Bush Asks for $15 Billion to Fight AIDS in Africa (It's unprecedented and will save lives)

reuters ^ | 1/28/2003 | Maggie Fox

[cynicom]

Votes votes votes... Rove told him it was a winner.

[americanbychoice]

I didn't know that Africans voted in the U.S.? oh, except for the democrats who will probably import them before election day.

[Lunatic Fringe]

I don't see how rewarding people for screwing up and getting aids will discourage the behaviour which leads to it

I don't see how funding research to fight a disease is "rewarding" people. Is increased funding for a cancer a "reward" for those with terminal lung cancer?

Fighting AIDS will help in all other aspects of medical research, because really when you talk about finding a cure for AIDS, you are talking about finding a cure for viruses in general (which, for the most part, we cannot do yet).

Also, you are assuming that Bush will just write a check to dictators in Africa. I believe it will not be distributed in that manner.

[Mamzelle]

If we had a cure or a vaccine, I'd say go for it. As it is, what we have in treatment won't work in Africa. Looks like 15B would just end up in the hands of a few dictators, really.

[Pining_4_TX]

You've got to be kidding!!! Do you really think this money will be spent wisely or do anything to prevent the spread of AIDS? If Bush wants to throw away vast sums of money, let him reach into his own pockets. I wonder when Bush is going to be honest and announce he's decided to become a Democrat.

[MattinNJ]

"Sorry I don't shoot up and im not gay

Remember when Sam Kinison had a routine how AIDS is not a heterosexuals problem. He said something to the effect of "To get aids you either have to shoot drugs or take a D%$^ up the a$$. You have to make an appointment for either one. F%$# off, it's not our dance."

[Celtjew Libertarian]

Heh... I just had a cynical thought.... One of the African countries hardest hit by AIDS is South Africa. South Africa has some of the most important natural resources in the world.... gold, platinum, diamonds, chromium (I think)....

How much of this is a buy-in to get a better price on South African resources?

[weikel]

Also, you are assuming that Bush will just write a check to dictators in Africa. I believe it will not be distributed in that manner.

If he does it through some UN or leftist NGOs it essentially ends up the same way.

[Chad Fairbanks]

It depends on who is in charge of running the programs, doling out the money etc... If we just hand the nations' leaders the money, then I am certainly not for it... If the money goes the the UN for use through WHO, I am not for it. If WE control the purse strings, and WE run the programs, etc... then I have less of a problem with it...

AIDS is no longer just a FAG or JUNKIE disease... no matter what people would like to believe...

[weikel]

Always loved Sam Kinison. He wasn't a left wing entertainer folks. His response to world hunger was to tell people to "Move away from the f***ing desert" his approach to foreign affairs was to nuke all those pissant countries which hate us( oh and no money to rebuild either). If he was still alive and ran for President he'd have my vote.

[from occupied ga]

"I ask the Congress to commit $15 billion over the next five years, including nearly $10 billion in new money, to turn the tide against AIDS in the most afflicted nations of Africa and the Caribbean," Bush said.

Where is the constitutional mandate to rob hard working Americans at gunpoint and waste their money in treating people who aren't even citizens of the USA. Bush is a bigger plunder and squander president than Slick Willie. 99% of my tax money today is pissed away on things that are abhorent to me now, and Bush is adding to the waste.

[Kevin Curry]

AIDS is no longer just a FAG or JUNKIE disease... no matter what people would like to believe

It is, has always been, and likely always will be (barring some deadly mutation) a disease resulting from preventable behavior choice. Junkies and men and women who engage in anal sodomy account for almost all cases.

[nmh]

"He's buying votes, pure and simple... "

No doubt about it. There is no low for him ... social security for illegal aliens, allowing embryonic stem cell research, ignoring border problems with Mexico and Canada, giving money ONLY to universities and colleges who are dominated by blacks etc.. It's obvious who he is trying to sway at YOUR expense.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Yup, and those children in africa who are raped by AIDS victims who believe it will cure them??? What about them? Are they Fags and junkies who deserve death? Was it preventable???

[weikel]

AIDS is no longer just a FAG or JUNKIE disease... no matter what people would like to believe...

Sure it ain't. Don't know of anyone in America who got it who wasn't a junkie or pole smoker but im sure you know what you know what your talking about.

[Pining_4_TX]

Government spending is still government spending. Show me a government program that has ever solved any problem. This money will be wasted, and if anything, will only exacerbate the problem.

[nmh]

How come the voter who funds this stuff NEVER gets asked what they think? Why is it they just get the bill without even so much as a thank you?

The ONLY money the government has is what it gets from YOU!

[nina0113]

If they put this guy who cut AIDS in Uganda in charge, $15bn used to convince people not to screw around is money well spent, and it will show results. It made me so happy to see the Ugandan guy up there, because it shows that Bush is not planning to just hand over sacks of cash to pay for the dictators' BMWs, he is planning to finance the guy who came up with a program that WORKS.

[Jim Noble]

I think Bush has a very sophisticated strategy to deny the RATs their customary 90+% of the black vote.

He understands, as many here do not, that if the RAT candidate is held under 85% of the black vote in a statewide or national race, he loses.

AIDS in Africa is, #1, a huge humanitarian issue which can and will appeal to Christians.

It is also an attempt to broaded traditional "3-i" ethnic politics (Italy, Ireland, Israel) to a "3-i+A" strategy, which is very smart.

And remember, Bush doesn't need blacks to vote for him or for a GOP candidate. He just needs them to stay home.

Wonder working power, indeed.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Hmm... Gee... might want to pay attention sometime... do you recall the tainted blood scandals of the previous president???? Seems there was a rise in transmission of HIV/AIDS through blood transfusions...

Yeah, I know what I'm talking about. Maye YOU need to pay more attention to the world around you.