Haiti

[Yung Apprentice]

Hey yall, I'm sorry to be posting this on the main forum, as it should probably be go on the off-topic forum, but this forum gets a lot more traffic, so I hope I am forgiven for posting it here.

My uncle, Walt Ratterman, who is a CEO of non-profit organization SunEnergy Power International, was in Haiti setting up a solar energy system for an AIDS/TB clinic that was off the electricity grid in Port Au Prince. He has gone on missing as his hotel, Hotel Montana, was hit hard. Rescuers are locating survivors from this hotel every hour, leaving hope that he might be found alive. As we speak there are an estimated 70 survivors trapped in a basement that rescuers are still trying to get to.

I ask that you keep my uncle in your prayers, that he is found alive and well. Thank you, guys.

[Lucas]

I'm not a praying man, but my thoughts are with your uncle and your family. I've definately been following this closely since the first live report I saw. Seeing the devistation and horrible situation those people are in make me want to drop my life and go there to help.

[Yung Apprentice]

Thank you Lucas, I appreciate your thoughts and kind words. :)

[hskwarrior]

I am a praying man, and will pray for your uncle and family. As well as for all the lost souls in this tragedy. At this moment, the Hung Mun is in discussions to what we can do to help.

[taai gihk yahn]

anyone who wants to donate $10 to Int. Red Cross can do so directly from their cell by texting:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8460791.stm

(read the article, the info is in there)

[Yung Apprentice]

Thank you all for your kind words, thoughts and prayers. My uncle is still unaccounted for. There might be a chance that he was injured and taken to the Dominican Republic and is listed as the many "Jon Does" however, it's not looking good.

Here is one article on him.

http://www.oregonlive.com/clark-county/index.ssf/2010/01/washougal_man_missing_in_haiti_has_long_history_of _disaster_aid.html

[sanjuro_ronin]

Hey yall, I'm sorry to be posting this on the main forum, as it should probably be go on the off-topic forum, but this forum gets a lot more traffic, so I hope I am forgiven for posting it here.

My uncle, Walt Ratterman, who is a CEO of non-profit organization SunEnergy Power International, was in Haiti setting up a solar energy system for an AIDS/TB clinic that was off the electricity grid in Port Au Prince. He has gone on missing as his hotel, Hotel Montana, was hit hard. Rescuers are locating survivors from this hotel every hour, leaving hope that he might be found alive. As we speak there are an estimated 70 survivors trapped in a basement that rescuers are still trying to get to.

I ask that you keep my uncle in your prayers, that he is found alive and well. Thank you, guys.

I will keep you and your family in my prayers and ask that the Good Lord strengthen you and your family in this time of need.
The world we live in is a difficult world but one that has always been this way and probably always will.
I hope that your uncle survives and that you will be reunited soon.
Love, Hope and Faith are the cornerstones of God and of these, the greatest is love.

[kfson]

Maybe now Haiti can start anew.

[kfson]

just like iraq and afghanistan... some countries just have all the luck. :p

ok, ok, march all the survivors into the sea.

[Yung Apprentice]

Ronin- Thank you, that was one of the most thoughtful and kind words said. :)

[Dragonzbane76]

hope everything turns out for the better. always sad to hear of the events.

[sanjuro_ronin]

Ronin- Thank you, that was one of the most thoughtful and kind words said. :)

It may come as a surprise to many, but I am a devote christian.
Sure I have my silly episodes and I like soft core a bit to much for my own good, LOL!
But a couple of years ago I had an awakening of sorts and Jesus and I have gotten along much better than in the past.
God and I had issues for longer than I care to admit, but I have found peace with God through Jesus and while that may not be the path for all people, it was for me.
I truly believe that God is Love and that through this love we people can do wonders.
Not preaching to you, because I believe in MANY paths to God.
I thank you for your kind words.

Any news on your uncle?

[Yung Apprentice]

No, still no word on my uncle. My cousin (his son) made it to the site a couple days ago and is helping going thru the rubble. They just recently pulled out an older woman who has been trapped for seven days now, so there is still hope.

Here is a video interview of my cousin and aunt.

http://www.kgw.com/news/Well-known-Washougal-man-missing-in-Haiti-81810272.html

[Yung Apprentice]

I heard there was a 6.1 earthquake yesterday that hit Haiti. Reportedly teams searching thru the rubble of the hotel said there wasn't a shift in the rubble. Tapping is still being heard from under the rubble using instruments that amplify sound. My cousin spoke to an ER doctor who is on his way to Haiti. This doctor went to the Phillipines during to help when that country was hit hard. The doctor said it is absolutely possible for someone to survive an earthquake a couple weeks after the initial quake. This doctor said when he was there helping out he received patients who had been trapped underneath the rubble for a little over two weeks.

There is still hope.

[sanjuro_ronin]

No, still no word on my uncle. My cousin (his son) made it to the site a couple days ago and is helping going thru the rubble. They just recently pulled out an older woman who has been trapped for seven days now, so there is still hope.

Here is a video interview of my cousin and aunt.

http://www.kgw.com/news/Well-known-Washougal-man-missing-in-Haiti-81810272.html

There is always hope my friend.

[Lucas]

I saw the report of the 6.1 'aftershock' this morning. From what I saw on the news report, like you said, it didnt seem to shift things around too much, other than peoples emotions of course. Your Uncle is out there somewhere! I'm having a hard time living a regular life right now, you just know there are so many starving and injured people that dont give a **** or even know or understand world politics...they just want to eat and care for their little children...its just not fair.

anyone have any connections in any humanitarian aid programs? i dont have a savings, or i would just go on my dime, ive been looking around on the internet and it seems like most of the big boys, peace corp/mercy corp things like that, they want college graduates or people to be able to afford going out themselves. some of us broke people want to help too!

what can a person do? ideas?

[GeneChing]

We've discussed Jackie's charity work here (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41401).

by Jessica Beaton, Shanghai Editor
20 January, 2010
Jackie Chan records "To Welcome You Home" (接你回家) (http://www.cnngo.com/shanghai/none/jackie-chan-records-welcome-you-home-834233)
Jackie Chan records a song in honor of eight Chinese police officers killed in the Haiti earthquake as their bodies are returned home

In this clip of "To Welcome You Home" (接你回家), in addition to a short interview with Jackie Chan, the TV station also shows footage of Chinese rescue workers in Haiti as well as the return of the Chinese peace keepers to China. (Youku video)

Eight Chinese police officers lost their lives there in the earthquake in Haiti last week. As their bodies were returned to China, news of a song by Jackie Chan about the earthquake written for the fallen peacekeepers was announced. The song is titled "To Welcome You Home" (接你回家).

Danwei reports that Jackie Chan teamed up with Tan Jing, a singer from the PLA Song and Dance Ensemble, to record "To Welcome You Home" (接你回家).

[sanjuro_ronin]

I saw the report of the 6.1 'aftershock' this morning. From what I saw on the news report, like you said, it didnt seem to shift things around too much, other than peoples emotions of course. Your Uncle is out there somewhere! I'm having a hard time living a regular life right now, you just know there are so many starving and injured people that dont give a **** or even know or understand world politics...they just want to eat and care for their little children...its just not fair.

anyone have any connections in any humanitarian aid programs? i dont have a savings, or i would just go on my dime, ive been looking around on the internet and it seems like most of the big boys, peace corp/mercy corp things like that, they want college graduates or people to be able to afford going out themselves. some of us broke people want to help too!

what can a person do? ideas?

I am sure there is volunteer work in the local community that is helping out, just look around or maybe call your local (biggest) radio station and they might have info.
Red cross, salvation army, etc.

[Lucas]

oh i completely forgot about the red cross, i think a friends mom works for them...i was helping with a donation collection drive through a local church. there was a few thousand raised, but it just feels weird not being out in the world actually helping people with my own hands.

im really just tired of the answer to how can i help being: "give us money" thats not always an option. i dont even know if i can make that major of a life change, as i have never gone abroad for aid work before, but i know i want to...

[GeneChing]

I went to post something on Jackie Chan's Haiti relief effort (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showpost.php?p=985589&postcount=38) yesterday, and was sorry to see that this thread was so sullied by uki and Kansuke flame war that Yung Apprentice deleted it. As martial artists, it is our duty to help the needy, and in situations like the Haiti Quake, it's reaffirming to hear that many of you are answering this call. What's more, our hearts are with Yung Apprentice and our prayers are with his uncle, along with all the other quake victims.

I'm disappointed to see that uki and Kansuke couldn't see the gravity of the situation and persisted in catty, self-serving behavior. I've deleted all posts relating to their flame war and I'm considering the many requests I have received to have them banned. We can address that elsewhere, if need be.

Now let's return to the topic at hand. When the Sichuan quake hit, we were in position to stage Martial Arts Benefit for Quake Victims (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?p=860831). We are not in position to do that now, but there seems to be more support from American organizations, so I urge you all to support them.

[sanjuro_ronin]

Thanks Boss.
As for banning, as you know, I would agree.

[uki]

i am sure that everyone who was destined to survive the earthquake will do so... i hope all goes well for those who have lost loved ones, but all things happen for a reason.

if this belief, along with defending myself publicly from online attacks, amounts to a bannable offense, then i stand guilty. :)

[Dragonzbane76]

I think what you lack is timing uki. I find you funny most times and we banter back and forth but your timing just.... welll.... sucksss

Anyways, your a good fellow from what I can tell, just think you have some 'misguided' ideals. :)

[uki]

I think what you lack is timing uki. I find you funny most times and we banter back and forth but your timing just.... welll.... suckssswell how can one talk about alternate perceptions of current events unless the events happen?? i believe haiti was attacked with scalar weapons or something of the sort that CAUSES earthquakes to happen... i was just saying and just saying here in the haiti thread because it is obviously related... the timing is perfect, perhaps more and more people will see my posts and talk about it more... google "oil in haiti" haitian intellectuals and think tanks have been calling this for years now... and then to add insult to injury, you have the bushes and clinton heading a humanitarian effort... LOL... asinine... the whole thing is so transparent... what happened to the swine flu all of a sudden?? the truth will manifest when the time is right, you don't have to take my word for it. :)


Anyways, your a good fellow from what I can tell, just think you have some 'misguided' ideals.LOL... i just don't blindly believe what our "officials" and "news" tell us - they are the misguided ones. :D

[uki]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9QtZkT8OBQ

for the latest developments... :p

[Drake]

I do hope they ban you.

[uki]

I do hope they ban you.why is it so difficult for people to approach seemingly happenstance random events in an alternate light?? are you denying that the american military has the capability to cause earthquakes?? there is absolutely no possibility that an earthquake can be manufactured?? is that why you want me banned?? it's truly sad that the people of haiti have been made to suffer and my heart goes out to the people who must endure this tribulation, but there is trickery afoot and the people have a right to make up their own minds.

an article from 2004, from a haitian... http://www.haitiaction.net/News/JM/jm8_1_4.html

a good question for the day... http://www.politicaltheatrics.net/2010/01/why-is-the-us-military-occupying-four-airports-in-haiti/

[Drake]

You are using someone's thread about a tragic accident to put out fabricated stories about an impossibility. The very foundation of your argument isn't even possible had you known even the basic about plate tectonics.

AT ANY RATE - START YOUR OWN THREAD ABOUT STUPID CONSPIRACY THEORIES AND LEAVE THIS ONE ALONE, YOU DISRESPECTFUL *******.

Congratulations. You have succeeded in offending me.

[uki]

something tells me the original poster did not get offended or take my comments as being disrespectful. :cool:

[uki]

haitians have a right to know the possibilities that exist... http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=116834&sectionid=351020104

stuff like this is pouring in from all corners of the web... a manufactured earthquake. the comments for this article are interesting to say the least... haiti is strategically important in the global game of chess that is being played... stand strong haiti, the truth is coming out. :)

[uki]

where there is a will, there is a way... http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/01/22/world/main6130847.shtml

[uki]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEgSdlZL-tI&feature=player_embedded

haiti should feel soooo relieved that such compassionate people are there to help them. :rolleyes:

from haiti... http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A//www.metropolehaiti.com/metropole/full_une_fr.php%3Fid%3D13439&hl=en&langpair=auto%7Cen&tbb=1&ie=ISO-8859-1

[David Jamieson]

:rolleyes: