[BigdaddyQH]

Too much? Not enough? Frankly I have no problem with the money end of things, but I wonder how we always seem to come up with all of this extra food and water when we can not feed our own in this nation.

Another thing I strongly object to is sending State and County Rescue teams over there. I live in California. We have had a series of earthquakes in the past few days. Why send the Los Angeles Countysearch and rescue team over to Haiti, when we are expecting a lot of rain in the burnt out areas of Southern California, and have experienced several decent size earthquakes in the past week.

I feel sorry for the people of Haiti, but we must take care of our own first. I do not like the idea of stripping local and county rescuers and sending them out to try and save lives a full day after an event occurs. Money, food, and other forms of aid is fine, even though I wonder where those supplies magically appear when we can not even get them to our own people.

[ericc]

[pavyracer]

Are you saying we should abandon the 45,000 Americans living in Haiti too?

[johncrud]

The prime minister of Haiti claimed the death toll had exceeded 100k. hahahah dude.. there aren't even 100k people living in Haiti. the dude said it so he could get more relief funds, possibly thinking about living a comfortable life while spending relief funds for life.

Haiti isn't china where it has 1 billion people. The major earthquake in China had a death toll of 70k so how can you tell me that Haiti had 100k death already. funny people.

[DwightShrute]

there's 9 million people in Haiti

America will always do what they can to help because it's the right thing to do.

I can't believe anyone would object to them helping

[Hotdiggity11]

I'm not to type to just throw money at foreign countries [Like Africa] just out of pity but America should always help countries that get hit by undeserved natural disasters. Plus Haiti is a retreat for tens of thousands of Americans and it should always be our job to help them in these situations.

[aceking]

earthquakes happen all the time.

[BigdaddyQH]

I have no problem with spending money in Haiti, but to strip Los Angeles and Orange County (CA) of it's Search and Rescue Teams in the hopes of finding someone alive in the wreckage goes too far. There must be Federal Search and Rescue operations that could fly over there and help. Larry King was his nauseating self last night telling people to give money. Our nation is in a major recession, and these clowns are asking for money. People in this country have been hit by an economic earthquake much larger than the quake that hit Haiti, yet the do gooders demand that we give our money away. The fact that those who are asking us to give have much more money thanwe do seems to be besides the point. I feel sorry for the people of Haiti, but I am going to take care of my family and friends first. If you can afford to give money, then please do so. If you can not afford to give money, then please take care of yourselves and your friends and families first.

[pavyracer]

Have you ever thought that the LA search and rescue teams need to go there for training purposes so when the next earthquake hits LA they will be more prepared? The last LA earthquake was in 1994 and many of the rescuers have retired and many new ones were hired. You can't simulate earthquake training in class. Since this happened so close to the US mainland it's the perfect scenario for them to train in real life situations.

[DwightShrute]

excellent point Pavy

[BigdaddyQH]

Originally Posted by pavyracer

Have you ever thought that the LA search and rescue teams need to go there for training purposes so when the next earthquake hits LA they will be more prepared? The last LA earthquake was in 1994 and many of the rescuers have retired and many new ones were hired. You can't simulate earthquake training in class. Since this happened so close to the US mainland it's the perfect scenario for them to train in real life situations.

The training that they get in Los Angeles far exceeds what they are going to find over there. Things are rather simple over there. Find them, and dig them out. There is really no danger from gas lines, power lines, underground pipes, etc...

Like I said, if the big one hits here, how are theygoing to get back? What about the huge amount of rain rolling in on Sunday or Monday? There are a lot of areas in Southern California that will be in danger of mud slides. I would hate to think that Americans may lose their lives because the team that is paid to rescue them in case of emergency was not in the area, or even the country, to save them. Just a thought.

[pavyracer]

I'm pretty sure there are contigency plans with other cities with expertise in mud slide rescues if disaster strikes Cali this weekend. They can have other cities on standby or have the national guard help in the event of a catastrophe. But to have them sitting and doing nothing just in case something happens this weekend when every minute is precious in Haiti right now will not sit well with the people who work for these teams.

[DwightShrute]

Originally Posted by BigdaddyQH

The training that they get in Los Angeles far exceeds what they are going to find over there. Things are rather simple over there. Find them, and dig them out. There is really no danger from gas lines, power lines, underground pipes, etc... Like I said, if the big one hits here, how are theygoing to get back? What about the huge amount of rain rolling in on Sunday or Monday? There are a lot of areas in Southern California that will be in danger of mud slides. I would hate to think that Americans may lose their lives because the team that is paid to rescue them in case of emergency was not in the area, or even the country, to save them. Just a thought.

I usually agree with of your views of certain subjects but this one I have to say , "you off your rocker" especially when you say " Things are rather simple over there. Find them, and dig them out"

I am gonna pretend that you are kidding because I am sure that is isn't that simple. If mudslides happen while they are helping your fellow human beings (someones mother, father, sister and son) in Haiti, others will come to help you from all over the world as well to help you guys.

[johncrud]

A black president is more prone to help out his black Brothers in a more generous way than a white president.

Giving out 100 mil aid as if the money was his..

I just don't see how every single black built countries are lagging behind in every aspect. I mean, as human beings, they were the first to come into existence before any other race but they are the weakest..

North Korea is poor but they have the capability to build and equip themselves with an adequate military force.

[gimme2dollars]

I'm watching the Tenn/Aub game right now and just saw the funniest thing ever. If you bring a Lane Kiffin t-shirt in you get a 20% discount off Tennesee stuff, and they are going to send all the shirts that they get to Haiti! Watch on the news in about a week and you are going to see a bunch of Haitians running around in orange Lane Kiffin t-shirts.

[eidolon]

Originally Posted by BigdaddyQH

The training that they get in Los Angeles far exceeds what they are going to find over there. Things are rather simple over there. Find them, and dig them out. There is really no danger from gas lines, power lines, underground pipes, etc...

Like I said, if the big one hits here, how are theygoing to get back? What about the huge amount of rain rolling in on Sunday or Monday? There are a lot of areas in Southern California that will be in danger of mud slides. I would hate to think that Americans may lose their lives because the team that is paid to rescue them in case of emergency was not in the area, or even the country, to save them. Just a thought.

If the big one hits, they need to learn how swim in the ocean about 50 miles through debris

[BigdaddyQH]

Well, we just had another 4.3 out here about 15 miles from where I reside. The problem is that both of the 4.3 quakes that have hit our area in the past week are on branches of the San Andreas fault, and that means that more pressure may be exerted on the fault itself. I would be a lot more comfortable in knowing that the Search and Rescue teams from Southern California are in Southern California. Let the Feds help out Haiti. It is not a problem for the State of California to have to deal with.

THe news media is making a three ring circus out of this. What happened was terrible. But it would have been terrible no matter where a quake of this magnatude hit. The fact that Haiti happens to be the poorest nation in the America's has nothing to do with the quake itself. Had the quake hit Mexico, or the D.R. or any other country, the damage would have been just as severe. So we will pour in hundreds of millions of dollars in aid, and in a year, this will be a forgotten story. Nothing will have been done to rebuild the country. The country is illiterate. Education is the key. Aparently, the geniuses in Washington do not understand this. If they do not know how to build a hotel properly, they will never learn how to build a house or apartment building properly.

[Marginalis]

agree

[andywend]

I am curious as to how much financial and personal aid has been given to Haiti from socialist countries like France, Germany, Canada, Venezuela, Cuba, etc?

These countries pride themselves on things like this and yet its the U.S. contributing the most in financial as well as personal aid to Haiti.

The big-bad selfish Americans carrying the majority of the load once again.

Just another example which backs up my point that SOCIALISM IS A CANCER!!!

[Cappy]

The french president is criticizing America for choosing an occupation strategy rather than simply donating

[BigdaddyQH]

It is time to start bringing our people home now. We have been there long enough. How long does Obama plan to keep our people there? Another week? Another month? Let all the varioius charities around the world take care of things. If the U.S. wants to rebuild the country, let private enterprize do it, not the Federal Government. Let private contractors go in and rebuild that country.

[DwightShrute]

Originally Posted by andywend

I am curious as to how much financial and personal aid has been given to Haiti from socialist countries like France, Germany, Canada, Venezuela, Cuba, etc?

These countries pride themselves on things like this and yet its the U.S. contributing the most in financial as well as personal aid to Haiti.

The big-bad selfish Americans carrying the majority of the load once again.

Just another example which backs up my point that SOCIALISM IS A CANCER!!!

Venezuela sent one plane and so did Cuba.

Don't worry, the USA will surely get criticized somehow for not doing enough.

[crisp]

usa got iraq now haiti. who's next?

[Pareto]

Originally Posted by andywend

I am curious as to how much financial and personal aid has been given to Haiti from socialist countries like France, Germany, Canada, Venezuela, Cuba, etc?

These countries pride themselves on things like this and yet its the U.S. contributing the most in financial as well as personal aid to Haiti.

The big-bad selfish Americans carrying the majority of the load once again.

Just another example which backs up my point that SOCIALISM IS A CANCER!!!

I live in one of the extreme socialist Scandinavian countries. And even though I despise socialism, I would be very surprised, if we dont end up paying more on average pr. citizen than the United States.