Oh how I wish it were true that Haiti were in the position for investors to come in and help bring the country into the 21st century where rich white folk would build homes as retreats or resorts where tourists could come in safety and spend their dollars. I learned from CNN that there were already 7000 UN peace keepers in Haiti because there is not a government who could provide for the safety of the citizens. Remember 'Papa Doc'? He ruled Haiti for decades and was known for his corruption and for the way he treated his own people. The next ruler of Haiti was his son 'Baby Doc' who was as bad as his father. The Haitian people have not had a government that could control the bad guys and provide basic services that a government should be able to provide. If the man who is the president now did not have any way to control the countryside. The day after the earthquake, the Haitian president was on TV begging for troops from the US and UN to provide order because he could not insure order or basic governmental services. The Haitians don't have any real history of democracy. The UN sent in people to watch the election for fairness, led by Jimmy Carter. President Clinton has been a special envoy to Haiti for the UN. His charitable foundation has spent almost a million dollars in projects. He and Hillary have been active in trying to improve the lives of the Haitians for 35 years. It's very sad that the countryside hasn't been peaceful in living history. Using Jamaica as an example, the resorts are gated and there are armed troops with attack dogs. One can't leave the resort property without having people coming to them constantly wanting $$. The dollar is the preferred currency of the country, even though they have their own currency. When you land in the airport at Montego Bay, their armed guards patrolling the airport. When I was there, we had gone there in Feb. It was uncommonly cold there that year and the radio stations told the people that they had to go to work, even though it was cold - it was in the 60s in the morning. A local news anchor went to Jamaica on her honeymoon. Even though they were at a nice resort, thugs broke into their hotel room where they killed the groom and took anything of value. This is a country where the government could provide basic services. Kingston, the capital, is a very dangerous place to go. From time to time, the State Dept. issues travel warnings. Jamaica is the most beautiful place I've ever been. But there are people who come up to you on the street who want to take you up into the mountains to see places like Johnny Cash's retreat. People come up to you offering to sell you grass. Would you get into a car with a drug dealer for a trip into the mountains to see their crops of grass growing while on your way to see some celeb's home? As much as I would love to go back, there's no way. It's appalling that there is such poverty in the 21st century when we have homes, food, and clothing that we rarely keep long enough to wear out unless we choose to keep them. Where would Jesus be if he walked among us? As Miss Linda would say, just thinking or just saying. Kathi, who would gladly have a third surgery on her back if it would 'fix' me. -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] Sent: Sunday, January 17, 2010 1:22 AM To: [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: Re: [SOUTHERN-CHAT] EARTHQUAKE............. I don't know where all the homeless people will go...I'm wondering if they will just shove the debris off into the ocean and start all over ? If homes are destroyed in a country where very few people have bank accounts, how will they prove they own the house place with no paperwork, receipts, etc ? Will they have Prefab, quickly built homes ? Will they put up barracks? Will the debris pushed into the ocean make new land and who will own it ? Would NOW be a good time to build it up into a tourist attraction , where the folks make their money off the tourist trade ? They said it was 80 degrees over there....sounds great to me ! More than ever folks from around the world are buying vacation homes in the warmer Countries....why not Haiti ? Yes, a very poor country, but maids, etc. should work cheaply...I believe the political situation is pretty calm right now.... Don't the living Presidents always get together during times of crisis to prove that we are all together in this relief effort ? Jeannie T ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ On Sun, 17 Jan 2010 06:03:54 +0000 [email protected] writes: > Miss Belle,I thought the same thing when I saw the three presidents on TV. My first thought was "and we are suppose to believe three politicians".I might just be over reacting.I pray this is one time they are telling the truth.Those folks in Haiti need help ,not empty promises. Linda,praying for miracles in Haiti ____________________________________________________________ Home Improvement Projects Click here to find experienced pros to help with your home improvement project. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/c?cp=zKJU-A7S1lXiwKssx_D-dgAAJ1BuHt EgYfARCKX2I2eGJBW8AAYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAShAAAAAA= ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message