Rowntree Report

The obscenity or the elegance of poverty?
Chancellor Gordon Brown has been winning plaudits for his focus on eradicating global poverty - and he will be talking about it again at the Pope Paul VI Memorial Lecture for CAFOD next month. But this week's Resurgence debate posed challenges to the Treasury's doctrine of economic growth - even asking whether poverty is always such a bad thing.

The report also estimates that only 1 in 50 of offenders gets convicted.

Rowntree is to be congratulated for dealing with this vital issue - so often dismissed by people as being of concern only in relation to 'stranger danger', despite the increasing evidence that the sexual abuse of children by members of their own households is widespread throughout both developed and developing countries. Sexual abuse isn't just a crime that occurs in 'children's homes'. It happens in homes. Family homes.

Far too little funding is set aside for the treatment of the children who have been abused. Too little funding is set aside also for the treatment of convicted offenders who want to change their behaviour.

Worse, there is little offered in the way of prevention: how many fo those tormented people who admit to themselves that they may become tempted to offend, ever dare to overcome their (well-grounded) fears that they may simply be stigmatised without being helped?

Sexual abuse causes untold physical and psychological scarring to millions of children - probably tens of millions of children - for the whole of their lives. If we are serious about creating a world that cares for children, ending child sexual abuse has to become a priority.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation Report

Veracity Index

Sad to say, twenty years ago, journalists had one credibility percentage point more than politicians, but no more. Now they are both at the bottom of the heap with a mere 18 points each, while the police have gone up three points to 64. Way up are doctors, with 91 points - and teachers are doing better, up from 79% in 1983 to an impressive 87% now.

No wonder people are turning to the internet to hear alternative voices, and to make their own minds up about which of these to trust, since they no longer trust the much-touted 'objectivity' of the mainstream media.

Here is Michael Moore's response to the US election:
Thursday, November 4th, 2004
My first thoughts about the election...

Cpl. Roberto Abad, Sgt. Michael D. Acklin II, Spc. Genaro Acosta,
Pfc. Steven Acosta, Capt. James F. Adamouski, Pvt. Algernon Adams,
Sgt. Brandon E. Adams, Spc. Clarence Adams III, 1st Lt. Michael R.
Adams, Pfc. Michael S. Adams, Lt. Thomas Mullen Adams, Spc. Jamaal R.
Addison, Lance Cpl. Patrick R. Adle, Capt. Tristan N. Aitken, Spc.
Segun Frederick Akintade, Lance Cpl. Nickalous N. Aldrich, Spc.
Ronald D. Allen Jr., Sgt. Glenn R. Allison, Lance Cpl. Michael J.
Allred, Capt. Eric L. Allton, Cpl. Nicanor Alvarez, Cpl. Daniel R.
Amaya, Pfc. John D. Amos II, Lance Cpl. Brian E. Anderson, Airman 1st
Class Carl L. Anderson Jr., Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael C.
Anderson, Spc. Michael Andrade, Pfc, Spc. Yoe M. Aneiros, Lance Cpl.
Levi T. Angell, Army Spc. Edward J. Anguiano, Chief Warrant Officer
Andrew Todd Arnold, Lance Cpl. Alexander S. Arredondo, Spc. Richard
Arriaga, Staff Sgt. Jimmy J. Arroyave, Spc. Robert R. Arsiaga, Sgt.
Evan Asa Ashcraft, Pfc. Shawn M. Atkins, Maj. Jay Aubin, Capt.
Matthew J. August, Lance Cpl. Aaron C. Austin, Spc. Tyanna S.
Avery-Fedder, Lance Cpl. Andrew Julian Aviles, Pfc. Eric A. Ayon,
Sgt. 1st Class Henry A. Bacon, Sgt. Andrew Joseph Baddick, Staff Sgt.
Daniel A. Bader, Staff Sgt. Nathan J. Bailey, Spc. Ronald W. Baker,
Spc. Ryan T. Baker, Sgt. Sherwood R. Baker.

Pfc. Chad E. Bales, 1st Lt. Kenneth Michael Ballard, Maj. Spc.
Solomon C. Bangayan, Lt. Col. Dominic R. Baragona, Pfc. Mark A.
Barbret, Pfc. Collier E. Barcus, Sgt. Michael C. Barkey, Spc.
Jonathan P. Barnes, Command Sgt. Maj. Edward C. Barnhill, Lance Cpl.
Aric J. Barr, Sgt. Michael Paul Barrera, Maj. Carlos Barro Ollero,
Sgt. Douglas E. Bascom, Spc. Todd M. Bates, Sgt. 1st Class Michael
Battles Sr., Gunnery Sgt. Ronald E. Baum, Spc. Alan N. Bean Jr., Spc.
Bradley S. Beard, Spc. Beau R. Beaulieu, Capt. Ryan Beaupre, Spc.
James L. Beckstrand, Sgt. Gregory A. Belanger, Cpl. Christopher
Belchik, Sgt. Aubrey D. Bell, Pfc. Wilfred D. Bellard, Staff Sgt.
Joseph P. Bellavia, Sgt. 1st Class William M. Bennett, Spc. Robert T.
Benson, 1st Lt. David R. Bernstein, Spc. Joel L. Bertoldie, Staff
Sgt. Stephen A. Bertolino Sr., Staff Sgt. Marvin Best, Cpl. Mark A.
Bibby, Sgt. Benjamin W. Biskie, Sgt. Michael E. Bitz, Sgt. Jarrod W.
Black, Chief Warrant Officer Michael T. Blaise, Capt. Ernesto M.
Blanco, Command Sgt. Maj. James D. Blankenbecler, Spc. Joseph M.
Blickenstaff, Spc. Nicholas H. Blodgett, Sgt. Trevor A. Blumberg,
Lance Cpl. Jeremy L. Bohlman, Gunnery Sgt. Jeffrey E. Bohr Jr., Lance
Cpl. Todd J. Bolding, Sgt. Dennis J. Boles, Sgt. 1st Class Craig A.
Boling, Petty Officer 3rd Class Doyle W. Bollinger Jr, Sgt. 1st Class
Kelly Bolor, Staff Sgt. Stevon A. Booker.

Chief Warrant Officer Clarence E. Boone, Capt. John J. Boria, Pfc.
Rachel K. Bosveld, Spc. Mathew G. Boule, Staff Sgt. Elvis Bourdon,
Pvt. 1st Class Samuel R. Bowen, Staff Sgt. Hesley Box Jr., Pvt. Noah
L. Boye, Lance Cpl. Aaron Boyles, Spc. Edward W. Brabazon, Cpl.
Travis J. Bradach-Nall, Staff Sgt. Kenneth R. Bradley, Staff Sgt.
Stacey C. Brandon, Spc. Artimus D. Brassfield, Pfc. Joel K. Brattain,
Pfc. Jeffrey F. Braun, Chief Warrant Officer William I. Brennan,
Staff Sgt. Steven H. Bridges, Spc. Kyle A. Brinlee, Staff Sgt. Cory
W. Brooks, Sgt. Thomas F. Broomhead, Sgt. Andrew W. Brown, Tech. Sgt.
Bruce E. Brown, Lance Cpl. Dominic C. Brown, Cpl. Henry L. Brown,
Pfc. John E. Brown, Spc. Larry K. Brown, Spc. Lunsford B. Brown II,
1st Lt. Tyler H. Brown, Spc. Philip D. Brown, Pfc. Timmy R. Brown
Jr., 1st Lt. Tyler H. Brown, Cpl. Andrew D. Brownfield, Petty Officer
3rd Class Nathan B. Bruckenthal, Lance Cpl. Cedric E. Bruns, 2nd Lt.
Todd J. Bryant, Sgt. Ernest G. Bucklew, Spc. Roy Russell Buckley,
Pfc. Paul J. Bueche, Lt. Col. Charles H. Buehring, Lance Cpl. Brian
Rory Buesing, Sgt. George Edward Buggs, Spc. Joshua I. Bunch, Staff
Sgt. Christopher Bunda, Staff Sgt. Michael L. Burbank, Staff Sgt.
Richard A. Burdick, Spc. Alan J. Burgess, Lance Cpl. Jeffrey C.
Burgess, Pfc. Tamario D. Burkett, Sgt. Travis L. Burkhardt.

Pfc. David P. Burridge, Pfc. Jesse R. Buryj, Pfc. Charles E. Bush
Jr., Pvt. Matthew D. Bush, Pfc. Damian S. Bushart, Sgt. Jacob L.
Butler, Capt. Joshua T. Byers, Cpl. Juan C. Cabralbanuelos, Pfc. Cody
S. Calavan, Sgt. Juan Calderon Jr, Sgt. Charles T. Caldwell, Spc.
Nathaniel A. Caldwell, Staff Sgt. Joseph Camara, Spc. Michael C.
Campbell, Sgt. Ryan M. Campbell, Spc. Marvin A. Camposiles, Spc.
Isaac Campoy, Spc. Ervin Caradine Jr., Spc. Adolfo C. Carballo, Pfc.
Michael M. Carey, Cpl. Richard P. Carl, Pfc. Ryan G. Carlock, Pfc.
Benjamin R. Carman, Staff Sgt. Edward W. Carmen, Spc. Jocelyn L.
Carrasquillo, Sgt. Frank T. Carvill, Capt. Christopher S. Cash, Spc.
Ahmed A. Cason, Pfc. Jose Casanova, Lance Cpl. James A. Casper, Capt.
Paul J. Cassidy, Staff Sgt. Roland L. Castro, Sgt. Sean K.
Cataudella, Lance Cpl. Steven C. T. Cates, Pfc. Thomas D. Caughman,
Staff Sgt. James W. Cawley, Spc. Jessica L. Cawvey, Petty Officer 3rd
Class David A. Cedergren, Lance Cpl. Manuel A. Ceniceros, Cpl.
Kemaphoom A. Chanawongse, Spc. James A. Chance III, Staff Sgt.
William D. Chaney, Chief Warrant Officer Robert William Channell Jr.,
Spc. Jason K. Chappell, Pfc. Jonathan M. Cheatham, Sgt. Yohjyh L.
Chen, Lance Cpl. Marcus M. Cherry, 2nd Lt. Therrel S. Childers, Spc.
Andrew F. Chris.

Staff Sgt. Thomas W. Christensen, Spc. Brett T. Christian, Spc. Arron
R. Clark, Staff Sgt. Michael J. Clark, Lance Cpl. Donald J. Cline
Jr., Pfc. Christopher R. Cobb, Lance Cpl. Kyle W. Codner, 1st Sgt.
Christopher D. Coffin, Pvt. Bradli N. Coleman, Cpl. Gary B. Coleman,
2nd Lt. Benjamin J. Colgan, Sgt. Russell L. Collier, Sgt. 1st Class
Gary L. Collins, Lance Cpl. Jonathan W. Collins, Chief Warrant
Officer Lawrence S. Colton, Spc. Zeferino E. Colunga, Sgt. Robert E.
Colvill, Sgt. Kenneth Conde Jr., Sgt. Timothy M. Conneway, Spc.
Steven D. Conover, Capt. Aaron J. Contreras, Lance Cpl. Pedro
Contreras, Sgt. Jason Cook, Command Sgt. Major Eric F. Cooke, Sgt.
Dennis A. Corral, Chief Warrant Officer Alexander S. Coulter, 2nd Lt.
Leonard M. Cowherd, Spc. Gregory A. Cox, Pfc. Ryan R. Cox, Lance
Corporal Timothy R. Creager, Sgt. Michael T. Crockett, Staff Sgt.
Ricky L. Crockett, Sgt. Brud J. Cronkrite, Lance Cpl. Kyle D.
Crowley, Pvt. Rey D. Cuervo, Pfc. Kevin A. Cuming, Spc. Daniel
Francis J. Cunningham, Staff Sgt. Darren J. Cunningham, Spc. Carl F.
Curran, Cpl. Michael Edward Curtin, Staff Sgt. Christopher E.
Cutchall, Pfc. Brian K. Cutter, Pfc. Anthony D. D'Agostino, Spc.
Edgar P. Daclan Jr., Capt. Nathan S. Dalley, Lance Cpl. Andrew S.
Dang, Spc. Danny B. Daniels II, Pvt. 1st Class Torey J. Dantzler,
Pfc. Norman Darling, Capt. Eric B. Das.

Spc. Shawn M. Davies, Pvt. Brandon L. Davis, Staff Sgt. Craig Davis,
Staff Sgt. Donald N. Davis, Spc. Raphael S. Davis, Staff Sgt. Wilbert
Davis, Staff Sgt. Jeffrey F. Dayton, Pvt. Jason L. Deibler, Spc.
Lauro G. DeLeon Jr., Sgt. Felix M. Delgreco, Sgt. Jacob H. Demand,
Staff Sgt. Mike A. Dennie, Spc. Darryl T. Dent, Pfc. Ervin Dervishi,
Spc. Daniel A. Desens, Pfc. Michael R. Deuel, Pvt. Michael J.
Deutsch, Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher M. Dickerson, Cpl.
Nicholas J. Dieruf, Spc. Jeremiah J. DiGiovanni, Spc. Jeremy M.
Dimaranan, Spc. Michael A. Diraimondo, Spc. Anthony J. Dixon, Spc.
Ryan E. Doltz, Sgt. Michael E. Dooley, Chief Warrant Officer Patrick
D. Dorff, Petty Officer 2nd Class Trace W. Dossett, Lance Cpl. Scott
E. Dougherty, 1st Sgt. Robert J. Dowdy, Pfc. Stephen P. Downing II,
Spc. Chad H. Drake, Pvt. Jeremy L. Drexler, Cpl. Jason L. Dunham,
Staff Sgt. Joe L. Dunigan Jr., Spc. Robert L. DuSang, Spc. William D.
Dusenbery, 2nd Lt. Seth J. Dvorin, Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason B.
Dwelley, Pfc. Sheldon R. Hawk Eagle, Staff Sgt. Richard S. Eaton Jr.,
Cpl. Christopher S. Ebert, Sgt. William C. Eckhart, Spc. Marshall L.
Edgerton, Pfc. Shawn C. Edwards, Spc. Andrew C. Ehrlich, Sgt. Aaron
C. Elandt, Spc. William R. Emanuel IV, Lance Cpl. Mark E. Engel, Spc.
Peter G. Enos, Senior Airman Pedro I. Espaillat Jr.

Pfc. Analaura Esparza Gutierrez, Sgt. Adam W. Estep, Pvt. Ruben
Estrella-Soto, Pfc. David Evans, Cpl. Mark A. Evnin, Pfc. Jeremy
Ricardo Ewing, Sgt. Justin L. Eyerly, Pvt. Jonathan I. Falaniko, Sgt.
James D. Faulkner, Pfc. Raymond J. Faulstich Jr., Capt. Brian R.
Faunce, Capt. Arthur L. Felder, 2nd Lt. Paul M. Felsberg, Spc. Rian
C. Ferguson, Master Sgt. Richard L. Ferguson, Master Sgt. George A.
Fernandez, Staff Sgt. Clint D. Ferrin, Spc. Jon P. Fettig, Cpl. Tyler
R. Fey, Sgt. Jeremy J. Fischer, Sgt. Paul F. Fisher, Lance Cpl.
Dustin R. Fitzgerald, Pfc. Jacob S. Fletcher, Spc. Thomas A. Foley
III, Sgt. Timothy Folmar, Gunnery Sgt. Elia P. Fontecchio, Spc. Jason
C. Ford, Capt. Travis A. Ford, Chief Warrant Officer Wesley C.
Fortenberry, Sgt. 1st Class Bradley C. Fox, Spc. Craig S. Frank,
Lance Cpl. Phillip E. Frank, Staff Sgt. Bobby C. Franklin, Pvt.
Robert L. Frantz, Pvt. Benjamin L. Freeman, Sgt. David T. Friedrich,
Spc. Luke P. Frist, Spc. Adam D. Froehlich, Pvt. Kurt R. Frosheiser,
Pfc. Nichole M. Frye, Sgt. 1st Class Dan H. Gabrielson, Lance Cpl.
Jonathan E. Gadsden, Capt. Richard J. Gannon II, Spc. Tomas Garces,
Lance Cpl. Derek L. Gardner, Cpl. Jose A. Garibay, Spc. Joseph M.
Garmback Jr., Sgt. Landis W. Garrison, Sgt. Justin W. Garvey, Spc.
Israel Garza.

1st Sgt. Joe J. Garza, Pfc. Juan Guadalupe Garza Jr, Spc. Christopher
D. Gelineau, Lance Cpl. Cory Ryan Guerin, Cpl. Christopher A. Gibson,
Pvt. Jonathan L. Gifford, Pvt. Kyle C. Gilbert, Command Sgt. Maj.
Cornell W. Gilmore, Petty Officer 3rd Class Ronald A. Ginther, Pfc.
Jesse A. Givens, Spc. Michael T. Gleason, Cpl. Todd J. Godwin, 2nd
Lt. James Michael Goins, Spc. Christopher A. Golby, Spc. David J.
Goldberg, Lance Cpl. Shane L. Goldman, Cpl. Armando Ariel Gonzalez,
Lance Cpl. Benjamin R. Gonzalez, Cpl. Jesus A. Gonzalez, Cpl. Jorge
Gonzalez, Lance Cpl. Victor A. Gonzalez, Cpl. Bernard G. Gooden, Pfc.
Gregory R. Goodrich, Sgt. 1st Class Richard S. Gottfried, Spc.
Richard A. Goward, 2nd Lt. Jeffrey C. Graham, Sgt. Jamie A. Gray,
Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael J. Gray, Sgt. Tommy L. Gray, Lance
Cpl. Torrey L. Gray, Cpl. Jeffrey G. Green, Lt. Col. David S. Greene,
Pfc. Devin J. Grella, Spc. Kyle A. Griffin, Staff Sgt. Patrick Lee
Griffin Jr., Cpl. Sean R. Grilley, Pvt. Joseph R. Guerrera, Chief
Warrant Officer Hans N. Gukeisen, Pfc. Christian D. Gurtner, Lance
Cpl. Jose Gutierrez, Pfc. Richard W. Hafer, Staff Sgt. Guy S. Hagy
Jr., Spc. Charles G. Haight, Lance Cpl. Michael J. Halal, Pfc. Deryk
L. Hallal, Pvt. Jesse M. Halling, Pfc. Andrew Halverson, Chief
Warrant Officer Erik A. Halvorsen, Capt. Kimberly N. Hampton, Sgt.
Michael S. Hancock.

Pfc. Fernando B. Hannon, Sgt. Warren S. Hansen, Sgt. James W. Harlan,
Sgt. Atanacio Haro Marin, Staff Sgt. William M. Harrell, Sgt. Foster
L. Harrington, Pfc. Adam J. Harris, Sgt. Kenneth W. Harris Jr., Pfc.
Torry D. Harris, Pfc. Leroy Harris-Kelly, Pfc. John D. Hart, Sgt.
Nathaniel Hart, Sgt. 1st Class David A. Hartman, Sgt. Jonathan N.
Hartman, Staff Sgt. Stephen C. Hattamer, Staff Sgt. Omer T. Hawkins
II, Sgt. Timothy L. Hayslett, Chief Warrant Officer Brian D.
Hazelgrove, Sgt. David M. Heath, Spc. Justin W. Hebert, Pfc. Damian
L. Heidelberg, Pfc. Raheen Tyson Heighter, Spc. Jeremy M. Heines,
Staff Sgt. Brian R. Hellerman, Staff Sgt. Terry W. Hemingway, Cpl.
Matthew C. Henderson, 1st Lt. Robert L. Henderson II, Staff Sgt.
Kenneth W. Hendrickson, Sgt. Jack T. Hennessy, Spc. Joshua J. Henry,
Pfc. Clayton W. Henson, Spc. Armando Hernandez, Spc. Joseph F.
Herndon II, Pfc. Edward J. Herrgott, Spc. Jacob B. Herring, Sgt. 1st
Class Gregory B. Hicks, Spc. Christopher K. Hill, Spc. Stephen D.
Hiller, Sgt. Keicia M. Hines, Pfc. Melissa J. Hobart, Sgt. Nicholas
M. Hodson, Sgt. 1st Class James T. Hoffman, Spc. Christopher J.
Holland, Staff Sgt. Aaron N. Holleyman, Staff Sgt. Lincoln D.
Hollinsaid, Spc. James J. Holmes, Spc. Jeremiah J. Holmes, Cpl. Terry
Holmes, Airman 1st Class Antoine J. Holt, Pfc. Sean Horn, Master Sgt.
Kelly L. Hornbeck.

Staff Sgt. Jeremy R. Horton, Capt. Andrew R. Houghton, Lance Cpl
Gregory C. Howman, Pfc. Bert E. Hoyer, Spc. Corey A. Hubbell, Pfc.
Christopher E. Hudson, 1st Lt. Doyle M. Hufstedler, Staff Sgt. Jamie
L. Huggins, Spc. Eric R. Hull, Cpl Barton R. Humlhanz, Lance Cpl.
Justin T. Hunt, Spc. Simeon Hunte, 1st Lt. Joshua C. Hurley, Lance
Cpl. James B. Huston Jr., Lance Cpl. Seth Huston, Pvt. Nolen R.
Hutchings, Pfc. Ray J. Hutchinson, Pfc. Gregory P. Huxley Jr., Spc.
Benjamin W. Isenberg, Spc. Craig S. Ivory, Pfc. Leslie D. Jackson,
Spc. Morgen N. Jacobs, Chief Warrant Officer Scott Jamar, Cpl. Evan
T. James, 2nd Lt. Luke S. James, Spc. William A. Jeffries, Petty
Officer 2nd Class Robert B. Jenkins, Sgt. Troy David Jenkins, Spc.
Darius T. Jennings, Pfc. Ryan M. Jerabek, Sgt. Linda C. Jimenez, 1st
Lt. Oscar Jimenez, Capt. Christopher B. Johnson, Spc. David W.
Johnson, Pfc. Howard Johnson II, Spc. John P. Johnson, Pfc. Markus J.
Johnson, Spc. Maurice J. Johnson, Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Michael
Vann Johnson Jr., Spc. Nathaniel H. Johnson, Staff Sgt. Paul J.
Johnson, Chief Warrant Officer, Pfc. Rayshawn S. Johnson, Pvt. Devon
D. Jones, Capt. Gussie M. Jones, Staff Sgt. Raymond E. Jones Jr.,
Spc. Rodney A. Jones, Lt. Kylan A. Jones- Huffman, Sgt. Curt E.
Jordan Jr., Sgt. Jason D. Jordan.

Staff Sgt. Phillip A. Jordan, Cpl. Forest J. Jostes, Spc. Spencer T.
Karol, Spc. Michael G. Karr Jr., Spc. Mark J. Kasecky, 1st Lt.
Jeffrey J. Kaylor, Spc. Chad L. Keith, Lance Cpl. Quinn A. Keith,
Lance Cpl. Bryan P. Kelly, Cpl. Brian Kennedy, Chief Warrant Officer
Kyran E. Kennedy, Staff Sgt. Morgan D. Kennon, 1st Lt. Christopher J.
Kenny, Spc. Jonathan R. Kephart, Cpl. Dallas L. Kerns, Chief Warrant
Officer Erik C. Kesterson, Capt. Humayun S. M. Khan, Spc. James M.
Kiehl, Pt. Jeungjin Na Kim, Staff Sgt. Kevin C. Kimmerly. Spc. Levi
B. Kinchen, Staff Sgt. Lester O. Kinney II, Pfc. David M. Kirchhoff,
Staff Sgt. Charles A. Kiser, Lance Cpl. Nicholas Brian Kleiboeker,
Spc. John K. Klinesmith Jr., Sgt. Floyd G. Knighten Jr., Petty
Officer 3rd Class Eric L. Knott, Spc. Joshua L. Knowles, Staff Sgt.
Lance J. Koenig, Cpl. Kevin T. Kolm, Pfc. Martin W. Kondor, Chief
Warrant Patrick W. Kordsmeier, Capt. Edward J. Korn, Sgt. Bradley S.
Korthaus, Cpl. Jakub Henryk Kowalik, Sgt. Elmer C. Krause, Pvt.
Dustin L. Kreider, Pfc. Bradley G. Kritzer, Capt. John F. Kurth, Sgt.
1st Class William W. Labadie Jr., Sgt. Joshua S. Ladd, Sgt. Michael
V. Lalush, Lance Cpl. Alan Dinh Lam, Spc. Charles R. Lamb, Spc. James
I. Lambert III, Pfc. James P. Lambert, Sgt. Jonathan W. Lambert,
Capt. Andrew David Lamont, Staff Sgt. Sean G. Landrus, Gunnery Sgt.
Shawn A. Lane.

Pfc. Moises A. Langhorst, Spc. Tracy L. Laramore, Spc. Scott Q.
Larson Jr., Chief Warrant Officer Matthew C. Laskowski, Staff Sgt.
William T. Latham, Pfc. Karina S. Lau, Cpl. Jeffrey D. Lawrence,
Staff Sgt. Mark A. Lawton, Lance Cpl. Travis J. Layfield, Staff Sgt.
Rene Ledesma, 2nd Lt. Ryan Leduc, Cpl. Bum R. Lee, Pfc. Ken W.
Leisten, Staff Sgt. Jerome Lemon, Spc. Cedric L. Lennon, Pfc. Farad
K. Letufuga, Spc. Justin W. Linden, Spc. Roger G. Ling, Spc. Joseph
L. Lister, Staff Sgt. Nino D. Livaudais, Sgt. Dale T. Lloyd, Sgt.
Daniel J. Londono, Spc. Ryan P. Long, Spc. Zachariah W. Long, Pfc.
Duane E. Longstreth, Sgt. Edgar E. Lopez, Lance Cpl. Juan Lopez, Sgt.
Richard M. Lord, Staff Sgt. David L. Loyd, Capt. Robert L. Lucero,
Pfc. Jason C. Ludiam, Lance Cpl. Jacob R. Lugo, Pfc. Jason N. Lynch,
Pfc. Christopher D. Mabry, Lance Cpl. Gregory E. MacDonald, Lance
Cpl. Cesar F. Machado-Olmos, Pfc. Vorn J. Mack, Lance Cpl. Joseph B.
Maglione, Spc. William J. Maher III, Staff Sgt. Toby W. Mallet, Chief
Warrant Officer Ian D. Manuel, Pfc. Pablo Manzano, Pfc. Lyndon A.
Marcus Jr., Staff Sgt. Paul C. Mardis Jr., Cpl. Douglas Jose
Marencoreyes, Master Sgt. Jude C. Mariano, Spc. James E. Marshall,
Sgt. 1st Class John W. Marshall, Pfc. Ryan A. Martin, Staff Sgt.
Stephen G. Martin.

Sgt. Francisco Martinez, Pfc. Francisco A. Martinez Flores, Pfc.
Jesse J. Martinez, Spc. Michael A. Martinez, Pfc. Oscar A. Martinez,
Spc. Jacob D. Martir, Sgt. Arthur S. Mastrapa, Chief Warrant Officer
Johnny Villareal Mata, Lance Cpl. Ramon Mateo, Spc. Clint Richard
Matthews, Lance Cpl. Ramon Mateo, Cpl. Matthew E. Matula, Staff Sgt.
Donald C. May Jr, Pfc. Joseph P. Mayek, Spc. Patrick R. McCaffrey
Sr., Lance Cpl. Joseph C. MacCarthy, Pfc. Ryan M. McCauley, Cpl. Brad
P. McCormick, 1st Lt. Erik. S. McCrae, Spc. Donald R. McCune, Spc.
Dustin K. McGaugh, Pfc. Holly J. McGeogh, Sgt. Brian D. McGinnis,
Spc. Michael A. McGlothin. Petty Officer 2nd Class Scott R. McHugh,
Hospitalman Joshua McIntosh, Spc. David M. McKeever, Spc. Eric S.
McKinley, Pvt. Robert L. McKinley, Staff Sgt. Don S. McMahan, Sgt.
Heath A. McMillin, 1st Lt. Brian M. McPhillips, Cpl. Jesus Martin
Antonio Medellin, Spc. Irving Medina, Spc. Kenneth A. Melton, Cpl.
Jaygee Meluat, Petty Officer 3rd Class Fernando A. Mendezaceves,
Gunnery Sgt. Joseph Menusa, Staff Sgt. Eddie E. Menyweather, Spc. Gil
Mercado, Spc. Michael M. Merila, Spc. Christopher A. Merville, Sgt.
Daniel K. Methvin, Pfc. Jason M. Meyer, Sgt. Eliu A. Miersandoval,
Spc. Michael G. Mihalakis, Pfc. Matthew G. Milczark, Cpl. Jason David
Mileo, Pfc. Anthony S. Miller, Pfc. Bruce Miller Jr., Staff Sgt.
Frederick L. Miller Jr.

Sgt. 1st Class Marvin L. Miller, Sgt. Joseph Minucci II, Sgt. First
Class Troy L. Miranda, Spc. George A. Mitchell, Sgt. Keman L.
Mitchell, Sgt. Michael W. Mitchell, Spc. Sean R. Mitchell, Pfc. Jesse
D. Mizener, Staff Sgt. Jorge A. Molinabautista, Pfc. Anthony W.
Monroe, 1st Lt. Adam G. Mooney, Lance Cpl. Jason William Moore, Pfc.
Stuart W. Moore, Sgt. Travis A. Moothart, Spc. Jose L. Mora, Sgt.
Melvin Y. Mora, Pfc. Michael A. Mora, Master Sgt. Kevin N. Morehead,
Capt. Brent L. Morel, Petty Officer 3rd Class David J. Moreno, Sgt.
Gerardo Moreno, Spc. Jaime Moreno, Pfc. Luis A. Moreno, Spc. Dennis
B. Morgan, Staff Sgt. Richard L. Morgan Jr., Pfc. Geoffery S. Morris,
Pfc. Ricky A. Morris Jr., Lance Cpl. Nicholas B. Morrison, Sgt.
Shawna M. Morrison, Sgt. Keelan L. Moss, Spc. Clifford L. Moxley Jr.,
Sgt. Cory R. Mracek, Sgt. Rodney A. Murray, Sgt. Krisna Nachampassak,
Spc. Paul T. Nakamura, Spc. Nathan W. Nakis, Pvt. Kenneth A. Nalley,
Chief Warrant Officer Christopher G. Nason, Maj. Kevin G. Nave, Spc.
Rafael L. Navea, Spc. Charles L. Neeley, Staff Sgt. Paul M. Neff II,
Pfc. Gavin L. Neighbor, Spc. Joshua M. Neusche, Cpl. Dominique J.
Nicolas, Lance Cpl. Joseph L. Nice, Spc. Isaac Michael Nieves, Lance
Cpl. Patrick R. Nixon, Spc. Allen Nolan, Spc. Marcos O. Nolasco.

Sgt. William J. Normandy, Spc. Joseph C. Norquist, 1st Lt. Leif E.
Nott, Staff Sgt. Todd E. Nunes, Spc. David T. Nutt, Cpl. Mick R.
Nygardbekowsky, Spc. Donald S. Oak Jr., Pfc. Branden F. Oberleitner,
Lance Cpl. Patrick T. O'Day, Spc. Charles E. Odums II, Spc. Ramon C.
Ojeda, Cpl. Terry Holmes Ordonez, Cpl. Brian Oliveira, Spc. Justin
B. Onwordi, Spc. Richard P. Orengo, Lt. Col. Kim S. Orlando, Lance
Cpl. Eric J. Orlowski, 1st Lt. Osbaldo Orozco, Pfc. Cody J. Orr,
Staff Sgt. Billy J. Orton, Sgt. Pamela G. Osbourne, Lance Cpl. Deshon
E. Otey, Pfc. Kevin C. Ott, Sgt. Michael G. Owen, Lance Cpl. David
Edward Owens Jr, Sgt. Fernando Padilla- Ramirez, Pvt. Shawn D.
Pahnke, Spc. Gabriel T. Palacios, Capt. Eric T. Paliwoda, 1st Lt.
Joshua M. Palmer, Staff Sgt. Dale A. Panchot, Pfc. Daniel R. Parker,
Pfc. James D. Parker, Pfc. Kristen Parker, Cpl. Tommy L. Parker Jr.,
Sgt. Harvey E. Parkerson III, Sgt. David B. Parson, Staff Sgt. Esau
G. Patterson Jr., Master Sgt. William L. Payne, Sgt. Michael F.
Pedersen, Staff Sgt. Abraham D. Penamedina, Spc. Brian H. Penisten,
Sgt. Ross A. Pennanen, Staff Sgt. Gregory V. Pennington, Pfc.
Geoffrey Perez, Staff Sgt. Hector R. Perez, Sgt. Joel Perez, Spc.
Jose A. Perez III, Pfc. Luis A. Perez, Lance Cpl. Nicholas Perez.

Spc. Wilfredo Perez Jr., Petty Officer 1st Class Michael J.
Pernaselli, Staff Sgt. David S. Perry, Pfc. Charles C. Persing, Staff
Sgt. Dustin W. Peters, Spc. Alyssa R. Peterson, Staff Sgt. Brett J.
Petriken, Staff Sgt. James L. Pettaway Jr., Staff Sgt. Erickson H.
Petty, Pfc. Jerrick M. Petty, Lt. Col. Mark P. Phelan, Pfc. Chance R.
Phelps, Sgt. 1st Class Gladimir Philippe, Sgt. Ivory L. Phipps, Capt.
Pierre E. Piche, Pfc. Lori Piestewa, Capt. Dennis L. Pintor, Spc.
James H. Pirtle, Pfc. Jason T. Poindexter, 2nd Lt. Frederick E.
Pokorney Jr., Staff Sgt. Andrew R. Pokorny, Spc. Justin W. Pollard,
Spc. Larry E. Polley Jr., Sgt. Darrin K. Potter, Pfc. David L.
Potter, Sgt. Christopher S. Potts, Spc. James E. Powell, Lance Cpl.
Caleb J. Powers, Cpl. Dean P. Pratt, Pfc. James E. Prevete, Pvt.
Kelley S. Prewitt, Sgt. Tyler D. Prewitt, Pfc. James W. Price, 1st
Lt. Timothy E. Price, Lance Cpl. Mathew D. Puckett, Sgt. Jaror C.
Puello- Coronado, Staff Sgt. Michael B. Quinn, Staff Sgt. Richard P.
Ramey, Sgt. Christopher Ramirez, Spc. Eric U. Ramirez, Pfc. William
C. Ramirez, Pfc. Christopher Ramos, Spc. Tamarra J. Ramos, Pfc.
Brandon Ramsey, Pvt. Carson J. Ramsey, Sgt. Edmond L. Randle, Pfc.
Cleston C. Raney, Capt. Gregory A. Ratzlaff, Spc. Rel A. Ravago IV,
Spc. Omead H. Razani.

Spc. Brandon M. Read, Pfc. Christopher J. Reed, Pfc. Ryan E. Reed,
Sgt. Tatjana Reed, Staff Sgt. Aaron T. Reese, Spc. Jeremy F. Regnier,
Sgt. 1st Class Randall S. Rehn, Sgt. Brendon C. Reiss, Staff Sgt.
George S. Rentschler, Sgt. Sean C. Reynolds, Lance Cpl. Rafael
Reynosa- Suarez, Sgt. Yadir G. Reynoso, Cpl. Demetrius L. Rice, Sgt.
Ariel Rico, Spc. Jeremy L. Ridlen, Pfc. Diego Fernando Rincon, Cpl.
Steven A. Rintamaki, Sgt. Duane R. Rios, Capt. Russell B. Rippetoe,
Pfc. Henry C. Risner, Sgt. 1st Class Jose A. Rivera, Cpl. John T.
Rivero, Spc. Frank K. Rivers Jr., Sgt. Thomas D. Robbins, Sgt. Todd
J. Robbins, Lance Cpl. Anthony P. Roberts, Lance Cpl. Bob W. Roberts,
Spc. Robert D. Roberts, Staff Sgt. Joseph E. Robsky, Sgt. Moses D.
Rocha, Pfc. Marlin T. Rockhold, Pfc. Jose Francis Gonzalez Rodriguez,
Cpl. Robert M. Rodriguez, Spc. Philip G. Rogers, Sgt. 1st Class
Robert E. Rooney, Cpl. Randal Kent Rosacker, Staff Sgt. Victor A.
Rosales, Pfc. Richard H. Rosas, Sgt. Scott C. Rose, Sgt. Thomas C.
Rosenbaum, Sgt. Randy S. Rosenberg, Spc. Marco D. Ross, Sgt. Lawrence
A. Roukey, Capt. Alan Rowe, Spc. Brandon J. Rowe, Sgt. Roger D. Rowe,
2nd Lt. Jonathan D. Rozier, Spc. Isela Rubalcava, Pfc. Aaron J.
Rusin, Sgt. John W. Russell.

1st Lt. Timothy Louis Ryan, Chief Warrant Officer Scott A. Saboe,
Spc. Rasheed Sahib, Cpl. Rudy Salas, Cpl. William I. Salazar, 1st Lt.
Edward M. Saltz, Capt. Benjamin W. Sammis, Spc. Sonny G. Sampler,
Spc. Gregory P. Sanders, Pfc. Leroy Sandoval Jr., Spc. Matthew J.
Sandri, Staff Sgt. Barry Sanford, 1st Lt. Neil Anthony Santoriello,
Spc. Jonathan J. Santos, Pfc. Brandon R. Sapp, Staff Sgt. Cameron B.
Sarno, Staff Sgt. Scott D. Sather, Lance Cpl. Jeremiah E. Savage,
Capt. Robert C. Scheetz Jr., Spc. Justin B. Schmidt, Spc. Jeremiah W.
Schmunk, Pfc. Sean M. Schneider, Cpl. Dustin H. Schrage, Maj. Mathew
E. Schram, Lance Cpl. Brian K. Schramm, Spc. Christian C. Schulz,
Master Sgt. David A. Scott, Pfc. Kerry D. Scott, Spc. Stephen M.
Scott, Spc. Marc S. Seiden, Capt. Christopher Scott Seifert, Pfc.
Dustin M. Sekula, Lance Cpl. Matthew K. Serio, Sgt. Juan M. Serrano,
Staff Sgt. Wentz Jerome Henry Shanaberger III, Spc. Jeffrey R.
Shaver, Maj. Kevin M. Shea, Spc. Casey Sheehan, Sgt. Kevin F.
Sheehan, Sgt. Daniel Michael Shepherd, Sgt. Alan D. Sherman, Lt. Col.
Anthony L. Sherman, Pfc. Harry N. Shondee Jr., Lance Cpl. Brad S.
Shuder, Capt. James A. Shull, Pfc. Kenneth L. Sickels, Lance Cpl.
Dustin L. Sides, Cpl. Erik H. Silva, Pvt. Sean A. Silva, Sgt. Leonard
D. Simmons.

Pfc. Charles M. Sims, Lance Cpl. John T. Sims Jr., Spc. Uday Singh,
Spc. Aaron J. Sissel, Pfc. Christopher A. Sisson, Pfc. Nicholas M.
Skinner, Petty Officer 3rd Class David Sisung, 1st Lt. Brian D.
Slavenas, Pvt. Brandon Ulysses Sloan, Lance Cpl. Richard P. Slocum,
Lance Cpl. Thomas J. Slocum, Pfc. Corey L. Small, Sgt. Keith L.
Smette, Capt. Benedict J. Smith, Sgt. Benjamin K. Smith, Pfc. Brandon
C. Smith, 2nd Lt. Brian D. Smith, Chief Warrant Officer Bruce A.
Smith, Cpl. Darrell L. Smith, 1st Sgt. Edward Smith, Chief Warrant
Officer Eric A. Smith, Pfc. Jeremiah D. Smith, Lance Cpl. Matthew R.
Smith, Lance Cpl. Michael J. Smith Jr., Spc. Orenthial J. Smith, Sgt.
1st Class Paul R. Smith, Capt. Christopher F. Soelzer, Sgt. Roderic
A. Solomon, Cpl. Adrian V. Soltau, Maj. Charles R. Soltes Jr., Sgt.
Skipper Soram, Pfc. Armando Soriano, Cpl. Tomas Sotelo Jr., Pfc.
Kenneth C. Souslin, Spc. Philip I. Spakosky, Pfc. Jason L. Sparks,
Cpl. Michael R. Speer, Staff Sgt. Trevor Spink, Maj. Christopher J.
Splinter, Sgt. Marvin R. Sprayberry III, Pvt. Bryan N. Spry, Sgt.
Maj. Michael B. Stack, Pfc. Nathan E. Stahl, 1st Lt. Andrew K. Stern,
Staff Sgt. Robert A. Stever, Maj. Gregory Stone, 2nd Lt. Matthew R.
Stovall, Pfc. William R. Strange, Sgt. Kirk Allen Straseskie, Pfc.
Brandon C. Sturdy.

Spc. William R. Sturges Jr., Spc. Paul J. Sturino, Lance Cpl. Jesus
A. Suarez Del Solar, Spc. Joseph D. Suell, Spc. John R. Sullivan,
Spc. Narson B. Sullivan, Lance Cpl. Vincent M. Sullivan, Staff Sgt.
Michael J. Sutter, Pfc. Ernest Harold Sutphin, Chief Warrant Officer
Sharon T. Swartworth, Spc. Thomas J. Sweet II, Staff Sgt. Christopher
W. Swisher, Maj. Paul R. Syverson III, Sgt. Patrick S. Tainsh, Sgt.
DeForest L. Talbert, Sgt. 1st Class Linda Ann Tarango-Griess, Spc.
Christopher M. Taylor, Maj. Mark D. Taylor, Capt. John R. Teal, Staff
Sgt. Riayan A. Tejeda, Lance Cpl. Jason Andrew Tetrault, Spc. Joseph
C. Thibodeaux, Master Sgt. Thomas R. Thigpen Sr., Cpl. Jesse L.
Thiry, Sgt. Carl Thomas, Staff Sgt. Kendall Thomas, Spc. Kyle G.
Thomas, Sgt. Anthony O. Thompson, Spc. Jarrett B. Thompson, Sgt.
Humberto F. Timoteo, Capt. John E. Tipton, Pfc. Joshua K. Titcomb,
Spc. Brandon T. Titus, Spc. Brandon S. Tobler, Sgt. Lee D.
TodacheeneCpl. John H. Todd III, Sgt. Nicholas A. Tomko, Master Sgt.
Timothy Toney, Pfc. George D. Torres, Lance Cpl. Michael S. Torres,
2nd Lt. Richard Torres, Spc. Ramon Reyes Torres, Lance Cpl. Elias
Torrez III, Sgt. Michael L. Tosto, Spc. Richard K. Trevithick, Pfc.
Andrew L. Tuazon, Staff Sgt. Roger C. Turner Jr., Pvt. Scott M.
Tyrrell, 2nd Lt. Andre D. Tyson, Spc. Eugene A. Uhl III, Lance Cpl.
Drew M. Uhles.

Rick A. Ulbright, Pfc. Daniel P. Unger, Spc. Robert Oliver Unruh, 1st
Sgt. Ernest E. Utt, Sgt. Michael A. Uvanni, Staff Sgt. Gary A.
Vaillant, Lance Cpl. Ruben Valdez Jr., Sgt. Melissa Valles, Spc.
Allen J. Vandayburg, Spc. Josiah H. Vandertulip, Chief Warrant
Officer Brian K. Van Dusen, Lance Cpl. John J. Vangyzen IV, Lance
Cpl. Gary F. Van Leuven, Staff Sgt. Mark D. Vasquez, Spc. Frances M.
Vega, 1st Lt. Michael W. Vega, Staff Sgt. Paul A. Velazquez, Cpl.
David M. Vicente, Sgt. 1st Class Joselito O. Villanueva, Cpl. Scott
M. Vincent, Staff Sgt. Kimberly A. Voelz, Staff Sgt. Michael S. Voss,
Spc. Thai Vue, Lance Cpl. Michael B. Wafford, Sgt. Christopher A.
Wagener, Sgt. Gregory L. Wahl, Staff Sgt. Allan K. Walker, Sgt.
Jeffery C. Walker, Sgt. Donald Ralph Walters, Pvt. Jason M. Ward,
Pfc. Nachez Washalanta, Lance Cpl. Christopher B. Wasser, Pvt. David
L. Waters, Staff Sgt. Kendall Damon Waters-Bey, Maj. William R.
Watkins III, Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher E. Watts, Chief
Warrant Officer Aaron A. Weaver, Spc. Michael S. Weger, Staff Sgt.
David J. Weisenburg, Spc. Douglas J. Weismantle, Pfc. Michael Russell
Creighton Weldon, Lance Cpl. Larry L. Wells, Chief Warrant Officer
Stephen M. Wells, Spc. Jeffrey M. Wershow, Spc. Christopher J. Rivera
Wesley, Sgt. James G. West, 1st Lt. Alexander E. Wetherbee, Spc.
Donald L. Wheeler, Sgt. Mason Douglas Whetstone, Pfc. Marquis A.
Whitaker.

Staff Sgt. Aaron Dean White, Lt. Nathan D. White, Sgt. Steven W.
White, Lance Cpl. William W. White, Pfc. Joey D. Whitener ,Spc. Chase
R. Whitman, Spc. Michael J. Wiesemann, Cpl. Joshua S. Wilfong ,Sgt.
Eugene Williams, Lance Cpl. Michael J. Williams, Spc. Michael L.
Williams, Sgt. Taft V. Williams ,1st Lt. Charles L. Wilkins III, Sgt.
1st Class Christopher R. Willoughby, Spc. Dana N. Wilson, Command
Sgt. Maj. Jerry L. Wilson, Staff Sgt. Joe N. Wilson, Lance Cpl.
Lamont N. Wilson, Lance Cpl. Nicholas Wilt, 1st Lt. Ronald
Winchester, Spc. Trevor A. Wine, Lance Cpl. William J. Wiscowiche,
Spc. Robert A. Wise, Spc. Michelle M. Witmer, Pfc. Owen D. Witt, Spc.
James R. Wolf, 2nd Lt. Jeremy L. Wolfe, Sgt. Elijah Tai Wah Wong,
Sgt. Brian M. Wood, Capt. George A. Wood, Spc. Michael R. Woodliff,
Spc. James C. Wright, Pfc. Jason G. Wright, 2nd Lt. John T.
Wroblewski, Lance Cpl. Daniel R. Wyatt, Pfc. Stephen E. Wyatt, Sgt.
Michael E. Yashinski, Sgt. Henry Ybarra III, Pfc. Rodricka A.
Youmans, Sgt. Ryan C. Young, Lance Cpl. Andrew J. Zabierek, Spc.
Nicholas J. Zangara, Spc. Mark Anthony Zapata, Pfc. Nicholaus E.
Zimmer, Cpl. Ian T. Zook, Lance Cpl. Robert P. Zurheide Jr.

May they rest in peace.

And may they forgive us someday.

-- Michael Moore

Reactions from OneWorld's readers and partners

Major fears about global warming and financial mayhem come from Mark Lynas:
"Despite the uncertainty about provisional ballots in Ohio, it looks increasingly likely that our fragile planet is going to have to suffer another four years of the Bush presidency. That's four more years of creeping corruption (watch out for the next big Halliburton contract), empire-building militarism, and a slash-and-grab approach to the environment

"On the good side, perhaps, Bush is at least going to have to clear up his own mess in Iraq, with the prospect of a humiliating Vietnam-style defeat becoming ever more likely as the insurgency gains ground. (Not good news for the Iraqis, who will end up in another undemocratic Islamic state.)

"The progress made by the rest of the world on climate change will also be thrown into stark relief by a new Bush term - countries like the UK will have to face up to need to finally put an end their automatic alliance with the US. As America becomes an environmental pariah state - like South Africa was during the apartheid years - the rest of us will need ever more urgently to nurture our links with those Americans who keep the flame alive, some of whom contribute to this website [www.marklynas.org].

"The next four years will not be easy, but if nothing else they will at least demonstrate the folly of the scorched earth approach to our natural environment adopted by the political right. I don't doubt that the Bush administration is now the single greatest threat to the our future - greater than Bin Laden, North Korea or any of the 'official' evildoers.

"Don't go gently into the night, my friends. If we lose, then so does the planet."

Some US analysts fear that their newly roused electorate will lapse into cynicism after this election - especially young people, who are already in danger of alienation from conventional party politics. But in the UK, Meredith Alexander, Head of Campaigns at the student network People and Planet, feels that the frustration with this election could trigger even more youth engagement:

"The US election results will galvanise this generation of students to be incredibly active on the world stage."

And one final contribution for today, from Anuradha Vittachi, OneWorld UK's Director, on the necessity of a War against Lies:

"What might have made US citizens vote otherwise? The Iraq invasion was (rightly) the critical election issue. And yet even the startlingly negative information that has been leaking out in recent months - that there was a gaping absence where there were supposed to have been weapons of mass destruction; that there were shocking, mocking photographs taken at Abu Ghraib, and that these were officially sanctioned; that there had been 100,000 Iraqi casualties, not just a few thousand - none of this was enough to disgust the majority of US citizens into voting against the Bush administration.

"Why not? Could anything have turned them off? It seems as if they were too enveloped by that stickiest of feelings: self-protective terror - first induced by the September 11 atrocity, and then kept fanned, deliberately, by the so-called War on Terror.

"If we fall for the 'power of nightmares', we make it impossible for democracy to be real. The vote this week has little to do with political ideology and more to do with the Republicans' access to the PR skills of Karl Rove, spin-doctor extraordinaire, riding on atavistic fear, creating cultural memes that deliver an ingenuous and uninformed population to his waiting arms. If spin is the real essential to success, the US electoral system can hardly be called 'democratic' - even when the people of America are roused to vote in unprecedented numbers.

"Numbers are not enough. The choice implied in a ballot has to be a meaningful choice or democracy itself loses meaning. Citizens have to become informed citizens - informed about what is really happening in the world, especially the world outside the boundaries of the US. And they need to be informed in a way that makes them take the information in: experience it, feel it in their blood and bones, not just be opinions that come and go, leaving little trace.

"The pictures of Abu Ghraib on the Internet did go in, to some degree. Millions of decent Americans were shocked, across the political spectrum. How is it possible to make it go in, similarly, that it is not acceptable to slaughter the citizens of Iraq? How to make it go in that they are as real and human as the people who died in the Twin Towers?

"Demonising American citizens - whichever way they voted - is no kind of answer. Nearly half of them made it plain by their vote that they wanted peace in Iraq and the safety of the world. It is nothing short of a tragedy - not only for them but for the world at large - that these Americans, these American global citizens, did not succeed.

"And even those who voted for President Bush should not be demonised, in my view. They need not to be excluded but to be informed - till they understand that the step they took to make themselves safe was really the most dangerous step they could have taken.

"Ismet, a London cabbie, was devastated by the election news. "This was a bad day for Moslems,' he said to me. 'You can tell people that, on OneWorld. This was a very bad day. A dangerous day - for everyone.' "