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Tuesday, May 22, 2012

OBAMA, THE FIRST GAY PRESIDENT - by Odler Robert Jeanlouie


That was the title on the cover of Newsweek Magazine last week. It may not have been clear why William Jefferson Clinton was touted the First Black President, but Barack Obama can claim the title of First Gay President, by being the first President to officially endorse gay marriage, while seeing the center of American polled opinion shifts squarely to the left on this topic. Indeed, 57% of Americans support the idea of gay marriage.

It is arguable that marriage should be defined as the union between a man and a woman. In that context, all other partnerships should be named whatever our society chooses; not that there are any scarcity of words or possibilities for neologism in the English language.

The distinctive designation would have nothing to do with the GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender) nation's civil rights and privileges. It would have everything to do with having a name designating what it means: When we say marriage, we should know it is about a man and a woman. When we say civil union, legal bonding, rainbow tie, or simply gayage, we would refer to a variant of a loving human relationship legally concretized.

The President is leading the polls at the electoral college (the only one that counts) by 284-170. Therefore, Barack Obama's decision to go full fledge with what half of the states of the union and half of the modern countries in the world have already decided is a fair thing do. It was not a reaction to electoral politics, but a slow process that started with the demolition of "Don't Ask Don't Tell" in the military and the refusal of the federal government to continue the legal defense of the marriage act (DOMA).

However the 22% of American who are marginal, staunch conservatives are enraged over the President's decision to join the rest of the nation. They see waving over our heads the Damocles' sword of another atomic destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, that this time would be Paris and New York, with every city, north, south, west, east and in between. This propaganda aiming at painting the gay community as devilish, orchestrated by the religious right, runs against all statistics and sciences. It is eerily stunning that the Pope who has never had sex, and who is not supposed to have sex, wants to be the decider in chief on who can have sex with whom.

Forever, and ever, in all human societies, 10% of the population have always been affected by a genetic mutation (or aberration) that makes them be sexually attracted to sameness; as much as 1% has always been affected by vitiligo. Do you remember when you made your choice of sexual orientation? At the age of 6, you developed your first crush, no one ever decided if this crush goes toward a male or a female. It just happens; and when it happens to be an homosexual attraction, the young boy or girl starts on the path of a life of duplicity, dissimulation, shame that is in par with what all minorities must go through in their need to fit in the mainstream. Who wants to be an outcast on the school yard? Who wants to be beaten, maimed, killed for love?

In essence, Obama, a decent human being, understands what most of us understand. We don't want to see two guys kissing; it looks yacky; almost as yacky for some to see a black guy kissing a white girl. Both actions, once upon a time, would have condemned their perpetrators to lynching. In America, that has to stop, the physical lynching, as much as the intellectual lynching. We need to stop the moral peeping through others' window, and not liking what we have no business watching.

In a world where hate, discrimination, religious dissent run havoc and kill millions, we should be happy to see people loving each other and fighting to get married, instead of fighting for territory, petroleum, diamond, or heroin. Let homosexuals get married, they have the right to experience the boredom endured by the heterosexual world.

In all legitimacy, while the definition of marriage is being extended, one can anxiously wonder where it all stops, on the name of freedom and self-determination. Can brothers marry their sisters? Can uncles marry their nieces? Can three people, four people get married? Can animal lovers marry their dogs and cats, their cow or their butterfly?
Can your daughter marry a Venusian when these guys start visiting us? The answers to these five questions would be YES, NO, NO, NO, and I don't know.

Our freedom ends where starts someone else's: our freedom restricts us from doing anything that encroaches on someone's else freedom and rights. It has been demonstrated that sex among siblings causes severe genetic defects leading to stillborn babies, early death, or a miserable life. The kids of Adam and Eve, sisters and brothers who had sex and babies with each other must have been the exception to this rule; they did not have much choice of sex partners. Therefore, it is fair and just that society protects itself and prohibits this kind of union between first degree relatives (incest). On the same vein, society has to imprison serial killers. despite the fact that they also are victims of their genetic aberration; the problem is, serial killers kill innocent people; they must be taken off the streets. Citizens who, for the same reasons, tend only to kill themselves can go free.

Barring the above, one should feel free to marry cousin Marco, uncle Ted, and Aunt Aida, as long as both spouses are older than 18, and deemed able to choose the leaders of their country; in many cultures, these intra-family marriages are common. It should also be your free choice to take your cat, your butterfly or your frying pan as your legal spouse, and to cherish and protect her in the good and bad days until death takes you apart. Who should have problems with that? But, by the power invested in the celebrant, beware that cats, butterflies and frying pans will not help you paying the bills.

Should my daughter marry a Venusian who has just landed in his flying saucer? I don't know, I really don't know. If he looks like the alien guys in Avatar, 12-foot tall, green, not wearing any designer clothes, I would go for a resounding NO. I don't have any problem with white, black, brown, or yellow people. I have white friends, black friends, brown friends, and yellow friends. But green people, I think they are bad; they stink, and they steal your stuff....


(OdlerRobert Jeanlouie, Tuesday, May 22, 2012) 

Friday, May 11, 2012

Journey of a Haitian-American Olympian - Pascale Delaunay - by Richard Jeanty


Pascale Delaunay.

Stunningly fit and glamorously beautiful is an understatement as it relates to Pascale Delaunay. Though she possesses the physical body of an athlete, a beautiful picture of Pascale Delaunay on the cover of Vogue may be more befitting. However, do not be fooled into thinking this stunner is anything but brains. A Systems Engineer at Cisco Systems in southern California by trade and a triple jumper through hard work and dedication, Pascale has always known her path in society would be forged through education and athletics. She was born on September 21, 1982 in Garenne Colombe, France, and raised in Haiti when her parents returned to their native country. During the civil unrest in Haiti in 1991, Pascale and her family immigrated to the United States for safety reasons.
The third oldest of seven children, Pascale grew up in a loving family where her two-star general father, a member of the Haitian military, instilled a sense of pride, structure, competitive spirit and the kind of discipline that helped shape her attitude in life. Not to be outdone, her mother was the backbone of the family and taught her children to always put family first, no matter what. A close-knit family, the Delaunay family has moved around as a group across the world.
Traditionally, the Haitian athlete is not so traditional in a Haitian home, but for the Delaunay family athletics have always been a part of life. A gifted athlete in every sense of the word, Pascale developed an interest in sports as an adolescent, following in the footsteps of her older brother, Joseph, a great athlete in his own right. A member of the cross country, volleyball, basketball, and track & field teams in high school, Pascale was in the beginning stages of finding her niche. After wrestling with the idea of running track, due to the heavy influence by her track star older brother, Joseph, Pascale would discover her love for the jumping events. A better-than-average jumper, Pascale excelled in high school in the triple jump and would eventually go on to earn a scholarship from the University of Rhode Island, where she competed and earned athlete of the year honors at the University of Rhode Island and was a also a finalist for athlete of the year for the State of Rhode Island in 2004 for the NCAA, just to name a few.
Pascale’s family life is likened to America’s favorite show during the 80’s, The Brady Bunch. A house full of children and two loving parents determined to raise, socially functional and quality adults; there was no escaping success. Pascale started setting her sights on the Olympics after competing nationally and earning 5 Atlantic 10 individual championships in the triple jumping events and many other accolades and awards in competition. However, there’s something to be said about the Electrical Engineering and French double major who sees herself as an outsider. A Dean’s list and all academic conference member in college, Pascale’s intelligence cannot be underestimated. While pursuing a career in engineering at Cisco Systems for a couple of years, she couldn’t escape the grips of athletic competition and found herself back on the field, and a lot more determined with a hunger to surpass all past achievements. Pascale’s primary focus has always been academics and her family, but sport has also been a domineering factor in her life. Unfulfilled and driven to prove to herself she can be one of the best in the world, she started training towards the goal of making it to the Olympics to represent her Haitian heritage. She’s set on her goal and she will not be denied.
Pascale has always looked to her family for motivation and inspiration and they are a central part of her efforts to stay focused and undistracted from obtaining her goal of winning a medal at the Olympics. Family has always been at the forefront of Pascale’s mind. Her relentless pursuit of a medal in the triple jump is to help forge change, not just in her personal life, but also the lives of the less fortunate kids in Haiti that she hopes to assist with the many programs she plans on implementing on the island. Pascale’s nostalgia about the place where she grew up can only be described with one word, passion.
Pascale’s journey has not been easy by any stretch of the imagination, which is one of the reasons she hopes to establish different sports leagues and build an athletic complex in Haiti to give hope to all those Haitian children who aspire to be world class athletes. As training for the Olympics becomes nothing more than a lifestyle to her, she expects it will lessen the pressure of competition and afford her the ability to be stress free on her way to bringing the medal home. With strength, courage and the support she receives from her brothers and sisters and her mother, the hero who gave birth to her, Pascale sees no limit in her climb to the top of her sport and to use her good fortune as a humanitarian ambassador for all the suffering souls around the world, but most importantly the forgotten and hopeless children of Haiti.


This editorial is written by Richard Jeanty 

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

AMHE: FORTY YEARS OF GROWTH. NOW WHAT?

by OdlerRobert Jeanlouie
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November 12, 1972. It is a Sunday. At Harlem Hospital, 64 young Haitian physicians are holding the first meeting of the AMHE, l'Association des Medecins Haitiens a l'Etranger, the Association of Haitian Physicians Abroad. The mission statement is clearly defined (1) Advocacy for the Haitian immigrant communities in health matters, (2) Contribution to the betterment of public health in Haiti, etc.  How long will the AMHE last?
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On November 12, 1972, it is chilly, but partly sunny in New York. Temperature ranges from 45 to 55 *F.
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On that day, the headline in New York Times reads as follows: "Hijacked Plane Land in Havana a Second Time; 31 Hostages Free; 3 Gunmen Seized After 29 Hours." The pictures of Melvin Cale, Lewis D. Moore, Henry D.,Jackson sit under this title. On the left column, another title, about Vietnam, announces: "Kissinger and Tho Expected to Meet Late in the Week." The paper costs 50 cents at the stand.
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Five days earlier,  Richard Nixon won his presidential reelection campaign with the biggest landslide thus far in U.S history. The war wages in Vietnam and Cambodia in a conflict that will traumatize and define a generation. Jacksonmania is alive and well, Michael Jackson has just started a solo career with Motown. Whitney Houston is 8-year old.
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In Harlem, the relents of the Civil Rights movement, the brutal demises of Martin Luther King and Malcom X are still in every one's mind.  Teenagers and adults alike sport afros and bell bottom pants.
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Since that day, for 40 years, the AMHE has grown, from its few dozen pioneers, to a potential membership of more than 2,000 Haitian physicians practicing today in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Western Europe, South America, and Africa. The association, born in New York, sprouted chapters in Quebec, Missouri, Maryland, Florida, Illinois. The New Jersey Chapter, the youngest, was created in 1988.
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Over this period, 1972-2012, the AMHE has kept alive the flame of national identity in the hearts of Haitian physicians educated in Haiti or abroad.  The organization put on 38 summer conventions that offered to all Haitian physicians and their families the opportunity to travel, to meet their peers, to network, to expose their children to a model, to a culture that should not be left back home. Acquaintances became friends, friends became family through marriage, strangers became partners in business.
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Health fairs, health forums, radio education, television shows, medical missions, scholarship programs, professorship programs, school sponsorships, satellite clinics have become the essence and the juice of the activities of the AMHE and of its involvement inside and outside of the mother land.
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The mark of the AMHE has been all over the recent history of Haitians living abroad during the last four decades. The association was at the forefront of the fight against the AIDS label. It exhibited a profound solicitude toward the post-revolution refugees of the 1980s. It took a humanitarian stand against the Haitian killing fields of the 1990s. But its presence in the headlines has decupled since the devastating earthquake that destroyed Port au Prince in January 2010. The AMHE had boots on the ground 48 hours after the seism, taken over rescue operations in and out of the city center, and to this day, it has been leading regular healthcare missions to the island.
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Since the Haitian army has been disbanded in 1994, the AMHE, in collaboration with the AMH (the Association of Haitian Physicians, in Haiti) has become arguably the largest, the most stable, the most visible, the  most active Haitian organization. However, this is not necessarily a blessing. Its apolitical status discards the AMHE from all political decision-making in a country in dire need of political streamlining. Its prominence, its potential size have placed the institution under the magnifying glass of scrutiny. Its achievements have been held against the glare of its non-achievements. The "why nots" have become more thundering. The new leaders, elected last July, during the Panama convention, have understood that they can no longer be the fifth wheel of the state coach.
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The AMHE is at the portal of its rendez-vous with its civic destiny. The organization is ready for prime time.  The 40-year old AMHE has its work cut out. In Haiti, the medical market and the healthcare system in general have been taken over almost entirely by non-governmental agencies (NGOs) and by Cuban physicians.  That is an unfair competition to the Haitian physician in private practice, unable to make a living.
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Public health is nonexistent on the island. Parcelization of the foreign aid, though beneficiary to some individuals, has accelerated the decay of a system, already in disrepair. The teaching of medicine is not standardized, and, at times, stands as substandard. Outside of the country, the precarious and unsanitary living conditions of the Haitian workers in the bateys of the Dominican Republic have become a rallying cry for human dignity.
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The AMHE counts among its potential membership some of the most educated, the most successful elements of the Haitian citizenry. It sits as the prime example of the brain drain from a country that has seen 84% of its elite college educated progeny living outside of its borders.
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On November 3-8, one week before the 40th anniversary of the AMHE, the New Jersey Chapter will travel to Cuba to study the public health system that has yielded the best health-related vital statistics on the continent, even ahead of the United States. This trip will be, for the Association, one  step farther toward doing in  Haiti what the Cubans are doing. All the other chapters, while bracing for the festivities for a 40th birthday, will join that trip.
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November 12, 1972 was a Sunday, it was chilly, but sunny, in New York. What a long way since that day!  Happy birthday AMHE! Happy birthday to a healthy quadragenarian! 
 
A grateful salute goes to the founding fathers. A special thought is dedicated to those among the pioneers who are no longer. Peace to their souls. Paix a leurs ames.
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(OdlerRobert Jeanlouie, Friday, February 17, 2012.)
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Please, visit: www.AMHENJ.org

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

The Morning after Garry Conille: Steps for Moving Haiti Forward


The Morning after Garry Conille: Steps for Moving Haiti Forward
by Harvey Dupiton, New York

That Michel Martelly holds an American passport, even if it were true, should not be the chief concern of the Haitian Parliament in those trying times. There are too many ills to cure in the country at present- joblessness running rampant at over 80%, the capital of the country a vast grave yard, too many children wandering about, too many youngsters finishing grade school without the prospect of a job, too much poverty, and worse no end in sight. If I must choose between observing our democratic principles of late and endorsing a provisional strategy, albeit extra-constitutional, to allow the business of the people to be addressed, I will choose the latter. Besides, every country has had to grow into its actual stage and shape of a democracy and so does Haiti.

For now, the country can ill-afford a political stand-off or worse a reshuffle of the cards as some opponents and bad-wishers lurk at a striking distance. The resignation or the impeachment of the government on the basis of technicalities is not an option, but if a sweeping grass-roots mobilization is not put in place to outpace the mounting electoral hurdles, tensions and crimes will ultimately force an alternative. On the other hand, a forceful dismissal of the Haitian Parliament is also not an option. Too many times in recent past, Haiti has had to gamble on elections without a foresight of the outcome and almost always the end result is a fiasco. Lessons of that past should teach by now that our system of elections, as conceived, may either be flawed or inadequate. Be that as it may, those who are now holding an elected seat should not take the people’s vote for granted and should seek to earn their legitimacy by rolling up their sleeves to deal with the plight at hand.

As a Haitian who grew up living in New York since grade school, my immediate expectations from both the Haitian executive and legislators are other than the contested issue of dual nationality consuming valuable time. Instead, I would like to be in a position to tell my circle of international friends that the country is on track to meet certain key objectives like creation of jobs, governance, rule of law, political stability, sustainable development, education for all. I would like to have that sense of security from time to time that there is not just another group of guys taking a crack at the nation’s public trust like it’s just another gig, but that there is a machinery of Haitian institutions, scholars, elders, youth, communities on board with the national program. The world of financial institutions and donors are also watching with a similar curiosity before placing their bets.

If we must forge ahead, it should certainly not be in the direction the country is heading. Life in Haiti should not be consumed by politics and not very much else. We must always hold our leaders accountable and our leaders must always take full responsibility for their actions or inactions.
The Morning after Garry Conille is a critical juncture which can serve as a turning point in our young democracy. Here are some of my suggestions as a concerned countryman for steps to be taken Moving Haiti Forward:

On the Political Front

1. The President must act quickly establish a political framework through which key issues can be dealt with. The former Interim Haitian Reconstruction Commission (IHRC) comes to mind. The IHRC had already met with parliament blessings and international support.

2. The President must act swiftly within days to designate a replacement to Mr. Conille. To expedite the process of Parliament ratification, a person already vetted can come from the pool of sitting ministers. The designee can be appointed as a care-taker of the IHRC.

3. A timeframe for Parliamentary elections should be on the table as a bargaining tool to agree on areas of common ground since there are irreconcilable differences between the two sides, Executive and Legislature.

4. The international community can assist by the commitment of resources for the process.

At the Policy Level

5. Plans to restore the Haitian Armed Forces must be put to rest for the time being in order to commit time and resources to job creation and the creation of a safety net for the disenfranchised.

6. Our foreign policy of late is a mockery. The President must restore the trust between the United States while maintaining friendly relationships around the world. Haiti must project a credible face before the international community if there is any chance of future assistance.

On the Development Front

7. The President could use his core asset, his popularity, to keep the country mobilized in a “Carnavalesque” mode. Thousands stood up for the carnival a week ago and thousands more can be mobilized behind a series of quick-impact, quick-win projects inside every local community. The key to win heart and minds is to empower. Although there may be a lot of NGO activities and others happening, people may not be fully engaged. Small projects like street cleaning, tree planting, street games, are just some examples of ways through which communities can be kept engaged, feel empowered, and partake in the solution. Let’s not forget the Diaspora in those projects. They need to be involved. They have direct linkages to local communities and the financial resources.

8. Haiti’s biggest endowment is its people. The focus should not be on donations from countries but on hands-on support by the Haitian people. Billions can be mobilized within the Haitian Diaspora if they are sold on the vision of the leadership. The Diaspora could have easily shared in that vision of education-for-all if engaged.

9. Focus on Resources from the Haitian communities to build political capital and project another round of meeting with international donors and lenders to leverage people power with money from other sources.

That is it for now--- God Blessings to all. Harvey Dupiton.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012


Celebrating Hope: Philanthropist Fabrice Armand Keeps the Spotlight on Haiti 
During this Black History Month, Haitian-American philanthropist and businessman, Fabrice J. Armand is focusing his time and energy on planning his 30th birthday. Unlike most of his peers who typically celebrate such a milestone by throwing a fabulous fete, Fabrice has committed himself to an unselfish purpose. Inspired by famous columnist, Liz Smith, who uses her annual birthday bash to bring attention to philanthropy, Fabrice will use his March 3rd celebration for his 2nd Annual Haiti Cherie: Pride. Love. Commitment fundraiser. The event will celebrate Haitian culture, honor those that perished during the 2010 earthquake, and raise money to benefit Wings over Haiti and the Haiti Cultural Exchange.

Fabrice became an advocate for his homeland long before the 2010 earthquake. Fabrice's intense passion for Haiti began during his formative years in Port au Prince. He came to America in his early teens but a sense of pride in his heritage kept him connected to Haiti. Fabrice was disturbed by constant media coverage of Haiti as an impoverished, third world nation teetering on social and political collapse. There was rarely an emphasis on its rich history and culture. Instead of throwing up his hands in frustration, Fabrice got involved with organizations making a positive impact. More important, he took out his address book and started a personal campaign to educate and encourage his friends as well as business contacts to invest in Haiti's future.

As part of his ongoing commitment, last December Fabrice lead a documentary film production team in Haiti to bring attention to the rebuilding efforts and spread goodwill through the New York-based Haiti is Me Campaign. Haiti is Me is a grassroots campaign aimed at engaging and empowering everyday people to help Haiti rebuild. Accompanying Fabrice on his philanthropic mission was author and Essence.com columnist Demetria L. Lucas and photographer-filmmaker Mackenten Petion.

The team spent nearly three weeks chronicling the social and economic accomplishments made after the 2010 earthquake. Their destinations included Port au Prince, Kenscoff, Les Cayes, Camp-Perrin, and Port Salute. They volunteered, visited tent camps, and interviewed diverse leaders in infrastructure rebuilding, tourism, government, education, healthcare, and agriculture. The team also met with program directors of organizations that received aid from Mr. Armand's Haiti Cherie fundraising campaign. The documentary will premier in July 2012. Thereafter, it will be available online.

Filming the documentary presented an opportunity to give dignity and respect to the daily struggle of the Haitian people. Fabrice wants people to understand that the citizens of Haiti are seeking self-sustaining job opportunities. He hopes the documentary will help spread the word that Haitians are hard working, eager, and resilient people that are not looking for a handout. The Haitian people want to earn their income and want to use their funds to uplift the nation once known as The Pearl of the Antilles. When he is confronted by people who point out the political scandals and violence in Haiti's past, he quickly tells them that he has the audacity to hope and believe that his people have a bright future. While on the trip, Fabrice noticed that the people of Haiti have more faith in their government. Fabrice and his companions attended a government function where the people were yelling their approval.

That is a sign of progress.
Fabrice is ecstatic that hospitality powerhouses such as the Marriott Corporation and Best
Western are making multimillion-dollar investments in his homeland. Miami-based entrepreneur Michael Capponi and renowned designer Donna Karan are creating job opportunities in the city of Jacmel. During Fabrice's visit celebrities such as Oprah, Neyo, Louis Farrakhan, and Kim Kardashian were using their notoriety to motivate other influential individuals and entities to see the long-term value of investing in Haiti.
During his visit, Fabrice was impressed with two locations. The waterfalls and mountainside landscapes Aux Cayes is just one example of the natural beauty of Haiti. The other area is in Furcy where Rustik, an eco-friendly resort and lounge, provides a peaceful escape into the mountains.

Fabrice hopes that five years from now Haiti will flourish as a tourist destination. He anticipates the government will continue creating job opportunities in the Northern and Southern regions of Haiti. Moreover, new investors coming to Haiti will help create sustainable job opportunities for all Haitians of all background and social classes.

Haiti's success also depends on the ability of the young people to be educated and competitive. As a person educated in his homeland as well as the United States, Fabrice admonishes Haiti's youth to focus on their education and keep their minds open to different opportunities. Traditionally, parents wanted their sons and daughters to become doctors, lawyers or architects. Youths should keep their eyes open and look into other fields that can be lucrative like marketing, engineering, hospitality management, tourism, and design. Fabrice would like colleges and universities in countries such as the United States, France, Spain, and Canada to create exchange programs so the flow of knowledge and discourse can continue.

Fabrice is looking forward to using his birthday to celebrate Haiti for many years to come. He remains optimistic that the sacrifice and fortitude of Haiti's people will move them towards a bright and brilliant future.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Prime Minister Conille Resigns


Haiti’s Prime Minister Quits After 4 Months

Haiti, whose recovery from the January 2010 earthquake has been stalled in part by political turmoil, has been dealt yet another setback with the resignation on Friday of its prime minister after weeks of mounting tension with President Michel Martelly and his cabinet.The prime minister, Garry Conille, who served for only four months, was Mr. Martelly’s third choice and the only one who met with approval from a Parliament dominated by political opposition.

At the time, his appointment was seen as an important compromise, endorsed by former President Bill Clinton, to help jump-start foreign investment and $4.5 billion in promised aid. Only half of that has been delivered by international donors squeamish about Haiti’s political instability.

Diplomats trying to quicken the pace of rebuilding saw the crisis brewing with growing worry — on Thursday, the head of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Haiti called for all parties to work things out — but apparently could do little to stop it.

Mr. Martelly and Mr. Conille had long had an awkward relationship. Mr. Martelly, who campaigned on shaking up the system, saw Mr. Conille as too bureaucratic and officious, while Mr. Conille, who runs the day-to-day operations of government and answers to Parliament, began complying more with its members’ demands, at the expense of angering ministers.

Their tension, a kind of tradition in Haiti with a revolving door of prime ministers in years past, began spilling out in public. Mr. Conille, who did not respond to requests for comment, had insisted on an audit of millions of dollars in post-quake contracts from the previous administration, while Mr. Martelly’s office balked, saying the country needed to move forward.
A few weeks ago, Mr. Martelly angrily interrupted a private meeting that Mr. Conille was conducting with Parliament members, suggesting they were collaborating against him, according to Western diplomats and government officials. How explicitly Mr. Martelly showed his anger is in dispute, but, while playing down the tension to reporters later, he conceded there was yelling.
A Parliament commission is investigating whether government officials hold other nationalities, which the Constitution bars for their positions, and Mr. Conille, over Mr. Martelly’s objections, had pressed administration officials to submit passports and other documents. Mr. Martelly has been dogged by rumors he has an American passport, which would disqualify him as president.
Damian Merlo, a senior adviser to the president, said Mr. Martelly was once a legal resident of the United States but surrendered his green card to the embassy before he took office in May. “The president does not have, nor has had, U.S. citizenship,” he said Friday.
It was unclear when Mr. Martelly would appoint a new prime minister, amid speculation that he would turn to his foreign minister, Laurent Lamothe, or another cabinet member. Mr. Martelly, in a brief address to the nation Friday night, said he would act quickly to replace Mr. Conille, saying he regretted the departure came “when the country is taking off.”
“Both domestic and foreign partners who want to invest in the country and create jobs, I ask them to remain calm,’’ he said.
Mr. Martelly has said coping with an opposition Parliament has been one of the hardest adjustments to his job, but political analysts said it was bound to happen, given the president’s career as a bandleader not used to having his orders challenged. Some analysts wondered whether he would await the possibility of a more favorable Parliament in May elections before submitting his choice of Mr. Conille’s successor for approval.
“President Martelly, as an artist, leads our country also as such,” said Jean-Junior Joseph, a blogger and former aide to prime ministers. “When no one expects, he has the ability to twist things around artistically in his favor while the band keeps moving on.”
Still, diplomats urged Mr. Martelly and Parliament to move quickly, with so much at stake for the country, where chronic poverty persists and half a million people displaced by the quake still live in tent camps.

“We continue to believe that political stability in Haiti is critical to its ability to attract the domestic and foreign investments needed to increase economic development and create jobs,” the United States Embassy said.
MIAMI (CBSMiami) –
Political chaos reigned in Haiti Friday and into Saturday after Prime Minister Garry Conille resigned from office shortly before he was to meet with the country’s president and ministers at the national palace, according to CBS4 news partner the Miami Herald.
Conille had been under pressure for days to resign after just four months in office. Many in the international community and top Haitian politicians had tried to stave off the prime minister having to leave office, but they were unsuccessful.
Conille and Haitian President Michel Martelly have been feuding over issues of nationality of government officials, including Martelly himself, an investigation into post-Earthquake contracts, and who controls government ministers, according to the Herald.
The resignation of Conille further delayed much of Haiti’s reconstruction efforts along with other government initiatives. While negotiations have been ongoing about a replacement, outside observers said there is no timeline when Haiti will get a government working again, according to the Herald.
It took five months when Conille was appointed as prime minister, which was the third different choice from Martelly. But, much in a similar manner to the political gridlock in Washington, there’s no guarantee any pick from Martelly will be approved.
According to the Herald, Parliament has been at odds with President Martelly since his May 2010 inauguration over who is actually in charge of the country and over power sharing.

VIDEO REPORT

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Friday February 24, 2012 09:55 PM ET
Haiti President Michel Martelly addressed the nation regarding the resignation of Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille. Here is the transcript...
My fellow Haitians
This morning, Prime Minister Gary Connille submitted to me to his letter of resignation, I accepted it. I take this opportunity to thank him for his commitment. Of course, I regret that the resignation occurs at a time where where the country is beginning to move forward.
 
But I want to reassure you, I have already contacted the Speakers of both Houses, who had already received a copy of this letter. We're committed to harmonize our efforts for a quick exit from this situation and I propose a new prime minister.
To both domestic and foreign partners who want to invest in the country and create jobs, I ask them to remain calm. All arrangements were made for the state to meet its commitments vis-a-vis the population.
The Executive and Parliament are working to strengthen their relationship, as we should, already putting together an immediate exit out of this crisis.
My fellow Haitians, you know you can count on me, as I can count on you.
I made you promises, I will respect them. Like it or not, the victory belongs to the people.
Thank you.
Last Minute Announcement (Click image to follow)
T-Vice management announcement on the tragic death of Rocky Cardozo, brother of James Cardozo. Also the cancellation of the Santo Domingo tour... Read it Here..

T-Vice Mgt. Press Release on Cardoso tragedy



Fans, friends and family,

It is with a heavy heart that we send out this message. Many of you know that T-Vice is composed of a close knit family and when one member hurts we all hurt. On our way to the airport yesterday mid afternoon to board our flight to Santo Domingo for the FiestaPiscina Weekend, we lost one of our family members. In a terrible car accident James Cardoso lost his brother, Rocky. The shock has yet to wear off and we are still trying to understand why something like this could happen.



We ask our fans, friends and family to keep our brother in your prayers as well as his family. This is a hard loss to bear and we have decided to cancel our Santo Domingo tour. We do apologize to everyone and in this time of grief we ask that each of you take note of how precious life truly is. In a split second T-Vice can be on top of the world feeling amazing from an outstanding Kanaval 2012 in Aux Cayes and in one moment our joy, excitement and energy was taken from us as we lost one of our own.

Please keep James in your prayers for this is something none of the T-Vice crew ever expected to be going through today!

T-Vice Management
Feb. 25, 2012
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The RockMasters Entertainment team sends its sincere condolences to the Cordoso family and the T-Vice family. He is gone from sight, but never memories. Gone from your touch, but never your hearts. With deepest sympathy,

- RockMasters Entertainment

Monday, February 20, 2012

Martelly Kicked off Himself First Day Carnival in Les Cayes


From: Defend.ht

LES CAYES, Haiti (defend.ht)- President Martelly launched himself Sunday, February 19th, Carnival in Les Cayes, third largest Haitian city. He hosted the first day of the national carnival, heading up musical bands, mingling with the crowds in the streets and chanting to the delight of carnival-goers.

Tens of thousands of people from various departments of Haiti and abroad attended the first day fat (Sunday, February 19, 2012) of Haitian carnival, held for the first time in Les Cayes, the third largest city in Haiti, located about 200 km south of the capital city, Port-au-Prince.
Officials, tourists, foreign and Haitian journalists were present to launch this annual cultural event, interspersed with a few incidents that have not disturbed the feast.
President Michel Martelly kicked off the first day of fatty national carnival themed: “Haiti’s taking off, Les Cayes gets ahead”.
The president was traveling on a motorcycle sometimes, sometimes walking on foot through the carnival path, has seen the online agency AlterPresse.
Dance schools, youth clubs, musical bands, 18 bands and 11 floats paraded about 2 kilometers. The procession started from the street Toussaint Louverture Gabions (south of the city) to go to the Boulevard Des Quatre Chemins.
Martelly’s supporters waved placards to send messages to parliamentarians who, they think, prevent their president to work.
Meanwhile, several slogans against the head of state were noticed on some of the city walls. Some describe Martelly an "enemy of the people" and "domestic of bourgeois", “down with Martelly”.
Organizationally, sensitizers conveying messages of peace were mobilized. Health structures were reinforced and mobile and fixed teams were formed to care for any injured.
The National Police of Haiti (PNH) has visibly increased its workforce in the South. Police officers have maintained a constant presence throughout the journey.
Several arrests were made and firearms seized, a police source told. Some cases of injuries and traffic accidents were also recorded, according to this source. However, it is reported that a sailing ship trying to reach Les Cayes for carnival was wrecked causing five deaths.
Public Treasury has disbursed 50 million gourdes for the festivities. Disbursements have been considerable in the private sector, according to what was observed.
Economic benefits are expected in Les Cayes. This carnival is an opportunity for this city to show their potential cultural and tourism, said a representative of the city within the national committee.

He welcomed the progress of the first day fat, "despite some weaknesses related to setbacks." The carnival will continue Monday and end on Fat Tuesday.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Appointed Haitian Judge Jean Baptiste running for seat in Chicago



Judge Lionel Jean-Baptiste Seeks To Retain Judgeship


Pictured in photo, standing, are Judge Lionel Jean-Baptiste and his wife of 35 years, Lenore Jean-Baptiste, during a training session of supporters at Boocoo Café.

Last month, Judge Lionel Jean-Baptiste kicked off his campaign for Circuit Court Judge of Cook County’s 9th Judicial Subcircuit. On Sept. 7, approximately 50 of his supporters met at Boocoo Café, 1823 Church, and received training on how to properly collect signatures to place him on the ballot.

Judge Jean-Baptiste was appointed as a judge to the 9th judicial subcircuit by the Illinois Supreme Court in March 2011 to fill the remaining term of a vacancy. He is now seeking to retain that judgeship in the March 20, 2012 election. He previously practiced law for more than 20 years, and was an alderman on the Evanston City Council for 10 years. He is a graduate of Evanston Township High School, Princeton University and Chicago-Kent Law School.

Judge Jean-Baptiste is the founder and past chairman of the Haitian Congress to Fortify Haiti and has coordinated efforts to bring relief to the victims of the devastating earthquake there. As an alderman, he served on many committees and initiated programs to help young adults stay away from crime and succeed in life. He served on the Restorative Justice Committee to help implement conflict resolution strategies and reduce violence.

Judge Jean-Baptiste has been found qualified or recommended by all bar associations that rate judicial candidates in Cook County, and highly qualified by the Cook County Bar Association.


VISIT HIS WEB SITE AT:
http://www.jeanbaptisteforjudge.org/

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Inauguration of Henry Christophe University Donated by the Dominican government -


Henry Christophe University
President Leonel Fernandez, First Lady Margarita Cedeno and Foreign Relations Minsiter Carlos Morales Troncoso were in northern Haiti for the inauguration of the northern campus of the Haiti State University (UEH), donated by the Dominican government.

The Inauguration of Henry Christophe University in Limonade, Northern Haiti, coincided with the second anniversary of the devastating earthquake that destroyed the same date in 2010, Port-au-Prince and other cities like Leogane, Jacme, Grand-Goave, Petit-Goave.

The ceremony took place in the presence of the President of the Republic of Haiti, Michel Martelly, his wife, Sonia Saint-Remy Martelly and his counterpart, Leonel Fernandez Reyna, and officials Dominicans. Jean Henri Vernet, Rector of State University of Haiti, also attended the inauguration.

On this occasion the President Martelly stated he believes that the university will play a major role in reviving the social, cultural, economic, not only in the region but in the entire country.

All countries that have made significant progress in human development have made education the major strategic focus to reduce inequalities, promote social mobility, strengthening social cohesion and improve their stock of human capital, argues Head of State.

Martelly expressed hope that this campus will be a real catalyst to promote the modernization of the Haitian university system, which has a mission of excellence in all fields of knowledge including science and technology.

The campus must, among other things, be used to help develop integrated into the public education system at the regional level.

For his part, Dominican President, Leonel Fernandez Reyna demonstrates the solidarity of his people against the Haitians, who have suffered the consequences of an earthquake that generated, he recalls, the disappearance of 20% of national wealth and 80% of university buildings in the country.

Speaking during the event, President Fernandez told the Haitian people: The Dominican people were with you as soon as the earthquake happened to rescue you, we were there for you at the start of reconstruction, and we will be there to celebrate the new victories.

The rector Jean Henri Vernet indicates on his side that this campus will be named Henry Christophe Campus in honor of the latter which is the pride of northerners and to whom we owe the first higher education institutions the nation.

Friday, January 20, 2012

8 Police Officers Guilty for Prison Massacre

in Rare Trial of Haiti
in Rare Trial of Haiti’s Police
By  and  - NY TIMES
Published: January 19, 2012

In a country where officials who abuse their power are almost never held accountable, 8 of 14 police officers tried for a 2010 prison massacre were found guilty on Thursday in the southern city of Les Cayes, Haiti
- SEE VIDEOS BELOW -
On the second anniversary of the massacre, Judge Ezekiel Vaval handed down sentences ranging from 2 to 13 years of imprisonment and hard labor. The stiffest sentences were given to the highest-ranking officials, the former Les Cayes prison warden, Sylvestre Larack, and the city’s riot police chief, Olritch Beaubrun, who was tried in absentia.
Judge Vaval, who received frequent death threats during the three-month trial and traveled to New York over the holidays to write his decision free from pressure, delivered his verdicts to an initially hushed crowd of hundreds packing the courtroom. He spoke rapidly, looking off into the distance, and then rapidly departed as the audience erupted into cheers and jeers.
“The decision of the judge is his expression of the truth,” Judge Vaval said. “There are other versions that exist but this is mine. And that is the law.”
VIDEO: The Police on Trial
 
VIDEO The Killings at Les Cayes Prison
 

While it was a rough-hewn legal proceeding by American standards, the trial, having taken place at all, represents a rare victory for the rule of law in Haiti. Haitian government officials who break the law, be they police officers or presidents, typically elude justice, benefiting from a weak, corrupt judicial system.
“Wow, this is a real landmark moment for Haitian justice,” said William O’Neill, an American human rights lawyer with decades of experience in Haiti. “To get some senior law enforcement officials held accountable with fairly serious sentences — it’s really historic.”
Fourteen officers were charged with murder, attempted murder and other crimes for killing and wounding dozens of detainees in the aftermath of a disturbance on Jan. 19, 2010, a week after the earthquake. The officers opened fire on unarmed inmates “deliberately and without justification,” according to an independent commission.
That commission, run jointly by the Haitian government and the United Nations, was appointed after an investigation by The New York Times in May 2010 contradicted the official explanation for the deaths at the prison. Initially, the Haitian government had accepted the local officials’ explanation that a single detainee had killed his fellow inmates before escaping.
Mr. Larack, in fact, was promoted after the massacre to run the largest penitentiary in the country; when the Times reporters tried to speak with him there, he ordered them to destroy videotape of him refusing to answer questions. And Mr. Beaubrun, before leaving the country for what his lawyer said were medical reasons, told the reporters that his riot squad had never fired a shot.
But The Times found that police and prison officers had shot unarmed prisoners, and witnesses at trial said that Mr. Beaubrun himself not only had ordered the shootings but had participated in them.
The Times also reported that the police had moved some bodies before outside investigators showed up and had hurriedly buried some victims in unmarked graves.
The joint commission then conducted an investigation — although hindered by the authorities’ initial failures to collect and preserve evidence — and prodded the government to prosecute the offenders.
The prosecutor, Jean-Marie J. Salomon, charged that officers had killed 20 detainees, but the precise number of deaths and injuries is not known.
Testifying at the trial, one detainee, Patrick Olcine, said he had been shot in the back but had never gone to the hospital. “They were taking dead people and living people, and they were picking them up together,” he said. “I didn’t want them to pick me up and go bury me.”
By American standards, the trial often had a circuslike atmosphere, with protracted quarrels between screaming lawyers playing to the raucous crowds that daily packed a theater in Les Cayes, Haiti’s third-largest city. Small bottles of rum were on sale at the door, the trial was conducted in semidarkness when fuel for the generator ran out and the judge, lacking a gavel, rang a small bell in an often futile effort to gain control of the courtroom
Mr. Salomon inherited the case when he was appointed shortly before the trial. He had never tried a case before, and trial observers said he was often outmatched by highly seasoned defense lawyers.
The defense maintained that the police were just doing their jobs.
“But killing people was not doing their job,” said Florence Elie, Haiti’s ombudsman.
The prosecutor asked the judge to sentence 11 of the defendants, including Mr. Larack, to life in prison and hard labor. But Ms. Elie said that the judge, who acquitted six of the officers, chose an equitable middle ground in his decision. He gave Mr. Larack 7 years and Mr. Beaubrun 13.
“If they were civilians, they would have gotten life,” Ms. Elie said. “But the judge was wise. If he had given the normal sentence, we would have had bigger problems in the long run with our police force.”
Still, Ms. Elie said she was very concerned about reprisals because the witnesses, the judge and the prosecutor had not been given protection, as recommended by the joint commission. The chief witness for the prosecution was threatened repeatedly and finally fled to Port-au-Prince, she said, adding that she had not been able to locate him since.
Many Haitians wonder whether this trial could have a galvanizing effect on their justice system, but they are wary of being hopeful.
Far bigger cases lie on the horizon.
Former President Jean-Claude Duvalier, for instance, has supposedly been under investigation since his return from exile a year ago for human rights abuses committed during his 15-year reign. But the investigation appears to have stalled, and the new president, Michel Martelly, has shown no inclination to encourage it.
Instead, Mr. Martelly has claimed that nobody in Haiti wants to see Mr. Duvalier prosecuted and that the push to do so comes from “certain institutions and governments” abroad.
Although supposedly confined to his house, Mr. Duvalier has made increasingly frequent excursions, and presided over a promotion ceremony at the Gonaïves law school last month.
But on Thursday, a judge summoned Mr. Duvalier to court to explain why he had violated his house arrest.

Dump Truck Plows through Crowd in Delmas

Tuesday, 17 January 2012 


PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (defend.ht) – At least 26 are dead and at least 56 are injured when the brakes failed on a dump truck carrying gravel. The truck ran through a line of street vendors, motorcyclists and cars near the National Television of Haiti station on Delmas 33.

Initial reports came in through HaitiXChange, who said of the scene:

”When I arrived on the scene there was mass chaos as police officers tried to control the crowds. Dead bodies littered the streets and body parts could be seen in crushed cars. Even president Martelly made an appearance and could seen from the Haiti National Television balcony.”

”I quickly left the scene as bulldozers started clearing the debris and there were concerns that they might disturb they high-tension wires overhead causing more casualties. The entire scene was a horrible mess.”

Police are searching for the driver of the truck. Chief of Police, Will Dimanche said, "witnesses say he jumped from the truck after hitting the first obstacle but we'll find him anyway."

Mayor Wilson Jeudy of Delmas says the accident occurred at 10 in the evening. The mayor said the large truck was coming down from Delmas 40 and could not stop its momentum. Vendors, vehicle operators, and anyone in the way of the runaway truck were hurt.

The mayor says city hall has worked to clear the space of food vendors. He said that often these vendors argue with agents from his office and after being forced to leave, would return. The mayor says it is a very dangerous area to be in.

Jeudy estimates that much regulation must take place, saying that vehicles are on the road that have not been inspected, often headlights are out and traffic can easily lose order.

The mayor is thankful that the accident occurred at 10 in the evening as opposed to earlier in the day when the area is busy and dense with citizens.

(WARNING - VERY GRAPHICAL)
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Michel Martelly, the President of the Republic,

went, on the evening of Monday, January 16, 2012, to the Television Nationale d'Haiti (TNH) in Delmas 33, to see the extent of damage caused by a terrible traffic accident.

Around 10 pm, a truck [ZA 12655], whose brakes apparently dropped, hit in its path pedestrians, vehicles, motorcycles, among others, before finishing its run in the premises of the State television. The first findings gave to count, several casualties and wounded. [according to the latest information that accident would have been 29 victims and more than 56 wounded]

"It appears that the driver lost control of the vehicle, claiming the lives of many merchants which offer food on the sidewalks and many passers-by, before finishing his wild ride in the premises of the National Television of Haiti," indicated the National Director of Traffic Services, Will Dimanche.

Arrived on site, the Head of State quickly issued a call for solidarity of emergency to the medical staff (doctors and nurses) to go to the Hospital of the State University of Haiti (General Hospital) OFATMA hospital, Doctors Without Borders (Sartre) and the hospital La Paix, in order to help the victims.

The President of the Republic while deploring the unfortunate events that once again mourning the Haitian families, renews its commitment to work to correct a set of behaviors and practices often very damaging to the community

DECLARATION OF PRESIDENT MARTELLY ON ACCIDENT






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Haiti: Delmas Accident Toll Climbs to 40, Interior Minister Expresses Sympathy

The Minister of Interior Thierry Mayard Paul expressed his sympathies for those lost in the traffic accident on highway Delmas on Monday as the death count has reached almost 40.

In a communication sent to DH, the minister said:

Through this sense of grief, tragedy reminds us once again the many weaknesses of our society and the many tasks that we still needed to definitely boost our country.

Minister Mayard Paul said he aims to renew his commitment to work towards improving the living conditions of the Haitian people throughout the country through the decentralization and the creation of jobs and reducing the impact of such incidents on our citizens.

The unfortunate incident that killed 40 people and left dozens injured occurred between 9:45 ET 10 PM between Delmas 41 and 33 near the local Television Nationale d'Haiti.

The Ministry of Interior, Local Authorities and National Defense implemented to increase local and international cooperation could provide concrete and positive changes to achieve the vision of the President of the Republic is the creation of of sustainable development for the country.
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