In Need of a Vacation?

Bill Clinton returned home last Thursday after having two stents placed in a clogged heart artery. This is his second time having heart surgery in the past four year; in 2004 Clinton had a quadruple heart bypass operation. While many are excited for his return to his Haiti relief, many question his health and ability to continue his work. The doctors claim that the recent surgery have nothing to do with his lifestyles, it seems as if Clinton should possibly take a break eventually. His work and travel is effecting the hours of sleep he gets which clearly makes a difference. It may not directly correlate to the heart surgeries, but it has to be having an effect on him. He is a very busy man and has been working endlessly for the benefit of other, but he needs to worry about his personal health before the health of others. As Molly Ferree said in the Whitworthian, "f you are determined to continue making the lives of people around the world better, which we all greatly appreciate it, please take the time to make sure you see the end results. Give yourself a little grace, make sure you are healthy, and then go out there and get ‘em"

Haiti hit by 7.0 Earthquake

Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, was hit by a 7.0 earthquake earlier today. The quake took place near the country's capital city, Port-au-Prince, and inflicted very heavy damages on the city. Many buildings collapsed, including a hospital. The UN Peacekeeping mission backing the current Haiti government could not be contacted, but Bill Clinton stated that the "world body was 'committed to do whatever we can to assist the people of Haiti in their relief, rebuilding and recovery efforts.'"

Haiti, it seems, is prone to incredible misfortune. In the past several years, the country of nine million has been hit badly by hurricanes. In a small stroke of luck, the tsunami watch for the country has been cancelled, so it seems that the population will have at least a little respite from catastrophe.

When this kind of disaster hits, I think it a little reminiscent of Hurricane Katrina (not the same type of natural disaster, but still a disaster nonetheless). The US handled that situation poorly, but at the very least the US had the resources to do something. This country has nothing, apparently 80% of the population lives in destitution. These people have no means to help themselves, and while I'm sure the world's aid will be forthcoming, there is no way it will be enough. This is beyond regrettable, and it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. Why is this country, the poorest in the Western Hemisphere, so unlucky? While I wish that this had not happened at all, I believe the aftershocks would have been less had it occurred in a country better equipped to handle the situation.