Yeah, it really puts these issues on the map in a whole new way. I was thinking about these issues with the drug cartels and how citizen reporters could play a role. Yet that is some serious risks they are taking.

Calling Heidi Klum's thighs big seems a bit twisted in my opinion. I've seen too many girls starve themselves to unrecognition, and create such a poor self-image that a deep depression is usually the outcome. Not saying this is the only reason now. Not sure what your point really is. Girls should basically be dressed skeletons?

I sense some sarcasm in the comment, but I do not really think it works. If you truly meant it I do not get it at all. Anyone who has been close to an anorectic knows what starts the whole downward spiral.

It seems to me that many forget the fact that US government "liked" President Musharraf. As he has stepped down, it means an instability from a US perspective as they do not control a region they believe is a aorta for terrorists or the recruitment of them. Probably a large portion of the reasons for these activities is to shaken up Pakistan to be more "obliging" in the eyes of the US. 

True or not. The lack of respect for the sovereignty of countries needs to stop. The signs are there for a really bad conflict unfortunately. Even worse this time both the combatants have nuclear weapons. That is the really scary part of all this.

Interesting piece indeed. It has always amazed me, why this is so controversial. I have heard so many reasons why this should be shameful, a deadly(?!)sin and so forth. What puzzles me the most is the wide spread boy pedophilia in both the Catholic Church and the Muslim community. I think this is so ironic that I laugh out loud. Especially considering the fact that homosexuality is punished by death in some countries. Considering that I am not sure if I should laugh or cry though.

Yeah, this is one of the saddest stories I have read in a long time. Thanks for posting this, snail! My thoughts goes to her family.

I agree with you snail. The discussion about global climate change is too often made way to complex. Ultimately the choice is as you said how much you would like to gamble with your life. I don't gamble either.

The policy level of these discussion is very interesting and filled with hypocracies as usual. For instance why is nuclear energy so controversial when it is one of the best energy sources from an environmental cleanness as well as efficiency perspective. Once again we are afraid of making a choice based on facts and not emotions. I wonder if that will ever stop.

So true. The inheritage form the colonization and slavery keeps haunting not only the African continent but also Europe and the US. It seems as if we cannot overcome the bad consciousness of our mistakes and in those case turn to running away with our tails behind our legs. It takes guts!

Intriguing comments. This world needs clear directions and a common goal. The goal is simple yet so hard to achieve - make this world better place. :-)

Bravery such as this makes me think about a Bible quote. I am not much a believer but believe that this quote is thoughtful:

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
Gospel of John 15:13

You are so right. At last someone who gets it...

My point was not to smear any piece of the Dalai Lama. My point is that because he is who he is Tibet will become a natural vantage point for attention, while other regions of this world who lacks that vantage point will never ever be heard. I resent the fact that you could imply the fact that I do not consider the acts by the Chinese government as other than outrageous. My basic point is that we should raise our eyes and see beyond the individual conflicts. I understand the intention of taking one conflict at a time but too many conflicts around the world will then just die off in oblivion. I still think we make the comfortable choice when we choose which conflicts matter and which conflicts don't.

It has all the characteristics as a conflict can have - monks, an evil government and the good guy, the saint-like Dalai Lama. I think this is amazing that we still choose to cover a selection of issues around the world, not saying these events are terrible. Genocides have been going on around the world such as for instance most African states and no one really thinks that is important. Hypocracy at it's worst....