"African countries should no longer go begging to the West" -Muammar Qaddafi

The Economist has an interesting article on one of the topics we have discussed here. The link to the article is in the title (above):

"So documents like the recent report of the Commission for Africa, set up last year by Britain's Tony Blair to 'take a fresh look at Africa' and how to develop it, burst with enthusiasm for the AU and Nepad. In turn, these two bodies have explicitly promised to uphold human rights and democracy, to fight corruption and promote good governance. And both outfits promise to hold their members to account, to prod them to meet these stringent criteria.

The most explicit mechanism for doing so is Nepad's African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). The 23 countries who have so far joined this voluntary scheme all offer themselves up for scrutiny by a panel of outside experts. Confidential reports are then handed to the subject governments, and a programme of action for improvements in such things as transparency and democratic accountability is agreed on and made public. At least, that is the plan. Last week, the experts handed their verdicts to the first two guinea pigs, Ghana and Rwanda; final reports and action plans are due out next month.

The implicit deal with rich countries is that if the AU and Nepad can start to enforce western standards of financial transparency and democracy in African countries, then more aid will flow their way to foster the good work."

"And it's a smart way because it's the governments that can alleviate the debts a lot quicker than we can buy, collecting our nickels and dimes."

Randy Winter, one of the older fans in the crowd (At Live 8 in Barrie, Ont.) at 50, said it was refreshing to see a global campaign based on awareness rather than fundraising.

"I think people are probably burned out after Live Aid and Farm Aid and . . . tsunami relief, and this is another way of doing it," he said while relaxing under the shade of a tree.

"And it's a smart way because it's the governments that can alleviate the debts a lot quicker than we can buy, collecting our nickels and dimes."

You rock Randy. See...some people get it.
Oh and the Minister for International Affairs announced there will be no additional aid money this year. I wonder if Paul Martin will make promises he can't keep? This is something that Goodale always hides behind: That Canada can't afford it right now, but we are doing our part and we don't want to make promises we can't keep. They've been promising to contribute more for what...40 years? and now they've found a conscience and they want to stop making promises they can't keep? I think Lester B. Pearson just rolled over in his grave.

If nothing else comes of the G8 meeting I am looking forward to the WTO meeting in China.

Song Du Jour: Mr. Brightside ~ The Killers

"Oh Joanne, there's Dr. Fraser... that Rod Fraser is such a wonderful fellow, he's done so much for the University and you kids..."~Auntie Maris

"Uhhh... I am so glad I decided to wear something under this gown....." My Cousin Danielle noticing the gown only buttons at the top.

"For AIDS in Afghanistan, is it?" - Marty Gradwell

yup..Live 8...It was fricking awesome eh?

So Marty thinks he went to go see a rockin' concert...and that's all he cares about. Good Times. And of course that is who the media shows us: those eejits who have no idea that the continent of Africa is on fire while we stand about admiring the glow.

I have my friends asking me if I think Live 8 will actually help Africa? Did it actually raise awareness to the many Marty's out there who are blissfully ignorant? Yes.

Did Live 8 *directly* effect change in Africa ? No. But that is not what Live 8 was about. Many have said they should have raised money too but Live 8 was a huge publicity rally aimed at applying pressure on the leaders of 8 nations. It's all about earned media. (like a big old tuiton rally) Will it work? Well I'll tell you this....if the G8 summit results in anything less than a bloody miracle there will be a lot of people watching.

Geldolf has managed to get the issues of Debt, trade, and Aids in Africa on the top of the agenda at the G8! That is not an easy feat and I think that is a huge step forward. Leaders won't do a thing if they don't have the will of the people behind them. Now we have to see if the economists will win out...or if these so called leaders can look ahead, be bold, and create a 'marshall plan' for Africa. We need leaders who are ahead of their time...we need new solutions to old problems.I watched some of the coverage and was impressed by the way the event went down in London. With Annie Lennox on message with her song "Why" complete with images of African children with bloated tummies playing on the big screen behind her. Heart wrenching yes....but have we become de-sensitized to these issues? and those images?

Now I await the summit and I hope that we don't get more excuses. I want results.
If you do too then join me and let's Make Poverty History.

Song Du Jour: Waiting for a Miracle ~ Bruce Cockburn

"You pretend you're strong
In the hope that you can be
Like the ones who've cried
Like the ones who've died
Trying to set the angel in us free
While they're waiting for a miracle"

Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien, center, meets with singers Bob Geldof, left, and U2's Bono in Genoa Italy Saturday July 21, 2001

Their private meeting came as police and protesters again battled in the streets of Genoa, marking a summit that may be remembered most for Friday's police shooting death of a young protester". (AP Photo/Prime Minister's Office, Diana Murphy)

"Shut UP! Paul Anka does Nirvana!? You're kidding...." - Me

So here I sit in the Knowledge Common (because my computer at home is shite) and watch all the newbies get shown around some sort of orientation dealy-o I assume. They look so nervous. One of them is taking notes. Very diligent.

Tomorrow is Canada Day and they are actually shutting down Whyte Ave from 109-103 street! Summer is always a treat when you live on Whyte. I would like to thank the poor dude whose job it is to collect all the Safeway carts at 7 a.m. every morning. He makes about as much noise as humanly possible. You rock Brother!
I also forgot how much people like their horns around wedding season. You'd actually be surprised how many weddings there are...and I get to hear almost all of them bleat their way down Whyte.

Kirny and I were driving down the Ave the other night and I noticed the city just invested in crosswalk lights at two intersections...to try to limit the amount of pedestrian carnage on Whyte of course. Silly Pedestrians.
The new lights have been in the news so I was excited to see them in action. As we came westbound on the Ave, even though there were pedestrians at both intersections, the lights didn't actually activate (much to my disappointment). We saw a lady pressing the button but nothing happened. Kirny turned to me and noted, "I guess they won't actually activate the lights until next year's budget...."
Too Funny.

Oh yeah, War of The Worlds...not so good IMHO. Save your money for that pitcher of beer this weekend instead.


Song Du Jour: Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana)~ by Paul Anka

"...it's about the game," Jeremy Roenick

So JR decides to take on the media. Media 1, JR 0. It made me laugh. JR pleading his case, whining about how "the players have sacrificed too...you know..."
Priceless.

"Before I went into my rant, I was talking about the game of hockey, about getting it back on the ice, about what we have to do for the fans and telling people it's not about who wins or loses, it's about the game," Jeremy Roenick

"it is a case where vice - having nothing to lose - has yielded itself to pay homage to virtue." ~ José Saramago

This is the second time one of my favorite authors has come to Edmonton and I find out after they have already been here and gone! Boo. Boo urns I say.

If you have never read Saramago's 1995 book Blindness I highly recommend it. I would have loved to have met with him and sat down and talked to him. You know when people ask you who you'd have dinner with if you could pick five people? José Saramago would be on my list. He's led the most extraordinary life....and he was once the treasurer of his schools' Students' Union.

Tomorrow is my cousin Danielle's convocation and I am looking forward to seeing her in the cap and gown...this may be the one and only time she wears anything even remotely resembling a dress. I am so proud of her and amazed by the incredible person she has become. You know when you have known somebody for their whole life and you've watched them grow and change it is sometimes hard to separate them from the kid they used to be? When I look at Danny now I still see her as the little sister I never had and she will always be 10 years old to me. And tomorrow there she'll be, walkingacrosss that stage..Graduatingg..Beforee me!
Life is really an amazing Journey.

Sadly, I will have to miss the S'mos game tomorrow night..They'ree opening up against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. I'd like to see if Russ Michna is all they make him out to be and I won't be there to throw my beer at poor misguided Bombers fan, Target, when he gets rowdy. I can't wait to see who Maciocia picks for the team...will it be Maas or Ricky Ray? I wonder if Brock Ralph is back from NY Jets camp yet (assuming he doesn't make the team)....gawd...it should be a good game. I have been missing football so much.

Song Du Jour: Sitting, Waiting, Wishing** ~ Jack Johnson
**It's amazing when a song totally sums up exactly how you're feeling at a particular moment, and just when I was dying for some new music to listen to, Jack Johnson rocks.

"How many of us are in each pair?"

Today in drama class we were sitting in the ole sharing circle and the teacher was outlining our final assignment. He starts by telling us a bit about the project and informs us that we will be working in pairs. One of the girls asks, "how many of us in each pair, Sir?"
This comes from a girl seems to always be two steps behind us at all times. A pair is two people Lady.

The best part was when she argued that a pair could be 3 people....

My Drama class is far too entertaining. We performed this morning and I had to play a doctor, a mother, and a young girl in three different scenes. I think we did very well but who knows what kind of mark we will get.
Sadly, we have to get people we know to come watch our final performance (nothing like a captive audience) on June 15th at 10:00 am in FAB. I expect it will be rather hilarious just given the history of this particular class. I didn't get partnered up with the Blind Guy though and I really wanted to work with him on this. So who wants to come watch the drama? Instead of forcing you at gunpoint I figure you're all invited. Should be a gooder....

Song Du Jour: Wrapped Around Your Finger~ The Police