17,000 ....

[danohat]

Feed people on an individual basis. Charity works best when it is given of free will. Are we going to let the government tax us to feed the world? I can only imagine how much of that money would be lost and how little people it would help. Look at education. They raise taxes on education every time we vote, at least locally. Are we getting any smarter? Are we graduating more kids? Take a look at Detroit if you want to see the perfect example of why we can't end world hunger. Corrupt politicians and misappropriation of funds.

[Scooter2112]

Originally Posted by danohat

Feed people on an individual basis. Charity works best when it is given of free will. Are we going to let the government tax us to feed the world? I can only imagine how much of that money would be lost and how little people it would help. Look at education. They raise taxes on education every time we vote, at least locally. Are we getting any smarter? Are we graduating more kids? Take a look at Detroit if you want to see the perfect example of why we can't end world hunger. Corrupt politicians and misappropriation of funds.

That's the only effective way to do it.

To the original post, I get it that we should be outraged, but realistically we can only do so much.

Most of us do at least something for others, but don't feel the need to make it public. Someone made a thread about giving a guitar away, so it gets noticed. I've given guitars away that were heavily upgraded and never said a word about it. If I feel that I need recognition of doing well by others, then I did it for the WRONG reasons. That is the essence of charity.... do what you feel is right, and expect nothing in return. That's why the Academy awards and the like are not taken seriously by alot of people. It becomes about the giver and not the recipient.

Since we're making things public... I put in a big garden in my yard about 3 years ago. It produces about 5 times more vegetables than we could ever possibly eat. So I deliver it to neighbors, friends, family, or just about anyone who stops over. It's fenced, so when the growing season is done, I leave the gate open and let the deer, squirrels, rabbits, foxes, birds, and skunks have at it. Nothing goes to waste and what you plow under gets used in the future.

We also can't eat 150# of venison so that goes to many others as well. They're thankful and I take joy in doing it. Win-win.

I've always felt and often commented that the most humane thing that you can do for another human being is to either buy, cook, or give them food. For if not at least that, nothing else really matters. Take care of who you can and it makes a difference. On a global scale, I don't have much confidence in that being successful.

[geochem1st]

Originally Posted by Scooter2112

That's the only effective way to do it.

To the original post, I get it that we should be outraged, but realistically we can only do so much.

Most of us do at least something for others, but don't feel the need to make it public. Someone made a thread about giving a guitar away, so it gets noticed. I've given guitars away that were heavily upgraded and never said a word about it. If I feel that I need recognition of doing well by others, then I did it for the WRONG reasons. That is the essence of charity.... do what you feel is right, and expect nothing in return. That's why the Academy awards and the like are not taken seriously by alot of people. It becomes about the giver and not the recipient.

Since we're making things public... I put in a big garden in my yard about 3 years ago. It produces about 5 times more vegetables than we could ever possibly eat. So I deliver it to neighbors, friends, family, or just about anyone who stops over. It's fenced, so when the growing season is done, I leave the gate open and let the deer, squirrels, rabbits, foxes, birds, and skunks have at it. Nothing goes to waste and what you plow under gets used in the future.

We also can't eat 150# of venison so that goes to many others as well. They're thankful and I take joy in doing it. Win-win.

I've always felt and often commented that the most humane thing that you can do for another human being is to either buy, cook, or give them food. For if not at least that, nothing else really matters. Take care of who you can and it makes a difference. On a global scale, I don't have much confidence in that being successful.

I agree 100%. I would like stories like yours and Hippofutura's to be made public for a reason. It may motivate the people who ask 'but what difference can I make?', and do nothing. The examples of giving are important. More has to be done and charity indeed begins at home in your local community.

I took this morning off from work to take my wife to the doctor. While walking the dog I noticed a 'UtilityQuest' truck park in front of a neighbors house half way down the block. I know what this meant as it has happened to me a few times this year. Their water was being turned off.

They have two kids aged between 8 - 10 years old. Without water, you can't cook much, can't clean, can't wash clothes or yourself, and if you don't have any to drink, in 3 days you die. I can't afford to pay their water bill so I did the only thing I could. I offered them the opportunity to fill up water jugs from my house.

I don't care what their story is or why they can't pay this bill, frankly all of that is none of my business and I won't sit in judgement to see if they are 'worthy' of assistance. The facts that concern me are the two kids who will be deeply affected by no water in their home.

I don't know these people and have never spoken to them. From out on the street looking at their home you would never guess that they were in trouble. How many of us know their neighbors nowadays? Who speaks to the elderly couple down the block that may be on a fixed income and are extremely effected by the economy? How hard is it to ask the kid at the school bus stop who is wearing hand me downs if he has enough to eat, or needs a peanut butter and jelly sandwich?

In todays Charlotte Observer, my local paper, the top headline is "Poverty in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools hits all time high of 51%". Thats 68,000 students who now qualify for state supplied free lunches because of conditions at home. 171 schools in this district now have poverty levels over 90%.

Next story in the paper- "Loaves and Fishes Faces its Most Serious Crisis". Loaves and Fishes for the first time in 34 years forecasts that it will not meet the communities needs for food. Loaves and Fishes represents 18 county food pantry's. Due to the unemployment numbers demand has gone up 42% over last year.

Recession over my ass. Our neighbors need help.

I thank all that do help and are contributing. Please post stories as to how you are doing it as it will serve as a model and get others to think about how they may contribute.

[Nicole Rose]

i just started a group called EWH (end world hunger). if you want to do something about it, it's as good a place to start as any.

[TOMMYTHUNDERS]

Originally Posted by Nicole Rose

i just started a group called EWH (end world hunger). if you want to do something about it, it's as good a place to start as any.

i just started a group called CEWH (crush end world hunger). if you want to help destroy nicole's pseudo charity pm me.

[Nicole Rose]

Originally Posted by TOMMYTHUNDERS

i just started a group called CEWH (crush end world hunger). if you want to help destroy nicole's pseudo charity pm me.

pseudo charity?

[TOMMYTHUNDERS]

Originally Posted by Nicole Rose

pseudo charity?

i resent that. we are not a pseudo charity.

[Deftone]

Originally Posted by TOMMYTHUNDERS

i feel you, but this planet is getting f'ed by overpopulation. somebody's gotta die.

I agree and disagree with many opinions in this thread.

I'm quoting this one because this is a very unpopular point of view that I happen to agree with very strongly. IMHO, overpopulation may be our biggest problem and it is almost completely over looked.

[TOMMYTHUNDERS]

Originally Posted by Deftone

I agree and disagree with many opinions in this thread.

I'm quoting this one because this is a very unpopular point of view that I happen to agree with very strongly. IMHO, overpopulation may be our biggest problem and it is almost completely over looked.

dude, i'm like really mother f*cking smart.

[Nicole Rose]

Originally Posted by Deftone

I agree and disagree with many opinions in this thread.

I'm quoting this one because this is a very unpopular point of view that I happen to agree with very strongly. IMHO, overpopulation may be our biggest problem and it is almost completely over looked.

that we are overpopulated may or may not be true. it probably is in terms of long term sustainable growth. BUT and here is the important part. does it matter? never has the whole world been fed, not even when there were just 1 billion peeps. maybe they were when there were only a few thousand or hundred thousand, but i have my doubts about that. not every hunting party was successful.

but it doesn't matter. the fact is, people are dying of hunger, when there is enough to go around. is that right?

[Jason]

Originally Posted by Deftone

I agree and disagree with many opinions in this thread.

I'm quoting this one because this is a very unpopular point of view that I happen to agree with very strongly. IMHO, overpopulation may be our biggest problem and it is almost completely over looked.

As has been stated already in this thread, the overpopulation issue can be controlled via education rather than children dying of starvation. It has been shown that the most educated countries generally produce the fewest offspring.

[TOMMYTHUNDERS]

Originally Posted by Nicole Rose

never has the whole world been fed, not even when there were just 1 billion peeps.

can you back that up with evidence? can you even name when 1 billion peeps were ever produced? i think that if there were 1 billion peeps i'd get sick of them fast.

[FUS44]

I suppose I should feel bad. (And truthfully, I do.)
but the answer is pretty simple. Stop f*cking if you live in a hut or a project or anywhere else that is below the poverty line.
Personal responsibility. It's in short supply but does still exist.
you should have to pass a test or something to reproduce.
I know this flies in the face of the veil of compassion that has been shown here, but everytime I turn around someone is looking for a hand out and 9 times out of 10 it is due to someone else's poor judgement. Just because the poor judgement was on the part of the "parents", that is not my problem.

[TOMMYTHUNDERS]

Originally Posted by Jason

As has been stated already in this thread, the overpopulation issue can be controlled via education rather than children dying of starvation. It has been shown that the most educated countries generally produce the fewest offspring.

UN Population Fund Urges Condom Use to Fight Global Warming

[FUS44]

I suppose I should feel bad. (And truthfully, I do.)
but the answer is pretty simple. Stop f*cking if you live in a hut or a project or anywhere else that is below the poverty line.
Personal responsibility. It's in short supply but does still exist.
you should have to pass a test or something to reproduce.
I know this flies in the face of the veil of compassion that has been shown here, but everytime I turn around someone is looking for a hand out and 9 times out of 10 it is due to someone else's poor judgement. Just because the poor judgement was on the part of the "parents", that is not my problem.

[hipofutura]

Originally Posted by Deftone

IMHO, overpopulation may be our biggest problem and it is almost completely over looked.

Mark, I completely agree with this. There most definitely is a point where we will outstrip our resources. And, there are large population concentration in area that are barely habitable. However, much of the mass starvation of people around the globe is not the result of our planet being unable to sustain the population, but rather a result of man's inhumanity.

[Nicole Rose]

Originally Posted by FUS44

I suppose I should feel bad. (And truthfully, I do.)
but the answer is pretty simple. Stop f*cking if you live in a hut or a project or anywhere else that is below the poverty line.
Personal responsibility. It's in short supply but does still exist.
you should have to pass a test or something to reproduce.
I know this flies in the face of the veil of compassion that has been shown here, but everytime I turn around someone is looking for a hand out and 9 times out of 10 it is due to someone else's poor judgement. Just because the poor judgement was on the part of the "parents", that is not my problem.

so what makes you more deserving of your good fortune then some other person?

you have a job? why? is that because you live in a reasonably free country and had reasonable luck and opportunity? as well as the fact that you worked hard to get where your at? and other people who have worked harder, but didn't have your luck or your location, well, i guess all they want are handouts huh?

speaking as someone who has lived on welfare and "handouts" i can tell you that most people would prefer to be able to stand on their own two feet. unfortunately the world doesn't work like that. in order for a few to have a lot, a lot have to have less, and a lot have to have significantly less.

if you judge someone without having walked in their shoes, you are judging them from ignorance.

[Nicole Rose]

Originally Posted by hipofutura

Mark, I completely agree with this. There most definitely is a point where we will outstrip our resources. And, there are large population concentration in area that are barely habitable. However, much of the mass starvation of people around the globe is not the result of our planet being unable to sustain the population, but rather a result of man's inhumanity.

+1000

as well as our "well, it doesn't affect me," or, "it's not my problem," or "i don't know those people"....

[River]

Seems many people who abrogate themselves of responsibility for the sins of their fathers are quite willing to let others pay for the sins of theirs.

[Deftone]

Originally Posted by hipofutura

Mark, I completely agree with this. There most definitely is a point where we will outstrip our resources. And, there are large population concentration in area that are barely habitable. However, much of the mass starvation of people around the globe is not the result of our planet being unable to sustain the population, but rather a result of man's inhumanity.

No question about it.

[Deftone]

Originally Posted by Nicole Rose

so what makes you more deserving of your good fortune then some other person?

Dumb luck, that's what. That's how nature works.

[Jason]

Originally Posted by Nicole Rose

+1000

as well as our "well, it doesn't affect me," or, "it's not my problem," or "i don't know those people"....

It is really hard and scary to look at those people, Nicole... I'd compare it to how the majority of people can't handle being around the mentally handicapped. It's just a really dark and scary thing to be confronted with... It seems so surreal almost... that people could be so different from us. And really, were it not for luck, any one of us could have been born into that same life.

[Deftone]

Originally Posted by TOMMYTHUNDERS

UN Population Fund Urges Condom Use to Fight Global Warming

The real solution.

[TOMMYTHUNDERS]

Originally Posted by River

abrogate

ab

bro

gate


i don't get it

[Jason]

Originally Posted by Deftone

Dumb luck, that's what. That's how nature works.

As humans, we have the inherent ability to care about others. In fact, caring about others is an ability that many animals demonstrate. If you don't give a damn about anyone else that's a choice you made, plain and simple. And I think it makes you lower than a lot of supposed "stupid" animals who do show compassion for others.


EDIT: What I meant was that a person in general, who doesn't have compassion for others is lower than many animals. That wasn't meant to be a personal attack. Sorry if it came off that way.

[River]

Because you spelled it "absrogate".

[geochem1st]

Originally Posted by River

Seems many people who abrogate themselves of responsibility for the sins of their fathers are quite willing to let others pay for the sins of theirs.

You come up with some awesome one liners.

[TOMMYTHUNDERS]

Originally Posted by geochem1st

You come up with some awesome one liners.

take my wife..... PLEASE!

[FUS44]

All I'm saying is at what point do supposedly intelligent human beings say to themselves "Holy shit we cannot feed, educate or cloth the people we already have."
Logic would dictate (if we're going to be all altruistic and shit) that since we won't kill people to alleviate the problem, that we should try and limit the problem at it's origin, which is procreation. While we're teaching people how to re-invent the wheel and participate in civilized society, perhaps we should take a few moments to explain the mechanics of reproduction as well.

[geochem1st]

Originally Posted by FUS44

All I'm saying is at what point do supposedly intelligent human beings say to themselves "Holy shit we cannot feed, educate or cloth the people we already have."
Logic would dictate (if we're going to be all altruistic and shit) that since we won't kill people to alleviate the problem, that we should try and limit the problem at it's origin, which is procreation. While we're teaching people how to re-invent the wheel and participate in civilized society, perhaps we should take a few moments to explain the mechanics of reproduction as well.

Fact is right now we can handle the feeding and educational needs of the people that exist here, but we fail to do so. Limiting population is very important and education is the best way to do that. But you can't educate people unless they are fed.