Bush Extends Greetings To All Celebrating Kwanzaa

US Dept of State ^ | December 19, 2005 | George W. Bush

[presidio9]

President Bush December 19 sent warm greetings to all who are celebrating Kwanzaa -- a seven-day observance emphasizing seven principles of African culture.

Kwanzaa, which will begin December 26, represents an African-American and pan-African holiday celebrating family, community and culture.

For additional information see Holidays and African Americans.

Following is the text of the statement:

THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary December 19, 2005

December 2005

I send greetings to those observing Kwanzaa.

African Americans and people around the world reflect on African heritage during Kwanzaa. The seven days of this celebration emphasize the seven principles of Nguzo Saba -- unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. These values contribute to a culture of citizenship and compassion, and Kwanzaa activities help pass on African values and traditions to future generations.

As families and friends gather for Kwanzaa, Americans remember the many contributions African Americans have made to our country's character and celebrate the diversity that makes our Nation strong. May your commitment to family, faith, and community thrive during this holiday season and throughout the coming year.

Laura and I send our best wishes for a happy Kwanzaa.

[Spiff]

Here we go again ... you should have been on the Saturday post of this message. It got ugly and it was PULLED by the Moderator! Woo! Hoo!

It was not the Free Republic thread that was ugly or controversial, nor is it most FReepers' opposition to Kwanzaa that is ugly. It is the Kwanzaa observance itself, its origin, its founder, its goals, and the fact that the President would recognize it in any way beyond informed derision that are truly ugly.

[manwiththehands]

"... the fact that the President would recognize it in any way beyond informed derision that are truly ugly."

Hey, Spiff. Yep. You're right.

It was a great thread, though, wasn't it? :-)

[Spiff]

I archived the entire thread up to post #66. Some idiot mod may have deleted it, but that didn't remove it from my cache.

[presidio9]

In fairness achette attacks and ethnic cleansing are about indivdual tribal conflict, and not the "African values" (whatever that is) that Kwanzaa seems to long for. The problem with Kwanzaa is that there's no such thing as generic African values.

[Rosemont]

" Bush Extends Greetings To All Celebrating Kwanzaa"

AKA White Liberal Teachers

[Spiff]

In fairness achette attacks and ethnic cleansing are about indivdual tribal conflict, and not the "African values" (whatever that is) that Kwanzaa seems to long for. The problem with Kwanzaa is that there's no such thing as generic African values.

Look at Africa. Look at the mess that is Africa. I challenge you to find one redeeming pan-African value. There are none. Everett, the sadistic con man that he is, had to invent seven of them and he invented them around his racist black nationalist marxist agenda.

[presidio9]

Again, in fairness, you took the step of elevating inter-tribal genocide to the status of a pan-African value. I agree that Africa is an extremely polarized continent, but that does not mean that the entire continent is beyond redemption. Did you know that that Rome had Black Ceasars?

[Spiff]

Again, in fairness, you took the step of elevating inter-tribal genocide to the status of a pan-African value. I agree that Africa is an extremely polarized continent, but that does not mean that the entire continent is beyond redemption. Did you know that that Rome had Black Ceasars?

I never said the entire continent was beyond redemption. I know nothing about "black caesars" and couldn't care less about their's or anyone's skin pigmentation.

Again, name one redeeming thing that has come from the African continent in the past millenium.

[presidio9]

Again, name one redeeming thing that has come from the African continent in the past millenium.

Gary Player

[Spiff]

Gary Player

Be serious. He's a guy that hits little white balls with funny-shaped sticks. He may be particularly good at it, but so what. Try again.

[Mike Bates]

Chicago Tribune: Kwanzaa Founder a "Scholar," But What Else?

[presidio9]

OK, I'll play your game, if you can you name one redeeming thing that has come out of South America as an example.

[Spiff]

OK, I'll play your game, if you can you name one redeeming thing that has come out of South America as an example.

Why? Is there some South American "value" based holiday that we're discussing here that I missed? Did President Bush make a presidential proclamation extolling the virtues of that holiday?

[yarddog]

Bush is a master at pandering. At least to those groups who hate him.

[Clara Lou]

Did President Bush make a presidential proclamation extolling the virtues of that holiday?
extol: to praise highly : GLORIFY [from Webster's dictionary]
You have exaggerated. The President's statement does no such thing. Go read it.

[oh8eleven]

At the bottom of the thread are a variety of links to writers explaining the meaning of Kwanzaa
What meaning?

[PokeyJoe]

To something is a holiday is to say that something is a Holy Day.

Kwanza is the political creation of a socialist progessive atheist wack job professor in Kaleefornia.

Therefore, Kwanza is not a Holy Day.

[paulat]

How can he do it with a straight face?

That's why it's a written statement....

[Luis Gonzalez]

"...why even mention it?"

Because its observants are American citizens just like you are, and he is their president just like he is yours.