Background on Darfur: History from Wikipedia

[applegrove]

For those who want to find out the history of Darfur & Sudan. FYI

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darfur

Darfur

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

This article is about the Darfur region of western Sudan. For information on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Darfur see Darfur conflict. For the city in Minnesota see Darfur, Minnesota.
Darfur (Arabic ÏÇÑ ÝæÑ, meaning "home of the Fur") is a region of far western Sudan, bordering the Central African Republic, Libya, and Chad. It is divided into three federal states within Sudan: Gharb Darfur (West Darfur), Janub Darfur (South Darfur), and Shamal Darfur (North Darfur). The current conflict between the Janjaweed and the non-Arab peoples of the region has led to the deaths of tens of thousands and the displacement of millions (see Darfur conflict).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darfur

[Nothing Without Hope]

1. Would you like to add this to our ongoing Darfur thread?

Or would you prefer I did? It's definitely a good find and a good addition to the store of info and links we're gathering:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=3692135#3695339
Thread title: “Genocide update: "NATO on alert to provide help in Darfur" (Bush silent)”

At some point this coming week I'm planning repost key finds in that thread in a more organized fashion, unless someone steps forward who would like to focus on Darfur - I hope that happens.

[applegrove]

2. Tell me how to do it. What is the policy. I have tried to post a new

thread on Darfur every day. There is certainly enough information out there for it to be topical every day.

Perhaps this is a discussion I missed - because this is a new bee in my bonnet.

I understand the need to keep the DU lean and mean. I myself have been frustrated by multiple 'propaganda' of someone elses choice. So tell me what was agreed to. And I'll try to follow that.

Is there one thread a day? I have no idea? But I can cut & paste so I'll take it on.

Just tell me what I need to do. Oh and how do you do that grey? is it quotes?

[Nothing Without Hope]

3. No policy that I know of, I just want to keep important stuff cross-

threaded so everything is easier to find.

I started a Darfur thread that grew with a lot of good posts from a lot of people a couple of days ago. It's off the Greatest Page and fading now, but I'd like to keep it cross-posted so all that info isn't lost. People reading either thread will be able to follow the links and get a larger picture.

No rules I know of for numbers of threads on this - but it's good if new threads can have links to older ones that have a lot of information. That way stuff doesn't get lost as easily and the discussion can move forward.

I certainly didn't intend any criticism and I'm sorry if it sounded like I did. (I probably shouldn/t post when I have a headache.) I applaud you for posting on this subject and the Wikipedia entry is a valuable find. It would be hard to have too many posts on the genocide, and in any case they can only stay visible on the Greatest page for a day even if they are strongly supported. What seemed to me to be a lack of Darfur threads is what nudged me into gathering info for a post on this topic and asking others to do the same. As far as I know, there's no one at DU who has chosen to focus long-term on Darfur. I'd be happy to support anyone who does this any way I can.

[applegrove]

4. Sorry - I had no idea of all the work you did. Yes the post looks great.

Tell me - how do I do it. Do you repost it every day? How do you keep it at the top. I just wasn't sure what you meant until i saw your beautiful thread.

Because I get on and stay in the 'newest' thread - somehow I didn't see yours. So how do we keep it together (great job) and up at the top? I know we can get it posted to the greatest thread. It looks like we do it bi-daily. Can I cut and past your stuff? Or will that no go over well with the moderators? Do we need to come up with something new every few days? I guess so. And then we link it to the thread before.

That must be how you have done it so far.

Oh - yes..reading up on the history of the Sudan is what got me hooked a few weeks ago. Also inspired by a Canadian Member of Parliament who took the fact that he was an independent and the Liberals were desperate for his vote..to get them to act on Darfur. Not that they hadn't done anything before. But you know. The power of one to millions. Decided to do more than just read.

Just looking for advice here because I have been a poster rather than a manager since I've been on.

[Nothing Without Hope]

5. Is the Darfur tragedy something you think you could focus on for at least

a month or so? Maybe we can informally organize with several people who responded strongly in the other thread and try to move forward with gathering the information and starting the dialog about what specific issues and people are the best choices for activism foci. For example, there are several pieces of legislation in play now - in the earlier thread I gave info on three Bills and a Resolution and there are about 10 others that came up with a search on "Darfur" in Thomas but were not obviously directly related from their titles.

I had planned on trying to find/make the time to reformat what came out in that long Darfur thread in a new one that we could see about getting saved in some way. But I would be absolutely delighted if you wanted to become our Darfur discussion leader and would try to give you whatever help you wanted if you want to do this. If not, we'll have to figure some other way of managing this and I will indeed try to put that organizing thread together. Yes, you are welcome to take whatever you want from my other postings - the point is to get the word out as clearly and convincingly as we can, and hope I don't let my ego get in the way of that. I had also planned to write to Skinner and ask about what we can do to present the organized information in a way that DUers will SEE it. The question of how we do this, put together the information and keep it visible, puts a finger on what I see as the single biggest weakness of the DU format. Threads come and go and are lost. Wheels are re-invented over and over. Wikipedia and Demopedia are great, but they cannot serve this function of keeping the current story out in front and clear and accumulating more information. It's a problem that urgently needs some solutions.

As for the Darfur situation, there are a lot of government people who seem to be making pious noises while not really planning to do a damn thing to actually help the situation. The Bush administraton has been playing footsies with the butchers, literally inviting them to dinner and attempting to suppress any moves that would halt their bloody work. The House bill seems to me to be stronger in its provisions than the Senate one does. The Senate one is backed by people like Cornyn. :scared: It's "bipartisan" - sounds noble, doesn't it? - because GOP wannabe Lieberman is a cosponsor. I suspect the Senate bill is a dodge, but we need a legal/legislative maven to look over all the proposed legislation and give informed comments.

I'm rambling now - it's been a hard week and that headache is not making an exit. Tomorrow I'll write to Skinner about that other Darfur thread and ask his advice about what we can do with the reorganized information. I'm afraid he will tell me to put it in Demopedia, but that in my opinion is not a solution that will keep it visible. People posting new threads do NOT look in Demopedia before doing so, and the so the wheel keeps getting reinvented over and over and over. This has got to be improved upon.

In the meantime, by all means yes, take from that other thread and repost here if you like. As long as we have the cross-thread links so people can find all the stuff, it's all to the positive to keep it visible. And think about whether you would like to be a leader in the Darfur discussion, at least for a while. It would involve keeping abreast of the news and playing a major role in coordinating the organization and exposure of information on this tragedy so there are no more reinvented wheels and it is finally put into our consciousness in a more developed form than it has been up to now.

[applegrove]

6. Didn't have much time to read your post. I would love to be the leader

but I am Canadian and as such..am very limited in terms of 'actual' on the ground American politics. So that side of it - no. I try to stay out of American polls (even when they are DUed) for that same reason. I am up for discussing issues since we are all affected by Bush and our countries seem to be becoming more and more intertwined. I just cannot do the political stuff.

I will however take the lead in posting for a month as you suggest. I just cannot do the political stuff.

I will print out your response in order to answer anything else and give it the attention it deserves.

[Nothing Without Hope]

9. maybe we can split up the responsibility on the Darfur issue

You could choose aspect(s) of it that especially move you and that you feel drawn to truly grasp. Someone else can tackle the legislative angle - there are people who love this. (I'm not one of them, but I can see that it's important and must be covered - it's a target for selective activism.)

So think about what facet(s) of the Darfur tragedy you feel drawn to master, to dig into and try to understand. We can take it from there. It's too much for any one of us, but maybe an informal group of a few people can bring this together better than it has been up to now. We haven't yet homed in on what are the true, root questions that need the highest priority. We need to know more and get some informed, insightful input.

[applegrove]

10. Personally - I don't think the Jaja- whoever get covered enough. But

I'm guessing there are good reasons for that. All Aid groups have to deal with the Sudanese government in the end and the most important thing is that all the ethnic cleansing stops asap. Before all else. Before any other considerations. Hopefully the ball is beginning to roll. There will be a documentary on CTV or CBC about a journalist who spends a few weeks with a family hiding in Chad. Next Saturday I think. I'll look it up.

I guess the TV or news-programs is something I could do too - come to think of it. Go to the American networks daily and find-out if anything is scheduled.

So I'll avoid domestic politics and stick perhaps to the 1)international politics & response and 2) the known facts of the crisis itself 3) American TV . Someone else can do American domestic legislative stuff - yes. Any other topics I am missing?

Also is this not a chance to work with the Christian groups in America who are involved? They were so involved with the peace deal for the Christians in the south of Sudan..and they I think have stepped up again. I wonder if we should be linking with that and their actions. Find out where they are meeting and join in in the spirit of humanity? What do you think? I now there is much coordination already. But for the local vigils and the like? Would not DUers showing up to back up Christians be just what we all need? That would get the ball rolling in Washington! Win win win!

[Nothing Without Hope]

11. It all sounds good to me. Yes, we need to a "religious liason" to provide

coverage from that side of it, you've brough up an important point. There's someone I think I'll ask about that - I'll PM her now with this thread and the earlier one and see if she wants to take up that angle for the group effort. If she doesn't, then perhaps she can suggest someone or start a discussion about it in the Progressive Christian/People of Faith forum. She's active there and a minister herself.

Hmmmm....

I am really getting foggy-headed now, so should sign off for the night and get some sleep. I'll PM my minister friend and see what she thinks. In the meantime, we can use this thread to organize, eh? (A Canadian "eh" - ;))

So let's check in here tomorrow evening and take this the next step.

[applegrove]

13. Just on that note.. would it be not great to get that person to issue

local alerts at the DU to tell local DUers when there is a religious meeting/vigil on the Sudan. That way DUers could show up and show support. "we're here to back you up on Sudan". In a way..get us to get to know each other again. And not just Christians. Muslims and other groups too.

I think there is power in that. In crossing lines at this point in history.. to come together like the leftists and the Christians did at the start of the 20th Century. You know..rehumanize ourself with our neighbors. And for the most important reason of all: to have a 'new sort' of political pressure to bring to bear on the government so more pressure will be put on Sudan's leaders to stop it. So they'll take action.

The people in Washington don't seem to understand "numbers" of opposition. They only seem to care about political geography.

Note to self: Dam! Shut yourself up girl. You said you would stay out of the domestic.!!!

[Nothing Without Hope]

14. Don't worry about "shutting up." This tragedy should have no borders -

it should cause ALL of us pain, wherever in the world we are.

And politics are politics - they've just gotten horrible over here these last two Administrations. (Both elections were stolen, so it isn't the U.S. people's will, but that's another story.) There's no need for you to delve into the wording and political status of all the varioius US Darfur-related pending legislation. But headsups on events are in a different category. There passing the word freely and quicklly is key so those nearby and able can participate in the event and report back if possible.

So think about what you want to focus on and we can think about this more later. I've already PMed my friend before I saw your most recent post. We can continue that dialog tomorrow.

In the meantime, here's the "Act" page of one of the major Darfur web sites. It collects links for events:
http://www.darfurgenocide.org/act.php

There is a lot more at this site and others. But I'm fading now and am going to shut down for the evening.

Good night! I've enjoyed "talking" with you.
:hi:

[Nothing Without Hope]

7. Thread management - keeping at the top, reposting, etc.

I have only been a DU member for a little over half a year and have only tried to figure some things that will work. I hope you don't feel that I am condescending to you. I have been told I have "teacher genes" and tend to go into lecture mode at inopportune times - can be very annoying for all concerned.

But you asked, so here are some of the things that I have found about DU threadology:

• Each Forum has its own character in terms of who reads it, how fast it moves, and how people will respond to a serious post. That can change at different times of the day as well. I prefer GD-P when possible, since there are serious people there and it has more focus and less fast movement than GD, my second choice. I've not had as positive experiences in LBN and so generally avoid it unless the topic really is a sort of quick-flash thing.
  
• Formatting to make posts easier to read, for example enclosing quotes and their links in text boxes, really does help.
  
• Some excerpt - the maximum allowed is four paragraphs, is very helpful. But it should be carefully selected so that it will get the point across. Someone opening the post should be struck by the main point right away and become interested enough to read the rest.
  
• Careful wording of titles is absolutely key. Too many DUers neglect this and their posts don't get the readings they deserve. (In LBN, the original title of the article has to be used, but at least supplemental info can be added in parentheses.)
  
• Keeping a good thread kicked is important. Sometimes other people will help this, but ultimately it's the opening poster's responsibility. I try to post something interesting or respond to a comment instead of just saying "kick" but I do those too.
  
• For a few selected threads that feel important, whether they are mine or posted by other people, I send headsups to one or a few people that I think might be interested. (I never outright ask them for their votes, though - it's their decision whether they think the thread merits it.)
  
• When people make great information or comment posts in a thread I have started, I try to make sure to let them know they are noticed and valued. Sometimes other people will reply to them, which is fine as long as the point is made.
  
• In my opinion it's all about DISCUSSION - gathering important resources of information and expertise and then figuring out what to DO about the issue. That is almost NEVER obvious without a lot of digging, maturation, and challenging of ideas. That takes open, honest discussion. I try to make that happen in threads, for example by posting questions and additional information as I find it. The opening post is just the start.
  
• You can't get too downhearted if the wonderful opening post is ignored. Just keep posting good followups with more information and facets.
  
• Posting headsups in other forums to help people find the thread is not a bad idea. I did it for the GD Darfur thread in GD-P here:
  http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1797258
  Thread title: "Headsup: Darfur genocide update and information thread - PLEASE JOIN"
  
• If I start what feels like an "important" thread, I usually do not do it in one of the specialty forums, since that audience is usually too narrow and small. I DO post headsups in the specialty forums so that there is a record of the post there that can be found. (An exception: I do occasionally post the main thread of a topic in the GLBT forum and the headsup in GD-P. That is an active forum that is good at getting the word spread on issues of special interest to its participants.)

Probably none of this is new to you. But if any of it was helpful at all, that's good.

(edited to add one more point to my ad hoc list)

[applegrove]

8. Excellent. What I need! n/t

[Nothing Without Hope]

12. The Canadians have been doing a lot more useful things than the US has

in Darfur - it was in one of the articles in the opening post. I wrote:

The Canadians have already offered to provide helicopters to assist in the urgently needed airlift operations. The United States HAS NOT. The best that could be said of our oh-so-moral, “culture-of-life” government in this article is that a “British official said that if the US also offered to help with the airlift, that should be taken up.”