Nicholas Kristof in the April 6 edition of the [New York Times](http://www.nytimes.com) discusses the ongoing genocide in Darfur and [relates](http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/06/opinion/06kristof.html?hp) it to the massive outpouring of emotion for John Paul II. He suggests that it is hypocritical of us to stage and support a massive funeral/spectacle for a Pope who stood boldly in the face of evil, while we continue to do nothing to stop the Darfur killings.

I wholeheartedly agree with this concept. I think that it would be fantastic if President Bush, Tony Blair, and other leaders of the democratic world used the venue of the Pope’s funeral to announce a multilateral, comprehensive agreement to act swiftly and aggressively against genocide anywhere in the world. What greater example of morality is there than to defend the poor, weak, and powerless?

The situation is not getting better. Kristof notes that the latest atrocity is that young girls and women who have been raped and impregnated by soldiers and roaming militia are being imprisoned for immorality. I feel physically sick reading this account from a 16 year old girl (via Doctors Without Borders):

>”When I was eight months pregnant from the rape, the police came to my hut and forced me with their guns to go to the police station. They asked me questions, so I told them that I had been raped. They told me that as I was not married, I will deliver this baby illegally.

>”They beat me with a whip on the chest and back and put me in jail.”

What madness is this? We have the means to act, so we must.

Kristof also points to the [Darfur Accoutability Act of 2005](http://corzine.senate.gov/priorities/darfuraccountabilityact.pdf) (and [here](http://www.rocketblog.net/media/DAact2005.pdf)) and urges people to contact their senators and representatives and press for passage of the bill. [Save Darfur](http://www.savedarfur.org) has a mechanism that lets you email all your representatives and the President at the same time.