It is important to remind ourselves that the nations who require aid are respledant with corrupt people in all levels of society. It is a moral tragedy that they get this aid so freely and easily. I don't pretend to know the nature of aid negotiations. However, it seems to me that many funds are appropriated by shrewd or powerful individuals, irregardless of the provider's state of concern (if any) or awareness.

Stuart,
Yes mate a caring, compassionate, practical Government would add your No 6 to their list, in recent times it appears the environment has lost it's importance to government, it was a huge issue in the 80's.

People these days seem to be pushed towards consumerism and work, so much so that they tend to forget the need to protect the environment.
They don't seem to realise that when it's gone, it's gone forever.

As a wise man once said:
" Only when the last tree has died
and the last river has been poisoned
and the last fish has been caught
will they realise that we cannot eat money"

Col, I don't imagine I'm the only one who thinks that if I want my soul changed I'd be better off with a priest or a book than with Mrs Thatcher. What Col-ossal (bad pun) hubris on her part. And did the patron saint of choice have the changing of souls as part of her election platform? (Rhetorical question). If not, why not? Where was the informed choice in voting for her messianic intent?

GOODWORK jkenno - "Aid is not about ringing up, donating fifty dollars....so you can feel better about yourself. ..... It is about making the world a better place, something that all sides of the political spectrum should be morally obesessed with."

and to SHONGA,

" The ....last tree has died-
last river has been poisoned
.....last fish has been caught"
(may we) "realise that we cannot eat money" ,

Do you agree that to care for the planet - is to care for people. Most of the environmental issues turn out to be issues of (someone/s) HUMAN INCOME.

We need to be mindful - we need to do more than make sustainable rules ie: the Wild Rivers - Native Title and State Land claims etc in Cape York ... or Dams that flood and over-ride the livelihood "needs" of villages in India, Africa etc. I can't see us getting anywhere unless we address the needs of people who more often "do not co-operate" with Agenda-21 or LA-21 (see miacat.com) unless we understand their degree of "POVERTY" or the in-"JUSTICE" - we can't hope to address it more appropriately.

I do not believe anyone wants to harm the environment out-right. I believe (pure) environmentalist (as have the extreme right), have forgotten that we URGENTLY need the engagement of PEOPLE at GROUND LEVELS, if we are to gain a fair-REALITY - from their "engagement" and support.

Yes - AID is more than the fact ..."we cannot eat money", it is about working through the issues to balance - a level playing field. Human Capital - Social Capital and a honest HUMAN FACE will go further than just addressing "the flow of money".

On corruption - it is a world issue. Structural-Violence is rife in Australia. It is an "invisable form" of violence and the most abusive form of all. The saddess is - many of us are prepared to keep it invisable - to do other-wise in an developed country, is/can be as "risky" as in any third world village.

Great Forum - truly admire our debate folks - TA!

Ludwig
The UN has failed to achieve much of its chartered objective. It is hamstrung by the organisation of its security council where resolutions, instead of standing on their merit, are “negotiated” through the myriad of political interests. Hence preventing Genocide in Africa is of less significance than paying political lip service to some African Despot.

People with passion and interest get on and do, whilst the UN just talks. Hence better to support the “doers” through their relatively smaller organisations, than assume any economies / benefits of scale will be delivered through the bureaucracy of the UN.

Regarding Governments incapacity for compassion, my reference to my previous postings, see my opening post to this thread about #6 on this page.

Jkenno I am pleased to see you agree with me.
Yes, government, every government, not just this government. is incapable of compassion.
Hence, I believe you would be better receiving a tax refund which you can direct to whatever AID benefit you wish. I am sure your own decision will be better than governments in meeting your personal expectations.

As for making the world a better place. That again, is something which we can achieve more as individuals than asking government to direct us.
I suggest, take responsibility for yourself, live by example and be assured, it should be the attitudes of individuals which shape government, not the other way around.

Anomie “hubris” is most often found in those who claim to observe it in others.

As for priests and Mrs Thatcher, Mrs Thatcher any day. Mrs Thatcher was a strong yet remarkably feminine woman, priests are just snake-oil salesmen who like to dress up in frocks.

Finally, regarding your derisory evaluation of “Choice”.
I ask you, What distinguishes humans from lower orders of animals ?

The ability to make and exercise choices instead of being driven by our own biology simply to perpetuate the species.

If you want to be a sheep and ignore choice for yourself, do so but do not expect to find me chewing the crass grass of socialism beside you.

Tim, as far as the Earthquake victims in Kashmir and surrounding areas are concerned, one of the most dire needs appear to be footwear, blankets and some sort of stormproof housing.

Sending Ugh boots and blankets should not be too expensive to start with - seeing as our Government is as stingy as it gets, because there appears to be nothing coming back our way. By sending Ugh boots we would even stimulate one section of our economy. There appear to be people without any footwear whatsoever, from little children to the old and frail. Also, good quality blankets would help a lot. Thin, threadbare blankets would be nothing but an insult to these people.

As far as stormproof housing is concerned, there are enough aid workers there, to teach the local population how to build IGLOOS. Snow appears to be there in abundance, costs nothing and yet provides more warmth and protection most people could even imagine. One small fire will heat an igloo in a hurry to temperatures, which allow relatively comfortable survival. Anyone who ever sat out a blizzard in an igloo, will attest to that.

Some education, as well as goods, can make a life or death difference.
Justin