Lego Fonden giver 10 kr. til Haiti og Afrika’s kvinder, for hver tegning de modtager…
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4. Aflevér tegningen på dit bibliotek
Læs mere her (pdf)…
En god lejlighed for lærere og forældre til at tale med poderne om, hvor fucked up fordelingen af verdens ressourcer er…
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“Fucked up” was in English so I used Google translator to tell me what could be going on with Lego.
So, now that I think I’ve crossed a language barrier, I’m curious about your opinions regarding the way in which aid is being offered to people who have desperately needed it for a very long time … when, well, as the saying goes “an ounce of prevention.” So … (if the translator has it right) … how could the fucked up distribution of the world’s resources be rectified preemptively?
From what I see here, celebrities, politicians, etc. are vying as always for a philanthropic spotlight, and well meaning citizens are raising much need awareness and funds. However, if the same effort would have been expended over a longer period of time beginning long before now the earthquake wouldn’t have been nearly as devastating … and the Haitians would have had a way of assisting in their own care. Which leads to my next (mostly rhetorical) question: How long will we be there ? (”We” implies Americans in uniform - although I’m sure you caught onto that.)
What are your thoughts?
Hi Carrie
Just tried it and Google translate actually did a pretty good job translating the text!
Interesting subject… Obviously trade barriers enforced by the industrial countries, is one of the major reasons developing countries are so incredibly poor. If we broke down the trade barriers, the developing countries, could strengthen their economies, by sell their goods at a fair price. In Europe the taxes imposed on goods from outside EU, makes it impossible for e.g. African countries to compete with European products…They therefor have to sell their products on the world maket, where the surplus European products are also being sold-> African (and other) countries get a very low price for their goods. EU and the US subsidizes their farm industry and dumps surplus crops on the world market…
On the other hand…If EU and the US for that matter, takes down the trade barriers, European and American farmers/businesses can’t compete with inexpensive African products…which would probably result in layoffs, bankrupcies etc etc…
Corrupt local governments, disease, debt, war, lack of investments and literacy are other major reasons for the 3rd world poverty as I see it…If I knew how to solve these problems I’d receive the Nobel Peace Prize…Still working on that
So…what we could do is to offer the developing countries advantageous new trade agreements, cancel their debts, support their health and educational institutions, ban all arms trade with 3 rd world countries…and bingo…no more poor countries…heh…sounds easy doesn’t it
“From what I see here, celebrities, politicians, etc. are vying as always for a philanthropic spotlight, and well meaning citizens are raising much need awareness and funds. However, if the same effort would have been expended over a longer period of time beginning long before now the earthquake wouldn’t have been nearly as devastating … and the Haitians would have had a way of assisting in their own care.”
Couldn’t agree with you more! As to how long we’ll be there…Hopefully the US and UN peace keeping forces (incl. Danish UN forces) will stay for quite a long time…The UN will definitely, and…well…I guess the US will stay for as long there’s support for it in the US public. I think it would be great if the US would stay, for as long it takes to get Haiti back on it’s feet…it will take a loong time before that happends though…
What are your thoughts on this?
Per
Trying the translator in reverse …
Som en typisk amerikansk, har jeg ikke lagt mærke til en international situation, indtil en krise ankommer … (does it make sense?)
So, I shouldn’t be so harsh with those in charge of our policies for being culturally like-minded. However, I am concerned about our resources … and I’m not only referring to the money (credit) that grows on trees. Our economy is suffering and we are expending much effort internationally, yet I wonder if we can follow through. Americans have more in wealth than they have in stamina … families, health, homes, etc. are crumbling. When the administration promises aid to other countries … the resources are human. Families are broken and the human support being sent away tends to finalize the “break.” That eventually has economic implications on a national level. Doctors are sent away (I don’t want to begin to gripe about this because I’ll only sound selfish in light of the immense suffering of the Haitians.) I will add that I would happily offer Bailey’s specialists at her possible regression … if the government would put a plan in place that will prevent impoverished countries from crumbling as a result of natural disasters that a wealthy nation would quickly rebound from.
I would hope that we can support the Haitians as long as necessary. Along with that, I want to add that it be remembered that the stated goal is to restore their ability to regain their own strength (I believe that sometimes that fact is forgotten and we stay too long).
There should be a plan for allowing the development of impoverished/oppressed countries. Unfortunately, what comes with that “allowance” is an attitude of paternalism. Which is what I fear will come of the aid that is being given to the Haitians now … time will tell.
I like your ideas.
One last thing … yes, “for as long as it takes to get Haiti back on its feet.” Re-reading sounded as though I don’t support the effort - I do. I was busy emphasizing the need for preemptive measures in short style … I’ve already taken up a bit of space on your blog.
Hi Carrie
That reverse translation was perfect
) and “the broadest shoulders should carry the heaviest load”. The US have broad shoulders…it’s geographically close to Haiti and has the means to help…medicain, doctors, troops etc…
The US is, like the rest of the world, in economic resession…As I see it, the current US administration inherited the mess we see now from the previous administration…Bush. The Bush administration did want to regulate the banks and…well…that’s part of the problem. Bush started a war he shouldn’t have started…a war that has cost the lives of a lot of young americans (not to mention the Iraqi lives lost) and an absurd amount of money…
All countries are suffering economically, but still when things like these happens (Haiti), everybody should pitch in, (I know you agreed on this
Are you dependant on healthcare provided by the US army? If you are, I can see what sending doctors to a foreign country could mean for you and your family…The idea of a public healthcare system like the one the Obama proposes could help family like yours and many others…You wouldn’t be dependant on army doctors, and wouldn’t be affected by doctors having to go abroad…But as said…I don’t know if you’re in such an situation.
Carrie…You may use all the space on my blog you want to
Jeg har brug for at overveje mine aftener. Drikker min vin skal komme efter kontrol af e-mail og især efter at have læst og kommenteret på din blog. Jeg vil prøve alligevel.
I’m relying on you to tell me if that’s confusing. I do have a Danish-English dictionary but it’s in storage. Before continuing, how does the Danish word order (subject, object, etc.) compare to English? I wasn’t there long enough to learn.
Your blog has quite a variety - enjoy seeing what you’ll post. By the way, Jacob (my youngest) was memorizing pi today - Kate Bush, right?
Okay, we have a few cans opened now.
1. Economic Recession
2. Iraq War
3. Bush
4. Haiti
5. Broad Shoulders - Nice topic
6. US Healthcare System
7. My Perspective
It is *** to be led into a war, for a cause and for a time, costing lives, only to be told later that the war was pointless. I believe that there is more that we still don’t know.
Sometime, watch the movie “Wag the Dog.” It’s been a while since I’ve seen it, so I can’t remember details. However, the point is … never-mind … don’t want to spoil it if you want to see it. Just if you do, tell me what you think. For now, that will cover points 1, 2, and 3.
More on Haiti. The variety of news reports befuddle me. It ranges from “We’re doing a fantastic job!” to “These people aren’t receiving sufficient help!” What do you think of our former president (W.)’s bluntness …”I know a lot of people want to send blankets or water — just send your cash.” (Clinton Bush Haiti Fund)
I think we’re on the right track … It seems that there are areas not receiving aid. Still wondering what’s ahead.
Hypothetical scenario: should a devastation strike another developing country with similar consequences within the near future … how would the more economically developed countries respond? Could they?
Numero Ses - Broad Shoulders eh? Well, I suppose so … for now. However, all isn’t as it seems.
Healthcare. I’ll just speak about ours for now. The military has its own branch of health coverage, and has their own medical facilities and personnel. We, for the most part, rely on them. Deployments will have an impact. However, we also have access to civilian care such as Dayton Children’s Hospital and Miami Valley Hospital, although we must get approval otherwise we pay.
There will always be complications due to deployments and this can’t be completely avoided. It’s a sacrifice that most of us are willing to accept. It’s demoralizing, however, (not only for us but for everyone) when wars seem to go on without an end or a reason and catastrophies could have been averted.
Like reading your thoughts.
Hi Carrie…hehe…No worry…you Danish did make sense…I could easily understand it. As for the word order in Danish,- I’ve found this great page which explains it pretty well:
http://www.phrasebase.com/archive2/danish/13057.html
The most basic:
In a normal sentence structure the subject comes before the verb
Pigen sover - The girl is sleeping
Han spiser - He is eating
In sentences with inversion, the verb comes before the subject. Inversion is used in questions and in sentences which begin with other elements than the subject, a phrase to indicate time or place relations etc.
Sover pigen? - Is the girl sleeping?
Glad you like my entries Carrie…Yeah…quite varied I guess…a little bit of this, and a little bit of that… Memorizing pi?! Cool! (Yeah…Love (!) Kate Bush!!) When Jacob gets older, you could try and see if he could learn to memorize the periodic table of the elements…Could come in quite handy for him later in high school and such…Wrote up a piece on how to memorize it:
http://madsenblog.dk/wordpress/2009/07/09/how-to-memorize-the-periodic-table-of-the-elements-in-less-than-30-minutes/
A few cans opened indeed
Have watched “Wag the Dog”…didn’t like it that much, but it does has some good points, and the subject it touches is definitely interesting!
Regarding Haiti and wether they recieve the help they need or not…It been in the Danish media too…Seems like the infrastructure of Haiti is completely destroyed, so it takes some time to get to all in need of help….but it’s getting there. Dubya’s request for people to send money…well…best thing is to send money to those who knows best how to help out in a 3rd world disaster zone, so I guess he’s right…
Hypothetical scenario: should a devastation strike another developing country with similar consequences within the near future … how would the more economically developed countries respond? Could they?
Ohh…they definitely could…just look at how much the banks received in various help packages. The money is there no question about that…The GDP/capita of the US and for Denmark for that matter is around $ 40000 a year…for Malawi in central Africa it’s around $ 600, so of course countries like the US, Denmark and the rest of the developed countries have the money…The money might be in the “wrong” pockets though…Maybe the really wealthy part of our populations respectively should be taxes more…It probably would be possible here in Denmark, since we’re already taxed so heavily (the incentive to work and invest would disappear if we were taxed even more), but there’s definitely a lot of people in western countries how could pay more in taxes than they do now…without it bringing the economy to a hault…But that’s just my laymans opinion
Looking forward to head from you Carrie
Hi Per.
The State of the Union Address was last night … and now the commentaries for a week or so will follow. http://www.whitehouse.gov/ He made a lot of good points … going to watch it again.
I studied the link you provided and decided that I’ll go to the book store today for a Danish study guide. I’m sure there must also be a Danish-American culture nearby for me to practice … at least there is in California (Solvang) http://www.cityofsolvang.com/ (I first learned of it when in Denmark).
My American mind is still choking on “could pay more in taxes.” We’re conditioned to respond affirmatively to “tax-cut.” I did a little reading last night on Denmark’s government and economy. Would you help with recommending links … some are sure to be better than others. Thanks.
Hi Carrie
Yeah…I watched his speech too…He did indeed make a lot of good points…just saw an opinion poll…83% of those who watched his speech approved his proposals.
Solvang…heh…Peter and I made a stop in Solvang when we visited the US…They do have some Danish stuff there, but most of al it’s a tourists place I think…We did buy some great Danish bread there and a few books
Regarding taxes…no-one likes to pay taxes, but when the benefits are so much greater than the disadvantages…I mean…healthcare…childcare and eldercare subsidies…free education (if you have the grades for it, you can study medicine if you feel like it…the curriculum is the same as at the best universities…Oxford, Harward etc.)…student grants each month ($1000) for the entire span of the education…subsidies if you want to start a business…lower crime rate (reducing poverty reduces crime!)…etc…there’s a lot of benefits.
Obama said he lowered the taxes for people from the middle class and for the poorest…good thing…he could continue with raising the taxes for the richest part of the population…just my 2 cents.
Found some links for you to read:
The Danish Foreign Ministry has a VERY thorough article about the Danish welfare system: http://www.um.dk/Publikationer/UM/English/Denmark/kap3/3.asp
An American anthropology student who has lived in Denmark has written some good entries on her blog about Denmark and our society: http://encounterdenmark.blogspot.com/
USAToday has an article about Danish welfare: http://www.usatoday.com/money/world/2007-03-06-denmark-usat_N.htm
Hope you find something you can use
Hope Bailey is doing better Carrie!
Thanks for the links. I’ll follow up with comments/ questions.
I appreciate your concern for Bailey. She is improving!
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