is killing the most vulnerable and the poorest in all the countries of the world.It is also enriching the wealthiest of oligarchs, plutocrats, diplomats and a host of public servants acting on behalf of people worldwide who actually foot the bill.

Afghanistan, Iraq, Italy, England,Africa, Latin America, Asia, the world, a check of Transparency International will give you current information.

http://www.transparency.org/

There were many pictures in any British newspaper yesterday of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, the new British Prime Minister. Blair of course did his best Shakespeare impression declaring his undying loyalty to his dear and old friend Gordon at the handover of power.

Today in the Independent we see for all the world how sincere Blair is, three days before the official handover the truth is out about what Tony was planning for his old friend and most loyal supporter, the only good news is that Blair didn't hire a soprano.

The Independent has the very best sources, sources that clearly value country over politics, they are fortunate they have their Ellsbergs.

Cup of coffee in hand, I always check the usual morning papers around the world, British Press, US Press, Canadian Press, sometimes the Arab and Israeli press.

While there are always differences of points of view, thats why I read so many sources, numbers are numbers. During the anti war protests the troubling non coverage or incredibly odd numbers were apparent to many of us and now today we have this.

I have nothing to add to this article about what is happening in Nicaragua, I thought it important enough to bring attention if only so women can speak out for disenfranchised women of other countries who do not have the money or computers to spread the word. Who speaks for the women of Nicaragua when both parties are in a race to the bottom?

Is this what Bush wants for America?

30 year jail terms for women and the doctors who help them. This is a poverty stricken country where child mortality numbers are high.

http://upsidedownworld.org/...

I didn't want the death of a committed journalist to go unnoticed. Far too many die bringing us news from far flung places and wars, there are always wars and poverty, and those who benefit from both.

Mexican politics have been under the radar recently, other than the new wall,  but tensions have been simmering, especially in Oaxaca.

So tonight it boiled over and Bradley Will of NY City has died bringing us news. He died bringing out news of what is going on down in Oaxaca.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/...

News comes from Afghanistan today of the deaths of 60 civilians in a NATO attack.  

 

Breaking news from Israel that takes Lebanon off Israel's front pages today involves the sexual pecadilloes of Israels very religious President Moshe Katsav. The enormous difference between Mr Katsav and Mr.Clinton appears to be the willingness of the participants. The cooercion by Mr.Katsav is really unpleasant in it's arrogance if proven to be true.

There are other stories on the periphery involving ties to stock trading issues and Muslim charities. The President is not having a good week.

Oh the misery of the ruling class.

This probably does not deserve a diary but I just had to share my smile for the day with everyone.

From Haaretz.com of today.

While comparisons to Hitler are not always fair, it really is time to stop the madness. One of my own family members has Non Hodgkins Lymphoma as do many Vietnam veterans who are struggling with this form of cancer, long linked to pesticide use and agent orange exposure.

Perhaps the Bush family, who refuse to step up to make any sacrifices should step up to the plate on this one and volunteer bravely for pesticide experiments down on Animal Farm.

Courtesy of the Big News Network , and something that I havent seen anyplace else at this point is the story that The Times of London is paying damages to Kojo Annan because they destroyed his reputation knowingly by publishing false information. The oil for food program was such a big deal on CNN and Fox News I patiently wait for this story to be an issue.

Does this sound familiar? How many people have their lives in tatters because of Karl Rove, Ahmed Chalabi, Dick Cheney and George Bush. Rupert Murdoch bent over and did exactly what the Bush Administration found necessary to try and destroy Kofi Annan by association. All because Kofi Annan did not agree with their plans to destroy Iraq.

Does this make me wonder about Sulzberger, you bet it does.

http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/...

I found this little gem on CNN Money, courtesy of Fortune.I confess to wondering if there is any human tragedy the folks in the Bush administration can't make money on. We all know about the Halliburtons and the Arms manufacturers..but the flu!!!

MaNEW YORK (Fortune) - The prospect of a bird flu outbreak may be panicking people around the globe, but it's proving to be very good news for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and other politically connected investors in Gilead Sciences, the California biotech company that owns the rights to Tamiflu, the influenza remedy that's now the most-sought after drug in the world.

MSNBC is reporting two million barrels of oil may be spilling into the Mississipi river .This is in addition to the explosions of other chemicals in the area. The cocktail stew of chemicals and oil and the ongoing environmental disaster may yet have the longest term effects of all and may last well past many of our lifetimes.

Today Kofi Annan says it's time to take care of our environment and our planet.  The implications of what happens when we don't, as in the coastline of the Southern US..is by now becoming increasingly clear. Time to stop subsidising special interests with tax cuts and time to start taking care of needs of the common man. We need clean air to breathe and clean water to drink...that would be a good start.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9175553/