LKL WEB EXCLUSIVE: Mia Farrow Hunger Strike

Good Morning Larry!

Mia Farrow – I would recommend doing something other than a hunger strike regarding your Darfur outrage. How about recruiting Woody Allen and others to make a documentary of the genocide and the 2.7 million refugees who have been forced from their homes in Darfur. The UNHCR (The UN Refugee Agency) is involved and accepting contributions.

The GOP deemed funding for pandemic preparation was extravagant in the stimulus package, therefore it was axed and playing a critical role was Senator Susan Collins.

(( Thank you GOP for your insightful decisions.)) With a potential pandemic pending, the population of this country may be greatly decreased!

David Duke, former Ku Klux Klan leader – go crawl into the hole you came out of. The world would be a better place with you NOT in it! My only hope is that you receive the same pain and suffering you caused others.

Just love the burning cross next to the swastika. Are you saying there is a correlation between the two??

Well...what does she want..money... soldiers for the cause, what the UN letters of complaint didn't work? Her dying due to her fasting accomplishes what..only affects the large family she has. I think a living human being who has a good cause is more effective than a dying fasting celebrity.

I applaude Mia Farrow's desire to help these unfortunate people but the people who rule countries like this are not influenced by Hollywood Celebrities going on hunger strikes. The only way to stop these people is to use force to eject them from power and it is clear that the American People are not in the mood for another military intervention. Perhaps the people of Africa can take effective action.

I also hate what is going on in Darfur.. surely, surely there is a better way Mia. I have always greatly admired you as a mother. I am the mother of a daugher with an eating disorder. This disease has broken mine and so many other families both emotionally and financially. The 'attention' this receives can glamorize starvation – there has to be a better way. YOU have choices – for many families with struggling with ED, insurance rarely covers the costs. Please reconsider.

@dodie from irvine ca
Well why didn't Chris Dodds, Geithner and the Obama administration sneak it back in...like they the AIG, Fannie and Freddie bonuses...

Pandemic...it's the flu...not Tuberculosis, not small pox, not cholera, not ebola, not aids. Goodness next the GOP will be responsible for constipation.

David Duke..burning crosses and swastikas....this getting real creepy left.

Mia, I will keep you in my prayers as well as those suffering in Dafur.
I would join you but have weight issues from exposure at ground zero, but you are in my thoughts and I believe in the power of God.

Won't be a long strike.

*** Burnsy ***

Hey Mia, why not go on a hunger strike for children dying of cancer here in the United States? Why is it it that influential celebrities insist on taking up causes halfway around the world, while ignoring what is going on in our own backyard?

mia who cares, the us needs help maybe you can go to mexico
for a while

Nobody cares that Mia Farrow doesn't eat.

Darfur requires massive military intervention for a prolonged period of time, in a lawless country with no hope of restoring order distinct from the warlords.

How about helping the 1 million American children who die from abortion every year?

Well, gee, if it means Mia Farrow has to go hungry, we really do need to step up the aid, folks. Oh yeah, this makes all the difference in the world.

Terry from Texas, read some.

The influenza epidemic of the early 20th century (1918 maybe) killed millions. Thats "the Flu", Terry.

This is another celebrity publicity stunt that I have to deal with?! Come on a hunger strike?! The people of Darfur would benefit more if She did eat and donate some of that cash that shes made over the years for the cause. No one cares if she starves herself and talks about how she is not going to eat on Larry King.

Ok....so there are problems in Dafur.....and thats not good...But who gives a darn about some washed up actress, who really wasn't that good in her prime, and why does she think anything will change or that anyone really cares if she eats. If the media would ingnore these knuckleheads maybe they would go away..Besides, she should focus on the many problems we have in our own country with gangs and drugs.........

Hey Mia, no one cares. Especially the leaders of Dafur. And no one believes for a second you will make it past day 3

What a silly way to protest something as important as this. Goodbye, Mia. Only your family will miss you anyway.

Why would the Democrats care about this genocide anyway. Most believe it's okay to murder babies here in the US by calling it a woman's right to do so just because the baby is in the womb. How many of our children are killed every day within our borders. We need to stop that genocide first.

Give yourself some self-congratulatory pats on the back because now the whole world thinks you deserve them!

I say let her starve herself. People complain about Iraq and Afghanistan yet they want us to invade Darfur. Darfur isn't worth the time and effort in my opinion. Yeah it's harsh but we seriously need to mind our own business and the fact that all countries have so far is great. This is not our problem.

I applaud Mia for what she is undertaking. Unfortunately it does take drastic measures by celebrities to awaken the American population to the atrocities of this world. I hope that her strike draws the attention to this dire crisis and some sort of action is taken. I was appalled to learn of the genocide in Rwanda and Darfur seems to surpass those tragedies- yet we live quietly in our bubbles and pretend not to notice.

While a documentary is a great idea- good luck getting Woody in the country with a camera – if they're not letting in aid- do you really think they're going to say "Hey! Woody! Glad to see you! Please, shoot anything you see going on. We'd love the publicity!" Get real people. Mia is doing what she can. Which is more than most of us.

Should she not state she is "fasting" for Dafur, not going on "hunger strike" – the latter being a refusal of all food and water...like the 12 men in '81 – Bobby Sands etc. After all she is opting to drink lots of water and to do this "hunger strike" for 3 weeks!!

Mia, I'll take up the fast where you leave off. Thank you for your courage.

Meh. I wonder what a starving person in Darfur would think if they were told some rich white lady half a world away is refusing to eat the perfectly good food to which she has access...all for them. I mean think about it..."I and others like myself have hoarded all the food and arable land in the world, and now I'm going to refuse to eat this food which I've hoarded, all because I care. About you." Give me a break! If she really wants to use her celebrity to call attention to something, how about calling out the fact that our capitalist system depends on half the world being poor and starving.

@ Terry from TX

It doesn't matter that it's "just the flu" – they don't have the kind of medical care you do. Just because you haven't keeled over from the flu yet does not make it a disease as safe as the common cold. It is a dangerous illness in parts of the world that don't receive adequate health care. While you're considering things & forming opinions, why don't you think about that?

I am going to go on a hunger strike because I think that all jack-a-lopes are being unfairly treated in Montana. I would hope that Mia would focus on more important things at home than abroad.

Good more food for us here at home... we should address our own problems. I'm going to start a handshake strike so world travelers like you don't give me any viruses.

Darfur is a worthy cause, and I pray for them every day,

but I don't give a damn what some neurotic hollywood narcissist says or does to call attention to it, or more likely , to THEMSELVES.

Wanna' save the world, Mia?

Stop playing "mother earth" and broadcasting it everywhere;
try adopting a few less kids every year – and raise the ones you've got.
And most of all – puhhhllleeeeze – SHUT UP!

I love you Mia. You are amazing. Any awareness you can bring to the cause is awesome. Don't listen to the critics. When one decides to help humanity and do anything they can, sacrificing themselves, this is true courage, and life will never be the same for them. (It's a good thing, scary but good) Good luck and I know you will inspire and create action.

T Sebastian

Why not give your own money rather that get it from the over taxed, over expended American public!

I bet when you you go off your hunger strike you will be eating food that the rest of us can only afford to read about in magazines. Also what about the poor kids in your own country?

Honestly,

I've got more important things to worry about and I don't think problems like this will fall on too many listening ears. I've been to many countries like this and corruption reigns supreme. But if you feel like dieting for a cause, knock yourself out.

Yes Mia, do not eat! As a 19 year-old college student, I had to google your name because I never heard your name before. Maybe try doing something that will transcend to younger generations since the older ones obviously do not care enough to do something in Darfur, otherwise it would have been done. Why don't you Twitter, Facebook, or do something besides starving an old actress.

This is just plain stupid. If she wants to do something for the good then donate money for goodness sake. Walking around looking like a stick does not say "I care", it says "I am a wealthy, stupid woman". When she gets back home she gets to pack the pounds back on, these people don't.

Mia, since when did you become the foremost authority on how to solve this current African crisis? While your efforts are no doubt appreciated, I highly doubt the African leaders will pay attention to an American actress on a hunger strike. There is a better way to handle this, a way that might actually make a difference , instead of handling it in a way that is ineffective and a proven detriment to your health.

I hope she starves to death. She is an inconsequential celebrity who has nothing better to do. If she wants to help people in Darfur, donate money or do something useful. She is already anorexic.

Seriously, who really cares if Mia Farrow starves herself?

Much ado about nothing?
What about the hungry, sick, and raped people in THIS country. In our efforts to save the world, we oft forget about the most important people to us...............ourselves! I am sure we can find millions of hungry children right here in the USA to feed.

Who cares? Let them die. Send birth control, not humanitarian aid.

Terry,

I think hysterical coupling of anything-perceived-as-evil=Hitler is stupid too. But get with the program.

The flu is a BIG deal. I don't even see the utility in typing out a response. But surely you've heard of the Spanish Flu? And like it or not, while we've come a long way in treatment and research, we've also come a long way in speeding up the spread.

idiot.

How about she donate all of her money and move to darfur for the cause. Stupid self righteous movie stars. rather than forgoing her chai latte for a coupl of weeks.

I hope she starves. If those savages cannot right their own ship, let em die off. This sort of thing does not happen in civilized areas of the world. This is a lack of culture and a society of savagery.

Maybe Oprah should join her. Win/Win

I am on hunger strike 3 times a day, between meals.

What a waste, hunger strikes will have no effect on Darfur.

Oh gee, I'm sure the bad guys are quaking in their boots! A has-been American actress, whose career was shored up for years because of her relationship with Woody Allen, is going to go hungry for three weeks.

You aren't Gandhi, Ms. Farrow. Those folks in Darfur couldn't care less if you starve yourself, and most people in America probably couldn't even say who you are unless they remember your ugly custody quarrel with Woody Allen. It's been a long time since you were the starlet in Rosemary's Baby and your name had a certain degree of recognition.

Why not rally your celebrity pals to make a documentary or use their talents in some other way to draw attention to the situation in Darfur? That might get some attention, at least from the American public. You sitting in your apartment with your stomach growling, drinking lots of water is not particularly newsworthy.

I've also never heard of someone going on a hunger strike with a time limit in mind. Three weeks and not sure you will make it until then? You really sound committed – or ready to be.

Sounds like she is going on a hunger strike until she just gets really hungry. Does that count?

Why doesnt she take some of her millions and send it over to help those people? Instead of requesting millions to do it? I just dont get how starving yourself for someone else is going to help..

DEAR MIA, ALTHOUGH I UNDERSTAND YOUR GOAL, INSTEAD OF STARVING YOURSELF, PLEASE HELP IN ANOTHER WAY THE CONSTANT WOMEN MUTILATIONS, CHILDREN SLAVERY WITH MUTILATIONS IN DARFUR AND NORTH AFRICA DONE BY THE MUSLIMS EVERY YEAR FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS.

what does a hunger strike solve? I mean does any one care that YOU dont eat?...NO

WHO CARES!!!!!!!!!!

Please...the last thing we need is another celebrity supporting a lost cause.
Throw her a sandwich.

Really? Good for you Mia Farrow, it's the new fad diet. Who cares! There are millions of Americans who need to be taken care of before we waste resources on a foreign country on the other side of the world.

i believe that we should take care of our own country first. we have people dieing homeless on the street because of starvation and exposer. i dont see anyone starving for them

Another billion for Africa! Yep! Problem solved! How many billions have we thrown at that continent in the last 25 years? Mia who? Hunger strike? It's a defeatist/elitist symbolic form of chastity that makes her and every other liberal nut look certifiably insane.

Sorry Mia, but you are wasting your time. Stupid Stunt from a bad actress. What next you and Jolie adopting the whole country to boost your career?

WHO CARES???? I am sick and tired of so called celebrities thinking that we should both care and be influenced by their ideas and actions.

Wow – What a difference she's making. She's generated 7 posts so far. Seriously, I applaud her passion for the cause, but it's not effective whatsoever. I agree with Dodie and the others..get a documentary out there. Educate the world and provide a realistic call to action.

WHO CARES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!SHE HAS BEEN ON A HUNGER STRIKE SINCE THE 60'S........AND SHE MARRIED WOODY ALLEN FOR GOSH SAKES.......THAT PROVES SHES OFF HER ROCKER...SO TO SPEAK !

You liberal wackos are always trying to get MY money... give away your money and shut up.

Come on Mia! That's not a hunger strike (I'll be drinking lots of water"), ("My goal is 3 weeks."

If you're going to do it, do it right baby! No food, no water and sign the do not resesitate order. Now THAT'S an newspiece I would read. "Mia Farrow dies for the hungry in Darfur."

Phhhhssss. Amature. Oh, and if you actually do go on a real hunger strike, can you take George Clooney with you????

Why is this even news? My god people are idiots.

I applaude Mia – at least she is DOING SOMETHING. That's a lot more than the government and most of us can say.

For all of the doubters on fasting one word Gandhi. His hunger strike save millions of people from not killing each other and help free India. Darfur is off the radar and I am gald that someone is bringing some attention back to it.

Why is it that birth control is never discussed in these countries where they have so massively over-populated the available space that no amount of aid is going to ever be sufficient? Long before man ever set his sorry foot on land, the law of nature has dictated that when an area becomes over-populated in relation to the available food supply, the only viable outcome is survival of the fittest. There needs to be some logic applied to these situations. Instead, we read stories such as one that ran a few months ago about a woman wandering into one of the refugee camps carrying a badly malnourished infant - followed by her other eight (8) children. Where and when will common sense ever come into play in these situations?

This people are all the same; publicity stunt to show the world how much they care. Typical liberal...So she's going to stop when she feels it's dangerous? Ever hear of Bobby Sands in Ireland or any number of people who actually died for what they believe in rather than going on the holier than thou TV tour ? Starve yourself to death Mia, then I'll be impressed !

It's sad how many haters post on message boards.

Mia Farrow on a hunger strike? What does she normally eat in a day. It doesn't seem like much of a sacrifice.

MIA
WHO CARES IF YOU ARE ON A STARVATION DIET AS SKINNY AS YOU ARE YOU DON'T HAVE MUCH MORE TO GO. .
AND DO YOU REALY THINK ANY ONE CARES ABOUT DARFU
THE PEOPLE OF DARFU WILL DO NOTHING TO HELP THEM SELVES
SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST RULES

In a couple of her movies I've seen, she looks like she never ate anyway.

Shame on all of you. In her way she's putting her life on the line to save lives. What if it's not a great idea? Who are we to judge her? What a sad statement you all make on the moral condition of the western world.

Hey dopes, a hunger strike is a form of peaceful protest so if you are going to say something ignorant, don't say anything at all.......

Well, she got at least a few news agencies to mention Darfur on their front pages. Drastic measures, maybe, but she has to compete against important news stories. You know, stories about how laptops help kids stay connected (really?), a pre-game, 60-lb weight loss (I wonder how much weight people in Darfur are losing...), unsupervised tots gone wild (really?), and a historian who gives Obama an "incomplete" for the first 7% of his term.

In the midist of all our troubles in this country and the now every present Swine-Flu outbreak does Mia Farrow really think Americans in general will be overly concerned about Darfur? What exactly does she think we can do for Darfur right now; our plate is over flowing and falling on the floor now Mia.

BILL....why don't you join her!!! no one will care either......the moral condition of the western world was dashed into the gutter by the Bush crime administration....

Why do all of these people go on hunger strikes?

Why not try fasting and praying and let God do the work. This world needs more prayer. We can not fix this on our own and it is obvious the US government could care less.

BILL
WE CAN'T TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN COUNTRY LET ALONE OTHER'S
PLEASE REALISE THEY ARE NOT THE FITTEST OF ANY COUNTRY
TO BE HELPING THEY ARE JUST LIKE A HURD OF CATTLE
AWAITING THE INEVEDABLE

Uh, can I eat Mia's portion please? Thank you sir.

First Mia, you need to whack Woody upside the head with a frying pan for marrying your step daughter.

Then please save your brain cells, eat some protein, soy is OK too. Africa is a mess and has been for 40 years. Only the African's can save themselves. Raise money for infrastructure and educational systems.

Oh, and post the Woody frying pan head whack on YouTube please. I am sure it will be more popular than Susan Boyle's video.

OMG, Mia still labors under the delusion that anyone listens to her on any subject. To quote Batman "Poor deluded girl"!

Is there anything.....or anyONE....I could care less about? This isn't news or even entertainment.

why doesnt the liberal news media tell the truth that mostly muslim extremists in Dafur are the ones attacking and killing these children and running them out of their homes.... starving them with government approval????and muslims creating this situation in the first place.....ever wonder why people?????....the friendlier.....more loving religion of mohammed cannot be spoken of in that manner....now can it.....its just not politically correct to judge anyone, even if it is the TRUTH !

Any of you remember that Woody Allen is currently married to Soon Yi Previn, Mia's adopted daughter? They didn't part on good terms and I highly doubt that he gives a rat's patooti what she does.

Common actor's decease – they confuse themselves with people they are acting – the presidents, the leaders, they do believe they are role models and champions of the cause. Poorly educated, busy 24 hours a day making money they have no time and knowledge to form an educated opininon, but then they decide they have to take on a cause, be it Darfur, global warming etc. How pathetic!

I will eat double portions until Mia's strike ends. Your strike has been mitigated. You fail.

Mia.
Do what you need to do but please think of your family first.

If we invade another country to bring liberty, the liberals will have their heads explode.

I am appalled at some of the responses I have read – angry, bitter people who don't recognize the committment of Mia to a cause that should never exist in the first place. My commendation to Ms. Farrow for doing whatever she feels is possible for HER – let those who mock her make a committment of another kind instead of showing their ignorance via the statements I read above.

I hope that your work, Mia inspires others to do what they are capable of, in whatever form, they can. Thank you for your work in the direction of helping tosave a population from starvation.

Let's see...the USA is in the worst recession in many people's lifetime, unemployment at over 10% in some parts of the country and many people losing everything they've worked for all their lives. Will Ms. Farrow be conducting this fast at her loft in Manhattan or her estate in Connecticut?

I'm trying to come up with a diplomatic way to say "who cares" but I really can't.

ditto on Gordo's comment. So don't eat Mia. Move there. Take Sean Penn with you. When our country got ravashed by tornados and floods, why didn't you stop eating then Mia? New Orleans is still a joke. Our hearland states are still in ruins. I know. How about you stop eating until our government fixes that instead of "bowing" to Saudi Arabia. Sheesh.

Wow, the idiocy on here astounds me.

To all you insensitive clods making hurtful remarks about her doing this:

What are you doing either for Darfur or any other world need? At least she is doing what she thinks will help. Whether you agree with her or not she is taking a stand. I'm so tired of insensitive, judgmental and critical comments. Get off YOUR butt and do something other than make hateful comments.

Wow, a whole bunch of cynical comments...

Well, what it is the real point of a hunger strike anyway, or any kind of strike for that matter? If Mia wants to go on a hunger strike, she may feel free to do so. As you can see, she wrote above saying that she is doing it mainly because she wants to empathize with the people of Darfur. I think it's a grand gesture for her or anyone to do so...and the fact that she is there already and seeing for herself how much suffering there is, hands-on, is more than a lot of people can say.

Whether you agree with it or not, many issues become popular when a celebrity gets involved: look at the amount of Malaria nets sold since @aplusk Ashton Kutcher said he was going to buy some after he beat CNN @cnnbreaking to the 1MM followers mark. Unfortunately though, issues get popular for a flagrant amount of time and later get sidelined. There already is a documentary on Darfur, with George Clooney, Don Cheadle, and some other people but it seems that it did not create as big a response as it should have.

Darfur is a very complex issue and needs a bigger solution than just signing a bill. At some point, hopefully in the very near furture, the US has to make this a focal point in its foreign policy. But, in the meantime, we should not criticize the little help that a few people want to give. And if Mia (and any other celebrity) wants to use her popularity for a good cause then she should do so. It obviously got some attention and brought the issue back to the light, even if only for a moment.

-Brenda F.
Miami, FL

I wish movie stars would either:
a) butt out of political issues
b) start recommending real solutions instead of just complaining about the problems. and i'm talking about REAL solutions, taking into account cost/benefit, risk analysis, etc. i don't want to hear solutions like "well, someone needs to feed these children!" oh really, is that all it takes? just ship over 1 millon happy meals and it's all fixed? there are some seriously complicated issues going on in the world that can't be solved by some hollywood has-been starving herself.

Rest in peace Mia Farrow. You have the right idea but countries like the U.S. don't care enough to do anything about the Darfur situation. It has nothing of interest to us.

With all due respect to Mia Farrow, doctor's told her to gain weight so she would have a better chance of staying alive over this protest.

The cause is noble, but how about making it a program for over-weight kids and adults to lose weight, and each pound lost goes to one pound of food to help feed starving families all over the world.

It is called sacrifice & remembering what is going on–I do not think Mia is intendining to gain anything from this & besides she is being carefully watched by her doctor & if organs start to fail she will eat solids.I can not understand why so many are against her–I wish I had the will to follow....

I'm appalled at the spiteful, desensitized words coming from some of those posting here. "who cares?" Obviously not you. I'm also of the opinion that there are alternatives to a hunger strike, but with no way to get aid into Darfur, Mia's money wouldn't do any good either. To condemn someone for making an effort for a just and urgent cause is obscene. You call this a publicity stunt; I suppose in a nation where everything revolves around reality tv and American Idol rather than the human condition, that is to be expected.

Thank you, Ms. Farrow, for putting this issue in the forefront of the nation's news.

good luck with the diet .

You know what's offensive? Everyone being more bothered by what Mia is doing instead of what's taking place in Sudan. Unreal. She's already raising awareness of what's going on there by announcing her fast. It's sad that people aren't getting it and are instead bashing her efforts.

What is going on in Darfur and Southern Sudan is absolutely heartbreaking and unacceptable. Unfortunately, I believe the free world is afraid of China's presence in Sudan and will only further neglect the situation. I wish more could be done, but it would take a miracle.

Way to go Miss Farrow. There is a reason she is going to such lengths in her efforts; we have refused to talk about Darfur in every other circumstance! The U.N. is a complete joke, and a waste of money, and should be asked to vacate their building in NYC. Any one who says "we have enough problems" is completely ignorant and most likely uneducated on the subject. We don't care about Darfur because there is nothing to gain, why can't anyone admit that? We are allowing genocide to continue right before our very eyes. Obviously a hunger strike won't feed the people in Darfur, but by doing so she is bringing the tragedy to the front of the line. "Why don't you make a documentary?" Yea thats a good idea, lets waste more years denying the problem and merely talking about it and not take action. Its sad to see that so many of my fellow Americans are selfish and greedy. Let's be serious, how many of you even thought about Darfur today until Mia Farrow announced she would be going on a hunger strike?

Ghandi = Mia Farrow. Interesting.

Look, the Mia Farrow backers are missing the whole point to the other side of the argument. She's NOT going to be in any danger, She's NOT going to die and this stunt is nothing but a waste of time because it's NOT going to change anything in Darfur.

Here are the best points to make this worthwhile (or at least more interesting). Don't eat, don't drink, sign a DNR and die for your cause. Oh, and give ALL your money to Darfur BEFORE you do it.

Now that might be worth a tagline on CNN. This is worthless.

Hunger strikes can be deadly and life altering. Spending the rest of your life with ulcers or some other ailment is not good. Do something more constructive that sets a good example for the youth. Knowingly putting your life at risk in a three week period is not as impactful as spending three years on the issue.

Great, another has-been searching for relevance, just what I want to hear about.

I suppose that the poor and suffering here in the United States don't provide enough of a headline for her.

Such courage and determination!!!

Imagine if we all went to such extremes to try to end all of the bad things in this world....

Ms Farrow, I too, applaude your dedication and resolve. however, if you choose this course of action, it will only mean one more physically weakened person for Darfur's cause. The long term solution will be to bring the suffering of the innocent to the forfront. +

Hope God gives you the strength for this important struggle. Hope something good comes out of this for the helpless people and children.

It sickens me that this celebrity's hunger strike gets to the top of the site, while the hunger strike of an American reporter held hostage in Iran is buried in your back pages. Of these two women, whose life is truly in danger by her fast? The millionaire actress/director, or the woman in an Iranian prison???

This is why no one believes in the mainstream media anymore: Your ridiculous sense of priorities.

I too wish movie stars would butt out of politics. OR start spending some of your undeserved multi-millions to make a real difference.

I would strongly advise against Ms. Farrow risking her own health and possibly her life. This one woman hunger strike is not going to make any difference. Ms. Farrow has a family that loves her. Why put them through the stress and broken hearts if they lose her because of this.
There has to be a much more sensible solution.

I know Ms. Farrow thinks she is doing something productive, but she is not. It is really fanatical thinking.

I believe charity begins at home and if Ms. Farrow has not noticed, this country that she call her home could use a lot of help right now.

This is a lost cause, Mia. I am against using American military in this problem. It is a problem of racial hate and wil be hard to overcome.

Shame on all of you! "Who cares about Darfur?" "They need to help themselves." "Let them die." How can anyone possibly say such cruel things? How dare you imply that what is going on in Darfur is their own fault. My guess is you've never taken an African history class. You can trace back 99% of all their current problems to the Western world and the Arab world, and now you want to say that its their fault? Imagine if we had said the Holocaust was survival of the fittest? Imagine how many millions of people would have been the victim of Hitler's genocide. Those of you who can sit there and pretend to be unaffected by this tragedy don't deserve to be Americans. It is ignorance like this that allows genocide to continue!

And who exactly is Mia Farrow again?

And what does she want? An invasion by the US or UN to protect one group from another in a land where we have no vital national interest? Is THIS the war Hollywood CAN get behind? Or does she think the Sudanese will say, "Well, we cannot let Ms. Farrow go hungry! Let's all just get along, hug each other, and sing Kumbaya."

Pointless publicity stunt by an irrelevant Hollywood has-been. Who does she think she is, Gandhi?

she's a beautiful person & very close to the Sinatra family,,,,

I too am appalled by how insensitive we've become about Darfur. This is genocide and the world at large has ignored it. Mia is simply doing what she can to draw peoples attention to this terrible situation. She is motivated by good – and yet people are so ready to bash her. If Paris Hilton did something like this I would call it a publicity stunt but Mia has been involved with Darfur for many years. She has spent her own money and time to visit the country and report back to us in the West. Whether she lasts the three weeks or not is immaterial. She is trying to raise the consciousness of an apathetic world and that can only be applauded.

As I grow older (and wiser?), I am having trouble understanding how these types of 'feel the suffering' fundraising efforts make an impact. I once walked 3 days to raise funds for breast cancer research. I spent a lot of time training for the event, which could have been used more productively to work for 'the cause'....and after finishing the 60+ miles I concluded I'd never be able to simulate the suffering of a sister with breast cancer. Same goes for Mia. She has someone standing by to give her solid food if need be. So what's the point? As so many others here have said, the world is full of pain and suffering, but let us focus on our own first. Then, as a truly strong nation, we would have the resources to take on the rest of the world....

Looks like she might get a lot closer to the Sinatra family...

...and Sammy, and Dino.....

Such courage! She says, "I have set a goal of three weeks, but I really don't know how long I will be able to continue." Such determination!

My bet is we never see a follow up to this story because she never made it past her next meal.

Oh, good plan – so I suppose, then, Mia, that you'll be fully behind a military invasion in order to stop the genocide and help the situation? Because this is one of those cases where it's going to require military action. Sorry, liberals. You can't have it both ways.

What's that? You don't want that to happen? Yeah. I didn't think so. Make yourself a sandwich.

Although I completely agree with the premise that celebrities should put their money where their mouths are, If the aid agencies have been booted out, her sending money is not going to help as there is no one there to send it to. I think that may be her point in throwing a "hunger strike." It may be a good idea, it may not, but the bottom line is that anyone that wants to donate their money can't anymore. On another note, to all the rednecks out there seemingly without pity for starving people take a look at a child you love, and, in the end whether America should do anything about Darfur or not is irrelevant, I have to ask how you can stand yourself for being completely flippant about the fact that babies and children in the thousands are dying daily from simply not being fed. Not to mention the rapes, mutilization and brutality. Sad situation all the way round and with the way the money's being spent in America these days you better hope you don't find yourself in the same boat in the not too distant future. Wouldn't that be ironic?

I feel sorry for the United States. We have so many mean-spirited, hateful people. Her cause is Symbolic! If it can raise the awareness great. Shoot a A movie to raise awareness? No, we already know what's happening in Dafur. Hungar strike for cancer? There is no cure yet. We can cure hunger and stop genocide.

In a recent interview, Mia Farrow said that to prepare for her fast, she put on 9 extra pounds. Plus she'll be taking vitamin supplements. Too bad none of those she professes to want to help had the same luxury.

What a joke!

Another actress starving herself for attention.

I am shocked at what I have read. Who are these mean people? When did it become necessary to not care about people of another nation just because we do care about our own. It is not either/or – it is concern for all humanity that counts. No one should starve – not here, not there.

I admire Mia and yes, I certainly know who she is. It is good that she calls attention to this human misery. Why can't we just send someone to kill the leaders, so that assistance can return to the country? As for burning crosses and swastikas – what a joke! Those who defile the cross in this way have no idea what it really stands for.

Jodene
San Jose, CA

Mia,

I greatly respect and affirm what you are doing. Thankfully there are people in this selfish world who REALLY do care. The cynicism expressed in some of the comments on this blog is a disgrace to our common humanity. I will pray for you that the Lord will give you the strength to accomplish something really valuable. For over 7 years I have been disgusted with our county's and the world's reaction and indifference to Darfur, it has been shameful. I join you in hoping and praying that your courage will be contagious and love will triumph over cynicism. I followed your wonderful career over the years, and you have always been one of my favorite actresses. But I would applaud what you are doing even if you weren't a celeb. Please don't, however hurt yourself permanently!

April 27th, 2009 5:24 pm ET

she’s a beautiful person & very close to the Sinatra family

Yes, if this doesn't qualify her to be the international ambassador of good will to Darfur, I don't know what does....

One more thing for the US to keep out of.

I am sure the ruling parties in Darfur who are participating in these atrocities care what Mia Farrow thinks.

Stop taking yourself so seriously, Mia. You're an actress.

Wow – as I read through these comments, I'm embarrassed. We Americans seem to be a hateful bunch. Does it matter if someone is trying to help someone in Kansas or Iraq, Darfur, or Toronto? Isn't the fact that she's trying to help someone enough? There are more problems than people, so no matter which issue she chose to tackle SOMEONE would say it was the wrong problem to address, the wrong way to address it.

Will she solve the issue? No. Will she bring a little more awareness to the cause? I hope so.

I will not care any more or less about the situation in Darfur, whether Mia eats or not. Find something more constructive to do with your time and money, Ms. arrow.

> "The water pumps at well sites are breaking down because there is no one to repair them"

Give the people who are there a wrench and a screwdriver and teach them how to fix the pumps themselves.

> "latrines are overflowing"

Give the people who are there a shovel and teach them how to dig their own latrines.

> "food stockpiles are dwindling"

Give the people who are there a hoe and some seeds and teach them how to grow their own food.

> "and there is no medical assistance."

Give the people who are there the knowledge they need to assist themselves.

Stop doing things for them and teach them how to do these things on their own.

WTF... she isn't hurting anyone but herself and it will do what good??? ZERO. There is a lot more she can do than going on a diet... please what a waste. This does more harm than good.

A hunger strike? Seems ridiculous but it gets news and gets us to read about Dufar.
Good job Mia!

WHO CARES! The U.S. has enough to worry about. We are in the middle of two wars, an economic meltdown and our own people who are starving. Enough already!

Leave it to the pysco right-wingers to equate legal abortions to the issue in Drafur.
They confuse a woman's right to her own body to the killing of the people in Drafur. When women are FORCED to get abortions, then it will be the same. Until then, they really need to do more adoptions and fork out their own money (not the governements) to support the unwanted children that are born.
Wouldn't it be nice if these right-wing psycho's worried about their own faults?

I've never seen so many comments that completely miss the point. The purpose of a hunger strike is not to starve or die or anything of that nature. The purpose is to get publicity for the cause. If Mia Farrow went out saying, "Please please please, let's all help the people of Darfur" how many news orgs would pay attention? How many interviews would she get? How many appearances would she make? But when Mia Farrow says, "I'm going to quit eating in solidarity" then guess what? All the media orgs want to talk to her. It is about publicity people.

And to whoever asked why she doesn't do this for the children dying of cancer - again, that's missing the point. The number of organizations and charities devoted to cancer are countless. She's focusing on an issue that needs attention. Cancer does not. Millions of people and millions of dollars go to cancer research, prevention, etc., every single day. The same cannot be said for Darfur.

This is indeed a terrible situation, however with all of the recent crisis in the world (Financial, possible Pandemic, and all other chaos) I think we could all agree that Darfur will take a back seat. Sad but true. You should have done this a year ago Mia.

If Mia wants to go on a hunger strike, let her. I mean who really cares?
As far as Darfur, They should settle this in house. We (the US) have
too many problems of our own. Pull the stick out of your own eye
before you mess with somebody else.

People never cease to amaze me. They are either criticizing someone,
trying to control other people, or just out there causing trouble.
Most of the above opinions belong in a waste paper basket. It's time
for the citizens of this country to look at themselves in a good light.
Mia, do your own thing if you think it will help. I hope it does.

And why is anyone supposed to care one way or the other about some woman–I suppose she has some claim to fame, although I've never heard of her–making some pointless, self-destructive, gesture concerning a situation that's of absolutely no concern to the US?

It is unbelieveable the hateful things people have written about Mia and also about the people of Darfur.

She has been a ongoing advocate for Darfur for a long time and has done wonderful work. What she has done takes tremendous courage and caring for others around her.

Aren't we all brothers and sisters regardless of where we live?

She is trying to reach out to try and do anything to save 4 million lives. She is trying to get people to take action. Without immediate action these people will die. What have you done today?

I am fasting with you too Mia. I'm proud of you and all the others around the world involved in the ongoing work to help the people in Darfur.

It's shocking to read some of these comments scolding or trivializing what Ms. Farrow has been trying to do. Many of these comments say, "we don't care about the rest of the world's problems because we have our own." This is precisely the type of sentiment that has given America a bad reputation in the rest of the world.

America is a great and generous country. Mia Farrow is directing attention to a crisis that is much easier to solve than many uncurable cancers, for which much more money is being spent. All she is trying to do is tell the world that poor people with dark skin matter too.

Even if you don't think she has ever been a great actress, give her a chance to be heard, for her cause is a worthy one and she is not using her celebrity status to promote herself. She never mentions her work as an actor or otherwise.

I've starting an office pool,
I say see won't last 2 weeks let alone 3.

Ms. Farrow cannot be so naive as to think her being hungry today is going to lessen the hunger of a child in Darfur today. There are better ways to feed the hungry than this.

Mia
I think your cause is noble and needs to be addressed ,but and it is a big but, this country is failing to take care of it's own children. I know that you have used your wealth and influence to adopt many children that have little hope in their homeland but I see many entertainment people doing the same while deserving children here at home are ignored.

The US can't take care of everyone. I am sorry. Our elderly, our veterans, our laborers, all need help and we are doing for them some but we should do more.

I have a nephew adopted from Russia. His life here is full of hope with the love of his whole family but he could have as easily come from a broken home here or a young mother with little hope.

I guess I would be more sympathetic to your cause if you would care as much for your home as much as your neighbors. People here are hurting too and they don't have the resources or the forum you have to make their case. Who speaks for them. Who goes on a hunger strike for them. I haven't seen you or any one else in your group speak in outrage about the kids in the US. Why not? They need a public spokesperson too.

Mia, take off your binoculars and put on your reading glasses. There is a finite amount that we can do but let us help our own too. Get off your hungerstrike and get on a soapbox for all people needing help, including the one just down the street not just over the horizon.

Pete

In Germany they came first for the Communists and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist. Then they came for the Jews and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me–and by that time no one was left to speak up.

It saddens me that so many people leave such negative comments regarding someone who genuinely seems to be trying to bring awareness, at a significant personal cost, to a problem that the world is ignoring.

Granted that there are many problems out there including many in our own country but just as we are all unique so are the different causes that we are drawn to. I admire anyone who thinks beyond their own needs/comfort...life is not just about your next car/house/pedicure and instead takes a stand for those who can not speak for themselves.

Wouldn't the world be a better place if everyone at some point, put their own needs aside and did something to try to improve the life of another human?

If she wants to really do the hunger strike, why not do it the way those in Darfur do? She's put on extra weight prior to the strike, taken vitamins and has a doctor standing by to tell her when the strike is no longer safe. Not exactly the way it works there. I admire her thoughts, but this seems sort of hollow.

These comments are so insensitive. I commend Mia Farrow for her symbolic solidarity with the people of Darfur. Her good work will not go unnoticed.

Mia Farrow?
Who cares?
It's insane to think that a hunger strike will actually have any proactive response.
How sad that in order to stay in the press this is the best she could come up with time to get a new PR person.

Mia is on a hunger strike to bring *attention* to a horrible travesty that's going on in the world right now... she is not glamourizing fasting or starvation, in fact, quite the opposite!
Look at what captivates a nightly television audience in America...American Idol and Nancy Grace. Give me a break! The REAL things going on in the world are given little or no attention, while we sit over here, complaining because we can't take vacations this summer or afford new cars. It's really disgusting.
Thanks Mia for bringing attention to this terrible atrocity!!!

OK, I'm in for 10 days with a "Mia Farrow Rushed to Hospital During Hunger Strike" LIVE ON CNN for good measure.

I think what Mia is doing is certainly very noble; however, I would rather see her trying to raise money with her connections in the entertainment industry than harming her health.
I am sure (or at least hope) that she would still get a lot support with the hunger strike, but her political force is none compared to Ghandi to pull the same strategy.
My prayers are with her and for this dignfying cause, and that se may have the will to continue.

ANYTHING to draw attention to this extremely dire and sad issue is worthwhile. Bravo Mia.

Let me get this right: your plan, Ms. Farrow, is to increase the amount of human suffering in the world, ie. your hunger strike, in order to eliminate others' suffering?

You're obviously very passionate about this – setting an example for the rest of us is certainly a very brave thing to do. Perhaps, though, if you were to go about this alliance to the peoples of Darfur in a different, possibly less physically harmful and imitatively sufferable way, you might encourage more of us, instead of providing us all with more of the same misery and unhappiness we're already so concerned with.

And, if your plan were to be carried out to the bitter end, so to speak, it would probably be true that there'd be an influx of in-patients like you, or like people who are like you, at hospital wards all over this and other countries, seeking nutritional supplements and malnourishment treatment, treatments that will expend energy and doctor's time in huge amounts, which would be better spent on the peoples for whom suffering isn't an option (or a hyper-aware, ineffectual, media-conscious act.)

'A' for effort, 'D' for execution.

Thank you Ms. Farrow. I am sick and tired about hearing about such horrible atrocity's to our fellow mankind and nothing being done for the people of Darfur. It's amazing how easily we are able to assume the "next guy" will take care of this horrific problem and just delete the email, toss the newsletter or switch the channel from our comfort zone. Things like this don't just go away like we hope – PEOPLE MUST COME TOGETHER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Thank you again for helping lead the way!

Mia's hunger strike is doing just what it is supposed to do; raise awareness and get people talking and focusing more on the genocide that is taking place there. Of course the next thing to do is go in and eliminate the tyrants responsible for this atrocity.

Mia has being speaking out about this for a long time. She is very passionate, and a hunger strike is one of the most extreme things that can be done by one individual. Personally, I applaud her spirit of humanity.

A hunger strike? Seriously? Who cares if Mia Farrow is on a hunger strike? That's going to stop the Darfur warlords? All the victims are already on involuntary hunger strikes and suffering horrors, and nothing has changed. Yet she things that her hunger strike will change the world. Wow. Get over yourself and do something useful.

I respect your compassion for the people of Darfur - but you're a mother. Your first responsibility is to your children and you're already too thin to starve yourself. Find a better way to protest.

If the US poured 5% of what it spend on the wasteful stupid war in Iraq toward Darfur it could have SAVED hundreds of thousands of lives...but ya know what? There's no oil in Darfur so who cares if Africans are starving, being gang raped, or hacked to death with machetes, right?

Mia, you are doing a great job! I will keep you in my prayers. And for all you haters outhere, when was the last time you all did something good for someone else?

Another Hollywood-type doing her thing! Just open your pocket book honey, that will be more effective.

So everybody – how's that "hope and change" think working for you these days?

Cheers

Sure they are more than happy to take our food and money but they will not change. Look at the region an evil is rising over there under the guise of religion. The lesson we need to learn from North Africa the Middle East and South East Asia, is where ever these extremist show up there evil spreads like a cancer like cancer they need to be removed. There is no re-education for these people they are taught from birth to hate. These idiots from hollyweird DO NOT HAVE A CLUE. I suggest before they open their pie holes they go over there and live with them for awhile and try to convince one iman to allow tolorance and religious freedom in their area of control and see how long they keep their head where it belongs.

You being hungry wont speed the process of one of them eliminating the other. Nor will it convince any of the powers that be to go in and destroy the entire area which is really the only solution that will end the violence completely.

Who cares, so many of you have said, those of you who have said things like this, are either ignorant about what is actually going on in Sudan, or really messed up. There is a genocide in Darfur, hundreds of thousands of people have been killed simply because of where they live, or their ethnicity. Never again, the world swore after the holocaust, and to live up to this creed, some of you say, "who cares, we have our own problems" Perhaps if the world cared enough during WWII there wouldn't have been 11 million people burned and massacred, simply before belonging to the own group. From the safety of the house, you write these things on your computer, but none of you could even fathom the things people are going through. People are being massacred, raped, and burned as who type, "who cares"

There's nothing wrong with Mia Farrow doing this, it's gotten Darfur talked about and in the news. On any news site, there will be 100's of articles about something like Obama's dog in the past month. But thousands of people being murdered gets perhaps three articles in a month. Who cares? Not anywhere near enough people, but I can tell you, that the millions of refugees who live in fear every day, not knowing whether their death will come from the guns of the janjaweed, by starvation, dehydration, malnutrition, or anything else. care. Please, before you say "who cares" remember what you're talking about.

OK Mia, you have my attention. Now what do you suggest we do? Do you realize that there are several well armed groups that oppose the Sudanese government in Darfur and that they don't get along with each other? Are you aware that many of these groups have refused to work with the international community and that they have committed atrocities too? How do you plan to deal with the military situation, without using a military option? If you plan to use a military option, who will supply the troops and who will be responsible for their good behavior? How will you convince China, Africa and the many Muslim nations to support this work? Or do you plan to work without their blessing? I don't believe that anyone in the west can solve this problem but if you have a workable plan, lay it out. For a hunger strike to be effective, you have to know what you want.

if hundreds or thousands of people are starving/dying in darfur, and no one is paying attention, how will one starving movie star make a difference? is her life worth so much more? i know she is sympathetic and wants to help, but it i don't see how refusing food can help.

The UN issued a warrant. If they want to make that arrest, then that needs to be followed up by a police action. If America doesn't step up to the plate who will? I realize we can't possibly police the whole world, but it's hard for me to imagine just letting millions die. What are we? Animals? We're spending trillions of dollars fixing companies that we should not be fixing. That's all time and money that could be better spent.

She is only making a statement which thousands of people do, in a variety of ways. The negativity here is apalling. But I know we as Americans are all hurting from problems here; seems everybody needs help . . . I don't know how one decides where to draw the line between helping ourselves and helping others. It would seem that an organized re-distribution of food and medicines could solve the worldwide problem and I would send the U.S. Navy SEALS to deal with the leadership problems. Yes, I know this is a foolish proposal and America is too Politically Correct to do this. But think of how many lives would have been saved had Saddam Hussein met with an "accident" early on.

To all you people hating on this woman, you need to shut it.
At least she's doing something constructive with her fame. Would you rather her say nothing about world issues?

Go live your simple lives, and contribute nothing, while others strive to make this world a better place.

I think it is encouraging that Mia Farrow is using her celebrity to promote the worthy cause of helping the desperate refugees in Darfur. This tragic humanitarian crisis has been ongoing for years whilst the world governmental leaders have been alarmingly silent.

My own family suffered over 60 years ago in desperation as much of the world turned their eyes. The time for silence has past. Those of us who believe in the cause of humanity should join Mrs Farrow in this noble cause.

To those who have left such hate filled comments: If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. Where is your compassion?

Mrs Liora Weintraub Cohen
Atlanta, Georgia US

I truly feel for Ms. Farrow. It is indeed commendable for people of influence to do what they can to improve others' lives. This course is far better than trying to abolish the penny (i.e. K-Fed).

Nevertheless, I believe Ms. Farrow is fighting a losing battle. If Darfur was a nation of white people, then her outrage would be far more contagious. However, America – and indeed much of the world – couldn't care less about the plight of brown people because there is no economic or political advantage to helping them. It is almost like the collective thought is similar to the Mafia leader in the Godfather who said: "Their animals anyway, so let them lose their souls." Instead of getting real help, the people of Darfur end up being doted on by a group of people more despised than brown people: liberal Hollywood actors! As if THAT were such a bad thing...

(By the way, the writer of this message is white.)

To the people that say it is not our problem...was Hitler our problem? I mean hey, he wasn't threatening our country.

I admire what she is doing but we need to not forget all the millions of children here in our own US that are starving, have no medical and on and on that need our Government to step up and assist.

We need to first help ourselves recover and be stronger so we can more easily assist other countries. It's not that I dont have feelings, it's just that we can no longer extend ourselves forever with out destroying our ability to maintain enought strength to help those that need it.

It's kind of like when your on a plane and they say for the parents to put the mask on first before their children. We must help ourselves to be able to help others.

Ghandi, the Irish freedom fighters and others who changed the course of history drew attention to their plight by hunger striking when their situation left them no other recourse. They were desparate and risked their lives, some died.
I think Ms. Farrow's well intentioned attempt at drawing world attention to Sudan will be disregarded by many as inane celebrity behavior and will amount to nothing.
It looks even more like wacky celebrity behavior when the person is an outsider, monitored by a physician, and is intending to eat if (when) she gets sick. In a way it's a mockery of the people who have died for their cause.
She should rethink her strategy

Annabelle, I agree completely.

Why do people enjoy making such snarky, hateful comments?
Mia Farrow is trying to do something good and real. Sitting around making snide forum posts about people's efforts for good is just about as common and useless as you one can get.

Hey Mia!
Although I do not believe fasting will not solve any problems, I do think the fact that your trying to at least do something and bring awareness along with some immediate action is great!!! So power to you! And yes I agree that action needs to be done in Darfur, however I also believe we need immediate action in our own backyard as well. Like the starving children/families in the US, or the job loss around the US that are causing Americans to take their lives and families lives. We all need help, all around the world!!! Things we may not know about and things that we see everyday on the television.

*rolls eyes*

Hurting yourself doesn't change a thing in Darfur. Grow up and do something useful, like visit a psychiatrist or something. Your petty actions are an insult to suffering everywhere.

I agree with a few of these posts...our country is in need of helping children who go starving, people who are losing their homes and have lost their savings to greedy Wallstreet. I know it's hard for those poor people in Darfur & they deserve help...but you have to heal your own country before you can start helping others. Homeless people, Vietnam vets, people who have no health insurance...the problems we have in our own backyard are never-ending.

I bet many people would donate money to the cause in Darfur if they weren't in such a bad situation here at home.

How sad that it's more acceptable to be a cynic than consider this is about millions of people suffering. Shame.

*sigh* Seriously? Who cares if Mia Farrow is fasting? That means absolutely NOTHING to 99.9% of the rest of the world's population. My question is why have decades of relief efforts had so little effect that ousting of the relief organizations means the death of thousands? Shouldn't the POINT of relief be to educate a people on how to make changes in their lives so that they can sustain themselves? The whole "give a man a fish vs. teach a man to fish" argument?

A "hunger strike" means you don't eat until whatever you're striking for is resolved. What does she mean, a goal of three weeks? What will that accomplish?

"fasting in solidarity with the people of Darfur" ?

This includes the people allegedly committing the atrocities. The situation is far more complex than Mia suggests. Maybe she just needs to go on a diet anyway. Get the facts, ma'am.

Folks got to be able to help themselves. Why is it the USA's responsibility EVERY time stuff like this happens. Why should we flip the bill for this stuff? Why does not the UN send troops? Is that not the whole reason for having the UN?

What country has donated the most money privately? USA at near 40 Billion.

What country has donated the most money via government? USA at nearly 300 Billion.

Yet the world whines about the USA....FYI were broke...look somewhere else.

Sorry but I am not willing to pay more taxes for folks in Dafur or anywhere else when I have a hard enough time keeping the lights on in my house.

Maybe the ubber rich actors should stop whining and sell one of their 20 houses and donate?

I want to help Darfur as well, but let's be realistic here. How do you accomplish that without military intervention? These people are starving because they were chased from their homes by the Sudanese military and the Jantaweed. We can feed them, but that will not give them their homes or stop the militia, and it will put our volunteers and troops in harm's way. Remember Somalia?

Sadly, the only way to solve this mess is to remove the Jantaweed and the Sudanese military which probably goes hand in hand with removing the Sudanese government...and I think you can see how well that has been going in Iraq and Afghanistan.

This sounds a little self serving to me. Nothing can be gained by this. She's in a position to do so much more and to use her contacts to actually bring greater awareness to an awful situation. A hunger strike is a last resort for folks who do not have what Mia Farrow has at her disposal. The by-products of the insular community that is Hollywood never cease to amaze me.

Mia is offering a suffering of self. She is adding a spiritual dimension in addition to the attention that her celebrity status will bring. Her fasting is equivalent to prayer.

Mia, thank you for your beautiful intention that exemplifies caring for others – but please do not extend your fast to endanger your health.

First of all, to set the record straight, she's going on a 'fast', she's not committing suicide. Second of all, what exactly has EITHER party, the EU, or the ANC done in the past to try to stop ANY of the genocide anywhere in Africa? Nothing. We (the US) accomplished nothing in Somalia when we were there except get our own troops killed. 8 years ago, before 9/11 and the wars on Iraq and Afghanistan, we could've done something in central Africa. Now, our forces are spread too thin and our stature in the world view wouldn't allow us to commit forces there without major outcry from many governments. If it were the oil rich region of Nigeria, you could bet your Bottom dollar we would've been their in 2001.

Wow, I'm shocked at the overall ignorance in these reader comments. Any person who helps to bring attention to a humanitarian crisis deserves more respect than this.

You cannot compare poverty in the U.S. to the extreme poverty that exists in developing nations, and we certainly don't need celebrities to solicit aid for us. The U.S. has the means to end poverty, but our tax payers must demand more responsible spending to ensure that happens. All the money we have wasted on the war on drugs, imprisoning non-violent offenders, the war in Iraq, and bailing out failed corporations could have gone a long way toward providing basic healthcare, education, and job opportunities to our poor. People who claim that the U.S. needs more money to end poverty are simply not paying attention.

Furthermore, people who claim that birth control is the solution to extreme poverty in developing nations lack any comprehension of the real problem. People living in extreme poverty don't have access to social services, credit, insurance, hospice care, or any of the advantages that the western world takes for granted. In many cases, the family unit provides a greater chance for survival and children provide the only care for aging relatives. Children are the result, and most certainly the victims, of extreme poverty, but they are not the root cause.

OK, read her statement; "When I can no longer continue; I pray another will take my place". In other words, she plans to have a hunger strike so long as it doesn't hurt. Just a publicity stunt, no big mac's for a week. No real pain for a has been actress. I'm sure that she claims to be GREEN, and an Al Gore fan (the guy who invented the internet). But remember, these poeple that she is trying to save live in a 5th century lifestyle, and she wants to impose a 21st century mentality on them. They burn wood to heat and cook, cut down forests, and raise cattle that produce methane gas (that's GREEN?). Sure, there's suffering, but there's a large price to pay for keeping these people alive. She doesn't want to teach a man to fish, She only wants to give him a fish for a day. When Miss Farrow goes to Africa and starts fishing, I'll believe in her, untill then it's all BS.

I don't see how a hunger strike will help really.

I think this is a bit naive to be honest. I highly doubt that the Government of Sudan will do a complete 180 because some American woman isn't eating.

"Non-action is an act of acquiescence." While this may be true, starving yourself would not be the appropriate action in this case.

In any case, I think it's great that she's this dedicated. I do believe that there are other actions that will be more beneficial and will not be such a detriment to her health.

I am frustrated by the comments of some of the writers above. Mia Farrow is taking a stand; she is using her celebrity status to escalate the awareness of a nation who wastes their time on "talk news" vs. actual news. I sympathize with many of the causes that others have posted in this forum about what goes on in the US and what we need to change, but in that nation there is far worse happening to their people than cancer and abortion. If you truly are as Christian as you position yourself to be with your stance on abortion, have a care for the innocent women and children that are being murdered and raped in a desert landscape devoid of food, water, shelter, and clothing.

Our culture enjoys so many freedoms that we ignore cultures that truly need our help. Darfur is off of the US's to do list because of the interest that China has in that area for oil. If it were our oil, we would be there right now. Because China holds much of our deficit debt, we do not act in fear that our payments will become due.

We need to care about all people, not just our own interest groups.

What exactly does this accomplish other than publicity for a has been movie star? Get some of the political movie stars together and get some money from all. Of course we know the aid from America never reaches the people who really need help. Too much corruption.

Ever wonder why some of the richest countries in the world let their people live like this? Because if they are taken care of they will start wanting to be like the USA (free). I feel bad for these people, but why isnt their government helping? I went to India and at night there were so many homeless people sleeping on the sidewald with their sheets tucked under their head and feet. It looked like a war zone with dead bodies lined up. I was literally amazed at how many didnt have anywehere else to sleep. This kind of thing goes on all over the world, including right here in our own backyards! If you want to starve yourself then go right ahead its your choice and to hell with what anyone else thinks. If I had the money now I would adopt as many kids as I could, but since I cant I will just have to wait until I become a millionaire, but when I do that I will have to hear about people claiming I did it for publicity instead of just wanting to give a child a loving home. Mia do whatever the hell floats your boat.
Peace

I don't see how going on a hunger strike is going to accomplish anything.
The younger generation don't even know who she is.

Mia must be desperate for publicity.
She's a HAS-BEEN actress.
I've got an idea for you, Mia. How 'bout you just write a BIG HUGE CHECK and BUY some food for those people?

I think that Ms. Farrow's heart is in the right place, but I don't think that her hunger strike will be all that effective. As much as I agree that the atrocities that are happening in Darfur need to stop, Ms. Farrow's hunger strike won't bring necessary action to Darfur – I think that it would backfire and be written off as just another publicity stunt.

I am extremely disappointed in all the posts that "don't care" about Darfur. It is a complex, political and extremely sad situation. If you are a human being, you should care. It is not a right or left issue, it is a humanitarian issue.

Mia Farrow is a clever woman. She is in tune with what catches the interest of the American people. Our reality-TV-addicted society will be more than entertained by her wasting away before our eyes. She' is banking on the possibility that a small percentage may ask the question, "what is Darfur and what's going on there?". She's trying to raise awareness and she knows how to get it done. I applaud her efforts. At least she is doing something.

God help the innocent victims of Darfur.

Just when I thought the situation in Darfur could not be any worse, I read the spiteful and apathetic comments about this story. What is wrong with us as a society when we not only turn a blind eye to what Colin Powell called" the worst humanitarian crisis of the 21st century", but actually criticize the people who care enough to do something? For those of you who do not think her efforts will be effective, just look at the conversation it has already created (although awareness with apathy is worse in many ways). For those comments concerned with the unborn, they were obviously not made by Christians as demonstrated by language and complete lack of world knowledge. Right to life applies to more than the unborn and the fact that you think some lives are worth more than others (i.e. the unborn or lives effected by the recession or other socio-economic problems) is just plain disgusting. I hope God forgives ignorance.

Why has no one menstioned the U.N. to do what it was started for?
It does no good to go into tribial (contries) and try to fix them. Have most of you, if you even know, that our presence in Somilia did no good. We are in Afganistan, Iraq, and soon to be in Pakistan to keep the nucular weapons from the Taliban. Why has no one mentioned the U.N. to do what it was started for? Maybe the EU could do something for once. Why does the USA always need to be involved? It does no good to go into tribal (countries) and try to fix them. Have most of you, if you even know, that our presence with the U.N. in Somalia did no good. We are in Afghanistan, Iraq, and soon to be in Pakistan to keep the nuclear weapons from the Taliban.
It will be very interesting to see what our President does.

Instead of bashing Mia Farrow for undertaking this noble cause, why don't you all appreciate the fact that she is trying to help humankind in her own, worthwhile way. Any step forward is a step in the right direction. I applaud you Mia. Not many people (as you can see evidenced from most of these comments) care so much about others, that they would risk their own complacency for a day or two, let alone three weeks.

I think its sad that world powers have done nothing to stop this and i mean to the extent of their power they could be doing so much more at little cost to them. it think we have forgotten "never again" we so believed after WWII

Mia, eat something. You will need your strength if you are going to fight a giant this big. Don't be a fool; there are other more civil ways to draw attention to your cause.

@Ken, Il and @randi
1918 flu epidemic...stay in the here and now...what about the Black Plague do we need to go that far back...are you serious...people die in this country from the standard flu and pneumonia more than this strain of flu. So your point was...I hope ...is wash your hands and cover your mouth when you cough and stay home if your sick...I would hope you would do this whenever your ill.

I am fully aware of the state of union of other countries...they are more deaths in poor countries from aids, the standard flu, deaths when they don't have penicillin for minor cuts, dirty water deaths...on and on. Especially in those countries who are more interested in killing their own and spending any and all aid and all money that is given to them not to the people that need it....but to their corrupt administrations. So this is the flu..wash your hands ...cover your mouth when you cough, and stay home..

Mia Farrow is trying to bring attention to an issue that is close to her heart. Instead of comdemning or criticizing her crusade, we should try to encourage and respect her decision. Everyone should try doing something positive for a cause they believe in. What does her status matter if she is doing this out of love and kindness?

I would like each of you who think Darfur is a waste of time to stare into the eyes of one of the child soldiers, the broken women, or the displaced, and tell them that you are sick of hearing about their pitiful problems.

You have, once again, only proven to me that the fast majority of supposedly Christian conservatives in this country have forgotten the most basic teachings of Christ. Thank you for crushing the faith of a 24 year old girl.

What I don't understand is the people actually complaining and mocking this woman. Its obviously you do not care about. By the Grace of God you were born of a rich country. By which some complain we are in a reccession, yes of coarse we are. However- We are a rich country, our country has govermental assistant to those who can not feed themselves of their children (FOOD STAMPS, WIC, etc), we have health care to those who have no jobs and even then there are lots of free clinics, we have affordable over the counter medicines when you feel ill, we have govermental assistant housing, and still all this, people in our own country get left out with food, with out health care and medicines, and with out proper housing. However, this world wasn't made to be just about the USA. It was made to be about the entire World. When we start loving humanity and stop being so greedy- then maybe just maybe thats when our fellow Americans and our fellow humans will no longer be poor and diseased. Most of you cry because you can no longer afford the name branded milk or toothepaste any longer. Imagine fighting for your life, not only because you live in a poor country but also because there is war. Imagine NO security. Even then, all you can think of is food and survival, because that is human nature. Survival- and I can bet that even though these people are poorest of poor, they probably share every thing they have with others- right down to crumbs.
I think she is doing a great thing, maybe more people will see her heart and hard work in trying to stop a country from starving. That is most certainly something I would love to have on my sholders, definately not the selfish minded insulting slurs I've read on here.

We've got enough problems here in the U.S., why go half way across the world to resolve issues there?! I often wondered why we don't help our homeless, starving kids/adults first, before setting abroad!

We get it Mia, except why don't you get a large group of people to go on a hunger-strike with you? Wouldn't that be a more powerful statement, or are you just trying to draw attention to yourself? I ask the question because of the obvious–free publicity, even if it's worthy of a good cause.

Dumb, dangerous and a bad example. Pointless. Spectacularly unlikely to achieve anything, except prove that folks are quite likely to watch her kill herself without lifting a finger for her or the people of Sudan. Sudan is not a nice place. I don't feel any connection with the place.

I have joined with Mia Farrow though I am only able to undertake a partial fast–for me 3 days a week of water only. That this slow motion genocide has occurred is a cause for shame for the entire world.

When your grandchildren ask you what you did in response to the Darfur genocide, what will you be able to tell them?

ms farrow forgive me for sounding cruel, however, i myself cannot afford to eat. i'm sorry but i cannot feel bad for people in other countries when it has been days since my own last meal. but i do commend your courage

Who cares? Hunger strikes only make sense when they're undertaken by "regular people". Why would anyone care about a former movie-star on a hunger strike?

Love and kindness is all around us, we just need to open our eyes and embrace it! Mia, bless you for your moral conviction and sacrifice to raise awareness!

We all need to share in this social responsibility and we need to build support for the innocent! Let's stop turning a blind eye to the injustices of basic human rights!

It's time for Americans and the world to "Walk the Talk!"
-Malo

I hope she knows what she's getting into. The people of Darfur went on a hunger strike and it didn't work out so well.

To all the "why not save a baby from abortion" nut-jobs: Until the thousand of unwanted children in US foster homes and in the system are adopted – shut up. Please. What are YOU doing?

Mia is bringing attention to the issue. Congress men and women are trying to do the same thing by being arrested there for crossing boundaries. It's to bring attention to the issue, although in a dramatic way – but hey, she's an actress. Drama is her thing.

To the people who are criticizing her, shame on you. She's doing something to gain awareness for an issue that is a global wound. She may be a has-been. She may not have even been great in her day – WHO CARES. It's not the point. Quit criticizing the way someone TRIES to help!

America. Land of the free and home of the jaded.

God Bless You for standing up for what you believe to be right. You are in my prayers along with the people who are suffering so much.

I sincerely hope that the world will wake up and join hands with Mia Farrow not by joining her in hunger strike but by raising the world consciousness to what is happening in Darfur. I also pray that the world leaders including USA would do some thing to stop the genocide in Darfur and arrest the evil president.

Evidently her hunger strike is already a success. She wanted to raise awareness about the genocide & treatment of the innocent in Darfur, and judging by the hundreds of comments on here, be they positive or negative- she's raising the awareness she'd hoped for!
I applaud Mia or ANYONE that does their part to help our brothers and sisters around the world & in our own neighborhoods.

Regarding difference between a hunger-strike and a fast:

A hunger-strike is a means of communicating concern horizontally, i.e., human entities, governments, public opinion, prison wardens etc. It is most effective when widely publicized. It is only effective when the target audience has 1) a conscious capable of being pricked, or some concept of shame and 2) the power to act. That's why Gandhi was able to move the British but Mia... Oh, the desired outcome should be clear, so one knows when to stop.

A fast may look the same but is vastly different. It is directed vertically–to God alone, not publicized. It is a form of humbling oneself. (Consider meditating on Isaiah 58 before trying it.) There may be some desired outcome but a fast is done with a spirit of submissive expectation, not manipulation.

It seems obvious from reading these comments that mankind has evolved into two separate species – those with a conscience and those without. How anyone could object to Mia's efforts is simply beyond me. They must be the same ones defending Bush's torture.

I am truly depressed by the number of posts that are filled with hatred and disgust for the people of Darfur as well as for Mia Farrow. Why such bitterness? Does it bother you that SHE is willing to at least do something, anything, to help bring attention to this crisis while you are not? Whether you agree with her methods or not, how is it possible to not recognize that Darfur is in dire need of help. That is not to say that there are not other equally appalling situations in other parts of the globe, including right here in our own country. So what if Mia is drawn to the plight of people halfway around the globe? She is a citizen of the world, just as each of you are. Frankly though, I am very saddened to be affiliated with many of you people making posts on here slamming mia farrow and the people of Darfur. You seem less than human actually, and much more self absorbed than she does. If she raises awareness, then she has done what she intended to do. You sit back, judge, and do absolutely nothing. Shame on you.

It saddens me to see that some of you people only care about yourselves and your own country." I agree we have similar problems but there are not mass exterminations taking place here in the US. This is a crime against human beings based on ignorance and fear. People are being hacked to death. Go watch the coverage. There are plenty of pictures out there that would shock you. God created all of us we all have the right to be here and to be safe. If you can stand by and say things like, "That is sad but we have our own problems," I am not sure you can call yourself a human being. I agree her fasting is ridiculous. What we should all be doing is marching on Washington every single day until the world stops ignoring the holocaust of the 21st century! If you all have time to bicker on her about this, you have time to write letters and fight until someone listens. These are innocent children, black, white, asian, indian, they all deserve to live in a peaceful world where hate does not dictate their future.

I have NEVER read so many negative, hateful comments in my life!
While I agree with many of the e-mails, as far as, I too don't believe that what Ms. Farrow is doing is going to have any great impact on the situation in Darfur, but for crying out loud, wishing someone to drop dead,and insulting her professionally, when someone is trying to do something that they believe WILL make a difference, is outrageous and unforgiveable!
How about a little compassion and maturity.

Y'all don't get it....when you get the DRIVE to do what you can when something impacts you like Darfur has Mia, you just do-you don't analyze and compute. Woo-hoo, Mia, you GO GIRL!!!! Wish there were more boys and girls with their eyes and ears open....maybe soon, hopefully....

I am appalled by what the Janjaweed forces are doing to the Fur tribe. The government in Khartoum is extremely corrupt, with no sense or regard to what happens to the black people in Sudan. I commend Mia Farrow for wanting to do something about it. However, I feel that a hunger strike isn't going to do much. Will it keep the Fur women from being raped and shot? No. Will it help parentless children get aid? Probably not. Although the intentions are good, the effort is misguided.

Sigh-It is better to light one little candle than to curse the darkness. I have never seen the world as divided as it is now. The only reason that men can get away with running around and killing innocent civilians without getting in real deep water with the so-called Enlightened Nations of the World is because all have forgotten a basic principle-If bad things are permitted to happen to others, there is no reason to assume that it can't happen to me. It has to do with the idea of Social Justice and "World Conscience!" Maybe that is what Mia is appealing to....................

Her fasting got our attention. This is her goal. Thank you Mia for doing something worth while with your fame and recognition. The more we can bring attention to this situation the more likely there will be people doing something about it. Keep it coming.

To the poster who cannot afford to eat, by the way you lack the strength to type a capital letter it is apparent that you are weak with hunger. This is a disgrace, both city's and small towns everywhere in America are rife with people dying on the sidewalks due to lack of food. Distended bellies and skeletal bodies are epidemic. Tiny children wandering aimlessly alone too sick with disentary, open sores, and starvation to even cry. Parents toted off, tortured or hacked to death in front of them. And the medical care, don't even get me started on that. I mean, there just isn't any, none whatsoever. Yes, America has problems all right, some of the biggest of which are intolerance, arrogance, obnoxiousness, bigotry and let's not forget just plain small minded people. To the hungry poster, why don't you sell your computer and get yourself some food you poor thing? Just be grateful you live in a country where you don't have to worry about someone breaking in your door and bashing in the heads of your family while you're doing it.

It is appalling to read the majority of comments written in response to Mia Farrow's concern for the people of Darfur. While her approach may not solve the problem it does call attention to it which is her goal. I doubt any of those that write in their nasty comments are big on helping others –
The amazing thing is I hear no compassion or caring for the situation, just criticism. Most people that comment seem to find this just an opportunity to write crude or rude comments and then hide behind their anonymity.

There seems little sense to this. Mia Farrow has looked anorexic for decades anyway.

@Clay,
"It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so."

"Genocide" in darfur?? Wow. Now this is one word that has been abused.
Is this like the armenian or the jewish or even the chinese farmers' genocides? You know, where millions are killed in order to erase a race or large group? Like what is happening to the tamil in Serilanka right now as we speak?
What is sickening is how all the celebrities and "good-doers" are jumping onboard the Drafur train as if this is THE problem right now... As if millions are not dying of hunger and dehydration as we speak. Maybe Mia Farrow and the rest of the alternative-cause pushers should not get a coffee this am and save some kids' lives instead with some normal saline IV fluids.
One has to wonder what else is going on in connection with the Darfur situation that is drawing all this international attention . I mean it is for sure not as bad as the Rawanda-Borondy genocides with millions dying just a few years back. I have not heard one squeek when that happened.
Whatever man. It is just the way of the world, or atleast the media world.
Let's just not forget that God is watching OK?
Peace on Darfur and, more importantly, love and hope for all the MILLIONS of babies DYING EACH YEAR in africa from diarrhea...too bad for them that Diarrhea is not politically/religiously useful for all the "well-doers".

Sorry about Dafur ... and Somalia, and the Congo, etc., etc. We could completely deplete America's financial strength many times over and still not make a dent in the situation of the third world countries. We Americans need to toughen up. Call me a grinch, but Darfur doesnt bother me because I choose not to think about it. I, like millions of others, am too busy trying to figure out how I am going to scratch out a living, save enough money to send my child to college, and hopefully have a little money left when I retire. Mia is more than welcome to make a huge financial contribution to the people of Darfur if she wishes but spare us the drama of a hunger strike.

Mia - instead of the hunger strike, how about giving them some of your millions of $$ and a property or two.

What Darfur needs is not another celebrity activist. None of these celebrity or politicians for that matter know how many rebel groups there are in Darfur or who they are, what they want, how they are going about to reach their goal. There are wrongs done by both sides of this conflict. The rebels are backed by the West to put pressure on the Sudanese government. The only solution is to this conflict is to leave the problem to the Sudanese people. Let them solve it. The West or anyone else who want to help should play a constructive role in bringing the parties together to solve the problem. Not take sides. The past 6 years so many people died in Iraq due to the fact we had a cowboy for a President who caused so much misery, death and destruction not to mention displacement of so many people. Did any of these celebrity try to stop that or demand justices for the Iraqis who were innocent victims. No.

To Clay....

I guess everything, by your standards, is Bush's fault. Obama is in the White House now baby, look sharp. He isn't doing anything about Darfur so I guess that means its HIS fault now! Wouldn't you agree?

Mia, are you allergic to important issues in your own country, or what? Yeah, I'm sure Darfur will be miraculously saved in a matter of weeks so Mia Farrow can eat again. Sometimes narcissists really make me laugh.

It kills me that people think this is going to do anything. She's not going to be in any danger, she's not going to be on a "strike" very long and she's not going to help the situation on iota.
And, by the way, all you "supporters" who say people are hating, here's an idea, stop writing in blogs, get yourself an airplane ticket and YOU go to Darfur and help out for a year or two. Boy, I'm sure the airports will be crushed...Fix this country first and then help the rest of the world.

I applaud you in advance – for the human discomfort you will know by the action you are taking as well as the criticism you will receive. I know you will dismiss your suffering in order to raise the attention of the world to the unimaginable suffering of geneocide now underway in Darfur. God bless you for standing up in a way so many of us fail to.

It is really sad to see all the evil comments on this page. It's no wonder things don't seem to get better when people have so much hate in their heart. All I see are these comments criticizing Mia but I don't see you doing anything to help! If this is Mia's way of helping, then more power to her. And for the people that are not concerned because its not your country or think there are better things to focus our attention on, you are only saying that because you are safe and cozy in your bed. Not to mention, I don't think any of you are seriously doing anything for your own "cause".

Who really cares if Mia is doing a hunger strike? Its kind of like the Ethiopians... they have " food".. its called a cow, but they refuse to eat them. Instead they will let their babies starve. Give them some birth control. As far as Dafur.. there isnt anything the US can do. IF we brought our military in.. thats MILLIONS more of OUR dollars, for yet another country that A) doesnt want us there and B) is going to keep on going how it has been and C) every one who complained about the Iraq war will be complaining again.

Let them kill themselves off. It has nothing to do with them not having oil, etc. It has to do with the Dafar citizens learning how to defend themselves and take care of the country they let go bad. America needs to quit being the shining knight on a white stallion. We have our own kids that are being starved, neglected, raped and abused. We have our own women being raped and abused and overworked. America needs to take care of America FIRST.

Self-immolation in front of Congress would be a much more powerful and indeed influential protest statement.

Wow, I am disgusted by the comments that most of these people have posted. What has gotten in your minds?!!! It makes me sad to hear that a lot of people dont seem to care, that they blame and point the finger at others, that their ignorance has gotten the best of them, and that they just focus on their problems when there are bigger problems to focus on. Yes, I understand that the US has its problems of its own but I have to agree with some people here, that they are not as bad as the things that happen in other countries. You people fail to realize that we are talking about human beings, human beings that are being killed, raped, tortured, etc.....borders should not matter there are people who need the help from us who are better off than they are! They are people just like the rest of us and we need to do something about it! You people criticize Mia (that she is a celebrity trying to get attention for herself) but her being a celebrity should not matter...she is just a human being trying to help other people in need. Instead of pointing the finger at her why don't you people step up like she is and take on the challenge to end the genocide in Darfur...I bet most of you would not have the courage to do that!! I support Mia and her efforts, its a good way to raise awareness in a peaceful way and besides she seems to be the only celebrity that has tried to do something about this issue. There is a lot of information out there (websites and documentaries) so get yourselves informed and educated before you comment and criticize other people. All you have to do is do something...stop complaining like little babies and take action....because if you did then the US would not have the problems that most of you have said here, if you did the world would not be the retched place that it is now. And stop bringing in other issues here that do not have nothing to do with Darfur, go find some other blogs to post them in...and like i said instead of complaining do something about it!!

To Somebody Else, Please:

If Obama fails to act then, yes, he will share in the responsibility. Failure to prevent or intervene in genocide knows no party lines – you either act or you don't. Bush didn't act on Darfur at all, but we all hope that Obama chooses otherwise. But as far as the ills of this country go, yes indeed, Bush is personally responsible for everything from torture to illegal wars and from the wrecked world's economy to the manufactured energy crisis. For a man who talked about nothing but food in most of his press conferences, he sure left a full plate behind.

Ah, we have our first winner. I'm sure Polly will be on the first flight out to Darfur so she can help out.
I would REALLY be interested to know how many supporters of Mia Farrow on this page have volunteered at their local soup kitchen. My guess is not many.

It looks as though we can sit Edwardo next to Polly on the next flight out to Darfur so he can help out as well.

@polly,
Using the words "evil comments" and "hate" is way over the top. You "don't see anyone doing anything to help," because you cannot see or know what's in other people's hearts. You can't put everyone in the same box just because they agree on one point–that a hunger-strike is not neccessarily the best way to make a difference.

Mia would be of more serve to Darfur if she spoke out in foreign countries or here at home, be it on more TV talkshows or news discussions or by getting involved as a spokesperson for numerous human rights organizations. Starving ones self is an unhealthy way to protest injustice.

Those who want to stick up for Mia Farrow with such sharp rhetoric should go on a hunger-strike themselves!

i simply don't understand the level of disrespect in response to this heartfelt plea. while the relevance of what is being done is in question, there can be no doubt that she is attempting to access some level of publicity for the cause.

and while i encourage every one of us to act where we can in our own area for our local issues, this does not remove us from the connection and responsibility to those who suffer around the world. what is done to the least of us is done to the most of us, as 9-11 has shown. helping people so far from you does not diminish your light, but increases it.

and while it is a psychological protection to want to reject that which we feel we cannot help or prevent, there ARE things we can do, right now, today, for free, starting with reaching out to your representatives. this is as simple as you finding this story on this website.

if nothing else, please do pray for those in Darfur and stop marginalizing their plight as a Hollywood/liberal problem... this is so very far from it.

signed,

–a conservative southern gun-toting libertarian thinking woman

Dear Mia Farrow,

I understand the need for personal expression and fully support and am proud that somebody still knows what this is. HOWEVER, if you have this much initiative, I think you should do something more effective with the resources you have at bay; this being YOUR NAME.

Maybe you can use your well-earned money to buy food for the people of Darfur, instead of starving yourself? Maybe you can urge other well known celebrities to join you in helping to better Darfur, donating to charities, starting your own, stuff like that.

I haven't really researched into anything that you've done for Darfur, if you have, and although I do believe that personal expression is an extremely important thing and that more people should use it as you are, but you have better resources at bay.

Hugh:

"Stick Up" for Mia Farrow? What is she doing that requires "sticking up" for? She doesn't need to be defended, as she isn't doing anything REMOTELY wrong. She's attempting to bring awareness to a severe human condition. While we may not all agree with her method, she certainly doesn't need anyone sticking up for her. It seems no one wants to see the nobility in what she's doing because it would affirm the fact that they do NOTHING to help the human condition, whatsoever. What are any of us doing, other than verbally slaying a woman who has done nothing wrong by any standard? I have to wonder...if the Mahatma were alive, and going on one of his hunger strikes, would the public be equally scathing? The insults flying on some of these posts are nearly as useless than those who wrote them.

@ DPG

For your information, Yes I would gladly go and risk my life for someone else. It would be better than to sit here doing my homework for UC Merced and reading your ridiculous ignorant comments. And yes I have done community service maybe not necessarily at a soup kitchen but at other places I have. And yes I would go on a hunger strike myself if I have to in order to create awareness to this issue....and no this is not the only issue that I am concerned with, I have tried to raise awareness for other problems as well.

Spread the love not hate. And help others because you never know when this country will need the help of another.

Thanks DPG for being a "Debby Downer!" What's wrong with people wanting to help? People in the U.S always seem to have this mind set of "we do things only for our own benefit." Think outside of the box for once and do something that helps the rest of the world. Just don't complain if you don't do anything other then sit on your behind and read blogs. I speak for myself and all those who actually go out and volunteer and who actually try to make a difference in the world.

@Denise,
My "sticking up for Mia Farrow" was never met to imply SHE was doing something wrong, it was directed toward those who are so angry that someone like myself may not agree with her method and because of disagreeing we are somehow being hateful. If I do not agree with her method does that mean I'm making hateful or evil comments? Maybe some others are being hateful toward Mia Farrow, I only disagree with her method.

As I've read many of the comments on this page, I've been appalled at the hard-heartedness so many people are showing. Yes, we should care about the suffering that goes on in the United States and work toward ending it–but does that preclude our trying to help others in the world as well? And does "help" necessarily need to come from the government, whether that help is intended to be for those in our own country or in another country? Instead, shouldn't we be willing to do our part to help those who are hurting, whether that means giving of our time, resources, or even money?

I'm all for teaching people how to be self-sustaining (teach to fish vs. giving a fish), but to act as though the suffering and death occurring in Darfur are a result of people's laziness or lack of knowledge is myopic at best. The people who have been systematically dislocated, raped, and tortured in Darfur (not to mention the many who have been murdered) have lost nearly everything, not least of which are the resources to make a livelihood. And to compare their suffering to what is currently going on in the U.S., where there is still food in our grocery stores; where there are free clinics to provide healthcare; where there are charities and programs (even if bound up in red tape) to provide unemployment benefits, food/food stamps, Medicaid, and more; where there is at least the attempt to provide justice for victims of rape, murder and other crimes; to the suffering that is going on in Darfur (and other parts of the world) does not make logical sense.

On a different note, in spite of what this article seems to indicate, there still are a number of aid organizations on the ground in Darfur who are actively working to provide the victims with both the resources and knowledge for survival; only thirteen have been "kicked out," so to speak. Thus, material ways of individuals working to make a difference for others still exist.

"UC Merced" huh? More studying, less blogging.

Like someone said earlier, let's "spread the love, not hate." Just because a person does not agree with someone's idea or method does not make them "hard-hearted" or "heartless." Peace to all who understand mere debating; for those who cannot I do not understand their anger.

Mia~

I apologize for the critics , the ignorance and the attempt to make this about focusing on the US. I have never fled my home, lost my father, been forced sexually, lived in a camp for 6 year (in the same clothes with food and resources diminishing as I write this) so nothing I have encountered even compares, nor the majority of America... I admire your time. I have seen the children you have held, the parents you have watched weep, and the conditions in which these people live.

I am sorry for those loosing their homes, jobs, having to live within limited means... nothing compares to the atrocities of genocide though. I would be shocked to know out of all these comments is a person that is a project of genocide... and speaking out that it should not be focused on.

My prayers to Mia, and all of your work.

Hugh ~ My apologies, sir. I did not read the full context of your first comment.

While Mia Farrow starving herself is not necessarily my first pick for raising awareness either...all of us are on here commenting about it, which means, to some extent, it is working.

Even if many can't see the forest for the single tree in front of their self-centered eyes.

Hugh, sir, make a valid point, and I withdraw my previous criticism.

I believe Mia's motives are pure but her tactics are less than desirable.

@Denise,
There is no need to apologize, no one's perfect, especially not myself. "To err is human, to forgive is divine!" Thank you though.

@Jose G.
Well, Jose, I volunteer at a soup kitchen in Detroit twice a week. Have done so for the last 5 years. Please do not comment on my life which you know absolutely nothing about. I put my money where my mouth is.
You seem to be missing my point. I agree to get off your butt and DO something about what you feel strongly.
Let me ask you a question regarding your comments regarding the United States. Please name me ANOTHER COUNTRY that provides MORE HUMANITARIAN AID to the WORLD other than the UNITED STATES.
I look forward to your answer.

Mia,
I love you, your book "What Falls Away" remains my favorite read of all time. I care about Darfur too, but you are a mother. You can't starve yourself, your family needs you. The people of Darfur need your strong voice, not your hungry weak voice. This is not the way. You are a brilliant person, loving, generous and kind. Find another way, please.

What About our own country? we have STARVING people right here in The U.S!

My heart is breaking for those in Darfur, but what in the world is it going to do for them if Mia Farrow starves herself. She's only hurting herself and is not able to aid them in any real way if she is sick or dying from lack of food. IMHO it's a ridiculous thing to do. 'Hope I do not offend anyone.

Please not again an hunger strike..... I have often fasted for medical reasons. In Germany they have places where people fast for up to 50, 60 days. Myself I fast only for 3 weeks every 3 or 3 years and i then ,have nothing else than plain flat water. (without water you last only a few days). That is the only preparation you need for that. If you take mineral water or juices, you more likely starve yourself. You can check over the internet for serious documentation about fasting. Animals when hurt naturaly resort to fasting for days.
Myself my pulse rate decreases, i get headaches the first 3 days but then after as days go by you feel better and better...after 3 weeks somehow your hunger comes back. That is when I start drinking juices, then fruits, and gradually get back to eat regular food.

@DPG
I'd like to end this "argument" DPG. There really is no point in spending my time debating with you. Yes, the US might provide more humanitarian aid then any other country, but that is only to keep the close ties with other countries. It's sort of like, " you scratch our back we'll scratch yours." I can go on in a tangent, but it isn't really necessary to do so here.

Back to the main point of this whole article/show appearance. Mia Farrow is making a statement and if you don't like then you don't like it. So peace DPG I'm done with this.

Dear Mia, I will pray for you daily and will fast for one day to join you in your efforts. May God keep you safe.

Good for her.

I am very touched by Mia Farrow's desire to help the suffering people of Darfur and am going to go to her web site miafarrow.org to see what I can do. Thank you Ms. Farrow and thank you Larry for having her on your show.

May God be with you as you proceed with your fast. My prayers will be for your health and safety.
I hope our health care agencies can return to give the people assistance. I hope our diplomats and legislators can help in this situation. I will pray for the people.
Gloria(Ohio)

Dear Mia:

I will show solidarity with your cause by fasting for 24 hours beginning at 8Am April 27th. Bless you and the people of Darfur.

Mia, May God be with you as you proceed with your fast. My prayers will be for your health and safety. I hope our health care agencies can return to give the Darfur people assistance. I hope our diplomats and legislators can help in this situation. I will pray for the people of Darfur.

The Holocaust could happen because Nazi Germany succeeded in positioning European Jews outside of the "Universe of Moral Obligation" in the minds of manyt Germans and in the minds of bystanders in many other nations as well.

Are the Sudanese people in YOUR universe of moral obligation?

The negative comments on this blog suggest that some people have a very constricted sense of obligation to other members of the human family.

Mia Farrow says YES we do have a moral obligation. She and 60 others are willing to go without food while many people in Darfur go without food.

Her HOPE is that within three weeks the Sudanese government can be pressured into allowing Humanitarian Aid (halted in March 2009) to again reach the people of Darfur.

The crisis in Darfur results from a deliberate policy of genocide by the Sudan government. Everyone has a duty to halt this ongoing crime.

Mia, thank you for your courages effort to bring attention to the Darfur genocide. I will join you for one day in your efforts. Will be thinking about you daily. Love.

Thank You Mia, Let us remember What happened in Rwanda. In Rwanda 800,000 people were killed with one hundred days in 1994. They could have been saved, but nobody came to their rescue. During that time the world said “Never Again”. But Genocide is happening in Darfur again. In Darfur more than 400,000 people have been killed, thousands of women have been raped, and millions displaced. So we have to stand up to fight criminals like president al-Beshir and stop Genocide once and for the last.

Food, shelter & clothing are the three essential things any human being needs.

Instead of going on a hunger-strike I think giving money for a hungry, needy child is more effective–practically and morally.

I appreciate that Mia thinks that starving herself will call attention to the problem in Darfur. But there are so many other ways she could help. And she only hurts herself in this crazy way of helping.

hey mia farrow! before you starve yourself for people in Dafur how about you starve yourself for the AMERICAN people first!

I like the idea of going 16 days for each aid group. Yours is a just cause. Keep it up!

Come on starve yourself for americans who are starving. No other country NEEDS HELP MORE FOR ITS STARVING THAN AMERICA !! BUT WE SEND ALL OUR HELP INSTEAD OF THE OBVIOUS TO COUNTRYS WHERE THERES NO HOPE > STARVE TO DEATH MIA FARROW UNTIL THE STARVING IN AMERICA STOPS !!

MEL JARVIS

If anyone of you would trade places with these people in Dafur, who were born in America, by the grace of somee God, please let us know.

Suzanne – well said. You have a world heart...

Hello Mia,

God bless you. God bless your children.
I would say that I'd partake on the hunger strike along with you... no, I think I shall and although I know it won't make a difference, I will do it to give my spirit peace.
All we can do is hope. Hope that globally people can put on their sympathetic eyewear and find a way to make their governments help Darfur people.
It makes me ill that I live in a country that when people are in crisis we run to help them, we ease their financial burdens and their health crisis. When the women and children are in danger, we protect them, we adopt their children, we promise them if not the comforts of a real home, safety... but when it comes to Africa, we leave them to be beat down, infected with disease, experimented on, robbed, raped and mutilated and then to make it worse we watch as they are removed from this world in large quantities, and still that is not enough.
Western societies are the reason Africa is in its disposition, the crimes committed on behalf off that continent and its people and then the retreat of everyone who has prospered from it. Leaving weak, dependent people and eager for everything they never had, to run that country. This is the result of that selfishness.

To Mary Marrieson – She has brought attention to Dafur, that is the point of her doing this. You didn't. right. Thanks Mia or could have it been you????

What is happening in Darfur is appalling and really need an immediate action from America and the world. We need more pressure to the leaders of Sudan who apparently, take pleasure in human rights abuses.

This is something very very sad and unimaginable. People of Darfur are born without rights, very sad indeed.

LEADERS OF THE WORLD, THESE PEOPLE NEEDS YOU!

I am 59 years old, have cancer and will die soon. I have lived a beautiful life in America. I wish that some of the children in Darfur could have experienced some of the life i did. I feel so lucky and I appreciate what Mia is trying to do. Bring attention to Dafur and the people there. I will die peacefully in a soft bed with family and friends. I wish the same for the people in Dafur. It is just so sad that I was just lucky in life. The world needs to wake up to things like this. I will hopefully look dowgn from heaven and see the world being caring about it's people.

Why does no one talk about the fact that what is happening in Darfur and Sudan is directly related to RADICAL, EXTREMIST, JIHADIST Muslims? These radicals must be stopped. They want to slaughter Americans, Westerners, Christians and are actually doing so in Africa. When will the world wake up?

On her site, Mia mentions that America hasn't supported the United Nations in their efforts. As usual, America is the bad guy. Radical extremists never are. Give me a break. What has the UN actually achieved to stop the killing and violence against millions of innocent people?

Note:
President al-Bashir's government is dominated by members of Sudan's National Islamic Front (NIF), a fundamentalist political organization formed from the Muslim Brotherhood in 1986.

As a mother, I applaud Mia Farrow's efforts. Each one of us feels called to causes and experiences for a variety of reasons. Americans have a long, distinguished history of reaching out to neighbors across the world in need. Though my family has been harshly affected by the economy like everyone else, I still know that we have more of everything– especially opportunity, support and the freedom to forge a new life if we need to. The children of Darfur and other marginalized areas of the world do not have those options. So while my first priority is caring for my family, I also have a responsibility to my son to teach him that we are not islands, and that when people need help we can not look away. We help ourselves, our communities and, yes, children in foreign lands. In my family, we may not have much, but we always do what we can and that's good for everyone. I may only fast for a day or two, and that's a personal choice that might inspire someone else.

[...] watched Mia Farrow on Larry King Live tonight as she announced her 21-day hunger strike to raise awareness about the situation in Darfur. [...]

Jim Fussell, your comment was so very well written. Thank you and all others who have taken steps to help educate us on moral obligation.

We are all born in this hell. Nobody or country has needs before anybodys or any countrys needs. TAKE CARE OF USA BEFORE ANY OTHER COUNTRY!!! Obama wants to do everything BUT WHAT HE'S DOING IS PAYING OFF BANKING,WALL STREET,MORGAGES, BIG THREE, NOTHING GOES TO US AMERICAN PEOPLE WHEN WE BECOME WE THE PEOPLE AGAIN FORGET HUNGER STRIKES AND ALL THE CRAP NOBODY CARES ANYMORE I SURELY DON'T GIVE A POOP IF MIA FARROW STARVES TO DEATH. I WISH I COULD GO TO BED TONITE IN AMERICA FULL NOT HUNGRY!!!

MEL JARVIS

Mel Jarvis – Can you please describe to us, your audience, what you are doing in your own community to help those in need? That way those of us who are in support of Mrs Farrow and the cause of Darfur can also use your community action as a template in our own lives. You seem very concerned about everything, so I do hope you will offer your wisdom and insight once again.

I live in chicago & Work for the homeless at the mustard seed. I see & live hardships. If you research the mustard seed & the help they do for the underprevieleged. I myself am homeless but I everyday donate my time to help my friends not only at the seed but heymarket rehab. I give out to to the public new needles & comdoms. I lost my job my apt. my car about a year ago I just kept my laptop so I can keep in the mix I HATE WHATS GOING ON IN THE WORLD BUT U S A CAN'T TAKE CARE OF DARFUR MOZAMBIK YEMEN THERES A HUNDRED MORE I'M EFFECTED I'M HURTING I'M LOSEING I'M HUNGRY AND A THOUSAND MORE THAT I KNOW & THATS JUST ME !!! HOW MANY MORE OF ME ARE THERE !! I WILL TELL YOU THIS I HAVE TO EAT WHAT I CAN WHEN I CAN SO I DON'T STARVE I DOUBT VERY MUCH MIA FARROW HAS TOO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LEADERS OF THE WORLD, THESE PEOPLE NEEDS YOU!
5-28-09

The Holocaust could happen because Nazi Germany succeeded in positioning European Jews outside of the “Universe of Moral Obligation” in the minds of many Germans and in the minds of bystanders in many other nations as well.

Are the Sudanese people in YOUR universe of moral obligation?
yes they are.. all mankind.
The negative comments on this blog suggest that some people have a very constricted sense of obligation to other members of the human family.

Mia Farrow says YES we do have a moral obligation. She and 60 others are willing to go without food while many people in Darfur go without food.

Her HOPE is that within three weeks the Sudanese government can be pressured into allowing Humanitarian Aid (halted in March 2009) to again reach the people of Darfur.

The crisis in Darfur results from a deliberate policy of genocide by the Sudan government. Everyone has a duty to halt this ongoing crime.

Hi Mia,

Thank you for having the courage and real care to stand up for people who need us.

Please take good care of yourself.

I hope you don't take any of the mean comments to heart in any way.

I hope perhaps that this brave and loving gift that you are giving the world is the start, or continuing process, of more people coming together to help everybody on the planet.

(I am sorry, I would be happy to fast with you but I have serious illness and can't afford to lose weight. But my heart is with what you are doing, and with the people in Darfur. )

I too wish attention could be effectively brought to critical matters in easier ways.

Maybe your generous actions will spur more effective projects, teams, pressure to take the necessary actions to help.

Are you thinking of projects to work on? I think that once you have so well raised awareness, you could find others to continue with help. Perhaps media, movies, documentaries, and international coalitions?

I'm sure we both know that so much is critical on this planet – and we can do what we can. That's why I am so encouraged by what you are doing – if we all do what we can, in whatever area, then all the needs of people will be met. Thank you so much. You are a real inspiration.

Again, thank you so much for your obvious and real care.

We're all in this together – so glad to see you, and all other amazing people doing, giving what they can.

Please really do take good care of yourself.

And really, thank you.

Christa LeVieux

I am amazed to the response of Ms Farrow's plea. That is very good and all people here writing is a testimony to that. I been in and out of Darfur... have been shot at, seen people droping like flies. specially children...... and belive me... the outrage I feel does not compare to the insult these people have been suffering for years and years. What is most amazing is that the nations of the world just stand and watch it happen... and still dont do anything....

Where are you Ban-Ki-Moon? Where are the nations of the world ???

Why do you do anything to remove Al-Bashir from office. I cannot understand why a common criminal runs a country without being questioned..... that is outrageours.... and insulting.... not only to me but to the people of Darfur........

@Jim Fussell & Elizabeth Chance,
Are you both friends, a team, or work for the same org., or is Elizabeth Chance just pasting Fussell's comments. Both comments are disturbingly similar.

Both have written, "Are the Sudanese people in YOUR universe of moral obligation?"
Then you both say, "The negative comments on this blog suggest that some people have a very constricted sense of obligation to other members of the human family.
Also, both of you end with, "The crisis in Darfur results from a deliberate policy of genocide by the Sudan government. Everyone has a duty to halt this ongoing crime."

Rather than trying to lay a moral GUILT-TRIP on people, what would both of you SPECIFICALLY like to see happen? I'd like to know what plan you would both present to all of us that would end the problem in Darfur? I'd really like to know what YOUR solution would be.

Mia, you are yet another brainwashed, misguided, and ill-read Yank who hasn't done enough research on the subject. If George Clooney couldn't draw the attention of the world to the awful plight of the region, why do you think a cooky thing like you will be more effective?

Until you and the rest of your misinformed, hypocritical nation realises the role America has played in the imperialistic plundering of Africa and other parts of the world, that now sits consequentially with horror stories like Dafur, in your implacable scrounging for oil and other mineral wealth this once beautiful continent has to offer, the suffering of millions of African people will continue. Read John Perkins' "The Secret History of the American Empire" for some clues as to why the suffering could end soon, but won't, because of American corporate and universal greed and insatiability for more. And the dirty tricks your country resorts to in order to secure its goals. Americans make me sick – drag out another celebrity to fool everyone that your country gives a damn; well, you don't – you need to stop being fooled by your own government, stop dumbing down the world with your social and cultural imperialism and get your own house in order. To quote from John Perkins' book – " The men and women who have been so intimately involved in shaping the last four decades of world history seem absorbed by the activities on that continent: (Africa) the United States' role in the assassination of Patrice Lumumba in the Congo, our (US) support of dictators like Jonas Savimbi in Angola, Mobutu Sese Seko and Laurent Kabila in the Congo, Abacha and Olusegun Obasanjo in Nigeria, and Samuel Doe in Liberia...... They talked at length about more recent attempts to forgive debt in many countries, of the Bush administration's determination to craft this seemingly generous act into the latest and most subtle EHM (economic hit man) trick to promote the rule of the corporatetocracy."

It seems as though Mr Obama has his work cut out for him. The perceptive amongst you will note that the aforementioned countries are all extremely oil-rich.

When I taught college in California I had my classes do research on Darfur. They wanted to do "something". So, they wrote letters. This is not enough it seems. I now live in the DC area. What about a protest for Darfur? Anyone game to help to organize such a march?
The UN is not committed to truly help countries in this situation. The UN history of preventing genocide has not been a good one. Common sense and basic morality tells us when the so-called "civilized" world allow conditions like this to flourish, even in "far-off" countries like Africa; then, we are not truly civilized, and are in danger ourselves. We simply have to react.
Thank-you Ms. Farrow. You are doing a noble and goodly thing.

Thank you Mia , Last night after I went to bed I could not get this out of my head. I would wake up with it again and again. I could see this mother having her baby ripped from her hands and then seeing her babies murdered . Mia please forgive us. The key is a choice and as a Mother and Grandmother I will not close my eyes, not for one more minute! I WILL JOIN YOU IN YOUR FAST . GOD LOVE YOU AND HOLD YOU . LOVE MELANIE HODGES. PULLMAN WA.

I am amazed at the number of negative comments towards Ms. Farrow! My politics is different than hers; yet, fasting for such a worthy cause like this when people are suffering to the point of extinction, is a very noble act. She is dedicating herself to good causes, vs. spending her money and time on frivolity. How selfish people are who respond with catty, rude and curt comments such as seen here on this blog. What does this say about us as a nation, if so many can make such comments about her and what she is doing to help others, and then they write callously about other issues being more important than saving a nation from genocide? I just wonder how many of the people who make this rude remarks, really help others on a daily basis. I bet they do not understand the happiness level that comes from being kind, loving, and actually helping our neighbors, near and far away.

Dear Larry King, I was watched your show last night you interview Mrs. Mia Farrow. I am a big fan of yours.
HI Mia, My name is Abraham and i am from Sudan. right now I live in Lansing, Michigan. I would like to say to you that thank you very much for help people in Darfur. I am so grateful for great job you are doing. Keep up good work . I am one of the Lost Boy of Sudan who came to U.S eight years ago. I remember the time when I was in Kakuma refugee came we eat one meal a day or time we stayed all day without food. I give thank to all American people who help Darfur people. God bless you all
Abraham

Dear Larry King, I was watched your show last night you interview Mrs. Mia Farrow. I am a big fan of yours.
HI Mia, My name is Abraham and i am from Sudan. right now I live in Lansing, Michigan. I would like to say that thank you very much for help people in Darfur. I am so grateful for great job you are doing. Keep up good work . I am one of the Lost Boy of Sudan who came to U.S eight years ago. I remember the time when I was in Kakuma refugee came we eat one meal a day or sometime we stayed all day without food. I give thank to all American people who help Darfur people. God bless you all
Abraham

I saw Mia Farrow on the Larry King Live show last night and consider her very brave and very kind. I am a member of an honorary teachers' organization and got to know a member whose family serves in Darfur as missionaries. The situation is as Ms. Farrow says. I called the phone number she gave. Although I haven't heard President Obama speak on this topic, I will quote his phrase here, "If we can put a man on the moon," why can't we do something about this horrific humanitarian crisis? I know it is complicated and involves other countries, but surely we cannot let this go on as it has been.

Ms. Farrow is now in her second day, I think, of her hunger strike. I stayed at Mitch Snyder's shelter in Washington, D. C. during one or two of his hunger strkes for the homeless in the 1980s. I think his fasts were around 40 days. I participated in his water-only daily masses. I don't know how he held up to it. I don't think Ms. Farrow can for very long. Can't we, in the name of God, do something to help the stiuation in Darfur now and in the longer run?

Also, I recently wrote AC 360 about Soledad O'Brien's fine report on the horrible assasination of Martin Luther King, Jr., that I remember so well. I mentioned the Kennedy assasinations and my own remembrance of having just seen both Jack and Jackie probably less than 30 minutes before he was killed when I was living in Dallas. I also mentioned the Congressman John Lewis whom Soledad interviewed and said I weep with him at these recollections. He was, of course, present at the King tragedy. I commented that he is a great credit to Congress. I see now that he has been arrested in a Darfur protest. Again, isn't there anything we can do to improve things in Darfur? Surely, there must be.

I want to end with a dream I had on the night of April 19-morning of the 20th, this year. I dreamed that the horizon opened up, and all I saw in the foreground was Martin Luther King, Jr. It was definitely him, very clear, and his voice. He was leading a large crowd of people of all races, mostly African-Americans, I think. There was one black woman I cared a lot about, too, who died in the 1990s, just behind him. They were all saying together, "Our prayers, our prayers, our prayers....." I didn't know to whom they were referring. I called a friend that I felt might not be feeling well and who might know what it was about or who it was for. She didn't seem to. I now wonder if, given Lewis' closeness to Martin and considering his protest for Darfur, it might not have referred to Darfur. Let us please do the right thing here. As I've said before regarding Afghanistan women (and I feel that perhaps Karzai is trying to do better by them, as I pray he is; if he doesn't, he loses a lot of great people with a lot of great talent who could help his country as doctors, engineers, teachers, etc., as well as mothers), we are the Americans. We certainly can't stand by and let such suffering go on. There must be a way that we can find post haste, post haste.

Martha M. Trescott

Darfur is about GENOCIDE. Genocide at any level against any group must be addressed. Regardless of some of the baseless criticism against Ms. Farrow, she has done a service by bringing attention to this issue (at the least). Who can do what about it is another question. Ignoring it is not the answer.

The term Genocide has rarely been mentioned in this blog. Did we not ignore the plights of those in the Holocaust during WWII, in Bosnia and in Riwanda in the 1990's? During the Riwanda crisis, millions were too busy watching the O.J. Simpson trial and were not even aware that hundreds of thousands of Riwandans were massacred within a few months.

Genocide takes this issue to a whole different level as it's aimed at obliterating a specific racial group. Mia Farrow has been involved with Darfur at many levels including with the United Nations.

For those who are too myopic and can't see past their own backyard with all of the privileges that living in a democracy affords you, go ahead with your lame criticisms. You never know how the words or actions of any one individual can impact someone else.

Just look at Rosa Park's photo from the 1950's sitting on a bus. What do you see: a middle aged black woman who got herself arrested. What good would she do, being charged? What point could she possibly be making? I see a woman who set a great spark for the civil rights movement, sitting their with her dignity. I am not equating Ms. Parks with Ms. Farrow here. Only that small actions do add up and inspire.

Thank you Mia. I applaud you.

Hello Mia: God bless. You have always stuck to your beliefs. Stay well and good health!

I am worried about internet making the world a smaller place. Where anything is possible.

Dear Mia Farrow:

It would be great if you would organize an event where many of us could join you in a public hunger strike. Could we do it in an old theater or under a giant tent in Central Park. Are there other celebrities that might join you? Okay, you have my attention. Aside from starving-what can we do specifically to help?

The point is, for things to happen in Darfur, the people of the US need to want it. It comes down to the fact that despite the passion of the activists in Darfur, there is not nearly the support or the continued saliency to keep it growing and powerful.

I think Mia Farrow's strike is doing amazing things. In my own state of Oregon, we've had dozens of emails going back and forth between activists across the state. Her fast is creating the first real way that people everywhere can stand in solidarity. It is my hope that as in my own state of OR, the fast will spread elsewhere, and keep Darfur on the minds of the US. Social movements, positive change don't just happen, they need a spark, something creative, something that cements itself in the minds of those who ignore it. Mia Farrow's fast has gone a long way towards beginning this.

And to naysayers out there? It's been six years since this genocide began and not much "progress" persay has been achieved. Much of the contributions have been towards sustaining Darfuris. But it has also been six years since the birth of the first anti-genocide movement. This is a fight in it's infancy and we are taking on the most stubborn and powerful of all entities. States.

I will conclude by saying that fasting is a way to continually remind myself and others of the suffering people in Darfur. Oregon activists are planning to fast every wednesday until...well until something changes in Darfur. People respect our fast and people want to become a part. We are standing in solidarity with the people of Darfur.

Thank you Mia for bringing this emergency situation to our attention...I will join you in the fast...even if it doesn't bring the proper attention needed to make a difference for these starving people...it certainly is a message to the people in Darfur that we do care...and they are our brothers and sisters just the same as our brothers and sister here in America...
God Bless you and your caring compassionate heart.
Mary

We need to concentrate on our own here in the US, who gives one cent if a celebrity starves herself, they do that 24/7 anyway.

Mia, add some prayer to your fasting, and I will join you in fasting and prayer, maybe not 3 weeks but it is certainly a prayer issue. Some things are too complicated and difficult for man to fix but God is able.
We are all human, all family. Let us all do what we can and if what we can do is a simple prayer, so be it. Thanks for caring.

People needn't speak roughly to Mia. She is doing all she can to draw attention to the situation of the suffering people in Darfur. For those who speak harshly, somebody must have abused you somehow to make you so angry, sullen and vicious. You need help, get it. You make the world ugly. Feral beasts are not as toxic as you are when you spew your venom at a person who is caring and merciful.

Americans starved??? Where?!??! Ive seen hungry people in America, i give to the homeless everyday, but there are no people in the US STARVING. Distended bellies on babies. Look, here in the US, if you are truely STARVING, you can walk until you find a good neighbor that will provide you with food. You cant do that in Africa, because your neighbors are DEAD FROM STARVATION!!!! Dont downplay the situation to make yourself feel better. Thinking back at the halocaust, I would give anything to stop that from happening...anything. We could have done something then and we can do something now. Let down the barriers that are blocking us , like your evel smallmindedness. STARVED AMERICANS?? The homeless guys I give money too everyday are wearing ADIDAS!!!!!

MJ's kids child custody issue...
I don't understand why people is trying to break the kids, them 3 should not be separated. It's hard enough to loose a father.... whatever MJ's will is should be followed. All these lawyers should stop digging issues for their own greed for money.
Thank you.