Somalia: Orphanage closures render thousands of children homeless

Integrated Regional Information Networks - UN Office Information Service ^ | Thu, Feb 5, 2004 | IRIN

[jafco]

This article, from a UN information agency, reports on how the US declared a Saudi organization had terrorist links. This kept the organization from sponsoring an orphanage in Somalia. Now, about 3,000 orphans face homelessness on the streets of Mogadishu.

Is this a case of children getting hurt when the US paints with too broad a brush stroke, OR, a case of an evil organization being kept from running a breeding ground for future anti-US terrorists?

Your thoughts?

[jafco]

I think it's a chance for the US to "turn the other cheek" in Somalia and show the youth of that country that America is not without compassion. 3000 orphans X $2US/day X 30 days = $180,000/month. Certainly not a lot of money for the US government, and for $2 US/day, every Somali kid would want to be an orphan! Line the walls with pro-US scenes and slogans. Fly in politicians for child-hugging photo-ops. Give them Nike's, Pepsi and Big Mac's, have Britney do a concert. We tried controlling Somalia with guns, now let's try the other American way...with capitalism.

[malia]

This just might be the project for the Clinton Family!

Send them all over to help - Bill, Hillary, and Chelsea Clinton.

[cyborg]

welcome to FR... I think.

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

Statement: "Somalia: Orphanage closures render thousands of children homeless"

Response:Don't worry. They will all be brought to the U.S.A. They will be given taxpayer funds, registered to vote, elected to office-where they will continue on the dole, retire on taxpayer pensions, die go to heaven and sit on the right hand of God. You serfs will pay in this world and in the world to come.

[jriemer]

The orphans being out on the street isn't the issue. The orphanage being run with terrorist money is. I feel bad for the children; however, their minders are playing for the other team.

Before you think that we should start a bake sale, reflect back on a some other examples of Muslim charity:

U.S. links Saudi charity to 1998 bombings, UPI, 1/23/2004

U.S., Saudis Seek to Freeze Charity's Assets, AP - 1/22/2004

Red-Faced Saudis Crack Down on Pro-terrorist 'Charities' AP - 12/4/2002

Police raided an Islamic charity in Sarajevo, Daily Herald - 3/23/2002

[netmilsmom]

I'm sure that there are many American families that would take these children. I would take a four year old easily. If all of us could pay only airfare for these kids, I'm sure we could find them all homes.
Especially knowing our former president did nothing while their parents were murdered.

[Rabid Dog]

Good project for Jesse Jackson and his Rainbow/PUSH coalition. Maybe he can do something worthwhile for a change.