Diplomat:  A person who can tell you to go to hell in such a way that you actually look forward to the trip. ~Caskie Stinett, Out of the Red, 1960

So after an effort to keep the “democratic systems” working in Haiti, yesterday’s presidential and legislative elections were asked to be cancelled. All last week I kept thinking, “Why are they going through with this? The people are not in an environment conducive to participating in elections” (I know, I have pretty sophisticated thoughts ). Therefore, I can’t say that I’m completely surprised by yesterday’s outcome…just completely disappointed.

Because my husband is a diplomat, our phone became a hotline yesterday – especially after the news started spreading that the majority of the candidates were going to call for new elections. And of course as part of his position, there are things he could and could not say. Sometimes I watch him (and others) in awe because I’m so impressed with how they are able to conceal their own thoughts and opinions so frequently in order to represent their countries’ best interests.

On the other hand, I think we all do a little bit of this in other professions, as well. For instance, I remember in my last job there were times I had to promote a project with which I totally disagreed. It irritated me, but I did what I had to do. At the same time, I was representing a nonprofit organization and not an entire government. At the end of the day, I could always pull those who I trusted aside and tell them how I really felt without risking national security. So as far as I’m concerned, diplomats have it much harder.

As for Haiti’s elections, we will await the announcement of the Provisional Electoral Council as to whether or not there will be a new date for the elections. We know that the Haitian people are eager to participate in an electoral process that is fair and just.

See, I’m nothing if not a quick study

Since January, I have purposely avoided posting about what is going on in Haiti. It’s not that I have put it in the back of my mind, on the contrary, I think about it everyday – several times a day. The feelings I have about how things have progressed since the earthquake are basically: disappointment, frustration and hopeless.

It’s been six months and there are still dead bodies under rubble. I just can’t  understand how after all this time and the aid that’s been pouring into the country, things look worse than they did on January 13th. Many people are discussing how best to move forward with the reconstruction (myself included) and how the government can strengthen its services to better serve the Haitian people. There’s also talk about the upcoming elections which I am sure is going to drain the already badly distributed resources.

All this is fine and dandy, but what about the sick babies living in tents? What about the people who

made it out of the earthquake unscathed, but have now contracted preventable diseases due to the lack of housing and sanitation? Don’t get me started on the people who need mental health services, but culturally can’t grasp the concept even if these services were available…it’s just terrible!

I watched one of the CNN documentaries about an orphanage operated by Americans that has struggled to stay open since the earthquake. When one of the Haitian teachers was asked if he thought Haiti would come through this a better country, his answer was “No”. Can you blame him? I know that there are people who have courageously gone to Haiti to help out where they can, but in order for this widespread suffering to end there needs to be humungous change that starts at the top. We’ve gone the route of people-led rebellions enough times in the past 20+ years to know that something different is needed. I really think the Haitian people are eager for a strong leader.

So, at least once a day I take a look at pictures taken of the people trying to make it through another day under very difficult circumstances. If they are still able to find something to smile about, I can muster up enough optimism for there to one day be a better Haiti.