Naomi Klein: Haiti Disaster Capitalism Alert

[Truth2Tell]

From Naomi Klein's blog:

Haiti Disaster Capitalism Alert: Stop Them Before They Shock Again
By Naomi Klein - January 13th, 2010

Readers of the The Shock Doctrine know that the Heritage Foundation has been one of the leading advocates of exploiting disasters to push through their http://www.naomiklein.org/shock-doctrine/resources/part7/chapter20/pro-market-ideas-katrina">unpopular pro-corporate policies. From http://blog.heritage.org/2010/01/13/amidst-the-suffering-crisis-in-haiti-offers-opportunities-to-the-u-s/">this document, they're at it again, not even waiting one day to use the devastating earthquake in Haiti to push for their so-called reforms. The following quote was hastily yanked by the Heritage Foundation and replaced with a more diplomatic quote, but their first instinct is revealing:

"In addition to providing immediate humanitarian assistance, the U.S. response to the tragic earthquake in Haiti earthquake offers opportunities to re-shape Haiti’s long-dysfunctional government and economy as well as to improve the public image of the United States in the region."

http://www.naomiklein.org/articles/2010/01/haiti-disaster-capitalism-alert-stop-them-they-shock-again

I think it's worth keeping a sharp eye on how certain interests seek to exploit this crisis. For example, it couldn't hurt to take a good hard look at this:

IMF provides USD 100 in emergency assistance to Haiti

WASHINGTON, Jan 14 (KUNA) -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will provide USD 100 million "very rapidly" in emergency financing to Haiti to assist it in dealing with the aftermath of the massive and devastating earthquake that has hit the country, it was announced here Thursday.
The IMF indicated that the USD100 million in new funding is subject to approval by the IMF Executive Board, which could consider the augmentation under accelerated procedures...

According to the institution, the emergency financing would be provided as an augmentation to the existing IMF-supported arrangement with Haiti under the Extended Credit Facility, formerly the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF).

http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesPublicSite/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2054449&Language=en

"Opportunities to reshape" Haiti's government and economy indeed.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

1. Wait - what?

Surely she's not trying to use this tragedy to, um... sell her book... is she?

No, that would be disaster capitalism.

[Truth2Tell]

2. Have you read her book? Do you have any thoughts on it? nt

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

14. Yes. It contains no original thinking whatsoever. n/t

[laughingliberal]

16. Capitalist vultures exploiting vulnerable populations is not exactly original either nt

[Truth2Tell]

17. OK then, do you agree or disagree with the

"unoriginal" thesis of her book? You seem to have disdain for Klein. Can you articulate in what way you disagree with her ideas? Or are you incapable of that kind of discussion? :shrug:

[omega minimo]

18. Grow up

[mmonk]

8. You must have her confused with hypocritical politicians

and predatory Americans. Her book is already a best seller. It doesn't need the Haitian tragedy.

[Junkdrawer]

10. That's the best you got? Weak.

Try addressing her concerns.

[immoderate]

3. I'm thinking Haiti was the example of disaster capitalism BEFORE the quake.

It was all free market. No regulations, low taxes, no unions -- a capitalist paradise!

--imm

[elleng]

5. A 'capitalist paradise' saddled with obligations to repay 'loans.'

[EmeraldCityGrl]

4. All contributions should be in the form of grants

not LOANS! This is how a country like Haiti becomes a slave to it's lenders.

[elleng]

6. EXACTLY.

[HughBeaumont]

7. Let me guess - more privitization and charter schools . . .

. . .. just like what happened DAYS after Katrina!

The opening chapter to Shock Doctrine makes me sick and illustrates just what ruthless pigs George W Bewsh, Milton Friedman and the rest of the predatory neo-cons were.

[malaise]

9. Their reforms are part of the reason why

Haitians and other Caribbean people can't feed themselves. Fuck all neo-liberals.

[KharmaTrain]

11. Yep...They Pretend They're The Adults...

It always sounds magnanimous...the IMF "to the rescue" of yet another failed nation...how noble the US is. That is until you read the fine print and see this money has more strings attacked than a frayed old workshirt. These "reforms" always come at a price...cheap labor and/or resources and loan rates that there's no way a poor country can pay off...building up greater debt that gives the IMF even greater "justification" to demand "reforms" and forcing Haiti and other poor countries into a modern-day servitude.

The other day I said it was premature for pointing fingers...especially at the US...while the ground was shaking, but I do think the plight of this country and the US culpability in its desparation should be a topic as we move ahead in the recovery stage...while the cameras are still there and plans are made to attempt to build (no need to rebuild) this country from the bottom up...but it shouldn't be the US burden all alone. I was glad to see the DR open up the border and rush in with assistance...their help will be critical.

:hi:

[malaise]

12. Other than Rachel Maddow

not one person on M$Greedia has discussed the US role in the mess that is Haiti and several other countries in this hemisphere. Indeed the Washington Consensus policies have led academics to the conclusion that what we're seeing is the 'Haitianization' of the region.

[laughingliberal]

21. And creeping up on a country near you faster than you think. nt

[malaise]

23. I doubt that it's creeping up on me - it's here

These fuckers have just sold us out again and signed a new IMF agreement

[laughingliberal]

24. Sorry. The IMF is evil. I did mean that as a message to oblivious Americans nt

[laughingliberal]

20. +1 nt

[Solly Mack]

13. K&R

[earth mom]

15. The corporatist vultures are ready and waiting, no doubt about it.

:puke:

[omega minimo]

19. "it's worth keeping a sharp eye on how certain interests seek to exploit this crisis."

It's imperative

[GreenMetalFlake]

22. k/r

[anonymous171]

25. Good thing the Heritage foundation does not control US policy.

This is the only annoying thing about Klein. She is incredibly paranoid.

[Karenina]

26. I beg to differ. She is the family member

who refuses to leave her loved one's side in hospital, knowing that being inattentive for even a moment could lead to catastrophe.