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US President George W Bush has defended his decision not to send troops to the Sudanese region of Darfur, despite what he calls a genocide taking place there.
He called it a "seminal decision" not to intervene with force, taken partly out of the desire not to send US troops into another Muslim country.
I don't think my mouth as more agape for any news article ever.
As a president who's trumpeted freedom and set himself on a "War against Terror" says he can't intervene in one of the worst international dropped balls because he doesn't want to send troops into another Muslim country. Which seems like a moot point because the genocide there is more along ethnic/tribal lines than religious.
If this doesn't spell out hypocrite in every sense of the word and once again secure his position as one of the most inept presidents yet, well I don't know what will.
You really have to indict a lot of world leaders if you're going to go after Bush for this. It isn't America's responsibility to police the world, the UK and Australia and a whole bunch of other places share culpability for inaction. You should really be mad at China here.
matisyahu on
i dont even like matisyahu and i dont know why i picked this username
Yes, the world community has dropped the ball on this one, America is not specifically to blame.
But you don't expect excuses from the country that says this will be the kind of thing it seeks out and stops.
So it is OK to invade a country to protect against human rights violations? Even without UN support?
I'm not a proponent of the Iraq war, and this is not what this is about
I'm sure we would be, if
a) we had the troops for it (they're kinda busy right now) and
b) we had a worth-a-shit president.
But still, let's see Britain, Canada, anyone else get some action in on the ground in initiative fashion rather than follow-the-leader.
Canada is already stuck with cleaning up the mess in Afghanistan, which is going great but still requires a lot of attention. Britain I believe it stuck in Iraq as well.
Wait, so you're not okay with us being the world police in Iraq, but you're okay with us being the world police in Africa?
I have a problem with America taking up the world police position and then not being world police, but more world mafia
Wait, so you're not okay with us being the world police in Iraq, but you're okay with us being the world police in Africa?
There is a difference in intervening to stop an ongoing genocide and whatever reasons you went into iraq for.
I'm stating that intervening is intervening, good or bad. I would prefer good intervention, but how can we achieve that without perpetuating the world po-po mantra?
PC: China buys most of Sudan's oil, money that the Sudanese government uses to fund the Janjaweed. Sudan also buys millions of dollars of weapons from China, some of which they give to the Janjaweed. China is one of 5 members of the UN Security Council, which means they can veto any resolution that comes through, and they have threatened to veto any sanction against Sudan as they are very close allies.
matisyahu on
i dont even like matisyahu and i dont know why i picked this username
Wait, so you're not okay with us being the world police in Iraq, but you're okay with us being the world police in Africa?
I have a problem with America taking up the world police position and then not being world police, but more world mafia
Wait, so you're not okay with us being the world police in Iraq, but you're okay with us being the world police in Africa?
There is a difference in intervening to stop an ongoing genocide and whatever reasons you went into iraq for.
I'm stating that intervening is intervening, good or bad. I would prefer good intervention, but how can we achieve that without perpetuating the world po-po mantra?
You intervene in crisis that exist, not ones you create
PC: China buys most of Sudan's oil, money that the Sudanese government uses to fund the Janjaweed. Sudan also buys millions of dollars of weapons from China, some of which they give to the Janjaweed. China is one of 5 members of the UN Security Council, which means they can veto any resolution that comes through, and they have threatened to veto any sanction against Sudan as they are very close allies.
Yes, the world community has dropped the ball on this one, America is not specifically to blame.
But you don't expect excuses from the country that says this will be the kind of thing it seeks out and stops.
So it is OK to invade a country to protect against human rights violations? Even without UN support?
I'm not a proponent of the Iraq war, and this is not what this is about
I'm sure we would be, if
a) we had the troops for it (they're kinda busy right now) and
b) we had a worth-a-shit president.
But still, let's see Britain, Canada, anyone else get some action in on the ground in initiative fashion rather than follow-the-leader.
We are too busy cleaning up your shit in afganistan.
The entire rest of the world is using near capacity of it's military to "clean up after our shit" eh?
Bullfeathers sir.
Canada is the entire rest of the world?
If America goes into a mad frenzy of policing, why does everyone else have to?
Sure, other countries have the moral obligation to intervene or send aid, but none of them are on a holier than thou platform
And I doubt many of the EU countries have the military force to intervene in something like the Darfur genocide
The entire rest of the world is using near capacity of it's military to "clean up after our shit" eh?
Bullfeathers sir.
When I said WE, I meant Canada.
The politics of the UN are what is really holding things back here. The US doesn't help matters on that end. Nor do they really want to. They have no desire to get into another country right now, whatever the reason.
Proto on
and her knees up on the glove compartment
took out her barrettes and her hair spilled out like rootbeer
I mentioned more than Canada. I believe I mention the UN, and gave examples thereof. Oh look there's the post right up there. Yep, sure did.
So, let me get this straight, you want to bitch at America for not going in guns blazing though we clearly don't have the resources, but everyone else who isn't using all their military resources currently gets to rest on their laurels whilst feeling like the moral superiors?
Fuck off. You're chicken shit of China and that's the end all be all. Stop posturing.
Yes, the world community has dropped the ball on this one, America is not specifically to blame.
But you don't expect excuses from the country that says this will be the kind of thing it seeks out and stops.
So it is OK to invade a country to protect against human rights violations? Even without UN support?
I'm not a proponent of the Iraq war, and this is not what this is about
I'm sure we would be, if
a) we had the troops for it (they're kinda busy right now) and
b) we had a worth-a-shit president.
But still, let's see Britain, Canada, anyone else get some action in on the ground in initiative fashion rather than follow-the-leader.
We are too busy cleaning up your shit in afganistan.
The entire rest of the world is using near capacity of it's military to "clean up after our shit" eh?
Bullfeathers sir.
If you think England is at any obligation to keep throwing money into your Pyrrhic victory, think again. We've already learned from our lessons of aggressive colonialism.
If you wish to claim the moral high ground sir, you will have to find another example other than Iraq. From last I heard, the sewers were actually overflowing in Baghdad and the majority of the city is still without power... and you still haven't saved one red cent on petrol.
Even Hans Blix said "Iraq was better off under Saddam Hussein".
So you would rather the US government stick to their platform that you disagree with? The US government went into a war that most Americans are currently unsatisfied with, so the US is somehow obligated to sacrifice more of its citizens in an operation where human rights are at stake, not US interests? The rest of the world shouldn't help out when human rights are at stick?
I wouldn't get too high and mighty about cleaning up after our shit, either. Germany and Italy have more troops in Afghanistan than Canada, none of the ISAF commanders are Canadian.. You're helping a lot, but you don't have to have such an attitude about it.
matisyahu on
i dont even like matisyahu and i dont know why i picked this username
I mentioned more than Canada. I believe I mention the UN, and gave examples thereof. Oh look there's the post right up there. Yep, sure did.
So, let me get this straight, you want to bitch at America for not going in guns blazing though we clearly don't have the resources, but everyone else who isn't using all their military resources currently gets to rest on their laurels whilst feeling like the moral superiors?
Fuck off. You're chicken shit of China and that's the end all be all. Stop posturing.
If you think America isn't afraid of China, you are in error.
So you would rather the US government stick to their platform that you disagree with? The US government went into a war that most Americans are currently unsatisfied with, so the US is somehow obligated to sacrifice more of its citizens in an operation where human rights are at stake, not US interests? The rest of the world shouldn't help out when human rights are at stick?
I wouldn't get too high and mighty about cleaning up after our shit, either. Germany and Italy have more troops in Afghanistan than Canada, none of the ISAF commanders are Canadian.. You're helping a lot, but you don't have to have such an attitude about it.
Except we're handling the actual dangerous part of the country.
Yes, the world community has dropped the ball on this one, America is not specifically to blame.
But you don't expect excuses from the country that says this will be the kind of thing it seeks out and stops.
So it is OK to invade a country to protect against human rights violations? Even without UN support?
I'm not a proponent of the Iraq war, and this is not what this is about
I'm sure we would be, if
a) we had the troops for it (they're kinda busy right now) and
b) we had a worth-a-shit president.
But still, let's see Britain, Canada, anyone else get some action in on the ground in initiative fashion rather than follow-the-leader.
We are too busy cleaning up your shit in afganistan.
The entire rest of the world is using near capacity of it's military to "clean up after our shit" eh?
Bullfeathers sir.
If you think England is at any obligation to keep throwing money into your Pyrrhic victory, think again. We've already learned from our lessons of aggressive colonialism.
If you wish to claim the moral high ground sir, you will have to find another example other than Iraq. From last I heard, the sewers were actually overflowing in Baghdad and the majority of the city is still without power... and you still haven't saved one red cent on petrol.
Even Hans Blix said "Iraq was better off under Saddam Hussein".
First of all, I agree that Iraq was better off under Saddam. This is a different issue.
If you take your head out of your ass, you would realize that.
Yes, the world community has dropped the ball on this one, America is not specifically to blame.
But you don't expect excuses from the country that says this will be the kind of thing it seeks out and stops.
So it is OK to invade a country to protect against human rights violations? Even without UN support?
I'm not a proponent of the Iraq war, and this is not what this is about
I'm sure we would be, if
a) we had the troops for it (they're kinda busy right now) and
b) we had a worth-a-shit president.
But still, let's see Britain, Canada, anyone else get some action in on the ground in initiative fashion rather than follow-the-leader.
We are too busy cleaning up your shit in afganistan.
The entire rest of the world is using near capacity of it's military to "clean up after our shit" eh?
Bullfeathers sir.
If you think England is at any obligation to keep throwing money into your Pyrrhic victory, think again. We've already learned from our lessons of aggressive colonialism.
If you wish to claim the moral high ground sir, you will have to find another example other than Iraq. From last I heard, the sewers were actually overflowing in Baghdad and the majority of the city is still without power... and you still haven't saved one red cent on petrol.
Even Hans Blix said "Iraq was better off under Saddam Hussein".
Of course it was better off then, THERE IS A WAR GOING ON RIGHT NOW.
matisyahu on
i dont even like matisyahu and i dont know why i picked this username
Yes, the world community has dropped the ball on this one, America is not specifically to blame.
But you don't expect excuses from the country that says this will be the kind of thing it seeks out and stops.
So it is OK to invade a country to protect against human rights violations? Even without UN support?
I'm not a proponent of the Iraq war, and this is not what this is about
I'm sure we would be, if
a) we had the troops for it (they're kinda busy right now) and
b) we had a worth-a-shit president.
But still, let's see Britain, Canada, anyone else get some action in on the ground in initiative fashion rather than follow-the-leader.
We are too busy cleaning up your shit in afganistan.
The entire rest of the world is using near capacity of it's military to "clean up after our shit" eh?
Bullfeathers sir.
If you think England is at any obligation to keep throwing money into your Pyrrhic victory, think again. We've already learned from our lessons of aggressive colonialism.
If you wish to claim the moral high ground sir, you will have to find another example other than Iraq. From last I heard, the sewers were actually overflowing in Baghdad and the majority of the city is still without power... and you still haven't saved one red cent on petrol.
Even Hans Blix said "Iraq was better off under Saddam Hussein".
First of all, I agree that Iraq was better off uner Saddam. This is a different issue.
If you take your head out of your ass, you would realize that.
I read the OP sir, but I was responding to your assinine comments, and how very typical American posturing.
If anyone needs there head taken out of their ass sir, it is you.
Note: If you want to make a believer out of anyone, I would suggest not insulting them. Otherwise you are a bloviating windbag with delusions of Rush Limbaugh.
How will the US get out of doing anything this time?
If you think the Rwandan genocide didn't suffer from a complete failure of the entire international community, you're bonkers.
/agreed
Rwanda was a failure of epic proportions of the entire world community. Darfur is a failure of the world community unwilling to displease China and it's interests in the region.
I wouldn't get too high and mighty about cleaning up after our shit, either. Germany and Italy have more troops in Afghanistan than Canada, none of the ISAF commanders are Canadian. You're helping a lot, but you don't have to have such an attitude about it.
Except that Germany and Italy aren't actually fighting, while Canada is. Just take a look at the casualties.
None of the current ISAF commanders are Canadian - it rotates. A Canadian commander should be next in line for the Southern Command. Canadians have commanded both the Southern Command and overall command in the past.
Anyway, I was actually surprised to hear Bush say this and essentially rule out a response. He had been pretty hawkish about doing something about Darfur for a while - one of the few leaders actually saying anything. But really, there's not many resources to be put into it. Here in Canada the previous government had intended to send forces to Darfur but it was an unrealistic plan, to expect to be able to send troops their while also continuing to play a role in Afghanistan.
And we pick on the Chinese because they're the one's buying Sudanese oil and, along with the Russians, selling them their weapons. The other "big" news today was Spielberg withdrawing from his role in planning the 2008 Olympics over Darfur.
Darfur and the Northern Sudan is an exceptionally complicated situation.
Government + Janjaweed militia vs 3 independent rebel groups, all of whom hate each other (making negotiating a treaty extremely difficult). In many areas it's not even a political or ethnic conflict anymore, there are just roaming bands of militiamen raping, killing, and stealing as they please.
The biggest culprits are definitely the Sudanese Government, who intentionally inhibit the UN and AU at every possible turn in order to maintain their stranglehold over the country's oil and economic resources.
Right now what the US and other governments should be doing is donating helicopters to the UN/AU peacekeeping force. They've requested 24 and haven't gotten shit. 24 Helicopters doesn't sound like much, but its a huge fucking logistical disadvantage to not have them.
On top of that, China is certainly at fault for not participating in international divestment. If they were to, the oil reserves in Sudan would lose a shitload of their profitability, giving the Sudanese government a lot less incentive to be tremendous assholes.
The best we in the US can all hope to do is continue to lobby Washington to do all they can in terms of pressuring China and supporting the UN. If you want to help go to http://www.SaveDarfur.org
UN Security Council Resolution 1769 called for the deployment of a UN-AU hybrid peacekeeping force (Unamid) to Darfur but China announced they would only vote for it provided a clause was added stipulating that the UN would "invite the consent" of the Sudanese government before any action was taken.
Plutocracy on
They fuck you up, your mum and dad.
They may not mean to, but they do.
They fill you with the faults they had
And add some extra, just for you.
I read the OP sir, but I was responding to your assinine comments, and how very typical American posturing.
If anyone needs there head taken out of their ass sir, it is you.
Note: If you want to make a believer out of anyone, I would suggest not insulting them. Otherwise you are a bloviating windbag with delusions of Rush Limbaugh.
Sounds to me like you just wanted to go in for some America bashing without finding out what my stance on anything was.
And yes, I do think that since America is fully engaged, other countries should step up to the plate. Instead of saving though, the people in Darfur get your countries bitching about why America isn't doing anything.
Posts
BUSH SAYS ONE THING AND DOES ANOTHER!
CITIZENRY SHOCKED AND DISGUSTED!
Only when those black people don't have Oil
I have a problem with America taking up the world police position and then not being world police, but more world mafia
Yes, the world community has dropped the ball on this one, America is not specifically to blame.
But you don't expect excuses from the country that says this will be the kind of thing it seeks out and stops.
I'm not a proponent of the Iraq war, and this is not what this is about
And why be mad at China specifically?
Iraq was entirely a self-interest issue.
When the opportunity for real help arises, America fails to seize it.
This is the problem.
I'm sure we would be, if
a) we had the troops for it (they're kinda busy right now) and
b) we had a worth-a-shit president.
But still, let's see Britain, Canada, anyone else get some action in on the ground in initiative fashion rather than follow-the-leader.
There is a difference in intervening to stop an ongoing genocide and whatever reasons you went into iraq for.
took out her barrettes and her hair spilled out like rootbeer
Canada is already stuck with cleaning up the mess in Afghanistan, which is going great but still requires a lot of attention. Britain I believe it stuck in Iraq as well.
We are too busy cleaning up your shit in afganistan.
took out her barrettes and her hair spilled out like rootbeer
You intervene in crisis that exist, not ones you create
Alright, did not know this.
QFT.
The entire rest of the world is using near capacity of it's military to "clean up after our shit" eh?
Bullfeathers sir.
Canada is the entire rest of the world?
If America goes into a mad frenzy of policing, why does everyone else have to?
Sure, other countries have the moral obligation to intervene or send aid, but none of them are on a holier than thou platform
And I doubt many of the EU countries have the military force to intervene in something like the Darfur genocide
When I said WE, I meant Canada.
The politics of the UN are what is really holding things back here. The US doesn't help matters on that end. Nor do they really want to. They have no desire to get into another country right now, whatever the reason.
took out her barrettes and her hair spilled out like rootbeer
So, let me get this straight, you want to bitch at America for not going in guns blazing though we clearly don't have the resources, but everyone else who isn't using all their military resources currently gets to rest on their laurels whilst feeling like the moral superiors?
Fuck off. You're chicken shit of China and that's the end all be all. Stop posturing.
If you think England is at any obligation to keep throwing money into your Pyrrhic victory, think again. We've already learned from our lessons of aggressive colonialism.
If you wish to claim the moral high ground sir, you will have to find another example other than Iraq. From last I heard, the sewers were actually overflowing in Baghdad and the majority of the city is still without power... and you still haven't saved one red cent on petrol.
Even Hans Blix said "Iraq was better off under Saddam Hussein".
I wouldn't get too high and mighty about cleaning up after our shit, either. Germany and Italy have more troops in Afghanistan than Canada, none of the ISAF commanders are Canadian.. You're helping a lot, but you don't have to have such an attitude about it.
How will the US get out of doing anything this time?
If you think America isn't afraid of China, you are in error.
Except we're handling the actual dangerous part of the country.
First of all, I agree that Iraq was better off under Saddam. This is a different issue.
If you take your head out of your ass, you would realize that.
Of course it was better off then, THERE IS A WAR GOING ON RIGHT NOW.
I read the OP sir, but I was responding to your assinine comments, and how very typical American posturing.
If anyone needs there head taken out of their ass sir, it is you.
Note: If you want to make a believer out of anyone, I would suggest not insulting them. Otherwise you are a bloviating windbag with delusions of Rush Limbaugh.
If you think the Rwandan genocide didn't suffer from a complete failure of the entire international community, you're bonkers.
Yes, just like this situation.
The US played a large part in that too.
/agreed
Rwanda was a failure of epic proportions of the entire world community. Darfur is a failure of the world community unwilling to displease China and it's interests in the region.
None of the current ISAF commanders are Canadian - it rotates. A Canadian commander should be next in line for the Southern Command. Canadians have commanded both the Southern Command and overall command in the past.
Anyway, I was actually surprised to hear Bush say this and essentially rule out a response. He had been pretty hawkish about doing something about Darfur for a while - one of the few leaders actually saying anything. But really, there's not many resources to be put into it. Here in Canada the previous government had intended to send forces to Darfur but it was an unrealistic plan, to expect to be able to send troops their while also continuing to play a role in Afghanistan.
And we pick on the Chinese because they're the one's buying Sudanese oil and, along with the Russians, selling them their weapons. The other "big" news today was Spielberg withdrawing from his role in planning the 2008 Olympics over Darfur.
Government + Janjaweed militia vs 3 independent rebel groups, all of whom hate each other (making negotiating a treaty extremely difficult). In many areas it's not even a political or ethnic conflict anymore, there are just roaming bands of militiamen raping, killing, and stealing as they please.
The biggest culprits are definitely the Sudanese Government, who intentionally inhibit the UN and AU at every possible turn in order to maintain their stranglehold over the country's oil and economic resources.
Right now what the US and other governments should be doing is donating helicopters to the UN/AU peacekeeping force. They've requested 24 and haven't gotten shit. 24 Helicopters doesn't sound like much, but its a huge fucking logistical disadvantage to not have them.
On top of that, China is certainly at fault for not participating in international divestment. If they were to, the oil reserves in Sudan would lose a shitload of their profitability, giving the Sudanese government a lot less incentive to be tremendous assholes.
The best we in the US can all hope to do is continue to lobby Washington to do all they can in terms of pressuring China and supporting the UN. If you want to help go to http://www.SaveDarfur.org
Our first game is now available for free on Google Play: Frontier: Isle of the Seven Gods
They may not mean to, but they do.
They fill you with the faults they had
And add some extra, just for you.
Sounds to me like you just wanted to go in for some America bashing without finding out what my stance on anything was.
And yes, I do think that since America is fully engaged, other countries should step up to the plate. Instead of saving though, the people in Darfur get your countries bitching about why America isn't doing anything.
I'm sure that makes them feel loads better.