Post by fusilier23 on Mar 4, 2006 21:49:23 GMT
Well, the nations in this area of the world would do better if they would adjust their corruption level down a bit. It's not like the West hasn't got the funds to lend nor is unwilling, but when factions battle to get their hands on the grant money, it isn't likely to be used for what it was granted for. I still just shake my head when I read of the battles between rebels and government forces that long ago ceased to be about right-v-left or islam-v-other religions, but are simply about which warlord gets to control this mine or whatever now. There is no value in helping those who don't want to be helped, as we found out all too painfully in Mogadishu, with the disaster made worse by the idiotic decision to disallow the use of tanks and armored vehicles in order to not upset the locals.
Unless and until they choose to get it together, Africa is going to remain a forgotten continent, no one is going to invest in a place where their investment is likely to be lost or expropriated. Charity alone never built workable nations.
As for the U.S. exercise facility that is being considered, it should also be borne in mind that where the U.S. military goes, its companies frequently follow, bringing jobs and money with them. Neutrality is overrated, who now applauds Sweden's decision to stand by while every other nation in the region fell to either the Nazis or the Soviets and pat themselves on the back for their nanny state? How about Switzerland's decision to be the Nazi's bankers? And where now are the nations who chose to side with neither the US nor the USSR? There is no neutrality between tyrant and democracy or terror and republic.
Unless and until they choose to get it together, Africa is going to remain a forgotten continent, no one is going to invest in a place where their investment is likely to be lost or expropriated. Charity alone never built workable nations.
As for the U.S. exercise facility that is being considered, it should also be borne in mind that where the U.S. military goes, its companies frequently follow, bringing jobs and money with them. Neutrality is overrated, who now applauds Sweden's decision to stand by while every other nation in the region fell to either the Nazis or the Soviets and pat themselves on the back for their nanny state? How about Switzerland's decision to be the Nazi's bankers? And where now are the nations who chose to side with neither the US nor the USSR? There is no neutrality between tyrant and democracy or terror and republic.