Evil NGOs are behind it all

[Big RR]

Bullshit is right; and the sad thing is that people are lapping it up as if it were manna from heaven. It proves the second point of Lincoln's observation--you can fool some of the people all of the time.

And Lib, I will petition for a regrading of my exam--I think Scooter and I have a far better grasp of Trumpanese than you will ever have. Your view is that any outright lie Trump utters must be some sort of nuanced truth since Trump does not (and cannot) lie and is never wrong--I know hero worship is hard but you really should start thinking for yourself before it is too late (if it's not too late already). I used to think you are too smart to be a mindless member of his fifth column, but now I am not so certain.

[MajGenl.Meade]

The most impressive part is that Ethiopians did this themselves. It was their vision, their idea. They raised most of the money, did the hard work, and provided nearly all the labor. In the process, they gained valuable skills, carpentry, plumbing, concrete work, steelwork, electrical work, engineering, and construction, that can now be applied to other projects across the country. It’s a model of self-reliance and ambition that other African nations might do well to emulate.

Yeah I thought at first you were going to address NGOs but I see that you've managed to issue congratulations (to Ethiopia's government) that are really a back-handed way to sneer at other African nations and what you characterize as a lack of ability to be self-reliant and ambitious.

Such oversimplified generalities rather spoil your valid point about the contribution of Ethiopians to their own uplifting. That and the 1 billion US dollars for turbines and electrical equipment that was funded by the Exim Bank of China - which may yet disprove my forebodings about letting that particular wolf into the sheep kraal.

[BoSoxGal]

I heard this piece on NPR yesterday on the way home from work; nothing evil about this NGO work attempting to save Gazans from starvation imposed by that psychopath Netanyahu.

https://www.ideastream.org/2025-09-17/i ... ess-deadly

[liberty]

The most impressive part is that Ethiopians did this themselves. It was their vision, their idea. They raised most of the money, did the hard work, and provided nearly all the labor. In the process, they gained valuable skills, carpentry, plumbing, concrete work, steelwork, electrical work, engineering, and construction, that can now be applied to other projects across the country. It’s a model of self-reliance and ambition that other African nations might do well to emulate.

Yeah I thought at first you were going to address NGOs but I see that you've managed to issue congratulations (to Ethiopia's government) that are really a back-handed way to sneer at other African nations and what you characterize as a lack of ability to be self-reliant and ambitious.

Such oversimplified generalities rather spoil your valid point about the contribution of Ethiopians to their own uplifting. That and the 1 billion US dollars for turbines and electrical equipment that was funded by the Exim Bank of China - which may yet disprove my forebodings about letting that particular wolf into the sheep kraal.

Well, Mead, if it's seen as a backhanded slap, I'm sorry. That's unfortunate, but it's what I see. Most of Africa is still Screwed up, even though there's been quite a bit of progress, or at least some progress, in the last 25 years. Across much of the continent, corruption and political ineptitude run rampant.

I believe Botswana deserves praise for the improvements it has made; it has the lowest corruption levels on the African subcontinent. There's no benefit in ignoring reality and denying problems only makes them worse. Acknowledging your problems, and making an attempt to fix them, is the only path to progress.

Now, concerning Ethiopia: yes, they took money from China as a loan, but I don't think they love communism, considering their experience with the Derg regime. They also had an unpleasant history with the Italians, yet it was an Italian construction company that helped build and supervise the dam project. I reckon when you're poor, like Ethiopia, you can't afford to hold too many grudges; or at least you can't let them affect your decisions.

[MajGenl.Meade]

Well Li , you improved your thought considerably. Pity you didn't put it that way first time. Still, there's hope

[Bicycle Bill]

I believe Botswana deserves praise for the improvements it has made; it has the lowest corruption levels on the African subcontinent.

I've heard of the Indian subcontinent (of Asia), but never an African subcontinent.   When was Africa downgraded, and if it was, what is it now a subcontinent of?

-"BB"-

[liberty]

I believe Botswana deserves praise for the improvements it has made; it has the lowest corruption levels on the African subcontinent.

I've heard of the Indian subcontinent (of Asia), but never an African subcontinent.   When was Africa downgraded, and if it was, what is it now a subcontinent of?

-"BB"-

Africa, above and below the Sahara Desert, are two distinct regions. That's what I mean by 'subcontinent, in this case, referring to the part south of the Sahara.

[MajGenl.Meade]

Bill, he means 'sub-Sahara'.

AI she say: "There isn't a formal geographical or geopolitical region called the "Africa subcontinent"; the term most likely refers to Southern Africa or Sub-Saharan Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa encompasses the area south of the Sahara Desert and consists of many countries, while Southern Africa is a specific sub-region within Sub-Saharan Africa"

[liberty]

I believe Botswana deserves praise for the improvements it has made; it has the lowest corruption levels on the African subcontinent.

I've heard of the Indian subcontinent (of Asia), but never an African subcontinent.   When was Africa downgraded, and if it was, what is it now a subcontinent of?

-"BB"-

Africa, above and below the Sahara Desert, are two distinct regions. That's what I mean by 'subcontinent, in this case, referring to the part south of the Sahara.

I seem to use the same words all the time, so what's wrong with a little experimentation?

[liberty]

I believe Botswana deserves praise for the improvements it has made; it has the lowest corruption levels on the African subcontinent.

I've heard of the Indian subcontinent (of Asia), but never an African subcontinent.   When was Africa downgraded, and if it was, what is it now a subcontinent of?

-"BB"-

Africa, above and below the Sahara Desert, are two distinct regions. That's what I mean by 'subcontinent, in this case, referring to the part south of the Sahara.

I seem to use the same words all the time, so what's wrong with a little experimentation?

[Joe Guy]

You can say that again!

[liberty]

You can say that again!

India is considered a subcontinent because it's geographically separated from the rest of Asia by mountain ranges. In a similar way, Sub-Saharan Africa is divided from North Africa by the Sahara Desert. That’s why one could argue that Sub-Saharan Africa is like a subcontinent.

[MajGenl.Meade]

India isn't a sub-continent. The Indian subcontinent is a term for the geographic region which includes: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Republic of India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
But that's nit-picking

That’s why one could argue that Sub-Saharan Africa is like a subcontinent.

But you didn't argue it is "like" - you stated that it is. And it isn't.

You may as well refer to all of Africa as "sub-Arctic" or "sub-Mediterranean" if making up your own geography is a pleasure.

Just don't do it again

[Bicycle Bill]

You may as well refer to all of Africa as "sub-Arctic" or "sub-Mediterranean" if making up your own geography is a pleasure.

Just don't do it again

Maybe he read just a little too much into the character of Humpty-Dumpty from Lewis Carroll's "Through the Looking Glass" —

“When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, “it means just what I choose it to mean—neither more nor less.”
“The question is,” said Alice, “whether you can make words mean so many different things.”
“The question is,” said Humpty Dumpty, “which is to be master — that’s all.”

Or perhaps he's just following in the footsteps of his buddy Donny, who also has a penchant for making up new names for old things — like the Gulf of America.

-"BB"-

[liberty]

India isn't a sub-continent. The Indian subcontinent is a term for the geographic region which includes: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Republic of India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
But that's nit-picking

That’s why one could argue that Sub-Saharan Africa is like a subcontinent.

But you didn't argue it is "like" - you stated that it is. And it isn't.

You may as well refer to all of Africa as "sub-Arctic" or "sub-Mediterranean" if making up your own geography is a pleasure.

Just don't do it again

I'm not quite sure what hair you're splitting, but I imagine it's trivial.

[MajGenl.Meade]

I'm not quite sure what hair you're splitting, but I imagine it's trivial.

Some facts are trivial. Just as long as you don't do it again . . .

[Burning Petard]

Hey, the National Rifle Association is an NGO. So is the Campfire Girls. Subversive terrorists all. Liberty, did you also read mr. Theroux's book, The Mosquito Coast?

snailgate.

[Burning Petard]

I would like to see one of these beautiful hammers. Also just where is this community that has these expensive granite curbs? Such energy and determination--swinging the beautiful hammers against granite curbs for 20 minutes, The organizations that organized drop points for riot equipment sounds like the stuff the congressional investigation into the Jan 6 activity the chased congress into the bowel of the capital building informed us about.

Don't worry. Experts have assured us the president is not dillusional.

snailgate.

[liberty]

Hey, the National Rifle Association is an NGO. So is the Campfire Girls. Subversive terrorists all. Liberty, did you also read mr. Theroux's book, The Mosquito Coast?

snailgate.

No, not that one. I saw the movie. My books come from the library, and we have a small one. I haven't bought a new book in 20 years or maybe longer. Oh lord, I don't even know how long it's been. The last time I bought a book was when I purchased the Time Life Old West series. God, that must have been 40 years ago. It's interesting how time gets away from you. Why do you ask?