UToo, you are absolutely correct in everything you said. Having lived in Africa for awhile, I know first hand that most people there resent being dependent on handouts from the richer nations, and would much prefer to be self-sufficient... it's a matter of pride, naturally.
The problem is that many southern African countries are run by some of the worst criminals on the planet, these guys don't give two shits about most of their subjects, mainly because of the tribalism that still exists there, which demands that each country's leader take care of his tribe first (similar to the way Saddam ran Iraq).
I still think that many leaders and thinkers in the industrialized nations are having second thoughts about throwing money at these corrupt regimes, even for such a vital issue as HIV prevention. I've read that many of these donors are now attaching strings to their handouts, such as democratic reform of their governments, equal rights for women, accounting standards improved, banking system opened up, etc....... some people call this "globalization".
The Bush Administration has promised to donate $200 million to an African AIDS fund, but they were criticized because it "wasn't enough". This is true... South Africa alone has over 5 million impoverished HIV patients, requiring a government layout of $1.5 billion A YEAR, even for the discounted drugs. But it seems a bit rude to criticize a nation that promises to give you a hell of a lot of money to help save lives. I would get pissed, too, if I gave a homeless guy a dollar, then have him get mad at me and call me a cheapskate. "Hey buddy, fuck you, that's the last time I give money to one of you guys". I think a lot of people, rightly or wrongly, feel this way when these third world dictatorships criticize us for not giving them everything they demand.
Yes, Clinton's foundation should be commended for donating money to Africa, clap clap clap. Bono is a saint for trying to make some of us fans aware of what's going on in Africa, at least for a few minutes until they play cool song. But, let's be honest, $10 million won't make a dent, this issue is massive, requiring wholesale societal reform down the most intimate level. Can we affect that kind of change? Ultimately, no. The Africans themselves will have to make those kinds of changes.... self-help, right?
I'm pessimistic about it, yes, I'm afraid that only after millions of people die off over the 20 years will southern African leaders get their shit together and really try to do something about it, because these morons that are in power there right now are completely hopeless and are the real culprits in this sickening disaster.
