Haiti, Citizen Journalism & Modern Empathy-more of the Obama effect

[newtype64]

Have you ever wondered why the America is SO "concerned" about this poor black nation? We have sent 10 thousand troops there & have been turning away foreign aid from other countries. Many people are starting to say that it is starting to look more like an occupation than a relief effort. Many people don't know that they have recently found oil in Haiti. Hence Americas huge involvment in the country. Just wonder what you think about it?

[diepiriye]

Oil? Oh no. I see what you mean.

[jadapoo1]

Oil, Jeb Clampet's good fortune...a poor black country's curse. If this is true, Haiti is so fucked....The destruction wrought by the earthquake will be remembered as their" good ole days". America's going to eat them alive...

[diepiriye]

If I had t look for a bright side to this, I'd say that we're all lucky that this is happening right now, because we do have a president that listens with consideration AND was a part of the Congressional Black Caucus which has a demonstrated interest in Haiti. This could really be the modern revolution Haiti needs.

[jadapoo1]

It's wonderful that you are so optimistic, but the simple fact is America has long been in the practice of putting into place Haitian governments that BENEFIT AMERICA. Do you really believe this will change if oil is there? America will put a governmengt in place that will allow America unfettered access to any oil deposits, even to the detriment of the Haitian people. Anyone who demands a place at the table will be villified and deposed= No peace and prosperity for Haiti. But, we'll see...

[diepiriye]

Let's see. It's all unfolding now. In the meantime, let's also pray for peace.

[jadapoo1]

I can't believe you answered so fast. I thought you all were asleep. What time is it where you are?

[diepiriye]

From you're profile, I see that you;re in the USA, and I'm currently in India. It's now 2:30 AM in Chicago, and 2PM here in Delhi. We're half a day ahead of you, so yes, I greeted twenty-ten long before YOU (smile).

[agent9752]

Hmmm.

I think new media and communication technologies were already in place before Obama; if anything, his campaign embraced them.

Yes, Twitter and donating via text is new, but think back to the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, many of the images of that tragedy got out via YT, email, and cellphones.

Communication technology is constantly metamorphosing and giving voice to so many people, I just think it was already happening prior to BO.

Of course, there are many without any technology.

[diepiriye]

Indeed,Obama won because he caught a wave others were too caught up to see. Now, as we've been asking, what does he do with the position? And, how much does he represent himself as a candidate as much as he also reflects this new world, demonstrated by this new media that you point out was already in place. And he understands the digital divide, but also how to capture it. Indeed, we can attribute our faith in these forms of media to the fact that he used it so successfully.