Bob Geldof, ‘Sir Bob’ as he is known in some circles has been very active in raising money to feed the hunry.
Band Aid has become internationally famous.
Band Aid is the British and Irish charity founded by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure in 1984 in order to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia. The result of the charity drive was to collect millions of dollars in money and food that was sent to Ethiopia to help relieve the famine. It also extended the war in the region by helping to feed the soldiers who stepped up their attacks after securing food and supplies. The instability of the region continues to this day as a new war threatens to erupt because Ethiopia is invading neighboring, starving and poor Eritrea.
That is not really talked about.
Neither is that while Bob Geldof, who was apparently educated by Jesuits at a small school called Blackrock, near Dublin, is helping to feed the hungry an oil company by the name of Tullow Oil is helping to take that food out of their mouths.
The Company was founded in Dublin around 1985 and now has company headquarters registered in London. It is very much an Irish company.
Tullow began working in African market, not unlike Geldof. Like Geldof they soon found out that high profiles and large profits lie in the poorer regions of the world.
Aidan Heavey is the Group's Chief Executive. In 1986 Tullow signed a license to work in Senegal and began gas production and sales in 1987. At around the same time representatives from aid organizations that have loose ties with Bob Geldof’s project were entering the area. They were developing large scale irrigation projects to assist the local farmers bring their desert land back to life.
Within a short period of time OFADEC (Office for Development and Cooperation in Africa) and the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) were providing money and technical assistance to build irrigation projects. The water came up from the ground and soon the people were growing their own food. Then they were encouraged to plant bananas. Nearly 30 percent of Senegal’s banana crop now grows on the regions that were irrigated by the aid agencies but the people that lived on the land were pushed off. In fact Senegal has widespread hunger and disease. At the same time is has a reliable banana market that not only feeds the capital of Senegal it is used to export as a cash crop.
In 1989 they were listed on the London and Irish Stock Exchanges and later that same year started UK development.
In 1990 Tullow again took strides in the third world by taking up its first license agreement with Pakistan.
The people of Pakistan in many regions live on a near starvation diet. Their lack of planning and brutal backward government had led to US sanctions for many years. Sanctions were recently lifted and grain began flowing into Pakistan from the United States. Excess grain was diverted to North Korea. North Korea has been using their currency to buy grain on the world market but with the grain from Pakistan they were able to transfer currency to buy missile and nuclear technology from Pakistan.
Today Pakistan is ruled by a dictator and its hinterland is controlled by religious and racist fanatics.
In 1994 Tullow discovered the Sara gas field in Pakistan and started exporting from it some time in 1999.
Fueled by success and seemingly walking in the footsteps of Bob Geldof in 1996
Tullow entered Bangladesh and Côte d'Ivoire and took over rich gas and oil fields.
Hunger and starvation are not new to Bangladesh. In 2003 a report from Dhaka, Bangladesh stated that because of the region's severe droughts came with a 400 percent increase in the prices of essential left about two million people in northwestern at starvation levels. The people were subsisting on boiled weeds or banana leaves.
What was Bob up to? In 2003 Bob Geldof appeared on the television show, ‘Grumpy Old Men’.
In the year 2000 Tullow began taking over gas fields and other items in the UK Southern North Sea from British Petroleum.
In 2004 Tullow grew again by acquiring Energy Africa for $570 million and now controls another source of production and cash that used to circulate in the African economy.
Tullow Oil is becoming a leader in gas in the UK Southern North Sea and oil in West Africa. They continue to press and expand their operations in South Asia.
They are active in 16 countries most of which have chronic starvation, poor education and high levels of corruption.
Bob Geldof has had nothing but nice things to say about the American administration of George Bush, "You'll think I'm off my trolley when I say this, but the Bush administration is the most radical - in a positive sense - in its approach to Africa since Kennedy."
George Bush had this to say about Africa, “To meet a severe and urgent crisis abroad, tonight I propose the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief - a work of mercy beyond all current international efforts to help the people of Africa...I ask the Congress to commit $15 billion over the next five years, including nearly $10 billion in new money, to turn the tide against AIDS in the most afflicted nations of Africa and the Caribbean." (State of the Union address, January 28, 2003)
Then :
"Next week, I will go to Africa to meet with leaders of African countries and with some of the heroic men and women who are caring for the sick and are saving lives...They deserve our help, without delay. And they will have our help." (White House news conference, July 7, 2003)
Apparently President Bush promised $15 billion over 5 years which works out to $3 billion a year to fight AIDS. It has been pointed out that in the 2004 budget request that he asked for less than half a billion dollars ($450 million) for 2005.
Instead of $3 billion per year most of the money will not be requested until 2005 and beyond. That is after President Bush has left office.
Unless Bob Geldof was making a sick joke about the fact that the United States sent a man to the moon 7 years after President Kennedy promised to do it (he had been dead those 7 years) I find it hard to understand what he was talking about.
Bob Geldof has likewise been effusive in his praise of Tony Blair and Chancellor Brown in their effort to relieve African debt by talking the poorest nations in the world to sell their debt (in bonds) on international markets in London and New York.
Bob Geldof has made some interesting music. He has brought together a wide variety of people and has brought light on starvation in suffering in many areas of the world. As soon as he has done that, however, his neighbors at Tullow have moved in and taken up their own positions – in Bangladesh, East Africa and other distressed areas of the world.
It would be right to ask what is going on when a man who is supposed to be dedicated to world hunger takes on the appearance of being an advance man for the very people he is reportedly opposing.
Geldof had three children with his first wife. They are Fifi Trixabelle, Peaches Honeyblossom and Pixie. His ex-wife killed herself after a long and protracted custody battle.
Speaking of his ex-wife and her new husband Bob Geldof is quoted as saying, “They thought they were Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall. In fact they were more like Tom and Jerry.”
If the result of Bob Geldof’s operations are only to move people off their land and turn it over to international oil and banana companies (and that certainly seems to be the case) I can only look at him as a modern Pied Piper leading the future of our humanity into a cold, dark void in the side of a mountain.
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Abortion
Abortion.
Yuck!
Who wants to talk about it?
A lot of priests and ministers want to talk about it.
Then they shake their tambourine in your face.
On top of the money they get from their ‘flock’ and on top of the money they have as tax-free organizations.
Politicians talk about it too.
Yesterday I saw an 11 year old girl wearing an ‘Abortion Kills Kids’ t-shirt.
But what if the baby is already dead?
Abortions of fetuses that have expired in their mother’s womb are covered in their attacks as are pregnancies caused by rape, child abuse and incest.
In fact, under Mr. Bush’s laws this nation is expected to try and imprison rapists, child molesters and incest attackers, pay for their room and board, give them education and training AND raise their kids.
Does that make sense to you?
As I watched that 11 year old girl walk around in her t-shirt I wondered just what was going on in her life for her parents to use her as a human billboard.
Did she know about cancer, sexually transmitted diseases, birth defects, rubella, polio, incest, rape and prison?
What was this little girl being told? That the people most likely to attack her were protected by the people who made her t-shirt?
It’s not the popular topic anymore because abortion rates have been falling in the United States for nearly 20 years.
As the economy worsens however, this may reverse.
We should free our nation foreign trade dependence.
Yuck!
Who wants to talk about it?
A lot of priests and ministers want to talk about it.
Then they shake their tambourine in your face.
On top of the money they get from their ‘flock’ and on top of the money they have as tax-free organizations.
Politicians talk about it too.
Yesterday I saw an 11 year old girl wearing an ‘Abortion Kills Kids’ t-shirt.
But what if the baby is already dead?
Abortions of fetuses that have expired in their mother’s womb are covered in their attacks as are pregnancies caused by rape, child abuse and incest.
In fact, under Mr. Bush’s laws this nation is expected to try and imprison rapists, child molesters and incest attackers, pay for their room and board, give them education and training AND raise their kids.
Does that make sense to you?
As I watched that 11 year old girl walk around in her t-shirt I wondered just what was going on in her life for her parents to use her as a human billboard.
Did she know about cancer, sexually transmitted diseases, birth defects, rubella, polio, incest, rape and prison?
What was this little girl being told? That the people most likely to attack her were protected by the people who made her t-shirt?
It’s not the popular topic anymore because abortion rates have been falling in the United States for nearly 20 years.
As the economy worsens however, this may reverse.
We should free our nation foreign trade dependence.
Afraid of Government
There’s a wicked lie aflame in the world and it spreads from head to head as fire leaps from tree crown to tree crown in wild woods.
The lie is printed on bumper stickers, appears in pamphlets and on the tongues of men and women that normally are cool of temper and even in temperament.
It goes like this, ‘I love my country. It’s my government I fear.’
On the surface it sounds like a statement of truth, but like most lies its appeal is only skin deep. One bite into it reveals its rancid flesh and the acid juice of this fruit.
For consider – this is our country and our nation and it is ruled by our government – which is a government for the people and by the people.
This is our government – and so when someone tells me they are afraid of the government I can only feel they fear themselves and their relationship with me.
The people that mouth this misshapen logic are those among us most likely to worship a flag – no matter what colors are flying and to follow the commands of some monarch or tyrant no matter where he draws his so-called powers from.
I am not afraid of my government. I am part of my government and invite everyone to participate in it to make it stronger, so that the weakness of fear will not tear down what we have built up with courage.
There are better words for us – ‘We the people…’
The lie is printed on bumper stickers, appears in pamphlets and on the tongues of men and women that normally are cool of temper and even in temperament.
It goes like this, ‘I love my country. It’s my government I fear.’
On the surface it sounds like a statement of truth, but like most lies its appeal is only skin deep. One bite into it reveals its rancid flesh and the acid juice of this fruit.
For consider – this is our country and our nation and it is ruled by our government – which is a government for the people and by the people.
This is our government – and so when someone tells me they are afraid of the government I can only feel they fear themselves and their relationship with me.
The people that mouth this misshapen logic are those among us most likely to worship a flag – no matter what colors are flying and to follow the commands of some monarch or tyrant no matter where he draws his so-called powers from.
I am not afraid of my government. I am part of my government and invite everyone to participate in it to make it stronger, so that the weakness of fear will not tear down what we have built up with courage.
There are better words for us – ‘We the people…’
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Mitt Romney Big Death
I was horrified to see that a woman had been killed by falling tiles in the ‘Big Dig’ Tunnel under Boston.
I am troubled to see that Governor Mitt Romney is moving to gain control of inspections of the tunnel. I suppose for the State of Massachusetts.
It occurs to me that giving Mitt Romney’s office more control over the tunnel will be about as effective as Governor Bush’s control over the border in Texas. During Mr. Bush’s governorship in Texas over 5 million illegal immigrants entered Texas alone.
The tunnel is a Federal project. The tunnel problems cannot be adequately overseen by the office of the Governor of Massachusetts.
In light of the fact that Mr. Romney is considering a run for the presidency I look with doubt on his basic reasons for wishing to take over the inspections of the tunnel project. The results of any inspections will then be unavailable to the national audience.
Americans from coast to coast will be unable to fairly determine whether or not Governor Mitt Romney could have and should have done much more to ensure that the project was on time, within budget and most importantly - safe. It seems he didn’t do much of anything about it - until, finally, this woman was killed.
Predictably the Republicans in the Massachusetts House and Senate followed along.
A Federal level review of the project, I feel, is in order.
Romney’s apparently politically motivated investigation will, I believe, yield little and hide much.
I am troubled to see that Governor Mitt Romney is moving to gain control of inspections of the tunnel. I suppose for the State of Massachusetts.
It occurs to me that giving Mitt Romney’s office more control over the tunnel will be about as effective as Governor Bush’s control over the border in Texas. During Mr. Bush’s governorship in Texas over 5 million illegal immigrants entered Texas alone.
The tunnel is a Federal project. The tunnel problems cannot be adequately overseen by the office of the Governor of Massachusetts.
In light of the fact that Mr. Romney is considering a run for the presidency I look with doubt on his basic reasons for wishing to take over the inspections of the tunnel project. The results of any inspections will then be unavailable to the national audience.
Americans from coast to coast will be unable to fairly determine whether or not Governor Mitt Romney could have and should have done much more to ensure that the project was on time, within budget and most importantly - safe. It seems he didn’t do much of anything about it - until, finally, this woman was killed.
Predictably the Republicans in the Massachusetts House and Senate followed along.
A Federal level review of the project, I feel, is in order.
Romney’s apparently politically motivated investigation will, I believe, yield little and hide much.
Monday, July 03, 2006
Buffet and Gates
Well, he’s gone.
Or good as gone.
Bill Gates is out.
Mr. Buffett, the second richest man in the world, is giving him billions of dollars for his charity foundation.
That is probably the best thing that Mr. Buffett has done for the world.
By getting Bill Gates out of the corporate world and into charity Mr. Buffett has done great things for the world economy.
There is no guarantee that things will change at Microsoft.
Maybe the new CEO Steve Ballmer will run things the same.
My friends call him ‘that screaming, hopping, monkey-man’ - in an affectionate sort of way, of course.
Perhaps now we will begin to see real advances in software for business and scientific use.
Can we look forward to a flowering of software companies across the nation that will now be free of a company whose main product seems to have become litigation rather than innovation?
Mr. Buffett has given Mr. Gates a chance to correct what he wrought with his army of lawyers. He will dole out cash to hungry and starving men and women that might be doing well right now if his company hadn’t worked so hard to stifle competition and interfere with the operation of our court system.
The man with the golden touch is going to touch the poor.
Let us hope they do not wither and die under his attention like competition and fair trade have done.
‘Ding-dong, the witch is dead. Which old witch? The wicked witch.’
Or good as gone.
Bill Gates is out.
Mr. Buffett, the second richest man in the world, is giving him billions of dollars for his charity foundation.
That is probably the best thing that Mr. Buffett has done for the world.
By getting Bill Gates out of the corporate world and into charity Mr. Buffett has done great things for the world economy.
There is no guarantee that things will change at Microsoft.
Maybe the new CEO Steve Ballmer will run things the same.
My friends call him ‘that screaming, hopping, monkey-man’ - in an affectionate sort of way, of course.
Perhaps now we will begin to see real advances in software for business and scientific use.
Can we look forward to a flowering of software companies across the nation that will now be free of a company whose main product seems to have become litigation rather than innovation?
Mr. Buffett has given Mr. Gates a chance to correct what he wrought with his army of lawyers. He will dole out cash to hungry and starving men and women that might be doing well right now if his company hadn’t worked so hard to stifle competition and interfere with the operation of our court system.
The man with the golden touch is going to touch the poor.
Let us hope they do not wither and die under his attention like competition and fair trade have done.
‘Ding-dong, the witch is dead. Which old witch? The wicked witch.’
Elvis and Japan
So why is Japan‘s economy slowing down?
Why are they so dependent upon the United States that they have actually been buying oil from us since the end of World War II instead of making their own energy arrangements?
Why haven’t they been able to convince the world they are reasonable enough to have their own army and navy again 60 years after World War II?
I think Japan’s Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has shown us a good reason.
He played the fool for President Bush not only at the White House but in Tennessee. President Bush took the Prime Minister of Japan to the late Elvis Presley’s home, Graceland.
The Prime Minister of Japan sang Elvis songs in the White House and at Graceland.
President Bush and the Prime Minister visited and then the Prime Minister started acting a little nuts.
What are these guys getting paid for?
You can call it diplomacy or whatever you want but they were sidestepping the duties they have towards their people. I call it wasting time.
It’s not unusual for this Prime Minister of Japan. He seems intent on ending Japan’s economic miracle in the same wasteful manner in which Elvis ended his life. The Japanese have auto plants in San Antonio, Texas and Canton, Mississippi. Most of the Americans that live near them can’t work them because they have no skills and are getting pushed out.
The people of Japan should be ashamed at this adolescent behavior.
Elvis has been dishonored.
Why are they so dependent upon the United States that they have actually been buying oil from us since the end of World War II instead of making their own energy arrangements?
Why haven’t they been able to convince the world they are reasonable enough to have their own army and navy again 60 years after World War II?
I think Japan’s Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has shown us a good reason.
He played the fool for President Bush not only at the White House but in Tennessee. President Bush took the Prime Minister of Japan to the late Elvis Presley’s home, Graceland.
The Prime Minister of Japan sang Elvis songs in the White House and at Graceland.
President Bush and the Prime Minister visited and then the Prime Minister started acting a little nuts.
What are these guys getting paid for?
You can call it diplomacy or whatever you want but they were sidestepping the duties they have towards their people. I call it wasting time.
It’s not unusual for this Prime Minister of Japan. He seems intent on ending Japan’s economic miracle in the same wasteful manner in which Elvis ended his life. The Japanese have auto plants in San Antonio, Texas and Canton, Mississippi. Most of the Americans that live near them can’t work them because they have no skills and are getting pushed out.
The people of Japan should be ashamed at this adolescent behavior.
Elvis has been dishonored.
Citgo Republicans
Citgo was provided with 250,000 barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
That is, the Federal government lent them the oil to refine into other products so that you and I can go motoring around during the summer and ensure that there is plenty of business at places like Diamond Head in South Carolina and also to make sure that our pizza and hamburger industries are kept healthy and strong.
What’s good for Ronald McDonald is good for America.
Then Citgo spilled nearly 50,000 barrels of oil into the Calcasieu Ship Channel in Louisiana.
There was little wind and sunny weather allowed some of the spill to evaporate. The rest sank to the bottom of the water.
David McCollum, a spokesman for Citgo said this, "If you have to have a spill, this is the weather you want."
That’s what he said.
If you have to have a spill.
When was the last time you had to have a spill?
The oil came from storage tanks along the shipping channel. Rain seems to have caused a failure of the pumps Citgo uses to keep rain from causing a failure.
Louisiana isn’t bothering to sample the seafood from the area.
The state said, "The most prudent action is not to consume dead fish, fish with oily residue or a petroleum odor and fish harvested directly from the oil spill-affected waters."
The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is intended for the defense of our nation.
The Republicans seem to have forgotten that.
That is, the Federal government lent them the oil to refine into other products so that you and I can go motoring around during the summer and ensure that there is plenty of business at places like Diamond Head in South Carolina and also to make sure that our pizza and hamburger industries are kept healthy and strong.
What’s good for Ronald McDonald is good for America.
Then Citgo spilled nearly 50,000 barrels of oil into the Calcasieu Ship Channel in Louisiana.
There was little wind and sunny weather allowed some of the spill to evaporate. The rest sank to the bottom of the water.
David McCollum, a spokesman for Citgo said this, "If you have to have a spill, this is the weather you want."
That’s what he said.
If you have to have a spill.
When was the last time you had to have a spill?
The oil came from storage tanks along the shipping channel. Rain seems to have caused a failure of the pumps Citgo uses to keep rain from causing a failure.
Louisiana isn’t bothering to sample the seafood from the area.
The state said, "The most prudent action is not to consume dead fish, fish with oily residue or a petroleum odor and fish harvested directly from the oil spill-affected waters."
The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is intended for the defense of our nation.
The Republicans seem to have forgotten that.
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