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July 11, 2009
OBAMA ISSUES CHALLENGE IN GHANA.... President Obama challenged practically all of Africa today in a blunt and powerful speech to Ghana's parliament today. Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy "This is about more than just holding elections -- it's also about what happens between elections," Obama said. "Repression can take many forms, and too many nations, even those that have elections, are plagued by problems that condemn their people to poverty. No country is going to create wealth if its leaders exploit the economy to enrich themselves, or if police can be bought off by drug traffickers. No business wants to invest in a place where the government skims 20 percent off the top, or the head of the Port Authority is corrupt. No person wants to live in a society where the rule of law gives way to the rule of brutality and bribery. That is not democracy, that is tyranny, even if occasionally you sprinkle an election in there. And now is the time for that style of governance to end." "Now, make no mistake: History is on the side of these brave Africans, not with those who use coups or change constitutions to stay in power," the U.S. president added. "Africa doesn't need strongmen, it needs strong institutions." And lest there be any doubts about the audience's familiarity with Obama's rhetoric, the response was especially strong towards the end of the speech: "[H]ere is what you must know: The world will be what you make of it. You have the power to hold your leaders accountable, and to build institutions that serve the people. You can serve in your communities, and harness your energy and education to create new wealth and build new connections to the world. You can conquer disease, and end conflicts, and make change from the bottom up. You can do that. Yes, we can, because in this moment, history is on the move." The "tough love" aspect of the speech was Obama urging his audience to take responsibility for the continent's future. He conceded the serious consequences of colonialism, "unnatural" borders written by outsiders that have bred division, and unbalanced trade practices. "Now, it's easy to point fingers and to pin the blame of these problems on others," the president said, adding, "The West has often approached Africa as a patron or a source of resources rather than a partner. But the West is not responsible for the destruction of the Zimbabwean economy over the last decade, or wars in which children are enlisted as combatants. In my father's life, it was partly tribalism and patronage and nepotism in an independent Kenya that for a long stretch derailed his career, and we know that this kind of corruption is still a daily fact of life for far too many." As with Cairo in June, Obama wasn't rebuking the continent or issuing condemnations, he was issuing a challenge and pointing towards the basis for new growth and new relationships. It was also a reminder that this president, no matter where he is, doesn't talk down to his audiences, or shy away from nuanced or difficult ideas. —Steve Benen 1:45 PM Permalink | Trackbacks | Comments (16)Comments
Everything he said was both true and needed to be said. But that doesn't change the political reality that this was clearly a Sistah Souljah moment -- to a whole continent, no less. After reading the last post the first paragraph could apply to the good old USA. Posted by: par4 on July 11, 2009 at 2:04 PM | PERMALINKNo country is going to create wealth if its leaders exploit the economy to enrich themselves Ironic words coming from a guy who has saddled us with a crew of Goldman Sachs alumni to oversee the "troubled assets" program. Good to know his sense of humor is intact. Posted by: DocAmazing on July 11, 2009 at 2:08 PM | PERMALINKThanks for posting this great speech. If you can find a better video, that would be very welcome. The audio is terrible. Posted by: Travis on July 11, 2009 at 2:20 PM | PERMALINKHear hear, smartalek and DocA. However, watching this 3-minute tape of what he said at a slave fort today, I do marvel at the guy's gift. Posted by: lotus on July 11, 2009 at 2:22 PM | PERMALINK"In my father's life, it was partly tribalism and patronage and nepotism in an independent Kenya that for a long stretch derailed his career, and we know that this kind of corruption is still a daily fact of life for far too many."
Sarah Palin would have made a far better speech to the country of Africa, had she been made President. Posted by: palinoscopy on July 11, 2009 at 2:56 PM | PERMALINKI always get the feeling that Obama travels abroad to give his domestic policy speeches. Contrast his statement that "what happens between elections is important" and Bush's "accountability moment" approach to governing. Posted by: tomj on July 11, 2009 at 4:10 PM | PERMALINKObama's challenge to Ghana should have included a challenge for their government to be less secretive than the US government. That the Ghana government should avoid starting illegal and unnecessary wars the way the US does. That Ghana should hold to habeas corpus as strongly as the US doesn't. That Ghana investigate criminality in government and business precisely the way the US government does NOT. Obama has no right or place lecturing or challenging ANY nation on being "better". Pot? Meet the frickin' kettle asshole. Posted by: Praedor Atrebates on July 11, 2009 at 4:24 PM | PERMALINKAhem. Newsweek's heads-up says Holder is about to name a prosecutor ("special" or "independent" not specified) "to investigate the Bush administration's brutal interrogation practices" . . . Posted by: lotus on July 11, 2009 at 4:41 PM | PERMALINKI don't understand what is wrong with some of you readers. Here is a Man who is trying to inspire a whole continent and here you are picking at his words. You all are the reason why Africa is what it is today because of the damage that you all have done. Always exploiting and giving pennies of what you have already enjoyed. For once Africans are being told to find a way to better itself and not rely on Aid. And to you "Praedor Atrebates" Ghana's overnment do not starting illegal and unnecessary wars. That is the main reason why Obama chose to go there in the first place. Get your facts straights. I bet you probably have never been to Ghana. I am not even going to waste ink on you. Posted by: Lisa on July 11, 2009 at 6:36 PM | PERMALINKExcept of course you can't call torture torture here at home, or find out anything about it, or apply any kind of laws or rules to it. Fuck Obama. He should be asking Mugabe for advice and spiritual counsel, he's such a fucking throwback, just like Bush. Posted by: talk down ha ha on July 11, 2009 at 7:11 PM | PERMALINKDidn't he also saw he would help Africans hold past leaders accountable, at the same time that he is blocking efforts to hold the Bush administration accountable for war crimes? Is that the clicking of Sean Hannity's scissors I hear? Posted by: MikeN on July 12, 2009 at 12:57 AM | PERMALINK"Be nice if he'd bring the same apparent firmness and resolve (now where have I heard that word before?) to the finance-world malfeasance / health care / global warming / domestic spying / torture / full GLBT equality / u-name-it debates." Yes, but. You are missing a crucial half of his message. People are responsible for their own future, and this is as true for us as it is for African countries. We have to work for the future we want. We have to keep pushing to keep our institutions responsible and our keep our politicians responsive, and to harness government as a force for the public good. Posted by: N.Wells on July 12, 2009 at 1:05 AM | PERMALINKPost a comment
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