To no longer give a stuff about the third world

[Flashman]

We face an Avalanche of info about the third world that we should give them x amount each month - but now I find myself not being able to give a stuff. I know that one death is tragic but 100,000 is just a number. It seems to me that any money sent does not go to the right place anyway, and just encourages a dependency. I am sure that I read the only thing keeping Robert Mugabe with any foreign reserves is the fact that people living outside Zim send money in.

not sure that I quite agree about not giving a stuff but must say I do find the array of charities asking for donations bewildering and then you read stuff about it being creamed off for admin (particularly if you give to those annoying people who accost you in the street) or not going to where it is meant.

I am honestly not sure what to do for best or where to get info to make sure that money is going to good causes

Message withdrawn

forst????

if you really want to know about charities and where the money goes to you can easily check with the Chariy Commission or Guide Star

think you are being fairly unreasonable

first

China has trillions in it's reserve and could rebuild Szechaun 100 times over, but we still reach in our pockets.

oh yeah

just nuke it

but did you ever give a stuff about it in the first place?

I see you as just a number.

thanks ruby..thats really good tips.

well at least we would know then that all the billions we spent on Trident worked.

And that is spaid very much tongue in cheek.

what was the precise point at which you lost your considerable compassion and warm heart? Exactly how many deaths does it tke for you not to care anymore?

I do care a lot but I think a lot of the problems they face are exacerbated by corrupt governments and until that is sorted out then things will never get better. The situation in Burma is a prime example.

I now no longer give to famine relief: only to projects like well-digging, setting up small businesses, or educating women: ie, charities which give people a way to pull themselves out of poverty. Famine relief doesn't seem to stop famine; education might.

"I know that one death is tragic but 100,000 is just a number"

i think that is a truly depressing statement

said even!

Well as much as most people - I gave stuff to oxfam - signed end the debt ect. You know generally as far as the vast majority - I did as much as I could without actually having to help.

These days I don't even bother to read it in the papers and think oh well - and am just glad that my distant Ancestors had more go than I would have and left Africa back in the day.

• Assuming that Darwin is correct.

It was Lenin who said that.

'One death is a tragedy. A million deaths is a statistic.'

Message withdrawn

Sorry, I mean Stalin.

Different facial hair ..

am not sure what point you are trying to make
Flashman?

It is depressing - truely it is. But what does 100,000 a million deaths really mean?

It can be hard to care about unknown strangers, and feel the money has no connection to real people, but sponsoring a child and getting a report about their progress must be nice. Or supporting people in your own community who are going out to some third world country to build houses or schools. I like those kind of projects because they are more intimate.

Also when charities collect clothes and food stuffs to fill a container that will be delivered to people in need.
I like the idea of that particular blanket that I gave, keeping another human warm.

cod is right as usual.. regretting ever posting on it.

I am not trying to make a point - or fish. I would like to hear people's views.

are you a man seeking attention in a rather clumsy way?