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Fredric is a web developer based in Chicago who hopes to one day start a foundation to support young, Black males in programming and computer science.

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President Bush does Africa right

March 3rd, 2008 • Related • Filed Under

What will G Dub’s legacy be when he leaves office? September 11th? The Florida recount? The “fool me once…shame on you; fool me twice…I won’t be fooled again” quote?

I’m sure we can all create a laundry list of negatives when it comes to our beloved leader, but Africa, we have to give him some props. His recent visit to the homeland just concluded. What is amazing about the visit as you read the articles and look at the pictures are the reports of avid joy many of the natives’ have for President Bush…and with good reason. The numbers tell the story:

  • $18.8 billion pledged over a 5-year period
  • 1.4 million (so far) receiving anti-retroviral drugs (from 50,000)
  • Billions written off in government debt
  • $30 billion total asked of Congress

Some would argue that we have ulterior motives. Many of these African countries have more oil than the Persian Gulf and have broken enforcement structures that can likely allow extremist planning. While this may be true, the residual effect of having one of the wealthiest nations invest in you isn’t necessarily ‘bad’. I’ve always felt we should lead the way in partnering with Africa. There is so much culture and opportunity for business. My biggest fear, however, is that the reality of a windfall return supersede the ethics of the partnership and we have a situation like China.

But back to Bush.

There is one pressing question that really, really bugs me. It’s so frustrating! Where was this before? I mean, wtf dude. The Daily Show stated it best:

(video below)

[read: chi tribe]

There Are 3 Responses So Far. »

  1. Comment by Dash on 4 March 2008:

    I’ve always thought that Bush was crazy like a fox. This is like some new age, gentrification on steroids type of ish. First destroy a continent with colonialism which leads to civil war which leads to abject poverty which leads to high HIV/AIDS rates. Then come back in and invest at Dirt Cheap prices.
    Dont let Dubya fool ya he’s a wolf in an idiots clothing.

  2. Comment by K Owusu on 6 March 2008:

    I wouldn’t touch him with a barge pole. Wouldn’t trust him as far as I could throw him. I say him, but it’s more him+Cheney plus all the others in the administration. (as I bet he had less of a say in the running of the country than I did!, and i’m British/Ghanaian)

    All that money that has been “pledged” (meaning: may not actually see the light of day) is what is owed to Africa in the first place, and is totally canceled out by all the ridiculous trade agreements (i prefer to say violations) that have been set up to ensure USA always has the upper hand no matter what. Not to mention all the promises of aid, which can never do enough, and have a way of keeping Africa “hanging on waiting for crappy handouts”. I could go on, but I won’t. It’s all a front, which if taken hook line and sinker by the African leaders, will end up with Africa being, or continuing to be worse off as a result.

    $18.8 Billion? $30 Billion? These are all figures for that can’t even help countries! Africa is a CONTINENT. This money is not gonna do a thing! It’s a drop in the ocean. Bush aint doin Africa Nuttin! (that’s “nothing” just in case anyone needed a bit of clarity)

  3. Comment by Michael on 18 June 2008:

    It’s about time President Bush gets a little credit for something. President Bush is a good man. You might not agree with his politics, but he is still a good, caring person who loves his country and his fellow man. If Bono thinks he’s doing more for Africa than any other President in history, that’s good enough for me. Thank you, and God bless you President Bush, from myself and all my African brothers and sisters.

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