the issues involved and on which country do you belong.
Well, when it comes to conference such as this; always expect that each one is there to protect their own interests either on economy or in Politics.

digimania, Aug 30, 2005 IP

zman Peon

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#3

Found a great response on this:

I am sure Bob Geldorf's heart is in the right place as is many of the artists and public who attended or watched Live 8 (some were only there to grandstand), but I am afraid their brains are somewhere else.

Over the years many tens (if not hundreds) of billions of dollars have been poured into Africa in the form of material aid, or debts forgiven, in order to help the countries. All to no effect. Bob arranged Liveaid concerts 20 years ago and now again. I suggest he train someone now to do so in 20 years time, because we will be in the same position then as we are now. Or maybe worse.

In fact he could have a concert every year and it would make no difference. All this is, is just a 'bandaid' for the real problem. Giving aid, forgiving debts, even increasing trade with these nations will do very little for poverty, Until the main issue is resolved. Corrupt Governments and Bureaucrats.

There were a lot of people demonstrating and marching in cities around the world, but I have not seen anyone do so in front of any of the African Embassies, demanding that they stop the corruption, and the killing their own people.

Mugabe is a prime example of this. We give them food aid and they in turn only distribute it to their followers, who sell it and make a fortune. Almost every country in Africa is either a single party state run by a despot, a military dictatorship, or has a system of government that allows very limited opposition. Most elections are either rigged or the voters intimidated into voting the way the government wants. They are not accountable to anyone and really don't give a damn about what anyone thinks or says. yet they have the nerve to demand 2 permanent seats in the UN Security COuncil. They cannot run their own countries properly, yet they want to dictate to the world. All they ever do is blame someone else for their problems. You will also notice that they will never criticize one another, for fear of being criticized themselves. They are the ultimate old boys club.

And almost all of them have offshore bank accounts with millions/billions of dollars stolen from their countries. Any aid to these people will just be used to line their own pockets and build a bigger and better military force to suppress their people. When the European powers eventually handed Africa back to the Africans, most of the states had a pretty good infrastructure of roads, railways and harbours. They also had a fairly decent system of government a civil service. Now they are all falling apart.

The only thing that seems to work in Africa is the military. I feel sorry for the ordinary people who are suffering, but if their own leaders are not interested in helping them with basic housing, health and education, what chance does the rest of the world have of doing this. Money is only one aspect. The main problem here is attitude and the will to change bad habits. There is more chance of me flying if I jump off a 100 story building and flap my arms about, than there is of this ever happening.

Call me cynical, call me what you like, but I have seen Africa close up and it is a basketcase run by ignorant power hungry maniacs who cannot or will not see that what they are doing is destroying the continent. Give as much money as you like. But my hard earned money will remain in my pocket.
Click to expand...

Source

Oh and one other thing, how much do you think the artists who performed there are worth? Millions upon millions.

zman, Aug 30, 2005 IP

wanboll Banned

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#4

Good post zman. A lot of past it pop stars and a few coloured wristbands aint gonna change the world.

wanboll, Aug 30, 2005 IP

zman Peon

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#5

A lot of past it pop stars and a few coloured wristbands aint gonna change the world.
Click to expand...

Very true. My main concern overseas is AIDS. Now that is a serious problem. I think I heard a stat yesterday that said like 40% in certain parts of Africa have AIDS.

World poverty is a problem that those governments are going to have to face before we can help, but this AIDS thing is a major concern that we should somehow be able to address.

zman, Aug 30, 2005 IP

wanboll Banned

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#6

AIDS could soon be a problem that none of us can escape from.

40%, thats a hell of a lot of people and iv heard figures similar to that.

Im not saying world poverty is not a problem we all need to address. Just because we are not in poverty ourselves does not mean we wont be someday. All it would take is a big eruption or an unexpected ice age and the world could be turned upside down. We might be the ones calling on help from the third worlds.

wanboll, Aug 30, 2005 IP

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