Bush calls for extra $770 million in food aid

WASHINGTON - President Bush urged Congress Thursday to approve $770 million to help alleviate dramatically escalating food prices that threaten widespread hunger and increasing social unrest around the world.

In a surprise midafternoon appearance at the White House, Bush announced he is asking lawmakers to approve the additional funds for global food aid and development programs. The money — to be directed primarily at needy African nations — is being included in a broader $70 billion Iraq war funding measure for 2009 that the White House sent to Capitol Hill on Thursday. Even so, Bush called it "just the beginning" of the U.S. effort to help. He said the United States would spend a total of $5 billion this year and next on food aid and related programs.

"America's in the lead, we'll stay in the lead and we expect others to participate along with us," he said

Bush's announcement drew praise from several quarters.

"Millions of people around the world may be saved from starvation if we can quickly move forward with the president's request," said Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill. "Global aid is not only the right thing to do; it's the smart and safe thing to do. I commend the president for his leadership."

The United States is the world's largest provider of food aid, delivering more than $2.1 billion to 78 developing countries last year.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080501/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_food


I disagree with the guy on about 90% of the stuff he does, but at least he is getting this right. This and his HIV/TB/malaria program.

It's a paltry sum, actually and he gets no kudos from moi for doing what he should've been doing for some time now.

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

You do know there are strings attached to most of these programs? Strings that keep him from being tried at the Hague for War Crimes, strings that keep the drugs away UNLESS abstinence is taught?
Fuck bush and his using OUR money to further his criminal agenda.

Sorry, excuse my cynicism but he usually seems to have an angle for everything he does.

Oh well I guess a little more debt... more unfunded spending. Even Bushes good jesters have the same problem as his bad ones, he never has a plan that pays for them.

All Bu**sh**Co SOP.