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Elton John Blasts Tony Blair on AIDS Prevention
Reuters ^ | May 20, 2002 | Reuters

Posted on 05/20/2002 10:45:22 AM PDT by 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.


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1 posted on 05/20/2002 10:45:22 AM PDT by ejdrapes
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To: ejdrapes
This from the guy who has done his share in spreading AIDs?
2 posted on 05/20/2002 10:46:23 AM PDT by TheDon
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To: TheDon
Who would sleep with Elton?
3 posted on 05/20/2002 10:48:35 AM PDT by GSWarrior
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To: ejdrapes
AIDS prevention tip to Elton: Don't be a homo.
4 posted on 05/20/2002 10:50:32 AM PDT by TADSLOS
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Comment #5 Removed by Moderator

To: ejdrapes
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.

6 posted on 05/20/2002 10:51:01 AM PDT by 11th Earl of Mar
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To: ejdrapes
AIDS is 99.9% avoidable. AIDS is spread through VOLUNTARY behaviour.
7 posted on 05/20/2002 10:51:17 AM PDT by Phantom Lord
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Comment #8 Removed by Moderator

To: ejdrapes
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.
9 posted on 05/20/2002 10:52:25 AM PDT by Dakmar
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To: 11th Earl of Mar
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.
10 posted on 05/20/2002 10:52:33 AM PDT by Phantom Lord
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To: TADSLOS
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.
11 posted on 05/20/2002 10:53:10 AM PDT by Dimensio
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To: Dimensio
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.
12 posted on 05/20/2002 10:55:39 AM PDT by Dakmar
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To: Phantom Lord
Yeah, I remember. He was going bankrupt while spending $50,000 on flowers 'because he likes them.'
14 posted on 05/20/2002 10:57:35 AM PDT by 11th Earl of Mar
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To: ejdrapes
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.

15 posted on 05/20/2002 10:59:22 AM PDT by PBRSTREETGANG
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To: 11th Earl of Mar
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.'
16 posted on 05/20/2002 10:59:27 AM PDT by Phantom Lord
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To: Dimensio
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
17 posted on 05/20/2002 10:59:33 AM PDT by TheRedSoxWinThePennant
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To: Phantom Lord
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.

18 posted on 05/20/2002 10:59:44 AM PDT by 11th Earl of Mar
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To: TADSLOS
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.
19 posted on 05/20/2002 11:01:31 AM PDT by AppyPappy
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To: ejdrapes
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.

20 posted on 05/20/2002 11:01:42 AM PDT by 1Old Pro
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