Article

2010-01-15 Caribbean-Latin America

Haitians Protest Slowness of Aid By Blocking Aid

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Posted by charger 2010-01-15 11:39|| || Front Page|| [1 views ] Top

#1 Golly, I'd be faster writing out a check, but I feel compassion fatigue setting in...

Posted by regular joe 2010-01-15 13:15|| 2010-01-15 13:15|| Front Page Top

#2 I think this is jumping to conclusions. Piling up dead bodies in the only place accessible, roads, would be a reasonable thing to do to allow trucks to come by later to pick them up. Earlier reports leaking out of Haiti DID mention there were already trucks collecting bodies. Calling this a 'protest' is a stretch. Remember all the BS reports coming out of Katrina that had no foundation.

Posted by Anguper Hupomosing9418 2010-01-15 13:27|| 2010-01-15 13:27|| Front Page Top

#3 I think this is jumping to conclusions. (...)

I don't. This is what the Haitians do, what they have always done. Whenever a tragedy befalls them, the stand around and wail about aid not reaching them fast enough, or the aid isn't sufficient...etc, etc, and on and on...you get the picture.

This is exactly why I said yesterday to evacuate, blockade and let nature run its course.

Posted by Solomon Spogum5839 2010-01-15 15:09|| 2010-01-15 15:09|| Front Page Top

#4 Absolutely not. That would be the worst thing we could do.

First: it would tar the good name of the United States for a long, long time. There are a lot of people around the world who understand that when disaster strikes, the US is there to help. It's one of the very best things about Americans. Turning our backs to the Haitians would be a terrible thing to do, both morally and geo-strategically.

Second: it would result in a half-million Haitian boat people. At least. If you were a Haitian man and there was no food, water, shelter or security for your family, what would YOU do?

Third: it creates regional instability. The Dominican Republic could well collapse due to the strain from the problems on their border. Other Caribbean countries would shift away from us and towards the leftist leaders such as Chavez. We don't want that.

Haiti is a shit-hole. It's a terrible, terrible shit-hole today compared to last week. Our obligation and best course is to help substantially.

Posted by Steve White 2010-01-15 15:24|| 2010-01-15 15:24|| Front Page Top

#5 Absolutely not. That would be the worst thing we could do.

Bleed heart...bleed.

First: it would tar the good name of the United States for a long, long time. There are a lot of people around the world who understand that when disaster strikes, the US is there to help. It's one of the very best things about Americans. Turning our backs to the Haitians would be a terrible thing to do, both morally and geo-strategically.

Yep. And I see that as a BIG problem. We should not be the worlds policeman or nanny picking up every pisspot country that stumbles. It leads to dependency...excuse me, it has made them dependent on us and killed their ability to be self sufficient. And...AND, they forget so quickly and despise us for revealing their short comings. Screw them, let the world stand on its own or fail on its own.

Second: it would result in a half-million Haitian boat people. At least. If you were a Haitian man and there was no food, water, shelter or security for your family, what would YOU do?

Boat people? What part of full Air, Sea & Land Blockade do you not comprehend? If I was a Haitian I'd be screwed, I wouldn't like it. However, if I hadn't been conditioned to expect the U.S. and others to come to my rescue, I might have the fortitude to help myself and my people instead of sitting around and whining about aid not coming fast enough.

Third: it creates regional instability. The Dominican Republic could well collapse due to the strain from the problems on their border. Other Caribbean countries would shift away from us and towards the leftist leaders such as Chavez. We don't want that.

As for the DR, I'd see that their border with Haiti was sealed. See blockade. If we showed some backbone and resolve, we wouldn't have the Chavez's to deal with. In fact, if we had handled that properly he'd never have gotten to where he is. Being the worlds sole Super Power means you got to use your muscle every now and then.

Haiti is a shit-hole. It's a terrible, terrible shit-hole today compared to last week. Our obligation and best course is to help substantially.

We are NOT obligated to help Haiti or anyone else. Let the Faith Based, and volunteer organizations do what they want. Hell, I don't care if YOU empty your bank account and send it off to whatever third world shit hole stubs its toe. I am tired of American Tax Dollars going to these terminally failed places. You are a bleeding heart liberal, and your kind has driven this country off a cliff. You, are part of the problem.

Posted by Solomon Spogum5839 2010-01-15 17:46|| 2010-01-15 17:46|| Front Page Top

#6 Dr. Steve is a liberal? Solomon - you don't know what you're talking about. The boat people issue is real and looming. Or should we shoot em and force em back? We are a compassionate nation, and should be, especially in our own sphere of power. That doesn't mean we let every illegal Mexican in or boatload of destitute illiterate Haitians to land and get Obamacare. Taking care of this OVER THERE is the smart, and right thing to do

Posted by Frank G 2010-01-15 17:58|| 2010-01-15 17:58|| Front Page Top

#7 Never insult an individual with a wooden stake in his hand.

Posted by badanov 2010-01-15 18:24|| http://www.freefirezone.org 2010-01-15 18:24|| Front Page Top

#8 I am surprised that someone with the nym Solomon would advocate a policy most likely to be adopted by Saudi Arabia.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2010-01-15 18:31|| 2010-01-15 18:31|| Front Page Top

#9 Solomon, when you look in the mirror do you actually see a reflection? Or does the mirror crack?

People we know have been working in Haiti, patiently teaching agricultural techniques, reforestation, caring for orphans, teaching basic literacy, and working against the mental poison that is Voodoo. It's a slow process, but it works. It is the only antidote to the toxic climate of Haiti.

Posted by mom 2010-01-15 19:01|| 2010-01-15 19:01|| Front Page Top

#10 Lovely person, that Solomon.

Posted by Pappy 2010-01-15 19:10|| 2010-01-15 19:10|| Front Page Top

#11 I didn't pick the nym. I am not surprised that my views vis-a-vis Haiti and all the other 3rd world cesspits, and the views of most 'burgers, are diametrically opposed.

One day, it will be necessary for us to really help...us. There won't be enough if anything there. Mom says we're helping them, we really are, it takes a long time...whaaaa! Like Africa?

How many decades? How many Billions? Help those that can and will help themselves. Let those that have demonstrated they are failures...repeatedly, perish. I said yesterday that it was cold, I don't flinch from that. I know it. But there are times when it is more humane to walk away, and that takes a certain coldness.

I have never been to Haiti or worked with Haitians, but I have been to places just as bad with people just as dysfunctional and after nearly 30 years of my involvement, and countless before that, they are as hopeless today as they have ever been.

Posted by Solomon Spogum5839 2010-01-15 20:11|| 2010-01-15 20:11|| Front Page Top

#12 Spogum-
What happens when the cub scouts come to your door requesting canned goods for the needy? Just curious. I myself had a hard time parting with just 12 cans of canned food from my pantry for their charity this year. But then I am a jerk, and like you I'd be the first to admit it. I guess Im not alone, which is somewhat comforting.

Posted by GirtThursday 2010-01-15 20:44|| 2010-01-15 20:44|| Front Page Top

#13 Er, Solomon.

Posted by GirtThursday 2010-01-15 20:45|| 2010-01-15 20:45|| Front Page Top

#14 But there are times when it is more humane to walk away, and that takes a certain coldness.

Not to mention a certain amount of sociopathy.

Posted by Pappy 2010-01-15 21:34|| 2010-01-15 21:34|| Front Page Top

#15 our friend Solomon confuses "tough love" with "intervention". Haitians didn't choose a quake, but if we have to help rebuild them we don't have to enable their addiction to int'l aid. They should be forced to address their ills. Too often the excuse is: "well, if we could start from scratch...". Well, now, Haiti is at scratch, and the bitching and whining thieving oligarchs should be shut up. By the people. Time to start over. It can happen. That's what scratch means

Posted by Frank G 2010-01-15 21:43|| 2010-01-15 21:43|| Front Page Top

#16 In the final analysis if the USA tanks who is going to help us?

Posted by GirlThursday 2010-01-15 21:53|| 2010-01-15 21:53|| Front Page Top

#17 if the "USA tanks"? Which USA? Washington?

Posted by Frank G 2010-01-15 22:04|| 2010-01-15 22:04|| Front Page Top

#18 Spogum-
What happens when the cub scouts come to your door requesting canned goods for the needy? Just curious. I myself had a hard time parting with just 12 cans of canned food from my pantry for their charity this year. But then I am a jerk, and like you I'd be the first to admit it. I guess Im not alone, which is somewhat comforting.

They don't have to come to my door. I'm involved with the Scouts, on several levels. A certain percentage of my income is set aside for certain charities that help the needy HERE, at HOME. We buy pallets of canned goods at the Two Major Warehouse Chains.

I am not involved with deciding who gets aid. My choice. If you see yourself as a jerk, that is an issue for you to deal with. I see myself as a realist that understands that there are those that cannot be saved, because they will not lift a finger to save themselves and expect others to rush to their aid.

In the final analysis if the USA tanks who is going to help us?

A very astute observation.

Posted by Solomon Spogum5839 2010-01-15 22:07|| 2010-01-15 22:07|| Front Page Top

#19 @#15 Frank G: Frank, I've read your posts over the years, some I did not agree with...but most I did.

You have a good heart and, I feel have been well intentioned. By Gods grace, if the 'burg is around in 5 years, I hope we can revisit this issue. I suspect, based on my experience with culture and failed States like Haiti. That I will be able to say: "Neener, Neener, Neener!" 8-)

Of course by then we will have pissed untold billions of dollars down yet another rat hole. While we ourselves will most likely be tits up, if it even takes five years to get there.

Posted by Solomon Spogum5839 2010-01-15 22:16|| 2010-01-15 22:16|| Front Page Top

#20 Not to mention a certain amount of sociopathy(sic).

That's right. Your point? Take care of ones own first. We are not, and have not, been doing that for quite some time.

Posted by Solomon Spogum5839 2010-01-15 22:18|| 2010-01-15 22:18|| Front Page Top

#21 fair enough, especially with your overly generous take on my "good heart" :-)

we shall see in five years.

the problem is.."Jean Haitian" in the street will have barely days, not even weeks. I pay taxes, and I live in a global economy and world. I think we are an exceptional country, an exceptional people, and we have duties beyond ourselves. Being Americans means more than our current apologist-in-chief means. It's like living in small town (my own 'burg has like 56,000 in a county of millions) when a natural disaster hits. Triage first. Policy second.

Posted by Frank G 2010-01-15 22:54|| 2010-01-15 22:54|| Front Page Top

#22 Frank G
Well spoke and while I agree and like the sentiment of Americans being compassionate, and oh we are, I also think a period of rest from helping every Tom Dick and Harry to our detriment is arrived. How long should we help Haiti? Weeks, Months, Years, Decades? Does anyone know? How about our double digit unemployment and soaring debt? How much is too much? How much will break our bank?

Posted by GirlThursday 2010-01-15 23:04|| 2010-01-15 23:04|| Front Page Top

#23 Triage first. Policy second.

Point taken. In fact, that is pretty much what I am saying. I have been on scene when triage has been done in the field, and what I am saying is that where Haiti is concerned, we say, this one dies as they are beyond our help and any further effort denies resources to those that might be saved...and I am thinking mainly of us.

Posted by Shusosh Munster9894 2010-01-15 23:28|| 2010-01-15 23:28|| Front Page Top

#24 Shusosh Munster9894 was me. Not sure what happened, I'll blame it on Boooosh or the Juice. Wasn't me.

Posted by Solomon Spogum5839 2010-01-15 23:30|| 2010-01-15 23:30|| Front Page Top

#25 I have no answer to that long term cost. I can assure you, it's a lot less than the ineffective Porkulous 1.0, even on a "as spent" basis. I'm not in favor of spending our nation's treasure (blood or gold) where it's ineffective or worse. Incidents like this are necessary to respond to, humanitarian-reasons only. Our opportunity is to shake the damn country by the boots and restart it in a better fashion. When I heard thePresident say "his house was ruined" I would've kicked the shit out of him and made him salvage bricks from "the people's house" with his own hands.

Posted by Frank G 2010-01-15 23:30|| 2010-01-15 23:30|| Front Page Top

23:38 JosephMendiola
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23:28 Shusosh Munster9894
23:22 3dc
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23:19 Barbara Skolaut
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23:13 JosephMendiola
23:13 Rambler in Virginia
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23:07 JosephMendiola
23:04 GirlThursday
23:01 Richard Aubrey
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22:54 Frank G
22:42 Mullah Richard
22:37 Redneck Jim
22:29 JosephMendiola
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22:18 Solomon Spogum5839
22:16 Solomon Spogum5839