The US got one of the Haitian Piers open and a road laid. They’ve already got one ship unloaded and supplies are flowing in.
American has gone through a lot these past years. Our economy took a serious hit. We had the terror attack at Fort Hood. We narrowly avoided another terrorist tragedy on Christmas Day. Our troops are stretched thin fighting two wars. I wasn’t sure how much America could help after the Haitian earthquake. Yet, it’s something we had to do. Of course we’ll extend a helping hand. That’s what our country does best.
I like this cartoon. It says it all.
Americans are still reaching out and trying to help others in need. We even have school children emptying their piggy banks for Haiti. America is still the country that cares and tries to make a difference. http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-396645?hpt=C2
The world today reminds me of the 1970’s when the economy was wrecked by inflation, gas was in short supply, we’d lost a war, and there was a general malaise in America. A Canadian Journalist wrote an editorial that summed it up best and became a hit on American Radio.
We’re quite, sort of, all right too, old chap: we’ve also had some nasty terror attacks and our economy has tanked too, and we’re caught up in your former president’s wars too.
I love the smell of exceptionalism in the morning. Smells like… ignorance.
That said, the US effort in Haiti has indeed been exemplary. Fair play to your country.
I should clarify that I realize many,many countries are contributing aid and offering support.
Everyone should be proud of what their country is doing.
I’ve been kind of low lately. A lot of things have been been going badly in the US. It’s good seeing that we are still willing to step up and help others in crises.
I read the OP as “this is America at its best”, not “America is the best in the world at helping”. Given the former interpretation, it’s totally fair - hard to argue with it, really.
I was a little disappointed/confused that we held 3 rescue units back. We had a unit in Ohio that waited 5 days for a plane. A C-17 was flown in from California, LOADED, and then the trip was canceled. I’ve heard a number of reasons behind it including insufficient ground support and displacement by foreign units.
I realize that we can’t save everybody but when you have a plane loaded and ready to go and it’s canceled… damn.
This isn’t meant as a criticism because there is probably more to the story but I hope this catastrophe is studied in detail when it’s all said and done so we can improve upon on it on a world basis. It’s amazing what has already transpired considering it was basically thrown together on the fly.
“The UN says 150 planes are now landing daily in Port-au-Prince but the US Army, which has taken over control of the airport, says 1,500 planes are still scheduled to arrive.”
And I have also heard that the focus is shifting from “search and rescue” to recovery and care of survivors.
That said, it’s tough to be prepared and ready, and not get to go at all.
It’s sad what a pathetic airport they have. One runway with NO taxiways. Who builds an airport with a 10,000 ft runway and no taxiways? If they were smart they would grind up all the cement from the fallen buildings and build more runways.
Just heard on the news that the US ambassador to Haiti is asking why 4 rescue groups were not brought in. Maybe we’ll get some insight on what the problem was.
