“Undocumented would-be immigrant” Behrouz Boochani was last week awarded a $125,000 literary prize, but he should not have been. Why? Because Rule 7 of the conditions necessary for entry into the Victorian Premier's Literary Award for non-fiction states:

'Authors must be Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia’.

This recipient of the award is neither of these things; he is an illegal immigrant in detention on Manus Island.

The judges ignored rule 7. Now we will have to wait and see if Rule 6 will be invoked : 'Breaches of conditions of entry will render an entry invalid’.

And, how should the judges be dealt with?

And, how should the judges be dealt with?
ttbn,
Like all incompetent people they have to demoted to their level of competence ! With a National service acquired mentality such people would not get anywhere near the positions as they do now.

Well, they are certainly not fit to judge if they refuse to obey the rules themselves; but, this occurred in the Banana Republic of Victoria, so the patron of the awards, El Presidente Andrews, is likely to do what? Nothing is my guess.

Quite correct TTBN - If they refuse to follow the rules, surely then it makes the efficacy of the entire competition a farce?

o sung wu,

What I find really amazing is the fact that these so-called judges think it's OK to ignore the rules. The arrogance of these people is mind-boggling.

The judges are:

Dennis Altman, an academic at La Trobe university and gay activist who would be well away that the recipient is not entitled to the award because he agitates on behalf people on Nauru who left their countries because they are homosexuals.

Fatima Measham, an activist against ‘racism’, sexism, coal, Islamophobia, homophobia and Tony Abbott.

Sonia Nair, another activist and SJW who has written about the “atrocities” committed “under the banner of the Australian flag”, who would also be aware of the recipient’s illegal migrant status.

Jordy Silverstein, another ‘refugee’ activist.

Bhakthi Puvanenthiran, associate editor at ‘Crikey’, wand we all know what that organisation stands for - or against.

If this award is not withdrawn, we will know beyond all doubt that the tyrannical Left - always nagging Australia and Australians on right and wrong - regard themselves exempt from rules and regulations.

And, for the feminist, ‘equality’ crowd, only 1 or the 5 judges is male.

The Victorian Premier's Literary awards were inaugurated
by the Victorian government in 1985 to honour Australian writing.

The awards are administered by the Wheeler Centre on behalf
of the Premier of Victoria. There are seven award categories -
fiction, non-fiction, drama, poetry, young adult,
Indigenous writing and unpublished manuscripts.

Even though the famous Iranian author/filmaker - Behrouz Boochani
is not a resident of Australia, due to being detained by the
Australian government on Manus Island - the Wheeler Centre
decided to classify his work of non-fiction as an
Australian story. One that needed to be heard. They found the
book to be an öut standing work that simply stood out above
the rest - therefore they thought flexibility was called for
in this case. It was a unanimous decision.

I for one am proud of that decision - and thanks to this
discussion - I will now be buying aeveral copies of the book.

Can't wait to read it and give it as gifts to family and friends.

Bravo Wheeler Centre!

Saw that story last week where he was nominated in a lot of states etc but was rejected in NSW and others.

The story proceeded with he was nominated for the Victorian award, oddly enough my first thought was he will get it not on merit which may be warranted but purely because Victoria Labor want to stick it to the others.
Just like Obama and the Nobel Peace award, lately there have been cases where committees etc seem to be so out of touch with the average person.

A race to see who can be the most controversial.

come on ttbn at least they did not give it to Clemetine Ford.

Boochani's book was given special exemption by the
Victorian Prize administrators, the Wheeler Centre.
It's Director Michael Williams said the winner of the
Victorian Prize has been decided by the chairs of all
the judging panels. They were unanimous.

Gig Ryan, one of the judges said that while Boochani
was not an Australian citizen he, and his statelessness
are Australia's responsibility. His work was "certainly
the most unusual book in its style, in its peculiar mix
of sociological study and impressive poetry."

Michael Williams denied that the Boochani decision had
politicised the awards.

"Non-fiction books often delve into political and social
issues. Our writers are going to be critics of our society
and they are going to be throwing down challenges and they
are going to be putting forward prescriptions for better
ways of doing things. It doesn't mean the award has been
politicised, it means that through books we can make the
most powerful, most lasting statements on the big issues of
the day.

Not that I would know? However as an avid reader myself, somehow the content of any of Mr. Behrouz BOOCHANI'S books, would have very little interest for me. I have a sense it would contain many complaints therein, chief among them, would a significant whinge about Australia's Border Policy, and how hard-hearted we Aussies are?

Of course, I'm only speculating, as I've not read a word of his book. I find it interesting, those on the panel, who had carriage for determining the winner, were from the far, far left. In a State with the most 'leftie' Labour leader, in the C'Wealth. I reckon I'm safe in saying, now this individual has won this literary prize, his next move will be, permanent residency in Australia?

Prepare for fleets carrying middle eastern writers !
ps.
I wonder if we can get our hands on a book describing why & how these people became refugees ? Perhaps they too did away with national Service in those countries & instead of standing up agains their oppressors, all the fighting age males head for the much despised cultures of the western countries ?

The book is a record of the author's time
on Manus. Laboriously tapped out on a mobile
phone and translated from Farsi. It is a
voice of witness, an act of survival, a first
hard account, a cry of resistance, a vivid
portrait through 5 years of incarceration and
exile.

Here is a review of the book:

http://sydneyreviewofbooks.com/a=place-of-punishment-no-friend-but-the-mountains-by-behrouz-boochani/

I suppose if someone waiting legally to come here from the many camps wrote a timeline of the horrific conditions they face they would not get a look in for the prize. Instead a queue jumper who paid smugglers gets the nod. Good on him for fooling the suckers.

cont'd ...

Sorry for the typo.

Here's the link again:

http://sydneyreviewofbooks.com/a-place-of-punishment-no-friend-but-the-mountains-by-behrouz-boochani/

o sung wu Good call
From The link by Foxy
One hesitates to invoke Auschwitz in a discussion of Australia’s asylum seeker detention regime, a system that, for all its horrors, does not implement genocide. But Behrouz Boochani’s No Friend But the Mountains – a book about, among other things, the power of writing – invites the comparison, as a text self-consciously positioned within a broader literature of incarceration.

The narrative begins with Boochani leaving Indonesia on a decrepit boat, a voyage that culminates in his arrival on Australian territory (specifically, Christmas Island). There, as the asylum seekers learn of their imminent transfer to Manus Island, they’re told to change into new clothing provided by the guards.

A grim-looking officer gives a set of clothes to anyone who passes through the strip-and-search stage, even though the clothes don’t match the size of the person in any way whatsoever. There is no choice. We have to wear whatever they issue …. Yellow polyester T-shirts – they transform our bodies, they utterly degrade us.

Also Quote "When I was first exiled to Manus … I did not know anyone in Australia. I smuggled a phone in to work on as a writer "

** If he as he says smuggle the phone in that would imply it or something was illegal, criminal, he will go well in the Victorian Labor party **

Bravo, says Foxy when her Leftist mates break the rules. There's no getting away from the Marxists’ total lack of fairness and integrity. Hypocrites!

Runner,

I don't think they have an award for the foulest mouth misandrist, or Ford would get it every year.

I do wonder whether I should write a book myself, detailing my own unremarkable struggles to protect our Borders from every interloper wishing to partake in our generous Welfare system. The trouble is, I'm not aware of any contests or 'prize' groups, that might judge any Literary merit, awarded for topics originating from the conservative side of politics?

The narrative begins with Boochani leaving Indonesia on a decrepit boat,
PhilipS,
I wonder why the book doesn't begin with stepping over the border of his country into the neighbouring country ?

individual Never know he may have started that way and the refugee advocates suggested telling the truth might not be in his best interests.

I firmly believe the decision was not on merit but the same reason Obama got the Nobel peace prize.

Hi Foxy,

I'm sure the forums 'Usual Suspects' will be arranging a book burning night very shortly, where unapproved material such as this can be duly dispatched to the fires.

Don't worry runner, you can bring alone any stray copies of Darwin's blasphemous 'Origin of Species' and chuck them on as well.

Sorry the lads had a book burning last night, I missed that one;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leeBJIZwIbk

Dear Paul,

I came across this as I was cleaning out my study.
It's from ages ago on an article I did on censorship
at uni. I think it's appropriate here:

"Somebody in France wanted to put Voltaire in jail.
Somebody in Franco's Spain sent Lorca, their
greatest poet, to death before a firing squad.
Somebody in Germany under Hitler burned the books,
drove Thomas Mann into exile, and led their Jewish
scholars to the gas chamber. Somebody in Greece long
ago gave Socrates the hemlock to drink. Somebody in
the USSR banned Solzhenitsyn and Pasternak. Somebody
at Golgotha erected a cross and somebody drove the
nails into the hands and feet of Christ.
Somebody spat on his garments.
NO BODY REMEMBERS THEIR NAMES."

Considering that the feminist literary awards excluded Germaine Greer for being insufficiently radical, the question is how political the choices were not if.

Having seen just a small sample of the turgid prose where this economic migrant compares his detention to Auschwitz it would appear that the only merit in this 200 odd page whinge is political.

The only utility to be achieved in buying this book is not in the reading, but in signalling one's virtue in buying it and ensuring that everyone knows or inflicting it on friends.

The saddest thing about Germaine Greer is that
her motivation, once high-minded, is now,
in 2018/2019, obsolete.

As for the author Behrouz Boochani comparing his
book to Auschwitz? No. It was the Sydney Review of
Books that did that and they quoted from several writers.

They explained that:

"One hesitates to invoke Auschwitz in a discussion of
Australia's asylum seeker detention regime, a system
that, for all its horrors, does not implement genocide.
But Behrouz Boochani's "No friend but the mountains" -
a book about, among other things, the power of writing -
does invite the comparison, as a etxt self-consciously
positioned within a broader literature of incarceration."

I rang my favourite bookshop - "Readings" and order copies
of the book. It seems that the book has completely sold
out at ALL of their stores and is now being reprinted.
They will ring and let me know when the books will again
be available. This book has been the number one Bestseller!

Foxy It does pose the question if the information is sensationalized why did you not read it first and either point that out or not put the link here?

The link was a review of the book by the
Sydney Review of Books. I read it prior to
giving the link and thought it appropriate
for posters to read the review for themselves.
I found it interesting and assumed that others would
also.

no need to burn the origin of species Paul. Why destroy the proof of total stupidity. Need to be left for any thinking person to see what utter rubbish god deniers are prepared to swallow.

The Wheeler Centre- apparently part of the State Library Of Victoria- gave $100K and the $25,000 non-fiction prize in the Victorian Premier's Literary Awards. It just serves to emphasize Labor soft on refugees policy compared with the Liberal National Party Coalition.

It's interesting that the Labor Party is happy to show disunity with the National Government in the eyes of the world- even on things that are not in it's jurisdiction. Perhaps it indicates how extreme left strategy is influencing even moderate parties contemporarily.

http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/behrouz-boochani-wins-100000-victorian-prize-for-literature-20190131-h1apmg.html

The Wheeler Centre appears at first glance to be biased vastly in favour of the "extreme left"- though to be fair I need more research to confirm this. Not sure why this organization has been given space at the Victorian State Library in the Eastern Wing.

Reminds me of Ayn Rand's- Altas Shrugged style "moochers"- a good argument for Reagan style small government. I guess politics moves in cycles.

I don't agree with Ayn Rand as she is an Economic Liberal but she does make some good points (I see conservatism ie tradition rather than freedom- as a viewpoint that is more in the interest of the Australian people).

Least Australia will finally get something back from a refugee, he will have to pay tax on it.

Technically he came illegally which was a crime then wrote a book about it, so take it all back as proceeds of crime.

Interesting to see what happens.

He did not come "illegally."

The following link explains:

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jun/15/theres-no-legal-queu-and-three-other-facts-australians-get-wrong-about-asylum-seekers

cont'd ...

Sorry for the typo, Here is the link again:

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jun/15/theres-no-legal-queue-and-three-other0facts-australians-get-wrong-about-asylum-seekers

cont'd -

last try:

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jun/15/theres-no-legal-queue-and-three-other-facts-australians-get-wrong-about-asylum-seekers

Here are a few links that may clarify who
exactly the Wheeler Centre is, what their
aims are, and why it makes sense that they
are at the State Library. It should also
reassure posters that they do maintain a
balance in issues.

http://www.wheelercentre.com/about-us

http://www.wheelercentre.com/about-us/frequently-asked

http://www.wheelercentre.com/notes/loudest-libraries

A "balance", eh. That's good. No need to worry about rules then. Let's continuing handing out money to people who don't qualify under those rules. That's the sort of anarchy Victorians like - the same sort they are looking forward to the rest of us suffering under a Shorten bugger-the-rules government.

Foxy Not even going to waste time with your link, you failed on another thread where you gave a link.
From Foxy
"There's some amazing facts about this issue.

The following link explains:

http://visaaustralia.com.au/immigration-news/overstaying-australian-visa/"

NO amazing facts, I even asked you for some you came back with 1 only that was in the article, therefore zero facts.

Guess what the website was IMMIGRATION Lawyers.

Philip S.,

As I stated previously. It is a question of
perception. Obviously we are poles apart and
always will be. However, as I've also stated -
you're under no obligation to read either my
posts or my links. I get that they're way over
your head - as I clearly saw about the word
of "gruntlement." You missed the point being
made entirely. Which to me is entirely
understandable. It's obvious why. And no, I'm
not going to explain it further for you.
You won't get it.

Foxy Your education level is nowhere near what you try to make out it is.
Quote "I get that they're way over your head - as I clearly saw about the word of "gruntlement.""

** First, how you could provide a link to a website for immigration lawyers and claim there is amazing information there and then come hear and claim your links are way over my head, like usual your claims most of the time never amount to anything I challenged you to list 4 of the amazing information, STILL WAITING.

Then like a complete moron you come on here and use a word that according to you has no meaning except in a book, it was a word made up by the author.

Quote "You won't get it." You are right it is hard to understand a person who deliberately uses a word that in their words HAS NO MEANING except in a certain book, and someone who continually posts links to things they have not even gone to just to see if it is relevant to a discussion.

Philip S.,

You really don't get it.

I provided a link on the other discussion
about immigration, from registered migration agents.
Whose information I found to be "amazing."
You objected to the word. And then asked if I could
provide you with what I found to be so amazing> I did
not take you seriously because all you had to do is
click onto things like - business visas, bridging visas,
citizenship, employer sponsored visas, family, and so on.
They provided a whole gamut of information. Yet you still
focused only on the word I used instead of reading what
was being provided.

Then as for gruntlement. You again didn't get it.
The word was never used in the book I described to you.
I made up the word because I thought it suited you.
I tried to give you a clue by telling you about a pig
named Grunter (because that's what he did). A pig with
attitude. I was talking about you.

And as I stated earlier - it's all way over your head -
but don't worry about it. I don't.

Posted by Foxy

Here are a few links that may clarify who
exactly the Wheeler Centre is, what their
aims are, and why it makes sense that they
are at the State Library. It should also
reassure posters that they do maintain a
balance in issues.

Answer- The links didn't change my view that the Victoria State Library is an inappropriate place for the Wheeler Centre given it's apparently extreme left management- but like I said previously I need to research the management more.

If not knocked on the head, this example will be used as a new tool thanks to the morons handing out the prize.

Foxy Why did you not come out with your amazing information when I first asked you, simple your where tying to be obstinate and obstructive.

If you made up the word why would you use it without explanation as to its meaning in your opinion. Also if you made up the word why would you say other authors do it.

I am going to go back and transcribe every word you said on that thread to verify what you say I do not recall you stating at any time YOU MADE UP THE WORD as you state now.

Quote "I tried to give you a clue by telling you about a pig
named Grunter (because that's what he did). A pig with attitude. I was talking about you."

The truth will come out very soon when I have finished transcribing it.

Quote "And as I stated earlier - it's all way over your head - but don't worry about it. I don't."

** We will see who's head it is over if you are lying. **

A race to the bottom.

Activist who spat on staff at a council meeting is awarded a $30,000 taxpayer grant to draw comics.

A young activist who pleaded guilty to charges of offensive behaviour after spitting on a local government official during a protest has been awarded a grant to draw comic books.

Nicky Minus has been given a taxpayer funded $30,000 grant by the Australia Council for the Arts in support of her 'freedom of artistic ­expression' despite her pleading guilty in a court, The Daily Telegraph reported.

During a 2016 Inner West Council meeting with community members who were protesting the WestConnex development Miss Minus was caught on camera spitting on Inner West Council administrator Richard Pearson.

Miss Minus was lucky that Mr Pearson didn't want to 'infuriate protesters further' and decided not to press charges for common assault.

Instead she was given an 18 month good behaviour bond and escaped having a conviction recorded.

Spokeswoman ­the Australian Council Brianna Roberts told the publication that the grant was given to Miss Minus to 'uphold freedom of artistic expression'.

Applications are assessed on merit and there will always be differences of views regarding which ­applications are supported,' she said.

'Grants are assessed by an arms-length panel of expert peers, according to published criteria.'

Comic books written by Miss Minus in the past have focused on subject matter such as United States President Donald Trump and misogyny.

After being arrested by police miss minus told them she wasn't aware that spitting on another person was a criminal offence.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6677755/Activist-spat-staff-council-meeting-awarded-30-000-taxpayer-grant-draw-comics.html

The Arts Council has been sponsoring & promoting Stupidity for decades !

Remember, this is going on in Victoria, where the voters gave another term to the looniest Left government ever. Victorians are in complete denial of reality; they deny the existence of African gangs and terrorist acts. It is hard to believe that Victorastan was once the place of Henry Bolte, Dick Hamer and Kennett.

Canem Malum,

Why do you think that the Wheeler Centre has "Left
Management?" Please supply us with evidence and also
what exactly do you mean by that term?

Dear o sung wu,

Now I'm going to call you out on this one I'm afraid.

You are a self confessed Abbott fan and this was his policy before he got elected;

“The Abbott government will reintroduce the honour of knights and dames of the Order of Australia to celebrate pre-eminent Australians such as outgoing Governor-General Quentin Bryce.”
“Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced on Tuesday afternoon that up to four knights or dames will be appointed in any year.”
“Mr Abbott said the honour would be extended to Australians of "extraordinary and pre-eminent achievement and merit".”

http://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/tony-abbott-reintroduces-knight-and-dame-honours-for-australians-20140325-35fzo.html

He set out the eligibility himself then gave a knighthood to Prince Phillip. I don't recall you being so hard on him as you are being on the judges of the Victorian literary prize.

Why do you think that might be?

Abbott stuffed up & we're paying the price ! In fact, we're still paying for every Govt since & including Goaf Whitlam.

Posted by Foxy

what exactly do you mean by that term?

Answer- See link...

http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?discussion=8639#276070

Canem Malum,

Thank You for the history lesson.
I still don't quite understand what all that has
to do with the Wheeler Centre, its staff and
Board, and present day Australia.

Bolte and Hamer were in the pay of the Victorian Mafia. Don't know what Kennett was up to when he was Premier.

Paul1405,
What's Kennett got to do with this award ?

Watching Q&A last night for as long as my patience allowed me, I felt sick to the stomach at the stupidity of the Leftists on the panel.

Individual,

I'm sorry to hear that watching Q and A last night
made you ill but I am perplexed at your reference
to the "Lefties", on the panel. As far as I know
the panel consisted of - Sarah Henderson -Liberal
Member for Corangamite, Mark Dreyfus - Shadow Attorney
General, Stephen Mayne, Director of the Australian
Shareholder's Association (former adviser to Jeff
Kennett), Megan Purcell - former Liberal candidate
for Bendigo, and Zoya Patel - author of the book -
"No Country Woman." A great panel - a good mix in
anybody's language.

Who were the "Lefties" amongst them - and how do you know?

Who were the "Lefties" amongst them - and how do you know?
Foxy,
All of them ! Couldn't you see that ?

Posted by individual, Tuesday, 12 February 2019 11:04:26 AM

Watching Q&A last night for as long as my patience allowed me, I felt sick to the stomach at the stupidity of the Leftists on the panel.

Answer- Individual- Often when I watch Q&A I feel the same sick feeling. Even if the panel isn't biased the audience and their questions are.

Rarely if I listen closely I can find a trace of hope in the dialogue that the world hasn't gone completely bonkers.

I've stopped watching Q&A for your outlined reasons- but we already know the ABC has a high percentage of extreme left Greens voting journalists compared to the commercial stations- so we can't really expect to get balanced reporting from them. I guess I'm just sucked in by sales technique into thinking that they are an objective authority.

These days I actively avoid the ABC but sometimes I'll watch Grand Designs if it's on when I'm changing channels- but even this sometimes appears to have embedded strategic "leftist... product placement".

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

As to the question why would someone believe that someone is leftist- by their policies- A rose by another name...

Thanks Individual for your comments.

We've heard claims that the ABC is biased so many
times in the past yet the facts have disproven
this claim. As far as I know the panel on Q and A
has always been very balanced, as has its audience.
The statistics of the audience make-up are always
given at the beginning of the show. And to date they
have been very balanced. Still, as I've stated previously,
it is all a matter of perception. Luckily, most people
in this country feel that labels belong on jars - not
on people. The upcoming election will prove interesting
to say the least.

BTW: Tony Jones will be leaving Q and A shortly- as
host. Perhaps they will replace him with someone more
to your liking - like - Andrew Bolt? He certainly will
present a more "balanced " and unbiased view?

When they were discussing the situation re medical evacuations from offshore detention centres, everyone except the one smart one second from left, they blamed the Govt.
If it is a medical emergency that results in so much political turmoil, couldn't the Govt instead send them to Japan or Singapore or any other top notch medical facility ? They'd get better treatment for less cost & once cleared they can return to the centres that are a hell of a lot safer than the country they left unless of course they weren't in danger in the first place.
To me it looks as though this prize winner conveniently failed to include what must have been the most critical part of his journey, leaving his country. How did he cross the border, how did he support himself, how much money did he have, how did he come to choose Australia ?
These questions deserve answering.
I know people who wasted their life savings on an Australian Visa application & lost it all because some bureaucrat thought that someone with no criminal record nor any other character blemish "doesn't meet the criteria". Yet people from countries with a history of perpetual conflict & nil prospect of assimilation (see Europe) just walk in.

Individual,

Before making any judgements - read the man's
book and then decide. It just may clarify things
for you.

Oh God save us.

So individual and CM, anyone who doesn't take your morally bereft stance of denying proper medical care to those plighted people is leftist?

What a dreadful take on the world the both of you have. Small simpering little fellows afraid of your own shadows absolutely terrified by the thought someone who needed proper medical attention might get it.

And what is all this blather about the ABC? Just to let you know not all of us want to be spoon fed Murdoch trash, to have to try and sift through the lies and absolute distortions. I know it would come as great comfort for the both of you to only have to deal with news and views which confirm your anemic views but that isn't how this works.

Sheep!

Individual,

Here's a few links that explain things further:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-30/asylum-seeker-hamidhkhazaei-coronial-inquest-death-preventable/10050512

http://www.themonthly.com.au/today/paddy-manning/2018/24/2018/1527140474/death-manus

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/03/the-breath-of-death-on-manus-island-starvation-and-sickness

Steele Redux,
There you go again on twisting words. Who said anything about denying medical treatment ?
Show us where it states that ? You should be the last person on OLO to talk about morals. Do you even know the meaning of the word ?

Foxy,
It's always despicable when lives are lost due to bureaucracy. Perhaps you post on an Iranian or Syrian forum & provide them with links on how to stop making your own people refugees or send them under the pretence of refugees.
We too have children & old people die here due to bureaucratic incompetence but at least we don't (yet) systematically send them offshore.

Dear individual,

You said;

“There you go again on twisting words. Who said anything about denying medical treatment ?”

You did you amoral little fellow. You nipped and snarled about “If it is a medical emergency that results in so much political turmoil, couldn't the Govt instead send them to Japan or Singapore or any other top notch medical facility ?” when you know full well the person (who is stateless but under Australia's care) would need a visa to enter those countries. They would quite rightly say Australia is the appropriate place for their treatment.

Grown up.

Steele Redux,
Don't other countries in our region have detention centres ? How much are you prepared to have deducted from your pay to support what you're advocating ?
I think Australia should lease Christmas Island to the UN so refugees can then be processed according to which country wants the responsibility to accommodate them instead of automatically landing them on our doorstep. Many of the refugees are fit young people so they could be trained & supplied to return to their country & help sort out the problems.
we could actually have an industry to provide the goods required instead of depositing cash in their corrupt regimes' Bank accounts. I'd gladly offer $5 out of my pension. By the time every taxpayer contributes there'd be some pretty good sums available for such aid.

No interest in helping others ?