Harper Skip AIDs Conference

[jdobbin]

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...?hub=TopStories

Lots of people are wondering why.

[Canuck E Stan]

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...?hub=TopStories

Lots of people are wondering why.

Did Paul Martin show up?

[Argus]

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...?hub=TopStories

Lots of people are wondering why.

I skipped it too.

Is there any particular reason why we should have gone? Like Harper, I don't have the cure for AIDS available just at the moment. I do, however, have really good advice as to how to control aids.

Keep it in your pants.

That's not likely to go over very well with the weepy, hand-wringing set who are all about the "great tragedy" and publicizing it, of course.

You know, the first 9 pages of my newspaper were all about AIDS today. I hate that about Canadian news media, that they decide to start preaching, and abandon any pretext that they're a news dispensing organization as opposed to a propaganda organ. Nine pages, then the second section was all about AIDS and so was the third. I swear to God I almost picked up the phone and demanded my money be refunded. I wanted a newspaper, not a magazine about AIDS.

[jdobbin]

Did Paul Martin show up?

He's scheduled to appear.

[jdobbin]

Is there any particular reason why we should have gone? Like Harper, I don't have the cure for AIDS available just at the moment. I do, however, have really good advice as to how to control aids.

He only appears if there is a cure?

[Shady]

Lots of people are wondering why.

I really don't think it's a big deal. With the Lebanon/Israel thing going on, and the new attempted terrorist attack, the AIDS Conference probably isn't the biggest priority right now.

I skipped it too

[Charles Anthony]

I think this is an industry that is looking for money. That is their primary concern.

Quoted from that same article:

"In a very real way it's a slap in the face to the international community of activists and scientists and researchers and advocates and agencies all gathered to deal with the single greatest problem on the planet," Lewis told CTV's Question Period on Sunday.

I like the sound of that:

activists

scientists

researchers

advocates

agencies

He forgot to mention the actual people with A.I.D.S.

[jbg]

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...?hub=TopStories

Lots of people are wondering why.

The appropriate Cabinet minister showed up. Isn't it appropriate for the portfolio holder, not the PM, to be at that kind of conference?

[Argus]

Did Paul Martin show up?

He's scheduled to appear.

Well, thank God for that. The whole thing would be a waste of time without his input.

[Canuck E Stan]

Did Paul Martin show up?

He's scheduled to appear.

Well, thank God for that. The whole thing would be a waste of time without his input.

With Paul being there, and maybe the 11 Liberal apostles running for his job, along with Jack Layton,the divine saviour of the down trodden,maybe this concerned bunch could solve the whole crisis as they have solved all Canada's and the world problems.

"I promise you, cheque will be in the mail"

[g_bambino]

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...?hub=TopStories

Lots of people are wondering why.

Those trying to make a big issue out of this are really confused about what position the PM holds, what he does, and what he represents.

First: They think he should be there to open the conference because he represents Canada. The problem with that supposition is that he doesn't represent Canada, the Queen does, and by extension the Governor General, who is actually the one to be opening the conference on behalf of the country. People too often think the PM to be the President of Canada, comparing him to Nelson Mandela, Bill Clinton, etc.

Second: They think AIDS and everything to do with it within Canada and beyond our borders is his responsibility. It's really the job of the Minister of Health, who will be attending anyway.

I actually thought it was refreshing to see Harper appropriately defer the task of opening the conference to his superior, and send the relevant minister to attend. For once, it seems, we have a PM who doesn't consider himself the centre of the known universe, and thus doesn't feel the need to parade himself in front of every camera he can just to prove it.

[geoffrey]

What would be the point of Harper going other than appeasing gay activists? He has nothing to contribute. Or maybe he should go, and tell them of the really easy prevention that exists. Stop having indiscriminate sex with anything that moves and guess what, there is no crisis anymore.

Bill Gates seems to be taking care of it anyways.

[jdobbin]

I actually thought it was refreshing to see Harper appropriately defer the task of opening the conference to his superior, and send the relevant minister to attend. For once, it seems, we have a PM who doesn't consider himself the centre of the known universe, and thus doesn't feel the need to parade himself in front of every camera he can just to prove it.

If that was the case he wouldn't have shown up in Cyprus with his communications team and official photographer.

It was the prime minister as head of government that was invited to the conference, not just his proxy.

The Governor General was there as head of state.

[geoffrey]

I actually thought it was refreshing to see Harper appropriately defer the task of opening the conference to his superior, and send the relevant minister to attend. For once, it seems, we have a PM who doesn't consider himself the centre of the known universe, and thus doesn't feel the need to parade himself in front of every camera he can just to prove it.

If that was the case he wouldn't have shown up in Cyprus with his communications team and official photographer.

It was the prime minister as head of government that was invited to the conference, not just his proxy.

The Governor General was there as head of state.

So if I make a conference about Dingo importation to Canada, and invite Harper... he's obliged to attend?

[jdobbin]

So if I make a conference about Dingo importation to Canada, and invite Harper... he's obliged to attend?

When 25,000 people attend a conference to talk about a disease that does as much damage as this one and your country is the host country, you usually attend.

Considering how many Canadian scientists are working on this and the type of additonal cures for ailments that might result from the research, it certainly doesn't hurt to be a good host.

Just what exactly is Harper doing this week?

[Canuck E Stan]

Just what exactly is Harper doing this week?

With all the heat in southern Canada this week, he went up north to cool off.

[jdobbin]

With all the heat in southern Canada this week, he went up north to cool off.

No doubt.

I wonder what George Bush would have done if the conference had been in New York this year.

[Riverwind]

When 25,000 people attend a conference to talk about a disease that does as much damage as this one and your country is the host country, you usually attend.

If Harper showed up he would have been criticized for not donating enough money to the fight against AIDS. Maybe he decided being criticized for not being there was preferable.

[Canuck E Stan]

Maybe he decided being criticized for not being there was preferable.

One of the biggest complaints of the former Liberal cabinet was that Paul Martin had to be everywhere accomplishing nothing.

His cabinet have portfolios to handle matters,but ole Paul had to be there for the photo ops and the glory.

Harper doesn't care for that crap.He has ministers to do the work.

The Media wants another Martin,but they won't get one in Harper.

[jdobbin]

If Harper showed up he would have been criticized for not donating enough money to the fight against AIDS. Maybe he decided being criticized for not being there was preferable.

That's a distinct possibility. However, generally the government leader just gives a welcoming speech to the delegates and 3000 journalists and lists what his own host country is doing in the fight against AIDs. It isn't usually that controversial.

[jdobbin]

One of the biggest complaints of the former Liberal cabinet was that Paul Martin had to be everywhere accomplishing nothing.

His cabinet have portfolios to handle matters,but ole Paul had to be there for the photo ops and the glory.

Harper doesn't care for that crap.He has ministers to do the work.

The Media wants another Martin,but they won't get one in Harper.

He still took his communication staff and photographers to Cyprus.

[jbg]

One of the biggest complaints of the former Liberal cabinet was that Paul Martin had to be everywhere accomplishing nothing.

His cabinet have portfolios to handle matters,but ole Paul had to be there for the photo ops and the glory.

Harper doesn't care for that crap.He has ministers to do the work.

The Media wants another Martin,but they won't get one in Harper.

He still took his communication staff and photographers to Cyprus.

That's a different issue. Military matters and foreign policy matters often demand the personal involvement of the highest elected offical?

[WestViking]

If Harper showed up he would have been criticized for not donating enough money to the fight against AIDS. Maybe he decided being criticized for not being there was preferable.

That's a distinct possibility. However, generally the government leader just gives a welcoming speech to the delegates and 3000 journalists and lists what his own host country is doing in the fight against AIDs. It isn't usually that controversial.

Harper had staff with him in Cyprus - photograhers? Please show your source.

[Canuck E Stan]

That's a distinct possibility. However, generally the government leader just gives a welcoming speech to the delegates and 3000 journalists and lists what his own host country is doing in the fight against AIDs. It isn't usually that controversial.

Maybe when Martin gives his speech,he could explain why he didn't put a cheque in the mail over a year ago,when he was the head waiter.

Harper caring that 3,000 journalist are there......give me a break.

When 20,000 Shriners have their convention in Toronto

does that warrant a speech from the Prime Minister?

[jdobbin]

Harper had staff with him in Cyprus - photograhers? Please show your source.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/200...evacuation.html