Haiti

I have been glued to the television, watching the images from Haiti. I am compelled to watch like someone who has come upon a horrific murder scene. Over the last few days, I have watched everything from dramatic rescues to immense frustration. I am glad to know that there are people in America who are trained to rescue people and are ready to go at a moment's notice. I am heartened to hear our president pledge immense support for the devastated country.

But I have a few questions.

First, have the reporters done much to help? I know Dr. Gupta has seen to some people. CNN keeps showing him treating a 15-day-old baby. But is he spending the majority of his time assisting or is he wandering around reporting on the most dramatic of the injuries? I have seen Anderson Cooper, for whom I have a lot of respect, report on a rescue of a 13-year-old girl, but did he ever try to help dig? The reporters seem to be going from area to area. Are they carrying food, water and medical supplies? The Haitians will benefit from people on the outside seeing their misery, but they will benefit more from real assistance.

Second, how is it in this era of multi-million dollar bonuses for Wall Street executives, there is a country where 80% of its population lives beneath the poverty level? I know that we can't help everyone everywhere. But it seems incomprehensible to me that such a situation occurs. I wonder how many other countries are like this. Has this disaster made anyone think that perhaps something should be done to make sure that the poorer nations get the assistance they need so that they can be better prepared to deal with disasters?

Third, what is next? I know many people are still struggling to get free of ruble so they aren't thinking about what's next, but I bet many people are. I am sure some people are wondering how they could use this disaster to their advantage. I am sure some people are working on using the instability of the country to reshape the government for their own gains. The Haitians need a plan that will not only ensure their rights are protected but, ideally, would lift them out of the poverty in which they have lived.

The reporters keep saying that there is a spirit of hope still in Haiti. It says something for the human spirit that people can live so meanly yet always have hope of a better future. There is potential right now for that better future to be built for the Haitians. I hope we don't let this opportunity slip away.