A much nicer picture of Eman Al-Obeidy

Picture is from the Anderson Cooper 360 website. I link to their article here http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/04/07/libya.rape.case/index.html at Anderson Cooper's website because thank the Lord that someone in his capacity has the tenacity and humanity to try to help this woman. Hopefully, Mr. Cooper could help negotiate her release and transit to a safe haven for Ms. Al-Obeidy, her family and fellow victims and their families. Someplace they can feel safe, which cannot be underestimated in importance in the life of a recent sexual assault victim. In fact, how could any healing or peace or any kind of positive thing happen at all when you're in fear for your very life 24/7. No place to run and no place to hide. No way to fade into obscurity when all kinds of government spies are watching you.

UPDATE: HERE'S A LINK TO THE INTERVIEW WITH NIC ROBINSON AT CNN WITH EMAN:

http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/07/video-interview-with-woman-who-claims-she-was-raped-by-qaddafi-forces/


Again, let's hope and indeed, pray that Mr. Cooper transforms his link in this matter into some kind of humanitarian effort. I couldn't do it, and neither could you, but someone like Mr. Cooper could surely convince the son that it was in their best interest to do so, and would be portrayed as a humanitarian act by Mr. Cooper if it happens now. CNN flies in a plane, the rescued folks get on and fly to safety. One big happy ending for that group of folks who really need a happy ending in their lives. Give them alien resident status and fund them and give them work permits and help them find jobs and get them a place to live and think about it...we can't save the whole world, but every once in a while it's cool to save who you can.

I'd want somebody to save me if I were Eman. She and her family have asked for our help. Let's give it to her, America.

And a word to Eman and her family and friends. Many folks I know work as police officers and prosecutors and social workers assisting sexual assault victims. Of course, this horror was torture as much as a crime, and people in these fields who work with violent crime victims every day have been discussing your bravery and their admiration for you as a hero and a violent crime survivor. Indeed, that's why I written several posts about you and your bravery. You'll do fine and you'll get better, and I have a feeling you're about to change many lives for the better. For what it's worth.