MAYDAY

I read the other week of how Brazil rejected US aid for AIDS prevention because the US would only make the offer on the basis Barzil give up its successful program of education and prevention for one based on some misguided US bible belt principals.

Imagine that. A developing nation telling the US to keep out of their business!

I don’t know what to think about the US. On one hand they are a progressive society that upholds freedom and genuinely do progress the cause of human well being while at the same time inflicting a fairly seriously twisted world view on the rest of the world.

There are just so many examples but I guess the one that stands out in my mind is the protection of their war criminals. I know that failure to sign on to Kyoto will ultimately cause more human suffering but the organisations that hold power in the US have done such a good propaganda job that the politicians are incapable of acting in the common good. The war criminal stance neatly summarises their attitude of indifference (or is it obstinance?). Every dealing US dealing with the world seems to be a one way street. Or maybe to get a little bit more a country has to sell of just a bit more of it sovereignty (for example the US imposing its stupid IP laws and interference with the health system on Australia in return for access to some of its markets). It must be good to be king.

Now imagine a world where all nations started to deal with the US as Brazil did. Where equity and common good were considered utmost in all dealings. Where the goal was to do what was right and not cater to small vocal minorities. Dream on!