It is time once again for that touching annual ritual, in which the world most powerful people move themselves to tears. At Heiligendamm they will emote with the wretched of the earth. They will beat their breasts and say many worthy things — about climate change, Africa, poverty — but one word will not leave their lips. Power. Amid the patrician goodwill there will be no acknowledgement that the power they wield over other nations destroys everything they claim to stand for. The leaders of the G8 nations present themselves as a force for unmitigated good. Sometimes they fail, but they seek only to make the world a kinder place. Bob Geldof and Bono give oxygen to this deception, speaking of the good works the leaders might perform, or of the good works they have failed to perform –but not mentioning the active harm. Look at what is happening in the Philippines. Continue Reading »

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