Cynicism Extended

Following on from last night, the famine in Somalia has somewhat piqued my curiosity. I admit, I had a vague notion of what was going on; I received an Oxfam Appeal though my letterbox last week and there was a very interesting Food Programme special on R4 about how emergency foods are made, procured and distributed. The current crisis in the Horn of Africa was mentioned in that. However, as I wrote yesterday, there has been very little news on the subject. But that is not the point to be made today. I believe I have already made it.


The point is, I did a bit of reading, and followed some links - the sort of thing one does when researching. I came across this page;
http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development
A very good page I must point out. Showing that articles have been written on the subject but not published on the front page. However, what I would like one to note is what is written to the right of the 'global development' title. 


It says, "In partnership with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation."


Now I am a little uncomfortable with this for a few reasons. Firstly, although the foundation is a charity and does a superb job on many fronts around the world, it is owned and run by one of the most powerful men in the world. Although he is not in control of our media in the same way old Murdoch is, Bill Gates and his companies control the computer market. All schools run Windows,all businesses run Windows, most homes run Windows. As little Ed Miliband said in The House earlier today on News Int., "such a concentration of power is unhealthy."


The second issue I have is that the Gates Foundation has faced criticism for investing in companies such as Cargill (http://www.cargill.com/) and Monsanto (http://www.monsanto.co.uk/), a commodity giant and a GM company respectively. From the outside this does not seem to be the work of a charitable foundation focused on providing a better life for millions of the poorest people around the world but the work of yet another global company looking to make a profit regardless of the ethics.


Now, I take no umbrage with my favourite Guardian because try as I might the love is too strong they provide a lovely little page explaining how they retain editorial independence blah blah blah. (http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/2010/sep/14/about-this-site accessed July 20th, 2011). But nonetheless I am uncomfortable.

I've written all of this, but now I've reached the end, I'm not entirely sure of the point I am making. It's clearly too early in the day for clear thinking. Should have just written about the dreams I had last night.


(apologies, I've not proofread this. Would rather go and have a bath.)