As you read this there is a genocide occurring on our Earth. Not in a book or a film or a museum, but in real time.
In the Darfur region of Sudan, a country on the east coast of Africa, 10,000 people a month, fifteen an hour, are being killed by their government. Three million people are displaced and living in camps under conditions that even the most empathetic among us can barely imagine.
They are being persecuted because they are black and, more importantly, because they live on top of one of the world’s largest remaining oil reserves, which by the way is being bought and controlled by China, the host of our world’s 2008 Olympics. These desperate people have been handed a death sentence by Omar al-Bashir, the Sudanese Government dictator whose name can be uttered in the same breath as Stalin, Hitler or Pol Pot without thinking twice.
The UN has just resolved to help the people of Darfur by sending in a peacekeeping force. While this seems like it should be cause for celebration, this same plan has failed many times before due to resistance from the corrupt Sudanese government and our lack of effective international diplomacy.
It’s time for all good people to rise up. If America shines a light into this darkness millions of lives can be saved. Please take 10 minutes to write a hand written letter to your congressman, senator, or president. Let them know that you completely support their efforts on behalf of our great nation to end this genocide and that you expect their support of the UN deployment in Darfur. Let them know that your vote will reflect their attention to this issue.
The people of Darfur are praying to God right now that someone who looks a lot like you and me will come save them. These are our children and our future and I for one cannot stand by and watch as they are slaughtered. There is a building on fire …..and children inside …..What will you do?
Letters really can save lives. We are their hope. Start Writing.
William Kenneth “Big Kenny” Alphin is a member of the hit country music duo Big & Rich.
It has been brought to my attention, that Summit Entertainment and/or those responsible in casting the film New Moon, are considering others for the part of Jacob black instead of keeping Taylor Lautner in that role. That, in my opinion, and the opinion of MANY, MANY others, is absolutely absurd, and we do not take the news well.
As, by now, I am sure you are well aware, the beautifully written Twilight Series, has a very loyal following and fan base, so, those loyalties definitely carry over for the actors that we have now, thanks to the Twilight film, come to associate with our favorite characters that we all fell in love with, courtesy of the brilliant Stephenie Meyer. So, changing the cast up now would not only be unfair to those that are going to be replaced, but also an insult to the fans, and it could possibly ruin the whole entrancing effect that the movies could have had. We won’t be able to be as immersed in the fantasy world on screen, as we are in the books, and that would be a huge mistake.
More importantly, however, Taylor Lautner has said in several interviews how much he enjoys this part, has cited having read the series (which to us hardcore “Twilighters” means the world), and has reportedly been working extremely hard in the gym to be what they at Summit need him to be. That saddens me. Wrap your mind around this for a moment will you? How would you like to be given a job, one that you love dearly, one that you did well at, everyone agreed you were the best for, one that you worked extremely hard to keep, but then, you were told “Oh I’m sorry, you just don’t have the right LOOK for this position”, and suddenly, you didn’t have that job anymore. Doesn’t seem fair does it?
Now, before you go thinking, “Life isn’t fair”, consider this, the only reason that many things in life are deemed acceptable, is because nobody wants to stand up for what they believe in anymore.
Well, I am not some kid that just thinks “Taylor is cute keep him” (although THOSE are important people to listen to as well), I am a 29 year old, mother, who happens to believe in Taylor Lautner, in his abilities,and in his right to keep this part, that most of the world has now come to know him as.
He is quite an amazing actor in general, but especially for someone his age, he will only grow in experience, and skill as he matures.
Re-casting Jacob Black now could definitely be the breaking point of New Moon. I have started a petition on behalf of Taylor Lautner, personally, and in less than 30 hours I have received an unbelievable amount of feedback, and several signatures from people who feel exactly as I do. People of all different ages, from all walks of life, from the US to Russia and Germany. I will do what it takes to be heard. If that means emails and letters every day to Summit Entertainment, and every magazine or website that I can find that promotes the movie, then that’s what I’ll do.
I believe in Stepehenie Meyers’ vision, I believe in the Twilight Series, I believe in the cast of the movies for the series, every one of them, and I believe in Taylor Lautner. Just as a side note, I am definitely, unquestionably Team Edward, but I will stand up for Team Lautner on this one.
I have the petition listed as my website..help us out!