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A call to hearts, minds
By JERRY PERKINS
Register Farm Editor
12/03/2002
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Iowa City, Ia. - Rock star Bono appealed Monday to Iowans' self-interest, telling them it will cost less to roll back the devastating HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa than to pick up the pieces after the disease runs its ghastly course.
Bono, lead singer of the Irish rock band U2, spoke to about 2,000 people Monday night at the University of Iowa. The singer said he was seeking grass-roots support for a proposal that the United States contribute $3 billion to the African AIDS effort.
"If we choose, we can be remembered for when an entire continent bursts into flames while we sat around with watering cans," Bono said.
"We've come to Iowa to grow a movement. We're here because politicians have told us that people in the Midwest don't care about issues outside of America - and we are here to prove them wrong."
Earlier in the day, Bono met with Des Moines Register editors, telling them the epidemic could include the expense of looking after the 25 million African children who are expected to be orphaned by AIDS, and of dealing with the potential collapse of sub-Saharan governments.
"This has the potential of being 10 Afghanistans," he said. "For one dollar a day, we can get them the drugs."
Entering the war against AIDS also can make the United States friends in Africa.
"Isn't there an opportunity for America to do the right thing and also the smart thing, to see these drugs as an advertisement for America?" Bono asked. "Anti-American ideas won't be tolerated where the drugs are available."
Bono's Iowa appearances were part of a seven-state "Heart of America" speaking tour. He appeared Sunday, World AIDS Day, in Omaha with investor Warren Buffett.
Bono said he came to the Midwest because "a certain decency resides here. There's a moral compass here."
He urged Iowans to send a message to Washington that the United States needs to contribute to a campaign to treat the 30 million Africans who have HIV/AIDS and to prevent the disease from spreading.
"Washington won't listen to student activists or rock stars," Bono said, but Washington will listen when everyday Americans from the Midwest stand up and say they want the United States to contribute.
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has asked potential donors to contribute $10 billion by 2005 to fight HIV/AIDS, Bono said. The United States has been asked to give $3 billion.
The Bush administration is getting the message, said Bono, who traveled to Africa in May with Treasury Secretary Paul O"Neill.
"President Bush has more than a feel for this," said Bono. "His Cabinet seems to grasp the problem. We have to grasp the time. The will is there."
Traveling with Bono on his campaign was Agnes Nyamayarwo, a nurse from Uganda whose husband and child both died of AIDS. She also has tested positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
Many Africans know there are medications that can prevent them from dying and from spreading the disease to their loved ones and children, but they can't afford to pay the $1 a day it costs to buy medicine for HIV/AIDS, she said.
"Mothers want to save their babies," she said. "If they have the drugs, they can do it."
Bono said it is people like Nyamayarwo who need to be helped.
"These are the heroes, the firemen who are running up the burning building," he said. "And they are all going to die because they don't have a dollar a day for medicine." Bono said that rapidly spreading hunger from a drought in southern and eastern African countries is complicating the situation.
"It's a one-two punch," he said of the drought and HIV/AIDS. "The work force is tired and sick from AIDS, and they are struggling to work their parched land. It's a vicious cycle."
Ken Quinn, executive director of the World Food Prize in Des Moines, said the rock star's involvement makes some sense because celebrities can sway public opinion.
"There can be a significant impact when public figures take on an issue," said Quinn, who served as U.S. ambassador to Cambodia.
He cited Gov. Robert Ray's leadership 25 years ago in helping Southeast Asians settle in Iowa. Quinn was an aide to Ray at the time.
A call to hearts, minds
By JERRY PERKINS
Register Farm Editor
12/03/2002
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Iowa City, Ia. - Rock star Bono appealed Monday to Iowans' self-interest, telling them it will cost less to roll back the devastating HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa than to pick up the pieces after the disease runs its ghastly course.
Bono, lead singer of the Irish rock band U2, spoke to about 2,000 people Monday night at the University of Iowa. The singer said he was seeking grass-roots support for a proposal that the United States contribute $3 billion to the African AIDS effort.
"If we choose, we can be remembered for when an entire continent bursts into flames while we sat around with watering cans," Bono said.
"We've come to Iowa to grow a movement. We're here because politicians have told us that people in the Midwest don't care about issues outside of America - and we are here to prove them wrong."
Earlier in the day, Bono met with Des Moines Register editors, telling them the epidemic could include the expense of looking after the 25 million African children who are expected to be orphaned by AIDS, and of dealing with the potential collapse of sub-Saharan governments.
"This has the potential of being 10 Afghanistans," he said. "For one dollar a day, we can get them the drugs."
Entering the war against AIDS also can make the United States friends in Africa.
"Isn't there an opportunity for America to do the right thing and also the smart thing, to see these drugs as an advertisement for America?" Bono asked. "Anti-American ideas won't be tolerated where the drugs are available."
Bono's Iowa appearances were part of a seven-state "Heart of America" speaking tour. He appeared Sunday, World AIDS Day, in Omaha with investor Warren Buffett.
Bono said he came to the Midwest because "a certain decency resides here. There's a moral compass here."
He urged Iowans to send a message to Washington that the United States needs to contribute to a campaign to treat the 30 million Africans who have HIV/AIDS and to prevent the disease from spreading.
"Washington won't listen to student activists or rock stars," Bono said, but Washington will listen when everyday Americans from the Midwest stand up and say they want the United States to contribute.
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has asked potential donors to contribute $10 billion by 2005 to fight HIV/AIDS, Bono said. The United States has been asked to give $3 billion.
The Bush administration is getting the message, said Bono, who traveled to Africa in May with Treasury Secretary Paul O"Neill.
"President Bush has more than a feel for this," said Bono. "His Cabinet seems to grasp the problem. We have to grasp the time. The will is there."
Traveling with Bono on his campaign was Agnes Nyamayarwo, a nurse from Uganda whose husband and child both died of AIDS. She also has tested positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
Many Africans know there are medications that can prevent them from dying and from spreading the disease to their loved ones and children, but they can't afford to pay the $1 a day it costs to buy medicine for HIV/AIDS, she said.
"Mothers want to save their babies," she said. "If they have the drugs, they can do it."
Bono said it is people like Nyamayarwo who need to be helped.
"These are the heroes, the firemen who are running up the burning building," he said. "And they are all going to die because they don't have a dollar a day for medicine." Bono said that rapidly spreading hunger from a drought in southern and eastern African countries is complicating the situation.
"It's a one-two punch," he said of the drought and HIV/AIDS. "The work force is tired and sick from AIDS, and they are struggling to work their parched land. It's a vicious cycle."
Ken Quinn, executive director of the World Food Prize in Des Moines, said the rock star's involvement makes some sense because celebrities can sway public opinion.
"There can be a significant impact when public figures take on an issue," said Quinn, who served as U.S. ambassador to Cambodia.
He cited Gov. Robert Ray's leadership 25 years ago in helping Southeast Asians settle in Iowa. Quinn was an aide to Ray at the time.
