The AU news agencies are reporting over 150+dead and thousands infected. @www.news.com.au/world

And I posted earlier but MSNBC dead-ended the comment.

I think one problem may be that news or mention of cholera appears so seldom in the daily lives of most Americans that nobody really knows what to say about it. I would venture a guess that many who have turned away from reading this news article would gladly give money to help pay for aid to fight it, but not many would comment from sheer lack of knowledge.

Not that that stops people from talking about politics - but...

I know there are modern means of coping with such outbreaks and I hope relief arrives soon, and the equipment and medicine that is needed to contain such an illness. Haiti does not need this additional stressor right now.

Thank you for the lecture, Mother Theresa.!

Get over yourself. People have our own lives and challenges to deal with. We don't need a lecture from you. We are busy dealing with pressing problems, but that doesn't mean we don't care.

Why don't you go and volunteer to work with Doctors without Borders. They do great work all over the world.

Cholera has appeared in pockets all around the effected area for many months now. It's a miracle that only just now it's been newsworthy. I mean, just look at Pakistan.

Now that its confirmed, what to do? Keep doing as we have since the start: support the organizations that are helping there. Cholera is quick to appear, spread and kill. It no doubt only took a week or two to end the lives of many. However, it is just as quick to disappear.

David - if you consider that a lecture, you're just looking for a fight.

Are you getting on that 2 hour flight to assist these people? If not, don't judge.

The only surprise in this story is that it didn't strike sooner, along with dysentery and typhus. I am deeply distressed at the incompetence the overall Haitian relief effort has shown. Although some aid groups immediately went to work with efficiency, for the most part relief supplies and services arrived in Haiti and then sat in closely-guarded piles and isolated shelters. Whether the problem is political or otherwise, help for Haiti has been and continues to be bungled.

There are ways to provide clean water, sanitation and safe waste disposal, modest but durable housing, and much more for the dispossessed in Haiti. There is a type of septic tank system developed in the U.S. in the early 1980's that safely renders sewage into sterile soil, and it is a cheap, easy-to-install environmentally friendly pacakge. A fellow named Sears in the late 1970's, in Burlingame, California, developed a scalable package reverse osmisis system that actually produces more energy than it consumes as it cleans everything including filterable viruses out of water passing through its membrane. The small versions can be operated with photovoltaic (solar) cells, and almost the only maintenance required is to pull the membrane out and clean it. There are prefabricated kit houses - and I don't mean "manufactured" homes or trailers - that can be erected by a small group of inexperienced people in two days or less, under the eye of one knowledgeable supervisor. Small solar power kits for electricity abound.

All of this stuff is available right now, within the United States. The U.S. Department of Commerce certainly knows about these things and much more, because it has been helping export the technology and know-how to other countries around the world for more than 20 years.

All it takes is someone who will lead such efforts and some means of cutting through whatever political obstructions seem to be hampering efforts in Haiti.

Oh, and David, your right-wing, isolationist comments are really disgusting.

First time i've seen this article and i have been accused of not caring. I agree with the posts above, instead of judging others, go do something to help.

This is a tragedy. I will stay informed to do what i can to help, even if it is only to send money.

Craig:

You took the words right out of my mouth!!!!!!!

Craig: And you can thank Sen. Inhofe (R) in Oklahoma for having his secret hold on ALL bills that pass through Congress (but he's not a member of the "Party of NO?!?"). That's been keeping ALL the money appropriated for Haiti by Congress from reaching there. Why is that? Why is his own political priorities more important than the lives of millions? Oh, that's right ... they're not rich and can't give money to his campaigns or his party.

here's your comment and i said it long ago. along with money you need one real take charge guy, the likes of a gen. george marshall to administer everything including distribution and rebuilding. plenty went there and i feel quite certain it lined a lot of pockets. we should have required this of haitis' gov't. as a condition of assistance from the beginning.

Since when do insults beget compassion from anyone?

The sad thing is that they knew this was coming a long time ago and nothing was done to try and prevent this from happening. I remember reading just days after the earthquake that the diseases from these refugee tent cities was inevitable. I think that something could have been done to prevent this, especially when they "knew" it would occur. God Bless the Haitian people and those comming to their aid. The company I work for sent people, aid, and aircraft after the quake, and they were just getting things together to go again to help single homeless mothers. This is a sad situation indeed.

notsojingo....... 2 hour flight? would that be Mexico, Central and or South America. Or California.

You make a very good point.

Where do we stop the global hand outs and start PROVIDING FOR THE UNITED STATES POOR and uneducated and the................................OH we already do. We support the illegals from Mexico , South and Central America. The only requirement is to cross our southern border to get the social programs.

TRAGIC IS NOT A WORD STRONG ENOUGH FOR THE HAITIAN PEOPLE.

I've been to Haiti. It was 15 years ago, and that country has not changed. Sending money is not the answer because it never reaches those who need it. It's unfortunate, but many people CHOOSE to live this way. I say choose because none take any action to do anything about their situation. If the government is corrupt, over-throw it. Second thought. A few months ago, some Haitian Voodoo practioner went about "praying" over people. He stated that Voodoo was the religion of Haitians. Well, not wanting to get into a religious argument, but let them pray to their Voodoo god(s) for help! Oh, by the way. Those of you who choose to turn your back on God, expect similar repercussion. There but for the grace of God, go we!

John A said "Oh, and David, your right-wing, isolationist comments are really disgusting"

Was it Mother Theresa, was it "We have our own pressing problems to deal with"

Was is right wing isolationist?

I'm sorry I don't want to sound like a pri*k, but when tens of thousands of people in the United States are starving and many people losing their jobs and their homes, I rather not see money being sent out for others, when have people suffering of disease, homelessness.

The really sad thing is that it has been reported that most of the money donated for the earthquake relief has not even made it to Haiti to help those folks.

when did prick become a curse word. Joe

Ray.. I didn't know if MSN would block prick lol.

"I ran to the bathroom four times last night vomiting," Jean Baptiste said.

So did I, but mine was from those three Patron Silver margaritas...

Seriously though, isn't this a job for the United Nations??

I dont understand the people of haiti, before the earthquake there were millions of homeless poor living in shanty groups besieged by gangs of toughs with no hope of jobs or improvement. The affluent class did not help their own countrymen yet I have heard no comment about this travesty. Conditions displayed a horrendous lack of human compassion.

All the talk of "we need more help, no one is giving enough." shows almost no appreciation of the great effort that was expended there. Relief funds seemed to dissappear when distributed to Countrys government, security was required to control aid distribution then thugs would grab their ration on the way back to their shelter. Only when paid would the citizens clean up the streets or campgrounds, so many people could easily work together to improve the conditions . When there is a disaster elsewhere we see the pictures of citizens working together to clean up and reorganise the area, why not in Haiti?

Thank you Michelle for reminding me of Senator Inhofe and his tactics. Congress voted on providing funds and by means of some arcane rule can block the wishes of our elected government. I think I have the right to consider him to be a huge a@@h$#@ which won't help him one bit if Cholera ever makes its way to his abode.

Then why doesn't your lazy ass hop a flight over and help do something about it? Us "lazy" americans donated more money and supplies to Haiti after the earthquake than any other country. We were also the first on the scene to help them out. What did you do? Also, I think people are wondering, "where the hell did all the millions that everyone donated go"? That money just seemed to disappear.

Very devastatingly sad...the people of Haiti have been through enough, they need our compassion and support.

The U.S has got are own problems here in america screw these other countries cry to someone else

Notsojingo and Maya

You forget-- "Judge not lest ye be judged", and "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us" -- Your mission is to bring people to God, not bully them away because they do not do it your way.

While I agree something needs doing, who are you to say "people don't care because they don't post" Are you psychic? Can you read my mind? No didn't think so.

Have a nice day all, must get back to work.

Speaking from someone that has been there-most "help" that was in Hatti, came unprepared-did not have supplies or a way to get the supplies to the people that needed it. The airfields that brought the goods in was very far away from the where the people lived. One of the very few organizations that came with a plan and with the supplies was the Catholic Social Services. We need to know who makes things happen and who can't before we give money. Obviously, many peopled gave, but unless you gave to an organiztion with a plan, your money was either wasted, or tied up in the government. For those of you who are concerned about this, write a letter, make a phone call, make noise and find out or shut up.

I bet Paris Hilton's dog mansion is better then any place in Haiti. Note to Haitians: MOVE!!

Rather than send money, which the monies raised so far is being held up in congress, it would seem prudent to send medical aid, supplies, etc, instead, because as many of you feel, the corrupt government gets the money and is never used for it's intended purpose.

Sen. Inhofe (R) in Oklahoma, a RINO, is blocking the money for some reason. Inhofe need to go folks. As I said, he's a RINO.

Apparently all the money they got from America and around the globe didn't go to helping the people. This is why we shouldn't be handing out the taxpayers money to these countries. We need to teach them survival skills and to be self-sufficient instead of taking handouts at the expense of the US taxpayers.

Feed a man a fish for a day, or teach a man to fish and feed him for life.

Haiti is just corrupt and disgusting IMO. They are the number one group of people that knows how to Internet Scam the people around the globe, but they cannot learn to grow crops, build their own buildings and create better schools for learning and teaching.

I feel bad for the people, but I don't think we all should be handing everything to them just because they need it.

Gimme a break................

To those who choose to live in a make believe world, looking away from reality, Haiti is such a perfect escape.

Go back and dare to critically examine the nation's history. After the negroes revolted and slaughtered thousands upon thousands of French men, women and children settlers - developers in the late 18th century, a mass who had turned a beyond bountiful undeveloped body of land into a paradise and had it all to themselves via murdering and outcasting the few who were not slaughtered to form the nation of Haiti.............., what did they do? They ran it into oblivion, totally destroyed everything into a living sewer, wholly unlivable. Think about that. Massive unrest and open civil conflict progressively ensued over nearly two centuries. Notwithstanding the Parsley Massacre on the part of the Dominicans, the US military was sent in to calm matters and rebuild the nation and they did. And not once, but twice. On two separate occasions the nation has been rebuilt, this nation of monumental potential and massive natural resource, teaming with such potential to, amongst other benefits, fully supply the population with food and an abundant potential economy. But, no surprise, just look at. A broken down cesspool, crawling with crime, filth, illiteracy, disease, poverty. And once more cholera makes itself known.

These worthless people are their own worst enemy, their own failure. By design.

You could dump all the money in the world upon that nation, give them endless foreign aid and assistance (as if same has not been already more than appropriated), then leave, wait a few years and when you returned, it would have reverted right back to the aforementioned cesspool it always has been since these people took over (by genocide) this body of land called Haiti.

Theres one very big factor here. All the compassion and foreign aid cannot fix it. No matter how horrible it is, it is a basic, cold hard fact.

Haiti is beyond overpopulated. The island has been stripped of most of its resources, its landscape is compromised. What you are witnessing is nature in action. At some point, those laws thwart the most compassionate and determined efforts to save lives.

Haiti was experiencing the ravages of severe overpopulation for decades before this calamity. The reason they cannot recover is because the land (deforestation, stripped topsoil) is so compromised. There are still small enclaves where the rich can survive, because the rich can survive anywhere, thanks to thier FINANCIAL resources. but those without wealth must have natural resources within close proximity. And these people no longer have sufficient natural resources to support thier numbers. To continue on at the current population level, Haiti must receive resources from elsewhere.

It may be ugly, it may be horrible to witness, but this is cruel nature taking its toll on an organism that has exceeded the carrying capacity of its environment. It matters not to nature if that organism is a population of deer, penguins, or people. Nature is savage and cruel.

Because Haiti's population has long ago outstripped the island's ability to support those numbers, its people, at current population numbers will always require vast amounts of outside resources.

What we have here is a textbook case of population dynamics in action. But rather than deer - its people.

Yep, nature is cruel.

Its ugly, but thats the truth of the matter.

I would think this was something that should have been foreseen.

Whatever response that should have been taken I can't say, but certainly getting the word out to the people that the chances of the water sources being tainted was alomst inevitable, and simply boiling the water would lessen the chances of getting sick....or dying.

This is terrible.

And MSNBC

54 dead from diarrhea outbreak? Is that headline necessary?

notsojingo

No Comments, huh?

More proof that Americans would rather bitch about Partisan Politics than discuss Millions of people suffering within 2 hours flight from The USA.

We definitely deserve what we sow. God Bless the Haitian People.

lol what a way to start a thread moron. you come on here posting to pick a fight just by your comment, as it is the 1st, way to go!

meanwhile back in the real posters section... thing is Haiti got millions-billions in $ for rebuilding, where did it go? i think it would be best if from now on, instead of "giving" a nation $$ of untold wealth to do such things as helping a country rebuild, send some of our unemployed to do the job, and do it right! Then you know better where your $ went, people who need the work here get a check, and why, i dont understand, with all the money recieved from the US, and other countries this problem of people living in tents still, hasnt been solved.

there's only 2 reasons i can think of, 1 the $ was spent on bs, or 2 they are sitting on the $, because people dont want to do the work for themselves.

i for one am sick of seeing our government toss $$ to the needy, and that includes everyone who cries for a handout, when they either dont need the $, or it gets spent on some other type of bullsh!t. wonder if that president in Haiti is living in a tent? bet not. my guess is he wasnt even in the country for most of this time, and if he was, he's been living it up by some means. even 1 million to these people for infastructure can do more than it seems that has been done thus far, and not to mention the countless voulenteers who dont get paid for their efforts there already.

from now on, if we do any aide, lets do it in person, not just handing over $$.

I actually think notsojingo makes an excellent point. In fact, I don't even think the people who bitch about partisan politics are really doing anything either about their supposedly 'strongly held' political beliefs, either.

The only point of defense is no other nation in the world is doing anything more than the United States, either. So its not like there's some shining example out there to measure against.

Haiti would have been better off remaining a French protectorate.

I cared enough to send some of my unemployment money when the earthquake happened. That fact that I hadn't commented yet on this article is has absoloutely no bearing on anything. People in THIS country are trying to figure out what the heck they're going to do next. Just because they're not doing what YOU want when YOU arrive on the scene doesn't mean nothing is going on.

Dismount that high horse of yours already Jaggoff.

i will be one not giving to the aid,let "other" countries step up. we givre millions in aid already. this country can not even run a grocery store right,much less a goverment. but now, if the us took over this goverment and started to build it up,put american people down there that wanted a job to help. build real homes for these people,and real hospitals,with real doctors etc... i would support it then. stop the aid money now,the crooks are getting the cash! this country will never get out of poverty if some other country does not step in and take over!

Where are the millions that went to the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund? I've donated to Doctors without Borders, Salvation Army, and Partners In Care. I am contacting each one to see what they are doing, what they did to provide direct care to Haitians the first time around, and seeking the name of ONE agency that is really providing care now. (Readers step up & give me one name.)

When I checked a month ago, ONE MILLION HAITIANS WERE LIVING IN SQUALOR & IN THOSE DREADFUL CAMPS! Now that they have survived the horrific storms and living outside in the elements, they have contracted cholera. (It has been no different in Pakistan.)

I will continue to support them with small sums of money and pray for their well-being. The Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund had better step up, really to 'man-up' in this disaster.

If you want to contact the charitable organization that you've donated to, (i.e. to check on what they may or may not have done,) I've provided the following link: www.msnbc.msn.com.34835478

It is time to contact your congressman / or congresswoman and have them address this dreadful situation---I really don't care if they're currently running for office! As for the crass comments that have been made pertaining to Haitians or to this situation, the following words have special meaning: 'there, but for the grace of God, go I.'

Blessings to the Haitian people.

In 2009, the top 25 black hip hop artist/acts in the country generated $146.7 BILLION income for the industry, according to vibe magazine. A 10% donation of this would net nearly $15 billion which is far beyond ALL the help that has been sent to Haiti in the last year, more than 20 times more!

Now imagine if the entire industry donated?: Entire different scenario on the ground in Haiti...

How about 2%? When they are asking for $100 donations on TV from the average person... Well that's a larger percentage when one considers the average income in the US right now... Not to mention the unemployment.

@ notsojingo...

Here's an idea. Let's bring some of the quake refugees to the US and give them food, shelter, and medical care while their country is being rebuilt. How many refugees will you take into your home, notsojingo? That's what I thought.

Oh, and one more thing, you may call my national pride jingoism but I call it PATRIOTISM!

I have to agree, sending money to the region is no answer. Sending bottled water and medicines, along with some of the other suggestions of water filtration and septic systems seems like the wisest and most compassionate thing we can do.

Notsojingo: Millions of suffering Haitians? Where exactly did all of the millions of dollars go after the earthquake? If there is cholera, it obviously did not go to the most basic needs of the people. Who got the money? Who controlled/monitored how it was spent? Did it ever get to Haiti in the first place?

If you expert typists care so very much, American Airlines has regularly scheduled flights to Port au Prince from Miami and JFK. When you arrive, please write and tell us where all of the millions went.

Bill Clinton is the U.N. Ambassador to Haiti.

This problem has been known for over 2 weeks as this retard goes campaigning for the democrats.

djoecrosby-Go back and dare to critically examine the nation's history. After the negroes revolted and slaughtered thousands upon thousands of French men, women and children settlers - developers in the late 18th century, a mass who had turned a beyond bountiful undeveloped body of land into a paradise and had it all to themselves via murdering and outcasting the few who were not slaughtered to form the nation of Haiti.............., what did they do? They ran it into oblivion, totally destroyed everything into a living sewer, wholly unlivable. Think about that. Massive unrest and open civil conflict progressively ensued over nearly two centuries. Notwithstanding the Parsley Massacre on the part of the Dominicans, the US military was sent in to calm matters and rebuild the nation and they did. And not once, but twice. On two separate occasions the nation has been rebuilt, this nation of monumental potential and massive natural resource, teaming with such potential to, amongst other benefits, fully supply the population with food and an abundant potential economy. But, no surprise, just look at. A broken down cesspool, crawling with crime, filth, illiteracy, disease, poverty. And once more cholera makes itself known.

djjoecrosby - You hit the nail on the head. This is the same as what happened in Africa after the colonialists left. The people inherited modernized countries with infrastructure, governmental structure, exporting industries, etc., but ran it into the ground due to sheer ignorance, incompetence and greed.

Today, you will be called a "BIGOT" or a "RACIST" for pointing out these verifiable facts. The Marxists have rewritten history, taught it in all the schools and universities, and portrayed it countless times in the news and in films. Unsuspecting people believe it.

The accepted history today is that Africa is poor BECAUSE of colonialism, not despite it. The accepted explanation is that the colonialists "raped" the continent and its people of the natural resources. This false explanation has become almost like a religion to the Marxists in the West. To question it is BLASPHEMY, and will get you ostracized, insulted, it may even cost you your career if you are a public figure. Free speech and truth are a thing of the past.

Sad, but not our problem..... OBAMA STAY OUT OF IT!! AND GET US OUT OF HAITI NOW!!

Personally I didn't see any Right or Leftist harping in David's comment. He is right. We all live our lives and have problems of our own to deal with. Our country has problems of our own we must deal with. We give and give and give to countries like Haiti and they STILL just can't get it together!

Enough!

I am sick and tired of the rest of the world looking to US to send money and supplies! EVERYONE must step up and help out - NOT JUST US! Hell, there are countries (CHINA!) that have more money than we do! Let them step in!

I am sick and tired of it.

And no, I'm not some nutty right-wing / left-wing screwball. Just call me SICK OF IT ALL!

Strengthinnumbers: So far, the only comment here that gets to the cruel, painful crux of the problem. What a bunch of holier-than-thou, bleeding hearts here busy at their typewriters.

Haiti is one of the oldest "independent" nations in the western hemisphere, and I use quotes for a darn good reason. Isn't it time that adult Haitians started to determine their own future? Other, much younger Caribbean nations have done this. None of them have outbreaks of cholera and thank God for that.

Perhaps the hopelessness of their situation leaves people speechless?

Haiti's government has kept their people in the worst poverty of any nation on the earth, and yet, after this quake they are still in power. They allow a few workers in because of the press. When Haitians attempted to be part of their country and try to help - they were threatened with their lives. Their own leader said without voodoo their would be no Haiti.

You can't just jump on a plane and go to a country under martial law.

Plenty of good people who are in a station of life to go and provide aid are doing so in horrible conditions the world over. And just like the unwelcome mat in Haiti - they are under death threats from some forces.

This first poster echoes some strange way of thinking - some would like to believe it is america's responsibility to bail them out of the consequences of their own behavior and when america does, they are hated for it. Quite a conundrum. I don't think you could blame america for coming to the conclusion it isn't worth their time to be involved.

Thankfully for many desperate individuals, they will instead be moved by their hearts instead of their heads, in the face of persecution by the lawless leaders of these countries and death threats from their goon squads.

For the last 50 years it is well documented >> the theft of aid.

My last comment would be this, notsojingo, blogging on a news post isn't sending aid by the way.

You want a comment, How about we were stupid enough to accept hundreds the first time after the quake as "refugees", so Obama had to create a new catastrophe to get over a few hundred more. If its true, do I feel bad, sure. Do I think that it means I want them to bring their dirty asses here to infect my kids, no! The other idea is although im not not particularly religious, what if this is Gods doing? These people are savages, there are guns everywhere, shootings, raping and pilaging at will, they even used their dead as road blocks after the quake to hoard U.N supplies rather than seeing them evenly distributed, and they killed about thirty aid workers after the quake for trying to help them! Maybe he's fed up? I watched a video on youtube done by a British new agency where they saw a dead man on the side of the road in 2005. The driver said "Don't bother calling the police, no one cares. The next thing to pay attention to him is the coyotes." People I just want to worry about! Watch it for yourself, they shoot each other for the hell of it right in front of this crew, and then threaten the woman when they realize they are there. She said they were looting and burning each others homes as if it was a common thing to do! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqdYLFDcGDU enough said...

To the idiot at the top:

There was only a gap of 3 minutes from the time this article was posted and when you said your ignorant comment. Try to use your brain next time.

To all of the posters who want to know where is Bill Clinton, well he is at least busy campaigning. The question that you need to ask is -where is G.W.Bush?... I believe that he was appointed Ambassador to Haiti along with Bill Clinton.

And as to the Haitians pulling themselves up by the boot straps... how many of you consider yourselves middle class economically? When are you going to hit the Fortune 500? Surely, you have the better foundation for becoming rich, than the Haitians for becoming middle class - you at least have something to build on. Most Haitians have nothing.

The accepted history today is that Africa is poor BECAUSE of colonialism, not despite it. The accepted explanation is that the colonialists "raped" the continent and its people of the natural resources. This false explanation has become almost like a religion to the Marxists in the West.

PRECISELY. Yet, strangely, these same Marxists who claim that the Colonists left Africa in shambles never give explanation why, decades after the Colonists have left, Africa is no better off than before. In fact, I would dare say Africa is much, much WORSE off without the Colonists.

Anyone seeing a pattern here????

More proof that Americans would rather bitch about Partisan Politics than discuss Millions of people suffering within 2 hours flight from The USA.

Have you heard about the amount of money Rove raised in a short two week period? According to the Hill's Blog:

The GOP-aligned American Crossroads said Wednesday it has raised over $13 million since coming under attack from President Obama.

The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday detailed how Crossroads, combined with other allied groups, would be able to spend $50 million on ads in the closing weeks of the campaign to deliver the House to Republicans.

"It's no wonder Republicans in Congress moved hell and high water to thwart disclosure requirements," said Democratic National Committee (DNC) communications director Brad Woodhouse in response to the WSJreport, referencing the GOP's efforts to block the Disclose Act in the Senate.

This is only the beginning of the corporate take over of the world, the New World Order. The poor and disabled, will not have a chance in the New World Order. You American middle class person, will not have a chance in the New America if the corporate neocon GOP takes over. These donations are not coming from the citizens of the United States. But from international corporations that want to protect their interests.

If just 10% of all the political donations from this last US political campaign would be given to the suffering in Haiti, it would do a lot.

Remember, in the New World Order, corporations will not tolerate or help the poor and needy. It is bad business policy, and a recent example of this, was when a BP executive criticized our efforts to save the wildlife from the Deep Horizon oil spill in Gulf of Mexico this past spring. One the BP executive was quoted "it cost more money to catch, clean and rehabilitate the birds, than to just let them die." BP was upset about paying this cost to try to save our wildlife. To the corporation model, it is a waste of money.

And that is definitely what is coming to America if you all don't wake up, and take back this country, so we can own and represent our country, rather than the rich and international corporate elite. Nations that are represented by the people help other nations. Corporations will find it in their best business bottom dollar line, to just let them die, and they come and clean up the mess. Only the strong will survive in the New World Order, and if you believe like me, this is so against the God inspired principles of justice and mercy to the weak. You say you want a Christan nation, but your actions have not demonstrated this. You speak only, but your actions only hurt and destroy.

Most of the above posts are blather and rant, isolationism and ignorance of both history and the reasons why the problems of one neighboring country matter to our own.

Despotism, fostered for decades by U.S. policy until President Bill Clinton stepped in, is the main root of Haiti's problems now. The Duvalier family used the entire nation as its own private enterprise, reducing many of the people to virtual slavery, enforced by the brutal Ton-Ton Macoute. AIDS is rampant in the country. Poverty, illiteracy, malnourishment, and now the destruction (by the earthquake) of family structures have almost entirely destroyed what culture there was among the nation's people.

The U.S. HAS accepted many Haitian refugees, a great number of them children. Recently a young boy named Etienne started getting on the same bus I ride every morning. He's attending a local school to learn English so that he can continue his education. He's a Haitian orphan fortunate to have other relatives in Florida. He's polite, pleasant, keeps himself well-groomed, and works hard at his studies. There are many others like him in Florida, and they may become part of the hope for the future of their native land.

It does matter to the United States what happens in Haiti. We cannot shut off contact with that country, and we can be directly affected by events there. We send cruise ships to some lovely, isolated locations in Haiti - what a bizarre irony it was that American tourists frolicked at a pricey beach resort in Haiti only days after the earthquake.

Most Americans do not share the self-centered, selfish and norrow-minded opinions that have been voiced here, fortunately. It should be a matter of pride that Americans were the first on the scene with help. But it is becoming a matter of embarrassment, now, that so little has been accomplished since. While Bill Clinton was a public relations choice - along with George W. Bush, ding-dongs - for leadership of the relief fund program, it might be that Jimmy Carter should now join with someone like Colin Powell to begin making things happen. As I wrote above, the resources are available already.

PS - Yes, Catholic Charities did a stand-up job. So did Medicins sans Bordiers, and the amazing Israeli medical team. And let's remember that one of the American casualties of the quake was a young Washington State woman volunteering to help with Father Wasson's Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos orphans' program.

Perhaps the hopelessness of their situation leaves people speechless?

Haiti's government has kept their people in the worst poverty of any nation on the earth, and yet, after this quake they are still in power.

Oh it wasn't the billions of dollars in "reparations" that the French asked for for "loss of property" That has made Haiti the poorest nation in the west??

I'm seeing some very racist comments on these boards about how when the white people were in charge, nonwhite nations were fine. I would say that these countries weren't any different when the Europeans were in charge. The nonwhite residents of these nations lived in absolute poverty, but were also FORCED to work exploiting their own natural resources not for their benefit.

Look up cecil rhodes (who raped african children and threw them off of cliffs), king leopold (Slaughtered Millions of People in the Belgian Congo), and german namibia (set up the first extermination camps there). Are these the "nice" benevolent colonialists that you love so much. Btw, the Haitians were SLAVES before they revolted against France and won their independence (the only war EVER where the victor was forced to pay reparations). Not to mention all of the "Western backed" invasions and regime changes in Haiti

I've been to Haiti. It was 15 years ago, and that country has not changed. Sending money is not the answer because it never reaches those who need it. It's unfortunate, but many people CHOOSE to live this way. I say choose because none take any action to do anything about their situation. If the government is corrupt, over-throw it. Second thought. A few months ago, some Haitian Voodoo practioner went about "praying" over people. He stated that Voodoo was the religion of Haitians. Well, not wanting to get into a religious argument, but let them pray to their Voodoo god(s) for help! Oh, by the way. Those of you who choose to turn your back on God, expect similar repercussion. There but for the grace of God, go we!

You need to get a clue. So-called Christians (me included) pray to an invisible man in the sky and think they have the right to criticize others beliefs. There are no "Voudou Gods" That i know of, and Voudou has more to do with spirituality than religion, as Most Hatians practice Catholicism, and a few practice a combination of VouDou and Catholicism.

But did the French or English or Americans "turn their back on God" when owning other human beings?? Did Haiti "turn their back on God" by revolting against a strange group of people who took them to a strange island where they were tortured, raped, beaten, and forced to work on sugar plantations?? Because they wanted to be human beings, and not enslaved brutes??

Did France "turn their back on God" by demanding Haiti to pay "reparations" for "loss of property" in a war for THEIR OWN INDEPENDENCE??

just idiotic what some people say out of their mouth.

Haiti had its issues with Papa Doc, but Papa Doc would have never risen to power if The European Powers, the USA included, did do everything they could to NOT let Haiti develop correctly. The white world was shocked and frightened that Haiti's fight for independence and prosperity resulting from that would cause Revolutions in colonies around the west...and a large scale Nat Turner-like slave revolt in the United States. No one wanted that, so they did all they could to hold Haiti back. Once the vice grips started to loosen around the mid 20th century, the country was already in chaos. Papa Doc may or may not have made it worse...i'm still withholding my judgment there, but he did at least make efforts to modernize the country.

This is exactly what Anderson Cooper, Sean Penn and many others said would happen. This only proves that when the news crews leave so does the world's focus.

Id like to add to my cold hard observations of the way the world works...

The world population was 3 billion in 1960 - it is approaching 7 thats SEVEN billion right now. Thats more than a double-fold increase in a bit less than one generation (50 years). That isnt just interesting, or curious, its SHOCKING. Its a population explosion. For those of you in New England - do you remember the gypsy moth population explosion of the early 1980s? How the caterpillars ate everything in sight, how entire oak forests were defoliated by early August? Its kinda like that, but with people. The gypsy moth population crashed after that - disease set in and spread rapidly (like cholera in crowded human situations). Unfortunately for the Gypsy moths, they dont have a Gypsy Moth UN to run to thier aid.

As for humans, our population explosion is already evident all around us. People that are 60 and older notice the difference right here in US cities. More traffic, more rushing about, more competition for stuff. The greater the numbers, the more frequent and larger depopulation events will be. Its amazing that busting-at-the-seams countries like China Japan and India have not suffered massive population crashes due to famine or disease - but if these places get hit with disasters that disrupt a stressed food and water distribution system, you will see mass death, a population crash. These crowded areas are ripe for crashes.

And us fat happy Americans are not immune either. The east coast megalopolis - from Boston to NYC - if a crisis were to cut off food distribution from the west, there would be malnutrition, famine, disease, violence, a total breakdown of civilization. And believe you me, our Civil Defense Department knows all about that. Theres only so much help that can be given. We are not Gods, and our very human shortcomings are laid bare when Nature decides to open a can of whoopa$$ on us. The bigger and more concentrated the population, the more helpless the would-be resuce workers are to do anything about it.

FEMA has areas of stacks and stacks of black plastic caskets in various locations around the country. Conspiracy theorists would have you believe they have a manmade depopulation plan in mind. But the reality is this: They know what scientists and thinking people understand. Big concentrated populations of people are ripe for the death-harvest that nature can smack down in a hurry. If a horrible outbreak of infectuous disease were to start tearing through our numbers like the black plague, or any other factor - yes, including acts of war - were to result in thousands - millions- of deaths - FEMA realizes that the corpses must be dealt with and quickly. Those black plastic caskets would be used - at first. If it got bad enough, then there would probably be mass cremations that would have to take place.

The only thing that standing between many of us living in the big cities and famine, is our efficient distribution system and our agricultural technology. If that system were disrupted - a massive Yellowstone Volcanic eruption, some act of war, or God knows what - you would see famine and all manner of things you see only in the news right now, right here in places like New York City.

Its ugly, it sounds like Sci Fi, but it could happen, and because the conditions are becoming ever more ideal for it as our numbers continue to grow, the probability of such horrific scenarios grow - for all areas of the globe.

But I like to look at it this way. That may sound like a doomsday scenario - the end of the world. And for the individuals it strikes, it IS the end of the world. But yaknow what? The day you die, its the end of the world for you. And the end of the world could be as mundane as a car crash or pneumonia, or as historic as a flash-ashen death like that suffered by the ancient Pompeiians.

Death sucks. But the "rapture" is coming soon enough for all of us. The older you are, the closer you are to that GLORIOUS moment!

obdiah- i absolutely agree with you. quite frankly, the haitians need to get off their butts and start to help themselves a little instead of keeping their hands out. i feel badly for them, i really do, but it did seem like when the aid workers were trying to help after the quake, they were the only ones working, the haitians just sat around and watched. the haitian government is corrupt and not capable of doing anything for their people, so why send more help throught he gov't? this makes no sense. the united nations needs to help them instead of it being placed mostly on the u.s.'s shoulders, and maybe get the haitian people off their duffs and do something for themselves.

john martin,

what were people critically injured supposed to do rather than sit there and watch?? It took immense strength (from the extent of injuries that i've seen) to even keep breathing during that ordeal...And knowing a large number of Haitians, i'm sure the Haitians aren't the morally depraved people that you make them out to be.

John, its like you know nothing about the history of Haiti that was written in every article since the disaster. It WAS pulling itself out of an economic mess and doing something, and then the disaster hit. I agree with your general philosophy but find it hard to believe you actually applied it to Haiti, which was an example of one of the countries doing something with itself. Sorry, Haiti doesn't deserve your scorn. Now if you had mentioned Gaza, then we'd be getting somewhere....

TekKnowledge, white people are no longer in charge and yet every place on earth where black people are in charge is over run with crime, poverty and disease. How long will black people (and other minorities) keep blaming whitey when whitey isn't in their country anymore?

It is true my family needs me here and my friend's with a christian group on his way there now. I feel bad cause all I had was a 20 on me when I seen him. I hope these people find the help they need and don't have to suffer to much longer. Lord know's they seen enough of that.

Demar,

I would argue that white people are still very much in charge worldwide.

Your comment calling nonwhites a "minority" when they comprise 92% of the earth's population is a great illustration that white people, still in fact are in charge. Not to mention the comprise all of the richest nations in the world, and the richest class in every nation in the world.

And since white people are in charge, and have been for the last 500 years, you have to come to one of 2 conclusions.

1) These nonwhite people (Haiti and elsewhere) are inferior and will never be able to produce a strong sovereign nation.
2) The people in charge are doing things incorrectly and probably are shortchanging everyone else.

You decide which conclusion you want to come to, but evidence of recent history suggests that the 2nd option is the most viable one. There appears to be a global system of racism in place, as economic viability and prosperity is going to depend on trade and prosperity with at least one of the peoples who are in charge.

Any comments?

Tek No-Knowledge, so there are only those choices? The 2 choices you espouse and no other reasons or nexus of cause and effect? Global racism? The question's what is your diagnosis! You're absurd, intellectually blind and typical of the pessimistic left. I call it Leftimistic because it is endemic and like an epidemic among people so far to the left it's as if they went off a cliff.

No Kyot, i believe you're the intellectually blind one.

You take the nonwhite countries of the world...all 200 of them or so.

All of them (besides china) are considered 3rd world countries.

You take the white/developed countries of the world...all 40 of them or so.

All of them comprise the richest nations on earth.

You look within those countries, Whites are generally on top, with Asians second, Brown People third, black people last....this is a global trend.

I don't mean to sound binary, but when there is overwhelming evidence of this around the world, you have to take things in context.

There isn't that complex of a matrix in the world. It only leaves any reasonable thinking being to two conclusions. Different things happened in each of these respective countries, but again we're looking at root causes, not independent events.

Demar, your racism is terrible. And djjoecrosby is beyond racist - he's an out-and-out white supremacist.

Your attitudes reflect the common views of the colonialist nations of the 18th and 19th centuries, that somehow the "inferior" peoples of Africa and the Western hemisphere were being "civilized" and shown a superior way of life. Often that was coupled with a belief that "Christianizing" people by subjecting them to exploitation, slavery, poverty, and more was actually a benefit.

I find it almost impossible to believe that dj actually said the French slaveholders on Haiti were "developers" bringing a better way of life to the people they ripped from their African homelands and then brutalized in every possible way.

When Haiti arose in revolt, Toussaint managed to drive soldiers from one of the best-equipped and trained European armies, the French revolutionary army built by Napoleon, to a pair of harbor fortresses at one end of the island. It was only intervention of the British Royal Navy that gave those trapped people a chance to board their ships and sail away. That wasn't the work of ignorant barbarians, it was the skill and determination of oppressed people to gain and keep their freedom.

And I am glad that some others here pointed out that after Duvalier fled, with American Marines landing from helicopters at Bill Clinton's orders to preserve safety and order in the country, in fits and starts Haiti had begun to raise herself up. It has been a difficult struggle to grow a functioning democracy where for so long there had only been despotism. I will comment that reserving judgement on Duvalier is not necessary - while he had somewhat modernized the principal city, and undertaken other development, for the most part that was done for his own aggrandizement instead of the well-being of the nation. Haiti's treasury was Duvalier's bank account - and the deals he cut with international developers and firms that exploited what natural resources Haiti owned enriched him and his family. It was only accidental that a few benefits accrued to the people.

A dozen or so years ago there was an African embassary (I cannot remember which country he represented) who addressed the United Nations. He begged the UN NOT to supply anymore aid to his country BECAUSE the people started to expect aid and stopped helping themselves.

Haitians need clean water as many are sick and dying from cholera----Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund and Operation Blessing----where are the fund$ and why aren't you helping them now?

@Ufosaveus...so because I noticed this a few mins after the last poster that makes me an idiot..you make alot of sense. Almost as much sense as someone who believes in UFO's leveling criticism lmfao!

@John A. I dont give a rats ass how "nice" this kid is, when my kids will be usurped for grants and college scholarships because he gets first dibs his attitude means jack to me. As for the aid workers who have been stupid enough to go there, how many have lived to tell about it? Thirty aid workers who went there with the crazy notion these people wanted help died for their stupidity. One German woman was gang raped, and then cut up and left to die when they were through. Having heard first hand from the medivac pilot who was sent in to attempt to get her out, he said they are routinely animals and he sits on the tarmac with a loaded pistol in his lap. He said that a friend went there for a rescue mission and his copter was swamped and he was killed. Dumbasses didnt even know how to fly the copter! He said he flew over Haiti and saw rows of barriers around U N supply drops he just left and found out later it was bodies of those who died in the quake! They have no respect for life, and in turn deserve no respect. No sympathy for animals.

@Tek Knowledge, they were "critically injured" but managed to find the strength to roll their dead fellow citizens into makeshift barriers to hoarde UN supplies and rob UN trucks? They were so critically injured they managed to rape and murder several UN workers , and attack several others just for the sake of it? These people are animals plain and simple, and deserve to be treated like what they are!

None of their actions is the governments fault or responsibility. A person chooses to be an aborigine, or a savage. There are plenty of people who live in projects where there is fighting every day who make it out and become something because they wanted to. Haitians acting like animals is a choice, ingrained for generations. If they want to live like that thats fine, but stop sitting there with your hand out acting like its our fault you would rather be a pig, than a pig farmer!

what is your agenda in calling impoverished people animals? there are bad apples in every bunch, especially during catasthrophe and chaos.

there are plenty of able bodied persons that could have been helping their neighbors there in haiti. it has nothing to do with race as some of the people on this thread has said. they have a corrupt government that will not help their own people. they have used up the $ that we have sent and accomplished exactly nothing. this is not something we should have to deal with, let the U.N. deal with them. we have our own issues here at home to deal with.

78 comments on just my little note...Thank you One and All! The variety and breadth of responses which followed #1.0 were quite impassioned. I hereby withdraw my comments' biting "judgemental segment", and ask for anyone offended to please forgive me. People do give a damn, and that is a good thing. God Bless You All.

Megalodon-358694...Your comment nailed it! LOL! Thanks.

i think i figured out how the save Haiti fund was distributed, starting wit the 1st penny...

1 for you. one for me. 2 for you... 1,2 for me. 3 for you, 1,2,3 for me, 4 for you, 1,2,3,4 for me......

The Haitian people have overpopulated the carrying capacity of their land and technological support. Nature is trying to re-balance the imbalance and as long as they do not control their birth rate they will suffer. As long as we buy into the argument that irresponsible birth rate is ok and it is our God given right to have as many children as we want we will suffer. The planets resources topsoil oil and water will continue to be depleted until world wide starvation including you or your offspring will suffer from this starvation. Crunch the population numbers . Maybe you don't care about our children's future but I do. Maybe you would rather comfort yourself with Republican rhetoric that there is plenty of what we need and there is not any climate change but with all the problems in the world only the grossly blind could claim ignorance to these problems.

Send aid, with the stipulation that a large percentage of it is used for birth control so we don't have so many bastard children in that country that no one can afford to care for. Its a pitiful situation now and before the earthquake even hit.

Notsojingo- Did you donate money? Probably not. It sounds like you are not American. Did you know that AMERICANS DONATE MORE MONEY AND MAN-HOURS THAN THE REST OF THE WORLD COMBINED, TO MOST DISASTER AREAS AROUND THE WORLD? Do some reasearch before you bitch and moan about Americans donating time and money.

Unfortunately Alan the situation has gone too far for stipulations because the situation is so corrupt that the poor don't get most of the aid. This is happening all over the world and if we physically try to intervene then the aid workers are in grave danger. It is so tragic as I saw this coming after Reagan stripped the budgets for Planned Parenthood's push to third world countries. We now see the result of that around the world. I spoke out over 20 years ago when they started the global economy push with propaganda that it would end wars and if we went down everyone would go down. Well we have even more wars and all the countries who have tied themselves to the global economy and not kept their independence are now in trouble. The Mexicans are in deep trouble with their drug cartels which drug users in this country have help fund. Closing our borders will become a necessity if we are to protect our children and it will be expensive. It can be done with high tech surveillance and the government has the technology but does not want to lose their Mexican voters or the highly favored weapons sales. The Mexican voters are not thinking with their heads they still can't get their minds around responsible birth rate. This is what we are dealing with and if we don't regroup and re prioritize we will find ourselves with even more terrorism than you can imagine. I am sorry it sounds bleak but so far what I've seem coming has happened and I keep hoping I will be wrong. Take Care

me, i dont donate $ to such things. the amount of $ that you send to be donated gets slip up in some cases, this one especially. there is the advertising that needs to be paid for, and dont think every person who you see in the ads for people to donate actually "donates" their time. so with web, radio, tv, and even newspaper ads, those fees from the donations are paid out of the donation pot. YES it is true. Try UNICEF, and other such organisations.

Notsojingo- Did you donate money? Probably not. It sounds like you are not American. Did you know that AMERICANS DONATE MORE MONEY AND MAN-HOURS THAN THE REST OF THE WORLD COMBINED, TO MOST DISASTER AREAS AROUND THE WORLD? Do some reasearch before you bitch and moan about Americans donating time and money.

My Alan. I hope your day improves and you find calm.

Be Well

ps - $5, which I knew wouldn't change much. But Prayer is powerful if one is unable to do something financially or physically. I'm sure you've done your part, so Thank You.

Peace

Teknoknowledge... what about black americans? where is their generosity to the third world? You reel on about white racists and the white nations etc... but we have the wealthiest populace of blacks and asians withon our borders and even just a litttle help from them would actually meet these needs. I ask you why don't they help? Is it because there is black on black "racism". If you say otherwise then you're just full of BS because look at the ethnic violence of Africa itself! Your hypothesis is a lie.

MAYA ..................We have given and given and given and given.

We all can acknowledge the Haitians are living a tragic event.

BUT we are worn out from giving.

Also the NGO's have once again screwed up all the resources that we have provided for that country.

We again gave the money and now we sit and watch the corruption the theft the payoffs the ripoffs and the political paybacks for our politicians.

We have seen all this $hit before.

We are all fed up and we have MILLIONS of Americans without jobs.

WE NEED TO CARE FOR OUR OWN PEOPLE.

Thank you freedumb. I feel the same way, as do many of my fellow Americans. I give at work, and from home, and everywhere else I can spare a dime. I focus most of my charitable work on local projects now, as i know where the money is going. I'm tired of supporting corrupt governments as well.

There, but for me, go I. Lets fix home first.

freedumb:

EXACTLY!! You hit the nail on the head and I commend you. I love how ignorant people are so willing to bash Americans, yet they do not pay any attention to how much we give and give and give and we are in big trouble ourselves, and it will get worse. We DO care, but how much can we keep giving, when we also notice the Haitian government NOT DOING A DAMN THING to help out their people. Hell, their own people are still laying around on their ass, not even starting to clean up, trying to rebuild. They just expect America to come in and do it for them while they watch. Funny, where was Haiti when Katrina hit?

Maya, maybe you and notsojingo should consider the circumstances of the people you castigate. It is possible that we feel words are not enough to state our concerns. I, and probably many like me, are financially or physically unable to do anything that would help and platitudes just seem so useless. I am an American and wish I could do something to help because that is what Americans do world-wide. I can't, so I'm concerned and sorry for the people of Haiti and wish them Godspeed on their recovery. Is this enough? It's all I have.

Yes, "There but for the grace of God go I" is a foreign concept to many, because to many educated people who have an actual grasp on reality, there is no God. You assuming that everyone believes those fairy tales is a foreign concept to me.

It seem there is no compasion, caring or concern for the greater good of the people in the Voodoo religion. They seem to prefer to watch each other die while they hold out there hand for the good Christian nations to feed them. How tragic! Who ever taught them that was the only way in life? I can't believe they don't seem to know which end of the shovel to take a hold of. I have extreme pride in building and creating; Voodoo seems to have ripped that feeling and thought out of there souls. So sad! And yes this is a United Nations problem first. The UN seems to have great contempt and anguish for many decisions we hold dear in this great country. But yet we are they ones they run to first in demanding somebody do something. God Bless these poor people, may they find Christ.

You definitely aren't one of the good Christians.

Bill Clinton is the U.N. Ambassador to Haiti.

This problem has been known for over 2 weeks as this retard goes campaigning for the democrats.

Well said Freedumb! Well said!

I don't care who you are - it doesn't matter what your political afilliation is - we are just tapped out. We can't do it all. We have problems of our own and it's time we take care of ourselves.

Kaptain - that was a disgusting comment. Again - JUST WHAT DO YOU EXECT? He has done what he can. He does not have magical powers to solve their problems. He has raised money to help - but gee - again - we give and we give and we give and they still cannot get their head out of their own azz!

Of all the money that's been raised to help Haiti already, how much has actually made it to the people to help them? Not much, I think. Dr. Sanjay Gupta went directly to the airport and got supplies himself because it was not being allowed out to the people. Food and medicines were kept there while the government (???) were arguing about who and how to do it and people were dying. That was so long ago and I doubt much has changed since then.

The people of Haiti have always been slaves. They have never learned to take care of themselves. That is what they need to be taught. For so many generations back, they have been slaves and their mindset does not lean toward education of any kind. I doubt they have any goals to be any different because they have never known there could be anything different. This is so sad but true.

The governments that were supposed to be leading that country have always been corrupt and the country has always been filled with drugs and the leaders do nothing about it. Sending money into this country is like flushing it down the toilet unless there is new leadership or unless new people go over there and do something to help change the people.

I realize our country needs money and help of all kinds too. Our country should come first and I agree with this. But we need to find a way to find a balance.

"Indie&Bella

Yes, "There but for the grace of God go I" is a foreign concept to many, because to many educated people who have an actual grasp on reality, there is no God. You assuming that everyone believes those fairy tales is a foreign concept to me."

-------------------

Its like this dear, because some people don't believe in fairy tails they have a real and living God. When i was a kid I messed around with a number of supernatural practices, looking for truth. I will tell you something else I know from experience, the haitians voodoo isn't make believe either, their practitioners just prefer evil power to control and destroy.

Sadly- there are TONS of supplies waiting to be dispersed but the Haitian gov imposed "fees" and taxes on much of the cargo- so it waits in warehouses. This was in the news a month ago- the info about the fees and not being able to get outsupplies. Somebody needs to kick this up to the top of ALL gov contributing. I understand much of the pledged relief money to Haiti still sit in wait as well.

Contact your congressional rep's and the White House---the Haitians need our help!

bboomer-1466467 - Yes Sir, and I do understand. Please refer to comment #1.79, as well.

Thank you for caring, also.

Peace

Maya- Did you donate money? Probably not. It sounds like you are not American. Did you know that AMERICANS DONATE MORE MONEY AND MAN-HOURS THAN THE REST OF THE WORLD COMBINED, TO MOST DISASTER AREAS AROUND THE WORLD? Do some reasearch before you bitch and moan about Americans donating time and money.

p.s. I did make a monetary donation to Haiti and I am unemployed for over a year.

what more can the United States do? when does the well run dry ? if people wanna see hard ship visit Michigan - visit Detroit , Flint or Saginaw - we have humanitarian concerns within our own borders that need to be addressed

"what more can the United states do? when does the well run dry ? if people wanna see hard ship visit Michigan - visit Detroit , Flint or Saginaw - we have humanitarian concerns within our own borders that need to be addressed"

Well said name less - we can barely support ourselves in the U.S., now every country this is hit by a tragedy wants us to help them or we get criticized. We can only do so much, our poverty levels are rising at an alarming rate here in the U.S. Child abuse is at an all-time high, when do we worry about ourselves?

Well the Tea Party, Conservatives and Republicans all claim to be God fearing Americans. But what I find so funny is God and Jesus say help those who are less fortunate then your selves. To help the weak and sick. But the already mentioned groups HATE giving money to Americans who need help and are without jobs here in the USA, with families barley eating from day to day. So while they claim to be Gods people they refuse to do his works.

I could sure go for a latte too right now.

Chris, I have read your post several times and the more I do the more you come off sounding like a sick mind with nothing but hate in you. Where are the so-called do-gooder liberals? What does Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton have to say about the situation? Are they sending aid to Haiti? Heck, are they even doing anything here in American to even help create jobs?

The Tea Party, a group of middle-class workers, is concerned about taxes. They, along with Conservatives and Republicans don't all claim to be God-fearing (that would be like saying all Muslims were responsible for the 9/11 attacks.) But being God-fearing, which many are, they do what they can to help. If it's only donating ones "fair share" to the United Way.

If you personally, Chris-2070660, are not posting this from Haiti or not sending funds to people who are then you have no right to talk.

Comements like this:

"Funny, where was Haiti when Katrina hit?

make Americans look like complete imbeciles. Americans do not know history but then come on blogs to preen and pontificate about issues with sound byte data force fed by revisionists. It's disgusting!

The main point that many of you skate around is that if this tragedy occurred on an island in Greece or in Sicily, would you feel the same way?

I think not! You would rush to their aid and expect America to do the same! That's the point! And it's BLARINGLY obvious!

Sorry ObamaDiva, but you are wrong...there are Americans that DO know history, and I DO know that Haiti has had 200+ years of independence from the French and they STILL haven't been able to get its act together even after all the countless help and aid that has been given to them over the countless years. Let's face it, they were a wreck long before the quake. And of course we wouldn't feel the same about Sicily or Greece, not because it's a racial issue like you want it to be, but because Greeks and Sicilians can actually help themselves every once in a while instead of standing around with their hands out constantly.

Bill Clinton is the U.N. Ambassador to Haiti.

This problem has been known for over 2 weeks as this retard goes campaigning for the democrats.

AP) – Nearly nine months after the earthquake, more than a million Haitians still live on the streets between piles of rubble. One reason: Not a cent of the $1.15 billion the US pledged in March for rebuilding has arrived. The US has already spent more than $1.1 billion on post-quake relief, but without long-term funds, the reconstruction of the wrecked capital cannot begin. And with just a week to go before fiscal 2010 ends, the money is still tied up in Washington, thanks to one man: Sen. Tom Coburn.

In interviews with various officials, the AP learned that Coburn has held up a key authorization bill that would direct how the aid is delivered because of a $5 million provision he says will be wasteful. The bill proposes a new coordinator in Washington who would not oversee US aid but would work with the USAID administrator in Washington to develop a rebuilding strategy, at a cost of $1 million a year for five years, including salaries and expenses for a staff of up to seven people. "He is holding the bill because it includes an unnecessary senior Haiti coordinator when we already have one" in US Ambassador Kenneth Merten, said a Coburn rep.

No, the retard Bill Clinton is not responsible for the crisis.

The current US ambassador is Kenneth H. Merten, and the current UN ambassador is Nicole Kidman. The UN ambassador has no real power to give out money or aid.

Jeesh, can you people just get your facts straight for once. All it takes is a few minutes of reserach on the internet, and that shouldn't be hard for you, cause I see you all over these blogs. Jeesh

Sorry ObamaDiva, but you are wrong...there are Americans that DO know history, and I DO know that Haiti has had 200+ years of independence from the French and they STILL haven't been able to get its act together even after all the countless help and aid that has been given to them over the countless years.

this is absolutely incorrect racist garbage. 200 years?? The European Countries wouldn't even trade with them for a hundred. The White Countries refused to even acknowledge them as an independent republic. France demanded trillions in payments from these people that was just paid off in the mid 1900s. Why would anyone be interested in helping Haiti, especially America...it was in America's worst interest to help haiti or even acknowledge them as an independent nation given the atrocities they were committing against Africans in america.

PLEASE!!! Read the info about the contributions already made to Haiti not getting paid out or given to the needy. The Haitian gov imposed "fees" and taxes on incoming supplies- like an import tax or something like tha-t so every shipment coming in has to wait for other funding to pay those fees or the stuff continues to sit in warehouses and not out to those who need it. I am certain I read it on MSNBC or the Washington Post, maybe even here, a few weeks ago. That is where these attacks should be forwarded, not at each other. Use those great skills for writing to the Haitian gov to release the shipments and to waive the import tax and fees.

tekknowledge do you know reason84 personally ?do you know any thing about him/her other than you don't agree with his/her comment ? i'm sick of jackass's like youre self calling other people racist for no apparent reason. reason84 has every right to be fed-up with Haiti for not being able to take care of it's own people after accepting more than enough aid

kathi - if the haitian government is corrupt what good is a letter writing campaign going to do? Surely you don't expect a coalition of military forces to invade haiti do you?

Seems that situations like this were tailer made for the UN to act upon as well as the WHO. If they can't resolve this issue, perhaps we should stop supporting the UN.

tekknowledge do you know reason84 personally ?do you know any thing about him/her other than you don't agree with his/her comment ? i'm sick of jackass's like youre self calling other people racist for no apparent reason. reason84 has every right to be fed-up with Haiti for not being able to take care of it's own people after accepting more than enough aid

His statement is racist because he is blaming victims for 200 years of mistreatment. And i have every right as a person to suspect him of making a racist comment. He is distorting facts and saying that Haiti has been a respected member of the global community for 200 years, which is absolutely false. It is well known that the Western Powers block Haiti out for years (and even failed to recognize them as a sovereign nation) because they didn't want the slaves in America (or the citizens under American apartheid) to revolt. Haiti posed a grave security risk for the United States since its existence. To fail to acknowledge this, and blame the savage Negroes for being barbaric savages looking for the benevolent white man to take care of them(funny how people always associate black people with lazy, dishonest people who want handouts), is either extremely confused, or a white supremacist. After the US loosened the vice grip on Haiti, Papa Doc took over. 'Nuff said.

It is my given right to suspect that to be a racist comment, i'll guess i'll file yours in that category as well.

We MUST insist the US government address the the bottle necked supplies coming from this country sitting in warehouses and NOT distributed AND the UN and WHO as well. But since the figures I saw last demonstrate our country has the larger footprint and support before and after the disaster, it probably would hold greater impact OR INFLUENCE with the Haitian government. Furthermore we have many US businesses outsourcing their products production in Haiti so those Haitians who do have jobs are making products sold in the US. US businesses employ many Haitians.( Don't you just love NAFTA??11 Million unemployed Americans... an totally different topic)

No doubt these fees and imposed taxes are just another way to milk the situation by the Haitian government, but we need to address it. If you squeeze the money/aid we give them until those supplies are released and NOT taxed or assigned fees, that will get their attention. That is done through your federally elected representatives in Congress. SO WRITE THEM.

Yws. I sense the sarcas, which is unwarrantee. At least you have your latte, these the Haitian people have nothing!

May God bless you both

@Carlos, I think the sarcasm actually was warranted. I think the point was to say that atleast here we have made something of ourselves to that even on unemployment which we shouldnt be on (thank you our supposed messiah Obama), we can afford an occassional luxury. Whereas a country that has billions of dollars in aid still cant give themselves clean drinking water. Where are their leaders? As these people have had 200+ years to fix their own country and haven't makes the fact they have nothing their own stupidity, and not my problem.

Bill Clinton is the U.N. Ambassador to Haiti.

This problem has been known for over 2 weeks as this retard goes campaigning for the democrats.

hesnotmy, if someone were to give you a billion dollars, and yet you have no education, know no one with the skills and have no infrastructure...how would you go about establishing a proper water and sewage system for millions of people?

If we were talking about a people who were given a proper chance at an education and were left by the French with a proper infrastructure and economy hundreds of years ago, I could see your point. But the majority of them were given no opprtunities and no wealth to build upon.

@LW, ignorance is no excuse if you want something bad enough you ask for help. Since they can ask for a hand out effectively enough, had they had a billion dollars, im sure the same people could be rung up to ask for help with ideas. So basically what you are saying is the next time someone commits a crime and they come from a poor background they should say "it ok because I was poor and refused to help myself get better". There are people all over the world who live in poor countries who dont think rape, murder, and various criminal activities are not only accepted, but a right of passage.

hesnotmy, if I were born into a culture where all I had was poverty and crime, I am sure that would be all that I thought that I could aspire to. Just as you obviously have been born into a priviledged , probably dominant white male oriented culture, you think that all things are possible and due to your attributes, alone. You probably don't acknowledge all the labor, including slave labor that went into making white society economically superior. Therefore I am going to hope that you become more enlightened , just as I am going to hope that the Haitians get the help that they so desperately need, as well.

Didn't take long for some donkey to politicize a tragedy, did it?

Nope, the first poster on this discussion thread took care of that.

Lala, sadly Mark is right. In an effort to increase sales of rice from Arkansas, he encouraged import to Haiti during his presidency. This in turn created a people who did not know how to grow food to feed themselves. Clinton even admitted this fact himself after the earth quake. There is a movement to retrain citizens to support themselves with home grown cheaper and more nourishing food. "Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. But TEACH a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime." Clinton realized this only after he worried about the rice farmers of Arkansas making a little more money.

But THAT is not what caused the problem at hand. The government of Haiti is one of those that is corrupt to the hilt and has not funneled the millions of dollars in aid sent to the country after the quake to those that need it. There is no way that any one from outside the region can do anything to help when the government does not allow it. They gladly accept monetary aid, but not physical help. The president of Haiti has bragged about the success of controlling severe illnesses after the quake as a way to measure the success of his regime. He let the problem get this bad before letting it become public. These people who are ill are the result of poor sanitation and water availability. That is something that can only be done with physical AND monetary aid being put to work to provide the survivors a decent place to live.

Below are just a few of the links about the Clinton story.

http://www.democracynow.org/2010/4/1/clinton_rice

http://www.dominionpaper.ca/articles/3381

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/20/with-cheap-food-imports-h_n_507228.html

I think, judging by the posts on here that most DO care. But unless they have the ability to cut red tape, there is really nothing they can do. The problem is not in the US or other countries trying to lend a hand. It is in Haiti, and we cannot change that ourselves.

Just what I had been thinking Texana Deb. Aid has been sent, and not just from America, that has run up against the political brickwall of the Haitian government. Much of the aid that has made it through ends up in the hands of thugs who sell it to the highest bidder, what they don't keep for their personal use.

Whoa! The sheer ignorance!!

Haiti has been sanctioned and cut-off due to it's fierce independence from European rule. There have been American backed coups for control of the country. Haiti was th sugar capital of the world....but as the first Black republic of the Western Hemisphere, they were not "well-liked" or respected because of their color and their independence.

Hence, EMBARGOES, SANCTIONS, and COUPS to return to White rule....

Hastn happened.....and the Haitian ppl have paid dearly.

Pls ppl PICK UP A HISTORY BOOK!

Ancient history Diva. Maybe sugar played a pivotal role back in the 19th Century and maybe the fact that they are of African descent but they've had 100+ years since to overcome this deficit. Instead of improving their lot though, they allow people like Papa Doc Duvalier to take over while they live in shanties and starve to death. They rebelled against the European slave owners yet couldn't get rid of one tyrant who used milita and voodoo to control them?

In 1915 we invaded and occupied Haiti. For the previous four years we had watched them assassinate or depose 6 presidents. Woodrow Wilson, well known today as the first "Progressive" president, admired by the likes of Hillary Clinton and Barrack Obama, invaded Haiti. It was under Roosevelt (FDR) that we ceased the occupation. At the time, of course, we were in the midst of the Great Depression, so I can see where the occupation might have been an uncalled-for expense.

Over the years, decades actually, the USA has spent time, money, and precious lives to help these people. Unfortunately, they seem to be incapable of accepting a hand up. All they want is a hand out.

Mark Bernadiner,

Read my post #3.9 above.

You paid bloggers are just so blatantly wrong with the facts, again.

why is it always race? you know i think slavery was abolished by white men and for every racist out there, there are people (of all races) helping to equalize rights for all. maybe we should concentrate on the real issues, and help people help themselves, instead of turning to race. i think that card is worn out. insteading of wasting time crying about race/unequal rights, go out and get an education, work hard and earn it. there are people of every race who are rich, poor, smart, and stupid. people of every race have, against all odds risen from poverty with hard work, not handouts.

In 1915 we invaded and occupied Haiti. For the previous four years we had watched them assassinate or depose 6 presidents. Woodrow Wilson, well known today as the first "Progressive" president, admired by the likes of Hillary Clinton and Barrack Obama, invaded Haiti. It was under Roosevelt (FDR) that we ceased the occupation. At the time, of course, we were in the midst of the Great Depression, so I can see where the occupation might have been an uncalled-for expense.

right, Woodrow Wilson. "Progressive". Segregationist (segregated the Federal Government, wouldn't let blacks into Princeton). Klan Member. Suspected White Supremacist.

i'm sure his business in Haiti was well-intentioned. Please try again.

Well Tek, I'm sure you realize that Wilson was a politician in the first 2 decades of the 20th Century. What he did in regards to race was very politically expedient for the times. It's what got him elected. Wilson may have brought in a lot of southern segregationists into his cabinet but this does not make him a Klan member or, for that matter, a white supremacist.

Mark Bernadiner,

Read my post #3.9 above.

You paid bloggers are just so blatantly wrong with the facts, again.

Why do you continue to post lies?

Jeesh

It usually cost more to send donated food & supplies than they are worth, if you want to help, find a reputable group that is working there and donate money to them, they have supply chains set up and access to medicnes and can do it much cheaper than individuals can...

I am sure someone here has a list of approved agencies that are in place and working there if you would like to donate, after the flood there was a list of approved agencies published and it should be published again, hopefully.

typical, i`d love to help but i lost my money.buddy look after yourself first and then think about the world.if you want to help someone look at your town,all you need is a little ambition and no need for funds.

Erik, your comment is a good one, and it is great in theory, however, the money and supplies that have been sent have unfortunately seemed to disappear. And another unfortunate thing is, the Haitians will sit there all day and watch you work. The sick? Sure. But the able bodied will stand around and do nothing. That is part of what the problem is right now. A corrupt government, and sadly, lazy civilians.

How dare you? You purport this from what.....watching television....

I was there! I saw men with one leg per person helping to rebuild a church. I saw women taking care of babies that werent their own. No one is addressing the mass loss that these ppl have esperienced. Ya know? The mental health and post traumatic stress of the population. So, tell me Erica.....How is your comment really helping the situation. Instead, you are perpetuating a fear-based stereotype lumping ALL ppl into a category....like YOU know.

How f**cking American of you!

Link to contact charitable organizations (be certain to check to see what they have done and doing to address the cholera outbreak) is: www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34835478

Blessings to the people of Haiti.

obama diva, just like the survivors of katrina were picking up their own trash in the dome instead of asking for volunteers on the news to come pick it up. oh yeah just like that. i'm sure there are people who could be working towards cleaning up haiti who are just sitting on their butts, just as there are people who can't do much (one legged man) who are doing everything they can. and yes there is a great loss and stress to the mental stability of the people, but you have to do what you have to do in order to survive and prosper. it was a great stress when 9/11 happened, when there were floods in tn. and ga., when a person's house burns down, when any great clamity happens, but you have to do what you have to do. not sit and whine. we should first look to ourselves to help ourselves, not just look for others to help us.

diva - why don't you want to return? You can submit an absentee ballot and be gone next week?

@ObamaDiva, the lazy mentality is absolutely right! You may live with rose colored glasses, but having just spoken to a woman named mimose, who just came from Haiti and lived in Haiti for all 31 years of her life, she said lazy is exactly what they are! She said aid workers are building houses while the Haitians just sit there and watch. They think they are entitled to the free house and having us build it because their idea is that they deserve it some how. Oh and FYI this is young able bodied people, not infirm or elderly. They sit there and moan woas me, and wait around for someone to do everything except wipe their ass for them. Hense why this woman left Haiti..so there you go, fresh from the mouth of a Haitian!

cholera has been around for ages,it should be simple common knowledge how not to get it.

Ya it is kind of weird that All Americans are getting tossed under the bus by alot of people posting here.

Probably the same people who preach it is not right to lump all - fill in the group you are hating on - into a stereotype.

But it sure seems like there are plenty of America haters living in America. If it is such a bad place why it the hell are people from all over the world trying to get in?

That's a very short sighted attitude. And I have to ask, do you do anything to help at home? Volunteer at a soup kitchen, homeless shelter or a program that promotes literacy, or mentor an at-risk youth? If not, you have no right to make this comment.

Hear, Hear, Debbie!!!

I have to agree with ObamaDiva on this one. Kudos to your response Debbie. On a personal note, I deliver "Meals on Wheels" once a month to senior shut-ins. It isn't much but if everone could do something similar "once a month" the world and the USA could be a much better place.

BTW, I am Conservative and a Tea Party supporter.

@debbie, as a matter of fact, as I am a stay at home mom, I volunteer my time to watch several neighborhood single mothers children for free so they can work. Kflann is 100% right, charity should start in the United States with United States citizens. I'm sure the unemployed families that cant pay their bills would love a chunk of the money we have thrown at other nations with their sob stories and corrupt governments.

We live in the most powerful country in the world. We cannot exist in a vacuum. There are responsibilities as humans as well as an international powerhouse. The world community has extended that hand up but the road block is the government of Haiti itself. That is where we need to put pressure to release those supplies without adding those taxes and fees they are imposing on them.

A cement wall and National guard troops with orders to shoot to kill? Yea I know that was so un pc and we are supposed to kiss everyone elses ass I keep forgetting!

The wall worked so well in Germany.

Angry:

I don't agree with the shoot to kill thing, but the wall in Germany was meant to keep people in, not out.

gee danielle, what did you expect about death.

What kind of question is that?

Your trying to be clever but sound like such a twat. Is your comment really neccesary?

guess what ,we`re all going to die.i`ve seen many die from cancer and i wish many of them had died in hours.but i hope when your turn comes it is during the night and you peacefully fade away.

Danielle:

You see that he couldnt even respond to your query...just post ignorance.

I get what you were saying......They die within hours of getting this bacterial outbreak! I GET IT, Danielle.....and yes, I hope they get aid soon....

Speaking from someone that has been there-most "help" that was in Hatti, came unprepared-did not have supplies or a way to get the supplies to the people that needed it. The airfields that brought the goods in was very far away from the where the people lived. One of the very few organizations that came with a plan and with the supplies was the Catholic Social Services. We need to know who makes things happen and who can't before we give money. Obviously, many peopled gave, but unless you gave to an organiztion with a plan, your money was either wasted, or tied up in the government. For those of you who are concerned about this, write a letter, make a phone call, make noise and find out or shut up.

because you have to give it to others also,you don`t have to give to everyone,but you give to more people all the time.didn,t you send money to sudan,well you did because the gov. did.bet you sent all your aid after the earthquake.

We are not giving weapons to Saudi Arabia, they are buying them! Over the last 10+ years the US Government, ie US taxpayers, have given upwards of $300 million a year to Haiti on top of what was raised after the earthquake. I sure people are not meaning to seem heartless but sad truth is America needs to helps it own suffering people. Let the United Nations help the world, that is one of their mission statements.

A mind is a terrible thing to waste! It is QUITE obvious that Hooked on Phonics DID NOT work in this case!

Whole different can of worms, ray....... (speaking metaphorically, of course)

Someone correct me if I am wrong but I understand that much of the millions in aid money america promised after the flood still has not been delivered, if not, why not ?

The hundreds on millions that have been turned over to the Haitian government have not been used to help so why give more?

@ed: The key word here is 'promised'.

"Someone correct me if I am wrong but I understand that much of the millions in aid money america promised after the flood still has not been delivered, if not, why not ?"

This is the point I was raising. Supposedly it's all been held up by government red tape. What a surprise. But even if we were to give all this money, I don't know how quickly or how significantly things would change. If they haven't been able to clear out the millions of people living on the streets since last January, when do they ever expect to do it? Haiti's government is in shambles and has no real power. As long as the lawlessness/corruption/ineptitude of the Haitian government and its population continues, there is not much anyone else can do.

It was also an earthquake in January, not a flood. The floods came later, compliments of tropical systems going through the region as they do every year.

How sad:( ---The comment that is---

You must not remember tent city right here in florida after Andrew went through in 92, the people right here was in tents for almost two years.

sure would have an impact if you started treating haiti like a state.

take hati over,and build it up! great for both us and haiti.

How many people right here in America only want the basics - food, clothing and shelter yet are unable to have them? Huh?? How many Americans have lost their jobs and lost their homes. How many Americans live in tents, under bridges, in homeless shelters? For some odd reason people expect America to fix all of the problems all over the world. Why? Why can't other countries learn to get along on their own without America stepping in and giving them handouts? Then, when America does step in with aid, we're told it's not enough. How much is enough? Do you want us to bathe you and wipe your butts, too? Get a clue folks, America has homeless and hungry people, just like other countries in the world. We face natural disasters, just like other countries in the world. Yet we are one of the most reviled countries in the world. Those of you slapping America around, get off your collective asses and YOU go give your time, money and goods to Haiti. I'm busy helping people right here in America rebuild their lives.

i couldnt agree with you more. theres so many people facing unemployment and having a hard enough time paying the bills and taking care of their families. so im sorry if some of yall think im cold hearted but i dont give a hott about haiti. i have my own family to care for and dont have much money and what money i do have is providing for my family. where im from in florida, jobs are few and far between. fast food hasnt even been hiring for the last 3 years here if that tells you how dire it is.

we are having difficulty making ends meet. and if i was able to donate anything it would be to the local charities in my area who are helping people less fortunate than me. cant go and save the world when our own country is going into the fire.

Sure you will...It's free after all. Let God handle it!

Amanda is doing what she can. Can you say the same?

If anything the French sould pay Billions to bale Haiti out of this mess, they have tormented Haiti since day one.

America, too!

i agree 100% fianally someone witha piece of a brain. good work

Hey ObamaDiva, don't you really mean to say "blame WHITEY!"? I think you do...and good luck with that, Haiti has had 200+ years of independence from whitey and they STILL can't get their act together. What's the excuse for that? Oh that's right, you have none, except that Haitians are incompetent plain and simple. How can you blame America when they've wasted all the money and resources that they have trying to build up Haiti? Haiti wouldn't even have a piece of infrastructure if it wasn't for U.S. aid.

Terry you have said the absolute truth. France should be helping Haiti 1st. Slavery is so wrong and it amazes me how caucasians seem to forget that their great grandparents beat on humans; and then try to blame these same humans for their own poverty. France from what I read was absolutely horrible to the Blacks in Haiti during the slavery time. That's why Haiti fought for a revolution, but really if we just think, if all slaves fought for a revolution, what would America be like today. What if Caucasians were slaves instead of black people; then maybe they could see how blacks feel when it comes to these stereotypes we put on one another. France made it where no one would trade with Haiti because Haiti won their revolution from France. Bottom line, slavery is awful and shouldn't exist. BOTTOM LINE, let's say it wasn't no Jesus, No muslim religion, no nothing religion, PEOPLE, who are commenting to this article; don't you believe somewhere in your heart, if a human being is down, there has got to be something in you that says I want to help; NOT PUT DOWN. Well said though Terry.

Co-Signing with All Good Now.

you should be able to piece together that the white countries (France, Britain, the US) set Haiti up for Failure. by the Time government incompetence arose in Haiti, it was wayy to late for them to recover.

What a bunch of ignorant heartless people you are. If you have been there you would see they are human beings, real as you, with wives, children and grand children. "Mother Earth" is not getting revenge. They are dying because they are poor and cannot find a clean drink of water. Obviously your not willing to lift a hand to give them simply that. Our hardness of heart is killing them, not "Mother Earth". This Country has become so arrogant. We will reap what we sow.

Bravo for you Arnold for telling it like it is. I can't believe half the comments I'm reading. People can be so damned blind & selfish. But, if the smallest discomfort ever happened to them, you couldn't imagine how'd they scream about it!!

Well there is the potential to put thousands of Americans to work inside of Haiti as a rebuilding project. Sadly it would only cost money to do so, and we would have to sacrifice the studying of mating habits of various insects, which is oddly attached to various pieces of legislation. Oh well at least the insect population will thrive.

Where the hell is all this so called billions of dollars that have been pledged and donated to help these people?

franco,

people (whom i suspect are racists) would like to blame the corrupt Negroes in haiti for the squandering of funds (as if black people are inherently dishonest and corrupt), but this is a myth..or maybe a partial truth at best. That money that a lot of American citizens gave to the Red Cross has never even SEEN Haiti. This world organizations are probably at most at fault for Haiti never receiving their money. And at this point, the western powers have made haiti so miserable that no amount of money could help them. A joint effort by Haitians and Westerners would be required to make Haiti work. Unforunately, i doubt the Western Countries have that kind of integrity to help a country that they drove into a ditch so recently ago.

The US is the root cause of Haiti's problem. All US citizens need to leave Haiti now and stop causing problems for the Haitian people. Haiti doesn't need the US.