Let them eat cake

Insensitive comment of the week

Niger's president, Mamadou Tandja, fueled perceptions that his government had misjudged the crisis with recent comments that "the people of Niger look well-fed." He said food shortages were normal in the nation and complained that opposition politicians and humanitarian agencies were exploiting the crisis.

"It is by deception that such agencies receive funding," he said.

His remarks puzzled agencies that have been working closely with the government on the crisis.

What is the saying about there never having been a famine in a democratic country?