Saint in Paradise

Wasn't he a member of this lot for a very long time ? There may be a chance to fix things, but the ANC regime has no interest in doing so. They prefer to follow Mugabe's lead and screw the country into the ****ter to appease their followers with freebies in order to hang on to power. Quote: http://www.politicsweb.co.za/mailstr...id=3757&mid=35 67&l=3&a= Richard Wilkinson 21 October 2013 Richard Wilkinson replies to Michael Fargher's advocacy of equality of outcomes My good friend Michael Fargher has written an article on South African inequality, its causes and the steps that should be taken to alleviate it ("White-washed equality" Politicsweb October 5 2013). I disagree very strongly with almost everything he says. This is quite something because five years ago I could easily have written exactly the same article. Yet experience has caused me to question past assumptions to the point where today I take a view that is practically diametrically opposed to Mike's. First, let's start with the points where I think Mike and I are in agreement. I agree that South Africa is deeply unequal and that economic inequality is a serious threat to the country's future - a threat that could become lethal when coupled with a prolonged period of economic stagnation. Secondly, let me be clear that I support ‘transformation:' a hard-to-define concept which at its most basic consists of trying to make South Africa's future better than its past; a future which is wealthier, more peaceful, more socially coherent and - yes - less unequal. The mistaken belief that redistribution necessarily reduces inequality I think that the core of our disagreement concerns the belief that any and all models of transformation and redistribution will ineluctably lead to reduced inequality. Post-Apartheid South Africa has seen one of the largest peaceful redistributions of wealth in history. A procession of well-intended schemes has been set up: industry-wide affirmative action charters, state-led industrial plans, racialised university admissions processes, quotas on sports teams and, most notably, Black Economic Empowerment (which was hastily renamed Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment following the emergence of egregious cases of corrupt enrichment). Redistribution has been matched by ballooning government handouts: nearly one-third of the population now receives some form of taxpayer-funded welfare. I'm not sure what more could possibly be done. You would think that after all this the country would be more equal. And yet it isn't. According to an OECD study conducted by Leibbrandt et al, South Africa's Gini co-efficient increased from 0.66 in 1993 to 0.70 in 2008. The real kicker lies in the breath-taking increase in inequality within ‘black' South Africa since the early 1990's, a phenomenon which led the authors to urge ‘policy initiatives which address the increase in intra-racial inequality, rather than those focused solely on redistribution between inter-racial population groups.' I can't remember precisely but I think it was Brian Pottinger who summed up this trend in his terrifying but outstanding book ‘The Mbeki Legacy' by pithily rearranging Churchill's famous phrase: ‘never before in the history of human endeavour has so much been redistributed from so many to so few.' Why then has transformation failed so spectacularly? I will argue that it is due largely to the unintended consequences which flow from a model which is practically hardwired to give rise to pernicious outcomes. These deficiencies consist of four beguiling post-Apartheid premises that are so widely held that they may as well be referred to as the ‘Gospel of the New South Africa' in that those who apostatise them are susceptible to charges of heresy. As I explain below, each of these premises is deeply flawed. 1) The fallacy that in order to be successful transformation needs to be racialised Firstly, the argument that race serves even as a remotely accurate measure of disadvantage is well and truly dead. South Africa is now a country where black shack dwellers living in execrable poverty tick the same racial box on the census form as Patrice Motsepe and Kenny Kunene. Mike also seems to assume that white South Africa is uniformly well off. Yes, some of the families of Sandhurst and Constantia might have connections which make jobs easier to come by. But not every white person lives in Sandhurst or Constantia. They don't all fly business class. Contrary to popular liberation folklore, whatever wealth the bulk of the white minority does have is largely due to parents waking up early, working really hard to create businesses or earn a living, handing over up to half of their incomes in tax (all in the aim of bettering the broader country) and using whatever's left over to effectively pay twice so that their children can avoid the world's worst public education system. If after all this the white middle class is left with some money I hardly resent them having some fun with it. Ironically, one unintended consequence of racialised transformation has been that retrenched and otherwise discarded white workers have been spurred on to build up an enormous amount of business: former policemen have established highly profitable private security firms, former state teachers, nurses and doctors now devote their energies to private schools and private hospitals, the rise of DSTV now means we don't have to endure the SABC.

Just because you are offended doesn't mean that you are right and so therefore he must be wrong. I am sick to death with the way over the top coverage of that man's death. Mind you I get annoyed very quickly with the media vomit inducing sycophancy when any "famous" or "celebrity" kicks the bucket. Thousands of good, decent and normal people die every day but they are ignored.

After the attack on Pearl Harbour Britain declared war on Japan quicker than the U.S. did.

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini: "It is a good point. I don't feel like we lost two points." "In all the other games away I felt like we deserved more but here this was the result that both teams deserved." I think that is quite a telling remark from a manager of whom maximum points are expected every game by the owners.

Hmmmm I wonder ??? I read this a couple of days ago elsewhere. Team ALARM has been of the opinion that Nelson Mandela, for all practical purposes, died quite a while ago. For months not one person came forward to say that they saw him. We do however have reason to suspect that he is kept alive by machines, but that for all practical reasons he became brain dead several months ago. There are a several indications that his death might officially be announced very soon. The funeral of this very popular statesman will attract dignitaries from each and every country in the world. Up to now, the home town of Nelson Mandela, near Mtahata, could not have handled a state funeral of this magnitude. In 2009 Mthata was declared a “Rapid High Impact Presidential Intervention Node” and a serious effort was started to improve the transport, roads, electricity articulation and water provision in the greater Mthata area. The new extended runway at Mthata airport was taken into service at the end of May 2013 and the upgraded roads and electricity infrastructure was completed a month ago. Everywhere that important people and tourists might drive or move has been upgraded and repaired. Even some of the gravel roads have been extensively repaired and re-topped. Together with the new roads, bridges and electricity, there are also new petrol stations, hotels, and the Nelson Mandela museum that all looks so shiny and new and very stylish. The Government is of course denying that any of this has anything to do with the potential funeral of Nelson Mandela. The Government insists that it is all part and parcel of the normal infrastructure and development project run by the benevolent ANC government, to the benefit of the people of South Africa. We have to admit that the effort to improve the Mthata airport has been a long running effort that has bungled along since 2008 but has failed to materialise any tangible results, due to the normal combination of corruption and ineptitude. That all changed rather drastically in 2012 when the improvement of the Mthata airport became a rapid development project. The project's “Environmental Management Plan” (EMP) states the following very plainly in its introduction: “This is a special circumstances project and it is understood that this project is being undertaken for the provision of infrastructure for the landing of aircraft at Mthatha Airport for a special circumstance which is of national importance and is related to the former president.” Point 2.2 on page 8 of the EMP under the heading “Motivation for use of the proposed borrowpits” the following statement is made: “The Eastern Cape Department of Transport proposes to undertake the construction of a new runway at the Mthatha Airport in the Eastern Cape. This is a special circumstances project and it is understood that this project is being undertaken for the provision of infrastructure for the landing of aircraft at Mthatha Airport for a special circumstance which is of national importance and is related to the former president.” On 22 November, Zuma went to inspect the improvements and repairs in the greater Mthata area and tried to gain as much political mileage as possible from it. Basically all the political elite went to see if the place looked good, and they were apparently quite impressed with the way it displayed. Not all readers may realize that Mthata is only 31.3km from Qunu, the Eastern Cape home village of Nelson Mandela and the place where his funeral will take place. All the developments in the greater Mthata area also included Qunu and it is only a 30 minute drive on the lovely new roads to get to Qunu from Mthata. Then on Wednesday 27 November the SAAF command cancelled the bi-annual Wheels and Wings show at the AFB Ysterplaat unilaterally and without any good and valid reason. Many people are seriously hacked off because a lot of time, effort and money has already been sunk into the event that was due to take place on 7&8 December. The unexplained cancellation of the show is busy creating a lot of PR fallout. On Thursday 28 November the head of the SANDF cancelled all leave of all military personnel for the December period. No reason has been given. Team ALARM also became aware of large military convoys that will be moving from Pretoria and Bloemfontein to the Qunu area shortly. We have however not been able to verify this information yet. Should it happen that Mandela's death is announced officially, the timing could not have been more perfect for the ANC. Mandela's funeral would attract more interest than the soccer world cup, and everybody from Obama to the Pope would probably attend his funeral. Such a spectacle would go a long way in getting pressure off the ANC generated by the Nkandla scandal and the pending split of COSATU. Additionally it would be very, very beneficial to hold his funeral on 16 December that is already known as “Day of Reconciliation” which happens to be on a Monday this year. That means there is a very handy reconciliation long weekend appearing on the calendar in 16 days that can be used to absolute maximum benefit. The fact that Nelson Mandela the movie also appeared this last week, handily provides the cherry for the cake. The opportunity is just too good to pass up and we wonder if the Government will really let it slide by without making use of it? Will we see an official announcement of Nelson Mandela's death in the next few days? It certainly looks like we are heading that way. We will only be sure when we hear the official announcement, but will not be surprised at all when we do. FROM: Team ALARM

http://nz.lifestyle.yahoo.com/video/watch/20152463/girlfriend-buys-positive-pregnancy-test/ What would you do if you watched this situation happen ? Would you blab or not ?

These people who start a thread with only the one word "discuss" are just morons who should be ignored by normal people but given a warning by Mods. They obviously don't know enough about the subject that they are trying to start, they are just pathetic wind ups.Two warnings and they should be banned for at least 3 months.

What a pathetic unfeeling thing to say,:mcinnes: you should be ashamed but I suspect that you won't otherwise you wouldn't have posted such a post in the first place.

The best way to stop for ever is this:- Go to bed, light up and then fall asleep. Guaranteed to stop you smoking.

If they are as upset as they appear why don't they just sell their shares?..............Oh yeh they can't can they :lol:

The US authorities have studied online sexual activity and suggested exposing porn site visits as a way to discredit people who spread radical views, the Huffington Post news site has reported. It published a document, leaked by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden, identifying two Muslims said to be vulnerable to accusations of "online promiscuity". Radical Muslims today and then the net will spread and more and more who slightly upset the U.S. Govt. will be next ? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25118156 .

But, but Sir - factless has said:- One of football’s genuine nice guys blessed with a cheery, warm nature, he had disillusioned no-one. Instead, this talented squad – and there is unquestionably plenty of ability within – let down their manager. :lol:

Being retired and therefore a poor pensioner I don't spend very much at Christmas but I do spend a fair bit during the year on my wife. Next year however it will be even less as I am expecting a very large tax demand, so large in fact that I may well have to start working again.:(

Harsh but fair Mind you that could be a useful quote to keep and re post when you don't like what others have said ( Yes including my rambles as well )

Loved the following comment in that design article, also note the spelling etc Ben Arent • 7 years ago Come on Pompey, I think this will finally settle the Pompey Vi Southampton Argument. I am local to Portsmoth, It shall be very interesting to see what the new stadium will do for the area. A lot of Urban renewal has happened in the last 5 years, I just hope that the rest of portsmoth will take note and get up to date.

So what is wrong with being a paper salesman then ? Sounds like an honest job to me and to be a good salesman is an skill that lots cannot achieve.

Being old and cynical I just wonder a little bit if the reason the BBC appear to be trying to stir up bad feelings against the British Army is to try and dilute the attention being given to own long running major stuff up re saville etc?

Starts again tomorrow on Thursday 21st and at a sensible time for me this time, no more staying up nearly all night.

:blush:As some like to revive old threads how about this one ????

When are you all going to accept the fact that all Governments never tell lies, they always tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth about everything. Anything you see in the sky that you don't recognize is obviously a Chinese lantern and anything you see on the ground that you don't recognize is caused by mass hysteria. Everyone just become a sheeple, like some on here already are, so that you can live a happier life as you will then stop worrying about things that the Governments don't want you to know about. Simples

To cheer people up http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/butt-brazil-2013-dai-macedo-brazil-best-bum-gallery-1.1517657

IF hoddle is as good a manager as he thinks he is how come some really desperate PL club hasn't tried to get him ? Come to that why hasn't any desperate club tried to get him ? I wonder if people think ( know ) he isn't good enough ???

Make the most of it as within a very few years the R.N. won't be in a position to be able to go and help anyway.

Sorry but I can't agree with you about him losing his family home even though he is a skate. That £25,000 is peanuts compared with the hundreds of millions that have "gone away" over the years. Also IF,as some on here claim that he got his info from this thread, then some on here should perhaps be be grateful that They weren't chased by the person who went after Micha.

http://www.freebrainagegames.com/ I suspect a few on here ( no names no pack drill ) will get a score more than their actual age :lol: