You'd think Kanye West's ill-informed remark ("George Bush doesn't care about black people": Newsbusters link) would be enough to illustrate how misguided it is to politicize a serious fundraiser. But MSNBC's blogger for the NBC/Red Cross event, Mike Miller, could not restrain himself as well. Is it that hard for some people to set aside political differences for just one hour in order to raise some money for some people who are really hurting? From Mike Miller's blog at MSNBC.com, in which he gave a chronological, running commentary of the event (emphasis mine):
5:41: ... "George Bush doesn't care about black people," West said. Myers turns to him and clearly has no idea what to say ...
5:54: Still can't believe Kanye West ripped Bush. That was great.
"Great"? What was great about it? West's view is flat-out wrong. As President, Bush has given tremendous support to Africans and African-Americans. Here's what Bob Geldof, the LiveAid and Live8 organizer, told Time magazine in June (emphasis mine):
GELDOF: [T]oday I had to defend the Bush Administration in France again. They refuse to accept, because of their political ideology, that he has actually done more than any American President for Africa. But it's empirically so. (Time magazine, June 27, 2005 (link))
This truth is also in addition to the fact that President Bush has appointed a number of African-Americans to important cabinet positions in his administration.
Also: "Homeownership among African Americans is at its highest rate ever" (link).
"Doesn't care"?? I'm afraid it might be Kanye who should care to look at some facts!
