Bongo at the White House

By Michael J.W. Stickings

I get that the United States needs to play diplomacy with any number of not-so-good people around the world. I even get that the president of the United States needs to shake hands and listen to some of the world's more detestable leaders. It just comes with the territory.

But what's the point of inviting Gabon's Ali Bongo to the White House?

Bongo and his family have raped their country to support their over-the-top life of luxury. Okay, he's also a reformer and perhaps also a U.S. ally, and while he's certainly autocratic, at least he's trying to modernize the country.

Still. There's something repugnant about Obama meeting him as a fellow world leader.