Last night, a 7.0 earthquake hit the country of Haiti which shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic. Haiti is an impoverished country with a weak infrastructure and limited building codes. Right now, there is limited information coming out of the country.
Our silence on the blog should not be seen as indifference. We simply don’t know much and the information on TV changes minute by minute. However, I do want a thread up to show our support of this tiny nation and the people who live there. Additionally, we have Americans in harms way. The coast guard has begun rescuing Americans from the American Embassy there.
I cannot imagine an earthquake of that magnitude this close to the east coast. Out west, around the ring of fire, all ocean front land is peppered with tsunami warnings signs. I don’t believe I have ever seen a sign on the east coast and I have been from Maine to Florida. Perhaps these signs are new and I just haven’t been on a coastal route for a while. But if Haiti, right below Cuba which is 90 miles off the US coast is having 7.0 quakes, we are all very much in danger.
UPDATE:
Pat Robertson being Pat Robertson. SHAME SHAME SHAME on Pat Robertston
UPDATE: Actual Footage from earthquake. Is this what it really feels like?
Organizations helping Haiti that you can send donations to:
Action Against Hunger
American Red Cross
American Jewish World Service
AmeriCares
Beyond Borders
CARE
Catholic Relief Services
Childcare Worldwide
Direct Relief International
Doctors Without Borders
Feed My Starving Children
Food for the Poor
Friends of WFP
Haitian Health Foundation
Hope for Haiti
International Medical Corps
International Relief Teams
Medical Teams International
Meds and Food for Kids
Mennonite Central Committee
Mercy Corps
Operation USA
Oxfam
Partners in Health
The Salvation Army
Samaritan’s Purse
Save the Children
UNICEF
World Concern
World Vision
Yele Haiti
Wyclef Jean
From my temple:
If you are looking for a way to aid the people of Haiti in this very difficult time, please consider the organization MEDICAL MISSIONARIES, INC. Three of our FJC physicians have volunteered repeatedly in Haiti through this organization, and are scheduled to return within the next few weeks. Please send your checks to the address below earmarked for the Earthquake Relief Fund.
Earthquake Relief Fund: Thomassique, Haiti, is 50 miles from Port Au Prince, Haiti. Medical Missionaries is organizing disaster relief efforts in the region. Please consider helping by donating to our special emergency fund. To maximize your donation, please mail checks to:
Medical Missionaries, Inc.
EARTHQUAKE RELIEF FUND
9590 Surveyor Court
Manassas, VA 20110
I was suprised to hear that Haiti is about the size of Maryland. I knew it was small but that put it into prospective for me. I made my donation to The American Red Cross this morning. Keep in mind you if you do not wish to make a monitary donation, some organizations will accept clothing , household goods, food, etc. My prayers are with them.
As news slowly arrives about the horrible earthquakes in Haiti
and the suffering of its people, we all search for the right words
to say and the right thing to do to help – but I’m pretty
sure “Haiti suffers because of its pact with the Devil”
(Pat Robertson today) isn’t helpful during this time of crisis.
Manassas doctor’s hospital in Haiti survives quake
http://www2.insidenova.com/isn/news/local/article/manassas_doctors_hospital_in_haiti_survives_quake/50317/
Doctors without Borders got my 100 bucks today. / Pat Robertson is a sick, sick man!
Hi Punchak, long time no see. Glad you are back. I was wondering where you were.
Shep Smith is a hero once again. It seems that Pat Robertson took on the people of Haiti today on his show. (700 Club?) He said that the people of Haiti turned to the devil after they were liberated and God is punishing them with poverty, hurricanes, and now an earthquake. Shep very quietly had his say on this matter, as only Shep can. He didn’t use profanity. He outed Robertson simply by showing of video of his words. And Shep said, 700 miles east of Miami there are people suffering and dying by the thousands. They need our love and support. they do not need THIS. (referring to Robertson’s judgements)/
I paraphrased, but that was the gist. Once again Pat Robertson demonstrates behavior I consider UN-christian.
Totally agree, Poor Richard. I didn’t see your post. What horrible sentiments for someone who is supposedly a man of God to profess.
Donate to Episcopal Relief and Development’s Haiti Fund here:
https://www.er-d.org/donate-select.php
I just heard on the radio that 10 George Mason students who were in Haiti were found to be safe. What a relief for their families.
I was wondering today about Dr. Irwin’s mission there. Thanks for pointing that out, Cindy.
Pat Robertson may not have to answer for his stupidity in this lifetime, but hopefully in the hereafter.
Reminds me of people who said AIDS was God’s punishment for homosexuality. These people who think they have a direct line to God must be dialing the wrong number.
MH – Nice to be missed. Thanks!
Out of the country during the holidays; came home after abt 30hrs travel time; went to the ER; diagnosed with mild pneumonia; beginning to feel my feisty old self.
@Emma
Well put, Emma.
Agreed Emma. I don’t know why Pat Robertson, who claims to be a Christian, has to make such hideous statements. I will never forget his remarks about 9-11.
Punchak, I am glad you are back on your feet. You were definitely missed.
Robertson’s outdone himself … and Jesus must be rolling over in his grave.
Not so fast with the West Coast earthquake danger thing, Moon. Have you forgotten the New Madrid Seismic Zone along the Mississippi River? There were four earthquakes there in 1811-1812, the largest in North American history. The effects were felt in Washington, D.C., Richmond, and the Carolinas, not to mention everything else in between. The fault line is still there…waiting.
Wow–watching the news tonight and the Haitian schoolgirls dressed in their plaids screaming and crying just tore my heart out. That country is absolutely devastated. I can’t imagine how they will ever rebuild.
Jesus isn’t in a grave, Rick.
It hit me today when I saw a picture of a father carrying a baby (presumably perished), with a tear going down his face. I can’t look at that stuff anymore. One of those tears my heart out. Thousands of those I can’t fathom.
On the other hand, I bet Pat Robertson could beat Harry Reid in Nevada!
Slow, and that doesn’t speak well for America, IMHO.
Wolverine, I forget that we are in danger from earthquakes because we don’t feel them here like people do in the west. Or maybe I am immune. I have never felt one and I have certainly been where they happen with great frequency, like Mt. St. Helen’s and Yellowstone.
Where are there tsunami signs other than the west coast, in this country?
You are are right. It is horrible to watch. It’s hard to watch and harder to look away. I feel guilty looking away.
One of the people at my job is from Haiti. She’s very sweet. Even without the accent it’s obvious she ain’t from around here. She still hasn’t heard from her mom. I remember the school that collapsed in 2008. In the middle of the afternoon the building just crumbled. When I heard about the earthquake, I knew the damage would be horrific.
Pat Robertson is an insensitive jerk. We all know that. I remember Hurricane Mitch hit Honduras in 1998. It killed close to 10,000 people and destroyed a lot of homes and bridges. If you drive down the highways now you cross bridges built by various different countries: France. USA, Japan, Ireland, etc. To this day some NGOs that started operations in Honduras after the hurricane are still there working and helping people. That’s what Robertson was talking about although he said it with less tact and sensitivity than Harry Reid.
Absolutely right on Emma. Dailing the wrong number. There but for the Grace of G-d go I may be something Pat repeats to himself instead of that other garbage he spews.
I have often wondered why Pat Robertson believes in such a vengeful God.
Made a pact with the Devil? How absurd. How about the rest of those islands that get slammed by Hurricanes once a season? I guess weather events count as God’s wrath? Don’t forget, this man founded the university where our soon to be governor got his law degree.
I hope McDonnell stuck to law and didn’t take any science classes. Yea, that’s the ticket, the Devil made that hurricane hit.
@Moon-howler
Well, look at it this way, Moon: Mr. Robertson has said some pretty dumb things, I grant you, but he hasn’t hijacked a plane and driven it into the World Trade Center.
I read somewhere today that it was noticed that dogs were booking it out of buildings just before the quake hit. Weird, huh?
Animals are supposedly very sensitive to such things. I have heard of that before. Also cockroaches are used to predict earthquakes although I don’t know how successfully.
Are cats sensitive also? Don’t you expect that the dogs hear the earth shifting underneath? My dogs can hear the correct car engine pulling up in front of the house. There is no way they can see it. The car would be at least 100 feet away and outside the house. Strange.
Totally, totally agree with Emma on this one…
I don’t know anything about devils, but it sure does look like Haiti has something nasty on its back and has had for a couple of centuries. This is one of those places in the world where, if you come determined to help, you have a tendency to throw up your hands and cry: “Where do I start?!!!”
@Moon-howler
I watched the Robertson video after watching the news coverage of the devastation in Haiti. I was amazed that he has lasted so long spewing hate. He is just a frail old bigot. I have to belief that the new Governor does not subscribe to Robertson’s anti-Christian dogma. I did not vote for the man but I have faith that he has faith and is praying for the people of Haiti tonight.
You are probably right, Clueless. I am just extremely skeptical of anyone having anything to do with Robertson or Falwell.
Wolverine, I would say horrible corruption for centuries beats out devils every day of the week. Bill O’Reilly had an interesting talking points on the subject of Haiti. I would agree with him if he didn’t take yet another opportunity to throw in some sort of fight between liberals and conservatives.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBTVkYmcRLw&feature=youtube_gdata
To be fair, I would think people who are willing to give President Obama a pass over his lifelong association with Reverend Wright should also be willing to give Bob McDonnell a fair shake.
In my best Yoda: “About the Left…You have much to learn”
Well said, Emma!!
I’m waiting on word that a longtime friend that lives/works in Haiti with his wife and young son are safe. I hope we here from them soon.
I’ve been looking at group on FB it has pictures of people looking for their loved ones. I saw one picture of a man, and his family posted his picture asking if anyone had seen him. Someone said that they’d thought they saw him being interviewed by CNN as he was stuck at the airport. The pictures of the devisation and desperate pleas to find lost love ones are heartbreaking. However, on a more positive note I’m so very proud of friend(like family) with the USCG that’s on his way to support the relief efforts and taking supplies.
My parents’ dog used to accurately predict thunderstorms coming even before the sky darkened to the west. It was deathly afraid of them and would hide under the couch long before there was any warning in the sky of one coming. It was more accurate than the weather man.
Dogs have definitely been well known to be able to act strange before earthquakes and other natural disasters. Their senses must be attuned to things we aren’t.
My wife also tells me our dog can hear my car coming home from work while it is way around the corner and not in sight. She does not react that way to any other cars. She will jump down off the couch for my car, but not for others – way before she can see my car. And, my car is very quiet too – but must make some sound she can sort out as being peculiar to it.
Pick your charity and send money… now… and later. It’s the lubricant that will truly help us deliver the relief services that Haiti desperately needs. Personally, I like the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. I have seen both in action “up close and personal.”
I am triying to figure out the text haiti 20222 and 90999. Where does the money come from? I see now, it is charged to your cell phone bill.
Emma, I am positive that President Obama hasn’t known Rev. Wright his entire life. I am the one who brought up McDonnell’s association with Robertson’s school. I am not willing to give McDonnell a pass. He chose that university knowing what it was and what it stood for.
For the record, I was not willing to give Pres. Obama a pass over Rev. Wright either, although I feel it is a totally different situation. Apples and oranges-again. Your partisan is showing.
I’d rather give money directly to the Red Cross, then texting to some number where you aren’t sure where the money is going. I don’t trust cell phone texting anyway for a multitude of reasons. For one thing, you’re exposing your cell phone number. The last thing i need is to start getting spam texts on it thanks to texting one of these numbers. Since I don’t text, I think my plan charges 10 cents a text message for any texting I do or that someone sends me.
My only take on the Rev. Wright situation is that from what I’d heard, he was Obama’s pastor for a good 20 years. I don’t know how that’s really any more of Obama’s adult life than Robertson was part of McDonnel’s adult life, in terms of percentage or however you want to measure it. I just picture Obama often sitting there on Sundays listening to Wright’s sermons for years and years.
I’m not really sure how much different choosing a church that has a pastor who regularly spouts angry racist rhetoric, and choosing a school with someone like Robertson. In both cases, you can make the argument there were plenty of other choices.
Others will disagree, but that’s my take on it. Now, you may be able to make the case that McDonnel shares some of Robertson’s views more than Obama shares some of Wright’s. That would be one argument that might hold some water. Still, if it is “guilt by association” then it seems to me both parties have roughly the same amount of guilt – whether that’s fair or not.
It is the Clinton Foundation number That is recommending the cell phone method. It is just for 10 bucks. I heard it out of Bill Clinton’s mouth this morning so I trust it. I wouldn’t if I didn’t know it was associated with the Clinton Foundation.
No one seems to understand that I do hold President Obama responsible for sitting in that church. On the other hand, going to a church with a dirt bag for a minister is hardly illegal. I don’t give him a pass and I have always said it concerned me–a great deal.
For the record, that kind of hate mongering did not go on every Sunday with great regularity. That is an assumption. Yet, he knew the man personally and had to have known how he felt. No pass.
I doubt if McDonnell absorbed Robertson’s views. McDonnell has an excellent educational background. I believe he is a graduate of Notre Dame with a masters from Boston College. However, there is something there that made him feel it was acceptable to go to Regent U. It might have to do with their standards, how much he could take online, hell if I know. But I do hold that against him also.
Those rescue workers from Fairfax working in Haiti are incredible! I just watched them on the news.
“Why turn to a God who seems to be absent at best and vindictive at worst?
Haitians don’t have other options ……Perhaps a God who hides is better
than nothing.
If God exsists, he really has it in for Haiti. Haitians think so.”
Pooja Bhatia (NYT op/ed 1-13-2010
Perhaps Pat Robertson and many Haitians are reading the same chapter,
if not the same page. Is fatalism fatal?
Opinion, I’m proud to say I have a friend that’s part the Fairfax Urban Search & Rescue Team. She’s on her second service dog. She’s been to so many horrible places. They are an incredible team. I’m always amazed whenever I see them in action.
Those rescue dogs can really do amazing things when trained for that job. That’s great about your friend and her dog – and they’ve probably helped a lot of people in tough situations.
I agree, I would not have even thought to suggest McDonnell is responsible for what comes out of pat robertsons mouth.
The right has Pat Robertson, the left has Danny Glover.
What has Danny Glover said recently?
http://blogs.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/timblair/index.php/dailytelegraph/comments/pact_with_gaia/