Fast for Sudan Genocide

from JoeUser Forums
On October 6, fast to show your condemnation of the Government-sanctioned genocide that is happening in the Sudan. Link
politics
9,133 views 19 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
How does fasting show people anything? They'd probably delight in our suffering, even if it is self imposed. As for donating the money you save, I don't think money is really the problem there, is it? Unless you want to bribe the government to leave or something...
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
I looked at the site and read the "whys" because I would gladly participate if it would have any impact. But as Baker said, I just don't see how this will do anything constructive. It might make me feel better about myself, thinking that I'm doing something charitable and altruistic, but that's as far as it goes.
Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
I'm glad to see you two are therefore so forthcoming with practical suggestions. We can always rely on the Right for pragmatic solutions can't we!

Make your own decision as you like, but I don't believe our Government or the USA Government will do anything about this situation unless they think their own voters care. Our media will not cover it unless they think the voters care. Maybe they'll still do nothing, but I'd rather take the chance and try to get everyone interested rather than moping about at a computer, dismissing everything as useless before we even try. If you two can stop being so "I know everything and look down upon you naive youth", then maybe, just maybe the world could get a little better. I at least am going to try. You two have fun changing the world by writing on JU.
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
I'm glad to see you two are therefore so forthcoming with practical suggestions. We can always rely on the Right for pragmatic solutions can't we!


Hahahhahahahaa...might be the first time I've been accused of being on the "right".

If you two can stop being so "I know everything and look down upon you naive youth", then maybe, just maybe the world could get a little better.


I'm not claiming to know everything, or much of anything. I don't consider you "naive youth"...I followed your link. I looked into it. I just don't see how fasting a single day and/or donating the money from said fasting (or not smoking, not eating dessert, etc.) will have an impact on this tragedy.

You strongly feel otherwise. Please enlighten me.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
No I just couldn't think of a way of wording it so that I could slam the Right and you at the same time. I know you're a token liberal.

I already explained why I think it could have some impact: getting publicity for something that is vastly undercovered for the seriousness of the issue. It seems we're just so used to Africans dying en masse that we don't care whether it's starvation or brutal murders anymore. Only when this issue is put on the agenda by the people will it be put on the agenda by the Government. It's a hard battle, but I at least want to try.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
" I'm glad to see you two are therefore so forthcoming with practical suggestions."


Nope, I have none. I don't think "awareness", fasting, more money, military intervention, or any of the rest is going to help there. You are the one suggesting people make a statement. That site is suggesting mailing money to the "cause".

If you want to tell me how fasting or more money is going to help, do so. You'll pardon me if I'm skeptical after decades of token "statements" about various hopeless causes that went absolutely nowhere. A lot of "names" make speeches, millions are raised, people feel better about themselves in first world countries, and then never notice when nothing changes in the problem area.
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
Champus: I guess you're better than me...more caring, more moral, just all around better. Why would these people, or anyone, need support from a "token"?
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
That's fine BS, and I share your scepticism and have written about my scepticism re Sudan efforts in previous entries. And I would prefer it if they did something like actually have an event for the fasters, a bit like the groups that do the 40 hour famine. Just for the media attention. But they don't. And on the offchance that this does make a difference, I'm going to participate and I am going to promote it so that if people wish to participate, they at least know about it. You're welcome to scepticism, but I wish you wouldn't bring others down with you so much.

Tex, I like the deliberate misspelling (although it's been used before...still funny though). And yes I agree with you. No not really. Tex you care, and the "token" comment was a joke I made at your expense even thugh I haven't ever really set up that sort of relationship with you. Bygones. But I do find it frustrating that you are so prepared to criticise without coming up with a good alternative.

LW, so why exactly did you make a comment? No, don't answer that, I don't want to hear whatever ramble you have in your little head. I'm sure there is something about I'm just making myself feel better and if I really cared I'd go andgrab the machetes out of their hands or something. Whatever.

Man, I sound so angry today, yet I'm really feeling quite upbeat and relaxed today.
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
I think we should let the Sudanese government do whatever they want. They a souvereign country and interfering with their power would be immoral, against international law, and a war crime.

There is no suffering that warrants action. It would be morally wrong to prevent the deaths of hundreds of thousands.

Did I get that right?
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
CS: How come you suddenly care for the victims of Arab nationalism???
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top
Perhaps if we had "Fasted for the Kurds" in Iraq often enough, we could have avoided the war...


Probably, what with the excellent kharma and everything.
Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
"You're welcome to scepticism, but I wish you wouldn't bring others down with you so much."


I just think giving people a false sense of charity and accomplishment is just as counterproductive as apathy. Millions of people fast, send off their pittance, and go to bed feeling like they have done something.

Do you think they'll be more apt to do something more when more is necessary, or less, since they have already done their one meaningless gesture?
Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top
Screw fasting. Send the price of a couple of meals? Blech, send a hundred bucks, send guns. If you're going to send anything, send something practical.
Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top

Hahahhahahahaa...might be the first time I've been accused of being on the "right".

Told you that you would be assimilated.

Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top
Fasting for Sudan is not going to tell your government you care.  And as the left has already stated, and Andrew re-iterated here, there is apparently no excuse to interfere with the internal workings of a sovereign nation,
Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top
And as the left has already stated, and Andrew re-iterated here,


You know I was being sarcastic, of course.

I personally think Sudan needs another Anglo-Egyptian invasion.

Unfortunately helping the victims of Arab nationalism is not currently "in" in Europe (or America). And fighting a war to save hundreds of thousands of Christians is certainly not a "good thing" according to the new left because soldiers would die, possibly hundreds.

I'll write an article about what I think should be done, if the new left would give up their anti-semitism and fear of killing terrorists, and their belief that many deaths are better than few, later today, if I remember.

(What happened to the left's collectivism when the world needs it?)
Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top
Um, LW, I'm religious and have never declared myself a believer in Darwin (particularly Social Darwinism, which makes even less sense) because that would be dishonest of me.

Don't worry Leauki, I picked up on your sarcasm and thought it funny. Since when did I not care about victims of Arab nationalism? I can't recall a time. Or are you saying that because I have some scepticism about the way the War in Iraq has been carried out that I obviously don't?

I'm not forcing anyone else to fast and I personally am not the sort to take any sort of token "I'm doing some good" pride out of fasting. I would however love to hear what other practical alternatives the JU Right has. Bush has a few ideas, but he's being a bit soft on it.
Reply #18 from JoeUser Forums Top

You know I was being sarcastic, of course.

Reply #19 from JoeUser Forums Top
Since when did I not care about victims of Arab nationalism? I can't recall a time. Or are you saying that because I have some scepticism about the way the War in Iraq has been carried out that I obviously don't?


Sorry, my bad. Mistook you for one of the other lefties.