Surely all the time and effort spent weeping and lamenting over this turn of events could be put to better use. But of course we know the real reason behind the furor - political capital.
Certain advocacy groups seem to be trying to send out a message via sympathetic MSM that our PM does not care because he is not there. So by extension that means that former PM Jean Chretien also does not care, because he too was a no-show at the 1996 Vancouver conference.
Clearly the PM is in another no-win situation just like the Outgames ballyhoo. He would have faced criticism and catcalls either way.
As a Toronto Sun editor commented at the end of a letter to the editor today, "When he does turn up, as he did during the Lebanon evacuation, he gets accused of grandstanding".
Heading north was a good move. I think the temperature is cooler up there in more ways than one.
* * * *
Update: There are a few links to this post. One actually agrees with my POV: A Step in the Right Direction - Harper and the Aids Conference.
Friday Update: Multi-Billion Dollar Industry.
106 comments:
Oh, but if you're a liberal PM, then you are just "getting involved" aren't you?
jdave
So you expected Harper and just his wife to have gone to cyprus, are you sniffing glue?
What is wrong with people like you, lay off the Harper hateraid.
Jo-Jurn
Good post, no matter what Harper does people like jdave are going to hate. I would take them abit more seriously if it was not the same hate lines and (ie harper bush blah,blah,blah) whinning at every single thing the Harper does.
I mean they even blame him for the hot weather.
I mean they even blame him for the hot weather.
Of course they've already done that with the Kyoto criticism.
BTW, JDot, thanks for the comment (compliment). JDave had sent another one in before this one. I had it sitting in the hopper while I thought about it, but I think I'll let it pass through so you can get an idea where this boy's head is at.
Who cares if Harper isn't at the AIDS conference? There are more important things he needs to be doing then standing around getting heckled by a bunch of pressure group asshole who (yes) won't vote for him no matter what.
By the way moron, Christian fundamentalists vote too and have a right to be represented. If you don't like that -- tough. (Not that Harper represents them at all. I would prefer if he did).
AIDS is 90% preventable, unlike other diseases like Lou Gherigs & so forth which are not. I get sik & tired of all of the sympathy going to a disease which most people could have prevented to begin with. So basically piss off jdave34. If you don't like Harper too bad he's here. Sucks to be you.
Clearly the PM is in another no-win situation just like the Outgames ballyhoo. He would have faced criticism and catcalls either way
I highly doubt that he would have faced catcalls at the world AIDS conference.
Chretien was wrong for skipping out and so is Harper, plain and simple.
Sad commentary on the lamentable dishonesty of the mainstream media.
Where do these people get the idea that Mainstream Canadians support this neverending freakshow of special interest groups?
Harper is absolutely right to steer clear of the anti-conservative and anti-mainstream activists who are lining up to DEMAND that Canadian citizens provide financial support to their pet causes.
Shun the freaks!
OMMAG
You know, as a person living with AIDS, who is a "fag", comments such jdave34's further my opinion that the Conservative party is where I should NOT have placed my vote.
No, Harper should NOT have attended, it would have been nice, but realistically, who cares? He sent his Health Minister. Now the Health Minister didn't show up -- that'd be scandulous.
Jdave34 -- revisit your thoughts and you will see, that AIDS, is not only the scourge of "fags, junkies, and heathens" 75% of the cases worldwide are among women and children, and alarmingly, a growing number of heterosexual women in North America whose cheating husbands bring home a little treat.
Yep jdave34 - if he had gone to the aids conference, he would have been accused of vote buying and "trying to appeal to those voters who didn't vote for him".
And he would have been booed - that's what everyone is most p'd off about - they lost their chance to show him how much they hate him and the MSM lost their chance to tsk, tsk over the fact that he must be losing support because of the "loud chorus of boos" that erupted when he tried to speak.
And what the H#$$ did your comment about "christian fundamentalists have to do with anything.
Aids is the "cool" disease to support yet kills far less people than cancer - and it is preventable.
Why, jdave34, is this conference so very, very important over say an International conference on Cancer. I will tell you why, because you on the left can use it to express your utter hatred for our PM.
Check out Paul Well's Aug 15th entry at : http://weblogs.macleans.ca/paulwells/
Hint: a link to another PM who skipped the AIDS conference.
Charles Adler's question to his call-in audience: "Can you blame the PM for not showing up at a conference where he would be the equivalent of a guy in a dunk tank ?"
Adler is in fine form. Listen to it all here
Bring up Mon, Aug 14, 1pm
Fast forward to the 7 minute mark
The Governor-General and the Minister of Health were there. That's good enough for me. Harper was up north announcing a plan for asserting Canada's northern sovereignty, which is an important part of his platform. The timing may not have worked out in his favour, but ultimately he's doing what he said he'd do.
"Harper's right on this one. AIDS is for fags, junkies, and heathens and they don't vote for him anyways."
Yes, jdave, because sniffing for votes is the prime concern of any politician. Optics through a liberal lens.
Shun the freaks!
We're talking about victims of AIDS here!
Not a day goes by that you don't disgust me!
You know, as a person living with AIDS, who is a "fag", comments such jdave34's further my opinion that the Conservative party is where I should NOT have placed my vote.
Anon, you have insulted Conservatives all over Canada by imply that JDave is in any way associated with us! I demand that you retract that statement!!
BTW, he was attempting to be sarcastic. ;) Obviously it backfired, which just makes this day better than it is already!!
BTW, Anon, on a more serious note, I am sorry for your health situation. I do agree that this is no longer a 'gay' disease - far from it.
God bless.
Harper should have attended the AIDS conference, so should have Chretien. The difference in the two, is Chretien was a member of a government that brought forth same-sex marriage legislation and Harper is a member of a government that opposes it. Harper is likely homophobic and does not know how to deal with or relate to the gay community. He is a puny man and an even punier Prime Minister. I don't hate anybody, but this man I cannot stand.
Harper is likely homophobic and does not know how to deal with or relate to the gay community.
Yet AIDS is no longer just a gay disease, huh? You can't have it both ways.
pgp said: Shun the freaks!
Joanne,
I do not want to get into any long winded debate about what you let stand and what you deem worthy to be deleted, but come on. This individual and his disgusting hatred is beyond the pale. It certainly show s badly on you for giving him a forum for his venom.
That AIDS "is no longer just a gay disease" is all the more reason Harper should have attended. What's his excuse now? "I'm up north pondering spending even more money on the military"?
Please.
Omar, it would depend what he meant by the word 'freaks'. Perhaps we should allow him an opportunity to explain. I think you are assuming that he was referring to gays, which may not be the case. He may have been referring to activists in general, which I would not find offensive.
Live Update
As the camera pans around this large, diverse AIDS conference audience, while a REAL leader speaks, there certainly doesn't seem to me that there are many freaks in the house.
Omar
Keep grasping straws my man. Ya Harper did not go b/c he is scared of Homosexuels, give your head a shake, and listen to yourself when you say that.
It's nice to know, you know Harper, and I imagine through all your conversation with him you came to a conclusion that he is "likely homophobic". This must be because he is for civil unions. So in your little twisted world that would mean England and France are homophobic too.
Hate is a terriable thing my man it will blind you. You see you already hate Harper so you need to find somthing to hate for. You sir have issue's.
Jdave
I don't care who the PM is you will not see any PM going anywhere without his Comunications crew and the archive photograher, it is what it is. Now if he brought the press that would be a photo op.
Now you say
"Harper's right on this one. AIDS is for fags, junkies, and heathens and they don't vote for him anyways. "
That is crazy I think you have a little hidden agenda my man.
ANNON 1220
Don't confuse jdave with the conservative supporters. I hope your health gets better and I wish you all the best.
Jo-journ
Sorry for the long spelling err gramatical err post.
I have to say, I do agree that Harper should have attended. I would expect that any elected leader of our country would attend a conference of such great importantce to represent ALL Canadians, esp. when said conference is being held in his\her country. This has nothing to do with him being a Conservative leader either, whether it is a Lib, a Con a NDPer { haha} or whatever, the leader should at the least make an appearance. It's not like this is a gaypride event { wouldn't bother me atall if he sattended that either} and he was asked to be the marshall for crying out loud, this is a terrible disease that affects millions of people\families\children around the world. By having our leader attend would have shown credibility of Canada's committment to helping fight this disease. Thankfully, the Health Minister and Govenor did attend.
Jo..what happened...when did C.M. come back into affect?
Ps...the martinis I like are fancy ones, like a blue martini, or a choc. one. Have never had the strong gin ones you were mentioning, but I'd try almost anything once :-D
jdot,
I will believe Harper is not "scared" of homosexuals and the gay community when perhaps he participates in something stemming from or directly involved with their community. Give my head a shake? Yeah, right.
jdot,
I will believe Harper is not "scared" of homosexuals and the gay community when perhaps he participates in something stemming from or directly involved with their community. Give my head a shake? Yeah, right.
oops, sorry about that.
Ok ...I'll chime back in here.
My "Freakshow" comment has to do with the BEHAVIOUR of the proponents and spokespeople for the "Interest Groups" and erstwhile advocates of causes who are constantly manuevering to presure governments into committing evermore PUBLIC money into their pet causes.
The bottomless pit of unending demands for attention and financial support can be contributed to by any individual who feels inclined to do so.... ..on their own dime.
OMMAG
My "Freakshow" comment has to do with the BEHAVIOUR of the proponents and spokespeople for the "Interest Groups"
Yes, lets all jump aboard the "Wayback Machine" and enjoy life when there was ONE all encompassing special interest group for the nation. You know, the ONE that defended the interests of an ALL white, ALL christian and ALL heterosexual society to the detriment of folks who didn't belong to any of those groups.
No thank you.
Lets just turn off the tap that feeds every selfrighteous, self important scold who expects the public to fund their pet causes without question.
OMMAG
Omar Says
"I will believe Harper is not "scared" of homosexuals and the gay community when perhaps he participates in something stemming from or directly involved with their community"
BS you would call it a photo-op and that Harper is trying to buy votes.
Ya Harper must run down the road everytime he sees a homosexuel(what is wrong with you).
The bottom line is that Harper is not going. 2 months ago you guys/girls where complaining that he was doing everything and not letting his minster speak. Now it is he is hidding.
I'm sorry I'm not buying that BS you are shovelling, you are a hater plain and simple. L
jdot,
If your definition of a "hater" is someone like me disliking the direction that my government has chosen to go in, then you have absolutely NO idea of what that term means and/or how to use it.
PGP - Thanks. That's what I thought you meant. I'm glad you came back to explain.
AIDS is a disease worth our attention and concern for sure, but I'm with PGP about the pet projects and special interest groups. It never seems to end. Not that AIDS is necessarily something to sluff off, but I get what he is saying.
Jo..what happened...when did C.M. come back into affect?
C.M. will be on & off, depending how much I get bothered by a certain pesky poltergeist.
Nicole, I like gin martinis the best. I'm a purist, I guess. But I have put them in coloured martini glasses. Does that count?
I guess C.M COULD be called the modern-day seance!! Keeps dead people away... LOL
For sure, use coloured glasses, fruit wedges, coloured sugars, little umbrellas, whatever!!! Life's short so I say anything that is fun is good. I have never had a true martini, I like fancy, good tasting concoctions. Have to keep my sweetness level up :-D
Good one, Nic, about the C.M.!!
I used to like sweet drinks, but I can't stand them now. I know that Vodka martinis are much trendier.
Tue Aug 15, 01:31:00 PM EDT JDot said...
"So in your little twisted world that would mean England and France are homophobic too."
To equate being against same-sex marriage with being anti-gay is ridiculous. What is hardly ever mentioned is that Mr. Harper supports civil unions, which many European countries have instituted INSTEAD OF same-sex marriage, as jdot wrote.
From Wikipedia:
Recognized nationwide in:
Denmark (1989) | Norway (1993)
Israel (1994) | Sweden (1995)
Greenland (1996) | Hungary (1996)
Iceland (1996) | France (1999)
South Africa (1999) | Germany (2001)
Portugal (2001) | Finland (2002)
Croatia (2003) | Luxembourg (2004)
New Zealand (2005) | United Kingdom (2005)
Andorra (2005) | Czech Republic (2006)
Slovenia (2006) | Switzerland (starting 2007)
If Mr. Harper had decided to attend the AIDS conference, the gay lobby would have derided him, accusing him of trying to garner votes from that community, so it's a loss-loss situation for Mr. Harper WHATEVER he does in that kind of situation.
BTW, are the attendees so celebrity-hungry? Aren't Bill Clinton, that paragon of monogamy, and Richard Gere enough for the celebrity hounds?
BTW, are the attendees so celebrity-hungry? Aren't Bill Clinton, that paragon of monogamy, and Richard Gere enough for the celebrity hounds
I would HARDLY call PM Harper a celebrity....that statement has made me keel over in a fit of hysterics...ok not quite, but it's a slow day.
Showing up at a WORLD AIDS CONFERENCE as the elected leader representing ALL Canadians, of which Canada id the hosting country, should have nothing to do with getting votes. It has everything to do with showing that Canada is committed to and supports the fight against a terrible disease affecting millions of people. period.
To equate being against same-sex marriage with being anti-gay is ridiculous.
Good point, Gabby. That brings to mind the whole Margaret Somerville fiasco, based on the same bogus argument.
Well, Nicole. I think there is a teeny political agenda behind all this hooting and hollering from the Hollywood set. However, you are entitled to your opinion.
Tango, lots of good points there. Thanks for your input. I hadn't heard about Bill Gate's comments and frosty reception.
You're right. The current thinking seems to be 'let me live my life my way, but if I mess up, the government better be ready to deal with the consequences'.
Tue Aug 15, 03:33:13 PM EDT Nicole said:
"I would HARDLY call PM Harper a celebrity...."
"Celebrity" as in "a widely known person," Nicole.
"... that statement has made me keel over in a fit of hysterics ..."
Maybe it's those coloured martinis that are having that effect ...
"Celebrity" as in "a widely known person," Nicole.
"... that statement has made me keel over in a fit of hysterics ..."
Maybe it's those coloured martinis that are having that effect ...
Ok Gabby, I'm very EASYgoing, I'll go with your celebrity definition, even though you lumped him in with R. Gere and B. Clinton and maybe it's just me, but by YOUR definition of celebrity I would think the other 2 would be much more worldly recognized.
Your martini comments don't offend me either, I WISH I was sipping on one now, but because of reality am not. I just possess a carefree, fun-loving nature and am able to laugh and find amusement in the simple things in life. Try it sometime, maybe it will lighten you up.
Later, if I'm able to sip on something tasty, I'll think of you with a big smile....CHEERS
Oh Jo...I was meaning that ANY PM attending an even such as this should be doing so to represent the memebers of this country and because the elected PM actually gives a crap about humanity, not to garnish votes. But thanks for letting me have my opinions anyway!!!
Sometimes you have to wonder if events such as this Aids conference are really about finding a cure and preventing the spread of aids as much as they are photo ops and platforms for grandstanding. It seems in this case that everyone has an idea of how they want the PM to act as if he's Tom Cruise acting out the role in some Hollywood movie. Stephen Harper doesn't "act" as Prime Minister, he IS Prime Minister.
And as for the over-all success of these conferences/telethons/what-have-you, if they really were as successful and life-alteringly important as the media likes to make them out, Jerry Lewis would have had the kids walking a long time ago! JMHO.
Tue Aug 15, 04:09:49 PM EDT Nicole replied:
"Try it sometime, maybe it will lighten you up."
So in addition to possessing "a carefree, fun-loving nature" you are also able to determine my personality type? On the basis of ONE post?
Cheers to you too!
So in addition to possessing "a carefree, fun-loving nature" you are also able to determine my personality type? On the basis of ONE post?
Well, from another conversation when Jo and I made plans to have a "seance" intervention, complete with martinis and she asked which kind I like... and I replied in this post....you are able to determine that I must be sloshed because I got a kick out of something you said and found it amusing.
Touche Gabby
It's ok, the porch light is getting dim, I'm leaving....
Joanne, you wrote:
"Certain advocacy groups seem to be trying to send out a message via sympathetic MSM that our PM does not care because he is not there."
Well, can you think of any fact, any shred of evidence, that he *does* in fact care about the AIDS crisis? Because that would probably come in handy for the Tories right about now, instead of all this whining, moaning and media-blaming.
Herb, I believe there is something in the works regarding AIDS. Stay tuned.
Gabby & Nicole - I shouldn't have opened the bar so early. Je m'excuse...
Tue Aug 15, 04:34:43 PM EDT Nicole replied:
" ... you are able to determine that I must be sloshed ..."
Please notice that I began my remark by "MAYBE."
Anyway, I don't do cat-fights, schoolyard name-calling tactics, or ridicule - and I'm not implying that's what you do.
So go gently into that good night ...
Tue Aug 15, 04:44:35 PM EDT Joanne TB said:
"Gabby & Nicole - I shouldn't have opened the bar so early. Je m'excuse..."
Hic!
Pas d'excuses nécessaires!
So RT ..if you insist on carrying on....
Yes I do extend my criticism to corporate / government / and any other would be trough hogs who's aim is to influence our polticians or civil servants into subsidizing their business / Agendas / or what have you.
IMO you assume TOO DAMNED MUCH.
Go back to your thumb sucking now.
OMMAG
All I know is the PM is not at the repatriation ceremony, the Defense Minster is(as it always has been).
So is it more important for the PM to be at the AIDS conference, then it is when a soilder comes home for the repatriation ceremony?
Well the health minster is there and the minster of international co-operations.
ps: I hate using the army in an argument. So if you want to call a some what goodwin law that is cool.
About Bill Clinton.
I don't care if you don't like what Bill Clinton says or does.
Billy can public speak.
Of course after you wake up you would be like "did I just buy a used car from Bill Clinton"
I smell the comment moderation.
Omar, good plan.
Johanne:
Perhaps Chretien didn't care, and perhaps the AIDS community was hoping that Harper would. And there is a huge difference between attending the largest AIDS summit in the world and diverting your own plane to "rescue" 100 Lebanese evacuees who would have gotten out anyway.
In Harper's defence, he did sent two ministers -- you would think that would be enough. Perhaps next time he should pull an MTV video awards-type move and simply send along a videotaped message.
We're over it. We're over Harper too. Chretien didn't attend, so if Chretien jumped off a bridge would Harper too?
Ronald Reagan didn't attend in the early 80's. He couldn't even bring himself to say "AIDS". Under great pressure he did finally show up in his last year (1987) and actually said the word AIDS.
Oh yes, GI Joe, our Commander-in-Chief was in the far north to protect and save us all.
About the booing of Bill Gates - he was booed when he mentioned his President, George Bush's name with respect to funding from the White House - they we booing Bush idiots.
Testing, testing, 1-2-3
sorry Joanne, just proving something.
Dennis
Can any of you people make a single valid argument without resorting to sounding like a spoilt child?
hiccop..hicOOP..I'm too drunk right now to not argue like a spoiled child....wait a minute, I always act like a spoiled child...DARN IT ANYWAY.....
How come if we don't agree we are spoiled, drunken fools?
Nevermind, I"m down with it....
To the ghost of Red Tory - Don’t darken my doorstep anymore
Pas d'excuses nécessaires!
Gabby, bon! It's all good.
Perhaps next time he should pull an MTV video awards-type move and simply send along a videotaped message.
Laroche, that is brilliant!
Last try to post here...
You're all, every one of you, full of shit. Each one of you is talking for your party, and not your country. It's people like you that keep good people out of politics - believe me.
Liberals - please. Harper is not "homophobic". Trust me - he isn't. You don't know what homophobia is, you're scaring off people who don't like extremist name-calling, and I think there are some straight women in Africa who would beg to differ. Guess what, little babies - it's not 1982 anymore. AIDS is not a "gay cancer" - it's a disease for everyone. And Zac - he would have been booed. The organizers promised so. Activists are attention-seekers, not problem-solvers.
Conservatives, come on. You of all people should see that Harper let himself down on a prime opportunity to show people that he is, in fact, NOT homophobic. I'm happy with his sending the G-G and the Health Min, don't get me wrong. But come on - you want Canada to play a bigger role on the world stage? Great - me too. Let's do it. Mulroney liked to prove he could run with the big boys - this was Harper's chance to do the same and share a stage with Clinton and Bill Gates. Shoulda been there.
Chretien should've, too - of course. And any Liberal who criticizes Harper and not him is FULL OF SHIT.
And any Conservative who thinks Harper couldn't have flown up north an hour later is FULL OF SHIT.
You all make me puke.
I bet none of you even know hardly anything about HIV and AIDS.
I bet none of you even know hardly anything about HIV and AIDS.
Wow! O.K. Jason, would you care to enlighten us all?
That's the part that you care to comment most on?
Alright, let's. What *DO* you know about HIV and AIDS?
How many people have you known with it? How many people do you know who have died from it? How many people do you know who live with someone with AIDS?
Because I think you're all just using this for partisan purposes of simple politics. Plain and simple.
Jason, I give you this much - I've never seen such a non-partisan smackdown ever; which is to say that it was evenly and fairly distributed.
When I said would you like to enlighten us, I meant that you must know a lot, and if so, please share it.
No, I am not an AIDS expert. I have never pretended to be one. I have only said that I am sick of the whining about Harper not being there.
Jason... two, three and two. Nice rant!
Better than Belinda - Good points there. Shinan Govani of the Post called it the "Super Bowl of disease conferences".
He says that to some show-business luminaries, it is a "trendy" cause. (Saturday Post).
"Martin Laba, director of Simon Fraser University's School of Communications and activist in the HIV/AIDS movement himself, said he feels a little cynical about the Hollywoodization of the disease."
But then he goes on to say basically, whatever works.
Oh heck, then you go and butter me up with the nicest thing anyone's said to me on a blog in forever.
And no, you never said you were an AIDS expert, or even hinted at it.
I'll tell you all one thing that a lot of people don't know - crystal meth is known to reduce inhibitions and make people have more unprotected sex casually, but many do not know that crystal meth in your system also increases HIV replication. So not only does it make you more susceptible to HIV, but it can increase viral replication by suppressing valuable T-cells in your body. It also apparently fights HIV medication.
Crystal meth is bad, bad, bad news. That guy in NYC last year who was resistant to all the drug cocktails and who developed full-blown AIDS in three months after infection used crystal meth.
Crystal meth is everywhere. People say it's not an epidemic, and maybe they're right. All I know is, I had a very loose acquaintance who died of AIDS-related complications last year - big crystal meth user. And I personally know some very rural, very small-town folks who are battling crystal meth addiction right now. Crystal meth is cheap and it lasts for a long time - it's easy to see how people prefer it to drinking or cocaine. And using it has led to lots of people getting HIV.
IMHO, people aren't talking enough about crystal meth. NYC recently (last year) had a poster campaign that said, "Buy crystal meth - get a lifetime of HIV for free!" That's good stuff, IMO.
Of course, that's just one very small aspect of HIV and AIDS and the challenges faced today. (And it frankly mostly is a gay problem, and most HIV/AIDS activists really hate and complain about "intimidating" "scare tactics" ads like that NYC one. Here is another one they don't seem to like, and this is another. My two cents: isn't AIDS itself a "scare tactic", and an "intimidating" one at that?)
That was long. Sorry Joanne.
I don't think you could be more wrong on this post, and I agree with you on 99% of your posts.
Disclaimer: I am 100% conservative, and before this week, fully supportive of Harper.
For the first time in 25 years, community mobilization is finally starting in rural African communities. For better or worse, celebrities are finally starting to get the word out about the disease. Astronomical amounts of money are coming out from people like Gates, Clinton & Buffet. The only thing is missing is political mobilization & leadership from Western leaders.
Toronto (and the PM's office) knew about this for four years now. It is the Olympics of the AIDS world. A political leader will never have a better opportunity to speak out about the disease and battle the stigma. By Stephen Harper not showing up, it demonstrates a remarkable lack of leadership on his part.
Harper was afraid of being boo'd, and that's what it comes down to. Get over it Harper, politicians get boo'd, it happens.
PS - To 'anonymous'...it's no wonder an asshole such as yourself has to hide under the anonymity of anonymous. you are clearly too uneducated to realize that the majority of aids victims are wives who are being raped by their polygamous husbands in the developping world. Time to tune in to what is really going on with this virus.
Sarah H.
Now don't anybody take this too personally:
Maybe the next conference should deal with managing anger - 'cause there's certainly a lot of it around that needs managing.
I think I need some time off - off the computer, off the news, off talk radio - you get the picture.
Jason, thanks for the info about crystal meth. I had no idea how dangerous it is and how deadly when combined with HIV.
Sara, thanks for your very frank words too. Perhaps if we can get beyond the name-calling and political games, we will be able to understand and deal better with this horrible disease.
My only concern is that perhaps some people are trying to make political hay out of this, and it is detracting from the true intent of the conference.
I think I need some time off - off the computer, off the news, off talk radio - you get the picture.
Boy, you're right about that, Gabby. Actually, I was thinking the same thing. I think I'm going to give the blogging a break for a while very shortly. It is really taking up so much of my time. A little change of pace is good for the soul.
Nice non-partisan rant
here.
This guy could learn something from Jason Bo Green.
Great comments to that Plawiuk tool. Calling Chucker "homophobic" is just Planet Mars. What a dork. I'm glad so many people took him to task.
Funny you should mention that guy - I JUST saw what you wrote there!!!
He is sooooo lame it's not even funny. I liked what Cameron said best. Right or Left, these extremists are just bad news for us all.
How many people have you known with it? How many people do you know who have died from it? How many people do you know who live with someone with AIDS?
We used to have a small 12 bed infirmary unit at the psychiatric hospital where I used to work. In the mid 80s there was a young man housed there and dying with AIDS, he was about my age at the time. AIDS/HIV was very new at the time. We knew that it was a deadly disease and we knew that we had to take precautions, but for the nursing staff that had to care for the suffering, it was an illness with no politics attached to it.
I also knew a good nurse who died of AIDS in the late 80s. A tall, handsome gay man that everyone loved. Everyone of course but the homophobes who reviled him for his sexuality. A straight nurse friend of mine forbid his then gf(also an RN) to associate with him because he was gay. He threatened to break-up with her if she continued the friendship. For me, THAT is an example of a BEHAVIOUR that needs to and CAN be changed.
Right or Left, these extremists are just bad news for us all.
Jason, what Cameron said was so perceptive. That guy actually hurt his cause by posting what he did. Instead of working together, we end up fighting and attacking each other when extremist positions are held without any consideration for the middle ground.
I'll admit that I was approaching the right end of that spectrum at one time, but I've come to see that extreme views only cause further conflict and hurt. We need to be able to see the other person's POV, even if we don't agree.
Above all, we need to respect each other.
Omar, thanks for that story. You're right. We need to be able to accept the humanity in all of us. I think things are changing in that direction these days.
I would argue that it has almost gone overboard when 'acceptance' has evolved to 'demanding that your PM show up at every function associated with the gay agenda', but meh, that's only my opinion.
OK, that was a short leave of absence ...
All the critics think they KNOW why Mr. Harper decided not to attend the AIDS conference. They surmise he doesn't want to be associated with a "gay cause." Have the critics developed the ability to read minds?
Some critics have engaged in outright demagogy. On CTV's Question Period, the Prime Minister was accused of being "an accomplice in the spread of AIDS." This from a so-called expert on AIDS research.
Even as I'm laboriously typing this, on the radio I heard a report that the Harper government is in "damage-control mode," planning to inject more money into the AIDS cause because of the uproar over the PM's absence.
The Health Minister was supposed to make an announcement two or three days ago, and it was rescheduled - for reasons that the Minister alone knows.
You, I and all the journalists and bloggers in the world can suppose, hypothesize, assume, presume, speculate, infer - but until they state what their reasons were - the PM for being a no-show and the Health Minister for postponing his announcement - no one can claim to KNOW THE TRUTH. They are all guesses.
And if those guesses turn out to be true, which is not verifiable by either you or me unless we suddenly become soothsayers or telepathists, why should anyone associate with people who a priori have decided that he is their biggest ENEMY? Would you?
OK, that was a short leave of absence ...
Gabby, I'm working up to it. Wouldn't mind hitting the 100 mark here first though..
Wow, I hadn't heard that clip from QP. I still have the tape. Must check it out.
You make perfect sense here. We are all making assumptions that we can read minds. As I said in the original post - surely all this time and effort can be put to better use.
For example, let's focus on the women in Third World countries who are treated like chattel and forced to have sex with their HIV-carrying husbands without any protection.
And the women who are raped, and then treated as if they are the criminals!
"OK, that was a short leave of absence ..."
Geez, I must appear super pompous to be quoting myself. Anyway, that was in reference to my last post yesterday. I wasn't chiding you.
"For example, let's focus on the women in Third World countries who are treated like chattel and forced to have sex with their HIV-carrying husbands without any protection.
And the women who are raped, and then treated as if they are the criminals!"
You are absolutely right, Joanne. Definitely, there should be more research on possible cures, but preventing infection, including through means like monogamy, should also be included in the means explored.
Since when did fidelity become a bad word deserving boos?
Hope you reach the 100 mark! Maybe you already have, since I type
S-L-O-W-L-Y
lol! Too funny, Gabby! Sorry about jumping to conclusions there. I am serious about taking some time off, though. My hubby is making not so subtle comments about my time spent in front of the computer.
BTW, is Stephen Harper a misogynist because he isn't attending the AIDS conference? Just asking.
100! Back to the shadows now...
Dang! Now I've got a dilemma.
Yes, hatred of women. What's your point?
the AIDS conference has nothing to do with misogyny, and has everything to do with a lack of interest in doing anything about AIDS.
Well, if you follow the thread that Gabby and I were discussing a bit earlier, it might make some sense. We were talking about Third World men who treat their women as chattels, and the women have to submit to the men even if they are infected with HIV.
You see, it's not all about gay people.
Hey, BTW, JDave, didn't you get the word yet? There's a boycott on my blog.
I'm not boycotting you Joanne,{ unless you would like me too} only pointed out that if people don't like C.M. the alternative is to not visit the blog. I can't speak for Zac, and RT you have asked not to come back, even though his shadow comment was too cute for his own good. Omar...now there's cat that will do whatever the heck he wants....
I have a thick skin, I can take being heckled and made fun of, I just try not to slop any of the booze on my computer keys, when I am prone to my fits of hysterics...it's all good :-D
And I don't think Harper hates women. It's poor people with AIDS that he can't stand.
How about the poor women with AIDS?
Nicole - "even though his shadow comment was too cute for his own good"
I know! I keep wanting to delete that comment, but I can't! How can such an annoying person still make me laugh?
I think from now on, if anyone feels personally insulted by a comment from another guest, they should say so, or send me an email.
Then it's out of my hands.
Maybe I'm wrong and waayyy out there, but maybe that is RT's way of trying to make peace...
I have a feeling that before summer is over you two will....sit down for it...RT...don't hunt me down either...
but I just have a good feeling that you two will kiss and make up..... or at least bury the hatchet until the next time you guys sink it into each other's backs!!!
you two will kiss and make up
Ugh! You are dreaming, girl!
I would consider a truce if I received a heartfelt, humble apology. But that isn't likely to happen.
Ugh! You are dreaming, girl!
OK lmao....Just call me the Pollyanna of this big happy to be unhappily argeeing dysfunctional blogging family....
Could this be something that you and RT actually agree on...my comments make me dreaming and delusional....if I get you two talking, Zac will volunteer to send me to the Middle East. I hope I can at least make you two smile, and even possibly chuckle....would that be so bad???
JDave, o.k. you win this round.
if I get you two talking, Zac will volunteer to send me to the Middle East
I smell a conspiracy! You and Sara would both make great ambassadors. Maybe it comes from having kids and solving disputes, and banging heads together.
Just for the record, my objection to Harper not attending the AIDS conference really had nothing whatsoever to do with supposed homophobia or anything of that nature. As I stated previously, it was a failure of leadership on an important global issue, a pandemic that afflicts the developing world in particular. A lot of Conservatives are moaning and keening that he would have been booed or accused of this or that… Well, get over it. That’s what goes along with being a leader. I thought it was wrong that Chrétien ducked the conference when he was in power too. If you want to be taken seriously as a world leader, sometimes you have to expose yourself to those kinds of situations. This is an issue that transcends politics, or at least it should, and there’s no excuse whatsoever for Harper not to have attended. It’s as simple as that. The arctic isn’t going anywhere. It will still be there next month and our feeble claims to sovereignty over it will be just as hollow then as they are now.
Also for the record, congratulations on being appointed “Blogger of the Month” or whatever honour it is that the BT hive-mind has bestowed on you. I am not a vindictive person who holds grudges. So, feel free to regard me as a ghost if that’s what amuses you. Frankly, I have better things to do with my time than nurse some old grievance that I might only have a foggy recollection of. You won’t get a humble apology (for what, I don’t know) from me, but rest assured that there are no hard feelings on this end.
Glad you left the 100! comment up, even though it pained you to do so. ;-)
lol! Wow, that was the most decent comment I ever saw you leave!
O.K. Thanks, and we will officially hold a ceasefire, with peace summit to follow.
congratulations on being appointed “Blogger of the Month”
Very gracious of you. Thanks. Actually I think it only has something to do with how many "unique vistors" are sent to the BT website. They are rewarding the top five each month. Not quite sure how it all works, but it's nice to have the recognition in any case.
Come to think of it Red, maybe you should be on that list! I notice you often give the BL link. ;)
sniffle..sniffle..dabs, the most beautiful hazel eyes...
YES Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus :-D
lol! Nic, I guess you'd better get suited for your Peacemaker mission.
ahhh...I think they are toying with us anyway.
Over at Omar's they are giving him the credit anyway.
only a little miffed, but with my heart of gold, it's ALL good
Nicole, I'm giving you the credit. Your intentions were pure. Omar's were um, well, that's for Omar to say. I'm sure he wasn't really losing any sleep worrying over the fact that Red and I were having a little spat.
".why do the media and celebrities want you and I to belive that AIDs is such a big threat?"
They don't, but they would like the government of South Africa to do more than tell people with Aids to drink lemon juice.
"3. there IS a way to prevent the spread of aids, there is NO known way to prevent cancer"
Umm, what would that method of preventing aids be? Does it work for babies born to HIV mothers? Does it work for blood transfusions?
Or are you referring to not having sex?
You can prevent breast cancer by changing your diet, breastfeeding your children, and avoiding environmental chemical exposures. I expect the same rabid response to this as the aids activists give to abstinence. Because while the above is true, most people will not change their lifestyles enough to prevent breast cancer in all cases. Same with abstinence. There needs to be research into cures.
And of course there is lung cancer, which could be mostly prevented by changing behaviour. A behaviour which, unlike having sex, has only been around for a few centuries.
But the prevention message gets lost because "there are more people making a living off of cancer than there are dying of it".
Since there are more dying of breast cancer than aids, the pork barrel for cancer is that much bigger than aids.
Just my opinion, but I think research will reveal aids and cancer are two variants of the same thing. One involves your own cells dividing endlessly with no immune system stopping it. The other involves various diseases destroying your cells with no immune system stopping it.
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