Rod D. Martin & Chris Beers discuss Trump's radical makeover of U.S. foreign assistance, an initiative called "Trade Over Aid" to end dependency and create prosperity; PLUS an update on the Iran war.
My parents scolded me over cleaning my plate because there were starving children in BOTH China AND India, and I'm not that much older than you. China and India were sub-Third World as recently as the mid-1960s... even the early 1970s.
I would dearly love to ask a question, so here goes. How are the Iranian people going to get arms? I am hoping that Trump is trying back channels, the Kurds, to see if they will transfer the people of Iran some arms.I don't know if you ever answer, but I sure hope you answer me!
A great segment and also, very informative too, with Dr. Martin and Chris Beers of NTD News! Donald Trump is to be applauded for ending “Forever Aid” to African nations. Foreign aid is nice, but just giving foreign aid to African countries isn’t going to help them and has trapped them in dependency. President Trump is instead pushing for trade with those nations which will help them build up their economies, achieve rapid economic growth, raise living standards, increase wages, have a better overall quality of life, and generate wealth. I’m also glad he shut down USAID and the NED, which contrary to what you’ve heard, weren’t actually helping African nations. They were just slush funds for the Democratic Party, the intelligence community and NGOs. Why is Africa poor? Well, it’s not because of the usual things you hear this is blamed on.
Colonialism, neo-colonialism, imperialism, and slavery are the usual suspects. Yes, all these things had negative effects on Africa for sure, but they aren’t the reason Africa is poor today. The reasons for African poverty are mismanagement by native governments, a lack of economic freedom and geography. On the first point, African leaders have done a terrible job running their respective nations and tend to be authoritarian or corrupt or both. On the second point, taxes and tariffs in Africa are way too high and make it impossible to start a business or to ship the goods you make overseas. On the third point, this is something that isn’t talked about enough. Thomas Sowell discusses this in his book “Wealth, Poverty and Politics.” As the French historian Ferdinand Braudel said, "In understanding black Africa, geography is more important than history." Much of Africa's history was in fact shaped by its geography.”
Navigable waterways in Africa are scarce, even smaller boats can only travel limited distances on African rivers because of cascades and waterfalls. As Thomas Sowell explains, “Most of the continent is more than 1,000 feet above sea level, and more than half of Africa is more than 2,000 feet above sea level. That means its rivers and streams must plunge down from those heights on their way to the sea.” Many African societies have been isolated by that continent’s dearth of both navigable rivers and harbors. I once again quote Thomas Sowell, “Isolated regions have almost invariably lagged behind regions in touch with a wider cultural universe. One among many signs of the isolation and cultural fragmentation of much of sub-Saharan Africa is that African languages are one third of all the languages in the world, even though African peoples are only about 10 percent of the world's population.”
Small tribal societies sprouted up in Africa that were vulnerable to be conquered by outsiders. Africa suffers from flat coastlines, a lack of adequate harbors, the Sahara Desert the largest desert in the world separates North Africa from sub-Saharan Africa. This has had adversely affects on the former but has had especially dire consequences for the development of the latter. The tsetse fly which is found all across the continent makes it impossible to use cattle or horses which are essential for plowing and transporting heavy goods. Before the European colonists came and build railroads, many African societies had to carry freight on their heads because of the above mentioned inability to use pack animals. I think on balance, European colonialism in Africa did more good than bad. I will provide a few examples from Casey Chalk in The Federalist’s review of Bruce Gilley’s invaluable book In Defense of German Colonialism about German Colonialism in East Africa.
First off, pre-colonial East Africa was hardly the Garden of Eden. I quote Mr. Chalk here, “For starters, the peoples inhabiting what would become Germany’s African colonies were far from innocent peoples living in harmony with each other and nature. Human sacrifice was common among at least one of the tribes of Cameroon. Slavery was common across both Namibia (southwest Africa) and what would become the colony of German East Africa (present-day Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and part of Mozambique).” He continues on: The Nama and Herero peoples, both of whom had migrated to Namibia only a generation before the Germans (and displaced other indigenous African tribes such as the Damara people in the process), were engaged in bloody, genocidal warfare. In 1850, the Nama massacred a fifth of the Herero population in a single day. The Herero raided native Damara and Saan villages, killing all but the young and strong, whom they exploited as slaves. Many escaped to the Germans. Writes Gilley: “Even if left to their own devices, the Herero and Nama would not have lived in idyllic bliss tending healthy herds of cattle and hosting multiethnic community barbecues.”
When the Germans arrived in the area, they immediately made incredible changes and the arrival of German colonialism in East Africa had so many benefits for the peoples who lived there. In 1904, the Germans decreed that all children born to slaves in 1906 were free. Between 1891 and 1912, more than 50,000 slaves in the colony were freed by legal, social, and financial means. By 1920, slavery had been virtually eradicated from the region. In addition, German East Africa was also environmentally conscious, codifying laws that prevented unlicensed Elephant hunting and created the first game reserves. It also printed education for natives. I again quote Mr. Chalk from his article in The Federalist: “The Germans have accomplished marvels,” noted a 1924 British report on local education initiatives. The education system in German colonies provided instruction in local histories, cultures, and geographies, as well as technical subjects common in German curricula. Because of this, local language media prospered.”
In addition as Chalk quotes Professor Gilley: “”German transformed Swahili from a coastal language of Muslim elites to the lingua franca for the future country of Tanzania,” writes Gilley.” The Germans also provided free and assessable medical care for many Africans. They engaged in extensive agricultural and infrastructure projects in Namibia, including roads, railways, water holes, and port facilities. A German scientist developed a vaccine that saved the native cattle from catastrophic illness. The Germans built a 1,250-kilometer railway linking Lake Tanganyika to Dar es Salaam, which to this day as Professor Gilley said, ““remains the lifeblood of Tanzania’s economy and of Zambia’s trans-shipment traffic.”” Economies previously based on slavery transitioned to being based on coffee.
I think your correct about Iran. A deal is probably not forthcoming. The Islamic Republic’s leadership is so fragmented, they can’t get together on anything! The military operations in Iran will probably only end with the people rising up. The United States and Israel have been killing it Iran. Let’s us pray it continues and Iran will be free! 🙏 It’s a terrible tragedy to here about all the Iranian civilians who have died like those poor little girls in that school. But collateral damage as tragic as it is, is just a part of warfare. Nor was it done on purpose as some people seem to be implying it is. Also, no this not a war. The United States and Israel did not send troops to go marching into Tehran. These are limited military strikes and their succeeding quite well thank you!
For much of Africa, the postcolonial era has been far more tragic than anything that happened in the colonial era. Hopefully we can begin to turn the corner.
My parents scolded me over cleaning my plate because there were starving children in BOTH China AND India, and I'm not that much older than you. China and India were sub-Third World as recently as the mid-1960s... even the early 1970s.
More recently than that. When I was in college China's per capita GDP was still less than $350.
I would dearly love to ask a question, so here goes. How are the Iranian people going to get arms? I am hoping that Trump is trying back channels, the Kurds, to see if they will transfer the people of Iran some arms.I don't know if you ever answer, but I sure hope you answer me!
Obviously whatever details may exist are classified. But it is my sense that the President has fully considered this and acted upon it.
A great segment and also, very informative too, with Dr. Martin and Chris Beers of NTD News! Donald Trump is to be applauded for ending “Forever Aid” to African nations. Foreign aid is nice, but just giving foreign aid to African countries isn’t going to help them and has trapped them in dependency. President Trump is instead pushing for trade with those nations which will help them build up their economies, achieve rapid economic growth, raise living standards, increase wages, have a better overall quality of life, and generate wealth. I’m also glad he shut down USAID and the NED, which contrary to what you’ve heard, weren’t actually helping African nations. They were just slush funds for the Democratic Party, the intelligence community and NGOs. Why is Africa poor? Well, it’s not because of the usual things you hear this is blamed on.
Colonialism, neo-colonialism, imperialism, and slavery are the usual suspects. Yes, all these things had negative effects on Africa for sure, but they aren’t the reason Africa is poor today. The reasons for African poverty are mismanagement by native governments, a lack of economic freedom and geography. On the first point, African leaders have done a terrible job running their respective nations and tend to be authoritarian or corrupt or both. On the second point, taxes and tariffs in Africa are way too high and make it impossible to start a business or to ship the goods you make overseas. On the third point, this is something that isn’t talked about enough. Thomas Sowell discusses this in his book “Wealth, Poverty and Politics.” As the French historian Ferdinand Braudel said, "In understanding black Africa, geography is more important than history." Much of Africa's history was in fact shaped by its geography.”
Navigable waterways in Africa are scarce, even smaller boats can only travel limited distances on African rivers because of cascades and waterfalls. As Thomas Sowell explains, “Most of the continent is more than 1,000 feet above sea level, and more than half of Africa is more than 2,000 feet above sea level. That means its rivers and streams must plunge down from those heights on their way to the sea.” Many African societies have been isolated by that continent’s dearth of both navigable rivers and harbors. I once again quote Thomas Sowell, “Isolated regions have almost invariably lagged behind regions in touch with a wider cultural universe. One among many signs of the isolation and cultural fragmentation of much of sub-Saharan Africa is that African languages are one third of all the languages in the world, even though African peoples are only about 10 percent of the world's population.”
Small tribal societies sprouted up in Africa that were vulnerable to be conquered by outsiders. Africa suffers from flat coastlines, a lack of adequate harbors, the Sahara Desert the largest desert in the world separates North Africa from sub-Saharan Africa. This has had adversely affects on the former but has had especially dire consequences for the development of the latter. The tsetse fly which is found all across the continent makes it impossible to use cattle or horses which are essential for plowing and transporting heavy goods. Before the European colonists came and build railroads, many African societies had to carry freight on their heads because of the above mentioned inability to use pack animals. I think on balance, European colonialism in Africa did more good than bad. I will provide a few examples from Casey Chalk in The Federalist’s review of Bruce Gilley’s invaluable book In Defense of German Colonialism about German Colonialism in East Africa.
First off, pre-colonial East Africa was hardly the Garden of Eden. I quote Mr. Chalk here, “For starters, the peoples inhabiting what would become Germany’s African colonies were far from innocent peoples living in harmony with each other and nature. Human sacrifice was common among at least one of the tribes of Cameroon. Slavery was common across both Namibia (southwest Africa) and what would become the colony of German East Africa (present-day Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and part of Mozambique).” He continues on: The Nama and Herero peoples, both of whom had migrated to Namibia only a generation before the Germans (and displaced other indigenous African tribes such as the Damara people in the process), were engaged in bloody, genocidal warfare. In 1850, the Nama massacred a fifth of the Herero population in a single day. The Herero raided native Damara and Saan villages, killing all but the young and strong, whom they exploited as slaves. Many escaped to the Germans. Writes Gilley: “Even if left to their own devices, the Herero and Nama would not have lived in idyllic bliss tending healthy herds of cattle and hosting multiethnic community barbecues.”
When the Germans arrived in the area, they immediately made incredible changes and the arrival of German colonialism in East Africa had so many benefits for the peoples who lived there. In 1904, the Germans decreed that all children born to slaves in 1906 were free. Between 1891 and 1912, more than 50,000 slaves in the colony were freed by legal, social, and financial means. By 1920, slavery had been virtually eradicated from the region. In addition, German East Africa was also environmentally conscious, codifying laws that prevented unlicensed Elephant hunting and created the first game reserves. It also printed education for natives. I again quote Mr. Chalk from his article in The Federalist: “The Germans have accomplished marvels,” noted a 1924 British report on local education initiatives. The education system in German colonies provided instruction in local histories, cultures, and geographies, as well as technical subjects common in German curricula. Because of this, local language media prospered.”
In addition as Chalk quotes Professor Gilley: “”German transformed Swahili from a coastal language of Muslim elites to the lingua franca for the future country of Tanzania,” writes Gilley.” The Germans also provided free and assessable medical care for many Africans. They engaged in extensive agricultural and infrastructure projects in Namibia, including roads, railways, water holes, and port facilities. A German scientist developed a vaccine that saved the native cattle from catastrophic illness. The Germans built a 1,250-kilometer railway linking Lake Tanganyika to Dar es Salaam, which to this day as Professor Gilley said, ““remains the lifeblood of Tanzania’s economy and of Zambia’s trans-shipment traffic.”” Economies previously based on slavery transitioned to being based on coffee.
I think your correct about Iran. A deal is probably not forthcoming. The Islamic Republic’s leadership is so fragmented, they can’t get together on anything! The military operations in Iran will probably only end with the people rising up. The United States and Israel have been killing it Iran. Let’s us pray it continues and Iran will be free! 🙏 It’s a terrible tragedy to here about all the Iranian civilians who have died like those poor little girls in that school. But collateral damage as tragic as it is, is just a part of warfare. Nor was it done on purpose as some people seem to be implying it is. Also, no this not a war. The United States and Israel did not send troops to go marching into Tehran. These are limited military strikes and their succeeding quite well thank you!
Here are some good books to educate yourself on African history:
* Africa: A Biography of a Continent by John Reader
* Great Kingdoms of Africa by John Parker
* The Fortunes of Africa: A 5000-Year History of Wealth, Greed, and Endeavor by Martin Meredith
* Diamonds, Gold, and War: The British, The Boers, and the Making of South Africa by Martin Meredith
* The Fate of Africa: A History of the Continent Since Independence by Martin Meredith
* The Great Betrayal: The Memoirs of Africa’s Most Controversial Leader by Ian Smith
* Jan Smuts: Unafraid of Greatness by Richard Steyn
* Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela by Nelson Mandela
* Where the Negroes are Masters: An African Port in the Era of the Slave Trade by Randy J. Sparks
* Slavery and Slaving in African History by Sean Stilwell
* Congo: The Epic History of a People by David Van Reybrouck
* The Battle of Adwa: African Victory in the Age of Empire by Raymond Jonas
* Idi Amin: Lion of Africa by Manzoor Moghal
* The Last Hot Battle of the Cold War: Decision at Cuito Cuanavale and the Battle for Angola, 1987-1988 by Peter Polack
* Africa and World War II by Judith A. Byfield
* Free French in Africa in World War II: The African Resistance by Eric T. Jennings
For much of Africa, the postcolonial era has been far more tragic than anything that happened in the colonial era. Hopefully we can begin to turn the corner.