TED Community ยป Eddy Schmid

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  • A reply on Conversation: Is the total eradication of mosquitoes a true solution?

    Jan 15 2013: Good point John. Singapore can be called a nations state city. The control of mosquites in that city is excellent, and it all goes to the dilligence of the public health service and their citizens who follow stringently the laws laid down to keep control of this menace.
    May I also point out that during COLONIAL times, the scourge posited by mosquitoes was recognised and many containment programs were instituted to control them with very good effects.
    So good in fact, that the threat was down graded and Malaria was fast receding everywhere.
    Frome the mment many of these colonial states acheived self determination and government was handed over to indigenous people, these control measures were no longer considered neccessary and dispensed with. Usually under the guise of, "we can no longer afford them". No one ever pointed out that the previous colonial govts had the same income as the incoming indigenous govts.
    So from where I sit, the reason the humble mosquitoe has made such a huge come back, is simply short sighted ness and stupidity of such govts. I guess you could say, they've cut their noses off, to spite their faces., and don't elicite much sympathy from me for their situation.
    However, in all fairness, I must say the Australian Govt, (Federal AND State) are also very much guilty of similar crimes, especially in W.A. where we face the ever increasing threat of Ross River Virus spreading over larger and larger areas. It would appear our state Govt is not too conserned about the spread and the financial impact upon state coffers whilst carriers are imobilised with the disease for a lengthy period of recuperation. I am unaware of any control measures proposed or undertaken by our state Govt at this point in time.
  • A reply on Conversation: Will India and Pakistan ever be friends?

    Jan 9 2013: QUOTE; Over time, nations grow past fighting and eventually put cultural differences aside in order to put their national interests first. UNQUOTE.
    Reed, are you serious, do you really believe this ?
    I don't see any signs of the Brits ever becoming "friends" with othet nations that have natural resources, nor do I see the Yanks or the Israelis even.
    If these nations are an example, how can we expect smaller nations to do what the larger ones willnever even consider ?
    IMHO, if there were less interference in these nations affairs by Western nations, Then they MAY have a chance, but as long as Western nations continue to interfere
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    A comment on Conversation: Is the total eradication of mosquitoes a true solution?

    Jan 9 2013: QUOTE; Is the total eradication of mosquitoes a true solution? UNQUOTE.
    Answer= NO !
    In another life, I was heavily involved with the 'CONTROL' of the Anophelies mosquitoe. Also during that period I lived in Singapore and Malaya where there were heavy infestations of them and the dangers they posed to humans was serious indeed.
    I must say that the Singaporeans took the threat very seriously and instituted excellent control measures to ensure the opportunities of rampant breeding were minimised with excellent results.
    My earlier involvement was in Vietnam where they aslo posed serious dangers, however because of the turmoil caused by the war there, control measures were not co ordinated and peace meal only.
    I believe there is a place for mosquitoes in our environment, though serious measures must be kept to keep their threat under control.
    I notice no one has so far mentioned that mosquitoes and their larvae are serious food sources for anquatic life of all persuasions, cut out the food source of mosquitoes completelty and it will effect the aquatic life forms as well.
  • A comment on Conversation: Let's upload photos of Afghanistan from those among us who were lucky enough to visit it during peace time.

    Jan 9 2013: Interesting, however, I am 63 years og age and am unable to recall when there ever was a "peace time" in Afhganistan in that time.
    Pray tell what time frame are you refering too ?
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    A comment on Conversation: How much of a right do students have to questioning and independent thinking?

    Jan 9 2013: Very valid question. The replies stating curriculum restraints, is IMHO, a cop out, hidding behind the establishment, in an effort to avoid the question.
    In an honest learning environment, questions should be encouraged, not discouraged, and if there is a time constraint, then change the time frame to allow time for said questioning.
    Every speech I've ever conducted, I've always allowed time for questions, such questioning is evidance that listeners have listened to what you've said, digested it and come up with questions as a responce.
    Has it ever occured to posters here, that the anger young people display today, may in part be driven by the hypocrisy they see their parents and adults in their lives practicing one thing and preaching another to their kids, and when they ask questions they are put down or ignored ?
    You bet they have a right to ask questions, and if folks can't answer them, they need to find the asnwer themselves. NOT COP OUT.
  • A reply on Talk: Israel and Iran: A love story?

    Jan 9 2013: Bloody well written Jeff. Amazes me, how people can kid themselves when FACTS stare them in the face. Israel has made no secret of it's ambitions over the years, they've never hidden them, always been outspoken and open about them, they have made very clear what their territorial ambitions are in the M.E. They totaly ignore International law, and murder with impunity in other countries utilising those countries passports without any repercussions. Have NEVER EVER been called to account for their outlawish behaviour.
    For people then pretend they are unaware of these facts, ignoring them because they won't fit into their way of thinking, maybe hoping they'll go away if they ignore them, is self defeating and delusional.
    How can anyone seriously believe peace has a chance when we are faced with such a long term plan of conquest.
    How can anyone with half a brain, convince themselves the Israelis are a peaceful people when the exact opposite is displayed nearly every day since my teens, and I'm 63 years of age this year.
    Spent a good half of my lifetime, waiting to see some form of evidance to back up Israeli's claims they are peaceful folks. Sad to say, haven't seen one tiny bit of evidance yet, to support such a claim.
    On the other hand, I have seen and abundance of evidance to solidify the fact, that Israel is a serious threat to ALL countries in the M.E. and the World. IMHO, they are a rogue nation out of control, believing only in their own rhetoric, World laws, U.N. ect don't mean a thing to them, and they have also stated quiet categoricaly, if they can't get their way, they're quiet happy to nuke the World.
    Now that's something you'd expect from a rabid dog, and we all know what we do to rabid dogs. Funy thing that, I've never heard anyone express LOVE for a rabid dog, I wonder why not ?

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