David Pechefsky wrote to me last night from Liberia, where he is setting up a budget office for the Liberian Congress. He told me about his Op-Ed in yesterday’s New York Times. He says it was written during the campaign but they didn’t publish until now. Pechefsy, who lives in Park Slope, is a former assistant director of the New York City Council’s finance division. He ran for City Council in the 39th district on the Green Party ticket in 2009.

IN Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s State of the City speech on Wednesday, he spoke of the City Council as if it were an equal partner in government. Indeed, the mayor’s surprisingly close re-election, the unusual defeat of a handful of council members and some spirited races in the general election in a city where winning the Democratic primary is tantamount to victory, might lead one to expect the 51-member body to be imbued with new democratic vigor. However, the council members inaugurated this month have joined a body whose governance structure is hardly more democratic than a high school student council’s — where the principal calls the shots.

Ultimately, all City Council decisions are made by the speaker and the speaker’s staff. The speaker controls which members get to sit on which committees and who heads those committees, what legislation comes up for a vote, the hiring and firing of the 250-plus central staff and the money that members get to dole out to their districts.

Here’s a report from Haiti from Garry Pierre-Pierre and Rachel Platt from the Haitian Times, which is based in Brooklyn.

Forced to flee, desperate residents leave in exodus, but with hope of return

It’s at the Brooklyn Heights Marriott and directed by New York Times Crossword Puzzle Editor Will Shortz, the American Crossword Tournament is the nation’s oldest and largest crossword competition. Solvers tackle eight original crosswords created and edited specially for this event. Scoring is based on accuracy and speed. Prizes are awarded in more than 20 categories, including a $5,000 grand prize. Evening games, guest speakers, and a wine and cheese reception allow solvers to meet each other in a relaxed and entertaining atmosphere.

Here’s a an excerpt from, “This Time It Was Personal,” a report from Garry Pierre-Pierre in Port-Au-Prince. He is founding editor of the Haitian Times, which is based in Brooklyn.

I have been covering my beloved homeland for about 20 years. The assignments have ranged from coup d’etats to elections to flooding , carnival and festivals.

Those were all assignments that had nothing to do with me or my family. Those who are left in Haiti do not dabble into politics nor the music scene. The floods, for the most part , have occurred in the Artibonite plateau and Central region, my kinfolks hail from the south of Haiti.

For the first time I was personally and deeply affected by the devastation brought on by this earthquake that shook this mountainous nation of roughly nine million people to its core.

No immediate family members died in the calamity, but many friends perished. They are too numerous to mention here, this column would not end. My story is not unique, it is the story of every Haitian. For years to come, Haitians would talk about Tuesday January 12 in the same way they remember January 1, our independence from France, for different reasons obviously.

I just got off the phone with a trusted source who will be attending a meeting TONIGHT at the Novo Condo on Fourth Avenue about the egg dropper, the as yet unknown person who has been throwing eggs from their condo onto the dog run downstairs.

“An egg came from the sky,” wrote a tipster to Brownstoner last week about the incident. Isn’t that the opening of “Gravity’s Rainbow?” No, Thomas Pynchon’s first sentence is: “A screaming came across the sky…”

So why would someone throw eggs at the dogs in the dog run. Noise? Allergy to dogs? Just plain grumpy?

The Dog Run in Washington Park is open 24 hours a day. The park, however, closes at 10 PM. In other words, people who want to play or hang out have to stop at 10 PM but dogs…

…dogs run free (with their owners) and can use the run whenever they want.

Hopefully my source will have the Egg Drop Scoop later tonight. Stay tuned.

Brownstoner announced today that in the spring, most likely early April, they’re going to launch a Philadelphia edition of Brownstoner.

Philadelphia’s status as the sixth borough and one of the most historic cities in the country make it an ideal spot for our first geographical expansion; in addition to the architecture, there’s such a strong sense of community and neighborhood allegiance (like in Brooklyn) that make it a great place to launch Brownstoner. What’s more, the city is woefully under-blogged and under-reported in general. We have every confidence that a Brownstoner community can flourish in the city of brotherly love, especially because it will be launched under the experienced watch of Gabby Warshawer, who has been a writer for Brownstoner in Brooklyn for the last 2 1/2 years. There will more details as we approach launch, but we urge you to tell your Philly friends about it and to direct them to this page to sign up to receive a notification when the site launches. We’ll also be looking for a handful of neighborhood “stringers” to report on streetlevel and development news, so feel free to shoot us an email if you’re interested.

Here are reports from Garry Pierre-Pierre, founding editor of the Haitian Times, and reporters Rachel Pratt and Ron Howell about what’s going on in Haiti—and in Brooklyn—since the earthquake.

–On the Rise With aid slow to reach starving population, food prices skyrocket

–Forced to flee, desperate residents leave in exodus, but with hope of return

–Haitians welcome TIPS status

–New York stands up

Found in Brooklyn has video from a press conference at Freddy’s Bar where councilmember Letitia James gave a rousing speech denouncing the priorities of Mayor Bloomberg, Governor Patterson, Brooklyn Borough President Markowitz and “other elected officials,” whose work with real estate developers resulted in last week’s eviction of 88 homeless families in the dead of winter.

From the EPA’s press release:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites you to attend a public information meeting to discuss community involvement tools available for the Gowanus Canal site. Topics covered will include the formation of a Community Advisory Group (CAG), Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) and Technical Assistance Services for Communities (TASC).

When: Thursday, January 21,
Time:7:00PM – 9:00PM
Location:P.S. 32 – 317 Hoyt Street, Brooklyn, NY

Brought to you by The Feldman family from their weather tower in Park Slope.

The 33rd district’s new councilman, Stephen Levin, sent out this press release (his first as councilman) yesterday about the manhole explosions in Brooklyn Heights.

The explosion yesterday that caused three manhole covers to shoot from the ground and a small gas leak on Joralemon Street is being investigated by National Grid and others and monitored by the office of Councilmember Stephen Levin. The explosion was caused when a gas line installation, conducted by a company contracted with National Grid, hit MTA electrical lines and resulted in an electrical explosion.  All street and subway closures, as well as evacuations, have ended.  Thankfully, no one was hurt.

“I am working with other local officials as well as National Grid to remediate any damage and ensure that this kind of incident does not occur again. I am relieved that no local residents were hurt but remain very concerned that this explosion, which could have seriously injured residents, even occurred,” said Councilmember Levin. “I am pleased that National Grid and the MTA are working around the clock to repair the damage and have fully restored service. In addition, I will be working with the Department of Transportation to ensure that Joralmeon Street and Willow Place are fully restored to their condition prior to this incident, including the replacement of all Belgian blocks. My top priority, however, remains the safety of residents and ensuring that this does not happen again. I also commend the FDNY, NYPD, and OEM on their swift and diligent response to the explosion.”

For questions or concerns, feel free to contact Councilmember Levin’s office at 718 875 5200. And, as always, if you smell gas, call 718 643 4050, which goes to National Grid’s emergency area for immediate investigation.

Here are two reports from Rachel Pratt and Gary Pierre-Pierre, editor and publisher of the Haitian Times, the English language weekly located in Brooklyn, which serves New York’s 500,000-strong Haitian community:

People didn’t believe this was the big one

On Sunday mass was about the dead

Brought to you by The Feldman family from their weather tower in Park Slope.

Three manhole explosions rocked Brooklyn Heights on Sunday. Here is an excerpt from an account featured on the Brooklyn Heights blog:

I live on Willow Place not far from the explosion site — we were allowed back into our building app 5:15/5:30 pm. Two teams — fire dept and gas co? — came into our place to check for gas/carbon monoxide. However, a neighbor further south on Willow Place had not yet been let in — there were still “dangerous readings” of some sort in his house. Some Joralemon St residents were held back as well.

I think the explosions actually started a little before 1:00 pm — I can tell from the call log on my cell phone. The first explosion was deafeningly loud. I had also noticed , about 10:00 am this morning, that workmen were ripping up the street at the house being renovated on Willow Place-right next to the MTA substation/power station. I debated coming over to them to complain — my understanding was that it was National Grid putting in a gas line for the long-abandoned house, and it’s illiegal to do non-emergency work on a holiday or weekend. (You need special permits.) Since the jackhammering started c. 9/10 am, rather than the usual 7 am, and since it stopped pretty quickly, I didn’t complain. Why alienate a new neighbor?

Back in 2007, Debbie Almontaser, an educator, interfaith activist and spokesperson for the Brooklyn Muslim community, was selected as the founding principal of the Khalil Gibran International Academy, a middle school that was designated as New York’s first Arabic public school.

Around that time, she was interviewed by the New York Post and asked to comment on a group called  Arab Women Active In The Arts And Media (AWAAM), who made a t-shirt with the word intifada on it. Almontaser made clear that she had no connection with the group other than the fact that she sat on the board of the Saba Association of American Yemenis, which provided AWAAM free office space.

She was, however, asked by the Post to define the word intifada. “The word intifada,” Almontaser explained, “basically means ‘shaking off.’ That is the root word if you look it up in Arabic. I understand it is developing a negative connotation due to the uprising in the Israeli-Palestinian areas. I don’t believe the intention is to have any of that kind of violence in New York City. I think it’s pretty much an opportunity for girls to express that they are part of New York City society … and shaking off oppression.”

For that statement, Almontaser was scolded in public by Randi Weingarten, the president of the United Federation of Teachers.  Weingarten told the New York Times, that intifiada was “something that ought to be denounced, not explained away.” New York City Public Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein announced that Almontaser’s resignation was in her school’s best interest. Mayor Michael Bloomberg was all for it.

People who knew Almontaser, and her good work as an educator, community activist and one of the founders of Brooklyn’s annual Children of Abraham Peace March, which brings together Jews, Christians and Muslims, were outraged.

The New York Post reported:  “‘Intifada’ Principal Resigns.

A supportive front-page article in The New York Times on April 28, 2008 was a vindication of sorts.

In September 2009, a judge dismissed a lawsuit brought by Almontaser, who accused school officials in federal court in Manhattan of violating her right to free speech by forcing her to resign over a newspaper interview they had sanctioned.

U.S. District Court Judge Sidney Stein found that Almontaser’s comments in a 2007 interview with the New York Post were “pursuant to her official duties,” and therefore not protected by the First Amendment. He also rejected an allegation that school officials also had violated her right to due process.

The court of appeals argument in Debbie Almontaser’s case will be held today: Tuesday, January 19 at 10 a.m. in the Ceremonial Courtroom, 9th Fl, US Courthouse, 500 Pearl St, off Foley Square.

For those who support Almontaser and are outraged by the injustice against her should come to this court hearing. A  large turnout will send a strong message to the court.

Court Info:
TUESDAY JANUARY 18TH (10AM)
500 Pearl Street, 9th Floor (off Foley Square)
New York, NY
www.kgia.wordpress.com

Here is the full text of the speech Brad Lander gave after his swearing in on Sunday, January 17, 2010 at the Picnic House in Park Slope.

This has been a truly humbling and extraordinary hour.  As my kids would say: “Awesome.”  I find myself in awe of – deeply inspired, but also a bit daunted by – the full range of today’s performers, speakers, and guests.

Of the creativity and soul of Ravi Coltrane, the Bangladeshi Institute for the Performing Arts, the Urban Bush Women, and the MS 51 Choir.  Let’s hear it for them one more time.

Of the civic commitment and visionary leadership represented by Marty Markowitz, Chuck Schumer, Bill de Blasio, John Liu, Yvette Clarke, Nydia Velazquez, Anthony Weiner, Jerry Nadler, and the other public officials here today.  I am truly honored by your presence, and humbled by the example you set.

I stand in in awe of the life-long pursuit of equality and compassion represented by my friends Rafael Cestero, Michelle de la Uz, Steve Flax & Kali Ndoye.  I especially appreciated their words about Haiti; our hearts – and our contributions, and our pledge of service in the days ahead – go out to people there in the face of this unimaginable tragedy.

And of having taken the oath of office from Fritz Schwarz, who chaired the Commission that wrote the City Charter that I have just sworn to uphold.  As Meg said, an oath is a profound act, not something I take lightly. Continue reading Exclusive: Brad Lander’s Inaugural Speech →

On Sunday January 17 at 2 PM, Brad Lander was sworn in as City Council representative for the 39th district at the Picnic House in Prospect Park. Opening the event was the very articulate Meg Barnette, the wife of Lander. Steven Flax and Kali Ndoye were hosts of the event.

Before the oath of office was administered by Fritz Schwarz, Jr, there were speeches a-plenty by local politicians, including Senator Chuck Schumer, Borough President Marty Markowitz, NYC Comptroller John Liu, Public Advocate (and former City Councilman for the 39th) Bill di Blasio, Congresswoman Nydia Valezquez, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke Congressman Jerrold Nadler.

Best of all performers from the MS 51 choir, dancer Samantha Speis of Urban Bush Woman, the Bangladeshi Institute for the Performing Arts, and sax and bassist Ravi Coltrane and Massimo Biolcati gave their all on behalf of Brad’s big day.

In just about all the speeches, Brad was lauded for his listening skills, his huge skill set, his vast experience in advocacy for equity and affordable housing at the Fifth Avenue Committee and at the Pratt Center for Community Development, his big heart and head.

Senator Charles Schumer: “Brad is a man of dedication, knowledge and soul. He is an amazing addition to the City Council. This is a great day for Brad, a great day for the district, a great day for his family, a great day for the USA.”

NYC Comptroller John Liu: ” Today we celebrate the ascension of a community organizer and a family man at heart…it’s a magical recipe: a policy wonk, a whip, a community organizer…”

Public Advocate Bill Di Blasio: “You have 150,000, activist, opinionated, strong willed and wonderful people in the 39th district.”

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz: “I was happy to support someone who did it the old fashioned way: he earned it. You will try to please everyone but it’s impossible. People will question everything you do. Make decision that you believe are right, do the right thing for those you serve…Those you help may remember you. Those you don’t help: they never forget.”

HPD Commissioner Rafael E. Cestero: “Brad is an incredible listener. He will listen to your side of the discussion to inform his own judgement. I can’t think of a better quality.”

Congressman Jerrold Nadler: “You can change the world from the City Council. You can do that. Brad will do that.”

Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn (in a note): “It’s hard to believe that you are just now becoming a city council member. You have amazing courage: you have never shied from your commitment to the LGBT community.

Saxophonist Ravi Coltraine spoke briefly before playing: “Heart and soul have been sort of a theme here today. I won’t be playing “Heart and Soul” but I will play “Body and Soul.’ And indeed he did and it was an incredibly powerful and ravishing improvisation on the jazz classic.

Lander’s family, including his wife, kids, parents, sister, nieces and nephews, came to the stage for his swearing in and the young children held up a Bible while Lander took the oath.

Then it was Lander’s turn to speak. Here are the last minutes of his speech. For the complete text of his inaugural speech go here.

I come to this moment as someone who has worked only outside of government, often frustrated with current policy, committed to organizing to demand change.  And I will certainly hold onto that approach.

But I also see a challenge here.  For democratic government must also be the space in which groups with different points-of-view meet to debate, in effect to organize against each other … and then to figure out what to do with those differences.

I am mindful of the fact that some of the things I plan to organize for – paid sick days for all workers, congestion pricing to prevent us from choking on traffic, full civil rights for the LGBT community – do not have the support of all the people in this room, much less all New Yorkers.

Of course we don’t always agree.  After all, we’re Brooklynites.  But our shared commitment, our diverse civic energy – even our arguments – help us understand the common treasure that is this city.

In an essay he wrote last week about the opening of the Prospect Park Armory, a fantastic new community resource, my son Marek wrote the following:  “The best part of the Armory is the location and the community it’s in.  The location of the Armory is very good because it is very near my house.  The community it’s in is great, because everyone likes to help with this kind of thing.”

At a time of harsh budgets and scarce funds, there is one resource that is vast: the creative, collective energy of the people in this room, the people in our community, the people of this city.

Tapping into that vast resource is my pledge – and my challenge – to everyone here.

Somehow, even with all we are already doing, we must redouble our efforts to strengthen the institutions and spaces where community residents come together – community and civic groups, religious and chesed organizations, labor unions, cultural groups, coops, PTAs – and now for relief efforts for our brothers and sisters Haiti as well.  To help meet basic needs, to create vibrant communities, and to wrestle with our disagreements toward public policy that will yield a city that offers real hope and opportunity to everyone who calls it home.

I started campaigning more than two years ago, believing in the possibility of local democracy both to improve our neighborhoods and to advance a broader vision of social justice.

Over the past two years, in thousands of conversations on stoops and at subway stops, in parks and classrooms and small businesses, over too much coffee and every type of food the world has brought to Brooklyn, that belief has deepened into the awe, the deep sense of responsibility, and the profound feeling of hope that I feel at this moment.

As big as the challenges are, I am certain that we will rise together to meet them – because in this place, as Marek wrote, everyone likes to help with this kind of thing.

I learned on Park Slope Parents that there’s an article on the Smoking Gun about the financial misdeeds of Yele, Wyclef Jean’s Haiti charity. I’m not sure if this information pertains to what’s going on with the Haiti donations but it’s worth a look.  From the Smoking Gun:

“Internal Revenue Service records show the group has a lackluster history of accounting for its finances, and that the organization has paid the performer and his business partner at least $410,000 for rent, production services, and Jean’s appearance at a benefit concert though the Wyclef Jean Foundation, which does business as Yele Haiti Foundation, was incorporated 12 years ago–and has been active since that time–the group only first filed tax returns in August 2009.”

In a text version of the statement published on his blog, Mr. Jean chastised the media for picking up on the accusations made by The Smoking Gun:

I have spent tireless hours working on behalf of my homeland on development issues as well as human and immigrant rights. I have been committed to helping the people of Haiti throughout my life, and that commitment will continue until the day I die.

It is impossible for me to even comprehend the recent attacks on my character and the integrity of my foundation, Yele Haiti. The fact that these attacks come as we are mobilized to meet the greatest human tragedy in the history of Haiti only serves to perplex me even further. I first learned of these baseless attacks when I left Haiti late Friday, where I had been since 12 hours after the earthquake.

Let me be clear: I denounce any allegation that I have ever profited personally through my work with Yele Haiti. These baseless attacks are simply not true. In fact, I have, time and again, committed significant amounts of my own money to support the work of Yele Haiti and other organizations in support of our efforts over the years. More than that, I have spent countless hours, days, months and years of my life committed to the country of Haiti, the people of Haiti and the success of Haiti.

These baseless allegations were first put forward by a fringe website with a history of pursuing sensationalist story lines. The mainstream media’s pursuit of them has required Yele to divert precious resources during this critical time in order to answer various inquiries. That must end.

I will continue to commit my focus to what is most important right now: Haiti. Right now, Yele is working with its valuable NGO partners, the U.S. Government, the United Nations and so many others to save lives, honor those who have perished and get aid to the millions of Haitians suffering through the worst human catastrophe of our times.

Brought to you from a Park Slope weather tower.

The tragedy in Haiti deeply affects Brooklyn home to 200,000 Haitian-Americans. Give what you can to help Haiti rebuild after this tragedy.

For those who are trying to get information about people affected in Haiti: contact the State Department at 1-888-407-4747

You can help immediately by sending a check or donating online to the American Jewish World Service. According to Rabbi Andy Bachman of Congregation Beth Elohim, they have a number of humanitarian projects ongoing there and has an excellent track record of support there. To give money CLICK HERE.

You can also send a check to:
Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund, American Jewish World Service
45 West 36th Street, 11th floor
New York, NY 10018-7904
212.792.2900
ajws@ajws.org

The Park Slope Armory, a multipurpose athletic and educational center that will serve the local Park Slope community and many area schools, will open officially on January 30th. But now’s the time to get a charter membership.

Finally.

The sports complex at the armory was years—and megabucks—in the making. The $16 million renovation project was funded by $8.2 million from the mayor’s office, $6 million from the City Council, and $2 million from the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office.

I went to a ribbon cutting more than two years ago. Back then it looked like it was ready to open. But it didn’t. And the neighborhood waited. And waited. And waited.

People wondered what was going on, what was causing the delay. Blame was passed around.  According to the Brooklyn Paper:

Part of the delay stemmed from more extensive post-renovation fine-tuning that needed to be done, said Robert Hess, the commissioner of the Department of Homeless Services, which runs a 70-person shelter in the building and oversaw the renovation and subsequent contract with the Y. “These are tough projects once you get into them, and things that look straightforward sometimes aren’t,” he said. “We have a great partner in the Y, but we needed to build this out to their specifications, and that takes time.”

The YMCA  of Greater New York, specifically the Prospect Park Y, was selected by the City as the facility’s service operator and is operating the center. Details still need to be worked out but it looks like the neighborhood and local schools will soon get a chance to use the complex which includes a 1/8 mile track, 4 multipurpose courts for basketball, soccer and volleyball, 20,000 square feet of group exercise space, and 50 pieces of exercise equipment.

Address
361 15th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(212) 912-2580
tsylvester@ymcanyc.org

January 11: Opening Ceremony
 (it happened. So at least that was on schedule).

January 12: Charter Membership Sales begin
 (Go for it!)

January 30: Facility Opens (Let’s see if that really happens. Fingers crossed).

Photo by Amy Melson of Brooklynometry

Here is a list of ways that you can help Haiti recover after a 7.0 earthquake devastated the already impoverished nation.

Go to http://redcross.org to learn more about how to donate the the Red Cross to send help to Haiti. The Red Cross has taken immediate action to start to send funding and supplies to Haiti to ensure that earthquake survivors get the help they need.

UNICEF

Learn about how to help Haiti recover from the Earthquake at www.unicefusa.org/haitiquake or call 1-800-4UNICEF.

UNICEF helps children and families all over the world survive natural disasters and obtain urgently needed medical care.

Yele Haiti

Musician Wyclef Jean, whose homeland is Haiti, is asking people to donate to Yele Haiti to help with disaster relief for earthquake survivors.

Wyclef Jean asks people to please text: Yele to 510 510 and donate $5.

For more information go to: http://yele.org.

Save the Children

This organization has been providing help to Haiti since the 1980s. For more information about how to help the Haiti recovery program with Save the Children go to: http://www.savethechildren.org.

World Vision

Go to http://www.worldvision.org to learn how to help the children in Haiti. This organization works to help with disaster response resources. The website also provides information about how to sponsor a child in Haiti or other locations.

Doctors Without Borders

This group has won a Nobel Prize for their work to save lives during times of disasters. For more information about how the doctors will work to help Haiti go to: http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org.

Mercy Corps

The Mercy Corps has created the Haiti Earthquake fund. Send donations to P.O. box 2669, Portland, OR 97208. Go to www.mercycorps.org for more information. You may also call 1-888-256-1900.

From Gary Pierre-Pierre in the Haitian Times:

A group of Haitian American leaders, state and local officials met late last night to map out a humanitarian relief efforts as the extent of the damage from a category 7.0 earthquake hit Haiti. The group will send a couple of people in the ground as early as Wednesday for a quick assessment. The goal is to get about 300 people, mostly health care professionals engineers to support foreign government’s efforts. A command center will be set up and then the volunteers will arrive after logistics are set up. The group is hoping to have things in place by this weekend. “Our goal is to do humanitarian work, and not first aid,” said Brooklyn physician, Jean Claude Compas during the conference of scores of people. “The Cuban government, the American government, the Venezuelan government and the Dominican government are all doing rescue work.” The group is calling on people or government to donate water and food supplies. The capital’s infrastructure, already precarious is in shambles. The most telling sign is the near collapse of the gleaming white palace, once a symbol of grandeur in a sea of poverty.

Here is this week’s missive from writer, designer and social activist Scott Turner, who runs the Thursday night Pub Quiz at Rocky Sullivan’s in Red Hook.

…tonight, fires scorch the skies above Port-au-Prince.

It’s  2:30 a.m. New York time.  In Haiti tonight, devastation in the capital city.  While we have every reason to recoil from American media’s overwrought hype, there’s no way the crisply-coiffed newsreaders are exaggerating: Port-au-Price is a city in ruins.  It was before Tuesday’s 7.0 magnitude earthquake.  Now, with a push from the occasionally cruel Mother Earth, Port-au-Prince is a place too cruel for even Dante’s circles.

What does a city do when the ground roars beneath it, the mountains shudder above it, and there’s no one to put out the fires?

We’ll find out.  But it won’t be good.

There are some moments that test our belief that life can be good.  Haiti, the most impoverished nation in the Western Hemisphere, wracked with civil and political conflict, lacking infrastructure most of us in Brooklyn take for granted — hit with its most powerful earthquake ever.

It’s not fair.  Life hasn’t been fair in Haiti in anyone’s memory.  Miracles don’t really happen, but if they did, they’s fly right over Haiti, their golden contrails barely visible in the sad blue skies over Cite Soleil.

This will be the only news for the next few days.

Check in with Brooklyn’s Radio Soleil Haiti for the latest.  Global antennas are putting out the word tonight: “there is little left of Port-au-Prince…fires are out of control…tremor after tremor…people are in the streets…help us, please, help us.”

If you can’t stand big relief efforts — requests for donations, canned goods, blankets; benefit concerts an news reports with mawkish piano music — this might be the time to turn away from the screen.

But of course, we can’t turn away.  For reasons right and wrong, we respond.  This is one of those times.  Wednesday’s first light will bring pictures of cataclysm and numbers beyond belief.  Some of us won’t turn away because a good wreck is always worth scoping.  The rest of us will wonder “what can I do?”  To comprehend, to help, to get our balance back.  When a poor city’s people are buried ‘neath the poor city’s shanties, the earthquake shakes us all.

Brooklyn will respond.  Not for anything in our past.  Not because politicians and clergy and verbose quizmasters ask us to.  Simply, we’ll ask how we can help.  Our hearts are metaphysical receptacles where we decide whose hand to take and which horror to look in the eye.  In times like this, they tell us to ignore all the voices except our soul’s.