Posted on 02/12/2005 1:43:03 AM PST by kipita
Maybe the West should look at "Bribery" as sort of a "Barter" system, as opposed to "corruption", which is what it would be based on western values. It seems a Barter system is the way society works in Africa.
"Is corruption getting worse in Africa?"
It may be worse ?
Has it been any better?
Does the Pope crap in the woods?
"Nigerians were voted as one of the world's happiest people"
Well, of course. They all have $20,000,000 sitting in bank accounts, and just need a way to get it out of the country.
If all the cardinals crap in the woods and the Pope was observed crapping in the woods then maybe crapping in the woods is within the nature of the elite within the Vatican.
Sorry. I'm quoting a bad video game.
Well, I believe in the logic. If a businessman wanted a contract with the Vatican for mutually beneficial interest, and all other businessmen crapped in the woods, then that's what he/she would have to do to compete for the business.
Halliburton did what Halliburton had to do. I've read and seen stories where the educational system is the same way, a bribe gives incentives for the teacher to do a better job. To barter in most of the world's cultures is not necessarily corruption based on their standards.
bump for later (I think that means I'm interested in your post and I'll read it a bit later).
I think that you're either reading WAY too much in to my comment or your sense of humor is beyond me.
My original comment was in response to the article's headline.
If someone tried to convince me that Africa, in general, is becoming less corrupt due to tying aid to good governace it would be too much to believe. Prosecuting corrupt officials and businesses that contribut to corruption would be the best answer in my opinion.
Bartering is not corruption. Using a position of influence to enrich one's self most certainly is.
Having reread the article I see that my remark could be construed as a reference to Jeremy Pope. It was not.
A character in a video game that I play uses the line "Does the Pope s*** in the woods?" as an affirmative response. In the context of the game it is a mild insult towards ignorant street thug types who can not or will not speak correct english.
Let's see, always been tribal warfare to beat all. Always been kidnappings and torture. Always been graft.
Remember for those with an education, it was usually blacks selling other blacks into slavery to the slave traders. Still is slavery in Africa. Rape. pillage, plunder, graft,still there and always has been.
Getting worse? Nahhh just the same pathetic craphole of a continent.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the United States Congress.
Laugh if you like. My cut is coming in any day now.
I was just trying to state a "when in Rome" realization of how Africa "works" amongst the players. Anyway, hows about "the Pope is to Rome as corruption is to Africa" (and let's leave it at that). :-)
How could corruption get any worse in Africa?
"As long as politics is seen as the path to wealth, then Africa is on a downward path."
Ture, but--unfortunately, politics and law ARE a path to wealth just about everywhere, including the U. S.
I think there is a "frame" called "Race" which is used by Liberals, Elitists, true Racists, Democrats, etc. to claim to represent victims while achieving their objectives. The reality is, there are systems of governance which create "100ft tall" people and there are lesser systems that create "10ft tall" people. The people who come the 100ft tall system of governance will fight to the end to maintain it against the lesser systems. Some other battle grounds:
Falkland Islands vs. Argentina
Gibraltar vs. Spain (to a much lesser degree)
Ukraine vs. Russia
Georgia vs. Russia
Singapore vs. Malaysia
Hong Kong vs. China
Taiwan vs. China
etc.
Again, when possible, the Evil ones use race as a factor where the real fight is FOR Equality, Liberty, Freedom and the pursuit of happiness.
My daughter was in the Peace Corps in Mozambique. In order to show an aids video on prevention, she had to "barter" money to the various village rulers.
Think about it............this video was good thing paid for by the USA and would benefit all people of the village. It was "free". Yet, people in power had to be "paid off"
This is rampant corruption, not bartering
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