Senator Dodd: RICHARD GERE IS A JERK For Comments About Bill Clinton and AIDS

Washington P*st ^ | 2/7/03

[11th Earl of Mar]

The fallout continues from Richard Gere's verbal jab at Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) during a black-tie benefit Monday night in Manhattan.

According to New York Magazine's upcoming Intelligencer column, Clinton had already departed Cipriani 42nd Street restaurant when speechmaker Gere announced at the American Foundation for AIDS Research event: "Senator Clinton, I'm sorry, your husband did nothing for AIDS for eight years."

There were gasps from the crowd including Sharon Stone, Ralph Lauren, Natasha Richardson and Lorne Michaels -- and a sneer from Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.). Actually, more than a sneer.

"He's such a jerk," the magazine quotes Dodd as saying. "That was just rude. I would love to get him and Hillary in a room alone together. Let's see what would happen then." [snip]

[TontoKowalski]

I'm not entirely clear on this, but I'll give it a try. I believe the $15B for Africa is for already-developed drug treatments, not for new research.

It is desperately needed. No matter what one might say about how people's lifestyles are responsible for this (and to some degree I agree with that), nothing can make me believe that infants and children deserve it.

[Constitution Day]

Glad you liked it! :)

[WorkingClassFilth]

I agree entirely. The costs of vaccines for innocents is important, but the question arises as to how to get those treatments to those that need them?

Africa is awash in HIV populations. The costs are astronomical and we face the same problems as we do here because the practices that spread the disease are impossible to control. In reports I've read recently, AIDS carriers are raping virginal women, girls and infants in the Juju belief that this will rid them of the disease. Here in the US and Europe, drug addicts and homosexuals routinely practice their deviancy without a single moment's regard for the costs of such practices, Indeed, we are being castigated for not accepting such behavior at the same time as we are castigated for not finding a cure so that such behavior can go on in perpetutity.

Yes, I agree that all of this is terribly tragic, but I am truthfully only concerned about those of whom had no choice in contracting AIDS. Once again, America will likely step up to the plate and spend our wealth on millions who don't care enough to care for themselves and we will be hated because we haven't erradicated consequences entirely.

[lonestar]

"Senator Clinton, I'm sorry, your husband did nothing for...eight years."

Deserves repeating.

[doug from upland]

Billy Boy did, however, have time to try to hit on Cindy Crawford while she was married to Gere.

[elephantlips]

Apparently when Hollyweirds make remarks smearing the President and others in his cabinet that's acceptable to Senator Dudd.

[PhiKapMom]

Heard Richard Gere speak at some deal in D.C. the other year and it was quite obvious he thought Clinton was a loser!

This is hilarious he said this to the Junior Senator form New York.

[pgyanke]

> "Billy Boy did, however, have time to try to hit on Cindy Crawford while she was married to Gere."

Do we have motive?

[lonestar]

I love it!--even if it is just Richard Gere.

Did you hear Tom Brokaw on David Letterman last night? He seems very much in favor of going into Iraq. I was surprised.

He said that he was in Baghdad and this man on the street said, "Can you be here by Christmas?" in s whisper and when the guards came back the same man started praising Saddam. They went away again, and the man started in again, "When will the Americans get here?" etc.

Finally Brokaw broke it off because he didn't want to get the guy killed.

[PhiKapMom]

I didn't hear that about Brokaw but am glad to see Brokaw understands what this is all about! One out of three main anchors is more than we usually get!

As for Gere -- gotta love it!

[big gray tabby]

That's heartbreaking.

[Man of the Right]

Interesting question.

Only people over 55 know who she is.

[woofie]

I would love to get him and Hillary in a room alone together

They could play "pass the gerbil"

[The Real Eddie01]

"There were gasps from the crowd including Sharon Stone, Ralph Lauren, Natasha Richardson and Lorne Michaels -- and a sneer from Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.). Actually, more than a sneer."

Below is a list of dysfuntional behaviors that occur as a result of Groupthink (what Liberals do).

From the above, let's see how many are on display...

Definition of Dysfunctional Groupthink Behaviors:

Illusions of Invulnerability - Members believe that abilities and decisions of the group are without flaw or beyond reproach.

Assumed Unanimity - The group assumes that all members agree to proposed alternatives. This may occur because of a rush to closure or because member agreement is not truly sought.

Self-Righteousness - The group creates an inflated sense of its moral superiority over outside groups. It views its own principles and behavior as ethical or "answerable to a higher authority"

Self-Suppression of Dissent - Dissenting members remain silent to avoid conflict or risk of belonging.

Mind-Guards - Some members play the role of "gatekeeper," making sure that contrary external information does not reach and disrupt the group's activities.

Direct Pressure - The group actively pressures members who challenge the dominant opinion and eventually ostracizes those who do not conform.

Rationalization - Incongruent information or warnings are shown to be weak or flawed and thus are discounted or dismissed.

Ref: Luthans Virtual Org Behavior Groups and Teams - S.M. Sommer

I'd say all apply.

Eddie01 "There is no such thing as a Free Thinking Liberal"

[joesnuffy]

Add Dustin Hoffman, Robert "The Red"Ford and Ed Harris to the mix

[mountaineer]

BOSTON, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Former President Bill Clinton has some suggestions as to how to make President Bush's $15-billion initiative to fight AIDS in Africa and the Caribbean more effective.

First of all, "It should never be a political issue," Clinton said Monday night at major AIDS conference in Boston.

Clinton told the 10th Retrovirus & Opportunistic Infections Conference -- attended by some 3,900 scientists specializing in AIDS research and treatment -- that he was "very grateful" for Bush's proposal to increase annual AIDS grants from $1 billion to $3 billion over a five-year period.

Clinton said the government must make sure those countries that receive the funds have systems in place to properly distribute them for their intended purpose, such as Uganda.

Some poor countries, he said, "don't have systems in place even if we get the medicines to them."

The former president also suggested that most of the funds be distributed through the U.N. Global AIDS Fund, which recently said its money is running out.

Under the Bush plan, the Global Fund would receive only $1 billion over the five-year period.

"I'd like to see more of it go through the Global Fund," Clinton said.

Clinton took the opportunity to admit he made a mistake when as president he opposed needle-exchange programs for drug users to help prevent the spread of the HIV virus.

"We have to put science over politics," he said.

Since leaving office two years ago, Clinton said his own foundation has been working to combat AIDS in 15 Caribbean and three African nations.

Noting that some 40 million people in the world are living with HIV, Clinton said he was concerned that some people "no longer think AIDS is a problem."

He said young gay men, in particular, "just don't think about it much."

http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20030211-091755-3113r