March 23, 2011

Page 1

Mace & Crown VOL. 52, ISSUE 20 | MARCH 23, 2011

www.maceandcrown.com

Student newspaper of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, since 1930

Libya becomes center of U.N. Focus

Making a difference miles away ODU organizations band together in Japan tsunami relief efforts Stuart Miller Editor in Chief

by

JOHNBATCHELORSHOW.COM Moammar Gaddafi has controlled Libya since 1969, but his power is now being threatened by protestors.

by

Christian Ernst News Editor

While many focus on the Middle East for the United States’ involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq, Libya has quickly become one of the hottest points of the area. While President Obama has worked to resolve the situation as best possible, Moammar Gadhafi, the leader of Libya, has not followed the sanctions the United Nations implemented. Thursday, the U.N. approved a resolution authorizing the international community to take “all necessary measures,” short of sending in ground troops, to protect civilians in Libya, as well as a no-fly zone. However, it does not authorize forceful removal of Gadhafi or any forced regime change. The “no-fly zone” has already been violated, and planes have been shot down by cruise missiles. The question then rises about how involved the United States will become. “Moammar Gadhafi has a choice. The [U.N.] resolution that passed lays out very clear conditions that must be met. The United States, the United Kingdom, France and Arab states agree that a ceasefire must be implemented immediately. That means all attacks against civilians must stop,” the president said Friday. “Humanitarian assistance must be allowed to reach the people of Libya.” The president has agreed to support military action through the U.N., but said that it is an international effort, and no ground forces would be implemented. Qatar and the United Arab Emirates and possibly Jordan are expected to lend their jets to any military action.

“These terms are not subject to negotiation,” Obama said. “If Gadhafi does not comply with the resolution, the international community will impose consequences and the resolution will be enforced through military action.” Three Norfolk based ships have been involved in the nofly zone enforcement already, according to the Virginian Pilot. But not everyone feels the U.S. needs to act in Libya. The Pew Research Center took a poll before last week’s U.N. Security Council vote, which imposed a no-fly zone over Libya, found that only 27 percent of Americans believed the U.S. had a responsibility to act there, less than what previously existed for intervention in Darfur (51 percent), Kosovo (47 percent) or Bosnia (30 percent). Some students weighed in on the situation. “It seems like the right thing to do, meaning give the citizens what they want, as in the power of the people,” said freshman Brett Castellat. “But while democracy is good, U.S.A. has a lot on its plate right now, and this might not be what we need. Now you balance it out yourself, innocent Libyans being bombed and shot by their tyrant leader or America’s economic standing, kind of depends on the person.” “This is an opportunity for the U.S. to practice what they preach, with democracy and spreading democracy,” said junior Luis Ferreira. “I think we’re doing the right thing helping the civilians,” said junior Ryan Ellorin. “I think we’re making it clear that it’s not a war and we’re just enforcing a no fly zone. We’re holding up our obligations to the U.N.”

As the aftermath continues to unfold in Japan after the tsunami and the most powerful earthquake in the island nation’s history hit, people all over the world have been answering the call. Whether they are flying around in a rescue helicopter or collecting money, a global effort has been made to restore order in Japan, putting conflicts from Libya and Northern Africa on the backburner. At Old Dominion University, the efforts to help Japan have become contagious as students have been responding with Facebook statuses pleading for prayers and donations to organizations such as the Red Cross. However, for a few student organizations on campus, the relief effort took a more impactful form. The Asian Pacific American Student Union, Nichi-Bei and the Chinese Language Club all banded together to create the “Save Japan” campaign. The campaign raised approximately $1,200 in a matter of three days, which surpassed the goal that was originally set by APASU. “Because we haven’t had much success fundraising for other relief efforts like in November when we tried to raise money for Pakistani relief, we came up with a goal of $500 and surpassed that goal,” said APASU President Amber Thichangthong. With the money raised through the “Save Japan” campaign, the three participating organizations will donate all proceeds to the Save the Children Federation with hopes that the money will reach the needy children in Japan as well as contributing to the immediate issues, while still focusing on the long-term rebuilding efforts. Through these fundraising efforts, the three organizations have stressed the importance for ODU students to be aware of what is happening overseas as any immediate efforts to help Japan has brought plenty of attention to the disaster around campus. “Living on campus takes students away from what is happening around

in the world because we focus so much on school and less on the news,” said Thichangthong, “I think we all need to make a commitment to stay informed and be aware and to not just follow Japan as a fad like we did with Haiti.” Along with the efforts of APASU, Nichi-Bei and the Chinese Language Club, Old Dominion’s Global Student Friendship organization hosted a candlelight vigil on Tuesday night in memory of those who died in the tsunami and earthquakes. The vigil was just one way to help families of victims cope with the disaster, as many other relief efforts are being put into place through ODU’s Center for Service and Civic Engagement. While the fundraising efforts are beneficial, ODU students are still encouraged to donate whenever they can to a fitting organization. “Japan is a strong society but because people view them as a “wealthy” nation, I think many people don’t realize that they do need help and don’t have the manpower or resources they need to clean up,” said Thichangthong, “Our fundraising drive will help relief efforts as well as raise awareness about what is going on.” As of right now, no definite relief fundraisers have been planned at ODU, but in an e-mail from Tammy Park, the coordinator of community service through the Office of Student Activities and Leadership, she stressed the following tips for students looking to donate to the relief efforts in Japan. Choose a well-established agency that has done previous work in Japan and/or disaster torn areas. Avoid telemarketers and e-mail solicitations. Seek out a charity’s official website and donate directly. Designate your gift to ensure that it goes where you want it to go. Please visit http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content. view&cpid=1221 for more information and tips on giving wisely during a disaster. For a list of agencies that are currently accepting donations, please visit http://www.interaction.org/crisislist/interaction-members-support-japan-earthquake-response.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
March 23, 2011 by Mace and Crown - Issuu