Hackers, Cyber Crime, Africa, AIDS, Moxie, PM, Military History & Troop Strength, Divorce & Responsibility

Why doesn't our government do something to stop the hackers who persistently attack our computers -- the latest hackers having IP addresses within the blocks listed below? If they want to continue doing business with such as China from which so much hacking emanates, then peg business to China's doing something about the hackers. Then there is The Planet -- out of Plano Texas, I think; just search Google for "reverse the planet" and check out the information from computing.net. The US should do something to stop the persistent hackers hosted by that ISP.

China: 222.184.0.0 - 222.191.255.255

Korea: 211.181.0.0 - 211.181.255.255




Companies' reluctance to report cyber crime

'Cyber gangs' stealing $400-billion annually -- Internet fraud Chris Wattie, National Post, July 6, 05

The report, commissioned by the Internet security firm McAfee Inc., estimates that gangs of "hackers and crackers" raked in as much as $400-billion worldwide last year from Internet fraud, information or identity theft and money laundering for more traditional organized crime groups.

Search: spyware


The failure of Altruism -- Aid to Africa Peter Goodspeed, July 2, 05

[. . . . ] But, while Live Aid's songs raised more than US$100-million for famine victims in Ethiopia and Sudan, they did almost nothing to alleviate Africa's steady descent into disaster.

Two decades on, Africa remains a cursed continent, wracked with famine, malnutrition, high infant mortality, disease, mismanagement, corruption and civil war. Awash in refugees, it still lacks leadership. Declining economic growth, crime and unemployment are widespread.

[. . . . ] The activists have joined a Commission on Africa, set up by Mr. Blair to draw up recommendations for the G8, to demand an immediate doubling of foreign aid to Africa. The commission called for increasing foreign aid to US$50-billion a year by 2010, US$25-billion a year by 2015.

Search: "Greg Mills, director of South Africa's Brenthurst Foundation, an economic think-tank sponsored by the Oppenheimer family" , "Richard Dowden, director of London's Royal African Society"

Just as a point of interest, the "activists" are unelected and our parliamentary representatives are expected to make hard decisions in our interests -- even saying "No! No more failed aid money to be funnelled into arms and dictators' accounts in Switzerland."

Who are these "activists"? To whom are they responsible? Government funded NGO's? Who funds them? How do they support their travels to every venue where they are able to protest? Who or what is behind them?

Why don't they volunteer to go to Africa to actually see whether throwing more money at problems helps?

Do they not read?

Where do Canada's PM and assorted politicians get off promising other people's money to a cause which, if they told the truth, would reveal that present measures are NOT working. Use Canadians' money for Canadians . . . until Canadians have a chance to sort out what actually works -- instead of our being presented with pure bafflegab, BS and buying of votes from identifiable voting blocks--yes, courting African immigrants and the francophonie which is involved in various projects in Africa. Methinks our PM has no real common sense core, just a mish mash of priorities, huffing and puffing and hot air, all of which signifies nothing except more of the same . . . It doesn't work, PM! Step aside, and let others with more principles and common sense dispense Canadians hard-earned money.




Money better spent at home, 59% say Allan Woods, July 2, 05

PM is hardly the one to address the problem of governance--think about it--that the Canadian Taxpayers' Williamson points out.

The Prime Minister said he is committed to meeting the target, but must first figure out if the country can afford it. He suggested that the world's problems, including poverty, violence and environmental degradation, have been escalating because leaders have given in to "short-term political pressure" with no intention of honouring long-term commitments.

"I'm not going to do that," he said. "I'm not going to do that because there's an election coming. I'm not going to do that under any circumstances." This week, the Canadian Taxpayers' Federation panned the Live 8 concerts and the push from musicians such as Sir Bob and U2's Bono to have leaders commit more funds to Africa. Director John Williamson argued that instead of throwing money at the problem, Western leaders should first ensure "governance reforms" in those countries to make sure the aid money will be well spent.

He's going to do it if it garners something he wants. . . based on experience after PM makes promises. By the way, what about the tsunami aid $$$, PM? Or is it considered impolite to mention that . . . now that another priority has come up?




Bruce Garvey: The best suggestion for Paul Martin on Aid to Africa

Live 8 concerts mean well, but ... Bruce Garvey, National Post, July

[. . . . ] The trouble is that I've been to Africa. To the lawless squalor of Black Hawk Down Mogadishu; to the refugee camps where skin-and-bone Somalian babies die before your very eyes; to fever-ridden Douala on the steamy West Coast where the slave ships used to load; to the once-beautiful urban blight of Nairobi and Harare and South Africa's AIDS-ravaged townships.

Precious few of the almost exclusively white cottage-country crowd that descended on Barrie knew the reality of Africa even as they mouthed the little white lie that they came for "the cause" rather than the music.

[. . . . ] After all, who could endorse the state of Africa, other than a handful of Swiss bank account dictators?

[. . . . ] Unfortunately, the most Paul Martin could do for Africa right now is to shift the family shipping fleet's low-tax registration from Barbados to Liberia. [. . . . ]

The dying continent: Africa's biggest killer -- preventable disease -- is also the one that is easiest to treat Peter Goodspeed, July 5, 05, National Post, A11

[. . . . ] In Botswana, frequently touted as one of the most successful countries in Africa, the average age has already been reduced to 27 years by HIV/AIDS. A stunning 35.6% of its population is infected with HIV/AIDS.

[. . . . ] According to the advocacy group Physicians for Human Rights, Africa houses a mere 1.3% of the world's health workers. But those doctors and nurses struggle to care for people suffering from 25% of the world's disease.

By now after 20+ years, the information on AIDS is well-known except to those who don't want to know. When are Africa's leaders who travel the world and must have some degree of knowledge about it going to truthfully publicize how AIDS is contracted? And that it is preventable by the simplest of means?




Repay looted cash, Nigeria tells West -- Call for more aid: Stop begging, Gaddafi urges African leaders Helen Vesperin, AFP, July 5, 05, Page a13

[. . . . Nigerian President Olusegun] Obasanjo, chairman of the African Union (AU), told African leaders meeting in Libya that wealthy nations should extend a recent debt cancellation beyond the 14 countries that had benefited.

He praised a British-backed report recommending more aid for Africa to be presented to the G8 by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, but said rich nations should repay money looted in the past by corrupt African leaders and deposited in the West -- funds believed to be worth tens of billions of dollars. [. . . . ]

Search: African representation on the UN Security Council , calls to act against Mr. Mugabe

Considering the scams emanating from Nigeria, Obasanjo has moxie!

Do Africans have any responsibility to turf out their own dictators and take some control over their own lives? Can they? If not, the West should consider stopping ALL aid until the dictators flee or are turfed to follow their money -- like Idi Amin, perhaps to Saudi Arabia. There is work in Africa for a good mercenary contingent. . . but, of course, that is not a politically correct suggestion . . . though it just might work for the good of the poor benighted citizens of thugocracies. The UN could give the contingent(s) another name and legitimacy.




Canadian Military History News -- Your GHQ for Stories about Canada's Soldier Heritage

The Dominion Institute's Memory Project has a program where schools and youth groups such as the Scouts and Guides can request a veteran to speak to their group. To request a veteran from the Speakers' Bureau, please fill out this online form.



Troop Strength from the era of Trudeau to Martin -- downhill all the way

Military stretched too thin. How thin? Check the table: "Canadian Forces since World War II" -- There were approximately 107,467 when Trudeau came to the PM's office, and currently, is at 57,863 (incl. 13,473 classified as 'other') which means, there are 44,390 troops, I assume.

Quite successful was the Trudeau who tooled around Montreal on a motorcycle during World War 2 wearing a Nazi helmet. He did not care for the military -- nor did his successors, it seems. Now, the military has neither adequate manpower nor equipment for protecting out Northern boundary and the resources and people within. As they wished, one can only assume.

Military Expenditure has dropped from 3.8% of GDP to 1.1% of GDP during the same period. Trudeau achieved success finally -- a decimated military -- though some abilities have been emphasized. I'll leave you to figure that one out for yourself.

Would someone find out the number of government spin doctors in place, along with how many are employed by the Liberal Propaganda Organ / CBC -- the ones who spout Librano$ views on almost everything, usually without positive, supportive pieces about the military, policing, and anything having to do with Christians?

I'll bet the numbers would shock. Think of have-not NB with 68-72 spin doctors employed by PM in the wings, Frank McKenna and his government to give the proper spin; scroll down for more on McKenna.



Divorce law on trial

This article concerns how long responsiblities endure. After activist court decisions and pro-feminist justices, where does the law stand on one partner's responsibilities, once that marriage contract is declared finished?

Another suggestion: It is important for those contemplating divorce to consider their intentions are vis a vis a legacy to their children from that marriage -- especially after remarriage and subsequent death. I read too often--even know a few cases--where the second partner's influence is such that the children of the first marriage lose their inheritance to the children of the second partner, who may not even be blood relatives. Why this happens is as varied as male-female relationships, but disinheritance through a second marriage is prevalent enough that it should be a consideration. It leaves the children so omitted from consideration with negative memories of the parent who seemed to forget about them. It is not the amount; it is that they came so far down the list in importance as to be disinherited after a second marriage. No child wants to feel that he/she meant so little to a parent -- and finding out after the parent's death increases the bitterness.

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