Steven Hawking's Tutor
Posts: 4,995 
Location: Florida, Hurricane Central
Location: Florida, Hurricane Central
February 14th, 2008, 11:25 AM
Since its been, well, never, since anyone had anything good to say about President Bush on CanCon, I thought it high time he got props for something.
Since its been, well, never, since anyone had anything good to say about President Bush on CanCon, I thought it high time he got props for something.
Quote:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1202...ys_us_page_one
Foreign Policy
Bush to Trumpet African Successes as Crises Cast Shadows
By JOHN D. MCKINNON
February 9, 2008; Page A2
President Bush starts a victory lap across Africa next week, celebrating his little-noticed but successful fights there against AIDS and malaria. But he also will be running hard to avoid the shadow of a growing number of political crises and controversies in the region.
As Mr. Bush enters his final 12 months in office, advocates are praising his campaign to battle disease and promote economic growth in poor countries, especially in Africa. It has emerged as a bright spot in a foreign-policy legacy marred by controversy over the Iraq war.
Bono, the Irish rock star turned global gadfly, once said that Mr. Bush has done "an incredible job" with his AIDS campaign. As it nears the end of its first five years, it has put 1.4 million people on life-sustaining therapies at a cost to the U.S. of more than $15 billion. The Bono-affiliated ONE campaign broadened its praise last month, saying Mr. Bush deserves credit for his fights against malaria and extreme poverty in the region. The White House hopes the trip will lock in congressional support for his initiatives, particularly as he is seeking a doubling of funding for combating AIDS to $30 billion over the next five years.
The president's visit begins on Saturday in the tiny West African nation of Benin. Then he travels to Tanzania and Rwanda in East Africa and returns to Ghana and Liberia in West Africa.
"President Bush made Africa a priority early on, has followed through on his initiatives and is driven by a desire to make sure that these programs, which are working, stay in place after he leaves office," said White House Press Secretary Dana Perino.
At the same time, Mr. Bush is likely to face questions about a range of dicey political issues in trouble spots such as Darfur, Sudan; Kenya; Chad; and Zimbabwe. Critics say Mr. Bush is likely to try to avoid some of the region's seemingly intractable problems, particularly those related to ethnic strife. They say the White House hasn't invested enough energy in diplomacy in Africa, particularly in comparison with its investment in economic development and disease relief.
Stephen Morrison of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank, defends the administration's approach. "It's rather a question of not preferring to make these really tough, complex crises the centerpiece of the trip. But it's unavoidable that they're going to have to talk about this."
Foreign-policy analysts believe the administration launched its big AIDS and malaria campaigns in part to counter criticism of America's foreign-policy moves elsewhere. White House aides disagree, saying Mr. Bush has always viewed fostering development in poor countries as a moral imperative. In the wake of 9/11, it also has become a security goal, they say.
One result is that the U.S. is unusually popular in most of sub-Saharan Africa, even as America's standing has dropped elsewhere in the world, particularly in predominantly Muslim countries. Three African countries, including Ghana, view the U.S. even more favorably than people in the U.S. do, according to a recent report by the Pew Global Attitudes Project. The U.S. enjoys its highest favorable-opinion rating anywhere in the world in the West African nation of Ivory Coast, at 88%.
A song that has been popular among Liberians in the U.S. sums up attitudes toward that country's benefactors: "Give me a one way ticket to Monrovia/I'm never coming back/Thank you papa Kofi Annan/Thank you George Bush."
Bush to Trumpet African Successes as Crises Cast Shadows
By JOHN D. MCKINNON
February 9, 2008; Page A2
President Bush starts a victory lap across Africa next week, celebrating his little-noticed but successful fights there against AIDS and malaria. But he also will be running hard to avoid the shadow of a growing number of political crises and controversies in the region.
As Mr. Bush enters his final 12 months in office, advocates are praising his campaign to battle disease and promote economic growth in poor countries, especially in Africa. It has emerged as a bright spot in a foreign-policy legacy marred by controversy over the Iraq war.
Bono, the Irish rock star turned global gadfly, once said that Mr. Bush has done "an incredible job" with his AIDS campaign. As it nears the end of its first five years, it has put 1.4 million people on life-sustaining therapies at a cost to the U.S. of more than $15 billion. The Bono-affiliated ONE campaign broadened its praise last month, saying Mr. Bush deserves credit for his fights against malaria and extreme poverty in the region. The White House hopes the trip will lock in congressional support for his initiatives, particularly as he is seeking a doubling of funding for combating AIDS to $30 billion over the next five years.
The president's visit begins on Saturday in the tiny West African nation of Benin. Then he travels to Tanzania and Rwanda in East Africa and returns to Ghana and Liberia in West Africa.
"President Bush made Africa a priority early on, has followed through on his initiatives and is driven by a desire to make sure that these programs, which are working, stay in place after he leaves office," said White House Press Secretary Dana Perino.
At the same time, Mr. Bush is likely to face questions about a range of dicey political issues in trouble spots such as Darfur, Sudan; Kenya; Chad; and Zimbabwe. Critics say Mr. Bush is likely to try to avoid some of the region's seemingly intractable problems, particularly those related to ethnic strife. They say the White House hasn't invested enough energy in diplomacy in Africa, particularly in comparison with its investment in economic development and disease relief.
Stephen Morrison of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank, defends the administration's approach. "It's rather a question of not preferring to make these really tough, complex crises the centerpiece of the trip. But it's unavoidable that they're going to have to talk about this."
Foreign-policy analysts believe the administration launched its big AIDS and malaria campaigns in part to counter criticism of America's foreign-policy moves elsewhere. White House aides disagree, saying Mr. Bush has always viewed fostering development in poor countries as a moral imperative. In the wake of 9/11, it also has become a security goal, they say.
One result is that the U.S. is unusually popular in most of sub-Saharan Africa, even as America's standing has dropped elsewhere in the world, particularly in predominantly Muslim countries. Three African countries, including Ghana, view the U.S. even more favorably than people in the U.S. do, according to a recent report by the Pew Global Attitudes Project. The U.S. enjoys its highest favorable-opinion rating anywhere in the world in the West African nation of Ivory Coast, at 88%.
A song that has been popular among Liberians in the U.S. sums up attitudes toward that country's benefactors: "Give me a one way ticket to Monrovia/I'm never coming back/Thank you papa Kofi Annan/Thank you George Bush."
Hawkings former plumber
Posts: 9,291
Videos: 1
Location: RR1 Distopia 666 Discordia Drive Apt 911
Videos: 1
Location: RR1 Distopia 666 Discordia Drive Apt 911
February 14th, 2008, 12:54 PM
Toro talk to Kreskin he was wondering what happened to bull****. America saving Africa, jeezus that's stretching credibility beyond the realm of even comedy. Funniest paper I'v read all week.
Toro talk to Kreskin he was wondering what happened to bull****. America saving Africa, jeezus that's stretching credibility beyond the realm of even comedy. Funniest paper I'v read all week.
NHL Hockey Insider
Posts: 3,286
Location: Vancouver Island
Location: Vancouver Island
February 14th, 2008, 08:19 PM
Yes, the u.s. has done good things for aids in africa, that has to be recognized.
It was probably Condoleeza Rice's idea, don't think bush knows much about africa,
he just finished learning about europe and asia.
Yes, the u.s. has done good things for aids in africa, that has to be recognized.
It was probably Condoleeza Rice's idea, don't think bush knows much about africa,
he just finished learning about europe and asia.
House Member
Posts: 4,518
Location: Minnesota: Gopher State
Location: Minnesota: Gopher State
February 18th, 2008, 11:29 PM
Interesting how so many right wingers used to say Clinton's policies failed because of what happened in Rwanda. Yet, nobody is attributing what happened in Darfur to Bush's failings. And maybe they shouldn't.
Nobody in the world has done to promote AIDS research than has Clinton {we discussed that previously on this forum}. Yet, very little attribution is being to his successes while much kudos is being given to Bush. Can anyone explain why?
BTW, nice try on trying to praise Bush, Kreskin. Not too many people were convinced!
Quoting Kreskin
I brought something like this up in the "positives about GWB" thread a while back, and I'm not bull****ting.
Interesting how so many right wingers used to say Clinton's policies failed because of what happened in Rwanda. Yet, nobody is attributing what happened in Darfur to Bush's failings. And maybe they shouldn't.
Nobody in the world has done to promote AIDS research than has Clinton {we discussed that previously on this forum}. Yet, very little attribution is being to his successes while much kudos is being given to Bush. Can anyone explain why?
BTW, nice try on trying to praise Bush, Kreskin. Not too many people were convinced!
NHL Hockey Insider
Posts: 3,286
Location: Vancouver Island
Location: Vancouver Island
February 19th, 2008, 12:42 AM
what a catastrophe it is when they don't, should make it better for the future, oh maybe
not, just wishful thinking I guess, cause if McCain is elected it will just be a contuation of the same old bush war stuff.
After all the campaigning and election, all the excitement, people looking for a new
start, he will a' 71 yr old president, (can you imagine), guy, stuck in the past, all the wars
still ticking away in his head, and on he will go still fighting, with no thought of how the
country could possibly live in peace.
The only thing we can count on, is that the democrats will win the election, and it
seems to be heading in that direction, at least for now, but that can change.
Quoting Kreskin
Yeah he sure has, definitely turning a negative into a positive. At least now they realize
Bush has completely reformed the electoral system. From now on everyone will pay attention to who they're voting for.
what a catastrophe it is when they don't, should make it better for the future, oh maybe
not, just wishful thinking I guess, cause if McCain is elected it will just be a contuation of the same old bush war stuff.
After all the campaigning and election, all the excitement, people looking for a new
start, he will a' 71 yr old president, (can you imagine), guy, stuck in the past, all the wars
still ticking away in his head, and on he will go still fighting, with no thought of how the
country could possibly live in peace.
The only thing we can count on, is that the democrats will win the election, and it
seems to be heading in that direction, at least for now, but that can change.
Council Member
Posts: 1,434
Location: BC
Location: BC
February 19th, 2008, 02:00 AM
I think it's wonderful that some African nations might benefit from this latest geopolitical move from the worlds would be police force and latest imperialist threat, but I don't see anything even slightly altruistic in the action. I'm reminded of Bill Gates when he donated money to help African AIDS victims in a move to prevent laws being enacted that would soften copyright and patent laws so suffering people could benefit from cheaper generic drugs. I still feel nauseous when people extol the saintly virtues of Bill Gates. Also the USA is very interested in ensuring its hegemony in Africa over China. If the USA wanted to really help Africa it could find much better ways. This is just another disingenuous effort on their part to further their goals while trying to appear greater than the **** monkeys they have become.
I think it's wonderful that some African nations might benefit from this latest geopolitical move from the worlds would be police force and latest imperialist threat, but I don't see anything even slightly altruistic in the action. I'm reminded of Bill Gates when he donated money to help African AIDS victims in a move to prevent laws being enacted that would soften copyright and patent laws so suffering people could benefit from cheaper generic drugs. I still feel nauseous when people extol the saintly virtues of Bill Gates. Also the USA is very interested in ensuring its hegemony in Africa over China. If the USA wanted to really help Africa it could find much better ways. This is just another disingenuous effort on their part to further their goals while trying to appear greater than the **** monkeys they have become.
Time Out
Posts: 360 
Location: The desolate but charming outback of the prairies.
Location: The desolate but charming outback of the prairies.
February 19th, 2008, 02:20 AM
How many more months until the world is rid of W?
Can't come soon enuff.
Then begins the work of repairing the damage done by his administration- probably that will take a couple decades at least.
How many more months until the world is rid of W?
Can't come soon enuff.
Then begins the work of repairing the damage done by his administration- probably that will take a couple decades at least.
