George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Richard Gere; trek to Washington, DC for human rights
Michelle Malsbury, BSBM, MM
March 11, 2009
There has been a star-studded movement to champion human rights violations around the globe. George Clooney was the first and he met with Vice-President, Joe Biden on the topic of Darfur. Brad Pitt was next and he met with congress and President Obama regsrding Somalia. Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, gushed when introducing Brad to congress. Richard Gere came last. He spoke about Tibet. One thing is for certain, all three messages were in unison-America needs to take a pro-active stance against human rights violations around the world! I personally applaud their efforts and wish them well in this endeavor. Thank you George, Brad, and Richard for taking the time to show you care!
Under the Bush Administration there was some progress in funding for the conflict in Darfur, but funding is not the only type of support we need lend. NATO, UNESCO, and other peacekeeping organizations have been on the ground there and elsewhere for eons making scant progress toward peace or human rights violations, but more needs to be done. For instance, the Bush Administrations international policies, especially with regard to torture and other human rights violations, in Iraq, Gitmo, and Afghanistan detracted from the objectives or message regarding human rights violations elsewhere. The Obama Administration begins with a clean slate and people who care about these causes are eager to have their voices heard on these and other important topics.
I believe that since many celebrities have lent their names and monies to these causes there has been more international media attention than there might have otherwise been. This is a very good thing because it is the first step in raising the collective consciousness for such egregious offenses and working toward remedy. However, celebrity appeal is not enough. We need the ear, voice, actions, and pocketbook of our congress and the Obama Administration to stand united against human rights violations. If we can get other nations to hear our words and follow our actions we may be able to garner coalitions of like-minded governments to help alleviate this tragedy. It is at this point where Secretary Clinton can effectuate and punctuate our goodwill around the world. No doubt she will have many fences to mend, but we know she is equal to that task.
So much of that previous goodwill was lost or remiss under the Bush Administration. Unlike the Bush Administrations deaf ear, Secretary Clinton is credible, eager to listen, and compassionate to the cause. Secretary Clinton wants America to put her best face forward and show the world that we can be friends and allies. She knows the world leaders and will be effective in banding them together with us to combat this important cause and set the stage for a world decree for no tolerance for human rights violations. Some of these violations are so hideous, amazingly horrific, and so physically and psychologically damaging that it is wonder these injured people care to live at all. To sit idly by and do nothing is the worst offense of all. Don´t ALL people deserve to be treated as human beings?
Please do your part by urging your congressional representatives to work with the Obama Administration to abolish human rights violations and to ensure that all people around the world are treated with the dignity they deserve. Do it now, many innocent lives are counting on your call or e-mail.
Under the Bush Administration there was some progress in funding for the conflict in Darfur, but funding is not the only type of support we need lend. NATO, UNESCO, and other peacekeeping organizations have been on the ground there and elsewhere for eons making scant progress toward peace or human rights violations, but more needs to be done. For instance, the Bush Administrations international policies, especially with regard to torture and other human rights violations, in Iraq, Gitmo, and Afghanistan detracted from the objectives or message regarding human rights violations elsewhere. The Obama Administration begins with a clean slate and people who care about these causes are eager to have their voices heard on these and other important topics.
I believe that since many celebrities have lent their names and monies to these causes there has been more international media attention than there might have otherwise been. This is a very good thing because it is the first step in raising the collective consciousness for such egregious offenses and working toward remedy. However, celebrity appeal is not enough. We need the ear, voice, actions, and pocketbook of our congress and the Obama Administration to stand united against human rights violations. If we can get other nations to hear our words and follow our actions we may be able to garner coalitions of like-minded governments to help alleviate this tragedy. It is at this point where Secretary Clinton can effectuate and punctuate our goodwill around the world. No doubt she will have many fences to mend, but we know she is equal to that task.
So much of that previous goodwill was lost or remiss under the Bush Administration. Unlike the Bush Administrations deaf ear, Secretary Clinton is credible, eager to listen, and compassionate to the cause. Secretary Clinton wants America to put her best face forward and show the world that we can be friends and allies. She knows the world leaders and will be effective in banding them together with us to combat this important cause and set the stage for a world decree for no tolerance for human rights violations. Some of these violations are so hideous, amazingly horrific, and so physically and psychologically damaging that it is wonder these injured people care to live at all. To sit idly by and do nothing is the worst offense of all. Don´t ALL people deserve to be treated as human beings?
Please do your part by urging your congressional representatives to work with the Obama Administration to abolish human rights violations and to ensure that all people around the world are treated with the dignity they deserve. Do it now, many innocent lives are counting on your call or e-mail.
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