[Misespimb]

Bush Has Quietly Tripled Aid to Africa
Increase in Funding to Impoverished Continent Is Viewed as Altruistic or Pragmatic

By Michael A. Fletcher
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, December 31, 2006; Page A04

President Bush's legacy is sure to be defined by his wielding of U.S. military power in Afghanistan and Iraq, but there is another, much softer and less-noticed effort by his administration in foreign affairs: a dramatic increase in U.S. aid to Africa.

The president has tripled direct humanitarian and development aid to the world's most impoverished continent since taking office and recently vowed to double that increased amount by 2010 -- to nearly $9 billion. Bush Has Quietly Tripled Aid to Africa - washingtonpost.com

So let me get this straight. Bush hasn't wasted enough money on the war, so now he is desperately trying to bankrupt America while he still has the power. I skimmed over the article, but does what Bush is doing benefit America at all?

[KLhdfskja]

So let me get this straight. Bush hasn't wasted enough money on the war, so now he is desperately trying to bankrupt America while he still has the power. I skimmed over the article, but does what Bush is doing benefit America at all?

I'm not sure I'd call aid send to some of the world's most impoverished people "wasted" money. I would very much like the US to regain an image as a benefactor nation. $9 Billion dollars will hardly "bankrupt America," especially if, as is the common suspician, US troops will began withdrawal from Iraq prior to the '08 elections. Based on the info in the article, I'd support this move by the President.

As far as benefiting the US goes, perhaps you missed this bit:

"I think there are two reinforcing trends here. One of them is the upside of foreign policy moralism," said Michael J. Gerson, a former Bush aide who was a persistent and persuasive advocate for Africa. "Another one is the growing strategic significance of Africa: the conflict with radical Islam; the problem of failed states and terrorism; and the growing importance of Africa on the resource side: oil." I'm sure you can connect the dots.

[Misespimb]

I'm not sure I'd call aid send to some of the world's most impoverished people "wasted" money. I would very much like the US to regain an image as a benefactor nation. $9 Billion dollars will hardly "bankrupt America," especially if, as is the common suspician, US troops will began withdrawal from Iraq prior to the '08 elections. Based on the info in the article, I'd support this move by the President.

As far as benefiting the US goes, perhaps you missed this bit:



I'm sure you can connect the dots.

I'd rather not support global welfare for those that can't handle life and I think we already tried supporting distant lands with money to gain resources.

Moralism: Screw it. While I obviously don't want to waste money to worsen it, I also don't think it's worth it to bribe people into liking us, mostly since it is an indirect bribe at best.

Radical Islam: It's quite clear that the US is only good at worsening the situation. See: Iraq. I'd say it's better to not touch anything if everything you touch turns to shit.

Oil: Yes, let's spend money on something that isn't even guaranteed or direct so we can make a financial gain, maybe. Sounds like gambling to me.

There isn't even any proof that aid to Africa helps people in the long run. Actually, it is beginning to look like it keeps the situation in a perpetual shithole.

BBC NEWS | Africa | Ethiopia food aid 'habit' worsens

[KLhdfskja]

I'd rather not support global welfare for those that can't handle life and I think we already tried supporting distant lands with money to gain resources.

Moralism: Screw it. While I obviously don't want to waste money to worsen it, I also don't think it's worth it to bribe people into liking us, mostly since it is an indirect bribe at best.

Radical Islam: It's quite clear that the US is only good at worsening the situation. See: Iraq. I'd say it's better to not touch anything if everything you touch turns to shit.

Oil: Yes, let's spend money on something that isn't even guaranteed or direct so we can make a financial gain, maybe. Sounds like gambling to me.

There isn't even any proof that aid to Africa helps people in the long run. Actually, it is beginning to look like it keeps the situation in a perpetual shithole.

Well, if that's how you feel I encourage you to write your congressman and have him vote against all future aid to poor people outside the US. Perhaps you can even convince him to sponser a bill mandating that the US curl up into a little ball around its vast economic abundence and pretend that the rest of the world doesn't exist. Its so annoying when they interrupt our first world lives by complaining about drought, epidemic, genocide and starvation.

There isn't even any proof that aid to Africa helps people in the long run. Actually, it is beginning to look like it keeps the situation in a perpetual shithole.

And clearly helping the people is your highest priority....

[annouhMus]

Bush Has Quietly Tripled Aid to Africa - washingtonpost.com

So let me get this straight. Bush hasn't wasted enough money on the war, so now he is desperately trying to bankrupt America while he still has the power. I skimmed over the article, but does what Bush is doing benefit America at all?

I would much prefer he put the money there, rather than in Iraq, and ESPECIALLY rather than in Israel. So for once, I think he may be doing a GOOD thing.

[Teareerah]

I am not sure that monetary aid to Africa can ever be fully assessed as being effective or wasted. Literally since 1956 for every dollar in aid sent to Africa, one family has gone homeless. History shows us that this aid has not been very effective.

Now, that does not mean that aid shouldn't be sent, butmeans that the aid must somehoe be managed for effectiveness. I know that this will be seen as an "imperialist" act, but there must be some way. Private aid groups with the infrastructure could be used and monitored, if we could change the rules which prevent the government from giving to what are largely religious based groups.

Nigeria's dictators have stolen well over $350 BILLION dollars.

Telegraph | News | £220bn stolen by Nigeria's corrupt rulers

On a side note, I am quite curious to see the effectiveness of Rick Warrens efforts.

[Vemnagelignc]

Cool. But unfortunately I think that money is often so poorly used.

[Cajlwdvx]

[url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/30/AR2006123000941.html]So let me get this straight. Bush hasn't wasted enough money on the war, so now he is desperately trying to bankrupt America while he still has the power. I skimmed over the article, but does what Bush is doing benefit America at all?

First off our money and efforts in Iraq havn't been wasted. How's Saddam doing these days?

and again we see someone who actually believes the president has the power to control the american economy. It's sad that people actually believe this nonsense.

Varus

[Vemnagelignc]

First off our money and efforts in Iraq havn't been wasted. How's Saddam doing these days?

and again we see someone who actually believes the president has the power to control the american economy. It's sad that people actually believe this nonsense.

Varus

If our sole purpose of going into Iraq was to have grainy cellphone footage of Saddam dropping, then yes, Iraq has been a smashing success.

[Cajlwdvx]

If our sole purpose of going into Iraq was to have grainy cellphone footage of Saddam dropping, then yes, Iraq has been a smashing success.

Lets not forget the part about deposing a tyrranical madman who was avidly pursuing nuclear weapons to use against the US and Israel, which he had a history of using killing hundreds of thousands of his own citizens with these wmd's that supposedly don't exist; or that he broke the ceasfire established from the first gulf war.

Varus

[Teareerah]

Why not Israel? The one nation in which muslims have more political and economic freedom than any other in the Middle East, even Turkey. Unlike african states, Israel has accounted quite well for the aid they have been given.

Aid to Israel is difficult to quantify, with lots of half-tuths and mis-information available. FAS is one of the most reliable sites for such info:

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/IB85066.pdf

The question is, is it worth it? The answer is individual. Can you put a price tag on a human life? On human freedom?

I for one, in my own view, believe that we, the world, do owe Israel a home where they can be safe. And I, for one, am very disappointed at the opposition Israel receives from European nations. Anti-semitism has increased in Europe and is indeed troubleing when combined with a growing muslin fundamentalism.

[Xavier_Spinner_Wheels]

This isn't really surprising. The Bush administration seems to love corrupt governments.

[Creelaleps]

Bush Has Quietly Tripled Aid to Africa - washingtonpost.com

So let me get this straight. Bush hasn't wasted enough money on the war, so now he is desperately trying to bankrupt America while he still has the power. I skimmed over the article, but does what Bush is doing benefit America at all?

Bush is building the New World Order, he is doing nothing for the USA...and everything against it. Nor is he helping the people in Africa, the plan in Africa is "depopulation"



MERCURY, AUTISM AND THE GLOBAL VACCINE AGENDA Mercury, Autism and the Global Vaccine Agenda - Google Video VIDEO

David Ayoub, M.D. goes through the relations of Mercury to Autism as well as its connection to

“National Security Study Memorandum 200”; for population control.

Showing its shocking connections to today’s GAVI.

Are powerful forces really trying to help the poor people or could it be for another agenda; the sterilization of the poor?


Mercury, Autism and the Global Vaccine Agenda - Google Video

[Cajlwdvx]

Bush is building the New World Order, he is doing nothing for the USA...and everything against it. Nor is he helping the people in Africa, the plan in Africa is "depopulation"



MERCURY, AUTISM AND THE GLOBAL VACCINE AGENDA Mercury, Autism and the Global Vaccine Agenda - Google Video VIDEO

Mercury, Autism and the Global Vaccine Agenda - Google Video

and Californians are attempting to create a communist state headed by the dictator of Mexico.

oh and Africans are depopulating themselves by screwing everything they can. But I suppose that's Bushes fault to.

Varus

[Misespimb]

Well, if that's how you feel I encourage you to write your congressman and have him vote against all future aid to poor people outside the US. Perhaps you can even convince him to sponser a bill mandating that the US curl up into a little ball around its vast economic abundence and pretend that the rest of the world doesn't exist. Its so annoying when they interrupt our first world lives by complaining about drought, epidemic, genocide and starvation.



And clearly helping the people is your highest priority....

I already showed you how the money helps out Africa (look at the second article). Sorry, but I guess I feel OUR leaders should be responsible for OUR well-being, not that of other nations, especially when the aid probably won't do anything in the long run.

[Misespimb]

I would much prefer he put the money there, rather than in Iraq, and ESPECIALLY rather than in Israel. So for once, I think he may be doing a GOOD thing.

If our leadership has the power to waste money on Iraq, Israel and Africa, then it is quite clear that they have overtaxed us severely. Either that or they will have to overtax us later in the future to pay off the massive debt.

[Misespimb]

First off our money and efforts in Iraq havn't been wasted. How's Saddam doing these days?

and again we see someone who actually believes the president has the power to control the american economy. It's sad that people actually believe this nonsense.

Varus

Hussein is dead, Iraq is in turmoil, and the Iraqis hunger for our blood. Mission accomplished.

[Misespimb]

Lets not forget the part about deposing a tyrranical madman





who was avidly pursuing nuclear weapons to use against the US and Israel, which he had a history of using killing hundreds of thousands of his own citizens with these wmd's that supposedly don't exist; or that he broke the ceasfire established from the first gulf war.

Varus

And replacing that dictator with what? Well, let's see.

1. An Islamic, as opposed to secular, leadership (thanks to our Jihadists...err...US soldiers).

2. A situation where there is more torture now in Iraq than under Hussein.

3. Tens of thousands of deaths in only a few years under US oppression, rape, torture, murder and killing.

4. The hate of the Iraqis against the US (not only do most of them want us to leave, but a small majority even support attacks on US soldiers).

5. And no, the investigation has already admitted that it found no WMDs, with the exception of worthless, degraded WMDs that Hussein cared about greatly enough to bury them in the desert.

6. Nukes? Give me a fucking break. The only country that has nukes in the engagement between Iraq and the US is the US, and they not only have them, but have used them against their enemies in the past, not to mention the legendary belligerence of the US.

Sounds like a good plan.

[Misespimb]

Why not Israel? The one nation in which muslims have more political and economic freedom than any other in the Middle East, even Turkey. Unlike african states, Israel has accounted quite well for the aid they have been given.

Aid to Israel is difficult to quantify, with lots of half-tuths and mis-information available. FAS is one of the most reliable sites for such info:

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/IB85066.pdf

The question is, is it worth it? The answer is individual. Can you put a price tag on a human life? On human freedom?

I for one, in my own view, believe that we, the world, do owe Israel a home where they can be safe. And I, for one, am very disappointed at the opposition Israel receives from European nations. Anti-semitism has increased in Europe and is indeed troubleing when combined with a growing muslin fundamentalism.

I'd say the problem with Israel and Palestine is that they are both killing each other. The problem within the US is that many people (including leaders) are too fucking stupid to realize that you don't have to pick a side when both sides are wrong.

[Teareerah]

...but I guess I feel OUR leaders should be responsible for OUR well-being...

No. You are responsible for your well being. No one else.