Well Done, President Bush (by Brian McLaren)
In recent weeks, we've been watching Senator Obama and Senator Clinton try to disagree honestly without being too nasty in the process. This week, we saw Senator McCain come to the defense of Senator Obama when a warm-up speaker stooped to some low political rhetoric. Maybe the stale air of partisanship and "gotcha" politics can be replaced by some clean, fresh cooperative air ... for a while at least?
In that spirit, I think we all - Democrats, Republicans, and others - should stop what we're doing to honor President Bush for his ongoing commitment to Africa. I think Bono recently summed up what many of us feel regarding our president's concern for AIDS treatment, malaria prevention, education, and multifaceted economic development:President Bush has every reason to be proud of what he and so many others have accomplished in Africa. From AIDS treatment once thought impossible, to millions of bednets to keep kids from dying of a mosquito bite, to new African jobs created with trade policy, to billions in old debts erased. And back in Washington, a political shift has taken place with Democrats and Republicans working shoulder to shoulder to partner with people of Africa as they work to lift their continent out of poverty, putting 29 million children in school in the last five years, with the help of debt cancellation.
Some will quickly say that more could and should be done. Yes - in fact, you'll hear from one of those voices today on the blog. But we should also acknowledge that much less could have been done. We should celebrate whenever good and beautiful things happen in this world, and President Bush has done some good and beautiful things for Africa. Kudos to him, and to all members of Congress of both parties - and to all Americans who can feel good that a portion of our taxes are being invested in this way.
Bono added,
These are accomplishments the next president must build on. ... I hope that the next president, whoever that is, will get to experience firsthand this beautiful and entrepreneurial continent that is rising to all of the challenges being sent its way.
Let's also pause a minute to pray that our next president and Congress will continue and expand what's being done. The pain and need in Africa are so great that it will take governments, businesses, churches, NGO's, individuals, and intergovernmental agencies, all doing their best - assisted by the powers of heaven - to make substantial and ongoing progress. Thanks be to God for the good that has begun to be done. God bless Africa.
Brian McLaren (brianmclaren.net) is board chair for Sojourners. He is in the middle of an eleven-city speaking tour you can learn about at deepshift.org.
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Comments
When I first read the title of this article, I thought "Uh oh, here comes another facetious condemnation of the president." If Brian can give a heartfelt compliment to George W. Bush, maybe all things really are possible! Thanks.
Posted by: Cads | February 28, 2008 12:21 PM
Mr. McLaren is right to assume that President Bush is leading the charge in Africa because he is sincerely dedicated to helping there.
I guess what I have to ask is - - are we able to assume the President's sincerity in Africa, and then simultaneously conclude that his administration's involvement in Iraq and/or Afghanistan is the result of some insidious plan to "get the oil," or any such disingenuous 'master plan?" It seems to me that, if we can assume the sincerity of the President in Africa, we can also assume his sincerity in other areas of his administration. He may not have been right in all areas - - perhaps history will have to judge that, further out - - but perhaps his honest dedication and sincerity deserve a little more consideration.
Posted by: joekc | February 28, 2008 1:27 PM
Our younger son has been in Tanzania since early January as a group of twenty Goshen College students on a three-month study and service term as part of his college curriculum. The last week they spent in Dar es Salaam was the week Pres. Bush visited the city. From what we read about the President's visit from the students and from English-language newspapers, the people of Tanzania expressed heartfelt warmth for Bush because of the work that the US government has been doing on AIDS and malaria prevention, and economic development.
(Our son is now on a service project in a remote rural area, helping with an irrigation project that will help villagers grow vegetables that they can market.)
Early in their semester, the students had the privilege of meeting the US ambassador to Tanzania. The ambassador explained to them what US aid to Tanzania looked like. The ambassador told them that the US was making great strides in HIV-AIDS and malaria prevention and treatment. The students were also told one key to the success of the US government's program: most of the aid money is going directly to aid organizations and support services--not to government officials.
Peace,
Posted by: Don | February 28, 2008 1:48 PM
joekc, well put.
Posted by: Blake | February 28, 2008 1:53 PM
joekc: "are we able to assume the President's sincerity in Africa, and then simultaneously conclude that his administration's involvement in Iraq and/or Afghanistan is the result of some insidious plan to "get the oil," or any such disingenuous 'master plan?" It seems to me that, if we can assume the sincerity of the President in Africa, we can also assume his sincerity in other areas of his administration."
There's no logical reason that one assumption follows the other. We are all capable of acting quite sincerely in certain areas of our lives, while acting insincerely in others.
e.g. Nixon quite sincerely wanted detente with the Soviet Union. But despite public statements to the contrary, he clearly wanted out of the Vietnam war as quickly as possible, regardless of the fate of the regime in Saigon.
Posted by: carl copas | February 28, 2008 2:28 PM
The great increase in aid to subSaharan Africa during the current Administration is a testament to what may be possible when a broad range of faith groups unite on an issue, and encourage bipartisan cooperation on it.
This is not possible on all issues. There was no great ideological divide impeding progress in this area. It was a relatively easy one on which to get folks from different places on the political spectrum to work together for the common good. We should continue to work for this kind of progress on issues where this is feasible.
On other issues, the differences in approach are so great that they are not very amenable to this kind of progress. But even on them, perhaps the level of hostility can be lowered and true listening increased by the experience of successfully working together on other matters.
Posted by: Bill Samuel | February 28, 2008 3:35 PM
Joekc: "It seems to me that, if we can assume the sincerity of the President in Africa, we can also assume his sincerity in other areas of his administration."
That is where "can" differs from "must." We can, but we don't have to. I don't.
Posted by: I and I | February 28, 2008 4:07 PM
I would like to add that I hope the next president does not wait until his or her final year in office to look toward Africa, as the previous two have (I include Clinton in this critique). If the continent and its people are of great importance, why do our elected officials have to wait until they are no longer running for office to pay attention? What does that say about us as the electorate?
Posted by: Jason | February 28, 2008 5:49 PM
I am grateful for the aid that we have given to Africa to treat AIDS and prevent diseases like Malaria. However, I pray that the next president will allow U.S. aid to filter back to the family planning clinics that the current administration has basically shut down. In Bush's own home state of Texas (my state too), teen birth rates have risen in recent years, despite abstinence education. In many countries in Africa, where the spread of AIDS is devastating families and economies, preventative education and family planning would decrease the amount of money spent on treating AIDS. Besides saving more lives--since AIDS is still a disease without a cure--preventative outreach would also improve the quality of life, health, well-being and sense of personal control in the people who receive services.
Posted by: Stefanie | February 28, 2008 8:32 PM
Jason,
President Bush did not wait till his last year in office to look to Africa. Include Clinton in your critique, but remove Bush.
Jeff
Posted by: Jeff | February 28, 2008 9:40 PM
I blogged recently about my frustration with my generation's (the twenty-somethings) ease with which we make personal attacks against the President. It has been a disturbing trend among young, evangelical Christians who seem to be leaning to the political "left."
But your post on honoring President Bush for the good he has done is really refreshing. Thank you. This post reminds me of the apostle Paul's advice to Titus in Titus 3:1-2.
"Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men."
You set a good example for how we should treat our past, current and future Presidents and Congress.
Posted by: Mark | February 28, 2008 9:43 PM
Mark:
Mr. Bush's record speaks for itself. Your generation's "personal attacks" on Mr. Bush are not a function of leaning to the left, but more a realization of the damage inflicted by this president and his ilk to our constitution, our liberty, our standing in the world community, and our basic freedoms. While his behavior in this particular case is commendable, it does not warrant him a pass for all of his other wrongdoings. I resent your implication that those who criticize this president do so out of some irrational hatred of him as opposed to a deeply felt concern for our country and our way of life. And finally, regarding your last sentence, would you limit honest political discourse so that this or any other elected official should not have to answer for their performance? I for one hope to continue to question, judge, and scrutinize our elected officials, regardless of party.
Posted by: Russ | February 28, 2008 11:23 PM
Thanks Brian for being generous to President Bush. Sometimes I just need to be reminded he is still my brother even if I don't agree with him on some issues.
Posted by: George King | February 29, 2008 12:15 AM
Much can be said, pro and con, about any leader. Even Hitler and Mussolini did some good. It is the overall trend that determines his overall fitness as a Commander, and in my view Pres. Bush fails miserably. Even his Aids program was limited to "abstinance only" organizations, at least in the first few years when I was watching him in hopes he might do something right. True enough, what good he has done needs to be applauded, maybe he'll learn and do more along the same lines, but he also needs to learn to listen to the voice of the people, to learn to admit to being wrong when he is, to learn humility and what it really means to be Christian (getting off the bottle, writing books and making pious noises doesn't count as Christian acts of compassion.) I admit that the Bible tells us to pray for our leaders, but in this presidents case I find it terribly hard to find some way to pray for G. W. Bush that would be Jesus honoring in it's form.
And, opposing a poor example of a Right Wing President does NOT make one "left leaning" or "liberal", it makes one a Christian and an American with eyes to see, a brain to think and a voice to speak. I am in great agreement with Mr. Wallis' books (God's Politics, Living God's Politics, The Soul of Politics and The Great Awakening), the days of the Religious Right are over THANK GOD for Miracles!!! and now people of faith can finally live out that faith without being accousted by Right Wing Radicals posing as Christians and without being accused of being godless liberals by some fanatic. Praise God and Glory to His Name for such blessings. Maybe now we can actually show America what Christianity really means and how honoring God is NOT an evil thing
Posted by: Phil | February 29, 2008 12:33 AM
Good post, Brian.
Posted by: JamesMartin | February 29, 2008 7:14 AM
I appreciate the accolades given to the president for his several years of dedication to the African plight. I had been wondering what ever happened to the state of the union plan announced early in his presidency. One thing I like about the president is that he doesn't grandstand his true accomplishments, for instance this has been a relatively quiet effort with little hoopla, but very effective for the people it was meant to help. Its nice to have a president that doesn't basque in his own greatness and accomplishment.
Posted by: Steve S | February 29, 2008 10:50 AM
There's no logical reason that one assumption follows the other. We are all capable of acting quite sincerely in certain areas of our lives, while acting insincerely in others
Posted by Carl Copas
This is quite logical Carl , have to agree . I guess i have always for the most part always thought or Presidents were some what sincere , except Nixon . I did have a problem with him , but I think perhaps some of it was my age .
But your logic also goes to all of us , which is my problem with Mark,s editorial . Just because a person is following a policy we want , makes him no more sincere then if he doing one we don't want .
Hence when say I say a Hillary Clinton is insincere and a hypocrit because she is adamant against school choice while sending her own child to a private school , I hit a nerve with people who are sincere in their support for the present public education policies. Even attacking Bush for his perceived sincerity backfires in my opinion , and I believe that even has something to do with the disaproval numbers of Congress now .
The whole mud throwing and who is more religious then another , who is following jesus better by the way I vote often irritates many people , regarless of political affiliation .
I love debating ideas . I think the most anger I receive from the left is when i promote an idea that I associate with being best for all of us , or at least the vast majority . It often is seen as making the person who disagrees believe their sincerity is being questioned . I see this all the time .
Posted by: Mick | February 29, 2008 12:48 PM
Strangely, there's a lot of people who will applaud at the idea of promoting entrepreneurism and financial indepdence for Africans, but believe that nothing of the sort should happen for Americans.
When you promote ideas to provide more opportunity for Americans, they scream hate and anger and moralizing condemnation at you for being greedy, anti-Christian and whatever else they can dream up.
But will stand and applaud if Africans try to develop opportunity on their continent.
I wish they'd be honest, and start condemning these acts for failing to be perfect examples of riskless life from cradle to grave.
Then we'd finally get the chance to understand that what's good is good, no matter who it is for, and that opportunity is required FIRST.
Posted by: The Watcher | February 29, 2008 6:16 PM
Hi Don, Others,
I am glad to be reading this article from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
To give you a little detail, last night President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania was on TV giving his monthly address to the nation (yes!). He told the Tanzanian people that 'G W Bush up close is a different man than many people think he is from afar'!(Paraphrase). It is an affirmation of a Kiswahili proverb, "asiyekujua hakuthamini": "He who doesn't know you doesn't value you."
To see G W Bush wowing African peasants, hugging Maasai women and so on, is something to behold. As the Tanzanian President remarked, his joy at being in Tanzania among his humble hosts seemed absolutely genuine.
Now, considering the problems that bedevil (good word) Africa, a little money can go a very long way.
President Kikwete also disclosed that G W's offer of 5 million anti-malaria bed nets for EVERY toddler in Tanzania was a decision made while the President was in the country.
It is a very kind and beneficial gesture and, if I may say so, not too expensive.
Last night an American friend who thinks that I am totally opposed to G W Bush (didn't understand his election and re-election - from afar) remarked that I have 'mellowed' towards him.
Well, I said, he has done well by Africa.
Now while we are not owed a living by anyone, poor Africa is full of needs that Christ possibly expects brothers and sisters to be in the west to be more involved in helping out with, after all many of our best, most skilled people end up contributing to the wealth of the developed world, working and living there ...
Bush has led the way. We pray that it will get better.
It is astonishing, for example, to learn that the war in Iraq may cost the USA 3 TRILLION DOLLARS!
Only God knows how just a 100th of that would transform Africa, if well managed.
God bless you!
- Alu
Posted by: Robert Alu | March 1, 2008 4:06 AM
The Watcher wrote:
"Strangely, there's a lot of people who will applaud at the idea of promoting entrepreneurism and financial indepdence for Africans, but believe that nothing of the sort should happen for Americans.
When you promote ideas to provide more opportunity for Americans, they scream hate and anger and moralizing condemnation at you for being greedy, anti-Christian and whatever else they can dream up."
There are few, if any, advocating restraint of anyone being successful in America. What we object to are the unfair practices, the cronyism, the elitism, and the glorification of the greedy and the crooked. Free market capitalism is great. Unfettered capitalism which favors only a select few is leading us down a foreboding path. When the system makes it almost impossible for the average Joe to reap the rewards of his boldness, hard work and innovation something is wrong. Statements like yours continue to cloud the issue.
Posted by: Russ | March 1, 2008 9:24 AM
There are few, if any, advocating restraint of anyone being successful in America. What we object to are the unfair practices, the cronyism, the elitism, and the glorification of the greedy and the crooked. Free market capitalism is great. Unfettered capitalism which favors only a select few is leading us down a foreboding path. When the system makes it almost impossible for the average Joe to reap the rewards of his boldness, hard work and innovation something is wrong. Statements like yours continue to cloud the issue.
Cloud? YOU are clouding the issue. Obviously you have no attempted no entrepreneurial effort of you own, if you think that nobody's standing in your way here. EVERYONE is standing in your way here. Well, at least everyone on the left. They pay lip service to the concept, but the moment you attempt to do something, they want to tax it, regulate, stop it, stifle it, prohibit it, or make it so expensive it's pointless to do.
The left is the greatest enemy this nation has ever faced. It is killing the spirit of then ation from within, and killing the morality of its citizens, one soul at a time.
I fear that in less than 4 generations, there will not be enough strong and courageous risk takers left for us to accomplish ANYTHING we need to do, much less to be prosperous or leaders at anything. From calling initiative "greed", labelling people who attempt to build something "selfish" and declaring the results of their efforts as "obscene", there isn't going to be anyone left with enough personal grit to stand up to the onslaught, much less have the grit to actually DO something.
Every facet of judgement required to accomplish anything you have just labelled "unfair", "cronyism", "elitism", and "greed and corruption".
The system already is almost impossible to overcome for anyone wanting to do something besides merely exist.
But then, if you wanted to be something other than a sheeple, you'd know this by experience, like I do. You can't conduct business, hire someone, build something, start something, invent something, or do ANYTHING that needs done without someone suing you, taxing you, piling on mandates, or rules so absurd and mindlessly stupid that they all but obstruct forward progress. And all this mindless stupidity is praised, promoted, and lauded by the ignorant, who think that they are being HELPED by it.
Go for it, I DARE YOU. Take risks. Start something. Fill a need. Hire employees. Then find how all these "christians in name only" that hang around here are almost fanatical in their attempts to declare you evil, corrupt, and deserving destitution. They don't just advocate "restraint" of entrepreneurship, they demand policies to absolutely KILL it.
Posted by: The Watcher | March 2, 2008 11:30 PM
The left is the greatest enemy this nation has ever faced. It is killing the spirit of then ation from within, and killing the morality of its citizens, one soul at a time.
Señor Quixote, there's another windmill up ahead. I can see it in the distance. I have your lance sharpened and ready. Are you mounted and ready? Is your visor down? Then let's go!
Posted by: Don | March 3, 2008 7:33 AM
"Obviously you have no attempted no entrepreneurial effort of you own, if you think that nobody's standing in your way here. EVERYONE is standing in your way here." WatcherMarkCallit
not if you invest in spell/grammar check
Posted by: babble on | March 3, 2008 5:11 PM
Watcher:
I have owned enterprises and had numerous employees; four entities to be exact. I encountered little of the obstacles you referred to. What I was referring to was the megacorporations, the fat cats, the lobbyists who, by the political power they buy from politicians, keep honest, hard working folks from being successful through unfair competition. They run companies into the ground by incompentence, steal the pension fund, then lay off thousands of workers, and then have the audicity to vote themselves multimillion dollar bonuses. (Enron, Tyco, to name just two.) These people aren't risk takers and adventurers as you idealize, they are just unscrupulous lowlifes propped up by a political philosophy that embraces greed, avarice, and power. And I don't imagine many of them are liberal Democrats.
Four generations? Indeed! I would venture that in only another one or two generations of neocon rule this democracy will be done for. And neocon waterboys like you will be partly to thank for it.
Posted by: Russ | March 4, 2008 9:02 PM
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