Bush: We Will Turn The Tide Against AIDS

President Pushes Congress For An Additional $30B For Global Initiatives

(AP)  President Bush urged Congress on Friday to approve an additional $30 billion for the global fight against AIDS over the next five years, and announced he would visit Africa early next year to further highlight the need and his administration's efforts.

“We dedicate ourselves to a great purpose: We will turn the tide against HIV/AIDS - once and for all,” Bush said. “I look forward to seeing the results of America's generosity.”

Bush chose the gymnasium at Calvary United Methodist Church in this tiny western Maryland town to make his remarks. The church supports a Christian group home and school in Namibia for children orphaned by the disease. Before speaking, he met with representatives from churches and other religious groups that have been fighting AIDS, part of his attempt to highlight his belief that faith-based organizations are the best vehicles for such work.

Evangelical Christians, who make up a large and influential portion of Bush's political support, have been key to his policies increasing U.S. involvement in the fight against AIDS, particularly in Africa. Bush has been said to believe that the United States, and his administration, do not get enough credit for the work being done on the issue.

“Every year American taxpayers send billions of their hard-earned dollars overseas to save the lives of people they have never met,” he said.

But “in return for this extraordinary generosity, Americans expect results,” the president said, adding that his program demands measurable progress, accountability and the involvement of local partners. The result: The number of people in sub-Saharan Africa receiving treatment for AIDS has gone from 50,000 five years ago to nearly 1.4 million now, he said.

“We have pioneered a new model for public health,” Bush said. “So far, the results have been striking.”

In May, the last time he devoted a speech to the topic, Bush asked Congress to double the $15 billion that the U.S. committed over the program's first five years to therapy, testing and counseling through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. The program is active in 120 countries, with a concentrated focus on 15, including Namibia, in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and the Caribbean.

As of the end of September, 1.36 million people in those focus countries had received antiretroviral treatment through the program, with a focus on averting infant infections by treating pregnant women. Others receive testing and counseling.

“Some call this remarkable success. I call it a good start,” Bush said.

Doubling the funding for PEPFAR would provide treatment for 2.5 million people, the White House said.

In honor of Saturday's World AIDS Day, the White House hung a red ribbon - 28 feet tall and 8 feet wide - in the North Portico of the mansion to symbolize the fight against AIDS. It will stay up for two days and, on Saturday, guests who visit the White House will receive a red ribbon sticker and a fact card.

The White House also said Friday that the Department of Homeland Security will publish a final rule this winter aiming to help reduce discrimination against those living with the virus that causes AIDS. The new rule would establish a categorical waiver for HIV-positive people seeking to enter the United States on short-term visas. A 1993 law prohibits HIV-positive people from receiving visas to visit the United States without a waiver. A categorical waiver will enable HIV-positive people to enter the United States for short visits through a streamlined process.

[allunknowing]

Deputy Bush and his religious beliefs need to just leave.

01.20.09 - a good day to come.

[yongamerica]

We Will turn the tide of AIDS on to al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden.

Where is that cowboy Bush''s wanted posters for that guy anyway? blowing around on his ranch like sagebrush? What a sheriff.

[yongamerica]

Did you notice his bill approves funding, but doesn''t provide the funding? Did you notice that this bill spills into another presidency''s budget, which is already chocked by Bush''s huge Federal debt he is passing on to the next guy?

Did you notice that Bush''s religious beliefs prevented him from passing this bill while he was going to be in office and give it some teeth? Anyone remember how his presence was sorely noticeable in international gatherings to discuss the AIDS crisis?

And GW Bush also approved funding to put a man on Mars. Big deal.

[standlee5]

Teaching women in Africa abstinance may just be the firs steps t empowerment. Women saying "no" is what moved us out of the caveman days. Neststep get the govts. to recognize and prosecute rape.

[rushlimpdrug]

Posted by mudrose

Hey dumbazz, how about you moving to conservative africa? There they teach abstinence and see how great that works.
It''s the same as "shock and awe shuks"

[jncc1701]

Posted by mudrose at 08:44 AM : Dec 03, 2007
Just like the Dimnowits support abortion, passing out condoms, giving 11 years old birth control and creating laws eliminating parental controls, supporting same-s/ex marriage; porn shops on every corner in America and on line - compliments of the ACLU. Compassionate liberalism have done much to support the spread of AIDS and other STDs. With all that freedom to *** around I wouldn''''t worry about no child left behind and clear air.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wow what an intellectual giant - you must be a Republican.
Of course we liberals want 11 year olds to watch porn and use condoms - it is our master plan, now if we can get the Middle east to get it on - they might be too busy to fly planes into our financial buildings.
How did we get our master plan by you Republican? Thank goodness for Bush and the fine job he is doing protecting us from *** and condoms. Now if he can get his kids to abstain....

[citizenusa-2009]

TOO LATE bUSH-- You are going down in history as the person second only to Hitler for causing world destruction, suffering and death.
Posted by middleman8

I AGREE middleman8! We ALL know enough enough about history NOW, to spot Bush''s brand of evil. His transparant attempts to repair his sickening legacy is an INSULT to our collective intelligence. **** BUSH!!!!!

[mudrose-2009]

30 billion for aids and not a dime for health care for our own kids(remember the veto)so the parents can pay the bill for you Aids project To Africa.You really are as dumb as you look.

Posted by labombaOH

Which kids. The ones that are already on insurance and whose parents make $70,000 plus in income? Are those the poor children that aren''t being put on universal healthcare?

[mudrose-2009]

TOO LATE bUSH-- You are going down in history as the person second only to Hitler for causing world destruction, suffering and death.
Posted by middleman8

Just like Chavez. Before you call someone Hitler, know your history. Obviously you don''t.

[mudrose-2009]

this speech is only for political gain. any governmental initiative bush makes in regards to hiv/aids will be as empty as "no child left behind", the "clean air act", and "compassionate conservativism".
Posted by bigsk8fan

Just like the Dimnowits support abortion, passing out condoms, giving 11 years old birth control and creating laws eliminating parental controls, supporting same-s/ex marriage; porn shops on every corner in America and on line - compliments of the ACLU. Compassionate liberalism have done much to support the spread of AIDS and other STDs. With all that freedom to *** around I wouldn''t worry about no child left behind and clear air.