Churches, groups worry about members missing in Haiti

This Tuesday the country of Haiti was hit by a massive earthquake, devastating the infrastructure there, killing thousands, and injuring many more. It is estimated that 45,000 Americans were in Haiti at the time of the disaster, many of them visiting or working there, many on behalf of churches, and many have yet to be heard from. Family and friends back in the U.S. attempt to stay optimistic as they wait for news. A two to three day lag in communication is common after natural disasters, but anxiety is rising as time passes with still no word. Stories of rescues and survival are beginning to spread, however. Two American missionaries were pulled from the rubble of their house after more than 11 hours buried in rubble. The parents of one of the missionaries said "It's a beautiful country, and they're a beautiful people, and they need a lot of help right now...Our baby is safe, but there's so many babies that aren't safe." Their daughter doesn't
want to leave Haiti in its hour of need. Many groups have been accounted for, but several have yet to be heard of.

Natural disasters are so horrific, and terrifying since there is almost nothing that people can do do predict, prepare, or prevent them. Haiti is one of the poorest nations in the world, and so it seems terribly unfair that after all their struggles there is only more devistation. I hope that these Americans are found safe and well, but I agree completely with Olivia when she says that sometimes it seems like Americans feel like they are "more worth saving." There is so much news coverage of the 45,000 Americans in Haiti, but what about the millions of Haitians? The people who are truly suffering are the natives of this destructed land. Does it not matter that thousands more of them are in mortal peril, buried under rubble, or fighting for their life in a hospital? No one cares about them because they are poor, and foreign. We should care that Americans are safe, but we should care even more about the well-being of Haiti. Haitian lives are just as valuable as American ones. Wealthy nations now must band together to restore Haiti so that it and its people can recover, and have a better future.

Check out Olivia's blog on the same topic here.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/01/13/haiti.missing.americans/index.html?eref=rss_topstories&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_topstories+%28RSS%3A+Top+Stories%29

U.S. Embassy closure followed terror threat

The U.S. closed it's embassy in Yemen on Monday after threats that Al Qaeda opperatives were going to target the it in an attack. Originally information showed that 8 terrorists would be involved in the bombing, but of those three were killed and one was arrested wearing a suicide bombing vest. The remaining four men are unaccounted for. Many other embassys in the country are either closing or increasing security, including Great Britain, Spain, Japan, Germany and France. Al Qaeda has been gaining much strength in Yemen in the past years, raising fears. This especially after Yemen was linked with the attempted terrorist attack on a U.S. bound airplane. Obama has pledged to hold everyone in the attempted bombings accountable, and to crack down on extremist strong-holds in Yemen.

I believe that the government has every right to take extremely cautious measures in the Middle East to ensure safety. I agree entirely with Alexis Nielson when she points out the U.S.'s unpopularity in this region, especially with our ongoing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. We must not only expect violent opposition, but plan on it and be prepared. These terrorists want to make a statement against our country, whether it is justified or not. We must put into consideration Yemen's tumultuous history, and respect the culture and the people there so that we don't enrage anyone further. In the meanwhile, closing the embassy is a smart move to prevent death, especially since this has been a target in the past. Acting as swiftly and quickly as possible is the best method, but as Alexis points out, it doesn't mean that a more heavily armed and determined militant group won't continue to put their plans into action. The Middle East is a scary place right now. Hopefully one day, peace can be achieved.

Check out Alexis Nielson's blog on this topic to learn more.

Source: www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/01/04/yemen.embassies/index/html?eref=rss_topstories&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_topstories+%28%RSS3A+Top+Stories%29