Lil help please?

[Redballoon]

Im not even sure how to spell it, but I must speak up about Haiti.
One of the poorest countries in the world had a bit of an earthquake,...9 days ago!
Its only 90 miles away from the USA, and 9 days later there are still bodies lying in the street.
I have to ask, Apart the talk, what is the USA doing? You sent soldiers with guns in no time flat, but how about the good stuff?
I saw a great speech from your top guy, and he made all the right noises, but what I see on my tv screen each night brings me to tears.
Are you people happy with your governments efforts? Im not!
I hear the logistical problems are great, but for pity sake, you are the richest most influencial country in the universe (that we know of) and I think the efforts to date have been shameful. Not just America, but if America says it will take the ball and run with it, please start runnning!
Im not America bashing. I am begging you to ask your government if they could help faster and remind them that the world is watching and needs them to be the worlds policeman, fire fighter and doctor all at once.
If you cant do it, step back, say its too much and ask for help from the rest of us.
Please stop saying its under control when it so obviously isnt.
Im so angry and sad at the responce to date, it makes me ashamed of myself as a human being.

 

[Auggie's Dad]

Am I happy with my government? Never.

We send people with guns, but not the good stuff... has American ever done anything else?

As far as being the worlds policeman, fire fighter, and doctor all at once, clearly you think too highly of us. We are the world's school yard bully. We've got bombing, invasion, and torture down pat. But feeding someone else? No, we steal their lunch money.

America is the worlds largest and most successful terrorist organization. We're great at destroying, but we know nothing of building (we outsource!). We destroyed Iraq in a week. We've been working for years to rebuild it and so far have made no progress.

I used to give a //// but things don't change. So I'm planning on leaving as soon as I am able. I have, for at least the past 8 years, been horrendously ashamed of my own country and am morally opposed to contributing further to it's policies. Except as long as I'm here if I don't shut my mouth and pay my taxes I'll be locked up.

Sorry, not the response you were hoping for. But an answer to the question am I happy with my government? Never.

 

[TexDot33]

Wow, a RB sighting, and it has to do with Politics in the USA!!! This is not shocking to me ... HA!

Well, am I completely happy with what I have seen, no, but why is it always up to US to help EVERYONE? I know that we are closest geographically, but what about The Canadian Government ... I just have a problem with everyone thinking, "What's the USA" going to do to help ... MORE HANDS MAKE FOR LIGHTER LOADS!

 

[Spiritbird]

I have been in Haitai many years ago and saw extreme poverty then. I can only imagine what it must be now as a destroyed city. The people there are sometimes breaking out in song to help keep up spirits. The world has responded to this country's needs. It seems as though there is a lack of organization to get the needed supplies to the people. Babies are being born and babies are dead. Our country's response has been better than the lazy response to the needs of New Orleans after katrina. I am proud of all the Americans that have and will give up their time and energy in this effort.

 

[Redballoon]

Wow, a RB sighting, and it has to do with Politics in the USA!!! This is not shocking to me ... HA!

Tex, with respect, The people asleep in the street next to the bodies of their dead children dont think this post is about politics.
This post has to be about helping a people on their knees and not about the good and bad points of American life.
Dont bring me excuses,...Bring me results!

 

[Belle]

The USA gives more than their share to help the world. One nation under God can only give so much! Value your freedom. YOU do something. We have.

 

[BirdMa]

Well, am I completely happy with what I have seen, no, but why is it always up to US to help EVERYONE? I know that we are closest geographically, but what about The Canadian Government ... I just have a problem with everyone thinking, "What's the USA" going to do to help ... MORE HANDS MAKE FOR LIGHTER LOADS!

I totally agree.

 

[antoinette]

The USA gives more than their share to help the world
I totally agree.
My heart goes out to the people of Haiti.
Hope my donation to the Red Cross helps.

 

[genevieve]

I would have to GUESS that the issue is that most of our humanitarian efforts are staffed primarily by volunteers. If you think it is easy to arrange for a large group of volunteers to travel internationally to a country that probably doesn't have functioning airports, lodging, etc... then your expectations are set too high. I believe that the Red Cross has done a great job in launching a campaign to raise funds for relief efforts. And I'm sure that many other organizations are doing the same. My boss's 11 year daughter raised several hundred dollars with a cookie/hot chocolate sale. People here obviously care.

Our military is prepared to respond quickly to emergency situations. But despite the nickname, we are not the world's police - we can't just walk in to a country and take over. That would be an insult to them and their sovereignty.

My heart goes out to all of those suffering and those whose lives were cut short. But I don't fault our government for dead bodies in the streets of Haiti.

 

[Redballoon]

I think your point about high expectations may have hit the nail on the head.
We expect coz its the 21st century, anything is possible, when the truth is, we are human and things take time. That means there will always be suffering and we maybe need to expect a little less finger snapping to make things magicly better again.

 

[Auggie's Dad]

we can't just walk in to a country and take over. That would be an insult to them and their sovereignty.

We can. We have. It was.

 

[genevieve]

we can't just walk in to a country and take over. That would be an insult to them and their sovereignty.

We can. We have. It was.

Point taken. That doesn't mean we should do it again.

 

[BlueToast]

They got a better reaction time and aid benifits than New Orleans did when Katrina blew into town and that happen within US borders

 

[TexDot33]

They got a better reaction time and aid benifits than New Orleans did when Katrina blew into town and that happen within US borders

Part of the reason that the aid and supplies were slower to get there was the fact that one of the main ports was destroyed ... no one could get in.

This is a huge humanitarian disaster! I am not a smart person when it comes to "Worldly Events", I've never claimed to be I do know this though both my wife and I donated $10 bucks through our cellular phones (here in the States with most carriers you can text 'Haiti' to 90999 and a $10 donation will go to the Red Cross for Haitian relief) and it made us feel better.

Red, though this was a legit question, I know that it was more provocative than anything else. May I ask, as I do not know, how The land of Oz helped?

 

[Redballoon]

Well, Bill Clinton asked for cash instead of blankets so Oztralia slipped him 60 million bux.
Its been a tight year, and the electicity bill is coming up, you know how it is.
I did 43 bux from my paypal account, coz Debbie didnt know I had it.
My dear wife feels that while there are Australians going without, she would rather keep her money in country,......I disagree with her,...a lot!

 

[Redballoon]

Text, my ole sparring partner and friend, you have spurred me onto higer ideals.
Watch ths space in 24 hours and I will show you what I have done to back up my words,.........I hope this works!

 

[TexDot33]

... I did 43 bux from my paypal account, coz Debbie didnt know I had it ...

Oh great and wise Master, please teach me your ways as to hide money from our wifes ... $50 could be a good night out with the boys!!

Text, my ole sparring partner and friend, you have spurred me onto higer ideals.
Watch ths space in 24 hours and I will show you what I have done to back up my words,.........I hope this works!

Red it's good to see you around, and nice to have you here ... can't wait to see what you pull out of your hat next ...

 

[Redballoon]

OkTex.
After posting to you, I rang a busker I know and we arranged to go to the farmers market and make some money for Haiti.
I got on the dyalisis machine 2 hours early, so I could get off really early this Morning. Dave Picked us up and we went to work!
Proff spent 3 hours charming people and begging for funds for Haiti.
I took about 1 hours of footage, but here is a very cut down version.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmuEjOvi_20]YouTube - busking[/ame]
He raised $94.75 in 2 hours.
I had to do something more than whine and complain about others.
When it got too sunny, we moved into the shade and he continued making people smile, although, he bit 2 kids and one woman got a nip on the lip.
He didnt mark anyone, but I supected he was getting sick of it, so we went home and counted the money for Haiti.
Sadly the busker Dave made $122.40, so he won on the day, but all in all,...I feel a little better about what im doing.