The American conservative news site, Politico, has published two stories about President Obama's visit to Africa that are based more on assumptions than reality.
1. Kenya is more dangerous for Obama than Afghanistan. Really? To buttress its narrative, Politico cites the activities of Al Shabaab in Kenya, claiming that Obama has more protection in Afghanistan than in Kenya. Forget that Obama will be driving through the streets of Kenya, something he has never and will never do in Afghanistan. Even though Obama will drive through blocked streets in Nairobi, that is something he will never do in Afghanistan. In fact, Obama goes to Afghanistan only under cover of darkness and is confined only to military camps. The same will not be the case in Kenya where there is ample protection for him to drive through the Nairobi. How does this make Kenya more dangerous than Afghanistan?
2. President George Bush did more for Africa than President Barack Obama. This is a claim that is often heard in the United States. The evidence often cited is the aid money George Bush spent on fighting HIV and AIDS in Africa. While this is important work, it is difficult to say how this is more important than the entrepreneurship President Obama is cultivating among some Africans. Politico only states, without giving any evidence, that Bush's work saved many lives. How many lives it saved is hardly stated. Politico's claim that Obama is doing less for Africa than Bush is based on the American assumption that provision of aid is better than doing business in Africa. Obama however sees things differently and his view is one that is currently being argued for by many economists.
1. Kenya is more dangerous for Obama than Afghanistan. Really? To buttress its narrative, Politico cites the activities of Al Shabaab in Kenya, claiming that Obama has more protection in Afghanistan than in Kenya. Forget that Obama will be driving through the streets of Kenya, something he has never and will never do in Afghanistan. Even though Obama will drive through blocked streets in Nairobi, that is something he will never do in Afghanistan. In fact, Obama goes to Afghanistan only under cover of darkness and is confined only to military camps. The same will not be the case in Kenya where there is ample protection for him to drive through the Nairobi. How does this make Kenya more dangerous than Afghanistan?
2. President George Bush did more for Africa than President Barack Obama. This is a claim that is often heard in the United States. The evidence often cited is the aid money George Bush spent on fighting HIV and AIDS in Africa. While this is important work, it is difficult to say how this is more important than the entrepreneurship President Obama is cultivating among some Africans. Politico only states, without giving any evidence, that Bush's work saved many lives. How many lives it saved is hardly stated. Politico's claim that Obama is doing less for Africa than Bush is based on the American assumption that provision of aid is better than doing business in Africa. Obama however sees things differently and his view is one that is currently being argued for by many economists.
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