In another instance of the pot calling the kettle black, President Barack Obama lectures Sudan and South Sudan on the continued violence between the waring nations that has taken the lives of innocent people. He appeals for peace between the two countries, who split last year after years of civil war.
On the surface it may seem as if Obama’s open message to the Sudanese people is heartfelt and warranted, given the staggering loss of life associated with the conflict. If you examine the actions of the United States, however, it’s more than obvious that the government doesn’t take its own advice. A couple of days ago, we told you how the CIA is seeking authorization to hit unintended targets and justify killing innocent people in drone attacks. So one can only conclude that the U.S. views its drone attacks as acceptable, while condemning Sudan for the same thing. Hypocritical much?
Read an excerpt from the speech or view the video below:
We know what needs to happen. The government of Sudan must stop its military actions, including aerial bombardments. It must give aid workers the access they need to save lives. And, it must end its support for armed groups inside the South.
Likewise, the government of South Sudan must end its suport for armed groups inside Sudan, and it must cease its military actions across the border. […] The only way to achieve real and lasting security is to solve your differences through negotiation. […]
The choice is yours, and now is the time to choose peace. As I’ve said before, those who have the courage to walk the path of peace will not be alone. You will have a strong and steady partner in the United States of America.
Let’s be clear. Peace is desperately needed in Sudan and South Sudan–that goes without saying. The loss of life there is tragic. The issue at hand, however, is the hypocrisy of Barack Obama in telling the Sudanese to stop military actions while the U.S. continues their military actions all over the world. At the end of the day, the Sudanese are fighting for the same reason the U.S. continues to invade and occupy other countries–control over resources and land.
Until the United States can take a dose of its own medicine, they shouldn’t have anything to say about things other governments do when they are guilty of the same things. If the country wants to lead the world, then they should lead by example–certainly not by doing just the opposite of that which they request from others.
A country that has waged war in nearly every nook and cranny of the world should be the absolute last to speak on what it takes to obtain or maintain peace. But yes, America is great!
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