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#11
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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