Elton John Blasts Tony Blair on AIDS Prevention

Reuters ^ | May 20, 2002 | Reuters

[ejdrapes]

Elton John Blasts Blair on AIDS Prevention

Mon May 20,12:20 PM ET

LONDON (Reuters) - Elton John, one of Tony Blair's most prominent showbiz supporters, said the British prime minister should be "thoroughly ashamed" of his government's record on AIDS prevention.

In an interview with Sky News broadcast on Monday, the flamboyant entertainer said he was "disgusted" with what he saw as a failure by Blair and the government to do more in the fight against AIDS.

"They should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves. I hate to say that, because I did vote for them, but I'm disgusted with the way the health service in England is operating," said John, whose own AIDS foundation has funneled 24 million pounds into treatment and prevention over the past decade.

Globally about 25 million people have lost their lives to the disease.

The singer, granted a knighthood in 1998 for his charitable work, said on the sidelines of the Vienna Life Ball -- one of Europe's biggest AIDS charity galas -- it was a "disgrace" that government funding had fallen.

"We (in Britain) had a great record on AIDS when we started but that record is now not as good as it was under the Thatcher government. You should be ashamed of yourselves -- you're socialists or supposed to be," he said referring to Blair and his Labor government.

Downing Street, while praising the singer for his AIDS work, said it was not true government spending against the disease had fallen.

"Obviously the prime minister respects enormously the commitment of Elton John to fighting AIDS and the work that he has done," Blair's spokesman told reporters.

But he added he wanted to correct some facts.

"Far from cutting funding for HIV (news - web sites)/AIDS treatment, care has actually increased year on year," he said.

The spokesman gave details of government figures showing NHS spending on AIDS care rose from 251.9 million in 1997/1998 to 331.0 million in 2001/2002.

[TheDon]

This from the guy who has done his share in spreading AIDs?

[GSWarrior]

Who would sleep with Elton?

[TADSLOS]

AIDS prevention tip to Elton: Don't be a homo.

[11th Earl of Mar]

You should be ashamed of yourselves -- you're socialists or supposed to be," he said referring to Blair and his Labor government.

Elton says this like being a socialist is a good thing!

Of course, Elton John the millionaire, does not practice personal socialism, or else he wouldn't be a millionaire.

[Phantom Lord]

AIDS is 99.9% avoidable. AIDS is spread through VOLUNTARY behaviour.

[Dakmar]

What an idiot. I don't think governments should spend one dime to prevent or treat self-inflicted diseases. The only money I would spend would be for better blood-donor screening.

[Phantom Lord]

Elton sorta practices socialism on a personal level. Though he has made many millions, he has spent more. On the brink of bankruptcy he went to the Queen to bail him out.

[Dimensio]

AIDS prevention tip to Elton: Don't be a homo.

Because as we all know, being sexually attracted exclusively to persons of the same gender is what causes AIDS.

[Dakmar]

Are you saying that AIDS does not predominantly affect homosexuals, or that homosexual activity is not the major cause of the spread of AIDS in Western countries? If so, you are dead wrong.

[11th Earl of Mar]

Yeah, I remember. He was going bankrupt while spending $50,000 on flowers 'because he likes them.'

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Elton John, one of Tony Blair's most prominent showbiz supporters, said the British prime minister should be "thoroughly ashamed" of his government's record on AIDS prevention.

Elton and the gay community should be thoroughly ahamed at the continued spread of a disease which is entirely preventable.

[Phantom Lord]

I did like his response to an interviewers questions regarding the massive amounts of money he has spent on flowers over the years. He got tired of the questions about flowers and just shot out (paraphrase) 'Its my money. I earned it. And I will spend it on what ever I want to.'

[TheRedSoxWinThePennant]

Because as we all know, being sexually attracted exclusively to persons of the same gender is what causes AIDS.

No a virus causes aids and it just happens to prefer the above so I sleep a whole lot better knowing that description does not include me

[11th Earl of Mar]

AIDS is 99.9% avoidable. AIDS is spread through VOLUNTARY behaviour.

Two steps to stopping AIDS-

1- Don't get it.
2- Don't give it.

Anyone who has done #1 and #2 has done more to stop AIDS than the most radical activist.

[AppyPappy]

He's not a homo. He admits to being attracted to women(as well as men). It probably saved his life in the 80's.

[1Old Pro]

said the British prime minister should be "thoroughly ashamed" of his government's record on AIDS prevention.

No Sir Elton, homosexuals engaging in sex and spreading AIDS should be THOROUGHLY ASHAMED. Sheesh.