Haiti

Natural Catastrophes -- U.S. & Foreign -- Post-Katrina

No matter what this country's problems are, they pale in comparison to those facing Haiti, especially now.

Even though its residents aren't Americans, it's hard not to see a little bit of post-Katrina sentiment motivating the truly massive relief effort apparently underway, i.e., no one should be left to fend for themselves in the wake of a such a catastrophic natural calamity, no matter their citizenship.

And though it may seem remote, my guess is that many people have a closer connection to Haiti than they might guess.

In my own case, the wife of a good friend is from Haiti, as is their adopted daughter.

Fortunately, the relatives of both live in the northern part of the country, removed from the worst damage.