How do we sleep at night? [distressing content]

DareGod

I opened this news item and I felt like I was about to puke before I even reached the end of the first sentence.

S Sudan Pays Forces By Letting Them Rape: UN

In one incident troops argued over whether to rape a six-year-old and then shot her, says a UN report.

Pro-government forces in South Sudan are being allowed to rape women and children as a form of payment, according to a UN report.

In one incident soldiers argued over whether to rape a six-year-old girl and then shot her.

The UN human rights office said its report contained "harrowing accounts" of civilians suspected of supporting the opposition - including children and the disabled - being burned alive, suffocated in shipping containers, hanged from trees and cut to pieces.

It said the crimes uncovered showed the war-torn country was facing "one of the most horrendous human rights situations in the world".

A UN assessment team, which compiled Friday's report, was deployed to the country in 2015 and recorded more than 1,300 reports of rapes in South Sudan's Unity State alone.

UN human rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said the number "must only be a snapshot of the real total".

"The assessment team received information that the armed militias... who carry out attacks together with the SPLA (South Sudanese army) commit violations under an agreement of 'do what you can and take what you can,'" the report said.

"Most of the youth therefore also raided cattle, stole personal property, raped and abducted women and girls as a form of payment."

The report also cited cases of parents being forced to watch their children being raped, and warned even women and youngsters inside UN protected camps were at risk.

Last month, at least 18 people were killed in attacks at a UN base sheltering civilians in the northeastern town of Malakal.

The violence forced around 600 people - mostly women and children - to gather inside a Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) hospital.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the fighting and expressed concerns about the rise of ethnic violence in the conflict, which began in December 2013.

http://news.sky.com/story/1658033/s-sudan-pays-forces-by-letting-them-rape-un

I didn't need to read this article to know that this pure evil occurs, but it brought it back to my attention. Like the rest of us, I'm constantly distracted by myself, my own life, and whatever's going on around me or in the media.

With the rape of babies, toddlers, children and others going on around the world, how do the rest of us sleep at night? With the torture and mutilation of those kids going on, how do we sleep? With the same thing happening to adults and the vulnerable, how do we sleep?

I can't get my head around it. What the **** is the point of anything any of us does - ever - when things like this are going on all day every day, somewhere in the world?

Tipsy McSwagger

I sleep fine.

SEPT 23 1989

Its Friday

podgemonster

Usually after 15 minutes of the Late Late show I've passed out due to boredom

Unless it's the Toy Show, that's fúckin' magic that is!

ClovenHoof

This is not my fault as horrific as it is. Neither was the drown kid on the beach.

I can only take care of myself and my loves ones. I do need to be made guilty into a Bono Missionary Psychosis.

I stopped putting money in the Concern and Trocaire boxes a long time ago and save it for my own family.

Such is life.

EndaHonesty

in a drunken stupor...

thattequilagirl

DareGod wrote: »

I opened this news item and I felt like I was about to puke before I even reached the end of the first sentence.



http://news.sky.com/story/1658033/s-sudan-pays-forces-by-letting-them-rape-un

I didn't need to read this article to know that this pure evil occurs, but it brought it back to my attention. Like the rest of us, I'm constantly distracted by myself, my own life, and whatever's going on around me or in the media.

With the rape of babies, toddlers, children and others going on around the world, how do the rest of us sleep at night? With the torture and mutilation of those kids going on, how do we sleep? With the same thing happening to adults and the vulnerable, how do we sleep?

I can't get my head around it. What the **** is the point of anything any of us does - ever - when things like this are going on all day every day, somewhere in the world?

If I allowed all the horrors and evils of the world to infiltrate my life like that, I wouldn't be able to get out of bed in the morning.

I do the very little I can - buy a junkie a cup of tea, give the big issue guy a fiver, and I try to treat the people around me well.

I have absolutely no way to stop rape in South Sudan, so I can't let it take over my thoughts.

It's incredibly sad. I had a really hard time closing the door in my mind on the Syria crisis, but I had to.

spurious

There are things we can help with and things we can't. Other things, like those you describe, help us to realise how privileged we are.

Alf Stewart.

Can't be the only one who read the title, and presumed it was a friendly thread on "shut eye tips?

I was gonna share me best kept secret of mixin bourbon and white, just before hitting the scratcher, but the contents of the op just makes me wanna head back to me veranda and swat some mossies.

Maximus Alexander

DareGod wrote: »

I can't get my head around it. What the **** is the point of anything any of us does - ever - when things like this are going on all day every day, somewhere in the world?

I get where you're coming from and it's utterly horrific, but what's the alternative? You or I being paralyzed with disgust will do nothing to change the fate of these people, and there's not really action we can take to help them either... So you sort of just have to get on with your own life and do the best you can.

Alias G

DareGod wrote: »

how do we sleep?

On a big pile of money with many beautiful ladies.

Stigura

Looks across and smiles at his brand new futon ..........

Niemoj

I get about 5hrs if I'm lucky, any more and I just wake up.

Although having said that I'd sleep through an earthquake, tsunami and the second coming all rolled up into one as I'm a heavy sleeper.

If I've not gotten my 5hrs Jesus can fúckin' wait!

Ice Maiden

The only people who should have problems sleeping at night are the people who carry out these horrors, even more so the people who order them (because I reckon many of those carrying them out are also damaged by war and have had their humanity robbed) and those who have the power to do something but won't.

Others who are not responsible should not be made to feel some sort of accountability, however I would buy into the idea of feeling appreciation that we were born here and not there. I find it utterly shameful at times the way people go on about Ireland as if it were a third world country and similar junk.

paleoperson

spurious wrote: »

There are things we can help with and things we can't. Other things, like those you describe, help us to realise how privileged we are.

Can you please not use that word, I genuinely find it offensive.

Don't you ever call me privileged.

Ice Maiden

Anyone in Ireland is privileged compared to people described in the opening post.

DareGod

DareGod wrote: »

I opened this news item and I felt like I was about to puke before I even reached the end of the first sentence.



http://news.sky.com/story/1658033/s-sudan-pays-forces-by-letting-them-rape-un

I didn't need to read this article to know that this pure evil occurs, but it brought it back to my attention. Like the rest of us, I'm constantly distracted by myself, my own life, and whatever's going on around me or in the media.

With the rape of babies, toddlers, children and others going on around the world, how do the rest of us sleep at night? With the torture and mutilation of those kids going on, how do we sleep? With the same thing happening to adults and the vulnerable, how do we sleep?

I can't get my head around it. What the **** is the point of anything any of us does - ever - when things like this are going on all day every day, somewhere in the world?

There is unfortunately nothing new in this story that hasn't been done all over the world since time imortal.
The people who order this and the members of forigen governments who support the regime in place have no trouble sleeping at night.
You can voice your horror but in the end it won't make a difference to whats happened.

paleoperson

Ice Maiden wrote: »

Anyone in Ireland is privileged compared to people described in the opening post.

I don't care. There are plenty of factual things you can say that are offensive and uncalled for in the wrong context. You could say the same to a dying person, how good they have it compared to someone else. It's so arrogant... and what or who does it help? It doesn't help anyone or anything.

It's also factually wrong, to say that people in Ireland today are in any way "privileged". Humans are NOT "privileged" until everyone has their full human rights fulfilled at least, and it's offensive to say they are.

It's a common tactic used to justify people living in a bad way. "look at those guys, how bad they have it".

Ice Maiden

paleoperson wrote: »

It's also factually wrong, to say that people in Ireland today are in any way "privileged".

Well I contradict that "fact". I grew up in a comfortable home with no social problems on my doorstep, money was never short, I got a third-level and postgrad education, I have never been stuck for money, I have no problem getting healthcare if I need it, no shortage of food. I am living in paradise compared to many people (including some in Ireland, to be fair).
The one human right I do not have, as a woman, is abortion - which is a joke for sure - but I can complain about it and protest against it, and I still have it infinitely better than the victims of the atrocities described in the opening post.

Humans are NOT "privileged" until everyone has their basic human rights fulfilled, and it's an offence to say they are.

Nah I do not agree it's an offence - I think it's a rather absurd notion of what constitutes offensive.

myshirt

Bad things happen when good men sit by and do nothing.

I actually find it disgusting that none of you don't give a flying f#ck, especially that person who posted that they take money from the Trocaire box. Wtf man?

Look, no one is expecting you personally to lash on the war paint and go Rambo on this, but the ole 'not my problem' 'doesnt affect me' 'f#ck the poor' type attitude we have in Ireland, not giving a fiddlers about stuff as long as it doesnt hit your doorstep, it's completely dangerous.

Lest we forget the famous quote:

"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me...... and by then there was no one left to speak for me."

myshirt

Ice Maiden wrote: »

The one human right I do not have, as a woman, is abortion - which is a joke for sure...

Are you actually seriously suggesting that the state actively support and protect your right to kill an unborn child?

Sweet Merciful Jesus. You are a very, very dangerous individual indeed.

paleoperson

Ice Maiden wrote: »

Well I contradict that "fact". I grew up in a comfortable home with no social problems on my doorstep, money was never short, I got a third-level and postgrad education, I have never been stuck for money, I have no problem getting healthcare if I need it, no shortage of food. I am living in paradise compared to many people (including some in Ireland, to be fair).
The one human right I do not have, as a woman, is abortion - which is a joke for sure - but I can complain about it and protest against it, and I still have it infinitely better than the victims of the atrocities described in the opening post.

Nah I do not agree it's an offence - I think it's a rather absurd notion of what constitutes offensive.

It's not absurd, maybe it's a different perspective from what you're used to/what you've come to put up with. For example I'm offended by chemicals in the atmosphere all around us that slightly increase our risk of terminal cancer. They're there to make profits for others. I'm offended by that, how they treat us as expendable items. I'm offended by many similar things civilization imposes on the world.

You started this argument with me lady. All I said initially was that I wasn't going to go in all "Amen" to how supposedly privileged and well off we are when many of us struggle to get access to perfectly clean drinking water. I'm allowed to disagree with this use of privileged, despite the qualifier tacks on about compared to starving children in Africa.

Ice Maiden

myshirt wrote: »

Bad things happen when good men sit by and do nothing.

... if they have the power to do something.

I actually find it disgusting that none of you don't give a flying f#ck

You should re-read the posts - numerous people did not say they do not give a flying f#ck. What are you doing about the issue by the way?

Ice Maiden

myshirt wrote: »

Are you actually seriously suggesting that the state actively support and protect your right to kill an unborn child?

Sweet Merciful Jesus. You are a very, very dangerous individual indeed.

Explain to me how I am a very very dangerous individual indeed. Oh wait, you are just pretending I'm the only person who has expressed such a view, and you are pretending to be shocked... If a woman is raped or the foetus is seriously damaged and the baby is going to die, she should have the option to abort. I don't agree with late-term abortion.

moc moc a moc

paleoperson wrote: »

Can you please not use that word, I genuinely find it offensive.

Don't you ever call me privileged.

Where do you think you are, with this nonsense? This isn't tumblr.

Edit: Ah, I think I see what's going on (username). Never mind, carry on

newacc2015

I sleep knowing that we basically have a treatment for HIV that is almost as good as a cure. I sleep knowing the number of people living in poverty is a fraction of what it was in the 1980s. I sleep knowing the world has never so peaceful.

I sleep knowing although there is **** in the world, we are living in the most peaceful and wealthy period of time ever.

Ice Maiden

paleoperson wrote: »

It's not absurd, maybe it's a different perspective from what you're used to/what you've come to put up with. For example I'm offended by chemicals in the atmosphere all around us that slightly increase our risk of terminal cancer. They're there to make profits for others. I'm offended by that, how they treat us as expendable items. I'm offended by many similar things civilization imposes on the world.

Exactly. It is a different perspective - not a fact.

You started this argument with me lady. All I said initially was that I wasn't going to go in all "Amen" to how supposedly privileged and well off we are when many of us struggle to get access to perfectly clean drinking water. I'm allowed to disagree with this use of privileged, despite the qualifier tacks on about compared to starving children in Africa.

I didn't start any argument with you - I just responded to your post, which people do on a discussion forum. If you think it's out of order for someone to say cases like this make us realise how good we have it, that's fine - you are entitled to that opinion. But you do not speak for everyone. Others think it is a good point, and it does give us perspective.

CrabRevolution

myshirt wrote: »

Bad things happen when good men sit by and do nothing.

I actually find it disgusting that none of you don't give a flying f#ck, especially that person who posted that they take money from the Trocaire box. Wtf man?

Look, no one is expecting you personally to lash on the war paint and go Rambo on this, but the ole 'not my problem' 'doesnt affect me' 'f#ck the poor' type attitude we have in Ireland, not giving a fiddlers about stuff as long as it doesnt hit your doorstep, it's completely dangerous.

Lest we forget the famous quote:

"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me...... and by then there was no one left to speak for me."

That only really applies if you're in the midst of it. The chances of the South Sudanese disaster spreading to or even affecting people in Ireland is zero.

People don't make a huff about it because it's always ongoing, you'd exhaust your empathy if you got concerned about every one. Africa as a continent is simply wrought with these types of disasters and conflicts. In the last few years alone we've seen Mali, Libya, Sudan, South Sudan, Nigeria all suffer severe uprisings or even total collapses of the state. Somalia as a whole has been a wreck for at least 30 years now.

I could worry all I like about them but they'll still be in a bad state tomorrow.

paleoperson

moc moc a moc wrote: »

Where do you think you are, with this nonsense? This isn't tumblr.

Edit: Ah, I think I see what's going on (username). Never mind, carry on

ok, glad you understand. Tired of this "privileged" thing we're all supposed to be. While I feel it's a valid point, maybe I should have found some other way of putting it.

thattequilagirl

paleoperson wrote: »

ok, glad you understand. Tired of this "privileged" thing we're all supposed to be. While I feel it's a valid point, maybe I should have found some other way of putting it.

I think Irish people, in general, are privileged by comparison to people in South Sudan. No one said anything about you specifically. It's a general comment that holds true.

SEPT 23 1989

myshirt wrote: »

Bad things happen when good men sit by and do nothing.

I actually find it disgusting that none of you don't give a flying f#ck, especially that person who posted that they take money from the Trocaire box. Wtf man?

Look, no one is expecting you personally to lash on the war paint and go Rambo on this, but the ole 'not my problem' 'doesnt affect me' 'f#ck the poor' type attitude we have in Ireland, not giving a fiddlers about stuff as long as it doesnt hit your doorstep, it's completely dangerous.

Lest we forget the famous quote:

"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me...... and by then there was no one left to speak for me."

What age are you?

Richard Hillman

When we try and change something, we get called War-Mongers or imperialists.

When we do nothing, it is our fault, we are turning a blind eye.

brevity

I've tried to "keep up" with what's going on in the world so as not to be ignorant of things but i'm giving serious thought to having a bit of a blackout of world news. I'm not able for **** like this.

jimgoose

I sleep with a belly full of beef taken at sword-point from the commoners, in unimaginable luxury, on bedding made from the incomparably soft ground-up bones of poor orphan girls from Eritrea. Diplometc immuniteeehh, bee-yotches.

SVJKarate

DareGod wrote: »

What the **** is the point of anything any of us does - ever - when things like this are going on all day every day, somewhere in the world?

I understand how you feel. In our own way though, we can contribute to ensuring that our society does not degrade into this chaos, nor anything remotely like it. We can show solidarity with our fellow humans, not just the ones who are known to us from birth, not just the ones who share our skin colour and our beliefs, not just the ones we consider "the same" as us.

We do it in different ways - through raising our children well, open to new ideas and respectful of other cultures, through contributing to our society by using our skills for the benefit of more than those who can pay us for our efforts.

Most of us can never reach the position where we can change the whole world, we can only make small changes to our part of the world. But every small change makes a difference. If you have honestly expended that effort, you deserve to find peaceful sleep so that you can continue your efforts.

Ronald Wilson Reagan

Take up the White Man's burden, The savage wars of peace—
Fill full the mouth of Famine And bid the sickness cease;
And when your goal is nearest The end for others sought,
Watch sloth and heathen Folly Bring all your hopes to nought.
-Kipling

Dick phelan

Richard Hillman wrote: »

When we try and change something, we get called War-Mongers or imperialists.

When we do nothing, it is our fault, we are turning a blind eye.

Exactly, why is it always up to the West to do something, even when we do intervene we people complain, i found it ironic the number of people calling for America to send troops into Syria, if they did everyone would say there's America again sticking it's nose into other countries. What happens in South Sudan is horrible but what can me or you or anyone else do about it? Unless i can actually do something i tend to not think on these things horrible as they are.

bodice ripper

I actually don't sleep at night due to things like that. It doesn't help.

sparksfly

Richard Hillman wrote: »

When we try and change something, we get called War-Mongers or imperialists.

When we do nothing, it is our fault, we are turning a blind eye.

That's because "trying to change something" is rarely for someone else's benefit.

bnt

Why do you think young men are joining ISIS? It's not just that they're organised and actually pay their soldiers: the promise of "free sex" is also waved as an inducement. "Free" meaning free to them, not to their victims.

Dirty Dingus McGee

On top of a big pile of money with many beautiful ladies.

Richard Hillman

bnt wrote: »

Why do you think young men are joining ISIS? It's not just that they're organised and actually pay their soldiers: the promise of "free sex" is also waved as an inducement. "Free" meaning free to them, not to their victims.

This is true and this a major problem from extremely conservative cultures. I would wager any amount of money that over 90% of the men joining ISIS are virgins or at least have never had consentual sex.

I remember seeing a news report talking to ISIS fighters. It was like talking to a group of 14 year old boys in the height of puberty. These guys have never even held the hand of girl, let alone feel Big Suze's boobies at the back of the bike shed.

ceecee14

What exactly do you want us to do OP? Staying awake all night worrying about it isn't going to stop it.

You want us to book flights to Sudan an sort it out?

CruelCoin

Stigura wrote: »

Looks across and smiles at his brand new futon ..........

I put a superking into my bedroom in my new house.

You haven't lived dude!

OP, with a bed like that, i can sleep through anything.

CruelCoin

paleoperson wrote: »

I don't care. There are plenty of factual things you can say that are offensive and uncalled for in the wrong context. You could say the same to a dying person, how good they have it compared to someone else. It's so arrogant... and what or who does it help? It doesn't help anyone or anything.

It's also factually wrong, to say that people in Ireland today are in any way "privileged". Humans are NOT "privileged" until everyone has their full human rights fulfilled at least, and it's offensive to say they are.

It's a common tactic used to justify people living in a bad way. "look at those guys, how bad they have it".

Pray tell, what human rights of yours are not being met, that you are not privileged?

CruelCoin

myshirt wrote: »

especially that person who posted that they take money from the Trocaire box. Wtf man?

No such thing was said.

He said he no longer gives to the box.

paleoperson

CruelCoin wrote: »

Pray tell, what human rights of yours are not being met, that you are not privileged?

First of all, don't ask a question in such a loaded and obnoxious way. Don't mind your "pray tell".

Secondly, I already explained. If you can't even be bothered to read my posts then there's no point in expanding or detailing any more. Frankly, I'd rather just leave it at this stage, I already wrote posts describing how I am not privileged. I've been more than patient trying to describe it, you sound straightaway like you're entering into this with the idea of being condescending and smug.

For example just because you are apparently happy with a small risk of cancer doesn't mean everyone is or should be.

Don't ever tell me I am privileged. It doesn't matter what you compare it to. Everyone has their own battles. It's so condescending, arrogant and presumptuous.

CruelCoin

paleoperson wrote: »

First of all, don't ask a question in such a loaded and obnoxious way. Don't mind your "pray tell".

Secondly, I already explained. If you can't even be bothered to read my posts then there's no point in expanding or detailing any more. Frankly, I'd rather just leave it at this stage, I already wrote posts describing how I am not privileged. I've been more than patient trying to describe it, you sound straightaway like you're entering into this with the idea of being condescending and smug.

For example just because you are apparently happy with a small risk of cancer doesn't mean everyone is or should be.

Don't ever tell me I am privileged. It doesn't matter what you compare it to. Everyone has their own battles. It's so condescending, arrogant and presumptuous.

You're moving the goalposts.

It was you, not anyone else who linked people in Ireland, their lack of privilege and human rights.

"It's also factually wrong, to say that people in Ireland today are in any way "privileged". Humans are NOT "privileged" until everyone has their full human rights fulfilled at least, and it's offensive to say they are."

You've made posts (but only mentioned chemicals in the air to create profit (pffft bwahahaha) and water), yes, but i asked you to qualify this single statement, which you've not done.

What human rights in ireland are not being satisfied?

The right to water is clear. But does that mean it must be sparkling to your front door? Or is it the ready availability of it through tanker/shops/whatever enough to satisfy this "right" condition?

Can i add, that you're taking everything waaaay out of context. The thread is about suffering abroad, NOT in Ireland.
Then it was raised that "god, aren't we lucky and privileged compared to those poor buggers?"
And we absolutely are. You may not be privileged by Irish standards, but there are 6.5 billion people in the world who would love to be in your shoes. And that is the thrust of the thread which you singularly missed.

You're complaining about water not being perfectly clean and therefore being underprivileged, yet people elsewhere in the world are being hacked to death with machete's because they believe in a different god. Are you for real? Talk about first world problems.

paleoperson

CruelCoin wrote: »

You're moving the goalposts.

It was you, not anyone else who linked people in Ireland, their lack of privilege and human rights.

"It's also factually wrong, to say that people in Ireland today are in any way "privileged". Humans are NOT "privileged" until everyone has their full human rights fulfilled at least, and it's offensive to say they are."

You've made posts (but only mentioned chemicals in the air to create profit (pffft bwahahaha) and water), yes, but i asked you to qualify this single statement, which you've not done.

What human rights in ireland are not being satisfied?

The right to water is clear. But does that mean it must be sparkling to your front door? Or is it the ready availability of it through tanker/shops/whatever enough to satisfy this "right" condition?

It should at least appear biologically equivalent to what humans would be able to obtain naturally in the wild.

Hence carcinogens, heavy metals, contaminations, treating agents and other poisons are in my opinion partially stepping on the human rights of people in Ireland.

Elemonator

Despicable country.

Cork Lass

paleoperson wrote: »

Can you please not use that word, I genuinely find it offensive.

Don't you ever call me privileged.

It never ceases to amaze me at how easily people are offended