Obama pledges $ 100 million to relief effort..

[Oddball]

Regardless of our own problems at home, this nation has a long and special relationship with d'Haiti that cannot be denied.

Yeah...In continually propping up brutal dictators who live the high life and keep the people in squalor, while the much more free inhabitants of the Dominican Republic live a moderately wealthy and prosperous existence.

They'd be better off with that much decried "total anarchy".

 

[WillowTree]

I'm proud of Obama and stand behind his announcement. I think the US has no choice but to act immediately and remain vigilant in our efforts to help the Haitian people. Regardless of our own problems at home, this nation has a long and special relationship with d'Haiti that cannot be denied. Our relationship has not always been the best, and neither us nor d'Haiti has been perfect in dealing with one another, but these are a people that have had a major impact on the United States since their own revolution.

Yes, our government has to take an active role in not only providing relief but helping d'Haiti re-build. I personally believe we need to send more troops, doctors, educators, construction workers, technicians, etc. I'm not for an interventionalist world policy, I do however realize how vital keeping d'Haiti from complete and total anarchy is to US interests. We need to get Haitians working, train them, and put their national destiny in their hands.

Ultimetly what we did in Europe after WWII in helping them rebuild is what it's going to take to rebuild Haiti and to get Haiti on it's feet. A MASSIVE effort. There's going to have to be a substantial US military presence in Haiti very soon, no doubt about it. Now some might choose to look at this as very costly, BUT I'd advise you to look at an opportunity for both nations to strengthen each other. Who knows what investing in rebuilding Haiti and creating a new and innovative, productive Haitian workforce could mean for the western hemisphere as a whole. The ends of massive intervention here are going to justify the means.

I don't think so..





Talking Points 1/14/2010

Bill O'Reilly | The O'Reilly Factor - FOXNews.com

 

[dharma]

Good question, I'm sure there will be a new "fee" on cruise ships to the Bahamas or some such thing this year.

Translation: "**** everyone else, I've got mine."

If we want to act like the top country in the world, then this is the type of situation where we show it.

We act like the "top country in the world" every time our private charities beat the hell out of gubmint institutions around the world --including our own-- in charitable giving.

agreed 100 million is not enough

 

[Wry Catcher]

If Obama offered one billion his detractors would complain too much; he offers 100 million and his detractors complain - damned if he do, damned if he don't in the minds of the fringe.
That aside, what do you detractors think about the credit card companies taking a 2 to 3% 'swipe fee' on donations made to Haiti relief via credit card?

 

[uptownlivin90]

Regardless of our own problems at home, this nation has a long and special relationship with d'Haiti that cannot be denied.

Yeah...In continually propping up brutal dictators who live the high life and keep the people in squalor, while the much more free inhabitants of the Dominican Republic live a moderately wealthy and prosperous existence.

They'd be better off with that much decried "total anarchy".

Nobody's denying America's has it's faults. Yes, this nation has propped up plenty of dictators in d'Haiti, I'm Haitian myself and the first to fight on d'Haiti's behalf. However I will say that the past year or so I've been relatively pleased with President Preval's government, and while I still wish Aristide would be allowed to return. Preval though has done alot of good and d'Haiti's economy was beginning to stabilize and their relationship with their neighbors including the US was strengthening.

I've been pleased with how the US government has been working with the Preval regime, recently as well, and I've liked the direction d'Haiti has been going under Preval. I think right now there is a monumental difference between the US in the late 90s early 00s and the US today and it's policy toward d'Haiti. PReval is a realest and a pragmatist and knows how things work, he's also representative of a new innovationist spirit which can open up various opportunities for d'Haiti.

There's no better leader then Preval at this time for the US to work with in interveining during this crisis and Preval's leadership needs to be protected by the international community, mostly by the US and d'Haiti's immediate neighbors. If we are going to send troops it must be by the approval and in the name of Mr. Preval and keeping the legitimate government in power.

 

[Oddball]

How 'bout just leaving those poor people alone and quitting the haughty pretense that we're doing them any favors?

 

[WillowTree]

If Obama offered one billion his detractors would complain too much; he offers 100 million and his detractors complain - damned if he do, damned if he don't in the minds of the fringe.
That aside, what do you detractors think about the credit card companies taking a 2 to 3% 'swipe fee' on donations made to Haiti relief via credit card?

We think you are perfect!

 

[Life_Long_Dem!]

It is VERY sad to see the state our once great nation has become. It is lower than the lowest of lows that a HUMAN tragedy has to be turned into something political as a means to continue bitching and whining like 2 year old spoiled brats about what Obama is or is not doing. We should ALL be ashamed of how we are acting, this should be a time to come together and help fellow humans in their time of need but instead we are complaining about how long it took obama to respond to this as compared to the panty waist ***** bomber...WTF is wrong with everyone!

 

[WillowTree]

It is VERY sad to see the state our once great nation has become. It is lower than the lowest of lows that a HUMAN tragedy has to be turned into something political as a means to continue bitching and whining like 2 year old spoiled brats about what Obama is or is not doing. We should ALL be ashamed of how we are acting, this should be a time to come together and help fellow humans in their time of need but instead we are complaining about how long it took obama to respond to this as compared to the panty waist ***** bomber...WTF is wrong with everyone!

we are, unlike yourself, imperfect.. go stand with WryCatcher.

 

[Oddball]

It is VERY sad to see the state our once great nation has become. It is lower than the lowest of lows that a HUMAN tragedy has to be turned into something political as a means to continue bitching and whining like 2 year old spoiled brats about what Obama is or is not doing. We should ALL be ashamed of how we are acting, this should be a time to come together and help fellow humans in their time of need but instead we are complaining about how long it took obama to respond to this as compared to the panty waist ***** bomber...WTF is wrong with everyone!

If you want this not to be politicized, then keep gubmint out of it.

But that would be heresy in the world of the do-gooder Fabian socialist democratic, wouldn't it?

 

[uptownlivin90]

I'm proud of Obama and stand behind his announcement. I think the US has no choice but to act immediately and remain vigilant in our efforts to help the Haitian people. Regardless of our own problems at home, this nation has a long and special relationship with d'Haiti that cannot be denied. Our relationship has not always been the best, and neither us nor d'Haiti has been perfect in dealing with one another, but these are a people that have had a major impact on the United States since their own revolution.

Yes, our government has to take an active role in not only providing relief but helping d'Haiti re-build. I personally believe we need to send more troops, doctors, educators, construction workers, technicians, etc. I'm not for an interventionalist world policy, I do however realize how vital keeping d'Haiti from complete and total anarchy is to US interests. We need to get Haitians working, train them, and put their national destiny in their hands.

Ultimetly what we did in Europe after WWII in helping them rebuild is what it's going to take to rebuild Haiti and to get Haiti on it's feet. A MASSIVE effort. There's going to have to be a substantial US military presence in Haiti very soon, no doubt about it. Now some might choose to look at this as very costly, BUT I'd advise you to look at an opportunity for both nations to strengthen each other. Who knows what investing in rebuilding Haiti and creating a new and innovative, productive Haitian workforce could mean for the western hemisphere as a whole. The ends of massive intervention here are going to justify the means.

I don't think so..





Talking Points 1/14/2010

Bill O'Reilly | The O'Reilly Factor - FOXNews.com

d'Haiti is far from a nanny state. Yes aid in the millions is given to it every year. However it is hard to build growing economies on mountains of foreign debt. The nation's been in debt since it's revolution, and still suffers from massive debt that mounted from the Duvalier years. Like I said, the current government is far less corrupt and far more efficient then those that have existed before it. Debt relief took place largely in 2009 and the economy has been on the rise since then. It's very unfortunate that this disaster took place when Haiti looked like it was beginning to open up and the tourism industry was indeed just growing in strength.

 

[WillowTree]

it's like O'Reilly said (he can't help it,, he's imperfect" The US has pissed away 3 billion dollars in aid to Haiti and not one thing to show for it. Nobody knows where the money went. The people are worse off today than they were ten years ago.. and secondly.. the earthquake was a 7.0 on the Richter scale, so was the earth quake in San Francisco.. 62 dead in San Francisco, and tens of thousands dead in Haiti! What is the difference? Infrastructure. Haiti had none. Know why? cause the despot dictators took all the money and spent it.. Eighty percent of the population in Haiti lives on about 2 dollars a day.. No infrastructure and no centralized government.

 

[Oddball]

Yes aid in the millions is given to it every year. However it is hard to build growing economies on mountains of foreign debt.

No it isn't.

Try getting the hell out of the way and quit pretending as though your "benevolent patronage" is doing them any favors that they can't do for themselves.

 

[Big Black Dog]

What's so sad about that?

It just proves, yet again, where the true American compassion is: With the people.

I have to spread my rep. One of the truest statements I have heard all day

The thing won't let me give Dude any rep right now so I'll give you some rep PixieStix cause you gave some rep to Dude. That work out ok????

 

[WillowTree]

I'm proud of Obama and stand behind his announcement. I think the US has no choice but to act immediately and remain vigilant in our efforts to help the Haitian people. Regardless of our own problems at home, this nation has a long and special relationship with d'Haiti that cannot be denied. Our relationship has not always been the best, and neither us nor d'Haiti has been perfect in dealing with one another, but these are a people that have had a major impact on the United States since their own revolution.

Yes, our government has to take an active role in not only providing relief but helping d'Haiti re-build. I personally believe we need to send more troops, doctors, educators, construction workers, technicians, etc. I'm not for an interventionalist world policy, I do however realize how vital keeping d'Haiti from complete and total anarchy is to US interests. We need to get Haitians working, train them, and put their national destiny in their hands.

Ultimetly what we did in Europe after WWII in helping them rebuild is what it's going to take to rebuild Haiti and to get Haiti on it's feet. A MASSIVE effort. There's going to have to be a substantial US military presence in Haiti very soon, no doubt about it. Now some might choose to look at this as very costly, BUT I'd advise you to look at an opportunity for both nations to strengthen each other. Who knows what investing in rebuilding Haiti and creating a new and innovative, productive Haitian workforce could mean for the western hemisphere as a whole. The ends of massive intervention here are going to justify the means.

I don't think so..





Talking Points 1/14/2010

Bill O'Reilly | The O'Reilly Factor - FOXNews.com

d'Haiti is far from a nanny state. Yes aid in the millions is given to it every year. However it is hard to build growing economies on mountains of foreign debt. The nation's been in debt since it's revolution, and still suffers from massive debt that mounted from the Duvalier years. Like I said, the current government is far less corrupt and far more efficient then those that have existed before it. Debt relief took place largely in 2009 and the economy has been on the rise since then. It's very unfortunate that this disaster took place when Haiti looked like it was beginning to open up and the tourism industry was indeed just growing in strength.

Not a penny of it does the citizens of Haiti any good, no one can account for where it goes. It sure as hell ain't going to the good of the people.

 

[uptownlivin90]

it's like O'Reilly said (he can't help it,, he's imperfect" The US has pissed away 3 billion dollars in aid to Haiti and not one thing to show for it. Nobody knows where the money went. The people are worse off today than they were ten years ago.. and secondly.. the earthquake was a 7.0 on the Richter scale, so was the earth quake in San Francisco.. 62 dead in San Francisco, and tens of thousands dead in Haiti! What is the difference? Infrastructure. Haiti had none. Know why? cause the despot dictators took all the money and spent it.. Eighty percent of the population in Haiti lives on about 2 dollars a day.. No infrastructure and no centralized government.

It's rediculous to ignore the gains that were being made in the past two years both politically and economically in d'Haiti. The current Haitian government has been far more transparent and far less corrupt since Preval's election.

 

[uptownlivin90]

Yes aid in the millions is given to it every year. However it is hard to build growing economies on mountains of foreign debt.

No it isn't.

Try getting the hell out of the way and quit pretending as though your "benevolent patronage" is doing them any favors that they can't do for themselves.

Why isn't it?

Nobody said they couldn't do for themselves. Europe needed assistance after WWII we gave it to them, it did not make them any less capable of thriving as a society on their own. Same concept here.

 

[Oddball]

You sure you want to stick with that Europe example?

We still have military bases there, 60+ years after the wars have been over and the countries rebuilt.

 

[WillowTree]

Yeah,, we've come a long way in 26 years haven't we??

 

[Sinatra]

What's so sad about that?

It just proves, yet again, where the true American compassion is: With the people.

I couldn't rep you - that was very well said - and very true.