Haiti: stick this in your prayers and say 'em

Of course, and rightly, people are praying for Haiti (pr Ha-eetee, please, not hate-ee). Can I encourage to take the risk of plunging some of your praying into the arena of the Powers? Check out this article: Haiti needs water, not occupation | Mark Weisbrot | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk

Here's some of the most salient points in praying with Thrones and Dominions in mind:

The US, together with Canada and France, conspired openly for four years to topple Haiti's elected government, cutting off almost all international aid in order to destroy the economy and make the country ungovernable. They succeeded. For those who wonder why there are no Haitian government institutions to help with the earthquake relief efforts, this is a big reason. ... Washington's fear of democracy in Haiti may explain why the US is now sending 10,000 troops and prioritising "security" over other needs. This military occupation by US troops will raise other concerns in the hemisphere, ... non-governmental organisations have raised other issues about the proposed reconstruction: understandably they want Haiti's remaining debt cancelled, and grants rather than loans (the IMF has proposed a $100m dollar loan). Reconstruction needs will be in the billions of dollars: will Washington encourage the establishment of a functioning government? Or will it prevent that, channelling aid through NGOs and taking over various functions itself, because it of its long-standing opposition to Haitian self-rule?

What I don't yet get is why the USA should be so against Haitian democracy (apart from it being more lefty than they like)? I've not been 'following' the region; I'm hoping the NI will do a piece on it soon.