Janjaweed expands conflct, genocide into Chad

[KevinTheOmnivore]

God damnit, I had a whole long reply to this and lost it.

Originally Posted by mburbank

Kev, while sectarian as hell, the lines are a lot clearer. In Iraq, you wanna tell me who the good guys are?

I'm not going to say the Africans are the good guys in Darfur, because I'm not educated enough on the subject. I do know, however, that the Janjaweed are comitting genocide. Right now.

I think the lines are much clear r in Iraq, but anyway. i mean, isn't Africa like the friggin example of poorly drawn state lines and sectarian violence?

My knowledge on the matter is limited, too. The extent of my knowledge comes from newspapers and a Sudanese bar buddy who is the prez of some PAC trying to liberate southern sudan.

Yes the janjaweed ar the bad guys, but who are they? 16-year old kids kids who had an AK-47 put in their hands? Who finances them???

It's my impression that the people in Darfur have been getting used and shat on for years and years now. They have been a political volleyball for all sides involved.

Do we support an independent and democratic southern Sudan? Do we oppose the predominantly Arab government in Khartoum? Do you believe for one minute that that wouldn't get twisted around by terrorists and Ward Churchill into some form of Western capitalist imperialism?? Did i mention there's oil in southern Sudan......UH OH!!! NO BLOOD FOR OIL, GEGGY!!

Do we put troops on Chad's border??? How long do they stay there? What's the timetable!!? WHERE'S THE PLAN!? Would you trust this mission to the Bush administration (who I actually feel have done more for Africa than most recent presidents.....and that's Robert Redford talking, wink wink).

You all may call it political convenience, but I think there are MANY considerations to make before we grab our guns and go get the bad guys.

btw, if y'all are interested, there is a big demonstration planned in DC for next Sunday, April 30. It's a trip, but it mightb worth it. You can also donate money and sign the usual petition stuff here: http://www.savedarfur.org/rally/.