Naomi Kline
Readers of the The Shock Doctrine know that the Heritage Foundation has been one of the leading advocates of exploiting disasters to push through their unpopular pro-corporate policies. From this document, they’re at it again, not even waiting one day to use the devastating earthquake in Haiti to push for their so-called reforms. The following quote was hastily yanked by the Heritage Foundation and replaced with a more diplomatic quote, but their first instinct is revealing:
“In addition to providing immediate humanitarian assistance, the U.S. response to the tragic earthquake in Haiti earthquake offers opportunities to re-shape Haiti’s long-dysfunctional government and economy as well as to improve the public image of the United States in the region.”
http://blog.heritage.org/2010/01/13/things-to-remember-while-helping-haiti/
Things to Remember While Helping Haiti
Posted January 13th, 2010 at 3:32pm in American Leadership with 44 comments
Print This Post Today, the United States began surveying the damage inflicted by a devastating earthquake in Haiti this week. In addition to providing immediate humanitarian assistance, the U.S. response to the tragic earthquake should address long-held concerns over the fragile political environment that exists in the region.
The U.S. government response should be bold and decisive. It must mobilize U.S. civilian and military capabilities for short-term rescue and relief and long-term recovery and reform. President Obama should tap high-level, bipartisan leadership. Clearly former President Clinton, who was already named as the U.N. envoy on Haiti, is a logical choice. President Obama should also reach out to a senior Republican figure, perhaps former President George W. Bush, to lead the bipartisan effort for the Republicans.
While on the ground in Haiti, the U.S. military can also interrupt the nightly flights of cocaine to Haiti and the Dominican Republic from the Venezuelan coast and counter the ongoing efforts of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to destabilize the island of Hispaniola. This U.S. military presence, which should also include a large contingent of U.S. Coast Guard assets, can also prevent any large-scale movement by Haitians to take to the sea in dangerous and rickety watercraft to try to enter the U.S. illegally.
Meanwhile, the U.S. must be prepared to insist that the Haiti government work closely with the U.S. to insure that corruption does not infect the humanitarian assistance flowing to Haiti. Long-term reforms for Haitian democracy and its economy are also badly overdue. Congress should immediately begin work on a package of assistance, trade, and reconstruction efforts needed to put Haiti on its feet and open the way for deep and lasting democratic reforms.
The U.S. should implement a strong and vigorous public diplomacy effort to counter the negative propaganda certain to emanate from the Castro-Chavez camp. Such an effort will also demonstrate that the U.S.’s involvement in the Caribbean remains a powerful force for good in the Americas and around the globe.
To assist Red Cross Relief Efforts, go to www.redcross.org
Really, the US wants to reshape Haiti in our own
image by secretly using the tragic earthquake as
a cover. Please , I see the former colonial masters
up to their old foolishness called nation building.
Remember Iraq? Don’t let the wool get pulled over
your eyes.Remember that the wack ass US govt
could care less about the brothas and sistas in
Haiti trying to survive after this natural disaster!!!!!
I almost forgot who the US govt helped the black
people after Hurricane Katrina. They showed no
mercy!!! Nothing +Nothing=Nothing. That kind
of so-called help you don’t need.
What happens in Haiti, especially the strong military presence before humanitarian, food, and medical aid, will be a precursor to what happens to “urban” cities all across America and the globe once the aftermath of the imminent and intense solar flares projected to bombard earth at the end of 2012 has finally come to pass. This issue is as real as it gets yet many in our community haven’t a clue about it and are oblivious to ways to successfully survive this critical event. Elite world governments are well aware of this global threat and the massive implications these “solar storms” and “pole shifts” pose and will use every opportunity to prepare for it in the meantime, unfortunately, at our expense. Only the well-informed and the prepared shall survive!
Peace!