In a blistering Newsweek op-ed, six members of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS publicly explained their reasons for resigning from the group.
As advocates for people living with HIV, we have dedicated our lives to combating this disease and no longer feel we can do so effectively within the confines of an advisory body to a president who simply does not care.
The Trump Administration has no strategy to address the on-going HIV/AIDS epidemic, seeks zero input from experts to formulate HIV policy, and—most concerning—pushes legislation that will harm people living with HIV and halt or reverse important gains made in the fight against this disease.
After noting the Trump administration’s move to take down the Office of National AIDS Policy website immediately upon inauguration, the group also specifically singles out the suffering that will be caused by Republican efforts to roll back both Medicaid and patient protections.
While these actions and others are gravely worrisome to us as HIV advocates, the final straw for us—more like a two-by-four than a straw—is President Trump’s handling of health care reform. [...]
Between reinstating that paradox by defunding Medicaid expansion, imposing per-person caps on benefits, and/or block granting the program, the changes to Medicaid contemplated by the American Health Care Act would be particularly devastating for people living with HIV. [...]
Because we do not believe the Trump Administration is listening to—or cares—about the communities we serve as members of PACHA, we have decided it is time to step down.
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BLAST FROM THE PAST
At Daily Kos on this date in 2003—It’s a quagmire:
Things are going from bad to worse, and we don't even have a full-fledged guerilla war on our hands yet.
In another violence-wracked day, another US soldier was killed, while US troops shot two protesters dead.
Protesters throwing stones at military convoys. Massive crowds protesting the US occupation. Temperatures in the 110s. Out of work, desperate former Iraqi soldiers. Heavy-handed US tactics. Lack of basic services.
With these ingredients, is it really surprising that we have lost 52 soldiers since Bush's GI Joe moment on the USS Lincoln?
Update: Jesus, two more. What's distressing is that these attacks will further embolden future attacks, as the mighty, invincible American military machine exposes its weaknesses.
Against a set foe, there is little any enemy can do against US military hardware and cash. But against guerrilla fighters, our guys are nothing more than sitting ducks.
And the worst part is, we have seen NOTHING to justify this war. Not even "freedom" -- it's clear that Iraqis do not have any freedom of protest, lest they're willing to brave a facefull of bullets. Freedom to choose their own government? Not going to happen. A free press? No way.
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