Budapest -- Hungary (Eastern Europe) is a member of the EU. Thus, its agriculture is tied to the subsidies handed over by the relevant institutions of the community. Each year our farmers and food processing companies believe that this has been the worst year ever. And, every year has seemed to be the worst year ever. Still, I think Hungary is quite well off when it comes to eating and drinking. In this area, the last famine was in the mid-war period.

Living in a relatively well fed part of the world, I can have an opinion about the subject of food shortages even if it is a result of looking around on this globe with relatively open eyes, ears and mind. I think the job of feeding every human being in the world these days is as serious a problem as global warming, and I cannot understand why experts and politicians talk much less about it.

The so-called civilized countries with the over packed malls, food stores and fast food restaurant chains should make up their mind and send some of their surplus to the needy before they would come over to get it.

I would not be surprised if the hungry people of Africa would show up in huge crowds in Spain or Italy or Greece. Traveling on handmade ships and rafts, it could not be an impossible endeavor to cross the Adriatic Sea. Similarly, the Chinese could start to wander northward, and I know that some mountains may be an obstacle, but still, there are good climbers and guides over there, not to mention the skilled sherpas.

This problem has a great impact on every region in the world, and in the future will have an even greater impact. I know it is ridiculous to hope that the UN or any other international organization can solve the enormous inequality in eating and drinking. But all the nations where most citizens are able to eat enough should unite on the food front to do something. Today's food riots may otherwise seem to be minor upheavals compared what we will have to cope with quite soon.

Until my words are heard by those who have the power to act, I think I'll go on a serious diet, just to feel myself a little bit better.

The Current Discussion:Protests over the Olympic torch relay have led to a crackdown in Tibet. Is Tibetan independence a lost cause? If not, what should its supporters do to win it?

I think the protests related to the Olympic torch are false and superfluous. Two Olympic games in my lifetime have been boycotted because of political rivalries. The results were poor—almost ridiculous. Sporting events should be left alone as apolitical games. Let everyone attend and let some win, regardless of the political judgments of the host country.

No country’s independence is a lost cause nowadays. But in every country, it's the people who live there who must fight for that independence. There is not much other people around the globe can do, and nothing for superpowers to do, especially not with their military force.

Call me an incorrigible optimist, but I am sure that sooner or later China will accept it if Tibet wants to be free. China is so big, and has so many inhabitants… They do not really need Tibet. China's politicians consider this a case of prestige. But for the next generation of Chinese politicians it will be more of a practical problem.

Tibetans should strongly unite, protest and fight - who knows for how long. I am sure that’s the only way that might lead towards independence for their country.

The recently announced anti-piracy plans certainly will help those U.S. companies that lose huge amounts of money as mentioned. But I’m not sure it will do much good for the rest of us.

It is a fact that people do not want to pay for music, software and other things they can get free on the Internet. On one hand, the authors and creators behind those materials deserve payment for the use of their work. On the other hand, the free use of artwork, scientific results and other useful things seems to me to foster a kind of cultural democracy. When your income regulates what you can enjoy, the needy won’t have as much as those who are better off.

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