Thank you!

Thanks to all of you for your interest in what I have to say; although it puts a little more pressure on me by making me feel that I have to live up to expectations.

Lcrozier: I love you sweetie. Be careful flying that thing. Its kinda complicated and it goes real fast. But don't worry too much, if it gets away from you I'll be sitting right there to take over.

Helen: Special thanks to you for putting the link to me on your site.

Cham: I know many others have had this same experience. Most 1st Worlders, especially in the U.S., have the arrogant belief that we know best about how people in other countries should live their lives. Most of the “impoverished” I know are shocked to find that don’t spend every spare minute at a community event, a religious festival, or with our extended families. I have been asked more times than I can count how we can possibly live that way. We focus on the material; they focus on the community, the family, and the spiritual. How would we feel if they came up here and attempted to convince us to abandon materailism for the lifestyle that they enjoy?

Drj: Thank you. I’ll do my best.

Tom: I’ve never been to Rio. But I know many who have, including one guy who had to make a deal with the drug lord running the neighborhood to let him come in and set up a school. I’m not sure whether the school is in a Favela or an inner-city barrio (my understanding is that there is a distinct difference between the two) but I am going to call him to ask. You can actually go to Rio and take a Favela Tour. They are becoming popular and most of the reviews are quite positive.

Dadvocate: Yes, we have to be very careful of what we do. Your comment makes me think of our nation's handling of the Iraq War, upon which I intend to comment in the near future.

Hlk: I have visited Junkscience.com, and recommend that anyone who wants really be informed on both sides of the subject of Global Warming do so regulary. JunkScience will keep you up to date on the latest research using scientific method, unavoidable contact with the traditional media will keep you informed on the political hysterics.

Captdmo: In my youth, I was quite a Star Trek fan, especially of the first TV series. Strangely, the first thing I looked up when I began to feel that I causing too many unintended effects, was the actual wording of the Prime Directive.

Purple Avenger: You will find that a lot of people here in the U.S. will take issue with the fact that your Haitian friends told you “the people who live outside the cities in Haiti can and do live quite handily on $0.00/day”, on the basis that your friends are not doubt rich, and have an agenda of keeping the poor – well – poor. To a degree, the critics are probably right. But that doesn’t change the fact that they do live on less than $0 per day and are probably more satisfied with their lives than a lot of us. Most poor societies have broad wealth and income disparities; but whether that's really such a bad thing, I’m not so sure.

Armchair Advocate: You are right on all points, one of them so controversial I hardly dare address it, but I will: I have personally saved many kids from starvation and disease, at least temporarily, to the point of driving them to the hospital and paying the bill. I’ve decided not to do it any more because when I look at the family, usually 10 or more, I think that all I am doing is allowing that kid to grow up and start the next generation of little starving Marias. I do make exceptions for a couple of families, because I’ve gotten one or two of their kids almost through school, so the family gets a free ride until the promising kid graduates.

I think Katrina Corruption and Tsunami Corruption speak for themselves. NEVER send money unless you know the actual human being who will manage it. The best person to manage it is yourself. Even if you use up 80% of what you intend to spend just to get there, the intended recipients will receive way more than if you just send it to some aid organizaton. Plus there is a certain joy to be found in giving it yourself.

Sadly, my personal experience verifies your last point. I've not had any kids killed, but I've had some of them beat up, and virtually all of them who have excelled and are the most promising have been shut out of their groups of friends. They usually find new ones, but the new ones are not within their own communities. It's very painful for them.


Thanks again to all and keep enjoying the Holidays!