Conflict Minerals Trade Act Finally Hits Congress

Don't know what Conflict Minerals are?

Ever heard of Blood Diamonds? Just like Blood Diamonds, the insanely high demand by Far Eastern and Western Manufacturers for rare minerals used in the making of Consumer Electronics are often times mined in a war zone and sold to finance an insurgency, invading army's war efforts, or a warlord's activity, usually in Africa (especially the Congo).

Did you buy an IPod, and IPhone, and a MacBook? Then you helped promote murder, bloodshed, violence and rape!

And Apple isn't the only manufacturer that is guilty of using Conflict Minerals. Almost every Electronics Manufacturer has.

Enter Rep. McDermott who introduced on Friday the Conflict Minerals Trade Act (HR 4128).

About time!

What is most surprising is that most Electronics Manufacturers aren't opposing this, but actually backing it! Kudos to HP, Verizon, Nokia, RIM and Intel, the Information Technology Industry Council for promptly showed their support. (Apple is noticeably absent...) High Tech Industry Applauds Rep. McDermott’s Effort to Halt Trade in Conflict Minerals

Of course, all the Humanitarian Agencies are pushing this equally as hard.

NGOs Welcome the Conflict Minerals Trade Act

A coalition of international nonprofit organizations - including the Enough Project at the Center for American Progress, Human Rights Watch, World Vision, Oxfam America, Global Witness, International Labor Rights Forum, Genocide Intervention Network, Resolve Uganda, Falling Whistles, Jewish World Watch, Mennonite Central Committee, As You Sow, and the United Methodist Church General Board of Church and Society - today released the following joint statement regarding the introduction of the Conflict Minerals Trade Act of 2009 in the U.S. House of Representatives:

If you are interested in learning more about Conflict Minerals, check out the following links:

Bisie Killings Show Minerals At Heart of Congo Conflict

Your Computer is Killing the Congo

If you want to show your support for this Legislation, be sure to contact your Representatives in Congress to ask them to put an end to promoting bloodshed, violence, war and rape to get us our next High-Tech fix.