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nytimes.com:
NIAMEY, Niger Amid the fever of excitement over President Obama's first visit to sub-Saharan Africa since taking office, the debate over why he chose Ghana has been almost as prevalent as the many bars, stores and barbershops bearing his name across the region.
Why Ghana? Obama Likely To Prioritize Democracy, Transparency Over ...
Why Ghana? | Lexington's notebook | Economist.com
News Analysis - Ghana Visit Points to Africa's Instability ...
BBC NEWS | Have Your Say | Why Ghana?
Obama In Ghana: 'Africa Not Separate From World Affairs'
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Selling their own brethen into the slave trade so many centuries ago shows that Africa has not changed much in their mentality for not knowing how to run a country.
You clearly don't know much about African history, the slave trade, or modern African politics.
Please just stop.
Ghana is one of the more industrialized nations over there that's why he chose it. He's also sending a message to the other war torn countries that he doesn't want to visit and they need to get their acts together.
As an American living in Ghana, I was thrilled to welcome Obama. And I was just googling to see how Americans were commenting on his visit.....and I am terribly shocked at this blog. Why is everyone bickering on race? Why are people being so demeaning to each other? Obama was very clear on his position to uphold America's interest but also work with other countries for stronger alliances. He is smart because America needs oil and oil has been discovered in Ghana in very large amounts as well as eco-energy initiatives. SO WHY are Americans bickering about race and just nit-picking with each other. From the outside looking in, it comes off as real petty. WE are all Americans with different stories...some are native...some came in ships as pilgrims...some came a bit later from Europe...and yes some came on slave ships....and some even choose now to live abroad....but the fact is that we are all Americans. America has been able to survive this long because there is a developing world that provides goods and services CHEAPLY(etc. China, India, Africa)....so Obama is smart to keep touring and securing allies. So lets all get back on the bronco and talk about keeping America in its good standing. Guys, I was really saddened by the postings above....it doesn't take away my joy of personally meeting the Obamas though. But really guys, America needs togetherness now more than ever.
It comes off as real petty from within the shores of America too. Americans have a problem with people that aren't exactly like them or have differing views. Americans are petty and whiny. They don't like change even when they vote for it.
Interesting. I need to read these two HuffPosts to see where they differ...
It's the oil: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/allison-kilkenny/why-did-president-obama-c_b_230007.html
It's the democracy: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/11/world/africa/11africa.html
I wouldn't be too surprised to see the NYT obfuscating the oil angle, though.
Well well there is finally a first class black statesman in Africa....not many to be found on that poor continent. But like many other good Africans politians, professional people, and intellectuals he wont be staying long.....
Africa is a basket case and it is not Obama's fault. More money has been spent there than what was spent for the Marshall Plan after WWII. It is the dysfunctional governments of Africa that has kept it in the gutter. Just look at Uganda, Zimbabwe, Libya, Congo, Nigeria, etc. No matter how much cash you give them or how much oil wealth they have, the dysfunctional nature of the dictatorships will keep them poverty stricken.
The primary source of Africa's dysfunction today lies with European - British, Belgique, French, German and more - colonialism.
I disagree with Obama when he said Africa needs to stop blaming others -colonialism-- for what it is today. But they should blame colonialism which has led to corruption, genocide and other stuff like that.
But at the same time, they should try to succeed and show everybody that they can do it, because they can! =D
When you've had years of warlords fighting civil wars you can't blame that on anyone else. Now the Rwanda issue can be blamed squarely at the feet of the Belgiums for pitting one tribe against another.
You are referring to the Berlin Conference of ... 1885! 124 years ago! The political and economic boundaries set up then largely collapsed by the 1960s, and good riddance, too, but still you think modern Africa's problems are Leopold's? Of the 47 countries in Africa there may be 10 or 11 that may resemble just governance, so you think the problems of the other 36 are because of mean white people? Did the devil make Idi Amin do it? Did the EU twist Bongo's arms into stealing billions? Did Queen Elizabeth set up Mugabe to fail? Or were they like you and me, people with feet of clay? The first step toward justice is truth, and that starts only with the individual admitting his faults, not just declaring his strengths. No amount of our money, food or guns is going to make Africa a better continent, they will have to do it themselves. For you to blame the "European" for Africa's problems is to steal their opportunity to right themselves, you rob the Africans of the chance to claim ownership of their problems. You mean well, you provide succor to the victims, but without truth, your compassion is shallow. Dr. King said, "Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will."
as opposed to the Middle-east? We give billions in aid to your beloved Israel as well and they are still not the shining beacon of true democracy that Ghana is.
it's a theocracy-almost-democracy
I agree. Just ask any veteran whose been over there and seen the international food aid rotting on the docks due to the warlords. After Somalia, many veterans were just disgusted with Africa, period.
As the visitors to South Park sing - ". . . going to see some friends of mine."
The Rasmussen poll shows that the skinny guy wagging his bony finger in our faces is rapidly losing approval in the US, so let's take this narcissistic farce on the road and see if someone somewhere will cheer when he arrogantly sticks his chin in the air.
i don't know anyone over the age of 18 who watches south park and would actually quote them. thanks for defining your demographic and intellect.
Rapidly losing approval in the US?
All the way from 60% approval to 58% approval ... WOW! What a rapid loss ...
The Rasmussen poll before the elections showed a very close fight between McCain and Obama. A nine milion popular vote drubbing and a 2:1 electoral college whipping refelcts on the poll, Happy dreaming with this poll. Keep looking for more polls. Will keep you busy.
Still in anger and denial? Man you folks take a long time to work through the stages of grief.
Maybe all the way through 2016? That'll be great, 'cause then Hillary can run.
" I have the blood of Africa within me"
-President Obama-
I love this man and his family! A man who's not afraid to say who he is. If president Obama does nothing else but be himself I will call his presidency successful. The neo-cons, gays and rabid liberals will never turn me against this president.
co-sign
Dido hapiday.
CO-SIGNED
Amen! And in 2012 I will go door to door for him again in Virginia the RED State that I helped turn BLUE... I love it.
"Why Ghana?" Why not? Every time any reference is made toward the history of AAs, somebody has an issue. Everyone is so threatened by acknowledging history and having respect for ancestors when it comes to AAs. Everyone else is free to mourn the past. As soon as AAs do it for themselves, the white guilt meter goes haywire. I dont care if you dont like it, I have a history and it isnt without uncomfortable and unpleasant stories and no amount of hate will ever make me forget my past. Get a life.
Exactly. Other ethnicities can build Holocaust Memorials and constantly rehash what occured. But when AAs bring up slavery and Jim Crow they are told that it was so long ago. It doesn't stop them from honoring the Constitution which is over 230 years old.
Bingo
Ohioan.. I couldn't agree more. Great post.
The point of the article was why did he choose Ghana and not some other African countries. Just as if Obama went to Europe and only went to Denmark. People would ask why and only why Denmark. This has absolutely nothing to do with what you argue. Read the article.
Don't be so hard on people who have trouble reading like Palin.
gooooo Ghana. Hope you come back and visit other African nations. Please include som francophone countries as well.
Ghana was a wise choice. Good government, relatively good economy, minimal conflicts -- these characteristics deserve to have our presidential visits.
It doesn't matter where Obama goes because the tr olls will emerge to complain.
Why Ghana?
Could it have something to do with *gasp* oil?
"...Some say it has to do the recent discovery of oil in Ghana. A quarter of US oil imports are expected to come from West Africa by 2015, according to estimates by National Intelligence Council.[includes rush transcript]..."
http://www.democracynow.org/2009/7/10/president_obama_heads_to_ghana_on
Obama had few options? How about here - the United States? Has Obama forgot who elected him?
Man you people are BORING!
Think first, speak afterwards.
...or better yet, don't speak at all. After all, it is a choice to not sound ignorant.
There is a glimmer of hope in his fatherland Kenya. Finally the Hague will on the trail of horror from last years violence. Hopefully the top guys will be exposed and disqualified to run the country. Thats the only chance for a clean break
I glad he chosed Ghana, it will expose the horrors of slavery to all Americans. Hehehehe!
For those racist who did not study black history in your schools, here is your chance to get a good dose of the horrors this country did to the human race.
Oh yeah, we didn't hear enough about slavery in school do we? I wonder if the horror of Arab slave trading will be exposed. Or the Asians that dealt in it. Or the Africans that did and still do trade in human slavery. It's odd isn't it, that the standard of living for Africans who live in the US is so much higher than those who were spared the horrors of slavery. Odd.
I suppose you think then that slavery was God's way of raising the Africans' standard of living?
nothing odd about it.
Africans have a lower standars b/c of corruption and other barbarities due to colonialism.
hit up some history books! =D
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First Posted: 07-11-09 09:54 AM | Updated: 08-11-09 05:12 AM