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Cautious Optimism on Obama's New Sudan Policy

by Elizabeth Palmberg 10-23-2009 | 5:00pm
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Activists greeted the Obama administration's new Sudan policy with cautious optimism this week. If -- and only if -- it is fleshed out and put into vigorous action, the new policy could be the first step in course of putting concerted economic and other pressure on Khartoum. That would be a desperately needed change from the disastrously wrong-headed course of appeasement which Special Envoy Scott Gration has unfortunately adopted since his appointment -- when a government is guilty of genocide and other war crimes, you just can't operate on the theory that, as Gration has put it, "Kids, countries -- they react to gold stars, smiley faces, handshakes, agreements, talk, engagement." Nor should the regime in Sudan be allowed to hire U.S. lobbyists to plead its murderous cause; the only place Khartoum officials should be allowed to plead is in the International Criminal Court.

There is no time to waste, especially given the likelihood that the NCP, the ruling party in Khartoum, is behind the current rash of village burnings in Sudan's south -- and as the clock is ticking for the all-Sudan national elections that are supposed to be held next year, and the south's referendum on secession in 2011.

In a couple of weeks, look for John Predergast and Maggie Fick's commentary, laying out non-military ways to pressure Khartoum, in the forthcoming issue of Sojourners. But don't wait that long to get involved in the issue. The people of Darfur and southern Sudan need your advocacy help now.

Elizabeth Palmberg is an assistant editor of Sojourners.

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by: canucklehead

10-26-2009 @ 9:33pm

it's really not that difficult...count the number of responses to posts like this vs. those responding to the non-stop U.S. healthcare debate postings and I'm confident you can figure it out

by: ando

10-26-2009 @ 11:01pm

Okay got it. I'll leave aside your condescending response. So, perhaps you would agree with me that the US should spend more money and effort on poverty and related problems in other parts of the world -- where people are truly in dire straits -- than the millions upon millions that lobbyists on both side of the health care reform debate have already spent. Or perhaps there's a better way to spend money for the world's poor than the outrageous sum the Obama campaign raised to get elected in 2008.

We'll see what the Sojo diehards say when the 2012 election rolls around and Obama raises even more money to get re-elected. Why, that money could have been used for the poor, no?!

by: canucklehead

10-26-2009 @ 11:33pm

it's really not that difficult...count the number of responses to posts like this vs. those responding to the non-stop U.S. healthcare debate postings and I'm confident you can figure it out

by: ando

10-26-2009 @ 11:29pm

The Bush adminstration -- which Sojo loves to hate -- was heavily involved in aiding the Darfur region. More so then the Clinton adminstration would have ever been.

by: ando

10-26-2009 @ 11:27pm

"I pray to God that more participants on this site will show some interest in what it taking place AWAY from the U.S.; the amount of money, time and energy spent by the U.S. media and populus on "tempests in the Washington teapot" borders on the immoral"

Huh? Translate please.

by: ando

10-26-2009 @ 11:01pm

Okay got it. I'll leave aside your condescending response. So, perhaps you would agree with me that the US should spend more money and effort on poverty and related problems in other parts of the world -- where people are truly in dire straits -- than the millions upon millions that lobbyists on both side of the health care reform debate have already spent. Or perhaps there's a better way to spend money for the world's poor than the outrageous sum the Obama campaign raised to get elected in 2008.

We'll see what the Sojo diehards say when the 2012 election rolls around and Obama raises even more money to get re-elected. Why, that money could have been used for the poor, no?!

by: Truth2Power

10-23-2009 @ 4:48pm

It's very troubling to hear of the current rash of village burnings in Sudan's south.

I'm confident, though, that the Christain peacemaking Teams will be there shortly to confornt the forces of tyranny and restore justice. The last thing the people of Sudan need is another US military incursion.

by: Truth2Power

10-23-2009 @ 4:48pm

It's very troubling to hear of the current rash of village burnings in Sudan's south.

I'm confident, though, that the Christain peacemaking Teams will be there shortly to confornt the forces of tyranny and restore justice. The last thing the people of Sudan need is another US military incursion.

by: irish_annie

10-24-2009 @ 2:32am

i don't necessarily agree or disagree with obama's policy. what i wonder about is why we who claim to trust in God can only be optimistic when the kingdoms of this world behave as we think they 'should'.

by: Jesdisciple

10-24-2009 @ 5:32am

Good point... However, I do think there's a difference between "optimistic about" and just "optimistic." One implies happiness and the other joy. I don't think a joyful person should never feel happiness as a result of circumstances.

by: irish_annie

10-24-2009 @ 2:32am

i don't necessarily agree or disagree with obama's policy. what i wonder about is why we who claim to trust in God can only be optimistic when the kingdoms of this world behave as we think they 'should'.

by: canucklehead

10-26-2009 @ 11:33pm

it's really not that difficult...count the number of responses to posts like this vs. those responding to the non-stop U.S. healthcare debate postings and I'm confident you can figure it out

by: ando

10-26-2009 @ 11:29pm

The Bush adminstration -- which Sojo loves to hate -- was heavily involved in aiding the Darfur region. More so then the Clinton adminstration would have ever been.

by: ando

10-26-2009 @ 11:27pm

"I pray to God that more participants on this site will show some interest in what it taking place AWAY from the U.S.; the amount of money, time and energy spent by the U.S. media and populus on "tempests in the Washington teapot" borders on the immoral"

Huh? Translate please.

by: Jesdisciple

10-24-2009 @ 5:32am

Good point... However, I do think there's a difference between "optimistic about" and just "optimistic." One implies happiness and the other joy. I don't think a joyful person should never feel happiness as a result of circumstances.

by: canucklehead

10-25-2009 @ 1:11am

thanks for this update, Elizabeth; I pray to God that more participants on this site will show some interest in what it taking place AWAY from the U.S.; the amount of money, time and energy spent by the U.S. media and populus on "tempests in the Washington teapot" borders on the immoral

by: canucklehead

10-25-2009 @ 1:11am

thanks for this update, Elizabeth; I pray to God that more participants on this site will show some interest in what it taking place AWAY from the U.S.; the amount of money, time and energy spent by the U.S. media and populus on "tempests in the Washington teapot" borders on the immoral

by: Titans1

10-26-2009 @ 6:18am

Elizabeth; I pray to God that more "participants on this site will show some interest in what it taking place AWAY from the U.S."

ehh where have you been , paying attention to this plaxce for news .?
Silly The Christian community , its bigger then liberal spin , has been involved in the Sudan , in fact , the whole world . Sorry iof it does not fit into a politcal spectrum , sometimes the world should just be put into a God's spectrum . Just help those folks any way we can.

by: Titans1

10-26-2009 @ 6:18am

Elizabeth; I pray to God that more "participants on this site will show some interest in what it taking place AWAY from the U.S."

ehh where have you been , paying attention to this plaxce for news .?
Silly The Christian community , its bigger then liberal spin , has been involved in the Sudan , in fact , the whole world . Sorry iof it does not fit into a politcal spectrum , sometimes the world should just be put into a God's spectrum . Just help those folks any way we can.

by: ando

10-26-2009 @ 9:27pm

"I pray to God that more participants on this site will show some interest in what it taking place AWAY from the U.S.; the amount of money, time and energy spent by the U.S. media and populus on "tempests in the Washington teapot" borders on the immoral"

Huh? Translate please.

by: ando

10-26-2009 @ 9:29pm

The Bush adminstration -- which Sojo loves to hate -- was heavily involved in aiding the Darfur region. More so then the Clinton adminstration would have ever been.

by: canucklehead

10-26-2009 @ 9:33pm

it's really not that difficult...count the number of responses to posts like this vs. those responding to the non-stop U.S. healthcare debate postings and I'm confident you can figure it out

by: ando

10-26-2009 @ 9:27pm

"I pray to God that more participants on this site will show some interest in what it taking place AWAY from the U.S.; the amount of money, time and energy spent by the U.S. media and populus on "tempests in the Washington teapot" borders on the immoral"

Huh? Translate please.

by: ando

10-26-2009 @ 9:29pm

The Bush adminstration -- which Sojo loves to hate -- was heavily involved in aiding the Darfur region. More so then the Clinton adminstration would have ever been.

Comments sorted by highest rated. After voting you must refresh your page to see the sort order change.

by: Truth2Power

10-23-2009 @ 4:48pm

It's very troubling to hear of the current rash of village burnings in Sudan's south.

I'm confident, though, that the Christain peacemaking Teams will be there shortly to confornt the forces of tyranny and restore justice. The last thing the people of Sudan need is another US military incursion.

by: Truth2Power

10-23-2009 @ 4:48pm

It's very troubling to hear of the current rash of village burnings in Sudan's south.

I'm confident, though, that the Christain peacemaking Teams will be there shortly to confornt the forces of tyranny and restore justice. The last thing the people of Sudan need is another US military incursion.

by: irish_annie

10-24-2009 @ 2:32am

i don't necessarily agree or disagree with obama's policy. what i wonder about is why we who claim to trust in God can only be optimistic when the kingdoms of this world behave as we think they 'should'.

by: irish_annie

10-24-2009 @ 2:32am

i don't necessarily agree or disagree with obama's policy. what i wonder about is why we who claim to trust in God can only be optimistic when the kingdoms of this world behave as we think they 'should'.

by: Jesdisciple

10-24-2009 @ 5:32am

Good point... However, I do think there's a difference between "optimistic about" and just "optimistic." One implies happiness and the other joy. I don't think a joyful person should never feel happiness as a result of circumstances.

by: Jesdisciple

10-24-2009 @ 5:32am

Good point... However, I do think there's a difference between "optimistic about" and just "optimistic." One implies happiness and the other joy. I don't think a joyful person should never feel happiness as a result of circumstances.

by: canucklehead

10-25-2009 @ 1:11am

thanks for this update, Elizabeth; I pray to God that more participants on this site will show some interest in what it taking place AWAY from the U.S.; the amount of money, time and energy spent by the U.S. media and populus on "tempests in the Washington teapot" borders on the immoral

by: canucklehead

10-25-2009 @ 1:11am

thanks for this update, Elizabeth; I pray to God that more participants on this site will show some interest in what it taking place AWAY from the U.S.; the amount of money, time and energy spent by the U.S. media and populus on "tempests in the Washington teapot" borders on the immoral

by: Titans1

10-26-2009 @ 6:18am

Elizabeth; I pray to God that more "participants on this site will show some interest in what it taking place AWAY from the U.S."

ehh where have you been , paying attention to this plaxce for news .?
Silly The Christian community , its bigger then liberal spin , has been involved in the Sudan , in fact , the whole world . Sorry iof it does not fit into a politcal spectrum , sometimes the world should just be put into a God's spectrum . Just help those folks any way we can.

by: Titans1

10-26-2009 @ 6:18am

Elizabeth; I pray to God that more "participants on this site will show some interest in what it taking place AWAY from the U.S."

ehh where have you been , paying attention to this plaxce for news .?
Silly The Christian community , its bigger then liberal spin , has been involved in the Sudan , in fact , the whole world . Sorry iof it does not fit into a politcal spectrum , sometimes the world should just be put into a God's spectrum . Just help those folks any way we can.

by: ando

10-26-2009 @ 9:27pm

"I pray to God that more participants on this site will show some interest in what it taking place AWAY from the U.S.; the amount of money, time and energy spent by the U.S. media and populus on "tempests in the Washington teapot" borders on the immoral"

Huh? Translate please.

by: ando

10-26-2009 @ 9:27pm

"I pray to God that more participants on this site will show some interest in what it taking place AWAY from the U.S.; the amount of money, time and energy spent by the U.S. media and populus on "tempests in the Washington teapot" borders on the immoral"

Huh? Translate please.

by: ando

10-26-2009 @ 9:29pm

The Bush adminstration -- which Sojo loves to hate -- was heavily involved in aiding the Darfur region. More so then the Clinton adminstration would have ever been.

by: ando

10-26-2009 @ 9:29pm

The Bush adminstration -- which Sojo loves to hate -- was heavily involved in aiding the Darfur region. More so then the Clinton adminstration would have ever been.

by: canucklehead

10-26-2009 @ 9:33pm

it's really not that difficult...count the number of responses to posts like this vs. those responding to the non-stop U.S. healthcare debate postings and I'm confident you can figure it out

by: canucklehead

10-26-2009 @ 9:33pm

it's really not that difficult...count the number of responses to posts like this vs. those responding to the non-stop U.S. healthcare debate postings and I'm confident you can figure it out

by: ando

10-26-2009 @ 11:01pm

Okay got it. I'll leave aside your condescending response. So, perhaps you would agree with me that the US should spend more money and effort on poverty and related problems in other parts of the world -- where people are truly in dire straits -- than the millions upon millions that lobbyists on both side of the health care reform debate have already spent. Or perhaps there's a better way to spend money for the world's poor than the outrageous sum the Obama campaign raised to get elected in 2008.

We'll see what the Sojo diehards say when the 2012 election rolls around and Obama raises even more money to get re-elected. Why, that money could have been used for the poor, no?!

by: ando

10-26-2009 @ 11:01pm

Okay got it. I'll leave aside your condescending response. So, perhaps you would agree with me that the US should spend more money and effort on poverty and related problems in other parts of the world -- where people are truly in dire straits -- than the millions upon millions that lobbyists on both side of the health care reform debate have already spent. Or perhaps there's a better way to spend money for the world's poor than the outrageous sum the Obama campaign raised to get elected in 2008.

We'll see what the Sojo diehards say when the 2012 election rolls around and Obama raises even more money to get re-elected. Why, that money could have been used for the poor, no?!

by: ando

10-26-2009 @ 11:27pm

"I pray to God that more participants on this site will show some interest in what it taking place AWAY from the U.S.; the amount of money, time and energy spent by the U.S. media and populus on "tempests in the Washington teapot" borders on the immoral"

Huh? Translate please.

by: ando

10-26-2009 @ 11:27pm

"I pray to God that more participants on this site will show some interest in what it taking place AWAY from the U.S.; the amount of money, time and energy spent by the U.S. media and populus on "tempests in the Washington teapot" borders on the immoral"

Huh? Translate please.

by: ando

10-26-2009 @ 11:29pm

The Bush adminstration -- which Sojo loves to hate -- was heavily involved in aiding the Darfur region. More so then the Clinton adminstration would have ever been.

by: ando

10-26-2009 @ 11:29pm

The Bush adminstration -- which Sojo loves to hate -- was heavily involved in aiding the Darfur region. More so then the Clinton adminstration would have ever been.

by: canucklehead

10-26-2009 @ 11:33pm

it's really not that difficult...count the number of responses to posts like this vs. those responding to the non-stop U.S. healthcare debate postings and I'm confident you can figure it out

by: canucklehead

10-26-2009 @ 11:33pm

it's really not that difficult...count the number of responses to posts like this vs. those responding to the non-stop U.S. healthcare debate postings and I'm confident you can figure it out