Mr. President, Is it True

Dear Mr. President.  Is it true?  Does the world hate us so much that they would accuse our once great country of trying to steal Haiti from her people?  Does France, Venezuela, and other reasonable countries truly believe that the American intent is to occupy this poor and devastated region?  Why, Mr. President, should the world think so poorly of us?  Is it the arrogance you advertised over the world?  Is it the lack of respect that our own leaders have in our people?  Is it possible that we've lost our direction and other countries can see it from the outside looking in?  How sad, to know that this country, based on "Godly" missions and good intentions has become not only a disgrace to our own President, but to the world at large!

Haiti is a small island off the east coast of the Western Hemisphere. It is arguably the poorest nation in our region. A terrible earthquake hit their small country leveling Port Au Prince, the capital of this beautiful island paradise. America, as usual, answered the cries of the people of Haiti and began organizing to send humanitarian and security aid to the impoverished country that was so overtly devastated that a bowl of rice would be a welcome item in the aftermath.

I heard Hugo Chavez, the "president" of Venezuela. He accused America of military occupation of Haiti. On the other hand, President Chavez has not lifted a finger to help this nation with their plight. He does, however, provide funding to Cuba to help them strengthen their aim on the United States.

This morning I heard that France is now chiming in on the rhetoric of Hugo Chavez. Because a man was turned way with his humanitarian aid for the benefit of military transport caused the mis-representation of the efforts by the United States.

There are riots in the streets. Aid is not getting to the people who need it because there is not enough personnel available to help distribute the aid. The US military has agreed to allow supplies in before more servicemen, however if there is no one to organize and distribute the aid and supplies, if there is no control over the riots at the distribution points then all the humanitarian aid, medicine, water, and food will be irrelevant.

I know Haiti has experienced a devastating event. No one can feel worse for them than the rest of the world, including the United States. Argentina is asking for aid because of an earthquake that hit there a few days ago. If the United States does nothing they will be accused of being heartless. If they leave our borders to help Argentina they will be accused of military occupation. There is absolutely no reason for this hate spewing from the mouths of people who refuse to understand the severity of the situation.

In 2005 the US military was charged with evacuating and rescuing Americans from New Orleans due to Hurricane(s) Katrina and Rita. A police officer was shot on a bridge, military helicopters were shot upon by people standing on the roofs of their homes. There was severe looting in the streets. People were stealing televisions and expensive items and not food and water. It is forgivable and understandable for a person to swipe a candy bar, a loaf of bread, some water, but it makes no sense to shoot at rescuers, to steal things they can't even use, nor transport, because there is no place to go. Haiti is in a similar situation. People are digging through the rubble for anything to eat or drink. People are desperate for aid. I believe God helps those who help themselves. This kind of desperate looting for food is within that understanding.

That being said, should the US withdraw from Haiti and leave them to their own devices? Should the depleted Haitian police and military forces be left to contain millions of people who are starving and dying on the streets? Should we be selfish and think only of our reputation and not of the wellbeing and lives of these poor people? Or should we disregard the insults of those who would rather complain than find solutions? I suggest the latter. We should be Americans, do our part to help these poor and starving people.

BUT the people of Haiti, those who are able bodied, the looters, the complainers, should pick up a shovel and help dig out those stuck underground. They should be standing in line helping pass out food, should be reporting looters and criminals who are running rampant through the streets. Haitians should be taught to care for themselves. This is the perfect opportunity to learn how to pick up from the rubble and wipe off the dust. People in Haiti may be poor but they are obviously survivors. They have lived through the squalor of their nation. They should clean up the mess and begin to build. I bet that building supplies, bulldozers and cranes, construction workers and able bodied volunteers are all going to be sent to Haiti. Build their country better than it was, add rich soil to their land to grow their own food, bring them sheep, pigs, and cows to help feed their people.

I am offended by the selfish motives of people who are using their own hate of America to keep us from doing what we do well: We are good at helping out when a hand is reached out. We are great at humanitarian organization. Our country is trained daily in one way or another, to care for those who need our help. Instead of joining in and helping out, dignitaries from Venezuela, France, and other countries decide to use their words to further ruin the reputation of a relatively decent and law-abiding country who's agenda and intent is honorable and without deceit.