Tuesday, November 14, 2006

What one will do for the good of their nation

I tried to steer clear of this topic. I figured you were getting enough from your local rags. And now that the story has been done, dusted, and is at least 2 mags down the pile in your bathroom collection, I have decided to talk about it. Cause it seems some people still don’t get it.

So little old Madonna decided to do good and adopt a Malawian kid. Great. So be it. A coupla Human Rights groups in that nation raised their arms and shouted, despite the fact that David’s dad said it would be ok. Hell, my dad better say it’s ok should some multi- multi- millionaire decide to adopt me one day. (Celebrity Adoption. Sugar-daddy Marriage. Same thing to me really).

The public is now telling these groups to chill. Let things be. Celebs are people too. With their own trends to follow, to not feel left out of “The Group”.

That’s not the point though. The point is, for some of those Do-Gooders, is that there are very relevant laws in place that Madonna & the government broke to allow this adoption to go through. These laws are in place to close up holes that allow for human trafficking. Bend the rules, you set a precedent, and every man with a kiddie-sized sack is leaping through Malawi, doing some harvesting.

Undule Mwakasungura, a lawyer for the Human Rights Consultative Committee, a grouping of 67 human rights groups, said the committee "is not necessarily against the adoption"; it just wants the laws to be followed…We note that laws were flouted and our concern is that government may set a precedent that can legalise human trafficking," he said.

I think that is a fair enough argument.

So my little morning radio DJers, that is why they are slightly pissed off. Not because they have no better cause to fight for. Trust me, if you are from Malawi, you have enough causes for which to fight.

Quickly, while I am on the topic, something else that seemed to fascinate some friends recently – SA’s stance on the AIDS Orphan solution:
First option is to try and get the child absorbed into his/her community. This is done through being cared for by extended family or neighbours, encouraged by various government grants.
Or even by older siblings (unfortunately sometimes the older sibling is averaging on 10 years old). Should it be the child-headed household (CHH) solution, then the CHH’s are supervised and cared for by community Home-Based Care groups – which just seem to spring up to meet demand, rather than being officially organised.
The next option is adoption by people outside the community.
The last last last resort is for children to enter into institutions, like orphanages.

Now you know.

Onto lighter news – I hear that we have a C02 shortage. This means we will not be able to obtain all our fizzy drinks this festive season. SAB has been quick to assure us though that beer will continue to be in ready supply. After all, as a nation, we must prioritise dammit. Coca Cola is also safe, so brandy drinkers can calm down too….if brandy drinkers can ever be calm & peaceful. Sorry dear Fanta Pine drinkers though, you’re screwed. Unless….

….with some financial incentive, I will be more than happy to become a C02 donor. Just stick a tube to my mouth & ask me to breathe out. How patriotic & giving am I!! (I can’t find an article on this topic yet, I saw it on the morning news).

24 comments:

ChewTheCud said...

rofl champers. its a little early for you but...

It turns out I am in chronic need of CO2!!! Dunno why but my body cn't seem to get enough lately. If you could be a dear and come round to my place, you can breathe as much CO2 as you want into me ;P

Anonymous said...

But how do you feel about SA's stance on the orphan situation? I know this argument well, and I've always felt divided by it since I've seen children in both scenarios. I'm still not sure, to be honest. I can buy the argument that children should remain in their communities because it's "healthier" but so many of these children are no longer in school because they cannot afford it whereas the children in institutions are.
*sigh*
Now you've got me going around in circles this morning.

Anonymous said...

Surely they can just start pumping CO2 direct from the Union Building... lord knows they're expelling enough on a daily basis.

I'm going to avoid the topic of orphans. It gets me too emotional. And we all know how I can rant.

Champagne Heathen said...

Chews - Chronic need of C02?!??!? That is quite alarming!!! Doesn't the stuff kill us. Don't you mean O2?? And if you did mean the latter, all you need to do is go stand next to a green plant & BREATHE IN!!

Jam - yes, it gets me twisted in circles too! I don't think the gov has the money/know-how/resources for institutions for the growing numbers of AIDS orphans, which is why they chose the foster adoption first.

And the kids remaining in their communities, or even being taken over by impoverished family/ community members is not necessarily healthy, as some people abuse this grant system & the kids. The CHHs work - but just, and often not through good ways (prostitution, school drop outs etc).

It is a very ugly reality in our society at the moment. One that I hope our government is focusing on day in and day out. Other than the smiling darling kids there is bugger all good news when one looks deeply at the complexities of this.

Champagne Heathen said...

Koeks - LOL!! One giant pipe leading out of the Union Buildings & parliament, into beer tanker trucks! Brilliant!

Ah, you can always rant here!

Revolving Credit said...

While I hope that these African kids being adopted do not end up being Hollywood fashion accessories, we cannot doubt the fact that they will be much better off being raised in the lap of luxury in a 1st world country vs a fight for survival in the bowls of the 3rd world.

In light of the fact that there are millions of AIDS orphans in Africa, I have to wonder why you would go to the greater trouble of adopting a kid that has a parent and family. Maybe not the perfect family setup but in an African context, having any family is probably much better that being an orphan having to fend for ones self.

Regarding the CO2 issue:
a) Wine needs no bubbles.
b) Real champagne developes it bubbles through natural fermentation.
c) Whiskey is fine with water.
d) Tequila, Tequila, Tequila

ChewTheCud said...

hmmm - trees you say. Hey you made the offer - if i say i need CO2 then so be it. plus trees aren't as much fun. ;P

I still do NOT get why everyone is so frikking up in arms about the madonna thing ;P One baby is nt a train smash. superpapa was hectic, madonna was just world press. You ever wonder if we are telling the press what we want to read OR is th press telling us what we wanna read?

Anonymous said...

no wonder they're chopping down all those trees... here we were all along thinking it was for the Gautrain!

ChewTheCud said...

m-m-mmmumm-manatee! ;P

Daedalus said...

Sheeet Champs …
From one extreme to another … following yesterdays post you are quite the activist today
[*DUCK*]

ChewTheCud said...

i saw this and thought of you champers.

Anonymous said...

Maybe if we ferment a few sugar daddies, we'll have enough C02 for Xmas.

Champagne Heathen said...

Aaah, nothing like a sweet little trip to Soweto to play with an 11 day old baby to improve one's day!! Anyway...

Revs - good points on the orphan issue!

While I have healed can we just lay off that "Teq" word for a few more days please!! I most def. am not worried about my ability to keep my season festive. I am just a bit worried about after the festivities that there not be any stoney ginger beer readily awaiting my hungover arrival @ the closest Quikshop. Can you imagine!!! Aaaah!

Chews - I am donating C02 to the fizzy drinks companies!! Not to private investors!

Superpapa??
My interest is mainly cause Madonna may have broken Malawian law. And also the debates it raises around inter-country(world) adoptions. Otherwise, some other people - cause they have a warped idea that celebs are part of their extended family. Why else would tabloids exist.

Thanks for the links! And very happy you put the parachute champs toy there, not the "Champs-Easy" gadget!!

O-D - Ha ha! I see now. It is all for the greater good of the beer drinker!!

Daeds - i would just hate to be predictable!

Kyks - do you have access to several sugardaddies that you are not telling me about!?!?!?

Daedalus said...

Champs,
That was the last thing on my mind.
The only prediction would be that you will inevitably write a long post again. Hahaha...

Champagne Heathen said...

Daeds - you should've ducked for that one!!! I know...the day that I have little to nothing to say AND so keep quiet(er) will be a chilly strange day. Even in real life, I never just shutthehellup!! Ah well, life if too fun & crazy & full of ideas to be quiet for too long! (Plus I'm a chick)

ChewTheCud said...

Superpapa? See thats what I mean about the madonna thing, she adopts one kid and everyone freaks. This guy adopts 300 and no-ones heard of him.

Champagne Heathen said...

Chews - and that story shows exactly why people should be following the laws of countries & not allow people, no matter how famous or rich, to set alternative precedents!

Daedalus said...

Champs,
So, you mean to say you talk a lot? Nothing wrong with that hun.
I am just teasing.
I have this software that reads you ramblings to me, so I do not have to strain my eyes to get through the looooooong posts LOL... (*DUCK*)
Hahah...
I am 50% geek ya know.

Champagne Heathen said...

Really? It reads to you? Does it have a sexy Cell-C voice like it should? Or a scary computerised voice?

Daedalus said...

Champs,
A rather Sexy female computer voice... Program is called Cool Speech (a.k.a CS-Mary).

PS: I know the Cell C chick... she does voice overs for my boet.

Daedalus said...

Champs,
Now that I think about it, we just validated the "Six Degrees of Separation" theory here... :o

Champagne Heathen said...

Daed - oh, you were being serious!! Yes. 50% geek then. I am completely behind the times. What am I doing with this ipod when I could be having reports just read to me by some sexy chick...I fear to think how I would feel by the end of the day though ;0)

YOU validated 6 degrees. I just sat here quietly. I don't know the Cell C chick.

Daedalus said...

Oi-vey.... You mentioned the Cell-C chick and I knew someone that actually works with her on a daily basis... (Less than 6 links) LOL!.

Ak, ignore me, it is the "50% geek" talking, I have just been into this theory a lot of late and am on the lookout for proof all the time hahahah... I think it is also why I am sooo much into LOST...

Champagne Heathen said...

I have never actually seen LOST. So no clue what you are talking about there. I am so technology-backwards, I don't even have MNET.

I am living proof of that theory. Hell, I often seem to cut it down to 3 degrees. I am just useless at remembering names so not too good at playing it as a game though.