Africa's American Hero

[Dreadsox]

[Q]President Bush may be struggling at home, but he remains surprisingly popular here in Africa, where his face adorns everything from billboards of thanks, to women's dresses.

The main reason for his popularity is that the fund to combat AIDS, which he created in 2003, has spent more than $15 billion on the continent over the past five years.

"It was incumbent upon us to help deal with this pandemic that ... could have literally wiped out an entire generation of Africans," Bush told reporters in the Tanzanian capital today.

The fund is the largest international health initiative ever to fight a single disease, and Bush wants to double that amount to $30 billion over the next five years.

"Different people may have different views about you and your administration and your legacy," Tanzanian President Jikaya Kikwete said. "But we, in Tanzania, if we are to speak for ourselves, and for Africa, we know for sure that you, Mr. President, and your administration, have been good friends of our country, and have been good friends of Africa."

Critics want even more funding and fewer strings, like the requirement that some money go to abstinence programs. But even critics concede what is obvious to thousands of HIV-positive patients, like James Kan, a patient at a clinic in the capital — the program has saved lives. [/Q]

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=4303636&page=1

[melon]

In many ways, the old adage is still true. All politics are local.

[sulawesigirl4]

I love how the article makes the sweeping generality that "here in Africa" he is well loved. Um, Africa is a huge continent with some 53 independent nations and thousands of different ethnic groups and cultures. Generalization much? In my two years in West Africa, I think I can count on one hand the number of people I met who had anything good to say about him. And in my experience, whenever any kind of big name politician comes to visit, the local government will throw out the welcome mat (like the billboards mentioned in the article) in order to make the visiting potentate feel loved and hopefully more generous. It's all about setting yourself up for more money in the future. lol. But of course that doesn't make for snappy headlines, does it?

That said, HIV prevention and treatment is extremely important so it's good to see funding continue.

[unico]

Originally posted by sulawesigirl4


That said, HIV prevention and treatment is extremely important so it's good to see funding continue.

Unfortunately though, I haven't gotten any word that they're going to ease up on the "abstinence only" thing. That's denying a lot of people the means to protect themselves from HIV.

[BonosSaint]

All that being said, I'm pleased to give praise for any progress.

[BVS]

Someone needs to like the guy besides Sting and Diamond...

[Dreadsox]

Originally posted by BonoVoxSupastar
Someone needs to like the guy besides Sting and Diamond...

Haha

[Babydoll]

He's being showered with praise by our President Jakaya Kikwete at least; I posted it in my journal.

[DaveC]

Just as no leader is without errors, no leader is without at least some good choices.

While the "abstinence" thing is probably holding the program back somewhat, the HIV/AIDS program is a definite bright spot in these past eight years.

[unico]

I should have added in my previous post that I am in no way trying to discredit the progress that has been made. I do agree that things have been looking better for many people. I just think the abstinence is a stupid thing to hold in such a promising program.

[Babydoll]

However, it's going to a LOT more besides financing from the US to overcome the internal problems, to see the progress actually is being made at grassroot level.

[ntalwar]

What is not covered in the article is that the trip is about other things such as access to vast natural resources and possibly setting up US military bases. China and Russia have been moving into Africa in a big way - e.g. signing contracts for energy and minerals exports, and now the US needs to compete with them in Africa.

[MrsSpringsteen]

I saw him say the word "condoms" there and I thought I might pass out

I would say this is the most positive aspect of his Presidency-the Africa aid, not the use of the word condom

[MrsSpringsteen]

President Bush shows the students the last book he read, at the Maasai Girls School in Arusha, Tanzania, Monday, Feb. 18, 2008

[U2democrat]

At least it's not My Pet Goat.

[DaveC]

Originally posted by U2democrat



At least it's not My Pet Goat.

I bet he's going through a series on animals. Up next: Clifford the Big Red Dog.

[MrsSpringsteen]

Washington Times

Bob Geldof in Rwanda gives Bush his props

KIGALI, RWANDA -- Bob Geldof has parachuted into the White House travel pool here in Rwanda, and will join us on the flight from Air Force One to Ghana tonight.

He's going to interview President Bush for Time magazine and several European outlets, such as Liberacion, about aid to Africa for HIV/AIDS, malaria, and business development.

Mr. Geldof is an Irish rock and roll singer and longtime social activist who has helped, along with U2 rocker Bono, raise awareness about need in Africa. His most well known achievement is organizing the Live Aid concert in 1985, which raised money for debt relief for poor African countries.

But Mr. Geldof has remained closely engaged with African affairs since then, and he spoke off the cuff to reporters today who were waiting for a press conference with Mr. Bush and Rwandan President Paul Kagame.

Mr. Geldof praised Mr. Bush for his work in delivering billions to fight disease and poverty in Africa, and blasted the U.S. press for ignoring the achievement.

Mr. Bush, said Mr. Geldof, "has done more than any other president so far."

"This is the triumph of American policy really," he said. "It was probably unexpected of the man. It was expected of the nation, but not of the man, but both rose to the occasion."

"What's in it for [Mr. Bush]? Absolutely nothing," Mr. Geldof said.

Mr. Geldof said that the president has failed "to articulate this to Americans" but said he is also "pissed off" at the press for their failure to report on this good news story.

"You guys didn't pay attention," Geldof said to a group of reporters from all the major newspapers.

Bush administration officials, incidentally, have also been quite displeased with some of the press coverage on this trip that they have viewed as overly negative and ignoring their achievements.

[diamond]

Go Bob!


dbs

[Headache in a Suitcase]

Originally posted by MrsSpringsteen

at least it's not upside down


for all the faults of this presidency this has been a great success, and a largely under-reported one. that said, there's obviously much left to be done, and hopefully whomever wins in november picks up the torch.

[hiphop]

Originally posted by ntalwar
What is not covered in the article is that the trip is about other things such as access to vast natural resources and possibly setting up US military bases. China and Russia have been moving into Africa in a big way - e.g. signing contracts for energy and minerals exports, and now the US needs to compete with them in Africa.

"What's in it for [Mr. Bush]? Absolutely nothing," Mr. Geldof said.[/B]

So what are we supposed to believe?

Imho this funding arguably is the only positive thing Bush has done in 8 years of presidency.