America protects or assists other foreign countries to the extent of what kind of return or benefit they might obtain from those countries. They do not donate a penny with out primarily analyzing the positive outcome of the donation. In the case of emergency, or natural disaster ( destruction by hurricane, earth quake, famine ), America with collaboration of other western countries, of course help other countries for the time being. Whoever seizes power, either from Republicans or Democrats, I do not believe, will have a great impact to wards the political and economical progress and development of our nations, Ethiopia. Who cares for America?

We are honored to have you as our mentor amongst us. I am in full agreement with your SEEDS idea. How about “American SEEDS for Obama”? This is “Wax & Gold” at its best.

Akbariwo,
Yared

Personally I think you are quite on point many points of the article. I wish Sen. Obama success in his presidential campaign; I am looking forward to giving him the honourable title of ” THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNTIED STATES OF AMERICA”.

Highest Regards

By the way, for those of you who don’t know who Germame Neway is, you should google him, as I did. He is the progressive brother of Mengistu Neway. The handsome Neway brothers attempted unsuccessful coup against Haile Selassie and were eventually put to death in the early 1960′s.

Germame tried to pursue a policy of human decency. The people of Ogaden are Ethiopians and they should be treated and respected and integrated as such.

As to the over all U.S. Policy towards Africa under an Obama administration, I think, again, the Prof is right on point.

“Regarding U.S. policies, it might expectably lead to more effective support for Ethiopians who want to promote a free press, including local radio that gives voice to people, and capacity-building for the advancement of nonviolent solutions and protection of human rights.”

Dude, you sound like you are not even a voter in our country. Are you concerned at all about the future of America? Obama is not running to be President of Ethiopia, he is running to be President of the U.S.

As to your question, “Does Barack Hussein Obama has the experience or the character to become a fit president?.”

Well, it depends how you look at it. Since you are anti-gay rights and women’s rights by way of abortion, since you are only concerned about your country in Africa, I suggest you root for the other guy.

As to the dictator in Ethiopia. Who cares? The election is about replacing our own dictator bush.

Good luck,
Dave with respect from Boston

As an Ethiopian with a strong Orthodox background, I can’t see how Obama’s support for gay rights and abortion rights, can benefit the U.S. or the world. His judgment to have had a long term associations with his pastor does not encourage voters either.

As we say in Ethiopia, yemiyattegib injera kemittadu yastawikkal.

Does Barack Hussein Obama has the experience or the character to become a fit president?.

Finally, I ask the professor his views about the dictator who is ruining Ethiopia today.

With love from Ethiopia!

Obama is human? Yes he is and you will see.

hummmmmm !!!!!

I just cannot handle why people are really high spirited because of Obama. We need to wait and see.

Ayalew Kebede

“Forward-looking Ethiopians, including many in the Ethiopian Government, see the pitfalls of the Ethiopian invasion of Somalia and even more so the consequences of the scorched earth policy in the Ogaden.”

I don’t think this has an effect either way- if it does- how and why so?

Thank you for your well thought out article. You are right on the money. I look froward to the Obama victory and better days ahead for all of us around the world, including Ethiopia and the rest of Africa.

It would be great to hear from other experts as well.

Thank you!