Five Superstitions That Harm Haiti

[basspig]

This is a terrific summary of why Haiti is in the situation it's in and why our efforts to apply bandaids every time there's a crisis are in vain:


http://www.atlassociety.org/cth-33-2274-Supersitions_Haiti.aspx

 

[jamie2112]

This is a terrific summary of why Haiti is in the situation it's in and why our efforts to apply bandaids every time there's a crisis are in vain:


http://www.atlassociety.org/cth-33-2274-Supersitions_Haiti.aspx

What?????Really?..........wow

 

[Nomo]

The only thing that's put Haiti in the situation they're in, earthquake aside, is a government thats as corrupt as any.

Except for maybe Danny Glover and Pat Robertson, I think every one has got past the Voodoo thing.

 

[Davemcc]

Poor societies don't have the resources to cope with or rebuild after a disaster. There is a reason why these societies are poor, yet nobody wants to address that issue.

 

[lsiberian]

Poor societies don't have the resources to cope with or rebuild after a disaster. There is a reason why these societies are poor, yet nobody wants to address that issue.

When I was in South Africa serving food in a squatter camp where AIDS runs rampant. I discovered that even in the midst of such a desperate circumstance the people there where just as happy as I was. I realize the suffering is insane, but for some reason they handle it very well. I learned I'm not better off than poor folks. I just have different struggles. I think we can learn a lot from each other about life.

 

[highfigh]

The only thing that's put Haiti in the situation they're in, earthquake aside, is a government thats as corrupt as any.

Except for maybe Danny Glover and Pat Robertson, I think every one has got past the Voodoo thing.

As corrupt as any? Hell no- they have had some of the biggest D-bags in power there ever. The fact that they have a Presidential palace is an indication of how hte rulers have operated. Papa Doc is a good example.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/François_Duvalier

 

[highfigh]

When I was in South Africa serving food in a squatter camp where AIDS runs rampant. I discovered that even in the midst of such a desperate circumstance the people there where just as happy as I was. I realize the suffering is insane, but for some reason they handle it very well. I learned I'm not better off than poor folks. I just have different struggles. I think we can learn a lot from each other about life.

People who know no other life make the best of what they have, regardless of how bad it is. Talk to someone who lived through the Depression, WWII, a death camp or any other horrendous long-term situation and they'll probably say the same thing.

This attitude is something the rest of the world would do well to adopt. Always wanting more, more more is the downfall of every civilization.

 

[Chu Gai]

How about a sixth whacky explanation from our good buddy down in Venezuela?

 

[lsiberian]

How about a sixth whacky explanation from our good buddy down in Venezuela?

If it were a weapon I think we know it would be aimed at him first. America has no issues with Haiti. And you don't test a weapon like this on Haiti. Also you'd be insane to mess with the tectonic system.

 

[Davemcc]

When I was in South Africa serving food in a squatter camp where AIDS runs rampant. I discovered that even in the midst of such a desperate circumstance the people there where just as happy as I was. I realize the suffering is insane, but for some reason they handle it very well. I learned I'm not better off than poor folks. I just have different struggles. I think we can learn a lot from each other about life.

If poor, disease ridden people in Africa or earthquake stricken, mass grave digging people in Haiti are just as happy as we are, then might I suggest that we leave them to their subsistence lifestyle and tragic suffering. We should not be sending food to them, building their schools and wells or buying them goats. If those activities cannot increase their happiness, it's all a waste of resources.

On the other hand, if they have come to depend for their livelihood on the excess of American wealth and the generosity of affluent societies, perhaps it would be more in their interest to adapt to our socio-economic model. Any nation that adopts the American principles of personal liberty and economic freedom embodied by America 200 years ago will become a net asset to whatever region of the world that nation is in.

Poverty is curable but it's not the US' job to nurse the world because other cultures won't accept the medication.

 

[mperfct]

The only thing that's put Haiti in the situation they're in, earthquake aside, is a government thats as corrupt as any.

Except for maybe Danny Glover and Pat Robertson, I think every one has got past the Voodoo thing.

Slight threadjack: I actually read an unbelievable article in Men's Journal a few months back concerning Haiti, Voodoo, and zombies. It was a really good read regarding abduction and enslavement, and how people were actually turned into zombies (not in the Sam Raimi sense).

Oy, God bless the internet! http://www.mensjournal.com/into-the-zombie-underworld

 

[lsiberian]

If poor, disease ridden people in Africa or earthquake stricken, mass grave digging people in Haiti are just as happy as we are, then might I suggest that we leave them to their subsistence lifestyle and tragic suffering. We should not be sending food to them, building their schools and wells or buying them goats. If those activities cannot increase their happiness, it's all a waste of resources.

On the other hand, if they have come to depend for their livelihood on the excess of American wealth and the generosity of affluent societies, perhaps it would be more in their interest to adapt to our socio-economic model. Any nation that adopts the American principles of personal liberty and economic freedom embodied by America 200 years ago will become a net asset to whatever region of the world that nation is in.

Poverty is curable but it's not the US' job to nurse the world because other cultures won't accept the medication.

I think it would be downright foolish to stop sending aid and helping, however the kind of help we often give is destructive. People need a hand-up not a hand out. This is why many missionaries discourage folks from contributing to local churches in other countries. People have to be self-sustaining to a point. One very successful program is the garden planting program in South Africa. You give them a garden for them to tend and produce their own food.

 

[Davemcc]

I think it would be downright foolish to stop sending aid

Foolish how? What are the repercussions to us if stop sending aid?

 

[Adam]

Did someone mention zombies?

I can't believe that Jamie didn't post this already.

 

[Rickster71]

If poor, disease ridden people in Africa or earthquake stricken, mass grave digging people in Haiti are just as happy as we are, then might I suggest that we leave them to their subsistence lifestyle and tragic suffering. We should not be sending food to them, building their schools and wells or buying them goats. If those activities cannot increase their happiness, it's all a waste of resources.

On the other hand, if they have come to depend for their livelihood on the excess of American wealth and the generosity of affluent societies, perhaps it would be more in their interest to adapt to our socio-economic model. Any nation that adopts the American principles of personal liberty and economic freedom embodied by America 200 years ago will become a net asset to whatever region of the world that nation is in.

Poverty is curable but it's not the US' job to nurse the world because other cultures won't accept the medication.

Dave I'm always impressed with your critical thinking skills.

Haiti is a country that Clinton and Bush sent $Billion$ of dollars to. I'm hard pressed to see where the aforementioned money went.
We can only hope the shell game will be different this time.