Title: You Cannot Convince The African That Coming To Work On Time Is Important- Source:
podblanc URL Source:http://podblanc.ath.cx/?q=node/4075 Published:Aug 26, 2007 Author:chain Post Date:2007-08-26 00:43:20 by HOUNDDAWG Keywords:None Views:323 Comments:17
Claim: Italian dictator Benito Mussolini made the trains run on time. Status: False. The Italian railway system had fallen into a rather sad state during World War I, and it did improve a good deal during the 1920s, but Mussolini was disingenuous in taking credit for the changes: much of the repair work had been performed before Mussolini and the fascists came to power in 1922. More importantly (to the claim at hand), those who actually lived in Italy during the Mussolini era have borne testimony that the Italian railway's legendary adherence to timetables was far more myth than reality.
Perhaps people dared not complain and the absence of complaints was used to prop up the myth that Mussolini made the trains run on time.
Like all fascists he was deafened to any weaknesses of centralized control, and I doubt that he encouraged constructive criticism.
Regarding socio-economics, it was a National Geographic Special about an African river than runs through Zimbabwe that quite unintentionally spoke volumes on the subject. The film crew tour showed stoplights with vines growing out of them. The infrastructure built in Rhodesia was disintegrating in Zimbabwe.
Now, one could argue that the white man's innovations aren't really an improvement and Africans were better off living as hunter gatherers, and G_D forbid that anyone chauvinistically trumpets the cultural superiority of the electric fan or the motor car. (or cops running RADAR, or tapping phones)
But, if whites were wrong to meddle in Africa then that would certainly mean that the populations should be allowed to collapse and 90% allowed to perish, because the land could only support about 10% of the present numbers as hunter gatherers. In short, western medicine should also be withheld if Africans are no longer to be the beneficiaries (or victims) of "The White Man's Burden".
If missionary work is (as some Africans claim) "cultural genocide" then what could possible justify the introduction of vaccines or even education about basic hygiene?
And, because there is some evidence that Africans are being used for drug experimentation or deliberately infected with tainted vaccines, perhaps there is already a plan in motion to devastate the continent and further exploit the resources.
Regarding Bohemians, well, I was precluded from even trying the lifestyle because of my personal hygiene. (and I'd have never agreed to share a woman under any circumstances)
And, because I'm chemically sensitive it's not a matter of preference, either. The most subtle smells that go unnoticed by many are offensive to me, and some can even trigger allergic respiratory distress. Nope, I could never do the hippie commune thing, and even musicians I knew (back in the day) who tried living "frat house style" always ended up with scabies and tossing or burning furniture, bedding and clothing.