Unfortunately these type of atrocities are too common an occurence, especially in some of the poorest areas of the world.
it is only with the making of such great films, Hotel Rwanda, shooting dogs, The killing fields etc. does Joe public get any idea of the real butchery and savagery that happens between fellow humans.
I, unfortunately have seen this first hand, having formerly been an Infantryman. What has changed in the recent years is the media coverage of some of these conflicts, the last Iraq war (though technically a few of us would say the war is still ongoing) is a good example.
Joe public sat in their sitting rooms as the real horror of these campaigns was beamed live to their TV sets. This, IMHO, helped create the huge anit-war response within UK and USA simply because everyday Joe could see and be appalled by the destruction they were witnessing.
Prior to this you would only have the voices of the groups who had been campaigning against wars, nuclear weapons etc and Joe went about his business as usual with the usual daily news update (and that with only the info the governments wanted to release.)
It is only through the hard work of war correspondents and TV stations that the true reality of war has been brought to so many now, and long may it continue. the more that these images can be shown throughout the world, the more people will voice their opinions against wars and the more the governments will have to listen.
I believe we were just short of forcing Mr Blair from going to war in Iraq this time, however, going forward and with the increased ability for the media to be "on the spot" It will be harder for future PM's to cede to the powers of the USA and say,"No, my people think it's wrong, I think it's wrong and therefore I will not join you this time."
I know that there are other considerations that the PM has such as trade andkeeping he US on our side, however I do believe that the greater the media coverage, the more the public will speak out and force government's to re-think their strategies.
One thing I would always ask though, is that we support our troops whenever they are given these tasks. They are only following orders (and this does not condone those servicemen/women who stray outside the rules of conflict.) A lot of these guys and gals are as opposed to some of the things we get involved in and on occasion refuse to serve, at great cost to themselves and their families.
Recognise that a poker forum may not be the best place to post these views, however the more pressure we put on our "leaders" the better.
Geo.
“If language is not correct, then what is said is not what is meant;
if what is said is not what is meant, then what ought to be done remains undone.”
Confucius