“Is anything happening in the world?” This question frequently arises during the weekly Urchin Meeting (UMtg). As a matter of fact, yes! There’s a lot going on in the world, it’s just not airing on the major American news networks: NBC, CBS, and ABC.
For those interested in more than Lindsey Lohan’s jail sentence and Mel Gibson’s nasty court case, here’s a quick recap of news from around the world.
Genetic Damage in Fallujah Children on the Rise
Birth Defects in Fallujah
In March of this year, the BBC reported claims that child defects in Fallujah were on the rise since the American invasion of Iraq in 2004. Now, a recent report, due for publication, depicts the significantly higher ratio of child mortality, birth defects, leukemia and other cancers as compared to that of Iraq’s neighboring countries. The rise in genetic damage is higher in Fallujah than in Hiroshima after the first nuclear attack.
Hugo Chavez Severs Ties With Colombia
Colombian Rebels
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez claims Colombia is a haven for terrorists and orders the military to be on maximum alert along the Venezuelan-Colombian border. On the flip side, Colombian Ambassador to the Organisation of American States, Luis Alfonso, presented photographs of Colombian rebel camps claiming they were taken in Venezuela. Over the past eight years, relations between Colombia and Venezuela have been strained, but this, reports the BBC, is an all time low.
Serbia Rejects UN Decision of Kosovo’s Independence
In 2008 Kosovo seceded from Serbia. Today, two years later, the UN rules Kosovo did not break international law and is now an official legal state. Serbia, however, stated today that they will never recognize the former province as an independent state.
The top link of this post leads to the BBC website, with a video. In the video a comment is made that the medical and genetic problems reported in Fallujah could be a result of American weapons used there since 2004. While the situation is horrific, to instantly blame American weapons for a problem that has not even been clearly and scientifically defined yet is quite a mental leap. It is noted that British troops attacked Fallujah in the Gulf I, with the prepubescent and adolescent population at that time being the child bearing population over the past few years. Even that statement is presumptuous without a thorough study of the situation. It could be anyone’s weaponry (including the “enemy”), it could environmental (it is clear that there were chemical weapons used in Iraq during Hussein’s reign, improper disposal related to that time may be a source), something could have polluted the water table, a source may even be found in humanitarian efforts to help (leaching from water or food containers).
It is fact that we (all the coalition) destroyed this country and it’s civilization. We carry the moral responsibility to investigate problems like this and work to assist those affected and fix whatever the cause, regardless of where the blame finally lands.