chocolate: more slavery than savory

Nearly 1/2 of the world's cocoa beans come from the Cote D'Ivoire (ivory coast) in West Africa. It is believed that over 12,000 children have been enslaved to feed the world's love for chocolate in this country alone. Look at the guide provided by Stop The Traffik to find out what chocolates are best to buy and to find out more about this repugnant industry.

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May, 2007: Bronze metal for most deadly month in Iraq War

Recent figures show that the month of May was the 3rd most fatal month for US troops since the 2003 invasion of Mesopotamia. The waxing and waining range of deaths that accompany the approaches of the US military are very interesting to examine. For example, November 2004 was the siege on Fallujah, spurred by the sabotage and ambushing of 3 Blackwater employees. Subsequently, 135 troops died in April of 2004 as insurgent methods grew more complex and the campaign against Sadr and the Mahdi Army reached fever pitch. However, US troop deaths have dropped greatly over the past 3 years, though civilian deaths and ethnic killings have soared. The idea that Iraq was rapidly descending into civil war is now something more questionable, as it appears that to a certain extent, fighters will fight whoever there is to fight. US troops represent a "common enemy" but when they are not engaged, the power struggle between Iraqis and between foreign fighters ensues. Is it a lose/lose? The "theater of war" that Bush/Cheney Co. has sought to create is something we should view in a different light. If not Iraq, then in the streets of America became an anthem for the neoconservatives during the early days of the war. This idea was repulsive to all progressive thinkers, thought to be something no more than scare tactics. Its a no-brainer that Iraq was a mistake. But what now?

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Real buffalo soldiaz

How many times a rapper gets shot will translate into how many millions they are likely to make. The trend started by Tupac Shakur was continued by 50 Cent and a slew of other urban rappers. In the world of street credibility, it shows their willingness to stay alive and lends to the myth that they are hard to kill. But is selling drugs and competing for an audience in the race for the dollar really anything to admire? Why are there so many musicians who feel they earned their way to stardom by competing in such businesses, believing they grew up in a war-zone? I only ask this because Slate magazine wrote an article about a band called Tinariwen that is definitely worth checking out. They have a page on myspace that will allow you to hear some of their stuff. Though the language is in the African Toureg, the songs are mostly about their time in guerrilla movements against the Malian Government that forced them off their traditional land. Their following has grown from the deserts of Mali to a big part of Europe. The pain and anger are still evident in their songs, who's lyrics are expressing the pain of being away from home. Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin helped to produce and promote the band, after seeing them in the Festival in the Desert in 2001. These are true warriors. It is very rare that musicians are anything more than wanna be revolutionaries and are simply violence aficionados. They are playing at the Glastonbury Festival on Sunday the 24th and at the Exeter Festival on the 25th. I really want to see them...anybody who is planning on attending, let me know!

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Think slavery ended hundreds of years ago?

Take a look at this article on modern day slavery. I'm going to Ghana in the month of July to do research on child slavery in the fishing industry. It is important to realize that slavery in various forms is bigger today than at any point in history. This phenomenon is not confined to the continents of Africa and Asia. Take a look at the various stories and most importantly: BE VIGILANT! Slavery in various forms may be existing under your very nose.

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