Bush hopes U.S. generosity will burnish image overseas

Associated Press ^ | 05-21-03

[Brian S]

President Bush showcased the softer side of U.S. foreign policy Wednesday, telling U.S. Coast Guard Academy graduates that fighting AIDS, poverty and hunger represent vital American interests even as he pledged to press on with the war against terrorism.

A day after the government moved the nation's threat status to its second-highest level, Bush promised that "America will not relent in the war against global terror."

[KantianBurke]

These goals "will bring greater security to our country," Bush said, speaking on a drizzly day here. "They are also the moral purpose of American influence. They set an agenda for our government, they give idealistic citizens a great cause to serve."

Gee all the billions we've given in foreign aid over the past half century sure have won us alot of good will! -sarcasm off-

As for the "moral purpose of the US" ITS TO DEFEND OUR FELLOW CITIZENS AND OUR LIBERTY! I fail to see how handing out freebies to Uganda or Sri Lanka advance either of those purposes.

[Who dat?]

Last week, the president praised the Senate for approving his proposal to spend $15 billion over five years to combat the global spread of AIDS and help those suffering from the disease in African and Caribbean nations.

This type of thing drives me insane.

If we’re giving 15 billion to Africa and the Caribbean, it better be because we’re getting 100 billion worth of lumber, hides, oil, fishing rights, seashells… whatever.

[jmc813]

ping

[WRhine]

Bush appears to be far more concerned about the welfare of the 3rd World than he is about his own country. Hey Mr. Bush, in case you haven't noticed, we have PLENTY of Problems right here in the good ol' U.S.of A.

[Chewbacca]

I hate Government charity.
I pay my taxes to the government for the running of the government.
If I wanted charity to be given to a 3rd world country I would give it myself.

Government charity is taxpayer theft.


GRRRRR!!

[SouthParkRepublican]

”spend $15 billion (OF OUR FRIGGIN’ MONEY) over five years to combat the global spread of AIDS”

This is nuts! AIDS is easily preventable and if the governments of African nations are not stepping up to the plate I don’t see why the onus should be shifted to us. This infuriates me! My wife has been out of work for 11 months and we struggle from paycheck to paycheck, trying to figure out which of our utilities we would least like to have turned off.15 BILLION thrown to the wind! I’m already paying for people in the US who cant take care of their own lives and now I have to play “Rich Uncle” to the world? Maybe my attitude will change when I can stop looking under the cushions of my couch for gas money. Sorry… just ranting.

[yoe]

The AIDs problem can't be solved by money or even more medicine to those who need it. AIDs is a personnel problem that soon becomes a family problem and soon a village problem that lands in the city and leaves that country for other counties. AIDs is the quintessential plague for careless and irresponsible people who are of a licentious bent and a philistine nature. It is ‘just a crime to get it’ and should be a crime to have it. Is the whole world to be cuckolded by the political correctness that allows this infliction to spread? And greedy blood banks who sell tainted blood for profit are they to go unpunished?

President Bush will have to move politically incorrect mountains to stop AIDs.

[montag813]

THIS IS DISGUSTING. What the hell has gotten into Bush? Wasting $15 billion in welfare to a continent with billionaire dictators who can easily fill twice that bill? And shoving the "road map" down Israel's throats to "reduce Arab resentment against the United States"? ARAB RESENTMENT? Who killed who on September 11th, 2001? Was I dreaming? What the hell is going on?

[ApesForEvolution]

History indicates quite clearly that the more we give, the worse it gets...

[ApesForEvolution]

Compassionate conservatism...