Holliewood, your first statement is correct - the UN is a mess because we have all the power but there are hundreds of voices screaming to be heard so no consensus can ever be made. I guess I don't know why there is UN when the Security Council can veto anything - but thats just me. Its just like Iran, why have a president if the Aytola can veto him whenever he wants?
And you're right, government shouldn't be able to slaughter their people whole sale - but perhaps some of the European nations who always complain about Sudan do something about (Thier troops aren't doing anything else.). Just like notsojoey said...he was right on the money...as usual.
I think pretty much everyone here can agree that the UN is pretty useless, but unfortunately, they are the ones who have the most power to do something about this situation. The US pretty much has just as much power, but thats because we practically run the UN, along with the UK. The problem with the UN is that you get representatives from all the nations, which means that its going to be hard for anyone to agree on anything, especially if its controversial (which almost every political matter is)
...anyway, I don't think the US should have to claim responsibility for this, but I wouldn't be surprised if we did. And we would probably get flack for it because of the reoccurring argument that soandso is a sovereign nation. Well, when this many people are dying and the government of this so-called sovereign nation isn't doing a goddamn thing, what the fuck is the rest of the world going to do? Just sit back and watch the show? This is ridiculous. A government shouldn't be able to do whatever the hell it wants to its people just because its sovereign. Think about it... just do some research about the corruption of these countries' governments. Any freakin psychopath could start controlling a nation if they knew how to get into the system. I think everyone should know that by now. Its not about whether this nation is sovereign, its about whether or not whats going on is fair and right to these people. And those who have the power to do something also have an obligation to do it. If the law is holding us back, then maybe we should put a little more thought into it.
Where is your precious UN? Where are they. You know, the organization that we are supposed to ask permission from before we protect ourselves (because they are all-knowing, and all-seeing, and they know how to solve ALL of the world's problems).
That is a pathetic excuse. If we're already in debt for fighting a war more than half the world (and our own country) doesn't believe we should be fighting, why shouldn't we be humanitarian?
Where is your precious UN? Where are they. You know, the organization that we are supposed to ask permission from before we protect ourselves (because they are all-knowing, and all-seeing, and they know how to solve ALL of the world's problems).
You don't think we should be fighting the war on TERROR. That is an absurd statement and belief. Also it is one that the country DOES NOT agree with. People want to fight the war on terror.
But right now our resources are spent fighting the war on terrorism.
That is a pathetic excuse. If we're already in debt for fighting a war more than half the world (and our own country) doesn't believe we should be fighting, why shouldn't we be humanitarian?
I agree - we should do something abotu Darfur. But right now our resources are spent fighting the war on terrorism. Why don't the European countires do something in Darfur? Or do they only like to take ques from the UN?
I would do it but I just don't see how that would help... maybe a bunch of enraged people should just storm the fucking UN and make a god damn point. I hate this rally shit, it just doesn't get much done. Sorry, no offence, people can do what they want, but I'd rather someone just storm in there and make a fucking point to all those political pussies who can't possibly imagine what it would be like to be running away from rapists and murderers every day of their lives. I'm sick of all the goddamn cowards in this world and I'm sick of seeing injustice thrive like this, as if sitting around discussing it is the best option they can possibly come up with. That includes the Sudanese government, whatever fucking side they are on. And if my swearing is pissing anyone off, I dont give a shit and you can just deal with it. Is there even anyone on here that doesn't have their head stuck far up their asses anyway? I don't know, I just know that there are plenty of uptight freaks on here since I've come back. Whatever, people can be tools if they want, but I miss talking to human beings on here. They come around sometimes, but not very often, which I completely understand. But anyway, nothing against anyone on this board. Youthvoice has put alot of care into this issue and for that I think thats awesome but I haven't seen much more than that. So I am slightly disappointed, but what the hell? People can talk about what they ate for breakfast this morning or what color their pee was today for all I care, but last I checked this was a site that tried to show how much the youth care about issues in this world. I'd rather leave the petty shit to either myspace or some kind of journal. So we've still got issues like this that seem to be overwhelming, but I sure as hell think this is more important to talk about than what kind of marshmallows I found in my lucky charms today.This site used to be so much more active. More people, no matter how they decided to type or talk would give their opinions on issues and people would respond with their own opinions. It was pretty good, no clique-like posse clogging the system. Whoo, I guess everything changes, it'd be nice if this place changed again, for the better. I'm gettin tired of the bitching and the lack of individuality. Ah, peace out.
I actually really wanted to go to NYC last sunday for the Darfur rally but it didn't happen ...I did go to our school's night mass that was to raise awareness for this. It wasn't really that impressive though, they only talked a little bit about it and then let people sign their names on postcards to be sent to Bush to call for action. Which only pissed me off b/c all I heard were people around me saying "I wish I could write to him and say how much of a douchebag he is...." Humanity is so disappointing
Well, I never like saying things like "theres nothing we can do" because that is such a defeatist attitude. This is a really difficult situation that the useless UN has been having a hard time accepting responsibility for. But like I said before, the public's awareness of what's going on is an important thing in and of itself. It has gained more attention over the years, but not nearly enough. Considering this has been going on for about 4 years now is just sick. All I encourage is that more people start talking about this and writing to government. We need a bigger push and more pressure to get something done.
Originally posted by Saturnmoth007: The only way you will get anything done in darfur is either military force or a global boycott of the sudan. The charity money we raise will DO NOTHING, because it simply goes over there and gets trickled down through power pyramids.
How so? Peace keeping missions do help but not when there are too few because of funding shortfalls. Critical mass is imperative and without funds there can be no critical mass.
The only way you will get anything done in darfur is either military force or a global boycott of the sudan. The charity money we raise will DO NOTHING, because it simply goes over there and gets trickled down through power pyramids.
Strange how people encourage us to stop the genocide in darfur in africa, yet the wrongdoings in Iraq that were put to an end when the US invaded seem to go unnoticed.
Ok, I thought it was about time for another update. I've been waiting to hear some good news, but unfortunately, things have only been getting worse. And this is since the peace deal. So obviously, these cease fire/peace operations are completely useless.
quote:
Little Peace Seen in Darfur After Accord - 8/09/2006 Associated Press
A peace deal that was supposed to end the conflict in Sudan's war-ravaged Darfur region has brought anything but peace, with fresh fighting displacing 50,000 more people and July marking the deadliest month for aid workers since the conflict began. Spiraling violence is already causing a rise in malnutrition and the spread of disease in some displaced persons camps, the groups said. Eight Sudanese humanitarian workers were killed last month along with countless civilians, part of increasing violence since a May 5 peace deal was signed in Nigeria between the government and the main rebel group. The deal was supposed to help end the conflict but has instead sparked months of fighting between rival rebel factions.
Aid groups, the United Nations and beleaguered African Union peacekeepers say rebel factions are seeking to gain advantage before peace upsets a status quo in a region where more than 200,000 people have been killed since 2003 when ethnic African tribes revolted against the Arab-led Khartoum government.
Fresh clashes have left countless dead in the last two months and displaced nearly 50,000 more people in addition to the more than 2 million who had already fled their homes. One million people also rely on food aid because their fields have been razed or they're too afraid to go out to farm.
This is also an interesting quote from the president of Sudan, Omer al-Bashir: "We shall never hand Darfur over to international forces which will never enjoy being in the region that will become their graveyard."
...be happy you were not born an African Muslim in Darfur.
sorry to sound so harsh but I'm still in doubt that you have done nearly any research, or maybe you are misunderstanding what the reality of the situation is.
First of all, your whole "opinion" just doesn't make any sense. By saying Darfur needs to figure itself out, who exactly do you mean? the people in that region....? The government of Sudan (the country that Darfur is in) are the ones oppressing its own people. They have been financing the group Janjaweed to kill off black Muslims and the rebel groups who are fighting against this gov't for good reason. This has been going on for over 3 years. It is already a war. But it is a war in that the government is killing its own people. Do you really think this issue is just going to get "figured" out? There is nobody to fight for these people except the rebel groups that have been formed in Darfur. When a government is allowing a genocide to go on, that is when it becomes an international responsibility.
That is a very ignorant and not well thought out statement. I'm not even going to bother to explain. I'll just leave it up to you to do a little research and find out why you are totally and completely wrong.
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...I did go to our school's night mass that was to raise awareness for this. It wasn't really that impressive though, they only talked a little bit about it and then let people sign their names on postcards to be sent to Bush to call for action. Which only pissed me off b/c all I heard were people around me saying "I wish I could write to him and say how much of a douchebag he is...." Humanity is so disappointing 
