Again the United States has failed in its

attempts to truly win the hearts and

minds of another nation. The heroic

efforts and loss of life in Haiti could

have been diminished greatly by an

elevated protocol of giving aid with

built in requirements that are humane

in nature. You could almost apply buddhistic

precepts as a requirement for receiving

aid. Consider the following in relation

to Haiti. Simple but effective.

1. Not killing or causing harm to other living

beings.

Not requiring Haiti to have strong building codes

as a requirement for receiving aid is a failure.

How many lives could have been saved

by enforced construction laws?

2. Not taking the not-given.

Not requiring a viable means for the distribution

of aid in Haiti is a failure. Aid that would benefit

all Haitians is often going into the coffers of greedy

and corrupt politicians.

3. Avoiding sexual misconduct.

Not requiring a viable health policy before giving

aid is a failure.Haiti has a high rate of HIV and other

preventable deceases such as H.P.V.,DANGUE AND T.B.

4. Avoiding false speech.

Not projecting or clarifying intentions is a failure.

The intentions and expected results should be

transparent and not motivated mostly by projecting

a good image of the United States.

5. Abstaining from drink and drugs that cloud the

mind.

Not requiring strong drug laws and preventative programs

before giving aid is a failure.Haiti has a drug problem

that spills over into other nations. Not requiring strong laws

as a requirement for aid fails the people of Haiti.

Recipients of U.S. aid facilitates short term political

gains or emergencies. The impact of many emergencies

could be diminished greatly by requiring nations

that receive aid of any kind from the U.S. to have

protocols and laws that are humane. They should not

be motivated by greed or short term political gains by

the U.S., Local politicians or large corporations

A bhudist approach to giving aid would result

in long term gains for both recipients of aid

as well as the U.S. This ideal approach is

impossible but the present protocols are "less

than perfect" to use a often quoted Bhudist phrase.

We can certainly move closer to perfect.

The primary policy for giving aid should require the

recipients to put in place humane practices as outlined

above. This protocol would result in an efficient,

beneficial style of aid that would reach the people of Haiti.

No humane practices , No aid. The simple justice

of children is a better and more mature

protocol than that now practiced by the United

States. Perhaps it is time for more maturity.