Friday, June 03, 2005

Hotel Darfur?

As I pack for our weekend in Lübeck, there is a lot of disconnect as I think about the news I just read concerning the genocide in Darfur.

"Breaking nearly six months of silence on the issue, U.S. President George W. Bush reaffirmed Wednesday his belief that "genocide" is taking place in Darfur, Sudan, but gave no indication that his administration is prepared to pursue aggressive efforts to stop it [emphasis mine]."

In another article, "Not since the Rwanda genocide of 1994 has the world seen such a calculated campaign of slaughter, rape, starvation and displacement. Government-backed militias, known collectively as the Janjaweed, are systematically eliminating entire communities of African tribal farmers."

"The United States and the international community have done virtually nothing to stop this death and destruction -- arguing about the viability of sanctions and resolutions against the Khartoum government, debating the definition of genocide, and deliberating over the appropriate level of intervention while the killers continue their methodical work."

I'm sorry but SIX MONTHS OF SILENCE from our president doesn't cut it! There are times I'm so ashamed/embarrassed of America I feel angry and helpless.

Hotel Rwanda made both of us sob when we saw it at the beginning of the year. DID WE NOT LEARN ANYTHING?! Can we help Don Cheadle and Paul Rusesabagina stop the carnage?

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