It is sad to think that a nation that prides itself on being the ‘Greatest Democracy Ever’ has not made a passing grade on its treatment of AIDS on any global sense. It is perhaps just one of many harsh realities of today’s homophobic America. Or perhaps too it is maybe the fault of an administration that hasn’t a clue on how to put its shoes on, let alone manage affairs of state. To some it comes as no surprise either, but in some ways it does to me.
I know a fair number of American citizens. For the most part they are very nice people. Warn, hospitable, and charming even. Sure some are your typical stereo type, but that is true of any segment of society. There are Gays who are arrogant, or racist too. Still it surprises me how so many have simply accepted that the current administration has done very little in the main areas of fighting this pandemic.
The 2006 report card gives the government and F for prevention, a D for care and treatment, F for research, C for its global response and an F for ending AIDS related discrimination. (full story)
It is like being back in the stone age really at how this Administration has dealt with issues like prevention. I mean to push ‘abstinence’ as the only real course of action leaves a great deal to be desired. Sex Education is one key element in fighting not just AIDS, but in fighting a host of sexual related problems. STDs come to mind, as does homophobia even. Yet the current Republican administration seems locked in a stone age mentality that if you ignore it, it will simply go away.
Sure they get a better mark for treatment and even for awareness. Unfortunately eveything they do, they attach strings tied into their religious convictions. Its an odd way of doing business. When people are dying they will agree to about anything, but boy will they remember that should things improve for them.
I suppose what stunned me the most is that on the 25th anniversary of the first AIDS case is when Bush chose to introduce his plan to amend the US Constitution to make marriage an exclusive club for hetrosexuals.
But, in June on the 25th anniversary of the day that the first AIDS case was reported by the Centers for Disease Control, President Bush held a press conference to call on Congress to pass an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would permanently ban same-sex couples from enjoying equal rights and protections of marriage. The president, surrounded by some of the most virulent anti-gay and homophobic voices in the nation, told the amendment’s proponents, “I’m proud to stand with you.” (see story)
Perhaps that in itself highlights the problem with Bush and his Republicans. To attack people on such a date, shows the callous approach they have towards AIDS. In fact I would wager they still actually buy into the religious bullshit, that AIDS is a Gay Disease and is in essence GOD’s retribution for us sinners.
Kind of explains it maybe. Still I wonder, will anything change with the Democrats in charge? After all it was Hilary who held up passage of the renewal of the Ryan White bill.
