Posted on 08/06/2010 7:54:45 AM PDT by thecodont
Reporting from Port-au-Prince, Haiti Wyclef Jean's candidacy for president of this rubble-strewn country gives a charge of electricity to what so far has been feeble interest in upcoming elections. But the heroic narrative he's pitching hip-hop superstar returning from America to rescue his homeland will quickly get battle-tested in the fractious, murky and often violent world of Haitian politics.
Jean's humanitarian organization, Yele Haiti Foundation, and his status as the most famous member of Haiti's diaspora give him immediate prominence. Young people, for the most part, seem to love him.
"Bon bagay," said Saintil Wilson, 22. "Good thing. We need somebody who is younger and stronger and has more power to run Haiti."
Other young men standing nearby in a seaside slum agreed, although Wilbur Alben, 62, building cabinets in the shade, gave a more wizened view. "I don't care," he said. "At this point, give me anything. I'll take it."
When someone mentioned the current President, Rene Preval, Alben swiped his hand as if a fly were bothering him.
What is telling is that this conversation occurred in the Cite Soleil slum, a fulcrum of populist power in the country and a crucial base of support for exiled President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who still looms large in Haitian politics. Jean had called for Aristide to step down in 2004 a potentially lethal statement in this part of town yet he has managed to maintain support there.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
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The Haitian Constitution requires candidates be citizens of only Haiti and residents of the country for the last five years. Jean's primary residence is in New Jersey. A nine-member electoral council will decide whether he has spent enough time in Haiti to qualify. In the last election, in 2006, the council rejected the candidacy of Texas businessman Dumarsais Simeus because he is a U.S. citizen.
Aristide's Lavalas party, barred from the election, has jumped on the residency issue and is painting Jean as a puppet of U.S. interests and the business elite.
But on the streets, Jean's story has inspired many youths stuck in poverty.
Jean left his hometown east of Port-au-Prince for Brooklyn when he was 9. He found fame and won a Grammy with the Fugees, and went on to a successful solo career. ---------
Well, at least he was born there.
Did you get the reference to "swatting at a fly"?
No one can save Haiti!
He can’t do any worse.
The number one thing Haiti needs right now is vasectomies — millions of them.
“Can Wyclef Jean save Haiti?”
Only if he’s gone til November.
You're right. There is nothing to save.
And rubbers...
Short answer: No.
Long answer: No way.
Kwamee Killpatrick was unavailable but his mother is free.
It also needs aid to be slowly withdrawn enough to create mild food shortages to help make farming profitable again.
I'll bet he even has the documentation to prove it.
I don’t think he can even save himself let alone Haiti.
No.
Sean Penn is not amused.
The Haitians will be “Killing Him (Wyclef Jean) Softly With His Songs”
Haiti’s claim to fame is that it is a bigger Latrine-hole than Mexico is
No.
Neither is Oliver Stone, Michael Moore, Hugo Chavez, Danny Glover and Harry Belafonte.
Well, if bubba can cash in why not this dude.
The Haitians need effective property rights, a stable environment and capital. I doubt this guy can accomplish any of them.
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