Palin Visits Haiti

[MathiasOfAthens]

http://www.reuters.com/news/video/st...eoChannel=2602

At least the Haitians dont understand English.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6BB1KE20101212

(Reuters) - Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin on Sunday urged her fellow Americans not to forget Haiti as she wrapped up a two-day visit to the crisis-torn Caribbean country.

"I do urge Americans not to forget Haiti," said Palin, who was in Haiti at the invitation of Franklin Graham, an evangelical preacher whose Christian relief organization, Samaritan's Purse, is involved in cholera treatment efforts in the deeply impoverished nation.

Haiti is still recovering from the January 12 quake that killed nearly a quarter of a million Haitians a year ago, and the 1.3 million people made homeless by the disaster are still living in makeshift camps and under tents and tarps in the sprawling capital Port-au-Prince.

"There were such ravaged conditions and environmental aspects of this country before the earthquake," said Palin.

"Haiti has been a country that has suffered in the past, that's going to continue to suffer until some fundamental changes are being made here," she added.

The country has more recently been hit by a cholera epidemic that has killed more than 2,000 people and is wracked by political upheaval over a contested presidential election that has sparked violent street protests.

Palin, the former U.S. vice presidential candidate who is considering a presidential run in 2012, did not refer to the political chaos and charges of electoral fraud, which have led to calls for the administration of President Barack Obama to suspend aid to Haiti.

But on a trip that could help bolster her foreign policy credentials, Palin said "job opportunities especially for the young people of Haiti" were something the poorest country in the Americas needed perhaps more than anything else.

"God created man to work, to produce, to be able to contribute and to take care of one's own family and one's own community," she said.

Palin spoke to reporters outside a Samaritan's Purse warehouse in this town in barren hills about 7 miles north of Port-au-Prince.

She declined to take any questions, saying, "We don't need to be getting political today."

She did appeal for foreign aid, however, after health experts last week called for intensive vaccination and more use of antibiotics to step up Haiti's fight against cholera.

It sounds more like a run for experience for 2012. It seems more and more likely everyday that she is going to run for President. I dont really see any other reason for her to have gone to Haiti.

Anyway, again with her speeches. She always says something has to be done but she doesnt list specifics or offer any suggestions. Here she says Haiti needs some Fundamental changes, and the young people need jobs. Well thats obvious but do you have a specifics?

[Imperial]

It sounds more like a run for experience for 2012. It seems more and more likely everyday that she is going to run for President. I dont really see any other reason for her to have gone to Haiti.

She'll be wasting her time. I have conservative friends that refused to vote for McCain in the last election because he picked her to be his running mate.

[MathiasOfAthens]

True, but it sure looks like shes gonna try.

Her public speaking skills have not improved... well a little.

[Ahlerich]

http://www.reuters.com/news/video/st...eoChannel=2602

At least the Haitians dont understand English.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6BB1KE20101212



It sounds more like a run for experience for 2012. It seems more and more likely everyday that she is going to run for President. I dont really see any other reason for her to have gone to Haiti.

she should run for president in haiti. compete with the fugees guy and maybe an unemployed mad ex dictator from africa

[♔Goodguy1066♔]

Those poor Haitians, first the earthquake, then the Cholera outbreak, then the flood - and now Palin's coming to visit?! How much can one country suffer?!

[Moorish guy]

Those poor Haitians, first the earthquake, then the Cholera outbreak, then the flood - and now Palin's coming to visit?! How much can one country suffer?!

I think it'd be better if everyone jut left the island and spread out among the neighbouring states...

[Othniel]

Well, I like Sarah Palin...but...I doubt she is going to run for president, and I think she would be foolish to do so. At least for another few cycles. The political pool has been far too poisoned by those who feel threatened by her for Palin to be successful, perhaps permanently. I can, however, see her as an excellent Secretary of Energy.

In other words, "I reject your reality, and substitute my own!" (that was humor)

*Equips flame shield*

[alhoon]

Well, I like Sarah Palin...but...I doubt she is going to run for president, and I think she would be foolish to do so. At least for another few cycles. The political pool has been far too poisoned by those who feel threatened by her for Palin to be successful, perhaps permanently. I can, however, see her as an excellent Secretary of Energy.

In other words, "I reject your reality, and substitute my own!" (that was humor)

*Equips flame shield*

Interesting post. May I ask, in all respect, what do you like about Palin? What people don't like about Palin is written all over the mudpit, but rarely someone says what he likes in her. She has 40% or something popularity, which tea party doesn't enjoy, so she propably has supporters outside the tea party.

[Othniel]

Interesting post. May I ask, in all respect, what do you like about Palin? What people don't like about Palin is written all over the mudpit, but rarely someone says what he likes in her. She has 40% or something popularity, which tea party doesn't enjoy, so she propably has supporters outside the tea party.

Oops, forgot about this topic.

Without going too in-depth, here are some of the political positions that Palin supports, and which I share (in no particular order):

Free-market capitalism
Tougher criminal penalties
Increased drilling for oil
Stronger military
Free trade
Earmark reform (though she has previously taken earmarks – definitely room to improve here)
Right to bear arms
More free-market (and less government) answers to health care problems
Tougher stance on enemies and countries that don’t like us
No amnesty for illegal aliens
Lower taxes

Additionally, she’s pro-life and so am I, but I would call abortion (and most other social issues such as gay marriage, etc.) a state issue rather than a federal issue.

Palin is an interesting person, and she fascinates me. Very few people have such an ability to make their opponents go so vehemently crazy with (dare I say) apoplectic hatred. Am I a Palin supporter? Yeah, but I don't think she should run for president, at least not yet. Maybe after a few cycles, but even then, I think she's far more useful to conservatives as a fundraiser, speaker, etc, than she ever would be as president. Love her or hate her, she wielded enormous power in the 2010 elections, and the majority of the candidates that she endorsed won. If I had to speculate in regards to Palin and 2012, I'd say she is doing what she can to push GOP candidates to run conservative in order to overshadow her. And for kicks and giggles, my preferred candidate right now is probably John Thune (senator from South Dakota).

[Holger Danske]

Those poor Haitians, first the earthquake, then the Cholera outbreak, then the flood - and now Palin's coming to visit?! How much can one country suffer?!

Palin becoming president next year... That would be the apocalypse for all of us...

[MathiasOfAthens]

Well none of them speak English, or French properly for that matter.

[BemusedHorse]

'I can see Cuba from my backyard'.

[Ó Cathasaigh]

OP:

Who cares?

[NotYetRegistered]

"Haiti has been a country that has suffered in the past, that's going to continue to suffer until some fundamental changes are being made here," she added.

Epic joke.

[ivan_the_terrible]

Epic joke.

Lol, 'change'. Yes we can!

[motiv-8]

Epic joke.

Errmmm what Palin said is actually what commentators and scholars for journals like Foreign Affairs have been saying for decades... Haiti does need fundamental change in its politics, economy, and civil society.

You might have witnessed one of the first times ever that Sarah Palin Got It Right. Whether she actually knew she did at the time is another question.

No, I can't take that. I'll detonate a suicide vest in a bus if I see a single cartoon of her.

Allahu Akhbar. Nice knowin ya

[removeduser_487563287433]

I hate Palin as the opportunistic, ammoral, despicable idiot she is. But Haiti is in a state of political collapse with a cholerah epidemic threatening the earthquake shanty towns, and any effort to raise awareness should be applauded.

[mp0295]

I hate Palin as the opportunistic, ammoral, despicable idiot she is. But Haiti is in a state of political collapse with a cholerah epidemic threatening the earthquake shanty towns, and any effort to raise awareness should be applauded.

I whole heartily agree with you here; Palin is an idiot and represent everything that is wrong with the right wing in the US. While normally I hate her, I will agree with her message, that of not to forget Haiti. While probably for political gain, if it somehow helps the people there, by all means keep talking.

[Babur]

I hate Palin as the opportunistic, ammoral, despicable idiot she is. But Haiti is in a state of political collapse with a cholerah epidemic threatening the earthquake shanty towns, and any effort to raise awareness should be applauded.

so why not just leave her there?

[Lumina]

so why not just leave her there?

Too late she already left, she paratrooped in, took a few photos, drove around to get more photos around the island, and went home in less than two days.