"Obama is trying his hardest to be the best president of his country that he can be. African Heads of State should emulate him and try as hard."
We have had this discourse before. The fact of the matter is until we simultaneously politically and formally educate or people there will never be an end to this debate.
President Obama alluded to the dearth of political participation of African-Americans in the political process on a Chris Matthews' "Hardball" show on MSNBC. In the 2008 presidential election only 20 percent of our eligible people voted in Virginia. What happened to the rest of the 80 percent.
WB
How often do some forget that President Obama is the President of the U.S.A. Like all his predecessors in office, he is obligated by his oath of office to always defend and protect the interests of his country and fellow citizens at home and overseas. The U.S.A. is arguably the number one country in the world. Some may argue that there are moral reasons for that country's president to embrace the responsibility to make other, especially poorer countries of the world more prosperous and livable for their citizens. While the reasons may be noble, the responsibility is discretionary and not always unselfish.
The concern for me should not be that Obama is inviting African Heads of State to a summit in Washington. The concern should be about its purpose, possible benefits, and its uncompromised value to Africa and Africans. Obama would be very unlikely to want to host the summit if his country would be worse off after the summit. Is attendance at the summit mandatory for any of the invitees. No, it is not. Then again are there any African Heads of State who have not been invited to the summit? If there are, why is that the case?
If I remember correctly, China hosted a similar summit for African Heads of State not too long ago. Britain and France do too. Why the summits one may ask? I dare to argue that all summit host countries are in the business of protecting and advancing their national interests as they should be. Is it the countries' fault that African Heads of State do not know or are unwilling to do the same for their countries. Is it the countries' fault that African Heads of State take pride at being invited and attending the summits? Should the countries be blamed for the on-going scramble for Africa that is happening right now. Obama is trying his hardest to be the best president of his country that he can be. African Heads of State should emulate him and try as hard.
oa
From:usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com [mailto:usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of william bangura
Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2014 7:49 PM
To: dialogue
Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Great news: Brother Obama to invite 47 African heads of state to a summit on August 5th-6th , 2014
President Obama never ceases to amaze me. I totally disagree with this idea of inviting 47 feckless African "Heads of States" to a summit in Washington.
This invitation is a testament that he supports their socio-economic and political policies. If a Caucasian Republican president had organized this meeting there will be hues and cries from the "Liberal left" and the African-American 'mercenaries' (those who PRETEND that they empathize with the subjugated sub-Saharan Africans only to host and applaud "democrats" such as Macias Obieng of Equatorial Guinea, Museveni of Uganda and Kagame of Rwanda to name a few) against such a rendezvous given the current situation of wars, corruption, maladministration and repressions.
Though I am to the left of the liberals in my Democratic party, I question President Obama's foreign policy in sub-Saharan Africa.
William Bangura (WB)
On Wed, Jan 22, 2014 at 7:13 PM, Emeagwali, Gloria (History) <emeagwali@mail.ccsu.edu> wrote:
"Brother Obama , soon to be less tied up in Afghanistan is making his move and will be paying
a lot more attention to Africa:Obama to invite 47 African heads of state."
--
Well they can learn from him a thing or two about extra-judicial assassinations
and domestic surveillance.
GE
From:usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com [mailto:usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Cornelius Hamelberg
Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2014 8:24 AM
To:usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com
Subject: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Great news: Brother Obama to invite 47 African heads of state to a summit on August 5th-6th , 2014
Thus far there's been so much moaning and mooning about China's progress in Africa and some groaning about Uncle Sam's increasing military presence on the African continent via Africom ; and now after Iraq, Brother Obama , soon to be less tied up in Afghanistan is making his move and will be paying a lot more attention to Africa:Obama to invite 47 African heads of state
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