Suggested Weekend Reading 8/11-12/07

UN News Centre: Climate change could intensify hunger risk in developing world, UN official says
From the story: "Climate change could lead to potential food shortages and increase the risk of hunger in developing countries, the head of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization said today.

"However, industrialized countries could see an increase in their crop yields, FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf said in a speech in Chennai, India."

Given that second paragraph, how likely do you think it is that industrialized countries will take this seriously?

Associated Press: Romney Wins Iowa GOP Straw Poll
From the story: "The Iowa state fair is taking place in Des Moines, but anyone happening on the Iowa State campus about 35 miles north of the capital city might have thought the venue had changed. Tens of thousands of Republican activists from Iowa and elsewhere braved sweltering temperatures for a day of food, entertainment and speeches by eight presidential candidates who took part in a party find-raiser and straw poll...

"...Former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson suffered the biggest disappointment, getting just 1,039 votes in an event he has emphasized for months as critical for his candidacy. Thompson has said he would not continue in the race if he did not finish first or second and a representative of his campaign signaled that Thompson would likely end his campaign."

Take it from a cheeshead -- if Thompson drops out, the nation won't suffer by the loss.

Associated Press: Still No Charges in Fatal Shooting of Bodyguard for Iraqi VP
From the story: "Eight months after the shooting in Baghdad, no one associated with it wants to talk publicly. And no one has been charged.

"It happened on Christmas Eve, when an inebriated employee of North Carolina-based Blackwater USA - the largest supplier of private guards in Iraq - shot and killed a security guard for an Iraqi vice president, according to Iraqi and U.S. officials."

Blackwater -- the unaccountable and unofficial arm of the US military.

Boston Globe: Charged with shady business dealings, Romney fund-raiser resigns
From the story: "Mitt Romney's presidential campaign said today it has accepted the resignation of a major fund-raiser who has been indicted in Maryland for allegedly shady business dealings.

"Alan B. Fabian, 43, a Maryland businessman who was the co-chairman of the campaign's national finance committee, resigned this week, said Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom."

Meanwhile, the fact that Mitt won the straw poll is what's getting all the headlines. Covering corruption is so five minutes ago.

Think Progress: Mugabe cites U.S. program to justify wiretapping law
From the story: "Yesterday, Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe 'signed into law the controversial Interception of Communications Bill, which gives his government the authority to eavesdrop on phone and Internet communications and read physical mail.' In order to defend the law, which has been called 'the dictator's tool kit,' Mugabe's spokesperson pointed to President Bush's wiretapping program..."

The Bush administration -- inspiring ruthless dictators worldwide.