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At Large
Why Ex-Presidents Should Stay Home
Bill Clinton should not be preaching to Nigeria.
There is a tendency for high-ranking former government officials traveling around the world as honored and highly paid guests to give simple solutions to complex problems. Former President Bill Clinton recently stunned politicians and journalists in Nigeria by stating that the terrorism problems in the north of that country could be overcome by the government investing more in developing agriculture in that region.
Clinton’s intent clearly was to suggest that the Islamist groups such as Boko Haram were not terrorizing the northern Nigerian communities for religious reasons. He went on to state that Nigeria’s violence may appear to be rooted in religious differences, “…but the truth is the poverty rate in the North is three times what it is in Lagos” — as if that explained everything.
The suggestion that Lagos, the historical commercial and banking center, was disproportionately better off than the rest of the country — particularly the traditionally impoverished North — was as irrelevant as comparing the richness of the Nile River valley from Cairo to Alexandria to the rest of a vast and mostly barren Egypt, and then blaming that on the Egyptian government.
Clinton must have known that his statement was a direct attack on Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan who had earlier responded sharply to CNN’s Christiane Amanpour when she suggested poverty and corruption were behind the rise in Nigerian terrorism. President Jonathan had vigorously replied that Boko Haram was “definitely not a result of poverty.…Boko Haram is a local terrorist group.”
The Associated Press chose to ignore the implied challenge to President Jonathan while emphasizing Bill Clinton’s insistence that the murder of innocents, bombing of public buildings, and numerous kidnappings can only be stopped “in the nation’s predominantly Muslim North” by alleviating the widespread poverty. Clinton’s simplistic solution called for greater cooperation between local, state, and federal governments — a more equitable division of the profits from Nigeria’s substantial petroleum resources — and a greater emphasis on rural development projects. Of course, none of these steps could find disagreement. In fact these are the themes of every political campaign at all levels in Nigeria, and have been for years.
The inequities between the development in the North and South Nigeria have existed since even before the beginning of British colonial rule in West Africa. The religious divide of Moslems in the north and Christian/animist in the south tended to mirror the fertility of the tropical and moderate climates of the south and central regions and the parched savannah to desert areas of the north. During colonial days — if Clinton had cared to find out — the Royal West African Frontier Force was strongly tilted among their Nigerian units toward northern Moslem recruiting. The Hausa and Fulani tribal communities of Moslems appeared to the British as more amenable to military organization. A tough people from a tough land. That contemporary anti-government, anti-Christian organization centers about the northern provinces is hardly a surprise.
The question exists as to why former President Clinton would go to the trouble to ignore historical lessons while doling out his not-so-free advice to his host government. The answer appears to be linked to the Obama Administration’s desire to seek explanations of Islamist terrorist behavior as not linked to ethno-religious beliefs. While such a theme may have an arguable validity within the Islamic community residing in the U.S. or Europe, it is clearly not the case in the Middle East or Africa.
As Prof. Bernard Lewis and other scholars of Islam have written, the Muslim world has never forgotten that it was once the greatest military power on earth. For the adherents of Islam this is a memory for many of them along with a longing for the return of the caliphate and shariah law. This objective continues to be the principal driving force behind Islamic terrorism that many Muslims view in contemporary terms as “justified” military action. Wishing this matter were not so, as Clinton and Obama appear to desire to do, just does not change the facts of history.
Bill Clinton, with his own history of moral and ethical shortcomings, too numerous to list, has the potential of creating considerable trouble around the world where he has found many politically active billionaires eager to host the Clinton traveling circus. Perhaps Bill is preparing the way for his wife’s second run for the American presidency. Perhaps he just enjoys the applause and money. Whatever the reason, he would do well to put extra effort into hiring more knowledgeable researchers before he makes his pronouncements on foreign affairs.
Nigeria always has had trouble with using its oil wealth to launch itself as a nation beyond the collection of privileged tribal interests that have for centuries controlled life in that part of West Africa. Buying, selling and renting political and business favors are a way of life — not unlike many other areas around the globe. That’s how former-president Clinton received his invitation to come to Nigeria in the first place. Yes, some could refer to this vast African nation as “corrupt.” But what other nation or its representative wants to “throw the first stone”? Certainly it should not have been William Jefferson Clinton!
About the Author
George H. Wittman writes a weekly column on international affairs for The American Spectator online. He was the founding chairman of the National Institute for Public Policy.
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markenoff| 3.11.13 @ 8:00AM
The Nigerian government is a kleptocracy where the spoils are divided along ethnic and tibal lines. Like the US federal government.
crankitup| 3.11.13 @ 8:45AM
the slickmeister is only trying to increase his cut of the action in Africa.
Pecos Pete| 3.11.13 @ 8:54AM
Is there gun control in Nigeria? If not, why not?
JimH| 3.11.13 @ 1:02PM
Gun control there means selecting single shot instead of full auto on your AK47.
itsy_bitsy| 3.11.13 @ 8:59AM
The left has long worshiped at the altar of Clinton and Obama, whose combined intellect is praised as out of the ordinary! I have always thought that this exists more in their own minds than in actual reality!
Joellen| 3.11.13 @ 9:01AM
The question is why would Bubba ignore historical lessons?
Well as many of us know, Bubba Clinton is a Rapist and should be in jail; so best for him not to allow the facts of anything moral to get in his narcissistic way.
TLP| 3.11.13 @ 1:57PM
This is all very easily explained by just using Simple Math.
1 Money Grubbing Nihilist + 1 Guy, Born a Muslim, raised in the Muslim Schools and Mosques of Indonesia by his Adopted Muslim Stepfather, who thinks that "The Muslim Call to Prayer is the most beautiful sound in the world" and you get The Rapist in Nigeria, getting paid to make excuses for the Muslim Animals to the North.
I told you it was easily explained.
Jim Adcox| 3.11.13 @ 9:34AM
Perhaps if he would just stay over there, even have his wife join him, they could play a gender-flexible version of Eugene O'Neill's "The Emperor Jones." I seem to recall he liked to bang a drum while over in Africa once upon a time, when he was "acquitted" of something-to-do about nothing on a blue dress.
Anthony| 3.11.13 @ 10:37AM
If only Jim!!! Two problems with that; 1) Slick wee Wille can't claim to be the first black president of Nigeria.
2) Hillary is not looking to be the first woman chief wildebeest of Nigeria, she has her sights on that anteroom off of the Oval Office that her husband spent so much time in.
And while Slick wee Willie did like to beat those African drums, apparently, the women in Nigeria ain't to his liking to beat.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 3.11.13 @ 9:35AM
Why is it that whenever I hear Clinton has said anything, I hear it with the presumption that somehow he thought it was going to help him get laid.
Unless the supporters of Boko Haram were paying Clinton to give a speech, I expect somewhere nearby there is a grad student doing her thesis in International Relations for whom Clinton's words are the equivalent of Rohypnol (the date rape drug).
TLP| 3.11.13 @ 1:59PM
Contest this Friday, on an OFFICIAL BLOG.
KAMINSKY'S.
We've hit the Big Time, so we need all of the participation we can muster.
"And oh what heights we'll hiiiiiiit. On with the Show, this is it." (Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck)
And you spelled "Roofie" wrong.
Anthony| 3.11.13 @ 9:55AM
And what intelligent pronouncements did you expect to come from a piece of white trash who used a 2o year old girl as a human humidor?
Do you honestly believe Clinton actually thinks about what he's saying, other than to prop up his and Hillary's continued political power base?
Once again, folks have fallen for the perception that leftists are the smartest people in the room.
Kwan| 3.11.13 @ 11:16AM
Boko Haram. Didn't they sing "A Lighter Shade of Pale" in the 60's. As for the simpleton Willie Da Slickster Gump coming up with a dumb solution, let's not forget that, stupid is as stupid does. Da Slickster's own response to Islamic terrorism against America during his administration was to follow the "Ostrich Strategy": Bury your head in the sand and ignore it.
Bandido| 3.11.13 @ 12:53PM
It's Procol Harem, I think.
Kwan| 3.11.13 @ 10:27PM
My mistake Bandido. You're right.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 3.11.13 @ 6:52PM
We skipped the light fandango♫ ♩
♪♭turned cartwheels ‘cross the floor♬
Why is it that now that you've associated this song with Clinton, I can't help but think this is a description of a sexual act?
mike 3/505| 3.11.13 @ 9:49PM
So Slick Wilie, America's first black president, is gonna "turn a whiter shade of pale?"
Sorry...couldn't resist.
Kwan| 3.11.13 @ 10:44PM
There is something about 16 Vestal Virgins in the song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8jJ1ORIOes
Bandido| 3.12.13 @ 8:59AM
They are leaving for the coast. This song is meaningless, written probably in a drug-fueled haze.
Petronius| 3.11.13 @ 11:35AM
After reading that first paragraph, I say Slickwilly's lucky CARE and Oxfam don't give him a bollicking. Agricultural development in Africa would put them out of a job scamming bleeding hearts so they can make one video a year of grain laden trucks parked in the Sahara dishing out same to the parents of fly attracting sprogs, hire rentamobs here to picket Monsanto and spend the rest on partying in Davos and at the UN. But when your in the same racket you don't foul your own nest in the bargain.
Tom Kyba| 3.11.13 @ 11:48AM
Sick Willie the runaway narcissist cares about nothing but his own styrofoam legacy. He will lie, cheat and steal anything from anyone, anytime to burnish his image. If he's not a sociopath, then the word has no meaning.
SukieTawdry| 3.11.13 @ 12:11PM
Bill's problem is not that he lacks reliable researchers. Bill's problem is that he talks trash. He always has. You can't trust anything that comes out of his mouth. The fact that he's been getting away with it all these years simply illustrates what simpletons the "working press" are.
TLP| 3.11.13 @ 2:02PM
He's the White version of our Half White King.
His Mother was White Trash, and his Father was a Drunk who died in a Gutter.
Biff| 3.11.13 @ 6:18PM
Clinton's popularity also reveals what simpletons the majority of American voters are...
Bandido| 3.11.13 @ 12:50PM
This is a crucial trait of Democrat busybodies. Who was the last Republican running around the world lecturing, hectoring, and preening for audiences? Madeleine Albright did it constantly ("We see farther than anyone else"), Hillary made a living doing it, and Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter are the quintessential Ugly Americans. Leftists are arrogant beyond measure, and they are moral hypocrites. Why other peoples would wish to listen to their ignorant tripe is one of the great mysteries of the universe.
Job| 3.11.13 @ 1:01PM
hmmm, "we're from the foreign government and we're here to help" is even more toxic and spewing with hubris than "we're from the government and we're here to help."
TLP| 3.11.13 @ 2:03PM
Contest this Friday, on an OFFICIAL BLOG.
KAMINSKY'S.
We've hit the Big Time, so we need all of the participation we can muster.
"And oh what heights we'll hiiiiiiit. On with the Show, this is it." (Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck)
Bandido| 3.11.13 @ 3:10PM
What contest? Where? Are they serving cocktails?
TLP| 3.11.13 @ 4:50PM
Kaminsky's Blog, on Friday.
Murl| 3.11.13 @ 2:42PM
The only thing Bill Clinton was ever good at was convincing a fat ugly intern to suck his Johnson, and convincing a poodle ugly daughter to get a nose job and ditch the perm so she wouldn't leave a legacy as the ugliest first daughter in POTUS history. I believe Amy Carter still carries that banner proudly.
Biff| 3.11.13 @ 6:16PM
Dude! That was harsh! True, but harsh...
cicero| 3.11.13 @ 5:31PM
Anytime you want to analyze a liberal, first follow the money. They will show up anytime they are called, and say anything they think the listeners want to hear. It need not be true, or even particularly intelligent. It only has to pass muster until the check clears. The Clintons have always been about the Clintons. Bill may go down as one of worste three presidents of all time. Hillary cannot post one accomplishment during her tenure as Sec. of State. They have talked themselves into positions of power, and have ammassed enormous amounts of cash, while selling snakee oil to the undereducated.
William Jefferson Clinton most reminds one of that famous Athenian, Alcibiades. He would say anything to anybody, as long as the got something he wanted in return. He was willing to betray whatever the last country he tricked into doing his bidding. He caused untold damage to Athens, and the only way they found to stop him from getting the majority of the fools to give him what he asked for, was to kill him. While that is a bit drastic, unless we start callking these folks what they are, the huckstering will go on.
PJ| 3.11.13 @ 7:08PM
All ex-presidents should take art lessons & then paint pictures of their feet in the tub & of their dogs.
hrgfue | 3.11.13 @ 10:15PM
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