Niger says nearly 2 million face hunger

Reuters AlertNet

"Even in a good year there are regions that cannot feed themselves," Daddy Dan Bakoye, head statistician in the ministry of agriculture told IRIN.

The main problem now is that most families are indebted. People abandoned their farms in favour of taking cash wages elsewhere, or sold the only assets they had, their land or animals and food prices sky rocketed, said Bakoye.

What are our values?

"Rats and roaches live by competition under the laws of supply and demand; it is the privilege of human beings to live under the laws of justice and mercy."

- Wendell Berry

Newsweek Columnists

I thought that Anna Quindlen (State of Illusion) and Jonathan Alder (The Political Power of Truth) were especially good this week.

Happy guys! 

Big girls

Well, actually neither of them are really very big at all, but each is getting so grown up in her own unique way. 

Official Google Blog: New year, new imagery

Official Google Blog: New year, new imagery

Bedford is now very clear. Abi & Jon live here.

Poems

"R. S. Thomas from The Stones of the Field"

Read "The Coming" at the end of the page.

Steps to Find a Human

IVR ("interactive voice response") Cheat Sheet(tm) by Paul English

Rock star and adoring fans.

The warm memory of basking in the radiant glow of Owen the Only lingers on.

One Year Old on January 11

 
 

How strong are your passwords?

Password checker

Another view of the happy couple

 

You'll just have to imagine the happy families. 

Ben & Lori - Engaged!

 

On January 1, 2006, Ben asked, and Lori said yes!

It's looking like a July wedding near L.A. 

Eighty years young last September

 
This beautiful woman is my mother, a treasure of wisdom and quiet grace. 

Star and Rabid Fans

 
 

High levels of food insecurity remain

Famine Early Warning System (FEWS) Niger News
Food Security Warning 19 Dec 2005 -