][<en,

During Nepoleon's occupation, Haiti provided 80% of all produced goods
outside France.  The island was wasted long ago.  The statistic often quoted
back in 1975 was that 11% of the arable land washed into the sea each year.
Deforestation has been a problem for a long time, but the silting in the
perimeter waters prevents sun light from encouraging growth of flora and
hence fishing has to be done well away from the land. Further, most Haitians
preferred method for cooking is to make coal from cutting down trees. There
are still some magnificent Mapu trees and the like in less populated areas,
and one can imagine what the island was like when the only inhabitants were
Arawaks.  From an economics standpoint, the island has a potential work
force of millions.  I have never understood why the US cannot put a business
plan in place to rebuild this nation.  There is a history of marine
occupation, and dumping money in the wrong hands.  An book that is essential
reading for the understanding of Haiti is Written in Blood.

I am trying to get a presentation up on YouTube, and will let you know
later.

Best,

Leland

-----Original Message-----
From: The listserv where the buildings do the talking
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Gabriel
Orgrease
Sent: Monday, January 18, 2010 5:56 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [BP] Haiti

Leland,

I was aware that you have had an involvement w/ the people of Haiti. I 
did not know to what extent. Thank you.
>
> The current devastation is difficult to watch, but is more a horrible 
> continuation of bad luck and neglect.
>
What I have gathered is that besides deforestation, and over fishing, 
and movement from rural to urban density, and corrupt governments that 
France demanded a cost for Haitian independence that in today's dollars 
would amount to $20 B and that they were not able to pay it off until 
1946. That they paid it off at all is amazing to me. There is obviously 
an immediate need, but what I find bothersome is the tendency for 
neglect to set back into place after the urgency of the immediate need 
passes.

][<en

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