Quote of the week: December 8, 2008

I explained to the ambassador my situation, and that the people of Afghanistan wanted a ban. ... Today is a historic day.

- Afghani 17-year-old Soraj Ghulan Habib, who lost both legs in a cluster bomb explosion, explaining how he helped persuade his country to join nearly 100 nations in signing a treaty banning such weapons. The United States, Israel, and Russia refused to sign the treaty. Cluster bomblets scatter over vast areas, and can then lie dormant until they are disturbed, often by children attracted by their toy-like appearance and bright colors. The group Handicap International says 98 percent of cluster bomb victims are civilians, and 27 percent are children. (Source: Los Angeles Times)

Thanks to SoJo.net (Sojourners [SojoMail@sojo.net])