EDITORIAL: Problems with PEPFAR

You are dead wrong on PEPFAR and should be ashamed for perpetuating the stigma and ignorance that still exists for people with HIV/AIDS. First of all, this bill does not "promote" sterilization or "abortion". It does provide funding for CONDOMS and instruction for women (and men) on HOW TO USE THEM. Most women in these nations acquire HIV from their own husbands. Then, pass it onto their unborn children while in childbirth. Regarding the travel ban that was originated when we did not know if HIV was "airborne", how it was transmitted - is outdated and a blatant violation of civil rights. The US is one of the ONLY countries that still has this arcane law in effect. It is counterproductive. Also, most "immigrants" get HIV AFTER they come into the country, not before. It's time to stop the ideological ideas that only perpetuate the spread of this disease.

PEPFAR... Ah yes, attempting to repeal the ban on travel (for HIV positive folks) to the USA that the redneck old coot Jessee Helms helped to instigate all those years ago. Well it is about time. Helms is dead. Let his works die with him. We are not going to be over run with people seeking to move to the HOMELAND (the fascist weasel word for USA) for treatment of AIDs. For one thing, our medical treatment of indigents frankly su__s, and everyone knows it. Heck, even those of us with insurance can barely afford medical care! (see: General Motors dropping health care for older retirees that GM wishes would just drop dead anyway). Insofar as the rest of this bill... Why do you and yours have no problem with blowing up people overseas in Iraq to the tune of 10 + bN dollars a month and building billion dollar stadiums for football teams, but when it comes to actually educating people or tending to the sick or giving food aid, you always have some major complaint about it? Shame on you. Dana Curtis Kincaid

So you wish the US to be the only country, in addition to Armenia, Colombia, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Sudan, and Yemen – to continue with this ban? These are the twelve 'enlightened' countries of the world? Perhaps the editorial board of the Washington Times should come into the latter part of the 20th c. if not the 21st century. For shame!