7.0 Earthquake Hits Haiti. Presidential Palace and Hospital Collapse

**Twisted** · January 13th, 2010, 02:34 PM

Originally Posted by Echo

12:55PM, 13 Jan 2010..I am hearing the siren of an ambulance for the first time as I right this note..

29 minutes ago from web

there are going to be shortages of food, water, medical supplies.. partially buried bodies will create health issues soon
30 minutes ago from web

http://twitter.com/ramhaiti

Unfortunately, that is all true. I've seen some of the media coming through on Twitter, and other images on CNN's iReport. There was one that was more graphic than I'd even share here of a gas station attendant who had been crushed under rubble, his head cracked open like a melon.

I sincerely hope some of the images I've seen are the worst of it. I'm also thankful that we have been able to organize a fast response to it, and should be able to relieve some of the suffering from food, water, and health issues shortly. It's a blessing that their country is, ultimately, not far from ours.

**Echo** · January 13th, 2010, 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by Twisted

Unfortunately, that is all true. I've seen some of the media coming through on Twitter, and other images on CNN's iReport. There was one that was more graphic than I'd even share here of a gas station attendant who had been crushed under rubble, his head cracked open like a melon.

I sincerely hope some of the images I've seen are the worst of it. I'm also thankful that we have been able to organize a fast response to it, and should be able to relieve some of the suffering from food, water, and health issues shortly. It's a blessing that their country is, ultimately, not far from ours.

The good thing is that the world is mobilizing to help them. The bad thing is Haiti can barely operate on a good day. They are so poor and lack any kind of infrastructure to begin with. No zoning or code on buildings. The Quake (as you know) hit in the worst case scenario, in the capital, the highest populated area and very close to the ground. Communication is scarce at best with the mass media turning to twitter and eyewitnesses for information. The aftershocks were in the high 5's which would be considered strong earthquakes in and of themselves.

I fear the worst but will hope for the best.

His most recent tweet:

When the earthquake first hit I felt like I was trying to surf for the first time..it didn't want to stop..

**TheMorningStar** · January 13th, 2010, 02:49 PM

Lots of ways to donate.
http://www1.networkforgood.org/help-haiti-quake-relief

Edited for those who seem to think "network for good.org" is not a "beaten path" to give to charity.
http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/n...thesda-md-1290

If you trust a texting donation then go for it, as long as these people get help.

**Echo** · January 13th, 2010, 02:49 PM

Sounds like help is arriving:

I'm beginning to hear helicopters more often now.. I predict massive emmigration.. no homes, no jobs,no medical treatment.disaster
5 minutes ago from web

http://twitter.com/ramhaiti

**Whisper** · January 13th, 2010, 02:50 PM

Well Frank Chauvins orphange is in the center of the city where it hit hardest.We are waiting for my friends brother to get some info./Hes a reporter for Windsor Star (but a sports reporter so hes trying).

**Echo** · January 13th, 2010, 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by TheMorningStar

Lots of ways to donate.
http://www1.networkforgood.org/help-haiti-quake-relief

There are already scams popping up. (not saying this one is) Stay on the beaten path when donating.

**Twisted** · January 13th, 2010, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by Echo

The good thing is that the world is mobilizing to help them. The bad thing is Haiti can barely operate on a good day. They are so poor and lack any kind of infrastructure to begin with. No zoning or code on buildings. The Quake (as you know) hit in the worst case scenario, in the capital, the highest populated area and very close to the ground. Communication is scarce at best with the mass media turning to twitter and eyewitnesses for information.

You are exactly correct. This is almost the worst-case scenario we could even comprehend. Haiti is the poorest nation, with the worst building codes. The earthquake was very shallow, and hit in an area with really high population density. It honestly can't get much worse. About the only good news from it was that there wasn't a tsunami, and if one was generated, it wouldn't likely have hit in the same area with much force.

That said, we've now had four aftershocks of magnitude 5.5 or higher since the event. As a reference, there were only 5 events of that size or greater in our historic catalog for the area. This is the worst known period for Haiti seismologically. It's near the equivalent of a volcanic eruption followed by a few nuclear bombs in terms of energy.

When you think of it that way, it really hits home.

**Echo** · January 13th, 2010, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by Twisted

It's near the equivalent of a volcanic eruption followed by a few nuclear bombs in terms of energy.

Unbelievable.

**Silvahalo** · January 13th, 2010, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by Echo

As much as I hate twitter I do believe its amazing during breaking news of this scale. I have been following this mans tweets since last night. He runs a hotel and started describing the aftermath within minutes and is back tweeting right now.

Very powerful stuff. His tweet from 5 minutes ago:

all my guests slept in the driveway last night..people came up from the streets thinking they were bodies.. neighbors helping neighbors
5 minutes ago from web

http://twitter.com/ramhaiti

Thanks for the donate info Echo. ALSO, you can go to mgive.com for terms and other means to give. IF you find you are having unwanted texts sent you after sending via mobile, also explains how you can opt of any such correspondence should continue.

Photo describing what you noted above.

**Echo** · January 13th, 2010, 03:04 PM

Silva,

After I donated I received a text asking whether or not I wanted to receive any more texts. I said no and haven't received anything else.

**Pennie** · January 13th, 2010, 03:09 PM

Wyclef Jean website is a legit place to donate.
http://wyclefjean.wordpress.com/

https://co.clickandpledge.com/advanc...aspx?wid=23093

**Echo** · January 13th, 2010, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by Pennie

Wyclef Jean website is a legit place to donate.
http://wyclefjean.wordpress.com/

https://co.clickandpledge.com/advanc...aspx?wid=23093

Yes it's legit. Apparently it is less complicated as well, the funds arrive more efficiently and go directly to Haiti. Wyclef is Haitian and does a lot for his country.

**Twisted** · January 13th, 2010, 05:01 PM

Just a quick update. After running more numbers, we anticipate tens of thousands in fatalities, and more than 200 million dollars in economic losses.

**Echo** · January 13th, 2010, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by Twisted

Just a quick update. After running more numbers, we anticipate tens of thousands in fatalities, and more than 200 million dollars in economic losses.

Tens of thousands?

Oh my god.

**Twisted** · January 13th, 2010, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by Echo

Tens of thousands?

Oh my god.

Yep, although I would note it's still a far cry from what the Haitian government is suggesting.

**Echo** · January 13th, 2010, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by Twisted

Yep, although I would note it's still a far cry from what the Haitian government is suggesting.

The problem is Twisted. No one really knows. We can only guesstimate. It can go either way.

Here are some pictures coming in that are really starting to show the devastation. Its horrible.

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/201..._in_haiti.html

**Twisted** · January 13th, 2010, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by Echo

The problem is Twisted. No one really knows. We can only guesstimate. It can go either way.

Here are some pictures coming in that are really starting to show the devastation. Its horrible.

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/201..._in_haiti.html

That is very true, we're estimating only on previous data, knowledge of the number of people that live there, the population density, and the buildings. There are always factors that can be difficult or impossible to account for.

One of the most striking images, to me, has been a before and after of the Presidential Palace. I don't know where it could be found online, however, since I saw it on Rachel Maddow last night.

**Echo** · January 13th, 2010, 05:54 PM

Is this guy fucking serious? If so, may his lord have mercy on him and save him from his ignorance.

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2010/01...y6092717.shtml

Pat Robertson: Haiti "Cursed" After "Pact to the Devil"
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(GETTY)

(AP Photo/Jorge Cruz)
NEW YORK (CBS) Pat Robertson, the American Christian televangelist and host of "The 700 Club," said that Haitians need to have a "great turning to god" while he was reporting on the devastating 7.0 earthquake that shook the island nation — the most powerful to hit the country in a century.

Video: Pat Robertson's controversial quote is 6 minutes in on this video.

As Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive said "well over" 100,000 people may have died in the national disaster, Robertson took to the airwaves Wednesday on his show and said that the country has been "cursed by one thing after another" since they "swore a pact to the devil."

"Something happened a long time ago in Haiti and people might not want to talk about," Robertson said Tuesday.

Photo: Pat Robertson.

"They were under the heel of the French, you know Napoleon the third and whatever. And they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said 'We will serve you if you will get us free from the prince.' True story. And so the devil said, 'Ok it’s a deal.' And they kicked the French out. The Haitians revolted and got something themselves free. But ever since they have been cursed by one thing after another," Robertson said.

This is not the first time the former Republican presidential candidate has made controversial comments in the wake of national disasters.

He has linked Hurricane Katrina and terrorist attacks to legalized abortion.

"I was reading, yesterday, a book that was very interesting about what God has to say in the Old Testament about those who shed innocent blood…But have we found we are unable somehow to defend ourselves against some of the attacks that are coming against us, either by terrorists or now by natural disaster? Could they be connected in some way?" Robertson said in a September 12, 2005 broadcast of "The 700 Club."

**Twisted** · January 13th, 2010, 06:00 PM

It's people like Pat Robertson that make me initially distrustful of people who claim to be a "good Christian."

Nothing against the legitimate good Christians in the world, but it seems that the ones who say they are the most, are the ones who are the least good.

**Echo** · January 13th, 2010, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by Twisted

It's people like Pat Robertson that make me initially distrustful of people who claim to be a "good Christian."

Nothing against the legitimate good Christians in the world, but it seems that the ones who say they are the most, are the ones who are the least good.

There are many caring Christians out there helping as we speak.

This guy is not a Christian...he is a Zealot. He called the earthquake "a blessing in disguise."

Is there anything more vile than that?

**Twisted** · January 13th, 2010, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by Echo

There are many caring Christians out there helping as we speak.

This guy is not a Christian...he is a Zealot. He called the earthquake "a blessing in disguise."

Is there anything more vile than that?

To me, the only thing more vile would be if he actually means what he says. He reminds me of a Gandhi quote. "I like your Christ, but not your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."

**Echo** · January 13th, 2010, 06:08 PM

Originally Posted by Twisted

To me, the only thing more vile would be if he actually means what he says. He reminds me of a Gandhi quote. "I like your Christ, but not your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."

That is so weird. I just read that quote for the first time today this morning. As far as meaning what he said.......if he didn't mean it why would he say it?

He went as far as to contrast Haiti to the Dominican Republic. I just cannot believe he can call himself a Christian and then speak words like that in the face the absolute destruction that Haitians are facing right now.

**Twisted** · January 13th, 2010, 06:11 PM

Originally Posted by Echo

As far as meaning what he said.......if he didn't mean it why would he say it?

Simply to get attention. It's like the early days of Howard Stern. People would love him, or hate him, but both sides would listen.

**Echo** · January 13th, 2010, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by Twisted

Simply to get attention. It's like the early days of Howard Stern. People would love him, or hate him, but both sides would listen.

Good point. But I still want to rip his face off for that comment.

**Twisted** · January 13th, 2010, 06:12 PM

Just a quick note for everyone,

I received information on a web application you can use if you want to check the shaking intensity by address in Haiti. I don't know the relations of everyone here, but this is largely useful if you want to know how severe shaking and damage may have been at a friend or relative's home.

The address is http://haiti-quake.appspot.com

**Echo** · January 13th, 2010, 06:15 PM

Originally Posted by Twisted

Simply to get attention. It's like the early days of Howard Stern. People would love him, or hate him, but both sides would listen.

I have a feeling that the sorting hat would put Pat in Slytherin.

The fucker.

**Twisted** · January 13th, 2010, 06:15 PM

Originally Posted by Echo

Good point. But I still want to rip his face off for that comment.

Same here, for that and many other comments I've had to endure from him and his ilk over my lifetime.

That said, I'll stick to Voltaire. "I may not like what [he has] to say, but I will defend to the death [his] right to say it."

**Twisted** · January 13th, 2010, 06:20 PM

CNN is now highlighting one of the truly devastating long term effects on Haiti from this earthquake, the impact it will have on health care in the country. It's a great article covering the unique situation Haiti was in before the earthquake, and how the earthquake will exacerbate the existing issues.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/01/13...sks/index.html

**Whisper** · January 13th, 2010, 07:04 PM

CNN Breaking News‏
From: CNN Breaking News (BreakingNews@mail.cnn.com)
Sent: January 13, 2010 10:19:58 PM
To: textbreakingnews3@ema3lsv06.turner.com

-- Exclusive: President Rene Preval tells CNN that Haiti lacks capacity to hospitalize quake victims, asks for medical aid.