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Here's what politicians should understand about HIV/AIDS

MARK WAINBERG

From Wednesday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 8:01 AM EST 15/08/06

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  1. Vic Murai from Canada writes: George Bush has made a very wise decision in not allowing Steve Harper to attend the AIDS conference in Toronto. It seems that each time Steve opens his mouth, he puts his foot into it and the public opinion polls on the Conservative Government drops drastically. Well done, George.
  2. Michael Butler from Woodview, Canada writes: Our Prime Minister can't appear (not even a video welcome!) at the premier international conference addressing the greatest health crisis of our times because of a "scheduling conflict"? Perhaps this is an excuse more appropriate for non-attendance at ribbon cuttings and strawberry socials. Sadly, Mr. Harper has, by default, alligned himself with those geopolitical forces whose cruelly averted gaze has allowed HIV-AIDS to cut such a viscious swath through humanity. I will remember this the next time I cast a vote for a federal representative.
  3. gerhard beck from Canada writes: This article should be required reading for our highfalutin prime minister who is more concerned about possible arctic oilfields than global warming and shows his being a dinosaur in more ways than one, including by not attending the Aids conference. He may run into some gay people and others who may ask for promised assistance from our government. 13 million orphans in Africa, can Harper read? Does he care at all?
  4. Patrick Bramwell from Canada writes: What a "constructive" post from Vic Murai! In fact, what a "constructive" article from Mark Wainberg: he pleads for more politicians to attend the AIDS conference. At the start of the conference (opened by the Governor-General with the Health Minister in attendance), though, he goes out of his way to slam the Prime Minister for NOT being there, getting the trained seals in the audience to give Wainberg a standing ovation. How to win friends and influence people, big time. Harper has many duties as Prime Minister. How many AIDS conferences did Chretien, Martin attend? Canada does as much as any other country, and a great deal more than most others, for the AIDS cause. So do the Americans. But what we are seeing is the AIDS activist lobby, allied with the anti-American lobby and the crazy fringe of the homosexual lobby gearing up for the next election. Work with government if change is needed. However, if you hate the elected government for ideologicaql reasons, and are consumed with anti-Bush bile, don't expect politicians to spend a great deal of time with you.
  5. J Francis from Canada writes: It is shamefull that Steve Harper has chosen to fly to the North (hey Steve... it will still be there a week from now) and have his pictures taken; rather than attend the opening of this meeting.
  6. Zando Lee from Vancouver, Canada writes: ....boy, you really blew this one Stevie...by embarking on this breast-beating northern campaign instead of attending the AIDS conference, you have reinforced the widely-held belief that you and your party are homophobic...this makes you completely unfit to govern.
  7. Gerry Pankhurst from westport, Canada writes: To post #1: You wish! The silly speak continues. The Prime Minister showed once again that he knows what he is doing by not attending. He sent the Health Minister and what happened? It became a field day for left wing hecklers. Ergo; the conference became politicized and the media, you and your fellow tavellers fell for it. The focus was to be AIDS but it lost out to criticism such as yours that has absolutely nothing to do with aims of the conference. Did you follow the events or simply zero in a chance to coin meaningless sarcastic comment? Try some constructive comment. It may make you feel better.

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