John From The Sunset Coast: Well Done!
One of the problems with genocide is the perpetrators do not as a rule allow unbiased reporters in as witnesses.
This is a case of a relatively peaceful area being overrun by a well-armed militia of fanatics who have, allegedly, given the inhabitants a choice: Conversion or Death.
It appears as though a dire beginning is being ameliorated somewhat by American action.
Within the last two days, U S President Obama has seen this plight as an example of genocide and he has made the decision both to drop supplies to stranded Yazidis and use air power to knock down the militants (to an extent).
There is an interesting interview of President Obama by Thomas Friedman in today's New York Times:
""When you have a unique circumstance in which genocide is threatened, and a country is willing to have us in there, you have a strong international consensus that these people need to be protected and we have a capacity to do so, then we have an obligation to do so," said the president."