Topic: Haiti Relief

While Florida saw minimal damage, Haiti was severely impacted by Hurricane Matthew. The hosts discuss the history of the Clinton Foundation in Haiti, noting that much of the money raised after the 2010 earthquake never reached the people. They highlight a statement from the Haitian ambassador expressing wariness of international "help" that leads to further disaster.

The effectiveness of large aid organizations like the Red Cross is questioned, specifically regarding the billions of dollars raised for Haiti that failed to improve living conditions. Years after the earthquake, hundreds of thousands of Haitians remain in tents facing cholera and starvation. The discussion suggests that direct community aid is more effective than sending cash to large bureaucracies that prioritize administrative costs.

As Greece faces a potential cash exhaustion in September, former President Bill Clinton visited the country to promote the "Hellenic Initiative" for foreign investment. This is compared to Clinton's role in Haiti, where a significant portion of earthquake reconstruction funds reportedly went toward debt relief for banks rather than local infrastructure.

An analysis of Haiti earthquake relief funds reveals that the largest recipient of U.S. aid was the U.S. government itself, with hundreds of millions reimbursed to the Department of Defense and other agencies. Only 1% of humanitarian funding went directly to the Haitian government, while the majority was cycled back to donor-country entities and private contractors.

Gary Connille, a former aide to Bill Clinton, has been ratified as the new Prime Minister of Haiti. The hosts question the whereabouts of billions of dollars in earthquake relief funds collected by the Clinton Foundation. They suggest that the money is being used to develop luxury tourism on Haiti's north shore rather than for general reconstruction.

On the one-year anniversary of the Haiti earthquake, reports indicate that only five percent of the rubble has been cleared while 1.3 million people remain in tents. The Clinton Foundation is criticized for allocating only $11.5 million to recovery despite massive global donations. Allegations are made that relief funds were stolen or mismanaged, with resources being diverted to mango farming instead of essential rice imports and cholera prevention.

A cholera outbreak in Haiti has killed over 135 people and infected hundreds more. The hosts point out that cholera was not present in Haiti for decades and was likely introduced by UN troops or relief workers. They question where the billions of dollars in aid money went, noting that the Clinton Foundation has yet to file its Form 990 for the period.

Alec Ross, the Senior Advisor for Innovation to Hillary Clinton, is criticized for his presentation at Stanford regarding "21st Century Statecraft." Ross claims credit for the viral success of the $10 text-to-donate campaign for Haiti relief, which raised over $30 million. The hosts mock his use of buzzwords like "innovation space" and "Twitter sphere," arguing that the campaign was driven by mainstream media rather than organic social media growth.

American Red Cross President Gail McGovern defended the organization's lack of a visible presence on the ground in Haiti, citing the logistical difficulty of feeding volunteers and a desire to "psychologically empower" the local Red Cross. Critics point out that the Red Cross has failed to brand its supplies or establish significant tent cities near Port-au-Prince, while the UN has built high-quality facilities for its own staff.

The hosts examine the $11.4 billion raised for Haiti relief, noting that much of it flows through foundations led by Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. They compare this to the 2004 tsunami relief efforts, discovering that the original "freedomcorps.gov" website has been quietly morphed into "serve.gov." They question the lack of public accounting for these massive cash donations.

Former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush are leading fundraising efforts for Haiti following the 2010 earthquake. Critics point out that the funds are being directed into their existing foundations rather than a new, dedicated Haiti fund. George W. Bush's blunt request for "just cash" instead of blankets or water is highlighted as controversial.

The "Clinton Bush Haiti Fund" is criticized as a potential vehicle for the former presidents' existing foundations rather than a direct relief fund. The hosts compare the massive fundraising efforts to the lack of transparent accounting in past disaster responses.