Comments on: Michael Gerson on Dead Aid: Dead Wrong http://www.one.org/blog/2009/04/03/michael-gerson-on-dead-aid-dead-wrong/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:05:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.3 By: Kelly http://www.one.org/blog/2009/04/03/michael-gerson-on-dead-aid-dead-wrong/#comment-565923 Kelly Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:27:29 +0000 http://www.one.org/blog/?p=4709#comment-565923 I know this an older blog but I just had to address this expressed point/concern: ******The simple fact is that Ms. Moyo DOESN’T HAVE THE PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND in foreign development, economic and public policy issues to have her promoted as some sort of “expert” on the issues raised in her book.******* Apparently no one took the time to actually realize what critentials Ms. Moyo has so here you are: Moyo was born and raised in Lusaka, Zambia. She holds a Doctorate in Economics from Oxford University and a Masters from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. She also has an MBA in Finance and Bachelors degree in Chemistry from American University in Washington D.C. She worked for the World Bank for 2 years as a Consultant (from 1993-1995) and at Goldman Sachs for 8 years (from 2001 to 2008), where she worked in the debt capital markets and as an economist in the global macroeconomics team. I would say that shows that she has the "professional background" to be qualified to make an assessment of the situation. Now, I do agree that stopping all aid is an absurd idea. However, Moyo's points about aid crippling a nation and making them dependent are valid. Her outlook is to uplift her country financially by other means beside just aid is a good one. Teach a man to fish and all of that. But the aid is still needed. I know this an older blog but I just had to address this expressed point/concern:

******The simple fact is that Ms. Moyo DOESN’T HAVE THE PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND in foreign development, economic and public policy issues to have her promoted as some sort of “expert” on the issues raised in her book.*******

Apparently no one took the time to actually realize what critentials Ms. Moyo has so here you are:

Moyo was born and raised in Lusaka, Zambia. She holds a Doctorate in Economics from Oxford University and a Masters from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. She also has an MBA in Finance and Bachelors degree in Chemistry from American University in Washington D.C. She worked for the World Bank for 2 years as a Consultant (from 1993-1995) and at Goldman Sachs for 8 years (from 2001 to 2008), where she worked in the debt capital markets and as an economist in the global macroeconomics team.

I would say that shows that she has the “professional background” to be qualified to make an assessment of the situation.

Now, I do agree that stopping all aid is an absurd idea. However, Moyo’s points about aid crippling a nation and making them dependent are valid. Her outlook is to uplift her country financially by other means beside just aid is a good one. Teach a man to fish and all of that. But the aid is still needed.

]]> By: Alex S http://www.one.org/blog/2009/04/03/michael-gerson-on-dead-aid-dead-wrong/#comment-562888 Alex S Tue, 19 May 2009 19:10:44 +0000 http://www.one.org/blog/?p=4709#comment-562888 Both Michael Gerson and Dambisa Moyo have their strongpoint and their weeknesses. But everyone needs to understand that they are honestly trying to make Afirca a better place. Dambisa Moyo grew up in Africa, and she saw the poverty herself. Granted, she may be no expert in Foreign Affairs but she did come from the area. Let's give her little more credit. I don't think either Dambisa Moyo or ONE is entirely right. They come from rather extreme ends of the spectrem and it would be unwise to see them as the only two viewpoints. Moyo is right in the sense that we cannot continue to fund aid that increases inflation and corruption but it would be irresponsible and lazy to do nothing. However, Moyo does not suggest that we do nothing. Instead she offers alternatives to just giving out money. I think it is safe to say that all of us know that money isn't the only solution. Many celeberties use giving money as a pay to paint themselves a humanitarian. What most people need are items, such as mosquito nets, medicine and clean water. If you read the NY Times interview with Moyo, she does offer solutions to people who just want donate money (Kiva.org). Both Michael Gerson and Dambisa Moyo have their strongpoint and their weeknesses. But everyone needs to understand that they are honestly trying to make Afirca a better place. Dambisa Moyo grew up in Africa, and she saw the poverty herself. Granted, she may be no expert in Foreign Affairs but she did come from the area. Let’s give her little more credit.
I don’t think either Dambisa Moyo or ONE is entirely right. They come from rather extreme ends of the spectrem and it would be unwise to see them as the only two viewpoints. Moyo is right in the sense that we cannot continue to fund aid that increases inflation and corruption but it would be irresponsible and lazy to do nothing. However, Moyo does not suggest that we do nothing. Instead she offers alternatives to just giving out money. I think it is safe to say that all of us know that money isn’t the only solution. Many celeberties use giving money as a pay to paint themselves a humanitarian. What most people need are items, such as mosquito nets, medicine and clean water. If you read the NY Times interview with Moyo, she does offer solutions to people who just want donate money (Kiva.org).

]]> By: Ridiyen Kibaya http://www.one.org/blog/2009/04/03/michael-gerson-on-dead-aid-dead-wrong/#comment-560302 Ridiyen Kibaya Tue, 07 Apr 2009 12:29:48 +0000 http://www.one.org/blog/?p=4709#comment-560302 Are you serious? You said you didn't want to discuss this 3 postings ago, and you continued to post, including specific references to my posts, so you were obviously still very interested in expressing yourself. I have done absolutely wrong, and if you think going down the road of falsely accusing me of "harrassment" is supposed to intimidate me, you should think long and hard before going down that route. You have launched a scathing attack on Dr. Moyo, accusing her of basically trying to get rich at the expense of Africans, if her fellow Africans are supposed to sit back and just accept this you're greatly mistaken, Madam. Like I clearly stated before, it is your perogative to stop this discussion, but Dr. Moyo has struck a cord for some of us, and we will not falter. I will continue within the guidelines set out on this site, none of which I have violated, but I and several others like me, will not be shut up. Are you serious? You said you didn’t want to discuss this 3 postings ago, and you continued to post, including specific references to my posts, so you were obviously still very interested in expressing yourself. I have done absolutely wrong, and if you think going down the road of falsely accusing me of “harrassment” is supposed to intimidate me, you should think long and hard before going down that route. You have launched a scathing attack on Dr. Moyo, accusing her of basically trying to get rich at the expense of Africans, if her fellow Africans are supposed to sit back and just accept this you’re greatly mistaken, Madam. Like I clearly stated before, it is your perogative to stop this discussion, but Dr. Moyo has struck a cord for some of us, and we will not falter. I will continue within the guidelines set out on this site, none of which I have violated, but I and several others like me, will not be shut up.

]]> By: Debbie K http://www.one.org/blog/2009/04/03/michael-gerson-on-dead-aid-dead-wrong/#comment-560235 Debbie K Tue, 07 Apr 2009 03:11:49 +0000 http://www.one.org/blog/?p=4709#comment-560235 Goodnight, sir - I told you that I am done discussing with you. You are free to find someone else to engage in conversation with but I ask you to leave me alone. FYI - there are some posting guidelines here in the ONE Blog. I'd suggest that you look at them because I think harassing someone after they have asked you to desist in discussion with them might not be within the guidelines of posting here. GOD BLESS AFRICA - debbie :) Goodnight, sir – I told you that I am done discussing with you. You are free to find someone else to engage in conversation with but I ask you to leave me alone.

FYI – there are some posting guidelines here in the ONE Blog. I’d suggest that you look at them because I think harassing someone after they have asked you to desist in discussion with them might not be within the guidelines of posting here.

GOD BLESS AFRICA – debbie :)

]]> By: Ridiyen Kibaya http://www.one.org/blog/2009/04/03/michael-gerson-on-dead-aid-dead-wrong/#comment-560225 Ridiyen Kibaya Tue, 07 Apr 2009 01:58:11 +0000 http://www.one.org/blog/?p=4709#comment-560225 LOL...I took you seriously, until I saw your post on Dr. Moyo's Facebook page, with Bono behind you. You are not objective at all. There is nothing anyone can say to your self-righteous self that can convince you that maybe Dr. Moyo may have some good ideas. And please, don't patronize me with your 'care' for Africans and her future. I am from Malawi, I was in Washington, DC recently and I got a chance to hear Dr. Moyo, whats your point? The pity I talk about is the relentless belief that Africa needs 'help'. Africa needs to take care of herself, and we'll keep seeking ways to do that. We don't need anyone's pity. You've said you're not an economist, so with what capacity are you making these brazen comments. And what i asked you is if you're questioning Dr. Moyo about what she has done for Africa, my question to you is what have you done for the poor Americans? LOL…I took you seriously, until I saw your post on Dr. Moyo’s Facebook page, with Bono behind you. You are not objective at all. There is nothing anyone can say to your self-righteous self that can convince you that maybe Dr. Moyo may have some good ideas. And please, don’t patronize me with your ‘care’ for Africans and her future. I am from Malawi, I was in Washington, DC recently and I got a chance to hear Dr. Moyo, whats your point? The pity I talk about is the relentless belief that Africa needs ‘help’. Africa needs to take care of herself, and we’ll keep seeking ways to do that. We don’t need anyone’s pity. You’ve said you’re not an economist, so with what capacity are you making these brazen comments. And what i asked you is if you’re questioning Dr. Moyo about what she has done for Africa, my question to you is what have you done for the poor Americans?

]]> By: Debbie K http://www.one.org/blog/2009/04/03/michael-gerson-on-dead-aid-dead-wrong/#comment-560207 Debbie K Tue, 07 Apr 2009 00:15:43 +0000 http://www.one.org/blog/?p=4709#comment-560207 Mr. Kibaya, you do not know anything about me - my history with the Continent of Africa and Her People. I know nothing more about you except that you have recently been in Dambisa's presence. That might be an indicator of your viewpoints on this subject. I would love to nkow who you think is "pitying" Africa - it's certainly not me nor anyone else who is a ONE supporter! So who are you talking about? You mentioned to me last week that you did not know a lot about ONE - it shows by your comments. You have been at this website for a week now voicing your opinions about an organization that you said you knew nothing about, If you would have taken some time to actually learn about ONE, then you would have seen that from our inception as an organization five years ago that ONE HAS NEVER PORTRAYED AFRICANS AS INCAPABLE OR AS PITY OBJECTS. In fact, ONE has stressed over and over again that African People are strong, courageous, capable, noble, entrepreneurial people who only needed the chance to show what they are able to achieve in the world market and in the world political arena. HOW CAN YOU INTERPRET THAT AS "PITYING" ANYBODY? You can't - so please get off that train of thought. As for me, Mr. Kibaya, I have helped to save MILLIONS of people on the Continent from HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria through my activism as a ONE volunteer. I have been part of a dedicated movement of people who have helped to bring clean water to thousands of African communities and education to at least 34 MILLION African children. Unless you want to go down the slippery slope of ethnicism & racism (which I refuse to go down with you) , it does not matter to that African child who will contract malaria without an insecticide-treated bednet where I come from - all that matters to them is that they will not die of malaria tonight. Also, as my friends and associates in Africa who are HIV+ would tell you if they had access to the Internet, it does not matter to them that I am a white American because they are grateful to me & the millions of other ONE volunteers who have advocated for their right to live and who have made sure that they have the ARV's that they need to live. So, do NOT use ethnicity and race again in this discussion because it does NOT belong in this discussion. I live according to this African proverb: "It's not what you call me; it's what I answer to." Mr. Kibaya - I answer to the Future of Africa; I answer to the Ancestors who cry in rage from their graves at the tremendous loss of life in Africa from totally preventable causes everyday. I do NOT answer to you or to Dambisa Moyo - let's get that understood. One more thing: I asked you in one of our previous correspondences where you were from. You said Malawi. I made the assumption that you were presently in Malawi. But if you were just in Ms. Moyo's presence recently, then you are either here in the USA or in London because I follow Ms. Moyo in Facebook and know that she is not in Africa right now. This is just to clarify that you must be currently living away from the Continent. Just an observation. Let's put an end to our discussion, Mr. Kibaya - I can see no further good coming out of it. GOD BLESS AFRICA, debbie :) Mr. Kibaya, you do not know anything about me – my history with the Continent of Africa and Her People. I know nothing more about you except that you have recently been in Dambisa’s presence. That might be an indicator of your viewpoints on this subject.

I would love to nkow who you think is “pitying” Africa – it’s certainly not me nor anyone else who is a ONE supporter!

So who are you talking about?

You mentioned to me last week that you did not know a lot about ONE – it shows by your comments.

You have been at this website for a week now voicing your opinions about an organization that you said you knew nothing about, If you would have taken some time to actually learn about ONE, then you would have seen that from our inception as an organization five years ago that

ONE HAS NEVER PORTRAYED AFRICANS AS INCAPABLE OR AS PITY OBJECTS.

In fact, ONE has stressed over and over again that African People are strong, courageous, capable, noble, entrepreneurial people who only needed the chance to show what they are able to achieve in the world market and in the world political arena.

HOW CAN YOU INTERPRET THAT AS “PITYING” ANYBODY?

You can’t – so please get off that train of thought.

As for me, Mr. Kibaya, I have helped to save MILLIONS of people on the Continent from HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria through my activism as a ONE volunteer.

I have been part of a dedicated movement of people who have helped to bring clean water to thousands of African communities and education to at least 34 MILLION African children.

Unless you want to go down the slippery slope of ethnicism & racism (which I refuse to go down with you) , it does not matter to that African child who will contract malaria without an insecticide-treated bednet where I come from – all that matters to them is that they will not die of malaria tonight.

Also, as my friends and associates in Africa who are HIV+ would tell you if they had access to the Internet, it does not matter to them that I am a white American because they are grateful to me & the millions of other ONE volunteers who have advocated for their right to live

and who have made sure that they have the ARV’s that they need to live.

So, do NOT use ethnicity and race again in this discussion because it does NOT belong in this discussion.

I live according to this African proverb: “It’s not what you call me; it’s what I answer to.”

Mr. Kibaya – I answer to the Future of Africa; I answer to the Ancestors who cry in rage from their graves at the tremendous loss of life in Africa from totally preventable causes everyday.

I do NOT answer to you or to Dambisa Moyo – let’s get that understood.

One more thing: I asked you in one of our previous correspondences where you were from. You said Malawi. I made the assumption that you were presently in Malawi.

But if you were just in Ms. Moyo’s presence recently, then you are either here in the USA or in London because I follow Ms. Moyo in Facebook and know that she is not in Africa right now.

This is just to clarify that you must be currently living away from the Continent. Just an observation.

Let’s put an end to our discussion, Mr. Kibaya – I can see no further good coming out of it.

GOD BLESS AFRICA, debbie :)

]]> By: Ridiyen Kibaya http://www.one.org/blog/2009/04/03/michael-gerson-on-dead-aid-dead-wrong/#comment-560136 Ridiyen Kibaya Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:21:38 +0000 http://www.one.org/blog/?p=4709#comment-560136 By the way, Debbie, Dr. Moyo IS from Africa!! How many lives have you saved where you're from (since we're going to be snide about this.) By the way, Debbie, Dr. Moyo IS from Africa!! How many lives have you saved where you’re from (since we’re going to be snide about this.)

]]> By: Ridiyen Kibaya http://www.one.org/blog/2009/04/03/michael-gerson-on-dead-aid-dead-wrong/#comment-560135 Ridiyen Kibaya Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:20:30 +0000 http://www.one.org/blog/?p=4709#comment-560135 Debbie K, for someone who, and I paraphrase, "doesn't want to debate the issue anymore" you sure seem hell bent on this attack of Dr. Moyo. I actually saw Dr. Moyo speak on Friday, and she addressed the very issue of being misinterpreted. Her chief concern is African governments who choose not to be accountable to their populace. If its true that sokme countries depend on aid up to 70% of their national purse, then this is an abject disaster. Shouldn't you be more concerned about the fact that such a vast continent, full of resources can not seem to get itself out of the doldrums. No more pity for Africa, please, we are capable! Debbie K, for someone who, and I paraphrase, “doesn’t want to debate the issue anymore” you sure seem hell bent on this attack of Dr. Moyo. I actually saw Dr. Moyo speak on Friday, and she addressed the very issue of being misinterpreted. Her chief concern is African governments who choose not to be accountable to their populace. If its true that sokme countries depend on aid up to 70% of their national purse, then this is an abject disaster. Shouldn’t you be more concerned about the fact that such a vast continent, full of resources can not seem to get itself out of the doldrums. No more pity for Africa, please, we are capable!

]]> By: Detroit Clan http://www.one.org/blog/2009/04/03/michael-gerson-on-dead-aid-dead-wrong/#comment-560045 Detroit Clan Mon, 06 Apr 2009 02:11:12 +0000 http://www.one.org/blog/?p=4709#comment-560045 The author, of Dead Aid, seems not to be picking a fight with those who she refers to as, " providing band-aids to Africa", but rather embracing them and advocating the pursuit that leads to countries of Africa being able to obtain a position where the need for aid is eliminated. Due to African governments being able to solve their own problems. The author, of Dead Aid, seems not to be picking a fight with those who she refers to as, ” providing band-aids to Africa”, but rather embracing them and advocating the pursuit that leads to countries of Africa being able to obtain a position where the need for aid is eliminated. Due to African governments being able to solve their own problems.

]]> By: Debbie K http://www.one.org/blog/2009/04/03/michael-gerson-on-dead-aid-dead-wrong/#comment-559941 Debbie K Sun, 05 Apr 2009 15:13:39 +0000 http://www.one.org/blog/?p=4709#comment-559941 It's hard for me to address a name of three letters because one never knows who is not willing to reveal their true identity but there is NO SOLID EVIDENCE in Moyo's book and that is what the entire discussion here is all about. Ultimately, Moyo can MAKE AS MUCH MONEY from her book as she is able to (she is a private venture economist, afterall). My only concern is that the Congresspeople in DC overwhelmingly disagree with her smear job of a book regarding these programs which HAVE SHOWN TREMENDOUS POSITIVE RESULTS for some of the poorest people in Africa. Otherwise they wouldn't be voting to retain the integrity of these programs in Congress. BTW - how many millions of lives have Moyo saved in Africa? I didn't think so. (lol) GOD BLESS AFRICA, debbie + It’s hard for me to address a name of three letters because one never knows who is not willing to reveal their true identity but there is NO SOLID EVIDENCE in Moyo’s book and that is what the entire discussion here is all about.

Ultimately, Moyo can MAKE AS MUCH MONEY from her book as she is able to (she is a private venture economist, afterall).

My only concern is that the Congresspeople in DC overwhelmingly disagree with her smear job of a book regarding these programs which HAVE SHOWN TREMENDOUS POSITIVE RESULTS for some of the poorest people in Africa.

Otherwise they wouldn’t be voting to retain the integrity of these programs in Congress.

BTW – how many millions of lives have Moyo saved in Africa?

I didn’t think so. (lol)

GOD BLESS AFRICA, debbie +

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