I'm a graduate student studying the molecular and biochemical evolution of HIV within patients and within populations. I also study epigenetic control of ERVs.
So Bush is trying to do something good. Kind of. He established a fund in 2003 called 'PEPFAR' to pledge funds to Africa to help fight HIV/AIDS. Of course there are lots of strings attached, like ABSTINENCE ONLY education WHOOOO!!! *rolleyes* But whatever. Hes a Republican theotard-- and I suppose its the best he is capable of.
Well, PEPFAR is set to run out in 2008. Its up for renewal. It has nearly complete bipartisan support because its a 'Duh' issue. Its like putting "Chocolate is yummy" up for debate on the senate floor. Duh chocolate is yummy. Duh we need to help Africa deal with its HIV/ADIS disaster.
But notice I said *nearly* complete.
*Nearly*.
A fellow leading the fight to kill PEPFAR is none other than Oklahoma MD senator, heath adviser to John McCain, against GINA, Tom Coburn.
Why? Because the senate took out the completely arbitrary "55% must be spent on HIV/AIDS treatment" requirement to free that money up for wherever it is needed. It was a completely arbitrary number in the first place. Could have been 45%. Coulda been 60%.
But goddammit, take it out and let troops on the ground in Africa decide how best to spend the money (prevention, local clinics, etc), and TOM COBURN WILL NOT STAND FOR IT! They might spend that money in a clinic that performs... **whispers** ABORTIONS!!! Or maybe the clinic has a needle exchange program for drug addicts. **FAINTS**
So Coburn and seven other Republican idiots want PEPFAR dead.
Shorter Coburn:
Fuck Africa.
Look, Im sure Coburn has *nothing* against black people. Theres a pic of him holding a cute little black girl on his homepage.
But a far more eloquent and patient person than I put this into perspective for Dear Tom quite nicely:
Each of the Coburn Seven counts himself pro-life. If a bill came to the Senate floor that would save millions of unborn children, one assumes that pro-life members would push to improve it, accept a few necessary compromises and then enthusiastically support the legislation.It is difficult to imagine why pro-life legislation involving millions of Africans should be viewed differently.
*snort*
Politics
Comments
Alternate Shorter: "Our first priority in AIDS relief is to remedy the moral failings of those promiscuous jiggaboos overseas."
Posted by: Tyler DiPietro | May 14, 2008 10:07 PM
Dr. No strikes again.
The Senate's Dr. No WaPo
One-Man Gridlock: Meet Tom Coburn, Senate's 'Dr. No' WSJ
Slaughter's quest undone by 'Dr. No'; Senator blocks bill on gene profile bias Buffalo News
Obstructing and obfuscating, one bill at a time.
Posted by: Mariah | May 14, 2008 10:17 PM
pro-life...oh the irony. What a bastard.
CL
http://www.coutlerlewkowitz.com
Posted by: CL | May 14, 2008 10:39 PM
maybe if they add a line that says "55% of the money should be used to teach the savages about their lord and savior Jesus christ".........he would vote for it
...becasue once they know Jesus they will never have sex except for procreation and they won;t do drugs
...LOL
Posted by: CleveDan | May 14, 2008 11:12 PM
As PZ Myers observes, this is National Flaming Racist Idiot Week.
Posted by: Pierce R. Butler | May 14, 2008 11:33 PM
On behalf of my fellow Africans: "F*ck you, Tom Coburn".
Posted by: Owen Swart | May 15, 2008 6:36 AM
Since abstinence-only education tends to make the problem worse, killing it might end up having positive effects.
But he still seems like a dick.
Posted by: Boo | May 15, 2008 7:30 AM
You know, it is people like this who make me wish there really was a hell. I would be happy to share it with him simply to see his reaction. After all, didn't jeebus say, to paraphrase, he who harms a child will get my home boys sicced on em in the afterlife, or something along those lines. Unless of course, Coburn has interpreted suffer the little children to mean, make them suffer, make them really, really suffer. Sick fuck, is he trying to outcompete the catholic church on the number of Africans they can be responsible for killing.
Posted by: John Phillips, FCD | May 15, 2008 7:38 AM
This idiot is even dumb enough and sanctimonious enough to be a Rep Pres. I think the little black girl in your picture should seek legal help and sue the SOB for harassment. It sure looks like inappropriate handling to me. What do you say Senator?
Posted by: J-Dog | May 15, 2008 8:36 AM
First Sally Kern and now Tom Coburn?
Remind me to NEVER set foot in Oklahoma. That place is so wacky I doubt gravity even works anymore.
Posted by: Aaron | May 15, 2008 8:49 AM
That place is so wacky I doubt gravity even works anymore.
It doesn't work. They banned it because it's only a theory.
Posted by: Josh | May 15, 2008 8:51 AM
Is it just me, or does he look genuinely uncomfortable holding the little girl? Like he's watching carefully to make sure she doesn't bite him and infect him with something? Conversely, she looks positively traumatized by the situation. Obviously wise far beyond her years.
Posted by: ShavenYak | May 15, 2008 9:17 AM
Just when I think the fundies can't do anything more to disgust me something like this comes up. Something where they are willfully ignoring evidence from studies and harming people all so they can impose their morality on a group of people it won't help and who likely don't want any of it. A blatant act of hypocrisy too, pro-life my arse. If he were really pro-life he'd be doing anything in his power to truly help these people and pass the bill without his brand of morality being burnt into it.
Just about enough to make me want to put my pacifist nature on hold for a few so I can smack him upside the head and knock some sense into him.
Posted by: Felstatsu | May 15, 2008 10:31 AM
OT:
Abbie,
seems youve had a pretty decent increase in traffic since youve moved over to SB,good on you girl,its well earned !!!
Cheers,
Martin
Posted by: clinteas | May 15, 2008 11:00 AM
On the thread topic :
McCain strikes me as the guy you put up as candidate when you know that youve fucked up that much in the last 8 years that youre not going to win the election anyway,but youve got to have a candidate....
And as for this Coburn fellow,well if Tutu can do it....
Posted by: clinteas | May 15, 2008 11:05 AM
I was going to say 'constipated', but 'uncomfortable' works just as well.
Posted by: Ryan F Stello | May 15, 2008 12:49 PM
This is an interesting article from a few years back concerning an investigation into Abstinence Only AIDS funding.
"God and the Fight Against AIDS"
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/17963
Posted by: Nik | May 16, 2008 9:29 PM
The caption for this pic should be:
"Gosh, I hope I don't catch negro from her"
Posted by: John C. Welch | May 21, 2008 1:11 PM
AIDS in Africa is the biggest foreign policy threat this nation will have in our generation. A nation of orphans can be a dangerous thing, being steered by someone else.
We are already moving too slowly, we don't need "pro-lifers" killing more people.
Posted by: Bill Shirley | May 29, 2008 8:36 AM