The [him] moderator has received the two comments below in response to the posting on Laura Bush on 27 December ...
The issue is not whether the [him] moderator likes or dislikes Ms Bush. He would like to see more comment and action on Burma / Myanmar by elected leaders. Ms Bush's only qualification for commenting on Burma / Myanmar appears to be her marriage to a war criminal.
Check means to "slow the progress" of something. There have been for the last ten years prevention activities that are now having an impact on the nation's epidemic and HIV is no longer spreading unchecked throughout the country. There may be parts of the country where HIV prevalence is rising. But the [him] moderator cannot agree that it is unchecked.
The [him] moderator applauds the BCUK efforts to increase the total amount and equitable coverage of aid to Burma / Myanmar. And he supports Dr Leo's efforts to increase treatment for Burman refugees in Thailand.
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comment 1
BCUK has been running a campaign to increase aid to Burma, and to ensure aid reaches all parts of Burma. Already we have persuaded the UK gov to double aid. Now you report amazing news, that HIV is not spreading unchecked. Have I missed something? Has the regime stopped blocking aid to ethnic areas? Is the 3D fund suddenly able to reach all parts of the country? Or is the regime now providing health services in ethnic areas? Regardless of whether or not you like the US Presidents wife, the fact is there are still significant parts of Burma where diseases such as HIV are spreading unchecked.
Mark Farmaner
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comment 2
No body elected you moderator either. I fail to see how being elected justifies your satement. It sounds like you just don't like Laura Bush, OK fine just say that if you must. Maybe it would be better to look for what is positive in each persons efforts and contributions.
I live near Ranong Thailand and there is a very large Burmese population in the region. I have traveled extensively in Burma and I work specifically at finding sources and making ARV's available to clinics treatring the HIV infected. Honestly, "unchecked" is not the choise of word I would have made, but from my experience, I really don't see any inacuracy in her statement. Stigmatization is a huge problem with this population and specifically with farm workers and fishermen, they really don't have even a basic knowledge about transmission prevenmtion! The awareness Mrs. Bush has created about Burma in the US has clearly made it a little bit easier for me to get more meds to more folks. And that just might translate to saving a life or two or three. One person at a time. So please lets be a little more tolerant and mature.
Respectfully,
Dr. U Leo
