I don't know how else to get your attention:
Millions of people are going to die. That's the situation in Darfur if something isn't done to stop it soon. Of course, untold numbers have already died, but it does't have to continue.
There have been a few other diaries posted here about the situation in Darfur, which I will spotlight below the fold.
Let me first tell you, in all honesty, I've known about the situation in Darfur for awhile, but for reasons I can't explain (because I don't understand it myself) it was never at the forefront of my attention.
Yesterday, while surfing the web, I was reading the Think Progress blog as I do everyday and saw there a video of George Clooney begging the United Nations to step in and help the people of Darfur because without their assistance millions of people are going to die.
Watch the video and read the transcript here:
http://thinkprogress.org/...
Here's a few choice bits:
The United States has called it genocide. For you, it's called ethnic cleansing. But make no mistake, it is the first genocide of the 21st century, and if it continues unchecked it will not be the last.
Now, my job is to come here today and to beg you, on behalf of the millions of people who will die -- and make no mistake they will die -- for you to take real and effective measures to put an end to this. Of course it's complex, but when you see entire villages raped and killed, wells poisoned and then filled with the bodies of its villagers, then all complexities disappear and it comes down to simply right and wrong.
Also, from Crooks and Liars:
The date is September 30th. The 1st of October we'll leave these people with nothing. Whatever the reason, it's not good enough. On October 1, it won't just be the Janjaweed murdering and raping with impunity or the SLA slaughtering the tribes. With no protection, all the aid workers will leave immediately and the two and a half million refugees who depend on that aid will die. Jan Egeland estimates 100,000 a month. So after September 30th, you won't need the U.N. You will simply need men with shovels and bleached white linen and head stones.
I don't really feel qualified to bring this subject to your attention - its not like I've been paying enough attention myself, but I don't know what else to do. So, let me point out some other diaries on this subject that I'm sure you just simply overlooked.
Sharon in MD posted a diary about this much earlier today and at the time of this writing only has 7 comments. I think the subject deserves far more discussion. You can find her diary here:
VIDEO: Clooney to UN: Prevent Another Holocaust
In addition, here are some other diaries on Darfur worth reading:
DARFUR: We cannot afford to care about the genocide by Berlin Bear.
Dammit! What's it gonna take? by Alegre.
This weekend: Have a hand in stopping genocide in Darfur by genocideisnews
If you wrote a diary on this subject and I missed it, please post it in the comments.
This genocide will be on your watch. How you deal with it will be your legacy -- your Rwanda, your Cambodia, your Auschwitz.
Write your Congressmen!
Contact the United Nations!
Contact the media!
Post the story on your blog!
Do something!
Millions of people are going to die.
Update: There's going to be a Rally on Sunday September 17th in Central Park, New York City.
SaveDarfur.org
What: SAVE DARFUR NOW: Voices to Stop Genocide
When: September 17, 2006 (2:00 - 5:00 P.M.)
Where: New York City (Central Park, East Meadow)
Update II: Not just New York, September 17th is Global Day for Darfur in which there will be rallies and other events going on all over the world.
Visit DayForDarfur.org to find an event in your area.
Update III: Please check out the Newsweek article: A Grim Calculation: The first scientifically rigorous estimate of the death toll in Darfur shows that the pessimists were right. Those killed are estimated at 200,000 - 400,000.