[Vision2020] Bush's Africa trip

[Carl Westberg]

My boss's daughter just returned from 2 years in the Gambia where she was in 
the Peace Corps.  She received an e-mail from a Gambian friend detailing 
President Bush's visit to Senegal.  He arrived in Senegal at 7:20 AM, and 
left at 1:30 PM.  In the lead-up to his arrival, more than 1,500 people were 
arrested and jailed between the preceding Thursday and Monday.  The U.S. 
Army planes flew day and night over Dakar, depriving residents of sleep.  
About 700 security people from the U.S. were there for Bush's security.  
Senegalese security forcesa were not allowed near the President. All trees 
in places where Bush would pass were cut down, some of these trees were over 
100 years old.  All roads going downtown, where hospitals, businesses, and 
schools are located were closed from Monday night to Tuesday afternoon at 3 
PM.  Residents could not go to their offices or schools.  Sick people had to 
stay home.  National exams that were scheduled to start on Monday were 
postponed until Wednesday.  There is an island called Goree Island that 
faces Dakar.  From the 15th to the 19th century, African slaves were shipped 
to America from this island.  One of the island houses is now a museum 
designed to remind humanity of this period.  It's been visited by many 
dignitaries (including Bill Clinton).  But for "security reasons" the local 
population was chased out of their own homes from 5 to 12 AM.  American 
security forces forced them to leave their houses open, including their 
wardrobes to be searched by dogs brought by U.S. security.  The ferry that 
links the island to Dakar was stopped and offices and businesses were closed 
for the day.  Senegal, a very poor country lost huge amounts of money during 
this visit, because workers were prevented from leaving their homes.  King 
George brought his own armchairs, meals and drinks.  Senegalese journalists 
were forbidden from the airport and where he was visiting.  The Senegalese 
president was not allowed to speak, only Bush.  The feeling among this 
poster's fellow Senegalese: "We have the feeling that everything has been 
done to convince us that we are nothing, and that America can behave the way 
it wants, everywhere, even in our country."                                  
                                                                             
                                                                             
                                                                             
                                                                             
                                                                             
        Carl Westberg Jr.

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