71–80 of 143 posts
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Can it? On what do you base that opinion? What particular facts from the modern history of Somalia have you used to support it?
The fact that it's currently in a state of near anarchy and has been for a while.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Right, because Somalia has never had a government, or the lack thereof today has nothing to do with the previous government.
We really are going down the libertarian rabbit hole when even the absence of government is blamed on government.
> The United Nations Development Programme stated that "the 21-year regime of Siyad Barre had one of the worst human rights records in Africa."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siad_Barre#Human_rights_abuse_a...
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I presume you know very little about Somalia's recent history. It had a strong government from 1969 to 1991. It was a military dictatorship with a centrally planned economy ("scientific socialism"). After the regime's collapse in 1991, Somalia was essentially stateless, and there was dispersed fighting between various groups for control of various areas of Somalia. Yet, perhaps surprisingly to many people, it's not c…
You appear to be confusing strength with brutality. The military dictatorship was not strong. That’s why it collapsed. In general, dictatorships tend to be weak and unstable in comparison to more democratic forms of government.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
The fact that it's currently in a state of near anarchy and has been for a while.
That's not an explanation, that's restating the fact.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
The fact that it's currently in a state of near anarchy and has been for a while.
How do you explain the improvements that have occurred since the collapse of Barre's regime? That seems to indicate that anarchy cannot be blamed for the poor conditions in Somalia compared to, say, wealthy Western nations.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
We really are going down the libertarian rabbit hole when even the absence of government is blamed on government.
I'm not trying to paint all governments with the same brush. I'm just saying that, perhaps, you don't know anything about Somalia and are just using it as a strawman against small government. edit: it's one, single country that has had a very violent history, not a case study in deregulation of markets.
Highly recommended: "Female Condoms" http://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/female-... Don't want to get into a bunch of inappropriate talk but suffice to say much better for both parties.
> Don't want to get into a bunch of inappropriate talk but suffice to say much better for both parties. I'd encourage you to talk. The more people know about it, the more they will use effective contraception and the fewer HIV (and other STD) infections there will be. And people who read it from you will tell others. We're all adults here; I don't think it's inappropriate.
Women don't seem to mind using it either (and it is actually marketed or was marketed at one point as women taking control).
All in all to me no comparison to a traditional condom for men. Edit: And after using it it's hard for me to understand why it's not more widely known. [2]
The only drawback is the cost, about $2 each at retail. [1] In theory it can be re-used as well since it's not stretchy but simply a large sheath like protection.
[1] Planned parenthood gives them and and sells them. If you are nice to them they will give you a bunch at no cost for a small donation. (Call it $5).
[2] My guess is that it lacks the marketing budget to take off. The local pharmacy used to carry them but then stopped for lack of demand which mystifies me given my personal experience. Not a new product by the way has been around for quite some time but as I said primarily distributed by PP and to women, not men.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Let's start with making them free. Are the medical/abortion costs really lower than providing everyone with unlimited plastic with a little lotion on it?
I'm from Québec (Canada) and you can easily find free condoms at your Local Community Services Centre or any anti-aids/healthcare organization. But, I'm not exactly sure that it helped to reduce AIDS transmission or the number of abortions (if we look at the numbers they have increased in past years), but there's a lot more to take into account than condoms usage alone. Still, I completely agree with you that it shou…
Earlier quoted context omitted.
You are forgetting that people change behavior based on risk. Telling someone there is a tool to reduce risk, that doesn't actually reduce risk (enough), actually makes things much much worse.
Yes, they do change, you're right. However, if it comes to sex, people do not care that much about risks. Condom usage decreases the prevalence and spread of STDs. That is a very hard fact. Therefore I guess that in this specific case increased risk taking does not offset the advantages of decreased risk. (Same seems to be true for things like airbags or seat belts in cars. You could not possibly argue that we should…
I am no aware of the state of the debate of this effect on condoms or STIs/STDs.
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risk_compensation
[2] http://www.econtalk.org/archives/2006/11/peltzman_on_reg.htm...
[3] https://news.uns.purdue.edu/html4ever/2006/060927ManneringOf...
Yeesh what an overwritten article. I plowed through it because this is relevant to my interests but man this could've been 3 paragraphs. I'll try and sum it up: -People don't use condoms mostly because they are uncomfortable -Current condoms are highly suboptimal for anal sex in particular -Materials other than latex are generally difficult to get to pass FDA tests, and it looks like there is some disagreeing science…
I more or less agree with your reading of this. I found it a little curious that the author didn't mention anything about researchers taking a slightly different tack, like the people who designed the Pronto, a South African-designed condom whose application is much faster than a traditional condom. Obviously condom feel is an issue in usage rates, but I suspect that speed/ease of use is at least as important. It's n…