Now look what you did.
The Sun just entered my 6th house.
And your transits say not a good time to start a project.

ok, I'm taken these 4.

Bangladesh............. 47,211
Peru................... 50,389
Nepal.................. 5,155
Yemen, Rep............. 6,171

I'll see if I can come up with a format for the data of the research issues.
(that can be entered here and copy/pasted by others.)

Are those real formuliiiii or just typing grafetti?

One other thing, the growth as a % of GNP.
1. If the contry is negative, more reason to cancel debt.
2. So low as it would take many years and the people would never progress. Maybe partal grace.

TTYL,
Darwin

Maybe it would be a good idea to see what data needs to be collected before you design a proforma?

Some suggestions

Major Exports
Who buys
If the exports are then wholesaled elsewhere.
Polital climate...not sure how this would eb categoriesed
Poltical situation...if there are activist groups within the country?
Health statistics....not sure how to categorise this....

Well that's a few...I'm 100% sure there will be many more.

So my astrology says I shouldn't be doing project work

I just signed on the sleeziest of agencies....yuck....I think I need to wash my hands. But needs must ! ICQ for a short while?

Lis

Vietnam...............28,682
Ethiopia............... 87
Sierra Leone........... 192

Gosh I've worked for companies who make more each year than this countries GDP. Yikes!!!

Lov

L

E-mail coming, with file attached, not to big

Fantastic start....

Can I make a suggestion prior to really getting into the data collection.

By searching and collecting dat we are at real risk of infromation overload even at a very basic level.

The issue being we can collect a whole lot of facts and figures but what we really need is to be able to answer some key questions about each contry. That way when we get the info back it's easy to read.

Such as export...what and who?
Exports for Seira leon
Dimons, Cocoa, and two others
34% UK
8% USA

Industry breaks into; agriculture: 43% industry: 26% services: 31%

Can you see what i mean...

We need to know what information we need to be able to make informed decisions. Trust me...one step back will make 5 steps forward this time next week or the week after.

So what are the really important questions.'
I doubt we will want more than 20 answer?

Lov

Lis

And secondarily, we want to identify which countries are essentially democratic (or at least guarantee their citizens basic human rights), versus those countries that exploit their population (or have ties with corporate interests who do the exploiting), with the idea that economically boycotting products that are the result of exploitive practices will help put an end to those practices.

Are those the essential "big picture" questions we're trying to answer here, or is there more?

Love,
Greg

Sorry I've gone off on one .....

Well to be able to achieve some of the objectives we need to understand a little bit about each country. Human rights, type of debt and to whom, what their exports are and to who, if they ahve a human rights issue, if they have minimum wadges, that type of stuff.

It may be a question of changing brands of products bought, to support that ecconomy or if there is true human rights issue...finding a way of making it felt to that countries govenement without starvign the pople in it.

But if we are doing any for of desk research, experience of this suggests get together a list of questions that need to be answered and then answering them for the poor countries. That way when anyone does the research they generate 2 pages as opposed to 40....cos 40 paged times 20 countries is totally overwhelming.

So what are the key questions that need answering?

Here was the last list...that I can see ont he thread copied down:

1. Put aside what $ you can manage for the poor.

Which are the poorest countries that need the most support?

2. Practice religious tolerance.
What religion are these countries and is ther conflict because of it?

3. Try to treat people with love.

4. Do everything possible to avoid war, but you must stand up for what is just. In our own lives, this could mean standing up against racist people, gossipy people, petty people, clicky people who exclude, bullies, etc. You must speak up when you know an injustice has been done.

Are there serious political conflicts within each country? do they appear just or not?

5. Don't buy products made in countries where workers have poor working conditions, and are not paid the minimum wage.

We need to be careful lest we starve poor countries...but identify what the exports are, where they go, if there is a minimum wadge...it it requires change

6. Lobby for wiping out 3rd world debt.

Whihc countries in aprticular?

7. Get to know different kinds of people - another race, nationality, older, younger, different income level, different dress, etc.

8. Education - Educate ourselves in the way the global power structure really works and spread this awareness.

Again it's the politics within country...can we actually do soemthing with with this one?

9. Consumer Purchasing Power: Find out the appropriate brands to buy and not to buy. Write to your local press regularly.

This is extending #5 but it's all together in there in information gathering.

10. Love starts with the family. Stay connected to family and friends. Charity begins at home.

11. Be aware of the push for materialism and waste. Try not to get caught up in it.

How could recylcling be used to assist 3w countries?

12. Get some exercise - walking, etc. There is a connection with body, mind, and spirit.

13. Respect and love yourself, and do not take your gifts and opportunities for granted. Develop them.

14. Be gentle and kind, especially to those who have the hardest hearts. They need it the most.

15. Spread the love, visiting with friends, warm smiles and hugs to all the year long ... beyond the holiday season.

16. Become vegitarian

Ok I've jotted down a few of the issues that need some information to actually do.

Greg I know you suggested:

quote:

---

I'm not sure exactly what I mean here ( ), but perhaps we could create a "reminder mailing list" for those who want to actively participate ... a list that could spread beyond this site to others interested in making real changes in the world. Maybe people with a strong interest in one or more of these ideas could take "ownership" of that idea and delve more deeply, presenting recommendations and research findings to the rest of us. Perhaps those elements that call for lobbying or encouraging specific government/institutional changes could be supported by petitions or manifestos, and we could sponsor obtaining support for them and presenting them to the relevant institutions. I dunno, just fishing for ways to extend the "practical" side of this to actually make a difference!

---

I think these are a fantastic start point....

Lov n hugs

Lis

Maybe I'll focus on some of the questions in the bigger list that aren't easily addressed by data alone as a starting point. I'm especially interested in #8 (educate ourselves in the way the global power structure really works and spread this awareness) ... this is a tough one because it is really essential to understand, otherwise the vested interests are often able to use our ignorance to their advantage (for example, economic exploitation is often "sold" to us in the guise of "economic development assistance" to underdeveloped nations) - but it's hard to address, because once one begins looking into it deeply there is a lot of paranoia and hysteria surrounding the facts. Many researchers ally themselves with fringe groups, and often present their findings in a sensationalistic way that makes it easy to dismiss them as nutballs or conspiracy freaks. That's easy to understand, because there's some really scary stuff going on behind the scenes of global power once you scratch the surface, but it's not very helpful if it can't be communicated clearly and believably to average folks who don't want to get caught up in wild extremism. I'm gonna ponder this a bit to see if I can come up with a good approach, then I'll start a new thread for it - how about "conspiracy theory for the non-paranoid?"

Onward and upward!

Love,
Greg

hehheheh

em ok I'll put together a list of question and ask people to chime in etc. thne look for some volenteers to get the data .

What are we classing as poor countries; I've listed the bottom 52 in terms of GDP and world debt, but it's an awful lot...should we cut it down or leave it long?

Also is there any questions you would like answered about each country for you cospiracy theory? he he he...love the tiel

love n hugs

Lis

Folks...Please please feel free to add or amend these....

Which charities are active in the country? Is it obvious if these charities are effective or if the countries political structure siphons the cash off?

What religions are dominant in these countries, if any? Is there conflict because of religion?

Who is in power? How did they get there (democratic vote or military regime).
Are there serious political conflicts within each country? Who are the different groups involved? Are they communicating peacefully or violently? Is there a forum for communication?

How does the economy structure itself? Proportion of agriculture, industry, service etc.

What are the threats to the economy, are they prone to famine, earthquakes, volcanic activity, wars etc.

Principle exports? Who those exports go to (natural resources)? If at all possible export by country (8% diamonds to UK, 10% Diamonds to US, etc)

Identify level of world debt. Who is that debt owed too (which countries,International banks etc)?

Politically is this country part of the UN? Which other organisations do they participate in.

Could any form of recycling be used to assist these countries?

Please feel free to add or amend this list.
Also shoudl we takle the 52 countries or shorten the poverty list? Any thoughts?

Lov n hugs

Lis

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish motives;
Be kind anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, others may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you have anyway.

This goes along with with putting ourselves in control, and reaching out to the people we love.

Joyce

Luv,
Rainbow~

Lis

Fabulous idea about your non-paranoid conspiracy information....i will be very interested in your findings....thank you!

And Tinkerbell and Proxymoon -- excellent project! i am so inspired by your commitment, very nice work.

love, snowpea

Joy, perhaps you should say that to one of the Virgos????

Lov n hugs

Lis

He was found guilty only of involuntary manslaughter. This is probably the least he could have been charged with. This charge should bring only 3-5 years in prison.

IMO,mistakes can happen..and this man has probably learned a great deal from it. My daughter and I are sitting here absolutely elated that the jurers had possibly some compassion and understanding of human nature.

On another note, the father to the man he "killed" has forgiven him. THIS is the start needed to changing this world..
compassion and foregiveness...yaaaay!!

Yes, I know I've said it before, and I'm going to say it again...*sigh*...

I just posted on Terri's thread entitled I'M LOSING MY OPTIMISM......it seems it would be appropriate right here, but at this time, I don't have the energy to post the whole thing here (I've ever learned how to cut and paste...if that even applies here)...

Anyway, for those, who would be interested in my input regarding world peace...please go over there, and read my post....thank you...

With Love,
Rainbow~

....and by no means, do I mean for anyone to give up on the great ideas they have, here.....

Let's do move upward and onward....

Love,
Rainbow~

Looks like we got sidetracked on this one for a while!

Love,
Greg