There have recently been several articles on Niger in the New York Times, and rightly so. Here's one that came out today: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/12/international/africa/12aid.html?hp If you scroll down just a little bit there is a multimedia "interactive feature" called "Niger's Dying Children." The photos in it are devestating. Please check it out, especially if you don't know what all this is about. And, not to start partisan bickering, but isn't it telling that Bush is off at his ranch for a long vacation? Where's his "pro-life" moral high-groud now? Apparently that's only before they're born, and/or only for non-African children; would we be so passive if it were thousands of British children dying of starvation and malnutrition? I realize starvation and poverty in Niger and other poor African nations has many causes, and international aid is only a short-term fix, but I can't help thinking that if the Republicans--and Democrats--in Washington cared as much about African poverty as they do about abortion, and the price of oil, among other things, many needless deaths would be prevented.

Sorry for the preaching, but sometimes these things need to be said. And it's not like I'm super in support of abortion-- I think abortion is a very complicated issue and there are things to be said for both side of the debate; if I had to choose a side for a vote or something I would probably be for keeping it legal, but I think it should be like President Clinton's once said it should be: "safe, legal, and rare."

Anyway, I need to get to bed (I actually slept last night!). Maybe some stories about ice cream at Kim's next time? And hey, if I know you and you're going on study abroad, put me on your e-mail list (k02bm02) por favor. Bye! (Not quite sure why I feel the need to say "bye" on this thing, but I do).