Several countries in Africa are currently going through a civil war. Darfur has recieved American publicity, but war is not limited to this country. It is recorded that as many as 300,000 (conservatively) have died in Darfur alone.
John Holmes, the UN head of humanitarian affiars, comments on the current issues in Africa. Be sure to watch the video.
Bush appeared in Africa to pledge American assistance.
Should America follow Bush into South Africa? Is it our duty as a superior country to assist those in need?
11 comments:
We should definatly follow Bush into South America, as long as once we get there and interviene we stay there until what we have started has finished. We don't really want what happened back in the Cold War, when we helped Afganistan and then just left without helping the people rebuild thier schools, communities, or anything. This link http://www.antiwar.com/ips/fisher.php?articleid=6557 is about Charlie Wilson and how he helped back in the Cold war to get the Russian's out of Afgahnistan.
If we can just get behind something and actually follow through with it from beginning to end then i think that it should be easier for us to go into South Africa.
It's not our duty as a superior country to get involved in South Africa, its our duty as human beings to protect other human beings that are in trouble. That is our duty, not a superior country, as HUMAN BEINGS.
Although we are human beings we put our own situations before others. Right now our country is not economically stable to help out another. People are being foreclosed on their homes, and almost everyone I know is having some sort of financial problems. With the price of gas rising, it raises the price of everything else around us. It has gotten to the point where the Canadian dollar is less than the U.S. If we can’t even help ourselves how do you expect us to help another nation? In the article Global Insight: US Economy Hits Danger Zone,http://www.freshplaza.com/news_detail.asp?id=13497, discusses the topic of another possible “shock” to the U.S.
Yes we should follow Bush into South Africa. He is the one leading our country into South Africa and we have to stand up for him. Remember he is the one representing us. If he is doing this there is a reason behind it. American citezens want him to!
It is our duty as a superior country and as human beings. The whole world should be standing up for this because it is our duty as humans, but they are not therefore as a superior country we must start by leading the way; setting a good example.
I agree with Julie, on how bad our economy is. Just think of it this way, if we continue to take the role as the humanitarian, which is a great role. And not help ourselves, we will no longer be a superior country. Our way of life will no longer be the same, and we really won't be able to help anyone then. This is also another reason why the U.S. should put pressure on the United Nations and other countries, for that matter to help Africa.
I agree with Julie as well, we really should not be going into another country at this time. We are not stong enough, and it would only turn into mass chaos. Most countries don't want our help, and we would just be a bother to them. We are not econmicalls or financially stable enough to go into countries and risk war popping up.
As much as people in Darfur do need help, America is too tangled up in other things to help out. We are already spread out all over the world, so if we get into too many different things, weak and separated we won't be efficient or effective at all. It's like trying to take a bullet for 20 people at once- if you do good you might stop a few, but if you saw off your hand and try to chuck it in front of another, chances are the person is still going to die.
I think that although it would be benevolent on our part to go to Darfur and help out I can't help but question the President's motives. He's had the lowest apporoval rating ever and from what I hear he's just gone from place to place for an hour or so not exactly doing much. I think it's more or less a ploy to get people liking him before he leaves office.
And no, you don't see other 'superior countries' going to Sudan. Althogh this is a tragedy and should be stopped shouldn't we preventing our own country's downfall before anothers?
Also like what Cameron mentioned: who are we going to assist? Both our unstable and unreliable.
I agree that we shouldn't enter South Africa for the sole reason being our economy is in a recession. We don't want or need to spark more needless conflict. We need to find a way out of the hole we've dug ourselves before we start pulling people out of theirs. As some have said, our issues are to be dealt with first. All eyes seem to stare at us when a situation such as this arises, and I don't think we always need to be the first to take a stand. We need to become stable and have solid footing before we make any drastic moves. Like Darius said, if the UN wants help other countries need to be pressured.
I also agree that we shouldnt go in to another country until we have finished in Iraq. Our country has alot on its hands right now, i think that Bush feels pressure to go in to Africa to help. The country wants him to but then they dont want another thing to come in. I also rgree with Troy he said that we shouldnt be the first one to take a stand sometimes. we are not the only country with a strong millitary, we are just the only country with a big heart!
I'm on the fence with this one. On one hand I think it is appauling that so many people are dying and NO ONE is doing anything about it. Ok fine, U.S. has donated some money but, has that done anything? Are there not still people being masacure EVERY day? That was my initial reaction, then I thought about it. Why should we have to endanger more of our soldiers and go further into debt to help this country, why don't other countries get invloved. Then again, isn't it in the consitution that whoever has the chance to do something, has the responsibility to do it? WE should set an example. And if we were in the same position wouldn't we want someone to come help us, not that they would, but still. How can we help with what we're facing right now as a country. Bottom line is I think they need help, but we may not be able to stretch ourselves any further.
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