7/04 Arms In The Sudan

Arms In The Sudan
Gun Owners of America
8001 Forbes Place, Suite 102, Springfield, VA 22151
Phone: 703-321-8585 / FAX: 703-321-8408

July 30, 2004

The Honorable Charles Rangel
2354 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative Rangel:

I have read with interest your strong commitment to relieving the suffering of the people of Southern Sudan. I truly admire your willingness to get arrested to draw attention to the jihad being carried out by the Islamist thugs who rule Khartoum.

I interviewed Francis Bok for my Live Fire talk show and wrote a column about his experience as a slave of the Muslims. Bok’s recollection in his book, Escape from Slavery, of his first seven years is idyllic. It was shattered when Arab raiders attacked his home and village center. The Arab thugs were armed with AK-47’s, the villagers with spears. Bok observes in passing that the latter is no match for the former.

Because you and I have been on opposite sides of the gun issue (we even debated on CrossFire years ago), I think it would be all the more persuasive if we were to jointly support authorization of sales of arms to the Sudanese Peoples’ Liberation Army. I suspect that a SAM up the tailpipe of a bomber at 10,000 feet might take some of the charm of jihad away from bombing defenseless civilians down below. And doubtless, a volley of AK-47’s aimed at the slave raiders would incline the surviving raiders to find another line of work.

Although I am quite serious about this proposal, I certainly will understand if you do not take me up on this “odd couple” initiative.

I would love to hear from you and work with you on behalf of the suffering people of Southern Sudan.

Sincerely,

Larry Pratt
Executive Director