Obama, Bush, Clinton: U.S., Haitian unity

I was not a fan of former President George Bush, but he is to be commended for graciously joining Bill Clinton to aid the humanitarian efforts for the people of Haiti.

When you see the headline "Bush -Just send your cash", it seems to be belittling his role with the effort.

Try to avoid politics with this story or better yet change the headline!

Send money? What money?

The colossal tax machine aka "President? 57 or 58 states" is making sure there is no money left in the hands of the people to send, spend or save.

Maybe his grass hut brother Georgie could send something out of his $12 per year.

After all, it sure seems as though old 57 or 58 is tapping him for economic advice.

God help us, we need His devine aid more than Haiti; at least they're not saddled with him, even if he can speak a little "Austrialian".

why is it that rich political figureheads, celebrities and athletes, who all make WAAAAYYY more money than any of us, ask us for "charitable donations"?

what the 95% of people offer is a sliver of what the top 5% could offer.

no. i will not donate. i'm still trying to pay my rent and buy groceries, in the richest country in the world, due to the fact that the top 5% ruined the economy for the "other" 95% of us.

All three of them are fiscal gluttons and have ruined this country, but bravo to all three of them for this effort.

Did Clinton make Barack get him and President Bush coffee?

Heck, the US (according to a Tribune article this week) just made $64 Million on the bailout. Our government should pay 1/3 to China for the loan, keep 1/3 and send $20 million to Haiti.

I watched the announcement on TV and it struck me that Obama has trashed George W Bush and everything he has done and stood for for 3 solid years and I cannot think of a single attack by George Bush against Obama. I can think of many attacks well documented by Bill Clinton on both of these Presidents.
I believe George W. is the first to team up two past Presidents from opposing parties to do charity for disaster relief. I haven't heard him get much credit)
I heard GWB talk about Laura, faith base organizations, we... I heard WJC and BHO talk about the UN, I, me, I, my, I, government, I ....
I think it was apparent that BHO was on the teleprompter, GWB was working through some prepared notes, and WJC was winging it.
Who has class?

The audacity of Barack. He belittles Bush for the past two years and then calls on him to spearhead this effort. Can we really trust Barack at all? Perhaps he just wants to be able to blame Bush more if this doesn't work out.

Bush kept it real. Send cash. Clinton knows what he is doing. Hey Bitter White Nemo, why so much anger and hate? Why are you so bitter? Release that pressure. Sex is good for you. Get laid. You'll feel better. Guess what, Obama is black and he is the President. Get use to it.

If Bush says "send your cash" I'm stopping sending money right now just to spite the country bumpkin. He will always be remembered as the biggest fool this country has ever elected.

Are we sure we want Bush doing this? After all, didn't he bungle Katrina big time? Why don't they just bring back "Brownie", who was doing such a good job at FEMA????

Money makes the most sense. All the junk people are hauling to "churches" will cost more to ship then it costs!!

I would send money but my property tax when up 10%, IL license plates are up 50% in the past three, FED taxes withheld from my first check of 2010 up as well.

Maybe going to Haiti I can get some free money and a better climate.

Wow, Obimbo actually gave George W Bush some credit for something?!??!
Once again, Bush has shown that he is nothing but pure, 100 percent CLASS. He enabled the smoothest and most decent transition from one party president to the other, has not criticized his successor in any way (something Carter and Clinton have failed to do), and now answers his successor's call to help with Haitian relief efforts.
Bush was a breath of fresh air nine years ago and continues to be to this day.

Why are we talking politics??>>> These are 3 human beings with alot of power that are doing a great thing.. Why cant it just be that.. Its times like this we leave politics behind us and move forward for the sake of humanity.. Love your work Bush, Clinton, Obama

I used to think America was better than this. Reading these comments, it seems I'm wrong.

Many of you need to look at yourself in a mirror and ask yourself is this is the time for your childish comments about the current/past presidents!

Grow up!

In a time of great worldwide crisis, Obama has brought together former presidents from both parties to help, then gave credit to Bush for originating that model after the Tsunami.

And yet some of you aren't satisfied. You're using this noble act to be CRITICAL of Obama? You're paranoid, hateful, and completely lacking any semblance of compassion here.

Hey "Gracious White Nemo" how much have your taxes gone up so far under Obama? Really, are you able to communicate any real facts here? Because I make far less than $200K and my taxes have not gone up at all.

Hey Matt P: Have you paid any attention to what Cheney and Rove have been saying about Obama since he became president? It borders on treason. Bush has been in hiding with his head hung low after leaving the country in the throws of two unpaid wars, the worst deficit since the 20's, a total lack of bi-partisanship, and multiple terror attacks on his watch.

And Matt P, perhaps you missed the Bush administration's constant questioning of the patriotism or Americanism of democrats who opposed the war- all under the Bush administration.

As a liberal Democrat, I salute Bush's humanitarian effort here and have tremendous respect for him probably for the first time since the days after 9/11. It's a shame you're too short sighted and small minded to offer the same kind of respect to your president for his bi-partisan humanitarian efforts.

How sad that you'd use a major and horrifying crisis to find more vitriol against your president. Then again, given the borderline insane actions of your party of late (Obama's a Muslim! Obama has Death Panels! Obama's gonna tax the country to death! I hope he fails!), I'm sad to report that I'm in no way surprised.

Congratulations, Matt P: you're quite the proud American.

Hey there John D - first off, for you to call the president "Obimbo" and then have the audacity to refer to another man's class makes you a hypocrite at best and about as ill mannered and anti-patriotic at worst.

And never let facts get in the way of a good story, like your idols Rush, Beck, et al. Yes, Bush has kept quiet - so quiet that he hasn't bothered to come out and refute Dick Cheney's constant attempts to belittle and perhaps destroy Obama's leadership, by the way, Wouldn't the real classy thing be if he came out and disagreed with Cheney's hateful rhetoric? Remaining silent is actually quite cowardly; unless he agrees with Cheney & Rove.

So drop your hateful sarcasm buddy. Yes, Obama gave Bush credit for something, making a successful attempt at bi-partisanship. And what took place today at the White House was inspiring and genuine. How sad that you're so angry, bitter, and cynical that you can't seem to figure that out.

Most liberals are well aware that Bush was an extremely decent human being who was brought down by his innumerable missteps ("Mission Accomplished", blowing off Katrina for several days, starting a war with a country which did not attack the U.S. as a response to 9/11, never capturing Bin Laden as he'd promised to, increasing the deficit by billions, alienating anyone who didn't agree with him, trying to get Harriet Meyers on the supreme court, etc...). But I think most liberals like myself would tell you that Bush - no matter how clearly wrong he was - had his own strong convictions of how to help America.

We as Americans have fought so hard for our rights and in the end we also have to ask ourselves what is it our leadership is doing for America?

I have voted all my life, but with all the propaganda, yes you heard correctly, circulated in "Winning the Hearts and Minds of the Masses," I no longer care about politics. It was all ways layered with lies. "All Men are Created Equal," yet we had people of African descent in chains and oppressed; we had "non whites" oppressed. Again, it was all BS and it is still BS..........

Whoever made the comment about Pres Clinton asking Obama to get him and Bush coffee had the funniest comment on the thread. Otherwise, I don't get all the hate directed at the current or former presidents in this thread. Why all the hate? This is a positive and unified effort to help save lives. I don't get the need to belittle either Bush or Obama (or Clinton for that matter) with every single story...

I have to admit that for all of Bush's faults and follies, it was a treat to hear him speak. I think neither one of these two former leaders fared well under the burden of a nation, and having had come from under its weights, especially the weights of war and human disaster, more the wiser, they can better operate without having to know that their decisions take lives. It's probably why President Obama looks more rigid than ever rather than statesmanlike. Nevertheless, a class act to be sure, and it amazes me how three of the most unlikely bedfellows can put aside their differences while the nation becomes more divided than ever. I hope their efforts bear fruit. This is a tragedy.

john d:
(snip)

Bush was a breath of fresh air nine years ago and continues to be to this day.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

john, you are tripping.

either way, we all need to step up to the plate and help the people of Haiti and if GWB et al wish to "lead" thats fine.As long as the money goes to help the people.
This is horrific tragedy and make no mistake, it can happpen here. Doesn''t take much for social unrest to set in when there is a calamity.

duh. W. is a former president and since he didn't do anything worthwhile in office, now he is being given a second chance. He father has already acted in a similar capacity.

Hey Bush no one in this country has any cash to "just send" you clueless, pathetic, moron. You and your party did a brilliant job of making that the case for the American people.

On the brightside at least it didn't take 7 days for American aid to arrive as it did in this country on your watch.

I thought "just send cash" was the slogan of the current administration.

I hate Bush. He is the devil.

Maybe I'm missing something. What is cash going to do? They will not get it directly and it provides an opportunity for corruption. The big issue - there are no stores open to buy stuff. They need durable goods.

Maybe Bush can explain to panty waist that being president isn't a popularity contest....
No matter how nice you are to the terrorists or give them Miranda Rights or civilian trials or try to figure out why they don't like us, the bottom line is they still want to kill us.

Paulo

You who are all so eager to bash one president or another, have you earned the right by putting your money where your mouths are? Have you given as much as a dime to Haiti relief? Or are your hearts and souls as ingrown as your toenails? I may not agree with some public figures' politics, but I'll give them the benefit of a doubt when it comes to being motivated to help relieve suffering. Can the same be said about you? I'm willing to give you the benefit of a doubt unless you continue using this forum to vent more of your evil, small-minded and self-serving bile.

Hey, Politics degrades us to the lowest level of humanity.

Is it only good will that will help everyone at the end.

You cannot have religion without good will, you CAN have good will without religion.

Let's donate money and help the Haitians, as for politics, join the Limbaugh crowd if that is what rocks your boat!

I'll agree with John that Bush has kept quiet in regards to any criticism of his successor. But let's face it, he doesn't have to do so. Dick Cheney is more than making up for Bush with the criticism. I guess that means that Cheney has no class.

The earthquake was in Haiti? I thought it might be in Massachusetts since both Bill Clinton and Barack Obama are hanging out there this weekend.

I guess Haiti can wait.

This show how much honorable man bush is than Obama.

"I was not a fan of former President George Bush, but he is to be commended for graciously joining Bill Clinton to aid the humanitarian efforts for the people of Haiti."
Posted by: James | January 16, 2010 12:12 PM

James, you have the right attitude. Haters, Pat Robertson wants you for his ongoing "Rubbing Salt in the Wound" campaign.

Paulo, what world did you live in during the Bush administration? Was Bin Laden captured? Was Afghanistan a priority? Did the Anthrax attacks not happen? What about the D.C. snipers? How about the shoe bomber incident? The attack at an EL AL ticket counter at LAX? The UNC campus attack?

Or how about 9/11, which took place a good 9 months into the Bush administration, and came after a summer where Bush spent two full months in Crawford Texas on vacation, largely ignoring the increased chatter amongst Al Queda?

I know it's convenient for Republicans to forget the many terrorism incidents which happened on GW's watch, but your insinuation that Obama isn't tough on terror because he's not interested in torture or starting wars with everyone who looks different is typical paranoid, cowardly Republican B.S. Sorry that your party couldn't bring the 9/11 mastermind to justice, but calling Obama "panty waist" (are you 11 years old, by the way?) and implying that he's soft on terror because he believes in diplomacy first makes you sound genuinely uninformed and perhaps lacking any real world view.

Obama's keeping us safe. Bush didn't. How exactly is that debatable?

panty waist Paulo:
(snip)
Maybe Bush can explain to panty waist that being president isn't a popularity contest....
~~~~~
you have a weird panty fixation. Are you a trannie?
I am still waiting to hear your plan for protecting yourself against terrorists.

I don't think we should look at anything other than our own hearts when the need for generosity arises. Looking around and pointing fingers at others, no matter how rich or poor is never going to help anyone including yourself. Be the change you want to see. . . . I agree with Bush no matter what - send cash. God bless Haiti, God bless America.

" Handicapped SEIU Member Barred from Coakley/Clinton Rally; Secret Service Forcibly Remove Foreign Coakley Supporter."

Oh my....

http://www.flemingandhayes.com/articles/98-handicapped-seiu-member-barred-from-coakleyclinton-rally-secret-service-forcibly-remove-foreign-coakley-supporter

I don't think much of president? 57 or 58 states", because of the way he treat his borther George and half his family who live in grass huts on $12 per year.

But, I dos like his White House room mate, Miss Jolly "I'm proud of my country fo the first time" wide aft. She su do gotta nice one o dem bubble butts.

Where do you go to help? Not give money, but bring myself there to help..in person, lifting rubble, attending to the wounded, whatever. Heck I even have a Generator not being used but cant find any place whatsoever that will accept it nor me...All they keep saying is send cash somewhere.

I dont want to send cash, I dont trust any of them..I have 90 days of free time, where can I go to sign up to help in person?

Many of the Groups going seem like organized self serving types---they dont want "outsiders" coming along to help. Kind of like what Juan Williams wrote of in his Book "Enough", where there are people and groups that like poor people staying poor as it keeps them employed.

I want to help and all Clinton and Bush and Obama keep saying is send money and your name to us.

I thought Haiti needs people to help in person, with equipment and things. Money money money is all they ask for..

I'm willing to go in person and no one will take me. I've called and written.

"Just send your cash" means don't go buying blankets (at retail) and then mail them to Haiti. There isn't any infrastructure there to accept them.

If you must give "right now" then give to a recognized organization that will pool your money with others to get large quanities of supplies there in a far more timely and efficient manner than you could do on your own.

I wonder if Bush knows where Haiti is?

Old Bush, Looking for Bush and stupid Bush

Mr, SadTimes, I think you need to look at the many anti-Bush threads here. Doesn't look to me like many libs have any respect for him. Plus, after eight years of attacks on the man, it was quite obvious the Left hated the man ridiculously. Ever hear of Bush Derangement Syndrome?
Anyway, for those knocking Cheney, well Al Bore did more than his fair share of criticizing Bush, as did Carter and to some extent Clinton. And Cheney is not harming America (funny, never heard the libs say Gore or Carter were harming America when they were blistering Bush and Cheney). He is concerned abouts its safety and future under this administration.
And for me calling Obama, Obimbo, well I've done that plenty. A man who continually blames his predecessor and acts with the childish, narcissistic manner that Obama has deserves to be called out. Plus, after eight years of seeing attack on Bush, I figured a little payback was in order.
In the end, I have no problem with Obama helping the Haitians. They need it and we can do it. It would be nice if other nations could help. So far, the offerings from countries like China, Russia, Venezuala, etc. are laughable, at best.
]So, after we spend billions helping another nation in crisis to add to our lengthy list (Asian countries affected by the tsunami, Honduras and Nicaragua after Hurricane Mitch, Pakistan after earthquake, Iran after earthquake, South Korea, European countries, African countries and on and on), Obama will continue his worldwide apology tour. That makes him Obimbo right there.

This reminds me of Bush's exhortation to go shopping after 9-11. What little imagination or empathy this man has - reminds me again of how happy I am that he is no longer embarrassing our nation (oh wait...) Yes let's spurn the in-kind donations of millions of people. Cold hard cash is what we want. Real smart. Why are we listening to a man whose benign neglect condemned the people of New Orleans to suffer through Katrina and years of non-recovery?

A piece of advice - if you want to give a blanket to a Haitian, send a blanket. There's no guarantee how your cash will be spent, but at least donated items will find their way to a new owner. Our recent economic meltdown should remind us that barter economies work when systems collapse.

"I wonder if Bush knows where Haiti is?"

Based on his schedule, it looks like obama thinks Haiti is in Massachusetts. I guess Haiti can wait.

China or Wall street has all my cash right now, do you take coins instead?

Dear awareness:

Here is a tip: you are a loser and will always be a loser until you stop blaming others for your problems. "The rich" are not the problem.

Mass graves.
Bodies surrender to the ground.
Mr. 57 seven states and not a limb to be found of his wife, her father, their only son.
A blanket of human carnage awaits their turn in the open sun.
Thirst hunger and disease.
Bodies surrender in exhaustion.
Mr. 57 seven states and not a person in sight to answer their questions and their pleas.
A procession of hungry feet await their turn in the open sun.
Will he walk, will she walk, will we walk again? Will you walk with me in the direction of the open sun? Mr. 57 seven states and the doctors took the only leg I could build my new life on. We'll build a home, a hospital, a school, a job for my sick body with your water, your blanket, your generator.

Ok, SadTimes...how about president ocommie.

Paulo

Posted by: Gracious White Nemo | January 16, 2010 1:30 PM

We'd have a LOT more to give without the trillions wasted on an unnecessary Iraq war.

At least the current president is spending on things that will actually help the American people.

Please people just shut up for once about politics! God! People are dying over in Haiti and the citizens are not receiving aid and all people want to do is attack Obama and Bush. Stop!

Listen, it is an amazing site to see President Obama come together with past Presidents Clinton and Bush to help the people of Haiti. This makes me proud of my country!

There is not enough difference between the Democrats and Republicans. Until we remove all our troops from the middle-east and do something to solve our problems at home, our reputation in every country is ruined. If I could afford to go anywhere after the damage the neoconservative war/profit-mongers have done to our economy, I would definitely say I was from Canada. Both Democrats and Republicans have been ripping off the taxpayers, since way before I was born. The thing that worried me about Obama right from the beginning was his warlike and hawkish attitudes. We need to stop giving money to the military, and Obama never talked about that. I invite you to my website devoted to raising awareness on this puritan attack on freedom: http://pltcldscsn.blogspot.com/

Anyone who seriously thinks these men have come together with charitable motives in mind needs to wake up. Now. With all the organizations already in place to help the people in Haiti, these two men just happened to come together to solicit donations from American citizens to help those in need. Sorry, not buying it. Go ask the presidents and CEO's of corporations to part with their precious billions, or better yet donate their entire undeserved bonuses to relief efforts in Haiti. If I recall correctly, a similar bid was made following 9/11 and the money wasn't properly handled. Leave the relief efforts to the already established charities that actually know what they're doing. If I had any doubt in my mind that these two have nothing but self serving motives for this project, Bush only reinforced my suspicions by stating, "Just send cash." Cash that will no doubt go right into the pockets of these crooks. Sorry, one PSA does not make up for eight years of... you fill in the blank. Once again, WAKE UP!

Emma:
Someone or some entity is going to obtain the nation of Haiti at a bargain basement price..problem is all those people so they'll gladly let charity take care of that end of things while the contracts with Haliburten or ? are drawn up.
Food 4 thought

Emma:
Someone or some entity is going to obtain the nation of Haiti at a bargain basement price..problem is all those people so they'll gladly let charity take care of that end of things while the contracts with Haliburten or ? are drawn up.
Food 4 thought

Still Writing Wrongs,

You nailed it - It's Dick Cheney and Haliburton behind all this. Haliburton is an oil drilling company and they probably know exactly how to drill and create an earthquake.

How's the tin foil on your head.

BillyR,

"I used to think America was better than this. Reading these comments, it seems I'm wrong." Would this comment from Steve qualify? "If Bush says "send your cash" I'm stopping sending money right now just to spite the country bumpkin." Haiti probably can do w/o Steve's quarter.

Terry the teabagger:

So you deny there are global interests eyeballing Haiti ?

To the "pragmatics " Haiti's problems have always been it's population and poverty.

You need to remove your head from your rearend if you think
for one second the global investors are not circling alongside the vultures.

Finally, Haliburten sub-contracts a lot of it's work out
via Haliburten Products And Services, LTD .

Lets hope the poor people of Haiti are not forgotten.
God help them.

Still Writing Wrong,

I'm sure the people of Haiti would be better off with "global interests" looking out for them as compared to their gov't - even before the earthquake.