Over 500 people have died in Haiti

[malaise]

as a result of Gustav and Hanna and Ike is giving them more rain.
I feel so sorry for the people of Haiti. Caribbean governments are helping but that's a drop in the bucket.

spacing.

[firedupdem]

1. really sad....my prayers go out to them n/t

[seemslikeadream]

2. :(

[malaise]

6. I just hope Miami and Florida Keys residents are not letting down

their guard. Last Wednesday we went to bed in Jamaica thinking Gustav was passing between Jamaica and Cuba. Overnight it turned WSW and SW and went through our island. I heard the weather people on NBC saying it's almost certain that Ike won't hit Miami. Nothing is certain with hurricanes - stay alert and be prepared.

[kdmorris]

10. Still watching Ike

It seems less likely every forecast, but the preparations were made in our house when it looked like Hanna might come here. The only thing left to do is put up shutters (way too dark in the house to do it before an official warning).

They say it's almost certain, but like you say, NOTHING is certain with hurricanes. If the high moves back east before Ike reaches 80.1W, there's still a chance it could bend back up the state. A slim chance, but it is there.

[malaise]

15. My sister and her family put up some shutters

but they're watching and hoping they won't need to finish the job. What an awful season. People don't realize the costs associated with hurricane preparations.

[kdmorris]

16. Yeah, preparation is quite expensive

I just wish it was all over already. My nerves are shot. We're in the cone, out of the cone, preparing, not preparing. And it's been like this for weeks.

Thank goodness Josephine did us all a favor and died from the shear.

[kdmorris]

3. We have a large community of Haitians in South Florida

I've heard things are very bad there. Even those who were not killed are still suffering with no way to get to help.

It's just horrible how bad they are suffering and how much the media seems to be ignoring it here. No mention of how awful it's been there, just the effects on the United States. I feel so ashamed sometimes living in a country that doesn't even recognize the suffering in other countries, especially one that is so close to us.

Cuba must be having a difficult time this year, too, but even they have more and can keep their citizens safer. Haiti/DR is like the Calcutta of the Western World.

[malaise]

5. You expect to see Haiti on M$M when they're ignoring the

devastation in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
sp

[kdmorris]

7. Good point

I shouldn't expect anything anymore, really. I'm just kind of naive some days and I can't help all of Haiti by myself, so I figure maybe some government could look into that.

And they gave $800 billion dollars to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. There better be a shitload of oversight on that money... yeah right :sarcasm:

[KharmaTrain]

20. They're Busy Having A High School Crush...

...with that new cute girl in town.

I heard on the BBC a lot of rural areas are still out of contact...road, which are mud, are impassible and the large pounding the island's taken with this years storms have all but worn out the local services. Yes, it sounds very bad there and that compounds on a country that is the thirdest of third world.

Thank goodness these storms haven't been as destructive as 2005, but that little consolation for those who have lived on the edge now for the past two months. Be safe...

:hi:

[arthritisR_US]

4. ya and Lice just announced today you guys will be giving 115% more to Georgia, 1 Billion! n/t

[countryjake]

8. It gives me the same feeling of helplessness that Katrina did...

You forgot to mention Fay from mid-August, which originally wiped out the food resources. I finally heard the toll of more than 500 deaths on the weather-channel...the USA MSM is doing its damnedest to ignore this devastation. Our close back-door neighbors and far-away foreign nations are doing more to bring aid than we are.

I haven't got a lot to spare, but I will be pulling the lint out of my pockets to do what I can to help these poor survivors.

Hurricane Ike is upon them, as I type!

[malaise]

11. We're organizing a collection for them this week

and I know other groups in the Caribbean are also helping out. Our ODPEM has sent personnel to help with electricity and other emergencies, but their needs are overwhelming right now.
People are going to need clothing and food. Maybe the Haitian Embassy or a Haitian NGO in the US is accepting donations in cash and kind.

[kdmorris]

17. Ohhhhh good idea!!

I know that there is a Haitian organization that helps recent immigrants up here. I'll go see if they are accepting food/clothes/etc.

[countryjake]

18. Here's another post by Breeze54, with pics and aid ideas...

Haiti is now just like New Orleans after Katrina... 'In pictures: Haiti relief'

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=3938196&mesg_id=3938196


Here's another aid group, but I know nothing of it or if it's trusted (corrupt)...but I think it sounds good, anyway:

http://www.panamericanrelief.org/



and here's video from CNN:

http://edition1.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/09/05/haiti.aid/index.html#cnnSTCVideo

[uppityperson]

9. been trying to k&r. Finally Du's working again and can.

Damn

[malaise]

13. I've been having problems as well n/t

[TexasLady]

12. That's so so sad. and they are projecting so far for the Central TX gulf coast

Houston has about 6 million or more people I think?

[malaise]

14. Still early for Texas

I wouldn't be letting my guard down in Miami.

[ColbertWatcher]

19. Do you know of any way we can help? n/t