Earthquake in Haiti: USA needs to help?

[Sandrock74]

I'm not indifferent to people needing aid or anything. If you find yourself in a position to render aid to someone in need, it's a great thing to help out, definitely!

BUT...

I was just watching the local news, and they were showing clips from people in Haiti demanding to know when the U.S. was sending aid for them. Excuse me??? Since when has the United States been appointed as the automatic caregiver to people in need across the world? Did I miss some world election on this? Did I sleep through the announcement?

I thought that most of the world still hates us? But, there is a natural disaster somewhere and all of a sudden we need to send money, people, and equipment? Then, these people in need stand there and wait with their hands out and then have the nerve to complain that we are not moving quick enough for them? WTF?

Why does this happen for virtually every natural disaster around the world? It just seems to me that when something unfortunate happens, the victims immediately turn to the United States. Shouldn't they instead turn to the United Nations? Shouldn't the world help them? With all that we do helping all these countries, where is the good will towards us for it? Why does it feel the rest of the world pretty much hates us, but they have no problem turning to us when a tsunami, earthquake, hurricane, or whatever hits?

How many countries sent aid to the United States for 9/11? How about the Hurricane Katrina victims...how many countries sent aid for them? These were issues that were taken care of by us ourselves (for better or worse). We didn't turn to other countries with our hand out and demanding they help us. There weren't clips of americans demanding aid from Haiti, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, etc. We did demand help from our own government, which our taxes pay for, but that's an entirely different matter.

That all being said, if we are in a position to help, I think we should...it's the right thing to do. I just don't think that when a natural disaster or terrorist attack occurs, the victims first response should be turning to the United States. The last time I poked my head out the window, the U.S. is in some serious economic shit of it's own! We have our own issues to attend to. Shouldn't the U.N. handle stuff like this?

Maybe I'm just getting cynical in my old age.

[slacker2114]

Actually, a LOT of countries sent aid to us after 9/11 and Katrina.

[venray]

and also, we set precedent in Haiti as we supposedly were aiding them all along before this happened,,,not that it looks like we were doing much good...hopefully we can change that and actually make a difference now....

[Carsomyr]

I don't really feel strongly enough about the role of the US to get into a deeper discussion here, but... two things:

I thought that most of the world still hates us?

So long as the Republicans are not in charge, most of the world is cool with you.

How many countries sent aid to the United States for 9/11? How about the Hurricane Katrina victims...how many countries sent aid for them?

As far as I know Sweden offered help for both those disasters. For Katrina the US didn't even formally request aid from us, but we sent it anyway. I'm sure a lot of countries did similar things.

[Cy/MiG]

The US doesn't need to help, but it would be beneficial to our [world] image.

But yes, I agree that overall it is not our sole responsibility. However, I'm fairly certain the rest of the world is stepping up to the plate as well.

Avoid the sensationalist media. They are full of more $h!t than knowledge.

[TklDuo-Ann]

In respect to haiti itself, we've inserted ourselves into their social and political lives for years. So, when they really need us, it's only natural to ask.

Why not the UN? We're part of the UN...a very active & vocal part. At the moment, those who were there in the name of the UN are mostly dead under piles of rubble like everyone else. We're nearby and logisticly among the most able to respond quickly as is needed.

Why do people hate us most of the time and look to us for help when disaster strikes? Largely because of our arrogant attitude and the fact that, as a much smaller part of the world population, we consume an inordinantly high percentage of world resources...leaving others to languish in poverty. For a nation that takes so much, we MUST balance the scale at least a bit by sending aid when and where it's needed.

[Sandrock74]

Actually, a LOT of countries sent aid to us after 9/11 and Katrina.

If they did, I've never heard of it. I'd like to believe it thou.

...hopefully we can change that and actually make a difference now....

That would mostly depend on the Haitian government I think, but it would be nice if things ended up better for them in the long run.

Avoid the sensationalist media. They are full of more $h!t than knowledge.

Yeah, I agree with you there! I don't normally watch the news anymore for this very reason. I just had the tv on for 30 minutes to fill time until the next program started.

Why not the UN? We're part of the UN...a very active & vocal part. At the moment, those who were there in the name of the UN are mostly dead under piles of rubble like everyone else. We're nearby and logisticly among the most able to respond quickly as is needed.

I guess you have a point too. I guess someone has to step in and maintain control of the zombies in Haiti. (Everyone knows Haiti is where zombies come from after all.)

[goddess_nemesis]

If they did, I've never heard of it. I'd like to believe it thou.

I couldn't find a list for the help other countries offered to the US after 9/11 like I did for Hurricane Katrina. Many countries offered help --> International response to Katrina.

[Sandrock74]

I couldn't find a list for the help other countries offered to the US after 9/11 like I did for Hurricane Katrina. Many countries offered help --> International response to Katrina.

Thanks, learn something new everyday. According to the info along the bottom of the page, we didn't even use all of the money and gas. I wonder why the heck not?

[Redmage]

I'm not indifferent to people needing aid or anything. If you find yourself in a position to render aid to someone in need, it's a great thing to help out, definitely!

BUT...

I was just watching the local news, and they were showing clips from people in Haiti demanding to know when the U.S. was sending aid for them. Excuse me??? Since when has the United States been appointed as the automatic caregiver to people in need across the world? Did I miss some world election on this? Did I sleep through the announcement?

Not the whole world, but the Western Hemisphere, certainly.

The US essentially laid claim to this entire part of the world with the Monroe Doctrine.

[Cosmo_ac]

Thanks, learn something new everyday. According to the info along the bottom of the page, we didn't even use all of the money and gas. I wonder why the heck not?

Generally speaking, the US doesn't need money. The US has plenty of money. What it did need at that time was supplies and manpower. Clean water, blankets, tents, food, etc. Thats what the real aid was.

[herts tickler]

its not just the usa being asked to give aid. i saw a news story yesterday that showed the uk, france, germany and china all loading huge planes full of aid. everyones doin their bit.

[Angel77]

its not just the usa being asked to give aid. i saw a news story yesterday that showed the uk, france, germany and china all loading huge planes full of aid. everyones doin their bit.

I saw several news stories showing the same thing. Seems like a lot of people are coming together to help.

[locker669]

Instead of sending money, send money and all the unemployed carpenters, electricians, etc. that need jobs. They can teach the Haitians a trade to benefit themselves and help rebuild their country.

[MrMacphisto]

Here's how I see it.

We don't owe them anything. They are quite frankly at our mercy. Still, there is a practical concern for helping them. We don't want things to get even worse there than they already are.

In short, they are too geographically close to ignore.

Now, what Governor Charlie Crist (Florida) has suggested is a seriously bad idea. He wants to put refugees in places like Jacksonville and Tampa.

BAD BAD fucking idea. It was painful enough when Houston and various other places took in New Orleans refugees during Katrina, but the crime rates will absolutely skyrocket with Haitian refugees involved. They already went up with Katrina refugees, and there was less desperation involved.

So, the solution is to help them with aid, but keep them the hell out of this country.