Dear Wybong,

What a breath of fresh air you are
on this Forum.

I simply loved your last post and the
coin reference - so beautifully
put! I'm going to copy and keep it
if you don't mind.

Please keep on posting - it's so
enjoyable reading someone's thoughts
of your insight and intelligence.

Wybong,
Yes, I am a lost cause and a pragmatic. I do not see the lifestyle of Africian herdsmen through rose coloured glasses. If it comes to the well being of my wife and kids, I would chose a menial job at a surburban shopping centre any day.

I reckon everyone should spend some time camping out and roughing it as it makes one appreciate our home far more.

You and mikk both quoted this line below.
"Reality is made by humans. If we wanted to, if we cared we could easily provide at least the basics to every single person on this planet."

The basics of what? You already seem to think the herdsman has it better than an urbanite. Food, education, medicine, You both are dreaming! That would ruin his spirituality.

Oh, I noticed you used the word 'easily'.

We cannot even lift the standard of living for remote communities here, in Aus, let alone raise the living standards for the billion or so Africians. That is the reality that has to be faced.

I understand that the population of Africa has doubled in the last 50 years. That needs addressing by education in birth control. Iran acheived a dramatic reduction in birth numbers, which shows it can be done. That is the practical approach.

If you think that is just another sweeping statement then google Iran + birth control.

Banjo wrote;

"I understand that the population of Africa has doubled in the last 50 years. That needs addressing by education in birth control. Iran acheived a dramatic reduction in birth numbers, which shows it can be done. That is the practical approach."

Dear Banjo,

Iran has done a terrific job in that area with a fertility rate less than that of the US.

However, much of the increasing African population is a consequence of interference in the underdeveloped world by external religious and cultural influences.

Bougainville, an island of Papua New Guinea, has had a great population increase since the area has been subject to European influence. Before European influence the population remained fairly constant due to the fact that Bougainvilleans routinely used abortificients found in nature to keep their population at a sustainable level. Catholic, Seventh Day Adventist and other missionaries have succeeded in persuading the Bougainvilleans that the use of abortificients is a sin. I assume missionaries have done the same in Africa.

Another example is among the Aborigines in Australia. Before European influence the population remained fairly constant due to the fact that many Aboriginal people had developed a method of birth control. It involved the process of drilling a hole from the outside of the penis to base of the canal. When conception was desired a finger placed over the hole was effective. Missionaries also succeeded in getting the Aborigines to regard the practice as sinful.

At the Cairo Population Conference some advocated easier access to abortion and better access to education for girls. Representatives of the Catholic Church got together with Muslim clergy to oppose both initiatives. Abortion is ok with Muslims, and female education is ok with Catholics, but to make an alliance they opposed both. Perhaps Iran is different since they are not Sunni Muslims.

By eliminating restrictions on the birth rate and decreasing the death rate by medication and other means the non-African world is largely responsible for increasing African population.

Education in birth control is desirable. One must fight religious interference to get it

davidf,
Agreed, reliions have much to answer for. Over population is the worlds biggest problem IMO.

Some Islamic fundys do a lot to keep the population in check. Their methods leave much to be desired though. Not keen on the methods of Hitler, Starlin or Mao either. Birth control seems better.

So, Banjo - how many African refugees have you said g'day to lately, or ever?

Thank you all, I feel that those who'll grow have grown, those that won't won't.
One last word, isn't banjo a romantic, nic:
Andrew Barton "Banjo' Paterson (1864-1941). Poet, ballad writer, journalist and horseman.

'Banjo' Paterson, known as Barty to his family, was born Andrew Barton Paterson at Narrambla, near Orange on 17 February 1864. His parents, Andrew Bogle and Rose Isabella Paterson were graziers on Illalong station in the Yass district.

Paterson's early education took place at home under a governess and then at the bush school in Binalong, the nearest township. From about the age of ten years he attended the Sydney Grammar School. He lived with his grandmother in Gladesville and spent the school holidays at Illalong station with his family.

So poor old Banjo wasn't the romantic bush poet we thought, instead a practical man.

Six years in the Australian Army and many many pig and fox hunting trips, I think I can remember sleeping in the bush during something!

By the way, pigs, foxes, rabbits and cactus were brought to Australia by practical English country gentlemen, thanks fellas.

And the practical Aussie farmers have done a great job stopping all that wasted water from flowing down the Darling River (to mention just one), do you know paddle steamers once went as far as Bourke?