Entry 450, on 2006-12-28 at 22:08:50 (Rating 3, Comments)
It was a weird and wonderful day of news today, but then... isn't every day? I felt the need to briefly comment, and offer an opinion, on several items today, so here they are.
Saddam Hussein's appeal to have his death sentence stopped or reduced was not supported, so he will be executed in the next 4 weeks. His supporters have already warned that there will be "grave consequences" if the former leader is executed. They believe the trial and verdict were controlled by the American forces through the government they have set up there. This may or may not be true, but either way its the perception of Baath party, and their supporters. Giving Saddam a pardon would be a great way to demonstrate that the new government is better than what they have replaced.
Nigeria is a major oil producer in Africa. Despite generating huge amounts for a privileged few in the country, and for foreign investors, the general population has seen very little benefit from the exploitation of their country's resources. Today an oil pipeline fire killed hundreds in the area who were taking petrol illegally. Its a classic example of why foreign investment so often doesn't bring the benefits we often see promised.
In his Christmas message the Pope has said that reducing conflict in the Middle East would be a good idea. And he thinks we attach too much importance to possessions and technology instead of concentrating on improving the lives of the huge number of the inhabitants of the planet who are involved in war and hunger. Well, its hard to disagree, but what is the answer? He seems to think praying to god and waiting for the return of Jesus is the answer. Well we've been waiting for Jesus for a long time now and there's no sign of him yet, so that doesn't seem to be a productive approach.
According to a news item I read today, New Zealand is the most popular destination for Australians who want to migrate. If they had to put up with the weather we have had over the so-called summer so far, they might change their mind and stay in Australia!
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