You people PISS ME OFF (UPDATED)

Hotel Rwanda was my first real exposure to the genocide that occured in Rwanda in 1994.  I was only vaguely aware of the atrocities that had occured during that period of time, thanks to the almost total lack of coverage by the U.S. media.  In retrospect, if anyone could point to a single huge failure of the Clinton administration, the most likely target would be the total lack of U.S. response to the preventable slaughter of hundreds of thousands of people simply because of their ethnicity.  

The Bush administration and U.S. corporate media are doing almost the same thing with the ongoing genocide in Sudan...  

If you asked 100 random people where Darfur was, or what was happening there, you'd likely get 99 blank stares.  It's time for that to change - and time is short, as hostilities resumed last week.

Why do my fellow Kossack's PISS ME OFF?  This has been diaried ad nauseum over the past few days.  It ain't a sexy topic, I realize, but the last diary received 17 whole responses, and an appeal yesterday received a grand total of 13 comments. Nearly one half million people have died as a result of this genocide.  All I'm asking for is 30 seconds of your precious time.  It might not make a difference, but you never know.  If people like us can't make even a minimal effort, then nothing's gonna change, I can guarantee you that much.

Senator John Edwards sent out an urgent appeal this evening - not for money, but for signatures on a petition:

Sudan began a genocide against tribes of small farmers in its Darfur region three years ago. Militia groups backed by the Sudanese government have slaughtered an estimated 400,000 people and driven 2.5 million people from their homes. U.N. troops are on their way, but will take at least five more months to arrive in Darfur. NATO forces -- if the U.S. stepped up to moral leadership -- could end the conflict immediately.

...Please speak up for them and urge President Bush to take quick and decisive action.

It'll take you 30 seconds to sign the petition.  Yeah, it might feel like spitting into a gale force wind, but for a 30 second investment of your effort, there's simply no downside.  Time is of the essence.  When "Hotel Darfur" comes out sometime in the future, you can at least say you were aware of what was going on, and not look back with too guilty of a conscience.

One more request - please please please (with a cherry on top) forward the petition link (or a link to this diary) to everyone on your email list.  Thanks!

Lastly, if I've offended anyone's tender sensibilities with this appeal and diary, I sincerely apologize...if together we save one life with this effort, I can live with offending someone.

Update: From the comments, if you feel so moved, Mercy Corps is one of the leading NGO's dealing with this situation. NGO's are having a hell of a time over there, and basically being run out of the country. If you are so inclined to do more than just sign a petition, drop a few bucks in their bucket. Tip 'o the hat to Ernest T. Bass.

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