TO THE EDITOR:

Have you ever been so sick with diarrhea that you just wanted to curl up into a ball and die...then your children become sick and you have to take care of them at the same time. The baby cries, the toddler wails. You feel like you are at your wits end, but then realize that if things get too bad, you can go to the doctor or ask family and friends to help. Now time travel to Sudan, Africa. You are still sick, as well as are your children. They are in such pain and agony, and you yourself are hurting. As human beings we feel the same pain and despair, but what is different in Sudan is that slaughter, rape, displacement and starvation are taking place all around you. And, your children are dying instead of getting well. The crisis in Sudan is a conflict between the government backed Arab militias and the Africans in western Sudan.

They are fighting for scarce natural resources in Darfur. The government backed group called the Janjaweed are blocking international assistance and ransacking food supplies. It has developed into the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. The massive loss of life is incomprehensible. There are many reliable web sites for further education regarding this crisis.

I would like to thank Robert Walz for his letter that was printed in the March 30 issue of this paper. I too, am concerned with humanitarian and pro-life issues and felt that his letter hit the nail right on the head. While many dollars and much effort is spent lobbying for pro-life issues, thousands of healthy children are being overlooked, conceding to death by malnutrition. Pro-life advocates need to be sincere in all their efforts, not just anti-abortion. Since we are in a long term war that will cost more lives and millions of dollars, Americans need to become involved with countering the effort of death, and to be concerned with governmental issues and spending. Also, to promote that of life, but all life. One must remember that democracy is both personal and political.

Other than the moral issue, we as Americans do have practical reasons for worrying about Darfur, as it has been said that failed African states tend to become hiding places for terrorist. Bin Laden himself worked out of Sudan until he was chased off to Afghanistan.

Erin Waters
Rush City

Top of Page

©ECM Post Review

6448 Main Street
North Branch, MN 55056
Telephone: 651-674-7025
Fax: 651-674-7026
E-mail: editor.postreview@ecm-inc.com