As much as this incredible disaster has befallen this poor desolate country it's not too difficult for you to understand this poor leader Preval is way over his head. His temporary surrogate role is obvious. Following Pappa Docs, Baby Docs and Aristedes corruption, rebuilding this country would have been a daunting task. Hurricanes have added more desperation, Now it will be almost impossible to see any significant improvement for years, if not decades.

This poor country was a disaster BEFORE this massive tragedy occurred let alone what is left of it now. These 10 Million people have had their lives, homes and hopes literally, crushed. Seeing the devastation, death and suffering is truly sobering. An entire nation has literally been destroyed in a matter of minutes by nature.

I hope America's, and all the other nations, help can bring some relief and hope to these poor people. Time will tell how horrific this disaster truly was, and seeing the current situation should only help us to give aid and prayers to these unfortunate people.

Michael, #1, I suppose that you would be firing on all cylinders if you were also a victim of a massive earthquake where your personal home gets demolished as well as the presidential palace where you just made it out alive.

It is easier to criticize the President and the govt of Haiti while sitting comfortably in your chair in your safe and warm home with food and family around you, not having gone through a catestrophic event like the earthquake in Haiti.

The govt there is in tatters because everybody including the parliment was affected. The parliment structures have also collapsed it appears. Who knows how many of these Haitian govt officials are also dead or if alive must be looking for their own family members who were also impacted by the earthquake, which would only be natural imo. Some may even be buried under the rubble from the look and sound of things.

It is not a matter of Praval being over his head, the man is just as dazed as his people. He was at the airport, where it seems all the activities are taking place and thus would be in the loop of what aid etc is coming into the country.

The US military cannot start any peace keeping without his consent as Haiti is a sovreign country whatever happens. The UN cannot just take over his country because they have been there for quite a while now either. These entities have to get his permission to enter etc, one would imagine. I do believe that Mrs Clinton mentioned that papers had to be signed giving permission for care both medical and otherwise to be administered if I am not mistaken.

Enough with the criticism already. It is not as if most of the people have radios and mobile phones working and at the ready to hear some address from him. No doubt he is doing the best he can under the most trying circumstances.

Perhaps it is time that some of these aid entities or the various visiting reporters that are there, set up some form of communication at the various sites where the people are congregated so the president of Haiti can address his people.

Even if the people of Haiti had radios and cell phones I wonder if they would be working as these things need to either be recharged, plugged into an electic outlet -which is not there as their homes have been demolished and they are living in the streets- or are in need of batteries.

It used to be interesting to join the discussions on Newsvine, but now it is fast becoming Newswhine where folks come to spew forth their selfishness and spite. Well have at it, if it makes you feel better about yourselves - which I doubt. As if most of you could or would be doing or acting better under the circumstances.

USAROGUE - Good post - I kept waiting for you to fall into right wing gibberish and you never did. THe guy after you did, however.

Ralph O: You are the epitome of christianity as it has been evolving the last 4 decades, at least. go back to your interpretive bible reading and learn nothing.

I agree, USA Rogue, we actually agree on something for a change. It is nice to know that not all on the right lack compassion. It is time to put politics aside and work together to aid these poor people. Are the rest of you paying attention?

I feel bad for the people who have suffered. I do NOT feel bad for the corrupt government that has allowed their country go into poverty while they sat high on pillars! Maybe there was a reason God did this. They are chanting, "White guys get the hell out"... We have better uses for our money. If we go in and continue to use our resources on this country, then we better occupy them to make sure money isn't going into the wrong hands and people who need aid are getting it. I can't believe the amount of anarchy in this country where people just steal and loot to sell these supplies on the black market. They need to be put in their place if they expect help!

The people of Haiti have for centuries had their own beliefs. What has that to do with their rescue? If they do not believe in the same God as you, do you let them parish?

Is this the time to talk about their government? No!!!

This is a time to help with out judgement. Is it not Judge and be judged?

Stop the religious and political talk and look at the real problem. Saving the lives of the people who are as good as any other person on earth.

Are they talking about o? If not, he's a close second.

The president doesn't have time to address the people of his country.

He needs all his time devoted to catching the millions of dollars being thrown his way. Rumor has it the blue prints for his office and new home are almost ready, Oh and the bank to hold his new found fortune. If the people keep yelling like they are he may need to re engineer the walls to be thicker so he can't hear them. Which probably won't matter after we give that country amnisty and they all move here.

No you don't let them parish Nancy. I think they should be helped. They should want the help though. You can't just drop boxes of food and medical supplies across the country. They did this, people looted and stole it to sell on the black market. This is a massive coordination effort. You need full occupation of the country because the prior leadership and goverment is gone. You need the marines for security and to distribute aid. It takes time to get out there and aid is coming in. This country has been corrupt and filled with evil since the slave rebellion. They haven't done anything to better themselves or become progressive. I'm not blaming the individual person!

GOHOME... Yeah I realize a lot of money is going to the puppet and is just a waste of our resources that we will never see again!.. Obama is spending his time wasting taxpayer money on campaigning in Mass. Unethical I do believe. Support is one thing, but spending time and resources is just pathetic. I don't know if people realize that he travels on taxpayer money and then the cost of his presence is quite steep. Whatever though.

Well, this taxpayer don't mind paying for his traveling. Ask for your part back when you file your taxes.

He does not need to be there. The American Tax payer is taking care of it. He probably took about 1 million in relief funds and went on vacation. We have to be the biggst idoits in the world if you do not believe that our politicians are not using this as a way to funnel even more money into their pockets. I have been in 3 hurricanes and never saw one dollar from our government and had to fight for a year and a half just to get my insurance company to do what was necessary to make repairs. It is a shame that the level of a disaster is measured by the darkness of your skin and if you are white your on your own.

My wife and I were channel surfing the other night, so don't remember what the show was, but there was footage of food aid workers attempting to give out supplies and some Haitians were saying something to the crowds surrounding the trucks and people were throwing the food down, smashing it and throwing it into the bushes/wees alongside the road. The workers tried pointing to the expiration dates showing them it was indeed good, but to no avail. They got out before it got ugly and the supplies were ALL wasted. Another worker had been shot and killed while driving his truck, and was robbed.

These people need helped, and I completely agree with Rogue; however, it would seem that support has to be there for safeguarding as well as supplies. It's not as easy as just handing out everything that's been donated for the reasons other posters have listed as well as safety concerns.

I can't begin to imagine the devastation, the fear and panic, the pain and suffering that these people are going through. But, this isn't the first I've heard of "anti-American" or "anti-outsiders" or anti-whatever element that's working against help in Haiti. As tragic as this is, it is even moreso if people are getting hurt or killed in the name of trying to help. Granted, I've not followed Haiti's politics well; it's enough to try and keep up with what's going on here at home. But it doesn't seem to be as easy as some think to help, some forces are working agaist it for (unknown to me) reasons and protection has to be in place as well as aid and supplies.

If it does in fact bear out that what many posters are saying about the level of corruption,etc.. in their government is true, then this is the exception to prove the rule, perhaps, regarding "nation building". After immediate aid, perhaps monitorring and conditions need to be applied to re-building assistance. What better time than when starting at "square one"?

This country has been so underdeveloped and ignored, all while the politians do a big money grab. The people are so uneducated they think that sarcrificing chickens is going to fix things.
We need to occupy this country and get it right instead wasting our time in the middle east.

Michael, exactly right.

Where in the devil has Haitian President Preval been hiding out? It is definitely disconcerting that while Haitians have died in droves, neither he nor the 3,000 UN security peacekeepers that were there at the get-go, have been seen at all, with the exception of the last day or two! To even entertain the notion that this insipid idiot is calling the shots is lunacy! He abandoned his own people amidst the devastation and loss. The clock's ticking and it's been one week since the earthquake hit and they're wondering why those who still have strength within them are rising up? Give them aid---H20, food, medical attention, and shelter! It's a horrible situation and my prayers are with the aid organizations and workers, and most of all, the Haitian people.

Joe, you don't think Haiti was evil before the slave rebellion?

complexities of Worldly problems and forces of mother nature.. has brought all Leaders of their people and their people to a State of CONFUSION..unfortunately the majority are of the manipulated realm..this not a World War of Religions..it's about government and religions; making War with each other..now the tears are on Haiti ; God cannot help no one, when no one wants to help themselves..the World of Hate, Misery and damnation continues to CONFUSE the most brilliant of Men/ Women..Common Ground has lost it's Connection some where..Greed/ Glory/ Guts=999.999%, Compassion= 1 tenth of 1%......

Dave, that's a good question. I'm not sure. The French had control of the country and conditions for the slaves were mostly evil. I remember reading a book about Haiti a number of years ago. The title escapes me. There were slaves that were buried in the ground and sugar poured on them. Ants, bugs and whatever would eat them alive. That is evil. The leader of the rebellion was treated well from his "Master". The owner was very trustworthy. The slave was given education and a great deal more freedom than most slaves. Obviously the slave killed the owner. Whether he had to be killed was debateable. There weren't POWs at the time. They did fight and win their independence.

Haiti needs to quit worrying about its' past and start to be concerned about its' future. Once basic needs (restoring some sort of order, food and temporary shelter, plus dealing with the bodies) are attended to, a rebuilding plan needs to be put in place. Building codes that will help a recurrence of a tragedy of this magnitude (although a 7.0 quake is going to be tragic no matter where it strikes) along with a plan for business and agriculture so Haiti is not simply a wasteland unable to feed itself. I don't think bringing back Aristide is the answer, but Preval might not be either.

We as Americans have our difficult moments, but the one thing for certain is that when the poo-poo hits the fan, we give to others in their time of need. This is no different. That's why I'm recommending that we give the desperate people of Haiti Our very own president, congress and mainstream press. For keeps. Oh, and they can have Tiny Tim Geitner too, for good measure!

USA........Tjis man is not a country bumpkin. He has traveled considerably and was educated abroad. If he was a waiter in Brooklyn, he also has know hardship. Let's face it. He is inept, as have all the other leaders of Haiti. He should be reassuring his people. He should show a voice of reason to them and let them know that they have not been deserted.

When the lunatic tried to blow up that plane over Detroit, it took our leader three days to really say anything. And we were outraged. Can you just imagine the loss, confusion and hostility the people of Haiti are feeling? A leader does one thing (or at least they should). He leads.

throw the bum out of office and elect someone who will stand for the people in times of crisis

Earthgirl.... Your assertion that Ralph O. is the "Epitome of Christianity" is not only unfair... but simply not true. Tell me "EarthGirl" should I heap you together with those radicals at the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit who rant about Global Warming destroying our planet out of one corner of their pie hole... then top off the evening by rioting, breaking into businesses and looting them just before they light peoples personal property (particularly their cars) on fire?

Haiti has been the focus of Christian Outreach for Decades... Faith Based relieve and charity organizations have brought much more to Haiti over the years then any Liberal "Blow Hard" and their anti-Capitalistic rants. Those with the supposed "Big Brain Pans" seem very much at home standing on the sidelines of these horrific events slinging blame and adjusting the "agenda rhetoric" to maximize emotional effect while downplaying common sense and fiscal responsibility. Fortunately for those who need the help and relief the most and the fastest without needing to suffer all of the gesticulations, there has always been the few Missionaries or youth outreach groups or entire dedicated congregations who have gone to Haiti and countless other locations on the Globe building houses, feeding the masses and treating the sick. Be they Christian, Jew, Muslim or faith of any other kind.... they are the ones with feet's in the streets...

I will refrain from lumping together the entire Liberal thinking community as you have done the faith based community... However... I will not refrain from my indictment of the Radical Liberal establishment and its sweeping hypocrisy and overwhelming and overbearing elitism. Fortunately for all of those who need them, those men and women and youth could care less about your or my political views... they are only interested in serving a God they love and who loves them... and in doing so, get the wonderful opportunity to serve another human being when the need it the most... and do so without expecting a vote in return.

This President knows that help will only come from the outside World. So he addresses the outside World to send help. He is working to save his people in the best manner possible. His vision is outwards because he knows that you can not squeeze blood from a turnip. He knows that he needs to get water, food, medical help and shelter as quick as possible and then distributed into a non-existing infrastructure. I think a man of words is worth much less than a man of action. I see him as an honest man doing the backroom works that needs to be done and not the blah, blah, blah, that we have come to expect from politicians. Be kind and support him in his hour of need in order for him to help his country in their hour of need. Shame on you reporters for bringing up this kind of question into the fray.

Hell on earth. A lot of Haitians are totally uncivilized and backward people. The official religion of Haiti is Voodoo... Haitians are their own worst enemy, second to poverty and corruption.

While I agree that the situation merits world attention in order to avoid a full scale humanitarian crisis (as I said hours after the quake)... I do wish that the west would extend the same type of aid to as deserving and more civilized countries such as Iran (Quake killed 60K people there in '06) as well.

Needless to say, the images and stories from Haiti are heartbreaking and my heart goes out to the poor children...

is'nt haiti in french mean hell? WELL THERE YOU HAVE IT FOLKS!! rest your case.

earthgirl, derek-v, and especially ralph osbon;

Isn't it funny how the proclamations from the likes of ralph osbon and pat robertson are exactly the same hate-filled drivel spouted by the likes of the taliban when the tsunami hit indonesia? they too, blamed the victims for not being "faithful enough" and "straying from the path of the true faith".

all this hides the true fact that those that make these condemnations are the ones that have strayed from the path of light, and have let darkness and hatred fill their souls. no matter that they claim to be "true believers", the devil is the one that owns them.

Michael, #1, this is to address the situation here in this country ie the USA, therefore kindly note that we the people elect these US polititians here in this country therefore if our US government = legalized extortion, then that is because we allow it and encourage it by our mindless foolishness, selfishness and greed.

These polititians are from amoung us, we made them, we elected them, they represent us and our wishes or we would have voted them out a long time ago, if many of us bothered to vote.

We therefore are the people are at fault for all the misery that we have visited upon ourselves and our country as we glorify stupidity and good looks, plastic/cosmetic surgery etc to look young, wealth, excess, selfishness, envy and greed over substance.

We are more apt to believe the people on Wall Street and forgive them or turn a blind eye for/to the misery they have brought upon us and instead blame those who were trying to make a better life for themselves and their families by for example purchasing an over priced house to live in and are now losing same to foreclosure, while the same Wall Steet types are now reaping mega dividends in bonuses for flim flamming us the people.

Well keep on blaming the government, because in effect you are blaming yourself. Because you like many, - in your blindness to those who may not be as well situated financially etc as yourself or may not have a loud a voice as yourself, and as well as the many of you who no doubt may not believe that the govt must be responsive (or is responsible) to the needs of its people whether citizen or not as many of you who would view that as socialism, - have never stated clearly what you wanted or needed from those we send from amoung us to represent us.

It is time for the people of this country (USA) to grow up and get real and stop the whining and trash talking as it is getting us nowhere except deeper into self delusion at our own individual importance in the scheme of things. We need to recognize what we as a people need and what we as a people want and the difference between both. For example, affordable healthcare is a need not a want. People need to get, find or keep a job, while getting a better paying job after you already have a job is a want.

As the past have shown us, it takes all hands on board to make changes that last, so this nation can grow and achieve greater accomplishments. No one can do it or go it alone imo.

Regarding Haiti and its government perhaps it would be best that you first do your research on that country and why it is as it is today and what they are trying to do to change, before making blanket statements about their govt if that was your intention by your statement.

yup overwhelmed with the devastation, just like GWB when Katrina happened..then again, not everyone reacts alike in the same manner especially on a devastating catastrophe such as this..be patient, be kind, try some human understanding...

jeeesus: kindness, human understanding, charity, and anything good at all; things that seem to be in short supply among some of these posters.

this disaster and Karina have much in common: Bush = Preval

Oh yes, Bush sure can shed some light on how to handle a disaster. He did quite a knock up job after Katrina. Its amazing how some people are so quick to forget. I guess thats how the politicians get away with things so easily.

George the first and Clinton have been working together on disaster relief for some time now. What the hell is wrong with that? Where is GB II?

W was on TV last night with Clinton - It was nice to see him trying to do good. I couldn't stand a thing he did (with the exception of the speech after 9/11) but seeing him on the tube made me realize that he was just in over his head as President. Peace on you George.

Yeah, I see the same thing with Obama everyday, he just doesn't have a clue. His handlers try, but he just doesn't have it.

Ryan - I feel your pain - I enjoy it, but I feel it.

What pain is that buddy? I like Obama, voted for him. I thought he would be a good President, he just doesn't have it. Leadership can't be learned in a class room.

Can't agree with you - I think he provides excellent leadership.

If he meats with Bush and Clinton he better check his pockets after. Two of the biggest crooks to ever be in this country and we made them President. We love to parade our mistakes around the world. The three of them on the TV this weekend had just a little more smarts the the 3 stooges.

bdbyace- so you are saying Haiti and Nawlins' have the same type of inept leadership? HUGE difference between a rapid onset earthquake and a hurricane that people had days to prepare for and sat and waited for massa to save them.

btw, enough of this. Haitians need help and need it now. I saw a clip of American firefighters rescuing people. For the millionth time, I am very proud of our country!

bdbyace... It isn't how quickly people forget. It's how brainwashed you are by John Stewart and NBC. You think it was Bush's responsibility to evacuate New Orleans after they were provided significant amount of warning about the levies failing? People had days to leave. Plus this was a state issue. The mayor and governor should have done their jobs in the first place! Then we could have focused more resources on hospitals and critical areas. Instead we had many search and rescue efforts going on. The city is huge and there were so many people. The relief had to be efficiently coordinated. People had to be airlifted out and it takes a lot of time to do this. Searching houses from the rooftops. NOW please state your case to why it was Bush's fault!!

Salem it is "George II" with Clinton heading the effort. "George I" is getting up there in age. Jimmy Carter is playing with himself.

I love how in the rush to blame all things Katrina on President Bush the failures of the state and local government are always glossed over. Mayor Nagin failed the people of New Orleans by not enforcing evacuations as well as f**king up the initial recovery efforts and yet was not only never held accountable but somehow managed to win re-election. At least the inept Governor was shown the door,although she too never received her fair share of blame for helping make Katrina's recovery such a clusterf**k!! Only Bush is brought up time and time again and yet the lesson that should have been learned (make sure all Presidential appointees to important positions are competent and not just political cronies owed a favor or payback) has been lost on our current President!!

For goodness sakes, George Bush handled 9/11 and 2 wars. Clinton didn't want to touch the wars in his office after many Terrorist Attacks during his tenure.. It would have made Clinton look bad, and proves he was incapable of handling one. Leave it to the next President.

If 9/11 had happened under Pres. Clinton's watch, what would have happened. Most of the Terrorists would have been having dinner at the White House, while the 3,000 killed were eulogized. It also may have been a "Monica Minute"; who knows?---Hillary was in charge during the Clinton years. I like Bill Clinton as a person, but thought he ignored many chances to get the Terrorist situation in hand, before it got out of hand. Thus, he had the opportunity of getting Bin Laden in an easy manner. The USS Cole. They had tracked Bin Laden.

Yes, even though most do not like Bush, he can handle difficult situations, (War) planning, strategy, getting people to work together, and leading. The dice just didn't roll his way. Now the Afghanistan War is bigger than ever. It is Obama's war now. 1 year.

I can hear all the Bush whiners now. Georgie tried his best, and Obama is trying his best. The other War is Health Care. That is a complete disaster.

HAWAII2: thank you, you took the words right out of my mouth- i could not agree with you more

This once again is not about religion or politics. It is not about Obama or anyone else. Anyone so stupid that has said so in the remarks should be ashamed.

With that being said if any one of you morons has a house fall on you and are being crushed to death I will still save your miserable life if I can.

Hawaii2

last time I saw he was at the airport and actually told the reporter he was leaving Haiti.

Hawaii posts, "George Bush handled 9/11 and 2 wars." Giving Bush credit for his unnecessary initiation of the Iraq war and his incompetent handling of both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars is a sign that you don't have the capacity to incorporate events in the real world into your own mental world.

RHR : Haiti does not have a real president. Preval was put in place of the only elected president of Haiti: Aristides.

Aristides was elected with 86% of the vote = all the poor people voted. His plataform was to create schools, hospitals, infrastructure and increase the wages of the sweat shops workers. George H Bush took him from power really quick. Clinton reinsteaded him but tied his hands and forced him to follow the neo-liberal economic policies and privatization. Aristides was re-elected in a landslide victory. He claimed the French pay back Haiti the millions of dollars they had to pay to buy their freedom from slavery. the French got pist- off and together with Gerge W Bush tooking at midnight in his pajamas and sent him to South Africa.

The Haitian people voted for Preval with the hope that he will bring back Aristides, but Prevail in only a surrogate of USA.

Aristides is the only man that can fix Haiti with some international economic help, or at least without any USA or French intervention.

Some of the above retorts are ridiculous. Too young to understand real leadership. Not just charisma. Charisma doesn't lead a country, it in fact deters progress. Nothing done, but something said.

Bush was great during 9/11---you guys don't want to give the President credit for handling the US Military, (btw, Colin Powell was in charge, also). He got Afghanistan back in order, went into Iraq to get all the festering Terrorists out of there. They were there to wash Western Civilization away--All terrorists from all groups are comrades.

Sadam Hussein. You liked this Dictator. He's dead because he massacred millions of people he didn't like. It could have been you with your babble. Iraq had everything to do with 9/11.

Terrorists following terrorists to fight the fight against non Islamic Muslims. Dead. That is their goal. They can pray to Allah, and get their virgins, but they should never convert a world full of them. They are almost there.

Do you want to wear a lampshade on your head, or speak Islamic chatter?

Some of the above retorts are ridiculous

LOL, Welcome to newsvine!

BTW, Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11.

It was carried out by Saudis(mostly) trained in Afghanistan.

Bush dropped the ball big time by completely wasting our efforts on Iraq instead of cleaning up Afghanistan, which is where the terrorists still are.

was saddam a first-class vicious a-hole? yes. am I happy he's gone? yes, was it worth over 1 trillion dollars, 4000+ Americans dead, and twenty thousand maimed just to take him out? NO!

And Afghanistan is FAR from being "cleaned up" like you say.

Most logical view thus far - all things being equal. Any leader would be very hard-pressed to reassure his people - especially if the communication systems were severely destroyed. The reality is that it would be much easier to speak with outside aide suppliers to hasten whatever help they can give as soon as possible than to his own people if that is the case. The rest of us should not be too quick to judge if we are not there ourselves. Instead of being critical, antagonists here should be supportive, prayerful, and benevolent with what ever resources we can spare, no matter how insignificant it might seem to us. To the Haitians, I'm sure that it will most welcome!

reread the article, he said he is overwhelmed and does not know what to do. Do you think he wants to tell the people that?

What would be WORSE, is for Haitian President to come out and PROMISE Change, only for the Haitian People to eventually realize, NOTHING has changed; the money being donated for their care will go into the pockets of the Money Changers, and they will continue to live, the lifeless lives, they've been living for centuries!

Just as with our Economic Meltdown, the TARP Funds given to Big Banks, did not channel down to the Business's & People who needed it to save their homes, and the many businesses that closed down because they could not get financing, which cause more Americans to loose their jobs, which equates to Americans, loosing their homes.

It's what's happening in New Orleans today, after 5 YEARS, very little rebuilding, thousands of families can't move back to their homes. They say the 5th Ward looks like Katrina just happened all over again; that's how much the Millions of Dollars in Donations got to the PEOPLE who needed it the MOST!

In addition, the President of Haiti, is another PUPPET, put in by our American Government, and other INVESTED Countries, like FRANCE!

Heck, France is still pissed off, and FORCING Haiti to pay for their lost SLAVE Trade, because of the Slave Revolt, that kicked Napoleon's Army out of Haiti!

Those of you who haven't read, "Economic Hit Man," by John Perkins should read this book, just so you can learn WHY our country is in the shape its in, and WHY after all the money given to Haiti each year, the country has NOT improve, and WILL NOT improve, even after this horrible Earthquake. He has another book out called, "Hood Winked," which further explains our present day, Economic Meltdown!

Perhaps, the Infrastructure will be better built, but only in the areas where the rich and wealthy reside, for the rest of Haitians will not be able to afford electricity, or things we take for granted, to heat and maintain our homes, on their $2 (two) Dollars a DAY income!

For the money will continue to be channelled into the hands of the MONEY CHANGERS. John Perkins explains, what has been going on for centuries in Haiti, and other 3rd World countries, is NOW taking place in America.

Earthie - I kept waiting for someone to address the role the U.S. has played in devastating the economy of Haiti and other countries around the world with the support of corporations taking over their resources. Countries who have stood up to this threat are labeled "commies", "dictators" (eg: Venzuela). Read up people and educate yourselves as you will never get the truth from any politician or news media. Shock Doctrine is another book to read. I for one, want to cry when I think of what our country has become and will try to change in any way I can. Your partisan responses are way off the issue. Stop yammering away and blaming the other party and take some responsibility for making our country better

I kept waiting for someone to address the role the U.S. has played in devastating the economy of Haiti and other countries around the world with the support of corporations taking over their resources

HOW has America devastated the economy of Haiti?

Do you know the history of Haiti?

They haven't had a viable economy since they "liberated" themselves from the French.

Once they established themselves a sovereign nation and instituted their own laws and government, their descent into the abyss of poverty began and has never been viable. The Haitians have had their own government for 200 years. Consider that!

Massive amounts of money from foreign aid have gone into the bank accounts of those in power, while infrastructure and basic necessitites for the people have not been provided.

Evil corporations did not do this to the people. Their own corrupt government officials did this. The impoverished citizenery served the government officials well in secured aid from foreign countries. It's a strategy. They milked America out of $2 billion over the past 2 decades. It was a strategy for personal gain!

They milked America out of $2 billion over the past 2 decades

I meant to say "bilked" instead of milked.

pjk,

Milked works too. After all, we have been their cash cow.

Made their Bed,

Point well taken. Thumbs up!

You know Maxie-384455, PJK1020 just REFUSES to GET IT!

What has happened to the Haitian People is NOW HAPPENING to Americans, and our country. Unless PJK1020 is one of the CEO's, and lucky enough to still have a good paying job with Big Oil or Big Business, he/she is living in a Dream World.

Right here in Oklahoma, our New Republican Mayor is trying to lay off 100's of our 1st and 2nd Responder's. Just the NEWS of this alone, has thrown the criminals into 1st Gear! For I have never heard so many sirens going on like this, in I don't know when! I mean its sounds like the Police and Firemen are not getting any breaks; now I'm wondering how the heck are they going to pay for all this OVERTIME, you know they are putting in, because of the up kick in robberies and fires? More ROBBERIES than fires!

Americans BETTER pull their heads out of their butts! Just because many still have their jobs, doesn't mean a thing, because the CRIME has jumped something awful, where I'm almost afraid to go out shopping, just for groceries. I mean these criminals have gotten so brazen, they are robbing, committing home break ins, in BROAD DAY LIGHT!

Sad to say, a lot of this crime is out of DESPERATION! Instead of "out of work" Americans, asking for help, they turn to crime. I know I would happily share what I have with a family down and out. It's all that we can do, and what we should do as a People, to help one another out until times are better. If we don't, then we all become the VICTIMS!

Some people on this board better stop this Left and Right BS and take a good long look at the Cities and States they live in, and FACE the reality of what's happening in each of our States, be it a Republican or Democrat Governor, or Mayor! States are hurting really bad, and all I hear about to Cut Budgets, is to lay off of our Educator's, Police and Fire Personnel. Instead of the sorry bastards, that got our States into this Financial Meltdown! I know one thing they should do IMMEDIATELY, is STOP their Retirement Benefits, until they clean up their MESS!

The State of Oklahoma is HURTING, and they are doing things AZZ BACKWARDS! Instead of finding ways to keep on our 1st and 2nd Responders, they have the nerve to bring in PROFESSIONAL Sports Teams! Cut 100 or more Police personnel, who the heck will be around to help out at games, or quell fights, should some break out? The temperament of many Americans today, is so sensitive, that it would not take much for a fight to break out at one of these games!

Not only is the new mayor trying to cut over 100 Police Personnel, he wants to CUT their PAY and BENEFITS in half too! Now tell me, what Police Person would place their life on the line after getting a pay CUT, and probably having to work 12 to 20 hours a day because of increase in crime? Certainly not me, and I would NOT BLAME the underpaid, and over worked police person for not doing so.

What I see happening is that a lot of these Police personnel will be hired by the rich and wealthy, to PROTECT their communities and properties, since there won't be anything left to steal or rob from the poor neighborhoods, or the lost Middle Class neighborhoods!

It is very interesting to notice that Haiti, the poorest country in our hemisphere is the country where the USA has intervened most; as a matter of fact the US has invaded Haiti more than any other country in the world. But Haiti do not have Oil, gold, silver, copper,…..Is it sugar, cotton, or bananas, the motive for the USA intervention?

Haiti was the first country where black slaves declared independence! And that was not acceptable to the country founded on the principle that all man “are created equal”. Our ‘founding father” Jefferson, declared an economic blockade against Haiti, immediately after their declaration of independence. ? President Roosevelt wrote the Haitian constitution and imposed ‘Jim Crow’ to this independent country. President Woodrow Wilson order the first invasion in July 28, 1915 which lasted 20 years, the US dismantled the Haiti constitutional system, and reinstituted ‘forced labor’ ( slavery?) and created the National Guard to execute cup d’états any time any Haitian president would try to bring any social changes . Thus Haiti has been run under USA sponsored military dictatorships. ‘Papa Doc’ Duvalier, our allied against Castro, was the dictator from 1957 to his dead in 1971. 30,000 of his opponents died. Luis Mazin , Duvalier’s finance minister was appointed prime minister and he was George H. W. Bush horse in the elections of 1991. Aristide a progressive leader won with 88% of the vote. His platform of land reform, reforestation, investment in infrastructure for the people, and increased wages for sweatshop workers. Aristide, the elected president, was deposed in a military cup 7 months later and the first public university that he had created was turned into a US military base. In 1994 Aristide was returned to power by president Clinton, with the condition that Aristide had no power as president and was forced to implement the U.S. neoliberal plan--which Haitians called the "plan of death." Then Aristide was kidnapped and taken to South Africa during the George W. bush administration. That was a in a joint effort between the USA and France. The French were pits off because Aristide was claiming in the World Court that France pay back the millions of dollars they forced the Haitians to pay for their freedom

Now, since our government has been so preoccupied with Haiti, should not, we as Americans be somehow responsible for what it is going on there. Hope this time we do right thing, so we can be proud of be Americans.

for what it's worth (which is NADA) - you are doing a marvelous enough job of talking smack!

Perhaps things are being handled better with this disaster. To bad Obama wasn't president during Katrina.

Satan - Wow, you must be some kind of Genius!!

Just to let you know, Katrina fell on U.S. soil (New Orleans is in Louisiana witch is a State in the United States of America)

Hatti is its own sovereign stat in President Obama has no control

Why do I continue to read that people are upset that OUR President is not "getting aid" to Haiti fast enough? Ummmm, Haiti is not a US state. It's a foreign country. It is up to that country to get the aid to the people. There are nations, such as the US, offering aid, but ultimately it's up to them to dispense it.

Comparing an earthquake and Katrina is like comparing an apple and an orange. Both are completely different. An earthquake, nor its magnitude can be predicted. Katrina was predicted and the people of New Orleans were told to GET OUT! Oh, and they didn't!! Do I blame Bush for the failures in New Orleans? Nope. Their Mayor said we don't need your stinkin' help!! He pretty quickly changed his tune. So, sorry, not a Presidential failure. And neither is this....at least not by our President!

I am sorry for the people of Haiti. The devastation is massive. But to blame the world is just not quite fair!

And for those blaming the US for lack of aid....get over that!

Help was quicker to action in Katrina, then Haiti. It took 3 days for for military help to show up in Haiti, and the supplies delivered are just now starting to get out.

Most of us wish Obama would take a page from his playbook and stop speaking to us for a while ... he has had overdone it as we are so sick of hearing him that we are ready for a republican to come back even in the Teddy seat!

Don't know who "we" is but count me out,state.

Satan Obama is not the president of Haiti.

May that is news for you.....

Obama had to go to Mass. to help Ms. Coakley win for the Dems. GO DEMS!!!!!! Besides, there is the very capable President Preval looking after all the Haitian mon- er, I meant people. Some of the money got wet, or maybe dirty, and so Pres. Preval just HAD to get it to a Swiss 'clinic' for care. He's likely spent the last of his strength just talking to the money, encouraging it to stay with him. How can you expect him to speak to the Haitian people at a time like this? And there is just so much money to be looked after. God bless that man, he so reminds me of our beloved Pres. Obama....

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60G2DW20100117?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews&rpc=22&sp=true

Chaves was the first to send help to Haiti. Read the news.

Bullets are cheap, huh?

The Haitian people need help but where is the rest of the world? They all don't do anything because they know that America will step up. At the same time they are raping use economically. We need to take care of our people as well and there are A LOT of them in desperate need right now. My values say we need to help but damn it why are we the only ones!

screminmimi until it happen to u and your family members.

Um, been reading much of the news SeanDe? Help is coming from everywhere! France, Germany, Switzerland, England, Itally, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, China... and oh yeah USA. The international effort is amazing! Why would you say "we are the only ones"? Your comment is absurd.

The real problem is there is such a massive drive to help, but its such a tiny place. Crowding the airports and all seaports are too badly dammaged. I fear they are not going to get the help because there is simply too much help being offered.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

BRUSSELS -- The European Union has pledged over euro400 million ($575 million) to help the needy in Haiti and help rebuild the country from the rubble of last week's earthquake.

The European Union Commission said Monday it would contribute euro330 million ($474 million) in emergency and long-term aid to Haiti. EU member states also poured euro92 million ($132 million) in emergency aid alone.

U got that right. Where is president Perv. Probably where all of Haitians money is too. Disgusting

Aren't you the lucky one that can go there from the lap of luxury to condescendingly treat them to your almighty presence. I hope you are enjoying your "gift" many times over. You certainly deserve much more. I wish you do finally get it - in the END! ENJOY!

Your comment is just strange. I don't understand what point you're trying to make. Very weird.

SeanDe...if you can't read, then watch TV, the rest of the world IS there, you choose not to see.

Every article I read about Haiti, mentions that most of the people there are Catholic. I haven't heard PaPa Benedict make any comments. Like all european leaders he will critisize the US but let us pay all the bills for rebuilding. Why don't they send all of their pedophile priests over there to work in the heat as punishment.

There has been an International response. The U.S. is in a position to lead the response due to logistics (Haiti is only a few hundred miles off our coast), but is only one of many nations responding to this tragedy.

Absolute excellent post, careforcaregivers!!!

careforcaregivers,

thank you for the accurate history lesson. i felt like you kind of lost it toward the end though. i think the world is past "punishing" haiti. i think the western world feels a collective guilt about haiti, having had such huge hand in creating the mess that it is. when i read the article i got the very clear sense that it was a piece of propoganda geared towards making the american people champion the return of aristide, and that frightened me. helping haiti should not give any other governments the right to dictate haiti's future. we, the western world owe, yes owe, haiti our support, but the people of haiti are not stupid and can decide for themselves who should govern them.

Allison, the people will never be able to decide who will govern them. If Aristide was ousted you can better bet he wasn't cooperating with with U.S. corporate interests. The puppet we installed as a replacement had no interest in the welfare of the Haitian people. So much for democracy!

It is obvious that there was no interest in the Haitian people as billions of dollars had been pumped into the country before this latest crisis. People living with no money and tin shacks supported by 2x4's? C'mon.

That's just CRAZY TALK!!!!!

Thomas Moron...how can you compare this to NO???? THey had 5 days to prepare and chose to sit and wait for help while hundreds of busses sat waiting to be flooded. At first, I felt terribly sorry for the people of NO, until I saw that. They had no city leadership, no state leadership...isn't that where it all begins??? They sat and waited, just like they do for medical care and their welfare checks, sickening, stupid people.

And they still wait...........

Yeah, LS...they do. While I go out and do a man's job 24/7/365. Who should be pissed about this???

Poor you , not a member of an oppressed minority.

Now its American's fault for the earth-quake in Haiti.

The best thing for Haiti would be to let this sh*t-hole die as quickly as possible because Haiti never was and never will be.

everybody isn't going to be saved and enter some glorious heaven as most bleeding-hearts like to believe ...life is merely the absence of death and only those willing to fight for it have any chance to survive. Likely we will sink the American boat if we try to save every third-world cess-pool drowning like Haiti is.

Don't worry President Obama said he will take care of this situation and no one in Haiti will be forgotten.

And then he flew off for Massachusetts to stump for his party, because campaigning is what he does best.

The Haitian president cannot muster a few words of encouragement for the people he governs? That pretty much says it all, doesn't it?

Jessix- Yes!

Actually he flew off to serve meals in a homeless shelter in honor of MLK Day.

Jessix - What a complete ignorant a$$ you are!!! Along with all the other partisan hacks on here.

There is nothing I can see that is partisan about Jessix article. you're injecting your partisan take on it. How crude to call somebody names.

Sgt. Eddie...go out and cash your welfare check and use it to buy health insurance, bucause you aren't getting it now from Obama....Ha, HA!!!!

Didn't you know? The liberals think that Bush and Cheney snuck out in the middle of the night and opened all the levee's so the water would rush in. They giggled all the way home on AF1.

gobug: it's not hate for bush, it's disrespect. He showed us he deserved disrespect forever, if the history writers and irritating reppubs don't do their usual grandizement and haloize him and his regime: Cheney-Halliburton & Blackwater, Rumsfeld and his own need for war and power, etc. We are giving President Obama support for his administration - the same way we gave bush support in his few years as president until he showed us he was incapable. The POTUS is working to bring the U.S. back from disaster. Look beyond your TV.

No way, 'earthgirl'! If I had been in a coma before the election and I just woke up now, and you told me that we were still in Iraq, sending more troops than ever to Afghan., still in Gitmo, still bailing out the Banks and Wall Street, still letting Goldman Sachs (Tim Geitner) set our monetary policy, still packing the White House Cabinet with tax cheats and lobbyists, still cooking up deals with lobbyists behind closed doors ( special deals to Insurance Industry and Big Pharma for health care - no reform there! No C-Span of debate, either ), still using public money to buy political favors (Cornhusker Compromise, anyone?) I would naturally assume the Repubs had wone the election. Quite frankly, earthgirl, I don't see how this POTUS is any different than the last. All I see is EXACTLY the same as before my 'coma'. That's some legacy.....

Don't worry, us smart people know this and will remember history the way it REALLY happened, not how the liberals interpret it.

With all due respect, I wouldn't be mentioning the Constitution and Bush in the same statement if I were you.

Allies offered $854 million in cash and in oil that was to be sold for cash. But only $40 million has been used so far for disaster victims or reconstruction, according to U.S. officials and contractors. Most of the aid went uncollected, including $400 million worth of oil. Some offers were withdrawn or redirected to private groups such as the Red Cross. The rest has been delayed by red tape and bureaucratic limits on how it can be spent.

In addition, valuable supplies and services -- such as cellphone systems, medicine and cruise ships -- were delayed or declined because the government could not handle them. In some cases, supplies were wasted.

The struggle to apply foreign aid in the aftermath of the hurricane, which has cost U.S. taxpayers more than $125 billion so far, is another reminder of the federal government's difficulty leading the recovery. Reports of government waste and delays or denials of assistance have surfaced repeatedly since hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck in 2005.

Administration officials acknowledged in February 2006 that they were ill prepared to coordinate and distribute foreign aid and that only about half the $126 million received had been put to use. Now, 20 months after Katrina, newly released documents and interviews make clear the magnitude of the troubles.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/28/AR2007042801113.html

In another instance, the Department of Homeland Security accepted an offer from Greece on Sept. 3, 2005, to dispatch two cruise ships that could be used free as hotels or hospitals for displaced residents. The deal was rescinded Sept. 15 after it became clear a ship would not arrive before Oct. 10. The U.S. eventually paid $249 million to use Carnival Cruise Lines vessels.

And while television sets worldwide showed images of New Orleans residents begging to be rescued from rooftops as floodwaters rose, U.S. officials turned down countless offers of allied troops and search-and-rescue teams. The most common responses: "sent letter of thanks" and "will keep offer on hand," the new documents show.

Overall, the United States declined 54 of 77 recorded aid offers from three of its staunchest allies: Canada, Britain and Israel, according to a 40-page State Department table of the offers that had been received as of January 2006.

time for your nap, gramps.

Katrina wasn't Bush's fault just like Haiti isn't Obama's fault. But you go on and continue to blame the people who can't control the frickin' weather. Have a great day!

Just posting the facts that you continue to deny. Katrina wasn't Bush's fault but the failed recovery was. Unless you believe, "great job Brownie"!!!!

Amen Bro.

This guy at least acknowledges that he's a worthless hack and just stays out of the way.

We'll stop exagerating in one direction when you stop exagerating in the other.Happy now?

"These individuals should be found and tried for treason immediately and no funds should enter this current government but should be run by the international agencies and the United nations with controls in place and accountability." Sounds like the "disgraceful group of greedy people" in the U.S. corporate take-over of Haiti's economy.

Vallan,

Good summation of Haiti's history of corrupt leadership. However, the UN is made of similarly corrupt people. Their financial accountability isn't impressive. Far from it.

Whenever, groups have access to money without accountability, they will spend it foolishly and appropriate it for themselves. Case in point: Our own Congress.

Yes, a bullhorn like Bush used on the ruins of the World Trade Center in NYC in 2001 would go a long way in giving the people hope.

Leadership in hiding is no leadership at all. If one can't rise to the occasion when castrophe hits, one is incompetent and should not reap the lavish lifestyle of the billions donated and siphoned off for personal enjoyment.

Amen to that PJK1020 !! Cant believe how naive people can be. This so called prez showed ALL his colors on this one. Slimey leech!! He's HOMELESS??!! LOL. He is a politician!! He has a few homes he can go to Im sure.... oh and when he gets back he can move into the one they're building for him....

cole0; Not one bit.