Excelsior writes: "
General Background

Vodun (a.k.a. Vodoun, Voudou, Voodoo, Sevi Lwa) is commonly called Voodoo by the public. The name is traceable to an African word for "spirit". Vodun's can be directly traced to the West African Yoruba people who lived in 18th and 19th century Dahomey. Its roots may go back 6,000 years in Africa. That country occupied parts of today's Togo, Benin and Nigeria. Slaves brought their religion with them when they were forcibly shipped to Haiti and other islands in the West Indies.

Vodun was actively suppressed during colonial times. "Many Priests were either killed or imprisoned, and their shrines destroyed, because of the threat they posed to Euro-Christian/Muslim dominion. This forced some of the Dahomeans to form Vodou Orders and to create underground societies, in order to continue the veneration of their ancestors, and the worship of their powerful gods." 1 Vodun was again suppressed during the Marxist regime. However, it has been freely practiced in Benin since a democratic government was installed there in 1989. Vodun was formally recognized as Benin's official religion in 1996-FEB. It is also followed by most of the adults in Haiti. It can be found in many of the large cities in North America, particularly in the American South. "

Panoramix writes: "For the Haitian national team, playing at this level is already a great accomplishment. Martinique eliminated Jamaica. Haiti finished 2nd in the Copa Caribe by beating Martinique 5-0 in the semifinals, thus automatically qualified Haiti for the Gold Cup. For Haiti right now playing at this level is very important. The coach can only take them to a certain level, the rest has to be learned on the field. I was at the Haiti Vs. USA game two years ago, the offensive game was average, but the defense was less than amateur level. The team showed progress on both offense and defense. The coach used different game plans against Ecuador and Canada. It's not that one game plan is better than the other. It also depends on the ability of the players to accomplish what is required from them. The coach has proven that he can adjust the system to the player’s ability on the Ecuador game. Haitian fans want instant gratification and they let the team down as soon as they loose a game. The success of the team begins with the fan's support. Let's all keep in mind that we have a long way to go and appreciate the effort that is being put out. "

DrLove writes: "
How Did the U.S. Get a Naval Base in Cuba?
By Chris Suellentrop

What's the deal with the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba? How did the U.S. get a military base in a hostile, communist country?

The United States seized Guantanamo Bay and established a naval base there in 1898 during the Spanish-American War. Five years later, the U.S. and Cuba signed a lease giving Guantanamo Bay to the U.S. as a "coaling and Naval station." The lease was required to implement the congressional Platt Amendment, which stipulated, among other things, that a naval base "at certain specified points to be agreed upon by the President of the United States" was required "to enable the United States to maintain the independence of Cuba." "

Marco writes: "The other night I was watching "The O'reilly factor" on the Fox News Network and as the guest, Bill O'reilly had the Brooklyn Councilman Charles Barron. The discussion got heated and very intesting as Mr Baron totally disagreed with O'reilly when it comes to Blacks and the U.S History. Personally I agreed with everything Baron said as the declaration of independance nor the civil rights was not for or to benefits the blacks in America. And it's a shame to see even today how so many people are ignorant of the facts and are still in denial.
Click here for the partial transcript of that debate as the two go at it. Very very interesting reading. "

Panoramix writes: "The prices on most goods in Haiti are at US price level or Higher.

Unleaded gas is Higher, Clothes prices (not pepe) are higher etc...

Officially we have the gourdes not the Haitian dollar (HA), 5 gourdes for $1.00 HA, but it was intended to be for $1.00 US. Now 28.50 gourdes for $1.00 US (almost $6.00 HA.).

Working class people who have one car and can't wear “pepe” to work gets paid in Haitian gourdes on average 10,000 gourdes ($2000 HA, $350 US) per month. I don’t understand how they can afford to go to work.

In 1980, over 20 years ago in Port-au-Prince, electricity was provided 24 hours a day, with maybe 2 hours of blackout a week. Now some neighborhood don’t get 2 hours of electricity a week.

Crime insecurity, and the lack of political stability (2 government in the country now…) make it unwise for anyone to invest in Haiti.

On the good side, new roads have been built and the Haitian private sector have been investing in new shopping plazas, subdivisions, new roads etc… Hopefully that will continue.

If the Haitian leaders could stop fighting against each other and ironically against themselves as well, Haiti's economy would have a chance to bounce back."

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Marco writes: "Few times I've visited the message boards of couple haitians' sites, I've found times and times again, debates, about who's better or who's not and not once, have I heard the real question being asked, which is "what makes a site better?" Is it its contents, design, ease of use or simply its members? In my humble oppinion, I think they all play a big part but members makes all the difference. Without any members the site might be as well non-existent. Don't take me wrong, i'm all for polemic, it's good and it can be fun but base it on some real factual substances, not litle petty stuffs or by putting another down. Every site has something to offer the others don't and it's up to the members to decide if the site fits its needs and make it an online home. Warfare only serve one purpose and it's itself only.. And to end this note, allow me to quote brother Rodney King "Can we just, I mean get along?""