Tuesday, May 16, 2006

A Serious Problem

I have a serious problem. I can't just sit here day after day and read about the horror in Iraq and not do something. One the other hand, it is almost like it has disappeared from the radar screen in America. Yet, the population here does nothing.

From Juan Cole:
Tuesday, May 16, 2006

33 Dead in Civil War
7 US Troops Killed over Weekend
Basra in Chaos as Tribes Feud

On Monday, scattered bombings and shootings left at least 33 persons dead by my count. Dozens more died over the weekend in fighting between guerrillas and US troops. Al-Zaman says that security has collapsed in Basra, with fighting between tribesmen and the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq. Reuters reports that on Monday:
Someday, we in America will have to face this horror that we have created. See, for instance, the historical film from the liberation of Dachau where German civilians are forced to tour and view the horrors of the camp. I know, you will say that we never did that in the Vietnam War. But, at least in that "war" there were actual "enemy soldiers," the North Vietnamese (not that they actually, in any way, threatened the security of the United States.) In this Civil War, there is just slaughter.

2 comments:

markfromireland said...

Doctors without borders, Save the Children, and the Red Crescent can always use good people.

The first two especially pare their admin costs to the bone.

Christian Peace Maker teams (mostly in the states run by the quakers) do great work.


Maybe you could consider doing a stint perhaps the first year you retire?

Dr. C said...

Now there's a good idea.