Here's a good read from Time, it discusses the potential silver lining, etc...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20100120/w ... 4195502300

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I feel it should 100% be allowed to happen. I wouldn't want to go to haiti to vacation, especially now, but there should be no reason that the ships aren't allowed to dock on an area that they've previously negotiated a deal for.

It's a business decision -- yes, but the guilt should be rested on the passengers not the drivers

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When I was a boy I spoke as a boy, I understood as a boy, and I thought as a boy; when I became a man I took that boy outside and shot him.

I don't think it's worth a damn what we think about it.
What do the Haitians think about it?

If it helps them at all and they don't mind, where's the harm?

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Hold my beer and watch this...

Personally, I would not be on that ship. I would feel like I was being disrespectful, but thats just how I am. I overthink things too much. The normal side of me, however, says that its just a business and in the long run it has to help the economy of Haiti.

Squanto, I was on the side of it helping the economy at a time when they are really needing it the most and helping them come to some sort of normalcy after such a hellish week. Sort of like the first Yankees game after 911. BUT, if its true that the peninsula that is providing this stopover is truly owned by Royal Caribbean, that that is horrible. Reroute the trip to somewhere else, for the love of God. Its like they should toot the horn and yell, 'sucks to be you, haiti!'

But, if they are benefitting in any way, the Hatians, then I think it should continue. Otherwise, its just furthering the arrogant reputation of us Amaricans.

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Its NNYFAN, but you can just call me Kris.

Per the linked article, Royal Caribbean is docking their cruises at Labadee, Haiti.

According to Wikipedia, emphasis added:



While you're correct that there is still some economic benefit to the cruises stopping there, I would say that it seems fairly small considering the paltry sum the Haitian government actually gets, and the controlled access to the area for vendors. The 300 locals that are employed are clearly helped, but in the big picture, it's not much. Those that need the help most right now are farther south in the capital region.

I think this statement should be strongly considered

1 single corporation has been providing the island the most tourist revenue.

That's the only viable future of a place like Haiti...tourism.
Look at the Dominican republic.

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Hold my beer and watch this...

Regarding circumstances in which American citizens and the US government donate monetary funds and bodily help to other nations and areas needing it after natural disasters, the amount of work that those who live in those areas do does not make a difference. They do work, and they work hard, but their work is simply to survive, not to afford houses and vehicles and other large purchases that would aid their economies to the point where their nations would be able to help us if ever we were to need it. The nations that we bring aid to in these circumstances do not help us when we are in need because they cannot (and this country has never experienced anything of that scope, anyway, not anything even close to it, to say the absolute least).

Haiti does not have any of the resources necessary to even begin "recovering" from this on its own, regardless of how hard its citizens work. We do. Our homeless eat. They are routinely given food, places to sleep, blankets, hats, gloves, etc. by people who desire to help them. Theirs don't, and they receive nothing, because there isn't anyone who has the ability to help them. To compare the circumstances in Haiti and other nations with the circumstances in America and not desire to help those people because, "hey, we have homeless, too, and we're in debt to top it off" does not make any sense to me.

Edit:
I think we just look at it from fundamentally different viewpoints, though. You see barriers, acknowledge nations and self-interest. I see just human beings helping other human beings, without impediment and without care for self.

Still, even acknowledging that, I still find that comparing the situation in Haiti and past circumstances in other devastated areas that we have aided to our national debt and our own poverty just doesn't make any sense, because the things are in completely different universes.

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Miles to go before I sleep

‎"Love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation."
-Khalil Gibran

What she said. Well put.

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"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hockey Night in Buffalo

the private "resort" is kinda a small cove or bay like 60 miles away. its not really that close, and the surrounding area isnt really effected. thats what i read.

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http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source= ... 8&t=h&z=16

139Km from Port Au Prince according to our google overlords...

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Hold my beer and watch this...

Personally, I would be mortified to be on a cruise ship on that island...I would just feel pompous as hell...

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Its NNYFAN, but you can just call me Kris.

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"Go out and run 'em."
- Lindy Ruff, 23 Feb. 2007

so like 80 miles? so, chances are the area is fine, and the whole country cant be inaccessible.

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I agree, I was just pointing out that Royal Caribbean has been the #1 economic partner for the island tourism speaking.
We agree that is their economic future (if one is to be had).
So I don't see this so much as an exploitative move, just adding some extra aid to an otherwise symbiotic relationship.

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Hold my beer and watch this...