Japan G8 Really "Gee, We Ate" Summit

G8 leaders discussing the world food crisis in Japan raise

their glasses ahead of an 18-course dinner Source

(Absurdistan) Every now and again you come across a story so outrageous, so unbelievable, so pathetic, so galling that sounds so unconscionable that you just have to sit back and say, "Wow." This is one of them.

Outcry as world leaders feast at food crisis summit

By Robert Winnett in Hokkaido
Tuesday July 08 2008

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"WORLD leaders provoked an outcry after they had a six-course lunch followed by an eight-course dinner at the G8 summit where the global food crisis tops the agenda.
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Hours earlier British prime minister Gordon Brown was urging the world to reduce the "unnecessary demand'' for food and calling on British families to stop wasting food.

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"Mr Brown and his wife Sarah were among 15 guests at the "blessings of the earth and the sea social dinner'', which consisted of 18 dishes in eight courses including caviar, smoked salmon, Kyoto beef and a 'G8 fantasy dessert' . . .

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"African leaders, including the heads of Ethiopia, Tanzania and Senegal, who had taken part in talks during the day, were not invited to the function . . .

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"The lavish dining arrangements -- disclosed by the Japanese government which is hosting the summit in Hokkaido -- came at a time of concern over rising food prices triggered by a shortage of many basic necessities . . ."

"Dominic Nutt of Save the Children said: "It is deeply hypocritical that they should be lavishing course after course on world leaders when there is a food crisis and millions cannot afford a decent meal to eat . . ."

Isn't it just appalling? This is an excellent example of elitism hypocrisy. How in the world can you justify such extravagance when the subject of your conference deals with hunger crisis? Do the leaders have no sensitivity or appreciation of the true needs of the majority of starving people in impoverished areas of the world? To add insult to injury the leaders snub their invited African guests. Any good that may have been accomplished at the G8 summit was negated by this most insulting display of indifference, pomp, pretentiousness and and insensitivity.