It's G8 time again, and once again, the leaders of some (okay, most?) of the world's most powerful nations have gathered and are in danger of being up to no good. Our own (sigh) (groan) leader Stephen Harper (there, I said it, okay) is hopping on the Bush boat to global warming land - I think he opes it'll make Canada the next tropical tourist destination or some shit. What a clever (small minded, backwards) man.

In addition, they always seem to spend a good part of these meetings explaining why they haven't been able to live up to their past promises and agreements. If you cut past all the spin and bullshit (then there's nothing left?) what you'd hear would be something like: but we were under public scrutiny and there were like these angry protesters and it was getting all messy, so we had to say we'd do something about (insert global catastrophuck here). We didn't intend to actually spend and time or money on it, just a few words. This year, getting the supersized G8 shaft: the 2005 pledges on global poverty, aids, and education.

Thankfully (yes, end on a positive note, then they might come back), this year's G8 is being held in vunderbar Deutschland, a suitably progressive place, and the public there is giving them HELL! Thanks Germany! I wish I were there to help! Alas, sometimes life just doesn't allow for last-minute trans-Atlantic hops, but there is still something we can do from our side of the pond: sign some petitions. These have been rapidly gaining signatures and are being presented to the G8 leaders. Do your bit! (Because what's in a name? when did you last use it for something better than this?).

Go to: http://www.avaaz.org/en/climate_summit/
and/or http://www.globalaidsalliance.org/G8_Petition_May_2007.cfm