Drone World
The United Nations blessed us on Monday with an introduction to the new UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Sergio Vieira de Mello.

Mr. Vieira de Mello, who was introduced at a press conference at UN Headquarters in New York by Secretary-General Kofi Annan, told reporters that he would try to build upon the legacy of his two predecessors, Mary Robinson and José Ayala-Lasso, and to foster an integrated approach to human rights.

"I'll do my best ... to transform [the issue] into what governments and non-state actors should see as bonus and not just as an onus on them, and something that is truly consubstantial with our lives and individuals and societies and not something extraneous to our lives, which it is not," he stressed.

Makes no sense, but I like the rhyme.

For his part, the Secretary-General paid tribute to Mrs. Robinson, who will complete her tenure in September, and said that she had done much for the UN and the cause of human rights. "Hers is going to be a tough act to follow, but I'm sure Sergio will not let us down," Mr. Annan said.

Thanks Kofi. We hope Mary won't let the garage door hit her on the butt on her way out and look forward to wishing much the same to Sergio.



And y'all don't forget the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, Aug. 26 - Sept. 4.