Thousands will die in Sudan, because Iraq conflict wins elections, gains resources
Forget about the election mumbo-jumbo in the United States of America. I'm pushing that topic to the side in favor of humanitarian rights and global samaritanism. Once again, there is another catastophe in Africa; one that has been going on for quite some time, but is now only getting some attention, thanks to a combination of civil war, famine, disease, and government crime. I'm mentioning specifically the country of Sudan.
Sadly, it is only because of an international plea for help by the World Health Organization that this issue is recently making fresh headlines, even though the International Red Cross, the United Nations, and other humanitarian aid groups have been pleading this case for quite some time now.
Before I go into any more details, let me lay down the irony - thick and in your face - on why this particular issue makes me feel ashamed:
1) The 'rescue' and 'restoration of power' to Iraq was labeled as a humanitarian issue of the highest importance, according to the office of the President of the United States. Also cited were the search and seizure of WMD, as well as the dismantling of terrorist organizations. The irony - Arabic peoples are being used in genocidal campaigns in the Sudan, killing tens of thousands outright, while starving and displacing millions more. The number of killed, wounded, displaced, diseased, and starved is happening on a scale that dwarfs the Iraqi campaign. The Sudan has also had quite a history in terms of terrorist training for people around the world, and in particular, the Middle East and Europe.
2) Previous reasons cited by the offices of George W. Bush and William Jefferson Clinton for not providing more aid to ravaged African countries were, "not wanting to interfere with international aid groups", "pressuring the need to attack war and famine on an international scale", and "lack of a federal budget needed to stop famine on that large of a scale". The last one was my favorite, coming straight from Dubyah himself. Those same lips keep asking for billions of dollars in Iraq.
3) The financial and personnel and logistical aspects of providing aid, education, and support to African nations is a fraction of the total involvement in Iraq. While we are at 700 dead and rising, the military need is virtually NONEXISTANT in providing help to places such as Sudan. The possibility of using Special Forces to control specific aid stations, as well as military transports needed to ferry supplies, is about the extent of their involvement.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I am an average citizen of the United States, and I'm acutely aware of the decision-making errors of those above us, and I'm even more acutely aware of the plight of the global community. It is our tax dollars that are being funneled by the billions, our image that is being smeared, and our ethics that are going down the drain. I would much rather put my effort and vote towards helping the highest amount of people with the best resources. It seems to me that we can do the most good by providing the simplest of education, amenities, and support to African nations. Although it is a blessing that Saddam and his sons are no longer threats to the Kurdish peoples, as well as the Iraqi populace, simple logic states that the greater need lies elsewhere. With this essay in mind, I must ask, "where are our priorities, as a nation?" Must we profit from helping others? Must there be a national crisis in order to activate our passion?
By the way, while you have been reading this article, a hundred people have perished needlessly in various hotspots of Africa, simply from a vital lack of resources.