HIV is AIDS denier may have killed hundreds of thousands

Remember the people claiming that “HIV wasn’t AIDS, it’s a conspiracy by The Man” and other nonsense? Turns out the South African government’s role in that stupidity may have cost over 350,000 their lives by not getting the medicine that would have slowed down the HIV virus:

The Harvard researchers quantified the human cost of that inaction by comparing the number of people who got antiretrovirals in South Africa from 2000 to 2005 with the number the government could have reached had it put in place a workable treatment and prevention program.

They estimated that by 2005, South Africa could have been helping half those in need but had reached only 23 percent. By comparison, Botswana was already providing treatment to 85 percent of those in need, and Namibia to 71 percent.

Bangkok’s airport overrun by demonstrators

Wow – now this is the power of the people in action. Thousands of protesters against their government have shut down their airport. The protest seems to be mostly peaceful, and annoying, but in a land where tourism is such a big deal this could be a huge blow.

Bailout biggest government expendature so far

Turns out cleaning up after the Bush administration is costly. Really costly. As in – $4.6 trillion, which adjusted for inflation is the biggest US government expenditure ever.

And evidently, we’re not done yet.

Oh – the irony. NBC kicks out environmental pill on – green week

Um. I know – the economy is bad. But – there’s also bad timing when NBC fires the environmental unit during green week.

Yup – right in the middle of Green Week, say bye-bye to the show “Forecast Earth.” The irony – it burns!

The real reason why Republicans oppose universal health care

It’s not just because Republicans believe the market will fix all ills. Turns out, the real reason why conservatives oppose health care reform for the US is simply political – if it passes, then Democrats can have a better claim to helping the working man.

All the way back in 1993 Bill Kristol wrote why:

December 2, 1993 – Leading conservative operative William Kristol privately circulates a strategy document to Republicans in Congress. Kristol writes that congressional Republicans should work to “kill” — not amend — the Clinton plan because it presents a real danger to the Republican future: Its passage will give the Democrats a lock on the crucial middle-class vote and revive the reputation of the party. Nearly a full year before Republicans will unite behind the “Contract With America,” Kristol has provided the rationale and the steel for them to achieve their aims of winning control of Congress and becoming America’s majority party. Killing health care will serve both ends. The timing of the memo dovetails with a growing private consensus among Republicans that all-out opposition to the Clinton plan is in their best political interest. Until the memo surfaces, most opponents prefer behind-the-scenes warfare largely shielded from public view. The boldness of Kristol’s strategy signals a new turn in the battle. Not only is it politically acceptable to criticize the Clinton plan on policy grounds, it is also politically advantageous. By the end of 1993, blocking reform poses little risk as the public becomes increasingly fearful of what it has heard about the Clinton plan.

Wow. So – that’s it? Because it would make the Democrats look better? I mean, ignore doing what’s right for people, or what would be economically useful. Nope – oppose health care reform because it’ll make the Democrats look better.

Asstastic!

Why are we bailing out wall street, but not the auto dealers/

Why? Some would say because with a strong wall street, they can finance the bankruptcy and rebuild of the auto dealers. Others would argue that there’s more financial interest for politicians to save wall street, which their own financial futures are tied.

Perhaps its simply, as a union worker said:

“If you take a shower before you go to work, the government’s got money to help you out. If you take a shower after you come home from work, they don’t.”

Strike! Strike! Strike! From Hollywood. Again.

Last time it was the Writers’ Guild, now it’s the Screen Actor’s Guild looking for more money before they’ll portray people before a camera.

Well, I guess that’ll give time for the writers to come up with better story lines for Heroes.

Carter’s trip to Zimbabwe – Denied!

Evidently, being a humanitarian isn’t enough for Zimbabwe to come visit the country. Nope – evidently, Cater and former UN head Kofi Annan have been blocked from going into Zimbabwe to monitor that nations humanitarian crisis.

Turns out Zimbabwe isn’t “blocking”, just “delaying” the visit. You know – until after the people involved in the crisis have been shut up. Or killed.

Over 3/4 of American middle class not financially secure

Not enough money in savings, lacking in health care, and job security is low – no wonder the new Middle Class Security Index shows that 76% of American middle class are not financially secure.

How do I rank? I’m in the “ok” range. I’m trying to get my savings back up after buying my house, but still – that there are so many on the brink is scary. And I’m not much better – if my family (or I) gets sick and the insurance doesn’t cover enough, I’d be screwed.

Obama promises 2.5 million jobs. And not just as quickie mart

So Obama’s gone and done it now – he’s promised to give 2.5 million good paying jobs to Americans, through his energy and jobs program.

He wants a big enough stimulus plan to matter, jobs for people, and health care. The question is – is Congress going to be willing to open up the purse strings that far?