Live8

Live8, or Live 8, is underway and I am very split on it. I hate how the combined worth of the stars performing (don't forget, Paul Mccartney's there) totals the GDP of probably the poorest 5 African countries, are performing their latest singles.

I hate how Tony Blair sees this as a fantastic opportunity to get the electorate behind him again (distracted from Iraq) and to once again cast him as a crusader.

But it would be truly great if acceptable debt relief was agreed upon. Where the rich countries opened their markets to the third world on a truly fair basis. If this works, thanks to the overwhelming publicity Geldof has generated, then all the queasiness I feel will be worth it.

The fact is that when people (50,000 a day) die from preventable, cureable diseases and plain hunger we have to act. Now I know this has been going on for the best part of 25 years but now it seems those with true, treaty signing, exchequer manipulating power are going to do something concrete to allow poor nations to end the horror - I see this word as no exaggeration.

Bush keeps on lying

I'm watching Bush lying again on Fox. He is making his Iraq speech. He keeps claiming that the US will "leave" when the job is done. This is not true as there will be permanent US bases there whatever happens. See: http://www.globalsecurity.org/org/news/2004/040323-enduring-bases.htm and http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/21/AR2005052100611.html They include official denials, of course, but, let's be realistic, when will the "insurgents" really give up? I'd bet never.

He has just directly linked Iraq with 9/11 again. And he has said the challenge in Iraq is to defend democracy again. "Iraq is where the terrorists are making their stand". There were no terrorists there before you invaded!!!!

There really is no end to his delusion, is there.

I assume somewhere here you'll find his full remarks: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,160958,00.html

Throughout his entire speech (as usual) it looks like he is reading the words for the first time. And he has just "advertised" the concept of joining the US military (I wonder why) http://www.americasupportsyou.mil - Need I say more?

Jesus. If this man hasn't done anything impeachable, I don't know who has.