Some good news for Darfur

Fierce Planet Posted on by

The U.S. is forming a partnership with Africa in which U.S. cash and technical expertise will back African troops in an attempt to stop the killings in Sudan. The effort was instigated by the African Union, and pulls together 3000 troops from Nigeria and Rwanda under one banner, with troops from more countries to be added soon.

The push by Africans to solve their own problems marks a significant shift, experts say. Rather than waiting for the outside world to resolve the crisis, “The AU has taken a very clear lead in saying, ‘These are African problems, and we will sort them out,’ ” says Mr. de Waal.

Success is far from sure, but any signs of cooperation between African people and the rest of the world is a hopeful thing.

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Pennsylvania community mandates the teaching of creationism

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In what is believed to be a first in the U.S., a school district in Pennsylvania has declared that teachers must include the teaching of intelligent design alongside evolution in science classes.
Intelligent design is a form of creationism, based on religious beliefs about God as the creator of the world and all that is in it. It’s linked to some other religious beliefs such as the literal truth of the earth being created in seven 24-hours days, and other fundamentalist beliefs. But it’s not science, and there is no scientific evidence for the idea. Nor should there be, since religion is a matter of faith and scientific evidence is irrelevant. But setting religion alongside science in classrooms is a dangerous breach of the wall between church and state. The ACLU is reviewing the case.
I strongly believe that if religious people want religious schools, they should have them. But religious teaching should not be funded with public money.

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Disaster in Fallujah

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At least for the civilians. Relief agencies are calling the assault on Fallujah a big disaster.

“There’s no water. People are drinking dirty water. Children are dying. People are eating flour because there’s no proper food,” he told aid workers in Habbaniya, which has become a refugee camp, with around 2,000 families sheltering there.

This report from a BBC reporter confirms that conditions in the city are deadly and many civilians are dying.

It is hard to know how much people outside Falluja are aware of what is going on here.

I want them to know about conditions inside this city – there are dead women and children lying on the streets.

People are getting weaker from hunger. Many are dying from their injuries because there is no medical help left in the city whatsoever.

Some families have started burying their dead in their gardens.

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Fight Against Breast Cancer

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Most of you have heard, I’m sure, that Elizabeth Edwards was diagnosed with breast cancer just after election day. I have a number of friends who are survivors of breast cancer as well. Regular mammograms are essential in the early detection of breast cancer. Please visit The Breast Cancer Site, where you can (for free) click a button to donate money towards mammograms for those who can’t afford them. Because we all deserve a healthy life.
And to Elizabeth Edwards, and any who are enduring this disease, I send my own blessing for your well-being and recovery.

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Today

Fierce Planet Posted on by

I’ve been busy working and playing today, but have several items piled up to post this evening. In the meantime, let me join the rest of the blogosphere in noting that The Incredibles is a fun movie, well worth seeing if you’re looking for some light entertainment.

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Still more voting irregularities

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And as always Keith Olbermann is on the story.
Apparently computer voting in the entire state of North Carolina was so bad that they may scrap their entire result and hold a second election day. And you remember Warren County, who locked down their vote count and wouldn’t allow media observation? Well their cover story about security issues isn’t checking out. There was no special security concern for Warren County on election day.
Looks like Nader is calling for a recount in New Hampshire, and Cobb (the Green candidate) may call for one in Ohio, though it’s not clear how either of them could afford to pay for recounts. It’s all kind of wacky still, but this story is far from over.

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