Gangs Armed With Machetes Loot Port-Au-Prince

Haiti is the fault of Haitians, no one else (I am talking about in general, not specifically experiencing an earthquake)

They have been independent longer than many european nations and look at the place

Yet still many in the west somehow manage to infantalise them and assume responsibility for their dire nation............


By all means donate voluntarily if you wish, just leave the guilt trippin

I would expect the same result from any people of any nation.

Take away your food, water and comunication and before long people will revert to survival mode.

I would imagine most of the people there do not know the extend of the damage to their infrastructure. Hence they may expect supplies unrealisticly.

Port ruined, Many Roads impassable, Airport out of fuel and conjested turning incoming flights away, Six hours to unload one plane because of lack of equipment.

Notice the first day everyone was walking the streets now everyone is running we devolve quickly when need be.

Things will probably get much worse yet. I hope the rescue teams are well guarded and our troops ready for ttotal chaos.

How do we get these videos?

It always amazes me when reporters and camera crews go into the most chaotic and dangerous places. How do they do it? Do they get dropped off by helicopter, shoot some scenes, and then get choppered out of there?

I wonder how long this is going to last in Haiti until some street gangs slaughter the nosy foreigners and their camera crews. Maybe we'll see some wild men hijack a helicopter?!! Or hunt, slaughter, cook and eat a pretty news reporter?!!

Originally posted by Cabaret Voltaire
How do we get these videos?

It always amazes me when reporters and camera crews go into the most chaotic and dangerous places. How do they do it? Do they get dropped off by helicopter, shoot some scenes, and then get choppered out of there?

I wonder how long this is going to last in Haiti until some street gangs slaughter the nosy foreigners and their camera crews. Maybe we'll see some wild men hijack a helicopter?!! Or hunt, slaughter, cook and eat a pretty news reporter?!!

indeed, for all the "concerned" folk, I wouldn't venture over there, you could end up as dinner

reply to post by Cabaret Voltaire


I was watching a reporter broadcast yesterday live from the scene and he was asked the question about safety. He basically said that they don't like to stay in any one place for more than an hour.

These news crews are completely self contained when it comes to supplies and power. Talk about a prime target for these suffering people who had very little to begin with.

The troops are slowly arriving but how can you really fight or control people who have nothing left to lose.

Two or three gang leadership who decide to be something other than the biggest dicks in town. Leadership from where people expect it from because it is who they fear.

A couple of gangs who become order in the chaos.

How is it that all their gang leaders are so stupid they don't see the potential?

reply to post by Subjective Truth


I don't think its racist to think they may be nefarious plots against people of color. Look at Jonestown.

reply to post by jibeho

The troops are slowly arriving but how can you really fight or control people who have nothing left to lose.

Difficult dilemma for troops. One misstep and the troops will be the headline news.

I think the troops are going there for rescue work and aid ... maintaining order will be left to the UN forces and the practically non-existent Haitian National Police.

To put it simply, I think it's time that Haiti considered becoming a department de outre'mer of France under a UN mandate. They are never going to make it as an independent nation.

This is salvaging for survival!

I can't believe all these hypocrites who are moaning for stores getting legitimately robbed by people who struggle to live in the worst situation imaginable, a situation that's been put even lower by the earthquake, forcing them out of the slums and mediocre flat buildings to live in the streets. And that comes from people who are writing this on their Mac Books, right out of the luxury and comfort of their homes in the North, and who only worry about the restaurant where they gonna go eat tonight. How miserable you are.

[edit on 15/1/10 by Echtelion]

reply to post by Echtelion


Tell that to the people who own the stores.

"Salvaging for survival" ?

Sure.

Looting for greed?

That, too.

Originally posted by Zosynspiracy
Haiti seems like a perfect example of why Africa is such a mess and while inner city America is such a mess. They're a bunch of welfare junkies and the rest of the world is their supplier.

Most inner city schools in America are given 3rd world budgets. You reap what you sow.

BTW, I think the gangs going after each other is a good thing. Let'em mutually destroy one another.

Originally posted by Subjective Truth
Hmm I know this is going to sound racist and I really am not I don't think skin color is anything more than how hot it is where your people are from but am I the only one seeing a pattern first you have Katrina and then this not to mention what goes on in Africa everyday is it racist to look at this way?

Anyone on this planet after 72 hours of that kind of disaster, especially if their faith or values have been shaken, will resort to immoral activity to survive.

Once the values are gone humans revert into pure survival instinct and its all down hill from there. Our inner beast rises up and takes over.

The thing with much of Africa is that it has been in this survival mode for some time. Its not isolated to Africa though.

The Soviet Union in world war two experienced some of this and Stalin's loyal forces had no mercy on the people who resorted to cannibalism and looting.

Other good examples in "White" nations include activity in the French Revolution and especially during the 14th Century hell on earth of the Black Plague and the Little Ice Age.

You take a human's food and water away, back them into a corner and they literally go beserk after about 72 hours.

Originally posted by lilwolf
This was to be expected... at least by me... whenever there is a disaster the worst people sometimes poke their little heads out of the garbage..

If they are looting to stay alive that is one thing but looting for the hell of it... well shoot em down.

Good idea.

Make the death toll even higher!?

Man I swear sometimes you people are just so damned heartless and bloodthirsty.

It's their country and it's not even your business, so you saying "shoot em down" is freaking disgusting and repulsive.

Sorry but grow a heart. Please.

reply to post by MikeboydUS


I respectfully disagree it seems when the chips are down the African americans turn on each other much faster than any other race sometimes it is even before the water and food run out. I am trying to figure out why I realize it has nothing to do with skin color but maybe it is cultural in nature but we have seen this more than once and Africa is almost like a highlight reel. Look at the news and it does not look like when other places have been leveled by earth quakes you do not see the formation of search crews to the same degree it is like lord of the flys or something.

reply to post by Subjective Truth


I would say thats stereotyping.

From my personal experience this is not the case. I worked as part of a security element at an evacuee center in Louisiana after Hurricanes Ike and Gustav.

The only people that I saw going "Lord of the Flies" were the ones who were desperate or criminals before the hurricanes. It has nothing to do with race or skin color. It has to do with the level of desperation and one's values.

There are plenty of historical examples, 14th century Europe especially, when values are lost and desperation sets in people will go "Lord of the Flies". White Europe has seen this especially in Pre Roman times, after the fall of Rome (the Dark Ages), and finally begin to emerge out of it during the Renaissance. There were spurts of this kind of behavior during the 18th and 19th centuries. World War 2 was the most recent. Its not isolated to any single group of people. Its not white or black, its human behavior.


Humans without values who are desperate will act like animals. It doesn't matter who they are ethnically or where they came from.




[edit on 15/1/10 by MikeboydUS]

Originally posted by Stormdancer777

Originally posted by LadySkadi
From what I understand, there are whole areas that were and are controlled by gangs. There wasn't police presence prior to the quake in those areas and there certainly isn't now. Very dangerous places even before this disaster.

Yes, I heard that as well.

It's going to get ugly for the simple fact that the nation of 9 million people didn't have alot of money or services to begin with. Now with a third of them 3 million with nothing and the rest with a few dollars over nothing, it's going to be impossible to just give food to close to 9 million people. In fact if what I think is true, the whole infrastructure of the island is messed up and not able to be used. They will need housing built, and infrastructure and where is all of that going to come from. I calculate in order to get the island nation back to a semblence of a nation, it will need 450 billion dollars in aid to help rebuild. Thats 50,000 dollars for every one of the 9 million people.

Well, let us see if order comes from chaos.

Haiti was chaotic before the earthquake, now with their country in total chaos maybe something good could come from this.

Let us be hopeful.

I would hate to be there myself.

Being unemployed my first thought was to maybe go down and help, I am highly trained in all forms of construction. But I believe it will be way to dangerous to offer my services in reconstruction, for at least 3 months.

I hope some type of humanitarian effort for reconstruction is offered. I just have a feeling any funds are going to be surreptitiously misplaced and misused.

reply to post by MikeboydUS



It seems that history has shown over and over again that disasters have hit many parts of this world and it seems that when the disaster hits an area that is mainly black all hell breaks loose. It seems they are much more quick to riot and disobey the laws when their is no one to enforce the laws anymore. And I could site example after example to prove my case.


I don't know why this is just that it happens I believe it is cultural and has nothing to do with race. But A perfect example is how the doctors have to leave because of security risks to the hospital in the main city why are the towns people that have relatives and others not protecting and gathering there? is this not what you would do if the city was destroyed?


And also you cited Katrina the only really crazy behavior was in new orleans not along the gulf the people in other areas helped each other. I beleive this is a real issue but political correct views do not let you see the facts. I believe the black race has some really bad issues going on culturally and I think it has far reaching impacts. And I truly believe it has nothing to do with race but is something else that is learned behavior and can be changed.

There is no excuse for looting and lawlessness. Not one of the three major religions condones these actions. The situation calls for a united effort of organizing and rationing supplies, not selfishly and brutally stealing and hording them. Because of the actions of criminals, it will be even more difficult to assist others, thereby making their situation all the more worse. It will take even longer to get the needed supplies and medical care to the sick and injured, meaning that many more will die and suffer due to the criminal actions of others.

There is no excuse or justification for lawlessness. None, ever.

Do not jump to attack those in this situation for sinking to new lows. It is not for us to judge anyone, not even ourselves. Do not jump to defend those who commit crimes and evils either. Wrong is wrong, no matter what your skin color, and defending others who commit evils is always wrong as well. Do not defend anarchy and injustice simply because you feel close association with those involved.

As for air dropping in supplies, that is the worst idea I've seen yet. You would only contribute to a lawless situation. Order must be restored, as always, before any efforts of assistance can begin or continue. Air dropped supplies would quickly be hoarded by the few and many more would feel that further lawlessness is the best and only option available to all if one is to ensure basic survival.

What bothers me most about the comments listed here is that not one of you has pointed the finger at the Haitian government for its corruption, lack of command and control, and its obvious abandonment of its responsibilities. Somalia did not have a government, Haiti supposedly does. Why isn't anyone faulting our continued support of this parenthetically inept and corrupt government? Why aren't you holding the officials in Haiti responsible for their lack of efforts? Our government, and most others, fully works hand in hand with the pathetic government of Haiti and not one of you have said anything about what a catastrophic mistake this is, and has been.

As well, not one of you has pointed the finger at Obama for further supporting and enabling the elected officials of Hattie to be shriek their responsibilities and continue to show nothing but a lack of action. It Reminds of the pathetic and inept Mayor Ray Nagin who allowed New Orleans to devolve into a much worse disaster than it otherwise would have been had an intelligent, non-corrupt, and responsible person been placed in charge.

Finally, our arguments should never be about black and white, but instead, what is wrong and right.

[edit on 16-1-2010 by Hot_Wings]