Just stay home, scientologists

Poor Haiti. First the earthquake, and now the cult vultures are descending on them. It's not just talking bibles: now the scientologists are coming.

Seriously, people. When a region suffers a disaster and the infrastructure is falling down in ruins and people need real help now, when the pipeline is limited and access is difficult, send in the experts (doctors and engineers, for instance) and immediately useful aid (medicine, food, drinking water), and all the peddlers of frivolous non-essentials should just stay out of the way. A box of e-meters is taking up space better spent on a box of antibiotics; a scientology auditor is displacing a doctor.

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Almost two years ago, I discovered something that disturbed me greatly. Basically, I learned the story of an Air Force officer named Col. Richard Niemtzow, MD, PhD. Col. Niemtzow is a radiation oncologist who has over the last decade fallen deeply into woo. Specifically, he has become known for a…
Pity the poor Haitians. Not only is their nation dirt poor, but to kick off 2010, they suffered an earthquake that killed approximately a quarter of a million people, left at least 300,000 injured, and resulted in 1,000,000 homeless. Huge swaths of its capital of Port au Prince and Léogâne, among…
Here in the U.S. our rich are very rich and all but our poorest live better than most Haitians. In this context it's easy to lose perspective and to be a bit naive about the survival needs of the people in post-quake Haiti.  Or maybe that's being too generous. How hard could it be for an adult to…
What did the poor Haitians ever do to deserve this? Think about it. A year and a half ago, they suffered through an enormous earthquake that will take them decades, maybe even a lifetime, to recover from fully; that is, if they ever do recover from it fully. Since then, they've received massive…

How are the Haitians going to be able to pay their way to clear?

By Janine, Mistre… (not verified) on 18 Jan 2010 #permalink

Somebody please release a flock of geese at that idiot's plane.

Aren't the people of Haiti in average too poor to be good scientologist?

Godbots just don't get it. First food, water and medicine. After the rapture, the missionaries...

By Nerd of Redhead, OM (not verified) on 18 Jan 2010 #permalink

They can trade the auditors a bunch of solar-Bibles.

It seems to me like there should be laws or something to prevent this sort of thing. I mean can't they close the borders to these opportunists in the same way cops can close off a fallen building from looters? Then again knowing the xians they are probably giving the "let us do this and we'll give you some aid" ultimatum.

By https://me.yah… (not verified) on 18 Jan 2010 #permalink

let me repeat what I said in the other thread:

complete fucking waste of resources, and nothing more than a pathetic attempt to get their own people to look like they're helping while actually doing nothing of the sort.

By Jadehawk, OM (not verified) on 18 Jan 2010 #permalink

There are few things more harmful than an idiot with good intentions.

Why do I somehow get the feeling that "professor"dendy won't be coming in to defend this bunch like he did the last one?

By Sgt. Obvious (not verified) on 18 Jan 2010 #permalink

Why would the Scientologists have the slightest interest in Haiti?

IIRC, it costs something like 50-100,000 USD to go through their program. And Scientology is all about money. They drain your bank account into theirs.

I doubt the average Haitian makes that much in a lifetime.

I think we are ignoring the Scientologist modus operandi:

(1) Announce that scientologists will be sent to a disaster zone to help disaster victims rid themselves of their Reactive Minds;

(2) Mockery from a thousand media voices;

(3) Thousands of defamation suits;

(4) PROFIT!

This sounds like a scientology propaganda stunt for the faithful: see what we're doing, aren't we fantastic? Send us more money so we can do more of this. It's exactly what Pat Robertson does.

By MadScientist (not verified) on 18 Jan 2010 #permalink

You're seeing poverty as an obstacle when it's really an opportunity! Just imagine: they could offer loans to the Haitians, who would be able to help their starving, homeless families with the money. Before long they'll be so dependent and indebted to the Church of Scientology that they'll be slaves in all but name for the rest of their lives. Hallelujah! Or whatever Scientologists say.

Why do I somehow get the feeling that "professor" dendy won't be coming in to defend this bunch like he did the last one? -Sgt. Obvious

That question plus your moniker was so perfect. A great way to end the day at Pharyngula. Thank you. Sad that the woo-vultures are swooping down on this disaster.

By aratina cage o… (not verified) on 18 Jan 2010 #permalink

@Valdyr (#13) - And then they can make a deal with the (scientologist) satan to escape their slavery, live in slums for the next X years, suffer a natural disaster and start all over again!

By emjay1988 (not verified) on 18 Jan 2010 #permalink

This just really makes me sick.

These people are in turmoil and they are taking advantage to add to their numbers and they can do it under the guise of "We just want to help".

I hope I live to see an era where the power and stupidity of religion have very little place in this world.

By lisainthesky (not verified) on 18 Jan 2010 #permalink

I don't think Scientology has a Satan. Maybe Anonymous, collectively, but wouldn't that be more Legion-y?

Xenu. he nuked (Yes, nuked) Hundreds of thousands of aliens that were going to rebel his Galactic Empire, and that he brought to earth on DC-8s. After brainwashing them.

Elrond Hunter isn't just a Science Fiction writer. He's a bad one. The Church of Lawology is a horrible entity.

By Rutee, Shrieki… (not verified) on 18 Jan 2010 #permalink

The same could be said for politicians and reporters, save perhaps a pool of the latter to convey the extent of the tragedy.

PastorFarm, #20:

Jeeeezus! Any maneuver with those illustrations, the verbal instructions for which are "Feel my finger"... well, it takes my breath away.

By https://me.yah… (not verified) on 18 Jan 2010 #permalink

But without the Scientologists, who he hell else is going to stand around and point at them?

umm, did anyone else immediately put naughty comment bubbles over the pair in the last picture?

"Touch assist" indeed...

seriously, that section is a perfect representation of how the best parody is unintentional self parody.

Poe's Law writ large.

umm, did anyone else immediately put naughty comment bubbles over the pair in the last picture?

"Um, that's not what hurts."

"Touch assist" indeed...

From the "kiss it make it better" school of medicine. Sanitized for your protection (coz kissin's dirty).

Any maneuver with those illustrations, the verbal instructions for which are "Feel my finger"... well, it takes my breath away.

My thoughts run to holding my breath when someone says something like that.

Oh dear, my opinion of the human race just dropped a notch.

What is it with Hollywood movie stars? So many of them seem to go from one dysfunctional relationship to another and then fall for scientology. Whakaloons!

To be fair John Travolta does seem to be including real medics. Are the supplies mentioned actually e-meters or real supplies?

By dannystevens.m… (not verified) on 18 Jan 2010 #permalink

Now there's a particular flight the USA military air traffic controllers at Port-au-Prince should refuse permission to land… albeit that won't stop them (Co$ could truck the rubbish in from the Dominican Republic), and it still wastes time, resources, and money. Tricker if the flight actually contains useful/needed stuff as well…

Letter of the day in the Star Tribune; a corker. Perhaps Lily could be persuaded to write one to John Travolta.

Dear Pat Robertson, I know that you know that all press is good press, so I appreciate the shout-out. And you make God look like a big mean bully who kicks people when they are down, so I'm all over that action. But when you say that Haiti has made a pact with me, it is totally humiliating. I may be evil incarnate, but I'm no welcher. The way you put it, making a deal with me leaves folks desperate and impoverished. Sure, in the afterlife, but when I strike bargains with people, they first get something here on earth -- glamour, beauty, talent, wealth, fame, glory, a golden fiddle. Those Haitians have nothing, and I mean nothing. And that was before the earthquake. Haven't you seen "Crossroads"? Or "Damn Yankees"? If I had a thing going with Haiti, there'd be lots of banks, skyscrapers, SUVs, exclusive night clubs, Botox -- that kind of thing. An 80 percent poverty rate is so not my style. Nothing against it -- I'm just saying: Not how I roll. You're doing great work, Pat, and I don't want to clip your wings -- just, come on, you're making me look bad. And not the good kind of bad. Keep blaming God. That's working. But leave me out of it, please. Or we may need to renegotiate your own contract. Best, Satan

LILY COYLE, MINNEAPOLIS

Hat-tip to freelunch over at talk.origins.

By alextangent (not verified) on 18 Jan 2010 #permalink

just to provide some contrast, here's the Mercy Corps update from today:

Through a partnership with the water treatment and transport leader ITT, we're shipping water-filtration devices to supply as many as 25,000 people with clean water each day.

We recently used similar machines to provide drinking water for 40,000 residents of a Sri Lanka displacement camp, and to replace the flood-damaged water system of a 50,000-person town in Honduras.

The standalone, portable, self-contained devices are en route to Port-au-Prince from where they've been stored -- waiting for an emergency like this -- in France, Norway and Honduras.

We're also anticipating delivery of three desalinization devices, which would provide the option of making nearby seawater fit for drinking. These are arriving from Texas.

what a difference to this useless shit the religiobots are doing.

By Jadehawk, OM (not verified) on 18 Jan 2010 #permalink

From over here in Europe - perception is that Scientologist and regular Americans just do the same gaping bigmouthing. Only a few degrees of separation.

So what is going to happen? Crazy GI shooting black people again while calling them deregatory names while installing Baby Doc 2.0 and shock and awe companies? Haiti will be an eight million strong labor camp for Walmart and blood and organ donors guarded by Blackwater?

By https://www.go… (not verified) on 18 Jan 2010 #permalink

This disaster could be a whole magnitude or ten worse...

Mumma Theresa could be cruising the highways and byways dispensing her patented version of xian lurve!

Which with that obvious gap in the scenario the likes of the chronically ignorant find an opportunity to spread their own sickness!

Dumbo/Denby whatever, is just one of many such immoral fuckwits that cannot abide irony but seize the opening to infect another generation with bullshit and dogma to make themselves feel important in the scheme of things.
Or at least try and make themselves less lonely and pathetic in their delusions.

They are all vying to be first off the plane to sign 'em up for jeebus...those brownie points don't earn themselves you know!

Expect pitched battles between the 'enlightened ones' while jostling for the juicy ones, just what is required in any disaster zone...medical supplies directed towards the warring clones of looney street.

Not one shred of decency or shame in any of them...obviously delusion strips the humanity in the infected...terrible disease that it is.

By Strangest brew (not verified) on 18 Jan 2010 #permalink

#1
How are the Haitians going to be able to pay their way to clear?

They won't. Its just the underpaid workers the vultures are after.

Not one shred of decency or shame in any of them...obviously delusion strips the humanity in the infected...terrible disease that it is.

Too true.

By Rorschach (not verified) on 18 Jan 2010 #permalink

A box of e-meters is taking up space better spent on a box of antibiotics; a scientology auditor is displacing a doctor.

It's worse than that. There is much evidence that people who have recently suffered a calamity are much more vulnerable to cult conversion and manipulation tactics.

Slightly on topic:

The homeopaths are at it too. Homeopaths Without Borders are on the Haiti bandwagon too. I won't link to their site, but they are asking for money so they can 'help' in Haiti.

The goddamn fucking fuckers! I don't have the words to express my contempt I feel for these opportunistic pieces of shit.

AAAAAAARRRRGGGGGGGH!

By Occam's Machete (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

The mangled grammar and typos in my previous post come courtesy of a homeopath inspired rage.

I know I shouldn't, but I have an overwhelming urge to slap a homeopath right now. Very, very hard.

By Occam's Machete (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

#8 "There are few things more harmful than an idiot with good intentions."

Frank Spencer comes to mind, but he usually only hurts people NOT already in a disaster.

#35
But being homeopathic, wouldn't donating less make them more effective, and donating essentially zero be the best possible donation?

Whoohoo i'm helping them help Haiti and it didn't cost me a thing! Costfree guilt suppression!

alextangent @ #28

That letter is seven kinds of awesome. Thanks for posting.

By Occam's Machete (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

Valdyr:

I don't think Scientology has a Satan. Maybe Anonymous, collectively, but wouldn't that be more Legion-y?

What!? Did someone call? Oh, I see.

Well those anons are doing good work, to be sure, and I/We are happy to have their help since the idea of taking possession of Tom Cruise's shit-filled soul makes us wretch aborted babies.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Legion: hassling the faithful for over 2000 years.

The comments over at TFA PZed linked to are outstanding: "Witchdoctors without Frontiers". LOLs!

By MetzO'Magic (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

Sorry, without Borders. And the Locational Assist, now how would that work in Haiti?

Scientologist: See that over there? That is your completely demolished house.

Haitian earthquake survivor: :-(

By MetzO'Magic (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

We atheists are surely missing a trick here - what better time to airdrop millions of copies of The God Delusion - just when the Haitian people have had an object lesson in the fact that if there is a god, he doesn't give a shit about them!

[/cynical bastard]

By Knockgoats (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

Haiti 2010

The rumble in the ground it did not last long
but it is the inspiration for this here song
It happened in Haiti just the other day
The buildings all crumbled unable to sway

Pat Robertson blamed the devil for Haiti's plight
and for the life of me, I thought that wasn't right
Solar powered bibles was the news of the day
They're telling those Haitans they need to pray
I say send them medicine and food that would be better
maybe some tarps for when things start to get wetter.

The people are scavenging the streets
looting things to eat
and while the dead lay near by
theres no time to cry

Pat Robertson blamed the devil for Haiti's plight
and for the life of me, I thought that wasn't right
Solar powered bibles was the news of the day
They're telling those Haitans they need to pray
I say send them medicine and food that would be better
maybe some tarps for when things start to get wetter.

Rescue dogs are scouring the land
while the volunteers offer a helping hand
The screams under the debris turn to a whimper and a sigh
until all hope is gone and they give up and die

Pat Robertson blamed the devil for Haiti's plight
and for the life of me, I thought that wasn't right
Solar powered bibles was the news of the day
They're telling those Haitans they need to pray
I say send them medicine and food that would be better
maybe some tarps for when things start to get wetter.

I thank all the people who really do care
with their time and money they're able to share
Things are really urgent, these people cant wait
So stop blaming the devil for the tectonic plate

Pat Robertson blamed the devil for Haiti's plight
and for the life of me, I thought that wasn't right
Solar powered bibles was the news of the day
They're telling those Haitans they need to pray
I say send them medicine and food that would be better
maybe some tarps for when things start to get wetter.

By Killer Bud (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

PZ, can you give Lily Coyle an honorary Molly for that brilliant letter quoted @28?

By Knockgoats (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

@Knockgoats

Maybe the Rational Response Squad could parachute in and offer bottled water to those who renounce the holy spirit?

[/another cynical bastard]

By Occam's Machete (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

Oh, lovely. And just when I thought I couldn't possibly get more disgusted.

And re 'Strangebrew's 'Or at least try and make themselves less lonely and pathetic in their delusions...':

It's my ever so humble opinion this is much of the underlying driver for conversion attempts, missionary attempts. When you pretty much know you're completely full of shit, but are so deeply roped into the social structure you can't muster the balls to say so and make an exit--nay, cannot even admit as much to yourself...

Well, then there's this ugly progression that follows naturally. Someone asks you about it, of course you tell 'em you believe. You're told by the local guru it's your job to tell 'em you believe, of course you tell 'em you believe...

And there's this validation, if you convince 'em. You get to tell yourself: hey, just 'cos I can't really buy it doesn't mean there isn't something to it... Look, I convinced this schmuck, anyway...

(/And even if they don't really believe it either, and are just mouthing it for the same complex of social reasons as I do, well, at least I'm not alone in that misery... Nor necessarily the stupidest/most pathetic guy in this room for having failed to call it the bullshit we probably both know it is...)

Makes sense. Religions feed on social insecurity in exchange for providing a minimal social safety net (although one that doesn't require a lot of brains to co-ordinate). An event that highlights serious holes in the current safety net makes it easier to induce cognitive dissonance and trigger the sort of reflective thinking to make converts.

The bad PR associated would outweigh the impact at present, but perhaps if Dawkins' atheist charity gets large enough it might eventually be able to put boots on the ground under a slogan on the lines of "Even if God is not there to help, we are."

The trick of conversions is to make sure there is a new structure of social practices (and thus, safety net) closely tied to the new belief, which "atheism" as a cultural movement lacks at present (although various sub-strains provide various alternatives). While Christian zealots are wrong when they presume (because they tend to be dumb) that destructive "me me me!" Nihilism is necessarily the only morality allowed by atheism, that kind of nihilism is the easiest kind of godless morality to understand, and thus dangerously likely to be the primary form of morality the dumbest percentiles will grasp after "conversion". The last thing the typical disaster needs is a bunch of new nihilists running about; even only a few percent make matters a lot worse.

That's probably the real challenge atheism will face in the next few decades after basic recognition: dealing with the high-grade moron fraction who are currently only kept from sociopathy by "God sez not to do dat".

One does need to give some credit to some of the religious groups. Some of the more liberal Christian groups have sent help without any missionizing elements. That's also true of the Jewish groups that have gone.

By Joshua Zelinsky (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

The solar-powered talking bibles are advertised as being loud enough to be heard by a 100 people. I thought the USA was out of the torture game.

By Lynna, OM (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

I have a friend, a Scientologist, from the Memphis area. Went down to help in Charlotte, Florida after the hurricane.

She stayed a month, handed out water, food, helped build temporary shelters, helped people clear debris from their property and salvage what personal belongings the could.

From what she told me, all volunteers get utilized by authorities on the ground, doing whatever jobs are needed and what they are assigned to do, regardless of "religion", non-religion, etc.

Seems to me you are making a big deal out of absolutely nothing. My friend, as well as others, went to help those in need, similarly in Haiti I am certain.

By Roger Kasman (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

Seems to me you are making a big deal out of absolutely nothing. My friend, as well as others, went to help those in need, similarly in Haiti I am certain.

So tell us then, just what use will the people of Haiti be able to make of those E-Meters ?

By Matt Penfold (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

Posted by: Pastor Farm Author Profile Page | January 19, 2010 12:48 AM

But without the Scientologists, who he hell else is going to stand around and point at them?

Oh, so that's not just coded instructions for pedophiles on how to get away with touching up kids?

The solar-powered talking bibles are advertised as being loud enough to be heard by a 100 people. I thought the USA was out of the torture game.

Lynna, I know you did not come up with that blurb, but that makes no sense. Would not be a function of how loud the devise is and how many people are around it? Or will it be heard by the closest one hundred bodies around the infernal devise?

By Janine, Mistre… (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

Janine @54: Yeah, senseless advertising blurbs for a senseless device. Measured how? Measured where? In what conditions. The main point is, it's Loud! And that's just another insult, one among many.

By Lynna, OM (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

Re: Joshua Zelinsky #49 & Roger Kasman #51

Anyone 'doing good' (even genuine good like supplying food and real medicine) under a religious flag is suspect in my book. Even if they aren't overtly proselytizing, they're still either doing it for the PR or they're trying to get an upgrade on their cloud in the hereafter. Any credit they may be due is offset by the fact that they have ulterior motives. Why not just help in your capacity as a compassionate human being?

But it's still better than sending fucking e-meters!

By Occam's Machete (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

Seems to me you are making a big deal out of absolutely nothing. My friend, as well as others, went to help those in need, similarly in Haiti I am certain.

And what form that "help" takes is precisely what is in question here. See the article linked to in the OP for how they've "helped" in other disasters.

The "ministers" that John Travolta is sending to Haiti are leeches. Leeches have a very limited application in modern medicine, and none in psychology or in other mental health support systems.

The ministers should be forbidden to eat or drink while they're in Haiti. That would make them a little less leech-like.

What may happen, and I'm probably being too optimistic here, is that "ministers" will be faced with so many practical problems related to survival that they won't have time to pitch the woo. They will be forced by circumstances to help out, just like a normal non-woo-infected human being. It's happened before, as someone up-thread noted.

By Lynna, OM (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

OT but the BBC has an article on 'Why does God allow Natural Disasters?'

I added my 2 penneth, but the replies to the article i saw would be an absolute goldmine for the Pharyngulitic Horde...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8467755.stm

Such unbelievable attempts to 'rationalise' the disaster with a belief in a just and good god...

A perfect example of which is -

"As an Anglican, I always had presumed that God is too big, if you like, too omnipotent to even vaguely notice humanity, after all we are dust: "from dust you are made and to dust you shall return". Though the thought of that kind of horror being suffered by many innocents - and an apparent loving God is contradicting. However at least I find comfort, and probably most Christians, in the world to come where everything would be good, If you like God repaying his debts for letting us suffer."

Wow, just... wow! Can you say cognitive dissonance? I mean i would be really comforted by a god who couldnt give a flying fuck about our only life on his amazing creation 'the Earth'...

Sorry for the OT stuff but i just couldn't help it.

Scientology is like the Good Life section of Newsweek: proof that a rich fool and his great gobs of money are soon extravagantly parted.

(Do they even do The Good Life in Newsweek anymore? I had a free subscription during my Peace Corps assignment and that section was always good for a snicker. Colorful evidence that rich people aren't smarter than the rest of us!)

Come on, rich fools, if you're going to toss large sums of money at a disaster, toss it at IRC or MSF! Heck, just close your eyes and toss it in a random direction; at least then there's a chance it'll end up getting spent on needed supplies! In fact, if you're going to throw your money to the wind, just toss it at a bunch of random ordinary folks; some of them might spend a little bit of it on charitable donations to groups that do not use "help" to mean "sit on our knees and talk to the sky"! And the rest will probably be spent on mortgage payments and restaurant meals, which won't do anything for Haiti but at least it won't get in the way!

By alysonmiers (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

Truckle, your 'off-topic' post is appreciated. My comment is awaiting approval at BBC site.

By Occam's Machete (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

MetzO'Magic wrote:

The comments over at TFA PZed linked to are outstanding: "Witchdoctors without Frontiers".

Sorry, without Borders.

That's perfectly understandable, you just conflated the English and French names: Les Kooks Sans Frontières

By pdferguson (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

Posted by: pdferguson Author Profile Page | January 19, 2010 12:24 PM
MetzO'Magic wrote:

The comments over at TFA PZed linked to are outstanding: "Witchdoctors without Frontiers".

Sorry, without Borders.

That's perfectly understandable, you just conflated the English and French names: Les Kooks Sans Frontières

Shouldn't that be Docteurs de Sorcière sans Frontières?

All jokes aside, what I fear is that the population will be dispersed -away from the cameras of course- as in New Orleans, and the place will be turned into a Free Prey Market Occupation Zone.

A new "world's largest embassy" will be built *again* and the place will be turned into another militarized hornet's nest to pester the people of the Caribbean and Cuba and Venezuela in particular.

Here we go again...

By Dark Matter (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

Considering Haiti's track record as an utterly failed state for most of its existence, it seems to me that the most rational thing to do would be to colonize it. Seriously, how could they be worse off?

The Dominican Republic would be the most sensible country to do this, except for both countries' history of mutual animosity. Next in line would be one of the Caribbean's French-speaking republics, then perhaps Haiti could end up being what it's always had the potential to be, an attractive tourist destination with a real and benign government. Is it supposed to remain a slave to its history forever, just to preserve its "pride" as an independent basket case?

Lynna, OM:

The "ministers" that John Travolta is sending to Haiti are leeches.

You mean John isn't going himself? I'm sure the Haitians would be comforted by his presence, especially if he shows up in his white suit, disco-dancing to "Staying Alive."

Considering Haiti's track record as an utterly failed state for most of its existence, it seems to me that the most rational thing to do would be to colonize it. Seriously, how could they be worse off?

yay for historical and political ignorance! Haiti wouldn't be the clusterfuck it is if it weren't for the constant meddling by Western powers. It's not an "independent" basketcase, it's a basketcase caused by constant Western intervention in its affairs.

idiot.

By Jadehawk, OM (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

There are no French-speaking republics in the Caribbean, either - Guadaloupe and Martinique are not independent, they are part of France in much the same way that Hawaii is part of the US. If Haiti went back to being a French territory, wouldn't France have to pay back the millions in reparations they collected for Haiti's independence in the first place?

Seems to me you are making a big deal out of absolutely nothing. My friend, as well as others, went to help those in need, similarly in Haiti I am certain.

The best thing that (most) people can do right now is to donate money to proven organisations with experience in major disasters and/on Haiti, and which ideally have staff on the ground there. Groups like ICRC (Red Cross) and MSF (Doctors without Borders). Going yourself, or in many cases, donating stuff, isn't the best method of helping—at the current time. (That may change as the needs evolve, and the focus shifts to reconstruction et al., but at the moment it's rarely helpful: You'll give the wrong stuff, get in the way, and needlessly consume the time, money, and resources of the groups that can help, know how to help, and are helping.)

Why are so many of you OMs such foul-mouthed bozos, Jadehawk? If you want to correct me it's possible to do it helpfully rather than spitefully. I ignore vicious personal attacks such as yours, but will respond just this once by pointing out that Haiti is hardly the only country that has been messed with by the West.

Maybe it should go back to being a French colony. They don't have to worry about being enslaved again, and I'd like to see anyone make the case that they'd be worse off for it.

Why are so many of you OMs such foul-mouthed bozos, Jadehawk? If you want to correct me it's possible to do it fap fap fap fap fap fap fap fap...

When argument is weak, attack tone... lather, rinse, repeat...

By Celtic_Evolution (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

You mean John isn't going himself? I'm sure the Haitians would be comforted by his presence, especially if he shows up in his white suit, disco-dancing to "Staying Alive."

To me, he'll always and forever be the dopey "too cool for school" Vinnie Barbarino.

By lose_the_woo (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

maybe because I'm fucking sick of ignorant idiots who still believe in the White Man's Burden?

There's only so many times I can repeat the same information. Why are you not capable of informing yourself about these things before spouting racist nonsense?

By Jadehawk, OM (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

Ah, the old racist tag again. What's your solution to Haiti, O Enlightened One?

Ah, the old racist tag again. What's your solution to Haiti, O Enlightened One?

to ask the Haitians what they want me to do for them. You know, the way organizations lik Mercy Corps, Grassroots International, Via Campesina etc do. Stop treating Haitians like puppets, or children who don't know what's best for them and need a parent to tell them what to do.

By Jadehawk, OM (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

@hznfrst

Yes, let the French in to colonise. We need another Rwanda. French Africa- the model of european colonisation.

I think the concept of "colonising" Haiti is about as morally bankrupt as squatting in someone's house because they're in hospital.

Ah, the old racist tag again. What's your solution to Haiti, O Enlightened One?

Is that a defense to being called a racist?

By Rev. BigDumbChimp (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

From the link: commenter Novaload wins the internets with,

Scientologists == Witchdoctors without Borders

-DU-

By david.utidjian (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

Yes, let the French in to colonise. We need another Rwanda. French Africa- the model of european colonisation.

In total fairness, I understand they're doing pretty well /now/ with French Guyana as a department of France (Like any other department).

By Rutee, Shrieki… (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

hznfrst | January 19, 2010 2:21 PM:

Why are so many of you OMs such foul-mouthed bozos, Jadehawk?

hm, hznfrst spouts racist garbage, and Jadehawk calls him on it, but Jadehawk is "foul-mouthed"?

(A picture of hznfrst.)

Celtic, way to miss the point about the desirability of keeping a civil tone during these discussions. Do you think this is unimportant?

Jadehawk, what makes you think I'm white or that my motivation is "White Man's Burden"? Omniscience much?

To the rest of the critics, please tell me how badly off the present-day French colonies are compared to Haiti. What's that you say - they aren't perfect?! Oh dear me! But the question is how do they compare with the gloriously independent Haiti, gleaming in the sun blazing on the ground denuded of trees?

And consider that while you all fret about preserving your precious political correctness, real people are suffering because you automatically refuse to consider this one possible long-term solution!

Jadehawk, what makes you think I'm white or that my motivation is "White Man's Burden"? Omniscience much?

where did I say you were white? are white people suddenly the only one's capable of racism*? You don't have to be white to talk about the White Man's Burden, and that's precisely what you're doing when you're talking about recolonizing Haiti "for their own good". It's irrelevant why you're doing it, or if you yourself are white. It's still racist White Man's Burden rhetoric.

-----

*To claim you can't be, for example, black and racist against blacks is pretty much as stupid as claiming that Phyllis Schlafly's politics aren't sexist towards women.

By Jadehawk, OM (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

And consider that while you all fret about preserving your precious political correctness, real people are suffering because you automatically refuse to consider this one possible long-term solution!

have you asked the Haitians if they want to be recolonized? because quite frankly, this isn't your decision to make. Let me say this again: stop treating other people like puppets and children.

Not to mention that you're still ignoring the fact that the reason Haiti is in the current situation is precisely BECAUSE the Western world continues to fuck with them for their own benefit. Ever heard the line about learning from history or being doomed to repeat it?

By Jadehawk, OM (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

Fuck self determination, hznfrst knows what's best for everyone.

By Rev. BigDumbChimp (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

hznfrst knows what's best for everyone.

*snicker*

By Nerd of Redhead, OM (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

OT but the BBC has an article on 'Why does God allow Natural Disasters?'

Ha ha ha. The author of that article own-goals himself with the famous quote in the second para by David Hume:

Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is impotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Whence then is evil?

Why continue after that? Kind of makes the rest of the article pointless. Now if he had *finished* with that quote...

By MetzO'Magic (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

hznfrst | January 19, 2010 2:21 PM:

Why are so many of you OMs such foul-mouthed bozos, Jadehawk?

hm, hznfrst spouts racist garbage, and Jadehawk calls him on it, but Jadehawk is "foul-mouthed"?

(A picture of hznfrst.)

Ah, the old racist tag again. David Duke hznfrst

By Knockgoats (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

Has there ever been any Scientology trolls here on Pharyngula? I would imagine that would make an entertaining read. Different,anyway.

Sounds to me Raven who said "Scientology is all about money. They drain your bank account into theirs." that Scientology is much like Liberalism... the difference is Liberals want to "drain your bank account" so they can spread it around equally to others!

By professordendy (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

don't you have your own blog to go and be a moron on dendy?

Get teh fuck out, Dendy. Nobody here has time for your bigoted words and your conniptions.

By aratina cage o… (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

Dendy the troll is here, and stalking raven no less.

By Gyeong Hwa Pak… (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

yes, yes you are.

the difference is Liberals want to "drain your bank account" so they can spread it around equally to others!

And conservatives want to drain your bank account so they can keep it for themselves.

You're not the only one who can throw around stupid generalizations as if they mean something. The difference is I don't actually believe mine....

Sounds to me Raven who said "Scientology is all about money. They drain your bank account into theirs." that Scientology is much like Liberalism... the difference is Liberals want to "drain your bank account" so they can spread it around equally to others!

But not at all like your religion, amirite?

By Rutee, Shrieki… (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

What... we only live in a country that's free if you are "Liberal?" I thought we have the freedom to express our thoughts. Isn't that what makes the world interesting?

By professordendy (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

we only live in a country that's free if you are "Liberal?"

says the homophopic xian bigot.

Dendy is mistaking criticism for oppression again. Fucking Fatwah envy.

By Gyeong Hwa Pak… (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

...homophobic, even

I thought we have the freedom to express our thoughts.

I am expressing my thoughts, that you are a complete imbecile.

Isn't that what makes the world interesting?

in your case?

actually, no.

you really are terribly uninteresting.

you are however, fun to poke a stick at.

He is blogwhoring.

By Gyeong Hwa Pak… (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

Or you can find a more "colorful" version of my last comment here:

homophobic.
bigot.

you're part of the problem, Dendy...
we're coming for you...

and so are "they"...

please not how the dendy-troll is NOT defending Scientologists the way he was defending Christologists. Yay for double standards!

By Jadehawk, OM (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

homophopic

Nikonian slip. :)

What... we only live in a country that's free if you are "Liberal?" I thought we have the freedom to express our thoughts. Isn't that what makes the world interesting?

Freedom of Expression doesn't protect you from social consequences of the stupid shit you say, only the legal ones. Yes, yes you can express yourself. So can we. Watch.

You're a fucking idiot. Freedom!

By Rutee, Shrieki… (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

professordendrophiliac wrote:

What... we only live in a country that's free if you are "Liberal?"

The only reason anyone in your country is 'free' is because of the efforts of 'liberals' you fucking clown shoe.

You're a stupid pissant. Why don't you go and spend some more time sucking up to Jesus rather than wasting our time here with your inane comments and pathetic blogwhoring?

By WowbaggerOM (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

Wow... if you guys work on it, you may be able to say even bigger words than "pissant." I am totally impressed!

It seems as though the PZ followers once again show their limited vocabulary... WOW!

By professordendy (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

Very boring though... And since no one is so inflamed by my blog posts as to leave comments tonight, I think I will turn in and read a good book. Nite, nite!

By professordendy (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

professordildo blathered:

What... we only live in a country that's free if you are "Liberal?" I thought we have the freedom to express our thoughts. Isn't that what makes the world interesting?

Interesting? You think your juvenile liberal bashing and shameless blogwhoring is interesting?

What a fuckin' douchebag...

By pdferguson (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

It seems as though the PZ followers once again show their limited vocabulary...

Wow. That was a pathetic ad hominem and a pathetic insult. But hey, with your argumentative skills, you should expect that the readers here will treat you like a 12-year-old.

Very boring though... And since no one is so inflamed by my blog posts as to leave comments tonight, I think I will turn in and read a good book. Nite, nite!

You truly are a blogwhore. Is your omnipotent God not keeping you companion? Perhaps he has another lap dog that he prefers.

By Gyeong Hwa Pak… (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

I see the perfessor is full of himself. But then, he is an ignorant godbot, and loves to prove it. I wonder how long it takes him to comb his hair in the morning, since he loves himself so much. Definitely longer than me.

By Nerd of Redhead, OM (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

I am totally impressed!

since you post here more than on your own blog, I'd say not only are you really impressed, but desperate for our attention.

How does it feel to be desperate for the attention of those you publicly despise?

I have an idea.

How about an international guideline for disaster aid relief.

All aid must come in the form of:
Experts (ground co-ordination, disease control, engineers, sanitaion, and other qualified personnel of recognised institutions able to co-ordinate projects of aid organisations).

Food supplies (as implied, prioritised by nutritional value, storability, ease to load / unload).

Medical supplies (as implied, prioritised by immediate need, and value calculated through triage formula and overall number or demand).

Construction team (as implied, general building of shelters and other needed structures including water purification).

Medical team (as implied. Faith based medical teams are allowed 1 chaplain, with role limited to a field hospital only -last rites etc.- chaplain may not desseminate religious materials, and no distributable religious materials may come in with the hospital team.

Penalties for abuse should be calculated by working out how much real help was displaced as a result of wasteful behaviour in breach of the rules, the human life cost as a result of useful aid displacement, and those responsible charged with manslaughter or some form of criminal negligence for each life lost as a result of denial of aid caused by resource displacement.

Scientology volunteer ministers - the real rundown -

@ 51 - Roger Kasman's *ahem* 'friend' obviously forgot to mention that Scientology 'volunteer' ministers just turn up to a disaster. They bring no aid (other than their ridiculous 'touch assists'), they bring no supplies for themselves (instead asking for tents, food and water for their own use from other aid organizations), and then – inveigle themselves with other agencies to 'deliver' those agencies aid, whilst wearing yellow t-shirts and making out that it's their aid that they're selflessly handing out...

Unfortunately for Roger and his 'friend' – more information is getting out about how these so-called 'volunteer' ministers go about their business at tragic events.

http://www.cosvm.org/disrupt.htm

And - it seems - this isn't the first time they use tragedy to push their agenda:

http://www.lermanet.com/cisar/germany/021013.htm

Oh – and after all that BS about their help for emergency personnel after 9/11 – why have we not seen even 1 worker miraculously 'cured' from the problems that they developed after being caught in Ground Zero?... yeah - 'cause massive, poisonous doses of Niacin and sauna treatments 'detox' people (um, no they don't - but I'd take up too much time explaining - and I'm pretty sure most rational people on this site would know why)...

Bring it on Scienotrolls...

By spunmunkey (not verified) on 19 Jan 2010 #permalink

Scientology volunteer ministers - the real rundown -

Thanks for the links, spunmunkey. Wow. I thought I was pretty well read up on the Scientology antics, but what they did in the wake of 9/11 takes the biscuit. Just... wow. Almost an all-time low, which is pretty hard considering what the Co$ gets up to.

By MetzO'Magic (not verified) on 20 Jan 2010 #permalink

What... we only live in a country that's free if you are "Liberal?" I thought we have the freedom to express our thoughts. Isn't that what makes the world interesting?

You are free to say whatever the hell you want, just as we are free to say you are a moron for saying it. Freedom of speech is not freedom from the consequences of what you say.

Very boring though... And since no one is so inflamed by my blog posts as to leave comments tonight, I think I will turn in and read a good book. Nite, nite!

Boring troll is boring.

and blogwhoring.

since no one is so inflamed by my blog posts as to leave comments tonight

The "perfesser" admits that he only came here to troll and blogwhore.

By 'Tis Himself, OM (not verified) on 20 Jan 2010 #permalink

Mildly OT, but I just had to post this (from here)

Ena Zizi had been at a church meeting at the residence of Haiti's Roman Catholic archbishop when last week's earthquake struck, trapping her. She was rescued yesterday by a Mexican disaster team.
Zizi said that after the quake, she spoke back and forth with a vicar who also was trapped. But after a few days, he fell silent, and she spent the rest of the time praying and waiting.
"I talked only to my boss, God," she said. "And I didn't need any more humans."

Maybe she should have told the Mexican humans that before they got to her, and then they could have spent their valuable time looking for someone more appreciative.

By Ring Tailed Lemurian (not verified) on 20 Jan 2010 #permalink

hznfrst@82:

[P]lease tell me how badly off the present-day French colonies are compared to Haiti.

What "present-day French colonies"???
Name one.

Most of France's colonies had obtained independence by the 1960s. Four of the ones that remained became French departments, and the rest became territories (of which there are several types). In both cases they have full voting representation in the French parliament.

Speaking charitably for hznfirst, he may have meant that Haiti should ask to be a department of France.

By Rutee, Shrieki… (not verified) on 20 Jan 2010 #permalink

Bloody Scientologist! they must be going to look for the transformers who caused this disaster! I donated £5. if everyone did the same we'd be halfway there to rebuiling this poor, desperate country. keep the religious nutballs out and let the professionals do their jobs.