[GT40FIED]

The sad truth of it is that until West Africa has something important to us, there's no way they're getting our help or anyone else's help. At the moment all they've got is lots of black folks, some shiny rocks, and huge piles of dead bodies. Not nearly as important as oil, especially since raw diamonds aren't nearly as rare or valuable as we're meant to think. That and...well...I can't really think of a way to market dead bodies or black people (insert slavery joke here).

It's a lot like what happened in East Timor (the poorest country in the world with a per capita GDP or $400). We were incredibly focused on Cambodia around that time and mass genocide broke out in East Timor. The only time we ever turned towards East Timor was when we started carpet bombing Cambodia and didn't want the bad press. Maybe it's good that we're more concerned about our interests...but if that's the case we need to be up front about it. No more of this bullshit claiming to spread freedom and free the oppressed. Let's be honest...we'll free your poor ass if you've got something important to us. Sure, it sounds harsh...but c'est la vie. At least I'd respect myself for my honesty.