Attention Span Deficit

25 Algerians will rock our office for the next two weeks. They're future diplomats on training. Funny to see how they're eager to please and understand their new environment. They look like puppies. Aren't we all the same in these circumstances? Note to self: Try not to look like a puppy in a new environment.

Their ambassador came for the official opening. He noted that there's been 48 deaths in a suicide bombing in Baghdad yesterday. It barely made the news (it wasn't on my Google News front page this morning). But 4 days ago, the world was mourning as many deaths in London and heads of governments were sending their condolences to Londoners. We obviously have double standards when it comes to accepting violence. People in developing countries will start praying for a tsunami to hit their coast...

That being said, congratulations to Tony Blair for focusing the G8 agenda on issues like aid to Africa and climate change. No, the outcome is not perfect, but I believe that it was more than PR. And anyway, if helping the poor and stopping climate change is good PR, then I'm happy. Let's hope that they will deliver.