Finally, I want to speak directly to the people of Haiti. Few in the world have endured the hardships that you have known. Long before this tragedy, daily life itself was often a bitter struggle. And after suffering so much for so long, to face this new horror must cause some to look up and ask, have we somehow been forsaken?
To the people of Haiti, we say clearly, and with conviction, you will not be forsaken; you will not be forgotten. In this, your hour of greatest need, America stands with you. The world stands with you. We know that you are a strong and resilient people. You have endured a history of slavery and struggle, of natural disaster and recovery. And through it all, your spirit has been unbroken and your faith has been unwavering. So today, you must know that help is arriving -- much, much more help is on the way.
For those (unlike Rush Limbaugh) who wish to donate, the Washington Post compiled a good list of options via mobile device:
• Text the word "Yele" to 501501 to donate $5 on behalf of the Yele Haiti Foundation, founded by Haitian musician Wyclef Jean.
• Text the word "Haiti" to 85944 to donate $5 on behalf of the Rescue Union Mission and MedCorp International.
• Text the word "Haiti" to 25383 to donate $5 on behalf of the Internal Rescue Committee.
• Text the word "Haiti" to 864833 to donate $5 to United Way Worldwide's disaster fund.
• Text the word "Haiti" to 90999 to donate $10 on behalf of the American Red Cross.
• Text the word "Haiti" to 45678 (in Canada only) on behalf of the Salvation Army in Canada.
You can also find updated information and general ways to help during disasters at ReliefWeb, USAID and InterAction.
Pat Robertson is playing God, saying those infidels in Haiti are just getting what they've deserved ever since their alleged pact with the devil, oh, 200-some years ago. Rush Limbaugh is playing politics, saying Obama is just too damn compassionate toward those thousands of dead furriners and wasn't anywhere near enough upset by the underwear bomber. (Video after the jump.)
Meanwhile, the president is doing what it would be nice to think all Americans expect their president to do: offering help to the victims of one of the worst natural disasters in history. And adding, in his remarks this morning, what sounded like a direct rebuke to Robertson's fire and brimstone:
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