Major disaster strikes – man is very worried about person he may or may not know there

Port-au-Prince, Haiti – We have all met a Ken Waters in our lives. While we watch news coverage of major disasters and world events on television people like Ken really live the tragedy. While all we can do is pray and send donations; the Ken Waters of the world must endure the suffering of their self projected victimization.

“When I heard of the tragic events in Haiti recently,” he explains, “I remembered I have a 3rd cousin that might be from Haiti so I immediately Tweeted this to my followers and casually worked it into conversations with co-workers about the event.”

He goes to explain how the recent disaster effects himself more so than others due to this minor degree of separation.

“The first step in relating to a major tragedy in the world,” he continues,”is figuring where the fuck it is. This is why much like the media I tend to ignore Darfur.”

“I just hope my 3rd cousin who may or may not be from Haiti is alright.”

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Help for Haiti – President Barack Obama asks for others to give

This email was sent out on behalf of President Obama to his campaign supporters:

On Tuesday, a catastrophic earthquake struck near Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but the death toll — already in the thousands — is climbing fast.

This is the worst earthquake to hit the area in more than 200 years. Entire communities have been ripped apart and as many as 3 million people have been directly affected, including tens of thousands of American citizens who are in Haiti.

Our neighbors in Haiti are racing to confront the enormous devastation — and the OFA community can help.

Click here for more information about essential relief efforts and ways you can help today.

Footage is pouring in of homes collapsing, Haitians carrying injured family members, and hospitals being overrun in what was already the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere.

I have directed my administration to respond with a swift, coordinated, and aggressive effort to save lives. Personnel from the United States and our partners in the international community are on the ground in damaged areas right now, working side by side with the Haitian people. They’re providing much-needed food, water, and sanitation supplies, saving lives and helping local communities start to rebuild.

Despite the fact that we are experiencing tough times here at home, I encourage those who can to reach out and help. It’s in times like these that we must show the kind of compassion and humanity that has defined the best of our national character for generations.

Click here to find out what you can do:

http://my.barackobama.com/Haiti

As this story continues to unfold, I hope you will continue to keep the people of Haiti in your thoughts and prayers, as well as the many Haitian-Americans who have done so much to enrich our country and who are worried about friends and loved ones in this time of need.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

Further Reading: Politico – President Obama: Haiti efforts a top priority

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Republicans unite behind Democrats after Haiti earthquake…just kidding they say Satan did it and Obama responded too fast

A massive earthquake hits one of the America’s poorest countries and it’s still politics as usual over here in the states.

From Media Matters – Politicizing Haitian Tragedy

Robertson, host of the Christian Broadcasting Networks’ The 700 Club, claimed that Haiti “swore a pact to the devil” to get “free from the French” and “ever since they have been cursed.” Meanwhile, Limbaugh used his nationally-syndicated radio show to make a number of questionable comments about the tragedy, claiming that Obama would use the Haiti crisis to boost his credibility with the “light-skinned and dark-skinned black community in this country.” Both Limbaugh and the Fox Nation noted that Obama discussed the earthquake sooner than the attempted Christmas bombing, with Limbaugh asking, “Did he apologize for America?”

NPR has the video and transcript of Pat Robertson’s comments:

PAT ROBERTSON: And, you know, Kristi, something happened a long time ago in Haiti, and people might not want to talk about it. They were under the heel of the French. You know, Napoleon III and whatever. And they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said, “We will serve you if you will get us free from the French.” True story. And so, the devil said, “OK, it’s a deal.”
And they kicked the French out. You know, the Haitians revolted and got themselves free. But ever since, they have been cursed by one thing after the other. Desperately poor. That island of Hispaniola is one island. It’s cut down the middle. On the one side is Haiti; on the other side is the Dominican Republic. Dominican Republic is prosperous, healthy, full of resorts, et cetera. Haiti is in desperate poverty. Same island. They need to have and we need to pray for them a great turning to God. And out of this tragedy, I’m optimistic something good may come. But right now, we’re helping the suffering people, and the suffering is unimaginable.
KRISTI WATTS (co-host): Absolutely, Pat.

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