Bush ignores Sudan's genocide

[kmack]

**** this shit.

It's no secret history repeats itself. Anyone who has ever sat through a history class knows that. We're supposed to look back at the chronicles of our existence and identify patterns in hopes of averting future crisis and suffering. But sometimes, when we're not in the safety of a classroom, where hindsight is always 20/20, we tend to forget these lessons.

Take for example the Rwandan genocide of 1993, which we've been studying in my international conflict class. Strife between the Hutu majority and the Tutsi minority led to the assassination of the nation's Hutu president.

Whether the assassination was the work of Tutsis or hardliner Hutus who were frustrated with their president's willingness to compromise, it led to the formation of militia death squads, sponsored by the Hutu-dominated government.

Tutsis, and those deemed sympathetic to them, were slaughtered with small arms and machetes. First, the United Nations was unable to identify an aggressor and attempted to enter the conflict while remaining impartial, even though it was by then quite obviously the Hutus who were initiating the slaughter.

Then, when things got bad enough, the United Nations began to rally support for an enforcement action to establish safe zones for civilians. While it looked good on paper, the mandate lacked the necessary soldiers to back it up.

For America's part, following the death of U.S. soldiers in Somalia, the Clinton administration was hesitant to commit troops. Over the course of three months, 800,000 Rwandans were killed. Finally, a U.N.-sponsored but French-led force stepped in and stabilized Rwanda. While the French might have liked to feign humanitarian concern, in reality their action was in response to a Tutsi overthrow of the Hutu government - the French had a history of supporting Hutu interests.

So in the end, it took a western nation having an interest in the conflict itself to get involved. Saving African lives was a peripheral concern in the whole scheme of things.

And now there is Sudan, where Muslim extremist groups sponsored by the Sudanese government have slaughtered more than 400,000 Africans in the western Darfur province, according to reports by Africa News Service. Genocidal history seems to be rolling back to the beginning.

Lt. Gen. Romeo Dallaire, commander of the U.N. peacekeeping force in Rwanda who was given a mandate back in 1993 without the soldiers to enforce it, said in his book "Shake Hands With the Devil" he could have established safe zones for civilians with 5,500 well-trained soldiers. And Rwanda was a relatively abrupt, explosive conflict. Sudan has festered for years and could have been addressed several times over by now.

But with his rhetoric-filled and actionless response to the genocide in Sudan, President Bush is proving that America hasn't developed its commitment to humanitarianism in Africa at all.

Speaking out in his trademark strong, direct language during the first State of the Union Address of his second term, Bush referred to the Sudanese crisis as genocide immediately. But other than that and the agreement to commit monetary aid, the Bush administration has done very little.

Sudan was never included in the list of priorities for Bush's second term. The recent U.S. abstention from voting on sending Sudanese war criminals to the International Criminal Court - rather than vetoing it in opposition to the establishment of an international court in the first place - was touted as a victory.

It was one of the only recent developments in Sudanese matters that could be found in CNN reports - reports that shed light on an incident in which America was praised for doing nothing. And there has been no push to contribute troops or to encourage other nations to do so.

True, the U.S. military is thinly spread over other pressing conflicts. But if Bush is really the champion of democracy and humanitarianism, as his post-Iraq invasion reputation suggests, why hasn't he at least leveled some grand challenge to the international community to do something?

Even if we are unable to commit troops, there is no question that U.S. clout can sway the focus of the international community, whether through broad appeal or simple coercion (the latter being Bush's main strength).

And regardless of whether or not the international community would cooperate, Bush has not even made an attempt to exert any influence - something that would have been unheard of if we were talking about Iraq.

Just as the diplomatic Clinton, whom conservatives often accuse of appeasement, turned away from the Rwandans, so too has the confrontational Bush from the Sudanese.

Bush's hesitation to back his rhetoric with real action proves it doesn't matter if the president is a playboy or a cowboy. America will never really lend its support to humanitarian military efforts unless there is some underlying interest involved.

While we bring democracy to Iraq as a manufactured priority in the war on terror, the Sudanese people face violence just as bad, if not worse, than anything Saddam Hussein ever dished out in the late 80s. For George W. Bush, hypocrisy is bliss. I'm not even going to try and talk about ignorance.

did we learn anything from Rwanda?

The death toll will soon reach 200,000.

and all you pathetic flag waving tools who say the US is amazing and owns the UN and the UN does nothing, guess who is in Sudan? fighting a good, and just war, the us? no, we are pursuing our interests in a war fueled by the lies of our president (wmds) while real dangers to not just democracy and freedom, BUT HUMANITY are taking place.

Eventually, 10,000 UN peacekeepers from China, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Zambia, Egypt, India, Bangladesh and some Western nations will be deployed to help reinforce a peace deal that has ended more than 20 years of conflict. there are already australians there. Thank God for all of THEM.

 

[GiaOmerta]

Don't worry they're next on the hit parade.

 

[DEATH eVADER]

Don't worry they're next on the hit parade.

Say what? :O

 

[CptStern]

Don't worry they're next on the hit parade.

if the US allocated even 10% of the forces in iraq it would make a big difference .....hey the sudan has oil too, what are you guys waiting for? too many hands in the cookie jar as it is?

 

[kmack]

Don't worry they're next on the hit parade.

do you have a source behind that bullshit? or are you just saying stupid stuff for fun?

hit parade? :x

 

[Direwolf]

This isn't Bush, or even American dropping the ball on this one. It's the whole world. Pointing fingers at a specific person like this is stupid when it comes to such widespread fault.

And its also not exactly a recent devlopment. Stuff like this gets passed over all the time.

 

[kmack]

This isn't Bush, or even American dropping the ball on this one. It's the whole world. Pointing fingers at a specific person like this is stupid when it comes to such widespread fault.

And its also not exactly a recent devlopment. Stuff like this gets passed over all the time.

no. that is not entirely true.

Right now an initial australia force is there.
Eventually, 10,000 UN peacekeepers from China, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Zambia, Egypt, India, Bangladesh and some Western nations will be deployed to help reinforce a peace deal that has ended more than 20 years of conflict. Thank God for all of THEM.

 

[$kelet0r]

The UN can't do anything without US approval - it pays for just under 1/4 of the UN
and the US has shown little interest in the events in Sudan buying time with reports and resolutions and vague warnings

 

[kmack]

The UN can't do anything without US approval - it pays for just under 1/4 of the UN

And the US can't do anything without UN approval (but we did, to get those fictional WMD's).
And the UN is doing it now, an initial australian force is already there, and 10,000 more UN troops are gonna move in. For 200,000 people is was too late.

and the US has shown little interest in the events in Sudan buying time with reports and resolutions and vague warnings

its sad really. maybe if Bush lied about Sudan having WMDs we'd be there, but probably not, they dont have enough oil :dozey:

 

[GiaOmerta]

do you have a source behind that bullshit? or are you just saying stupid stuff for fun?

hit parade?

I got the phrase from my animation/biotechnology professor. Top 9th teacher in the US. Guy is brilliant. He used to be an engineer. I stress again, he is very brilliant, we disagree politically, but hey what can you do?

Do you have a source behind your bullshit?

 

[kmack]

I got the phrase from my animation/biotechnology professor. Top 9th teacher in the US. Guy is brilliant. He used to be an engineer. I stress again, he is very brilliant, we disagree politically, but hey what can you do?

Do you have a source behind your bullshit?

riiiight, so your justification for the hit parade is some guy who has no control on who is next on a hit parade. good job.

what bullshit would that be? There is a source on my first post.

 

[gh0st]

No one cares about Sudan. Especially not the UN. We've tried the whole African intervention thing, any spirit of giving we had towards central african nations was wiped away when we saw pictures of our soldiers being dragged through the streets.

 

[jondy]

No one cares about Sudan. Especially not the UN.

Never mind it's the biggest humanitarian crisis since... nevermind

 

[Direwolf]

no. that is not entirely true.

Right now an initial australia force is there.
Eventually, 10,000 UN peacekeepers from China, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Zambia, Egypt, India, Bangladesh and some Western nations will be deployed to help reinforce a peace deal that has ended more than 20 years of conflict. Thank God for all of THEM.

I stand by what I said. Pretty much no one stepped to the plate when Sudan needed them most. I'm not saying that I expected them to, but its just all caught up in international politics.

 

[operative x]

Jesus, where already in a war to free people as is, we can only do so much. I dont see you doing anything, why dont you fly your ass down there and volunteer to fight.

 

[kmack]

No one cares about Sudan. Especially not the UN.

bullshit.

if you said especially the US i would have agreed.

the un is about the only people who do care (besides the red cross). as i said before and as was outlined in my article, there is already an initial australian force landed in souther sudan and eventually, 10,000 UN peacekeepers from China, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Zambia, Egypt, India, Bangladesh and some Western nations .

. We've tried the whole African intervention thing, any spirit of giving we had towards central african nations was wiped away when we saw pictures of our soldiers being dragged through the streets.

and yet we are in Iraq where civilians are being beheaded on videotape. dont pretend fear of being killed is what is stopping us.

Jesus, where already in a war to free people as is, we can only do so much. I dont see you doing anything, why dont you fly your ass down there and volunteer to fight.

i leave June 11th.

 

[gh0st]

bullshit.

if you said especially the US i would have agreed.

Of course you would, because every utterance from your gaping maw is complete bullshit.

the un is about the only people who do care (besides the red cross). as i said before and as was outlined in my article, there is already an initial australian force landed in souther sudan and eventually, 10,000 UN peacekeepers from China, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Zambia, Egypt, India, Bangladesh and some Western nations .

Wow, took them how many years? They wont do shit anyway, they will do exactly what they did in Rwanda - run the **** away.

and yet we are in Iraq where civilians are being beheaded on videotape. dont pretend fear of being killed is what is stopping us.

Ok, let me rephrase: I dont give a shit about Sudan.

i leave June 11th.

Hopefully you will be one of the people on the 6 o'clock Al Jazeera news.

 

[kmack]

Of course you would, because every utterance from your gaping maw is complete bullshit.

the pot calls the kettle black...

Wow, took them how many years? They wont do shit anyway, they will do exactly what they did in Rwanda - run the **** away.

france stopped it (with tutsi rebels) though they did start it, they did more than the us.

Ok, let me rephrase: I dont give a shit about Sudan.

of course you dont, you are a rich white teeny bopper. thing is, we need more people to give a shit. how you can go flipshit defending the war in iraq and turn a blind eye to this is just sad, but not unexpected

Hopefully you will be one of the people on the 6 o'clock Al Jazeera news.

ill be fine in sudan, im not worried about al queda. (more worried about disease). ty though.

 

[gh0st]

france stopped it (with tutsi rebels) though they did start it, they did more than the us.

Refresh my history a little bit. How exactly did the french "start" the conflict in the Rwanda? You mean Belgium, not france, asshole. France couldnt hold Americas jock strap. Rwanda was their territory. And no, france didnt stop it. Nobody did. It burned itself out after they were through massacring each other like they always do. Recently some Rwandans sued french troops for ASSISTING the genocide. (source) Its reuters; the site is moved, but the cache still works.

of course you dont, you are a rich white teeny bopper. thing is, we need more people to give a shit. how you can go flipshit defending the war in iraq and turn a blind eye to this is just sad, but not unexpected

Who turned a blind eye? I acknowledge its happening, its a waste of US resources to assist. Why you think its our responsibility to help these people out is beyond me. Its the UN's job to have a spine and prevent things like happening. Yeah... I'm a middle class white person. So ****ing what. Thank god I'm not a white trash hypocrite piece of shit. I dont defend the war in iraq. I'm saying you idiots cant prove that bush purposely lied about it. All you can say is what some half ass idiot said he did, which wouldent fly in court and it wont fly here.

 

[GiaOmerta]

riiiight, so your justification for the hit parade is some guy who has no control on who is next on a hit parade. good job.

I was stating he came up with the phrase. His political opinions have nothing to do with what I said originally. He's a leftie and that's fine.
He isn't 'some guy' either.

http://disney.go.com/disneyhand/learning/teacherawards/honorees5.html
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2004-04-25-boucher-usat_x.htm
http://www.laughingplace.com/News-ID10020440.asp?Headline=1&Date=4/17/2005&Section=
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2003-10-15-teacher-main-usat_x.htm
http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/education/teacherpopup/ri.html

 

[kmack]

Refresh my history a little bit. How exactly did the french "start" the conflict in the Rwanda? You mean Belgium, not france, asshole. France couldnt hold Americas jock strap. Rwanda was their territory. And no, france didnt stop it. Nobody did. It burned itself out after they were through massacring each other like they always do. Recently some Rwandans sued french troops for ASSISTING the genocide. (source) Its reuters; the site is moved, but the cache still works.

im not going to tell you the whole story, but i will ask that you not post this nonsense as it is completely untrue.

Who turned a blind eye? I acknowledge its happening, its a waste of US resources to assist. Why you think its our responsibility to help these people out is beyond me. Its the UN's job to have a spine and prevent things like happening. Yeah... I'm a middle class white person. So ****ing what. Thank god I'm not a white trash hypocrite piece of shit. I dont defend the war in iraq. I'm saying you idiots cant prove that bush purposely lied about it. All you can say is what some half ass idiot said he did, which wouldent fly in court and it wont fly here.

from the guy with a hard on for the Iraq war

a lie is a lie.

 

[gh0st]

im not going to tell you the whole story, but i will ask that you not post this nonsense as it is completely untrue.

By all means tell me whats untrue about whats posted.

from the guy with a hard on for the Iraq war

From a guy with a hard on for america bashing and complete hypocrisy. How does it feel to be a skidmark on the underpants of society?

 

[kmack]

From a guy with a hard on for america bashing and complete hypocrisy. How does it feel to be a skidmark on the underpants of society?

im from massachusetts, the smartest, fittest, most forward thinking state in the country. i personally am a physically fit, employed, college student. my views are of tolerance for everyone no matter race, gender, or sexual orientation. i respect a womans right to choose what to do with her body, i respect and encourage homosexuals to pursue happiness, i dont agree with a war founded on the myths of WMD's. america bashing? i love america, its where i live, i want nothing more than to see her prosper and grow. i am not a hypocrit. my views are based on my personal beliefs, i have no political orientation (i am an independent) and vote in local, and national elections. "skidmark on the underpants of society" is an unfounded accusation based purely on your own immaturity.

you have never cast a vote, yet you aregue politics? you have never paid your own taxes. you have never served in the military. if anything, you are the brown stain on the mattress of the world, and i certainly dont need to justify myself to a child (doesnt mean i wont =D )

:smoking:

By all means tell me whats untrue about whats posted.

everything.
http://www.hrw.org/reports/1999/rwanda/

you sit there as a 15 year old child, trying to justify this, its disgusting. you live a life of incomprehensible wealth to nearly every citizen of rwanda and sudan. it is people like you who are responsible for the lack of reaction to these events.

 

[gh0st]

im from massachusetts, the smartest, fittest, most forward thinking state in the country.

Your right, Massachusetts is a good state. I was born not too far from it. However, I would hesitate to call it any of the things youve just described.

i personally am a physically fit, employed, college student. my views are of tolerance for everyone no matter race, gender, or sexual orientation.

I too am a physically fit, employed, high school student in college. Your views of tolerance are anyone who doesnt live below the mason dixon line, and are completely in line with your views. Anyone else is completely wrong in every way with no possible chance of recourse. "tolerance" my ass.

i respect a womans right to choose what to do with her body, i respect and encourage homosexuals to pursue happiness, i dont agree with a war founded on the myths of WMD's.

No, no, yes.

america bashing? i love america, its where i live, i want nothing more than to see her prosper and grow.

Then dont hate your countrymen, its simple.

i am not a hypocrit. my views are based on my personal beliefs, i have no political orientation (i am an independent) and vote in local, and national elections. "skidmark on the underpants of society" is an unfounded accusation based purely on your own immaturity.

Well. Voting surely has everything to do with ones knowledge. Because I get ALL my information from a voters phamplet... dipshit. By your logic, since most of the people voted for somebody you hate, shouldnt voting actually make you more of a ****ing piece of shit than you already are?

you have never cast a vote, yet you aregue politics? you have never paid your own taxes. you have never served in the military. if anything, you are the brown stain on the mattress of the world, and i certainly dont need to justify myself to a child (doesnt mean i wont =D )

Haha. You cant even spell argue!

A child.. you are probably less than a year older than me you pompous sack of shit. I pay my own taxes. I wouldnt get in the gutter with you. I dont know why youre so insecure about yourself that you try to have to posture everytime you come here.

By the way nice link. Point out where I'm wrong, the burden of proof is on your ass.

 

[Polaris]

UN ignores Sudan's genocide...thats it!

 

[Lemonking]

No one cares about Sudan. Especially not the UN. We've tried the whole African intervention thing, any spirit of giving we had towards central african nations was wiped away when we saw pictures of our soldiers being dragged through the streets.

agreed
ur right this time ghost

 

[GiaOmerta]

im from massachusetts, the smartest, fittest, most forward thinking state in the country.

Mass ass huh? Got nothing on Rhode Island.

 

[kmack]

Your right, Massachusetts is a good state. I was born not too far from it. However, I would hesitate to call it any of the things youve just described.

guess what, it's the smartest (here's another source , second fittest (sizource), as for forward thinking, our legislation speaks for itself.

I too am a physically fit, employed, high school student in college. Your views of tolerance are anyone who doesnt live below the mason dixon line, and are completely in line with your views. Anyone else is completely wrong in every way with no possible chance of recourse. "tolerance" my ass.

a high school student in college? i dont get it.

Then dont hate your countrymen, its simple.

I dont HATE anyone, i disagree with them on their views of INtolerance.

Well. Voting surely has everything to do with ones knowledge. Because I get ALL my information from a voters phamplet... dipshit.

nothing better to do then read pamphlets? I get ALL my information from school, books, and the real world.

By your logic, since most of the people voted for somebody you hate, shouldnt voting actually make you more of a ****ing piece of shit than you already are?

thanks for calling me a "****ing piece of shit" after saying that I shouldnt hate my countrymen.

Haha. You cant even spell argue!

argue.

A child.. you are probably less than a year older than me you pompous sack of shit. I pay my own taxes. I wouldnt get in the gutter with you. I dont know why youre so insecure about yourself that you try to have to posture everytime you come here.

im a lot older than you in about every aspect of my existance, figuratively, physically, mentally, emotionally, etc. I am glad that you pay your own taxes though.

i dont think i understand the bold text.

By the way nice link. Point out where I'm wrong, the burden of proof is on your ass.

I'm afraid it is difficult to paraphrase a situation in which two sides funded by different government and with a complex heirarchy, as well as a new for of government, turn against each other and wage a massive campaign of genocide murdering 1 million innocent people. it is an extremely complex situation, im sorry i can't put it in "pamphlet " form (they place where you get "all your information). if you would like to expand your knowledge, i gave you the tool to help, remain ignorant if you must, but i will not take the time to summarize such a horrific conflict because someone is too lazy to find out about it themselves (and you wouldnt care about it anyways).

 

[The Monkey]

The UN is nothing without its members. It got no army of its own, how could it? Without the US' and the rich countries' support there won't be much help for Sudan.

 

[kmack]

The UN is nothing without its members. It got no army of its own, how could it? Without the US' and the rich countries' support there won't be much help for Sudan.

well they have the U.N.'s help right now (australia is already in there) and 10,000 more U.N. troops coming.

The U.S. is nowhere to be found.

 

[Bodacious]

my views are of tolerance for everyone no matter race, gender, or sexual orientation.

****ing Liar.

 

[kmack]

"my views are of tolerance for everyone no matter race, gender, or sexual orientation."

****ing Liar.

show me one instance when i have been intolerant to someone based on their race, gender or sexual orientation. ONE INSTANCE.

it disgusts me that you would call me a liar on something i feel so strongly about. i may be intolerant based on other factors, but so help me God, not those outlined in my initial statement.

I demand rectification for that attack on my character, it was a cowardly cheap shot.

 

[Foxtrot]

"my views are of tolerance for everyone no matter race, gender, or sexual orientation."



show me one instance when i have been intolerant to someone based on their race, gender or sexual orientation. ONE INSTANCE.

it disgusts me that you would call me a liar on something i feel so strongly about.

I demand rectification for that attack on my character, it was a cowardly cheap shot.

You can be tolerant on race, gender and sexual orientation but it doesn't make you any better than someone who isn't if you are just as intolerant to people for their religious beliefs, political orientation or the state they live in.

 

[Bodacious]

You can be tolerant on race, gender and sexual orientation but it doesn't make you any better than someone who isn't if you are just as intolerant to people for their religious beliefs, political orientation or the state they live in.

QFT

...

 

[kmack]

"my views are of tolerance for everyone no matter race, gender, or sexual orientation."

****ing Liar.

show me one instance when i have been intolerant to someone based on their race, gender or sexual orientation. ONE INSTANCE.

it disgusts me that you would call me a liar on something i feel so strongly about. i may be intolerant based on other factors, but so help me God, not those outlined in my initial statement.

I demand rectification for that attack on my character, it was a cowardly cheap shot.

the fact remains bodacious, i did not lie, and you called me a liar.

 

[Foxtrot]

"my views are of tolerance for everyone no matter race, gender, or sexual orientation."



show me one instance when i have been intolerant to someone based on their race, gender or sexual orientation. ONE INSTANCE.

it disgusts me that you would call me a liar on something i feel so strongly about. i may be intolerant based on other factors, but so help me God, not those outlined in my initial statement.

I demand rectification for that attack on my character, it was a cowardly cheap shot.

the fact remains bodacious, i did not lie, and you called me a liar.

Wow, that is pathetic, you are arguing that you are an intolerant biggot, but your aren't a racist...gg.

 

[Bodacious]

"my views are of tolerance for everyone no matter race, gender, or sexual orientation."



show me one instance when i have been intolerant to someone based on their race, gender or sexual orientation. ONE INSTANCE.

it disgusts me that you would call me a liar on something i feel so strongly about. i may be intolerant based on other factors, but so help me God, not those outlined in my initial statement.

I demand rectification for that attack on my character, it was a cowardly cheap shot.

the fact remains bodacious, i did not lie, and you called me a liar.

Fine, you aren't a liar, but you are something much worse that I can't think of a word to describe it.

Selectively tolerant. What kind of crap is that?

 

[kmack]

Wow, that is pathetic, you are arguing that you are an intolerant biggot, but your aren't a racist...gg.

i disagree with some peoples political beliefs. didnt know not believing what someone else believse is bigotry.

so i guess you and bodacious are bigots because you dont believe in abortion. you are intolerant of people who do, you are bigots.

Selectively tolerant. What kind of crap is that?

you are tolerant of the war in Iraq, but not abortion. I am tolerant of abortion, but not the war in iraq. we are both "selectively tolerant" . nothing wrong with it. i actually call it believing in different ideals.

 

[Foxtrot]

i disagree with some peoples political beliefs. didnt know not believing what someone else believse is bigotry.

so i guess you and bodacious are bigots because you dont believe in abortion. you are intolerant of people who do, you are bigots.



you are tolerant of the war in Iraq, but not abortion. I am tolerant of abortion, but not the war in iraq. we are both "selectively tolerant" . nothing wrong with it. i actually call it believing in different ideals.

...
...
I think I am done here, you are just never going to understand.

 

[Bodacious]

i disagree with some peoples political beliefs. didnt know not believing what someone else believse is bigotry.

so i guess you and bodacious are bigots because you dont believe in abortion. you are intolerant of people who do, you are bigots.



you are tolerant of the war in Iraq, but not abortion. I am tolerant of abortion, but not the war in iraq. we are both "selectively tolerant" . nothing wrong with it. i actually call it believing in different ideals.

You don't know my stance on abortion.

You are a bigot because you call every texan stupid.