Haiti: The BBC Lets Me Have My Say
Jan 19th, 2010 | 34 responses
The BBC World Service has a unique daily discussion program, “World Have Your Say,” where the BBC provides a platform for a world-wide discussion of topics of general interest, and facilitates live exchanges between and among BBC staff, invited guests, and callers from all over the world.
Today’s subject was, of course, the Haiti catastrophe—more specifically how “Once again, in a crisis, the world turns to the U.S. to sort it out….”
I was flattered to have been asked by the BBC to participate in the program.
The subject on which I was asked to provide comments and feedback was the relief effort being provided by the U.S. military.
Was it enough? Was it too much? Was it timely? Was it effective? Was it appreciated? “Was it an Invasion?”
I was pleased that most of the comments made in this regard were positive. Of course there were a few critical comments. I was also pleased that the BBC moderator, Ross Atkins, was very objective and factual.
As to my participation, I don’t know how I came across. I am not very quick on my feet or, for that matter, “eloquent” when it comes to such occasions.
Looking back, I probably could have praised and defended the U.S. and the U.S. military’s efforts much better and, in particular, I could have expressed my opinions much stronger when the subject turned to “America wanting to sort of take over,” and, more specifically, to the unfortunate comments recently made by Alain Joyandet, the French Cooperation Minister, that “This is about helping Haiti, not about occupying Haiti…”
I limited my comments to comparing the French minister’s remarks to similar recent drivel by Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez and Nicaragua’s Daniel Ortega.
However, I wish that I had had the presence of mind and the time to make the following observations:
The United States has a President who ran a campaign based on condemning our invasion and occupation of Iraq and on the promise to get our country out of Iraq as soon as possible. Furthermore—at least according to the opposition—it was “like pulling teeth” to get Mr. Obama to send additional troops to Afghanistan. Why in heavens would he, would the United States, want to invade Haiti?
The United States has used its military to provide humanitarian assistance and relief in dozens of natural disasters, in places such as Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Rwanda, Mozambique, Somalia, Uganda, Kenya, several Central American countries, etc., etc. Were these considered to be military invasions? Did the U.S. occupy any of these countries afterwards?
The unmistakable orders given our military in Haiti are to use deadly force only as a ”last resort,” in self-defense or to save lives. Are these the orders normally given to invaders?
The Guardian today published the words of a U.S. paratrooper doing his selfless job in Haiti: “I don’t plan on firing a single shot while I am here. I’ve been in Iraq three times and I have done enough of that.” Are these the words of an “invader”?
With very few exceptions we only hear words of immense gratitude and high praise for our U.S. military, and other relief workers, from Haitians. Are these the sentiments expressed by those who are “being invaded”?
I could go on, and I wish I had done so during the BBC program.
Fortunately I do have a second chance to express those views here at The Moderate Voice and, guess what, I feel much better now.
Again, my thanks to the BBC for giving me such an opportunity, albeit I did not fully take advantage of it, and for linking to my post, “Haiti: The U.S. Military Steps Up to the Plate.”
opinions powered by SendLove.to
34 Responses to “Haiti: The BBC Lets Me Have My Say”
You may have done better than you think. And, it's harder to answer silly questions than intelligent ones. The U.S. steps up, some others just criticize the footwear.
Even Europeans know to ignore the French when they are talking about America
You can't get help to people without security. Haiti asked for our help and we gave it. Maybe France is unhappy that Haiti didn't ask them…who knows?
Here are quotes of quotes from Der Spiegel:
“The humanitarian superiority of the US has already raised suspicions. France has criticized the abrasive way the Americans at the airport have taken command, as the completely helpless government in Port-au-Prince abandons control to the US soldiers. This kind of criticism will only increase as soon as thousands of GIs go on patrol in order to provide temporary security. America must tread carefully in Haiti — after decades of interference and occupation. No one can help more at the moment than the superpower. Later, however, many will claim to know how things could have been done better. The good deed of today can in the long term become a terrible curse.”
also…
“The frustration of the foreign aid workers' and the helpless people in the face of a humanitarian disaster is understandable. However, the bottlenecks occurring in Haiti are unavoidable and the criticism is unfair. When an earthquake completely destroys the already weak infrastructure of a poor country, then blockages are unavoidable.”
and…
“As if the international aid organizations didn't have better things to be doing, a narrow-minded rivalry has begun over the 'leadership.' Mexico has already called for a session of the UN Security Council with the aim of strengthening the role of the US in handling the relief effort. And in Europe, too, people are seeking the limelight by attacking the US, which is putting in motion the massive capabilities of its forces, providing huge amounts of money and mobilizing prominent fundraisers. No power in the world is better placed to get things off the ground.”
I just viewed a tv report on how the Isareli military have set up and made operational an extensive mobile medical facility (something like our “MASH”) with unbelievably good medicval care capabilities.
Kudos and thank you to the Isarelis.
You are right, Shannonlee, this will probably turn into the most colossal Monday-morning (and Tuesday-morning, and Wednesday-morning, etc., etc) quarterbacking—”and armchair-generalship.” Sadlly, that seems the global vogue these days…
I don't know, this thing is taking way to long for me. I know it's easy to be critical. However I also know that MSF (Medicines Sans frontiers) sets up hospitals fast regardless of security, (which they never have). They are complaining that their airplanes have been turned back by the U.S. military. I suspect to facilitate landing and unloading of plastic jerry cans which I see stored all over the airport pretty much doing nothing. If the problem is security, the U.S. Army tells us they can airdrop an entire division plus kit anywhere in the world. So why didn’t they do this more than a week ago instead of clogging up the airport flying in troops?
If a relief group says they don’t need security then the military should get out of their way and let them do their thing. I suspect that MSF alone would have had at least two and probably four fully functional field hospitals by now. Two plane loads for MSF.
MSF are doing a great job, in spite of the circumstances
I’m not sure if this is totally accurate but I’ve heard that Venezuela has only provided one planeload of supplies. China has donated one million dollars to the relief effort. In contrast just the church that I belong to has already sent two planeloads of supplies. Has also sent many supplies overland to Haiti from our churches in the Dominican Republic. We are also sending doctors and other trained medical staff (all volunteers from the church) and setting up a clinic at one of our surviving church buildings in Port-au-Prince. This is just one denomination and not a large denomination at that, yet we seem to be providing more help than both socialist nations combined. This doesn’t even mention all the help our government and other organizations are providing. If is was left to some of these big mouth critics so concerned for the welfare of the people I believe most Haitians would die for the lack of concern.
No matter how much we as American squabble over politics and other issues, when a real crises arises we roll up our sleeves, forget rivalries and get the job done. Let them put that in their pipe and smoke it!
“No matter how much we as American squabble over politics and other issues, when a real crises arises we roll up our sleeves, forget rivalries and get the job done.”
Maybe 70 years ago, or so say the people in their 90's say. Not much since then.
See:
http://themoderatevoice.com/59654/haiti-the-uns…
and that was 2-3 days ago. So much aid is coming in so fast from everywhere, that is is very difficult to keep this updated-
Europe is Socialist NC. They are sending a lot.
“we seem to be providing more help than both socialist nations combined”
Don't forget Cuba, the giant of the Caribbean, next door to Haiti.
That socialist paradise should be at the forefront of the effort, logically. Here it is, in action:
http://www.ain.cubaweb.cu/idioma/ingles/2010/01…
“when a real crises arises we roll up our sleeves, forget rivalries and get the job done”
Not only that, the rest of the world has come to expect that of us, and is angry if we fail to do it.
(That, and second-guess or simply snipe at us no matter what we do.)
Just wait until after the disaster part is over. What about maintaining security after that? (UN peace-keepers? Nice winter assignment, at least.) What happens later? KBR, Halliburton, will they remain evil?
Good job Dorian!
also, some reporters who are falsely totting up what country has given what are not only making up the numbers wholesale (I’ve more direct input from people on the ground there who I’m affiliated with through nuns and priests) , the journos remind me of the old lady at the funeral who’s more interested in reading the cards on the flowers to see who sent what, than in comforting the living.
dr.e
It is difficult to comment in the face of such reflexive emotional patriotism that get aroused when anything AMERICAN gets challenged. Actually I think the article is designed to awaken the sleeping patriotic giant.
It is not to disparage the entire American effort but the whole world both welcomes and fears American involvement………..because we have a big footprint, sometimes our military never leaves. Other countries contribute what they can (The Cubans were there training doctors and sending doctors before the quake). It is also true (I'm sure you can find the stats on the web) that the big dollar amounts are posted in the millions, it has been written that the USA is “cheap.” It was said after the Indonesian tsunami too. when one looks at contributions per capita. The smaller social democratic Scandinavian countries tend to be much more generous in this regard.
But hey, I certainly hope that all the money and effort and compassion and supplies by all the countries involved will reach the people in need. I had been wondering vis-a-vis the airport bottleneck, wonder why they don't just parachute the supplies down………….and lo and behold that is what I witnessed in the tv news today. Yes!
The EU is sending half a billion in relief aid. They are also doing th same kind of private fund raising here as they are in the US.
The most important thing is that Haiti welcomes our aid, our doctors…our military. They want us there and that is the only thing that matters.
Here's the stats from the last global disaster:
Disasters Statistics > Funds committed to Tsunami aid (per capita) (most recent) by country
Showing latest available data.
Rank Countries Amount
# 1 Norway: 30.263 per 1 population
# 2 Luxembourg: 23.476 per 1 population
# 3 Australia: 9.607 per 1 population
# 4 Sweden: 9.553 per 1 population
# 5 Netherlands: 9.508 per 1 population
# 6 New Zealand: 9.17 per 1 population
# 7 Finland: 8.424 per 1 population
# 8 Denmark: 7.548 per 1 population
# 9 Ireland: 6.474 per 1 population
# 10 Canada: 5.365 per 1 population
# 11 Japan: 4.717 per 1 population
# 12 France: 4.006 per 1 population
# 13 Switzerland: 3.872 per 1 population
# 14 Germany: 3.797 per 1 population
# 15 Austria: 3.421 per 1 population
# 16 Greece: 3.093 per 1 population
# 17 Belgium: 2.895 per 1 population
# 18 Spain: 2.826 per 1 population
# 19 United States: 2.678 per 1 population
# 20 United Kingdom: 2.465 per 1 population
# 21 Italy: 1.618 per 1 population
# 22 Portugal: 1.23 per 1 population
Total: 156.006 per 1 population
Weighted average: 7.1 per 1 population
DEFINITION: Total amount of funds commited to Tsunami aid. Fund commitments refer to the amount of money governments have officially set aside for Tsunami relief. Funds pledged (click here to view the statistic) refers to the amount countries have publicly announced they would contribute. Hence, pledges can often fall far short of the final commitment. Per capita figures expressed per 1 population.
Not that money contributions are everything but here is an up to date list: sorry if it is difficult to read….
Haiti aid pledged by country:
country total funding// $ percapita // % of total
Sweden 18657792 // 2.017 // 2.24
Luxembourg 722900 1.487 0.09
Denmark 7376543 1.349 0.88
Guyana 1000000 1.312 0.12
Norway 4939341 1.026 0.59
Estonia 1000000 0.746 0.12
United Kingdom 29371581 0.477 3.52
Australia 8992806 0.422 1.08
United States 114632301 0.364 13.75
Finland 1803752 0.339 0.22
Switzerland 1941748 0.257 0.23
New Zealand 1000000 0.234 0.12
France 14398778 0.231 1.73
Netherlands 2886003 0.174 0.35
Canada 5491330 0.164 0.66
Germany 10822512 0.132 1.3
WORLD TOTAL 833649757 0.122 100
Spain 4329004 0.096 0.52
Brazil 15530000 0.080 1.86
Belgium 651876 0.061 0.08
Italy 2675568 0.045 0.32
Japan 5327154 0.042 0.64
Morocco 1000000 0.031 0.12
Poland 1089466 0.029 0.13
Czech Republic 288600 0.028 0.03
Greece 290000 0.026 0.03
China 10405286 0.008 1.25
Russian Federation 700000 0.005 0.08
Indonesia 1000000 0.004 0.12
South Africa 134904 0.003 0.02
Private (individuals & organisations) 212839080 25.53
Others 210064336 25.2
World Bank (emergency grant) 100000000 12
Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) 25781609 3.09
UN & agencies 10000000 1.2
European Commission 4329000 0.52
Donors not specified 2111391
Inter-American Development Bank 200000 0.02
Dorian – we thought you did a great job on World Have Your Say last night. (I'm the BBC producer who spotted the blog and asked Dorian to come on the show.)
dduck12 is right, guests will always think they came across worse than they actually did; and there are always more points to make than time allows!
Thanks for posting your thoughts on your experience and we look forward to speaking to you on the programme in future. Best wishes, the WHYS team
Ben:
Just waking up here in America and just read your very gracious e-mail—and your comment here.
Again, very flattering, and especially nice of you to comment on The Moderate Voice.
Hope you will have the chance to peruse some of the other pieces by my co-contributors. I am sure most of them would be “quicker on their feet” in front of that intimidating microphone. Their bios are under “About TMV Authors.” If the occasion arises, please give a couple of them an opportunity.
By the way, to our readers, the BBC's “World Have Your Say,” is a superb live, worldwide program, where you'll get to hear the opinions, not only of Americans, on the important issues, but by people all around the world.
Give it a listen, and perhaps a “Say”
Dorian
Spirasol:
Thank you for your comments, and welcome back.
Reading your comment on “reflexive emotional patriotism” (something I am afraid I may suffer of), reminded me that my response to your latest comment on the “Thank You for Your Service” post has now scrolled down into the never-never cyberspace. I did not see any more comments from you, so, I wanted to let you know that I did have the courtesy to answer your last comments wherein you were so gracious as to tell me a little more about your brother.
Here it is:
You are very kind to resend, D.E., but I did read your well meaning
comments and just felt the original post (they seem to pass us by after
a couple of days) was past the time to respond, and especially since I
continue to disagree which you predicted. I have learned the codes
though and will refrain from posting anything in response to Clarion
calls to support Americans whatever the nuances and circumstances of
what they are doing at this blog. Their are plenty of other places that
don't have those restraints. I do understand their is a certain decorum
maintained here, for better or worse, and I have no interest in rocking
the boat.
One way to respond is to just respectfully disagree. In fact, my
original post on that issue was a supportive response to a former vet
who expressed his opinion that more often than not the gratitude
expressed was experienced as superficial. I was trying to add to that
and point out that opinion about this was not fixed. I do by the way
express gratitude for their service, including my brother's, I just
think it is more nuanced and the gratitude expressed could be expressed
more concretely.
No need to carry this further, D.E., we are out of sync with the current
post, so best end it here as well. Thanks for the resend,, and have a
great day!
Thanks, Spirasol. I will respect your wishes and discontinue this thread and this line of thought. But just wanted you to know that there are no “codes” “nuances” or “decorum” with me (and I suspect with most Americans) when it comes to patriotism and respecting and thanking those who have served.
Dorian
Well, as we can see here, WE ARE NOT THE MOST GENEROUS COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.
SO STOP WITH THE LIE RHETORIC ALREADY!
thank you Spirasol.
Okay you get the last word, hope it makes you feel better!
Thank you, but I feel you should have it… As you have. (By the way, there is nothing I need to feel better about, but thanks for the offer
)
Dorian
Don't want the last word, just the last quack: No good dead goes unpunished.
dduck, did you mean to write 'dead'? The last quack is yours, definitely. lol
dr.e
Oops, my apology to the author of that quote. If Freud, or Jung, typed as poorly as I do they would also goof.
Sometimes a cigar is just a cygar.
Spirasol, your statistics on contributions to Haiti are interesting but suspect. Your stat shows US “country total funding” to be about $114 Millon, yet as of yesterday US private, foundation and corporate donations alone have reached $189 Million. Who knows what the additional tab to US taxpayers will be to pay for the huge military humanitarian effort.
I forgot to post a link to the source of my statistic on US aid to Haiti. It is http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/AL… Would you cite where your statistics are from Spirasol?
Per capita contributions Haiti quake:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2010/ja…
Per capita contributions Indonesia tsunami
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/dis_tsu_tot_a…
Why do you call yourselves “moderate” when you are right wing ?