...I'm okay with being REALITY-based.




Tuesday, July 08, 2003
      ( 2:05 PM )
 
Meanwhile in Africa...

Bush wants to be known as the humanitarian president...this week. Taking off his cowboy hat and his promises of gettin' our enemies dead or alive, he has put on his "compassion" hat and set flight for Africa. His five-day tour will do its best to NOT to address the growing crisis in Liberia (our only African colony), the fact that his AIDS package won't ever live up to his promises, and the pressure the US puts on African countries to comply with genetically-engineered crop rules and trade sanctions in order to participate in the "free trade" of the world. On his first stop today, he made us all proud with stirring words from Goree Island, where the slaves were loaded onto ships - condeming slavery and the way it corrupted humanity. Without actually mentioning the United States' name specifically or apologizing for 400 years of subjugation of African descendants in this country, he portrayed our country as a noble fighter in the pursuit of true justice and equality:

"My nation's journey toward justice has not
been easy and it is not over," Mr. Bush said.
"The racial bigotry fed by slavery did not end
with slavery or with segregation. And many of
the issues that still trouble America have roots
in the bitter experience of other times. But
however long the journey, our destination is set:
liberty and justice for all."

How sweet. That really means a lot coming from a man who stood against the University of Michigan's affirmative-action program.

Not only are Americans not going to pay attention to this Africa trip because of the inherent racism and self-centerdness of our corporate media and our culture in general, but even important Africans are ignoring it. Nelson Mandela refuses to meet with Bush, as does the entire African Union. It's so nice to be so loved and admired by everyone, isn't it?

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