Who will lead legislation that will strip them of demi-god status and turn them into mere mortals? is a question we could all ask of our leaders. For citizens of nation's around the world "bargaining chips" is certainly an accurate description of our status as the peoples needs and concerns fall lower and lower on our leader's lists of priorities. Despite the number of dead in Kenya, these victims will be forgotten before dark, and the hostilities will roll on to the next election. In Kenya and all over the world we can change this. As Oriang concludes, Our political leaders must be held collectively accountable for the state of affairs that this country finds itself in. The blame game will not change anything. Whenever you point a finger at the other person, remember that the other four are pointing at you. We are in this together, so we might as well cut the grandstanding and get ready to listen.

Before I reached the comments, I too, Kate, wanted to focus on the statement about returning political figures to the status of human beings. The situation in Kenya is extreme, but hardly unique. The rule of law and institutions that serve the needs of people are possible.

In many places, political figures are not demi-gods but equally unreal media celebrities, larger than life and above the law.

With the exception of New Orleans, where US paid mercenaries fired on citizens and where hundreds of thousands of people are now displaced, the Bush regime has taken its slaughter and torture to other countries. But the principles are the same. The tribe of those who benefit from this regime's policies is small and the common good is not considered.

We can listen to each other. We can also, when it is our turn, speak up for the good of all not just for our own.

Thanks to the WIP editors for finding and linking this article and for making it possible for us to listen to others all over the world.