15547: Knowles: Hydro (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Phil Knowles <phildk@prodigy.net>

Once upon a time, my great-grandfather built a small hydroelectric plant
that served two small rural New York state towns. It is running today, 100
years later. Hydro power is cheap and clean, and runs "forever".

The people who burned the hydro plant in Haiti must be brutal and hateful.
What self-destructive, nation-damaging, Haiti-hurting evil could motivate
such an act?  There could hardly be personal gain, in terms of stuff to
steal.  There could, of course, be personal gain for mercenaries. Then who
would  pay people to do such a destructive thing?  Why?

Electricity is a core utility.  Without it, no little luxuries like TV or
microwaves, and no job-required lights and electric sewing machines in the
factories. No lights in the hospitals, no power to pump water or gasoline.

Does Haiti,  and the current (democratically elected) government,  have
enemies who by such an act hope to bring her further into chaos and misery,
thinking to enhance their political agenda?  Can thugs take over the country
by enough assassinations and destruction?  What then?

How long will it take, how much money will it take, to rebuild the plant?
Is there any hope of getting it done soon?  And can the responsible
criminals be found and brought to justice?

Does anyone here in Corbettland have any ideas, and answers?

Phil Knowles