My friend Trevor tipped me off to this story today.  The rebels in Nigeria’s Niger Delta who have been blowing up oil equipment are considering a truce because Barack Obama suggested that they do.  Read the story here.

“The MEND [Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta] command is seriously considering a temporary ceasefire appeal by Senator Barack Obama. Obama is someone we respect and hold in high esteem. The period of halting attacks, we hope, when considered, will afford the Nigerian government the opportunity to address the issues with Henry Okah, including improving his living conditions and having access to a bible which he has requested for but was denied,” they said.

Can Barack Obama’s presence alone solve all the problems of the world from Abkhazia to Zimbabwe?  Of course not.  But his is someone who people “respect and hold in high esteem.”  Which is more than you can say about George W. Bush.