This is 3-year-old Xuan Minh. He lives at Tu Du Hospital in Ho Chi Min city, Vietnam. Doctors think his condition is caused by after-effects of Agent Orange, of which deadly herbicide the US military dumped millions of gallons on Vietnam between 1962-1970.

In January 2004, a group called the Vietnam Victims of Agent Orange Association (VAVA) sued Monsanto, Dow, and eight other companies which made Agent Orange and similar chemicals used in Vietnam.

Around 10,000 US war veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange receive disability benefits for various types of cancer and other serious health problems that have been linked to dioxin.

"American victims of Agent Orange will get up to $1500 a month. However most Vietnamese families affected receive around 80,000 Dong a month (just over $5 dollars) in government support for each disabled child," Professor Nhan said.

But in March of this year, the federal court judge dismissed the suit, saying there was "no basis for any of the claims of plaintiffs" that the corporations owed them any money. The despite the fact that:

In 1984, several chemical companies paid $180m (£93m) to settle a lawsuit with US war veterans, who said that their health had been affected by exposure to the substance.

But the Vietnamese civilians -- not our fault. So stop looking at us like that, kid.

I thought for quite some time about whether or not to post this image. It made me want to retch, so I hesitate to spread it around. On the other hand, as Colette said: "Look for a long time at what pleases you, and longer still at what pains you."

This pains me.

TimeWaster™

Draw a pig and learn all sorts of things about yourself. No, this one really tells you amazing things about yourself. Really. Yeah, but this one is for real.

Today I'm listening to: Primer!