U.S. Blocks Cheap Drugs Agreement
Comments: 6
Once again it seems that profits trump humanitarianism. Am I just in a bad mood or is the U.S. turning into a really nasty place?
US blocks cheap drugs agreement
BBCThe United States has blocked an international agreement to allow poor countries to buy cheap drugs.
This means millions of poor people will still not have access to medicines for diseases such as HIV/Aids, malaria and tuberculosis.
US negotiators say the deal would allow too many drugs patents to be ignored.
Talks have now been rescheduled for February, but the international medical organisation, Medecins Sans Frontieres, told the BBC that there was little chance of them succeeding.
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Posted to General Rants • 2002.12.22 (Sun) • 12:10
Comments
Posted by Blaine Hilton 2002.12.22, 13:27
This seems to top off our countries feelings to the world. Sorry mister I know you are dying, but this companies patent is more important then your life! Geeze, no wonder why every body hates Americans!
Posted by mike g 2002.12.22, 18:44
Yes, the U.S. really is turning into a nasty place. Although it might be a bit more accurate to stick the nasty pin on the U.S. government, which is in the early stages of developing into a wholly-owned subsidiary of Global Business, Inc.
Unfortunately, most Americans seems content to sit back and let our country kick sand in the eyes of the rest of the world. This shallow attitude has been driven by affluence, an insular view of the world and by plain political laziness. But recently, these have been joined by that most powerful tool of subjugation — fear.
It’s a shame that a country that started out with a revolutionary zeal for democracy and freedom is rushing headlong into becoming an empire that cares little for those it dominates economically and militarily. It’s taken only two short years to squander most of whatever moral authority America ever held.
Posted by nick 2002.12.22, 20:22
are things anywhere near as bad in japan? cuz i was thinking of moving to canada, but it’s cold and pretty boring as far as i can tell. i’m just trying to keep my options open.
we’re all going to burn.
Posted by M Sinclair Stevens 2002.12.22, 22:59
It’s turned into a nasty place. I feel like I’m living in my vision of the Cold War era USSR (that I got from Hollywood): cold, cruel, power-mad men with a grip over a populace who goes along to get along. Now I wonder if we weren’t the “bad guys” all along.
Only slightly off-topic—did you see The Onion’s article on “Bill of Rights” Lite? The Onion is becoming more truth than fiction. If America really was “the land of the free and the home of the brave” why do we continue to let our government compromise our freedoms in the name of security?
Posted by jh 2002.12.22, 23:37
Mike (& Blaine) —
> Although it might be a bit more accurate to stick the > nasty pin on the U.S. government
This is exactly where I think it should be stuck (and hard) and didn’t mean to make a general ‘damn Americans’ sort of statement at all. Seems it was Cheney who pulled the strings on this one (surprise!). He and Junior and their henchfolk just seem so… sinister.
Nick — Things certainly don’t seem as crazy here, although you never can tell. When push comes to shove, the Japanese govt. will happily toe the American line. With North Korea starting to get scary, the importance of U.S. bases in Japan just increased by an order of magnitude. This won’t translate to any additional leverage for the Japanese, mind you, but will only cement their acquiesence to U.S. doctrine.
M — Most chilling line from that Onion story: “in a move that went unopposed by congressional Democrats…” Why is your opposition party missing in action!?
And let’s not get started on the worst lapdogs of all — the Australians!
Posted by Ricardo Lamego 2002.12.24, 13:06
Come back Mr Dickens, you need to rewrite “A Christmas Carol”!
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