Info Bits

Italicized comments belong to the author of this blog

Planning the U.S. "Long War" on terror
The "Long War" is the name Washington is using to rebrand the new world conflict, this time against terrorism. Read more at BBC News.
This war now has no end in sight. It reminds me that at the beginning of the war, our President told us that this would be a long, drawn-out war. But 20 years? Fourth-generation plans?

French protestors to mark victory
Students and trades unions in France are planning a day of action on Tuesday as they celebrate the defeat of a law introducing flexible youth employment. Read more at BBC News.
It’s awesome to see that a group of people, in peaceful protests, can indeed change the government. This proposed law would allow French corporations to fire young people without reason. It was hoped that this would create more opportunities for young people. Circular reasoning, perhaps?

Zimbabweans have "shortest lives"
Life in Zimbabwe is shorter than anywhere else in the world, with neither men nor women expected to live until 40, a new UN report says. Read more at BBC News.
Zimbabwe is also one of the poorest nations in the world, ranking 185th in Gross Domestic Product, per capita (out of 232 countries). In fact, most countries in Africa fall in the “low-income economies” category. See for yourself at solcomhouse.com.

Venezuela and FMLN mayors of El Salvador form joint venture
Caracas, Venezuela, April 8, 2006—On Wednesday, the Venezuelan government signed agreements with the Inter-municipal Association of Energy for El Salvador (ENEPASA) initiating a joint venture company, which it is hoped, will provide cheaper oil to El Salvador and Central America. Read more at target="blank">Venezuelanalysis.com.
Now this is a very, very, very cool idea. Basically, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez will trade oil for coffee, sugar, industrial goods, and other products that Venezuela needs. Venezuela is one of the largest oil-producing countries in the world (and this June, it may be declared the largest oil-producing country in the world by OPEC). He wants to trade with 20 mayors of cities in El Salvador. Even since Chavez took office in 1998, he has struck trade agreements with other countries in this fashion, giving discounts to oil to poor countries. He even donated oil to poor communities in the Bronx! So why is our government opposed to him and these tactics?