Anna Blundy certainly thinks so. She says "It is time someone spoke out against the vicious discrimination casually meted out to blonde women in all areas of life."

Depressingly, women collude in the open hatred of their own gender.

We chatted about this in the office yesterday and Anna told me that during her blonde period she received "far more looks" than normal . . . nothing new there you may be thinking but does the gentle joshing humour in offices worldwide about 'blonde moments' and 'dumb blondes' conceal an underlying sexism?

Joni, who's with us from the USA on work experience, reckons the same forces Anna Blundy talks about in her article are at play with Miss Teen South Carolina. Joni reckons the hapless Caitlin Upton got let off lightly because of the 'dumb blonde' perception. If you haven't seen Miss Upton's somewhat confused performance at a beauty pageant then click below:

Do you think blondes are discrimated against? Should the jokes stop? Or is it all in good fun?

ps - the woman on the right in the above picture is Anna Blundy . . .

Listen here.

Elvira Arrelano
Elvira has left her sanctuary of a Chicago church and is now in custody. Should the church have helped illegal immigrants in this way? The US is following this story with interest . . are you?

Arvind Aradhya
What do you make of the Indian lad who's won a national game show . . . first prize: a British education. Is this about UK schooling being the best in the world or about Indian worries in their own systems?

MOBO white list
British music organisation MOBO (Music of Black Origin) has published a list of ten hip-hop role models. Kanye's on it, so is Jay-Z . . . but no 50 Cent. Do you think this type of lists helps? We've touched on this topic in recent WHYS meetings, but why is it only role models for blacks that need a white-list?

Phillipines fighting
The phillipine government is engaged in heavy fighting with Abu Sayyaf militants in Basilan. The army says about 40 of the terror group have been killed and that they have taken casualties as well. It's not a part of the world we hear from a lot -- are you interested in hearing more?

Pakistan's Nukes
This newspaper says President Musharraf is soon to increase Pakistan's nuclear programme. Is this wise? Do you think Musharraf is too weak to do this? Maybe a strong nuclear deterrent is what this region needs?

Revolutionary Guards (IRGC)
Iran's elite fighting force were in the news last week because the US was going to put the organisation on its proscribed terrorists list. Does this help in the fight against terror or just annoy Iran? Or is it actually a badge of honour for this little-known group?

We'd like to know your nominations for who's now in the world of sport?

Iraqi translators.
Since we discussed this yesterday, Britain's Prime Minister has weighed into the debate suggesting a 'review' but Defence Secretary Des Browne now says nothing will happen for months. We talked about the Danish army smuggling out its interpreters back to Denmark on the 20th July and on a national phone-in show this morning in the UK most folks thought the 91 interpreters should be allowed to come to the UK. Do you agree?

Other stories we wondered about were Barry Bonds the record-making Baseball player, the talks between North and South Korea, Tiger Woods modesty (he says he doesn't deserve the title 'most influential athlete on the world stage', Beckham does) and Russia . . . is the Bear growling again?

In the end we decided that the Mass. anti-fat law and the Iraqi interpreters made the grade. Do let us know if you'd like to contribute.

Now if, like me, you know next to nothing about Scouts, Cubs, Brownies and Guides then have a look at this document which Irna created just for folks like us.

Alternatively, post a question below this post and we'll get it answered tonight with the help of the thousands of Scouts present, some of whom will be helping us to create the programme today.

If, on the other hand, you're a seasoned Scout and you have fond memories of your time then read Fiona's post from two days ago to see if her memories chime with yours or just simply share your experiences in text here.

Do you think Scouting has anything to offer today? This was a topic on our Have Your Say online debate forums a few days ago. Click here to see the many replies. The Have Your Say online team have now closed this debate but there's no reason for us not to continue it here on the blog.

As with all outside broadcasts we'll have an agenda and something of a plan - whether we stick to it is another thing . . . read on . . .

Throughout the day the Scouts will be sending me pictures from the gathering and I'll be posting them here. If you've any photos you'd like us to show then just mail them to me on worldhaveyoursay@bbc.co.uk

Here's our tentative schedule:

9.45am - Mark, Fiona, Anna, Matt meet to help load the van.
10 am - Van and taxi leave Bush House
11.15 - Arrive at jamboree. Matt, Mark, Anna register. Meet James at Plaza
11.30am Editorial meeting with kids.
2.30pm Ros arrives
5.30pm - warm-up
6pm - 8pm LIVE
9pm - Van leaves. Taxi leaves

Editorial Meeting
Well it's 13:50 and the team in Essex have just had the meeting. Present and correct were representatives from: Kenya, Uganda, Finland, Venezuela, Italy and Mexico. All aged between 14 - 19 years old. These intrepid Scouts will be bringing you World Have Your Say today. Mark and the team are taking a largely hands-off approach.

The topics that came up were, to us inside the media bubble, quite refreshing:

Language and what was the most important language in the world? English or maybe Spanish? How can language help bring about peace? Would a universal language do the trick?

Faiths and how certain countries just don't get along together generally but seem to be doing just fine here in the Jamboree. Our Venezuelan Scout said he simply wanted to speak to an American.

Darfur and whether the peacekeepers could do anything? Our Kenyan delegate said he wanted suggestions on how to promote world peace.

Floods.All our Scouts wanted to speak to Indians and Bangladeshis suffering in the monsoons. They didn't have questions for the victims just messages of support and what can we do to help?

We've split the Scouts up into three teams and sent them off into the depths of the vast camp to get guests for the show: Team M: Darfur, Team J: Faiths, Team A: Floods.

If you happen to be around Hylands Park then come and visit the WHYS operation at the plaza opposite the camp site radio station, Promise FM. It's outdoors but the weather is holding.

Next update will be at 4pm when our team of youngsters will decide who will co-host, who will hold mikes and all the other production stuff.

And what stories should we be discussing with the team in Essex . . ? Well there are a load of debates out there in today's news:

View from an 18-year-old
Charlie Bell is 18 and he's got a lot he wants to get off his chest. In this article he talks about how youngsters today aren't apathetic and aren't as that bad as the rest of us make out. We'll see what the Scouts make of this later on today

Floods in South Asia
Millions in Southern Asia are homeless after recent flooding putting the small-scale floods we recently had in the UK into perspective. Would you like to hear from the areas affected?

Honour Killings
An Islamic scholar in Lebanon has spoken out against honour killings saying they are "a repulsive act". Do you think more clerics need to speak out against this practice?

Race and sport
Matthew Syed in the Times brings up the thorny subject of ascribing physical characteristics to certain races of people in an article today. The trait in question is running and the fact that the 100m sprint in next month's athletics championships will be won by a black person. Matthew's assertion is that black athletes are not naturally faster but he agrees that East Africans are faster than West Africans. Do you agree?

Abstinence Teaching
It's a topic we've visited before on WHYS but does teaching abstinence work in reducing STDs? A new study says no way Jose.

Troop Stress
UK research says that prolonged periods of military service can result in post-traumatic stress disorder and pyschological problems. Is this news to you or just stating the obvious?

Ros and the WHYS Staff:
I have a few questions for Lubna, the WHYS regular from Iraq, but would be interested to hear an answer from all WHYS listeners. If possible, if you would forward this on to her, I would be grateful.

Is Iraq a better place now, or will be a better place in the future, because of the removal of Saddam Hussein?

I understand that things are not great now in Iraq, especially after reading the letter you wrote to WHYS on your 21st Birthday, and President Bush’s current strategy isn’t working as well as he would have hoped. The American people are against the war in Iraq. The Democratic Presidential Nominees are pushing hard for a quick withdrawal of US forces from the country.

As an Iraqi, do you want US forces to leave as soon as possible? Or, are US Forces doing a good there?

I am against the war in Iraq and have been since the beginning. I believe that America has lost its focus on the “War on Terror”. However, I do not believe that US forces can leave Iraq worse off than when we entered. It was US forces who destabilized Iraq and it is our responsibility, along with help from the Iraqis, to rebuild.

Do you feel the Iraqi Government is doing their part to build and stabilize Iraq?

Lubna, I have always enjoyed listening to your comments on WHYS. I hope all is well for you and that you are safe and happier. I look forward to your comments on my questions.

Peace to all.
Ian from Arizona, USA

I'm a big WHYS fan and unfortunately, tonight my hometown of Minneapolis is international news. I thought the WHYS readers/listeners would be interested in seeing these photos of the tragic bridge collapse.

If you haven't heard about the bridge collapse then read here. There are 7 dead confirmed so far.

Read on for more .. .

Listeners over 25 years of age will remember the cheesy intro to 80's TV classic The A-Team but it could equally well describe some of the characters involved in today's PSC business. PSCs don't like to be called mercenaries but it's the image they're stuck with. Have you heard of Blackwater, Executive Outcomes or perhaps Sandline? Blackwater are making big profits in Iraq and we'll have two voices on the show tonight talking for and against the use of these guys. Read Anna's post from yesterday for more details.

Iraqi refugees
7,000 Iraqis are soon to arrive in Detroit, America. we touched on this topic a week or so ago but if you're in detroit are you happy with this or do you think the US gov could do more?

Fire in the Canaries
It's not a part of the world we hear from a lot but thousands are being affected by the fires in Gran Canaria. I've been to this island's centre and it is a tinderbox. Would you like to hear from the residents?

Condi goes east...
Condoleezza Rice is in the West Bank speaking to Fatah about a 2-state solution to the war between Israel and the Palestinian territories. But should she be speaking to Hamas..? We've touched on this before on wHYS but should we be returning to it? "We are allies, we've been so for decades" says Condi about the Saudis but I know that quite a few WHYS listeners feel the Kingdom are dragging their feet in this freindship. Condi wants the Saudis to sit down with Israel so maybe we should be asking is it time for the Saudis to come to the table?

BA
We don't often do business stories on WHYS but are you one of the millions who feels British Airways and Virgin owe you some cash? BA was fined yesterday £300m by the US DOJ and £121.5m (about $240M) by Britain's Office of Fair Trading. Since quitting IT 2 years ago I haven't been anywhere near an airport and it feels great. Many of you will have flown with these two airlines so are you aggrieved that they colluded? Will you sue?

James in texas sent us this e-Mail last night:
Please notice that U.S. fined British Airways hundreds of millions of dollars for price fixing and fined British Petroleum tens of thousands for killing 14 young engineers in Texas City.
James, Houston, TX

On a related note, apparently Britain is a third-world nation when it comes to flying. The author of this article compared airports in London to Havana the Castro system for airport management came out on top. What do you think of UK airports?

Polar plans
Russia will today attempt to plant a flag under the Lomonosov Ridge. The thinking goes that as the polar ice caps melt, access to the oil resources will become easier so countries like Canada, Norway and Russia are already tussling for drilling rights.

Pat Tillman
Since his death 3 years ago in a friendly-fire incident, the story of all American hero Pat Tillman has kept me gripped. Pat gave up a glittering career in the NFL to become a trooper in Iraq. Rumours abound that there was a cover up and Rummy yesterday denied it. What do you think?

Obama gets tough
Barack Obama says if Pakistan doesn't go into the badlands of Waziristan to get Al Qaeda then he will. What do you make of this new hawkish stance? On a related note the Blogosphere has reacted to the NYT's July 30th op-ed daring to suggest victory in Iraq might be achievable. One pundit says the "O’Hanlon/Pollack article lacks 'a necessary humility.'” Your thoughts?

Scouting is 100
Tomorrow's WHYS comes from Essex, UK for the 100th anniversary of the Scouts. What are your memories of this illustrious organisation?

We also heard from Irma Gonzalez daughter of Rene Gonzalez who has been jailed in the US for spying for Cuba.

And we talked to Africans about Zimbabwe. Here's President Mugabe's latest take on the situation. We had Bright Matonga on the show, the Zimbabwean Deputy Minister for Information and Publicity. We also had Sebastien Berger a journalist who recently visited Zimbabwe, here is his report. And we heard from a man who recently crossed the croc-infested Limpopo from Zim to get into South Africa.

Join us tomorrow when we'll have Ali talking about his view of Islam.

The greatest living American?

This man has just received America's highest civilian honour; top marks to anyone who knows who he is?

adam in portland,or here wondering why the rest of the US should have to pay with our taxes to rebuld a city that is doomed to be destroyed by yet another hurricane?

I feel it is the Federal Government should pay the entire reconstruction and programs to help the poor.

John and Linda, MA.

Why shouldn't we use our tax dollars to help New Orleans? If we can spend billions in Iraq, surely we can help our own citizens. We are one country and we should start acting like it.

Ken in Cleveland

Stefan in prague says,

the greatest living american, hands down, for his humanity, his understanding, his real-life perspective on the world, his fairness, his priciples, and his continuing hard work for the betterment of mankind-

JIMMY CARTER!
an american in self exile

A text has come in from the Caribbean:

Kiru in Jamaica - This is an immoral outrage and stain on the U.S., the people of New Orleans and the state legislature needs to step up to the plate.

L P SIMMONS, LONG BEACH, CA.

I agree that the Country should not only pay for everything to help New Orleans, but they should have had the project completed YESTERDAY!! We are watching you New Orleans because other cities like SAN FRANSICO, TAMPA, LOS ANGELES and many international may suffer natural or man made disasters. Please get it done and set the example for the world. Put your differences aside and lead the world.

Scott Millar in Portland says:

Throughout history cities come and go. Its the way it works. People should stop romanticizing the past, because while New Orleans was a city of great style it was certainly never a city without problems. Storms, earthquakes and natural disasters change history, there is nothing wrong with this. Perhaps New Orleans doesn't need to return to what it is, maybe it can become something else. This sentimentality is boring and unmodern.

Chris in Montreal has a suggestion for the greatest living American: "Homer Simpson, by far."

The Greatest American Alive is Ty Pennington, the host of Extreme Makeover Home Edition. I am voting for him because though he is not perfect, he has set a very public example for two very good things; taking responsibility for his mistakes and he his compassion for the people he helps on his television show.

David G. Taylor
Anchorage, Alaska

I have to ask, with all the talk of global warming, the fact that the Gulf of Mexico is warming and will continue to warm… Is it really the smartest move to try and rebuild New Orleans? Even with leeves, how much sense does it really make to keep tempting Mother Nature to fill the bowl that New Orleans actually is?

Vanessa

The Big Easy is the first world not the third. Shame on the Federal Government. Whole regions of coastal Bangladesh face being submerged permanently as a result of global warming in the next few decades. The greatest living American? Its a tie between Tom Cruise and Denzil Washington.

Shakhoor.

Grace Lee Boggs is the greatest living American. She has been a dedicated fighter against imperialism, capitalism, and racism for over 50 years.

Michael, Detroit

One of the brothers who leads the mosque, Abdul Rashid Gazi, has been killed. He was a guest on WHYS in April.

IS THE US 'SURGE' IN IRAQ WORKING?
US Senate Majority leader Harry Reid, a Democrat, says President Bush's troop "surge" strategy is not working. He'll be supporting amendments to the annual military budget that, if passed, will add pressure on Mr Bush to start pulling troops out of Iraq. Is that what you would like to happen?
The BBC World Service has been monitoring the surge's effects, week by week, by looking at military casualty figures, the pressure on hospitals and quality of life for ordinary civilians. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/middle_east/2007/iraq_surge/default.stm

DO YOU TRUST CHINESE GOODS?
Zheng Xiaoyu was China's State Food and Drug Administration. Now he is dead after being executed for corruption that the authorities argued led to low quality medicines which in turn killed a number of people.

This isn't the first example of sub-standard Chinese products. We've had contaminated toothpaste, Melamine in wheat gluten exports (and headed for pet foods), cancer-causing dye in chicken eggs and some partially cooked snails that caused meningitis.

Of course, there are millions of other products from China that are pefectly safe. We asked, do you trust Chinese products?

All the best,

WANT ME TO EMAIL YOU WITH OUR TALKING POINTS EVERY DAY? If you do, sign up to the WHYS Daily Email.

Speak to you later.

Also tonight we're talking about Tony Blair: Can he make a difference in the Middle East.

We're off air now - you can comment on the blog below.

Aboriginal ban
Australia's PM John Howard says he will ban the "Sale, possession and consumption of alcohol across the Northern Territory." This is to stop the widespread abuse of children by the aboriginal community. The ban also applies to pornography. Is this a rationale response or do you feel this is ethnic sterotyping?

Salman Rushdie
Ambassadors are being summoned and the odd flag has been burnt but thankfully it's still reasonably peaceful . . . some people are still angry that Salman Rushdie received a knighthood in the British honours system. British Home Secretary John Reid said: "“We have a set of values that accrues people honours for their contribution to literature even when they don’t agree with our point of view.” We touched on this topic earlier in the week . . . do you think it's worth revisiting?

Cologne's Mega Mosque
Citizens in Cologne are unhappy with a Germany's biggest mosque being built in the city which is home to the country's most famous cathedral.

Talkin' Thompson
In a big interview with a British newspaper the American lawyer and well-known actor, Fred Thompson, gives his biggest hint yet he'll run for the Republican nomination. An American actor as president . . . . sounds familiar? Do you think he can do it?

A song for Hillary
Celine Dion's 'You and I' wins Hillary's song contest. Are you happy with it? One critic says of the song: "Dion dispenses a joyful romp from the mic, sounding fresh and fully at ease, and she riffs just enough to stamp the song with a telltale trademark or two." Will the Celine magic rub off onto Hillary?

Dikembe Mutombo
The 40-year-old big man of NBA has been inducted into the sports humanitarian hall of fame. As a Congolese Bantu he speaks out on African issues a lot and works with the Basketball Without Borders initiative especially in the USA. Do you think more sports stars should be doing the same?

Dr Ghada Karmi - Lecturer at the Institute of Arab and Islamic studies department at Exeter University.

Prof Colin Green - Professor of Surgical Science at University of London.

Zina Jardanih - Palestine Solidarity Campaign,

Alan Derschowitz - from Harvard

Jonathan Freedland - Journalist and Broadcaster

Rory Cellan Jones - NUJ member and BBC Journalist.