The New Tragic Measure of True Happiness in Africa

re: The New Tragic Measure of True Happiness in Africa

OnlyTruth — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:25:42 GMT

Sounds like Coke has "taught the world to sing" afterall. Unfortunately, it's a funeral dirge.

re: The New Tragic Measure of True Happiness in Africa

TiaIsWorried — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 18:19:42 GMT

One positive is that in Africa they are probably getting real sugar and not high fructose corn syrup.

And, with the sugar, caffeine and calories I could see where a starving body would crave it and find the money to spend 1/5 of your weekly food bill on.

Another Coca-cola plant in Africa is the least of my worries.

re: The New Tragic Measure of True Happiness in Africa

them — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:35:55 GMT

Yeah and if you give pennies to monkies and teach them how to use them in a always stocked peanut machine - will they still look for peanuts or pennies?

Anyone who enjoyed the movie "the Gods must be crazy" and never thought about the impact or

the confusiton this caused the people and the main "star" himself who never understood what

was fully going on - So nothing like using a native people to make a movie and make themselves looked

so dumb that people feel obligated to "go in and civilize them people". And in the end have them looking

really ridiculous and out of place in their own enviroment. The main bushman star lived out a confused

and frustrated life and died of TB. Yet the movie still makes money to this day - was never made to help

the bush people culture and continues to keep people thinking "oh how innocently stupid they are".

(Today because of that movie it's looks slummy and dirty there.)

Well as is with the civilized man - every where he goes "TRASH" follows. The cilivilized woman can't wait

to liberate the poor dumb, obviously oppressed native women. Both civilized people want to "Teach her birth control, vaccinate her children and put on a tee shirt and cap on her man. And if there is time leave behind a few "civilized" genes of their own. And because it didn't/doesn't affect your family it's all one big joke, like a persons native way of life was a joke to you. I'm sure if an alien dropped his poop on your plate you might think it's a gourmet meal and gobble it down - While they sit back laughing at your ignorance for eating their do-do. "Civilized" people shouldn't think they are so "smart"

re: The New Tragic Measure of True Happiness in Africa

curious7 — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 05:48:22 GMT

How tragic.

re: The New Tragic Measure of True Happiness in Africa

corgi — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 17:05:08 GMT

Maybe its all that high fructose corn syrup that makes them afrikans so happy and addicted, just like here in good ol us of a. Now all they need is a 1000 McDevastating food outlets to go with that coke.

re: The New Tragic Measure of True Happiness in Africa

distantryhthm — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 21:51:12 GMT

Just wanted to add that Coca-Cola is one of the most acidic substances known to man; it's used for cleaning engines, and most state troopers keep a few liters of it in the trunk because there is nothing better at removing blood from pavement. The active ingredient in Coke is phosphoric acid. Its Ph is 2.8, at a time when we are learning to try and keep our bodies more alkaline for optimum health, with a target Ph of about seven. It will completely dissolve a nail in about four days, and strip a raw steak to bone in around two. To carry Coca-Cola syrup (the concentrate) the commercial truck must use the Hazardous material placards reserved for Highly corrosive materials.

Mmm delicious; I can't wait to slurp one down!

All kidding aside, even having said that, when I learned the above facts I just stopped drinking the crap. We vote with our wallets and hopefully the Afrikans will wake up too. Just like with cigarettes, when a dangerous product's market "matures" here in the US, there race is on to exploit the rest of the world with it. But when everyone realizes how bad the product is for them, we will stop buying them, right?

Oh yeah; we also need to get past our physical dependence on nicotine, sugar and caffeine!

re: The New Tragic Measure of True Happiness in Africa

webwitch6 — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 21:34:20 GMT

YES, I honestly think Coke consumption can bring down ANY civilization. Remember, it is not an immediate effect, but long term use will cause health problems. How can someone not see this?

I broke that habit long ago, along with insane chocolate bar eating and Dunkin coffee drinking.

Saving my teeth, my sanity and my health.

re: The New Tragic Measure of True Happiness in Africa

DDS_203 — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 16:04:37 GMT

Everything seems to be driven by money and greed. That will never change. But to me the article was showing that what is possibly contributing to our country's health woes, may be contributing or about to be contributing to Africa's health woes (as if they didn't have enough health and other woes already). I never thought about soda in Africa, but the inspired awareness was a good reminder that huge conglomerates don't target just the top industrialized nations - it's a nonstopable outrage - whether it's soda, cigarettes, or monosodium glutamate....or other non-food stuffs.

re: The New Tragic Measure of True Happiness in Africa

myia — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 14:42:59 GMT

Why do we (Americans) always worry about, and stick our nose into, other countries business. Is it because we cant even solve our own problems? Is it easier to ignore the millions of American who are overweight and have diabetes due to the poor nutritional regulations in OUR OWN country that we give up and focus on other countries concerns? Lets work on cleaning up our own food supply, additives, chemicals and GOD only knows what other toxins and then we can police the rest of the world.

re: The New Tragic Measure of True Happiness in Africa

Orion_203 — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 14:32:28 GMT

You forgot to mention that carbonated water paralyzes the immune system.

"There is no such thing as a “healthy” carbonated beverage! All are harmful, and those with caffeine are even worse. Carbonation neutralizes digestive enzymes and stomach acid—enzymes are responsible for over 300 complex reactions in the body. Nutritional absorption is seriously compromised by a lack of enzymes, plus, minerals are better absorbed in a strong acidic base. In addition, nitrates and phosphoric acid are in most carbonated drinks, and they inhibit the absorption of nutrients, as well as cause calcium to be leached from the bones. Don’t drink them at all!"

re: The New Tragic Measure of True Happiness in Africa

natural harmonies — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 13:18:05 GMT

No, not more high fructose corn syrup/food coloring/preservatives and forecasted diabetes, obesity, allergies, and behavior problems in children (read: ADHD or ADD because usually kids are reacting negatively to chemicals in food and truly do not have those psych diagnoses and the only reason they are diagnosed is so doctors can write out prescriptions to hook children on meds to make more money). Just what Africa needs. Way to go Coca Cola. I am so happy that I was raised on water and tea. My parents never served milk or soda. Other kids thought our family was weird, but it never bothered me. I never had any attention or behavioral problems in school. Other kids that were drinking soda had those problems, plus other weight and health problems. Now that coke is in Africa, just wait for the problems to blossom in the younger generation as soon as they are able to get their hands on it. The older population who are drinking it will decline much faster. It is sad, but it is also expected from a big corporation.

re: The New Tragic Measure of True Happiness in Africa

mswink — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 11:28:27 GMT

People DO find pleasure in drinking Coke here and that's the problem. I live in Uganda and sometimes people will buy their guests a Coke instead of buying food for their own family! We have a friend here who just found out she has diabetes - wonder where it came from? No, I'm sure that mother who lost her children is not wondering if Coke will lead to diabetes - she does have other things to think about. But what about the millions who are suffering from health problems? Those FAR exceed the ones who have aids, been raped, or been taken by the rebels. And they have NO IDEA where their health problems come from! So maybe it's not so wise to let them take pleasure in drinking a Coke... And by the way, this is not a God-forsaken continent. These people forsook GOD and He wants them back!

re: The New Tragic Measure of True Happiness in Africa

hoopoe — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 08:10:45 GMT

This is truly sad and ironic since the kola nut, a main ingredient of the original Coca Cola formula, used to be used as currency in Africa. My, how things have come around.

re: The New Tragic Measure of True Happiness in Africa

Cocaine Blows — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:12:20 GMT

Do you honestly think that drinking coca cola is causing the havoc and devastation in Africa, I would put corruption, blood diamonds, AIDS, no medical care, rebels with swords hacking off innocent peoples arms and legs, raping, and starvation to name a few higher on the list. If people on that GOD foresaken continent want to find pleasure in drinking Coke then God bless them. The last time I checked a majority of Africa was unsafe before coca cola came on the scene. The native diet in parts of Africa is starvation and undrinkable water. I'm sure that the mother of three boys who were taken by rebel militants and turned into child soldiers is wondering if high fructose corn syrup in coke will lead to diabetes, gimmie a break, think before you post.

re: The New Tragic Measure of True Happiness in Africa

seg — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:48:48 GMT

There is no safe place on earth anymore. The Typical North American Lifestlye (TNAL) is exported to all four corners of the earth, and unless something drastically happens, will continue to wreak havoc and devastation throughout . Even places like Japan & Greece who have enjoyed better health are feeling the onslaught.......Stray away from your native diet and lifestlye and you surely will fall prematurely.....

All the more reason to stay informed AND HEALTHY......