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The traffic light theory
18 January 2010
The tragic news from Haiti, the scenes of utter devastation to buildings
and inhabitants, reminded me of one of my pet theories. I’m sure we’ve all
at one time or another lived somewhere with a dangerous intersection. Two
streets with fast-moving traffic and a potential for something tragic to happen.
You probably even remember everyone in town complaining about it, asking, “when will we get a traffic light?”
This goes on for months, even years and nothing gets done. Then one day
you turn on the radio and hear about the terrible wreck at the corner of you-know-
where and you-know-how. In fact you think it’s possibly someone you went to high school with. A fatal crash, two cars colliding at high speed…….you know the rest.
That old saying about the horse and the barn door happens a lot. We talk
about prevention, about terrible possibilities and then one day it actually happens.
“Monday morning quarterbacking always wins the game.”
“Hindsight is always 20/20.”
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
We’ve heard them all hundreds of times. You don’t believe it until it’s too late.
No one could have actually prevented the Haiti earthquake. But seismologists and geologists knew it was coming – and warned the world. One of the most destitute
countries in the world has virtually disappeared in less than a minute. Buildings, homes, hospitals, hotels gone in thirty seconds. What hadn’t been destroyed initially
sustained more devastation with several severe aftershocks. We’ve been inundated
with coverage AFTER the earthquake.
Yes there have been efforts over many years to inject money and aid into
Haiti’s fragile economy. Most monies were stolen by corrupt officials who kept the
people in ever-present poverty and impoverished housing. Now a Herculean task
is presented to the world: rebuild an entire country before death and disease wipe
out everyone who lives there.
The Marshall Plan rebuilt Germany after 1945. A similar plan rebuilt Japan.
Those were the result of a catastrophic world war. Haiti’s fate has been largely
ignored until today. It’s gratifying to see so many nations contributing supplies and
aid workers so quickly. Imagine how much easier it would be if the traffic light
had been installed BEFORE the quake.
Jon Schuller
Charlotte, NC
1/18/2010
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