reading book, my faith in humanity dwindles

[onewheeldoin200]

I've wanted to read Shake Hands With the Devil, by Ltgen. Romeo Dallaire for about a year now. My sister got me the book for christmas and I'm 330 pages into it already (started reading it after dinner christmas day). I find myself absolutely riveted by this book. I can't recommend enough that you read this if you get a chance.
Info on book

Here is also a good interview with Dallaire about some issues raised in his book:
http://www.carnegiecouncil.org/viewM...ID/8/prmID/848

I rarely get emotional when reading, but the complete indifference of the developed world, the outright interference of France and other nations, and the way the UN's beauracracy not only hinders Dallaire's mandate but actually AIDES those partaking in the genocide, have got my blood on full boil.

I've never like Kofi Annan, always seeing him as sincere man, but one of many words and no conviction to back them up. After reading this book, I absolutely despise him, and he embodies everything that is wrong with the UN today, in my eyes.

The UN itself was proved how completely incapable of action it was. The tiny UN force deployed in Rwanda couldn't even get standard supplies like food, ammunition, even pencils and paper. This, while the civilian division of the UN posted there drove around in Mercedes to do errands and bought expensive furnature to adorn their offices. Dallaire was thrown into that hornets nest blindfolded, with both arms tied behind his back and traitors amongst his own staff. It's amazing he didn't simply quit and go home.

The ONLY person to show ANY backbone in the UN was a New Zealander of all people. This guy actually had to lie outright to the council to aid Dallaire at all. Of course all his requests that went through the proper channels were summarily dismissed. Canada, USA, Germany, France, Britain...they ALL had the resources available to stop nearly a million people from becoming victims of genocide, but they did nothing. No...worse....not only did they not act to help the pitiful UN mission that was sent there, but they actually witheld intelligence from the force commander.

In addition to the above, those soldiers who died defending the only moderate Hutuus in the country willing to setup a democratic nation were used as a scapegoat for the atrocities there instead of being honoured as protectors of peace and democracy. Dallaire was brought to military court to defend his command decisions while the entire world, within Rwanda and without, worked against him and against peace in the area.

I feel so disenfrachised with the whole of the human race after reading that so many can just turn a blind eye to shit like this....I feel dirty just being a part of a race that acts so incredibly selfishly, that views 800 000 Rwandans lives as expendable, as not worth saving. The thought just makes me sick.

cliffs: we're all going to hell, and there's a good book about it.

[blinky]

welcome to planet earth

and when u say were going to hell, its ironic because what you described is what i would consider a true manifestation of the concept of "hell'

[Charlitos]

that's some ugly shit, i know

buthalf the people here won't even give a flying shit

[d3fr0573r]

I agree that the UN needs a big overhaul, but I think we just need to exert more presure for change, instead of not paying our dues and threatening to leave.

[little_tippler]

this sounds like a very interesting book to read...what a terrible story, but I imagine much worse is festering in the shadows of the world

[2slow]

yep, then people think we're all of bunch of assholes for realizing that the UN is totally worthless.

[brouski]

Originally Posted by d3fr0573r

I agree that the UN needs a big overhaul, but I think we just need to exert more presure for change, instead of not paying our dues and threatening to leave.

It's too far gone for change, my friend.

[arthur pendragon]

Originally Posted by brouski

It's too far gone for change, my friend.

Yep it needs a full blown nitroglycerin enema…

[Faget McMasterbasion]

the UN is worthless. the mouth of international diversus and big money..

the US is equally worthless as far as international politics are concerned.

[Free_Willy]

When will people realise how many Satan worshippers are in government?

[khergan]

Originally Posted by Free_Willy

When will people realise how many Satan worshippers are in government?

please don't tell me this is a serious post

[arthur pendragon]

Originally Posted by khergan

please don't tell me this is a serious post

Hate to break the bad news to you, but it is...

[HybridPyro]

Originally Posted by Free_Willy

When will people realise how many Satan worshippers are in government?

John Kerry? Ted Kennedy?

[onewheeldoin200]

Originally Posted by little_tippler

this sounds like a very interesting book to read...what a terrible story, but I imagine much worse is festering in the shadows of the world

Worse? I can't see much worse than 800 000 people getting hacked to pieces with machetes because of their ethnicity. Maybe it was just the times, I don't really know (I was too young really to realize wtf was going on at that point). The US administration, for instance, only acted once it had been absolutely shamed by the media covering its unconsionable blocking of Security Council resolutions to reinforce the UN presence in Rwanda. As much as I'd like to think that this couldn't happen again today, that people wouldn't turn a blind eye, I really think that in a place like Rwanda it COULD. Rwanda had nothing to offer the world (resources/political gain/etc) and so their people were worthless to those who could have come to it's aid.

I like to think that the only thing raising people above dogs is that we can overcome our animal urges and use ethics to guide our actions. Cases like this, though, show that we aren't half of what we seem to think we are. I mean, it's like seeing someone raping a black woman in a park and thinking "Well, I don't want to tear up my nice leather jacket helping her, or get a black eye in the scuffle. I mean, I have work tommorrow. I strongly disagree with that man's actions though"

edit: and yes, it's a very interesting read, and a good eye opener. I literally do not posess the ability to be passive anymore; were I to see something like this on the news today I would join a lobby group or something to force our government to take action.

Buy it on ebay, take it out of a library, steal it, whatever, just read the book. It really is incredible.

[Wixard]

Yep, the inaction of the UN and many nations in the world is shameful .

We do help in africa and other places, but not like i think we should be. And exactly like you said, not enough peacekeepers yet they drive mercedes, probably driving past a village that needs clean running water.