>I saw this subject on a different forum and was very interested in the results. It appears that some people can't get past their complete hatred for this president and give serious answers. I wanted to see how this topic would work out here.
>
>I'll start: AIDS relief efforts in Africa.

Not just AIDS relief and treatment but also Malaria and debt forgiveness:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7831460.stm

And here locally:

http://www.fayobserver.com/article?id=316089

Some snippets.

“I like to say that we were fortunate during an unfortunate time,” said John Meroski, chief executive of the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It’s hard to jump up and down for joy when you know these men and women are going to be on an airplane the next day.”

...

The buildup for war pumped money, people and jobs into the local economy. Reservists heading to Fort Bragg for training flooded the city’s hotels; the average occupancy rate jumped from 52 percent in 2001 to better than 70 percent over the next three years.

...

And the wars also put extra money in the pockets of soldiers, which they spent in restaurants, stores and car dealerships when they returned home.

The numbers say it all: From 2003 to 2005, retail sales in Cumberland County grew by more than $665 million, an increase of 22 percent.

Per capita income in the Fayetteville area has skyrocketed since 2001 — the fourth-fastest growth in the U.S. By 2006, personal income here reached $34,245, about $9,600 higher than before 9/11.

War also has brought new civilian job opportunities, from startups hoping to score defense contracts to major companies that will likely bolster their local presence as Fort Bragg grows.