Genocide in Darfur a view from Alaska

"....The genocide in Darfur seemed urgent and evidence enough to stop investing in companies who ignore slaughter to maximize profit. If there was a chance Alaskans could help end far away atrocities by divesting our $36 Billion portfolio from these businesses, we should. My testimony was met with ambivalence; the feeling you get when someone in customer service tells you it's 'not their department.' It occurred to me if the Darfur victims' age were recorded in trimesters instead of years, the ongoing Genocide of Innocents in Africa might get the same attention and support as abortion legislation.

Shannyn Moore - excerpt from Business Week

Apparently the good Governor did not feel this way otherwise they would not have been involved in the bid process (RFP/RFQ) process to start with - Folks, really, it's ok to tell a company; "um, Sorry, We do not and can not support your actions directly or indirectly when it comes to humanitarian issues, rights, liberties or your support of governments, directly or indirectly, that squash these rights." Period, end of issue - you are not invited to bid. - No association with the government local, state or otherwise and a sound decision that the people can back. It's pretty easy to stand up in front of your constituents and say; "Yes, they very well may be one of the most qualified and potentially the lower bid which may have resulted in net tax dollars saved but we, as a free people, can not support businesses that conduct themselves or allow their funds to be used in this manner.

That simple. Some call it a moral compass, others compassion and some of us just call it the balls to do what's right.

You have been given a voice, use it. Go out and SCREAM! about something you care about.

SCREAM, Darfur, Alaska, Genocide