Comments on: Act now for Darfur

By: annegb

annegb — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 05:27:30 +0000

lol, not following? I don’t think we’re responsible for perpetrating atrocities in either country. But it seems hypocritical to say “we had to go into Iraq to rid the world of an evil dictator” thus hopefully ending or mitigating the atrocities there, when we are not willing to do it in other countries.

Let me try to rephrase: America should act in Africa, the same way it’s acting in Iraq. We’re just as responsible to help. Or not. We should just have some parity–150 Billion in Iraq? And 530 million in Africa?

By: john f.

john f. — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 03:27:46 +0000

anne, what do you mean? Are you saying that America is not at all at fault for the atrocities in Darfur? Or are you saying that America is responsible both for the atrocities in pre-war Iraq and in present Darfur?

By: annegb

annegb — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 02:47:36 +0000

America is as responsible for the atrocities in Darfur as we were for the atrocities in Iraq.

I’m not complaining about the money spent on Iraq, I want every possible thing backing up our soldiers there.

But it bothers me how we pick and choose our battles and ignore one country and focus on another.

By: john f.

john f. — Tue, 28 Feb 2006 18:20:39 +0000

I was referring to America’s vote on the U.N. Security Council, that is.

By: john f.

john f. — Tue, 28 Feb 2006 18:20:05 +0000

But what is America’s role in those suggestions? Why should America be receiving criticism here? Aside from its vote on the U.N. Security Council for the sanctions and no-fly zone, it sounds like these measures are things that need to be undertaken locally. Let’s criticize Africa and Arab countries for inaction over Darfur. If there is reluctance to do this, we need to ask ourselves the uncomfortable question of why. What is it about our current political climate and culture that prevents us from condemning where condemnation is due?

By: Ronan

Ronan — Tue, 28 Feb 2006 17:49:00 +0000

Kristof’s proposals:

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.

None of that sounds pie-in-the-sky and it is all within our reach.