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COMMENTARY: The United States should follow Brazil's precedent and develop an adaptable, multicultural and sensitive AIDS policy.
WEDNESDAY,MAY 9,2007 WWW.KANSAN.COM
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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
OPINION
PAGE 11A
》 OUR VIEW
Use year to study new candidates
In theory, the recent Presidential debates of each party were supposed to reveal the frontrunners and agendas of the leading candidates. In practice, the debates revealed little more than a dearth of frontrunners, a stale repackaging of tired ideas and a general media lamentation about the perceived lack of choice candidates.
The problems of the Democrats are comparatively minor; any of the three poll-leading candidates would probably represent the party well — or at least adequately
in the general election. The unifying theme of the moment is frustrated vitriol directed at President Bush, which temporarily saves the candidates from tearing one another down.
T he Republicans, however, have a whole host of problems. Mitt Romney per-
plexingly raises millions while failing to make an impact in polls. John McCain, in an apparently desperate effort to recapture his "straight talk" magic of 2000, sounds and looks increasingly unhinged. Rudy Giuliani, eager to overcome his Northeast stigma, seems anxious to attack any threat, tangible or perceived. Add a supporting cast from the lunatic fringes of the party and it is no wonder that many Republican voters are sweating a bit.
Mass media outlets, who already seem bored with the present candidates — or at least their perpetual coverage of such have taken to endlessly speculating on the potential of undeclared candidates. Chief among
them are the avuncular Fred Thompson, who speaks of the presidency with a sort of cavalier nonchalance, as if the office is merely a tempting promotion from NBC. Cerebral envirocrusader Al Gore continues to attract attention, as does New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who rules his fiefdom with radical efficiency.
George Santayana once famously observed that Americans don't solve problems, they leave them behind. And while we have always been a
In an age of media packaging, we seem to want nothing less than a fully functional president two years before the election. This is not only unlikely, but it is in contrast to the developmental framework of the primary system. We would be wise to spend the next 12 month investigating candidates for ourselves...
grass-is-alwaysgreenerpopulace, whowouldhavethought thatwould extend intoprimaryseason? Thegoal oftheprimariesisnot toselectfromamongtenexcellent,prepared candidateswho could stepinto theoffice today. Rather,the primaries shouldbe a time ofcandidate development, when public servants with unrefined views sharpen their collective focus and are imbued with the wishes of the people.
Grant Snider/KANSAN
McKay Stangler for the editorial board
In an age of media packaging, we seem to want nothing less than a fully functional president two years before the election. This is not only unlikely, but it is in contrast to the developmental framework of the primary system. We would be wise to spend the next 12 months investigating candidates for ourselves, then forming conclusions based on what we want from a president, not what the nearest or most recently surging candidate is offering us.
>> COMMENTARY
Sensitive AIDS policy needed
Last Friday, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva broke the patent of the anti-AIDS drug efavirenz. Although there are many things in the scandal-plagied Lula administration that deserve criticism, this action should be commended as a noble and brave measure that is part of a necessary endeavor: to have a humane AIDS policy.
Lula issued a compulsory license for efavirenz, which means that Brazil can now manufacture or buy generic versions of the drug while paying a small royalty to Merck, the drug's manufacturer. The measure, although controversial, is allowed by the World Trade Organization in certain cases.
The Brazilian government decided to break the patient after negotiations with Merck failed to reduce the price of the drug to a satisfactory amount.
Brazil is an excellent example of how government intervention can greatly benefit the construction of better health policies. The Brazilian AIDS policy is successful and used as a model for several countries across the world. By threatening to break their patents, the Brazilian government was able to significantly decrease the prices of several AIDS drugs.
By aggressively pursuing these price reductions, the Brazilian government is able to provide free and universal access to antiretroviral drugs. Drug cocktails are very expensive, and there is no way that the poorer sections of society could have access to them without government help.
BY PATRICK LUIZ SULLIVAN
DE OLIVEIRA
KANSAN COLUMNIST
OPINION@KANSAN.COM
Intellectual rights activists may criticize this measure; however, there is a big difference between intellectual rights and a monopoly of knowledge. Knowledge is only useful when it is constructive for society. A monopoly of knowledge deprives people of the benefits of intellectual achievements.
The pharmaceutical industry's search for even higher profits cannot interfere with a persons, a people's or a nation's health. At what point is it wrong to gain ridiculous profits from other people's suffering? When is it ever right to sentence a person to death because of "intellectual rights?"
Some may argue that the break of patents will cause a decrease of investment in drug research. If that is so, then there is something extremely wrong with the current pharmaceutical system. Perhaps private investments fueled by selfish impulses are not the best way to go about things.
There are other measures, however, that make Brazil's AIDS policy one of the best in the world. The government has adopted a realist approach, recognizing that there is no way to prevent people from having sex.
There have been significant investments on the promotion of condom use, and sexual education in schools is comprehensive. Throughout the year, and especially during Carnaval, it is common to see billboards featuring government sponsored condom advertisements — and government officials and NGO's freely distribute prophylactics.
In addition, the Brazilian government refused to stigmatize prostitution, thus renouncing a $48 million grant from the U.S., and decided instead to work with prostitutes to help prevent the spread of AIDS. This cooperation with prostitutes is indispensable because they are a high-risk group.
An AIDS policy needs to be sensitive and adaptable to cultural differences; there is no one-size-fits-all model; however, there is lot to be learned from the Brazilian model. The prioritizations of health before profits and of realism before attempts to impose moral values are essential to combat this epidemic. Brazil and the U.S. have many similarities. Sex is predominant in both countries' cultures, and even though a cultural revolution is possible, by the time it is finished AIDS will have caused too much damage. Meanwhile, the best way to deal with the epidemic is to accept and deal with the realities of our culture, and making healthcare a priority.
De Oliveira is a Belo Horizonte, Brazil sophomore in journalism and history.
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I just saw a guy walk out of the Underground barefoot. I'm pretty sure that's not allowed?
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I wish my grass was emo so it would cut itself.
to have a good week
It's really fun to umm... I forgot what I was going to say.
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To the person who gave away
the end of Spider-Man: Eff you.
And by the way, if you haven't
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There's a pigeon who is sitting on my girlfriend who is a flamingo
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To the person that said the ending of Spider-Man 3:1 I hope you get a raging case of genital
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To the three girls that just
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now know that God wants me
GUEST COMMENTARY
Dining out? Follow a list of common courtesies to get the best out of a night on the town
As both a college student and somebody who has worked in the restaurant Lusiness for a number of years I have noticed that a vast majority of college students and the public at large lack the wherewithal and manners required to get the most from a night on the town. Most of the offenses I observe are things that our mothers probably taught us not to do, but when living in a city where the main demographic is a young crowd the basics of etiquette seem to be lost. I've come up with a basic guide on how to conduct oneself when interacting with service staff at bars and restaurants.
At the host desk: When you walk into a restaurant and are confronted with a friendly "hello" from the host or hostess it's completely unacceptable to just grunt and utter something to the effect of "table for four" or even worse, say nothing at all. Exchanging brief and friendly banter with the host staff never hurt anyone. While the host is getting information about your party it's not necessary to lean over the desk. When I host, I am mortified by how often I'm literally being crushed against my desk. Standing on a hosts' toes does not get you a table any more quickly.
If there is a wait for a table, be prepared to wait and accept the harsh reality that the host is giving you an educated guess about when you will be sat. Don't scoff at or
At the bar or table: When you walk up to the bar to order a drink make sure that your money is out, that you have a smile — or at least a pleasant look on your face — and that you know what you want. Few things are more irritating to a busy bartender than a patron flailing their arms about from across the bar or restaurant like their ass is
castigate the host because the wait has exceeded the estimate. If your wait has gone beyond a reasonable length of time it's acceptable to politely speak with the manager or host and try to resolve the situation. If you are in a hurry or have a tight schedule you ought to go to an establishment that takes reservations or offers call-ahead seating.
on fire then only for the patron to have no idea what they want when the bartender arrives to assist them. Know how to pronounce what you are ordering. It is not Harp's or Miller's Lite. I don't even want to get started on the can of worms that is Bacardi Limon, but to clear up any confusion it is pronounced "L-MOAN" and not "Lymon". Lymon is the name of somebody's hillbilly cousin from Alabama and not a premium flavored rum.
Tipping: Having a mastery of the art of tipping is absolutely essential. The average hourly pay of a server is about $2.15 an hour and is almost entirely supplemented by tips. These days 15 percent is kind of like the
》 TALK TO US
new 12 percent. Eighteen to 20 percent is acceptable and will ensure that you will receive prompt, polite service. Servers and bartenders remember both good and bad tippers. Your service will be better and faster not only because you aren't a tight wad, but also because you are easygoing and fun to wait on. Keep in mind too that a restaurant staff will snicker and berate you in the kitchen for being a lousy tipper. Don't be that person.
Gabriella Souza, editor
864-4854 or kanssan.kanssan.org
Koley Kelley, managing editor
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Patrick Ross, managing editor
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Courtney Hagen, opinion editor
864-4924 or chaguen.kanssan.org
Natalie Johnson, associate opinion editor
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Lindsey Shirak, business manager
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Jackie Schaffer, sales manager
864-4462 or jschafferkanankan.com
Malcolm Gibson, general manager, news adviser
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Jennifer Weaver, sales and marketing adviser
864-7668 or jenweaverkanankan.com
Don't tip any less for things that happened that were out of the servers' hands. For instance, your server has no control over whether the cook prepared your steak well done or medium well. If there is something that your server is doing
SUBMISSIONS
By using common sense and good manners you will have more fun and get better service when you're out. Bars and restaurants are like theater in that the show must go on and friendly customers can almost always ensure a great perfor mance.
The Kansan welcomes letters to the editor and guest columns submitted by students, faculty and alumni.
The Kansan reserves the right to edit, cut to length, or reject all submissions.
Jennifer Weaver, sales and marketing adviser
864-7666 or jweaver@kansan.com
For any questions, call Courtney Hagen or Natalie Johnson at 846-4810 or e-mail opinion@kansan.com.
General questions should be directed to the editor at editor@kansan.com
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that truly is wrong or in bad taste then you should let them or their manager know about it. If you can't afford to leave a decent gratuity for your server then you ought not be dining out and instead be eating Top Ramen or something at home. Tipping should be in the budget if you're going out.
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Andrew Limpic Prairie Village junior
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EDITORIAL BOARD
Gabriella Souza, Nicole Kelley, Patrick Ross, Courtney Hagen, Natale Johnson, Alison Kieler, Tasha Riggins and McKay Stangler