Roxane Gay’s debut collection Ayiti is a touching patchwork of stories, lists, modern fairy tales and poems, cataloging and exploring the author’s relationship with Haiti. …more

If I were independently wealthy, I would be less for it, because the chase for money to pay for food, shelter, babies, and now small children has taken me from sharing with two women an eighty square foot octagonal house originally built in the early twentieth century in rural Florida to house a wealthy child’s doll collection, to a room in a massive and mostly unoccupied schoolhouse converted into a lakefront hotel by the tax evading gangster Al Capone …more

David Grann compiles a decade of investigative profiles from The New Yorker and elsewhere in a compelling study of the dark side. …more

Here’s lots of good info on the situation in Chile, and here’s some more. We’re all thinking of folks down there.

Who wants a Sumatran tiger for a pet?

“The inescapable truth is that “the world” never forgave Haiti for its revolution, because the slaves freed themselves.” — Sidney Mintz at The Boston Review

A handy interactive guide to everything Italian Prime Minister and media mogul Sylvio Berlusconi has “allegedly” done wrong.

Whoops! Congress took away your civil liberties for another year. (via Maud)

And because I like you, a classic Believer piece: “The Last Antiwar Poem.”

“First let me debunk a couple of myths, starting with the principle that “anything is better than nothing”. Trust me, it’s not. Relieving suffering should be guided solely by need and not what people have to donate.”

Claire Durham of the Red Cross on why you should donate money instead of your old yoga mat. (via Boingboing)

“One in four Americans is employed to protect the rich.”

Here’s an underreported story: Dominicans are coming to the aid of Haitians, despite a less-than-idyllic history between the two countries.

VICE is taking a ton of heat for its treatment of Liberia in “The Vice Guide to Liberia.”

A very cool looking architectural installation that covers an abandoned Detroit home in ice.

Here is what Gitmo looks like.

In an unrelated side note, due to what will forever be referred to as the great hard-drive mounting fiasco of 2010 (really, who decided that hard drives needed to “mount” anything? Couldn’t they have called it something else?), my computer has decided to die on me. Unfortunately, this will be my last post today, but I’ll be back next week with a new computer and a lot less money in my savings account.

“And in disaster after disaster, at least since the San Francisco earthquake of 1906, those in power, those with guns and the force of law behind them, are too often more concerned for property than human life. In an emergency, people can, and do, die from those priorities. Or they get gunned down for minor thefts or imagined thefts.”

Rebecca Solnit blogs at Guernica about the media stigmatization of looting in the Haiti earthquake and elsewhere. Her conclusions, as you can imagine, are refreshingly unconventional and subversive:

“After years of interviewing survivors of disasters, and reading first-hand accounts and sociological studies from such disasters as the London Blitz and the Mexico City earthquake of 1985, I don’t believe in looting. Two things go on in disasters. The great majority of what happens you could call emergency requisitioning. Someone who could be you, someone in the kind of desperate circumstances I outlined above, takes necessary supplies to sustain human life in the absence of any alternative. Not only would I not call that looting, I wouldn’t even call that theft.”

Some people in Haiti are riding out the earthquake in decent shape. Any guesses who?

As we mentioned yesterday, Royal Carribbean Cruise Lines is still docking at Labadee, its privately-owned Haitian port. Yes, they’re delivering some relief supplies, but they’re also encouraging their passengers to party at Labadee as well. My question: does Carnival get a cut of what these vendors in Haiti earn by entertaining passengers?

The following are announcements I’ve picked up here and there about fundraisers. Not all will have links.

Via Facebook, if you’re in south Florida on Saturday, January 24 from 6-10 p.m., Murphy’s Law Irish Pub at the Seminole Hard Rock will be holding a fundraiser for Haiti Relief. Patrons will be charged a $5 cover and all drink proceeds from 6 – 10 p.m. will be donated to the cause. Bartenders from the pub, as well as from other Seminole Paradise clubs and Center Bar inside the Casino, will be donating their time and tips. Murphy’s Law has pledged to match that amount.

In New York, I am Ayiti is holding a fundraiser featuring performances by DJ Laylo on the 1s and 2s, Kalunga Neg Mawon, Tiga Jean-Baptiste & T’Chaka, and Jhon Clarke (formerly of Black Parents). Minimum donation of $10, and CCADI is also a drop-off point for relief supplies. Check the link for more details.

Also in New York, Drom is hosting “The World Stands with Haiti,” with all proceeds going to benefit Partners in Health. Music by Charanga Soleil with very special guests “Papo” Ortega – Pepito Gomez – Luisito Ayala – Eddy Zervigon – Ray Martinez – Richard Agustin – Cedric Brooks & many more surprise artists.

Send any Haiti news to poetry@therumpus.net

“In a few weeks, the international media will leave the country, and Americans will be free to forget about Haiti once again. It is my hope that this story will give American readers a glimpse into the lives of people I have come to love in Haiti. We must not forget them.” …more

Haiti tries to go from rescue to recovery to relief.

And if you’re looking for people to follow via Twitter, Jay Newton-Small, the writer of the above piece is a great place to start. Plus, you get little snippets of back-story that don’t make the published pieces.

World leaders defend the relief efforts amid reports of slow responses.

No one will ever know an actual death toll because no one is counting the bodies.

Total donations for earthquake relief have exceeded $150 million, which is more than was donated after Hurricane Katrina.

The Paris Club of international creditors called for nations to cancel Haiti’s debt.

Andy Bowen’s sister is a missionary in Haiti and he’s been posting updates regularly about stories which aren’t making the news for the most part.

Felix Salmon makes the case that, if you’re donating money, you shouldn’t restrict the donation to Haiti relief.

There’s some understandable frustration among Haitians about the slow pace of the aid coming in. Daniel Kaszor explains why getting aid to the people who need it is so difficult. Short version: the needed infrastructure is gone.

Not all charities are equally efficient with their donations. CBS4 looks at one in particular, but anyone who is giving can do their own due diligence with this Charity Navigator.

The earthquake could have an effect on Florida politics. Rep. Kendrick Meek (D), who is running for Senate, represents more Haitian-Americans than any other member of Congress.

Former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush will team up to raise funds for Haiti relief. Like father, like son?

Most of the attention has been focused on Port-au-Prince. But that wasn’t the only city ravaged by the earthquake. Jacmel is cut off as well.

I don’t know who Lily Coyle of Minneapolis, Minnesota is, but if I ever meet her, I might have to kiss her for this letter to the editor of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. It’s in the voice of Satan, and it’s beautiful.

“Dear Pat Robertson, I know that you know that all press is good press, so I appreciate the shout-out. And you make God look like a big mean bully who kicks people when they are down, so I’m all over that action. But when you say that Haiti has made a pact with me, it is totally humiliating.”

There’s more. Read it all. It’s the second letter down.

Craig Ferguson has a suggestion for Rush Limbaugh, and also shows that he understands how unimportant his job is in comparison to real concerns and issues.

Peter Jamison wonders if Pat Robertson has any thoughts on the recent California earthquake.

And Rep. Peter King makes his bid to be the third member of the Limbaugh-Robertson-King Trinity of apparent Haiti hatred. They’re the kind of people who laugh when a homeless guy falls over on the street from hunger.

The Obama adminstration grants Temporary Protected Status to Haitian refugees. This is a really big deal.

Edwidge Danticat shares her story with the Miami Herald (video).

All of the groups I’ve linked to do wonderful work in the relief period. Some of them were there before the earthquake, trying to improve the situation for Haitians. Sustainable Haiti is another one of those groups in it for the long haul.

A note from a World Food Program worker in Haiti gives you an idea of just difficult even communication is right now.

Please send all links to poetry@therumpus.net

Writers Edwidge Danticat and Simon Winchester are rallying for Haiti. Winchester will be holding a fundraiser at the Manhattan location of Idlewild Books on Tuesday January 19.

Fox News reporter breaks down on the air while reproting from Haiti.

The Search Dog Foundation has been in Haiti since yesterday helping to locate survivors.

France should make reparations to Haiti (via Mac McClelland).

The USS Carl Vinson has arrived off the coast of Haiti and started assisting in recovery operations.

The Reid Report is one of the better south Florida political blogs, and they have a good overview of the current situation on the ground.

The UN reports that looting of its food stores has been limited, but that security is an issue.

Catholic Legal Services and the Catholic Charities Arm of the Miami Archdiocese want to recreate Operation Pedro Pan, this time for Haitian orphans, and airlift them to the US.

The NY Times has created its own Twitter list for Haiti updates.

Thanks to everyone who’s sent me links for this series, especially fellow Rumpusers Julie Greicius and Isaac Fitzgerald.

More:
Haiti–Ways to Help.
More on Haiti 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Tomorrow, we’ve been told, will be another day as well.

Richard Nixon as art critic.

Christophe Gilbert’s photo-manipulations are pretty rad indeed.

Can doctors use your eyes to determine if you have Alzheimer’s? (spoiler alert: maybe!)

GerryCanavan takes this moment to point us to a fascinating Zizek article on Haiti. Meanwhile, Big Picture has a photo-essay all ready to go.

I’m sorry about all the foreign language links lately, but I think this installation speaks for itself.

Please forward any suggestions for links to poetry@therumpus.net.

Seems like Rush Limbaugh wasn’t satisfied with being the second-most-dickish person on the Haiti earthquake (though I use the term person loosely).

Ta-Nehisi Coates points out that Pat Robertson equated the rejection of slavery with the rejection of Christ.

The President of PEN Haiti and his wife have been confirmed dead in the earthquake.

Matt Yglesias suggests looser immigration policies might be called for in the wake of the earthquake.

Deaths could reach 50,000, Red Cross estimates.

The Red Cross has raised more than $5 million via text message.

Facebook’s spam prevention is cutting off some Haitian users. They say they’re looking into it.

It’s shitty that this is a necessary story, but it is all the same. Watch for scam artists.

Ken Silverstein delivers a much needed backhand to those who would ignore the damage western powers have done to Haiti over the years.

Put simply, Amex rocks, Visa gets it eventually, and Mastercard sucks for now. The exception, it seems, is Capital One.

More:
Haiti–Ways to Help, More on Haiti 1, 2, 3, 4.

Thanks to everyone who’s been sending in links. Keep them coming to poetry@therumpus.net.

So where exactly did Pat Robertson get his “deal with the devil” story from? Thomas Rogers brings the information.

Ferentz LaFargue, writing for American City, has some thoughts on the meaning of progress in Haiti.

Rainn Wilson will send you a personalized, signed photo if you donate over $100 to Planting Peace.

This quake might just be the first of many.

Geologists have been predicting this earthquake for years.

Google Earth is posting pre- and post-earthquake satellite images.

The NY Times blog, The Lede, is doing a good job of consolidating news coverage.

NBCMiami has posted a list of places where locals can bring donations. They list multiple locations in Miami, as well as in Wilton Manors and Coconut Creek.

More:
Haiti–Ways to Help, More on Haiti 1, 2, 3.

Any tips or suggestions should be sent to Brian at poetry@therumpus.net.

James Ridgeway at Mother Jones notes that most of the country only seems to hear about Haiti when there’s a disaster of some kind.

There’s a rumor on Twitter about UPS doing free shipping to Haiti. This is untrue, but UPS is donating a million dollars in cash and in kind aid to the people of Haiti.

Belleisa at PostBourgie has a beautiful piece titled “My Haiti.”

You knew Pat Robertson wouldn’t be the only asshole to talk about Haiti. In fact, they’re getting thick on the ground.

The US Navy and the Coast Guard are responding.

The Red Cross has raised over $800,000 through its text message campaign. That’s at ten bucks a pop, with most donors being informed via social media.

An update from the SOS Children’s Villages.

South Florida universities are helping in the relief effort.

And finally, we don’t generally talk about uber-mainstream celebrities here at The Rumpus, but Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie fucking rock. Seriously. (via @MacMcClelland)

I’ll be doing this until further notice. Any tips or suggestions should be sent to Brian at poetry@therumpus.net.

A couple more suggestions for places to donate: The Hunger Site, Partners in Health, and UNICEF.

If you’re in south Florida and want to make donations of things like blankets, tents, batteries, candles, clothing, medicine and canned food, there are collections points here: 1st and Alton, south beach, South Miami Collection Point (Tara Sokolow or Vicki Simons): Simons and Green 5842 Sunset Drive Mon-Fri 10am-5pm Collection Point #2 (Jude Papaloko): Jakmel Art Gallery 7646 Biscayne Blvd. A former student of mine is working closely with this effort, which is why I feel safe suggesting it.

The US has announced that it is pausing the deportation of Haitian refugees, but has refused to afford Haitians the immigration protections typically offered to victims of war or disaster, also known as granting Temporary Protected Status. You can contact the State Department and the White House directly, or you can sign this petition sponsored by CREDO Mobile.

The Miami Herald is streaming Twitter feeds from Haiti. They also have a slideshow with some graphic images.

Fox News’s Shep Smith agrees with our assessment of Pat Robertson, albeit in milder terms.

President Obama’s statement on Haiti.

UN First Responders HQ was among the buildings destroyed.

More from UN Dispatch.

Images from the NY Times.

An update from Médecins sans Frontiéres. Many of their buildings were damaged, so they’re treating people in tents. Donate here.

Evan Narcisse shares his thoughts.

Top UN envoy killed in the earthquake. More than 100 other staffers still unaccounted for.

Dear Pat Robertson: Fuck you in your stupid face.

I can’t begin to tell you how bad the destruction is in Haiti after the massive earthquake yesterday. Reports right now are that the death toll is expected to be in the thousands and that bodies are being piled in the streets. I’m going to post a list of links for places where you can follow the news, but first, here’s how you can help.

If you want to donate money but are a little short right now, the State Dept. has set up a way to donate via text message. Text “Haiti” to 90999 and a donation of ten dollars will be added to your next phone bill and forwarded to the Red Cross.

You can also give directly to the Red Cross here.

Mercy Corps is also there–you can donate to them here.

Partners in Health is already on the ground in Haiti.

Save the Children.

Yéle Haiti was established by Wyclef Jean and is also on the ground (though his server is really slow right now). You can also donate here via text message. Text “yele” to 501501 to donate $5 to the relief effort in Haiti.

The Mennonite Central Committee has been in Haiti since 1958 and is planning their efforts right now.

OxFam America and Medecins sans Frontieres are both places I’ve donated to in the past and highly recommend.

Mother Jones is also following the story and providing aid information.

Democracy Now! speaks with Edwidge Danticat and Kim Ives.

Richard Morse is in Haiti and tweeting details.

Some really rough photos posted through Twitter.

If you have suggestions for links to add, send them to me at poetry@therumpus.net. I’ll be updating this as the day goes on. Spread the word, but also open your wallets.

Updates:
More on Haiti 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.