Bush’s HIV/AIDS Efforts in Africa ‘Ignored,’ Opinion Piece Says

President Bush has "devoted so much time, energy and money ... to fighting AIDS and other diseases in Africa" through initiatives such as the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, columnist Mona Charen writes in a Washington Times opinion piece, adding, "But he gets precious little credit." According to Charen, of the "10 nations around the world that expressed the most positive feelings toward the [U.S.] in a recent Pew poll, eight were in Africa." In addition, U.S. aid to Africa has tripled since Bush took office, Charen writes, adding that Bush "has been trying not to be quiet about it. On the contrary, he's been touting it as often as he can." A "few agitators for international aid" have expressed their gratitude for Bush's efforts and "put in a few good words for the man," according to Charen. However, for the "most part, the beautiful people in America -- the Hollywood and university types, the book and magazine publishers, and of course, the major media -- have shown complete indifference to [Bush's] dedication to a cause they purport to value," she writes, adding, "In fact, they've pointedly ignored it." Charen concludes, "Of course the left can say whatever they like about George Bush and the war in Iraq and the war on terror. But when he does something completely in line with their own stated principles and values, it is simply mean-spirited of them to deny him his due" (Charen, Washington Times, 12/9).