Bush to give Aids Research Money to Christian Groups

[Patrick]

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/health...revention.html

How is this not wrong? Money to fund the research for curing Aids given to Religious Groups to use in Religious Propaganda

[timlw]

Shameful! Not surprising but very shameful. It's more about pushing a moral agenda than trying to prevent AIDS. There should be charges filed for 'crimes against humanity'. This kind of thing makes me sick.

t

[bwelsh]

Religious organizations last year accounted for more than 23 percent of all groups that got HIV/AIDS grants, according to State Department estimates. Some 80 percent of all secular and religious grant recipients were based in the countries where the aid is targeted.

Who else is going to do it Patrick, you. I have been to Africa, it's a shithole. I took shots for eighteen months before going because of all the diease there. I think these groups should be commended. If you want to make things better in Africa, start an org. get some of the "evil" emperors money and go make a difference. I'm a bettin' you won't though, it's easier to bitch behind a keyboard.

[KevinG]

I see another interesting and entertaining Patrick & Brad Show in the works. Awesome. Where's the popcorn?

[Patrick]

Originally Posted by bwelsh

Who else is going to do it Patrick, you. I have been to Africa, it's a shithole. I took shots for eighteen months before going because of all the diease there. I think these groups should be commended.

You are confusing my point with your own agenda Brad. I have nothing against christian organizations having their own opinion on how to deal with the Aids Issue.

What we are dealing with is My Tax Dollars being used for something other than what they were set aside for.

The funding for Aids Prevention and Research is just for that. Aids Research and Prevention - I am not saying the money was wasted, just improperly distributed. Just like I say If you start a war because you think Saddam is a bad leader, don't lie about WMDs to scare the world into doing it.

Abstinence Propaganda is only ignoring the issue and using a horrible disease to push a Religious Agenda. I have had 2 friends die of this disease and still know 1 more still with the disease. I know a lot more than most people want to know about it.

[ram416]

Originally Posted by Patrick

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/health...revention.html

How is this not wrong? Money to fund the research for curing Aids given to Religious Groups to use in Religious Propaganda

I'm afraid I have to agree to some degree with Patrick, but not entirely. The "concept" of abstinence as a control method is sound, but completely unrealistic. And that’s where this use the money is stupid.

Education, and the use of prophylactics, has greatly reduced the incidence of HIV in our country. The problem here is you can’t apply our cultural standards to another’s. Even if you attempt to educate the people as to what risky actions lead to the transmission of the HIV virus, their culture most likely would overrule any information we disseminate. So, finding a cure is the only real answer.

So, where should the money go? To the Byzantine hallways of government funded research with the usual suspects getting all the funds? I don’t know if I have the answer, but would like to see a merit based research grant request method that would allow the smaller players and colleges get more into the game.

[Patrick]

I guess my main point is:

That is not what the money was intended for. It was intended to be used in research into AIDS prevention and medication. Scientific research on medicinal ways to "cure" AIDS.

The answer is not as easy as abstaining from sex. The virus still exists.

[ram416]

Originally Posted by Patrick

The answer is not as easy as abstaining from sex. The virus still exists.

I never said it was that easy, and I agreed that a cure was the ultimate solution, but I did give a "man of faith" an acknowledgment, even if I found his actions asinine.

Bush’s actions are sometimes a mystery to me, but I can understand his motivations. Doesn’t mean I agree with them, but I can understand from whence they come. This is one of those “religion over logic” cases I have to scratch my head about. He’s not the only person who gives me moments like that, but at least he’s consistent with them. :P

[Iceman]

I agree with Patrick.

You are confusing my point with your own agenda Brad. I have nothing against christian organizations having their own opinion on how to deal with the Aids Issue.

What we are dealing with is My Tax Dollars being used for something other than what they were set aside for.

I also agree with Ram

I'm afraid I have to agree to some degree with Patrick, but not entirely. The "concept" of abstinence as a control method is sound, but completely unrealistic. And that’s where this use the money is stupid.

In the past 20 years untold billions of dollars, euros, etc have been poured into sub-saharan Africa and the aids problem is still out of control. I hate seeing my tax dollars spent without seeing any results. Like Brad, I have been to Africa, Kenya to be exact, and it was a shithole. Most of the problem is the corrupt leaders in most of the African nations. The money sent to combat aids get skimmed by these leaders for their private use. It really pisses me off to see my tax dollars spent this way especially if they go to groups that plan to evangelize under the guise of preverting aids. If I have to see my tax dollars poured down the drain, I want strings attached.

[bwelsh]

You are confusing my point with your own agenda Brad.

Didn't know I had one. But, if you say so O.K.

I have not known anyone with AIDS and cannot imagine what it was like to watch your friends die. I am sorry for that. But, these "Religious Groups" as you call them, mostly Christian, are the only people who will go to places like Africa, Hati....Do you want a private company to go. What would the salary base be, if you live and do not get AIDS yourselves we will give you full pay and benefits. What if these groups were Budahists or Muslim. Would that be better? Wouldn't happen. Just because Christians "spread" the word in a place with no hope doesn't mean your tax dollars are being misrepresented. To give people hope in a place that has none is a noble and worth while cause. I will give my money to that any day.

As far as finding a cure, absolutely. I think there have been many strides made in the fight against AIDS. I also know the current gov has given more money to the cause than any admin in the past.

[Patrick]

Originally Posted by bwelsh

D But, these "Religious Groups" as you call them, mostly Christian, are the only people who will go to places like Africa, Hati....

Wrong, there are many groups going in and trying to help. The Christian Organizations may be telling their people that they are the only ones helping. But that is simply wrong.

[bwelsh]

TELL ME WHO.

[BlackKnight-cr]

I have not paid any attention to what that shithead president has been doing lately but after skimming this thread I will look more closely. What Africa needs is better equipped hospitals and medicine and sex ed not religious ed. Aids is first a health issue and a moral issue second or lower
I have to reload my ammo for this one so for now these are my only words.