Sunday, January 17, 2010

Naomi Klein on Haiti: Don't Let Them Shock Again

After last week's devastating earthquake rocked the nation of Haiti, there were several comments from the likes of Rush Limbaugh and Pat Robertson that were not only disgusting, but that were downright revolting.

These comments were very public and received condemnation from across the political spectrum. As relief efforts continue and the United States role in the recovery efforts grows, there are some "behind the scenes" strings that are being pulled that need to be discussed.

Journalist and author Naomi Klein's book The Shock Doctrine does a fantastic job in bringing forth some very important points when it comes to how disasters are often manipulated by those who hold power, to push through policies that are normally unpopular in times of calm. Klein gives example after example (from Chile in 1973 through Katrina in 2005) of how "disaster capitalists" use moments of chaos to apply so-called free-market solutions that will in turn benefit the economic interests of the United States.

Klein is warning people that this crisis in Haiti is no different:





This piece is also posted here.

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