Redstate

All of humanity is of great value and all should be considered equal.  No human life is more valuable than another.  The question is not "Are they worth it?" but "Are we able?".

We are not omnipotent.  We can't do anything to save people from themselves, and while it's an unfortunate circumstance, living in the desert has consequences.  Deserts can only support a certain population density, and there are natural mechanisms for adjusting that density.  Yeah, that's the ugly truth.

Are these people worth fixing?  Are they even worth saving?  And if we don't act, is this inaction a sort of genocide by default?

No. Yes. No.

We have bigger fish to fry, like making sure Iran doesn't blow us up.

Let the EU do it this time.

I'm down to the point where I don't much care about subsaharan Africa anymore.

It's not so much that I want the people there to starve, I just don't see ANY solution short of a US military invasion and occupation of the region.  That would also entail killing about every one of the current crop of "leaders".  That's not aimed at Somalia, it's aimed at most of the continent.

Sending food aid or money is a waste of food and money.  None of it gets to the starving, with the possible (and I stress possible) exception of aid funneled thru Christian Missionary organizations.

I'm worn out providing "aid" to people who refuse to do anything but kill each other.  Let 'em finish and then deal with the left overs.  All that said, I am open to skeptically listening to some sort of bail out plan as long as the UN isn't involved in ANY way and the Africans provide all of the funds and organization for the aid.

send in the French

followed by each of the EU countries, in the order they took mony from the food-for-oil program.

Thats their payback to the world for taking funds designated for the kids.

And based on the "French worker riots" I've seen over the last couple of days, they could staff it.  And hey, the kids want lifetime employment so send 'em to Somalia to feed people.  It should be a "forever" kinda job.

Thanks to all fo you for your honestly -- I didn't expect responses so soon! --  and ALL of you have expressed an element of how I feel in toto.  But let's play a what-if game here for just a moment: If you could fix Africa, or even just Somalia, what would you do?

Thanks again,

hypothetical there.

Speaking as one whose husband flew tons upon tons of food into that region during the early 90's "deny holiday extravaganza", I can't say that there is much I would do.

In order to affect change in that area, you would have to completely alter the cultural landscape, and I just don't see that ever happening.

Personally, I think mbecker and others have it right.  Let the French do it.  

but I belive in the wisdom of crowds, somewhat.

I think you've most likely hit the sweet spot on this issue: without a change in culture, nothing's going to happen.

However, it'll be interesting to hear any concrete plans.

Thanks!

but nevertheless true -- the desert can only support x amount of life, nature being what it is.  Nature also feeds on itself, but who wants to think in those terms, although there have been reports that this very thing is happening to the pygmies in the Congo.

Rem the conundrum: what do you do when you see and endangered animal eating an endangered plant?

We're at that point on this one, I fear.

I think, and you're most certainly not the only one who's got it!  I just get so very, very weary when I think of Africa.  The only reason I posted this subject was because I read about it in the NYT today, and I immediately felt tired, bone-weary tired, and my first thought was: Our kids are going to have to solve this peoblem, we're run out of steam.  So I thought I'd see what all you folks here had to say about it.

creative idea.  The French kids want employment guarantees, so be it.  Here's their chance!

I get that listening to the Senator from Louisiana.  And there is a problem with a solution, or several possible solutions.

When it comes to Africa, I don't think there is a solution because of the quality of the leaders involved in the various countries.  Most even make Cynthia McKinney look marginal.  Until there is indigenous leadership and something that resembles other than a tribal community for government, you've got no workable solution.

For an example closer to home (much closer for me), just look at the Indian Reservations in the US.  We've poured money from the fed in until it didn't matter, now the tribes have casino gaming and are making a fortune.  The tribal members are still, by and large, a picture of the residents of Somalia.

I have no solution there either.

At first I was being cynical.  Now I'm serious.

Let the French do it.

They have experience with colonizing parts of Africa.  They still have interests in the Ivory Coast.  They have no qualms about using military force when they think it's necessary and they don't ask the UN for their opinion or their permission.

Give them Somalia & a free hand to do what ever they feel like doing.  It could be the start of a Napoleonic rebirth.  (Oops, I'm being cynical again.  But only about the Napoleonic part.)

for solving two (count 'em TWO) international crises with one little blog post.

You win.

are failing as a society, right before our very eyes.  But an attack on Somalia by the French might just awaken Somalies from their stupor.

I know, it's a stretch, but I am looking for answers, ideas -- any kind will do.