Ask Pres Bush to "join the world" in banning cluster bombs. . ..

[defendandprotect]

Thank you for asking the next President to join the world in banning cluster bombs. What a terrible weapon–we've got to stop it. I hope you'll share the story below with your friends to encourage them to help this important effort. Just forward everything below.

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You'll never believe this young man's courage. What an inspiration! Click here to make sure his life's dedication is not in vain: http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/1493/t/2765/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=2224

Soraj Habib was 10 years old when his childhood curiosity left him perilously close to death. "One day, I went out with some of my cousins for a picnic in a public park ... It was the beginning of New Year in Afghanistan and on the way home, on the sidewalk, I saw a yellow can. I picked it up and wanted to open it. When I threw it down, it exploded." the softly-spoken teenager told an AFP reporter.

Soraj is now 17 and, missing both legs, wheelchair-bound. While the hatred and inhumanity of war claims many, this young man is spreading the message of hope and optimism. He traveled to a global conference in Ireland last month to tell his story and make the case against cluster bombs–the indiscriminate weapon that nearly killed him. The world responded as 111 nations drafted an important global treaty banning the production and use of cluster bombs.

The Bush Administration sadly will not join the world in its struggle for a more peaceful future. We need the next President to do the right thing! I asked all the presidential candidates to promise to sign the global cluster bomb ban if elected. Will you send a quick email, too? Just click here:

http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/1493/t/2765/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=2224



Too many have lost their childhood to cluster bombs. "In my rehabilitation centre, one of my classmates also lost both his legs," Habib said. Handicap International estimates that 60 percent of civilian casualties are children.

If this extraordinary 17-year old boy can find the courage and strength to overcome devastating injuries and dedicate his life to ending senseless suffering, surely we can find 30 seconds to send a simple email.

http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/1493/t/2765/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=2224

"I'm calling on all the states, especially those here, to stop it, join with us and let the children have peace and a life without cluster munitions. I hope from this conference that we come out with good results to save future lives," Habib said from the conference.

"It's the responsibility of those countries ... save the lives of children and give them a brilliant future. I try to bring back the dreams I had before: to work hard and offer the help that I can to my people, my community and my country."

http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/1493/t/2765/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=2224

Thanks for taking action. Together, we can change our world!

--Habib's story was originally reported by Agence France Presse. http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/05/21/9114/

[PDJane]

1. Done.

Those weapons kill mostly civilians, and they are a favourite weapon of countries like Israel. It's time to ban them altogether...all the maimed children and farmers are a price not worth paying.