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G8 wants tax on airline tickets to help world poor



 
 
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  #11  
Old June 13th, 2005, 09:15 PM
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"I suppose that the US could do away with a lot of its domestic flight
too.
There are a lot of short hop flights between some of the east coast
cities
that are only a few hours drive apart. Washington DC, Baltimore,
Boston,
NYC are all within an area smaller than Belgium or Holland but are all
well
connected by air. "

I agree with that, and also California and the Midwest should have
high-speed rail systems. The problem is that our Republican government
doesn't care about global warming or oil conservation, and won't fund
intercity rail or practical mass transit within cities, so almost all
Americans need a car to get anywhere. The average American uses far
more resources than the average Western European or Japanese, and
transport is the main reason.

  #12  
Old June 13th, 2005, 09:27 PM
Go Fig
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In article .com,
wrote:

"I suppose that the US could do away with a lot of its domestic flight
too.
There are a lot of short hop flights between some of the east coast
cities
that are only a few hours drive apart. Washington DC, Baltimore,
Boston,
NYC are all within an area smaller than Belgium or Holland but are all
well
connected by air. "

I agree with that, and also California and the Midwest should have
high-speed rail systems. The problem is that our Republican government
doesn't care about global warming or oil conservation, and won't fund
intercity rail or practical mass transit within cities,


That is because the Federal Government is Constitutionally prohibited
from making such expenses.

jay
Mon Jun 13, 2005




so almost all
Americans need a car to get anywhere. The average American uses far
more resources than the average Western European or Japanese, and
transport is the main reason.


  #13  
Old June 13th, 2005, 10:10 PM
One Way Ticket
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Not one more cent should be sent to that economic aid sinkhole
known as "Africa"...hundreds of billions have been poured into
Africa in the past 45 years, and conditions there have only
gotten worse...even *more* money is not going to solve any
problems.


Unfortunate but true. Funds to Africa have had limited impact, and
those funds from government sources, with the required bureaucratic red
tape, have made it into the bank accounts of various despots. Recall
that the Iraq 'Food for Oil' UN program was corrupt in its management
and also generally worthless in doing what the program said would be
accomplished.


Simply let Africa sink or swim on it's own, e.g. let it "Darwinize"
itself...


Funding needs to be better channeled. With the realization that you
are not going to reach those requiring assistance when the funds are
all distributed to the top of the food chain.

  #14  
Old June 13th, 2005, 10:42 PM
Gregory Morrow
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One Way Ticket wrote:

Not one more cent should be sent to that economic aid sinkhole
known as "Africa"...hundreds of billions have been poured into
Africa in the past 45 years, and conditions there have only
gotten worse...even *more* money is not going to solve any
problems.


Unfortunate but true. Funds to Africa have had limited impact, and
those funds from government sources, with the required bureaucratic red
tape, have made it into the bank accounts of various despots. Recall
that the Iraq 'Food for Oil' UN program was corrupt in its management
and also generally worthless in doing what the program said would be
accomplished.



HOW THE LION BENEFITS FROM THE LITTLE ANIMALS' POVERTY

"One day all the little animals went up to the King of the Jungle and
complained about their poverty, and in particular about the fact that
every time, during the dry season, they had to travel long distances to
drink the precious fluid, and demanded a WATER WELL be built for
them... They cited how the resources that they contributed to the
kingdom were wasted in WARS and EXTRAVAGANT PROJECTS to the tastes of
the King... He, however, replied with all kinds of excuses: the lack of
resources, that it wasn't a matter of him not wanting it, but that it
was a matter of "priorities" --which was one of his favorite words...

Meanwhile, an Owl --who had very good eyes-- had been observing life in
the jungle, and thought this way: "Every time there's a dry season the
little animals must come to the little dirty waterhole where the Lion
waits for them... Had they been well fed and strong, he would have had
to run after them and even risk resistance. And, more importantly, the
little animals are forced to fight the Lion's wars as the quick way out
of poverty..."

And that's how the Owl landed an important --and well paid-- post in
the brand new Astronomy Department created by the King of the Jungle
--to the effect of exploring life in other planets...

Moral: "It is no use fixing our minds on higher things if we ignore
what is going on around us." (Moral of 'The Astronomer,' by Aesop...
http://www.fairytalescollection.com/...Astronomer.htm)




  #15  
Old June 13th, 2005, 10:44 PM
Lennart Petersen
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"Dave Smith" skrev i meddelandet
...
Deep Foiled Malls wrote:


SA and Zimbabwe have produced a fair number of millionaires over the
years. It's those smelly little brown people that throw things at each
other that can't seem to get it together though.


A lot of money has been pumped into Africa over the years, but it is like
a
bottomless pit. While foreign governments send billions of dollars the
poor
people remain poor and the political elite vacation in European luxury
resorts
and hotels.

Perhaps the best thing to do would be to sop giving the money to the
government
and instead, funnel it directly into infrastructure improvement. Send
their
armies, corps of engineers or contractors and equipment in to build the
projects
and hire a few locals so the money goes directly to the poor instead of
trickling down. It should be accompanied by an arms embargo on the entire
continent. If they cannot feed their people or provide any sort of
infrastructure there should be no money available for arms and ammunition.

------------------------
As I've seen almost the same scene in many African countries: "hard working
women providing responsibility for house and children while the men are
drinking beer sparing the power for the hard work of making children " I've
got the idea that women only should for one or another decade be allowed to
vote and have power. Men excluded until they've learnt better.
Could see an intersting report today on TV, was from Bangla-Desh and about a
small scale organization providing "micro-loan" for women only. They had
made real good progress with their loans used for small business, increased
farming production and other good things.
97% was paid back on time which probably compares well with big business.





  #16  
Old June 13th, 2005, 10:57 PM
Lennart Petersen
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"tim (moved to sweden)" skrev i meddelandet
...
How will high speed trains help to reduce global warming?


Because they run on electricity generated by a nuclear power
station :-(.
tim

Or hydro-power. Swedish train systems buys elektricity from hydro-power
only while the whole electricity production is about 50% hydro,50% nuclear
reduced with a small production from wind power and occasionally imported
power,mainly coal or hydro-p.(from Norway)


  #17  
Old June 14th, 2005, 01:22 AM
nobody
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One Way Ticket wrote:
that the Iraq 'Food for Oil' UN program was corrupt in its management
and also generally worthless in doing what the program said would be
accomplished.


Please read the real UN reports instead of listening to US media sucha s
CNN or FOX before passing such judgements.

OFF only started in 1998. From 1991 to 1997, Hussein refused offers for
such a programme. And when it started, the price of oil was low enough
that Iraq's already crippled infrastructure was not able to produce
enough to pay for all food and medevice to feel all Iraqis. But the
money that was generated through the UN all went to agreed upon goods/services.

The UN so called corruption were just a few isolated cases of
individuals buying oil from the UN at Iraqi prices and then selling it
on the open market.

The other corruption was due to the USA and Britain knowingly turning a
blind eye to Hussein illegally exporting oil outside of OFF and keeping
all the money. This was totally outside of OFF and happened for far
longer than just OFF.

In terms or africa, the problem is that the money from foreign
governments is going to partially help their local companies. So the USA
donates money to africa so africans can buy cheap US food/wheat.

If USA/Europe stopped selling agricultural products to Africa and
instead donated money for irrigation and help in producing higher yield
in crops, then that would improve the situation.

Of course, with a war criminal heading world bank, you can expect US
corporate interests to continue to be well represented in all subsidies
that the USA gives to african nations.

Funding needs to be better channeled. With the realization that you
are not going to reach those requiring assistance when the funds are
all distributed to the top of the food chain.


It isn't finding that needs to be better channeled. It is a quetstion of
funding not going against long term success of Africa. It goes towars
short term benefits of western nations.
  #18  
Old June 14th, 2005, 01:30 AM
Miguel Cruz
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Go Fig wrote:
wrote:
I agree with that, and also California and the Midwest should have
high-speed rail systems. The problem is that our Republican government
doesn't care about global warming or oil conservation, and won't fund
intercity rail or practical mass transit within cities,


That is because the Federal Government is Constitutionally prohibited
from making such expenses.


A fact that will come as no surprise to anyone who remembers the
incarceration and eventual execution of everyone involved with planning and
implementing the interstate highway system.

miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos from 36 countries on 5 continents: http://travel.u.nu
Latest photos: Queens Day in Amsterdam; the Grand Canyon; Amman, Jordan
  #19  
Old June 14th, 2005, 02:08 AM
Lennart Petersen
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"nobody" skrev i meddelandet
In terms or africa, the problem is that the money from foreign
governments is going to partially help their local companies. So the USA
donates money to africa so africans can buy cheap US food/wheat.

If USA/Europe stopped selling agricultural products to Africa and
instead donated money for irrigation and help in producing higher yield
in crops, then that would improve the situation.

-----------------
Problem is that whatever you do everything seem to be wasted in local
corruption or incompetence. We've provided foreign aid to Africa now for
40y or so and everything seem to disappear just in a black hole (or more
likely someone's pocket)
I know some people working for foreign aid in an African country. Was mainly
to improve and advice on mail distribution. The locals provided the usual
X-mas list of wanted projects.
One such was a hangarsize store building for parcels.
"Why do you need that ?"
"to store parcels"
"aren't they to be forwarded to the destination?"
"yes but we must store them"
"why ?"
"the railway accepts only a full car-load to a destination"
"have you been in discussion with the railway"
"no,but we know about their rules"
"have you met the railway management?"
"no"
Next day was a visit to the railway:
"is it necessary to book a full freight car for goods to a specific
destination ?"
"no"
"so if you've goods to various destinations?"
"no problem, you can book part of a car if you so like"
"have you met the mail management ?"
"no"
"would you like to meet them?"
"they're so welcome"
Third day that meeting was arranged and no more talk about the hangar.


  #20  
Old June 14th, 2005, 02:32 AM
Go Fig
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In article , Miguel Cruz
wrote:

Go Fig wrote:
wrote:
I agree with that, and also California and the Midwest should have
high-speed rail systems. The problem is that our Republican government
doesn't care about global warming or oil conservation, and won't fund
intercity rail or practical mass transit within cities,


That is because the Federal Government is Constitutionally prohibited
from making such expenses.


A fact that will come as no surprise to anyone who remembers the
incarceration and eventual execution of everyone involved with planning and
implementing the interstate highway system.


How foolish or ignorant:

National Interstate and Defense Highways Act of 1956, was
Constitutionally justified.

jay
Mon Jun 13, 2005



miguel

 




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