[Tealeaf]

There is, at this moment, a plastic bag of 'Genunine Accy Air' for sale on ebay. I would assume that no one would be foolish enough to bid for such an item; common sense should tell you that it is someone having a laugh and trying to obtain a little bit of cheap publicity

Suppose, however,that logic and rationale are suddenly abandoned and a large part of the populace are overcome by a dire need to get a sniff of "Genuine Accy Air"; caution is thrown to the wind and financial prudence is forgot as there is a mad scramble to obtain an Accy bag. Hundreds of bags are made available and sold at no inconsiderable sum. Does this sound crazy? Well, think of all those idiots who are walking round with one pound rubber bands on their wrists, in aid of whatever wacky cause they personally espouse.

Now increase this act of collective loonacy by a factor of 10 and place every one of these plonkers in Hyde Park, outside the Brandenburg Gate or by the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia and have them subject to half a day's worth of amplified noise created by some of the wealthiest people on the planet (and at one point addressed by the wealthiest man on the planet). What is the purpose of this exercise, you may ask?

Well, the answer is most peculiar. Apparently, while we're all supposed to somehow enjoy this garbage, these characters want to relieve you of your money and give it to a place called Africa. 'Ah' you may say 'but we've been doing that for years'

Yes, we have - and what difference has this aid made? The answer is, surprisingly,an awful lot. Once reasonably prosperous countries, with economies that worked and a bequethed democracy are now reduced to wastelands, fought over by savages while impoverised citizens lie around all day swatting flys and awaiting their next delivery of Red Cross Rice.

Meanwhile, the aid industry is doing very well, thank you. I have no doubt as I am writing this there will be gleeful meetings occuring in the boardroms of Mercedes-Benz and Toyota as decisions are taken on the new car showrooms to be dotted round Africa. Bloated bureaucrats will plan their next cavalcade of the latest Merc models and umpteen more overpaid aid workers will dash from one meeting to another in the gas-guzzling 4X4's ( No offroading for them and one really does not want to think of the effect on global warming)


All this is the result of aid. It is no different if you are giving it to an individual or a country; provide doles to a person long enough and he will rely on them;it will lock him and his family into a cycle of poverty in which there is little chance of escape.

So if you're really concerned about Africa then stick two fingers up to Chancelor Brown, Geldof,and his rich cronies and spend your money wisely, like on a good bag of Accy air.