Quote:
Originally Posted by bkcunningham1
What is the writer referring to when she says, "Meanwhile, the chaos in the country is an excellent opportunity for the anti-government forces, known as the 'Cannibal Army,' to eat its way — literally — at Preval’s forces and seize power...."
Also, her statement: "This is because the minute that a U.S. sergeant shoots a voodoo rebel building, a barricade of corpses or a member of the Cannibal Army intent on eating that barricade, then angry protesters shouting “Down with the U.S. colonizers!” is all but certain in the streets."
Are her views of the Haitians similar to Pat Robertson or am I missing something here?
bk
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I see nothing resembling the idiocy of Pat Robertson's statement. Ms. Latynina is perceptive in her belief that the government of Haiti, not its people is the source of its problems. Keep in mind that Haiti shares the same Island with The Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic has enjoyed a relatively stable democratic government and consequently its per capita income for 2009 is estimated at $8200 while Haiti's is $1300 per the CIA World Factbook.
The 1957 to 1986 brutal reign of the Duvalier family with their machete bearing, the tonton makoute, supporters created a permanent culture of dependence, corruption and anarchy that continues to this day. Preval is neither more nor less corrupt than his predecessors. Haiti is poor and troubled beyond anything we could even become to appreciate. It is estimated that 30% of the Haitian households have a Restavec, a child slave that is normally severely abused, before being turned out onto the streets to fend for themselves at the age of 15. It is from this desperate population that the tonton makoute of the Duvalier's and the 'cannibal' army of today are drawn. People totally without hope who respond to the lure of power and plenty.
The 'cannibal' army was a creation of Aristide's, intended to pin up his regime much as the tonton makoute had done for the Duvalier's.
Latynina is correct in saying we will see, "...angry protesters shouting Down with the U.S. colonizers! is all but certain in the streets. This line will be parroted by the NY Times and the evening news. Our armed forces help to Haiti will become a new 'Abu Ghraib' for our media to demonstrate how the actions of the few allow the exaggerated condemnation of our armed forces and the US itself. Calls for withdraw will follow and Haiti will continue its life in Hell, compliments of the US left.