As many of you know, this past summer I had the great pleasure of exploring the opportunity to serve my homeland as a presidential candidate. Even though I was declared ineligible to run, my hopes for the recovery and healing of my troubled homeland still shine bright. But at this moment, as I wait for my flight to Johannesburg, my fears for the people of Haiti are winning out over my optimism. I am deeply saddened to read all the troubles that this election, with its irregularities and probable fraud, is bringing down on my brothers and sisters in Haiti, especially considering all the hardships so many there have already faced -- still living in tents since the earthquake almost one year ago, and too many dead from the outbreak of cholera in the past weeks.
Many who care about Haiti and follow the situation there are afraid the events around this election are setting the country on a path that will ultimately lead to civil war -- the worst possible outcome. With all they have endured, the Haitian people have been pushed to the brink by this election, and we need the world to keep watch on the proceedings now with a wary eye. We don't want the situation to devolve even further there, but there's every chance it will. No one received more than 50 percent of the votes; that's a fact no one's disputing. So, in this case, the top two vote-getters will be entered in a run-off election. The "official" results found that former first lady Mirlande Manigat received the greatest number of votes (which is being largely accepted), and -- now here's where it gets tricky -- that President Rene Préval's favored successor, Jude Célestin, was second.
The U.S. Embassy has expressed doubts about the published results. The National Election Observation Council believes that Michel Martelly earned more votes than Célestin. In response to these contested results, hundreds -- possibly thousands -- of citizens have taken to the streets, first Martelly supporters and then those who claim to be Célestin backers. So far, five have died, and the headquarters of the INITE party have been set on fire. As with most every election that has taken place in Haiti in my lifetime, this one has been plagued with doubt and rumors. Haiti is a country where rumors prevail -- but sometimes rumor proves to be fact. As human beings, we should call for peace. The question is, how are we going to get peace in Haiti, considering the circumstances? And the people's anger is understandable -- after all they've endured, voting is the one thing they can't afford to lose.
On Election Day, I voted myself -- after great difficulty. And I know other Haitian citizens who weren't able to vote because they couldn't find their name on the lists of registered voters -- even though these people were registered residents of the country. The people need to be able to trust their government, but the Haitian government has proven time and again that it hasn't earned that trust. We need to show the world that Haiti is ready to stand up for itself and that the ruling bodies are working in the best interests of the populace. This is a crucial crossroads for Haiti, and I worry that the officials in place don't have the will of the people as their first priority.
What's it going to take to set Haiti on the right path? At the very least, a sit-down between all the parties and maybe an international observer might help calm the anger that has -- rightly - -flared up. Hopefully, the Haitian people will find a way to express their outrage about the machinations of its government without resorting to the violence that has already injured many and threatens to tear the nation apart. I pray for my country now, at yet another low point; I pray that God will deliver Haiti through this new disaster. I pray that everyone, on all fronts, will find the wisdom to choose peace and will understand that the phrase "L'union fait la force" ("there is strength in unity") aren't just empty words, but are truly words to live by.
Haiti was the second country in the continent to win its independence from Europe (after the US) and the only successful slave revolution in history but have never really known stability.
Foreign powers have been meddling in Haiti forever, to the detriment of democracy and it's people.
I suggest you do some research and educate yourself to these truths.
We did the telethon, we did the "We are the world" (I donated to both)...we did what we as Americans have now become responsible for doing...come to the Aid of every last person on Earth that needs help while our own citizens suffer. ENOUGH..now I'm sorry to say..Haiti needs to fend for itself because in the end we've given more than we can afford.
One last note, Wyclef shouldn't have a problem donating a lot of his money to Haiti now that Obama has extended his tax cuts for another two years.
Even the most destitute person in America can get drinking water and some sort of emergency assistance. There is an infrastructure here that simply isn't in existence in Haiti. Worst comes to worst an American can punch a cop in the face and get three hots and a cot.
Republican Senator Tom Coburn has been identified as the lawmaker responsible for holding up over $900 million in congressionally approved aid for Haiti. A supplemental request for Haiti reconstruction passed the Senate in May and then the House in July. But a measure to direct how the money is spent was held up after it was anonymously tabled for further review. The Associated Press reports that Coburn, a doctor, pulled the measure over concerns about a $5 million provision that he says would waste taxpayer dollars. The US still hasn’t delivered a cent of the $1.15 billion in new aid for Haiti it pledged earlier this year. At least six people were killed and over 8,000 tarps and other temporary shelters were destroyed when a storm hit the capital Port-au-Prince last week.
The U.S. President and Congress has abandoned Haiti because it's not as important as bailing out Wall Street/City of London crooks with a start of 3.3 TRILLIOIN.
The Federal Reserve System is more powerfull then the president and what will happen is, not just a civil war but a great tsunami of people over to the Dominican Republic side of Hispola Island.
These situations are the first evidences of a New Dark Age worldwide where after the global financial crises is the aftermath of a desperate humanity engaged in barbarism and killing each other.
Haiti will probably lose half of its population before it's all said and done and the rest of the world will be right behind them.
1. Adopt Haiti on a temporary treaty basis and immediately declare a 'state-of-emergency' for this 51 state, making it our political responsibility to rebuild the country.
2. Create a WPA government works program and print 1 trillion dollars to hand out to U.S. companies, like Catipillar and GE to rebuild Haiti and employ a million U.S. workers and pay them $30.00 hr to construct a bungalow house for every homeless person.
3. Contract a cruise ship off the coast of Haiti to serve as a domitory and cafeteria for all of the workers.
4. Once a state-of-the-art nuclear power plant is constructed, earthquake and hurrican proof, build a power grid and telecomunication lines to wire every new home in Haiti.
5. Construct several new retirement homes to welcome retiring U.S. baby-boomers while at the same time a brand new state-of-the-art medical university to train an army of doctors and nurses.
6. Afterwords, have a ceremony of giving back Haiit to its people, like Great Britain gave back Hong Kong to China...
....and live happily ever after.
An economy that provides for the world's people, not just America.
We can not expect human living conditions to improve, when we still live in a system of PAPER & DEBT. A system that is meant for others to suffer in order for some to prosper.
Our current global economic system is unsustainable. We must not continue like this.
I did not get these ideas from The Venus project, this is something I have been advocating for years, then I discovered the Venus project.
I DO NOT believe in politics, therefore I am not a democrat or republican; and I CERTAINLY am not a fan of Rush or Fox.
If you don't understand something, don't criticize it first, just say: I don't know, or I do not understand. That way you are willing to know more or gain better understanding, before you can conclude on the matter.
Waste in Haiti is carried away in open street canals etc. which are stagnant, often clogged and filled with human waste, garbage, dead animals and disease causing mosquitos/mosquito larva/bacteria. (read Nov. 21st New York Times article).
Nations of the world should band together and dedicate a small percentage of their national GDP's to help Haiti rebuild it's infrastructure and install modern sewage/waste collection and water treatment facilities.
It would not cost much since the population of Haiti is only around 9 million......about the size of the Los Angeles or Chicago metro area.
The large death toll from the earthquake was likely caused by this overpopulation of the city of Port-au-Prince, caused by Duvaliers attempts to monopolize/control Haitian trade.
Haiti is now deforested with much of it's topsoil washed away becuase Haitions have been forced to cut down most of their trees for cooking fuel. Some have suggested community/neighborhood solar kitchens to stop this deforestation.
Corrupt former governments and foreign exploitation of Haitian resources/people has lead to the impoverishment of the entire island and the destruction of it's natural systems.
The country of the Dominican Republic which is on the other side of the island which Haiti is on, is still forested and has a healthy tourism industry, thanks to solid environmental laws and effective democratic government.
A nation that allows its government to ruin their lives is a nation of *cowards* that deserve to be ruled over.
He made that proposition, based on his personal understanding of what is happening in Haiti. If you feel he is misinformed, then INFORM HIM.
I personally think his suggestions are more plausible than your "We can pray for Haiti" proposal -- Just saying.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxUk2NSwcEs
Wise goat is largely right and brave to raise the RBE concept. It's a concept so logical and simple it's laughed off the table in most forums because people are so indoctrinated to believe money is as natural as lemon grass. RBE is possible with technology and abundance and the intelligent management of resources plus a sensible idea of the carrying capacity of the earth vs population (no control necessary, just education..)
If you want a tip on how to solve your problems in the US - go after the banks - dismantle the fed and kick out all your corrupt politicians. You need a large social movement to achieve this, otherwise it's perpetual debt and hardship for everyone.
every politician have responsibility to do the right ,