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Apr. 30, 2006 A few days ago I watched a short two-part interview on CNN News between Wolf Blitzer and George Clooney regarding the dire situation in Darfur. George Clooney had recently been there to preview how desperate those people are and how much they need our help. That is the help of the international community at large. A community and cause he (George Clooney) is passionate about championing and one we should be concerned about supporting too. (CNN News, Situation Room segment with Wolf Blitzer, Wednesday, April 26, 2006) There has been unrest in this area of the world for more than 20 years, but the situation in Darfur has escalated steadily since early 2003. There are two semi-allied rebel factions leading this war. They are the JEM, Justice and Equity Movement, and SLA, Sudanese Liberation Movement Army. They began attacking military installations and have pretty much been having their way ever since. Government militias removed people who they thought was against them in the Sudan displacing millions and wreaking havoc. (www.savedarfur.org) It was noted in this interview between Wolf Blitzer and George Clooney that there are approximately 7,000 able bodies trying to fight this insurgence to ensure the safety of the displaced people, but they need perhaps as many as triple that to effectuate any real or lasting security for these people at risk. The displaced people are dying from hunger, malnutrition, and starvation. Disease is rampant and rape has become a major contributor to this plight. (CNN News, Situation Room segment with Wolf Blitzer, Wednesday, April 26, 2006) Statistics gathered by the coalition for International Justice, the World Food Program, and the United Nations show as many as 3.5 million people in Darfur are starving or hungry and over 2.5 million have been displaced because of the violence and bloodshed. 400,000 or more are feared dead. As much as they try, the international community cannot adequately protect these people. It appears that they (the international community) also lack the influence to effectuate change within their (the Sudanese) government. They need our help. (www.savedarfur.org) Since 2004 there has been a noticeable decline in the situation in Darfur on the ground. Specific concerns are about food, shelter, security, disease, and the mounting casualties. Cease fires have proven to be ineffective as tensions grow between Sudan and Chad. New armies can be seen in and around Darfur and their neighboring states. They need to be stopped. (www.savedarfur.org) Humanitarian efforts are oftentimes thwarted due to the political instability and rising violence which has further hampered the coming together of the international community to create a comprehensive and workable strategic plan for change. Families are unable to get food or water for fear of rape or beatings. This situation is nothing short of tragic and things there have to change soon. (www.savedarfur.org) In retrospect President Clinton said he deeply regrets not getting involved in Darfur during his presidency (1994-2000) when there were the first grumbling about war. Furthermore, he stated that he failed to see the urgency in this situation and thus did not react. Two wrongs do not a right make. (CNN News, Situation Room segment with Wolf Blitzer, Wednesday, April 26, 2006) We can no longer ignore what atrocities are going on there (in Darfur) nor fail to create a plan to stop this genocide. It is imperative that the international community work together to send in enough troops to secure this state, stave off the beatings and rapes, help feed the hungry and starving, give medical care and psychological support to those suffering from malnutrition or rape, provide them with shelter, and give these people even a glimmer of hope that tomorrow will be better than today. We cannot sit by the wayside and hope that things might change. It is time to act! And act we shall! There is a postcard on the web site www.savedarfur.org that can be sent to our congress telling them that we want and need to help save Darfur. Merely fill in the blanks and click send. There are also links to news articles and support groups where one can forward a donation. A little support can go a long way toward effectuating change for the suffering and dying people of Darfur. Please show your support by acting today! Sources; CNN News, Situation Room segment with Wolf Blitzer, Wednesday, April 26, 2006 www.savedarfur.org ------------ About the author: Michelle Malsbury was born and raised in Champaign, Illinois. Currently she resides in Florida. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Management and a Masters Degree in Business Management. Travels have taken her from Europe through the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, and across much of the United States. She enjoys outdoor activities like sailing, water-skiing, hiking, bike riding, working out, and fishing as well as reading, music, theater, playing with her two amusing pets (Abu Chez, her 7.5 year old Australian Blue Heeler and Zack, her three year old yellow tabby cat) and writing. "Three Years With Adonis" is the first to be published of several books that she has written. It is now available in all the better bookstores, but can also be found and ordered at Amazon.com, Booksamillion.com, Barnesandnoble.com, or ordered directly from her web sites, www.3yearswithadonis.com, www.threeyearswithadonis.com, or www.MichelleMalsbury.com. In addition to "Three Years With Adonis", she has authored four other books and three screenplays while continuing to explore all that life hands her. Email Michelle Malsbury: zackywacks@aol.com Comment on this article here! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. 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