5/26/01

 
UNITED NATIONS, May 21 (AFP) - Organizers of a special UN conference on AIDS appealed to the world Monday to understand that the disease is a fast-spreading threat to the security of entire countries that demands global action.

"This is no longer just a health problem, it is a development catastrophe," said Penny Wensley, Australia's ambassador to the United Nations. Wensley is co-facilitator of a conference for heads of state and government being organized as a special session of the UN General Assembly from June 25 to 27.

"It is a problem that is raising profound risks to security and development, not just of individuals, not just of communities, but of entire countries," she told a news conference.

"The reason we're having a special session is because this pandemic is spreading, and spreading rapidly, which is why we have to focus as much on prevention as we do on treatment and care for those affected," Wensley said.

"The most affected areas are Africa and the Caribbean, but please, look at the figures for central and eastern Europe, look at the figures in the Pacific, in India, in China and other parts of the world," she went on. 

"This is a global problem that needs global action and a global response."

Figures from the joint UN program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) showed that at the end of last year, the 36.1 million adults and children living with the disease or the virus that causes it included 25.3 million in sub-Saharan Africa. The proportion of infected adults aged 15 to 49 is highest in Africa (8.8 percent) and the Caribbean (2.3 percent), but UNAIDS warned of "exponential growth" masked by under-reporting in Russia.

<snip>

Ka said that "resources will be the key issue" at the summit, which would hold four round-tables for "inter-active debate, so leaders will be able to say what is in their heart and what they expect from the international community."

The round-table formula was used at last September's UN millennium summit, where world leaders set themselves the target of halting the spread of HIV infection and beginning to reverse it by 2015.

 

michael and i were just talking about how it's been 20 years already.  they're targeting 2015?  c'mon people, if we don't *all* get our shit together and start helping each other, entire countries are going to fold.  enough.

"tick... tick... boom is opening june 13th (with previews beginning 5/23) - and lindsey has developed their site for them (go lindsey! :-)  it's at ticktickboom.net - go check it out :-)

more of kat's chicago pictures are up - thanks kat! 

happy memorial day weekend all (thank GOD!)
5/21/01 still sick, but been working.  here's a review from cleveland (bite me carolyn, lol) and thanks kerrie & stacy :-)

i think the st00pid guestbook is working again, altho nothing like it used to be.  i hate all the mergers that have happened in the last couple of years.

some of kat's chicago pictures are up - thanks kat!  waiting for the other 10 rolls ;-)

oh jeez, and check this out!  (the 1st 2 paragraphs is all you really need to read). w00! :-) 
5/18/01 from:

Anthony S. Fauci, M.D.
Director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Peggy Johnston, Ph.D.
Assistant Director for HIV/AIDS Vaccines, NIAID

Gary L. Nabel, M.D., Ph.D.
Director, Dale and Betty Bumpers Vaccine Research Center, NIAID

"Today, May 18, 2001, marks the Fourth Annual HIV Vaccine Awareness Day.  Especially on this day, we recognize with deep gratitude the thousands of women and men worldwide, who have participated in research studies to test experimental HIV vaccines. Since the first studies in humans in 1987, more than 12,000 individuals have stepped forward to volunteer in vaccine studies.

The HIV pandemic continues to rage around the world with ever-grimmer statistics. Worldwide, more than 16,000 people are infected with HIV every day. More than one-half of new infections occur in young people under age 25. Powerful drugs can keep the deadly virus in check in those already infected and who have access to modern health care. However, they do not cure HIV disease and their use in the developing world where the epidemic is rampant presents many formidable problems.

The development of a safe and effective vaccine represents the world's best hope of stopping the spread of HIV. No one has yet identified such a vaccine. However, because of the goodwill of thousands of volunteers, nine trial vaccines are currently being tested to see if they are safe and can stimulate the immune system to fight off HIV infection or prevent disease.  And that is why we mark this special day.

The scientific challenges are significant, but the vital partnerships between vaccine researchers and volunteers have begun to show promise.  Studies supported by the U.S. government's National Institutes of Health (NIH) are advancing over two dozen candidate HIV vaccines into clinical testing. Two international networks of vaccine and prevention clinical trial sites have been established in the United States and 13 countries.  Results from studies conducted in these networks will put us on the threshold of answering a critical question: will the experimental vaccines that pass safety tests actually prevent HIV infection in people? Several large efficacy trials, enrolling thousands of study volunteers will likely be required to answer that question. Today, we take a moment to recognize the women and men who have already rolled up their sleeves to help make medical history.

Scientific accomplishments in HIV vaccine development cannot be separated from the personal contributions of those who volunteer for medical research studies. Progress depends upon the commitment of the people who participate. They deserve the world's recognition and gratitude. To all volunteers worldwide we say, "Without you, there will be no HIV vaccine. With you, there is hope. Thank you." 
5/13/01 i've been in vegas for the past week, losing *lots* of money!  i walked out of work at 6pm on the 4th, and by 8pm had no voice.  by morning i was sick as a dog and stayed in bed until wednesday, but we had reservations and stuff in vegas so i *had* to get up and go.  we won *no* money - which is a first, and i slept half the time i was there.  *lousy* vacation in that regard, but it was nice to get away anyway.

*finally* - laura's and melissa's boston pictures are up!  thanks y'all :-)

randomness - a friend sent me this stuff and i liked 'em.

happy birthday dickie.  and happy mother's day all you moms!  

i'm glad to be home.
5/03/01 god, it's MAY already and i think i only had time to  update about 4 times last month.  i suck :-)

i am so SICK of spam.  the <> comments are mine, the rest are *some* of what i've received this week (just what you wanted to do, come here and read more spam), sorry, this is out of control.

  • "viagra" anyone?  <just send us some money>
  • "do you want to make a million dollars this month?" <nah, i think i'll pass>
  • "nude japanese schoolgirls!" <i repeat, nah, i think i'll pass>
  • "a human pheromone scent that *really* works!" <just send us some money>
  • "legal cable tv de-scrambler!" <just send us some money>
  • "university diplomas!" <send us some money, we'll give you any damn diploma you want but you'll still be stupid>
  • "accept credit cards over the internet!" <just send us some money>
  • "interest rates have dropped - start saving now!" <just send *us* your money>
  • "make money while you sleep!" <just send us some money>
  • "joy, i finally see my waistline - my best friend told me about this diet!" <just send her  some money, i get half>
  • "i invite you to join our webring and start making money!" <don't even think about joining without first sending us some money>
  • "nature's only true aphrodisiac!" <see 2nd bullet item above>
  • "save 70% on your life insurance - check out these quotes!" <and then send us some money>
  • "ready to know? the *kit* they wanted banned  in all 50 states!"  <just send us some money>
  • "home loans and refinancing available - mortgage companies make you wait - they demand to interview you, they intimidate you, they humiliate you!" <we'll do the same thing - just send us some money>
  • "dear friends and future millionaire..." <send us some money>
  • "consolidate your bills regardless of credit!" <send us some money>
  • "cut your phone bills in half!"  <send us some money>
  • "accept credit cards over the internet and explode your sales *today*!" <n/a>
  • "tired of the 40 X 40 X 40 plan?" <no, i'm tired of YOU!>
  • "high quality leads!  we can help you!"  <send us some money>
  • "within 24 hours you can be on your way to making money that you never thought possible! in just a few minutes you can have your very own personalized casino-sportsbook!" <just send us some money>
  • "tired with bumping and unreliable american stocks? why don't you invest in france?" <yeah, just invest all your money in france! that's the ticket!>
  • "hot asian girls!" <what is it with these people?>
  • "looking for gems! it's so simple to earn $2,000 - $5,000 per week nowadays...! (serious inquiries only)" <right>
  • "if you are seriously looking for a way to generate income from home and you have these two qualities: moderate people skills and a burning desire to be very successful - give me a call!" <okey dokey>
  • "for the cost of a fast food lunch, you can be on your way to financial freedom!" <just send me some money>
  • "judgment courses offers an extensive audio training course in "how to collect money judgments.  if you are like many people, you are not even sure what a money judgment is" <no shit>.
  • "snoring - is it affecting your sleep?" <no, but it may be affecting *other people's sleep - fuck 'em ;-)>
  • "did you know that there's a way to burn 3 to 15 pounds of fat *permanently* and *safely*?  while you *sleep*?" <no i honestly didn't know that>
  • "*serious money*!" it's time to start dreaming and start living your dream!" <oy vey>
  • "dear friend:  this family in the midwest USA is living a very comfortable life.  we do NOT do mlm, network marketing, or chain letters!!  we run a legitimate business and we want to show you how you can do the same with just a little effort and a lot of good will!!  laziness does not help! <just send us some money>
  • "if you have a strong desire and a good work ethic, you can change the situation you are in!" <just send me some money>
  • "does earning $10,000 immediately interest you?"  <no, you dumb shit>
  • "free custom life insurance quote!"
  • "6.29% fixed rate!" <i have better than that already>
  • "are you looking for fresh targeted email addresses?" <no, SPAM>
  • "earn $1500 or more a week!"
  • "free cash creating website!  own your own internet casino/sportsbook!"
  • "power interactive media, inc.  stock expected to SOAR!"
  • "do you need a loan? put down that pen and throw away all those long complicated forms!"
  • "we craft distinctive, corporate identity with unique images, animation and sound!"
  • "for serious marketers only!  direct email marketing!"  <*more* SPAM>
  • "men - stop being ashamed of your size!  women - get this for your man!" <oy>
  • "are you looking for an investment return that can yield 10% - 50%?"  <no, really, i believe you>
  • "take advantage of *thousands* of dollars in legal tax breaks for next year!"
  • "do you want to accept credit cards?  start now!" <argh!  if you'd ever looked at this site you'd see i'm not selling anything!  go AWAY!>
  • "the subject of sex is sensitive - viacreme does for women what viagra does for men!"
  • "*amazing* new system!  *must* see to believe!"  <another pyramid scheme>
  • "we represent a group of television and cable networks that have started a home shopping club.  we are very interested in speaking with you about this new campaign!"  <why???>
  • "now you can boost the reliability of ordinary Windows 95, 98 and ME to nearly the level of windows NT or 2000!" <well, since i already run w2k....>
  • "i started this home-based business 13 months ago and now i make over $10,000 a month, every month!"
  • "contact us before may 31 and get a free email to 500,000 businesses or *one million consumers!"  <MORE SPAM>
  • "are you one of the million others with yellow sticky notes all over your desk, phone and computer? we have a solution for you!" <yes, however i bought a similar version for $5 at office max - both are kinda cool tho>
  • "tap into our *huge* network of lenders!"
  • "university diplomas!"
  • "we were referred to you by a friend and understand that you may be interested in securing your very own domain name!"  <uh, i already have several, thanks>
  • "looking for gems!"  <me too, and you aren't it!>
  • "have you been considering filing bankruptcy?"  <no>
  • "word puzzle lovers!  do you like them big with lots of meat in them?"  <uhhhhh...>
  • "new and completely independent of any negative past file!  with my kit, within 60 days you will get *all major credit cards*, blah, blah, blah"
  • "your financial future!  starting TODAY!"  <bleh>
  • "i finally felt it.  i was always wondering what they were all talking about until, this morning...  i did my weekly weigh-in and when i saw that smaller number swing around that scale... i didn't know whether to faint, scream, or cry.  so i danced.  just imagine, a large woman with crazy hair, laughing and dancing naked in her living room with her scale.  <NO THANKS>.  i gave that scale a big sloppy-wet kiss!!... <ewwww!>
  • "tired of the 40x40x40 plan?  work 40 hours a week for someone else for 40 years, then receive a 40% reduction in pay?"  <no, it's *great!>
  • "OUR LATEST & GREATEST - JUST RELEASED! "Millions" Volume-16". Address List on CD. Over 12 MILLION of the VERY BEST e-mail addresses available!!" <go AWAY! please, please please go away!  and stop YELLING!>
  • "Shopping For Your Loan Just Got Easier!  Tap into Our Huge Network Of Lenders.  We Provide a 100% FREE Service!"  <oh puleeze!>
  • "200  MILLION EMAIL ADDRESSES  FOR ONLY $149 <well at least they say up front "send us some money!"  but *please* stop shouting!>
  • "Do you have back, muscle or joint problems?" <yeah... and it's none of your business :-)>
  • "STOLEN HARDCORE VIDEO OF BRITNEY SPEARS BLOWING 2 GUYS...  & WE HAVE THE VIDEOTAPE!!!"  <aaaaarrrrrgggggggghhhhhhhhhh>
  • FOLLOW ME TO FINANCIAL FREEDOM!!  <BITE ME!@!*$!*!#>

enough already!  and i hope you skipped most of that!

 

 

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