Harper Skip AIDs Conference

[geoffrey]

What's that got to do with Africans and AIDS?

It would mean you have a sexually transmitted disease.

And would mean that AIDS could be a Canadian problem quickly if we don't take steps to deal with the issue here.

[jdobbin]

And would mean that AIDS could be a Canadian problem quickly if we don't take steps to deal with the issue here.

It certainly could become a large problem in Canada. For that reason, I thought it would have been good for Harper to step up at the conference and let people know that he was taking this health issue seriously.

[Canuck E Stan]

And would mean that AIDS could be a Canadian problem quickly if we don't take steps to deal with the issue here.

AIDS approach clouded by politics

Now it's true the most successful African assault on AIDS was in Uganda, and the chief factors that brought it about were a powerful emphasis on abstinence and fidelity.

Something of a different take on AIDS came from Michael Fumento of the Hudson Institute.

It was not presented to the conference, needless to say, though it did appear in a Toronto newspaper the day the conference opened.

Fumento disclosed:

First: That AIDS peaked in Canada 13 years ago; only 272 cases were diagnosed last year. By contrast, 137,000 Canadians were diagnosed with cancer, about 19,000 with breast cancer.

Second: 38% of the new cases in Canada were homosexual males; drug users accounted for 17%; another 5% were both. The homosexual proportion is rising.

Third: As for apocalyptic prophecies on the ruin to be wrought by the disease: Back in the late '80s, one Uganda official predicted his nation "will be a desert" in two years; its population has in fact doubled.

In 1998, the UN reported 12% of Rwandans 15-49 were infected, while another agency said 30%; it turned out to be 3%. In fact, AIDS has probably already peaked in most African countries.

Fourth: The present AIDS budget "swamps" spending on malaria and tuberculosis in Africa, which kill twice as many people.

The answer to reducing most of the AIDS in Canada lies with homosexual males and drug users.

Like it has been mentioned many times on this forum,abstinence and fidelity and condoms are the solution. It's working in Uganda,it should be emphasised and practiced world-wide.

[jdobbin]

The answer to reducing most of the AIDS in Canada lies with homosexual males and drug users.

Like it has been mentioned many times on this forum,abstinence and fidelity and condoms are the solution. It's working in Uganda,it should be emphasised and practiced world-wide.

The numbers you gave still indicates that around 50% of the infection is spread by people who are not gay or drug users.

And if that is all that was needed, why couldn't Harper come out and say that? Will he say that?

[geoffrey]

I'm sure homosexual men are the biggest factor in AIDS, no doubt. But if 'closet' gays increased the spread of the disease around an obvious promiscuous population, it would spread like wildfire. 75% of women have HPV, think about that, it wouldn't be difficult to forsee major issues with AIDS.

This concerns me. I think the promiscuity is the big issue though, I still am in shock that 3 in 4 women have STDs.

[jdobbin]

The answer to reducing most of the AIDS in Canada lies with homosexual males and drug users.

Like it has been mentioned many times on this forum,abstinence and fidelity and condoms are the solution. It's working in Uganda,it should be emphasised and practiced world-wide.

AIDs is creeping up again in Uganda. In the Globe and Mail's Saturday column by Stepanie Nolen, she says there has been a condom shortage and Human Rights Watch reported HIV/AIDs material with information on condoms was removed from schools at the behest of U.S. donors.

While they might be getthing the abstinence and faithfulness part correct, they are not doing so good on the condoms part. The statistics show that HIV is creeping upward again.

[geoffrey]

Here's a radical proposition, forced testing and castration of those infected.

Not that I support this one, but it would work 100%.

[jdobbin]

Here's a radical proposition, forced testing and castration of those infected.

Not that I support this one, but it would work 100%.

Castrated men can still infect others. If you want radical then execute people upon discovery.

[betsy]

Well, let's wait and see how many pills reach Africa under Harper and Clement. I'm not holding my breath, given Harper's complete avoidance of the issue and conference. There is the shame Betsy. He's the leader now.

He did not make that promise. The LIBERALS did!

So whether he decides NOT to deliver....or decides to proceed with that promise is Harper's decision.

The point is: the LIBERALS are STILL SHAMELESSLY USING AIDS as a political tool....LYING SHAMELESSLY as they do it! They show they have NO COMPASSION at all!

FALSE HOPE is what you get with them...but I thought that it only applies to how they maintain their promises to their voters and supporters.

I didn't realize it extends to dying AIDS victims in Africa.

[betsy]

NDP Libby Davies on Question Period. When asked if she thought Harper's non-attendance was really a boo-boo, she said solemnly with those big round eyes, grave expression and studied tone for special effects: "Oh yes. This is a life or death situation."

Boy, this harping about his non-attednance has been going on for a solid week...that finally....

....I do now seriously suspect Harper must be holding the miracle cure. Or... HE IS, the miracle cure!

Maybe they want him to line up the sick and start slapping them on the forehead and say the magic cure words: "Voila! You're cured!" But then, the next thing you know, they'll be complaining about his being a televangelist!

[jdobbin]

Maybe they want him to line up the sick and start slapping them on the forehead and say the magic cure words: "Voila! You're cured!" But then, the next thing you know, they'll be complaining about his being a televangelist!

We'll see what sort of AIDs policy that the government will come up with. Perhaps it will be one that addresses the health issues involved. At some point, they will have to say something and they can be judged on that.

[Leafless]

Maybe they want him to line up the sick and start slapping them on the forehead and say the magic cure words: "Voila! You're cured!" But then, the next thing you know, they'll be complaining about his being a televangelist!

We'll see what sort of AIDs policy that the government will come up with. Perhaps it will be one that addresses the health issues involved. At some point, they will have to say something and they can be judged on that.

The only reason AIDS is on the map in North America is because of the gay community lobbyist.

Other than that AIDS is no big deal in Canada and nothing more outside of Charter changes making homosexuality illegal is all that is required.

AIDS takes care of the dumb and careless.

Hopefully Harper won't bite and save the tax payers their hard earned dollars.

[jdobbin]

The only reason AIDS is on the map in North America is because of the gay community lobbyist.

Other than that AIDS is no big deal in Canada and nothing more outside of Charter changes making homosexuality illegal is all that is required.

AIDS takes care of the dumb and careless.

Hopefully Harper won't bite and save the tax payers their hard earned dollars.

Do you see Harper making homsexuality illegal with a majority?

[geoffrey]

The only reason AIDS is on the map in North America is because of the gay community lobbyist.

Other than that AIDS is no big deal in Canada and nothing more outside of Charter changes making homosexuality illegal is all that is required.

AIDS takes care of the dumb and careless.

Hopefully Harper won't bite and save the tax payers their hard earned dollars.

Do you see Harper making homsexuality illegal with a majority?

Not a chance.

Plus, Leafless somehow thinks that all those gays that get caught with AIDS and go to prision won't continue to have sex and spread the infection. IV drug use is huge in prisions too, adding some AIDS into the mix sure seems reasonable.

[Leafless]

The only reason AIDS is on the map in North America is because of the gay community lobbyist.

Other than that AIDS is no big deal in Canada and nothing more outside of Charter changes making homosexuality illegal is all that is required.

AIDS takes care of the dumb and careless.

Hopefully Harper won't bite and save the tax payers their hard earned dollars.

Do you see Harper making homsexuality illegal with a majority?

This is hard to determine.

Aids is a lethal virus in Canadian society and has spread to heterosexuals.

In my opinion any responsible government would take some form of action on this one.

Whether this is in the form of unilateral action or includes citizens of Canada to make this decision is a tough call. Maybe the Conservatives will simply wait until public pressure demands it or simply ignore it.

Who knows Iam not Mr. Harper, but I know what I would do.

[WestViking]

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?

Someting useful, actually, which 90% of the AIDS conferenece attendees were not engaged in.

[jdobbin]

Someting useful, actually, which 90% of the AIDS conferenece attendees were not engaged in.

How would you know what 90% of the conference people were doing? Most of the plenary sessions were actual science presentations.

[Argus]

What's that got to do with Africans and AIDS?

It would mean you have a sexually transmitted disease.

What's that got to do with AIDS in Africa?

Why do I need to pay for Africans to have AIDS drugs?

[Argus]

What's that got to do with Africans and AIDS?

It would mean you have a sexually transmitted disease.

And would mean that AIDS could be a Canadian problem quickly if we don't take steps to deal with the issue here.

Cancer is already a problem, so is Alzheimers, so is heart disease, so is lung disease, so are other diseases that kill a hell of a lot more Canadians than AIDS does.

[Melanie_]

Do you see Harper making homsexuality illegal with a majority?

This is hard to determine.

Not hard to determine at all. It's not going to happen. As Trudeau once said, "The government has no place in the bedrooms of Canada."

[jbg]

Just what exactly is Harper doing this week?

Someting useful, actually, which 90% of the AIDS conferenece attendees were not engaged in.

WestViking, I know you're new here. I can see that good, droll sense of humor would help around these parts, for those who can follow it.

[geoffrey]

Cancer is already a problem, so is Alzheimers, so is heart disease, so is lung disease, so are other diseases that kill a hell of a lot more Canadians than AIDS does.

True, AIDS shouldn't be our top priority. Personally I don't really feel much an obligation to Africa on AIDS. But hey, if most people in Canada are getting STD's these days, it definitely sets up a situation where alot of people could get it fast.

And while it's simple enough to say that you have nothing to worry about if you don't sleep around, there is an economic cost to an AIDS epidemic that I don't feel like be burdened with.