A Harley biker is riding by the zoo in Washington , DC when he sees a little girl leaning into the lion’s cage.
Suddenly, the lion grabs her by the cuff of her jacket and tries to pull her inside to tear her apart in front of her screaming parents.
The biker jumps off his Harley, runs to the cage and hits the lion square on the nose with a powerful punch.
Whimpering from the pain the lion jumps back letting go of the girl, and the biker brings her to her terrified parents, who thank him endlessly.
Jacqueline Charles, of the Miami Herald – watched the whole event. The reporter addressing the Harley rider says, ‘Sir, this was the most gallant and brave thing I’ve seen a man do in my whole life.’
The Harley rider replies, ‘Why, it was nothing, really, the lion was behind bars. I just saw this little kid in danger and acted as I felt right.’
Charles says, ‘Well, I’ll make sure this won’t go unnoticed. I’m a journalist, and tomorrow’s paper will have this story on the front page… So, what do you do for a living and what political affiliation do you have?’
The biker replies:
‘I’m a U.S. Marine and a Republican.’
Charles leaves.
The following morning the biker buys the paper to see news of his actions, and reads, on the front page :
U.S. MARINE ASSAULTS AFRICAN IMMIGRANT AND STEALS HIS LUNCH
That pretty much sums up the media’s approach to the news these days!!!
In Haiti, the media still tried to present Aristide as a tremendously popular, charismatic people, with wild crowds cheering him wherever he goes. In fact, Aristide does not go anywhere, frightened of the potential reaction of the people. He hides behind a security element of over 60 armed guards.
His arrival at the airport, where he was greeted by 100 journalists, a similar number of airport employees and a couple of dozen supporters…was an indicator of his true popularity. An even more important element, missed by those who do not know the players, was the total absence of key Lavalas leaders at the airport. They did not want to gamble their reputation by being involved with a failed media event.
On the other hand, the media continually refers to Duvalier as – the reviled dictator, suggesting he is hated by Haitians when he is cheered and mobbed wherever he goes… with one policeman as security – the people eager to shake his hand and greet him. Haitians always loved Duvalier – it was the International Community that forced him out.
The media says – VIV ARISTIDE…ABA DUVALIER, while the Haitian masses shout VIV DUVALIER and simply ignore Aristide.
There should be a message here but the mainstream media has yet to tune in.
What’s the point of stories like this one? I don’t really see a story there for the mainstream media to tune into. If the mass population is chanting “Viv Duvalier and simply ignore Aristide”, then shouldn’t it rest at that. Or are you really suggesting that the media turn their attention to Aristide’s silent retreat. Or is the intention here to bring forth attention to the human rights folks to close their chapter on Duvalier and open that of JBA. Or are you suggesting that the people want Duvalier as their presently reformed leader.
To be frank, you make no sense and you are speaking illogically and out of fanaticism. I encourage you to think of your implications when you write; they are far too many to be taken innocuously at face value.
At any rate, JBA, JCD and all of Haiti’s Ex-Leaders should concentrate on reconciliation efforts and put their personal strife to an end. The absolute bottom line is that they are extremely skillful and experience leaders and the Haitians can learn fundamental lessons from them about reconciliation and unity.
The time has come for Haitians to give up their “Ride or Die” emotionally charge attitude they develop to leaders and focus on important things that really matter such as the development of the country towards progress in education, investments, food security and to ensure that the basic human needs are met.
My Haitian brothers and sisters – Please I beg of you to move toward reconciliation and unity. We are much more than JCD, JBA and the culprits of the International Community — We are Haiti.
On that front, I commend Martelly’s administration for taking an unpopular stance and making strides in the direction of national reconciliation and unity.
How true you are.
We saw Duvalier at Cabaret some days ago and he was like a king with his peoples. all were deleriously welcoming the president. He was surrounded at all moments by very pleased peoples.
No one has regarded Aristide since his return. Perhaps he is not here at all.
None care.
He abandoned us for a high life in Africa and only returned because they no longer wanted this guest….and no one else did also
Ken David has presented a very good, well-balanced set of thoughts on Haiti.
I am not fanatical about anyone.
However, I do believe that the future should not be based on impunity for past crimes. Otherwise, you have a ratchet effect in which each generation of criminals is “forgiven” and the honest guy ends up losing.
Let’s forgive Aristide and Preval, and their inner circles, if they give back all but $10,000,000 each. This will allow them to live comfortable and the billions returned would reduce the need to depend upon outside financial resources, which may not be forthcoming, in any event.
Of course, we should – to be fair – give Duvalier $10,000,000 so he has an equal grasp of democracy.
Impunity must end and it might as well end with Martelly.
If there are no disadvantages – such as jail – you will not see the Haitian philosophy change. They will follow the old Creole proverb:
“This isn’t stealing. It’s making a living.”
Martelly’s road has many potholes. We wish him a good Land Cruiser, lots of gas and a safe journey.
The media does tend to bias its approach. This is especially true of the Miami Herald in their inflated stories of Aristide overwhelming popularity and charisma, when he lack both products. The continually attack Duvalier for things he never did but the Aristide/Preval team perfected.
Newspapers and TV stations are just fiction factopries.