by Mark Silva
In the sobering controversy that has arisen this week - say it isn't so - over the contribution of humanitarian and U.S. aid to Haiti, some question what will become of all the money.
They're suggesting, basically, that some or much of the money will either be siphoned off the top by administrators in the U.S. or stolen at the bottom by authorities in Haiti.
Meet Bill Clinton, watchdog:
"When I work places, everybody knows I don't tolerate corruption, I'm going to do the best I can to help them,'' says Clinton, the former president and special United Nations envoy to Haiti. " But, they want to do this -- they want to build a modern society, for the first time...
"Anybody who has worked with Haiti over the last 20, 25 years, will tell you that this is the best situation we've ever had,'' Clinton said in an interview with FOX News Channel's Major Garrett. "They are trying to turn a corner here, and together, we may find it even easier to take a path of openness and transparency."
Clinton, who will meet with President Obama and former President George W. Bush at the White House over the weekend, says relief workers are handling a crisis of epic proportions:
"In Haiti, a country of nearly 10 million people, probably 3 million people have been affected by this - either been made homeless or injured or lost their livelihoods because of what's happened inside Port-Au-Prince,'' Clinton said in the FOX interview.
"The death toll, as a percentage of the people affected, will certainly be much higher. If you take the United Nations, it's almost certain now that this will be the largest loss of life the United Nations has suffered in a single day since the establishment of the U.N. after World War II."
Clinton teamed with Bush's father, former President George H.W. Bush, in raising money for the relief of victims of the Indonesian-area tsunami five years ago, and has spoken with the second Bush about the task ahead: "We talked about what I did with his father in the tsunami area. What we want to do is to see Americans involved in that and right now we are in an emergency phase...
"But, when this emergency is past us, when we've gone through all the rubble, when we've recovered every person we possibly can, living and dead, when we've cleared the streets, then we know Haiti is going to have to get back on its feet again and we want to be a part of that."
Clinton had this to say about personal donations:
""You may see some things in the next seven to ten days that don't just tug at your heart strings, but upset you. You may see a lot of very angry people, you may see some people looting, you may see some people doing and saying some things that you don't like. But keep in mind what happened.
"If you're sitting at home, just remember how you would feel there, and realize that those of us who are involved down there can take your ten dollars and put it with the ten dollars of millions of other people and immediately turn it into food, medicine, shelter, and clean water, and distribute it, and that's what we have to do."
Comments
Hello again Wingnutters,
George Bush, we all know, did a lot of damage to US image around the world. He actually managed to take a worldwide hug after 9/11, and in mere few years turned it into disdain and even hate.
One aspect especially damaged, was America's well-earned reputation of a country full of compassion. Suddenly, Dick Cheney - Irrefutable evidence that indeed there is evil in the world - Became America's face around the globe. Him, and thousands of Americans, mostly black, mostly poor, begging their OWN government to come and rescue them before drowning in New Orleans.
I can't remember even one occasion, when Bush - Or anyone in his administration for that matter - moved me, even by the smallest gesture of compassion or real sympathy towards the most unfortunates. Even if Bush himself is consider to be a nice man and far from the dark soul of his VP - with every passing day, he made America look more and more like an evil empire, and less and less like what made this country so beloved to begin with - A beacon of hope, love and compassion to the world.
Fast forward to this morning. The US president - Surrounded by his top cabinet members, who cancelled all their other plans - Not only detailed what he called "one of largest relief efforts in our recent history", but also closed his remarks with a moving address straight to the miserable people of Haiti, promising them: "We will not forsake you".
And suddenly, once again, the world can look at America and see that beacon of hope, love and compassion.
This is how humanity is done, Wingnuts.
Amen.
.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nieQJrP6CnA
.
Posted by: ATTENTION ALL WINGNUTS! | January 15, 2010 2:40 PM
The funniest thing I've read in a LONG time and what makes it even funnier is that Silva reports it seriously and like it is true:
"When I work places, everybody knows I don't tolerate corruption, I'm going to do the best I can to help them,'' says Clinton.
He doesn't tolerate corruption? Hmmm, Whitewater, Castle Grande, Travel Office, lying under oath as well as trashing White House upon leaving it, Pardongate, selling Lincoln Bedroom for donations, and on and on and on.
More hilarity is Silva taking issue with the claim that the powers in Haiti had syphoned U.S. dollars to themselves and not delegating to the country's people as intended. Really, Mark? You believe Haitian leaders did not keep U.S. money for themselves?
If the reporter actually believes these things, then not only is that reporter in a heap of trouble, but so are the readers!
(a note in reply to JD: Nobody said no one steals. But anyone who says no one should give to the poor because people sometimes steal the charity along the way is callous and wrong. -- Silva.)
Posted by: John D | January 15, 2010 5:36 PM
For all of folks making fun of Pat Robertson (and rightfully so), take a look at Danny Glover
http://blogs.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/timblair/index.php/dailytelegraph/comments/pact_with_gaia/
Where's a response from the White House?
Posted by: Terry | January 15, 2010 6:32 PM
panty waist will meet with "W" in the White House over the weekend.
He should have met with "W" after the Christmas Day terrorist attack! He could have been taught by W on how to protect this nation....instead, we waited three long agonizing days to hear from panty waist, while he golfed, played tennis, worked out in the gym, and surfed the waves.
So much urgency for the rest of the world, but none for the American people.
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | January 15, 2010 8:23 PM
How can you even print that quote? I'd be laughing too hard.
"When I work places, everybody knows I don't tolerate corruption."
Sure. I don't think he even believes that.
Trade you a Pat Robertson for a Danny Glover...no not really. But here is what wacko Danny thinks: He thinks WE caused the earthquake.
"Actually it was our failure to respond to global warming at the Copenhagen Summit. Danny Glover said, "When we see what we did at the climate summit in Copenhagen, this is the response,
Danny Glover - Haiti Caused by Failure of Copenhagen Summit (Video Included)
This is what happens, you know what I'm sayin'?"
No, no, I really don't know what you're sayin'. But here's a translation.
"Danny Glover's suggestion that the Earth itself somehow decided to erupt and kill and maim hundreds of thousands of black Haitians because a bunch of mainly white people couldn't figure out a way to deal with global warming."
Posted by: Free to Watch Whatever I Want | January 16, 2010 2:49 AM
Bill Clinton gets funnier and funnier. As do the journalists who defend him.
Who else could see the earthquake damage and proclaim
"Anybody who has worked with Haiti over the last 20, 25 years, will tell you that this is the best situation we've ever had,''
That's about as "stupid" (to quote Mark Silva) as:
"When I work places, everybody knows I don't tolerate corruption,"
Which is in a sense correct. He doesn't tolerate corruption--he encourages it.
Posted by: Bruce | January 16, 2010 9:57 AM