Head of Darkness: Bush visits Africa

With apologies to Joseph Conrad, how else to describe Bush’s visit to Africa? The man’s stubborn willfulness or self-deceptive cluelessness, whichever it is, leads him to inane statements such as claiming no African rivalry with China:

“I don’t view Africa as zero sum for China and the United States. I think we can pursue agendas without creating a great sense of competition,” Bush said.

“Do I view China as a fierce competitor on the continent of Africa? No I don’t.”

And so, the debate on the cause of Bush’s failed presidency — is he more stupid, or more a liar — continues to get fuel on both sides.