Anyone watching Al Jazeera's coverage of Haiti?
 

They are showing another side to the aid and the USA's roll. Seems a lot of people are not happy about the US troops coming in, taking control of the airport and deciding who can land and who can not.

It's an interesting point of view.

The footage they show is generally a lot more graphic than what you get on US news.

well, actually the US troops might be just what that place needs right now; times like these bring the best and the worst in people - hopefully the presence of the troops will help restore order and keep the mismanagement of funds and goods to the minimum

if this had to go through the UN or other World organization it would've taken like 6 months just to reach an agreement, let alone take any kind of action

You aren't going to make everyone happy when you are trying to put some control to chaos, and someone is going to have to wait during prioritization. I'm sure there is tons of miscommunication also, considering there are a wide spectrum of countries helping out.

But hey, ppl always have to complain about something and make someone the bad guy.

:mad::mad: usa takes action and will go never

Hmmmmmmm.

exactly.. damned if you do and damned if you don't.

One report said the US military does not have to follow usual military protocol and have been given "self defense" orders to protect themselves. :helpme

10,000+ US troops + total control of the airport + Bill Clinton trying to build up Haiti for a few years soliciting investment + the current Cuban government considers the U.S. presence in Guantánamo to be an illegal occupation of the area + The USA needs a new place to house terrorists as well as a new military base IF they close Gitmo = The USA may have just cleverly taken over a country through a back door.

Time will tell but I'm going to make a prediction that the US is not going anywhere and will put down some roots in Haiti. If we leave Cuba, that would be an excellent place to relocate as it's not too far away and still off US soil.

Of course Haiti also has an abundance of copper, calcium carbonate, gold, and marble that I'm sure we'd love to take off their hands for the payment of rebuilding a better Haiti.

America... FUCK YA!

Check this iReport out about the new 70 million dollar US Embassy there and how they are not providing citizen services right now: http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-388511

From Americans who were just evacuated from Haiti. Wow.

"The U S Embassy in Haiti is a disgrace. I was evacuated from Haiti today along with others in my mission team. We were treated like children, degraded, and simply lied to on every occasion we sought help from them with regard to instructions to leaving."

"When others who were left with no recourse went there for help to get out of the country they were asked most condescendingly "Why do you people come here?" There are many tragedies in Haiti today and the US Embassy is one of them!"

"HaitiMission, I can relate. I've gotten no response from the US Embassy as well. That is after providing them with the names, status and location of the US citizens.

My aunt's body is steadily decomposing in a morgue, and they have not gone out to confirm and make any accommodations for the body to be shipped back to the US"

I'm sure it is an absolute cluster fuck. I wouldn't want to be there.

My god, these poor people.

So they were treated like anyone flying US Airways. Big deal.

They came to our country to fight the Germans and never left, 120 bases at last count.

It seems fucked up but when you consider 80% of the country's economy relies on foreign aide donations the Hatian infrasturcture clearly has not been cutting it on it's own for quite some time.

Someone needs to step up and at least bring some order to the chaos, though I'd much rather see those troops as UN soldiers than US. There has to be a presence, shipments of donated medical supplies and food are being raided before they can be dispursed. I am normally very anti involvement, but somebody has to get involved here.

Except flying US airways isn't as scary as the shit going on over there at the mo.

from another forum

if it was that bad before this disaster imagine what its like atm.

Your point? WTF do these prima donnas expect? "Oh my, my grandmother's corpse hasn't been flown out of Haiti yet.:

No shit? That is a priority now? Go get it yourself if you can't wait.

:1orglaugh Ain't that the truth.

We had just the opposite experience in Bogotá, Colombia a few years ago when one of my male talent lost his passport (he claimed the maid stole it). We went to the Embassy and they were closed! We told the soldier at the gate we were leaving the country in a day and needed to get a emergency passport. To our surprise he let us in and found someone to hook it up. I was very impressed and pretty happy knowing they actually took care of us like that.

Nothing but good experiences with the US Embassy in Thailand as well.

To hear of an Embassy not helping an American in a time of need really rubs me the wrong way. That's what they are there for. It's sad really.

So, in which of those countries had they just suffered a catastrophe like Haiti did? Right. None of them.

It is not going to be "normal" there for a while. Turn off your anti-Americanism long enough to re-read those complaints, then try using some logic. :2 cents:

Fuck me. That last part about the Haitians trying to get them to shoot them is disturbing.

I don't recall hearing people pissing and moaning about the US millitary bringing war ships in to use as hospitals when the tsunamis hit.

Someone needs to control the airport considering the situation.

:Oh crap

On one hand I agree with you. Lives are at state. However, on the other hand, as US citizens we should get priority over Haitians, be it dead US citizens or alive. It wouldn't be difficult to put the bodies of the dead US citizens on an out-bound plane. One is leaving every 20 minutes or so.

American troops and American relief should be there to FIRST assist Americans. Then tend to the Haitians second. Let the UN and other global organizations take care of the Haitians right now.

I was simply saying I had great experiences at Embassies.

I'm not trying to be anti-American on this. I'm speaking as an American who lives abroad, there are certain things that the US gov must do to protect their citizens. Putting a Haitian before MY needs, be they personal or for the care of my dead relative, would make me LIVID. The current situation has nothing to do with it. Americans come first when it comes to help FROM America.

It's unfortunate there are Haitians trapped in buildings and so many are dead. My heart goes out to them. Though the USA has a responsibility to its people first. That is the point I'm trying to make, and hearing from people who are there or just back, and reading the opposite is happening, it pisses me off.

During the Asian tsunami, American aid FIRST took care of Americans, then turned to everyone else. That is the way it is supposed to be.

Bringing in war ships and controlling the port are two different things.

I personally don't care who's running the airport. I'm not there, don't know anyone there, didn't make any babies there, don't care who controls the country when it's all over. I'm just posting news that is out there opposite to what is playing on US TV. There is another side to the story, that's all.

Common sense would say the Haitians would control the airport as they always have. Or the UN. Though, handing it over to the US Military is a little odd I must agree, even given the current circumstances. The US Military has a bad habit of not giving control back once they take it.

The vast majority of U.S. troops sent to Haiti are on a Aircraft Carrier in the destroyed harbour. This was done to take some of the burden off of the destroyed airport. Most of the U.S. troops on the ground are there to relieve the overburdened U.N. troops who were already there.

Al Jazeera can call it an invasion or whatever else they want but until they send some help themselves they should really just shut the fuck up.

Dude, that is like asking CNN to send help. They are a news network. What exactly do you suggest they do?

This is probably one of the biggest problems I have with our government and why the world view of the US is not overwhelming positive.

We have active bases and military presence in a large number of countries. How many foreign bases or foreign military presence do you think is on US Soil?

Anyone?

I don't see the problem here. If you don't think the US is providing manpower, resources, charity and incredible help to the poor people of Haiti right now, then you are a fucking retard.

The US has a much better chance of helping to rebuild Haiti, than it has to fixing Afghanistan.

Haiti would be LUCKY if the US chooses to set up a permanent presence there. May be the best thing that could ever happen for them.

Huh?

They are just reporting the news man.

BTW, the US troops are there for security.

ZERO.

It would be an act of war if anyone even thought about putting a base on US soil OR set up shop in Mexico or one of the close Caribbean islands. Lets say Russia wanted to set up a base on Cuba, the very country we also have a base, we would without question go to war with them, as we almost did during the Bay Of Pigs nonsense. Can you imagine if Venezuela put a base in Tijuana, Mexico? It would be FARGIN WAR!!! :1orglaugh

I'm American so it's sometimes not easy to call out my own people, but since I've lived abroad and been able to mix with an international community, as well as watch international news, my eyes have been opened and I'm a bit embarrassed at some of the shit we do. Global domination is what it is.

Of course they are helping them. And of course they will create a permanent presence there and probably a new detention center along with it.

Bill Clinton will be the best thing to happen to Haiti. He's been pushing HARD for foreign investment. If they can get some order to the place and clean it up, it could be a HUGE tourist destination, as well as a base and access to new natural resources.

And yea, Afghanistan is FUCKED. :Oh crap

They have had this "chance" for decades. Did they do it?

If there are no US troops there, Haiti will turn into Night of the Living Dead in a couple of nights.

I'm aware that Al Jazeera is a news network. I stand by my comment. Either help in some way or shut the fuck up.


No they're distorting the news. Every country is guilty of that so whatever.

You are correct, the U.S. troops are there for security as well as to distribute aid. Just like the U.N. is and the local police were. Bottomline is they needed help and we are providing it.

If the UN moved a little faster maybe the US wouldn't need to step in. I am not a huge fan of the US going in places by force, but I am willing to give the benefit of the doubt, especially in an instance like this where the Haitian Govt is in no shape to control anything. I think it was more out of necessity than anything else.

The Americans have the man-power and ability to maintain security around the airport. Security is something that will be very much needed in the coming weeks, especially with all the supplies sitting around there waiting to move.

America the world police....

lol baddog you loser

Ok Haiti, no more USA support. The rest of the world can help you with your problems.

BTW, that 280 Million USD a year in aide, yeah, no more of that.

You don't like how we run shit, don't take our money. There are plenty of needy people in the USA that can use it. When any other county gives as much as the USA in aide, then they can call the shots.

:321GFY pussy

I guess the rest of foreign media are distorting the news as well. This has become a broken record across international news networks. Only the US media is reporting it the other way. Funny how that happens. Though, it's become expected that we'll swing our dicks around and try to take over just about everything we do. That's just what we do.

I don't think anyone is saying there should not be troops. Someone needs to protect the planes coming in and out as well as the supplies coming in.

The reports are that many are unhappy the US military took control of the airport. Now there are reports of some Haitian government officials being forced by US pressure to make them give up power so the USA can better control the situation. Sounds like a big mess to me.

I think everyone can agree the UN moves too slow with everything they do. However, I'm not sure why the UN didn't take over the airport. Turning it into a military operation seems a little hardcore. But then again, I'm not there, none of us are, so we don't know the true scope of the situation, devastation and desperation.

That's something that's always chapped my ass. When I see so many millions being given to countries like this while so many Americans need help and are not getting it.

Baddog could probably kick your ass. :2 cents:

What are we referring to being reported different? Self defense, taking control, spending money we don't have?

We recently changed cable providers and our new provider carries AlJazeera and Fox news. It's good to balance CNN International, Al Jazeera, Fox News, and the BBC. The differing angles and different approaches in selecting stories makes for a refreshing diversity.

Unlike what people believe, the BIAS is not so much in the reporting (although there's always some of that) but in the SELECTION OF STORIES. You can tell a person's ideological slant based on how they SELECT issues and FRAME those issues.

My TV over here picks up channels from all over the world, many of which also have English versions. The foreign media is starting to report the US is starting to cause problems, turning away planes with the proper aid for no reasons given, that the US is pressuring some Haitian leaders to step down, give up power, and get out of the way even though the Haitian officials object. They are also reporting that we are storming in there with a war like attitude, guns drawn in places with no violence, and treating it more like a war rather than relief. I was quite surprised to see several stories like this today.

Who knows the real story, it's just interesting to see a point of view that the American media doesn't show. I know good is being done so I'm not hating, I'm just sharing another side of the coin. I think the US should be there helping, though I don't agree with taking control of the airport, and our troops will come in handy to keep the locals from murdering each other and turning into animals. I only fear if something happens and heaven forbid we have to shoot a few Haitians that the shit doesn't hit the fan. Like Africans, these people can be savages, and pushed to the point of survive or die, they are capable of anything.

Slightly offtopic: Haiti, for some years after independence, was one of the richest states in the Caribbean. They went through several Robert Mugabe style leaders and closed up the economy.

I truly believe that the solution to 3rd world poverty is (relatively) open markets and protecting foreign investments under the rule of law. Most recent example of this pattern: China.

Ludwing Von Mises FTW

Its understandable that the locals are weary of the US troops, it seems the US have a bit of a habit of rolling into Hati

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8460185.stm

I'm not making anything of this, just saying that there appears to be a bit of "history" between the two countries

the foreign governments don't need bases here... we have lawyers and civil rights activist giving the fucking country away while the Obama crowd steals everything not nailed down $02