War on Terra

Welcome to the G8 Summit, where the worlds most powerful men discuss how they will generously help the world. Yes, there are nine chairs. No, power should never be so concentrated.

Early this morning, Reuters wrote:

"Aid, debt relief and climate change will top the agenda when leaders of the G8 -- the Group of Seven industrialised nations plus Russia -- meet for three days in Gleneagles."

All reports indicated that George W. Bush was just boiling over to talk about debt relief in Africa and yes -- even global warming. Many reports indicated that all the other players at the table, all of whom signed the Kyoto accord, were prepared to bust Mr. Bush for bad behavior, preemptive war, and the War on Terror.

Then Bombs exploded in the London Underground. First pictures had President Bush looking Texas Pissed. Moments later, confusing pictures arose showing a smiling Mr. Bush joking with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan. And again somber, moment's later, as the entire Group of 8 appeared, united, to denounce terrorism and vow to fight it at every turn. Welcome to Threat Level Orange. Associated Press:

"The war on terror goes on," Bush told a hastily assembled group of reporters on the lawn of the Gleneagles Hotel as Blair's helicopter lifted off behind him, headed south toward London.

Bush said the resolve of other summit partners in combatting terrorism "is as strong as my resolve. We will not yield to these people, will not yield to the terrorists."

The summit briefly recessed so leaders could gather information on the attacks. Leaders also postponed until Friday planned declarations on climate change and the global economy.

The G-8 leaders, many of whom had differed sharply with Bush and Blair over the war in Iraq, came together in pledging solidarity.

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder called the bombings "perfidious attacks." Said French President Jacques Chirac: "This scorn for human life is something we must fight with ever greater firmness."

Blair and other leaders said it was clear the morning rush-hour attacks that killed dozens and wounded hundreds were timed to coincide with the opening business session of the summit."

Really?

"In a statement on behalf of all 13 participants — the United States, Britain, Japan, Germany, France, Italy, Canada and Russia, plus the leaders of China, India, Mexico, Brazil and South Africa — Blair said the attacks were "not an attack on one nation but on all nations and on civilized people everywhere."

Russian President Vladimir Putin said through spokesman Alexei Gromov that "no matter where such inhuman crimes occur in London, New York, Moscow or other countries of the world — they demand unconditional condemnation."

Events in London quickly overshadowed debate on the summit's two major issues: global warming and increased aid to fight poverty in Africa.

Now, Friday's final session seems just as likely to be dominated by discussions of the war on terrorism.

"It's particularly barbaric that this has happened on a day when people are meeting to try to help the problems of poverty in Africa, the long-term problems of climate change and the environment," Blair said."

And nowhere among the world headlines was any news to be found regarding names and evidence turned over yesterday in the case involving the White House Leak and Valerie Plame.