Bush Screws Africa!

[Johan]

NOT! (http://video1.washingtontimes.com/fishwrap/2008/02/bob_geldof_in_rwanda.html)

Mr. Geldof praised Mr. Bush for his work in delivering billions to fight disease and poverty in Africa, and blasted the U.S. press for ignoring the achievement.


Mr. Bush, said Mr. Geldof, "has done more than any other president so far."


"This is the triumph of American policy really," he said. "It was probably unexpected of the man. It was expected of the nation, but not of the man, but both rose to the occasion."


"What's in it for [Mr. Bush]? Absolutely nothing," Mr. Geldof said.


Mr. Geldof said that the president has failed "to articulate this to Americans" but said he is also "pissed off" at the press for their failure to report on this good news story.


"You guys didn't pay attention," Geldof said to a group of reporters from all the major newspapers.

He SOOOO hates black people! You were/are right, Kanye! :rolleyes:

Big shoutout to the mainstream media, as well! Way to go, folks! :rolleyes:

Edit: More.

Interesting update. (http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1717934,00.html)

It is some story. And I have always wondered why it was never told properly to the American people, who were paying for it. It was, for example, Bush who initiated the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) with cross-party support led by Senators John Kerry and Bill Frist. In 2003, only 50,000 Africans were on HIV antiretroviral drugs — and they had to pay for their own medicine. Today, 1.3 million are receiving medicines free of charge. The U.S. also contributes one-third of the money for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria — which treats another 1.5 million. It contributes 50% of all food aid (though some critics find the mechanism of contribution controversial). On a seven-day trip through Africa, Bush announced a fantastic new $350 million fund for other neglected tropical diseases that can be easily eradicated; a program to distribute 5.2 million mosquito nets to Tanzanian kids; and contracts worth around $1.2 billion in Tanzania and Ghana from the Millennium Challenge Account, another initiative of the Bush Administration.

So why doesn't America know about this? "I tried to tell them. But the press weren't much interested," says Bush. It's half true. There are always a couple of lines in the State of the Union, but not enough so that anyone noticed, and the press really isn't interested. For them, like America itself, Africa is a continent of which little is known save the odd horror.

[Mdot23]

I appreciate the guy using, "pissed off". Anyways, it's good to hear something positive.

[CES]

Man, that's a lot of spin, even for a poltical story.

Hate Geldof, respect his charity work. Just like Bono in that respect.

[Heretic Machine]

Yeah, we're dicks for not giving him a pat on the back for delivering billions of our dollars to Africa to fight disease.

We suck! :rolleyes:

[Ancalagon]

Where is that Stuff White People Like entry on Awareness?

Also, how about they stop subsidizing their farm produce, maybe then African farmers can actually sell their crops? Would be nice.

[Philonious]

He SOOOO hates black people! You right, Kanye! :rolleyes:

Two completely different things. Giving aid to Africa is different from providing social services to Americans from low SES communities, in which Blacks are typically over represented. This isn't to say giving aid to Africa isn't praise worthy... But if I were to show you a globe you would clearly see that Africa is not one of your 50 states.

[Telefrog]

Two completely different things. Giving aid to Africa is different from providing social services to Americans from low SES communities, in which Blacks are typically over represented. This isn't to say giving aid to Africa isn't praise worthy... But if I were to show you a globe you would clearly see that Africa is not one of your 50 states.

It's crazy how we love to help Africa, but hate spending money to help our own poor.

[OrangePulp]

I guess it's always easier to help someone else than help yourself, even on the national level.

[Generation ABXY]

I'm not surprised, it is much more profitable to blast a "lame duck" president than to admit everything is just ducky. The media - not left wing or right wing, but simple, wingless media - is going to drag this country down in the name of ratings.

[Johan]

But if I were to show you a globe you would clearly see that Africa is not one of your 50 states.

Not if I were a typical American! :D

...how about they stop subsidizing their farm produce, maybe then African farmers can actually sell their crops? Would be nice.

Most Western/developed nations really hurt the developing world's ability to maintain any kind of agricultural economy by subsidies. The EU and America are the worst offenders.

Terrific point!

Yeah, we're dicks for not giving him a pat on the back for delivering billions of our dollars to Africa to fight disease.

We suck! :rolleyes:

I personally HATE spending our money overseas to fight diseases that will never get here anyways, despite originating elsewhere...

*coughAIDScough*

[Bone]

It's pretty cool to see someone as liberal as Bob Geldof praising Bush. There are plenty of things to dislike about Bush's decisions over the last 8 years, but it's not too intelligent to just knee-jerk bash the guy for everything. AIDS is a global plague and it's great Bush was able to help.

[Schnoogs]

I didn't need to read this story to know that Kanye is a fucking moron

[Vandenh]

It's crazy how we love to help Africa, but hate spending money to help our own poor.

That is because that "help" is usually rewarded with big contacts for big Western companies (mining, oil, weapons, etc...). And it looks good on your PR sheets ;)

[bKangy]

"Helping Africa" needs to be put in context:

Not fucking them mercilessly and throwing a few dollars in the right way is indeed a massive help considering everyone else fucks them big time. Geldof's a massive cunt though, shitty musician and shitty patronising fucker of a charity figure.

[stmfuller]

I'm putting it out there.
Can we cut back aid with other countries until we're 1. better off as a nation 2. don't have poverty 3. have national health care...etc?
Just saying.

[Netami]

Huh? But look at everything Africa gives us in return!

...Eh....:confused:

[stmfuller]

don't get me wrong, I'm completely for helping out people in need. But it would seem to me that there are many people in need right here at home.

[Telefrog]

Huh? But look at everything Africa gives us in return!

...Eh....:confused:

Causes! Africa is rich in charitable causes!

And tragedy! Don't forget all the prime tragedy.

[MJBuddy]

I'm putting it out there.
Can we cut back aid with other countries until we're 1. better off as a nation 2. don't have poverty 3. have national health care...etc?
Just saying.

1. Too subjective - we will never be "better off"

2. Impossible, since the definition of poverty is % based on GDP.

3. Why the fuck would anyone want national health care, etc?

OH BECAUSE YOU WANT TO GIVE MORONS MONEY TO BE MORONS WITH!




Edit: No seriously, how do we not all just fucking shoot ourselves when we back social programs? Who in government do you actually trust? Now that you have your list of 0 names, let's imagine those people with 100% job security and pay that does not fluctuate on any basis of the work they accomplish.

[Matthias]

I'm putting it out there.
Can we cut back aid with other countries until we're 1. better off as a nation 2. don't have poverty 3. have national health care...etc?
Just saying.

Although I didn't really feel that way in this particular instance, that thought has definitely popped into my head a few times when hearing about all the money we throw at other countries, especially when they or others go from calling us unhelpful money grubbers to evil imperialists trying to steal their [insert random resource here]. It seems like we can't win for losing sometime.

But, when it comes down to it, that doesn't change the fact that we're one of the biggest nations in the world financially, and are expected to take some responsibility in watching out for not-so-lucky countries. It's also cool that our private citizens give a relatively large amount to charities.

[Johan]

Geldof's a massive cunt though, shitty musician and shitty patronising fucker of a charity figure.

Apparently, somebody else doesn't like Mondays either!

Props if you get the reference...

[NationalKato]

He SOOOO hates black people! You were/are right, Kanye! :rolleyes:

Kanye may be talking out of his ass most times, but how does giving aid to Africa alleviate the suffering of post-Katrina Gulf coast victims? You know, since that was what Kanye was referring to?

[[GH-SC]Ryctor]

I'm putting it out there.
Can we cut back aid with other countries until we're 1. better off as a nation 2. don't have poverty 3. have national health care...etc?
Just saying.

Want health care?? Get a fucking job you lazy yellow.


lulz

[torrefaction]

Kanye may be talking out of his ass most times, but how does giving aid to Africa alleviate the suffering of post-Katrina Gulf coast victims? You know, since that was what Kanye was referring to?

Actually, I think he was referring to his idea that the reason there was suffering in post-Katrina victims, is because George Bush hates black people. Which makes it a perfectly valid comparison.

[stmfuller]

Ryctor;1275252']Want health care?? Get a fucking job you lazy yellow.


lulz

:D
I have a job with health care...doesn't mean I can't ask for better healthcare :)

[bKangy]

Apparently, somebody else doesn't like Mondays either!

Props if you get the reference...

I get the reference, and that's exactly why I hate him :p One hit wonder, holier-than-thou bastard he is.

[[GH-SC]Ryctor]

:D
I have a job with health care...doesn't mean I can't ask for better healthcare :)

Dont lie...if you had a job you'd be orange.

[CoachCrazyMcScot]

Interesting: We scream for National Health Care, while Africa weeps for national health.

[Johan]

Kanye may be talking out of his ass most times, but how does giving aid to Africa alleviate the suffering of post-Katrina Gulf coast victims?

It doesn't, unless they move to New Orleans to spend the money...

Besides, haven't we, as a nation, done enough (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14011193/) to help Katrina victims? If we do any more, there might not be any left...

[MJBuddy]

:D
I have a job with health care...doesn't mean I can't ask for better healthcare :)


National Healthcare =/= better healthcare.

[Johan]

National Healthcare =/= better healthcare.

It does for those with no healthcare! ;)

All 47 million of them! That's 47,000,000. about 16% of the population!

[Vandenh]

Huh? But look at everything Africa gives us in return!

...Eh....:confused:

Oh boy.

Oil, Uranium (15% of world), precious metals, diamonds (for the ladies),... that list goes on for quite some pages if I want. A lot of natural resource that the rich West relies on to some degree.

[[GH-SC]Ryctor]

National Healthcare =/= better healthcare.

Exactly....and quite frankly (no offense to Johan intended because i wuv him) I'd rather not have the government meddle with health care...I mean shit look at their track record. Public schools anyone?

[Heretic Machine]

I personally HATE spending our money overseas to fight diseases that will never get here anyways, despite originating elsewhere...

*coughAIDScough*

I'm not saying the money was misspent, but come on, it's our money and he basically called us dicks. Was he under the impression that the money came out of the Bush fortune?

[torrefaction]

Actually, he called reporters dicks, because this has been heavily underreported in the media.

[Heretic Machine]

Actually, he called reporters dicks, because this has been heavily underreported in the media.

Yeah, looks like I misread a paragraph, fair enough.

[Rifter]

It's crazy how we love to help Africa, but hate spending money to help our own poor.

I have to agree there.

[stmfuller]

Although I didn't really feel that way in this particular instance, that thought has definitely popped into my head a few times when hearing about all the money we throw at other countries, especially when they or others go from calling us unhelpful money grubbers to evil imperialists trying to steal their [insert random resource here]. It seems like we can't win for losing sometime.

But, when it comes down to it, that doesn't change the fact that we're one of the biggest nations in the world financially, and are expected to take some responsibility in watching out for not-so-lucky countries. It's also cool that our private citizens give a relatively large amount to charities.

I concur on most of your statement. I just wonder why we can't balance a budget, provide aide to our countrymen (cause, let's face it everyone has tough times), AND have a bit left over for real foreign affairs such as Africa.

It's just being responsible. ya know?

[Grey]

What an ass-kisser...

Nothing against spending money that way... but after reading the quotes I want to kick Geldorf in his face.

[stmfuller]

Ryctor;1275275']Dont lie...if you had a job you'd be orange.

No, if I didn't have a child I'd be orange

[Grey]

I just wonder why we can't balance a budget, provide aide to our countrymen (cause, let's face it everyone has tough times), AND have a bit left over for real foreign affairs such as Africa.


couse you spend almost the half of tax money into war? ... :>

[stmfuller]

National Healthcare =/= better healthcare.

that's true, it could be a crapshoot. But I'd be willing to risk it if the controlling body of healthcare wasn't answering to the almighty dollar and was actually concerned about the welfare of our citizens.

[Telefrog]

Oh boy.

Oil, Uranium (15% of world), precious metals, diamonds (for the ladies),... that list goes on for quite some pages if I want. A lot of natural resource that the rich West relies on to some degree.

Yes, oil and uranium are good. Diamonds? Fuck. De Beers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debeers) can go fuck themselves for all I care.

[stmfuller]

couse you spend almost the half of tax money into war? ... :>

and people wonder why so many americans have crippling debt. What a wonderful example our "democratic" overlords are setting.

[xcalibur]

I don't think we spend enough money helping Africa, which is why I am glad Obama is sponsoring a bill (http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=56405)to send even more money over there, instead of bothering to help our own people. Obviously with our health economy, we can easily afford to spend an extra $845 billion (0.7% of our gross national product) helping other countries before spending money on ourselves!

/sarcasm


-X

[Schnoogs]

and people wonder why so many americans have crippling debt. What a wonderful example our "democratic" overlords are setting.

Oh brother :rolleyes:

[TrackZero]

Huh? But look at everything Africa gives us in return!

...Eh....:confused:

Actually, a lot of the chemicals that go in modern capacitors come from Africa. You may recall a number of years back when the PS2 first came out, there was a production shortage, along with one for new Nokia phones (at the time), it was due to the limited production of this mineral which can only be found in Africa in any large quantity.

Now, the slave camps that started to get said mineral out of the muck for us all to have our modern toys in that situation is another thing entirely.....

[Mantooth]

Bush Screws Africa!

I hope he had that sucker wrapped!

[Yellowman]

I hope he had that sucker wrapped!

I was gonna make that joke but I felt it to be in poor taste. I should have remembered that this EvAv...

[TrackZero]

I hope he had that sucker wrapped!

Oh nice, witty rejoinder +1!

[TheFlyingOrc]

It's crazy how we love to help Africa, but hate spending money to help our own poor.
The africans are actually starving to death, unlike anyone in the United States.

Trying to equivocate our "poor" (who are rich by global standards) with sub-saharan Africans is ridiculous.

[Schnoogs]

The africans are actually starving to death, unlike anyone in the United States.

Trying to equivocate our "poor" (who are rich by global standards) with sub-saharan Africans is ridiculous.

Oh so true...

being poor in america is owning only a 360 and complaining that you don't have a PS3 as well ;)

[TheFlyingOrc]

It does for those with no healthcare! ;)

All 47 million of them! That's 47,000,000. about 16% of the population!

No health insurance does not equal no healthcare. The quality of their healthcare is probably worse, but they don't have NONE of it.

Nationalizing healthcare is a terrible idea. Initiatives to make each state do it themselves makes more sense.

[TheFlyingOrc]

controlling body of healthcare wasn't answering to the almighty dollar and was actually concerned about the welfare of our citizens.
Have you even SEEN a government before?

[[GH-SC]Ryctor]

The africans are actually starving to death, unlike anyone in the United States.

Trying to equivocate our "poor" (who are rich by global standards) with sub-saharan Africans is ridiculous.

Also of note, some(not all but atleast some) of America's poor have the ability to make themselves less poor. Sadly ethopian shit farmers do not have that luxury.

[stmfuller]

Have you even SEEN a government before?

well, my whole argument was based on a perfect world that currently doesn't nor will ever exist.
So...

[stmfuller]

Oh so true...

being poor in america is owning only a 360 and complaining that you don't have a PS3 as well ;)

Then count me as being poor!!!

Seriously though, because other people are dying worse than the people that die in the US means we can't take care of our own?
I'm not saying put everyone in a mansion with a billion dollars, I'm saying food and shelter that's not a soup kitchen and a cot in the middle of a gymnasium.

[Telefrog]

Trying to equivocate our "poor" (who are rich by global standards) with sub-saharan Africans is ridiculous.

Did I say that? I don't think I did.

I'm fairly certain that all I said was that we have poor people here in the US that need our help. Perhaps comparatively speaking, they're not doing as badly as the average poor in Africa. Y'know what? I don't care. I'd rather that my money went to helping people in my community before it goes around the world to a warlord's coffer.

[Schnoogs]

Then count me as being poor!!!

Seriously though, because other people are dying worse than the people that die in the US means we can't take care of our own?
I'm not saying put everyone in a mansion with a billion dollars, I'm saying food and shelter that's not a soup kitchen and a cot in the middle of a gymnasium.

I think you're missing the point. The number of "poor" in America is quite small....a good percentage of those people fell from society and are actually educated or skilled enough to reenter the work force. It's usually because of mental sickness or something else that has caused them to live on the streets. For those that do fall from society there is a ton of money spent here to provide them food, shelter, clothing, psychological help, etc.

In Africa they are almost ENTIRELY poor. They don't have the resources to take care of themselves let alone being able to set some aside for "social work".

Apples and oranges...America has many options for our own poor. I don't see any shortage of help here.

[xcalibur]

Apples and oranges...America has many options for our own poor. I don't see any shortage of help here.

No, but there is definitely a shortage of money. We are already in debt up to our eyeballs. How about we fix our economy and avoid recession/depression before talking about spending more money to help people around the world.


-X

[Schnoogs]

No, but there is definitely a shortage of money. We are already in debt up to our eyeballs. How about we fix our economy and avoid recession/depression before talking about spending more money to help people around the world.


-X

A lot of people, including myself, donate money, time and posessions to charities that help American poor.

Recession or not there is always a way to help others.

Again...this is on a completely different scale than Africa. They are stuck in an eternal recession/depression.

[xcalibur]

A lot of people, including myself, donate money, time and posessions to charities that help American poor.

Recession or not there is always a way to help others.

Again...this is on a completely different scale than Africa. They are stuck in an eternal recession/depression.


And many people donate for Africa as well. All I am saying is I don't want $845 billion more dollars that we don't have being spent on Africa when we have a plethora of problems in our own country that need addressing. People are free to donate as much time/money/etc. to Africa as they want.

-X

[stmfuller]

I think you're missing the point. The number of "poor" in America is quite small....a good percentage of those people fell from society and are actually educated or skilled enough to reenter the work force. It's usually because of mental sickness or something else that has caused them to live on the streets. For those that do fall from society there is a ton of money spent here to provide them food, shelter, clothing, psychological help, etc.

In Africa they are almost ENTIRELY poor. They don't have the resources to take care of themselves let alone being able to set some aside for "social work".

Apples and oranges...America has many options for our own poor. I don't see any shortage of help here.
So, we can take care of own even as long as we also take care of the people in africa?

Let me make sure I've got this straight.
(as a comparison) You'd rather give your rent/house payment/food money away rather than make sure you and your family are taken care of first and giving when you can?

That sir, it mighty generous!
It's also the perfect way to end up in the same situation as the people you're trying to help.

[xcalibur]

So, we can take care of own even as long as we also take care of the people in africa?

Let me make sure I've got this straight.
(as a comparison) You'd rather give your rent/house payment/food money away rather than make sure you and your family are taken care of first and giving when you can?

That sir, it mighty generous!
It's also the perfect way to end up in the same situation as the people you're trying to help.

It's easy to be generous with other people's money! Just ask most Democrats! They will gladly redistribute wealth, as long as it isn't their own, which is nicely hidden in tax shelters.


-X

[Schnoogs]

So, we can take care of own even as long as we also take care of the people in africa?

Let me make sure I've got this straight.
(as a comparison) You'd rather give your rent/house payment/food money away rather than make sure you and your family are taken care of first and giving when you can?

That sir, it mighty generous!
It's also the perfect way to end up in the same situation as the people you're trying to help.

Your post makes so little sense and has so little to do with my point that I have no idea what I can possible say at this point. :confused:

Sentence for sentence your post has nothing to do with the points I was trying to make. I'll be the nice one and chalk it up to me not being clear enough.

[Schnoogs]

I like where this thread is going

[stmfuller]

It's easy to be generous with other people's money! Just ask most Democrats! They will gladly redistribute wealth, as long as it isn't their own, which is nicely hidden in tax shelters.


-X

I will never argue that our government is run correctly cause I know it isn't. But if we ever expect to see change, we're going to need to fix the way we think.

I'm not saying we shouldn't be generous with other countries. If we ever want help, we should stay active in providing help to others.

However we continue to ignore our own populous to the point that we're sacrificing our own through war, poverty, debt, etc.

We just need to be reasonable.

[fitbabits]

Ryctor;1275252']Want health care?? Get a fucking job you lazy yellow.


lulz

Want respect? Don't go spouting off about something you seem to know nothing about. Yellowist!

[Schnoogs]

Want respect? Don't go spouting off about something you seem to know nothing about. Yellowist!

Exactly....if you want free healthcare tell SOMEONE ELSE to get a job and then vote democrat :p :p :p :p

[Oxonian]

How about we fix our economy and avoid recession/depression before talking about spending more money to help people around the world.
Perhaps we ought to fix our economy by ensuring there are foreign markets for our products and that the best and brightest foreigners can dream up new products and technologies for us to buy. By providing aid to Africa, we can hopefully one day turn the continent from an economic wasteland into a vibrant, productive area on par with Europe or Asia. That won't just help Africans; that will help Americans, too.

[Johan]

Nationalizing healthcare is a terrible idea.

For those with health insurance.

And of course I meant "healthcare insurance" not just "healthcare." Everyone has some measure of healthcare in the United States, as you can be an illegal immigrant, walk into an ER, and get some pretty decent healthcare for free. :D

[xcalibur]

For those with health insurance.

And of course I meant "healthcare insurance" not just "healthcare." Everyone has some measure of healthcare in the United States, as you can be an illegal immigrant, walk into an ER, and get some pretty decent healthcare for free. :D

It is a pretty interesting sight to see ER's after 6pm. My daughter was in the children's hospital for a week recently (she is fine now), and it was interesting to see the ER transform from relatively moderate traffic from families of a variety of ethnicities at any given point during the day, into a standing room only affair full of hispanic families, all speaking in spanish. I had heard stories about this type of thing, but never witnessed it first-hand.

In talking with some of the ER staff, the large majority of these hispanic families visiting the ER in the evenings were for non-emergency issues (common colds, stomach aches, etc.). I imagine this will be the type of behavior you could expect if healthcare was nationalized, but on an even greater scale.


-X

[bKangy]

In talking with some of the ER staff, the large majority of these hispanic families visiting the ER in the evenings were for non-emergency issues (common colds, stomach aches, etc.). I imagine this will be the type of behavior you could expect if healthcare was nationalized, but on an even greater scale.

Not really, it doesn't happen here in the UK and I doubt it'd take people long to figure out they need to fuck off if the issue if minor.

[stmfuller]

For those with health insurance.I don't agree with that statement. I have insurance but I would rather have a national healthcare system. I mean, my wife was on medicade when our first child was born (leading to our move from michigan to find work, etc) and we paid NOTHING for the birth. If we had had today, it would cost us at least $500 to do so WITH health insurance that current takes away 20% of my paycheck. To recap, when my wife and I made nothing we got better, cheaper healthcare, if we had done it while holding down jobs and being a contributing member of society it would cost us our normal 20%/check + about $500...So, we get less for more. and none of this includes the OB appts

so yes, I would like national coverage health care provided/regulated by the government.

[Schnoogs]

I don't agree with that statement. I have insurance but I would rather have a national healthcare system. I mean, my wife was on medicade when our first child was born (leading to our move from michigan to find work, etc) and we paid NOTHING for the birth. If we had had today, it would cost us at least $500 to do so WITH health insurance that current takes away 20% of my paycheck. To recap, when my wife and I made nothing we got better, cheaper healthcare, if we had done it while holding down jobs and being a contributing member of society it would cost us our normal 20%/check + about $500...So, we get less for more. and none of this includes the OB appts

so yes, I would like national coverage health care provided/regulated by the government.

Clearly you've never been to Canada

[Johan]

I imagine this will be the type of behavior you could expect if healthcare was nationalized, but on an even greater scale.

You imagine if everyone had health insurance that people would be in the ERs for common colds and the like? You have a very poor imagination. Want to imagine what it would be like? Head to Canada. You'll have a bit of a wait for non-emergency procedures, but you'll have coverage. Universal coverage.

That's not something we should "risk" here in the U.S. :rolleyes:

so yes, I would like national coverage health care provided/regulated by the government.

I agree with you, actually. Canadians do not have a shorter lifespan or worse standard of living because of nationalized healthcare insurance. I would be all for it.

In fact, the American healthcare system is burdened with, for one thing, paying the price for the majority of medication research in the WORLD. Some of us can afford that, but many of us cannot.

[Schnoogs]

You imagine if everyone had health insurance that people would be in the ERs for common colds and the like? You have a very poor imagination. Want to imagine what it would be like? Head to Canada. You'll have a bit of a wait for non-emergency procedures, but you'll have coverage. Universal coverage.

That's not something we should "risk" here in the U.S. :rolleyes:

You kind of left out the whole "waiting a year for elective surgery" part.

The average American would be begging for private healthcare after a few years...my very close friend who is Canadian always raves about the quality and PROMPTNESS of his treatment here. He said before he moved here he thought the Canadian system was great...now all he does is knock it.

Like most idealistic, social programs when you limit it's description to "Free healthcare" it sounds so fucking amazing you'd have to be Satan to not want it. Reminds me of Beans description of Socialism..."its the system where everyone helps each other". :p

[IrishWhiskey]

Clearly you've never been to CanadaNor have any Canadians apparently, who consistently state they prefer their healthcare to ours. As do the Brits, the French, the Japanese, the....
Your friend may disagree, but its clearly not the opinion of the majority of the public.

You kind of left out the whole "waiting a year for elective surgery" part.Between being able to afford life-saving surgery, and waiting longer for elective surgery, most people would prioritize the latter
The average American would be begging for private healthcare after a few years...Why would they need to beg? Every major healthcare plan on the table in this country involves giving people a choice between government healthcare or private.

[Johan]

You kind of left out the whole "waiting a year for elective surgery" part.

I would be perfectly happy to wait for procedures if everyone had health insurance. In fact, that is a trade-off I am incredibly happy to make. Health care consists of trade-offs, because we can't afford everything. We can either have the system we currently have, with all of its inefficiencies (this "private" system, by the way, makes it virtually impossible for consumers to compare prices and actually make educated choices that would pressure the system's component parts to reduce prices and become more efficient) and all of its uninsured, or we can have a plan that is slower to address elective needs, but covers everyone.

That's an easy, easy, easy, eeeeeeaaaasssssyyyy decision for me. I choose the Canadian model.

If you have money and/or coverage in America, OR if you're illegal or in jail, you're doing very well in terms of health care coverage. If you're one of the many lower-income or middle-income individuals, however (47 million) caught in between the "broke/illegal" and the "rich" then you're totally screwed in America.

Friends of our family had a child that survived eight months in the hospital before dying. Bill? A second mortgage.

That kind of thing is UNCONSCIONABLE in one of the wealthiest nations in the history of the earth.

[Oxonian]

Nor have any Canadians apparently, who consistently state they prefer their healthcare to ours. As do the Brits, the French, the Japanese, the....
But, but... don't the Japanese have a fairly similar (http://www.medhunters.com/articles/healthcareInJapan.html) healthcare system to ours? I thought they had a mandatory insurance requirement akin to the one in Massachusetts, but otherwise it was a lot more like the US system than any other industrialized country.

[TheFlyingOrc]

Nor have any Canadians apparently, who consistently state they prefer their healthcare to ours. As do the Brits, the French, the Japanese, the....

I don't think the Canadian system is viable when you apply it to literally over 10 times as many people. If you want to do the universal healthcare thing, do it at the state level, where there's actually some oversight.

[IrishWhiskey]

I don't think the Canadian system is viable when you apply it to literally over 10 times as many people. If you want to do the universal healthcare thing, do it at the state level, where there's actually some oversight.I actually don't understand the argument about why it can't work at a larger level. All the rest of our systems do. And the rest of the countries that have national heathcare aren't exactly tiny.

I'm perfectly okay with having it be state centered, or maybe region centered for very small states, but I'm not sure why having a large population makes it no longer viable.

[TheFlyingOrc]

I actually don't understand the argument about why it can't work at a larger level. All the rest of our systems do. And the rest of the countries that have national heathcare aren't exactly tiny.

It makes it more agile - think of it in business terms.

I'm perfectly okay with having it be state centered, or maybe region centered for very small states, but I'm not sure why having a large population makes it no longer viable.
Not unviable, persay - It simply has terrible oversight, like everything we do at a national level. Welfare does a great job of making sure its citizens spend their checks on food and shelter, right?

[IrishWhiskey]

But, but... don't the Japanese have a fairly similar (http://www.medhunters.com/articles/healthcareInJapan.html) healthcare system to ours? I thought they had a mandatory insurance requirement akin to the one in Massachusetts, but otherwise it was a lot more like the US system than any other industrialized country.I wouldn't say so.
Hospitals must, by law, operate as not-for-profit entities. About 80% of hospitals are private, physician-owned, and 20% are large, public, state-owned teaching hospitals.

All doctors in Japan are paid the same fee for each service. Mandatory healthcare, heavily regulated and run not-for-profit? I wouldn't characterize it like ours, although there may be more private care than usual compared to other countries with national healthcare systems.

[Johan]

I don't think the Canadian system is viable when you apply it to literally over 10 times as many people. If you want to do the universal healthcare thing, do it at the state level, where there's actually some oversight.

Actually, when you're talking insurance, larger pools offer better "rates" per covered individual and would therefore be preferable.

The point is that the government would save on the per capita rate by including more people in the pool, so that the sickly and those who are expensive in their care are balanced by those who are healthy (like myself...very inexpensive medically).

Proof would be in trying to buy an insurance plan yourself as an individual...and then as a group of ten...and then as a group of 100, or 1000, or 10000. Costs per capita drop with a larger pool.

[Venkman]

What, Angelina Jolie couldn't fix this issue all on her own?

[Oxonian]

Actually, when you're talking insurance, larger pools offer better "rates" per covered individual and would therefore be preferable.
This is true if we're assuming that healthy individuals voluntarily choose not to buy health insurance. But I thought one of the pro-nationalization arguments was that the 40 million uninsured were people who had heavy healthcare needs and were consequently dropped from their insurance plans. Bringing more sick people into the coverage pool doesn't decrease per capita costs.

[Johan]

Bringing more sick people into the coverage pool doesn't decrease per capita costs.

Bringing more people into the pool so that they can afford less expensive early treatment, or even preventive care, would make it cheaper in the long run, I believe.

One way or another, guess who pays? American taxpayers. I'd rather pay to have everyone covered than see our hospitals on the southern border closing in droves and ERs overrun with ridiculously minor ailments.

[IrishWhiskey]

I have to say I'm very disappointed with this thread. I was imagining it to be Bush going on a "Debbie Does Dallas" style bender.

[Oxonian]

Bringing more people into the pool so that they can afford less expensive early treatment, or even preventive care, would make it cheaper in the long run, I believe.
Just about everyone in the country can afford a toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss. When used properly, these very cheap tools can prevent almost all tooth decay. Yet for some reason lots of Americans have cavities.

Affordability is only one factor in why people don't get preventative care, and I'm not sure it's the most important one. Preventative care is a hassle, unpleasant, and it requires making short-term sacrifices for long-term gain. It will take a lot more than a different healthcare plan to make that attractive to many people.

I'd rather pay to have everyone covered than see our hospitals on the southern border closing in droves and ERs overrun with ridiculously minor ailments.
People are going to ERs (which bill you) for minor ailments that don't require medical treatment, and you propose to solve that problem by offering them more free or low-cost medical care? How will that dissuade people from seeking medical care for minor ailments? "Hmm, I have the sniffles, and normally I would run down to the ER and wait for hours to see a doctor. But now that I have free national healthcare, I'll just drink plenty of fluids and lie down."

I could maybe see how offering free healthcare would encourage people to pester their GPs rather than ER staff. But I'm not sure that winds up being cheaper: GPs tend to be older and charge more than ER staff do.

[bKangy]

I could maybe see how offering free healthcare would encourage people to pester their GPs rather than ER staff. But I'm not sure that winds up being cheaper: GPs tend to be older and charge more than ER staff do.

Well, the ER room is just going to start telling them to go away if it's coming out of tax payer money. If they're actively profiting from it, there's no sense in turning away a customer, but when there's no profit either way I suspect ER will soon start turning idiots away.

[mkelehan]

Any money spent to fight disease in Africa is offset by abstinence education.

[Oxonian]

Well, the ER room is just going to start telling them to go away if it's coming out of tax payer money. If they're actively profiting from it, there's no sense in turning away a customer, but when there's no profit either way I suspect ER will soon start turning idiots away.
Really? How is that supposed to work? The government will simply not reimburse hospitals for the doctor's time spent examining patients who, it turns out, had nothing seriously wrong with them? Wow, I thought people without visible injuries already found it tough to get a timely examination.

When I walk into an ER, no one can just glance at me and determine whether I'm malingering or have, say, a serious heart problem. You need to examine me carefully to determine whether there's anything wrong with me. That takes time from a trained professional. Regardless of whether they work for for-profit institutions or the government, trained professionals want to be paid for their time. Unless your healthcare plan involves hiring psychic doctors, this is not an easily-solved problem.

[Schnoogs]

Nor have any Canadians apparently, who consistently state they prefer their healthcare to ours. As do the Brits, the French, the Japanese, the....
Your friend may disagree, but its clearly not the opinion of the majority of the public.

Between being able to afford life-saving surgery, and waiting longer for elective surgery, most people would prioritize the latter
Why would they need to beg? Every major healthcare plan on the table in this country involves giving people a choice between government healthcare or private.

You need to stop looking to Michael Moore for HIS opinion of the Canadian healthcare system. His movie was a comedy in Canada for the WRONG reasons.

No shit being able to afford life saving surgery is preferable but that accounts for a small percentage of what most get out of their healthcare. Simple things like an MRI after hurting your knee can take months to get.

How many of these plans involve not taxing me for public healthcare I don't need or want? I'm not interested in subsidizing the MILLIONS of Americans who have and can afford healthcare. Kids I will subsidize...the elderly I will subsidize.

[IrishWhiskey]

You need to stop looking to Michael Moore for HIS opinion of the Canadian healthcare system. His movie was a comedy in Canada for the WRONG reasons.I'm not. Opinion polls (www.queensu.ca/cora/_files/PublicPerceptions.pdf) in Canada have consistently shown that, although there are many concerns about the future of the system given recent cost-cutting measures, most Canadians rate their experiences with the system as positive, and better than ours in the US.

[Johan]

Just about everyone in the country can afford a toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss. When used properly, these very cheap tools can prevent almost all tooth decay. Yet for some reason lots of Americans have cavities.

My oldest had six small cavities in her baby teeth when she was five. We did/do all of the above. Do you know why she got cavities? Because even good oral hygiene can still leave you open to cavities, which are based on more than just the few simplistic factors you mention. Lack of preventative care (which cost us a few hundred dollars, even with coverage) could have led to this tragedy; entirely preventable, through simple dental coverage and professional checkups. (http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/163856/child_dies_for_lack_of_dental_care.html)

So, you're arguing nobody needs a dentist then? :confused:

Affordability is only one factor in why people don't get preventative care, and I'm not sure it's the most important one. Preventative care is a hassle, unpleasant, and it requires making short-term sacrifices for long-term gain. It will take a lot more than a different healthcare plan to make that attractive to many people.

Offer it and let's find out! Test your theory, which I disagree with.


People are going to ERs (which bill you) for minor ailments that don't require medical treatment, and you propose to solve that problem by offering them more free or low-cost medical care? How will that dissuade people from seeking medical care for minor ailments? "Hmm, I have the sniffles, and normally I would run down to the ER and wait for hours to see a doctor. But now that I have free national healthcare, I'll just drink plenty of fluids and lie down."

No..."now that I have free healthcare coverage, I can afford to go EARLIER to my local clinic or GP, rather than burden the ER with bills that I will not pay." :rolleyes:

Your reductionism of others statements borders on insulting. I believe you are aware of this.

I could maybe see how offering free healthcare would encourage people to pester their GPs rather than ER staff. But I'm not sure that winds up being cheaper: GPs tend to be older and charge more than ER staff do.

Actually, GPs tend to demand and receive payment more reliably than ERs do, which just eventually close completely.

[Oxonian]

So, you're arguing nobody needs a dentist then?
Yes, this is exactly what I'm arguing. You have once again peered into my very soul.

Incidentally, the article you cite hardly supports your argument. A child died from lack of dental care because, although he was apparently eligible for Medicaid and a tooth extraction would have cost a mere $80 even without insurance, his mother failed to keep her address updated and let the coverage lapse. The article further notes that 34% of children who had private dental insurance still didn't visit the dentist in 1996. Only 28% of children covered by Medicaid visited the dentist in 1996. So even when we provide free dental care to children, their parents still don't take them to the dentist.

You love to argue from anecdote rather than statistics, so let me rephrase this. Think about your friends and colleagues who have health and dental insurance. Do they visit the doctor and dentist regularly? Isn't it quite common for people to put off regular checkups for years?

[Johan]

Isn't it quite common for people to put off regular checkups for years?

Not in my rather large circle of family and friends. And I do mean large. My wife's grandmother is one of 18.

We all go to the dentist, which is a part of preventive care.

Anecdotally speaking, of course. :rolleyes:

From the link:

A 1996 study by the American Dental Association supports the conclusion that health insurance coverage relates positively to children's receipt of dental care

You love to argue selectively! :D

[Oxonian]

You love to argue selectively! :D
The articles notes that having private dental insurance greatly increases the chances that you will go to the dentist, but that government-provided dental insurance does not increase the chances nearly so much. I hardly think it's disingenuous for me to have elided that point, since (a) we're talking about expanding government-provided health insurance, (b) nearly half of people with private insurance don't get regular care, and (c) my point was not that insurance has no effect on the frequency of dental visits, but rather that it has far less effect than you seem to assume.

Johan, you claimed a few days ago that you post inflammatorily as "self-protection" because other people denigrate you. I don't believe I've denigrated you here. Yet you seem to think it's appropriate to deliberately misread my arguments and accuse me of dishonesty. If you want to insult me, at least stick to insults that have some basis in reality. You're more likely to get a rise out of me that way.

[Johan]

If you want to insult me, at least stick to insults that have some basis in reality. You're more likely to get a rise out of me that way.

You dress funny. How's that?

Johan, you claimed a few days ago that you post inflammatorily as "self-protection" because other people denigrate you. I don't believe I've denigrated you here.

I don't believe I've been inflammatory! Except for the "dress" comment.

Come again? :confused: You think I'm being inflammatory? Do you even read my posts? This is not inflammatory in the least!

[Oxonian]

Much better. I do dress funny. So much so, that strangers frequently feel the need to approach me on the street and comment on my attire.

[IrishWhiskey]

Much better. I do dress funny. So much so, that strangers frequently feel the need to approach me on the street and comment on my attire.Bowler Hat or Rastafarian?

[Johan]

Much better. I do dress funny. So much so, that strangers frequently feel the need to approach me on the street and comment on my attire.

That was me the other day giving you that 'look.' Remember?

You'll remember.

I'm creepy.

Also; think of the children, meanie.

http://www.webwallpapers.com/smallthumbs/gs/79_611.jpg

[Oxonian]

Bowler Hat or Rastafarian?
Black fedora, French cuffs, braces, and -- when necessary -- a cane or umbrella. Some people express great enthusiasm, and some people feel the need to stand in the street and scream imprecations at me. I can understand someone who thinks I look silly or simply doesn't like the look, but why do people take it as a personal insult? Do they really think I stand in front of my closet and say, "What can I wear that will most thoroughly piss off that homeless guy at the corner of Broad and Chestnut?"

[thomasc]

What, Angelina Jolie couldn't fix this issue all on her own?

If she collected any more she would be classified as a Poke' breeder

[cp#]

Johan have you been to New Orleans in the past 2 years, let alone southern Mississippi or Alabama? I didn't think so.

I'll just say the damage is still vast. Kanye is right (I don't like Kanye)

[Johan]

Johan have you been to New Orleans in the past 2 years, let alone southern Mississippi or Alabama? I didn't think so.

You didn't think...so?

Shows what you know! :rolleyes:

[cp#]

Well if you've been there then you would agree its still shitsville and Bush/FEMA has totally dropped the ball? I was walking on piles of fucking rubble. On the way into the city there are countless condemned houses, apartments, and shopping centers (even the fucking WALMART was closed down, man)

[Johan]

Well if you've been there then you would agree its still shitsville and Bush/FEMA has totally dropped the ball? I was walking on piles of fucking rubble. On the way into the city there are countless condemned houses, apartments, and shopping centers (even the fucking WALMART was closed down, man)

Did we read the same thread? Are you okay? Did you miss this?



Kanye may be talking out of his ass most times, but how does giving aid to Africa alleviate the suffering of post-Katrina Gulf coast victims?It doesn't, unless they move to New Orleans to spend the money...

Besides, haven't we, as a nation, done enough (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14011193/) to help Katrina victims? If we do any more, there might not be any left...

The sarcasm should be patently obvious, if you actually look at the link...in that what little we have done has been harmful, rather than helpful.

You are quite confused, I think...

Also; Kanye is a fucking idiot, as Schnoogs so eloquently says below.

[Schnoogs]

Kanye is right

Kanye is a fucking idiot

[Schnoogs]

Well if you've been there then you would agree its still shitsville and Bush/FEMA has totally dropped the ball? I was walking on piles of fucking rubble. On the way into the city there are countless condemned houses, apartments, and shopping centers (even the fucking WALMART was closed down, man)

It's amazing that in your mind the above somehow validates that "George Bush hate black people".

[Johan]

It's amazing that in your mind the above somehow validates that "George Bush hate black people".

You don't see the logic?

Yeah...neither do I! ;)

[cp#]

No, I didn't read the thread, nice gang up though. You guys should "go private" if you know what I mean.

Like I said, go to the city and just check it out for yourself. Of course Bush doesn't hate black people, see Condi. He just hates the poor ones.

Props to giving aid to Africa to fight AIDS though

[Wslove]

Can I be one of the people on the thread to point out that it's Aid and not investment into infristructure that is keeping the African nations begging hat in hand? Like how a good african infristructure would allow people to work instead of giving them time to think up lettered names that involve the world Democractic or Freedom for their revolution group that is actually just a really large gang of thugs. That having an economy that worked by people having jobs would facilitate less arm chopping then the fragile economies that are built off the dole?

You know, glad that Bush is trying to help and all with the aid but in all honesty... BUILD SOME FUCKING ROADS AND POWEPLANTS AND SOME GODDAMN MANUFACTURING CENTERS. Then, maybe, years down the line, we won't have to dole out billions. Hell, maybe they could lend us some cash?

Aid for Africa, like colonial imperialism only we got Bono!

[cp#]

Fuck Bono, and project RED (more money spent on advertising than money donated)

[Schnoogs]

He just hates the poor ones

http://www.assassinworks.com/gouge.jpg

[Johan]

Oedipus...is that you? You made it into comics! ;)

Fuck Bono

That's an unfair stereotype of rock stars! :D

[torrefaction]

HAHAHAHHAHAHA

CP just told Schnoogs and Johan to get a room.

I'm dying.

[Achilles]

You know, glad that Bush is trying to help and all with the aid but in all honesty... BUILD SOME FUCKING ROADS AND POWEPLANTS AND SOME GODDAMN MANUFACTURING CENTERS. Then, maybe, years down the line, we won't have to dole out billions. Hell, maybe they could lend us some cash?That's a large part of what he's doing down there. But building infrastructure like that takes stability, and so far only a few African countries have enough stability for us to build things like that. But yeah they're going forward with that now in a couple of them.

[blackzc]

It's crazy how we love to help Africa, but hate spending money to help our own poor.

What else could we do? You can lead a horse to water.....The ball has been in their court for about 15-20 years. assuming your talking about black poor that is.

[Wslove]

What else could we do? You can lead a horse to water.....The ball has been in their court for about 15-20 years. assuming your talking about black poor that is.

Can a red ban him? Please? The guy is obviously a racist asshole.

Sure he's not up front about it. He does this thing I call 'soft racism'. Tries to dress it up, make it seem like he's not a racist. A Himmler to the usual Hitler if you will (not Godwin-ing. Just pointing out that Himmler was much softer and more subtle in his anti-semitism compaired with Hitler who was in your face with it). Doesn't change the fact that he has a innate hatred of black people.

What happened? Did a black person steal your girlfriend? Pick on you at school? Touch you in the 'special place'?

Get the hell off boards, and while you are at it remove yourself from life. You = Fail.

[Evil Avatar]

It's crazy how we love to help Africa, but hate spending money to help our own poor.

I a lot of ways, though, not helping the poor represents the Amercian ideals... we are above all else a country where self sufficiency and self motivation are the rules.

You want to eat... go get a job.

[Schnoogs]

Can a red ban him? Please? The guy is obviously a racist asshole.

Sure he's not up front about it. He does this thing I call 'soft racism'. Tries to dress it up, make it seem like he's not a racist. A Himmler to the usual Hitler if you will (not Godwin-ing. Just pointing out that Himmler was much softer and more subtle in his anti-semitism compaired with Hitler who was in your face with it). Doesn't change the fact that he has a innate hatred of black people.

What happened? Did a black person steal your girlfriend? Pick on you at school? Touch you in the 'special place'?

Get the hell off boards, and while you are at it remove yourself from life. You = Fail.

How do you know he isn't black?

[TheFlyingOrc]

Can a red ban him? Please? The guy is obviously a racist asshole.

Sure he's not up front about it. He does this thing I call 'soft racism'. Tries to dress it up, make it seem like he's not a racist. A Himmler to the usual Hitler if you will (not Godwin-ing. Just pointing out that Himmler was much softer and more subtle in his anti-semitism compaired with Hitler who was in your face with it). Doesn't change the fact that he has a innate hatred of black people.

What happened? Did a black person steal your girlfriend? Pick on you at school? Touch you in the 'special place'?

Get the hell off boards, and while you are at it remove yourself from life. You = Fail.
I honestly think there's a huge difference between criticizing a culture and criticizing somebody for the skin tone they have at birth. I think there are a LOT of fair criticisms of the poor black community in America.

If it's OK to criticize rednecks (poor whites), it's OK to criticize American Hiphop culture (poor blacks)

[Wslove]

How do you know he isn't black?

Read his posts from the Is Hillary Done? thread.

[bKangy]

This video made the last 8 years all worth it:
http://www.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=76613&feedType=VideoRSS&feedName=TopNews&rpc=23&sp=true

[Schnoogs]

This video made the last 8 years all worth it:
http://www.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=76613&feedType=VideoRSS&feedName=TopNews&rpc=23&sp=true

The man's got rhythm!!!

Reminds me of this for some odd reason...

82zrU3971DM

[blackzc]

Can a red ban him? Please? The guy is obviously a racist asshole.

Sure he's not up front about it. He does this thing I call 'soft racism'. Tries to dress it up, make it seem like he's not a racist. A Himmler to the usual Hitler if you will (not Godwin-ing. Just pointing out that Himmler was much softer and more subtle in his anti-semitism compaired with Hitler who was in your face with it). Doesn't change the fact that he has a innate hatred of black people.

What happened? Did a black person steal your girlfriend? Pick on you at school? Touch you in the 'special place'?

Get the hell off boards, and while you are at it remove yourself from life. You = Fail.


Did you not get the memo my therapist is black.lol And condi rice gives me a boner.

Seriously, just shut the fuck up, There is no soft racism here, im telling you my opinion.

Yes i believe that this gangster mindset is very close to being just about the same damn thing that the KKK preached in its day. And it needs to be gone from this country. Im sorry if you feel that its racist, but its not.

[IrishWhiskey]

Did you not get the memo my therapist is black.lol And condi rice gives me a boner.

Seriously, just shut the fuck up, There is no soft racism here, im telling you my opinion.

Yes i believe that this gangster mindset is very close to being just about the same damn thing that the KKK preached in its day. And it needs to be gone from this country. Im sorry if you feel that its racist, but its not.yah you ignrant dude. He got a boner. And black is in his name. And so even when he sayz rasist things, its not rasist. stupid. He has therapist and dosnt need collage.

I could have went to collage but it was more of a mental thing than a money thing for sure, i blame myself for not going.Look, just in case you missed the past fifty posts making fun of that mistake, it is spelled college.

Can a red ban him? Please? The guy is obviously a racist asshole.

Sure he's not up front about it. He does this thing I call 'soft racism'. Tries to dress it up, make it seem like he's not a racistSorry, but I have to disagree. He's said way more racist things before, and banning him for soft racism like he's done recently would be like banning Barry Bonds for abusing ginseng. Let him self-implode a bit longer, and it will come.


I a lot of ways, though, not helping the poor represents the Amercian ideals... we are above all else a country where self sufficiency and self motivation are the rules. Well as much as I often disagree with your political beliefs, I could understand that statement. Its just that those same American ideals often emphasize equal opportunity. Its not a matter of helping the poor, just screwing them over a little less than usual.

[Johan]

Interesting update. (http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1717934,00.html)

It is some story. And I have always wondered why it was never told properly to the American people, who were paying for it. It was, for example, Bush who initiated the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) with cross-party support led by Senators John Kerry and Bill Frist. In 2003, only 50,000 Africans were on HIV antiretroviral drugs — and they had to pay for their own medicine. Today, 1.3 million are receiving medicines free of charge. The U.S. also contributes one-third of the money for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria — which treats another 1.5 million. It contributes 50% of all food aid (though some critics find the mechanism of contribution controversial). On a seven-day trip through Africa, Bush announced a fantastic new $350 million fund for other neglected tropical diseases that can be easily eradicated; a program to distribute 5.2 million mosquito nets to Tanzanian kids; and contracts worth around $1.2 billion in Tanzania and Ghana from the Millennium Challenge Account, another initiative of the Bush Administration.

So why doesn't America know about this? "I tried to tell them. But the press weren't much interested," says Bush. It's half true. There are always a couple of lines in the State of the Union, but not enough so that anyone noticed, and the press really isn't interested. For them, like America itself, Africa is a continent of which little is known save the odd horror.

You know...I never knew. Seriously. Wow!