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| 2004-07-09 | |
| When the world’s top experts on HIV/AIDS gather to swap strategies and experiences in Bangkok, Thailand this weekend, only a tiny handful of the estimated 15,000 attendees will be representing the United States. Two years ago, Washington sent 236 employees from Health and Human Services (HHS) and other federal agencies to the International AIDS Conference, considered the leading scientific gathering on HIV research and treatment. But this time around, the U.S. delegation has dwindled to 50, and its funding for the meeting slashed from 3.6 million dollars to about 500,000 dollars... Conference organisers say they are saddened at the decision, which many critics believe stems from long-running ideological clashes between the conservative administration of President George W Bush and international health bodies over issues like condom use, abortion and homosexuality... It’s (also) a slap in the face for those living with HIV/AIDS and their advocates, and it suggests that the U.S. has once again withdrawn from a collegial relationship with the international community... Leaked correspondence from within HHS suggests that its snubbing of the Bangkok assembly is at least partly in retribution for criticism of the Bush administration’s policies at the last conference in Spain, where AIDS activists booed Thompson so loudly his speech was essentially inaudible...
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| Posted by:Anonymoose |
| #7 I tried to explain to my wife why I no longer support any of this nicey-nicey BS anymore. After three years of being told I'm a sheeple Nazi brownshirt, only to be asked to do more - always more - f*ck that. You don't spit in someones face while asking for a handout. Period. |
| Posted by: BH 2004-07-09 11:27:36 PM |
| #6 butt-slam each other or the odd chimpanzee...Jarhead, priceless! |
| Posted by: Dragon Fly 2004-07-09 9:23:01 PM |
| #5 hey, dammit, if the chimp's consenting....oh, wait...not my issue |
| Posted by: Frank G 2004-07-09 9:17:26 PM |
| #4 F*ck the aids epidemic and that ^ssmunch Bono (not sure why I threw him in, I just can't stand his pretentious *ss). I feel bad for the kids born w/it but don't feel much pity for grown men who knowingly bang prostitutes, use intraveneous drugs, or butt-slam each other or the odd chimpanzee without any protection. Even if we promoted condoms and the money for it (I'm all for condoms btw) not too many Africans would use them because it's looked down upon culturally as emasculating. Second, I'm not sure how promoting or not promoting abortion stops hiv - seems to me that's putting the cart before the horse. I'd just cut that aid for aids (no pun intended) cold. I'd rather see it spent on our own deficit or for more artillery rounds, or whatever. |
| Posted by: Jarhead 2004-07-09 9:12:45 PM |
| #3 By Jove, you've got it! The key word is "activist", of course. Much like the March of Dimes, when the diease / cause du jour is solved / cured / whatever, they don't go back to being normal people with lives - they just find a new "gig" to give their lives some semblance of meaning. There is none when you don't believe in your cause, but it doesn't seem to bother the professional activist. Perhaps NASA should study these people - they seem right at home in a vacuum. I remember reading about the hysterical scramble at the MoD org, all those admin jobs, 3 martini lunches, hob-nobbing soirees were at stake! That's when it hit me, and I've never given another dollar to any org that skimmed more than 10% for admin - and that leaves damned few. |
| Posted by: .com 2004-07-09 8:58:17 PM |
| #2 Yes, Anonymoose, you're getting the picture: it doesn't matter how helpful, generous, brave, constructive, protective, or caring you are, America is bad. And, oddly enough, it doesn't matter how rude, ungrateful, narrow-minded, cowardly, corrupt, or mendacious Europeans are, they're good. Ask John Kerry - he could explain it all to you. |
| Posted by: Patrick Brown 2004-07-09 8:53:57 PM |
| #1 I'm with Anonymoose - They can fuck that. Actions have consequences. How would they like it if somebody booed and screeched at them and then demanded their money? Would they fork it over? Then why should we? |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2004-07-09 8:52:12 PM |