STOP THIS GENOCIDE!

[julialnyc]

snipped.....
So what can stop this genocide? At one level the answer is technical: sanctions against Sudan, a no-fly zone, a freeze of Sudanese officials' assets, prosecution of the killers by the International Criminal Court, a team effort by African and Arab countries to pressure Sudan, and an international force of African troops with financing and logistical support from the West.

But that's the narrow answer. What will really stop this genocide is indignation. Senator Paul Simon, who died in 2003, said after the Rwandan genocide, "If every member of the House and Senate had received 100 letters from people back home saying we have to do something about Rwanda, when the crisis was first developing, then I think the response would have been different."

The same is true this time. Web sites like www.darfurgenocide.org and www.savedarfur.org are trying to galvanize Americans, but the response has been pathetic.

I'm sorry for inflicting these horrific photos on you. But the real obscenity isn't in printing pictures of dead babies - it's in our passivity, which allows these people to be slaughtered.

During past genocides against Armenians, Jews and Cambodians, it was possible to claim that we didn't fully know what was going on. This time, President Bush, Congress and the European Parliament have already declared genocide to be under way. And we have photos.

This time, we have no excuse.


E-mail: [e-mail]

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/23/opinion/...html?oref=login

[Zuni]

1. It is sickening

mass killing has been going on for along time in Sudan, as well as human slavery.
I am sure the CIA has plenty of evidence of Sudan's terror ties as well.

No one has done anything about Sudan for years---I have known about the ghastly mass killings and forced bondage for a long time before the recent crisis in Darfur became well known.

A writer for the Baltimore Sun was actually able to purchase a slave there!

[Jack Rabbit]

2. More discussion in Editorials/Other Articles

Please click here.

[julialnyc]

3. I'm writing the people who have elections on their mind

I'm going to write all of the people in the senate who look like they want to run in 08'. I know they care about public opinion.

I'm writing Hillary, Kerry, Biden, McCain, ect....
Same with the people up for senate 06'

[Zuni]

4. I'll join you

Unlike on many other issues, this is a clear case of right/wrong and any nation that refuses to aid the victims is aiding the killers

[julialnyc]

5. I saw Hotel Rwanda about a month ago

and left not only really disturbed by the film (it doesn't matter how much you know about Rwanda, when you see a portrayal of the events it is unbearable), but by what is going on, and how even though we have the history of Rwanda we do nothing.

How can any President claim to be very religious and let this slaughter of people happen.........just because the land is not desirable to them.

[julialnyc]

6. Should we pick a number of people to write

If all it would take would be 100 or so letters to a senator to make a difference why don't we pick certain people to all write so that they get volumes of mail. What do you think? How many? I'll start a list
1. Hillary Clinton
2. John McCain
3. John Kerry
4. Joe Biden
5. Evan Bayh
6. Chuck Hagel
7. Barbra Boxer (she's got the guts)
8. Barack Obama (he needs to prove himself.....plus he has stated large concern over Africa)
9. Harry Reid
10. Lincoln Chaffe

How is that? I tried to make it bi-partisan.
Can anyone suggest another 10 that would be effective.....and we could all try to write 20 letters.

[julialnyc]

7. 2 more

11. Russ Feingold
12. Lindsay Graham

[Issabella]

18. I will write

Dodd and Leiberman (blah) too as they are my senators

[julialnyc]

22. Hell

I'll even send Joementum a letter

[julialnyc]

8. any more thoughts anyone?

[julialnyc]

9. kick

[julialnyc]

10. kick again

[julialnyc]

11. is anyone else writing?

[julialnyc]

12. We must help!

Sudan needs some big time protection. It is not only America who is being terrible to these people. The UN is sitting down for ages arguing on wording (genocide....or crimes tantamount to genocide, or.........) while these people are being butchered, raped and disfigured. It is common to leave corpses in in horrible sexual positions with objects inserted in them. How can we step into countries saying that we know that they want freedom, when a helpless group of 100's of thousands of people are being murdered. These people need protection even more than food. We must put troops on the ground......the whole world should, but if they won't we must set the example and do it first.

[ConcernedDemocrat]

13. This is horrible :(

[julialnyc]

14. kick again

[julialnyc]

15. My letter

Dear Senator X,
I am writing you with great concern over the genocide going on in Sudan. Yes, it is genocide, and I cannot live with myself if I do nothing while this goes on. While the world bickers over what term we should be using hundreds of thousands of people are being brutally raped and murdered. While we argue over where the courts should try these criminals, more lives are unnecessarily lost. No matter what anyone wants to call it right now, I can assure you that history will look back at these events and call it genocide. You have a the opportunity with your voice to help Sudan become a place where history will judge the US as doing the right thing rather than another US regret (like Rwanda). Please look at the pictures of this suffering. Please imagine that one of these children were your own. I know the US is not alone in its lack of action in Sudan, but if no one else will help, we must set the example of answering an inarguable cry for help. This is the only right thing to do.
Thank you,
Julia


(I put my letters in the mail rather than emailing them)

[Issabella]

16. Great letter

I'm working on mine now

[julialnyc]

17. Thanks

[Issabella]

19. If anyone hasn't read this article they should

[Issabella]

20. my letter

Dear Senator,
I am utterly devastated when I read the news coming out of Sudan. Mind you, I have to look for the news as most of the media has largely ignored the heart breaking stories of bloodshed. It feels like deja vu of history in Africa. The media is ignoring Darfur, the UN is arguing whether we call the massacres genocide or not, the US is uncomfortable with the taking action with our troops on active duty…sound familiar. We are watching Rwanda happen all over again and sit silently AGAIN. Please reach into your heart and let you voice be heard that something must be done. I am doing all that I know to do…begging you to please speak up and take actions against this genocide!

[julialnyc]

21. Lovely letter Issabella

[julialnyc]

23. is anyone else writing?

[julialnyc]

24. kick again

[julialnyc]

25. links

www.darfurgenocide.org
www.savedarfur.org

[julialnyc]

26. please write (and post if you have)