N1 V, well written observations. Funnily enough, I was in Central yesterday afternoon when the flame deal was going on, and I thought exactly the same sentiments that you have elucidated. When I arrived home I was watching the Australian Network "News Hour" and there was a 5 minute video grab on a company that has been set up in London to advise wealthy philanthropists on how to "better" direct their donations for the benefit of others, so that they won't be "ripped off" - shall we say. Will be interesting to see in the future, if said "company" itself has a totally free and unblemished record! Included was a bit on the foundation set up by Bill Gates and Warren Buffet, and the two have each "donated" 31 billion dollars (don't know what sort, but I don't think they are Zimbabwean!) to their foundation..
Sorry if I seemed to be introducing another aspect into this discussion re "whinges", but I guess I was alluding to the fact that there are other forms of greed, other than fiscal, such as "time greed" whereby "my time is more important than yours", or "emotional greed" whereby "I expect more from this relationship than I am prepared to give" etc.
Cheers