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Why the hell should we be in Haiti anyways?

danarhea

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[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9m7OXtze6CA&feature=player_embedded"]YouTube- Viva USA. USA2 rescue.MOV[/ame]

I think this video explains a lot about why we should be there. The reward is America once again claiming a role in the world as a nation to be looked up to. America does care, and the whole world knows it. And listen to the Haitian crowd chant "USA, USA, USA" as this team pulls a survivor out of a collapsed building. This alone is worth more than 100 cynical PR guys spinning stories. This is real, and this is what being "Americans" is all about.

I have my problems with this administration. Obama is wrong on almost every front. However, on this issue, I fully support his efforts, along with the efforts of former presidents Bush, Clinton, and Bush Sr, as well as all those who have gone to Haiti, either by deployment, or as civilian volunteers. They are all pulling together, and doing the right thing, as Americans have always done. America - You rock!!

I don't know about anybody else, but, at this very moment, I am listening to God Bless the USA by Lee Greenwood. Who wants to join me in a celebration of who we are?

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q65KZIqay4E"]YouTube- God Bless the U.S.A. by Lee Greenwood[/ame]
 
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We're there because it's the right thing to do. Because we are a people who help when help is needed and don't turn our backs. Because we are generous and responsible overall. Because many times we bring out the best in people instead of the worst in people. The problem isn't one of helping when help is needed, but the issue is why did it take a devastating earthquake and tens of thousands of deaths to realize and understand that Haiti has been suffering under poverty for decades. We saw the stories of Hatians in boats dying to make it to Miami's shores but never really cared enough to investigate why. I would suggest even if we DID know why, we wouldn't have done much about it and in reality we haven't.

My question is - what's the end game here? Stabilize the country, repair the government, get the people fed and keep some sort of order in the country. Then what? Is the U.S. and other country's going to fund the rebuilding of everyone's house? Provide them food / shelter for years to come? The recovery of this will take literally years. At what level will the rebuilding take Haiti and it's people and are we willing, 6 months, a year, 2 years from now to continue funneling money, food, resources to this country? I think after a while, the urgency will wane, the money will slow to a trickle and Haiti will be lucky to get back to where they were.
 
Im glad to see some people see the point we can argue over politics later right now its about saving lives.God bless all the rescuers.
 
I love my country and it makes me proud that Americans are such a caring people.
 
I love my country and it makes me proud that Americans are such a caring people.

This vid is all over dutch forums. On one, the sarcastic subtitle is called "Always those f**ing americans".

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1j5_2B0TR1U"]YouTube- CNN Reporter saves kid on Haiti[/ame]
 
Unless our own people need a helping hand, then we can't be bothered. "they need to pull themselves up by their boot straps" mentality prevails.
 
I am all for helping other nations but I believe it should not be a forced choice. I believe the Federal government should have a voluntary fund set aside for such a situation. This is funded by voluntary donations only, similar to charity organizations. I do not however believe any american should be forced to pay taxes by threat of garnishment or imprisonment only to have part of that send out of country with no say in the matter. But then again I feel this way about how a majority of our taxes are spent.
 
I am all for helping other nations but I believe it should not be a forced choice. I believe the Federal government should have a voluntary fund set aside for such a situation. This is funded by voluntary donations only, similar to charity organizations. I do not however believe any american should be forced to pay taxes by threat of garnishment or imprisonment only to have part of that send out of country with no say in the matter. But then again I feel this way about how a majority of our taxes are spent.

It's like $1 per taxpayer being sent to Haiti. Not as much money as you might think per person (but as a total it will help Haiti a lot).
 
We have little to no business there and I have a hard time justifying our activities. But let's argue about it later. Right now, let's help the survivors, as much as we are able.

Yes, this is a schizoid position but there it is.
 
I notice the First Lady is on TV asking for donations to the Red Cross for the Haitians. I wonder if this isn't racially motivated?. Would she be so eager to push for help to help the UK, if a massive earthquake took out most of its infrastructure, since the UK is largely a white nation?

Another thing I notice is the plight of the Haitian orphans. I can't help but notice the many white families reaching out and adopting these unfortunate little children. This is a heartwarming act, but yet, I don't see any black families stepping up to the plate to do the same thing. Perhaps there are black familiies adopting these children, but I haven't yet seen any on the news.
 
People like to bash the US, but they forget the Marshal plan and the rebuilding of Europe after the utter destruction brought by years of total war. They forget how we picked up our enemies from the ground and rebuilt their nations and made them Allys. They forget, who stood between them and the Iron Curtain.

American is holding the world from the Abyss for over 60 years, God Bless America.
 
I notice the First Lady is on TV asking for donations to the Red Cross for the Haitians. I wonder if this isn't racially motivated?. Would she be so eager to push for help to help the UK, if a massive earthquake took out most of its infrastructure, since the UK is largely a white nation?

Well, of course First Ladies are racists.

When the earthquake hit Wenchuan, China with 69,195 killed, 374,177 injured and 18,392 missing you didn't see Laura Bush on TV asking for donations. Why? Just look at Laura and then at a Chinese. Kind of obvious isn't it.
 
People like to bash the US, but they forget the Marshal plan and the rebuilding of Europe after the utter destruction brought by years of total war. They forget how we picked up our enemies from the ground and rebuilt their nations and made them Allys. They forget, who stood between them and the Iron Curtain.

American is holding the world from the Abyss for over 60 years, God Bless America.

What a load of jingoist bollocks. America profited from ww2 like a bandit. Britain only made her last lend-lease repayment in 2007. This after handing over sovereignty of several strategic bases in the Caribbean, and countless secrets including the A bomb and the jet engine, so ensure America's tardy entry on our side. Thanks for the help. :roll:
 
What a load of jingoist bollocks. America profited from ww2 like a bandit.

You mean 500000 dead?

You mean rebuilding the worlds economy and putting other countries on their feet instead of moving taking over their cities and factories like the Ruskies?

Britain only made her last lend-lease repayment in 2007. This after handing over sovereignty of several strategic bases in the Caribbean, and countless secrets including the A bomb and the jet engine, so ensure America's tardy entry on our side. Thanks for the help. :roll:


Better then being a region of Duetchland.
 
I notice the First Lady is on TV asking for donations to the Red Cross for the Haitians. I wonder if this isn't racially motivated?. Would she be so eager to push for help to help the UK, if a massive earthquake took out most of its infrastructure, since the UK is largely a white nation?

Another thing I notice is the plight of the Haitian orphans. I can't help but notice the many white families reaching out and adopting these unfortunate little children. This is a heartwarming act, but yet, I don't see any black families stepping up to the plate to do the same thing. Perhaps there are black familiies adopting these children, but I haven't yet seen any on the news.

And the thread got ruined in........
 
I notice the First Lady is on TV asking for donations to the Red Cross for the Haitians. I wonder if this isn't racially motivated?. Would she be so eager to push for help to help the UK, if a massive earthquake took out most of its infrastructure, since the UK is largely a white nation?

Another thing I notice is the plight of the Haitian orphans. I can't help but notice the many white families reaching out and adopting these unfortunate little children. This is a heartwarming act, but yet, I don't see any black families stepping up to the plate to do the same thing. Perhaps there are black familiies adopting these children, but I haven't yet seen any on the news.

Wow your like a sniper using bull**** as ammunition.
 
Again with the innocent civilian stuff, no such thing in war.

Well murder is defined as wrong in the parameters of society, where only the state has the legal authority to kill, or allow others to kill. Thus a nation is not bound by those laws or ethics.

God Bless America.

Indeed......
 
I notice the First Lady is on TV asking for donations to the Red Cross for the Haitians.

I do not know her motives and personally dont really care as long as it helping those in need. She could be completely racist but as long as she is not doing anything illegal and it helps I think we should leave it at that. I also think this is how our countries leaders should be handling it over using American tax dollars. The American people are a giving and caring people. We should let those help that choose to while not forcing those that do not wish to.
 
The earthquake was so severe that various things were lost there. From countless valuables to countless lives.
 
You mean like the bull**** that you Brits won WW2 all by yourself?

Ive never met anyone here who has ever said that.America did save us in ww2 however where you one of the people who did?
 
We're there because it's the right thing to do. Because we are a people who help when help is needed and don't turn our backs. Because we are generous and responsible overall. Because many times we bring out the best in people instead of the worst in people. The problem isn't one of helping when help is needed, but the issue is why did it take a devastating earthquake and tens of thousands of deaths to realize and understand that Haiti has been suffering under poverty for decades. We saw the stories of Hatians in boats dying to make it to Miami's shores but never really cared enough to investigate why. I would suggest even if we DID know why, we wouldn't have done much about it and in reality we haven't.

My question is - what's the end game here? Stabilize the country, repair the government, get the people fed and keep some sort of order in the country. Then what? Is the U.S. and other country's going to fund the rebuilding of everyone's house? Provide them food / shelter for years to come? The recovery of this will take literally years. At what level will the rebuilding take Haiti and it's people and are we willing, 6 months, a year, 2 years from now to continue funneling money, food, resources to this country? I think after a while, the urgency will wane, the money will slow to a trickle and Haiti will be lucky to get back to where they were.

Personally, I would like to see Haiti become a territory of the United States, much like Puerto Rico is. That might be a bit heavy handed, but what are we going to do if another earthquake happens or if they get hit by a tsunami or by a hurricane? Are we just going to go back and rebuild again? Why not just teach the Haitians how to manage their resources properly? It could be used as a tourist area and possibly agriculture.
 
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