“Everyone is, suddenly, globally, politicised” froths an embarassing article about Live8 by Euan Ferguson in todays Observer. Puleese.The atmosphere this morning reminds me of Princess Diana’s funeral. The emotions released yesterday are heartfelt – but narcissistic. It feels good to feel. Watching a rock musician in a London park is not an optimal position from which to empathise with someone in Africa – let alone to understand the issues. I don’t claim any expertise either, but I’ve been reading around. George Monbiot wrote last week, of the the debt-relief package for the world’s poorest countries likely to be unveiled this week: “Anyone with a grasp of development politics who had read and understood the ministers’ statement could see that the conditions it contains – enforced liberalization and privatization – are as onerous as the debts it relieves”. The G8 meeting will announce this package, tell the Bonos and Geldofs of this world that “we listened” – and Africa will be screwed.