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From: orb@whuts.UUCP (SEVENER)
Newsgroups: net.politics
Subject: Re: more politics of oxfam: there they go again?!
Message-ID: <541@whuts.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 17-Feb-86 11:14:24 EST
Article-I.D.: whuts.541
Posted: Mon Feb 17 11:14:24 1986
Date-Received: Tue, 18-Feb-86 20:00:14 EST
References: <1704@bbncca.ARPA>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 37

I find Ron Rizzo's attacks on Oxfam America's work in countries
which he doesn't like peculiar and irrelevant.  As I understand
it Oxfam America tries to promote long-term development
projects in numerous countries around the world irrespective
of their political orientation.  They also try to promote
development that will leave the power and control in the
people's hands who are doing the work, and not simply promotion
of plantation style production for export which enriches
the wealthy and leaves the peasants with nothing.
I see absolutely nothing wrong with this anymore than I
oppose various Church's missions to Third World countries.
Such Church missions in regimes such as Chile generally take
no stand against the repressive government under which they
are trying to improve the poor's life. So? 
I do not believe in God and I am not religious but that doesn't
mean that I do not appreciate the good work that many Churches
do in trying to feed, clothe and house the hungry.
Their work in this area is good - I do not have to agree with
their attempts at conversion or expect them to take a stand
on every political issue I deem important for me to support their
work in helping the poor.
The same goes for Oxfam America.  They are trying to help people
feed themselves and wean them from dependence on government handouts.
Oxfam America does not have to oppose every government I don't
like to be genuinely helping people who suffer under those governments.
Nor does the fact that Oxfam America is trying to help the people
suffering under such governments mean that it is in any way
responsible for that government.  If there were *not* groups like
Oxfam America trying to help the people when governments will not,
if there were not the Churches in our own country trying to feed
and clothe the homeless when our government will not, then
what would happen to these people?
I am glad that *somebody* is trying to help them and I will support
such efforts whether such organizations take a stand on every
issue I am concerned about or not.
 
           tim sevener   whuxn!orb