U.S. sending up to 3,500 Army troops to Haiti

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States will send up to 3,500 soldiers to Haiti from the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division to assist with disaster relief and security, a U.S. Army official on Thursday.

Major Brian Fickel told Reuters that the first company of 100 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne were scheduled to arrive in Haiti by the end of Thursday and would begin preparing for the arrival of the larger force.

He said about 600 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne would be in Haiti by Friday.

Separately, the Pentagon is also sending an aircraft carrier and three amphibious ships, including one that can carry up to 2,000 Marines.

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Comment: Is this really necessary? If the U.S. government didn't send any troops or aid to Haiti, there would be more incentive for private citizens who are concerned about the disaster to contribute to charities. Instead, Americans assume that the State will handle it; and since the only resources that the State owns are those that it robs from its citizens, Americans are discouraged from contributing to charity organizations that are in desperate need of money right now.