Poor Haitians resort to eating dirt

reply to post by runetang


I dont know if you where joking or not lol.. but in most cultures it is considered highly taboo to eat another human.. many would die before they did it.

reply to post by Bunch

Were is the U.S.?

I thought that the rest of the world, that apparently hates us soo much, wants the US to stay out of the business of other countries and mind our own business!!??

Im really confused.

I posted this article in Current Events here, but since this is the more active thread, I'll copy and paste my opinion on this topic in to this thread (if mods don't mind).

------------------------

Mud cookies.

It's a "source of calcium", yeah - but is this really the best we can do as humans?

We like to hang our heads high on our technological advancements; TV, phone, light bulb, aircraft, computers and more. We like to point to visiting the Moon and Mars as achievements. We like to point to our complex way of thinking; our complex social structure, all as a sign of accomplishment.

Yet, if you don't keep up, if you don't support the status quo, if you don't sell your soul to those who have managed to seize control of power over the world economic, military, and governmental systems, then you're left behind; spit on by the world, and left to die.

Why is it that we can dump trillions of dollars in to Iraq - more than 6,000 miles away - to wage war on a nation and a people whom WE armed, and whom did NOTHING to us, yet we allow people to starve and hold themselves from death by eating mud cookies, right here, practically in our back yard in Haiti?

I'm not trying to make an anti-Iraq War statement with this. I'm trying to make a common sense and human decency statement.

How can we sit and let people in Haiti, people in Africa - people all over the world - die of starvation and disease, while we support these criminal corrupt power hungry bastards that sit in the chairs of power in our countries who waste our tax dollars to support their own agendas and their own bank accounts?

Humans will never amount to anything more than intelligent savage beasts. I, personally, don't care for the stupid technological advancements, the military conquests, or the "peace treaties" that never bring peace. That no longer impresses me, nor should it impress anyone else.

What I want to see is us solve our deepest and worst social issues. I want to see us bring down the power hungry individuals who control the world. I want to see us solve world hunger. I want to see us cure diseases. I want to see everyone on the planet be able to live a full life, and have the same opportunities, freedoms, and luxuries that other humans enjoy.

Fighting and war are inevitable, so I'm not going to feed you a hippie, tree hugging, love your fellow man speech. But why allow it to be a tool of control? Why allow it to take over the world? Why allow it to line the pockets of our leaders with cash?

Why do we allow ourselves to be used as pawns on a global chessboard?

Have your hamburger and watch your television and think life is great and think we've come so far. I'd rather see everyone be able to lead their own lives and live them to the fullest, free of disease, famine, and war.

Originally posted by greeneyedleo
I thought that the rest of the world, that apparently hates us soo much, wants the US to stay out of the business of other countries and mind our own business!!??

Im really confused.

I second that! The rest of the world may not like us but they sure do love to take our money and are quick to complain when the money train stops. Maybe IRAN should send some humanitarian aid to Haiti.

reply to post by greeneyedleo


When I mention the U.S. I refer to what this country has done other instances with Haiti. Haiti and the U.S. have a long relationship, I would imagine that this country would come to Haiti's help in this instance.Thats all im implying.

reply to post by NovusOrdoMundi


Oustanding post, star for you! Thats what im been trying to say all along, just not that eloquently.

Why do you think the US isnt doing anything?
Maybe the Haitian government is crooked and standing in the way? I dont know for sure, just a thought.

For all of those who are really concerned, you can send your money here:

US AID TO HAITI

To address the immediate needs of the transitional Haitian government and the Haitian population following civil disturbances and a change in political leadership in February and March 2004, the U.S. Government (USG) developed the Haiti Response and Reconstruction Program for $425 million. In FY 2004 and 2005, USAID managed approximately $336.3 million of these resources to support the Interim Government of Haiti (IGOH) to help restore and sustain a climate of peace and security, revitalize its tattered economy, provide essential social services and improve conditions for democratic processes to take place, including free and fair elections held in the beginning of 2006.

A USG contribution of $198.8 million is projected to support the newly elected Government of Haiti (GOH) for FY 2006, of which USAID would manage approximately $156.6 million for the following programs: economic growth and employment generation, institutional support for the newly installed GOH, expansion of health, humanitarian, and educational services; and strengthening democratic institutions particularly the newly elected legislative and local government bodies.


click on link for more

Some more info on Haiti if anyone is interested:

Foreign aid to Haïti
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Foreign aid to Haiti)


Between 1999 and 2004, no new foreign aid to Haïti was sent because political instability made it unlikely that aid would be distributed properly. According to a World Bank report published in 2004, Haïti requires more than US$1.3 billion in aid for 2005 and 2006. In July 2004, a donors’ conference awarded Haïti more than US$1 billion in pledged aid for 2005 and 2006. The United States pledged US$230 million in aid through fiscal year 2006.
en.wikipedia.org...

[edit on 29-1-2008 by greeneyedleo]

reply to post by greeneyedleo


There's a difference between meddling in the internal affairs of other nations, staging coups, and invading and helping out fellow human beings in need.

If the "how do you like me now" attitude really makes some of you feel better; if you really laugh in the faces of the innocent and the starving because THEIR GOVERNMENT has disapproved of us before, and now they're seeing some sort of error of their ways for not giving in to our power, then I really feel sorry for you.

Being an economic super power has super responsibilities and obligations. At some point you have to drop the political bull# and realize that fellow human beings, ACTUAL LIVING PEOPLE, are suffering and dying. Pain feels the same in every language, in every race, in every nationality, and in every religion.

Does there always have to be a political or strategic gain to help out? Does there always have to be an obligation of re-payment on the shoulders of those we help?

Here's an example for you: Bangladesh donated $1 million to aid in the clean up and rebuilding of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Was Bangladesh pounding it's chest afterwards looking for political gain? Were they on the international stage saying "look at us! we're good people! we donated!" like the United States always is? Look up how poor Bangladesh is - yet they donate to the richest country on the planet. THAT, my friend, is commitment to fellow human beings, no matter what country's borders they reside inside of.

At some point, all of the political garbage needs to be dropped. At some point, we need to stop attaching price tags and country names for personal gain and recognition to aiding fellow humans, and just DO IT! JUST HELP!

Don't punish the innocents for their government's choices.

Don't paint the innocents with the same brush you paint the government with.

Don't assume the innocents hate the United States as much as the government does.

Don't make the innocents suffer just to make the government suffer.

[edit on 1/29/08 by NovusOrdoMundi]

Wow. I guess parents can stop using the worn out "Finish your food, you know there's children starving in China" line and start using "Finish your food, theres children in Haiti eating dirt patties".

reply to post by NovusOrdoMundi

If the "how do you like me now" attitude really makes some of you feel better; if you really laugh in the faces of the innocent and the starving because THEIR GOVERNMENT has disapproved of us before, and now they're seeing some sort of error of their ways for not giving in to our power, then I really feel sorry for you.

I have no idea why you are addressing this to ME. I am not laughing in the face of ANYONE. My heart goes out to these people....as it does for ANY people who are suffering.

I asked a simple question because I was confused on this issue.



[edit on 29-1-2008 by greeneyedleo]

reply to post by greeneyedleo


Thats something that sometimes I dont understand, when this country sends money to other countries it shoud pay close attention to really see if the aid is getting to the people that really needs it. This country sends billion of dollars around the world and has been doing for decades, how effective this aid has been? Has it really change a lot? I dont think so.

Maybe they should think of other ways to make sure this money gets to the people that really needs it in a way that they would take advantage of it'

Like:

Bill Gates Announces $306 Million In Aid To Boost African Farmers

reply to post by Bunch


I completely agree with you.

In fact, if we donate money to one of these many organizations....how do we, the little people, know that the money is REALLY going to help these people?

Maybe that is one reason why some people dont donate?!

Originally posted by greeneyedleo
Why do you think the US isnt doing anything?

Am I reading that right? $156 million in aid to Haiti in 2006?

Oh....

Israel has received more U.S. military assistance than any other country, both in terms of grant aid and military sales on a concessional basis. Since 1987, the U.S. has provided an average of $1.8 billion annually in the form of Foreign Military Sales (FMS), Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and funds to support research and development.

en.wikipedia.org...

$1.8 billion....$156 million....$1.8 billion....$156 million....

Yeah. Israeli military aid is more important.

reply to post by Bunch


The truth of the matter is this:

You can throw all the money you want at a problem and its never going to be solved.

Aside from the help not going to those who need it most and supporting corrupt governments, the people we are trying to help are not educated enough to help themselves.

As the saying goes, teach a man to fish...He'll eat for a lifetime.

We need to be educating the world and getting involved on a personal level, not using a band-AID to cover up an endemic problem.

Educate the masses, problem solved. People need to grow their own food locally, not have it shipped 10,000 miles across the sea.

Originally posted by greeneyedleo
I have no idea why you are addressing this to ME.

I said, "if it really makes some of you feel better..."

It wasn't addressed solely at you.

Originally posted by greeneyedleo
I asked a simple question because I was confused on this issue.

It sounded an awful lot like you were mocking the rest of the world by basically saying that they love to hate us, but when they're in need, they come to us holding out their hand.

If that's not what you were saying, then I apologize.

If it was, I stand by my post.

Actually, I stand by my post anyway, because I know there's other people who feel that way.

reply to post by NovusOrdoMundi


I wasnt mocking. It was an honest question - I feel like im always hearing that the US needs to butt out of other country's business. It has NOTHING to do with whether or not I feel the US SHOULD step in and help.

And since you replied to me, I assumed you were addressing me and lumping me in with whomever else you were talking about.

reply to post by biggie smalls


I completely agree with your post. Im form the opinion that all this money thats is thrown all around is just a front so when people ask, "what is the U.S. doing?" the government can go and cite how many millions they thrown around.

There is no real commitment to resolve this issue, its a shame that people like Bill Gates and Oprah had come to realize what the core of the problem is and not our government.

Originally posted by greeneyedleo
I wasnt mocking. It was an honest question

Then I apologize for my argumentative tone.

Originally posted by greeneyedleo
I feel like im always hearing that the US needs to butt out of other country's business.

We do. But does that mean if we can't run their foreign and domestic policy affairs with threats and intimidation to better favor our long term agenda that we can't possibly find it in our heart to help out innocent human beings?

Originally posted by greeneyedleo
And since you replied to me, I assumed you were addressing me and lumping me in with whomever else you were talking about.

Pretty much the first sentence was directed at you, and the rest was directed at people who have the mindset that other countries shouldn't accuse us of meddling in their affairs, only to expect some help in times of need.

My basic point is, everything has become so centered around government and politics that we can't do ANYTHING without politics and government being involved. It's gotten to the point that because our governments are at odds, now our governments can't help the people in times of need. It's like we take our disagreements with the government, and we paint the people as the enemies.

That's wrong and it needs to stop.

[edit on 1/29/08 by NovusOrdoMundi]

reply to post by never_tell


I'd say of all the posters you hit the nail on the head. The Government is us. If they send help it comes from taxes and most is wasted. If people would do their homework they would find that Christian Charities in general do a infinitely superior job of getting more of the donations to those in need. The motivation is different entirely. It matters not whether you are a Christian if your real purpose is to help; look into these charities that actually help people where they live and pull out your checkbook.

In the end the real solution is in the Haitians hands. Only they can fix what is wrong. We can only help through education and a helping hand with food and necessities. Until the Haitian population rises up and says no more; there is little that interference can do for them. Clinton tried, or has everyone forgotten. What did it accomplish?

Pull out your wallets or there is nothing to complain about.

Thank you Never_Tell. I may use a different route but your point is taken.



This thread reminds me of those commercials where a group of people stand around someone sinking in quicksand discussing a plan while the man goes under; then a pragmatist comes along and saves the man.

I'm saying, Chef Boyardee makes "meat-enriched flour" meatballs and meat centers for their canned ravioli's, why can't someone in Haiti start making meat-enriched-dirt patties?

It's the next big business, a little bit of meat juice squirted into the yellow dirt, mixed up and baked, mmm..

It could be worse, they could be eating bread leavened with cow dung like Ezekiel did while laying on his side for 3 weeks in his self titled book, "Ezekiel".