Coming out of the Political Closet

In case any of you haven’t noticed, we have a federal election coming up. What is that I hear, is it the joyful, exuberant celebrating of all the political scientists out there? Or is it the collective sigh of a country that is sick of elections. Probably both. Political scientists and their like are one of the few breeds who get so excited at the thought of elections that they produce an eerie glow accompanied by that maniacal “vote for this guy” smile. We love elections because of the possibility of change, nothing excites us more than new possibilities for change that we can examine and pick apart with a fine tooth comb. Perhaps our party will get elected this time, perhaps they will get a majority government, perhaps that good-looking potential MP will finally get his moment in the sun. Who knows?! And that is what is so exciting, because in spite of the hundreds of polls produced daily, this is really a decision that can change on a moment’s notice and potentially change the entire way we do politics.

Up until recently I have been an anomaly, a political scientist/freak without any party affiliation. Lunchroom conversation amongst nerds goes far and wide, but almost always boils down to “who did you vote for?” “who do you support”. And up until now, it has been a closely guarded secret of mine. I was always raised with the idea that, if you want to keep any friends, never talk about politics and religion.  I still kind of hold that to be true, politics and religion are two aspects that no matter how much you believe reason and logic is on your side, you are never going to get a true believer to switch sides, unless they want to. Voting has always been a very personal thing for me, a decision that I haven’t wanted to defend. The minute you admit that you voted one way, everyone wants to know why. More or less, they want to tell you why they believe you made the wrong choice (unless they voted the same way, in which case you are totally cool). Which forces you to obviously defend your choice, and sometimes, you just don’t want to. Perhaps it is a reason that only makes sense to you, or perhaps your choice might offend someone you don’t want to. If you don’t want to talk about who you voted for, I believe that you have that right. The right to tell someone else to mind their own beeswax, to start a new conversation, or simply just inform them that it is a personal decision and you don’t feel comfortable sharing it. Voting is done privately so you feel free to make whatever choice you believe in without pressure or threat, and it should remain that way.

However, this year, I am coming out of the political closet, I am revealing my choices. And I’m not going to tell you why I picked who I am supporting in this election or ask you to tell me. I am telling the world as an experiment to myself. This year, in the 41^st Canadian federal election in the riding of Calgary –Southeast, I will be supporting Brett Spencer and the Green Party. http://greenparty.ca/campaign/48007

  So to all, feel free to be open with whatever choices you have made, even if that choice is to stay hidden in the political closet, sometimes it’s the best place to be.

 

Amber

     

                                               Photo: Courtesy of the Green Party of Canada

                                               http://greenparty.ca/campaign/48007

HIV/AIDS in Africa

Well thanks Glynis, not picking a heavy topic at all are we (insert eye roll). I had trouble with this one, not because I have nothing to say, but because I have too much to say. I have written 70 page papers on this and I don’t think the blog needs that. So here I go, please remember this is a summary, I will always talk more if prodded.

The biggest problem with HIV/AIDS treatments, is that there is a global trend of thinking it as a solitary, contained disease that can be handled solely by medication. It is not. Disregarding for a second the cost of antiretroviral treatments (medication to help treat HIV/AIDS), it is the cost of sustaining the surrounding programming that is necessary to help in Africa and the rest of the world. Antiretroviral drugs are virtually useless without the appropriate nutrition to help the body absorb them properly, so in many malnourished areas and countries, simply providing the drugs is not enough. As well, many of the symptoms and deaths resulting from HIV/AIDS can actually be largely contributed to easily treatable, curable and avoidable (through vaccines) communicable diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and polio, just to name a few. All of these are essentially wiped out in the western world and yet are actually the number one killers (when it comes to medical related deaths) in Africa. These diseases are what combine with HIV/AIDS in Africa to make it so deadly.

                And the largest problem in Africa, Asia, and even the Western world with treating the disease is the stigma associated with it. Hundreds of thousands of people refuse to get tested for HIV/AIDS even if the testing is free and easily accessible because of the stigma attached with a positive result. In many communities, the affected are ostracized and cut off from the lives they have known. Even here in Canada there is a stigma with being HIV positive, preventing many people from finding out about their status. And if people do not know whether or not they have HIV/AIDS, how on earth are they going to be able to receive treatment for it.

 SOOO... what can Canada do. Canadian doctors, politicians, humanitarians, and regular citizens can work with other countries to reduce the stigma that people living with HIV/AIDS face every day of their lives. In this, we need to recognize that Canada is not perfect and also has its own issues to work with. There needs to be more communication with different organizations, such as UNAIDS, the World Health Organization, UN Food Programme and more to work together to deal with these problems. The largest problem with HIV/AIDS in Africa is in countries that have failed to acknowledge the disease. Uganda was one of the most pro-active countries when HIV/AIDS first emerged and promoted education, prevention and treatment programs. In spite of the problems they have had with violence over the past two decades, they have had one of the highest success rates in the WORLD. Compare this with South Africa, which has become one of the most highly economically developed countries in Africa in the past two decades but has one of the highest incidence rates of HIV/AIDS. Some of this may be attributed to a President and his chief medical council who stated that “HIV does not cause AIDS” and claiming that condoms actually helped spread HIV. Working with other governments to make HIV/AIDS knowledge and awareness a priority is what Canada needs to do in conjunction with other governments. There is also the need to establish a comprehensive HEALTH plan that includes the treatment of HIV/AIDS and communicable diseases and malnutrition, etc.

                As with addressing donor fatigue, I honestly don’t know the answer to that fully. I think one of the best things the Canadian government can do is lead by example, show that they are fully invested in treating HIV/AIDS in both Africa and Canada. By promoting the idea that this should not be a judgement call, people are sick and need help, it should not matter where they live or whatever happened to them in the course of those lives. There is also the issue of its relevance in the media, very rarely do you read about the number of deaths caused by HIV/AIDS anymore. The governments and organizations such as the Red Cross (and others) need to make it a hot button issue again.

                I firmly believe that the best way to keep donors funds out of the swiss bank accounts is to work with local, on-the ground organizations. Many international groups, with the best of intentions, spend exorbitant amounts of money trying to set up new programs to promote HIV/AIDS treatment and awareness without realizing that there are already local groups set in place who already have the community resources and knowledge. Partnerships are the key. Working with the people of Africa and helping where we can, rather than attempting to “solve the African problem”.  Funds need to be divided between governments and local organizations, with stipulations put on all funding. Stipulations about the amount of money used for treatment vs prevention vs education, ensuring not to put one significantly higher than the other. Plans must be multi-tiered in order to work, you cannot stop HIV/AIDS if you refuse to attend to all three areas, something which many governments ignore. The funds need to be issued without religious connotations and stipulations, and be placed solely as a necessity for human life. 

I think that is how I am going to leave it for now. Please feel free to add on to what I have said, or give me your own opinions. Once again, this is not the entirety of my opinion, just a little taste of it.

                                Until next time....

Amber

PS – My first blog was totally going to be about the Canadian election, way to screw me up Glynis.

Introduction to the Blogosphere

Hello world of blogging! Here I am.

 A bit about myself to those who don't know me. My name is Amber and I am a certified political scientist who does not currently work in her field. I am outspoken, opinionated, and interested in just about everything.

  I found, that the minute anyone finds out that you have a background in politics, the political questions start coming like crazy... what does the governor general do? What is your opinion on the situation in Egypt? Why are we having an election? and so forth and so forth and so forth. This blog is an attempt to help people with that. I will discuss anything political, answer any questions put forth by anyone about politics, and when no one wants to talk to me, I will just talk about whatever I feel like.

 My major areas of interest include (but are not limited to) International politics (specifically African), Canadian politics, HIV/AIDS and the politics of health, religion and politics, and many many others. I am calling this the Apolitical blog because I am a strange breed in the world of political scientists, I have no real political allegiances to parties or groups. I am not going to pretend that I don't have my own biases and opinions, but I will try and acknowledge those most of the time.

So yeah, that is me and this blog in a nutshell. There will be more to come and I will make this blog look cooler. Please leave messages or comments.

Ciao

Amber