Howdy true be-loggers, welcome to Sunday Leftovers! This week we compare the Haitian earthquake with the 2008 Chinese Earthquake, we have a recipe for healthier pork fried rice, and much more. So let's open the fridge and see what's left over...
[The Back Window]
CREDIT: Rudolf Schlichter (I picked the song this week and then found this)
CREDIT: Rufus Wainwright - Beauty Mark (NOTE: I picked this song because Rufus' mother Kate McGarrigle - an accomplished musician in her own right, passed away this week, and this song is about her)
[AID Comparison: 2008 China Earthquake vs 2010 Haiti Earthquake]
I was at a dinner party on Friday night and my friend stated that she didn't think the US gave as much aid to China for their 2008 disaster as it is with Haiti this month. I thought she might be right, but I also recalled China turning down US support, so I wanted to look into it more for my own education. This is what I came up with.
** Quick Information **
CHINA - 2008
Total Dead: 69,000 (USAID/Wikipedia)
Total Injured: 380,000
Estimated Homeless: 5 million people
Total Population of China: 1.4 Billion people
Percent of Population Killed: .01%
Total US Aid Received: 5.4 Million (Most of the donations came from USAID)
Total Chinese Internal Support: 592 Million allocated for recovery
Total Foreign Donations: 457 Million
HAITI - 2010
Total Dead: 50,000-150,000 (Wikipedia)
Total Injured: 300,000+ (final counts still unknown)
Estimated Homeless: 1.5 million people and growing
Total Population of Haiti: 10 Million (2008)
Percent of Population Killed: 1% (and counting)
Total US Aid Received: The US has committed 100 Million Dollars in relief aid
Total Haiti Internal Support: Unknown, but Haiti's entire GDP is 7.1 Billion (China's is 4.33 Trillion)
Total Foreign Donations: The European Council just approved 600 Million in aid
(USAID Fact Sheet)
** Support **
Immediately following China's 2008 Earthquake, several governments offered aid in the form of money AND on-site support. China accepted monetary donations, but refused to allow any aid in the form of volunteers (reference). China eventually allowed Japanese and Taiwanese Earthquake relief experts into the country to offer their assistance, but rejected all other relief workers. Since China has a strong, organized, Communist government, they have historically not accepted aid (as mentioned in the articles) during times of natural disasters. Although they did accept help in 2008, this is not the norm.
US relations with Haiti have been poor from the start. When Haiti gained independence from France in 1804, the US boycotted the fledgling country and imposed trade embargoes, which hurt Haiti badly. From 1915-1934 the US Marines essentially ran the country (including control of their banks). Since then, the US has been involved with the Haitian government in one form or another. Many believe the US has some responsibility for Haiti's inability to respond to the disaster as the US supported the current Government (widely viewed to be corrupt). As Haiti has been unable to fend for the themselves, they have been accepting any support that has been offered.
It is clear that the US has provided more support to Haiti then they did China, but I would make the argument that China took what they needed and no more, while Haiti is taking everything they can, not only because of the Earthquake but also due to their typical daily difficulties.
[Recipe of the Week: Pork Fried Rice]
Take the Pork Recipe from 2 weeks ago or you can use a standard roast, or you can just cube some pork and fry it up - your call.
INGREDIENTS:
1.5 lbs of pork - cubed
2 white onions - diced
1 red pepper - diced
1 green pepper - diced
2 cups of brown rice
4 tablespoons of low salt soy sauce
1 egg - optional
DIRECTIONS:
1. Get 2 cups of water and bring it to a boil (add salt before) - add rice and cook as directed
2. In a frying pan or Wok (the wok is nice because it is BIG), splash some olive oil in the pan, heat on medium low and add the onions. Cook until the onions are translucent and then add the pork. Cover the pan and allow to cook for 5 minutes.
3. Add the peppers. If you are going to use the egg. Put all of the other stuff to one side of the pan and crack the egg into the pan. Allow the egg to sit for a minute and then start to break it apart with you cooking spoon or spatula. Move it into the overall mix of vegetables and pork.
4. When the rice is done, add it into the frying pan and and add the soy sauce and some hot sauce if you want. Mix it around and let the rice get fried up. Stir occasionally.
5. Add Salt and Pepper to taste.
FINISHED.
[DIY of the Week: Shrinky Dink Jewelry]
Fun for the kids and adults...
Photojojo: Shrink Plastic Jewelry
[Video of the Week]
[Conclusion]
It was a long week friends. I was going to add an rant about a magazine article I read, but I need to fact check a few lines, so I will post it mid-week or in the next Sunday Leftovers. If you need to reach me, you can do so via email at: "blog at joeylombardi.com". As always, don't take shit from anybody.
Smell You Later,
~ Joey
Joey Lombardi | Create Your Badge
