http://www.datalounge.com/datalounge/news/record.html?record=14006 Despite Outcry, Bush AIDS Office Gutted
Tuesday, 3 April 2001

WASHINGTON -- In early February, the Bush administration was thrown into a very public and highly embarrassing scramble over published reports that the White House intended to abolish executive level offices on AIDS and race relations.

On February 7, after a confused morning of contradictory statements following an article outlining the move in USA Today, the White House was forced to issue a statement intended to reassure the public on the Bush administration's continuing commitment to keeping the offices on AIDS and race relations open.

"We're concerned about AIDS inside our White House," George W. Bush told reporters after a presentation pushing his tax cut scheme. "Make no mistake about it."

Less than one month after that embarrassing debacle, however, the Washington Post reports the only thing left of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy is a Web site directing callers to an empty office with a telephone that no one answers.

The newspaper reports the 35-member Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS is not sure if it still exists. The Post says four letters seeking clarification from its chairman, Ronald Dellums, to Bush and the Health and Human Services secretary, Tommy Thompson, have so far gone unanswered.

The interdepartmental task force on AIDS has yet to meet.

"At a time when statistics show AIDS is ravishing the African-American community, the Bush administration needs to show this issue is a priority," said the Human Rights Campaign's Winnie Stachelberg in February. The response from the Bush White House, so far, has shown precisely the opposite.

Citing several sources, The Post says AIDS activists, members of Congress, foreign governments and international institutions are expressing growing unease and agitation over evidence of official and methodical disengagement on the issue of AIDS policy.

-- Cherri (jessam5@home.com), April 05, 2001

Answers

What is the per capita victim dollars spent on AIDS treatment and research as compared to other diseases including cancer? I have no data but my guess is that more is spent per capita on AIDS than on most diseases. Happy to be proven wrong.

-- Lars (larsguy@yahoo.com), April 05, 2001.

Let those rump rangers die off.

-- Mymoneyismine (homos@go.home), April 05, 2001.

Don't forget the needle-sharers.

-- Lars (larsguy@yahoo.com), April 05, 2001.

don't forget hemophiliacs.

-- (youbunch@piss.ers), April 05, 2001.

Just a note:

As pointed out by many, this is another classical Bushism:

"We're concerned about AIDS inside our White House,"

Best Wishes,,,,

Z

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), April 05, 2001.

There was a German, an Italian and a Redneck on death row. The warden gave them a choice of three ways to die:

1 was to be shot

2 was to be hung

3 was to be injected with the AIDS virus for a slow death

So the German said, "Shoot me right in the head." (Boom, he was dead instantly).

Then the Italian said, "Just hang me." (Snap, he was dead.)

Then the Redneck said, "Give me some of that AIDS stuff." They gave him the shot, and the redneck fell down laughing. The guards looked at each other and wondered what was wrong with this guy. Then the Redneck said, "Give me another one of those shots," so the guards did. Now he was laughing so hard, tears rolled from his eyes Finally the warden said, "What the hell is wrong with you?" The Redneck replied, "You guys are so stupid..... I'm wearing a condom."

-- a (funny_joke@for.you), April 05, 2001.

Let those rump rangers die off.

-- Mymoneyismine (homos@go.home), April 05, 2001.

For those easily offended, dont read the following, please.

Dear My Money:

IF you ONLY had one clue, you could maybe catch the bus. Or otoh, IF you ever make it to OZ, lemme know, cuz I'm sure they 'may' find you a brain.

Judgemental? Yep, your above statement shows it all. I could go on and on, but it would do no good, once an ASS always an ASS.

Be SURE of one thing, you WILL know someone ONE DAY who has HIV. Perhaps it will be a loved one. Tell me, will you dance at their funeral?

-- sumer (shh@aol.con), April 11, 2001.