–updated–
Amidst the arrival of my husband driving the truck with everything we own (call it a blue collar cross country moving reality; we move ourselves), the world turns. Today, a tiny move forward towards justice.
But first a note on what’s going on. While Mark was packing our house up back west, I’ve been working and living here with just the basics: computer and flat screen TV (with cable and screaming internet connection), gym clothes (a must for me, as I’m a work out rat), one business jacket and shirt (and tie), one pair of jeans (and laundry detergent), and winter coat and gloves, basic toiletries. Unloading begins soon, but having not seen my husband in days, we had to hire workers, etc. for the final move in.
Today on news, let’s start off with a monumental action from the International Court, which issued an arrest warrant for Sudanese president, the first ever issued for a sitting head of state, and boy did he earn it. Via CNN:
The International Criminal Court at the Hague issued an arrest warrant Wednesday for Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir for a five-year campaign of violence in Darfur.
Al-Bashir is the first sitting head of state to be charged by the permanent war crimes court. It is the first arrest warrant ever issued for a sitting head of state by the world’s only permanent war crimes tribunal.
Bashir is charged with seven counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes. The warrant does not mention genocide, but the court may issue an amended warrant to include that charge later, ICC spokeswoman Laurence Blairon said. [...]
Nic Robertson offers hair raising reporting not for the faint of heart, telling the tale of all the government’s institutionally led child rapes under al-Bashir’s orders.
[...] There were other people in the room, the translator, a cameraman, our producer Jonathan Wald, but I had forgotten they were there. My thoughts were entirely locked on Adam.
What more could I ask? I was emotionally drained. There was no way of knowing whether he was telling me the truth. Only in the measure of his voice was there a clue.
Here, sitting on an office chair, thousands of miles away from Darfur, the memories come flooding back. The many, traumatized women and children we’ve interviewed, distraught families, unable to protect themselves. The pain we put them through, to recount, to relive, their nightmares. [...]
There is a special place in hell reserved for al-Bashir, which is actually an address in reality when he finally faces the world to answer for these crimes.
Save Darfur has an action alert asking President Obama to appoint an emissary to the Sudan. Scott Paul has more.
However, the pictures drawn by children say it all.
I fully can empathize Taylor. I was just worried about you. Was really hoping you weren’t sick. Moving is very stressful, especially when you are doing it yourself.
Thanks Betsy. When hubby arrived it was all attention and hands on deck, without one moment to spare. He was so stressed from the drive, this is the first chance I’ve had to do anything beyond getting his equilibrium back. He’s never lived anywhere else, so this move is very difficult, obviously. Family first today, was the focus.
I *so* appreciate your energy in our direction.
Thank God for this. It’s about time that he be charged. He’s a horrible despicable man. I just hope something can be done. And can they actually arrest him. What about his cohorts? Shouldn’t they be arrested also?
You and Mark deserve a rest and private time. But I must tell you Taylor that this is the site I go to every morning, and before I go to bed. I would love to see you get a show on MSNBC. I’ve been seriously thinking about sending them an email regarding that. Even maybe email Rachel. Don’t know how much pull she has there, but I think you would absolutely be wonderful in the hour after her.
I really hope people will sign in on with Save Darfur. As an aside, it’s the org. George Clooney is working through to help get an envoy to Sudan.
http://action.savedarfur.org/campaign//iccownerhp
Well, we haven’t had rest or private time, which will have to wait until much later. Today we were trying to get inch-deep ice off the walkway because we couldn’t move the stuff in due to the big snowfall. There is no salt anywhere to be found. Also to find workers to help us unload. Much to do, believe me.
There is a concerted effort by many progressives to land that hour. I’d appreciate an email in their direction. I know David Sirota is being mentioned by some, which I think is a terrific idea, but I think he would need a strong, personable woman by his side. I think we’d make a perfect team. Unfortunately, the MSNBC scouting came at the same time as my move, so my team and I just haven’t launched a serious campaign. No harm in sending an email!
Will definitely do that Taylor. And will suggest that you and Sirota as a team.
Are you going to launch a serious campaign for that time slot? I hope so. Of course we’d probably lose you here, which would be sad.
Will definitely sign on with Save Darfur.
The reality is they’ll likely go in-house for the team. Now that my clothes have arrived I can at least do some reach out, but seriously it’s a long shot at this point. Hey, but I’ve been dealing with those odds for years. I’ll let you know.
Hello Taylor
If the ICC claim to be independent, neutral and impartial, than they must prove it by issuing similar arrest warrants for GW Bush & Tony Blaire for their proven lies and false evidences to justify attacks on Iraq and for the killing of more than a million Iraqis.
What do you say? I shall wait for your comments on this…