Red Eye-

Ethiopia is not "our" country to do more than offer aid to, either via our government or via personal donations. More heavy-handed intervention would scarcely be welcomed by Ethiopians. The case for intervention for other reasons, such as the Bush Administration is considering for Iran, doesn't exist. What "we" can do in the short run can be important in relieving immediate famine, and should not be callously dismissed. What needs to be done in the long run is best decided by whoever is in charge of the Ethiopian government, and if "they" do as poor a job as the previous government there will be another coup or mass insurrection.

I too get tired of periodic famines, wars, coups, in Ethiopia but I've lost some of my arrogance with regard to intervention since my Peace Corps days.

Ethiopia used to be a productive exporting country, with regard to food staples, not to mention some of the best coffee (Harrar) in the world. And politically, It's still not the basket case that neighboring Somalia is. I'm still hopeful for their future.

Charley Noble