South Philly Review

To the Editor:

For the first time in my life I have asked myself the question, are we ready? I had the unfortunate experience on Sunday to see the tragic results of the earthquake in Haiti. The first child from the earthquake-ravaged area arrived to my place of work and it hit me. This child was probably out playing and, with no warning, the Earth unleashed its awesome power, bringing down everything on its rattling crust.

Wealthy, poor, weak, strong, all colors and religions were effected. Thousands perished and even more are left with nothing. No food, water or shelter. Panic and lawlessness have set in. Looting and fighting for food and water has become the norm. Standing structures have been taken over by bandits. And most of these horror stories are left untold.

Humans are fickle, panic-stricken beings. In an instant, the Earth took Haiti back to primitive times. People were left to survive on animalistic instincts alone.

What can we learn from this? Are we ready? We rely too much on government to comfort us. In Haiti, the president is even homeless.

Have we ever thought of a plan of action in a destructive event? After 9/11, many plans of action were implemented by the local and federal authorities. We have the luxury of warning services. But do you personally know what to do in the event of a disaster?

Each home should take time to practice fire drills involving the entire family. Know meeting places outside the home that are safe. Know where the old bomb shelters are (like in schools). Have a battery-powered radio with extra batteries at your front door to take with you as you leave the home. Go through different scenarios — fire, flood, earthquake, terror attack, etc. …

Are you ready?

To the Editor:

Why is it, with the unprecedented amount of money collected and remarkable amounts of food and supplies amassed from America and many other countries, Haiti and most of its people still are not being fed?

We do such a wonderfully colossal outpouring of heartfelt giving and responding to countries like Haiti and, even in our country and as critical as the situation is, it takes forever to get supplies to where they are so desperately needed.

To me, there can be no justifiable reason for dillydallying and dawdling. For God’s sake, people are dying by the thousands from lack of food, water and medical attention. Isn’t there anyone left with brains for the planning and organizational skills necessary to facilitate and expedite life-saving efforts?

And why is it there is such crippling, gut-wrenching poverty in practically all of the black nations, even those with plenty of natural resources that are not being used? Why are there not factories manufacturing goods needed all over the world? Are their leaders just helping themselves at the peril of their people?

I just don’t comprehend the lack of compliance and leadership after so much crucial time has passed. We must do whatever it takes to help bring these countries into the 21st century and to be self-sustaining and productive. After all, they are necessary to the world.

Living the dream