Genocide In Sudan
Here's an issue that's neither left nor right; simply humanitarian. We must do something about the terrible continuing genocide in Sudan -- the systematic killing of the black Sudanese of Darfur by Arab militias. According to the "clock" on a Web site about the killings (linked below), there have been over 300,000 people murdered since December 11 (I'm assuming this is December 11, 2003; it doesn't say):
Over a million people, driven from their homes, now face death from starvation and disease as the Government and militias attempt to prevent humanitarian aid from reaching them. The same forces have destroyed the people of Darfur's villages and crops, and poisoned their water supplies, and they continue to murder, rape and terrorize....The situation in Darfur is dire. The choice we face simple. Act now to help save lives and stop the genocide, or watch as another chapter of injustice, cruelty and tragedy gets added to human history. Let’s learn the bloody lessons of Rwanda, the Holocaust, and Armenia. Lets make sure that 2005 is not a year that we remember and regret.
The quote above is from darfurgenocide.org, which details some of what can be done, including an email form you can fill out to beg President Bush to do something. Here's a statement by Kristen Geary, a UNICEF child protection officer in North Darfur.
It's time to put the heat on our government to put the heat on the government of Sudan. No, we won't get any oil out of the deal. Oh, I forgot...it was a humanitarian gesture that sent us in after Saddam. Well, whatever our excuse was for taking on the role of nation building and international policeman, we have no excuse -- short of utter inhumanity -- for not going in to take out the murderers in Sudan.
Wutarwee, the world's policeman alla the sudden?
(Snicker)
Crid at April 18, 2005 9:10 AM
If we're policing one 'hood, we may as well police them all.
Amy Alkon at April 18, 2005 9:41 AM
Why Mizz Alkon... Are you saying you're in? After two years, you're finally on board with our invasion of Iraq?
(A wag once said we'll know the invasion is a success when people try to claim credit)
Crid at April 18, 2005 12:08 PM
I've resigned myself to the fact that our "no nation building" president is very much in the business of national building. After we resolve serious crises in Sudan and the Middle East, I think we should get to work on helping Lichtenstein become more of a presence in the world.
Amy Alkon at April 18, 2005 12:21 PM
I don't see how it was ever worse to live in Iraq than it is today in Sudan. Though Clinton didn't see this coming even after Manute Bol warned him. Check your back issues of newsweek for a real weird story about arab militae slaughtering and stealing his sheep. I regrettably threw mine out.
Little ted at April 19, 2005 1:49 AM
But, but, but... Sudan is our friend! They offered to turn Osama bin Laden over to us during the Clinton administration. We have the word of that nice Mansoor Ijaz, the investment banker with a huge stake in Sudanese oil and self-appointed diplomat. And he told us that if we just lifted our trade sanctions with Sudan, they'd turn over Osama bin Laden right to us.
I mean, sheesh... Just because Sudan is the world leader in slavery, and provides haven to terrorists from Hezbollah to al Qaeda and is genocidal, we don't have to boycott the whole nation, do we???
Patrick at April 19, 2005 4:54 AM
The Goddess writes:
You know there's one thing I've always thought was peculiar, ever since I learned about geography is second grade. It's always bothered me that Lesotho is surrounded completely by South Africa. I mean, that's gotta suck for them. "Thinking about leaving the nation? Better get South Africa's permission, regardless of the direction you're going."
So, what we should do is just invade South Africa, seize an area as long as Lesotho to Durban and as wide as a two lane highway, and give it to Lesotho. Think of how happy that would make them. Landlocked and nationlocked no more! Actually, no. Scratch Durban. Let's give them Port Elizabeth. No, wait. Let's detour this strip through Kimberly. Those diamonds they can pick up will really help their economy! So, from Maseru to Kimberly to Port Elizabeth. Should cost us a few trillion a year to maintain, but what the hell? Since the Bush tax cuts, we've got revenue to spare, right?
Nice to see that an idea that I formulated in second grade will finally reach fruition. I'm going to write to Bush right now.
Patrick at April 19, 2005 5:09 AM
the monarchy of lesotho is corrupt and [people should tryu and oust iot
sdfjksdfklsdfjk at January 1, 2006 8:25 AM
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