You know, as a vociferous critic of Obama, I've got to say something

MadHound

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sat Jan-16-10 11:27 AM
Original message

You know, as a vociferous critic of Obama, I've got to say something

He's doing this one right. He has responded to the Haitian crisis in a calm, compassionate and intelligent manner.

For those of you who are going on about how relief and supplies aren't getting to Haitians quick enough, I'm sorry, but you really don't know what you're talking about. A few key points for you to remember. First, there is one, count it, one functioning airport in the country and that airport is in no way shape or form designed to handle this kind of traffic or plane size. For having such a limited air destination, the folks on the ground are doing a great job of getting planes in, unloaded and out again, over and over, day and night. Furthermore, there are absolutely no functioning ports. Ships would be a wonderfully efficient way to get supplies and manpower into the country, but if you don't have functioning ports it is impossible for a lot of ships to dock and unload. The roll on/roll off ships that are required are on their way, but it takes time for them to get there.

Then there is the matter of getting the supplies and relief to the people. Haiti never had much of a ground transportation infrastructure to begin with, and after the quake it has deteriorated badly. The roads simply can't handle large trucks, they're covered with rubble and all that is going to take time and equipment to clear.

As far as those of you calling for air drops, you've never been in a situation where people are desperate. Let's ignore the fact that you've got to clear a drop zone (again it would take coordination and some heavy equipment) and that you have to have trained ground crews on the drop zone and still things go wrong on drops, let's ignore that. Let's say that you can indeed just shove shit out the door of the airplane like they do in the movies. Do you realize what would happen on the ground? Utter chaos, massive violence as people fight and kill to get some of the limited supplies for themselves. Do you really want to watch that on TV?

I hate to tell you this but the fact of the matter is that it takes time for massive, effective relief operations to take hold. The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Force as set sail and will get there Tuesday. Sorry, it takes time to load and organize a force such as this, and they don't have supersonic jet engines on the boats, so they have to sail in the normal way. It takes time.

And while we're on the Marines, as a person who is against our current wars, I would like to salute all of our military forces who are involved in this relief mission. I recognize, always have, the need for a military force in this country. They have now been tasked with a mission that is worthy of them and they're coming through with flying colors. For that I salute them.

I also salute all of the volunteers, NGO's and other organizations (including the fundy Christian ones) who are either are on the ground or will be on the ground helping out in this massive effort. They are all doing good work here.

Furthermore, I would like to congratulate each and every person who has donated their time, money and/or energy to helping out in this crisis. We are, as a country, currently living up to the ideals that are so often merely pious mouthings. We are truly showing the best side of this country.

Yes, yes, I recognize all of the history that lies between Haiti and the US, but you know what, that is the past and in this time of crisis it needs to remain in the past. What matters now is not who did what to whom ten, fifty, one hundred years ago. What matters is how we respond in the here and now, and we are responding in a such a great fashion, it makes one proud.

One last word, as much as many people don't like it, undertaking an operation this massive, on this scale, in such a environment as we're going to. It would be great if it all happened instantaneously, but the fact of the matter is that it can't. We have done a good job, especially under the circumstances of providing immediate help, now the second wave is coming in. I recognize that people in Haiti are dying daily due to the inability of aid to arrive, but frankly, moving the heavy equipment needed, even just the hand tools needed to help out takes time. This is a sad but inescapable fact. Sadly, more people are going to die, but that is the nature of a tragedy of this scale. But help is on the ground and more is arriving everyday.

So I guess I want to say to everybody who is involved in this, from the president to the military, the NGO's to those who contribute to the relief all across this country, you're doing good, and thank you.