Episode 27 - More on Haiti, and the War on Cops!

Today - more on the horrific earthquake that struck haiti nine years ago, and a look at hot zones in the United States and the heroic men and women of the thin blue line.

 

It's tuesday the fifteenth of January, and nine years ago I was heading ashore with the US Marines to the island of Haiti, which had been all but destroyed by a 7.0 earthquake a couple of days earlier.  People were getting increasingly desperate as they languished in the tropical heat without food or clean water, desperately trying to reach friends and loved ones who were trapped underneath the rubble of their homes and businesses.  People began painting on their crumbled houses signs begging for help - but the incredible shortage of heavy machinery and fuel meant nobody would be coming to help.  

 

The Marines began by flying recon missions over the island.  I got to go along on some of them.

 

[Marine Recon Missions]

 

Once the Marines determined the areas of greatest need, and identified landing zones where they could put their massive CH-53 helicopters down safely.  But things wouldn't go as easily as they hoped when they brought their main force ashore in Leogane.

 

[marines go to shore]

 

It didn't take long for the Marines to realize the people of Leogane were so desperate that even the weapons they carried wouldn't stop the masses from swarming in and taking the aid before it could be properly distributed.  That's why the Marines eventually gave their aid to the UN troops - because the Marines Rules of Engagement wouldn't allow them to use violence to stop the mob from looting their stores, but the UN troops, who were primarily from french speaking countries in Africa and some from Brazil.  The UN troops were known among the Haitians to be corrupt and liable to resort to violence.  

 

Okay, let's move on.  Tomorrow I am going to air an awesome interview with my friend Mike Wood, a law enforcement expert from Sacramento California.  In the interview, we discuss the growing trend being seen around the country of Police being punished for doing their jobs - especially when it comes to taking down a violent felon.  In 2015, the Obama administration moved to ban police forces from using modern sporting weapons such as the M4 or AR-platform rifles, and more recently, last week In New Hampshire, lawmakers just introduced a bill that would revoke an officer’s authorization to use deadly force in necessary situations.  I mean, seriously?  

 

About the time of the Obama declaration, I interviewed a bunch of cops about the prejudice they feel these days when they go to work.  Listen to what they had to say.

 

[war on cops]

 

That's all for today folks.  Thanks for being with us.  I'm Chuck Holton, and check back again tomorrow morning for another great episode of the Hot Zone.