betsy

I feel bad too. The poor couple had been crucified all over the media.

Would availability of condoms really ensure that they're going to be used? Condoms were being given for FREE, along with other contraceptives to youths to prevent teen-age pregnancy....and yet, they still get pregnant! Homosexual Community in Ontario is alarmed at the climbing rate of AIDS/HIV among its population....claiming that there's this what is called information-fatigue syndrome" from having been bombarded with too much information...that some don't bother to practice safe sex anymore. We have to accept the fact....some people just don't care!

Time is of the essence. Smoking is quite far from being as deadly as AIDS or HIV. It is not contagious. Although I'm not a supporter of the anti-smoking campaign...I had to give credit to the well-laid plan and concerted effort...and effective way they managed to push for that agenda...and achieve victory. As you've said, public safety is the top priority. So I say, what's Hollywood doing? Who's screaming at Hollywood to do its share? I have not heard any mouthy screeching from any of these conference big-wigs....singling out actors/actresses and particular movies, (the way Hillary singled out Roberts, etc), for making promiscuity an attractive and "glorified" way of practicing freedom. Wan't there a tv show (Caroline in the City?) that even introduced the concept of a "fuck-buddy?" Did they show them using condoms? TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. If this is really thaaaat scary.....why wouldn't they do what the anti-smoking campaigners had done? I bet some of the same people behind this AIDS Conference is also behind that anti-smoking campaign. Why is Hollywood virtually ignored...and untouched by this brouhaha?

This is a misleading statement. AIDS is every bit as likely to be transmitted though vaginal sex and oral sex as anal sex. Suggesting that one way is more dangerous than the others is inaccurate. That is a myth that has morphed from the myth that AIDS is a mostly homosexual disease. Both myths are grossly inaccurate. I'll grant you that at first AIDS ran quicker through the homosexual community, but that was as a result of both a generally higher rate of promiscuity and a lack of protective measures taken -- not because they were homosexual. Yes, AIDS and HIV is spread not only anally, but through vaginal and oral sex. There was a time that it was said to have been mostly gained through sodomy. If that is accurate, I cannot say for sure. But from what I had read somewhere....it is said this disease had also mutated? And no, it goes beyond homosexual disease. Bisexualism and the sex trade had also had a great input of it going way beyond that boundary, not to mention casual sex by all sexual orientations. So it all comes back full circle to one word: PROMISCUITY.

Bush was pushing to promote for ABSTINENCE. It was ridiculed and automatically slammed at by the anti-Bush and those against religion (specifically Christian-based). But look at all the comments about it! "The foreign forays of the Bush administration have rarely been without controversy, and the president's global Aids initiative is no exception. Bush has thrown his weight behind the US abstinence movement It may be the most expensive effort ever mounted by a government to fight Aids internationally, but the $15bn programme comes with strings attached - notably in diverting a third of the funds to faith based groups which preach abstinence. Its critics see this provision as thinly disguised Christian moralism which is at best paternalistic, and at worst a sure-fire way of endangering lives by failing to place sufficient emphasis on condoms. But to its proponents, pushing abstinence is the only way to tackle the disease in a continent like Africa where, as they see it, campaigns promoting the use of condoms have failed to halt the disease. " http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3887177.stm "Europe, led by the UK, last night signalled a major split with the United States over curbing the Aids pandemic in a statement that tacitly urged African governments not to heed the abstinence-focused agenda of the Bush administration. The statement, released for World Aids Day today, emphasises the fundamental importance of condoms, sex education and access to reproductive health services. "We are profoundly concerned about the resurgence of partial or incomplete messages on HIV prevention which are not grounded in evidence and have limited effectiveness," it says." http://www.guardian.co.uk/christmasappeal2...1654865,00.html "The Bush administration's $15 billion global AIDS initiative is emphasizing sexual abstinence and fidelity more than Congress intended, and that focus is undermining prevention efforts in poor countries, congressional investigators said Tuesday." http://www.christianpost.com/article/20060405/21879.htm INSTEAD OF LAMBASTING IT.....they should accept ALL the help they can get! People who'd had religion are also some of the culprits in spreading AIDS. This abstinence preaching may not work for some...but it may work for others! So why waste their time dis-crediting it and rejecting it outright.... That is of course, IF...and that is a big IF, they are really serious in tackling this disease....and not just using to politicize it.

What makes you think Hollywood will listen to the Republicans...most especially BUSH? The point is: Clinton is one of the top dog or the poster boy for this campaign! Their goal is supposed to be stopping the rapid spread and eventually eliminating AIDS! Since finding the cure for AIDS won't likely happen in 5 years, the number one priority then is to STOP THE RAPID SPREAD of AIDS! If all these people behind this conference are all foaming in the mouth preaching about the global horror of a pandemic of biblical scale, wouldn't be the most logical thing to do is to get all support from EVERYWHERE? They talk of the the importance of EDUCATING THE PEOPLE (especially the youth) about the importance of using condoms...with all sort of astronomical funding required. Well how much effective is that compared to the powerful influence of HOLLYWOOD? All you have to do is look around you and you'll see all sorts of people of all sorts of shapes and sizes all copy-catting HOLLYWOOD.....from the shoes and jewelries they wear...they way they talk....the way they think....the way they behave! AFRICA is not made up of only poor, homeless people they show you on tv! Besides, they know of Angelina Jolie, for crying out loud!

What's wrong with that? Didn't the anti-smoking campaign succeed quite faster with Hollywood and the stars giving support? How many countires all over the world are "butting out?"

IF ONLY the driving force behind this campaign/conference will adopt the same tenacity of the Anti-Smoking campaign, they will definitely gain half their goal...or probably even more, by dramatically decreasing the spread of this disease. The AIDS Conference Poster Boy, of all people, should know. His wife was one of the most outspoken...and powerful figure to back up and support the anti-smoking campaign. Look where smoking is now. Oh they know which should be the first big target to be pressured to support this AIDS campaign. What else but HOLLYWOOD. And who else but the stars. "Hillary Clinton has recently criticised Hollywood for its over-use of cigarettes on screen. She believes that depicting stars smoking in certain scenes allows cigarettes to be equated with ‘status, power, confidence and glamour’7" http://www.globalink.org/tobacco/docs/misc...0003films.shtml "Backed by the political muscle of Vice President Al Gore and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, lawmakers have been fuming in recent months over Hollywood's alleged glamorization of the tobacco habit." http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,1994,00.html AIDS is spread through sex, especially through sodomy. Promiscuity is the main culprit in its rapid spread. Drug use (sharing needles) also does its fair share. How many movies depict sex scenes where characters show that they use condoms? How many tv shows show adultery or casual sex as a normal lifestyle....those indulging in it depicted as people of "sophistication"....."open-minded"...."adventurous?" A lot of these programs are aired on prime time. So how come Hollywood is getting away with this with no sharp criticism at all from the big-wigs behind this conference? Hollywood is a powerful tool to promote a lifestyle. Its influence is far-reaching....global, in fact.

Did Clinton use any condoms btw? Considering he was quite a frisky president. Boy, when he spoke about "never again will women be told by men...blah-blah".....I can't help but think of some women he tried to force into sex or propositioned. I wonder if he said, "don't worry babe. I got this. Tadaaaa! Leak-proof. I will not endanger your health!" It would've been more believable if he said: My name is Bill Clinton. And I was promiscious. No kidding, do I really want my PM on-stage with a clown?

The Catholic Church?If that is the only one you know then you proved my point and made your own point redundant. How about fun loving anal oriented homo sexuals. They are the primary cause of aids. Notice how this conference mention "special groups" such as the addicts, the poor....but not a word about gays. When in fact the recent news, giving a link which I had posted not too long ago somewhere in this forum, reported of a rising AIDS problem among the gay population. The reason? Some-sort of "information fatigue"...which means some gays just deliberately do not use condoms anymore. If this conference is truly an honest-to-goodness attempt at discussing and eliminating some causes of the problem....they should not mince any words in spelling it right out! Political correctness be damned. Which is more important? That's why this whole thing is just one big farce.

Why, did the Arabs ever had a shot of "colonizing" this land? Thus you can confidently compare them with the European colonizers? You gave an interesting vision though. What do you think? Would you all be adoring a different God by now. What are the chances that you would've been an extinct race?

There should be a formal complaint about the blatant fraudulent, irresponsible and manipulative reporting of CBC. There should be a formal inquiry....after all, this station is funded by taxpayers' money.

But I gotta admit. Clinton is one of the most appropriate endorser for condoms....to give a sage advice from a pro...."never leave home without it."

And it's only appropriate for hollywood celebrities to help wipe up the disease....after all, Hollywood is the number one promoter of PROMISCUITY! On one hand they're doing their darndest to help spread it....and on the other, they're out to wipe it! So there you go, y'all hypocritical spokespeople for this conference....dump on your celebrities!

Btw, what's AIDS got to do with 'empowering women?" Really. Female-abusive societies will still dominate and force their women to succumb...condoms or not!

Sorry to disappoint you there, Tem. No negative excess baggage came with me to Canada. In my youth, I was indifferent to the Christian-Muslim problems happening in a far-off island. I was the regular kid more concerned about peers and fashion and fretting over the cool things. My parents never told me anything bad about Muslims...and they're regular news readers with the daily subscription of the papers. I did not waste my youth feeding and nurturing anger, resentment and hate, unlike others I could mention. Therefore, I carry no chips on my shoulders....which can alter and distort one's views. As an adult I partook of the papers and read here and there. My current views of terrorism started with 9/11. Plain and simple.

Not only that....they're wasting air time by continuously lambasting Harper over it (with celebs now participating in the lambasting. Three days after. The latest being yesterday with Sandra Oh who said she's quite "disappointed with Harper.") I say, who cares you hypocritical starlet! Use the air time promoting the conference, if it's that important to you! So they're all upset....and they've booed and vented. Now move on. Time to get back on track and do what they've come to do. Enough of these negative whinings! Geez, how can they think to tackle a monstrous disease if they can't even manage the simple task of getting a grip on themselves to move past this petty thing. They are a disappointment! They're tarnishing their own event! Wonder what Gates and Clinton must be thinking now seeing how it all veered....and deteriorated.... from promoting understanding and support for AIDS to bashing Harper. Suddenly they've been bunched up with a group of tabloid "harpies"...no pun intended. Quite demeaning for someone of their calibre. One could say "Harper stole the show." But really, this sorry lot seem to easily get un-hinged, don't they.

deleted. Double posting.

There's always been a religious war going on in one of the islands of the Philippines (Mindanao)...between Christians and Muslims. The Muslims wants to kick the Christians out of Mindanao and to separate from the rest of the country. While I was still there, it was rumored that Libya was the financier behind them. And no, don't single out the Tagalog-speaking people. The Philippines is comprised of differnt dialects. As I've said....it's Christians against Muslims in that island. The rest of the country were just appalled at the violence happening in that part of the land. But now, some of our Muslims had become your everyday terrorist...blowing up places in other parts of the country. Excuse me, what do you mean by "ostracize?" One of my childhood playmate was a Muslim. They were the only Muslim family in our village, as far as I know...and they were accepted! Considering I come from a very small barrio. Over the years, things had changed. The Muslims have now created their own villages outside of those troubled islands (trying to get away from the violence)....and are accepted and living among the other population. My town included.

Just a while back they showed a news clip of women sitting on-stage giving their little speeches. One woman roundly spoke of th "hypocrisy of the church for not saving lives!" I guess they wanted the church to endorse condoms....and I assume they speak of the Catholic Church. Suddenly the blame now is on the church. The irony is, IF PEOPLE FOLLOWED THE TEACHINGS OF THE CHURCH in the first place....of not fooling around.....and of doing it only with your spouse ....we wouldn't be seeing this catastrophe at all! You ever wonder why the liberal thinkers and the lefties do not preach about being responsible for one's actions? They grab at every possible solutions they can think of...and yet conveniently omit the most practical one. Oh we're definitely in the blame-game these days! Jack blames Harper for more people being killed in the Middle East because Harper did not call for a ceasefire immediately! Yup. On Question Period. Must've been too much sugar on your cereals, Jack.

So what's family planning got to do with AIDS? Do you know how many leaders in the past had supported and promoted condom use...to prevent teenage and unwanted pregnancy? Have we eliminated that problem? Let's not cloud the issue here....otherwise I'll end up believing fervently that this AIDS Conference is nothing more than a smokescreen to promote abortion, among other things. I thought the issue here was that they're near to developing a "vaccine?" That's what the scientist was spouting off on CTV. They're even predicting eliminating AIDS in 2050!

The Conservatives smeared Chretien when he didn't attend and went fishing instead. What is the difference this time? Harper didn't go fishing...or play golf. He was in Nunavut. He's doing his job! C'mon, it's not like Harper's presence would miraculously make the cure appear. Does he really have to sit and watch songs and dances...and listen to more pep talks? Don't we know yet that Harper is a less-talk-more-action kinda leader? Btw, Lewis was also lambasting the Liberals. Apparently there's this generic pill that would've been available at a much lesser price...they even named it after "Chretien". That was three years ago! Where is that pill??? So enough of this posturing...it doesn't wash anymore. Actually, it's getting to be quite sickening. Supporters are like children....very misled and gullible. Btw, Lewis seemed to be pushing for the NDP.

An expert on terrorism was interviewed on CTV over the week-end and he stated that the problem seem to be not only with some radicals....but with ISLAM itself.

This Lewis guy (and a woman scientist) lambasted Harper yesterday on Question Period. On the news this morning, I don't know who this guy was speaking on the podium...but he spent the time lambasting Harper...instead of talking about AIDS. The Minister of Health was there...which is quite appropriate. I see on the news that movie celebrities had highlighted the conference. Was that Costner I saw briefly from the news clip? So, since Costner and company...and a former US President who was chased from the Oval Office were in attendance...therefore our Prime Minister MUST show up? Anything less than being physically there is not acceptable and deserving of severe dressing down? THis AIDS Conference is just another vehicle being hijacked and used to castigate the Conservatives, imho....I can't help but think so. Shame. Shame. The hypocrisy and the shallowness never cease to amaze me. I don't feel any inclination of donating or supporting this endeavor. They showed that they couldn't even put political agendas aside for the sake of charity and quest for cure. I have no wish of supporting liberal or leftist ideals. Anyway, they've got Bill Gates.

I forgot what her position is in the government. I thought she's with Human Resources? Anyway, what is Liberal McGuinty doing? He is the premier of Ontario after all. And lawlessness in Caledonia had been a major problem for too long.