The catastrophe in Haiti reminds us just how small our world has become. Information on the earthquake, the destruction, the aftermath, the rescue efforts, and the humanitarian crisis have splashed across our newspapers and Web sites, television and the Internet, with the immediacy of an event happening just around the block.
Americans and the world in this technological media age have become accustomed to instant images. We are terribly familiar with learning of cataclysmic events in real time.
But the Haiti catastrophe has struck more personal notes in South Georgia, ones that strike closer to home. Nearby ripples that demonstrate just how small the world has become and, in some instances, to varying degrees of urgency, just how hard times are everywhere.
When the earthquake hit, Cook County businessmen were in Haiti, negotiating a deal to provide indoor basketball courts for youths there. In the aftermath of the quake, one of the Cook businessmen survived and escaped; the other’s whereabouts remained unknown last week.
In the aftermath, South Georgians have learned of Haitians who live in our region. Area families with family struggling with life in the demolished Haiti.
Moody Air Force Base personnel have been placed on alert for duty to provide aid for Haiti.
Local chapters of the Red Cross and the Salvation Army have led drives for monetary contributions. These organizations ask for money because donating items creates logistical headaches and nightmares of misplaced good intentions. For example, someone may wish to donate canned foods to Haiti, but how does the food get to the Haitians, who pays for its transport, where does it go once the food arrives in Haiti, do the struggling Haitian people even have can-openers to open the food?
Still, many local folks wish to do what they can. People give blood. They Facebook and Tweet each other on how to help Haiti. Still, other local folks struggle just to make ends meet in their own lives.
Last week, The Valdosta Daily Times on-line poll asked readers what they were doing in the wake of the Haiti earthquake. As of Friday afternoon, 26.06 percent of 307 respondents were giving money; 2.93 percent planned to give blood; 12.38 percent were doing what they could; 32.9 percent said they couldn’t afford to help; 25.73 percent simply responded they were not giving.
It is a sign of the times, however, to see one-third of all respondents admit they simply cannot afford to do anything.
As for the rest, the world has always had those who will give you the shirts off their backs, and those who wouldn’t even spit on you if you were on fire.
Still, with all of those Haitian images of pain and hunger, of loss and destruction, it is surprising that nearly 60 percent of respondents are doing nothing.
It’s a small world, getting smaller all of the time.
What We Think
What We Think: It’s a small world
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Shame in Berrien County
Unfortunately for Sherrie Williams of the Berrien County school-based health clinic, she talked to The Times and praised the program that she oversees. This pride in her work led to the loss of her job.
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Grading policy: A second chance?
In clarifying the Lowndes County Schools’ controversial grading policy, Superintendent Dr. Steve Smith spoke of second chances.
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Be up to any weather challenge
Georgia’s Severe Weather Awareness Week starts today and runs through Friday. The idea behind the week is to prepare Georgians for weather emergencies and how to keep these situations from becoming tragedies.
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Parents and schools
There is a lot of talk lately about school systems and grading policies, and how all of a child's problems come back to a lack of parenting. But is it really that simple? Can it be a case where the school systems are so focused on the problem few that the majority of students are ignored?
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Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To Brooks County High School engineering and technology teacher Don Morgan and his students. They recently received national attention for their work with biodiesel fuel. They collect used cooking oil from area fast-food restaurants then process this oil into biodiesel. Morgan hopes to next interest the Brooks County school buses into running on the fuel created in his class. This classroom not only prepares students for the future but may prepare all of us for an alternative energy source.
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Take me out to the ball park
The Valdosta State baseball season begins today. The Blazers host Lindenwood at 2:30 p.m. Nothing beats quality baseball played in warm weather with a great venue like Billy Grant Field.
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What We Think: Signing Day
Wednesday was National Signing Day, the day when high school athletes across the country make official announcements about what school they’ve chosen to sign with.
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School policy fails expectations
Lowndes County Schools recently implemented new grading guidelines for students. These guidelines have left many parents upset ...
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Just the facts, please
The Times has taken some hits this weekend following the reporting of the Rev. Floyd Rose’ rally on Saturday concerning the car which drove into a home, killing an infant on New Year’s, and an incident at Pinevale Learning Center. Some police officers think the VDT is not being fair, and Rose accused the VDT of not printing the facts, but the facts are as follows:
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Fathers teaching daughters
It began as a small gathering for fathers and daughters. It has become one of Valdosta’s most popular social events of the year.
Several years ago, Jeff Stewart co-founded the event with his wife, Becky, as a way for him to give a special night to his two daughters. Other fathers of First Presbyterian Church liked the idea and the Father-Daughter Valentine Dance was born. - More What We Think Headlines
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Shame in Berrien County
