Anger, frustration hindering Haiti quake relief

It would seem that the US is only letting in what they want in, the rest of the world is getting a low priority by comparison. Sounds a lot like the US is trying to get as much propaganda out of this as they can. And when all this is eventually over all the first weeks’ photos will be of US everything. There would seem to be a profit in anything if you only look hard enough.

grafton: you mean perfect background setting to justify the receipt of Nobel Prize(?)

Seems like a Catch-22. Not establishing control means getting in aid will turn into a bloodfest. Not getting in aid will result in more death. My guess is that they're trying to establish some measure of control so when the planes do land the material isn't wasted.

remember, this is a disaster zone, before and after.

“What happened is the will of God. We are in the hands of God now.”

I have always had issues with the concept that a paternal diety would somehow will death and destruction upon innocent people. Natural disasters are the will of nature and not that of any diety. How we as people respond is in our hands and not in unseen hands.

What is important now is for people to turn to each other and get through this. For those of us far from Haiti, we must donate to assure that aid is given and press our governments to do a lot more to help.

Japan is barely reporting this disaster. Wake up Japan and help out more!! One day it may be Tokyo or Osaka digging the dead from collapsed houses, I hope the world takes more note of the disaster much faster than the media and government of Japan have responded to this tragic event.

Grafton, someone needs to control the airspace, air and sea ports, maintain security so that an organized disaster relief is possible. You don't just let every tom, dick and harry fly in and out and cause a traffic jam on the tarmac. Haven't you heard that there is no avgas left? Who then would be your choice to perform that monumental task, The UN, the Haitian government, who then is capable and has the closest resources to provide that measure of assistance? There is one (1) runway and the Haitian air traffic control is gone. How are you going to regulate safe landings, unloading, refueling when the avgas arrives and takeoffs without some measure of control? Take a look at the google satelite photographs of the airport and you decide if you would want planes buzzing in and out without someone who knows what they are doing in control. The US military is doing the best they can and if you are smarter then them, I'll elect your president of Haiti and you fix their problems.

"Who ya gonna call" ?

As I see it -all is going as planned and expect the U.S. Military to be in Haiti for a long time.

Talk about conspiracy theories. The US and UN have taken control of food and water distribution to help give aid and nothing else. If anybody thinks that they can just drop off the food and water at the airport and everybody will distribute everything fairly is silly.

You've got desperate people who are taking up arms, whether a clud or a rock, and all hell would have broken loose already. < :-)

Japan is barely reporting this disaster. Wake up Japan and help out more!! One day it may be Tokyo or Osaka digging the dead from collapsed houses,

I think unfortunately you have answered your first point there. The relative lack of coverage may be due to the fact that nobody wants to be reminded about and have to think about your third point.

International Help is slow and a joke,it needs to be speeded up.

Haiti citizens are saying Haiti Govt/US/UN is a joke,for not providing food/water fast enough.

These are poor third world people complaining in Haiti,so who cares, to speed up help.

GJdailleult. I wish it was because Japan is seeing their reflection in this, bud sadly I think the main reason is that this just isn't interesting enough to break the egocentric nature of media here.

There are lessons to be learned by watching other nations confront major disasters. Japan should be treating this story with much more interest and investment.

About US conspiracies. Reaching a bit don't you think? Why on earth would anyone target such a poor country. Keep in mind that imperialism requires investment and is almost always done with the expectation of a positive return on investment in either money or power. Controlling Haiti would result in neither.

You know folks,once in a while governments really do hold out a hand in true friendship and with compassion. Thanks to the US for doing all it has and for their services that are enabling others to help as well.

It is easy for us to sit here and read this and get angry because the aid is there but the planes carrying it aren't allowed to land. But we aren't there and can't see with our own eyes the conditions the U.S. military has to work with. I would imagine they are doing what they can. But things in there are dangerous and they have to make sure that what supplies and aid do land aren't hoarded by a few scammers, that others who get food, water or medicine are macheted to death for it, that all those who need help the most get it.

Yes, the aid is needed now, but getting it out to people and keeping them safe after they get it, has to be established first.

The whole situation will deteriorate into a Mad Max world unless armed forces are called in.

Say what you want about the USA or the UN, but I have been many times to Haiti and even at the best of times the airport was only marginal in it's operations! I doubt that the US military can do any worse!

Haiti has been a basket case for years (if not centuries) don't expect miracles now! Especially after this latest disaster!

I feel for the people but with only one airport, one seaport and one land crossing between Haiti and the Dominican Republic things didn't move fast even in the best of times, add to that,virtually no paved roads outside the capital and what you get is an impossible situation for even the best of us!

Japan is barely reporting this disaster.

That is so true! Instead of focusing on current events, after little coverage of Haiti. Japanese TV stations have been airing stories about the Kobe earthquake instead. Forget about the present lets just talk about us in the past. You should feel sorry for us too. We should get the Olympics too.

I say measures have to be set up first. If not a bad situation can become worst. It is an impoverished nation because of Western influence. Foolish people like Pat Robertsen who blame the poverty and earthquake damage on the slaves making a deal the devil bull@$$t. Like so many ignorant religious nuts he didn't learn in school that after the only successful slave revolt in history. France and the rest of Europe put a trade embargo on the newly freed nation. They never recovered and I don't even want to mention what they were doing to them in the Domincan Republic.

This made the infrastructure of the small nation ill prepared for such a disaster.

Why did Mr Obama pick Mr Bush? Didn't Kanye West try and tell Mr Obama that Bush doesn't like black people?

"Haiti has been a basket case for years."

If they had anything the world wanted, this would not be the case. The sad fact is that places with nothing to offer to the global consumption monster (e.g. consumers to consume, trained workers to make things or natural resources.) then they go ignored. Their people are dismissed and their economies left to rot.

This is the reality of capitalism. Sadly it only comes to glaring light when something horrible happens.

Why did Mr Obama pick Mr Bush? Didn't Kanye West try and tell Mr Obama that Bush doesn't like black people?

He is teaching Mr. Bush Jr. the error of his ways. Like someone teaching a slow child how to read. Hopefully, Mr. Bush Jr. will get it right this time. His mother is the worst of the bunch. She and Bush Jr. should both be out there passing out aid in person. She is the Ebenezer Scrooge of Texas.

Tatanka sounds like the only ingrate. Or you are JT staff just wanting to stir up conversation to get more views for advertising revenue. Do you want some attention too? You sound like Japan lets talk about me and my problems. We had an earthquake too.

The natural disaster has struck, but what then? The survivors should have received adequate help from their fellow human being, but this doesn't happen. Those who seek a promotion of their image may boast performing a complicated surgical operation in one person in a special makeshift hospital, while at the same time thousands around are dying from thirst. Hundreds of thousands will die in Haiti, not because of the primary natural disaster but because of the secondary (but much larger) disaster – the lack of adequate aid which their fellow human beings must have provided to them.

We know from our own disasters that the task is very difficult to provide proper aid. The key question here is how do we improve upon this? Let's face it Japan is staring down the barrel of major quakes are are cities like Seattle, Salt Lake City and hundreds more around the planet. Add a hot summer or a mid winter timing and the scope can be horrific.

We need better global solutions to disaster responce.

Beg your pardon, maybe Japan is airing Kobe to point to the fact that it doesnt have to get to the violent level that is being seen in Haiti. Maybe they have a subtle point. We should feel for those lending their time and support in this, really it is of no concern and hindrance to them if they ignore and only can pray. Japan has it easy in making a point, the US gets the ground work huh.

Japanese TV stations have been airing stories about the Kobe earthquake >instead. Forget about the present lets just talk about us in the past. You >should feel sorry for us too.

The anniversary of the quake was Sunday of course they're airing footage of the quake and the memorial services here. Obtuse much?

I've seen reporting on Haiti daily since it occurred.

1 clogged airport, one damaged port, one overland unpaved highway from another hell hole. Some of those that will die or have died will be free from this stupid little money hungry planet of greedy no gooders.

When Hilary Clinton went to Haiti a few days ago, it was reported that the Coast Guard plane she landed in was to evacuate some US citizens and had several hundred meals for US embassy staff. Is that a priority for the Haitian people? Haiti is also a part of Caricom...*Caribbean Community) one thing that hasn't been reported is how other Caribbean islands have been responding and attempting to send aid.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Caricom-Haiti-blocked http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/business/Haiti-aid

One of the major telecoms companies in Haiti (Digicel) which has a big presence in neighbouring Jamaica, was attempting to fly in equipment which would expedite the recovery of the communications links that were damaged in the quake, but their flights were turned back. Isn't the restoration of communications also important?

Among others, I think that part of the US's reason for 'taking control of the situation' is to ensure that there is no mass exodus of boats trying to go to Florida as was the case many years ago.

Maybe they have a subtle point. We should feel for those lending their >time and support in this, really it is of no concern and hindrance to them >if they ignore and only can pray. Japan has it easy in making a point, the >US gets the ground work huh.

No, you are giving them too much credit. I have been talking to Japanese folks since it happened everyday. They say simply say shoganei then talk about the one in Kobe. This has been with all I have talked to. I see Japanese people everyday. There is no profound lesson being taught but simple indifference to issues not involving the Japanese. It also explains the slower response by the Japanese to this disaster. And they wonder why they don't get the respect they believe they deserve.

I guess it just depends on who you are talking to in Japan. The people I talked to about Haiti expressed their disbelief at how terrible the destruction was, we talk about how horrible the Kobe quake was and how much worse it is in Haiti. And they get emotional thinking about how horrible it must be and what those people are going through. A couple of my friends have even already made donations. Not so indifferent. Don't get me wrong...what coverage there is about it seems to be minimal and the gov't seemed to be dragging their heels on getting help over there. But not every Japanese person is as apathetic as we may think.

When Hillary Clinton went to Haiti a few days ago, it was reported that the Coast Guard plane she landed in was to evacuate some US citizens and had several hundred meals for US embassy staff. Is that a priority for the Haitian people?>

-The rich "entitled" will always be taken care of first. It really has nothing to do with Haiti or its' people. As a member of the populace (non-entitled) you must work as a slave (Haiti $1-2 a day) until you die or perish in a natural disaster and then another slave takes your place.

Instead of complaining you should be bowing down to your Master and be thankful that they are safe. Someday they will come back and enslave you again -and everything will go back to normal.

How many land owners with choice land parcels lost their land rights after the Kobe earthquake? -The reason many stayed in their tents for so long. =This sort of crap happens in Japan also.

http://www.debito.org/kobequakeupdate2.html ?Debito rears its' ugly head again -laugh, but this is a serious issue?

Fancy to let the Americans lead the rescue and aid efforts.

Look what happened to people in New Orleans after Katrina came and swept it away.

@Atrophy

Look what happened to people in New Orleans after Katrina came and swept it away.

Look at who the President was at the time. It will explain a lot.

I am appalled by all the anti-American rants and BS conspiracy theorists. All we are trying to do is help those suffering, yet according to most of the JT crowd, our services aren`t wanted. At times I wish that the US would turn their head at ALL disasters worldwide. Suffer on your own and dig yourself out. Happy now?

Even Doctors without Borders is questioning the priorities of the airport 'management':

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,583250,00.html

WayneRooney

Why did Mr Obama pick Mr Bush?...Bush doesn't like black people?

Hey it's a way to get republicans involved, not just the democrats.

I think that they might have picked baby bush because Daddy Bush is getting older and it's a way to blur bush's reputation of being a jerk. < :-)

How many land owners with choice land parcels lost their land rights after the Kobe earthquake?

It said quite clearly that the land bought by the city was the site of apartments these people rented, not their private land. The article is 10 years old, to my knowledge they were provided with public housing.

America is doing its best in a very difficult situation. It is just not possible to bring more relief in faster! About propaganda, I do not think this is true. What more can the US do? Also the sight of President Obama, Presidents George W Clinton and William J Clinton was a good one fostering goodwill. I understand the frustrations of the Haiti people but they have to be patient.

"America is doing its best in a very difficult situation."

Therin lies the problem. As usual it's pretty much "only" America that is doing its very best. As the worlds second largest economy Japan has fallen woefully short. The EU just wants to send money. Nobody else wants to get in and actually get their hands dirty. Japan should be providing security forces, as should the UN. The EU needs to step up it's level and variety of charitable donations. And all this nonsense about "occupying forces" and other criticism of the US efforts needs to stop. We got some bitter people out there looking to bash America at every step. Damn shame.

Branded, other countries have been sending doctors and aid and have been turned back at the airport. The BBC is now reporting that a deal has been reached between the UN and US where the US decide to allow more slots for humanitarian flights, instead of the 60% humanitarian : 40% MILITARY that they have been allowing since taking over the airport.

Yes, the US military has had to make choices as to which relief planes could land and fit into the congested airport. Did they favor US military aircraft over foreign help? I wouldn't be surprised - possibly because management knew the contents of specific planes was more useful than others.

I'm very pleased to see the US military so involved with relief efforts in Haiti. Given the US military presence in Japan, I hope Japanese leaders are watching very closely. When the next major earthquake strikes Japan, and the US military again offers help, hopefully the Japan's leaders will be able to vividly recall the relief efforts in Haiti and allow help from the capable US military. The lives they save could be our own.

Branded;

While I share your lament that there is too much knee-jerk criticism of the US (though you seem to have no problem with such criticism of Japan), you're way off in saying that only the US is willing to get in and do the dirty work. Canada has sent 2 naval vessels, 1800 ground troops (for relief efforts and security), plus strategic airlift.

Right now we have teams from Russia, China, US and Israel with teams digging out survivors. Israel has the best working hospital there with imaging equipment and clean instruments.

Even if more countries wanted to get involved they may have to fly into Santa Domingo like Doctors Without Borders has had to do. < :-)

"you're way off in saying that only the US is willing to get in and do the dirty work. Canada has sent 2 naval vessels, 1800 ground troops (for relief efforts and security), plus strategic airlift."

I stand corrected, OK, Only "North America" is willing to get in and do the dirty work. Other nations are now looking for excuse to get "turned away" at the docks. Hmmm, maybe these other nations need to send better negotiaters to the UN if they want in so bad. Sounds like just another "convenient" excuse to me. I mean, where are the French ? Isn't one of the main languages of Haiti French ? And Creole ? My understanding is that English is limited to the educated and young there. But then again, knowing the historical bad blood between the locals and the French, maybe its better that Frenchy stay home, as usual.

Only "North America" is willing to get in and do the dirty work. Other nations are now looking for excuse to get "turned away" >

Your news source is very American-centric. I've checked different world media reports showing photos of rescue workers from Central America, China, Taiwan, and various European nations on the premise doing dirty work.

Why would planes fly all the way from Brazil just 'looking for an excuse' to get turned away?

“We’re a kilometer from the airport and we’re going to die of hunger.” Right, because only people within a kilometer of the airport should get any food. Some of these people are even literally blaming God. Disasters bring out the best and worst in people.

I like that groups are complaining about being turned away without even considering why. It doesn't occur to them that there are more airplanes landing than the landing strip can handle. What they really don't have the balls to say is that they think they're more important than the other planes that are landing. I dare them to say what they're really thinking.

As I said on the other thread, it was just a matter of time before people started criticizing the US yet again for not doing enough and quickly enough and accusing us of trying to take over the country.

What surprises me are the Americans here criticizing the Japanese - who, btw, are trying to help.

I opened on this with criticism of the way the US was selecting which flights were being allowed to land and which not. I did not and have not been critical of the US sending in aid and men. It would be total stupidity to the US was wrong in doing so, equally it would be total stupidity to reason that they are the only ones sending in help. They are not, but if you were to check the US media you would see that the rest of the world gets next to no mention of the work they are actually doing on the ground and this is especially true of countries that the US are not on friendly terms. Teams from all over the world have been digging in the ruins for days getting their hands very dirty. Are the US in there helping? Yes, without a doubt and only a fool could fail to respect them for the work they are doing. But that does not negate the political monster that is working out Washington manipulating the situation. Do I respect the American soldier that is going to have to face the out of control mobs on the streets, very much so, the aid workers digging out the dead, yes without question, the doctors, nurses and all the other personal that will be working on the ground all deserve out respect and our thanks for the horrible job that they are doing and will need to do for many weeks to come. These feelings are being expressed solely towards the Americans but to all the PEOPLE working to save lives. But while that airport is being run to suit the people in Washington I will not change a word I originally wrote.

I am appalled by all the anti-American rants and BS conspiracy theorists. All we are trying to do is help those suffering, yet according to most of the JT crowd, our services aren`t wanted.

Yes, there are a lot who are ranting, but definitely not most. Tune 'em out. The U.S. and MANY other countries are pitching in. That is all that people should care about. There will always be those who will criticize the reasons behind the aid. And those are the same individuals who would rant on if the U.S. didn't pitch in. The military needs to be sent in or else there would be a bunch of humanitarian workers all knifed to death for their supplies. And it isn't just the U.S. sending in military.

People are also accusing Japan of not helping...they are; perhaps they could help more, but the point is, they are there. And if I do recall correctly, I had read another article some time back that stated Japan was planning on giving its support during the "third stage". Which meant long term aid. I think their take on it was to come in not at the very beginning (glad they are now!) but to be in there for the rebuilding and putting Port-au-Prince back together. I only ever saw that article once and Japan's strategy has never been mentioned again.

There are PLENTY of news stories on the internet detailing the many countries and organizations trying to help. Here are a few detailing the problems that have been encountered.

http://www.alertnet.org/db/an_art/55076/2010/00/18-135718-1.htm

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N18147232.htm

http://www.alertnet.org/db/an_art/55076/2010/00/18-173943-1.htm

In Paris, French Cooperation Minister Alain Joyandet expressed concern about the major U.S. military role in the country, saying it should be clarified: "This is about helping Haiti, not about occupying Haiti," said Joyandet, who last week complained about U.S. handling of the airport.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34915151/ns/world_news-haiti_earthquake/

Why am I not surprised? Gotta love it.

There is a lot of anger and frustration. But the media is playing up the exceptions to the rule. The following first-hand account sounds a lot more reliable to me:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/21/opinion/21trouillot.html