(But the anti-American mainstream media seems to emphasize small contributions and intentions of various statists.)
But for all the abuse it takes from abroad [and from domestic elite “intellectual” liberal media, officials, and educators, ably led by our President] about not "doing its share," America already is showing it does know what to do. As a nation, Americans are mobilizing to provide the lion's share of help to the helpless. They did so with the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004, and they will do so for our tiny stricken neighbor, too.
It's our nation at its finest. When the chips are down, it's the Americans who come to the rescue.
It won't be an easy task. A quake such as this can have a terrible effect on the morale of a nation. Haiti is a proud country with a history of independence much like our own. It was just getting back on its feet after years of decline. Catastrophe there could have the same effect as 1755's Lisbon earthquake, which left many questioning whether there was a benevolent God and accelerated the Enlightenment.
In this impossible situation, the U.S., the nation born of the Enlightenment [From the Scots enlightenment, actually, where a rational approach was added to a Reformation culture and the common sense of the clans.], is now the hope arising out of the disaster. Not just for Haiti, but as the last best hope for the world. [My emphasis and bracketed qualifications.]
From an Investor’s Business Daily editorial, In Haiti, It's U.S. To The Rescue Again , more below:
Our America bashing mainstream media seem to emphasize the small contributions and noble intentions of the usual suspects: Cuba, Russia, Venezuela, Democrat officials. - js
Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. - 2nd Corinthians 2:14
In Haiti, It's U.S. To The Rescue Again [/] IBD EDITORIALS [/] Posted 01/13/2010 07:03 PM ET
Disaster Relief: Tuesday's earthquake in Haiti was its worst since 1770, leaving the capital in ruins and a death toll that may top 100,000. But help is on its way, and it's America leading the effort. [/] Our tiny tragic neighbor was already in bad shape when the 7.0 earthquake struck the capital of Port-au-Prince. It wasn't just any 7.0 quake, as if that were not bad enough, but a shallow one, meaning it shook harder. [/] Worse still, it hit the most populated area of the country, where 3 million of the country's 9 million citizens live — and left thousands dead and many more homeless. […] As for the poor, the story is unbearably sad as the injured trapped in hovels cry out for help and bodies are dragged to the streets. There are no ambulances, no telephones, no power and no potable water.
But there is the U.S. and, all partisan politics aside, it's to America's credit that it's once again the last resort of the devastated, and has the biggest, swiftest response under way. [/] Employing the best practices learned from past disasters, already the U.S. Coast Guard has surveilled the country by air with P-3 Orion aircraft to determine the extent of the catastrophe. The U.S. embassy personnel inspected the airport and port and found them usable, and U.S. military personnel have taken over air traffic operations to ensure aid can get through.
Disaster Assistance Response Teams (known as DARTs) landed Wednesday, less than 24 hours after the quake, and are assessing where help is most needed, as well as how much and what kind. The DARTs are gathering news about open roads, areas where information can be found, medical needs, and food, sanitation and potable water needs. [/] Meanwhile, President Obama has ordered the U.S. Navy's Southern Command to send the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier with 2,000 Marines, plus six other ships, toward Port-au-Prince. It will support the U.S. Agency for International Development effort, and keep order with the U.N. mission down. Cargo planes are on the way; the USS Comfort, an invaluable hospital ship, [Maybe one of these should be home ported on the gulf coast.] is preparing to leave Baltimore. Cities such as Los Angeles have also dispatched disaster response teams to help.
Then there are the ordinary U.S. citizens. Using the technology of the day, Americans have sprung forward with $10 donations to the American Red Cross by texting "HAITI" to 90999, billable to their cell phones. Haitian musician Wyclef Jean has seen his Web site overwhelmed with offers of help and is urging Americans to text "YELE" to 501501 to donate small amounts. [/] Aid agencies such as Feed the Children, the Salvation Army, Catholic Relief Services and Direct Relief International are marshaling resources and preparing to find the best way to deliver them. [/] There's no doubt the task will be tough for everyone and there could be blunders along the way. Disease, looters and corruption are troubles ahead. Already Haitians are complaining that the [United Nations] troops are clogging the streets and doing nothing, probably because they don't know what to do. [/] [My ellipses and emphasis and bracketed comment.]
