Comments on: Interview with Stephen Lewis: International AIDS Activist http://dissidentvoice.org/2007/10/interview-with-stephen-lewis-international-aids-activist/ a radical newsletter in the struggle for peace and social justice Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:07:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Emerse » Blog Archive » What the World Needs Most http://dissidentvoice.org/2007/10/interview-with-stephen-lewis-international-aids-activist/#comment-17995 Emerse » Blog Archive » What the World Needs Most Wed, 09 Apr 2008 03:30:51 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2007/10/interview-with-stephen-lewis-international-aids-activist/#comment-17995 [...] Whoa. Obviously, this guy is on the front lines of some global issues. This topic is high on my radar and I believe that women’s issues are humanitarian issues (since they are half the population) Check out his list of accomplishments, awards, 26 honorary degrees etc. here . In 2005, TIME Magazine listed him among the World’s 100 Most Influential People. I looked up a few of his speeches. I resonate with excepts from an Interview at Dissidentvoice.org: [...] [...] Whoa. Obviously, this guy is on the front lines of some global issues. This topic is high on my radar and I believe that women’s issues are humanitarian issues (since they are half the population) Check out his list of accomplishments, awards, 26 honorary degrees etc. here . In 2005, TIME Magazine listed him among the World’s 100 Most Influential People. I looked up a few of his speeches. I resonate with excepts from an Interview at Dissidentvoice.org: [...]

]]> By: Matthew http://dissidentvoice.org/2007/10/interview-with-stephen-lewis-international-aids-activist/#comment-9699 Matthew Mon, 26 Nov 2007 19:39:24 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2007/10/interview-with-stephen-lewis-international-aids-activist/#comment-9699 I totally agree with what you say about harm reduction, changes in policies, etc. At the same time, I've recently read a good deal of the AIDS reappraisal literature, and I see some points in there too about inconsistencies, very different methodology in testing in Africa, and the sheer amount of money involved in the AIDS industry. Anyone who thinks that money doesn't have a huge influence in what health policies are taken is really quite naive in this world. The efficacies of AZT successors and HAART therapy has been questioned, as have many things. My science background isn't in biology, but from what I've read, there's definite points there. We really need to look at what truly works for AIDS, even rethinking what it is, and do what's best, eliminating the money trail. I totally agree with what you say about harm reduction, changes in policies, etc. At the same time, I’ve recently read a good deal of the AIDS reappraisal literature, and I see some points in there too about inconsistencies, very different methodology in testing in Africa, and the sheer amount of money involved in the AIDS industry. Anyone who thinks that money doesn’t have a huge influence in what health policies are taken is really quite naive in this world. The efficacies of AZT successors and HAART therapy has been questioned, as have many things. My science background isn’t in biology, but from what I’ve read, there’s definite points there. We really need to look at what truly works for AIDS, even rethinking what it is, and do what’s best, eliminating the money trail.

]]> By: Ceri Cat http://dissidentvoice.org/2007/10/interview-with-stephen-lewis-international-aids-activist/#comment-6726 Ceri Cat Mon, 01 Oct 2007 13:09:11 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2007/10/interview-with-stephen-lewis-international-aids-activist/#comment-6726 To be honest this is the first I've heard of the INCB however I have no trouble seeing what a pain they are, I've dealt with plenty of people who'd fit right in with them here in Australia, including our PM (thank god he can't make unilateral decisions), who'd just as soon close down our methadone program which would destroy a lot of people consciously trying to improve their lot in life. Their opinions about shooting galleries as they're popularly called here is even worse. Why these idiots think zero tolerance is the answer will never be understandable to me, all it leads to is increased harm to the individuals. My ex is a recovering junkie, and has Hep C due to having at some point been lax in needle hygiene, so I definitely understand why shooting galleries despite not necessarily being a popular solution help a lot with preventing the transmission of STDs even if they don't do anything directly about drug use. At least a few years (I can't remember exactly when it might have been upto 10 years ago in fact) ago a major drug company proposed to send millions of dollars worth of AIDS medication to Africa to help combat the infection rate and were stopped by the US government. Small bit of trivia given how the appearance is now for countries to be jumping up and down helping to provide HAART to these countries in the middle of the pandemic. It'd also be nice of them to start doing some work to deal with the problem at home. AIDS/HIV is just part of a very long list of things it'd be nice to stamp out, and right at the top of the list. To be honest this is the first I’ve heard of the INCB however I have no trouble seeing what a pain they are, I’ve dealt with plenty of people who’d fit right in with them here in Australia, including our PM (thank god he can’t make unilateral decisions), who’d just as soon close down our methadone program which would destroy a lot of people consciously trying to improve their lot in life. Their opinions about shooting galleries as they’re popularly called here is even worse. Why these idiots think zero tolerance is the answer will never be understandable to me, all it leads to is increased harm to the individuals. My ex is a recovering junkie, and has Hep C due to having at some point been lax in needle hygiene, so I definitely understand why shooting galleries despite not necessarily being a popular solution help a lot with preventing the transmission of STDs even if they don’t do anything directly about drug use.

At least a few years (I can’t remember exactly when it might have been upto 10 years ago in fact) ago a major drug company proposed to send millions of dollars worth of AIDS medication to Africa to help combat the infection rate and were stopped by the US government. Small bit of trivia given how the appearance is now for countries to be jumping up and down helping to provide HAART to these countries in the middle of the pandemic. It’d also be nice of them to start doing some work to deal with the problem at home. AIDS/HIV is just part of a very long list of things it’d be nice to stamp out, and right at the top of the list.

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