Why should I care about or help the poor and starving people of the world

Latchy · 10-11-2008 01:27PM

Why should people care why OP is asking

'' why should i care about or help the poor and starving people of the world '' ?

.Just like the anonymous doner the people who really care dont feel the need to come and say ''well i help by doing this ,or i have helped by doing that .The whole idea of helping the poor and starving is for their benifit, not ours . Our rewards for doing so are knowing that our contribituions however small ,are helping those starving millions.

thelordofcheese · 10-11-2008 01:28PM

Degsy wrote: »

Colonialism is the only reason any african country became prosperous.250 years ago they didnt know what the wheel was.
Giving aid to african countries is only serving to prop up corrupt regimes that are starving thier people whilst they live off the fat of the land.
Either invade and set the country right or leave them to thier own devices,africa is a money pit and no amount of guilt will change that.

If only the real world were so binary you might actually have a point.

dr.bollocko · 10-11-2008 02:34PM

Is a dead Irish baby worth more than a dead African baby then?

Gummy Panda · 10-11-2008 02:37PM

dr.bollocko wrote: »

Is a dead Irish baby worth more than a dead African baby then?

is this a trick question?

stovelid · 10-11-2008 02:39PM

dr.bollocko wrote: »

Is a dead Irish baby worth more than a dead African baby then?

They tend to be a far rarer, less devalued currency in Ireland.

brianthebard · 10-11-2008 02:41PM

Degsy wrote: »

Colonialism is the only reason any african country became prosperous.250 years ago they didnt know what the wheel was.
Giving aid to african countries is only serving to prop up corrupt regimes that are starving thier people whilst they live off the fat of the land.
Either invade and set the country right or leave them to thier own devices,africa is a money pit and no amount of guilt will change that.

Quick question; do you even believe you?

Kold · 10-11-2008 02:58PM

dr.bollocko wrote: »

Is a dead Irish baby worth more than a dead African baby then?

Yeah, they tend to be meatier and more tender.

walshb · 10-11-2008 03:48PM

We already donate a hell of a lot thru tax and foreign aid. It's the ramming down our throats of the poor people in Asia and Africa that bugs me. These same people that are
ramming this down our throats wouldn't give their fellow Irishman a crust of freakin' bread!

A lot of these countries we donate to are well advanced and some even have poxy nuclear weapons.

You cannot turn the TV on or open a newspaper now without some bloody ad campaign for Africa or Asia or Europe etc etc. It's absolute reached saturation point and the biggest farce is, the whole poverty story is big business. It's all to do with money and creating wealth. It's not addressing the real issues.

Latchy · 10-11-2008 04:14PM

Assuming i could afford to I would much prefer to give a donation to help somebody who needs a life saving operation or some other such like were large costs are incured .At least you see the results of your donation .Were as giving to a large charity, your donation might get eating up by some hidden clause like tax or worse into the pockets of some charity fraudster/africn tyrannt .

Macha · 10-11-2008 04:30PM

walshb wrote: »

We already donate a hell of a lot thru tax and foreign aid. It's the ramming down our throats of the poor people in Asia and Africa that bugs me. These same people that are
ramming this down our throats wouldn't give their fellow Irishman a crust of freakin' bread!

God, for a minute I was keeping all my sympathy for women forced to endure FGM or kids orphaned by AIDS but your story about having these stories "rammed" down your throat brought a tear to my eye. How could I have been so blind to the suffering right in front of me?

walshb wrote: »

These same people that are ramming this down our throats wouldn't give their fellow Irishman a crust of freakin' bread!

Meaning..? Pretty much all Irish people can afford bread.

walshb wrote: »

A lot of these countries we donate to are well advanced and some even have poxy nuclear weapons.

Ill tell that to the starving village of people. Well see how they take it.

walshb wrote: »

It's not addressing the real issues.

Which are...?

latchyco wrote: »

Assuming i could afford to I would much prefer to give a donation to help somebody who needs a life saving operation or some other such like were large costs are incured .At least you see the results of your donation .Were as giving to a large charity, your donation might get eating up by some hidden clause like tax or worse into the pockets of some charity fraudster/africn tyrannt .

Charities undergo rigorous audits by external accountancy practices and the reports are published annually.

Degsy · 10-11-2008 04:48PM

taconnol wrote: »

God, for a minute I was keeping all my sympathy for women forced to endure FGM

Let me stop you right there.
Nobody has ever been "forced" to undergo what the pinkos have dubbed "FGM".The proper name is female circumsision and its considered a rite of passage amongst the tribes who perform it.
Nowadays,bogus asylum seekers use the myth of "forced"circumcision to horrify naive people in the first world int o granting them refugee status.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Female_genital_cutting

dlofnep · 10-11-2008 04:55PM

You should care because they have a life of extreme hardship, and if you were in their shoes - you'd be more than greatful for the aid you receive.

Do onto others and all that.

But chances are, by the way you titled you're thread - I'd say you're perfectly comfortable with ignoring the mass geneocide and starvation that goes on daily on this lovely planet of ours.

kmick · 10-11-2008 05:03PM

I have found whatever you give away you get back many fold. I dont understand the mechanics of how this works but I have friends and they are mean to themselves and others in money, in relationships etc - and I swear to god the world never throws them a bone. Its up to you - its counter intuitive but it works.

Macha · 10-11-2008 05:20PM

Degsy wrote: »

Let me stop you right there.
Nobody has ever been "forced" to undergo what the pinkos have dubbed "FGM".The proper name is female circumsision and its considered a rite of passage amongst the tribes who perform it.
Nowadays,bogus asylum seekers use the myth of "forced"circumcision to horrify naive people in the first world int o granting them refugee status.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Female_genital_cutting

Degsy, you picked the wrong poster to throw your misinformation at. I have a good friend who works in this area and has just released a report on Female Genital Mutilation in Ireland. The proper name is not female circumcision because it is not comparable to male circumcision.

It is forced on young girls and many girls die while undergoing the procedure, or later have serious sexual problems or seriously reduced sexual pleasure. And don't throw that cultural relativism crap around - it's total bull**** and you know it.

Your ignorance is quite sickening but not surprising considering your use of the word "pinko".

EamonnKeane · 10-11-2008 07:33PM

I suppose altruism is ultimately selfish in that, in showing compassion - or showing admiration for a generous person - one helps to maintain a society where the weak are protected, acting as a sort of insurance. But just because it's selfish doesn't make it bad.

Biggins · 10-11-2008 07:39PM

EamonnKeane wrote: »

..But just because it's selfish doesn't make it bad.

...Just sad.

Degsy · 10-11-2008 08:25PM

taconnol wrote: »

Degsy, you picked the wrong poster to throw your misinformation at. I have a good friend who works in this area and has just released a report on Female Genital Mutilation in Ireland. The proper name is not female circumcision because it is not comparable to male circumcision.

It is forced on young girls and many girls die while undergoing the procedure, or later have serious sexual problems or seriously reduced sexual pleasure. And don't throw that cultural relativism crap around - it's total bull**** and you know it.

Your ignorance is quite sickening but not surprising considering your use of the word "pinko".

Your friend is a bull****ter and a fool.
Is he claiming that this is going on in IRELAND now?
The procedure has been performed rightly or wrongly for thousands of years and its pinkos who dont know thier arse from thier elbow suddenly taking up the cudgels against a culture they know nothing about.
I assume you're some sort of college boy?

Macha · 10-11-2008 08:44PM

Degsy wrote: »

Your friend is a bull****ter and a fool.
Is he claiming that this is going on in IRELAND now?
The procedure has been performed rightly or wrongly for thousands of years and its pinkos who dont know thier arse from thier elbow suddenly taking up the cudgels against a culture they know nothing about.
I assume you're some sort of college boy?

What's with the disdain for people who have an education - do you really think "college boy" is an insult??! Hilarious. Also, my friend is female and so am I.

She works with African women who live here now. The procedure would have been carried out on them when they were girls, living in Africa. There are estimated to be over 2,500 cases in Ireland. And, please sit down - this may come as a shock to you but...she actually does know about their culture. I think you may actually be projecting your own ignorance onto other people. Try to watch out for that in future.

Again, cultural relativism is pretty much the stupidest argument ever used to justify cruel acts - just say you're doing it in the name of "tradition" or "religion" or "culture" and you think we should all say, "oh, ok, carry on with your inherently misogynistic ritual and continue mutilating young girls".

Jesus, with your logic, society would never progress! We'd just keep doing the same stupid things we always did and you'd be up there at the lead, screaming for us to keep doing it because we've always done it? Wow-caveman mentality ftw.

thelordofcheese · 10-11-2008 08:45PM

Degsy wrote: »

Your friend is a bull****ter and a fool.
Is he claiming that this is going on in IRELAND now?
The procedure has been performed rightly or wrongly for thousands of years and its pinkos who dont know thier arse from thier elbow suddenly taking up the cudgels against a culture they know nothing about.
I assume you're some sort of college boy?

Well, you've got to love consistency.

For his next trick, degsy here will take on the role of the anti-intellectual every man, who knows the "real story" and that everyone else is some kind of 'pinko' or 'hippy'.

After RTDH you're my favouite broken record, you feeble excuse for a troll.

Degsy · 10-11-2008 08:47PM

taconnol wrote: »

What's with the disdain for people who have an education - do you really think "college boy" is an insult??! Hilarious. Also, my friend is female and so am I.

She works with African women who live here now. The procedure would have been carried out on them when they were girls, living in Africa. There are estimated to be over 2,500 cases in Ireland. And, please sit down - this may come as a shock to you but...she actually does know about their culture. I think you may actually be projecting your own ignorance onto other people. Try to watch out for that in future.

Again, cultural relativism is pretty much the stupidest argument ever used to justify cruel acts - just say you're doing it in the name of "tradition" or "religion" or "culture" and you think we should all say, "oh, ok, carry on with your inherently misogynistic ritual and continue mutilating young girls".

Jesus, with your logic, society would never progress! We'd just keep doing the same stupid things we always did and you'd be up there at the lead, screaming for us to keep doing it because we've always done it? Wow-caveman mentality ftw.

Can you just explain to me how exactly cultural procedures in africa are any of your business?
Or that of your "friend"?
Would these "victims" of such a barbaric procedure be asylum-seekers by any chance?

Degsy · 10-11-2008 08:52PM

thelordofcheese wrote: »

Well, you've got to love consistency.

For his next trick, degsy here will take on the role of the anti-intellectual every man, who knows the "real story" and that everyone else is some kind of 'pinko' or 'hippy'.

After RTDH you're my favouite broken record, you feeble excuse for a troll.

Ah now.You've obviously never met me..i'm considerably more "intellectual" than the majority of people who are just out of thier teens and think they know it all because they somehow managed to get into college.
Swallowing a load of made-up stories by illegal immigrants does NOT make you an intellectual.It makes you gullible.

Macha · 10-11-2008 08:56PM

Degsy wrote: »

Can you just explain to me how exactly cultural procedures in africa are any of your business?
Or that of your "friend"?
Would these "victims" of such a barbaric procedure be asylum-seekers by any chance?

*Sigh* because they are a violation of human rights and I have compassion for women, and men, who have suffered injustices under the cowardly guise of "cultural relativism".

I know that last sentence won't make any sense to you - you're clearly too busy building up supplies and a bomb-shelter out the back for the imminent invasion of socialist pinko African women with fake FGM stories who want to steal your babies and eat them.

thelordofcheese · 10-11-2008 08:58PM

Degsy wrote: »

Ah now.You've obviously never met me..i'm considerably more "intellectual" than the majority of people who are just out of thier teens and think they know it all because they somehow managed to get into college.
Swallowing a load of made-up stories by illegal immigrants does NOT make you an intellectual.It makes you gullible.

Degsy, you're going to get alot of people shouting at you and telling you that you're wrong.

And you should listen to them.

Degsy · 10-11-2008 09:01PM

thelordofcheese wrote: »

Degsy, you're going to get alot of people shouting at you and telling you that you're wrong.

And you should listen to them.

And you should stop with your one-line trolling.You've contributed jack to this thread.

brianthebard · 10-11-2008 09:02PM

Degsy wrote: »

Ah now.You've obviously never met me..i'm considerably more "intellectual" than the majority of people who are just out of thier teens and think they know it all because they somehow managed to get into college.
Swallowing a load of made-up stories by illegal immigrants does NOT make you an intellectual.It makes you gullible.

By who's measurement?

Degsy · 10-11-2008 09:02PM

taconnol wrote: »

*Sigh* because they are a violation of human rights and I have compassion for women, and men, who have suffered injustices under the cowardly guise of "cultural relativism".

Well go over and live amongst them for a while and see how they take to you.They'll most likely tell you to mind your own business.

Latchy · 10-11-2008 09:04PM

taconnol wrote: »

Charities undergo rigorous audits by external accountancy practices and the reports are published annually.

And you dont think there is corruption in charities ? that's were all the money is ,wake up and smell the coffee .

Biggins · 10-11-2008 09:07PM

latchyco wrote: »

And you dont think there is corruption in charities ? that's were all the money is ,wake up and smell the coffee .

...and there was I thinking it was all in religion and cults like Scientology!

Guess I and the rest of us moral do-gooders are all wrong! :rolleyes:

Latchy · 10-11-2008 09:09PM

Biggins wrote: »

...and there was I thinking it was all in religion and cults like Scientology!

Guess I and the rest of us moral do-gooders are all wrong! :rolleyes:

Moral do-gooders ? your point is ? :rolleyes:

marcsignal · 10-11-2008 09:13PM

I think it's safe to say that there can be a no more horrific sight than the vision of starving, diseased and brutalised children, surrounded in their own excrement, with sunken faces that are crawling with flies, but even these depraved horrible things have a shelf life, in terms of their impact, when it comes to communicating their plight to us, over our TV screens.

I have to admit, I don't donate to Third World Charities anymore, for a few different reasons. Firstly, I have simply become desensetised to it, because of being bombarded with it all my life. After all those years, things seem to be getting no better. In fact if anything, by all accounts, they're getting worse. At this point I'm beginning to think that the Third World was better off under Colonialism, although I'm sure that's not a popular view.

I vaguely remember the concert for Bangladesh in the 70's, and remember the valliant efforts of Bob Geldof and Live Aid in the 80's vividly. There seemed to be real hope of change, but what did it achieve? It would seem that despite the efforts, and truly honourable intentions of all of these people, like Bob Geldof, it just created more mouths to feed in the future, and without solving the political problems that led to these catastrophies in the first place, it could be argued that all we gave them was a bit helping of False Hope.

I also have to admit, I don't disagree with Degsy when he says that things like FGM are used by asylum seekers to tug at our heart strings, that happens for sure, and anyone who denies that is niaeve. Having said that, if I was in the position of someone seeking to escape the depravation of some African countries, I'd say 'Mass' and a lot more besides, to escape the misery.

'taconnol' I think the article on FGM you were talking about is Here, and yes it seems horiffic, but it would also seem it is something that has been practiced for thousands of years. Whether it be right or wrong, by our standards, who are we to impose our Western Principles on such people? Is that in itself not just a form of 'Cultural Colonialism?'

The vision of starving children is sad and appalling, and unfortunately, the poor will always be with us too, but the world is not a nice place, and, IMO, anyone who thinks it can be for everyone, all the time, is just deluding themselves.

Why should I care about or help the poor and starving people of the world

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