Can Jellybys Make a Difference in Africa?
Re “What Dickens Knew That Geldof Doesn’t,†Commentary, July 6: Whatever his other failings, Live 8 organizer Bob Geldof knows that while it’s the worst of times for Africa, it’s the best of times for the industrialized nations.
In any event, it’s a far, far better thing to contribute to African relief than it is to do nothing and let the Malthusian (Scroogian) forces of war, starvation and disease run unchecked. Given a choice between Mr. Scrooge and Mrs. Jellyby, I’d take Mrs. Jellyby every time.
Carl W. Goss
Los Angeles
*
I couldn’t agree more with Niall Ferguson’s assessment of Africa. Forgiving loans and pumping money into Africa will not solve its problems of starvation and AIDS.
It’s the same as coming across a crack-addicted mother and her starving children and saying, “Here’s $100, use it to feed and treat your kids. We’ll check back in a week.†A week later, the children are in even worse shape so we say, “Here’s $100 more, use it to feed and treat your kids. We’ll check back in a week.†You get the picture.
Paul Budzinski
Lake Forest
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
