Bush pledges Africa aid - with strings

[Rose Siding]

PRESIDENT BUSH is ready to commit more American resources to Africa, but only for countries that put their houses in order, he has told The Times days before the G8 summit.
...
On Africa, President Bush indicated to campaigners and the organisers of the Live 8 concerts that he was ready to be more generous. “I believe in the admonition, ‘To whom much has been given, much is required’,” he said.

He said that he wanted to speed up the flow of African aid money passing through Congress but made it clear that US donations depended on African leaders spending money on health and education projects, while tackling corruption.

He took issue with Mr Blair’s aim of doubling global aid to Africa to $50 billion (£28 billion) and disagreed with campaigners who say that the 0.16 per cent of US GDP that Washington spends on overseas aid is too low.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,22649-1674945,00.html

[maddezmom]

1. but only for countries that put their houses in order,

how does he say this shit with a straight face? or was he smirking? :banghead:

[OKNancy]

2. because

he is shit for brains?

I can't believe he twisted the phrase " To whom much has been given, much is required" in such an evil way. I think most people know it means that the wealthy ( be it a nation or an individual)who are given much are required to give back and required to do good in the world....not the other way around.
What an ass....and it's such a Republican way of thinking.

[Rose Siding]

3. It is a horribly offensive thing to say

To say it that way, he's speaking as GOD.

[Julius Civitatus]

4. He's reading the "Republican Bible"

where any harsh words of Jesus against the rich and powerful are definitely cleaned up, and ambiguous words are given a new, more cynical, more pro-establishment meaning.

The way he has twisted that passage is revolting!!!! It is initially meant to say that those lucky ones that have received so much in life (the rich), have an obligation to give back to the rest, less lucky ones.

In the new "Republican Bible" it means that those who receive any scraps from the rich are mandated to give back to the rich in return. "For thou shalt not be a freeloader or a welfare queen. Thou shalt find a job, thou hippy!"

I wonder if they will twist the spat with the money-lenders in the temple into some sort of anti-tax stance. I'd better not give them ideas!

[OKNancy]

6. Right. We are on the same page

Wish we could get some mileage out of this.

[u2spirit]

5. Bush Sucks

too bad poor Africans don't have natural resources we could exploit. I wish Bono could understand that extreme poverty won't go away until the extremely wealthy find a way to profit from it.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

7. Actually, they do.

Plenty of resources to exploit in Africa. And generally they're exploited by western corporations, with the approval of the governments of whatever state the resource is in, and the people get zilch.

[July]

8. How can he say that with a straight face?

"To whom much has been given, much is required."

Does this fool have NO self-awareness?

[muriel_volestrangler]

9. Bush lays out his Africa agenda

US President George W Bush has outlined his plans for helping Africa in a speech ahead of next week's G8 summit.

Mr Bush said the US will double assistance to the region by 2010, but stressed trade and good government were as important as financial aid.

Anti-poverty campaigners said Mr Bush's pledge was insufficient, while South Africa said it was a step forward.
...
It is also thought critics will look carefully at how the figures in the speech translate, as money pledged is not necessarily the same as the sums the US Congress will approve.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4638323.stm

Sorry if this is a dupe, but I can't find it in LBN. The 'doubling' sounds good, but if it depends on Congress, then he may just be countign on them to get it mired down in the budget.

[rustedace]

10. Too much corruption in African governments

I hope he doesn't double aid as it will just be wasted.

Maybe I'm too cynical?

Give to an organization like Doctors Without Borders.

[UTUSN]

11. SHRUB Lays It Out? Or Shrub reads-what's Written-for-Him n/t

[madrchsod]

12. 2010? is he planning on

staying awhile longer?

[Rainscents]

13. I hope Africa tell Bush to F%#K OFF!!! Take your money and put it

where sun don't shine!!!

[katsy]

14. What does bozo-boy know about putting houses in order?

He wants them to spend money on health & education? The way he has invested in Ameria's health & education?

He wants them to "tackle" corruption? The way he's allowed halliburton to bleed taxpayers? The way he picks the pockets of taxpayers to pay the expenses of multi-national corporations' exportation of jobs & facilities?

Leaders lead by example... and bozo-boy is leading America to endless pain, war and suffering.

My advice to African leaders: Take the money and get counsel about leadership from anyone but bush.

[anotherdrew]

15. right... he's been pledging africa aid since day one, nothing doin' yet...

Worthless lying sack should shove his strings, he's got no right to tell anyone anything. Except, "I resign"

[Doctor_J]

16. "Those deck chairs belong over here",

said the captain of the Titanic