Obama to Connecticut AIDS Hecklers: Why Do You Think This Is A Useful Strategy?

Obama to Connecticut AIDS Hecklers: Why Do You Think This Is A Useful Strategy?

The president's speech was interrupted by AIDS hecklers at a stop in Connecticut yesterday, prompting him to address them directly.

'Let me just say this,' he said, addressing the hecklers. 'You've been appearing at every rally we've been doing. 'We're funding global Aids,' he continued defensively. 'And the other side is not. 'So I don't know why you think this is a useful strategy to take,' he finished, jabbing his finger angrily in the direction of the hecklers. The crowds boos turned to cheers as Mr Obama - who was in the state campaigning for Democrat Richard Blumenthal - spoke. 'So, what we would suggest,' he added, 'I think it would make a lot more sense for you guys to go to the folks who aren't interested in funding global Aids and shout at that rally. Because we're trying to focus on figuring out how to finance the things that you want financed.'

Then he turned to another group of hecklers on his other side, adding: 'You guys same thing.' As more chants filled the rally, he said: 'Alright, you guys have made your point, now let's go.' Fighting to regain the momentum of the rally, he held his hands up saying: 'Everybody - we're alright. 'Come on guys,' he said. He then fell silent again, watching with pursed lips as the crowd booed the hecklers once more. The President waited nearly 20 seconds for the noise to stop, then attempted again to continue with his speech.

http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2010/10/obama-to-connecticut-aids-hecklers-why.html

same story, sorry but i don't watch videos much, wish we knew what happened next.

Personally, I'm glad the whole country is a free speech zone again.

He allows anyone to come to his speeches, unlike a certain former president.

What makes no sense, and I agree, is to protest against the party that's actually doing something to advance their interests.

up the passage of the bills. OR ARE YOU AFRAID OF THEM.

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And not once have I ever seen them accomplish anything other than to embarrass themselves and their cause.

I'm sure they'll say that this made them feel good inside, and other such New Agey crap, but otherwise they accomplished nothing.

As the other person says, look up ACT-UP.

Also, Jesse Helms - the most virulent homophobe in Congress during the 80's and 90's, he later recanted on his vicious attacks on those infected with HIV and with AIDS - I kind of think the public condemnation of him and his views, combined with actually seeing people die of AIDS, turned him around.

Knowledge = Life.

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I thought he used to be a teacher? Dealing with extemporaneous situations should be de riguer for a pol. If he wanted to stay in a scripted bubble he should have stuck with law.

He is the one that ran on a platform he has scrapped (for the time being... until the economy gets better, or the minority party decides to play along, or what ever excuse were being told now).

The GOP does not hold the power in DC - the Democrats do. I don't know about anyone els, but when I need something I go to the person who promised to help and that is also in power. To tell the protesters to pic a different target is sidestepping his responsibility. I would have liked to have seen the President answer the protesters with a plan of action rather than a shut up we cant do anything because the GOP wont help and the economy is bad.

I'm disappointed, I had hoped there would be some vision coming from this Presidency.

There's only "enough". If Americans with HIV are being turned away from state programs because there isn't enough funding to cover everyone (keep in mind we haven't even identified all victims of the HIV/AIDS epidemic), then the funding is not "enough" and it doesn't matter if the Democrats have increased funding.

Neither happened in a vacuum.

ACT UP kept the issue on the national front page, pointedly and effectively, in a time when it was largely sidelined. (Remember the total silence on the issue from the Reagan White House?)

Ryan White stepped up and garnered more public perception to the picture.

Ted Kennedy introduced legislation in 1990 that, after the usual bureaucratic processes, passed 95 - 4 in the Senate.

All three components, along with many others, coalesced to eventually result in a Federal response.

I didn't catch the recent action of AIDS activists at Obama's public appearance, but read here that funding for Global AIDS programs was one point of the protest. So I went to the data.

Under the 2011 request, funds for international programs were targeted at $6.7 billion, up slightly (+2.2%) from 2010's $6.6.

Within that category there were some significant changes. 100% of the Dept of Defense's allocation (for what?) was removed, the Global Fund was cut 5% and the State Dept's Global AIDS Initiative was increased 4%. The GAI has many detractors.

Protest here may have been about the reapportionment from the Global Fund to the Global AIDS Initiative.

Big picture - The Administration's overall request was an increase of 4.6% - from $26 billion to $27.2 billion.

I'm glad they made the point and that they were heard. And feel that their protest is one piece of the whole.

(ed for spell check)