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2015-03-16 China-Japan-Koreas

China considering one-child policy changes: Premier

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Posted by Fred 2015-03-16 00:00|| || Front Page|| [5 views ] Top

#1 In 1958, Chairman Mao determined that four creatures were unhygienic and needed to be eradicated. Three, flies, rats and mosquitos, are no brainers. The fourth, however, sparrows, needs an explanation. China had a long, sad history of famine by the early 1950s. It has been reported that prior to 1911, more than 1500 famines had been documented in China, and even after World War II, hunger was a constant problem for most of the populace.

Sparrows, which were often observed eating the seeds of grains that would otherwise feed people, were perceived as a threat – and a pest. According to unverified reports, the PRC had data that “each sparrow ate some 4.5 kilos – nearly ten pounds – of grain annually.” While efforts at exterminating the first three met with limited success, the campaign against sparrows more than achieved its goal. Perhaps this was because the entire nation was enlisted to help.

Using simple methods, such as banging pots and pans and shouting whenever the birds tried to land, the sparrow in China nearly went extinct.

It turns out that, unbeknownst to the bangers, shouters, beaters, knockers and shooters, sparrows are a natural predator of many insects that otherwise feast on grain crops. Among the insects preyed upon by these sparrows were locusts, which enjoyed swarming the country in a devastating plague over the next year as a result of the campaign. Combined with poor policies and drought, the resulting plague left China with insufficient food to feed its hungry populace.

Posted by Pappy 2015-03-16 11:49|| 2015-03-16 11:49|| Front Page Top

#2 Cheaper by the Dozen - Pic of the Worlds largest family and they are ....Chinese ... go figure!

Posted by Punky Flurong9390 2015-03-16 13:00|| 2015-03-16 13:00|| Front Page Top

#3 That is not a family, Punky, it is a rookery!

Posted by Alaska Paul 2015-03-16 15:25|| 2015-03-16 15:25|| Front Page Top

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