Waterstones - the end in sight?

[amateur51]

My point was merely that if and when I contribute to organisations such as Oxfam I might reasonably expect my money to go directly towards aiding the starving/desperately poor and nothing else apart from basic operating expenses.

From the mindset that created & sustained Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

[Flosshilde]

My point was merely that if and when I contribute to organisations such as Oxfam I might reasonably expect my money to go directly towards aiding the starving/desperately poor and nothing else apart from basic operating expenses.

I think you would find, Scotty, if you applied a modicum of thought to it, that in the areas where Oxfam (& similar organisations - even Catholic ones) work, that women & children are the poor.
You complain about Oxfam applying western style feminist ideas to their work - I'm afraid that it's you who is applying western ideas, in asuming that 'the poor' are the same across the world, & that the same 'solutions' can be used wherever they are.

As for discussing Waterstones, I think you'll find that Oxfam was introduced fairly soon - see message 30

[BBMmk2]

We were going to buy The Proms Prospectus, and decided to go to the store to enquire how much it would be there to order and as ithappened we had some points on our store card and we bought it there for £3 circa! The full price of £6 was beng advertised. With their internet site, you save by £2! Yet is this, I wonder, another high street store going to the dogs, because they out priced themsevles on the internet?

[MrGongGong]

If you insist that I reply to #65, Floss, I really don't wish a thread about Waterstones becoming sidetracked by other issues favoured by Guardian-style liberal (and obviously downright 'sexist') dogmatists.

My point was merely that if and when I contribute to organisations such as Oxfam I might reasonably expect my money to go directly towards aiding the starving/desperately poor and nothing else apart from basic operating expenses.

I shall now leave it at that, and let you and others discuss Waterstones!

Indeed , Oxfam should behave more like the Christian churches , no money spent on anything but basic operating expenses etc

[Flosshilde]

We were going to buy The Proms Prospectus, and decided to go to the store to enquire how much it would be there to order and as ithappened we had some points on our store card and we bought it there for £3 circa! The full price of £6 was beng advertised. With their internet site, you save by £2! Yet is this, I wonder, another high street store going to the dogs, because they out priced themsevles on the internet?

I don't know if it would affect Waterstone's (possibly not, as VAT isn't payable on books), but early on in the ConDem govt's life they said that the loophole which meant that goods shipped from Jersey aren't VAT rated will be closed. This would mean that HMV's internet prices would have to increase.

[scottycelt]

Indeed , Oxfam should behave more like the Christian churches , no money spent on anything but basic operating expenses etc

I'm still trying to work out what you mean, Mr GG ...

However, it you mean what I think you mean, if I contribute to CAFOD to help aid the starving poor of Africa I don't really expect an irrelevant and time-wasting phone call from one of its representatives asking me if I know how much Hindus are discriminated against in Zimbabwe.

Get the general idea ... ?

[MrGongGong]

I'm still trying to work out what you mean, Mr GG ...

However, it you mean what I think you mean, if I contribute to CAFOD to help aid the starving poor of Africa I don't really expect an irrelevant and time-wasting phone call from one of its representatives asking me if I know how much Hindus are discriminated against in Zimbabwe.

Get the general idea ... ?

I meant something about first stones etc (isn't that in your bible ?)

CAFOD does great work BUT to follow your logic as part of the Church they should insist that the Church spends NO money on anything but "basic operating expenses".......... I've never been to the Vatican but seem to recall seeing quite a lot of non-basic stuff (and likewise with the Anglican church)

though nice to see we are still here !

(is it a coincidence that its Debbie Harry on Desert Islands Discs this morning ??? )

[amateur51]

I'm still trying to work out what you mean, Mr GG ...

However, it you mean what I think you mean, if I contribute to CAFOD to help aid the starving poor of Africa I don't really expect an irrelevant and time-wasting phone call from one of its representatives asking me if I know how much Hindus are discriminated against in Zimbabwe.

Get the general idea ... ?

Yes, scotty - you don't like to think too much about what your money will actually be doing.

It's an approach, I guess

Means you don't learn too much from the experience, but hey!

Trust in the Lord

[french frank]

AS far as Oxfam is concerned, they have a mission statement. If you disapprove of their aims or approaches, don't support them.

Don't give your telephone number to any charity if you don't want them to ring you up.

Register with the TPS if you don't want unwanted calls from anyone.

[Flosshilde]

However, it you mean what I think you mean, if I contribute to CAFOD to help aid the starving poor of Africa I don't really expect an irrelevant and time-wasting phone call from one of its representatives asking me if I know how much Hindus are discriminated against in Zimbabwe.

Scotty, before you make your next donation to CAFOD I think you'd better read this - http://www.cafod.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/gender
"There are many common examples of gender inequality, such as women generally being poorer than men and having fewer resources and rights, less access to power, education, training, and paid employment, and less involvement in decision-making ... gender is about men too, as stereotyping men restricts their freedom to involve women and share power and influence. Working towards gender equality is central to our mission.."

[Flosshilde]

And this - http://www.cafod.org.uk/about-us/wha...owing-benefits - which shows how targetting help to women helps the community in general.

[scottycelt]

I'm rather staggered to note that you're now an apparently enthusiastic advocate for CAFOD, Floss ...

I do not doubt for one second the miserable existence of huge numbers of women in Africa and elsewhere in the world, and the humane desirability of attempting to improve their lot.

You will note that one of your links also points out the stereotyping of males (mostly by 'liberals' and feminists) which also gets in the way of making life a bit easier for the poor and underprivileged. Many millions of African men and, of course, kiddies also live in miserable conditions if they manage to survive at all.

When to comes to aid, surely it should be directed at the most needy irrespective of gender?

That is what I call real and truly genuine equality!

[Don Basilio]

As a catholic, scotty, surely you do not fall for protestant individualism? Justice and equality are a communal matter - they can't just be applied to individuals.

I have a smidgen of sympathy for you being cold called with a heavy sell based on moral persuasion, but none at all for your views on "liberals".

[french frank]

When to comes to aid, surely it should be directed at the most needy irrespective of gender?

Isn't this why it often ends up going to women and children?

[scottycelt]

Isn't this why it often ends up going to women and children?

Yes, I haven't a problem with that at all ... it often will and should.

However, that is a quite different thing from saying (as Floss seems to suggest) that it should only go to women.