[Q]The White House move comes as Republican lawmakers have been pressing the administration to cut off funds to private organizations that encourage clean-needle programs overseas for intravenous drug users -- a group at the center of the AIDS epidemic in Central Asia and other areas. Some also are pressing to ban federal funding of all AIDS organizations that fail to accept the president's social agenda on such issues as sexual abstinence and drug abuse.[/Q]
You do understand that we are living in the year 2005 and not the dark ages?
You do understand that the TWO largest ways this disease spreads is through sex and drug use?
You do understand that women account for 50% of the people living with AIDS worldwide?
You do understand that men who have sex with prostitutes, also come home and have sex with their wives and girlfriends?
You do understand that in sun-Sahara Africa women account for 57% of the cases of AIDS?
You do understand that 15-24 year olds account for almost half of the new cases of AIDS worldwide?
You do understand that there are 38 million people diagnosed with AIDS worldwide?
You do understand that in 2003, the world saw its largest single year growth in AIDS cases with (5 million) with 3 Million cases in Africa alone?
You do understand that in Africa, among 15-20 year olds in Africa there are 12 women infected for every 10 men. That in some places men believe that they if they have sex with a virgin, they will be cured?
In Kenya and Mali the UN believes there are 45 women infected to every 10 men?
Rant over!
[Q]If prostitution and drug use contribute to the spread of AIDS, what's wrong with condemning them as you're doling out taxpayer money to fight AIDS? I'll repeat that the one dishing oout the money is going to control how it is spent to some degree. I don't believe in the government writing blank checks. We'll have to agree to disagree on effective strategies for fighting AIDS and to what extent the US should even be involved in fighting AIDS in every corner of the Earth. There is legitimate debate, for instance, on both sides of the clean needles issue. No need to demonize the other side. [/Q]
I am curious about the other message of Christ? The one where you feed and take care of the sick and poor and love thy neighbor? Oh yes, and whatever you do to the least of my brothers............
I'm sorry, leave religion out of it OK?
#1 yes the US should have say in the control of the money it spends. That does not mean we IGNORE the science behind the disease. It is a disease that has to be AQUIRED the A in AIDS stands for something.
#2 Aquired means that the person getting the disease, has to be participating in a behavior that has caused them to get the disease.
#3 Sex and Needle use are the two main behaviors that cause people to AQUIRE the disease.
#4 The United States is NOT FUNDING AIDS fighting worldwide. In Africa the US has limited which countries it is working to fight AIDS in. Go to
http://www.cfr.org/search.php and do a search on AIDS and US. You will get the facts from the COuncil on Foreign Relations. To relax your concerns, we are not fighting it World Wide.
#5 With 12 million children orphaned, who do you think is working in some countries to help the family survive? What choices do women have in some of these countries worldwide?
#6 Do you think a male with AIDS only has sex with a prostitute? Or maybe there are VITCIMS at home, ie their wife or wives since in many places of the world polygamy is the way of life.
#7 Do you have ANY EVIDENCE that witholding needles has stopped any HEROIN addict from doing their drug? There is plenty of evidence that using and sharing needles spreads the disease.
#8 Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said, “The HIV/AIDS crisis is bad. It’s pandemic. It’s a weapon of mass destruction. Millions and millions of people are at risk, and its not just a human issue, it’s a political issue. It’s the destruction of society, the destruction of countries, the destruction of hope for a better life."
#9 In Africa this past week approximately 5,700 people were buried each day. Africa is averaging about 40,000 dead a week.
#10 The U.S. National Security Council has identified AIDS as a threat to US national security, because the deaths from AIDS could cause governments to fall and wars to begin.
#11 The United States intelligence estimate of 2000 indicates that our government expects one fourth of the population of southern Africa to die of AIDS.
[Q]Please leave Jesus out of it. It's such a pandora's box.[/Q]
Are you asking your President to leave Jesus out of this? Lets not debate the issue over religion I agree. Let's stick to the science, and fight the disease effectively because you are right, ABSTINENCE should be part of it. It should not be the ONLY PART because scientifically the plan that the article refers to is removing two of the more effective components of fighting the disease. It should not be A or B it should be A and B.
AS an American citizen who IS concerned at the INEFFECTIVE spending of money, I look at this plan and I am upset because IT IS NOT a plan that will make an impact because it is not included the MOST important measures that will impact the spread of the disease.