Not what it seems Queuing for food: A camp in Haiti The article Survivors fight for aid as shots fired is somewhat misleading. To say that Plans idea was to hand rice and cooking oil to every fourth person implies that we were neglecting three out of four people. To clarify, I would like to explain that Plans distribution approach is one followed by many agencies. It involves organising beneficiaries in groups of four and distributing a combined food ration to them. The group then divides the food between them eg a bag of flour is divided into four weekly rations. Given the urgency in getting food to those in dire need, this is a much faster way for distributing food rather than the agency pre-dividing all food rations prior to arrival at the site. Ideally we would be able to give each family a months ration at each distribution, but unfortunately the volume of food items available at this time is not sufficient for all families to be served. The weekends incident was the only one Plan encountered to date even though we are distributing in many sites and camps. What happened was that a group of four or five people broke the orderly line that had formed and rushed to the top of the queue and started grabbing the food. This caused panic among the others and they also rushed forward to grab food, concerned that they would not be able to receive their share. Plan is currently distributing 18,000 meals a day, has distributed more than 5,000 tents and 300 family survival kits. We will continue working in Haiti on a long-term basis to work with children and their families to help them recover from and to rebuild after the January 12 earthquake. It would be encouraging to see such facts reported on also. Damien Queally, Programmes Manager, Plan Ireland Dublins best-read letters page Mailbox E-mail letters to mail@metroherald.ie with a name. Or text us. Text MAIL followed by comment and name to 53131. *Texts cost 30cent per message + standard network charges. SP. Opera Telecom, Hospitality House, Cumberland Street South, D2. Customer service number 0818286606 talk to us Having a laugh: To Bus Driver, Ringsend, your comment in the Metro Herald this morning made me laugh! Catch an earlier bus... which one? The one that doesnt show up or the three following with out of service signs?? Most likely you never used the bus as a passenger. Other capitals in Europe have to deal with heavy traffic as well, but somehow they manage to be on time and there are even timetables on every stop. Amused Commuter Roundabout route: Are all the drivers of the 40D bus going through some kind of mid-life crises? They take a different route every morning and dont bother letting the passengers know where they are going. Ringing Dublin Bus doesnt help either I m told maybe the bus driver doesnt know the route. The three buses I took this week went in three different directions! Help?? Confused Sods law: Mr Late Again, why dont you arrive at your train station a bit late some morning as this will most likely guarantee that your train arrives on time. Unfortunately though as youll have been late youll have missed your train but the rest of us will appreciate your efforts! Mark In Brief I have a suggestion for Irish Rail management. The problem is really about trying to run mainline trains and Darts on the same infrastructure. The ideal solution would be to separate them. But we could never afford that. However there is another way. Operate a number of rail hubs outside the city and stop all mainline trains going into the city. So, for example, northbound trains stop at Greystones, and everyone gets off and gets the Dart. Southbound trains stop at Malahide and everyone gets off and gets the Dart. You can now run the Dart every five minutes no waiting for trains to come through. You can also run as many trains to the rail hubs as you like without worrying about letting Darts through. Even if that was to happen just during the commuting hours, it would make a huge difference. All train and Dart users would get to work quicker on a more reliable service. I dont know enough about the Maynooth and Longford services, but I am sure something similar could be arrived at there too. Ken Sendusyour txt What planet is your food critic living on? Oysters, scallops and a recession- defying 200 bill. Nice work if you can get it lots of people live on 200. Joe Cut the minimum wage, introduce water charges Im just waiting to see which straw finally breaks the camels back. Its already on its knees beside the corpse of the Celtic Tiger. Mr Sunshine Its all very well for Mr Smart Ass bus driver in Ringsend to tell people to get up earlier. I spend three to four hours commuting every day and Im still late for work at least once a week, and I dont even travel during peak hours. I would have to leave home three hours before work to guarantee Im in on time. That is why Im giving up and getting a car. Bye Bye Bus The Department Of Transport is considering the use of technology that detects whether a phone is moving in a car. Does it also detect when youre a passenger, or on a bus or train. Idiots! Only in Ireland. A Realist txt MAIL to 53131* 12 NEWS Wednesday, January 27, 2010 D Sex swap gay man to give birth in weeks By Fred Attewill Baby joy: Its a(nother) boy A fathers love: Thomas Moore caresses husband Scotts eight-month baby bump IT IS a classic tale weve all heard be- fore. Girl has sex-change therapy to turn into boy. Boy meets girl. Girl has partial sex- change therapy. Boy retains girl re- productive organs. Boy and boy fall in love and get married. Boy falls pregnant. Okay, maybe its not exactly the everyday story of romance were used to. But Scott and Thomas Moore are desperately hoping this fairytale will have a happy ending. Scott Moore, the worlds second- ever pregnant man, is due to give birth next month. We know some people will criticise us but we are blissfully happy and not ashamed, he said. Scott, born Jessica, started taking male hormones and had his 36E chest removed when he was 16. I was always a tomboy but when I started to develop breasts I realised Id been born in the wrong body, he said. I opted not to have a penis because I couldnt afford it not be- cause I wanted children. The former tutor of autistic young- sters said: We were watching a mov- ie and I just blurted out: I want a baby. Fortunately, Thomas felt the same. Husband Thomas, born Laura, sought out a friend to act as a sperm donor and used a syringe to deliver it inside Scott twice a month. It took four months before tests gave a posi- tive result. Doctors advised Scott to have an abortion and the couple, both 30, faced difficulties finding medics who would accept their unconventional circumstances. It was hard when people didnt want to treat me, said Scott. No pregnant person should be denied healthcare just because they are a man. The couple, from northern Califor- nia, adopted Gregg, 12, and Logan, 10, after their mother, a former female partner of Thomas, died. And the third will also be a boy named Miles. Weve been through the teasing al- ready, said Thomas. Logan was bullied but now he just says: You may have a problem with my two dads but I dont, so youre not hurting me. 10 index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html