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Haiti….why bother to rebuild a basket case?
Sunday, January 17, 2010
[ Reads:4464 / Comments:53 / 1212 ]
[ Reads:4464 / Comments:53 / 1212 ]
Two days after the devastating earthquake in Haiti a story caught my eye in the newspaper. Apparently some Haitians were so angry that the world was taking its time rushing to their aid that they were going to build roadblocks with the corpses of earthquake victims as a sign of protest. How very intelligent I thought. Not only will the stench and sight of a pile of rotting bodies make the rescuers feel really welcome but it will delay the convoy’s progress. Clearly intelligence is not a commodity much in evidence in Haiti. So I took the trouble to check some statistics.
Most people know that Haiti is one of the poorest places on earth with a per capita income of around $500. It’s the home of voodoo and zombies and the country’s political history makes some of the nastiest African basket cases seem pleasant by comparison. Around 60% of the population have no formal education and the country has been so ecologically raped that there is virtually nothing left to farm and export. Unemployment is probably running at around 60% of the workforce and life expectancy for both sexes is in the very early fifties. All in all, a veritable hell on earth in normal times but made more so by the frightening aftermath of what the United Nations describes as the worst disaster it has ever had to face.
Reacting effectively to a disaster of this magnitude takes some planning, particularly when you are flying in equipment, provisions and people from the other side of the world. So it was inevitable that it would take a couple of days for developed nations to put together and co-ordinate an effective rescue operation. It’s also a costly exercise and no country has a rescue operation standing by just in case Haiti has an earthquake. Thousands of people, touched by what they have seen on their television screens, have donated large sums of money towards the rescue effort and governments have pledged further millions to help Haiti.
But what has Haiti done for itself? Not a great deal by the look of things. The country’s infrastructure was pretty dreadful even before the earthquake and a long line of corrupt politicians have made sure that the country is starved of money to maintain essential services. So the condition of the roads was already pretty dreadful and they are obviously worse now. The main airport was unable to cope soon after the quake and the port is unusable. Access by land from the neighbouring Dominican Republic is difficult so just getting into Haiti is a challenge in itself. This is the price a country pays for failing to maintain basic infrastructure. More important though was the complete absence on our TV screens of any Haitian emergency services. I’ve been following the development of this story pretty closely and all I have seen is desperate civilians scrabbling through the rubble in a desperate attempt to find live bodies. There has been no evidence of local emergency services, whether they are police, army or ambulance personnel. I can’t believe that the world’s TV cameras have been deliberately ignoring them to show Haiti in a bad light. Far more likely is that they either don’t exist or have no plan for such an emergency.
So the image of Haiti as a terminal basket case with its hand outstretched for aid is just reinforced by this massive natural disaster. Already blame for the worsening situation has been laid at the feet of those who are trying to help. At least the “we demand” culture is alive and well in Haiti.
Which makes one wonder whether there is any point in rebuilding Haiti. It doesn’t have oil or any minerals that are cheaply accessible. It’s not an ideal holiday destination because it gets hit by hurricanes fairly regularly and it is an ecological disgrace. Worse though, it has a population that seems incapable of sustaining itself without having to beg for aid from other nations. It is just another African disaster story transposed to the Caribbean. In the animal kingdom it would have been a weakling killed off long ago. But we compassionate humans are above the animal kingdom. Which is why we rush to help the weak and the poor in places like Haiti, even though we know that no amount of our money can bring a better life to people who are simply not equipped to survive in the 21st century.
Most people know that Haiti is one of the poorest places on earth with a per capita income of around $500. It’s the home of voodoo and zombies and the country’s political history makes some of the nastiest African basket cases seem pleasant by comparison. Around 60% of the population have no formal education and the country has been so ecologically raped that there is virtually nothing left to farm and export. Unemployment is probably running at around 60% of the workforce and life expectancy for both sexes is in the very early fifties. All in all, a veritable hell on earth in normal times but made more so by the frightening aftermath of what the United Nations describes as the worst disaster it has ever had to face.
Reacting effectively to a disaster of this magnitude takes some planning, particularly when you are flying in equipment, provisions and people from the other side of the world. So it was inevitable that it would take a couple of days for developed nations to put together and co-ordinate an effective rescue operation. It’s also a costly exercise and no country has a rescue operation standing by just in case Haiti has an earthquake. Thousands of people, touched by what they have seen on their television screens, have donated large sums of money towards the rescue effort and governments have pledged further millions to help Haiti.
But what has Haiti done for itself? Not a great deal by the look of things. The country’s infrastructure was pretty dreadful even before the earthquake and a long line of corrupt politicians have made sure that the country is starved of money to maintain essential services. So the condition of the roads was already pretty dreadful and they are obviously worse now. The main airport was unable to cope soon after the quake and the port is unusable. Access by land from the neighbouring Dominican Republic is difficult so just getting into Haiti is a challenge in itself. This is the price a country pays for failing to maintain basic infrastructure. More important though was the complete absence on our TV screens of any Haitian emergency services. I’ve been following the development of this story pretty closely and all I have seen is desperate civilians scrabbling through the rubble in a desperate attempt to find live bodies. There has been no evidence of local emergency services, whether they are police, army or ambulance personnel. I can’t believe that the world’s TV cameras have been deliberately ignoring them to show Haiti in a bad light. Far more likely is that they either don’t exist or have no plan for such an emergency.
So the image of Haiti as a terminal basket case with its hand outstretched for aid is just reinforced by this massive natural disaster. Already blame for the worsening situation has been laid at the feet of those who are trying to help. At least the “we demand” culture is alive and well in Haiti.
Which makes one wonder whether there is any point in rebuilding Haiti. It doesn’t have oil or any minerals that are cheaply accessible. It’s not an ideal holiday destination because it gets hit by hurricanes fairly regularly and it is an ecological disgrace. Worse though, it has a population that seems incapable of sustaining itself without having to beg for aid from other nations. It is just another African disaster story transposed to the Caribbean. In the animal kingdom it would have been a weakling killed off long ago. But we compassionate humans are above the animal kingdom. Which is why we rush to help the weak and the poor in places like Haiti, even though we know that no amount of our money can bring a better life to people who are simply not equipped to survive in the 21st century.
5605 Lime Light
[ Saturday, January 23, 2010 | 11:01:42 AM ]
Dear David,
What a breath of fresh air you are! You say it the way most people see it. Haiti has been floundering around for the last 2 centuries; breeding and practicing voodoo...oh, and living off the hand-outs from the kind people of the USA and the west (sounds just like sub-saharan Africa). This hell-hole should be left to sort itself out. The west never learns. Teach to fish and they will feed themselves - give them fish and they will starve. When will people wake up and see that you can't save everyone with compassion? Eventually it'll catch up and the ensuing mayhem will be much worse (as we see today, the true colors are shining through). Sometimes being cruel is kind. Thank you for your continued level-headedness - the ST lost one of its best.
What a breath of fresh air you are! You say it the way most people see it. Haiti has been floundering around for the last 2 centuries; breeding and practicing voodoo...oh, and living off the hand-outs from the kind people of the USA and the west (sounds just like sub-saharan Africa). This hell-hole should be left to sort itself out. The west never learns. Teach to fish and they will feed themselves - give them fish and they will starve. When will people wake up and see that you can't save everyone with compassion? Eventually it'll catch up and the ensuing mayhem will be much worse (as we see today, the true colors are shining through). Sometimes being cruel is kind. Thank you for your continued level-headedness - the ST lost one of its best.
5581 Bernie Madoff
[ Thursday, January 21, 2010 | 3:30:06 PM ]
@ 5573 Ssman Simha
You might be onto something. Perhaps you should relay your ideas to Sarkozy and The Clintons?
You might be onto something. Perhaps you should relay your ideas to Sarkozy and The Clintons?
5580 Bernie Madoff
[ Thursday, January 21, 2010 | 3:25:00 PM ]
Mntungwa,
You seem to adopt an attitude towards international affairs which is based mainly on ignorance.
You unashamedly state: "I do not have to know the history of a people to have compassion with them."
But if you took the trouble to inform yourself about what has been going on in the world, then you might start writing something which has value. Politically correct "compassion" might make you feel better, but unfortunately it will offer no insights whatsoever.
You seem to adopt an attitude towards international affairs which is based mainly on ignorance.
You unashamedly state: "I do not have to know the history of a people to have compassion with them."
But if you took the trouble to inform yourself about what has been going on in the world, then you might start writing something which has value. Politically correct "compassion" might make you feel better, but unfortunately it will offer no insights whatsoever.
5578 Mntungwa Mbulazi
[ Thursday, January 21, 2010 | 10:44:36 AM ]
Bernie,
I do not have to know the history of a people to have compassion with them. I have compassion for the peoples of Zimbabwe, Palestinians, Somalia, Bosnia. The attrocities of Papa and Baby Doc Duvalier, successive Israeli goverments, Pinochet, Hitler, Pol Pot, should be condemned til eternity. Let us help the Haitians get back to their fit, and not kick them while lying down or evrytime they try to get up.
I do not have to know the history of a people to have compassion with them. I have compassion for the peoples of Zimbabwe, Palestinians, Somalia, Bosnia. The attrocities of Papa and Baby Doc Duvalier, successive Israeli goverments, Pinochet, Hitler, Pol Pot, should be condemned til eternity. Let us help the Haitians get back to their fit, and not kick them while lying down or evrytime they try to get up.
5577 Lyndall Beddy
[ Thursday, January 21, 2010 | 10:18:58 AM ]
I see that Obama has lost a "Kennedy" seat.
Which explains a lot about America. A lot of the Europeans, and the Irish, who went as refugees to America were Catholics No politician can afford to antagonise the Catholic Church. The Catholics are 25% of the population (i.e. of the voters)
Of course the women take the pill and ignore the Pope.
But you can't expect the suckers in Haiti and Rwanda to understand this kind of dishonesty can you?
Which explains a lot about America. A lot of the Europeans, and the Irish, who went as refugees to America were Catholics No politician can afford to antagonise the Catholic Church. The Catholics are 25% of the population (i.e. of the voters)
Of course the women take the pill and ignore the Pope.
But you can't expect the suckers in Haiti and Rwanda to understand this kind of dishonesty can you?
5576 Bernie Madoff
[ Thursday, January 21, 2010 | 8:56:40 AM ]
Ms Beddy,
I refer you to the comments that I have left on Mr Trapido's article about The New York Times charging for on-line material.
I refer you to the comments that I have left on Mr Trapido's article about The New York Times charging for on-line material.
5574 Lyndall Beddy
[ Thursday, January 21, 2010 | 4:33:06 AM ]
Mntungwu
We do care. A South African Islamic Charity, The Gift of the Givers, is in Haiti with a ton of aid and our radio gives us hourly news reports from them.
But the western democracies have the attention span of gnats - while the attention span of the world is on Haiti we have to point out what went wrong and how to avoid it in the future before their attention drifts elsewhere.
Bernie
I try to read the best experts on their subjects - I understand that you might get jealous that they know more, and write better, than you.
We do care. A South African Islamic Charity, The Gift of the Givers, is in Haiti with a ton of aid and our radio gives us hourly news reports from them.
But the western democracies have the attention span of gnats - while the attention span of the world is on Haiti we have to point out what went wrong and how to avoid it in the future before their attention drifts elsewhere.
Bernie
I try to read the best experts on their subjects - I understand that you might get jealous that they know more, and write better, than you.
5573 Ssman Simha
[ Wednesday, January 20, 2010 | 10:18:15 PM ]
@ 5562 Bernie Madoff
Bernie, I'm Hindu and know the Gurkhas well-deserved reputation of fearlessness and bravery. I agree they can control the fundies. The problem is that unleashing them on the fundies will result in more Mumbai 26/11 incidents from vengeful Jihadis in India. Rather, my suggestion kills 3 birds with 1 stone - depopulates Haiti, gives the Tontons gainful employment, and helps control law and order in France.
Bernie, I'm Hindu and know the Gurkhas well-deserved reputation of fearlessness and bravery. I agree they can control the fundies. The problem is that unleashing them on the fundies will result in more Mumbai 26/11 incidents from vengeful Jihadis in India. Rather, my suggestion kills 3 birds with 1 stone - depopulates Haiti, gives the Tontons gainful employment, and helps control law and order in France.
5571 Bernie Madoff
[ Wednesday, January 20, 2010 | 10:01:02 PM ]
5568 Mntungwa Mbulazi ,
So the President of Haiti has the answers? Why do you have such confidence in him when the other Haitian Presidents have been a total disaster?
Do you know anything about Haitian history over the last 40 years? If you don't, then you really are wasting everybody's time.
So the President of Haiti has the answers? Why do you have such confidence in him when the other Haitian Presidents have been a total disaster?
Do you know anything about Haitian history over the last 40 years? If you don't, then you really are wasting everybody's time.
5570 Bernie Madoff
[ Wednesday, January 20, 2010 | 9:53:52 PM ]
Miss Beddy,
As a matter of principle, I never read the books that you recommend. Over the last few months, I have tried to assess whether they are providing you with greater insights, and I have to conclude that they aren't.
I am sorry if this sounds dismssive but I have given the matter much thought. I truly believe that you have been wasting your time.
As a matter of principle, I never read the books that you recommend. Over the last few months, I have tried to assess whether they are providing you with greater insights, and I have to conclude that they aren't.
I am sorry if this sounds dismssive but I have given the matter much thought. I truly believe that you have been wasting your time.
5569 Lyndall Beddy
[ Wednesday, January 20, 2010 | 7:40:56 PM ]
Bernie
The Hutu and Tutsis were not two tribes - a Western myth. The Tutstis were the chiefs and the Hutus the peasants (like any feudal society), which had been stable for 800 years.Then the "democrats" came and said that the chiefs no longer ruled but the peasants did because there were more of them (one man one vote - remember).
If any of you bothered to read the books I recommend, you might know these things!
Luckily in Rwanda they are starting to abandon Catholicism (having realised it did not stop a genocide).
The Hutu and Tutsis were not two tribes - a Western myth. The Tutstis were the chiefs and the Hutus the peasants (like any feudal society), which had been stable for 800 years.Then the "democrats" came and said that the chiefs no longer ruled but the peasants did because there were more of them (one man one vote - remember).
If any of you bothered to read the books I recommend, you might know these things!
Luckily in Rwanda they are starting to abandon Catholicism (having realised it did not stop a genocide).
5568 Mntungwa Mbulazi
[ Wednesday, January 20, 2010 | 6:55:54 PM ]
Beddy, Bernie, Bullard,
A 6.1 aftershock has hit the island today, adding more misery to the poor people. You don't really care, but I just hope, strangley, that there is still some shreds of decency left in you. Haitians are people too.
As for a 10 year plan for Haiti. I am not President of Haiti, and I will not pretend I know better than the Haitians, what Haitians need. Whether you blame the Pope, Mbeki or God, for poverty and natural disasters, it matters the least to Haitians. They will rise again.
A 6.1 aftershock has hit the island today, adding more misery to the poor people. You don't really care, but I just hope, strangley, that there is still some shreds of decency left in you. Haitians are people too.
As for a 10 year plan for Haiti. I am not President of Haiti, and I will not pretend I know better than the Haitians, what Haitians need. Whether you blame the Pope, Mbeki or God, for poverty and natural disasters, it matters the least to Haitians. They will rise again.
5566 Bernie Madoff
[ Wednesday, January 20, 2010 | 6:27:33 PM ]
Lyndall,
But in Rwanda, there were two tribes.... Hutus and The Tutsis.
Will a genocide occur in Haiti without a similar tribal divide ? Well, if food is in short supply a civil war could break out.
I would imagine that trying to feed 9 million people without a functioning port is going to be a Herculean task. It will need a massive concerted will on behalf of the international community. I have my doubts about whether such a will exists in the long
term.
If Catholicism is to blame then The Vatican must step in.The Pope could sell The Vatican's art collection and this money could buy food.
But in Rwanda, there were two tribes.... Hutus and The Tutsis.
Will a genocide occur in Haiti without a similar tribal divide ? Well, if food is in short supply a civil war could break out.
I would imagine that trying to feed 9 million people without a functioning port is going to be a Herculean task. It will need a massive concerted will on behalf of the international community. I have my doubts about whether such a will exists in the long
term.
If Catholicism is to blame then The Vatican must step in.The Pope could sell The Vatican's art collection and this money could buy food.
5565 Lyndall Beddy
[ Wednesday, January 20, 2010 | 6:09:27 PM ]
Bernie
Jared Diamond compares Haiti with Rwanda(a small country ringed by mountains - like an island). He says the genocide there was also caused by running out of land.
Of course, both are Catholic!
Jared Diamond compares Haiti with Rwanda(a small country ringed by mountains - like an island). He says the genocide there was also caused by running out of land.
Of course, both are Catholic!
5564 Bernie Madoff
[ Wednesday, January 20, 2010 | 5:18:24 PM ]
Lyndall,
Of course, Obama should give the 9 million Haitians a Green Card. And free health insurance. It is the only way forward. Is it fair, I ask you, that the Haitains are slumming it in Port au Prince whilst some White American film producers are swannning around in California? Of course, it isn't.
I have my doubts about The Haitians would really want to live in a South African township. So I don't think that SA is a realistic option. Some of them could be put up at Mbeki's residence in Houghton, but I doubt that it is really big enough.
Of course, Obama should give the 9 million Haitians a Green Card. And free health insurance. It is the only way forward. Is it fair, I ask you, that the Haitains are slumming it in Port au Prince whilst some White American film producers are swannning around in California? Of course, it isn't.
I have my doubts about The Haitians would really want to live in a South African township. So I don't think that SA is a realistic option. Some of them could be put up at Mbeki's residence in Houghton, but I doubt that it is really big enough.
5563 Lyndall Beddy
[ Wednesday, January 20, 2010 | 3:40:14 PM ]
Bernie
And where are these "too many people" to go?
America? You must be joking! America is the most protectionist societ in the world! Try and get an American green card?
But our borders are open for all the unemployed and crooks of all the other countries in Africa (which Kwanza says don't exist) to stream through, thanks to Mbeki!
And where are these "too many people" to go?
America? You must be joking! America is the most protectionist societ in the world! Try and get an American green card?
But our borders are open for all the unemployed and crooks of all the other countries in Africa (which Kwanza says don't exist) to stream through, thanks to Mbeki!
5562 Bernie Madoff
[ Wednesday, January 20, 2010 | 3:23:44 PM ]
@ 5546 Ssman Simha
Are you suggesting that the Tontons Macoutes could really sort the Islamic fundamentalists in France? Perhaps you are getting them mixed up with the Gurkhas who have fought so valiantly in the British army?
Are you suggesting that the Tontons Macoutes could really sort the Islamic fundamentalists in France? Perhaps you are getting them mixed up with the Gurkhas who have fought so valiantly in the British army?
5561 Bernie Madoff
[ Wednesday, January 20, 2010 | 2:35:49 PM ]
Mntungwa,
Could you please outline your presription for Haiti ? What policies would you introduce over the next ten years? And do you think that there are too many people living there?
Could you please outline your presription for Haiti ? What policies would you introduce over the next ten years? And do you think that there are too many people living there?
5560 Lyndall Beddy
[ Wednesday, January 20, 2010 | 2:34:03 PM ]
Mntungwa
The trouble is Kwanza has been spread around the world in American literature for decades -resulting in Jihad and anti-Zionism in places like Jamaica, Britain and America itself - where there are descendents of slaves who believe that the whites "colonised and enslaved" them all.
VERY convenient for Islamic fundamentalists!
Which is why I think some investigation should be done into who invented Kwanza!
The trouble is Kwanza has been spread around the world in American literature for decades -resulting in Jihad and anti-Zionism in places like Jamaica, Britain and America itself - where there are descendents of slaves who believe that the whites "colonised and enslaved" them all.
VERY convenient for Islamic fundamentalists!
Which is why I think some investigation should be done into who invented Kwanza!
5558 Lyndall Beddy
[ Wednesday, January 20, 2010 | 2:12:24 PM ]
Mntungwa
Africa was not one happy tribe in one happy culture that got destroyed by white people who came to take slaves as American Kwanza teaches.
The Arab Slave Trade had gone on for 1000 years before the whites even came to Africa. the whites then bought the slaves at the ports from the Arabs (who bought them from black kings) for over 100 years, beore the whites decided the trade must stop (but the Arabs did not want to).
Nor was Africa a black continent. Blacks are only indigeneous to Central Africa. The indigeneous people of the rest of Africa (and the world) are brown.
Blacks were spread through the East and North Africa by Arab slavers; and they migrated to the South (maybe to avoid the Arab slavers) and had not yet got as far South as the Cape when the whites arrived.
And the main language of North Africa, Arabic, is a colonial language - not African
Africa was not one happy tribe in one happy culture that got destroyed by white people who came to take slaves as American Kwanza teaches.
The Arab Slave Trade had gone on for 1000 years before the whites even came to Africa. the whites then bought the slaves at the ports from the Arabs (who bought them from black kings) for over 100 years, beore the whites decided the trade must stop (but the Arabs did not want to).
Nor was Africa a black continent. Blacks are only indigeneous to Central Africa. The indigeneous people of the rest of Africa (and the world) are brown.
Blacks were spread through the East and North Africa by Arab slavers; and they migrated to the South (maybe to avoid the Arab slavers) and had not yet got as far South as the Cape when the whites arrived.
And the main language of North Africa, Arabic, is a colonial language - not African
5556 Lyndall Beddy
[ Wednesday, January 20, 2010 | 1:49:35 PM ]
Mntungwa
Africa was not one happy tribe in one happy culture that got destroyed by white people who came to take slaves as American Kwanza teaches.
The Arab Slave Trade had gone on for 1000 years before the whites even came to Africa. the whites then bought the slaves at the ports from the Arabs (who bought them from black kings) for over 100 years, beore the whites decided the trade must stop (but the Arabs did not want to).
Nor was Africa a black continent. Blacks are only indigeneous to Central Africa. The indigeneous people of the rest of Africa (and the world) are brown.
Blacks were spread through the East and North Africa by Arab slavers; and they migrated to the South (maybe to avoid the Arab slavers) and had not yet got as far South as the Cape when the whites arrived.
Africa was not one happy tribe in one happy culture that got destroyed by white people who came to take slaves as American Kwanza teaches.
The Arab Slave Trade had gone on for 1000 years before the whites even came to Africa. the whites then bought the slaves at the ports from the Arabs (who bought them from black kings) for over 100 years, beore the whites decided the trade must stop (but the Arabs did not want to).
Nor was Africa a black continent. Blacks are only indigeneous to Central Africa. The indigeneous people of the rest of Africa (and the world) are brown.
Blacks were spread through the East and North Africa by Arab slavers; and they migrated to the South (maybe to avoid the Arab slavers) and had not yet got as far South as the Cape when the whites arrived.
5559 Mntungwa Mbulazi
[ Wednesday, January 20, 2010 | 1:17:29 PM ]
Beddy,
You are killing me, I am in stitches! Have you listened to yourself lately? Please don't, listen to yourself you'll end up killing yourself - it will be called suicide. Whether you call yourself white, brown, yellow or black, your are my sister, my fellow country wo(man).
Psst. Apartheid died officialy as a policy of the South Afican government (the NATs) in 1994. The Nats died when Kortbroek joined the ANC. Did you Geddit Beddy? You remind me of the Japanese soldier discovered in the '80s still fighting WW2. Apartheid is over, I will not entertain your devide and rule tactics - they are old and stale and of no relevance to present day South Africa. Geddit Beddy?
You are killing me, I am in stitches! Have you listened to yourself lately? Please don't, listen to yourself you'll end up killing yourself - it will be called suicide. Whether you call yourself white, brown, yellow or black, your are my sister, my fellow country wo(man).
Psst. Apartheid died officialy as a policy of the South Afican government (the NATs) in 1994. The Nats died when Kortbroek joined the ANC. Did you Geddit Beddy? You remind me of the Japanese soldier discovered in the '80s still fighting WW2. Apartheid is over, I will not entertain your devide and rule tactics - they are old and stale and of no relevance to present day South Africa. Geddit Beddy?
5553 Lyndall Beddy
[ Wednesday, January 20, 2010 | 1:14:29 PM ]
Mntungwa
Since the Western Cape was never black but the land of the Khoisan, why bother? In fact the whole country was the land of the Khoisan - both black and white are colonialists/settlers.The blacks stole the land from the browns, and the whites stole it from the blacks.(except in the Western Cape where the whites also took it from the browns) That is historical fact.
And the dop system was phased out years ago - but started, like on any farm,as giving the workers a share of the product of the farm. You don't really think they wanted drunk workers driving tractors, milking cows or pruning do you? If you got drunks to prune there would be no crop!
I am a liquidator not a farmer - my worries are that these dumb racist/communist/Kwanza myths will make the country even more bankrupt that it already is.
Open your eyes - the only parts of the world where the living standards have been rising is where population growth is similar to economic growth. You can't breed more people than you can educate or feed! Why do you think China has a one child policy?
Since the Western Cape was never black but the land of the Khoisan, why bother? In fact the whole country was the land of the Khoisan - both black and white are colonialists/settlers.The blacks stole the land from the browns, and the whites stole it from the blacks.(except in the Western Cape where the whites also took it from the browns) That is historical fact.
And the dop system was phased out years ago - but started, like on any farm,as giving the workers a share of the product of the farm. You don't really think they wanted drunk workers driving tractors, milking cows or pruning do you? If you got drunks to prune there would be no crop!
I am a liquidator not a farmer - my worries are that these dumb racist/communist/Kwanza myths will make the country even more bankrupt that it already is.
Open your eyes - the only parts of the world where the living standards have been rising is where population growth is similar to economic growth. You can't breed more people than you can educate or feed! Why do you think China has a one child policy?
5550 Mntungwa Mbulazi
[ Wednesday, January 20, 2010 | 9:26:16 AM ]
Beddy,
What is the obsession with birth control? And why do you think anyone wants to be taught by colonialists? Must I remind you that the co-called commercial farms is carved up stolen land? In most cases, at least. Is it called cormercial land because ownership rests with the settler/colonial master/mistress while the workers, ussually the natives, live and work under the worst form of slavery which is serfdom?
The dop system is still practised widely in the Western Cape, resulting in alcohol abuse and malnaurished children with no future outside the same farms-thereby trapping them within the dop system in their adulthood. Please take off your rose coloured glasses, and maybe join David in counting Kruger Rands - I'll count Madiba moolah in the meantime and and loking after Zuma's mshini.
David please note capitals on Kruger (president of the Boer Republic of..) and Rand (SA currency derived from Witwatersrand). I thought I should remind you before you reach for your Brittish paasport - your prized possession)
What is the obsession with birth control? And why do you think anyone wants to be taught by colonialists? Must I remind you that the co-called commercial farms is carved up stolen land? In most cases, at least. Is it called cormercial land because ownership rests with the settler/colonial master/mistress while the workers, ussually the natives, live and work under the worst form of slavery which is serfdom?
The dop system is still practised widely in the Western Cape, resulting in alcohol abuse and malnaurished children with no future outside the same farms-thereby trapping them within the dop system in their adulthood. Please take off your rose coloured glasses, and maybe join David in counting Kruger Rands - I'll count Madiba moolah in the meantime and and loking after Zuma's mshini.
David please note capitals on Kruger (president of the Boer Republic of..) and Rand (SA currency derived from Witwatersrand). I thought I should remind you before you reach for your Brittish paasport - your prized possession)
5547 Lyndall Beddy
[ Wednesday, January 20, 2010 | 7:17:22 AM ]
Mntungwa
People can be taught anything, including how to farm, but by people who know how to do it and have done it themselves. The American advisors trotting around Africa have never farmed themselves!
But what went wrong in Haiti is cutting up commercial farms (which produce export income and foreign exchange). Chavez has done the same.
But Haiti would have survived - had they practiced birth control!
It looks like they threw out the French but not the Catholic Church!
People can be taught anything, including how to farm, but by people who know how to do it and have done it themselves. The American advisors trotting around Africa have never farmed themselves!
But what went wrong in Haiti is cutting up commercial farms (which produce export income and foreign exchange). Chavez has done the same.
But Haiti would have survived - had they practiced birth control!
It looks like they threw out the French but not the Catholic Church!
5546 Ssman Simha
[ Tuesday, January 19, 2010 | 9:23:42 PM ]
David: Politically totally incorrect, but tragically totally true.
Suggest Sarkozy import a tribe of Haitian toughs, who are at least Catholic, to France to control Shariah creep in the Islamic ghettos, where French law enforcement dare not enter. A good way to put Haitian human capital to work without any new investment.
The French created Haiti, let them take the lead!
Suggest Sarkozy import a tribe of Haitian toughs, who are at least Catholic, to France to control Shariah creep in the Islamic ghettos, where French law enforcement dare not enter. A good way to put Haitian human capital to work without any new investment.
The French created Haiti, let them take the lead!
5545 David Bullard
[ Tuesday, January 19, 2010 | 9:15:25 PM ]
Mntungwa....that's the price of celebrity...being hated by people you've never even met. But when have I ever courted popularity? That's why the ST column was so well read....because it was ballsy. Not like the anodyne PC drivel that appears in the paper these days hey? Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go and count my kruger rand collection.
5541 Lyndall Beddy
[ Tuesday, January 19, 2010 | 3:54:07 PM ]
Anthony
I agree with you. Let Americans put their money where their mouth is for a change. And give green cards to all the Zimbabwean farm workers in SA - that will solve our problems as well. I am sick of American racism and patronage.
Especially when they trot around Africa as the IMF, the World Bank, or NGOs teachings Africans how to farm. American farm ownership and farming has not changed since the 19th century according to the Globalist - so none of them know what they are talking about.
The only Africans who know how to farm in Africa are the white settlers
I agree with you. Let Americans put their money where their mouth is for a change. And give green cards to all the Zimbabwean farm workers in SA - that will solve our problems as well. I am sick of American racism and patronage.
Especially when they trot around Africa as the IMF, the World Bank, or NGOs teachings Africans how to farm. American farm ownership and farming has not changed since the 19th century according to the Globalist - so none of them know what they are talking about.
The only Africans who know how to farm in Africa are the white settlers
5544 Mntungwa Mbulazi
[ Tuesday, January 19, 2010 | 3:15:39 PM ]
Beddy and Madoff,
Please go easy on the Haitans. You are now undressing your false attire and revealing your trueselves. As an affirmative, according to Bullard, and a farmer, I cannot affirm your diatribe. It just stinks.
Please go easy on the Haitans. You are now undressing your false attire and revealing your trueselves. As an affirmative, according to Bullard, and a farmer, I cannot affirm your diatribe. It just stinks.
5542 Mntungwa Mbulazi
[ Tuesday, January 19, 2010 | 3:05:27 PM ]
David,
I do geddit! Everyone is jealous of you! Everyone who does not agree with you hates you. Your Haiti speech takes the cake. Is it because its a country of affirmatives? geddit?
I do geddit! Everyone is jealous of you! Everyone who does not agree with you hates you. Your Haiti speech takes the cake. Is it because its a country of affirmatives? geddit?
5538 Bernie Madoff
[ Tuesday, January 19, 2010 | 12:26:42 PM ]
Lyndall,
I have my doubts whether the Haitians will take up President Wade's offer. And the reason is that life will probably be worse in Senegal. I doubt whether they be welcomed with open arms.
The answer is that the Haitians should immediately be given Green Cards enabling them to settle in The USA. I am sure that they would take the offer up. It is the only way forward and I am amazed that Obama hasn't already suggested it.
I have my doubts whether the Haitians will take up President Wade's offer. And the reason is that life will probably be worse in Senegal. I doubt whether they be welcomed with open arms.
The answer is that the Haitians should immediately be given Green Cards enabling them to settle in The USA. I am sure that they would take the offer up. It is the only way forward and I am amazed that Obama hasn't already suggested it.
5537 David Bullard
[ Tuesday, January 19, 2010 | 12:21:30 PM ]
I'm also glad that I don't write for the Sunday Times Mntungwa. I prefer writing for people who don't restrict freedom of speech and debate. And don't you think the racist things is sooooo yesterday? Try something more original.....like I was sacked for being more popular by far than all the affirmative columnists. Or I was sacked because my book sold too well. Or I was sacked because I didn't get pissed with the editor at ten in the morning. So much choice. Next thing you'll be accusing me of Haiti speech (geddit?)
5536 Lyndall Beddy
[ Tuesday, January 19, 2010 | 10:25:59 AM ]
Mntungwa Mbulazi
We all agree that humanitarian aid must be rushed to Haiti, to save the living; but David is right that rebuilding Haiti is no answer.
The country is one big slum -why do you think the buildings fell down and those in the Dominican Republic did not? The Republic, by the way, has to keep strict control on its borders to stop illegal Haitiian immigrants - they already have over 1 million illegal immigrants from Haiti.
The UN was already feeding over a million Haitians with aid before the disaster.
You can't breed like rabbits for generation after generation on an island and not run out of land.
Maybe the best answer is to let them immigrate back to Africa.
We all agree that humanitarian aid must be rushed to Haiti, to save the living; but David is right that rebuilding Haiti is no answer.
The country is one big slum -why do you think the buildings fell down and those in the Dominican Republic did not? The Republic, by the way, has to keep strict control on its borders to stop illegal Haitiian immigrants - they already have over 1 million illegal immigrants from Haiti.
The UN was already feeding over a million Haitians with aid before the disaster.
You can't breed like rabbits for generation after generation on an island and not run out of land.
Maybe the best answer is to let them immigrate back to Africa.
5533 Bernie Madoff
[ Monday, January 18, 2010 | 6:52:10 PM ]
The Dog's Bollocks (DB),
Interesting that Mntungwa Mbulazi thinks that President Wade has actually offerd a solution to the catastrophe. I assume that he has been to Senegal.
Interesting that Mntungwa Mbulazi thinks that President Wade has actually offerd a solution to the catastrophe. I assume that he has been to Senegal.
5528 Bernie Madoff
[ Monday, January 18, 2010 | 2:18:04 PM ]
The Dog's Bollocks (DB),
Unfortunately, there are no women in the penitentiary for me to impregnate. So I think that your "kiddie credit" is surplus to requirements. But many thanks for the kind offfer.
With regard to you being child-less.... was it because you can't stand kids or were you shooting blanks? I hope that you are not offended by this suggestion, but I am curious.
Unfortunately, there are no women in the penitentiary for me to impregnate. So I think that your "kiddie credit" is surplus to requirements. But many thanks for the kind offfer.
With regard to you being child-less.... was it because you can't stand kids or were you shooting blanks? I hope that you are not offended by this suggestion, but I am curious.
5526 Mntungwa Mbulazi
[ Monday, January 18, 2010 | 1:55:35 PM ]
David,
You are so sick! How can you gloat when hundred(s) of thousands people are dead or injured? You have a right, including Lyndall, to comment or say whatever you want to say about Haiti or whomsoever you want to castigate. But, is this the right time to call Haiti a " terminal basket case"? If you see no "point in rebuilding Haiti", that is your opinion, but that's not what this nation needs. What Haiti needs is the Abdoulaye Wade's, Presidents Zuma, Obama, and others to open, not only their hearts and coffers to to the people of Haiti. I am glad, David, that you no longer write for the Sunday Times. You wre fired after your racist charade. In this article, you have stooped so low....
You are so sick! How can you gloat when hundred(s) of thousands people are dead or injured? You have a right, including Lyndall, to comment or say whatever you want to say about Haiti or whomsoever you want to castigate. But, is this the right time to call Haiti a " terminal basket case"? If you see no "point in rebuilding Haiti", that is your opinion, but that's not what this nation needs. What Haiti needs is the Abdoulaye Wade's, Presidents Zuma, Obama, and others to open, not only their hearts and coffers to to the people of Haiti. I am glad, David, that you no longer write for the Sunday Times. You wre fired after your racist charade. In this article, you have stooped so low....
5524 David Bullard
[ Monday, January 18, 2010 | 1:34:54 PM ]
Bernie......we've got no children (as far as I know) so you can buy a kiddie credit from me if you want a couple more.
5519 Lyndall Beddy
[ Monday, January 18, 2010 | 11:16:18 AM ]
Chavez in Venezula is following the same land policies as Haiti did over 200 years ago (and the ANC would like now, and Zimbawe has done).Destroy commercial farms, cut up into subsistence peasant farms, and don't control populatiin growth - eventually the population starves.
Anthony Posner
My husband and I have 2 children (we have only replaced ourselves) If everyone did that - we would not have a population growth problem in the world.
Anthony Posner
My husband and I have 2 children (we have only replaced ourselves) If everyone did that - we would not have a population growth problem in the world.
5517 Bernie Madoff
[ Monday, January 18, 2010 | 10:43:41 AM ]
Miss Beddy,
Let us assume that there are too many people living on this planet. In such circumstances, have you ever thought of taking an overdose?
Let us assume that there are too many people living on this planet. In such circumstances, have you ever thought of taking an overdose?
5514 Lyndall Beddy
[ Monday, January 18, 2010 | 7:16:53 AM ]
Haitians evicted the French in a slave revolt 260 years ago. Since then they have been the owners of the land not slaves Their trouble was they could not stop having too many children. Not a good idea on an island with limited land (or a planet either!)
5512 Bernie Madoff
[ Sunday, January 17, 2010 | 6:52:13 PM ]
The Dogs Bollocks,
What you fail to understand is that there is an African solution to the problem. At first, I thought that you were merely racist. Now I wonder whether you are not the full box of chox.
BBC WEBSITE
Senegal's president says he will offer free land and "repatriation" to people affected by the earthquake in Haiti.
President Wade said Haitians were sons and daughters of Africa since Haiti was founded by slaves, including some thought to be from Senegal.
"The president is offering voluntary repatriation to any Haitian that wants to return to their origin," said Mr Wade's spokesman.
"Senegal is ready to offer them parcels of land - even an entire region. It all depends on how many Haitians come,"
"If it's just a few individuals, then we will likely offer them housing or small pieces of land. If they come en masse we are ready to give them a region."
The spokesman emphasised that if a region was given, it would be in a fertile part of the country rather than in its parched deserts.
What you fail to understand is that there is an African solution to the problem. At first, I thought that you were merely racist. Now I wonder whether you are not the full box of chox.
BBC WEBSITE
Senegal's president says he will offer free land and "repatriation" to people affected by the earthquake in Haiti.
President Wade said Haitians were sons and daughters of Africa since Haiti was founded by slaves, including some thought to be from Senegal.
"The president is offering voluntary repatriation to any Haitian that wants to return to their origin," said Mr Wade's spokesman.
"Senegal is ready to offer them parcels of land - even an entire region. It all depends on how many Haitians come,"
"If it's just a few individuals, then we will likely offer them housing or small pieces of land. If they come en masse we are ready to give them a region."
The spokesman emphasised that if a region was given, it would be in a fertile part of the country rather than in its parched deserts.
5511 David Bullard
[ Sunday, January 17, 2010 | 6:00:20 PM ]
and Bernie....the even lovelier son Baby Doc Duvalier and his delightfully persuasive friends the Tontons Macoutes who may occasionally resort to violence if people failed to be convinced by their charms. So misunderstood though by the racist Western media.
5509 Bernie Madoff
[ Sunday, January 17, 2010 | 3:15:26 PM ]
The Dog's Bollocks,
And of course, there have been many honest Haitian Presidents. Cast your mind back to Papa Doc. You couldn't meet a more decent guy. He was, of course, cruelly maligned... but that's the media for you.
I always admired his sun-glasses.
And of course, there have been many honest Haitian Presidents. Cast your mind back to Papa Doc. You couldn't meet a more decent guy. He was, of course, cruelly maligned... but that's the media for you.
I always admired his sun-glasses.
5508 Bernie Madoff
[ Sunday, January 17, 2010 | 2:43:55 PM ]
The Dogs Bollocks,
You write: "a long line of corrupt politicians have made sure that the country is starved of money to maintain essential services."
Are you including ex President Aristide within this category? Surely, South Africa would never give sanctuary to a "corrupt politician"? There is absolutely no way that it could happen. Such an idea defies all rationality. It is more than preposterous. it is actually racist.
Sue me, if you wish.
You write: "a long line of corrupt politicians have made sure that the country is starved of money to maintain essential services."
Are you including ex President Aristide within this category? Surely, South Africa would never give sanctuary to a "corrupt politician"? There is absolutely no way that it could happen. Such an idea defies all rationality. It is more than preposterous. it is actually racist.
Sue me, if you wish.
5507 David Bullard
[ Sunday, January 17, 2010 | 2:01:58 PM ]
Accepted Colin...which is what I point out in the last two sentences. However, as a topic of debate let's discuss whether humanity doesn't blind us to reality. For example, couldn't the enormous amount of money about to be spent not be better used at home? How much of the money being pledged will even reach the people who need it? How much will be skimmed off and end up in secret bank accounts. And if it all reached the needy how viable would a new, reborn Haiti be as a going concern? Adult literacy is below 50% in Haiti. On the same island to the east in the Dominican Republic it is 85%. same island, same opportunities, different results. By the way, I see Haitians are sailing away to nowhere in particular rather than stay and help clear up the mess. Rather proves my point.
5506 Bernie Madoff
[ Sunday, January 17, 2010 | 12:31:02 PM ]
If some South African readers are curious about my moniker for David Bullard, I should alert them to the fact that "The Dog's Bollocks" is British slang meaning one of the best examples of its kind.
eg "The new Rolls-Royce phantom is the dogs' bollocks."
eg "The new Rolls-Royce phantom is the dogs' bollocks."
5505 Bernie Madoff
[ Sunday, January 17, 2010 | 12:08:50 PM ]
The Dog's Bollocks (DB),
I wonder if Obama knows what he is taking on? It seems to me that Haiti is now unofficially becoming another state of America.
But if only Obama would leave The White House and emigrate to Port au Prince.
I wonder if Obama knows what he is taking on? It seems to me that Haiti is now unofficially becoming another state of America.
But if only Obama would leave The White House and emigrate to Port au Prince.
5501 Lyndall Beddy
[ Sunday, January 17, 2010 | 10:30:47 AM ]
260 years ago Haiti was so rich a colony it produced one fifth of the income of France.
But when its black leaders took over they banned all foreign ownership of land and all foreign investment, and cut up commercial farms into peasant smallholdings, and did NOT curb population growth. For how many generations can a man have 10 children and carve up the land between all his sons?
The details are in the book "Collapse" by Jared Diamond.
But when its black leaders took over they banned all foreign ownership of land and all foreign investment, and cut up commercial farms into peasant smallholdings, and did NOT curb population growth. For how many generations can a man have 10 children and carve up the land between all his sons?
The details are in the book "Collapse" by Jared Diamond.
5500 Symbol SixtyOne
[ Sunday, January 17, 2010 | 10:30:40 AM ]
Yip, it's quite typical of 3rd world countries made up of lazy arses, non-achievers and idiots to start bitching the moment their ways catch up with them. Hey, it kind of reminds me of Africa and the brilliant way in which our beloved little home sweet home is being managed by our world class experienced leaders.
5499 Colin Ramparsadh
[ Sunday, January 17, 2010 | 10:12:24 AM ]
Hi
While I do enjoy your articles and right to expression. In the name of humanity your comments on Haiti are actually inhumane. Sure they have issues, no infrastructure or political will but they are indeed citizens of the world in need of help. To respond is the human thing to do. To condemn them to their own fate is inhumane.
While I do enjoy your articles and right to expression. In the name of humanity your comments on Haiti are actually inhumane. Sure they have issues, no infrastructure or political will but they are indeed citizens of the world in need of help. To respond is the human thing to do. To condemn them to their own fate is inhumane.