Frustrations await Bush, Clinton visit to Haiti

[cory777]

Source: AP

By JONATHAN M. KATZ, Associated Press

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – One restored a Haitian president to power; the other flew him back out again. Former U.S. presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush are visiting Haiti on Monday, reminding the country of its tumultuous recent past just as frustration over an uneven earthquake relief effort is bringing politics back to the surface.

The ex-presidents are spearheading U.S. fundraising in response to the Jan. 12 earthquake. Tapped by President Barack Obama for the role, they are making the one-day visit to assess recovery needs.

Charged memories of their policies toward the impoverished Caribbean nation are already mixing with frustration over deplorable living conditions among the 1.3 million homeless quake survivors. Supporters of ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide have scheduled protests for Monday — demanding the return of their exiled leader and pleading for more aid.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100322/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/cb_haiti_earthquake

[NYC Liberal]

1. George W. Bush should never be put anywhere near a disaster relief effort.

But I'm guessing Clinton is doing most of the actual work anyway (seeing as he was already the UN Special Envoy to Haiti), and Bush just shows up for the photo-ops.

[Ecumenist]

2. AMEN...

[David__77]

5. Well, actually I don't mind using him.

As crappy as he is, it helps build diplomatic bridges through symbolism, and ever-so-slightly fractures the GOP as well. Keeping Bush in the limelight is probably not a bad thing for our side.

[NYC Liberal]

6. I really just don't want him actually DOING anything.

Let him do the photo-ops if it actually helps but let Clinton do the actual work and decision-making.

[BlueMTexpat]

3. I heartily echo the sentiments about *!

On the other hand, the problems with Haiti right now are concentrated in the hands of those 11 or so families who, among them, own literally all the real estate in Haiti. One wonders exactly how that happened.
In large part because of them, efforts to build decent housing and relocate those who are currently living in makeshift shelters are impossible.

[truthisfreedom]

4. We actually had a president called bush?

Shit, that makes me laugh so hard.