Amongst differences, Haiti unites
Tragedy brings nations together for humanitarian efforts
Janine Shimomura
Posted on: 1/27/10 Section: Opinion
When a magnitude 7 earthquake hit Haiti and leveled its capital, Port-Au-Prince, the world recognized the need to help the struggling country.
One of the most impoverished nations in the world, Haiti has had its fair share of problems, which were only exacerbated by the earthquake and its resulting aftershocks. With hundreds of thousands dead according to a Haitian preliminary assessment, the richer nations of the world have stepped up to assist in aiding the country. The unification of these countries shows the power of empathy even in difficult economic times.
Despite their difference in attitudes and backgrounds, at the forefront of the call for donations from the American people were the current US President Barack Obama, and former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.
For many Americans, the presence of George W. Bush was almost a shock. Since passing on the torch to Obama, Bush has laid low avoiding the political debates that his adviser Karl Rove has been inciting and former vice president Dick Cheney's finger pointing.
In fact, this was part of his plan-to avoid the spotlight and not make controversial or critical comments as Obama released CIA torture memos and attempted to pass a sweeping health care bill. Bush's long silence made his presence in the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake a shocking one, but as many who have dealt with crises that attract the nation's focus will tell, not an unprecedented one.
It has been tradition over the years for the current president to call in his predecessor and other former heads-of-state to help shepherd the nation's humanitarian efforts. Within his presidency, Bush had experienced September 11, the Asian tsunami of 2004, and Hurricane Katrina; all events that he had called Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush to the Oval Office for.
Humanitarian needs should, and have usually always, escaped free from partisan name-calling. Not many tea partiers will be so brash as to criticize Obama for sending the needed aid into Haiti for humanitarian efforts despite the cost it may accrue for taxpayers. When people are dying or hurting and cannot get the care they need, most people can empathize and try to help.
One of the most impoverished nations in the world, Haiti has had its fair share of problems, which were only exacerbated by the earthquake and its resulting aftershocks. With hundreds of thousands dead according to a Haitian preliminary assessment, the richer nations of the world have stepped up to assist in aiding the country. The unification of these countries shows the power of empathy even in difficult economic times.
Despite their difference in attitudes and backgrounds, at the forefront of the call for donations from the American people were the current US President Barack Obama, and former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.
For many Americans, the presence of George W. Bush was almost a shock. Since passing on the torch to Obama, Bush has laid low avoiding the political debates that his adviser Karl Rove has been inciting and former vice president Dick Cheney's finger pointing.
In fact, this was part of his plan-to avoid the spotlight and not make controversial or critical comments as Obama released CIA torture memos and attempted to pass a sweeping health care bill. Bush's long silence made his presence in the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake a shocking one, but as many who have dealt with crises that attract the nation's focus will tell, not an unprecedented one.
It has been tradition over the years for the current president to call in his predecessor and other former heads-of-state to help shepherd the nation's humanitarian efforts. Within his presidency, Bush had experienced September 11, the Asian tsunami of 2004, and Hurricane Katrina; all events that he had called Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush to the Oval Office for.
Humanitarian needs should, and have usually always, escaped free from partisan name-calling. Not many tea partiers will be so brash as to criticize Obama for sending the needed aid into Haiti for humanitarian efforts despite the cost it may accrue for taxpayers. When people are dying or hurting and cannot get the care they need, most people can empathize and try to help.
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