While I was shocked and horrified by the images from Haiti, I am glad that the story is getting so much coverage. It seems lately that so many news stories shouldn't even qualify.
I don't think a news story has ever horrified me as much as Haiti. When 9/11 happened, I was 18 and in the Navy. The base went on high alert, and I didn't see much coverage on TV. Plus I spent so much time on security detail that life was work and sleep for about three weeks. And I was young...crisis didn't seem to mean much to me.
When Hurricane Katrina happened, I was disgusted. Warnings had been given out for a week, and people were providing free transportation out of the area. But there were fights and I believe (if I recall correctly) one incident with a gun. People refused to leave. When aid came, at least one rescue team (I believe it was a helicopter) was SHOT at. THREE YEARS later, when I was at a doctor's office in Jacksonville, FL, a guy was arguing that he shouldn't have to pay his bill because he was displaced from Hurricane Katrina. If you've been displaced for three years, hon, you're living there now. You're not a temporary resident.
With Haiti, though, there was no warning. According to the news stories, the smell of dead bodies is in the air. The Haitian government and media are mostly missing...looting has started, and aid workers are worried that anarchy is only steps away. Bulldozers are moving buildings and bodies at the same time...some young men are watching the bodies being uncovered as type of attraction.
Water is becoming scarce. Food is becoming almost impossible to get.
Google has organized a crisis response page, with many organizations that are helping in Haiti right now. Google is also donating $1 million.
http://www.google.com/relief/haitiearthquake/#utm_campaign=en&utm_source=en-ha-na-us-sk&utm_medium=ha&utm_term=haiti%20donation
You can donate via online checkout, phone, or even your cell phone.
Please take the time to help these people.
I don't think a news story has ever horrified me as much as Haiti. When 9/11 happened, I was 18 and in the Navy. The base went on high alert, and I didn't see much coverage on TV. Plus I spent so much time on security detail that life was work and sleep for about three weeks. And I was young...crisis didn't seem to mean much to me.
When Hurricane Katrina happened, I was disgusted. Warnings had been given out for a week, and people were providing free transportation out of the area. But there were fights and I believe (if I recall correctly) one incident with a gun. People refused to leave. When aid came, at least one rescue team (I believe it was a helicopter) was SHOT at. THREE YEARS later, when I was at a doctor's office in Jacksonville, FL, a guy was arguing that he shouldn't have to pay his bill because he was displaced from Hurricane Katrina. If you've been displaced for three years, hon, you're living there now. You're not a temporary resident.
With Haiti, though, there was no warning. According to the news stories, the smell of dead bodies is in the air. The Haitian government and media are mostly missing...looting has started, and aid workers are worried that anarchy is only steps away. Bulldozers are moving buildings and bodies at the same time...some young men are watching the bodies being uncovered as type of attraction.
Water is becoming scarce. Food is becoming almost impossible to get.
Google has organized a crisis response page, with many organizations that are helping in Haiti right now. Google is also donating $1 million.
http://www.google.com/relief/haitiearthquake/#utm_campaign=en&utm_source=en-ha-na-us-sk&utm_medium=ha&utm_term=haiti%20donation
You can donate via online checkout, phone, or even your cell phone.
Please take the time to help these people.
