I was offered a flashlight due to sporadic blackouts in California for my son, who lived there, from a friend of all places living in Sweden. The friend's offer was graciously refused being that my son recently moved to Texas to avoid this problem. His electric bill went up at least three times in Los Angeles since the election of George W. Bush to the presidency five months ago. He feels safer in Austin, Texas home of the chosen son, W...... We'll see... Nonetheless, the Swedish friend's ironic perception of the United States is a fact due to electrical failure in California, which was never heard of during the Clinton presidency, or before.
Haiti has lived with blackouts forever, and one never thought that its powerful northern neighbor would face a similar problem, which may get from bad to worse in the near future. Well, many Haitian-Americans are experts in the art of survival without power. "Se le ou pase maladi, ou konn remed": It's when you pass through sickness, you know the medicine.
The first time I went back to Haiti in 1972 after a 12-year absence, playing it safe, I stayed in one of the most luxurious hotel rooms in the suburbs of Petionville. One had become what you would call an "ugly American" obsessed with comfort. The room was beautifully decorated with original Haitian paintings of well-known national artists. The bathroom had a large fire engine red tub with brass faucets, and a picturesque view as a background to a circular swimming pool. Those were the days before inverters and generators (most popular brand Delco) became a must in Port-au-Prince and its suburbs...Many still had faith in the good old Electric company that was still fairly reliable.
I threw a party for family and friends in the suite. By midnight, like most Haitian "banbosh" with rhum Barbancourt, kompas, djon-djon, lambis, pleasant company plus fascinating discussions on all subjects, things got lively and all of a sudden the lights went out. This was absolutely a non-event for family and guests, the party continued until dawn as lively as before, until the majestic island sun reminded us that this was a new day. We split on the best of terms and the blackout was a non-issue...
Later that morning, water being a priority for any human being, I went for a shower and the faucet was dried. What was going on? Well the electricity was still off and power was needed to bring the water up...
Reflecting on this lack of creature comforts in part of a little island, I can't help thinking of the present similarities in the U.S. and Haiti, from events of the past. In the U.S. under Clinton there were no blackouts; the economy was booming; unemployment was at an all time low; social security and health care were daily subjects as how to improve them; ideas about bridging the gap between blacks and whites were discussed at the national level; the stock market was up; gas prices were under control and world affairs if not ideal were debated with magnificence by a charismatic leader. Bill Clinton, son of a divorced nurse and an alcoholic father received high marks as a compassionate, brilliant leader and a hard worker by reliable think tanks, the world over. Regardless of his personal flaws which the opposing parties mercilessly and shamelessly took advantage of; he succeeded in completing his second term in office.
Under George W. Bush we hear that there is an energy crisis, specifically blackouts in California and higher gas prices; the economy is slowing down; unemployment is rising; social programs are being reduced; social security and health care have become non-subjects; civil rights are on a back burner; millions if not billions of dollars have been lost in the stock market; big tax cut for the rich with a pittance for the average worker are the order of the day in Congress; Big oil is back in business with the environment not a main concern anymore; world affairs and China got from bad to worse and solutions left to lower echelons in the State Department.
George W. Bush, son of a president, another "fils a papa", is not considered to be a charismatic leader. As per many in public opinion polls, his attention span is from 9 to 5 with regular weekends at Camp David in Maryland or at his Crawford ranch in Texas. For a Yale graduate his diction and syntax in the English language have been questioned...His agenda is perceived to be in accordance with the conservative right wing of the Republican Party. For his additional personal flaws the American people have been generous in not "clintonizing" him. The election of Bush was controversial but he is our president for 4 years...With the recent switch by Republican Senator James Jeffords of Vermont from Republican to Independent, due to a sharp right turn by the Bush administration, the Democrats are again in control of the Senate. Aristide may profit from this situation with no more Jesse Helms as Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee...
In Haiti we have political similarities with a different viewpoint. Some believe, Jean-Claude Duvalier son of Francois Duvalier also elected president-for-life at the age of 18, no great intellect, a true "fils a papa", was the greatest president that Haiti ever had. According to them there was security; law and order; national pride; a strong Army force; a good economy; no energy crisis; and progress in improving the lot of the poor. They claim that with Jean-Bertrand Aristide the exact opposite is true. In their opinion absolutely nothing has been done in the country, which has been destroyed by one man, Aristide, and his Lavalas party.
Some others believe, Aristide, born from humble roots, fluent in five languages is a charismatic leader who means well for his country and that he is highly educated compared to Jean-Claude Duvalier. They thank him for having succeeded in eliminating an Army which was overwhelmingly corrupt. The great majoriy of the Haitians freely elected him twice as their president, compared to the Duvaliers, who both elected themselves for life. True, there were frauds in the last elections, but Aristide,regardless, would have won in view of his popularity, and this is a fact confirmed by his political enemies. He is still loved by the majority of the poor who are in great numbers. He is no saint, but the opposition mercilessly and shamelessly took advantage of his flaws and demonized him. He is elected for 5 years and there is no Army to give him a coup d'etat. And contrary to Bush, Aristide has a political mandate...
It's obvious that the only solution in Haiti is a compromise on both sides, with the clear understanding that once and for all, the will of the people must be respected, and that Haiti has a president elected for 5 years... Now it's time to move on... Don't wait for the international community to help Haiti; it has a heart of stone. George W. Bush's elections was as controversial as Aristide's but he is the president here, regardless that he lost the popular vote to Al Gore by 500,000 votes and won through a controversial decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. " Aristide squandered the first 100 days, and so we need to give him another 100 days to see what he can accomplish " said Robert Rothberg a Harvard political scientist. " It's unfortunate because Haiti is a small place and Aristide's a powerful person." The opposition can heed this kreyol saying: " " "Avan chen manje zo, li mezire machwe-l """ : Before a dog eats a bone, he measures up his jaw.
PUBLISHED IN THE HAITIAN TIMES, edition 5 to 10 June, 2001
