Bush did some good
Published: Thursday | January 22, 2009
Bush
THE EDITOR, Sir:
I was disappointed by the failure of those commenting in The Gleaner's 'Best and worst Bush memories' published on January 19 to acknowledge the significant and unprecedented role George W. Bush has played in elevating the political profile of blacks in United States political leadership and the significant role he has played in aiding the election of a minority to the highest office of the US.
George Bush's verbal howlers and his unpopular war in Iraq will probably always represent the principal memories of his presidency. However, throughout the history of the United States of America, it was only this 'incompetent' president who saw it fit to appoint, not once, but twice, African-Americans to the position of Secretary of State. The competence demonstrated by Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice in the execution of their roles no doubt aided in the acceptance by the majority of Americans that blacks and other minorities such as Barack Obama might after all be capable of being effective chiefs of staff.
Strength of character
George W. Bush showed foresight and strength of character in single-handedly increasing the profile of the Black woman in particular and Blacks in general during his two terms as president. My gut feeling is that without the successes of two exceptionally capable African-American secretaries of state it might just not have been the black Barack Obama's time to be elected president of the US.
George W. Bush is probably the only US president to have done so much to fight AIDS and poverty in Africa. As a result the rest of the world may despise him but Africa is one place in the world where he can always expect a warm welcome.
I am no fan of Bush and find it incredulous that I am writing in his defence. But his role in elevating the profile of Black Americans and conversely Blacks internationally is unquestionable.
"One of the things important about history is to remember the true history." - George W. Bush, Washington, DC, June 6, 2008. No one else could have said it better.
I am, etc.,
OLIVER CAMPBELL
olcam@msn.com
London, England
Published: Thursday | January 22, 2009
Bush
THE EDITOR, Sir:
I was disappointed by the failure of those commenting in The Gleaner's 'Best and worst Bush memories' published on January 19 to acknowledge the significant and unprecedented role George W. Bush has played in elevating the political profile of blacks in United States political leadership and the significant role he has played in aiding the election of a minority to the highest office of the US.
George Bush's verbal howlers and his unpopular war in Iraq will probably always represent the principal memories of his presidency. However, throughout the history of the United States of America, it was only this 'incompetent' president who saw it fit to appoint, not once, but twice, African-Americans to the position of Secretary of State. The competence demonstrated by Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice in the execution of their roles no doubt aided in the acceptance by the majority of Americans that blacks and other minorities such as Barack Obama might after all be capable of being effective chiefs of staff.
Strength of character
George W. Bush showed foresight and strength of character in single-handedly increasing the profile of the Black woman in particular and Blacks in general during his two terms as president. My gut feeling is that without the successes of two exceptionally capable African-American secretaries of state it might just not have been the black Barack Obama's time to be elected president of the US.
George W. Bush is probably the only US president to have done so much to fight AIDS and poverty in Africa. As a result the rest of the world may despise him but Africa is one place in the world where he can always expect a warm welcome.
I am no fan of Bush and find it incredulous that I am writing in his defence. But his role in elevating the profile of Black Americans and conversely Blacks internationally is unquestionable.
"One of the things important about history is to remember the true history." - George W. Bush, Washington, DC, June 6, 2008. No one else could have said it better.
I am, etc.,
OLIVER CAMPBELL
olcam@msn.com
London, England
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