Bush to Africa: "Freedom is on the march," so get in step

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8199429/

WASHINGTON - Now that Africa is getting an influx of cash to pay off debts, President Bush is pushing for an influx of democracy on the troubled continent.

The United States and others of the Group of Eight major industrialized nations agreed Saturday to eliminate more than $40 billion of debt owed by 18 of the world’s poorest nations as part of a British-led effort to lift Africa out of poverty.

Bush was to follow up on the agreement by playing host Monday to leaders of five countries that held democratic elections last year.

“At a time when freedom is on the march around the world, it is vital that the continent of Africa be a place of democracy and prosperity and hope, where people grow up healthy and have the opportunity to realize their dreams,” Bush said in a message to African people broadcast recently on Voice of America radio.

[ananda]

1. Lol

Freedom and democracy are definitely on the march..

.. but where ..

.. straight into the toilet, as far as I can tell.


Sue

[Chipper Chat]

2. Where oh where is he gonna get the invasion troops?

I wonder if he's ever watched the movie "Zulu?"

[charlyvi]

3. LOL!

Michael Caine sure beats the hell outta Dick Cheney in the looks department, though.

[Conker]

4. Does anyone else find this quote bs?

“At a time when freedom is on the march around the world, it is vital that the continent of Africa be a place of democracy and prosperity and hope, where people grow up healthy and have the opportunity to realize their dreams."I'm sure he is trying to gain something from this.

[Chipper Chat]

5. Maybe he still hopes to confiscate that enriched uranium

from Niger.

[Village Idiot]

6. I wonder...

What kind of WTO/IMF/World Bank hooks will be set underlying these debt-forgiveness initiatives...

You can bet that a lot of African countries' natural resource initiatives and national energy programs are going to be privatized over this...

And the cash grab CONTINUES!!!

[getmeouttahere]

8. Exactly....

there have to be strings attached to ANYTHING these people do, especially if it has to do with their version of "democracy" which is really unfettered capitalism

Hold onto your natural resources, Africa, and if they expect you to hand them over as part of the deal, don't do it. It's not like you can pay the existing debt anyway. Then we'll get the rest of the world to guilt BushCo into either forgiving the debt or increasing the aid to you.

[unhappycamper]

7. We're coming to liberate you.

American style.
http://www.newprophecy.net.nyud.net:8090/Firestorm_shakes_Iraqi_cities.jpg