Ah, the Obamedia have a short memory. While they are so quick to hail Obama's "triumphant" visit to Africa this week, they conveniently forgot how warmly received President Bush was back in February. Oh, that could be because it didn't get as much coverage as Obama's visit. But, I will at least concede that a "Lame Duck" president doesn't get as much attention as a new one. On the other hand, the Obamatrons never wanted to look at what Bush had done for Africa, resulting in Bush's popularity on the continent.CNN's Don Lemon was gently reminded of Bush's warm reception by African journalist Nkepile Mabuse:
In February 2008, the Obamedia glossed over Bush's trip to Tanzania. Here are excerpts from what Reuters reported at the time in "Unpopular at home, Bush basks in African praise:"
...Wow ... a surprisingly positive article about Bush. Rare indeed.Kikwete told Bush: "The outpouring of warmth and affection from the people of Tanzania that you have witnessed since your arrival is a genuine reflection of what we feel towards you and towards the American people."
A FRIEND OF AFRICA
In a reference to Bush's domestic problems, Kikwete added: "Different people may have different views about you and your administration and your legacy.
"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."
Although many Africans, especially Muslims, share negative perceptions of Bush's foreign policy with other parts of the world, there is widespread recognition of his successful humanitarian and health initiatives on the continent.
Bush has spent more money on aid to Africa than his predecessor, Bill Clinton, and is popular for his personal programs to fight AIDS and malaria and to help hospitals and schools.
Bush has stressed new-style partnerships with Africa based on trade and investment and not purely on aid handouts.
His Millennium Challenge Corp. rewards countries that continue to satisfy criteria for democratic governance, anti-corruption and free-market economic policies.
Bush signed the largest such deal, for $698 million, with Kikwete on Sunday.
Because of the U.S. anti-malaria program, 5 percent of patients tested positive for the disease on the offshore islands of Zanzibar in 2007 compared to 40 percent three years earlier, the Tanzanian leader said.
Bush's legacy in Africa would be saving the lives of hundreds of thousands of mothers and children who would otherwise have died from malaria or AIDS and enabling millions of people to get an education, he said.
"I know you leave office in about 12 months' time. Rest assured that you will be remembered for many generations to come for the good things you've done for Tanzania and the good things you have done for Africa," Kikwete said.
Not only was Bush's triumphant visit under-reported, notice how now it continues to be glossed over. Did you notice at the end of the video clip Lemon's lame attempt to cover up his dumb question? He ended the segment with: "So, they welcome everyone, it doesn't matter. This is part of how the people do it, right?" I take Nkepile Mabuse's comment that preceded his to mean that this is how everyone is greeted, regardless of where the person is from. Lemon seems to want to make it more like it doesn't matter how lame the person is.
But, I'm a bit jaded when it comes to the press ...
1 comments:
My father is runs the Malaria Initiative for the US. He was an appointee by Bush and stayed over into the Obama admin. He was on a first name basis with Bush which shows Bush’s passion for helping Africa. The impact that the program has is staggering. How many times do you think he has met Obama? 0 times. Kind of ironic isn't it. The first African born president shows less interest in saving lives in his home land than the "village idiot" from Texas. Good post by the way.
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