Charles Taylor was the past "President" of Liberia. Like many leaders before him, he took over the country during a coup. He was born in Liberia, spent some time in the states in Los Angeles, and then went back and took over the country.

He bled the people dry of resources for his own personal gain. He certainly wasn't alone in this, but he was the leader. It's because of him that my boys' fathers died, and it's because of his greedy grasping for all that is good in that country that it became so poor. Of course, he didn't mind that the country was ravaged by war on top of the poverty...as long as he got what he wanted.

The Liberians cried out for help for *years*. Finally, President Bush stepped in and told Taylor to step down. Taylor, of course, would not. So Bush sent some Marines to Liberia, and then informed Taylor that the Marines were on the way, and that if he did not leave the country, then the U.S. would be coming in to make him leave.

He left.

There has been some recent news about him, but I am still unclear as to what the story is. I'll have to go look it up. I don't think he would dare re-enter Liberia while Bush is in office. If Bush leaves and a liberal is elected, then I wouldn't be surprised if Taylor tried to instigate another coup.