Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Tories Play Politics With AIDS

Yesterday, the Conservatives were supposed to lay out their AIDS funding initiative. Just minutes before the scheduled press conference Health Minister Clement cancelled the announcement, leading to confusion and suspicion. Given the government's track record, I think it quite accurate to conclude the following:
However, the sudden cancellation left some observers wondering if it had to do with the barrage of criticism levelled against Canada for its poor performance in delivering cheap drugs to Africa, and over Prime Minister Stephen Harper's no-show at the conference.

Some speculated the Conservatives may be beefing up their funding plans to counter negative publicity over Harper's absence, or that Harper might make a surprise appearance and make the announcement himself.


Anyone believe this sad excuse?:
"That's not the case," said Eric Waddell, Clement's press secretary. "Both ministers (Clement and Verner) decided there were still some i's that have to be dotted and some t's that have to be crossed before they can make their announcement.

Cancelling 15 minutes before the announcement can only be one of two things. Either Clement's department is completely incompetent, or the Conservatives are reacting to public criticism of Harper. My prediction, the Tories are scrambling to "fluff" up the initiative, to counter further criticism. It really does make you wonder what the initial proposal would have been- my bet is mostly window dressing.

This funding snafu is entirely consistent with a now well established pattern of Harper's government's making decisions primarily for political advantage. Manipulating the AIDS funding as a response to criticism is simply disgusting. On an issue like this, the government should be guided by its moral compass, not kneejerk reactions to political climate. Apparently, Harper prefers damage control, over ethical responsibility.

You could argue I jump the gun in criticizing the government. However, this cancellation is really so transparent, it would seem the motivation is obvious. The government will now announce an "unprecedented" funding package, that "turns the page" on the AIDS epidemic. Gag, cough. These people really do take us all for fools.

UPDATE
Another Minister gets cold feet. It's almost like the Conservatives are afraid of getting AIDS or something.

12 comments:

Andrew said...

The only ones "playing politics with AIDS" are those on the left who are throwing hissy fits because Stephen Harper didn't attend. As if the man's presence somehow helps fight the disease.... cripes.

Steve V said...

"As if the man's presence somehow helps fight the disease"

It shows concern, that you see this fight as a priority. The fact this was held in Harper's home country, makes his no show all the more ridiculous.

Mike said...

Ironically, the worst insult here is that Harper is acting (yet again, I might add) just like Chretien.


So much for being different.

Good to see Layton, Graham and McGuinty there....

Michael Fox said...

Your title implies that everybody else *doesn't* play politics with AIDS.. which is a pretty hilarious claim.

Michael Fox said...

As if people like McGuinty actually give a sh*t about AIDS beyond scoring a few votes...

Anonymous said...

Thanks for making a determined effort to keep us in the know about what's going on in the never ending gong show we refer to as government. ;)

Steve V said...

tt

I know its hard for a Conservative to believe someone might actually do something without a direct benefit to themselves. Get back to me when you evolve :)

Michael Fox said...

Wow, that was insightful..

Dalton McGuinty is hardly an example of evolution. I hope you you don't sincerely believe that someone like that cares about anyone..

Robb said...

Maybe they are just tired of putting in the effort of showing up just to have jerks boo and heckle them. Hell of a way to advance your cause.

Steve V said...

What effort? You guys are a riot.

Anonymous said...

Two comments:
Back in the mid-60s, during the flag debate, Lester Pearson stepped into a Canadian Legion to give a speech. Inside were hundreds of veterans, many of whom considered the idea of Canada flying anything but the U-jack a treason offence. During his speech he was loudly booed, but he stood there and took it, knowing that as an elected official he would have to face the music and defend his decision.
A few years later, while as a minister who would run for the leadership, Pierre Trudeau attended a parade in Quebec during a time when separatists were angry. From his podium he could hear jeers. Then a few people started throwing items at the stage. Trudeau stood his post, despite the prompting from security to leave. He stood there and took it, staring the cowards down.
These are true leaders. Harpor couldn't lick their boots -- he infact doesn't realize that he represents all Canadians, but prefers to pandor and support ignorance.
Second point: This is not the first time Harpor has shown what I'd call disrespect for a leader from another country. After taking office, Harpor's staff were busy arranging his schedule and all the plans for official visits. Their goal was to have like-minded people make official stops and wrote down John Howard's visit to Ottawa as the first official leader to meet Harpor. However, the fact is that a previous schedule had the Haitian leader coming to Ottawa a few weeks earlier. To remedy the dilemma, and knowing that an official visit from the beleaguered Haitian president would put a spotlight on Canada and obviously Harpor's interest in helping poorer nations, thus providing a soft story for the 'liberal-minded media (who were quickly becoming enemy #1-B on Harpor's list), they turned the visit into 'a private affair'. The foreign leader was hustled in and out the back door, no photo op, no joint press conference or public event. Harpor made sure that it wouldn't ruin his hoped for 'debut' with the republican-songsheet seller Howard...
This PM is a travesty, using our soldiers as a prop in parliament to wedge between the public and the opposition; he shows no compassion for those who are not neo-conservative favourite causes; he has reached out to pandor to an increasing number of groups, never hinting at just where a majority-led gov't would drop the axe to pay for it all -- in fact, he has pushed us close to deficit with his expenditures; he believes in Bush's new world order, and therefore really despises the image carved out by Canadians as peacekeepers and peaceseekers (read his letter to the US Financial Post in 2003 to see how he's ready to pander to Americans); he consistently has shown that the 'accountability' mantra was just a cover, breaking promises left and right. He is a naked monarch in a democracy. Make sure to keep up the talk about where he is letting Canadians down -- letters, call-in shows, don't let the talking neo-classes dominate the discussion!

Steve V said...

burl

Well said!