America's Sorry History with Haiti
I just completed a long article on Haiti for ConsortiumNews.com, which will be published in two parts. Part 1 is up today - Part 2 should be up tomorrow.
There are some interesting nuggets related to George de Mohrenschildt's strange role in Haiti as well.
Start here: http://www.consortiumnews.com/2010/013010a.html
And I'd love to hear your thoughts.
There are some interesting nuggets related to George de Mohrenschildt's strange role in Haiti as well.
Start here: http://www.consortiumnews.com/2010/013010a.html
And I'd love to hear your thoughts.
posted by Real History Lisa at 6:22 PM - Permanent Link -
7 Comments:
Dear Lisa Pease,
I admire your writing and greatly appreciate your helping to educate me (and all readers).
During the last year, your writings have greatly improved my knowledge and understanding about USA history, with a focus on the JFK assassination and other high crimes by our government.
Now, putting more flesh on the bones of Haiti is both interesting and important.
All of the history that you write about is directly and indirectly related to what our government is doing today -- and related to other governments' attitudes and actions in regard to the USA.
I'm looking forward to Part 2 on Haiti.
Meanwhile, I hope you know that your work is helping various brave efforts to return our country to being a true representative democracy.
Sincerely,
James Laffrey
Thank you, James, for validating my life's work. That is exactly why I write, because history isn't about the past; it's about the present, and the future.
I can't tell you what this comment did for me today. Sometimes I lose faith and wonder if anyone is listening. You remind me that people are, and that this helps. Thank you so much for caring enough to learn more. I really admire and respect all who care about our REAL history.
Lisa:
Given the likelihood that Haiti’s worst fundamental problems appear to stem from the insertion of dictators by the US government and the deforestation and other exploitation of Haiti and its resources by American corporations, do you agree that if Americans wish to help the Haitians, Americans should do the following:
1. Pressure Washington into promoting a democratic election, with Jean Bertrand Aristide as one of the candidates.
2. Provide serious assistance in building drinking water, irrigation, and electrical systems.
3. Offer free or at least discounted agricultural technologies to assist that Haitians in becoming efficient and self-sufficient food growers.
4. Donate medical technologies to improve Haitian health care, and/or open up permanent hospitals staffed by American or UN medical staff.
Most of what I hear Americans doing seems short term and short sighted, whether it be Sean Penn distributing gifts or Barack Obama issuing comforting rhetoric. I hope I hold a more of a long term view perspective, and wonder if you do as well.
Rich - I don't know that America's "pressuring" Haiti to hold Democratic elections would be possible - I'd rather see the UN overseeing, as before. I also don't know if Aristide would want to be on the ballot or should. There's so much water under the bridge there. I'd want the Haitians, not America, to decide who goes on their ballot.
(And Rich - we should try holding truly democratic elections in our own country, i.e., audited elections, not electronic ones, before we claim to have any authority on that subject. Our vote has been subject to gross manipulation for most of the life of this country.)
I never said we had a democracy here. We used to have a republic (see the 18th century) and now have a corporatocracy headed by Goldman Sachs, the media, and our two right wing political parties.
Do you agree that we should focus more on making Haiti self sufficient instead of sending them temporary food and health assistance?
Is there a more efficient way for me to have a dialogue with you then through a sublink blog?
Thanks.
Rich
Rich, in theory, I'd agree. However, our past practice shows we have failed pretty miserably at helping countries become anything other than client states of ours, and Haiti (like Iraq, Afghanistan, and all the other places we've tried to meddle in) deserves better.
As for reaching me, my email is widely available.
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