To the editor:

Thanks to the Journal-World for printing the column by Trudy Rubin on the genocide in Darfur. She detailed the work of Brian Steidle, a former Marine Corps captain who was an official observer in Darfur, witnessing murder, rape, looting and torching of whole villages of the black native people. Estimates of deaths range from 180,000 to 400,000.

President Bush has labeled the situation as genocide and has recently recommended emergency appropriations to bolster the efforts of the African Union’s forces, which are observers, but without the troops, equipment, training or logistical support needed. Advocates have called for a force from NATO and, eventually, from the UN to restore order.

Steidle has embarked on a 22-city, 21,000-mile speaking odyssey to rally support for the Million Voices for Darfur campaign. The goal is to have the public send one million postcards and e-mails to the White House urging immediate, forceful action to end the slaughter.

If you missed Rubin’s column, you may still be able to find it on the Journal World’s Web site, www.ljworld.com, or, if not, at the Philadelphia Inquirer’s www.philly.com, which retains her columns.

Richard R. Stumbo,

Lawrence