"If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality." --Bishop Desmond Tutu

Thursday, December 04, 2008

Where is the U.N.?

Zimbabwe continues it's slide into abject misery and horror. Beyond the staggering 1,200,000% inflation, the population now faces a cholera epidemic. This is all the fault of a single, tyrant: Robert Mugabe. Isn't it time for the U.N. to say "enough is enough" and step in? How many thousands must die before the international community does something to help the people of Zimbabwe?

The UN says at least 565 people have died from the cholera outbreak, which began in August, though correspondents say the real death toll could be much higher.

At least 12,545 cases of cholera have been recorded over the same period.

The outbreak comes as Zimbabwe is crippled by economic meltdown and political stalemate.

The hospitals are "non-functional" and lack even clean water to treat patients. There is no medicine available. A protest by doctors and nurses in the capital was broken up by riot police.

Are we going to ignore this situation the way we ignored Darfur because there is no oil? Or because these are black people who are dying?

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