Friday, February 29, 2008

The Bushes, the Moonies, and Paraguay

The younger brother of George W. Bush traveled to Paraguay yesterday [image] in order to attend a leadership seminar and meet with President Nicanor Duarte. Neil Bush’s visit may not seem like much except that it could raise eyebrows over the Bush's interest in the landlocked South American country.

Back in 2006, rumors surfaced that the Bush family purchased a 100,000 acre ranch in an area near the border with Bolivia and Brazil. At around the same time First Daughter Jenna Bush traveled to Paraguay as part of a UNICEF program though no news conferences or interviews were planned.

Returning to Neil Bush, he spoke at the seminar as part of a delegation from the Universal Peace Federation, a group associated with Reverend Sun Myung Moon. Moon is the controversial leader of the Unification Church and according to the Associated Press he holds plenty of influence in Paraguay:

A leading Paraguayan newspaper, ABC Color, reported Friday that Bush spoke at the leadership seminar about instilling a "culture of service" and better uniting individuals and organizations behind objectives that serve peace and the common good…

Groups allied with Moon publish a newspaper, operate businesses and have large land holdings in Paraguay, South America's second-poorest country.

Yesterday was not the first time Bush had taken part of an event associated to Moon; in 2005, he was a "VIP guest" for parts of Moon’s speaking tour in Asia. Moreover, there had been speculation that Moon owns nearly 1.5 million acres of land near where Bush's alleged acquisition was made.

So what do you think about this? Is it a big deal worth considering or really much ado about nothing?

Sources (English)- AlterNet, Associated Press, International Herald Tribune, Wikipedia, Wonkette

Sources (Spanish)- La Nacion

Image- seattlepi.com

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is very important, probably in ways no one can really see. But who will pursue it? What media outlet will touch it? Especially now that The Family is leaving office? You are to be applauded for writing about this. Maybe others with more information will come forward if they believe it necessary to the world's safety. Maybe someone who was present when Moon was crowned in the US Congress (video of this is on the net). It all seems so impossible doesn't it? A book was written with the title, "It Can't Happen Here." Sadly, it can.

Anonymous said...

great info, all these corrupt assholes are in bed with one another best to hang in public
Koreans are real assholes to Latinos
I know from experience when i had my factory in El Pedregal, El Salvador and the abuse they gave to the workers
they are little dick assholes
like most arrogant Asians
and they escaped to the airport with the clothes on their back
on Moon;s and Bush's land, p[robably already planted with coca
legalize all, Khat in Middle East, Beetle Nut in Indo and China
are these drugs/plants/herbs legal there? seems so
wake up 'sheeples'
time for Viva La Revolucion
free fishing trip for all of these obnoxious greedy bastards