'Anger' in Haiti?

[singlecoil]

BBC news (other news programmes are available) are leaning hard on how angry people in Haiti are that international aid isn't reaching them quicker.

I can understand why they would be disappointed, but I don't see how they are entitled to be angry?



Incidentally did anyone see that bunch of American christian missionaries being interviewed at the airport about the difficulties they were having in getting the fk out of there?

[prand]

hmm surely the anger ought to be focussed on their own government who can't provide even the most basic infrastructure and rescue for its people.

[Muntu]

singlecoil said:

BBC news (other news programmes are available) are leaning hard on how angry people in Haiti are that international aid isn't reaching them quicker.

I can understand why they would be disappointed, but I don't see how they are entitled to be angry?

I don't remember the Haitians putting their hands in their pockets when I was snowed in last week, but I didn't complain about it.

singlecoil said:

Incidentally did anyone see that bunch of American christian missionaries being interviewed at the airport about the difficulties they were having in getting the fk out of there?

Good on them, they will not be using up scarce resources once they are back in the USA.

As usual the USA will be the largest supplier of releif money and resources.

[cs02rm0]

Probably the BBC acting as the voice of the government demanding you donate cash.

[Uhura_Fighter]

Isn't the problem that to many people live in such a small place?
The government hasn't fucntioned since 2003, the UN has been running the place. Sadly it looks like who has the biggest gun/gang is in control.

[AndrewW-G]

Haiti has been having huge problems for the past decade, the people were starving before the earth quake.
It's a shame that its taken a natural disaster to bring them into the public gaze.

However I dont think that simply throwing money at them will make things a great deal better, shipping in tons of food, water and medical supplies is going to trick withou any infrastructure left!

[Dogwatch]

I get the distinct impression that the Beeb is 'bigging up' the looting/anger issue.

Bit confused though. My atlas shows that Haiti shares an island with the Dominican Republic. Logically shouldn't that also have suffered? But we hear absolutely nothing about it and rescue teams are flying from one to t'other. No wonder the Haitiain airport is packed out despite the control tower being damaged.

[plasticpig]

prand said:

hmm surely the anger ought to be focussed on their own government who can't provide even the most basic infrastructure and rescue for its people.

What government? Haiti hasn't really had a stable regime since the Duvaliers bailed out in 1986.

[Blue Meanie]

Muntu said:

As usual the USA will be the largest supplier of releif money and resources.

Is that per capita, % of GNI, or total?

Edited by Blue Meanie on Friday 15th January 13:53

[JagLover]

The emphasis the BBC puts on news stories is often very strange.

[jesusbuiltmycar]

Dogwatch said:

I get the distinct impression that the Beeb is 'bigging up' the looting/anger issue.

Bit confused though. My atlas shows that Haiti shares an island with the Dominican Republic. Logically shouldn't that also have suffered? But we hear absolutely nothing about it and rescue teams are flying from one to t'other. No wonder the Haitiain airport is packed out despite the control tower being damaged.

Might have something to do with the size of the island....

[turbobloke]

It's always a tragedy when a major earthquake results in a large number of casualties but if densely populated areas exist in tectonically active locations what exactly is expected? If the general level of development is low and buildings are insubstantial and not designed with the local conditions in mind, what exactly is expected?

It seemed from news coverage that other nations including UK (London Gatwick was opened specially for an aid flight departure iirc) were helping as much as possible as quickly as possible. In the short-term local basic first-aid and similar help is all that can be expected and if it's not enough then maybe the anger should be re-directed at those responsible.

[Muntu]

Blue Meanie said:

Muntu said:

As usual the USA will be the largest supplier of releif money and resources.

Is that per capita, % of GNI, or total?

Edited by Blue Meanie on Friday 15th January 13:53

All 3 probably

[ewenm]

Another consequence of having 24hr news - small things (potential anger for example) gain undeserved prominence because reporters are always looking for some change in their stories from one day to the next. A report of "not much change from yesterday, people still need help" isn't classed as "news".

[ErnestM]

Dogwatch said:

I get the distinct impression that the Beeb is 'bigging up' the looting/anger issue.

...or maybe not:

http://wcbstv.com/national/haiti.earthquake.haiti....

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60D6F9201001...

[Blue Meanie]

Muntu said:

Blue Meanie said:

Muntu said:

As usual the USA will be the largest supplier of releif money and resources.

Is that per capita, % of GNI, or total?

Edited by Blue Meanie on Friday 15th January 13:53

All 3 probably

No evidence then? You might want to do some research before you belittle the response of other countries.

[Rollcage]

ErnestM said:

Dogwatch said:

I get the distinct impression that the Beeb is 'bigging up' the looting/anger issue.

...or maybe not:

http://wcbstv.com/national/haiti.earthquake.haiti....

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60D6F9201001...

The looting is predictable, and no surprise - it would happen pretty much anywhere, especially where there is no discernible government control.

The more the gangs think they can get away with, the greater their motivation.

[fastfreddy]

Regardless of the politics of this sad situation, it might be a nice gesture for the banks to donate their sizeable bonus funds to the relief efforts...

Then Stephen Hester (RBS Chief) might find his parents are a little more proud of him than they seem to be right now.

[singlecoil]

ErnestM said:

Dogwatch said:

I get the distinct impression that the Beeb is 'bigging up' the looting/anger issue.

...or maybe not:

http://wcbstv.com/national/haiti.earthquake.haiti....

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60D6F9201001...

There's no doubt that there is and will be a great deal of violence and looting, but why this is just an expression of anger against other countries? Isn't it really just bad behaviour, every man for himself sort of thing?

[Muntu]

Blue Meanie said:

Muntu said:

Blue Meanie said:

Muntu said:

As usual the USA will be the largest supplier of releif money and resources.

Is that per capita, % of GNI, or total?

Edited by Blue Meanie on Friday 15th January 13:53

All 3 probably

No evidence then? You might want to do some research before you belittle the response of other countries.

I assume that the same lack of evidence will prevent you from belittling the USA's response

Historically, I think that we can rest assured that the USA will yet again be the largest benefactor to these unfortunate people.