Um, don't hold your breath on the possibility of Ben Affleck bringing up corporate resource grabs -- I don't think this is one of those "pigs will fly" moments. I'm pretty sure this particular cup is not a drop more than "half full" at most. But given the utter disregard of the US media for what's happening to people in most of Africa, it's fairly significant for Nightline to devote an entire program to the Congo. I just remembered, btw -- the last time they paid any attention to what was going on there was when Ted Koppel devoted an entire week of programs -- which got pre-empted & rescheduled months later due to the 9/11 attacks, if I recall correctly. One other thing -- it occurs to me that people might not get that "Mia Farrow" reference without a bit of explanation. She's been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in Africa for the last few years, devoting a lot of attention to Darfur. Well, last week she told the Financial Times that she's asked Blackwater -- yes, BLACKWATER -- to help provide security for the refugees in Darfur. I'm not making this up. Activists turn to Blackwater for Darfur security http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/76201422-3da8-11dd-bbb5-0000779fd2ac.html I understand her feelings of desperation, etc. but somebody needs to get her in touch with Jeremy Scahill right away. Craig Gingold From: "Per Fagereng" <phantom@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: <gingold@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, <Freekpfk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, <fulcrumsofchange@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: Re: [Fulcrumsofchange] It Takes a Celebrity to Raise an Issue:Nightline Visits the Congo Date sent: Thu, 26 Jun 2008 20:14:47 -0700 In his account, Affleck says nothing about the global corporations grabbing Congo's resources. Let us know if he says anything on his TV special. Per Fagereng ----- Original Message ----- From: "CraigGingold" <gingold@xxxxxxx> Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2008 7:12 PM Subject: [Fulcrumsofchange] It Takes a Celebrity to Raise an Issue:Nightline Visits the Congo > Ben Affleck cajoled ABC News into tagging along on his trips to > the Congo -- their first reports from that country since 2001, > if I'm not mistaken. > <snip> > > I just hope Mr. Affleck doesn't pull a Mia Farrow and call for US troops > to be sent in to "take care of things"...