I was never much one to read (or understand) the great writers of philosophy. Try as I might, I just never quite understood what it was they were trying to say, and I always felt out of my league when someone I know is able to intelligently discuss philosophy. Kant, Schopenhauer, Hobbes, Nietzsche - the list goes on, including the ever popular George Santayana, who most people, including me, only know through his famous aphorism, usually paraphrased something like, "Those who do not remember the past are compelled to repeat it". I've never read anything he's written except this, but it never rings truer than it does right now.
It is Santayana whom I think of when I read the news about the return of 'Baby Doc' Duvalier to Haiti. The return of this man to this wretched land is the last thing this poor country needs. Unfortunately, I think he smells an opportunity to step back and reclaim some of the power he once held over this small nation but perhaps more likely a chance to regain some of the riches he once held after he first pillaged the country. It's not hard to note that a a weakened central government, a ruined infrastructure, a citizenry that is desperately poor, and in in the capital city itself, lacking even the most basic necessities - provides an open door for a charismatic leader to step in and attempt to take the reins. Say nothing that Haiti currently has a democratically elected government and president. We've all seen populist uprisings in other nations across the globe. Sometimes nations rise up and democracy reigns afterwords (Poland, and then eventual fall of Soviet domination across Eastern Europe); sometimes the result is even more severe oppression and bloodshed (Myanmar, Iran).
The legacy of pain and suffering that the Duvalier family has foisted upon this nation cannot be ignored or forgotten. He, his father, and their murdurous Ton Ton Macoutes raped and pillaged this country for what little wealth it had. He has no business being anywhere except in a Haitian prison, yet here he is now, returned from an quiet life in Paris, supposedly back in Port au Prince to help with the reconstruction of the country. Does anyone really believe him, and why should they?
Sadly though, with something like half of Haiti's population under 20 years old, will anyone even remember the past?
