Let's Discuss Something POSITIVE For a Change!
By anniepa
@anniepa (27955)
United States
January 16, 2010 12:49pm CST
The horror of the earthquake in Haiti is far from a "positive" thing but one thing that always seems to happen is disasters and tragedy bring out the best in people. I think that's especially true of the American people! Our giving spirit enables us all to set aside our political and ideological differences for a common goal.
I would hope that we could ALL agree that seeing the current President standing alongside his two most recent predecessors as they announce their plans to work together to raise money for longterm relief in Haiti was a wonderful thing. I felt the same way when former President George W. Bush got his dad and former President Clinton together following the tsunami a few years ago.
We all have our grievances with our government, past and present, and we certainly don't all agree on what those grievances are or have been but I'd like to say at times like these I'm VERY proud to be an American!
What say you?
Annie
2 people like this
11 responses
@irishidid (8688)
• United States
16 Jan 10
Grabbing my wrench and chucking it into the works.
Obama gave them enough of our money. I wouldn't donate a cent if I was a billionaire. There are causes right at home that are just as important. Yes, I feel for these people but I feel for my own countrymen first.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
17 Jan 10
Under most circumstances I'd be in total agreement but looking at all the destruction and knowing the number of deaths will certainly reach six figures, and that's WITHOUT the potential of thousands who survived the quake dying of dehydration, starvation or disease I must say MOST of the problems of our countrymen pale in comparison. However, I sure agree that no American should be as needy as many are.
I think it's also noteworthy that Haiti is very close to our mainland, many Americans live there and many Haitians are here with their families there. One more thing - Obama didn't give them any more or any less than any President would have; it's just what we do and who we are!
Annie
@irishidid (8688)
• United States
17 Jan 10
I don't care if the poor kid down the street needs a corn on his toe removed. You help at home first. Period.
@mommaj (23112)
• United States
16 Jan 10
I am glad someone sees the need in the US as well. I realize we are a very giving country until it comes to our fellow citizens. Americans will help foreigners before they give time or even a dime to their next door neighbor. I loved the fact Bush said SEND MONEY and Clinton said to send food, water, blankets. I can tell they are organized as always. LOL I would have to belief Clinton first since he is part of the actual support. I personally would like to see some of those Americans donate to their next door neighbor, the guy down the street, the woman next door, the homeless on the corner, the people at the food pantry. How can it be justified to send donations to every other country and ignore your own TOWN's problems? I have never understood the willingness to help others without helping the people standing right in front of you.
1 person likes this
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
17 Jan 10
I am proud of our efforts, very much so. One thing we can say about our country and it's people is,no matter how much we bicker aomong ourselves,we have an amazing way of comming together when the need arises and the need has certainly arisen.
I sit and watch the images unfold from Haiti and all I can think is, "my god, if only I could get down there....do something...ANYTHING. I have had to just turn the tv off a few times because it was so disturbing. Unfortunealtly for the people down there it isn't just as easy as turnignit off and making go away. I'm not a christian so I don't "pray" the way most people would term "prayer", but the people there and those working to help are in my daily intentions. If something comes up that I can do, I'm sure what ever powers that exist above will show me what it is in their own way.
Our lord and lady, please watch over the people of haiti and guide the hands now helping them.
1 person likes this
thanks annie!!!!!
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
16 Jan 10
Amen! This time I am in perfect agreement with you!
1 person likes this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
17 Jan 10
I always knew that! You are my favorite political foe 
1 person likes this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
16 Jan 10
i just saw it on the Yahoo news page. Forgive me but the first thought that came to mind was Bush Knows where Haiti is? It is god to see them trying to help.
1 person likes this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
17 Jan 10
Ih that's different. He must have had a good time and remembers the places he saw and now? they are all gone? Now it makes sense.
1 person likes this
@grammasnook (1871)
• United States
16 Jan 10
American people come together all the time helping others. The effort to help haiti has been going on in our neck of the woods for a long time. We have donated everything from clothing to money. I am glad that the governement part of our country can come together to realize the crisis. Regular people have known it for a very long time.
1 person likes this
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
16 Jan 10
Yes, I am very proud of the efforts that so many in this country have made to help the people of Haiti. There is a lot of action ongoing down here in south Florida...several organizations working hard to get supplies out and others raising money. One easy way that the average American can help is as simple as using your cell phone. Just text HAITI to 90999 and a $10 donation will be made to the Red Cross. You will see the charge on your next bill. You can also text HAITI to 85944 where a $10 donation will go to the International Medical Corps who are on the ground in Port-au-Prince now offering medical services to the survivors.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
17 Jan 10
Thank you for posting those numbers, Spall! I understand they've really raised a lot of money that way. What an excellent idea! Did you hear that most of the major cell phone companies announced they wouldn't be charging for the text messages but but NOT Sprint?
Annie
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
17 Jan 10
No, I didn't know that Annie. Figures Sprint would be the Grinch. 
1 person likes this
@irisheyes (4370)
• United States
19 Jan 10
I couldn't agree with you more. A few days ago, I watched a joint interview with Bill Clinton & George Bush Jr. They were each asked to comment on what good ole Rush had to say about Haiti. They both refused to go there and urged us to keep politics out of the relief effort. Maybe that's another positive: having both sides ignore Rush Limbaugh.
@cobrateacher (8432)
• United States
16 Jan 10
Hi, Annie!
It would be great if we were able to be more "together" without a disaster to trigger it, but I'm thrilled with the extent to which Americans and others throughout the world are responding to this desperate need.
I'm really broke at this time, since pneumonia has kept me from working, so the pay checks are just not coming. However, I go to a number of sites to earn points for cash and prizes. Most of them have a link through which these can become donations, and I've been doing that on every one of those sites. I hope others who visit such sites will consider doing the same. We can always build up our points again!
1 person likes this
@bestboy19 (5478)
• United States
18 Jan 10
You have every right to be proud of being an American. Without a doubt, we are some of the most generous people in the world. I know that sounds like bragging, but it's the truth. Even our poor will give to help others.
@AithneFireStorm (212)
• United States
16 Jan 10
Here here! I to am proud to see things like this bring us together. I am reminded of that time right after 9/11 when regardless of political lines we were all just Americans standing and grieving together and helping each other. It is such a shame that it requires tradgedies like that, the tsunami, and earthquakes to make us act like that! I wish we could do that without a sad event to happen first!
1 person likes this
