7.0 Earthquake Hits Haiti Hospital Collapses

[songline]

It made me cry as well songline.
I keep thinking to myself just how factual it is that not one person on this earth is safe from a natural disaster, and no matter how rich or poor, any of our children, our mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters could be the ones buried under those stones...
It will be the compassion of people from all over the world that will lend a hand, lend their brains and their education, and lend their pennies and few dollars that will add to a growing fund that will help them back on their feet. This is not a country who is begging for fine dinning and luxury homes, they are just asking for safe water to drink and whatever food to keep them alive. Even the richest person in the city cannot buy survival at this time, survival is buried under the rubble..
May those who have managed to survive last long enough for the compassionate people of this entire world to lend their hands and pull them out.:grouphug:

My brain keeps saying I wish I can go - but I cant, I am waiting for my unemployment check and I am 2 months behind in rent, but I want to go so badly. I want to take care of the children, I am so frustrated.
I hope my check arrived by morning so I can send money. I am so eager to help.
I am talking with a jazz musician and will call a restaurant in the morning I want to throw a benefit and raise money....I just have no idea what to do first. I am just in tears. It hurts to watch.
That level of devastation, and helplessness is huge. My brain cant even wrap around it.

 

[Sleuthster]

My brain keeps saying I wish I can go - I am waiting for my unemployment check and I am 2 months behind in rent.
but I want to go so badly. I want to take care of the children. I am so frustrated I hope my check arrived by tomorrow. I am so eager to help.

When I was at college today (Intro to education class) the instructor said our homework was to write a letter to ourselves about why we want to be a teacher and what we want to accomplish. This way we can go back and remember why and focus on this when times get tough. At that moment I knew what I wanted to do, I am ill, I can barely walk and I know I will never be a regular fulltime teacher but I want to make a difference and I will. I want to teach in a country like Haiti or Honduras. I want to make a difference. Jill Kinmont has been my hero since I was 8, ironic isnt it as Paralysis slowly effects my legs. She didnt feel sorry for herself she went out and made a difference to poor children on indian reservations. I cant do it too even in a wheelchair and this is what I will write as my goal to myself.

My mil is a retired college proff, age 68. She got her EMT at 65 and goes to Honduras 2x a year at her own expense to work in a clinic giving children medical care. She is also my hero.

 

[songline]

This was the Hotel Montana's fb page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Haiti-Earthquake-Hotel-Montana/245595172631?ref=ts
It is now a fb for people searching for missing loved ones that stayed at the hotel or where visiting Hati. Very very sad

This was valuable but very hard to stomach, because you actually see the PEOPLE that are missing.
It reminds me of all the people that used to come on 9/11 with pictures of loved ones.
It is evening here in NY and I have not been able to eat anything today, but I am greatful that I can if
I want to. THEY HAVE NOTHING.

 

[songline]

When I was at college today (Intro to education class) the instructor said our homework was to write a letter to ourselves about why we want to be a teacher and what we want to accomplish. This way we can go back and remember why and focus on this when times get tough. At that moment I knew what I wanted to do, I am ill, I can barely walk and I know I will never be a regular fulltime teacher but I want to make a difference and I will. I want to teach in a country like Haiti or Honduras. I want to make a difference. Jill Kinmont has been my hero since I was 8, ironic isnt it as Paralysis slowly effects my legs. She didnt feel sorry for herself she went out and made a difference to poor children on indian reservations. I cant do it too even in a wheelchair and this is what I will write as my goal to myself.

My mil is a retired college proff, age 68. She got her EMT at 65 and goes to Honduras 2x a year at her own expense to work in a clinic giving children medical care. She is also my hero.

Thank you for that story it makes my heart grow.

 

[Sleuthster]

Songline that is also an excellent idea. I have a friend that frequents biker bars in my area. We used to go to church together. She is such a wonderful person, if someone in the community needs a transplant and reads about it or if a child is seriously injured and the family doesnt have insurance, she gets these bars to have hold a benefit where they donate 20-25% of what they make to the person. She also gets bands to preform for free and gets businesses to donate services to auction at the event. I gave her one of my books lol. Then she goes above and beyond that and prints up posters goes on the internet and tells the community about the event. She has no money but she still manages to help so many.

 

[Sleuthster]

This was valuable but very hard to stomach, because you actually see the PEOPLE that are missing.
It reminds me of all the people that used to come on 9/11 with pictures of loved ones.
It is evening here in NY and I have not been able to eat anything today, but I am greatful that I can if
I want to. THEY HAVE NOTHING.

amen {{hugs}}

 

[songline]

This is what it looked like before. How horrible. All of the after pictures are just horrible. I dont know how anyone could not look at those pictures and cry for the loss of lives, from the little babies on up.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotos-g147307-d150996-Hotel_Montana-Port_au_Prince_Haiti.html

Sleuthster remember this old song...That is what this hotel reminded me of.

"What a difference a day makes 24 little hours"

and their lives will never be the same.

 

[LadyLuck]

My heart breaks for the people of Haiti- I had to stop watching, it is so sad. I thank God that all the countries are helping but wish they could get the aid to the people sooner. It seems that smaller groups, mission groups, etc. get actual help there sooner. All the news media have people on the streets filming - why oh why can they not get water, food , tents to the people.

I want to donate but do not want to give to Red Cross- I am going to check on Americares and Doctors without Borders.

 

[Sleuthster]

My heart breaks for the people of Haiti- I had to stop watching, it is so sad. I thank God that all the countries are helping but wish they could get the aid to the people sooner. It seems that smaller groups, mission groups, etc. get actual help there sooner. All the news media have people on the streets filming - why oh why can they not get water, food , tents to the people.

I want to donate but do not want to give to Red Cross- I am going to check on Americares and Doctors without Borders.

When I see the media reporting from ground zero during horrible events like this earthquake, it makes me think about the famous picture from vietnam of the girl being burned from agent orange running from the rice fields and the camera man and reporter just stood there and didnt help her while she screamed help me. Years later he said that he wanted to but he was told not to get involved and in the end he commited suicide.

Point is, they should do "more" then take pictures and report. They where sent there on planes or helicopters or what ever method and I'm sure the tv station could have stopped at sams club or walmart and got a couple cases of water to drop off too, FGS. JMO of course.

Anderson Cooper-Where's the aquafina??????

 

[i.b.nora]

I wouldn't go so far as to assume that the reporters aren't doing more than what we see them doing. Anderson, for example, was quite active in rescues during Katrina.
Surely you saw Sanja Guptka helping that little 15 day old baby, yes?
Also, the roads in Port Au Prince are blocked. And, if there is a Sams Club or a Walmart, which I sincerely doubt, they are surely out of water by now. I personally am thankful that the reporters and camera people are there.

 

[Sleuthster]

I wouldn't go so far as to assume that the reporters aren't doing more than what we see them doing. Anderson, for example, was quite active in rescues during Katrina.
Surely you saw Sanja Guptka helping that little 15 day old baby, yes?
Also, the roads in Port Au Prince are blocked. And, if there is a Sams Club or a Walmart, which I sincerely doubt, they are surely out of water by now. I personally am thankful that the reporters and camera people are there.

Sanja Guptka is a doctor first and yes I saw him helping the baby but I think they could do more. I didnt mean sams club in Haiti if they even have one. My point is that the media is sending all of these planes/helicopters over to haiti they could bring over some supplies also. I for one would like to see more pictures of reporters handing out water and tents and blankets,etc. We never seem to see those type of pictures.

 

[songline]

Bill Clinton: Haiti Quake Tragedy for Millions, United Nations
Former President, Now a U.N. Special Envoy, Calls on Americans to Donate Cash
By DEVIN DWYER
Jan. 13, 2010

<<CLIP>>
"Our U.N. hotel, as you know, [was] five stories [and] completely collapsed. Today, only 10 people [were] recovered alive," Clinton told Stephanopoulos.

At least 16 U.N. employees, including chief of the U.N. mission in Haiti, Hedi Annabi, have died, with at least 56 more injured, a U.N. spokesman told ABC News.

"It's highly likely to be the highest mortality count we've ever had," Clinton said.

<more at link>

http://abcnews.go.com/WN/HaitiEarth...elief-calls-americans-donate/story?id=9554909

 

[songline]

Haiti earthquake: UN confronts largest tragedy in own history

There is a photo of the UN Hotel (Christopher Hotel) and to me that photo looks just fine.
they claim to have been taken photo yesterday, Wednesday. but article talks of rubble. :waitasec:

<<<SNIP>>>
Ban described frantic efforts to find survivors in the Christopher Hotel's rubble, with rescue teams working with dogs on the pile to find signs of life. One success was the discovery of injured Estonian bodyguard Tarmo Joveer, who was found alive and dehydrated under about 12 feet of rubble. After being given water through a hose, the debris was eventually cleared and he was taken to hospital.

"It was a small miracle during a night, which brought few other miracles,'' Ban said. "We will continue to work, to search and rescue, as quickly as possible. I think the first 72 hours will be critically important. Now we are approaching 48 hours by 5:00 this afternoon. I hope that we will have more and more survivors."

The three-day window Ban referred to is crucial in search and rescue. Beyond that point, with dehydration and the effect of injuries often worsening, survival is much less likely.

<<<MORE AT LINK>>>>

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Glob...e-UN-confronts-largest-tragedy-in-own-history

 

[songline]

Sanja Guptka is a doctor first and yes I saw him helping the baby but I think they could do more. I didnt mean sams club in Haiti if they even have one. My point is that the media is sending all of these planes/helicopters over to Haiti they could bring over some supplies also. I for one would like to see more pictures of reporters handing out water and tents and blankets,etc. We never seem to see those type of pictures.

BBM
They are.... but some planes are also bringing tents for the help staff, and supplies for the help staff, and water for the help staff.
Not all the plans going over are bringing only for the victims. these helping need to stay strong to be able to handle that huge catastrophe.

 

[songline]

150 U.N. staff members remain trapped under rubble in Haiti
Photo of hotel collapsed

SNIP>>>>>>>>>

At U.N. headquarters in New York, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and his top advisers said the Haitian earthquake would probably mark the worst day in the organization's 64-year history.

More at link >>>>>>>

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/13/AR2010011304750.html?hpid=topnews

 

[Wise Old Owl]

As this horrific tragedy continues to unfold in my backyard (I'm in South Florida) it seems we get a little more info a little quicker, reports came in this afternoon that the air space over Haiti is so clogged with planes that some are actually turning back. Pilots are being told that if you don't have enough fuel to get back out - then don't land. Most planes are circling for at least an hour. Now the big cargo military planes are getting in - but they don't have the big machinery needed to unload those tons of supplies in a "quick manner" - thus the back up.

What is really needed now is we all just have to "breathe". There is so much relief trying to "get in" it is actually snarling everything. Hopefully once we get all our military there some order can be brought and all this help can reach the people.

Haiti quake aid snarled; up to 50,000 feared dead


PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) -- Doctors and search dogs, troops and rescue teams flew to this devastated land of dazed, dead and dying people Thursday, finding bottlenecks everywhere, beginning at a main airport short on jet fuel and ramp space and without a control tower

http://www.wsvn.com/news/articles/world/MI141152/

 

[songline]

As this horrific tragedy continues to unfold in my backyard (I'm in South Florida) it seems we get a little more info a little quicker, reports came in this afternoon that the air space over Haiti is so clogged with planes that some are actually turning back. Pilots are being told that if you don't have enough fuel to get back out - then don't land. Most planes are circling for at least an hour. Now the big cargo military planes are getting in - but they don't have the big machinery needed to unload those tons of supplies in a "quick manner" - thus the back up.

What is really needed now is we all just have to "breathe". There is so much relief trying to "get in" it is actually snarling everything. Hopefully once we get all our military there some order can be brought and all this help can reach the people.

Haiti quake aid snarled; up to 50,000 feared dead


PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) -- Doctors and search dogs, troops and rescue teams flew to this devastated land of dazed, dead and dying people Thursday, finding bottlenecks everywhere, beginning at a main airport short on jet fuel and ramp space and without a control tower

http://www.wsvn.com/news/articles/world/MI141152/

WOW...They want to help and are turned back. the airport is damaged but it is also small and cant hold that much activity, they have to schedule flights differently.
Why did they think of those logistics before sending all those plans there? maybe they need to have a mid way point to Waite and refuel.

 

[Wise Old Owl]

WOW...They want to help and are turned back. the airport is damaged but it is also small and cant hold that much activity, they have to schedule flights differently.
Why did they think of those logistics before sending all those plans there? maybe they need to have a mid way point to Waite and refuel.

There isn't just ONE country, leader, organization, etc. leading the way. Everyone wants to help. I even heard on the local newscast tonight that some small planes are even defying air traffic control and "pushing their way" in to land.

It is very hard to understand but this country has nothing. Absolutely nothing. What very little infrastructure they had (which wasn't much) is now gone.

I believe once our military gets there "in might" that things will get organized - I also heard that the US is now controlling all air space and air traffic control.

The port is also a huge problem. The big cranes and lifts used on those big cargo ships are either gone or totally broken. Some parts of the port have broken off with cargo ships and boxes falling into the water. It seems there is going to have to be a lot of work to get the port operational - or at least able to receive these huge ships that are coming. Most of the big ships (USS Comfort) will stay off shore - but the ferries still have to be run back and forth through the port.

 

[LadyLuck]

I am thankful that the reporters are there (was not knocking that) - I just think if they can get all their equipment in to broadcast 24/7 there has to be someway to get water and supplies to the people. ABC has a least 5 reporters -I have no idea how many staffers. The media needs to form a pool and share feeds and leave room for people who can be of help.

When they were showing the President's palace I notice a lot of land around it- could they not secure that land, have food, water, medical supplies, tents, etc. dropped in- help has to get to the people.

 

[Chiquita71]

And I am sure right after 9/11 when he blamed the attacks on Homosexuals and abortion rights that was taken out of context too. I have just never understood why anyone pays him any mind at all - he is obviously INSANE and not to mention downright hateful and stupid.

My favorite is when he said at the 1988 Republican Convention that women's rights result in women leaving their husbands, practicing witch-craft, killing their children, destroying capitalism and becoming lesbians.
I have a tee-shirt with that wonderful little ditty on it - in an ironic way, not cuz I agree mind you.

:rotfl:

Thanks for the laugh. I have that type of sense of humor too.

I didn't know they were so blatantly announcing such ideas anymore. Maybe more accurate to say, I know they say things like this but I go out of my way not to listen to anything they say and so reading it is a shocking reminder. This kind of thinking is truly disturbing. It is a patriarchal mentality and specifically the patriarchal teaching that women are evil. That they do not have souls. That women are responsible for the fall of all mankind and our banishment from the garden of Eden. That we are consorts of the devil. Low estimates say as many as 60,000 to 100,000 women were executed for practicing "witchcraft", during the time in history known as "the burning times." Men have the right and duty to dole out corporal punishment to his wife to keep her in line and the woman should accept her corrections and punishment with humility and without question. Women were not to speak unless spoken to and were not allowed to speak in Church, if they were allowed to speak at all. That's just the tip of the ice burg. The patriarchal mentality says that it is "survival of the fittest" and dismisses all women, children, elderly and poor as "weak" and deserving of any woe brought upon them to the degree of believing it to be divinely ordained.

My thoughts are with the people of Haiti and everyone who is connected to someone in Haiti. The world is so sorry this happened to you. I am happy to hear the medical help has begun to arrive as it goes without saying; people need water, food and shelter too-may all help arrive this second. People always help people in times like these, regardless of what is shown in movies, there are people who come together to help each other and help others and I am sure this time will be no different. Blessings Haiti.

:cow: