Minorities At Risk For Drowning
Obama Honors Fallen Troops
(05-13) 13:32 PDT PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP)
-- The musician Michel Martelly will be sworn in as Haiti's new president Saturday in front of the collapsed National Palace and a shantytown filled with thousands of people displaced by last year's earthquake - two stark reminders of the challenges faced by the neophyte politician.
The performer known to Haitians as "Sweet Micky" is not expected to have much of a honeymoon amid deep frustration with a political leadership that has made little progress toward earthquake reconstruction or addressed many other problems, from a deeply dysfunctional judicial system to almost universal unemployment.
The 50-year-old leader, who during the campaign provided few specifics of how he would fulfill his promises, is expected to lay out some of his vision during an inaugural speech. Whatever they are, his goals won't be easy to achieve given the country's entrenched problems - and the fact that the Senate and Chamber of Deputies will be controlled by political opponents from the party of outgoing President Rene Preval.
"All eyes are on Martelly, and he has an opportunity to show what he can do," said Mark Schuller, a professor of African-American studies and anthropology at York College, City University of New York.
The inauguration marks the first time that a president of Haiti will turn over power to a member of the opposition in a country marred by a long history of dictatorship, coups and political turmoil.
Read more at SFGate.
Comments: (5)
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By: "DimePiece" on 5/15/2011 4:09PM
I'm happy that Haiti has a NEW PRESDENT about to take power. As long as he, doesn't TAKE POWER OF TAKING THE COUNTRY'S MONEY! He should be alright.
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By: Tom on 5/15/2011 9:17PM
Like all black countries, Haiti is primitive and backward. The only countries that still have slavery are black, Haiti included:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnklOtfJRSE
This is all black on black slavery, so what hypocrites American blacks are to complain about slavery that ended 150 years ago in America (when some slavemasters were black as well), when present day blacks continue to practice slavery.
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By: John Kerr on 5/16/2011 3:48PM
I am a haitian and find it as a joke that this man is elected president his lyrics as youth were very vial and disgusting offending all. Not even worth going into detail while he now finds his new vice millions of Haitians will suffer while his inexperience will leave those out in the cold suffering and while he lives it up in the mansion enjoys power and cuts a new record out of it. The world is really changed and this swearing in shows that maybe America needs to make Haiti their country and fix it.
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By: Tom on 5/16/2011 5:01PM
America can't fix Haiti, nobody can. America also can't fix black cities in America, they are sewer holes, just like black countries. Trillions of dollars have been spent in America giving blacks special treatment, job favortism, and handouts, all to no end.
Why do you think when whites move out of inner cities, blacks follow them? Why do you think blacks fight tooth and nail to get into white school districts? Even blacks don't want to live in black cities.
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By: Horace Nero on 5/17/2011 2:16PM
Tom, everyday I log in I read your comments and at no time you have anything positive to say. You must be a very miserable and tormented individual not to mention a disgusted racist of the worst kind. I am not sure what race you are but from a distance its sure not the human race, because no God's creature can have so much hatred in their heart. My advice to you is to seek professional help although I am doubtful there is anyone out there that can help you buy God.
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