Now Will, I'm a guy that is very interested in anything dealing with the military. You have some good points, but there are many drawbacks to your proposal. Before I start, bear in mind that my grandfather was General in the Haitian armed forces many years ago. Now you want to reinstate the military but never mentioned where the funding will come from. Not only that but to do the job efficiently, I estimate you will need somewhere near 90,000 men and women. Secondly, where is the weapons going to come from. I highly doubt its going to be from the U.S. because they only seem to give us their M-16's to kill each other, not to protect one another. Lastly, I dont think Haiti needs a Airforce, but a couple of surface-air missle system which is much cheaper than a single fighter plane.

DIASPORA KEY TO HAITI'S FUTURE.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/sfl-editajjhaitipnjul18,0,6938073.story
July 18, 2008



USAID includes Haitian-Americans in plan to aid Haiti. The Haitian diaspora has long been viewed as a potential answer to Haiti's woes. Many who left the struggling nation during times of political upheaval are now well-educated and prosperous exiles who could certainly lend a helping hand. The United States Agency for International Development wants to tap into that potential, backing it all up with $170 million, to help rebuild the impoverished country at a time when Haiti faces rising food prices and political instability.

USAID is inviting Haitian organizations in South Florida to participate, and they should. The money, provided by the U.S. government, has been earmarked for projects that would increase food production, expand the textile industry, leverage remittances for health insurance, housing and student loans as well as encourage Haitian-Americans to lend their expertise and dollars for economic development and investment. These are all much-needed aims that could help the nation rebound from a long, frustrating history of political bloodshed and economic impoverishment.

But the USAID effort makes sense only if grassroots organizations are included in the process, and their voices heard. Many organizations, for example, have called for the U.S. government to grant Haitian refugees already in the United States temporary protected status. TPS would allow the immigrants to support their families back home with remittances until the economic crisis subsides. But the Bush administration has refused to grant the designation. Some Haitian-American leaders have also complained that USAID cherry picks the organizations it will work with and has spent money in Haiti that produced little results.

The federal agency would do well to listen to these concerns and do a better job of working with the community. Haitian-American leaders must also do their part to promote the opportunities available and meet government guidelines to participate in USAID programs. They can also help Haiti by pushing for the Haitian government to resolve a political stalemate that has existed since April when the country's Prime Minister Jacques-Edouard Alexis was forced to leave office over rising food prices.

President René Préval has already nominated three candidates for the position. Two were rejected by parliament and the third is still being considered. The effort to rebuild Haiti will work only if it's a true partnership between Haitian-Americans, the U.S. government and the people of Haiti. Hopefully, all will come together for a brighter future.

BOTTOM LINE: The diaspora is vital to the country's future and must play a major role. So people, was I not right about my post or what?

Okay,

Thus we have something in common as my grandfather himself serve in the Haitian Army. He made Major I believe, but I cannot recall exactly. My grandfather's brother was Charlemagne Peralte of Hinche and they fought side by side.

Anyway believe it or not, it is quite feasible to achieve the finding of the funding for the re-establishment of the Army as recently Preval had a commission that were suppose to conduct a census in asking the Haitian people and the Haitian parliament if they would think it was necessary for it, but long before that was to happen as you know Haiti had that crisis as Haiti's Army still exists on paper and documents. It was disbanded, not destroyed.

The re-instatement at first of course would not have been a full blown out one time process, it would have been due in process of many gradual escalated measures until proper channels of sponsors and donors and funds are efficiently appropriated and allocated. As far as the Air Force, it would not have to be an Air Force equipped with fighter planes, but simply helicopters and small jets so that the border patrol and security can maintained or against the war on drugs...

That can be achieved through joint military training and exercises given if Haiti can developed a peaceful accord with either DR, PR or even other nearby Caribbean Islands such as Turks & Caicos among others for cooperated efforts of other nations as we could well start using the UN troops now to start some level of training so that it would show in sign that their intent is to one day leave Haiti. With that premise is where Haiti needs to start focusing their tactics to get funds for such a project.

In Haiti's doctorate of weaponry, their weapons or arms' deal have never been with the US, but with Russia, Israel and Germany, thus mostly European weapons; however some American weapons were later dealt with the Haitian Government of they were left behind or acquired after the American Occupation of 1935. It was not until recently when Aristide was toppled that M16 started emerging in Haiti. If any M16 had made its way through Haiti it was because of the fact (not speculation) that those M16 were attained from the Dominican Republic and the US CIA in effort of this recent modern day Coup D'etat that took place in Haiti which ousted Aristide.

Let us imagine if Haiti's economy were to remain stable for two straight consecutive years if not more and Haiti can get to a point and manage to pay the Haitian populace workforce from even 50 Cents to $1 dollar more than what they are getting in paid in DR, you would start seen a mass exodus of Haitians back into Haiti and I would start a recall of all Haitian construction workers to come work in Haiti in the building of Military Bases, Training installations and Military Zone Housing for military members and their family and barracks construction for single soldiers if so they chose to reside on bases would be totally up to those soldiers.

I mean, I would try to find other funds and means to pay them (The Construction Workers that is) even $1 dollar more or the same price as that of DR but with possible medicare, and a retired pension plan after 15 to 20 years of work. Also those same construction workers, if they meet the criteria of physical medical examination and age requirement aI would ask them if they want to join the Armed Forces which will be like Job security and a fixed paycheck.

As far as legislatively speaking, I would ask the Parliament to make it obligatory that every young men and women of the age of 18 or older to join by instituting something like the US selective Program system that would guaranty them school partial or in full depending on their selection of service which would obligate them to go to Basic Training and Military Duty Service during the summer times at least. Besides, this Armed Forces would be like being in school with a better and greater prospect of assuring a future job and career either in the Military, in the Government and lastly in the Haitian workforce.

Since this Armed Forces would be like a Corp Engineer Army which its very first institutional years would be based on helping in the Construction of Haiti where ever the Haitian Government needs extra assistance on certain development projects that is what mostly those young men and women's deployments would consist of or unless they have reached levels to be officers where their deployment would be in neighboring Caribbean nations or beyond for Officer Training for one to two year tours.

Thus even greater punishments and judicial and tribunal extradition laws would be enacted to prevent the evading of service by thinking they can remain in those other Countries they are sent to for training and if they violate that it would be considered as high treason that could be punishable by death and forfeiture of pay and benefits that could have been due to you or family member

I mean I have ideas and have long been thinking about it as a goal of mine, but others' ideas suggestions and recommendations are always welcomed for I do not have all the answers, but nothing is impossible and if it seems impossible, my thinking would have to make impossible possible and YES WE CAN. Impossible Is Nothing and believe me this would benefit Haiti greatly if we try to go around thinking about this carefully.

Job provision in Haiti would not come if there are no kinds of investments and for those investors to come in, Haiti would have to be secure and the Government cannot lie and promise jobs it is not furnishing into the Country, but a military service accomplishes both and make it more feasible for job creation to be achieve in Haiti. It gives young men and women a place of schooling as well as it provide them a job security position while they are service their Country fulfilling their civic duty which would only requires for them to serve from two, four, six and eight years.

Any other further Contracts and obligation would be totally up to the service member as to if they want to re-up or not. However I would guaranty that all military pension or retirements would begin from after finishing the minimal 10 years of service but of course certain benefits will be awarded to those service members in general who honorably complete their fulfillments of the contract they had signed for.

JeMeSouviens,

Here is a copy of the Haitian Constitution which covers the doctrine for the Armed Forces and teh Police Force that I will follow to best survey the implementations for my plan to re-establish, re-instated and improve the Haitian Armed Forces as it stands on paper, the Haitian Armed Forces still exists for it was only simply disbanded, not destroyed. Title 11 Article 263 to 268-3. http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Constitutions/Haiti/haiti1987.html

TITLE XI
The Armed Forces and the Police Force.

ARTICLE 263:
The "Public Forces "la Force Publique) are composed of two (2) distinct bodies:
a. The Armed Forces of Haiti, and
b. The Police Forces.

ARTICLE 263-1:
No other armed corps may exist in the national territory.

ARTICLE 263-2:
All members of the police and armed forces shall take an oath of allegiance and respect for the Constitution and the flag at the time of their enlistment.

CHAPTER I
The Armed Forces.

ARTICLE 264:
The armed Forces comprise the Land, Sea and Air Forces and the Technical Services.
The Haitian Armed Forces are set up to ensure the security and integrity of the territory of the Republic.

ARTICLE 264-1:
The Armed Forces are in practice commanded by a general officer bearing the TITLE COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE HAITIAN ARMED FORCES.

ARTICLE 264-2:
The Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, pursuant to the Constitution, is chosen from among the general officers on active service.

ARTICLE 264-3:
His term is set at three (3) years and is renewable.

ARTICLE 265:
The Armed Forces are apolitical. Their members may not be part of any political group or party, and they must observe the strictest neutrality.

ARTICLE 265-1:
Members of the Armed Forces exercise their right to vote, under the Constitution.

ARTICLE 266:
The duties of the Armed Forces are:
a. Defend the country in the event of war;

b. Protect the country against threats from abroad;

c. See to surveillance of the land, sea and air boundaries;

d. At the well-founded request of the Executive, they may land assistance to the police when the latter are unable to handle a situation;

e. Assist the Nation in the event of a natural disaster;

f. In addition to their regular duties, the Armed Forces may be assigned to development work.

ARTICLE 267:
Military personnel on active duty may not be appointed to any Government post, except temporarily to perform a specialized service.

ARTICLE 267-1:
To be a candidate for an elective post, all military personnel on active duty must be laced on inactive service or on entirement one (1) year before publication of the electoral decree.

ARTICLE 267-2:
The military career is a profession. Its ranking, terms of enlistment, ranks, promotions, discharges, and retirement are determined by the regulations of the Haitian Armed Forces.

ARTICLE 267-3:
Military personnel are under the jurisdiction of a military court only for offenses and crimes committed in wartime or for violations of military discipline.
They may not be discharged, placed on inactive service, placed on half pay, or retired early except with their consent. If such consent is not given, the party concerned may lodge an appeal with the court of competent jurisdiction.

ARTICLE 267-4:
Military personnel retain for life the last rank obtained in the Haitian Armed Forces. They may be deprived of their rank only by a final judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction.

ARTICLE 267-5:
The State must award benefits to military personnel of all ranks, fully guaranteeing their physical security.

ARTICLE 268:
Within the framework of compulsory civilian national services for both sexes, provided for by article 52-3 of the Constitution, the Armed Forces participate in organizing and supervising that service.
Military service is compulsory for all Haitians who have attained eighteen (18) years of age.

ARTICLE 52-3:
Compulsory civic service for both sexes is established. The terms thereof shall be set by law.

The law sets the method of recruitment, and the length and regulations for the performance of these services.

ARTICLE 268-1:
Every citizen has the right to armed self defense, within the bounds of this domicile, but has no right to bear arms without express well-founded authorization from the Chief of Police.

ARTICLE 268-2:
Possession of a firearm must be reported to the police.

ARTICLE 268-3:
The Armed Forces have a monopoly on the manufacture, import, export, use and possession of weapon of war and their munitions, as well as war material.

P.S: Remember to also see the 1801 Constitution known as the Toussaint Louverture's Constitution:
http://thelouvertureproject.org/index.php?title=Constitution_of_1801_(English)

* Then lastly you must surely go over the 1805 (Dessalines) - 1807 (Henry Christophe) Constitutions as I am trying to get a hold of the Alexandre Petion's and Fuustin Soulouque's Constitution as well which I believe they may have had or drawn their own as well since they were self proclaimed King and Emperor I think:
http://www.webster.edu/~corbetre/haiti/history/earlyhaiti/1805-const.htm
http://www.webster.edu/~corbetre/haiti/history/earlyhaiti/1807-const.htm

I have a question: How will you prevent the generals in that army from engaging in political adventures, like staging coup d'etats, armed rebellions, and the like?

P.S.: I liked your particular analysis of the Sith Code, but I think that the meaning of the line "Peace is a lie" is that, for the Sith, any kind of peace is and must be temporary at best, because a prolonged peace can only lead to stagnation and decay for any given empire. They believe in empowerment through conflict, you know, in order for the strong to be truly tested.

"My fathers story can be confirm because we have pictures and drawings from our family... and my aunt has an album in her possession of picture of way back when... My mothers story is fuzzy at best... all i have is my grandfathers testimony and he died in 2002... on both accounts my family seemed to have arrived on the island in the late 19th century. "

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

And this is a person that consider themselves the epitome of what it is to be a Dominican. Someone who's paternal line came over, according to dates provided by he himself, as a result of the odious spanish annexation and who's maternal line came over well into the republican period, in all probability some time during Hereaux's dictatorship. There are Dominicans of haitian descent with deeper roots in Dominican society and that's a fact.

My family were cibaeños even before there was such a thing as a Dominican Republic. The machetes of my ancestors helped forge the Dominican nation. My roots from outside the island have long been moot. I laugh at you Mr. Franco.

By the way explaining away supposed "Arab" features as some trait inherited from some supposed southern spaniard ancestors has been a common technique used by hispanic mixed-bloods, particularly mulattoes, for some time to hide their true racial composition. I refer anyone who wishes to research my before mentioned statement to the work of J. A. Rogers.

Cib which titles have you read by Rogers? I like his books, but I never bring him up because of a very funny section on DR in his title "SEX AND RACE VOL.II" which has made me begin to question his scholarship. I like his style of simply quoting the white sources of the time to prove his statements, but
after an informative section on DR's racial composition he drops this strange statement to finish:

pg. 94
M.W. Williams [stated] " There is no color line but the Dominicans like to be thought of as a white nation, and in their immigration laws favor the coming and going of the Caucasians" This, however, is not the sentiment of the greatest man in the republic - the one who has done the most for its stabilization and development: former President Rafael Trujillo. John Gunther who met Trujillo says he "is a mulatto and proud of it."

Well I have not had a chance to follow up on the footnote for this Mr.Gunther's claim, but this quote goes against much of what's commonly said about Trujillo. Any light you can shed on this Cib?

That quote attributed to Gunther has to be authentic. I've seen it elsewhere. I've also heard of Trujillo making similiar statements in front of the haitian diplomatic corp that visited DR before the massacre of 1937 when relations were actually cordial between his regime and Haiti. Trujillo knew what he was. A mirror doesn't lie.

I have a problem with some of J. A. Rogers conclusions for alot of them were made based on the science, or psuedo-science, of his day (such as his conclusions concerning the shape of skulls, the color of nipples. etc..) but his compilation of specific cases concerning race relations in the world and all the tidbits that accompany his many anecdotes and historical narratives has to be respected to this day in my opinion.

In the very text you quoted there are several documented passages where illustrious Latin Americans would attribute there not so European features to some "moorish" ancestry.

Was he using eugenics when drawing his conclusions? because it's not a secret that eugenics was pretty much in vogue during that epoch (and would be the basis for a lot of the "unsavory" measures taken by the Nazis in order to "cull" their population and the ones from the countries they invaded).