Big in Nigeria
The latest Pew Global Attitudes report mostly says what you'd think, but this is surprising: 54 percent of Americans believe that efforts to build democracy in Iraq will succeed, but this leaves the US public as only the third most optimistic -- 59 percent of Indians, and a staggering 72 percent of Nigerians think things will work out. Similarly, confidence in "Bush's international leadership" is higher in Nigeria than in America. They say there's a big split between Nigeria's Christians and Nigeria's Muslims.
Advertisement
I keep getting emails from those Nigerians, and I have some doubts about their judgment down there.
They keep offering me money for nothing, but I would feel wrong about enriching myself at their expense.
June 13, 2006 11:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
In fact, 72% of Nigerians are so confident because they have recently managed to come into possession of funds pertaining to the former government but now within jurisdiction of united Nations under international law. The total amount is US$25 Million dollars in cash, mostly 100 dollar bills. They kindly request your fortunate assistance in transferring said funds, for which you will receive a transfer share of 30%. When you receive this letter, kindly send them an e-mail signifying your interest including your most confidential telephone numbers for quick communication also your contact details. The time is urgent so please act with greatest haste.
June 13, 2006 11:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
My take on this would be that Nigeria's Chirstian community has some experience dealing with takfiris and appreciates an American President who wades into them and spills their blood. And, like the President and his supporters, they don't really care if a lot of bystanding muslims are killed in the process.
I do not approve of such a strategy because I think it can only end in strategic failure. But for the Nigerians if Uncle Sam is willing to spend lives and treasure to kill takfiris, it's all gravy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takfiri
June 13, 2006 11:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
I would theorize that India's Hindus feel similarly to Nigeria's Christians regarding the takfiris - thereby leading to similar impressions of Bush. But that's just a theory.
June 13, 2006 12:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
What has the price of Oil been doing the last few years?
What is Nigeria's #1 export?
Have no idea about India.
June 13, 2006 1:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sure - democracy is on its way. We'll just send Katherine Harris and Ken Blackwell to Iraq to rig elections like they did in Florida and Ohio. Then the Iraqis will get a full taste of democracy American style.
Tom
June 13, 2006 1:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
If it were only Christian Nigerians who like Bush, it shouldn't be 72%. Almost half of all Nigerians are Muslim, iirc.
June 13, 2006 1:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, damn! You beat me to it!
Gotta be quick on this board.
June 13, 2006 1:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, as far as the Nigerians you are hearing from, I guess by definintion they are harboring doubts about your judgment as well.
June 13, 2006 2:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, you snooze, you lose when it comes to being first in snark around here.
By the way, the New Yorker had an article about a month ago about an American who fell hook, line, and sinker for one of those Nigerian scams, and it was absolutely fascinating. If you can find it, it's a hoot. You'll be dumbfounded at how gullible some people can be, particularly when their apparently natural stupidity is laced with a significant helping of greed.
June 13, 2006 2:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Another poster already said this but, of course Bush has favorable ratings in places like Nigeria where the recent commodities boom has been driving economic growth. You'd also expect favorables in places like India, which is outgrowing China. Or, maybe people are afraid not to like Bush, lest they find themselves "liberated."
thosethingswesay.blogspot.com
June 13, 2006 2:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Another poster already said this but, of course Bush has favorable ratings in places like Nigeria where the recent commodities boom has been driving economic growth. You'd also expect favorables in places like India, which is outgrowing China. Or, maybe people are afraid not to like Bush, lest they find themselves "liberated."
thosethingswesay.blogspot.com
June 13, 2006 2:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's OT, but I did read the New Yorker piece you mentioned. It answered my long-standing question "has anyone *ever* fallen for that scam?"
The victim really was a unique individual--a "perfect storm" of not only dimness and avarice (as you mentioned), but also a strange idealistic altruism. I wouldn't have believed someone like that could actually function in present-day America.
June 13, 2006 4:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Damn. Why didn't somebody tell us."
"I dunno. Nobody tells us anything."
"It's probably our attitude."
--- The Folks at Pew Global Attitudes Project -- a project of the PewResearchCenter
June 13, 2006 4:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
That Nigerian Christians are pro-US in the Bush era is about as surprising as that Jewish Israelis are pro-US, given the polarized Christian vs. Muslim politics there, and the close ties between Nigerian evangelical and pentecostal megachurches and US southern evangelicals.
"When God ariseth, and when he visiteth, what shall we answer!" - Rev. Benjamin Hancock
June 13, 2006 10:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, if they're judging Americans by George, can you wonder ?
June 14, 2006 1:28 PM | Reply | Permalink