Best Posts in Thread: Rather disconcerting numbers

We are off topic (sorry, again, Mr R!) - but:

1. I am all for peace. That is why I married (twice)!
2. "Lack of wars in Europe since 1945"? What about the Balkans in the 1990s? Serbian aggression (and atrocities) only stopped by bombs used by stronger powers!

 

Then we all feel threatened by Russia (user of chemical warfare at home and abroad) and North Korea (nutters in control). Keep the US strong as, for any deficiencies people wish to point out, they are still the keepers of a Free World.

 

The World has risen against great evil before - and, so far, the Free World won.

 

In many countries there's still what I am tempted to characterize as animist beliefs in the healing capacities of quack "medicine".
Just look at the persistent smuggle of rhino horns (which most of the world has united against several decades ago already) as an example, it is difficult to stop as long as there's demand and profit to be made.
But, and I am sure the Chinese government would eagerly point out if put under pressure, the evil of drugs and accompanying smuggle elsewhere is a lot worse than rhino horns and similar eccentricities. Moreover, if it's already impossible to stop the trade in something that needs to be poached and smuggled from other countries halfway across the globe, what hope is there to bring the problem with domestic exotic animals under control.

As an aside, the Philippines, for all sorts of reasons, the most important of which may well be the lack of access to proper medical care, is not a good example when it comes to combating quack "doctors" and their "herbal capsules" which supposedly heal everything from "prrrostate prrroblems" to high blood pressure, and provide you with "life extension". Those who occasionally listen to the local radio stations here will know why I put the extra rrr's lol.
In better regulated environments such advertisements (that announce the sellers as "pharmaceutical distributors" no less) would not be allowed.

 

With the world as it is today, with many differing religions, ideas on freedom and liberty, and government philosophies, when a disease becomes a pandemic, it is too late. The time to stop something is as soon as it starts, or never to have started it in the first place. For COVID-19, if the world had contained it in China, even to the point of war, you could be resting comfortably, or at least uneasy for a different reason.

To help prevent or slow the next big thing, persuade people that are sick to wear masks if they must exit their houses and otherwise stay home until they are healthy. Enact legislation allowing sick people to stay home. Teach people about the meaning of personal space. And quit eating bats, d*mn.

 

Not something I know much about - but if people like Bill Gates holds onto all his money, he would be criticised for meanness.

I often ponder why charities struggle to make a few millions when there are so many very wealthy people in the World. I don't even have a million (GBP) but I have more than I need.