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Agreed 110%. (Are you in the geotechnical field?) I try to tell folks around here the same thing.

You know those shows about “Apocalypse Earth” on the History channel where you think that can’t happen here in the U.S.? It can, and someday will.

I’m in the Seattle area where bridges are essential. It will be many days before everyone can be helped after the “Big One” happens here.

Thank goodness new analysis has come up with new plans. It used to be that Portland would help Seattle and vice-versa. Now they figure north-south travel between Portland-Seattle-Vancouver would be severely disrupted. Now it will be places like Spokane and Boise to supply aid.

Agreed 110%. (Are you in the geotechnical field?) I try to tell folks around here the same thing.

Part of my work includes geotechnical studies, but primarily failure analysis and mitigation. Some have claimed that the building failures were the result of inadequate reinforcing. That may be, however what I am beginning to see from the photos is concrete failure in many instances. I read somewhere that Haiti lacks bulk plants and imports most of the cement from the US. Reports indicate that Haitians cannot afford to follow the standard 1,2, and 3 mix and increase the sand in the ratio. This is what I am seeing in many of the photos.

I am still hearing the media is claiming the aid is not reaching the victims on the ground. They are continuing to commit an injustice to those attempting this humanitarian effort. Further, claims of gunfire are preventing many from moving out from the airport.

If our military is involved, I pray they are allowed complete autonomy in the application of force to restore order. Many bad guys will die, but more civilians will ultimately be saved. I think Haiti will be one of the worse quagmires we could get involved in for the long term.

The best outcome I see is for the military to reestablish order and basic infrastructure. When this is complete, turn the assistance back over to those charities that were already present, NGOs and the United Nations. This will be the biggest no win situation for all involved.