Dakar rally Cancelled

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Originally Posted by p38arover

Everyone hates the French!

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dont sugar coat it Ron!!
tell us what you really think!
:p

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Originally Posted by p38arover

Everyone hates the French!

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I can only think of one good thing invented in France, and it isn't a crossiant.

The major problem in most of Africa is not the constant tribal wars, but corruption.
The biggest export from Africa is money sent by corrupt politicians to safe havens like Switzerland.
You've only got to watch the news showing free food aid from the USA and other countries being dropped from planes, or off the back of trucks, to see the armed militia making sure the people it's intended for don't get their hands on it before the tribal chieftans, who then sell it to them.
The money is then sent out of the country to ensure they have a pleasant retirement after they've been deposed by the next despot!

Monetary aid has been described as "Poor people in rich countries giving money to rich people in poor countries".

Most money to be made from the Dakar would have gone the same way, as no doubt all the bureaucraps and pollies would have to be suitably rewarded before it can take place.

And the Wests' cringing governments, plus the UN, stand by and let it all happen!
Alan H.

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Originally Posted by UncleHo

G'day Folks :)

NOW would be an Ideal time for CAMS to suggest a Rally Raid type of event in Australia;) we have the space and the money could go to indigenious welfare:)

cheers

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I was thinking along very similar lines.

Xav

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Originally Posted by Loaded

Yes Africa has a problem they have had an unruly problem for way to long. Have they ever really done anything to fix it no because the place is way to corrupt / illegal. The country has no real law and order and unfortunately is the only country left with a large unused oilfield and that is what all the bull is about. Like all of the conflicts for the last 4 years its all about country's securing the last few oil belts that are left. That is the real truth and an event of this nature prob should not be run there its to good for a backward unruly country like that.

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Africa is divided into many countries and some are actually pretty well run. You are probably thinking about Nigeria, which is run by Shell with the help of some very corrupt officials. The locals complain about the billions of dollars being taken out of the country while they live in abject poverty, but if they take any action they usually get a bullet in the head for it. How many people would try to "fix it" knowing they were only going to wind up dead?

The only parts of Africa that get any media coverage are the ugly parts. The reality is it's a great place to travel and there's a lot of stuff to see and do. It's also overflowing with old Landies! To give you an idea, I once hitch hiked in Africa for 3 months, camped out and stayed with people I met. I had a fantastic time and have been back since.

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Originally Posted by Dave_S

Africa is divided into many countries and some are actually pretty well run. You are probably thinking about Nigeria, which is run by Shell with the help of some very corrupt officials. The locals complain about the billions of dollars being taken out of the country while they live in abject poverty, but if they take any action they usually get a bullet in the head for it. How many people would try to "fix it" knowing they were only going to wind up dead?

The only parts of Africa that get any media coverage are the ugly parts. The reality is it's a great place to travel and there's a lot of stuff to see and do. It's also overflowing with old Landies! To give you an idea, I once hitch hiked in Africa for 3 months, camped out and stayed with people I met. I had a fantastic time and have been back since.

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Yep you are right I have seen a few Docs on this area, Nasty place.

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Originally Posted by dobbo

I can only think of one good thing invented in France, and it isn't a crossiant.

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Go the champaign, I heard that French Champagne is running short.

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Originally Posted by Dave_S

Let's get some perspective - Africa is a fantastic, diverse continent with a lot of ordinary people who just want to get on with it and live their lives. A very small minority know how to manipulate the conditions that exist in parts of the continent to cause a huge amount of trouble.

The people looking to disrupt the Dakar rally may or may not exist. A lot of people in north Africa hate the French (they ruled and exploited several countries in the region) and people have always made threats. Bandits have also taken shots at some competitors in the past. But in the past that hasn't been much of a problem. The point is that today you can cancel nearly anything and justify nearly any action by playing the "terrorism" card.

Africa's problems run way too deep for any meaningful discussion here. The Dakar pours millions of dollars into the countries it passes through so the Africans involved will be just as disappointed as everyone else. The only people who are happy are a few lunatics who can now commit a few random murders, call it terrorism and watch the rest of us run around like scared children.

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Well said Dave - very diplomatically too.