The Good in the Current Administration
I realize the title of this post, alone, will anger a lot of readers and, as a result, some of them will take time to leave comments here, pointing out that the bad in this Administration far outweighs the good. And that’s probably true. But it doesn’t change the fact that on this subject, the Administration got it right. Cheers to Captain Ed for this reminder.
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I agree that this is a rare bright spot for an otherwise dismal Presidency. A big chunk of this assastance is in AIDS awareness, but traditional assistance plays a big role too. Africa has witnessed a particular atrocious set of wars over the last 15 years, including Rwanda, Congo, Liberia, Somalia and Sierra Leone. Sadly, that means the need for more aid has gone up. Fortunately, the Bush Administration hasn’t completely ignored it.
As for evangelicals, I’m not sure what the gist of the article is. Nicholas Kristof has written long and often about the role of evangelicals in giving aid to Africa, and the role of people like Sam Brownback in spearheading the effort. Evangelical commitment isn’t entirely new…and not entirely altruistic either. Evangelicals want to convert people too, and don’t always respond favorably to people who say “no thanks” on the religion front. But overall it’s a good trend.
This is one of the few things they have gotten right. One other is the protected area of the Pacific. The latter is virtually the only thing they’ve gotten right for the environment.
Captain Ed wrote:
Ken Mehlman, who just ended his term as Republican National Committee chairman, spent a great deal of time the past two years courting African American groups and individuals all over the country. It was a big, sustained effort that at times was subverted by what the White House and congressional Republicans were saying and doing, but Mehlman soldiered on to the end of his term.
Whether there is a direct link with the increased aid for Africans and the Republican Party trying so hard to win a bigger portion of the African American vote I don’t claim to know, although nothing would surprise me.
It would be nice to think humanitarianism was the major motivation, but given how it’s been all politics all the time about everything else with Bush & Co., believing the Africa aid is a big exception comes very hard indeed.
One other consideration bears mentioning. While Bush’s Africa aid represents a notable increase, that $9 billion would pay the freight for his Iraq quagmire for slightly more than one month.
Even a blind pig finds an acorn once in a while.
Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.
Mussolini made the trains run on time.
Even Hitler got a good ‘people’s car’ designed — the Volkswagen.
“I realize the title of this post, alone, will anger a lot of readers and, as a result, some of them will take time to leave comments here”
How big of you Petey, the bravery displayed by posting the obvious is remarkable. Your fear of the moonbat lychmob says most of what we need to know about you. The Moderate Voice? Nah – just more boorish liberal blog spew.