"Awaken the Conscience of the World . . ."

Yes, it was what you would expect. GWB had to try to sell his sorry "surge" one more time. He provided more proof that he rules with a politics of permanent fear. No immigrant in this country could fail to hear the ominous call to resolve the situation of the undocumented "without animosity and without amnesty."

But, as he tried to suggest that U.S. foreign policy was not just about failed wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, he called on this country to "awaken the consciousness of the world to save the people of Darfur." The applause in response to the Darfur conference lasted longer than most, and seemed to be coming from each side of the room in equal measure. The comment was nothing if not a nod to the movement against genocide that simply won't go away. That's you, the people of the persistent pressure to end genocide.

If you have a Save Darfur lawn sign in front of your house like the people across the street from me on South St., thank you. If you joined us in calling the White House comment line to ask the president to mention Darfur, congratulations! Your voice mattered. With your help, even George Bush can get with the Drumbeat for Darfur.

Unfortunately, the beat must go on. For the prez, "awakening the conscience of the world" doesn't yet include getting his secretary of state to oppose the nomination of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir to become chair of the African Union.

Our friends at the Genocide Intervention Network have put together an alert that lets you send Condi a quick note asking if she would please step forward to oppose this insane idea. Can you take ten minutes to follow up on the president's remark, and ask Rice to block an appointment that will make a mockery of the notion of peacekeeping in Darfur?