How about we teach the people not to be savages? Aren't we trying to solve the problem in reverse...? The problem is rape, robbery and disorder not buying gold... Africa's problems come from within, from the people. There is no respect for life or lives. This wouldn't happen in a civilized society. I work for a company that lies fiber optic cable and I travel to Africa a couple of times a year and if I close my eyes, sub-saharan Africa is very similar, country to country, same problems....if Africa can't figure it out by now, when will it....
It was good to see this report about Congo but I am wondering why is it that the american media never tell the whole story. You interviewed the NGO on the ground, the people of North and South Kivu provinces but what about the Congolese Authorities?
You mean to tell me that you feel your story is complete without asking them any questions? Did you even try to interview them? They are supposed to protect the people and their properties and are obviously failing at that, how come they are not in this report?
In journalism school you learn about main questions any journalist must ask: who, what, when, how, why. I think that the Congolese government is part of the actors ( who) of this conflict and no one never ask them any questions. that's a big missing piece in your story and that's not objective journalism.
Have a blessed week!
"Attention Walmart shoppers, Attention. Walmart carries an exclusive line of Blood Gold, as mentioned on 60 minutes, Gold from the worst atrocities since world war II."
"Why give to the salvation army when you can give to the blood army with your every purchase."
Happy to see that CBS has broken the silence and begun dialogue about the realities of life in the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, it cannot be stated too many times that this is merely a very small beginning. Much more must be said, done and realized for change to be effected. It is important that all of humanity work together to end the suffering and needless deaths of millions of men, women and children. The time is long past due. It would happen anywhere else. It needs to happen now. http://www.conflictminerals.org for more information
A good start for CBS in speaking about the Congo. If you want to learn more about the Congo and how to help, be sure you visit http://www.conflictminerals.org to take action and join the global movement in support of the Congolese people. There you will see names of the American companies involved in the Congo that the program eluded to.
I was very happy to see this story on 60 Minutes. Thanks you! Considering the horror of the situation, there has been far too little media coverage. Many of those who are buying the products that use the minerals that fund this war are in the United States. Consumer actions can be effectively make change. Currently there is a bill in the Senate that could make it easier for consumers and retailers to avoid products are coming from the Congo. But it is sitting in committee. You can do something about this situation by calling your Senator and asking them to cosponsor S.891: Congo Conflict Minerals Act of 2009. You can get more information from the website of ENOUGH.
Pcherring, the great Steve Biko once said, "The greatest weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed." These people have known only war and misery for so long that they don't even know what peace and prosperity look like.
There is a bigger solution out there and there is no reason we cannot help the people overcome the tragedy, danger, and desperation of their circumstance.
Thank you CBS news. we american congolese knew that;one of this day the truth will be said about congo democratic.i tried to contact my local us senator about this situation about a year ago.nobody seems to care. while millions of millions of people losing their lives and women are being raped daily...i wish you can contact us and tell you the whole story how it started, and how we can stop it...and who is really behind this...thank you again 60 minutes..
I thought the piece on the Congo gold was rather sophomoric. Why do you think America should solve the problems in the Congo. If the gold is not sold to American the people of Congo, and that includes the government, will sell the gold to China, Russia, India and any place else. You answer is probably if we don't make a difference who will? If the people of the Congo can not do it then it will not get done. I went to Haiti in 1956 and an American had a good business selling local dishes and all of his employees were Haitian. In 1958 Papa Doc ran the man out of Haiti because he was creating a small middle class. Now, 51 years later Haiti has not changed and it is because of the government. Since our latest administration knows how to change things I vote to send them to Haiti.
i too think this story superficial i kept wondering how this was different than the gold rush era in America and found none
so was the point? a guilty wealthy white reporter and his editors think this is a story heck they mine gold they sell it and i guess CBS dislikes what they do with the money GOSH I WISH I WAS WEALTHY ENOUGH TO BE A CBS EDITOR! hey America is a bit different than the elites in NY!
It is quite sad that 5 million people dead is not reason enough. I am trying to write this with respect, but it hurts me to read that rational. Having spent a little time in Congo, i have to say on behalf of them, that they are an incredible people. They are strong and beautiful. And yet how are they to overcome when poverty, and guerrilla warfare and the evil actions of a few account for the suffering of a whole country. Poverty is a vicious cycle, and with the intense guerilla warfare and countless factions how in the world is any congolese able to say, lets change this, economic stability is pretty much impossible. Its not as simple as a mind over matter. Its a war within a country full of many of the perpetrators of the rwandan genocide, countless factions, ugandan, rwandan, forces, not to mention a corrupt government and questoinable and downright bad UN actions. Does that sound like a recipe for change?
I try and write this out of respect and love. Why should we care or do something? Because of the children and women who are being decimated through rape, because of the boys and girls forced to become dispensable tools of war as child soldiers, and because we are helping to fuel it and we have a responsibility in it. They are people just as equal as us. That is reason enough to care and to act. Its a little easy to be unconcerned from 10,000 miles away, but when you see them face to face it is impossible to not be.
It is quite sad that 5 million people dead is not reason enough. I am trying to write this with respect, but it hurts me to read that rational. Having spent a little time in Congo, i have to say on behalf of them, that they are an incredible people. They are strong and beautiful. And yet how are they to overcome when poverty, and guerrilla warfare and the evil actions of a few account for the suffering of a whole country. Poverty is a vicious cycle, and with the intense guerilla warfare and countless factions how in the world is any congolese able to say, lets change this, economic stability is pretty much impossible. Its not as simple as a mind over matter. Its a war within a country full of many of the perpetrators of the rwandan genocide, countless factions, ugandan, rwandan, forces, not to mention a corrupt government and questoinable and downright bad UN actions. Does that sound like a recipe for change?
I try and write this out of respect and love. Why should we care or do something? Because of the children and women who are being decimated through rape, because of the boys and girls forced to become dispensable tools of war as child soldiers, and because we are helping to fuel it and we have a responsibility in it. They are people just as equal as us. That is reason enough to care and to act. Its a little easy to be unconcerned from 10,000 miles away, but when you see them face to face it is impossible to not be.
I agree that change in the D.R. Congo needs to come from within, but to ignore the impact of the outside world on their internal affairs is naive at best, at worst it is willful denial of responsibility. The problems of Africa are a direct result of colonialism and neo-colonialism by the West at large.
If this story does not pull at your heart-strings, if instead you rush to deny any ability to affect change, then you are a part of the problem. Just because the US is not the only country to fuel this conflict does not mean we should shrug our shoulders. There is always collective responsibility.
Pcherring points out that "If the gold is not sold to American the people of Congo, and that includes the government, will sell the gold to China, Russia, India and any place else." Yet even if the US was alone I am sure Pcherring would say, well if I don't buy it then my neighbor will. Collective guilt does not absolve anyone, and your eagerness to do so is negligence, pure and simple.
Hello pcherring,
I think you are right when you say that the Congolese people have to take charge to solve this issue and they are, many people in the diaspora are taking initiatives in that regard. But at the same time the reason the US has to care is because of the the conveniences you get because of this war.
Your laptop, ipod, cellphone, jewelry and other gizmos are made with minerals coming from that region. I am sure you don't want to use those items knowing that they are in your hands now at the expense of millions of people being killed, raped...So if you really don't want to care consider not using all the electronics part of your daily life.Remember the Blod diamonds story. Somthing can be done.
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You mean to tell me that you feel your story is complete without asking them any questions? Did you even try to interview them? They are supposed to protect the people and their properties and are obviously failing at that, how come they are not in this report?
In journalism school you learn about main questions any journalist must ask: who, what, when, how, why. I think that the Congolese government is part of the actors ( who) of this conflict and no one never ask them any questions. that's a big missing piece in your story and that's not objective journalism.
Have a blessed week!
"Attention Walmart shoppers, Attention. Walmart carries an exclusive line of Blood Gold, as mentioned on 60 minutes, Gold from the worst atrocities since world war II."
"Why give to the salvation army when you can give to the blood army with your every purchase."
There is a bigger solution out there and there is no reason we cannot help the people overcome the tragedy, danger, and desperation of their circumstance.
People deserve to live in peace and opportunity.
i kept wondering how this was different than the gold rush era in America and found none
so was the point?
a guilty wealthy white reporter and his editors think this is a story
heck they mine gold
they sell it
and i guess CBS dislikes what they do with the money
GOSH I WISH I WAS WEALTHY ENOUGH TO BE A CBS EDITOR!
hey America is a bit different than the elites in
NY!
I try and write this out of respect and love. Why should we care or do something? Because of the children and women who are being decimated through rape, because of the boys and girls forced to become dispensable tools of war as child soldiers, and because we are helping to fuel it and we have a responsibility in it. They are people just as equal as us. That is reason enough to care and to act. Its a little easy to be unconcerned from 10,000 miles away, but when you see them face to face it is impossible to not be.
I try and write this out of respect and love. Why should we care or do something? Because of the children and women who are being decimated through rape, because of the boys and girls forced to become dispensable tools of war as child soldiers, and because we are helping to fuel it and we have a responsibility in it. They are people just as equal as us. That is reason enough to care and to act. Its a little easy to be unconcerned from 10,000 miles away, but when you see them face to face it is impossible to not be.
If this story does not pull at your heart-strings, if instead you rush to deny any ability to affect change, then you are a part of the problem. Just because the US is not the only country to fuel this conflict does not mean we should shrug our shoulders. There is always collective responsibility.
Pcherring points out that "If the gold is not sold to American the people of Congo, and that includes the government, will sell the gold to China, Russia, India and any place else." Yet even if the US was alone I am sure Pcherring would say, well if I don't buy it then my neighbor will. Collective guilt does not absolve anyone, and your eagerness to do so is negligence, pure and simple.
I think you are right when you say that the Congolese people have to take charge to solve this issue and they are, many people in the diaspora are taking initiatives in that regard. But at the same time the reason the US has to care is because of the the conveniences you get because of this war.
Your laptop, ipod, cellphone, jewelry and other gizmos are made with minerals coming from that region. I am sure you don't want to use those items knowing that they are in your hands now at the expense of millions of people being killed, raped...So if you really don't want to care consider not using all the electronics part of your daily life.Remember the Blod diamonds story. Somthing can be done.