The world at midterm

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Posted: 10/11/06

Midterm has arrived, and students across campus are losing their grip on sanity. Whether you're dealing with exam overload, procrastination-induced insomnia or pesky cold viruses, most people are too busy to keep up with themselves, let alone what's going on in the rest of the world.

It is our responsibility as people to keep in our minds the state of the human race. To put things in perspective, we at the WC want to take this opportunity to remind Western Illinois University students of the truly dire situations in the world around us.

Genocide in Darfur

A news brief from the Genocide Intervention Network informs us violence between rival rebel groups continues to worsen in Darfur. Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir is still refusing to allow United Nations peacekeeping missions in Sudan. Last Friday, around 40 people were killed in an assault outside the town of Gereida; these attacks are becoming more common. As a result, many foreign aid organizations have fled the area, meaning even more people in need are being left without assistance. Darfur has also seen an increase in the incidence of rape; it is estimated 21 women and girls were raped in the last two weeks in one camp alone. The situation in Darfur is growing more serious by the day; all forms of relief are needed desperately. Find out what you can do to help at www.genocideintervention.net.

War in Iraq

Though major combat has long since ended, many American troops remain in Iraq as President Bush continues to work hard at convincing the American public that is how it needs to be.

According to The Associated Press, 60 mutilated male bodies were found in the streets of a small city outside Baghdad in a 24-hour period ending Tuesday morning. Signs of torture were present, meaning the attacks were likely death-squad killings. Sectarian violence in Iraq is increasing, and the United States appears to be taking a hands-off approach to the killings, despite our supposed efforts to facilitate "Iraqi Freedom."

North Korea nuclear scares

A nuclear weapons test nearly four decades in the making was formally announced this week as a successful explosion was reported. The biggest concern to America is North Korea has a history of selling its weapons technology to anyone who will take it; The United States fears North Korea may sell its nuclear weapons to our biggest enemies.

Hastert and Foley scandal

GOP representative and Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, who is from Illinois, has come under fire recently for the way he has handled the Mark Foley (R-Fla.) controversy. Foley, who has been accused of having inappropriate online sexual exchanges with a teenage page, resigned nearly two weeks ago. Though the relationship had been brought to Hastert's attention, Hastert evidently did nothing to put an end to the problem; he is currently demanding anyone who knew about the Internet sex scandal on Capitol Hill should resign.

In this time of midterms and chilly weather, take time to stay updated on major issues affecting the world we are preparing ourselves to enter. Our education means nothing if we remain ignorant of the truly significant problems in our world.