10-15-2008, 05:16 PM
Pete "I never said that it wasn't selfishness or stupidity. Indeed, I very much think it is. I said it wasn't *organized* selfishness."
Yep, that's what I said. Group behaviour doesn't need to be organized to have effect.
Pete "In addition to the Doctors Without Borders, try doing a search on medical assistance 'third world'. You'll find everything from Red Cross to UNICEF to religious organizations."
These organisations have to buy the medicine (and everything else) using money donated by their supporters (80% is from individuals, 20% from governments and corporations). So, part of their funds ends up as profit for pharmaceutical companies. It's not the industrialized world who 'gives', but caring people. Like I said, our behaviour can make a difference, even if un-organized. Btw, I happen to donate to all the organisations you mentioned. Do you?
Oh, and maybe there is no real cure for Aids, but there is a treatment.
"Although treatments for AIDS and HIV can slow the course of the disease, there is currently no vaccine or cure. Antiretroviral treatment reduces both the mortality and the morbidity of HIV infection, but these drugs are expensive and routine access to antiretroviral medication is not available in all countries."
Pete "I underestimated your ignorance... you're a jackass."
Trying to get this thread closed? Looks as if I have to step out of this discussion to allow others to continue it.
Kandrathe "The US does take action against this practice, such as the Child Labor Deterrence Act of 1993."
This act doesn't seem very effective to me (and the last paragraph of your article agrees with that), considering that a large portion of all chocolate consumed in the US is at least suspicious.
Quality labeling on products, as done by Fair Trade seems to work much better, but is often opposed by big corporations (yeah, it's that socialism again, I suppose). Here is a example from my own country:
"The Dutch province of Groningen was sued in 2007 by coffee supplier Douwe Egberts for explicitly requiring its coffee suppliers to meet fair trade criteria, most notably the payment of a minimum price and a development premium to producer cooperatives. Douwe Egberts, which sells a number of coffee brands under self-developed ethical criteria, believed the requirements were discriminatory. After several months of discussions and legal challenges, the province of Groningen prevailed in a well-publicized judgement."
Yep, that's what I said. Group behaviour doesn't need to be organized to have effect.
Pete "In addition to the Doctors Without Borders, try doing a search on medical assistance 'third world'. You'll find everything from Red Cross to UNICEF to religious organizations."
These organisations have to buy the medicine (and everything else) using money donated by their supporters (80% is from individuals, 20% from governments and corporations). So, part of their funds ends up as profit for pharmaceutical companies. It's not the industrialized world who 'gives', but caring people. Like I said, our behaviour can make a difference, even if un-organized. Btw, I happen to donate to all the organisations you mentioned. Do you?
Oh, and maybe there is no real cure for Aids, but there is a treatment.
"Although treatments for AIDS and HIV can slow the course of the disease, there is currently no vaccine or cure. Antiretroviral treatment reduces both the mortality and the morbidity of HIV infection, but these drugs are expensive and routine access to antiretroviral medication is not available in all countries."
Pete "I underestimated your ignorance... you're a jackass."
Trying to get this thread closed? Looks as if I have to step out of this discussion to allow others to continue it.
Kandrathe "The US does take action against this practice, such as the Child Labor Deterrence Act of 1993."
This act doesn't seem very effective to me (and the last paragraph of your article agrees with that), considering that a large portion of all chocolate consumed in the US is at least suspicious.
Quality labeling on products, as done by Fair Trade seems to work much better, but is often opposed by big corporations (yeah, it's that socialism again, I suppose). Here is a example from my own country:
"The Dutch province of Groningen was sued in 2007 by coffee supplier Douwe Egberts for explicitly requiring its coffee suppliers to meet fair trade criteria, most notably the payment of a minimum price and a development premium to producer cooperatives. Douwe Egberts, which sells a number of coffee brands under self-developed ethical criteria, believed the requirements were discriminatory. After several months of discussions and legal challenges, the province of Groningen prevailed in a well-publicized judgement."