O c to b e r 6. 2010 Minority & Small Business Week O pinion AI othcp Wîeîo^ Do / o ^3- X Pre-Spray Traffic Areas (Includes: I small Hallway) 1 Cleaning Area (ortlv) $40.00 Includes Pre-Spray Traffic Area (Hallway’ Extra) Stairs (12-16 stairs - With O ther Services)-. $25.00 Gun Violence and Children Have we no shame or respect for children's lives? some as young as age nine. As one official from the transitional government told The New York Times, when it came time to 1 recruit and equip their army, "I'll be honest...we were trying to find anyone who could carry a gun." In addition, the by M arian W right E delman Times said, "Officials also revealed that Recently, the United Nations the United States government was help­ expressed new concern about a ing pay their soldiers, an arrangement crisis many Americans know little about: the American officials confirmed, raising the use of child soldiers in global conflicts, possibility that the wages for some of these especially in Somalia. chi Id combatants may have come from Ameri­ Somalia, whose government collapsed in can taxpayers." 1991, has been in a constant state of conflict As shameful as it is that the United States and tension for years and still has no legally may be inadvertently paying the salaries of recognized government. The United States Somali child soldiers, it shouldn't be surpris­ joins Somalia as the only two countries in the ing. Our nation continues to allow gun vio­ world not to ratify the Convention on the lence to destroy thousands of children's lives Rights of the Child, an international treaty at home too. The Children's Defense Fund recognizing the human rights of children that has documented the threat of gun violence UNICEF points out is the most widely and against American children for nearly two rapidly ratified human rights treaty in history. decades. The minimal progress we've made One of the convention's provisions pro­ toward reducing gun violence is at risk of hibits the use o f soldiers younger than age 15 being negated by an aggressive NRA pro-gun in conflicts. The United States did ratify a campaign and a Supreme Court decision later optional protocol prohibiting the use of ’ relaxing the reach of gun control laws. soldiers younger than 18. But in Somalia, In our latest yearly report, Protect Chil­ both insurgent groups and the Transitional dren, Not Guns 2010, we show that in 2007, Federal Govemment-which is dependent on more than 3,000 children and teens died from help from the West, especially the United gunfire in the United States. That's eight kids States—have been widely accused o f violat­ and teens dying every day as a result of ing this principle. homicide, suicide, or accidental or undeter­ The United Nations estimates the Somali mined shootings. Almost six times as many military is using hundreds of child soldiers, children and teens suffered non-fatal gun injuries, which have serious physical and emotional consequences. Random violence, especially in poor communities, drives thou­ sands of vulnerable young people into the pipeline to prison where they remain trapped with little chance of escape. Since 1979 gun violence has ended the lives of 110,645 children and teens in America. Violence is a widespread problem for American youths. Almost one in five high school students admitted carrying a weapon in 2007; one-third of those students brought the weapon to school. One in 20 admitted carrying a gun. One in 18 high school stu­ dents reported staying home from school because they felt unsafe at or on the way there. There are over280 million privately owned firearms in the United States, which is the equivalent of nine firearms for every 10 men, women and children in our country. Recent court decisions challenging handgun bans could add to these numbers. Just as children should not be paid soldiers in armed conflicts half a world away, they also should not be forced to live in fear of the widespread armed threat in American streets, schools, and homes. What is it going to take for adults in America to stand up and say “enough!” to the violence that is terrorizing and killing our children? Marian Wright Edelman is the president o f Children's Defense Fund. Area/Oriental Rugs: $25.00 Minimum Area/Oriental Rugs (Wool)'. $40.00 Minimum Heavily Soiled Area: Additional $10.00 each area (Requiring Extensive Pre-Spraying) UPHOLSTERY CLEANING Sofa: $69.00 Loveseat: $49.00 Sectional: $ 109 - $ 139 Chair or Recliner $25 - $49 tli& Throw Pillows (With Other Services)'. $5.00 ADDITIONAL SERVICES • Area & Oriental Rug Cleaning • Auto/Boat/RV Cleaning • Deodorizing & Pet -"x Odor Treatment • Spot & Stain Removal Service • Scotchguard Protection • Minor Water Damage Services SEE CURRENT FLYER FOR ADDITIONAL PRICES & SERVICES Call for Appointment (503) 281-3949