FLASHBACK: Huckabee Proposed ‘Isolating’ Patients With AIDS ‘Plague’
FLASHBACK: Huckabee Proposed ‘Isolating’ Patients With AIDS ‘Plague’
On the presidential campaign trail, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee has promised to aggressively fight HIV/AIDS, which he termed a “national and international tragedy.” In a statement put out on Nov. 19, Huckabee voiced support for “President Bush’s proposal to double our initial commitment from $15 billion to $30 billion over the next five years for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR),” and promised to go even further:
While we must continue our global leadership on HIV/AIDS, we must also take care of our own. My administration will be the first to have an overarching strategy for dealing with HIV and AIDS here in the United States, with a partnership between the public and private sectors that will provide necessary financing and a realistic path toward our goals. We must prevent new infections and provide more accessible care. We must transform the promise of a vaccine and a cure into reality.
This rhetoric is a dramatic departure from Huckabee’s statements in 1992, when he was running for a seat in the U.S. Senate. At that time, Huckabee proposed a quarantine for all AIDS patients and a moratorium on all federal funding. AP reports:
“If the federal government is truly serious about doing something with the AIDS virus, we need to take steps that would isolate the carriers of this plague,” Huckabee wrote.
“It is difficult to understand the public policy towards AIDS. It is the first time in the history of civilization in which the carriers of a genuine plague have not been isolated from the general population.”
Huckabee added that “additional federal spending” can’t be “justified” to fight AIDS, proposing instead that “multimillionaire celebrities, such as Elizabeth Taylor [and] Madonna” be “encouraged to give out of their own personal treasuries.”
In late 1991, there were almost 200,000 AIDS patients in the United States, and 126,159 people had died from the syndrome. It was also “common knowledge that AIDS could not be spread by casual contact.” Also in 1991, LA Lakers star Magic Johnson had brought public awareness to the disease by announcing that he had AIDS.
UPDATE: Huckabee has introduced a quarantine-like plan for undocumented immigrants. NDN’s Simon Rosenberg writes, “In a major reversal, Mike Huckabee announced a new immigration plan that calls for the 11-12 million undocumented immigrants in the United States to leave the country in 120 days.”
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Too bad for Huckabee that his words spoke years ago can come back to haunt him. Thank god for the internet, without it we would all be totally in the dark.
Huckabee has way too many skeletons in his closet to ever be elected. Especially his “Willie Horton”. It’s pretty much been proven that his version of events was one big lie. Read the coverage on the HP if you want the whole story.
December 8th, 2007 at 12:58 pmBasic fairness would allow for someone to see the error of their past views and evolve – however – there is no defense for such a nasty, nasty position as the one above. Ouch. This one is gonna hurt.
December 8th, 2007 at 1:13 pm“Huckabee added that “additional federal spending†can’t be “justified†to fight AIDS, proposing instead that “multimillionaire celebrities, such as Elizabeth Taylor [and] Madonna†be “encouraged to give out of their own personal treasuries.â€
Under this ridiculous criteria the government shouldn’t be spending money on cancer or MS research either. Why do we even have the CDC? Shoot, just close down the entire government and have the wealthy fund what their conscience urges them to fund!
December 8th, 2007 at 1:15 pmHuckabee/Tancredo 2008!!
Jerry Falwell called from hell — that’s his dream prez ticket.
December 8th, 2007 at 1:16 pmWhile I’m not interested in supporting Huckabee, I don’t think he should be slammed for taking a more enlightened position 15 years later. His statements 15 years ago show ignorance and fear. This is a sign that at least he is learning. I find it disingenuous for progressives to speak poorly of him for changing to a stance that is more like our own. If he was moving to one not backed by fact than I would have a problem.
December 8th, 2007 at 1:19 pmIt is difficult to understand the public policy towards AIDS. It is the first time in the history of civilization in which the carriers of a genuine plague have not been isolated from the general population.
If that were true, we wouldn’t have a “stupid carrier” in the White House and the whole slate of Republican presidential candidates would be banned from the airwaves and news shows (of course, they could still be seen on FoxSnooze which is cable TV and definitely not news).
December 8th, 2007 at 1:22 pmI always feel weird inside when I have to disagree with Zooey but I think Tancredo/Huckabee would be a lot more amusing.
December 8th, 2007 at 1:30 pmYup. Huck’s an idiot, a real flat earther. In other words, the perfect GOP candidate.
December 8th, 2007 at 1:35 pmThis whole “AIDS” thing is bogus. Go to the library and read Peter Duesberg’s book, “Inventing the AIDS Virus.” Go go to my website, http://www.bottlebrushpress.com, click on personal links and go to medical and read a few short essays on the subject. It all began back in the 1980s when some doctors at the Center for Disease Control (CDC) could not figure out why seemingly healthy young gay men were coming down with diseases typically associated with elderly junkies… Unfortunately, the doctors were too squeamish to ask the gay men about their sexual practices, and the drugs they took to facilitate said, and so, instead, their used their new scanning microscopes and discovered a tiny retrovirus, which they called HIV and then they went on to claim that said virus “caused” some two dozen traditional diseases associated with weakened immune systems.
This is the biggest medical fraud in history. Billions of dollars have been wasted and hardly anyone in the medical/corporate/government complex wants to admit it…
And the leaders of the African countries realized that if many of their traditional tropical diseases could be put under the “AIDS umbrella” that they could then get billions of dollars in aid from European countries and America. Pretty smart, huh?
Cheers.
December 8th, 2007 at 1:37 pmI find it disingenuous for progressives to speak poorly of him for changing to a stance that is more like our own.
Comment by snowcker — December 8, 2007 @ 1:19 pm
What if we find Huckabee’s recent conversion to be disingenuous?
December 8th, 2007 at 1:37 pmI only support refusing treatment for AIDS patients if they are related to Bill Clinton.
-Mike Chucklebee
December 8th, 2007 at 1:48 pmI posted on this and ever since the right-wingers flock and suggest that it might be a good idea, even though AIDS cannot be spread by casual contact.
I ask them how they would determine who is infected… like national blood test etc. Additionally you’d have to hit every inbound traveller from overseas. It is logistically impossible and fruitless to attempt to isolate over 430,000 people in America alone.
As I said in the post, there’d be blood in the streets first!
December 8th, 2007 at 1:53 pmDear Mr. Huckabee, Elizabeth Taylor is spending her money on Michael Jacksons house/Zoo/Circus as its being foreclosed on.
December 8th, 2007 at 1:56 pmWell, Huckleberry does have a weird fixation on concentration camps…
December 8th, 2007 at 1:58 pmPoor Huckabee reminds me of an old Barney Fife rerun. He was clueless as to what even the NIE stood for and now makes this kind of ridiculous statement. Clearly, Huck’s a true “troglodyte” – a clueless troglodyte.
December 8th, 2007 at 2:00 pmAnd I’m sure we’re seeing Huck’s “best foot forward”. One can only imagine in their worst nightmares what this reichwingnut really believes…..heebie-jeebies!
December 8th, 2007 at 2:00 pmAnother reason to concentrate these people in camps along with other potential terrorists.
December 8th, 2007 at 2:01 pmAnd when they come for you no one will speak up.
It is logistically impossible and fruitless to attempt to isolate over 430,000 people in America alone. -Mayuyk00
The nutty nut nuts want to build a prison around themselves and declare it freedom.
December 8th, 2007 at 2:01 pmMaybe it’s not Barney Fife but “Huckleberry Hound” – he looks rather doggish with those deer-in-the-headlight eyes.
December 8th, 2007 at 2:01 pmThis is a sign that at least he is learning. I find it disingenuous for progressives to speak poorly of him for changing to a stance that is more like our own. If he was moving to one not backed by fact than I would have a problem.
Comment by snowcker
No, this is a sign that he changes his view what ever way the winds blow. He knows that his former views would not play well, even in Peoria, so he is saying what he thinks he needs to say to get elected.
But, I am rather puzzled by his stance. Does he think he has the religious right vote so locked up that he can now support something that tosese cretins probably will think disqualifies him from being president?
December 8th, 2007 at 2:02 pmSSDD.
[1995] Newt set strategy for Religious Right — 10 years ago!: House Speaker Newt Gingrich set the agenda for the Religious Right ten years ago at a politically important conference in the nation’s capital. On October 15-17, 1985, the Rev. Tim LaHaye’s American Coalition for Traditional Values (ACTV) held a “How to Win An Election” conference in Washington, DC. Under the banner of “Serve the Lord by running for public office,” the conference focused on the Christian’s “Biblical mandate” to run for political office. During the conference, LaHaye referred to Newt Gingrich, a fellow Southern Baptist, as “a minister of God.” “We need to challenge God’s people to run for office,” LaHaye said. “If every Bible-believing, Christ-loving church would trust God to raise up an average of just one person over the next 10 years who would get elected, we would have more Christian candidates than there are offices.” Gingrich, the keynote speaker on the final night, said, “I think what you’re doing is very, very important.” He said those “on the left forgot just how freedom is delivered. From their standpoint, the Declaration of Independence did not have a phrase that said, ‘We’re endowed by our creator,’ but rather said something like, ‘being gathered together as random protoplasm.’” Gingrich continued, “I think they misunderstood the whole underlying spiritual drive which was key to the American Revolution.” Continued here
December 8th, 2007 at 2:04 pmClearly, Huck’s a true “troglodyte†– a clueless troglodyte.
Comment by Veritas — December 8, 2007 @ 2:00 pm
‘Splains why he’s moving rapidly up in the polls, huh?
December 8th, 2007 at 2:05 pmhttp://www.cfr.org/campaign2008/candidates.html
Candidate positions.
December 8th, 2007 at 2:10 pmTax hike Mike Huckabee has alot of unknowns in his positions, or lack of.
December 8th, 2007 at 2:14 pmDuring this same time I was advocating that fat political slobs that were boderline retarded should be penned up so that others could have a chance at the food. This was before Mike Huckabee became Mike Upchuckabee.
He is one small step from Fred Phelps.
In 1992…..most intelligent people had educated themselves about this disease and became compassionate. Mikes view was….hell, more food for me.
December 8th, 2007 at 2:31 pmI love it that Huck’s stealing the thunder from the other R’s.
No one should fear he’d ever become Pres. – he should set his sights on a nice tele-ministry in TX, where he can while away his days “jamming” with the saved, and living off old people’s social security checks, the way the Lord intended.
December 8th, 2007 at 3:00 pmSure, why not? It worked for Hitler & Stalin.
It was bad enough that Chimpy got re-elected. If this nation is stupid enough to elect Huckabee…..
December 8th, 2007 at 3:09 pmNo, this is a sign that he changes his view what ever way the winds blow. He knows that his former views would not play well, even in Peoria, so he is saying what he thinks he needs to say to get elected.
We have his view from 15 years ago. I’ve been looking for info about his views from last year, or 2 years ago or 5 or 10. You seem to be asserting that he made this change in this election cycle. Got any proof that he didn’t change them 5 or 10 years ago. Anyone know his record on this issue in Arkansas as governor?
December 8th, 2007 at 3:21 pm28 – what diff does it make?? he’s a kook.
December 8th, 2007 at 3:27 pmNews Release: Presidential Candidate, Governor Mike Huckabee Statement on AIDS Funding
December 08, 2007
Little Rock, AR – In the late 80’s and early 90’s we were still learning about the virus that causes AIDS. My concern, as a Senate candidate at the time, was to deal with the virus using the same public health protocols that medical science and public health professionals would use with any infectious disease.
Before a disease can be cured and contained we need to know exactly how and with near certainty what level of contact transmits the disease. There was still too much confusion about HIV transmission in those early years. Recall that in 1991, Kimberly Bergalis testified in front of Congress after contracting HIV from her dentist, and that summer a study was published showing that HIV was transmitted through breastmilk more easily than had been thought. But the federal government provided some guidelines: Also in 1991 the Centers for Disease Control recommended restrictions on the practice of HIV-positive health care workers.
At the time, there was widespread concern over modes of transmission and the possibility of epidemic. In the absence of conclusive data, my focus was on efforts to limit the exposure of the virus, following traditional medical practices developed from our public health experience and medical science in dealing with tuberculosis and other infectious diseases.
We now know that the virus that causes AIDS is spread differently, with a lower level of contact than with TB. But looking back almost 20 years, my concern was the uncertain risk to the general population – if we got it wrong, many people would die needlessly. My concern was safety first, political correctness last.
My administration will be the first to have an overarching strategy for dealing with HIV and AIDS here in the United States, with a partnership between the public and private sectors that will provide necessary financing and a realistic path toward our goals. We must prevent new infections and provide more accessible care. We must do everything possible to transform the promise of a vaccine and a cure into reality.
Furthermore, I am proud that the United States has led the global battle against HIV/ AIDS. We have both a strategic interest as the world’s only superpower and a moral obligation as the world’s richest country to continue to do so until this scourge is a memory.
I supported the current Administration’s proposal to double our initial commitment from $15 billion to $30 billion over the next five years for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). PEPFAR has already done an extraordinary amount of good, by providing drugs for over a million people and care for four-and-a-half million people, but it expires in 2008 and must be reauthorized. I support an increase in our commitment to the Global Fund. Through PEPFAR and the Global Fund, we can do our fair share to meet the Millennium Development Goals we affirmed in 2000, which include universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care.
December 8th, 2007 at 5:15 pmstill a kook, but with better p.r. people.
December 8th, 2007 at 6:35 pmIt appears that the 2008 election may be the first honest election we’ve had since 1980’s race between Carter and Reagan.
We could have a true Christian Conservative like Romney or Huckabee against a true Progressive like Obama. Finally, we would get to see which way this country wants to go. No blurring of lines with candidates that are fiscally conservative, but socially liberal, etc.
December 8th, 2007 at 6:49 pmwhat??????????????????
December 8th, 2007 at 7:00 pmDoes this man do any research before he attacks people like Madonna who he thinks should fund research themselves, Madonna has been one of the most supportive entertainers since this crisis begain and to set the record straight “She has given millions every year to combat AIDS” very few people have given the amounts Madonna has and she started DAY 1! Her very first royalty check went to pay the emdical expences of a close freind of hers who had AIDS before any one had a clue what it was and she has never stopped giving and educating. I maynot be a die hard Madonna fan but I do reconize she has been a huge driving force behind awareness of HIV and the constant fight for a cure and NO One can say this woman has not given vast sums of money to the cause even when it was not the “IT” thing to do. Maybe Huckabee does not read the news did he miss where Madonna is building homes in Africa to care for children with AIDS? Or how many times she has been honored by AMFAR for her vast and endless donations year after year?
I agree people with money who care about this cause should do more than preach it they should back it up with funds but its insulting to attack Madonna who everyone knows funds millions into every cause she preaches about and always has.
December 8th, 2007 at 8:02 pmhuckabee said today that in 1992 we were “still learning” about aids and hiv, and that was the context in which his comments should be examined.
he’s right. as i point out at my blogA, even tho gallo had isolated the virus in 1984, and azt had been approved in 87, we had a lot to learn.
1992 was the seminal year in which the fda approved ddc as the first nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor as an antiretroviral agent in the fight against the disease. it’s true we weren’t sure in 1992 if widespread use of ddc would lead to pancreatitis due to mitochondrial toxicity of nrtis on pancreatic cells, until the protocol included zero or minimal alcohol intake in patients taking zalcidabine. so, in effect, we were “still learning” about the disease.
that’s obviously what huckabee meant.
December 8th, 2007 at 8:13 pmCompassionate conservatism at its best. (sarcasm off)
December 8th, 2007 at 10:20 pmLike all of the 2008 Republican White House hopefuls, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee is quick to claim the mantle of Ronald Reagan. But when it came to the AIDS crisis, President Ronald Reagan was positively enlightened compared to Senate candidate Huckabee years later. As it turns out, everything Mike Huckabee argued in response to the AIDS epidemic in 1992 – quarantining victims, blaming gay Americans, decrying federal funding to fight the disease – Ronald Reagan himself debunked in 1987.
For the details, see:
December 8th, 2007 at 11:41 pm“Huckabee’s 1992 AIDS Bigotry Refuted by Ronald Reagan in 1987.”
“that’s obviously what huckabee meant.”
And he was obviously a knee-jerk a$$wipe back then as well as now.
December 8th, 2007 at 11:57 pm“It appears that the 2008 election may be the first honest election we’ve had since 1980’s race between Carter and Reagan.”
HA HA HA HA HA.
December 9th, 2007 at 9:24 am