Extremely Sad But True - American People vs. Rebuilding Haiti

[DisnyMama]

I am going on almost 2 years still looking for work and on unemployment and a single mom. I just started food stamps but I did donate to the Haiti fund Fri. night because I believe we MUST help our fellow man. Especially those that had so little before the quake and now have next to nothing and they need our help, and I believe that any help they receive that most Haitians will work side by side to learn and assist in trying to rebuild their lives.

I remember and lived just blocks from the epicenter of the 1994 Northridge earthquake that struck in the early and dark hours of the morning. Everything went black and you heard nothing but glass crashing all around and I was on the 3rd floor of a townhouse trying to get out of our waterbed. I couldn't find my glasses and managed to crawl to my son's room who was a toddler at the time. We grabbed him up and headed down the stairs as the aftershocks started and we grabbed pillows and blankets and sat on our front porch praying, and I mean praying for daylight to come. Here we sat with all our neighbors for hours while one after the other aftershock rolled through. My reason for saying all this is we are very lucky in this country and I truly, truly wish I could do more for these people. DS is 18 and would give anything to go to Haiti and help in anyway but we have checked it out and he does not have the qualifications so that is not an option at this time.

When I do get a job, which I hope is soon I will try and give more. That is just my feeling on this matter.

 

[mhsjax]

I too believe that we need to start helping those in our own "backyard" along with helping those around the world. It is sad that we as a country are willing to help out strangers rather than our own fellow neighbors. Why doesn't Hollywood hold telethons to raise money to help poverty stricken areas in America to help improve the schools and the neiborhood as a whole.

Because that wouldn't get as much attention as situations like Haiti> I don't care what Hollywood does, it is about attention and saying look at us, we did something great. Sure there are individuals that really care. but IMHO the "Hollywood Industry" is all about themselves.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Because that wouldn't get as much attention as situations like Haiti> I don't care what Hollywood does, it is about attention and saying look at us, we did something great. Sure there are individuals that really care. but IMHO the "Hollywood Industry" is all about themselves.

You mean like Bill Cosby who has launched a nearly one man campaign to improve the conditions of many in this country, through eductation, debunking myths, and challenging self fulfilling (negative) prophecy? Since he is viewed in varying degrees of popularity (from seriously disfavored through respected) I don't see where that is a "look at me" self centered act.

Helping is helping. If you want to help your neighbor then shut up and do it. Stop criticizing the way in which people help one another. If you don't agree then the solution is easy, DON'T DO IT.

 

[mhsjax]

You mean like Bill Cosby who has launched a nearly one man campaign to improve the conditions of many in this country, through eductation, debunking myths, and challenging self fulfilling (negative) prophecy? Since he is viewed in varying degrees of popularity (from seriously disfavored through respected) I don't see where that is a "look at me" self centered act.

Helping is helping. If you want to help your neighbor then shut up and do it. Stop criticizing the way in which people help one another. If you don't agree then the solution is easy, DON'T DO IT.

Read my post, I said individuals care but the HOllywood Industry is about themselves. I was responding to why they didn't help around here. Just so you know I have given to the Haiti relief. I don't care where people give. Just expressing my opinion about the "hollywood Machine'. You don't have to agree with me either. It works both ways. So please back off.

 

[SunnyP4Disney]

I too believe that we need to start helping those in our own "backyard" along with helping those around the world. It is sad that we as a country are willing to help out strangers rather than our own fellow neighbors. Why doesn't Hollywood hold telethons to raise money to help poverty stricken areas in America to help improve the schools and the neiborhood as a whole.

There's a big difference between what problems we have here than the absolute DEVASTATION in Haiti. Their whole country has basically been reduced to rubble. Hundreds of thousands are dead, many including Americans. There are reports the American death toll in Haiti will surpass 9/11!!! Children are dying of simple infections antibiotics could cure, thousands of Haitians will face amputation of some kind. The infrastructure is post-apocalyptic. You cannot imagine the suffering down there. If we turn our backs on this nation I have lost all faith in humanity.

We have FEMA, homeless shelters, food stamps, unemployment, Haiti has had no kind of agencies like those that can help the poor in Haiti. The whole country is poor. Criticizing those of us that have donated and continue to help in the relief effort is unbelievable. To the ones that criticize the effort, what are YOU doing in this country to help your fellow citizen? It's really easy to sit behind your computer and pass judgment on us while you walk by the homeless guy on the street without a second thought.

 

[suzanna1066@comcast.]

Nationality is a man-made designation and I am not about to check someone's passport in order to determine if they are worthy of my charity. Humanity is what matters most to me.

 

[Tiger926]

I totally understand that as citizens you want your own people taken care of, but this is a separate issue from helping THIRD world citizens who have been devastated beyond belief. It is our duty to help other human beings - it's as simple as that. The amount and type of aid can be discussed, but aid must be given to those who need it.

I wonder what would have happened if my country had said no to the the people who needed to be diverted in the air during 9/11 or all of the other efforts we helped with during Hurricane Katrina, for example? It would have been unacceptable to us as Canadians to not help your country. People need to think about what would happen if you were in trouble...many countries have come to the aid of the U.S. over the years...and will continue to do so.

Haiti is another country who is need of aid, and it needs to be given...There are many ways to help, financial aid being one of them. Canada is struggling a bit with our current government, but the amount of aid we've pledged to Haiti is unbelievable. I have at-risk students in my classrooms who are on social assistance and can't buy food, yet they just dropped coins into our Haiti pledge box that is sitting on my desk. It's nice to see that they get it...

Something to remember, Tiger

 

[SunnyP4Disney]

IMO, yes.

So you believe that we should not help ANY OTHER PEOPLE OR NATION before we fix every single problem in the U.S.? That statement has me at a complete loss for words. There but for the grace of God go I.

 

[Sanchez]

There's a big difference between what problems we have here than the absolute DEVASTATION in Haiti. Their whole country has basically been reduced to rubble. Hundreds of thousands are dead, many including Americans. There are reports the American death toll in Haiti will surpass 9/11!!! Children are dying of simple infections antibiotics could cure, thousands of Haitians will face amputation of some kind. The infrastructure is post-apocalyptic. You cannot imagine the suffering down there. If we turn our backs on this nation I have lost all faith in humanity.

We have FEMA, homeless shelters, food stamps, unemployment, Haiti has had no kind of agencies like those that can help the poor in Haiti. The whole country is poor. Criticizing those of us that have donated and continue to help in the relief effort is unbelievable. To the ones that criticize the effort, what are YOU doing in this country to help your fellow citizen? It's really easy to sit behind your computer and pass judgment on us while you walk by the homeless guy on the street without a second thought.

You have completely mischaracterized what has been said. I have not seen anyone criticizing those individuals or companies that have donated. In fact, such donations have been encouraged. Some are simply questioning our GOVERNMENT's decision to send tens of millions in relief when a) we do not have tens of millions and b) Any money that we do have could be used to solve problems in our own country.

I do not think it is a good idea to question the compassion of others. You have no idea what they may or may not do to help make others' lives better.

 

[curious3069]

I do question your compassion when you can't seem to understand the difference between a country that's been destroyed and poverty in this country.

I'll stand by what I said before, I would be ashamed if the US said they couldn't help. Our problems are big, but they are no so big that we can turn our backs on our fellow human beings in a dire situation.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Believe me, I would rather help the people in Haiti than some of those Americans I see on Maury Povich. Just sayin'.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Maybe we should send all of OUR unemployed people(especially contracters) to Haiti to help rebuild and pay them for their work as well as help out Haiti a little.

 

[cheermom1]

I do question your compassion when you can't seem to understand the difference between a country that's been destroyed and poverty in this country.

I'll stand by what I said before, I would be ashamed if the US said they couldn't help. Our problems are big, but they are no so big that we can turn our backs on our fellow human beings in a dire situation.

I don't mind the US helping but what a lot of people are saying here is that why so much when we don't have it????
I feel bad for them I really do and it was a horrible thing that happened..but you still have to give what you can not what you don't have and ask someone else to come up with it...in this case China..

 

[Sanchez]

I do question your compassion when you can't seem to understand the difference between a country that's been destroyed and poverty in this country.

I'll stand by what I said before, I would be ashamed if the US said they couldn't help. Our problems are big, but they are no so big that we can turn our backs on our fellow human beings in a dire situation.

I do not know if the bolded is directed at me. I assure you, I understand very well. We will just have to disagree on the matter.

Do you measure compassion on how much our government chooses to commit? If so, I suggest that we each disclose how much we have given to the Haiti relief effort. Whoever has the bigger number is more compassionate.

 

[SunnyP4Disney]

You have completely mischaracterized what has been said. I have not seen anyone criticizing those individuals or companies that have donated. In fact, such donations have been encouraged. Some are simply questioning our GOVERNMENT's decision to send tens of millions in relief when a) we do not have tens of millions and b) Any money that we do have could be used to solve problems in our own country.

I do not think it is a good idea to question the compassion of others. You have no idea what they may or may not do to help make others' lives better.

And what about the thousands of American citizens still missing and unaccounted for? Are we not supposed to spend resources and money to try to help recover them? As a Coast Guard spouse I am proud to see my friends and loved ones in Haiti helping in the relief efforts. I certainly don't feel it's a waste of money down there, that's what the CG is there for, to save lives and be there when needed. If we did nothing, there would be people in the streets burning effigies of government officials if we did nothing to look for our own. This IS our problem! If we don't help to get the rebuilding started there will be a MASS EXODUS of refugees on their way to the mainland. What happened in 1994 with the coup in Haiti will pale in comparison to the amount of people risking their lives to get to US soil.

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

I do not think that people are upset about "people trying to help other people." By all means, give as much as you see fit. The problem arises when our government makes the decision to give aid with money that we do not have. Further, many here expressed concern (a legitimate one) that perhaps priorities should lie within our borders. How our problems are solved is a separate argument and one that requires political debate.

Thank you. I think that's the main issue. No one is saying we don't want to help, I just think we CAN'T. We can't afford to help them rebuild their country b/c that costs money. If some contractor wants to spend their own money and donate their time, then great! But if it's the government sending the money and buying the material, then in essence that's OUR tax money that can be put to some use here.

 

[jodifla]

Ahh, the compassionte DIS boards.

As someone who spends a lot of time in Detroit, no way can you compare the two situations. Yes, things are terrible in Detroit.

But they are beyond horrific in Haiti. Things were always desperate there, but now, it's just indescribable. Last year, I remember a news story I almost couldn't finish reading, about a mom who was begging the reporter who was interviewing her to take her children, because they hadn't eaten today, and there was nothing to feed them tomorrow or the day after that.


Detroit children are going hungry, but they are not starving to death, or having untreated infections slowly kill them, or having to pick for food among rotting corpses.

Beyond the obvious moral imperative of us helping, which I'm surprised anyone can question, there's also the fact that Haiti just isn't that far from the U.S., and the U.S. wants stable countries surrounding its border.

 

[Sanchez]

And what about the thousands of American citizens still missing and unaccounted for? Are we not supposed to spend resources and money to try to help recover them? As a Coast Guard spouse I am proud to see my friends and loved ones in Haiti helping in the relief efforts. I certainly don't feel it's a waste of money down there, that's what the CG is there for, to save lives and be there when needed. If we did nothing, there would be people in the streets burning effigies of government officials if we did nothing to look for our own. This IS our problem! If we don't help to get the rebuilding started there will be a MASS EXODUS of refugees on their way to the mainland. What happened in 1994 with the coup in Haiti will pale in comparison to the amount of people risking their lives to get to US soil.

This is a completely different issue. We were talking about our government's decision to commit money for relief, not the Coast Guard.

I suspect that no matter how much we commit we will be inundated with refugees.

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

Where are "we" getting the $150m to donate? I thought we were broke. Don't we owe China a gazillion dollars now?

Wait, scratch that...China donated 150 million. It just has our "name" on it.
IMO, if we can afford to donate hundreds of millions to other countries, I never want to hear "we can't afford that" from our government when it comes to domestic programs ever again.

 

[Sanchez]

Ahh, the compassionte DIS boards.

As someone who spends a lot of time in Detroit, no way can you compare the two situations. Yes, things are terrible in Detroit.

But they are beyond horrific in Haiti. Things were always desperate there, but now, it's just indescribable. Last year, I remember a news story I almost couldn't finish reading, about a mom who was begging the reporter who was interviewing her to take her children, because they hadn't eaten today, and there was nothing to feed them tomorrow or the day after that.


Detroit children are going hungry, but they are not starving to death, or having untreated infections slowly kill them, or having to pick for food among rotting corpses.

Beyond the obvious moral imperative of us helping, which I'm surprised anyone can question, there's also the fact that Haiti just isn't that far from the U.S., and the U.S. wants stable countries surrounding its border.

So when you have a zero balance in your checkbook you cannot be compassionate? You are confusing compassion with the ability to give. Americans ARE giving millions for this cause. Sadly, our government has less than a zero balance.