First Lady Praises Botswana As ‘Thriving Democracy’ But State Dept Cites ‘Violence Against

CNS News ^ | 6/24/11 | Penny Starr

[Nachum]

Speaking at the Women’s Leadership Luncheon in Gaborone, Botswana on Friday, First Lady Michelle Obama praised the country for being a “thriving democracy” filled with “kind and generous people.” A U.S. Department of State report on Botswana’s human rights record, however, concludes that the country is still struggling with problems such as violence against women, child abuse, and discrimination. “[I]t is a pleasure to be in this beautiful country that embodies what my husband has called ‘a vision of Africa on the move,’” Obama said at the luncheon in Gaborne where young women were honored for their leadership.

[Nachum]

Full title: First Lady Praises Botswana As ‘Thriving Democracy’ But State Dept Cites ‘Violence Against Women, ‘Child Abuse,’ ‘Discrimination’

[Nachum]

The list, ping

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[cripplecreek]

As far as African nations go Botswana is definitely head and shoulders above most.

[9YearLurker]

At least they’re not “downright mean” like us!

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

that the country is still struggling with problems such as violence against women, child abuse, and discrimination.

So... the same stuff that Foggy Bottom has said the US is guilty of?

[hinckley buzzard]

Considering Botswana was one of South Africa's native homelands during apartheid, it is ironic that now it should be held up as some sort of role model, ahead of its peers. Guess being administered by the Boers wasn't such a bad deal after all, compared to the corrupt a-holes who have run the freed colonies for a half century.

[dfwgator]

I think you got Botswana confused with Bophuthatswana.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bophuthatswana

[keypro]

[keypro]

[Squantos]

Its a hellhole of mob rule an death. Been there didn’t get a T-shirt.

She is such a dumbass...

[freedumb2003]

>>As far as African nations go Botswana is definitely head and shoulders above most.<<

That is like being the best yodeler in Harlem.

[freedumb2003]

Why is shelly getting a free vacation?

She has no official anything: title, position, standing, etc.

This is just a shameless taxpayer-payed junket.

[cripplecreek]

LOL

[GeronL]

probably took 400 friends along too, paid for by you

[Cheetahcat]

People factory ,what else have they ever done??

[twhitak]

She’s as smart as she is pretty.

[Candor7]

[Oztrich Boy]

Considering Botswana was one of South Africa's native homelands during apartheid, it is ironic that now it should be held up as some sort of role model, ahead of its peers. Guess being administered by the Boers wasn't such a bad deal after all

No. Botswana is the former Bechuanaland protectorate, which remained under direct British rule after the Republic of South Africa became independent.

Botsawna became independent in the 60s, and like all "Wind of Change" countries, tried Socialism. It didn't work.

Unlike the rest, it realized this, and in the earlier 80s, switched to capitalism and freedom. This did.

[Oztrich Boy]

So... the same stuff that Foggy Bottom has said the US is guilty of?

Close. The Hillary Statist Department doesn't like them because they don't have affirmative action for women and minorities. Amnesty International doesn't like them (death penalty issues).

But Freedom House rates them as "free".

And Heritage Foundation puts them 40th in world for economic freedom (dropped a bit this year due to increased government spending, but still only slightly lower than Western European countries. They are rated 2d most free in the Sub-Saharan African group (The first appears to be the Indian Ocean island nation of Mauritius, so second is not that bad)

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

I never got to that area, but the missionaries from that region spoke of it approvingly. So I figured it was fairly well run.