Something You Can Do to Save Lives

Before the Tsunami in Indonesia, the Katrina Hurricane, and the Earthquake in the Pakistan, the Darfur region in Sudan in Africa was top on the list for humanitarian disasters. Because of the more recent disasters, Darfur has been put on the back burner. But the situation there is still grave. Thousands of people have died there from starvation and disease as a result of a Sudanese government backed militia's "ethnic cleansing". Violent killings of civilians are still happening there, including rapes and village burnings, and a Rwanda type slaughter is imminent.

Here is what you can do. First allow yourself a little time to educate yourself on what is happening in Darfur. You can do this by clicking Internet Explorer on your computer, and then typing in Darfur in the search box, and then clicking "search". (You probably can tell that I'm not into computers, so you may need help like I did.) What is happening there is very politically complicated. But if you've seen the movie, Hotel Rwanda, you may see many similarities in Sudan of what has happened in Rwanda, though the government and the rebel sides have been switched. This switch does not matter, since the results of mass killings of innocent civilians are happening.

Then, you can write to your representatives in the government to support efforts to prevent further killings and suffering in that region. My suggestion is for the U.S. to politically, financially, and publicly support the African Unions' Military presence in Darfur so that the peacekeepers can halt aggressions there and then aid can continue to go to the refugees. (Condoleesa Rice had asked legislators in December to reinstate the U.S.'s financial backing for the African Union's Troops. I think that this was voted down in January. Thus this writing.) Also a suggestion is for the U.S. to back United Nations sanctions against the Sudanese government if the killing raids don't stop. The Sudanese government has been making sly political moves to prevent others from interfering, but interference seems to be necessary. A couple of facts that have happened there are: the rebel backed elected Vice President was killed in a helicopter crash; a doctor, who worked with the refugees and who publicized an in-depth study of the mass rapes, was imprisoned by the Sudanese government. Another suggestion is for the legislators to, at least, not ignore what is happening in Darfur.

So please write to your government leaders. You may prevent more suffering and save lives. Here are the addresses.

Rep. John McHugh, 2441 Ray burn House Office Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20515. Or, 104 Federal Bldg., Plattsburgh, NY 12901-9723. (23rd District: Chesterfield, Crown Pt., Elizabethtown, Essex, Jay, Lewis, Minerva, Moriah, Newcomb, St. Armand, Ticonderoga Districts l, 4 & 5, Westport, Willsboro, and Wilmington.)

Rep. John Sweeney, 416 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515. Or, 21 Bay St., Glens Falls, NY 12801. Or, 939 Route 146, Suite 430, Clifton Park, NY 12065. (20th District. Keene, N. Elba, N. Hudson, Schroon, and Ti. Districts 2,3, and 6.)

Sen. Charles E. Schumer, 313 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington D.C. 20510-3203.

Sen.Hillary Rodham Clinton, 464 Russell Senate Office Bldg., Washington D.C. 20510-3201.

President George W. Bush, The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington, D.C. 20500.

Thanks- Bev Sann 1-24-06