[Cob] Haitian cob & historical context

[Ocean Liff-Anderson]

Yes, yes, Cob would be ideal for building/rebuilding - and properly  
constructed - earthquake resistant, and most of all AFFORDABLE in an  
impoverished country.  And yes, no doubt the Western industrial  
builders would certainly laugh us off the island for suggesting that  
a mud house could be a safe as their rebar/concrete structures.   
Despite the fact that most of the structures that fell in and killed  
occupants were cinder block buildings with no rebar ( far too  
expensive ) industrial solutions will still be seen as the only choice.

The history of the impoverished island of Haiti was recently  
recounted by Robert Parry at http://www.consortiumnews.com/ 
2010/011310.html and reveals the troubling political relationship  
America has had with the inhabitants. In a nutshell: Jefferson feared  
the slave rebellion on Haiti would spread north to his 180 slaves, so  
he considered teaming up with Napoleon to crush the rebellion!   
Luckily the slave prevailed, defeated two of Napoleon's army and in  
defeat he sold Jefferson the Lousiana Territories and doubled the  
land mass of the early colonies... to be followed by more genocide of  
the natives.

(Yes, Shannon, I know this is moving off-topic, but historical  
context is important to help realized the greater forces at work,  
especially if we start talking about exporting cob into an area where  
we American "helpers" might likely be looked upon with great  
skepticism/resentment for what our forebears inflicted upon their  
people and culture...)

Ocean Liff-Anderson
FireWorks Restaurant
http://fireworkscorvallis.com


On Jan 15, 2010, at 6:37 AM, Katherine K Hebenstreit wrote:

> I hear the talk of Monies to be sent and spent.   The "industrial  
> builders" who will arrive to be so humaine (and make a profit).  ..
>
> Yet Haiti appears to have the best mud mixers by far.   Did You SEE  
> the news where the women make COOKIES out of dirt and water (clay  
> as they claim the mountain clay has minerals at least) - and they  
> mix it to a creamy texture then shape them like flat pie pans and  
> dry in the sun.   For the CHILDREN TO EAT and at leas separate the  
> stomach walls.
>
> I am not trying to sound Insensitive.  But the truth is, the mix  
> for those cookies would make you wish you had such a texture for  
> your finishes - so smooth!
>
> Wouldn't it seem wiser to have cheap housing for such an  
> impoverished community?   They already have a talent with the clay.
>
> First gulf winds storm raging through Haiti with modern (1st world  
> housing) is sure to be flattened or degloved (loose it's crown/ 
> roof) as most N.American housing is wont to do.
>
> I'm sure such N American houseing won't do.  Plumping into the  
> 'bathroom....?  where people carry water by hand because of 'no  
> city pipe works'!   HELLO.
>
>
> Alternative Builders I should think SHOULD be trotting on down and  
> showing the poor folk who survived and own land how to build again  
> on the cheap.
>
> *sorry about the poor writing.   Under the weather, small fever,  
> headache...but wanted to get my GRIPE out before I forget about  
> those mud cookies*
>
>
>
>
> Single Homesteader A growing community for homesteaders,  
> survivalists, farmers, vagabonds, hikers and cheap  
> travelers!                                       You know what  
> Bluegrass is?  Hillbilly Jazz!        ~~~The HEBE
>
>
>
>
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