The Hunger Site benefits Americans first.
As regular readers will know, I think
The Hunger Site is an excellent website. It enables people to click on a link, view some adverts and the revenue generated goes towards charitable causes. It's a brilliant idea. However one of the problems I have with it (and the other charity causes the site operates) is that a large proportion of the donations go towards US poverty - US charities get the money, US children get the books, US animal welfare centres get the financing, US women get breast cancer mammograms. Now obviously poverty anywhere can be a very devastating force, however when I click I want my money to go to those most in need - people starving in Africa and Asia, books to go to schools where there are no resources available, medical help for those who otherwise wouldn't have access.
This is not because I am against Americans getting aid - of course not - I just believe that when a website makes money from people all over the world - the money should be spent on the most pressing global causes first and foremost. Otherwise why shouldn't a percentage go towards British poverty and British charities or our children getting new books? Otherwise surely it is unfair and not charitable after all?
What do you think? Should The Hunger Site be forced to give its money to the most deserving? Is it fair the US gets a proportion of all donations when it is the world's largest economy?
Boris as mayor
I know it is early in his premiership, but I have been very impressed with the actions of Boris Johnson since he has come into office. Already he has organised a team to run an audit regarding Ken Livingstone's expenses, instituted a ban of alcohol on public transport, held a meeting with the heads of the local boroughs and unlike most politicians has not backed down from his manifesto pledges, but reiterated them. I think therefore it only remains for Unlimited Jargon to wish Boris good luck in fulfilling his pledges and making London better.
Labels: Politics
Linux dependencies make me hurt
In Windows when you decide to install something new, you look at the box/case/website of the software and read the system requirements, and if you've got those then 99% of the time things go smoothly when doing an installation.
However every time I try to install something on my Linux machine I get a dependency error - one or numerous small files are missing - and they have to be installed before I can add in the software I've been trying to get to use.
Unfortunately what the Linux advocates don't tell you is that because of the differing release schedules and different rates of development every program requires a different version of the programs which the program I am trying to install is dependent on.
If that is unclear let me also add that if you upgrade (or downgrade) the dependency program so that the software you are trying to install will work, this then registers to all the existing software on your computer using that dependency that it is no longer installed! GAH!
So basically to install one new program, I need to upgrade my entire operating system. It is because of issues like this that Linux is unnecessarily difficult to live with. Perhaps some clever genius could come up with a solution and save all Linux users a lot of time and stress!
Labels: Technology
Taking Liberties on tv
The film
"Taking Liberties" will be broadcast on More 4 this Tuesday at 10pm. I recommend it as essential viewing for anyone who needs a little convincing on why civil liberties matter.
Labels: ID cards, Politics
Bush requests food aid from Congress
The US president has requested an increase in food aid to assist nations currently feeling the squeeze of high food prices. This is a most welcome, though somewhat unexpected move. Of course it may well be a publicity stunt by Bush - an attempt to repair the tarnished US image following its aggressive and unpopular foreign policy during his term in office - he certainly won't be around when the other candidates have to deal with the economic consequences and it's not an easy proposal for Congress to decline.
Nonetheless perhaps this shows that despite US belligerence and militarism they are genuinely interested in helping the African people and it's at times like this my respect for America increases. Good job!
Labels: Politics
