Does this sound like blackmail?

"The swine flu pandemic could kill millions and cause anarchy in the world's poorest nations unless £900m can be raised from rich countries to pay for vaccines and antiviral medicines, says a UN report leaked to the Observer."

Last week-end while volunteering at the Midwest Bird Symposium I was chatting with a school principal, also a volunteer. With nothing much to talk about except our duties and how difficult it was to wear the latex gloves, I asked how her school was preparing for the H1N1 virus. She began to rant and rave--thought it was all a plot to cover the disastrous health care take over. And the plan, which I won't divulge, did sound a bit invasive. Too bad they don't let school principals and teachers do the sensible thing about head lice.

But back to blackmail. The aid that has gone to "poorest" countries by governments, churches and NGOs could long ago have floated them out of poverty, but why should those countries build roads, provide fresh water, drain swamps, improve their economies and elect honest leaders, if France, England or the US continue to bail them out? Even President Obama's father's home village is waiting for a bailout, and his own family still lives in poverty.