Friday, January 15, 2010

Mother Nature Shows Her Nasty Side


Haiti fought and gained its independence however, when the French cut them loose Haitians have never been able to establish a government that places the needs of the people first. The poorest nation in the eastern hemisphere, never seems to be able to get a leg up between the hurricanes, corrupt politicians, and now this horrific magnitude 7.1 earthquake.

It is a cruel world and Haiti is in a very serious situation right now. They are the first Black nation but, after 200 years " failed state" comes to mind. Everything there is substandard from health care, education and economy to building codes, disaster preparedness and work ethic.

Word of the day: conundrum
  • Send NO CASH, MONEY to the hands of the corrupt leaders and wealthy land owners.
  • Use collected monies to give the people who need it, food, shelter, clothing, protection, medicine and medical attention. Bury, or with permission, cremate the dead. Haiti has a very high tuberculosis and aids problem, nor are they able to get a grip on other blood born diseases, carried from one host to another via mosquitoes.
  • Every philanthropist, could take a town or village and sponsor the building of a school or hospital. (Donald Trump, Bill, Gates and Brad Pitt to name 3. It's a very small country) These schools could also serve as community a center or a shelter during the hurricane season. Any little squall will send Haitians swimming in mudslides.
  • Use collected money to hire the US military to airlift building materials to be used to construct schools and hospitals. (a C-130 can carry a lot of heavy equipment)
  • Under US supervision, hire Haitians willing to work to build them.
  • Efforts to control crime would bring back the investors and encourage tourism.

The trouble with these suggestions is that OUR government would be involved and our government in the moment in time is no less corrupt. That said, along with other nations, we will be a most generous neighbor. But... who will benefit?

Haiti is indeed in trouble. They need help. Who will honestly and sincerely, step up to the plate and make a difference?

My recommendation is that we all give to the Red Cross, UNICEF, CARE or the Bush/Clinton Haiti relief fund. Hands on care, no cash to the government. I have included the links.

"For every complex problem, there is a solution that is simple, neat and wrong."
H.L. Mencken

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