As with other news events that generate extensive coverage, I don’t plan to do much coverage of the Haitian earthquake, other than to put this up as an open thread for those who want to discuss it, or link to their own posts in the comments.
The Anchoress has a very good post up for source links and updates, there’s little point in duplicating her excellent efforts here.
Update – a few high-resolution aerial photos taken by the U.S. Coast Guard of the earthquake damage in Haiti.
To batb and kathryn,
Yes, I did read all the posts available prior to the time I made mine. And to Kathryn, here is one comment that sparked my reply:
“Billions will be spent to prop up that wasteland, Haiti. Nothing will improve. The country is and always has been a total sink hole of corruption, tyranny and ignorance. It cannot be changed nor saved. Haiti makes New Orleans look like Switzerland. It is like a little bit of Africa right here in the Caribbean. What a mess. I am trying to feel sorry for the Haitians, but I can’t. There is no point.”
In particular, the last sentence about there being no point. That, I feel, is pathetic. And as to my “tearing a strip off” and saying these same people shouldn’t come to me for help, I said they would get a dose of their own medicine and quite simply, what comes around, goes around. Why would someone who believes there is no point in feeling sorry for someone else’s devastation deserve help when faced with their own? The point being, how would that feel to someone else seeking help in their time of need?
Furthermore, it goes without saying that the individuals who did post positively know that they did. And their support and concern is obvious. Unfortunate that needs to be explained. Also unfortunate that corrupt or not, the people of Haiti, whether Voodoo worshipping, Catholic, HIV-stricken, etc., need assistance – those who will do what they can, will.
Two thumbs up for Justthinkin, good luck….
Just asking for clarification, seeing as how most of the regulars exhibited some of that patent mouth-foaming I was accused of a few posts up.
So, everyone’s in favour of Canadian aid flowing to Haiti then. Good to hear – reconfirms my faith in humanity. I can see how others might have misconstrued your ultimate intents, but I’m glad the readers of SDA can put aside their rabid partisanship and support aid going to the people of Haiti. Heck, even Harper’s doing it.
Just to learn a bit about Haiti, try to google the phrase ‘the elite in Haiti’ and read, read, read what comes up. It’s quite enlightening.
It enables one to ask now, where is the Haitian govt? Why have all the members of this govt simply melted away? Where are they in this crisis?
Of course, we know that there is no infrastructure of medical care, electricity, sanitation, roads, schooling..for the 96% of Haitians (who mostly speak creole) who are not part of this family-networked French-speaking Elite..but…where are the Elite of Haiti in this crisis?
It’s this elite and their control of Haiti, its economy, and their corruption and abuse of the mass of Haitians – that one must be careful of in sending aid to Haiti. It’s these masses who are suffering; the elite as I said, seem to have disappeared. But one has to be careful that aid goes to the people..and not, as is usual, to the elite of Haiti.
Canada to open door for Haitians
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Canada+open+door+Haitians/2441168/story.html
First thing off the plane, fill out refugee status form…good luck tying to get them to go back.
Bad, bad idea. Rent some resorts in the DR to house them, cheaper in the long term.
Canada a first-responder:
http://www.ottawasun.com/comment/columnists/greg_weston/2010/01/13/12455426-qmi.html
“In particular, the last sentence about there being no point. That, I feel, is pathetic.”
Claire – you seem to be very good at the “feel” thing.
The think part, not so much. Instead of denouncing the writers, try refuting the legitimacy of the content.
I suspect that’s why so many default to the emotional in cases like this. Your rational side draws a blank because you realize that every word you’ve just denounced is likely to be the truth.
Like the Sri Lanka tsunami – Send half a billion dollars and they replace the washed out shanty villages with resorts and vacation condo’s, then move the actual victims into new ghetto’s 1/2 mile off the beach.
The money never reached the people it was intended to reach, just the government bureaucrats and their mobster friends.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20091226/wl_sthasia_afp/srilankatsunamieconomygraft5years
What’s new?
I don’t have an active blog anymore, but at the risk of being seen as spamming, I’m posting this link in the comments on blogs that I visit that have any info/comments re: Haiti. Here it is in full:
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/whtsnw/tms/rthqk-haiti-eng.html
Anyone reading this who has a blog will hopefully consider posting this link. Among other things, it gives info on which charities are on the up-and-up. Unfortunately, there are reports of scams involving fake charities out there. The last thing anyone would want is to have their donation go to some criminal.
Claire
Kate”s reply should convince you of the foolishness of responding to these animals.
Her condescending admonition for you to ‘think’ instead of ‘feel’ in responding to the trash on this thread is laughable. What is any rational person to ‘think’ about the vile mean-spiritedness and racism exhibited here?
If there were such great concerns about the governance in Haiti, why was it not a regular feature here at SDA until this unspeakable natural disaster? And in any case, is there no sense on the part of these commenters that the time to insult the place and the people might not be just at the time they’re experiencing an unthinkable humanitarian crisis?
Fact is these people glory in their hatred and ill-wishing. They love to attack victims because they think the only real victims are themselves – they love to whine and bitch about how they’re overtaxed, persecuted, being overrun by lax immigration laws, etc. etc., ad nauseum.
Their ‘ideology’ is an elaborate justification for these ‘feelings’ of hatred and spite. Just as in the case of their heroes Limbaugh and Robertson. Thankfully the mainstream sees them and rejects them for what they are.
Sure idiot,that’s why the “mainstream” voted in Harper,and not your loser left wing candidate,guess that pretty well makes you a loser as well,now go cry somewhere pussy boy.
Marquis, you’re still here? Let it go son, your liberal rant has fallen on deaf ears, we’ve all moved on to a different thread…you’re determined though, how cute.
“The comments here are pathetic, and don’t belong in a sewer.
You over-politicized anuses are an embarrassment to this blog, conservatism, and the human race.
A massive tragedy – with tens of thousands of lives lost – and a yack it up about corrupt Carribean governments is the topic du jour.
You people….are slime.
I hope Kate pulls the chain on this one, and ends this embarrassment. Shit.
Posted by: hardboiled at January 13, 2010 6:2
Bravo! Nothing more to be said really.
*Puts rock back down and walks away slowly*
Just back for a peek.
On the 13th, when this thread started, the numbers that the MSM were throwing around were 200 thousand to 500 thousand dead.
Now it’s only “tens of thousands”.
Whoo-hoo, are we life savers of what??!!!/